Adjustable Clamp Patents (Class 403/DIG9)
  • Patent number: 6053652
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting the lower riser assembly of a jet pump in a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a nuclear reactor. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the clamp assembly provides structural rigidity to the lower rise assembly. The clamp assembly includes a lower thermal sleeve clamp and a riser clamp. The lower thermal sleeve clamp is positioned adjacent an interface between the elbow and the thermal sleeve of the jet pump riser pipe assembly. The riser clamp is secured to the riser pipe of the jet pump riser pipe assembly at a location adjacent an interface between the riser pipe and the elbow. The lower thermal sleeve clamp and the riser clamp also are coupled to each other so that as the respective clamps are secured to the lower riser assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gerald A. Deaver, Siamak Bourbour, Don Schrein, John G. Erbes
  • Patent number: 6027279
    Abstract: A clamp having a U-shaped clamp body which engages a profile such as a rectangular pipe on three sides, while a fourth side of the profile is engaged by a bolt which is secured by a nut and extends through conical holes in the free legs of the clamp body. Conical washers on the bolt engage the conical holes on the far side from the pipe, meaning that the bolt is located eccentrically in the holes. Tightening the bolt the nut makes the clamp body squeeze the top side and the bottom side of the pipe. The conical washers in the conical holes make the bolt squeeze the pipe in the direction of the back side of the pipe. The pipe is thus squeezed from all sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Kverneland Klepp AS
    Inventor: Magne Skj.ae butted.veland
  • Patent number: 5941653
    Abstract: A composite structure has a rod (1) and a collar (2) locked on the rod (1) and composed of two semicollars (12, 22), each extending over an angle smaller than 180.degree. and having lateral longitudinal flanges (12', 12", and 22', 22"), whereat they are linked to each other by clamping bolts (3', 3"). The flanges (12', 22') on one side of the semicollars (12, 22) adhere to each other with their facing plane surfaces (212', 222'), whereas the facing plane surfaces (212", 222") of the flanges (12", 22") on the opposite side of the semicollar (12, 22) are spaced. The rod (1) has at least one outer positioning projection (6', 6"), which is engaged in a corresponding inner positioning recess of the collar (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Alstom Transport Electrification S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alfredo Cipriani
  • Patent number: 5899627
    Abstract: A retractor support apparatus of the present invention includes a first support arm, a second support arm, and a first clamping member. The first and second support arms are each attached to a pivot ball. The first clamping member has a clamping bore that is adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls. The first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamp is in an open position. The first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the clamp is in clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter J. Dobrovolny
  • Patent number: 5888015
    Abstract: A rod gripping device, having a support member with a locking pin hole and a rod receiving hole, where the bores of each hole are situated perpendicular to each other, but parallel to a given plane that bisects the support, and where the bores of the holes intersect to form a common area shared by both bores. When a rod is inserted into the rod receiving bore, so that the rod occupies the common area shared by the bores, a set of angled wedges are situated on either side of the rod, with the wedges being located in the locking pin hole bore. A first wedge has a smooth bore through it, with the second wedge having a threaded bore. A locking pin is inserted through the first smooth bore wedge, which can slide along the shaft of the locking pin to the locking pin handle edge, with the second threaded bore wedge receiving the locking pin's threaded shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventors: Kris H. Brown, Kelly A. Brown, David N. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5816736
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a robot arm assembly including a plurality of elongated elements for attachment with a tool carried by the robot arm assembly. The robot arm assembly includes a robot arm, an arm clamp assembly clamped around the robot arm, and at least one elongated element clamp. The elongated element clamp is connected to a mounting pad on the arm clamp and carries the elongated elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Flex-Cable, Inc.
    Inventor: Erwin K. Kroulik
  • Patent number: 5810503
    Abstract: Clamping device for clamping a shaft to a base member including a base member, at least one clamping element spaced from the base member, a shaft having a longitudinal axis and extending along the base member between the base member and clamping element, connecting links connecting the clamping element to the base member, and a bolt for moving the clamping element into locking engagement with the shaft exerting a clamping action on the shaft which is parallel to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Patent number: 5800089
    Abstract: A detachable anchor for a pool cover includes a two piece C-shaped body which fits over and engages a metal pool frame. The anchor is detached when the pool cover is removed. The anchor includes an anchor knob which engages the loop of a spring-loaded attachment mechanism attached to a swimming pool cover. The anchor is adjustable for different sized pool frames, so that the same anchor can be used for different pool frame sizes. The adjustable detachable pool cover anchor accommodates a wide variety of pool frame sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: William S. Donaton
  • Patent number: 5727899
    Abstract: A clamping device includes a first clamping member and a second clamping member that are pivotally mounted with respect to each other. The first clamping member is fabricated from a unitary structure. The first clamping member has a first clamping end, a second clamping end, and a first fulcrum portion located between the first clamping end and the first attachment end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter J. Dobrovolny
  • Patent number: 5701991
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for mounting an art device having a depending support bar on a rail extending horizontally lengthwise of a conveyor, which permits adjustment of the position of the clamp assembly lengthwise of the rail without effecting the vertical position of the art device and permits adjustment of the vertical position of the art device relative to the rail without affecting the adjusted position of the clamp assembly lengthwise relative to the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Hi-Speed Checkweigher Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Helmetsie
  • Patent number: 5692596
    Abstract: A rail guide support assembly for assembly line and conveyor systems utilizes a split support rod which allows convenient visual confirmation of the positioning of the guide rails. The rod comprises two halves formed longitudinally, and a portion of the rod mates to form an indicator of the guide rail position relative to the conveyor belt and path of the product being conveyed. Adjustable positioning in multiple directions is possible, such that one or more guide rails may be differentially spaced both vertically above and laterally along the conveyor belt. The split rod may also incorporate a contoured design which keys the halves together to facilitate their assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc,
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 5609436
    Abstract: A coupling structure includes two couplings joined back-to-back as a unit by means of a bolt, each coupling consisting of a box-like base, a pair of non-skid blocks disposed within the base, a cover pivotally connected to the base, a press plate and a couple of adjusting screw bolts. The base is provided with notches in its two longitudinal walls for supporting a tube. The non-skid blocks are respectively provided with upper non-skid surfaces for urging against a lower portion of the tube. After the tube is mounted within the base, the cover is locked in place by means of the screw bolts which join the press plate to the cover and pass through corresponding holes in the base and the non-skid blocks to secure the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Yuh-Chiou Jou
  • Patent number: 5593143
    Abstract: A universal post connector is disclosed for interconnecting fence posts and braces either of which may be a pipe post or tee post at any horizontal or vertical angle and at any position along the length of each. The universal connector is also adaptable to tee posts and pipe posts of all standard cross-sectional sizes. The preferred embodiment includes a pair of sleeves and a pair of collars to interconnect two tee posts. At least one sleeve is slipped onto each tee post and fastened thereto at any position along the length of the tee post using a fastening device. A collar encircles each sleeve and is clamped at any position along the length of the sleeve. A coupler pivotally interconnects the collars and locks the collars at variable angles with respect to each other. In the case where a pipe post is used in place of a tee post, the collar can be directly clamped to the pipe post without using a sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: James A. Ferrarin
  • Patent number: 5573161
    Abstract: The crossbar for an article carrier including a pair of side rails, each of the side rails having a lip, includes a bar having first and second ends for supporting the bar across the side rails. At least one of the ends includes a movable jaw and a fixed jaw, each jaw having a jaw surface engageable with the rail lip. The crossbar also includes a clamp for selectably urging the jaw surfaces against the rail, the clamp comprising a threaded stem carried by the movable jaw and extending through a slot in the fixed jaw. The movable jaw is movable in a plane parallel to the rail lip and between a position in registration with the lip surface and a retracted position out of registration with the lip. Preferably, an actuator wheel for the clamp is exposed for access and ease of manipulation but within the contour of adjacent luggage carrier surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Craig A. Stapleton
  • Patent number: 5553963
    Abstract: A clamp device 10 including both fixed 10" and moveable versions 10' attached to a portion of a ladder adjustment apparatus 110 for engaging the rungs 101 of a ladder 100. The device 10 comprises a lower generally C-shaped jaw member 20 having a recess 26 to receive an adapter member 50 to grasp the rung of the ladder 100. The lower jaw member 20 is pivotally connected to a portion of the ladder adjustment apparatus 110 to accommodate the angular orientation of the adjustment apparatus 110 relative to the rungs 101 of the ladder 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hoy, Mark D. Scherer
  • Patent number: 5544970
    Abstract: An apparatus for the attachment of an axle (10) to a hub (3) capable of rotating around a rotational axis (2) is provided with a first thread (5) and with a screw (7) with a second thread (8) and a third thread (9), so that the second thread (8) has half the pitch of the third thread (9) and is screwed into the first thread (5). A clamping device of the apparatus consists of a first part (11) and a second part (12) which is screwed via a fourth thread (13) into the third thread (9). By rotating the screw (7) the first part (11) with the screw (7) can be moved in a first direction, so that the second part (12) is at the same time moving at twice the speed in the opposite direction to the first direction. The axle (10) can be clampingly held between the first part (11) and the second part (12) in a wide diameter range so as to be centered relative to the rotational axis (2) by turning the screw (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Technology Innovation AG
    Inventor: Werner Studer
  • Patent number: 5536102
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for the head tube of a bicycle in which the two ends of the head tube are respectively provided with a horizontal race and a vertical race. The horizontal race is provided for the handlebar to feed through, and the vertical race cooperates with a vertical tube for locking. The wall of the vertical race is provided with a feed-through lateral passage, which communicates with the vertical race through an intersecting hole. A stop member is placed inside the intersecting hole, and the two sides of the stop member are respectively provided with a push member. The side of the stop member facing the vertical race is provided with a recessed arc surface, and the opposite side is a V-shaped protruded portion, which is provided with a fixed ring. The two push members are respectively provided with a screw hole for a stove bolt to feed through so that the fixed ring can be locked together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Yu-Chen Kao
  • Patent number: 5468092
    Abstract: A clamp for securing together sections of conduit has a first clamping section and a second clamping section. Each clamping section is made up of a base portion and a connecting plate which extends from the base portion. The connecting plates each have a through-hole formed therethrough and are aligned so that a bolt may be inserted. The bolt pivotally connects the first and second clamping sections together. A pair of U-clamps are provided and secure each respective conduit section to its associated clamping section. The sections of conduit are secured within the clamping sections so as to be in a plane parallel to each other while being adjustable to any desired angle. The sections of conduit may also be rotated within the clamping sections to angle the clamp with respect to other clamps attached to opposing ends of the conduit sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Eugene K. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5450910
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a snow thrower which has a motor, a wheeled support for the motor, an auger, and a support for the auger. The apparatus converts the snow thrower to a lawn care apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of lock assemblies connected to the auger support on opposite sides of the auger, support, a rollable lawn care assembly, and a pair of strut members connected at opposite ends of the rollable lawn care assembly. The strut members are adapted to connect with the lock assemblies on the auger support. Each of the lock assemblies includes a base plate attached to the auger support. A first bracket member is attached to the base plate and receives a portion of one of the strut members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Harold J. Strzyzewski
  • Patent number: 5435354
    Abstract: An accelerator lever for quickly accelerating a projectile to a high velocity in a loom comprises a lever arm (1b) coupled to a rotating shaft (2) by a clamping device (1a). The clamping device includes at least two fasteners (4c) extending through holes in the lever arm and the clamping device and threadably coupled to elements (4a) on the opposite side of the lever arm. The fasteners and elements provide a positive locking connection to firmly connect the lever arm to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Sulzer Rueti AG
    Inventor: Danilo Vezzu
  • Patent number: 5419479
    Abstract: A roof luggage carrier for an automotive vehicle includes a pair of rails running the length of the vehicle and at least one transverse carrier extending between the rails. A clamping device at each end of the carrier clamps the respective rail. The carrier is a hollow section with an open channel on its bottom. The clamping device includes a support jaw held stationary on the carrier and positioned on the side of the rack pipe toward the outer side of the vehicle. A swingable clamping jaw cooperates with the support jaw to clamp the pipe between them. The clamping jaw is positioned on the side of the pipe toward the middle of the vehicle. The clamping jaw is a double arm lever swingable around a pivot pin that is supported on the support jaw. The upper parts of both the support jaw and the clamping jaw extend through the longitudinal opening in the carrier and into the interior of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Happich Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Brigitte Evels, Harald Brunner, Gerrit Fluss
  • Patent number: 5356237
    Abstract: A walk-aiding wheeled frame comprises base tubes, handle tubes, and fastening devices. The connecting portions of the base tube and the handle tube are polygonal in their cross sections. The base tube is provided with a locking slot. The fastening device comprises a pressing baffle capable of being driven to move by a wrench, and a hexagonal fastening tube provided with a locking baffle corresponding in location to the locking slot of the base tube. The handle tube and the base tube are fastened securely in an end-to-end manner by means of the pressing baffle, which is driven by the wrench to move inwards, and of the locking baffle. Such method of fastening the base tube and the handle tube ensures that the handle tube does not become loosely attached, thereby safeguarding the user of the walk-aiding wheeled frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: Jung T. Sung
  • Patent number: 5352058
    Abstract: In order to allow a first element (2) and a second element (1) to be tightly clamped together, and yet be easily and quickly unclamped for adjustments to be made to their relative positions, a rotatable clamp is provided. The rotatable clamp comprises three main parts: a first circular plate (4) attached to the element (2) and having a bolt (5) extending from the center thereof, a second circular plate (6) attached to element (1) and having a bolt hole (7) at the center thereof and a nut (8) having a handle (9) attached thereto for screwing onto the bolt (5) so as to force the two circular plates together. Each of the two plates (4) and (6) is provided, on the face contacting the other plate, with a series of circular, concentric grooves (12) and ridges (13) arranged to fit together with the ridges of one plate fitting into the grooves of the other plate as the plates are brought into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventors: Paul J. Munro, Alan Swan
  • Patent number: 5337983
    Abstract: There is provided a cable tie which incorporates a cushioning means which also functions as a retaining means. The cable tie comprises a housing and a strap. The strap can be separate from or integral with the housing. When the free end of the strap is assembled within the housing, a plurality of angularly extending fins maintains the integrity of the assembled components. A second plurality of longitudinal fins extend angularly from the inside circumference of the assembled clamp. The resiliency of the fins provides a cushioning to the device encircled by the strap. In addition the second plurality of longitudinally extending fins provide a resistance means to the sliding of the cable tie in a direction along a vehicle bracket or other member to which the cable tie is attached or to the longitudinal movement of the wiring harness within the cable tie itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: MCAM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Mailey
  • Patent number: 5320444
    Abstract: A threaded rod has a ball at one end and a stationary jaw at an opposite end with an end cap covering the end of the rod. A threaded collar pushes a movable jaw along the threaded rod toward the stationary gripping jaw by turning the collar clockwise. The movable collar has a cylindrical dome which covers the threaded rod and the end cap. An interior sleeve secured to the threaded collar at one end by an interior ring has a ridge at the other end of the interior sleeve which pulls the movable jaw away from the stationary jaw by turning the collar counter-clockwise to release the jaws. The ball on one end of the clamp is inserted in an existing float and lock ball system attached to a stabilizing post on an operating table bed. The clamp secures surgical apparatus in place over the patient on the operating table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventors: John R. Bookwalter, William H. Bookwalter
  • Patent number: 5302039
    Abstract: An improved panel coupler has a hub assembly which releaseably and adjustably holds two or more panel clamps for coupling together two or more adjoining panels. The panel clamps have keeper ends which are captured and adjustable within a keeper channel in the hub assembly such that the panel clamps are infinitely adjustable about the hub assembly, and distal clamping ends which, in turn, are adjustable for clamping onto panels having different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Bruce D. Omholt
  • Patent number: 5269788
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circumcision dressing, adjustable in circumference, which is placed around the subglanular or subcoronal region of a penis on its mucosal aspect. The dressing comprises an inner arcuate member, or ring, which is adapted to be positioned between the prepuce and shaft of the penis parallel to the corona of the glans. This inner ring is discontinuous, preferably at its dorsal aspect, to allow for insertion of an elongate hollow connector piece to increase circumference for different sized penises, and is made from polymer, rubber, or metal. If desired, the inner ring may bear a guard flange which extends anteriorly beneath the prepuce to protect the penis from injury during the circumcision procedure. After this first ring is applied to the mucosal aspect of the prepuce with the foreskin retracted, the prepuce is reduced, or pulled forward. A second ring, or outer arcuate member, of polymer, rubber, or metal is then applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: James H. Nelson, III
  • Patent number: 5056952
    Abstract: An adjustable tool holder for carrying a tool, such as a paint brush, on a handle, such as an extension handle. The invention broadly includes a yoke assembly for mounting the holder on the handle and a carrier assembly for carrying the tool. The yoke assembly has a generally U-shaped configuration, with yoke arms extending upward from a handle mount. The carrier assembly includes a link assembly for mounting the carrier assembly on the yoke for angular movement in discrete preselected steps about an axis passing through the yoke, operable by imposing a moment force on the link assembly. Link arms extend between and in sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the yoke arms, with axle plugs joining adjacent yoke and link arms for rotational movement. A series of detent recesses and projections, respectively formed in adjacent yoke and link arms, permits rotational movement in a series of discrete steps of selected angular distance, without requiring the loosening of any screws or wing nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Allway Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Gringer
  • Patent number: 4950100
    Abstract: An articulated arm for supportably attaching a movable first body to a second body comprises a connector bar which fits inside a substantially hollow sheath, each of the connector bar and sheaths being pivotally attached to a first intermediate member at a first end thereof and to a second intermediate member at a second end thereof. Fasteners are provided to temporarily and disengagably fix the position of the connector bar with respect to the sheath. Hardware is described for attaching the first intermediate member to a movable first body and for attaching the second intermediate member to a second body which is substantially stationary with respect to the first body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Tru-Bore Engineering
    Inventor: Jon C. Horgas
  • Patent number: 4529332
    Abstract: A tubular joint for receiving and fastening a tubular element of an artificial limb includes a tubular member having a chamber to receive the tubular element therein and formed with a recess defined by inner walls of the coupling conically inclined towards each other, two clamping grips overhung in the recess, and an adjusting screw insertable into the coupling to press the clamping grips against the tubular element to clamp the latter in the chamber of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Otto Bock Orthopadische Industrie KG
    Inventor: Richard Glabiszewski