Detachable parts holder

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a shaft and spindle assembly for retaining a part in a part processing assembly. The part is retained on the shaft via a downward force from a part hold-down assembly. The shaft is retained in the spindle assembly that is coupled to a turntable of the part processing assembly. The shaft includes an annular step that abuts against a portion of the spindle assembly to block downward movement of the shaft when the downward force is applied. In this way, the part is retained in a precise location relative to processing nozzles of the part processing assembly even after multiple parts are held down by the part hold-down assembly and processed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A parts processing apparatus, comprising:
 a turntable;   at least one spindle assembly coupled to the turntable, wherein the turntable is operable to move the at least one spindle assembly through a part processing path;   a slotted shaft coupled to the spindle assembly, wherein the at least one spindle assembly is operable to rotate the slotted shaft;   a parts holder adapted to hold a part as the spindle assembly moves through the part processing path; and   a coupling mechanism attached to the parts holder, wherein the coupling mechanism is adapted to removably attach the parts holder to the slotted shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slotted shaft has a first end, a second end, and a sidewall which defines a slot positioned between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the slot extends from the second end, toward the first end, and terminates before reaching the first end. 
     
     
         4 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the slot extends from the second end, toward the first end, and extends through the first end. 
     
     
         5 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the slot comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is shaped different than the second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first end is attached to the at least one spindle assembly and the second end is attached to the parts holder. 
     
     
         7 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the coupling mechanism has a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side is shaped corresponding to the first portion and the top side is shaped corresponding to the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the parts holder comprises:
 a support upon which the part rests; and   a pin affixed to and extending from the support for insertion into a hollow component of the part.   
     
     
         9 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the parts holder comprises:
 a support upon which the part rests; and   a receptacle affixed to and extending from the support and comprising an opening for receiving the part.   
     
     
         10 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises: 
 a sidewall defining a recess and having a first hole and a second hole; and   a securement member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is slidably engageable through the first hole and the second end is slidably engageable through the second hole.   
     
     
         11 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spindle assembly comprises a pulley assembly having a track for receiving a belt. 
     
     
         12 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the pulley assembly is connected to the slotted shaft for rotating the slotted shaft as the spindle assembly moves throughout the part processing path. 
     
     
         13 . A parts processing apparatus, comprising:
 a spindle assembly configured to retain a part being process and configured to permit rotation of the part, the spindle assembly comprising:
 a bearing assembly; and a shaft that rotates within the bearing assembly, wherein:
 the shaft includes an annular step that extends circumferentially outward from the shaft and is configured to abut against an outer edge of the bearing assembly to block movement of the shaft through the bearing assembly. 
 
   
     
     
         14 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the shaft has a first end, a second end, and a sidewall which defines a slot positioned between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         15 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the slot extends from the second end, toward the first end, and terminates before reaching the first end. 
     
     
         16 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the slot extends from the second end, toward the first end, and extends through the first end. 
     
     
         17 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first end is attached to the spindle assembly and the second end is attached to a parts holder. 
     
     
         18 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the slot comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is shaped different than the second portion. 
     
     
         19 . The parts processing apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a parts holder adapted to hold the part as the spindle assembly moves through a part processing path; and   a coupling mechanism attached to the parts holder, wherein the coupling mechanism is adapted to removably attach the parts holder to the shaft.   
     
     
         20 . A parts processing apparatus, comprising:
 a turntable;   at least one spindle assembly coupled to the turntable, wherein the turntable is operable to move the at least one spindle assembly through a part processing path;   a slotted shaft coupled to the spindle assembly, wherein the at least one spindle assembly is operable to rotate the slotted shaft;   a parts holder adapted to hold a part as the spindle assembly moves through the part processing path; and   a coupling mechanism attached to the parts holder and engageable with the slotted shaft, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises:
 a sidewall defining a recess and having a first hole and a second hole; and 
 a securement member engageable with the slotted shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is slidably engageable through the first hole and the second end is slidably engageable through the second hole.