Responsive To Element Actuating Means Patents (Class 269/93)
  • Patent number: 5312154
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding down workpieces in milling machines and other machine tools. A hollow receptacle has undercut regions that receive lugs on the lower end of a stud. The stud thereby connects to the receptacle, and disconnects from it, by being turned only a fraction of a turn. A nut on the stud is friction related to it by an adjustable friction generator. The receptacle, nut and stud cooperate with a strap clamp and heel block, to very quickly and easily mount and demount parts in milling and other machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Darrel Woodall
  • Patent number: 5293961
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating arched wooden structures such as headers for window and door jambs, said apparatus comprising a mandrel table having a planar bed from which a plurality of rigid arms upwardly extend. Each of the arms is movable on the bed so that the arms can be positioned to define and form in conjunction with each other an arcuate shaped mandrel about which wooden planks are to be bent into arched structures. A clamp secures a long work piece at its center to the mandrel intermediate the ends of the mandrel and a flexible steel band is wrapped tightly and progressively about the mandrel on either side of the clamp to bend each end section of the work piece about and conform it to the shape of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventor: Leonard F. Postema
  • Patent number: 5275391
    Abstract: A hold-down utilizing a round, interchangeable post having annular barb-like ridges or projections that engage a workbench top through round holes that may be located at substantially any desired positions in the bench top. The post threads into a hold-down body having, on one side of the post, a yoke within which a gooseneck-shaped hold-down arm pivots on a pin received in yoke arms or forks and, on the other side of the post, a screw pressure point and T-shaped slot for receiving the head of a clamping adjustment screw that is journaled through one end of the clamping arm. The other end of the clamping arm terminates in a foot with a rounded pad for exerting pressure against a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Lee Valley Tools Ltd.
    Inventors: John S. Lynn, Francis A. McLean, Edwin C. Tucker, Lloyd Sevack, Gary W. Lacoste, Timothy C. Frank, Michel Perrier, Leonard G. Lee
  • Patent number: 5247846
    Abstract: A quick-disconnectable device with a screw piece, a first threaded part and a second threaded part, the threaded of which fits with the first threaded part, wherein the screw piece has a straight guide for the first threaded part, and the screw piece has a radial bearing and an axial bearing for the second threaded part, the longitudinal direction of the straight guide and the axis of rotation of the radial bearing are arranged parallel to one another, the two threaded parts are guided at a distance at which the mutual engagement of the two threaded parts is possible, the second threaded part has an external thread, and is equipped with a recess which completely interrupts the engagement of the threads at least in a specific rotary position An embodiment as a compact light and simple quick-acting clamping means for variable clamping geometry for articles to be measured on automatic 3D-measuring machines or as a spindle drive with high-speed disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Wild Leitz GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Grossmann, Bruno Tews, deceased, Holger S. Tews, heir
  • Patent number: 5199693
    Abstract: A workpiece holding system with lock screw in which the lock screw is placed axially in the center of an adjustment screw for an adjustment block thereby eliminating any deflection and eliminating any small errors. Since the lock screw is already spring pressured on the adjustment screw, the increased pressure of the lock screw will not cause any change in the adjustment of the adjustment block and since the lock screw is oriented in the center of the adjustment screw, there will be no deflection of the adjustment block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Lars Johanson
  • Patent number: 5181702
    Abstract: A workpiece holddown apparatus is shown that includes a post, removably securable to a variety of work tables and benches by a bolt extending through a hole or slot in the work table or bench and received in a threaded bore in one end of the post. An arm assembly consisting of a tubular sleeve is radially disposed on the post for 360.degree. rotational and axial sliding movement thereon, and includes an arm radially extending from and attached to the tubular sleeve at an upward angle taken from a perpendicular of the axis of the post, the arm terminating with an internally threaded bushing in which is threaded a screw having an axis parallel to the post. The screw includes a handle portion and foot portion, the foot portion adapted to contact and press against a workpiece as the screw is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventor: Dennis K. Pettigrew
  • Patent number: 5171001
    Abstract: An offset powered toggle clamp which is very compact and in which the entirety of the actuating mechanism is fully enclosed so that it is sealed from contaminants, and can be permanently lubricated. The clamp also accommodates various clamping arm locations and orientations for different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin G. Sawdon
  • Patent number: 5135036
    Abstract: A versatile work bench. Throughbores are formed in the bench top and a captive nut is positioned in a countersink associated with each throughbore on the bottom surface of the bench top. Clamping boards are similarly provided with throughbores and captive nuts positioned in countersinks. Clamping tools that include a hand-rotatable handle and a screw that rotates in response to rotation of the handle may be employed to clamp workpieces between the bench top and the clamping boards. Clamping wedges that also include a throughbore and a captive nut may be tightened by clamping tools to wedge together workpieces disposed in edge-to-edge relation to one another. Turnbuckles and straps may be used to interconnect the bench top and clamping boards when large workpieces are to held atop the bench top. Large flat items may be held on their edge on the bench top by a mounting block and an arrangement of turnbuckles and straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Eugene J. Caron
  • Patent number: 5110099
    Abstract: In a hydraulic clamp with a direct operated clamping-member, a piston (13) is so inserted into a cylinder bore (11) formed in an upper portion of a housing (4) as to be slidable in the vertical direction. A peripheral wall (11a) of the cylinder bore (11) is projected downwardly and fixedly secured to a lower portion of the housing (4). An opening (12) is so formed in the lower portion of the peripheral wall (11a) as to face a fixed object (2) such as a metal mould. A clamping actuation oil chamber (15) is formed above the piston (13). A spring accommodation bore (21) is formed upwardly from below in a clamping-member (5) which protrudes downwardly from the piston (13), and an unclamping spring (23) is inserted into the spring accommodation bore (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventor: Tsutomu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 5080336
    Abstract: A device for clamping or immobilizing workpieces to be machined includes a casing adapted to be fixed to a worktable and in which is disposed a mobile part rotatable about a horizontal axis. The mobile part has a toothed sector cooperating with a lead screw. It also has an arm forming a lever whose end is adapted to bear on the workpiece to be machined. The arm is removably mounted in the mobile part and able to move in translation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mobile part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Freres Carossino
    Inventor: Andre Carossino
  • Patent number: 5037074
    Abstract: A work-holding fixture for clamping a workpiece in position on a work-holding table has a guide shoe (1) and an associated clamping dog (2) which is designed as rocking lever (21) and has extensions (24) which are arranged in the center area and are supported on the guide shoe. A clamping screw (36) is provided at the free end of the clamping dog (2). The recesses (8, 9) are provided in such a way as to be continuous over the length of the guide shoe (1) and are integral parts of a T-slot-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the guide shoe (1). The clamping dog (2) has a curved form in which the free ends of the gripping leg (22) and of the clamping leg (23) are arranged higher than the extensions (24). The extensions have a roughly elliptical cross-section with an orientation of the large axis roughly in the longitudinal direction of the clamping dog (2). The clamping dog has a return spring (30) acting against the clamping direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Lenzkes
  • Patent number: 5002265
    Abstract: A variable height work holder for holding a work piece on a work table, such as a machine tool table, the table having a tie down bolt upwardly extending therefrom, the device including a heel member having an upwardly extending thick wall tubular portion with an upwardly spiraled upper surface defined by a series of steps, a pin affixed to the heel member coaxially of the tubular portion and an elongated clamping bar having an opening adjacent the inner end thereof slidably receiving the pin, the portion adjacent the outer end being configured to engage a work piece, the clamping bar having, intermediate the ends, a portion for receiving a tie down bolt therethrough, the spiraled stepped upper surface of the heel tubular portion providing means for supporting the inner end of the clamping bar at variable heights with respect to the work table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Inventors: Wayne E. Burt, Juanita E. Burt
  • Patent number: 4867427
    Abstract: A clamp adapted to engage a clamp receiving hole in a welding platen for tightly clamping a workpiece in a desired position. The clamp includes an elongated upright capable of extending into the hole, a stop member extending outwardly from a lower portion of the upright, the stop being wider than the mouth of the hole, thereby limiting the distance the upright extends into the hole, a clamping arm slidably mounted to the upright, the clamping arm comprising a frame portion, an elongated neck extending from the frame and a sleeve connected to the neck and engaging the upright, the sleeve permitting changes in the angular position of the neck with respect to the upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Paul D. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 4826146
    Abstract: A hydraulic clamp for dies of injection molding machines, workpieces of machine tools such as press machines and the like.In the front part of its housing a clamp arm is installed to be longitudinally movable and vertically pivotable and a hydraulic cylinder in the rear part thereof, and there is formed in at least either of a piston rod and the clamp arm a longitudinally extending hole for accommodating a clamp arm pushing spring. An engaging means is provided for engaging the clamp arm with the piston rod at substantially same level with the clamp arm pushing spring. When the hydraulic cylinder is driven to extend, first the clamp arm is pushed forward by the clamp arm pushing spring and, when it is extended, a projected end portion of the clamp arm is pivoted down by the force-magnifying effect of a driving wedge interlockingly connected with the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventor: Tsutomu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 4743192
    Abstract: A resin injection metal mold unit comprising, in combination, a metal mold consisting of a cavity section and a core section, and stationary and movable metal mold supporting members for releasably holding the metal mold sections in the opposing relationship. Each supporting member has a plurality of clamping members for engaging an associated mold section. Each clamping member has a clamping slant in the complementary relationship with the counter slant chamfer of the mold section. Such members are slidably attached to an associated supporting member so as to move close and apart from the mold section. When a mold section is fixed to an associated supporting member, the clamping members are brought in contact with the mold section with their clamping slants closely fitting the counter chamfer slants of the mold section, and then clamping members are fixed to the supporting member by driving associated bolts, thereby pushing and holding the mold section against the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Sankyo Oilless Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Higuchi
  • Patent number: 4743002
    Abstract: An improved mechanism for automatically clamping a die tool to a press bed or press ram. The automatic die clamp is self-locking and self-compensating to provide a failsafe operation in the clamped position and thus the mechanism retains the clamp in the clamped position. A ramp is provided to guide the movement of a wedge which wedge movement controls the movement of a clamping member. A spring bias may be provided as an optional feature to assist in the self-locking. Release of the clamp requires the application of an external force to overcome the locking of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Schreiber Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Klaus R. Menzel
  • Patent number: 4697799
    Abstract: A support for sensing the proper positioning of a workpiece and holding the workpiece for a machining operation in response to the proper positioning includes elements for sensing the position of the workpiece at a plurality of locations on the workpiece and a power drive mechanism for operating a clamp to secure the workpiece in the proper position. The sensing elements are connected in series to a power source and are actuated by engagement with predetermined locations on the workpiece when the workpiece is in the proper position. The clamp includes clamp arms which swing laterally away from seats for the workpiece as the clamp arms are moved forward to release one workpiece and accept another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: The J. L. Wickham Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Wickham, Jeffrey D. Fox
  • Patent number: 4674908
    Abstract: We are dealing with a mechanism for clamping a second machine part 4 which is supported movably with respect to a first machine part 2. A clamping bar 28, which extends in the direction of movement is arranged on the second machine part 4, on which clamping bar can be clamped a clamping member 32 which is supported freely movably in directions transverse to the direction of movement of the first machine part, but otherwise clearance free. Since the clamping member 22 is as a whole freely movable in directions transverse to the direction of movement, no reactive forces whatsoever are created in the direction of movement during the clamping operation.The inventive clamping mechanism is preferably used in feed-movable spindle sleeves (tail spindles) in order to assure a secure clamping in an axial direction and in a peripheral direction, without producing forces which act transversely to the spindle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Friedrich Deckel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Kagerer
  • Patent number: 4673173
    Abstract: A workpiece clamping device with which workpieces of different sizes can be accommodated without having to make extensive system modifications each time the workpiece is changed and with which clamping operations can be performed with a high efficiency. An operating fluid flow-rate detector is provided in a hydraulic circuit between a hydraulic fluid source and a plurality of operating cylinders which drive clamping pawls to detect the flow rate and amount of the hydraulic fluid therethrough. The clamping position is sensed in accordance with the detected flow rate and amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippei Toyama
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Shochi, Kenei Nakajima
  • Patent number: 4664364
    Abstract: A proximity switch assembly for signalling the location of a movable member at either of opposite end limits of movement relative to a stationary frame includes a compact elongate housing adapted to be mounted on the frame to extend along the path of movement of a power driven member, such as a piston rod, which shifts the movable member between its end limits. A proximity switch is fixedly mounted in the housing and a switch actuating member is mounted for sliding movement over a relatively short distance sufficient to move an actuating tab into and out of actuating proximity to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Ozz Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Lymburner
  • Patent number: 4635911
    Abstract: A motorized over center clamp for clamping parts or work pieces utilizes a sequence controller to drive an electric motor and rotate a worm wheel mounted on a worm wheel shaft. A crank rod assembly is rotationally mounted in an off center position on the worm wheel and has curved closed end track portions that ride on the worm wheel shaft. The crank rod assembly is connected to a piston that moves a clamp rod under spring pressure. When the motor has rotated its shaft to the clamped position of the clamp, rotation of the motor shaft is stopped and the clamp is held in position by the spring forcing a mechanical over center condition of the crank rod assembly relative to the worm wheel shaft. The spring length is sensed to determine energy stored in the spring and detect lack of work pieces, work pieces out of position or work pieces that are oversized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Rodger T. Lovrenich
  • Patent number: 4595186
    Abstract: A rotating welding fixture for holding a pipe fitting against a welding table so that socket welds can be fabricated in one continuous operation. A locking dowel is passed into an opening in the fitting and the fitting locked between the table top and the dowel so that the entire weld region is fully exposed to the welding rod. The table is rotatably supported in a base so that the work can be turned past the welding rod to complete the weld without having to break the weld bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Inventors: Richard A. Reed, William J. Kidd
  • Patent number: 4570914
    Abstract: A power operated clamp includes a cylinder having a reciprocal piston rod. A hollow body is aligned with and connected to the cylinder and mounted upon a support. The body includes a pair of spaced side plates at their one ends secured to the cylinder. The piston rod extends into the body. A clamp arm is pivotally mounted upon the body and in one position is adapted to retainingly engage a workpiece relative to a workpiece support. A linkage is pivotally connected to the clamp arm; the improvement which comprises a series of vertically spaced pairs of longitudinally spaced transverse mount holes extending through the side plates. The mounting of the body includes an upright riser extending between the side plates and has a series of longitudinal similarly spaced apertures corresponding to some of the side plate apertures. Pivot bolts extend through some of the side plate apertures and riser, whereby the body may be mounted in one of a plurality of longitudinal locations relative to the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Inventor: Leland F. Blatt
  • Patent number: 4558854
    Abstract: A step block supports the clamp arm of a clamp which is used to hold a workpiece to be machined. The step block has a generally right angled triangular configuration and has a saw-teeth portion on the inclined side. Each tooth of the saw-teeth portion is inclined upwards and outwards to positively support a complementary saw-teeth portion of the clamp arm. To provide a self-standing property to the step block, at least one permanent magnet and at least two yokes, interposing the permanent magnet between them and making contact with it, are received in a recess formed in a base surface of the step block, with the outer surfaces of the yokes being coplanar with the base surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Suzuki Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakazu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4549727
    Abstract: A rotary vise structure comprises a worktable journally mounted for rotation in a base member which includes a releasable latching rod adapted to engage selected openings in the worktable to hold the worktable in selected angular positions. The latching rod may be released to allow the worktable to be indexed to alternative angular positions, and the latching rod may also be held by a retainer in the released position to allow free rotation of the worktable. The worktable includes adjustable jaws for clamping articles thereon, the jaws being received in slideways of inverted-T profile. The worktable is made up of a plurality of plates secured face to face, the plates being appropriately slotted to define the inverted-T shaped slideways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Inventor: John J. Kozar
  • Patent number: 4540164
    Abstract: A multipurpose workpiece holding apparatus comprises a pair of plates which can be connected together to form an angle block suitable for squaring workpieces. Alternative workpiece hold-down devices may be attached to the respective plates, and one of the plates may be bored to receive and hold different diameter workpieces for sharpening and like purposes. The various components of the apparatus may be combined in different ways to provide different forms of holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Inventor: Edwin J. Shade, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4538797
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated die clamp is capable of adjustably engaging die assemblies having a wide range of thicknesses. The clamp includes a pivotally mounted clamp lever having a first end which is vertically displaced upward by use of a hydraulic piston and a second end vertically displaced downward in response thereto for securely engaging the die assembly. The second end of the lever includes a first plurality of horizontally aligned, vertically arranged notches directed downward. Coupled to the aforementioned second end of the lever by use of a spring retaining mechanism is an adjustable striker bar having a complementary arrangement of a second plurality of notches directed upward for engaging the first plurality of notches in maintaining the striker bar fixedly positioned on the second end of the lever. A die assembly is maintained in a fixed position on a die clamp base, or table, by the hydraulically actuated downward displacement of the striker bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: CLEARING, a division of U.S. Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Orville L. Lerch
  • Patent number: 4530493
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener assembly for use with a machine table having a work supporting surface and at least one elongated T-slot formed in the table and opened to the surface. The fastener assembly includes an elongated stud threaded at one end and a cross member secured transversely across its other end. This cross member is dimensioned to that it is insertable into the T-slot and thereafter rotatable within the wider portion of the T-slot. The fastener assembly further includes a U-shaped collar having an opening in its base through which the stud is slidably received. The collar is slid over the stud and into the T-slot whereupon the legs of the collar are positioned on opposite sides of the cross member and thus prevent rotation of the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Inventor: Douglas G. Break
  • Patent number: 4527605
    Abstract: A bench having a horizontal working surface and a fence at the rear edge which defines a straight edge. The fence includes a forwardly extending ledge which overhangs the rear portion of the working surface. The working surface can be raised and lowered, so that a workpiece on the working surface can be releasably clamped between the ledge and the working surface. A bridge is secured to the fence and includes guide rails extending forwardly accurately perpendicular to the fence to guide a carriage on which can be mounted a power tool, such as a router, e.g. to form an accurate edge on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Newjig Limited
    Inventors: Douglas F. C. Ede, Brian S. Wilkinson, Colin B. Mynott
  • Patent number: 4526354
    Abstract: A clamping system for holding a work piece while it is being worked on by a machine tool is disclosed. In one embodiment there is a base plate having an upper surface that has a locator position in a central region of the surface. A connector is provided that acts between an internal cavity of the work piece and the locator position to limit movement of the work piece along the base plate. Three series of aligned holes in the upper surface of the base plate are provided, each of which extends radially outward from the locator position in a different direction from the other. Three adjustably positionable peripheral clamps are also provided. For each of the clamps, a screw can removably position the clamps at various positions along the series of holes. The clamps can therefore be readily positioned at different radial positions relative to the locator, and can accommodate various sizes of work pieces at a single work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Inventor: Paul M. Mannes
  • Patent number: 4519129
    Abstract: A tool assembly for use with a prime mover, such as a bench press, for terminating a plurality of insulated conductors in a mass terminator connector. The tool assembly includes a pair of supports, at least one of which is adapted for attachment to the prime mover, for reciprocal movement relative to one another. The assembly also includes a conductor insertion die set carried by one of the supports for inserting the conductors into the connector. This die set includes an insertion die corresponding to each terminal element of the connector. Finally, the assembly includes connector holding means carried by the other support for holding the connector in alignment with the die set. The holding means has connector release means for retaining the connector in the holding means and is engageable by the connector and movable by the connector from a retention position to a release position and biased to the retention position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, Roy A. Moody, John J. Bulanda, Russell E. Wende
  • Patent number: 4506871
    Abstract: A retracting clamp suited for clamping a die or a workpiece, a die of an injection molding machine in particular, is disclosed, wherein a hydraulic cylinder is provided in the rear part of a clamp housing, a clamp block is carried slidably by a gently tapered underside of the front part of its piston rod, and the clamp block is urged forward by a spring so as to drive it for clamping at its extruded position and, when clamping is over, the clamp block is retracted to its retracted position and a piston is urged toward the clamping position as necessary by a spring, and the position of the clamp block is detectable by means of limit switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Aioi Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keitaro Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 4504046
    Abstract: A retracting clamp for dies or workpieces, especially for the die of the injection molding machine, whose clamp arm is installed in the chamber of the clamp housing so as to shift its position between an extended position and retracted position. The clamp arm is driven with a wedge connected to the piston-rod of the hydraulic cylinder. A spring enables clamp arm to hold the clamping force in case of hydraulic oil leakage. There is also provided means for retracting the wedge without failure and means for detecting the positions of the clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Inventors: Keitaro Yonezawa, Tsutomu Sirakawa
  • Patent number: 4500081
    Abstract: A clamp for clamping parts on cutting machine tools includes a housing containing a rotary disc having a clamp arm and a toothed sector projecting from the disc which meshes with a tangential screw which rotates the disc to apply a clamping force to the clamp arm. The disc is journalled in a pair of cheek members that are fixed within the housing, and cooperate with the disc to present cylindrical radial bearing surfaces and planar annular lateral bearing surfaces. The annular lateral bearing surfaces of the disc are contiguous with the cylindrical outer surface of the disc on which a pair of scraper blades run, and the annular lateral bearing surfaces of the cheeks are substantially flush with the inner wall of the housing so as to protect the housing against ingress of foreign matter. The diameter of the outer cylindrical surface portion of the disc is less than the inner diameter of the toothed sector to enable a fixing screw to be accessible by a tool from the top of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Carossino Freres
    Inventor: Andre Carossino
  • Patent number: 4496138
    Abstract: A power operated clamp includes a cylinder having a reciprocal piston rod. A hollow body is aligned with and connected to the cylinder and mounted upon a support. The body includes a pair of spaced side plates at their one ends secured to the cylinder. The piston rod extends into the body. A clamp arm is pivotally mounted upon the body and in one position is adapted to retainingly engage a workpiece relative to a workpiece support. A linkage is pivotally connected to the clamp arm; the improvement which comprises a series of vertically spaced pairs of longitudinally spaced transverse mount holes extending through the side plates. The mounting of the body includes an upright riser extending between the side plates and has a series of longitudinal similarly spaced apertures corresponding to some of the side plate apertures. Pivot bolts extend through some of the side plate apertures and riser, whereby the body may be mounted in one of a plurality of longitudinal locations relative to the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Leland F. Blatt
  • Patent number: 4496139
    Abstract: A vise clamp has an elongated body which fits into a T-shaped slot of a tool table. The body has a head at one end which extends out of the slot and pair of pivotal lugs which fit under the side shoulder of the slot. Means are provided to provide a pivoting action which tends to pivot the head toward the table surface to tend to clamp a tool such as a vise against the table. The major portion of the clamp thus remains recessed below the table surface. The clamp permits making a low profile swivel base vise that has the clamps positioned below the vise base and yet they are easily operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Kurt Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John O. Lenz
  • Patent number: 4494739
    Abstract: A clamping assembly is operated by a piston and cylinder assembly rotatably mounted on a support. A mounting bracket rotatably mounted on the support is provided with a pair of pivotally mounted plates each having a clamping arm and a cam track. The mounting bracket includes an annular shoulder engaging the support; a flange draws the shoulder against the support, thereby selectively locking the bracket and the piston and cylinder against rotation in any of a plurality of rotational positions. A drive rod connected to the piston extends through the support and into an elongate slot in the bracket. A pair of rollers secured to the outer end of the rod are disposed in the cam slots and drive the plates to pivot. The cam slots are specially configured to lock the clamp in a locking position in the event that fluid pressure is lost in the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: State Die & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Al L. Valentine
  • Patent number: 4492367
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding an object, such as a furnace or kiln block, in a predetermined position relative to an external metal member, such as the metallic shell of a furnace or kiln. The apparatus includes a foot assembly which is adjustably supported on a rod member, which is in turn supported by a lower side of a magnet. The upper side of the magnet is removably magnetically affixed to the metallic shell so as to secure the apparatus thereto, thus enabling the foot assembly to hold the object against the metallic shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Inventor: Larry Cox
  • Patent number: 4489926
    Abstract: The workpiece supporting and clamping universal device of the invention comprises essentially an outer ring which can be secured to a base plate and into which are inserted a plurality of discs arranged concentrically in one another except for a disc which is eccentric with respect to the others, the discs being each provided with a column so that the columns are thus apt to cover all the points of any given surface by means of relative rotation of the discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Automatique Industrielle S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Blatrix
  • Patent number: 4487403
    Abstract: A bench mounted workpiece clamping straightedge to be used in conjunction with portable electric tools such as saws, routers and etc. or manual hand held cutting tools wherein a relatively vertically movable straightedge is utilized to clamp a workpiece firmly and presenting a straightedge with which to guide cutting tools across and or through said workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Inventor: Russell W. Burge
  • Patent number: 4478331
    Abstract: A container for the storage or transportation of printed-circuit boards comprises an open-topped box with rectangular support plates inserted in vertical grooves of opposite walls. Each plate has several oblique slots, parallel to one of its diagonals, accommodating sliders by which circuit boards of widely varying sizes can be retained thereon. The sliders can be immobilized on the plate by quick-release clamps and are orientable in mutually perpendicular positions for gripping a horizontal or a vertical edge of a circuit board to be supported on four sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Jean-Claude Robin
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Ruin
  • Patent number: 4477063
    Abstract: A device for locking a workpiece in position on a working plane for a machining operation. The device includes a column to be mounted to extend perpendicularly from such a working plane, and a locking assembly slidably displaceable along the column. The locking assembly includes two gripping members positioned in opposed relationship on opposed sides of the column for each gripping member to partially embrace the column; a pressure member displaceably connected to the gripping members to extend therefrom and to be displaceable relatively thereto; and means operable by means of a single control lever to displace the two gripping members towards each other to tighten onto the column, and to cause the pressure member to swivel relatively to the gripping members for locking a workpiece in position on such a working plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Inventor: Henri Mehier
  • Patent number: 4475726
    Abstract: A rugged sturdy workpiece positioning mechanism that effectively and efficiently positions and holds at least two workpieces for further operations is provided. The mechanism includes a main support which is slidably connected to a first workpiece and a housing assembly which is affixed to the main support and extends above and engages the second workpiece. The housing assembly includes two side plates, a cam with a handle rotatably attached to the sideplates, a ratchet to lock the cam into a fixed position and a load bearing surface actuated by the cam and slidably received between the side plates. The edge of the cam abuts the load bearing member. When the cam is rotated in a predetermined direction, the distance between its axis of rotation and the load bearing member increases driving the load bearing member downward. The load bearing surface engages the workpiece and forces the second workpiece into a desired position relative to the first workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Inventor: Richard B. Smith
  • Patent number: 4470586
    Abstract: An adjustable clamp for clamping a work piece in a T slot of the bed plate of a machine tool. The clamp comprises a one piece rocker body with a work engaging portion at one end to hold down a work piece. The lower center of the clamp has a fulcrum portion of less width than the T slot and pivotally connected below the bedplate which anchors the clamp thereto. The other end of the clamp has a thrust screw which enters the T slot in the bed plate. A pair of oppositely projecting studs, each with a curved upper surface, enable the clamp to rock in the T slot, when the thrust screw is tightened, to firmly lock the work piece on the bed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Inventor: Philip P. Spencer
  • Patent number: 4451026
    Abstract: A clamping member is urged to move in a first direction along a path substantially parallel to a work supporting surface in response to the application of a single linear force, such as a fluid actuated motor. Stop means limit the travel of the clamping member in the first direction. In response to continued force applied by the fluid motor, the clamping member is caused to move in a second direction anchoring a workpiece to the work supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Stevens Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Coope
  • Patent number: 4445675
    Abstract: A work-clamping unit includes a base plate in which hydraulic cylinders are totally embedded, each cylinder including a piston vertically movable beneath the top surface of the base plate, the piston being adapted to carry a clamping member detachably connected thereto so as to transmit a clamping force from the piston to the clamping member, the base plate additionally including an oil path for feeding hydraulic pressure to each of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: AIOI Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ichiro Kitaura
  • Patent number: 4445676
    Abstract: A fluid-operated clamping device comprises a support forming a cylinder in which a piston is reciprocatable. A piston rod fixed to piston has a free end projecting beyond the cylinder. A bell crank is pivotally mounted on a portion of the support extending beyond the cylinder. A clamping arm is preferably releasably connected to one arm of the bell crank and has a V-shaped end portion extending transverse to the remainder of the clamping arm adapted to clamp a sheet metal or the like between the V-shaped end portion and a matching V-shaped notch on the upper surface of a stationary anvil. A link comprising at least one spring plate partly divided by a preferably T-shaped slot extending from one side thereinto into two resilient end portions is arranged between the free end of the piston rod and the other arm of the bell crank with one end portion pivotally connected to the free end of the piston rod and the other end portion pivotally connected to the other arm of the bell crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: Tuenkers Maschinenbau G.m.b.H.
    Inventor: Josef-Gerhard Tunkers
  • Patent number: 4444379
    Abstract: A welding fixture mounts a self-clearing workpiece clamp having an arm that is pivotally mounted on the fixture and carries over-center toggle linkage for a clamp jaw. A trigger connected to the linkage is engaged by a moving welding head for releasing the clamp jaw, whereupon a spring swings the clamp arm clear of the welding head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4432538
    Abstract: A machine tool clamp includes an elongated clamping member with its mid-section anchored at an adjustably spaced distance above a base plate. The front end of the clamping member is adapted to clamp a work piece to a machine tool work platform. The rear end or heel of the clamping member bears pivotally on the base plate in such a manner that the adjustable anchor of the mid-section is a movable fulcrum. A height adjustable mechanism with a large mechanical advantage is positioned in the heel of the clamping member to lever the clamping member about the adjustable fulcrum to clamp the front end on a work piece. The height adjustable mechanism can be a screw, eccentric cammed lever, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, or other suitable mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Inventor: Hector Sequin
  • Patent number: 4413818
    Abstract: A combination vise that comprises a box construction frame that has three side surfaces for supporting the vise so that the jaws can be placed perpendicular to the table surface by laying the vise on either side and clamping it in position, or the jaws can be positioned on the top of the vise in a normal manner when the vise is set on its bottom.The three side surfaces of the vise which do not carry the jaws are machined so they will lay flat on a machine tool table and properly orient the jaws when the vise is clamped on any one of the three usable sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Kurt Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John O. Lenz