Abstract: A clamping element for clamping workpieces in a flexible position. Two slides (2 and 3) guided in parallel slide in cutouts (4 and 5), which are provided in a housing (1). The force for moving the slides is introduced via plunger pistons (9 and 10) by these pistons acting on the front sides (17 and 18) of the slides, whereby a short lever arm is formed between the introduction of the force and the action of the force. A piston (22), which is provided at its head with a wedge (23), is introduced into the housing (1) at right angles to the plane of movement of the slides. This wedge is guided in recesses (6), which are associated with the slides. Due to the piston (22) being pulled down, its wedge is jammed in the recesses (6) of the slides (2 and 3) and the wedge pushes the slides into the cutouts (4 and 5) and fixes same in a self-locking manner.

Abstract: A self-centering element for clamping workpieces via deflecting pins, which act between a drive element and self-centering slides. Deflecting pins, which are provided with grooves in which carrier prisms are arranged, are introduced in pairs into recesses in a housing in a plane located in parallel to the mounting surface of the element. The carrier prisms have wedge surfaces, which are slidingly guided in the grooves of the deflecting pins. The deflecting pins are controlled by pistons, which are arranged in the same plane but at right angles to the deflecting pins. The forces are transmitted beginning from the piston via the deflecting pins to the carrier prisms and then to the self-centering slides, which are connected to the carrier prisms and which move the clamping jaws.

Abstract: A clamping element is provided for clamping work pieces on machine tables and the like with a tiltably mounted clamping lever, which is longitudinally displaceable in the clamping plane. The clamping element includes a housing (1) provided with a fork head (3), in the forks of which holes (4) are provided centrally and into which a king pin (5) each is inserted in a rotatably mounted manner. The king pins (5) are provided with guide pins (6), which have two opposite flattened areas. The clamping lever is a square with two grooves (8) milled in, in opposite locations. The clamping lever (2) can be pushed with its grooves (8) onto the guide pins (6) of the king pins (5) inserted into the fork head (3).

Abstract: A clamping element is provided for clamping workpieces in a flexible position with hydraulically actuated clamping jaws, which can be moved to the workpiece and can be fixed by a clamping insert (2; 30) guided in a housing (1; 29). The clamping insert is provided with an internally located piston (3), which is guided slidingly. Clamping jaws (20; 31) as well as a clamping lever (11), which is connected to the piston via a connecting rod (8) in an articulated manner, are associated with the clamping insert. The clamping operation moves the piston upward and presses the clamping lever onto the workpiece (25). The resistance originating from the workpiece brings about the stopping of the clamping lever and at the same time continues to raise the clamping insert, as a result of which the clamping jaws come into contact with the workpiece under the workpiece and firmly connect the workpiece to the clamping insert.

Abstract: Clamping cylinders (8) are built into a pallet (1) for clamping on a machine tool table (2). Tongues (14) are connected to the pistons (10) of the clamping cylinders (8), which tongues project over the bottom surface (6) of the pallet (1) and fit into normal T-slots (15) of a machine tool table (2). The tongues (14) are clamped in the clamping position by cup spring sets (11) in the T-slots (15). To release the pallets the clamping cylinders (8) are loaded with pressure fluid, which is supplied through a hydraulic coupling (18, 27), which is automatically coupled together when a moving rod (3b) engages the pallet (1). The novel system permits the use of pallets (1) for clamping of workpieces to be worked, without need for significant changes in the machine tool table (2) (FIG. 2).