A workrest for a grinding machine

Abstract

A workrest (50) for a centreless grinding machine, with the workrest comprising a mount (52, 56) for mounting on a grinding machine, and a shoe holder (62) for carrying a shoe (70, 72) to be engaged with an outer circumferential surface of a workpiece (96) during grinding. The shoe holder is able to rotate relative to the mount about at least two non-parallel rotational axes, thereby enabling the workrest to accommodate different variations in the profile of a workpiece and/or any misalignment of the shoe holder or shoe.

1 . A workrest for a centreless grinding machine, the workrest comprising:
 a mount for mounting on a grinding machine; and   a shoe holder for carrying a shoe to be engaged with an outer circumferential surface of a workpiece during grinding,   wherein the shoe holder is able to rotate relative to the mount about at least two non-parallel rotational axes.   
     
     
         2 . The workrest of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe holder is able to rotate relative to the mount about three mutually perpendicular rotational axes. 
     
     
         3 . The workrest of  claim 2 , wherein the shoe holder is able to rotate relative to the mount in all directions. 
     
     
         4 . The workrest of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe holder has a convex engagement surface which defines part of the surface of a sphere, and the mount has a complementary concave engagement surface. 
     
     
         5 . The workrest of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of resistance to movement of the shoe holder relative to the mount is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The workrest of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe holder is held against the mount by a biasing force which is adjustable. 
     
     
         7 . The workrest of  claim 1 , including a retainer for holding the shoe holder against the mount. 
     
     
         8 . The workrest of  claim 7 , wherein the retainer has a concave engagement surface, and the shoe holder has a complementary convex engagement surface which defines part of the surface of a sphere. 
     
     
         9 . The workrest of  claim 7 , wherein a distance between the retainer and the mount is adjustable. 
     
     
         10 . The workrest of  claim 7 , wherein the retainer is urged away from the mount by a biasing arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The workrest of  claim 10 , wherein the biasing arrangement comprises at least one resilient biasing member. 
     
     
         12 . A grinding machine including the workrest of  claim 1 .