Abstract: A work support and method of clamping a translatable component of a hydraulic work support system. The work support may include a rigid, hollow slotted collet, a sleeve, and the translatable component, such as a plunger or rod. Hydraulic fluid may be pumped into an inlet of the hydraulic work support system to hydraulically actuate the translatable component outward from a first retracted position to a second extended position. The hydraulic fluid may further be pumped to the sleeve at a sufficient pressure that the sleeve presses against the collet. The collet responds thereto by flexing into contact with the translatable component, thus holding the translatable component in the second extended position. The slots in the collet allow for flexure even when using a thicker material with stronger column strength.

Abstract: A work support and method of clamping a translatable component of a hydraulic work support system. The work support may include a rigid, hollow slotted collet, a sleeve, and the translatable component, such as a plunger or rod. Hydraulic fluid may be pumped into an inlet of the hydraulic work support system to hydraulically actuate the translatable component outward from a first retracted position to a second extended position. The hydraulic fluid may further be pumped to the sleeve at a sufficient pressure that the sleeve presses against the collet. The collet responds thereto by flexing into contact with the translatable component, thus holding the translatable component in the second extended position. The slots in the collet allow for flexure even when using a thicker material with stronger column strength.

Abstract: A work support and method of clamping a translatable component of a hydraulic work support system. The work support may include a rigid, hollow slotted collet, a sleeve, and the translatable component, such as a plunger or rod. Hydraulic fluid may be pumped into an inlet of the hydraulic work support system to hydraulically actuate the translatable component outward from a first retracted position to a second extended position. The hydraulic fluid may further be pumped to the sleeve at a sufficient pressure that the sleeve presses against the collet. The collet responds thereto by flexing into contact with the translatable component, thus holding the translatable component in the second extended position. The slots in the collet allow for flexure even when using a thicker material with stronger column strength.

Abstract: An unclamp delay valve for delaying release of hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic holding device. The unclamp delay valve may have a check valve allowing fluid to flow between an inlet port and an outlet port when held open by a piston translatable within a piston chamber. The check valve blocks fluid from flowing between the outlet port and the inlet port when released due to hydraulic fluid filling the piston chamber and translating the piston away from the check valve. To reopen the check valve, hydraulic pressure is released via the inlet port and slowly drains from a small orifice fluidly coupling the piston chamber and the inlet port, causing the piston to return to again open the check valve. A delay is thus created by the time it takes for the piston chamber to drain, thus opening the check valve to release hydraulic pressure therethrough.

Abstract: An unclamp delay valve for delaying release of hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic holding device. The unclamp delay valve may have a check valve allowing fluid to flow between an inlet port and an outlet port when held open by a piston translatable within a piston chamber. The check valve blocks fluid from flowing between the outlet port and the inlet port when released due to hydraulic fluid filling the piston chamber and translating the piston away from the check valve. To reopen the check valve, hydraulic pressure is released via the inlet port and slowly drains from a small orifice fluidly coupling the piston chamber and the inlet port, causing the piston to return to again open the check valve. A delay is thus created by the time it takes for the piston chamber to drain, thus opening the check valve to release hydraulic pressure therethrough.

Abstract: A work support and method of clamping a translatable component of a hydraulic work support system. The work support may include a rigid, hollow slotted collet, a sleeve, and the translatable component, such as a plunger or rod. Hydraulic fluid may be pumped into an inlet of the hydraulic work support system to hydraulically actuate the translatable component outward from a first retracted position to a second extended position. The hydraulic fluid may further be pumped to the sleeve at a sufficient pressure that the sleeve presses against the collet. The collet responds thereto by flexing into contact with the translatable component, thus holding the translatable component in the second extended position. The slots in the collet allow for flexure even when using a thicker material with stronger column strength.

Abstract: A link clamp for holding a part on a fixture has a housing with a bore with a longitudinal axis; a piston received in the bore and shiftable between retracted and extended positions; a clamping lever pivotally connected to one end of the piston; and a link assembly coupled for shifting the clamping lever between clamped and released positions. The clamping lever is configured to rotate relative to the housing in a single plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore so that the clamping lever may be positioned on any side of the housing without altering the distance between the contact point of the clamping lever and the mounting flange of the housing.

Abstract: A work support comprises a plunger, a transmission member, a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a clamping mechanism, a plug, and a body. The plunger may be slidably retained within the clamping mechanism, which in turn is firmly held within the transmission member. The transmission member may extend and retract from the body corresponding to a pressure in the first chamber and the second chamber. Extension of the transmission member also extends the plunger such that the plunger may contact and receive a load from a work piece. The third chamber may be located between the outer surface of the clamping mechanism and the inner surface of the transmission member. Increasing pressure in the first chamber while decreasing pressure in the second chamber extends the transmission member and opens the plug which blocks the entry to the third chamber. Pressure in the third chamber closes the gap between the clamping mechanism and the plunger and applies a clamping force to the plunger.

Abstract: A clamping sleeve is of generally cylindrical shape with a hollow interior and comprises an upper crown, a lower crown, and a tubular sidewall. The upper crown is positioned at an upper end of the clamping sleeve. The lower crown is positioned at a lower end of the clamping sleeve. The tubular sidewall is positioned between the upper and lower crown and includes one or more corrugations that utilize spring like principles such that pressure applied to the external surface of the tubular sidewall circumferentially flexes the clamping sleeve in order to reduce the diameter of the clamping sleeve and apply a clamping force to an object within the clamping sleeve. The clamping sleeve may be utilized in a work support that includes a plunger positioned within the clamping sleeve, wherein a pressurized flowable medium provides pressure to the exterior of the tubular sidewall thereby causing the clamping sleeve to apply a clamping force to the plunger.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a quick connect coupling mechanism including a male member and a female member comprises a shroud, a base, and a trigger element. The shroud may be tubular in shape and may be placed on an outer sleeve of the female member. The base may be coupled to the rear edge of the shroud, extending rearward therefrom and may maintain linear motion of the adapter during usage. The trigger element may be coupled to the shroud and the base and may extend outward therefrom. The trigger element may include an arcuate forward wall that is configured to receive a finger of a user and to be pulled rearward during retraction of the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A clamping sleeve is of generally cylindrical shape with a hollow interior and comprises an upper crown, a lower crown, and a tubular sidewall. The upper crown is positioned at an upper end of the clamping sleeve. The lower crown is positioned at a lower end of the clamping sleeve. The tubular sidewall is positioned between the upper and lower crown and includes one or more corrugations that utilize spring like principles such that pressure applied to the external surface of the tubular sidewall circumferentially flexes the clamping sleeve in order to reduce the diameter of the clamping sleeve and apply a clamping force to an object within the clamping sleeve. The clamping sleeve may be utilized in a work support that includes a plunger positioned within the clamping sleeve, wherein a pressurized flowable medium provides pressure to the exterior of the tubular sidewall thereby causing the clamping sleeve to apply a clamping force to the plunger.

Abstract: A work support comprises a plunger, a transmission member, a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a clamping mechanism, a plug, and a body. The plunger may be slidably retained within the clamping mechanism, which in turn is firmly held within the transmission member. The transmission member may extend and retract from the body corresponding to a pressure in the first chamber and the second chamber. Extension of the transmission member also extends the plunger such that the plunger may contact and receive a load from a work piece. The third chamber may be located between the outer surface of the clamping mechanism and the inner surface of the transmission member. Increasing pressure in the first chamber while decreasing pressure in the second chamber extends the transmission member and opens the plug which blocks the entry to the third chamber. Pressure in the third chamber closes the gap between the clamping mechanism and the plunger and applies a clamping force to the plunger.

Abstract: A function monitor (10) broadly comprises a detector (14) to sense a condition, a transmitter (18) to monitor the detector (14), and a base unit (20) to receive a status signal from the transmitter (18) indicative of the detector's status. The detector (14) may comprise a pressure switch, a position switch, a level switch, a temperature switch, and/or virtually any device that may be used to electrically monitor the condition. The transmitter (18) preferably receives power through a wireless connection to the base unit (20). The base unit (20) preferably receives the status signal from the pallet transmitter (18) over the wireless connection and actuates a output (30) according to the status signal. The output (30) that may be used to warn an operator of the condition, or take other necessary actions, such as preventing a pump from running.

Abstract: An improved shiftable clamp (12) adapted for connection to a fixture (10) is provided, wherein the clamp (12) is selectively operable to engage and hold a workpiece (14) to the fixture (10). The clamp (12) includes a tubular body (22) and a piston (24) telescopically received within the body (22). Movement of the piston (24) is guided and controlled by way of a cam assembly (26) including a cam track (64) formed in the piston (24) and an associated cam track follower ball (66) mounted on the body (22). A spring unit (74) is also provided on the body (22) and includes a spring (82, 96) serving to self-center and bias the ball (66) into the track (64). This insures that the ball (66) smoothly rotates during movement of piston (22) and reduces wear and premature clamp failure.

Abstract: An improved shiftable clamp (12) adapted for connection to a fixture (10) is provided, wherein the clamp (12) is selectively operable to engage and hold a workpiece (14) to the fixture (10). The clamp (12) includes a tubular body (22) and a piston (24) telescopically received within the body (22). Movement of the piston (24) is guided and controlled by way of a cam assembly (26) including a cam track (64) formed in the piston (24) and an associated cam track follower ball (66) mounted on the body (22). A spring unit (74) is also provided on the body (22) and includes a spring (82, 96) serving to self-center and bias the ball (66) into the track (64). This insures that the ball (66) smoothly rotates during movement of piston (22) and reduces wear and premature clamp failure.

Abstract: A pallet pressure monitor (10) broadly comprises a pressure detector (14) to sense hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic system (16) of a pallet (22), a pallet transmitter (18) to monitor the detector (14), and a receiver unit (20) to receive a status signal from the pallet transmitter (18) indicative of the detector's status. The detector (14) preferably comprises an adjustable pressure switch. The pallet transmitter (18) preferably receives power through a wireless connection to the receiver unit (20). The receiver unit (20) preferably receives the status signal from the pallet transmitter (18) over the wireless connection and actuates a relay output (30) according to the status signal. The relay output (30) is preferably electrically connected to a warning unit (32), or other signaling device, that warns an operator when the pressure in the hydraulic system (16) is below a set-point.

Abstract: A pressure reducing valve assembly (10) for receiving fluid from a high pressure line and delivering the fluid to a low pressure line includes an elongated tubular body (12), a pressure reducing valve (14) having a single, valved opening (54) interposed between high and low pressure ports (68),(70), and a pressure reducing reservoir (16) defined substantially between the body (12) and the pressure reducing valve (14). The pressure reducing reservoir (16) comprises the only substantial fluid communication between the body (12) and the pressure reducing valve (14) and fluidly communicates with the high pressure port (68) by the single, valved opening (54). In preferred forms, the pressure reducing valve (14) includes a valve insert (64) housing a spring (62) that, among other functions, serves as a reset valve to further reduce the space requirements and decreasing the cost and complexity of the valve assembly (10).

Abstract: A retract clamp (20) utilizes three clamp arm retraction enhancement mechanisms (26, 28, 63) to increase clamp arm (24) retraction consistency. The first retraction enhancement mechanism (26) is a bifurcated piston having a first piston member (68) and a second piston member (70). If the first piston member (68) becomes tilted and caught, the second piston member (70) continues to move allowing the first piston member (68) to right itself. The second retraction enhancement mechanism (28) comprises a clamp arm guide mechanism having a base (82), a pusher (84), and a plurality of resilient members (110-124) interposed between the base (82) and the pusher (84) to bias the pusher (84) against the clamp arm (24) and align the clamp arm (24) with a clamp arm receiving area (40) defined in a clamp arm holder (22). The third clamp arm retraction enhancement mechanism comprises a lift surface (63) on the clamp arm (24).

Abstract: An improved hydraulic work support (10) having a plunger (18) that is shifted between retracted and extended positions by hydraulic fluid is disclosed. The work support includes a base (12); a tubular housing (14) partially received in the base and having a central bore (40); a tubular sleeve (16) received within the central bore; a general cylindrical plunger (18) positioned at least partially within the sleeve, the plunger being movable within the bore along the longitudinal axis; and a piston cylinder assembly (20) positioned within the central bore for selectively shifting the plunger along the longitudinal axis of the bore between a lowered, retracted position and a raised, extended position under the influence of hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A pressure reducing valve assembly (10) includes an elongated tubular body (12), a pressure reducing valve (16) for reducing the fluid pressure discharged from the valve assembly, a pressure relief valve (18) for permitting fluid to discharge from the valve assembly when the device to which the valve assembly is coupled experiences an over-pressure condition, and a reset valve (20) for resetting the pressure reducing valve when the fluid pressure on the high pressure side of the valve assembly is reduced below a pre-selected reset level. The pressure reducing valve, pressure relief valve, and reset valve are all positioned within the tubular body and coaxially aligned along the longitudinal axis (14) of the body. The reset valve is positioned within the confines of the pressure reducing valve, and the pressure relief valve utilizes the same compression spring (90) as the pressure reducing valve.