Abstract: A PC board clamp is disclosed. The clamp includes a base member movable between a first position and a second position, a first lift rail mounted on the base member, and a second lift rail extending generally parallel to the first lift rail. The clamp also includes a first clamping member movably connected to the first lift rail and a second clamping member movably connected to the second lift rail. When the base member is in the first position, the first clamping member is disposed away from the first lift rail and the second clamping member is disposed away from the second lift rail and, when the base member is in the second position, the first clamping member is disposed proximate to the first rail and the second clamping member is disposed proximate to the second lift rail. A method of operating the clamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A locking device is disclosed. The device includes a base portion having a base free end, a base hinged end, and an elongated top face extending between the base free end and the base hinged end. The device also includes a top portion having a top free end, a top hinged end, and an elongated bottom face extending between the top free end and the top hinged end. A hinge is hingedly connecting the base hinged end and the top hinged end. A locking mechanism releasably secures the base free end and the top free end such that the top face of the base portion and the bottom face of the top portion are secured proximate to each other.

Abstract: A tooling fixture for supporting a workpiece, comprising: a body including a surface over which a workpiece is in use supported and a plurality of bores therein; a plurality of supporting elements (12) for supporting the workpiece, each slideably disposed in a respective one of the bores such as to be extendable from the surface of the body; at least one fluid reservoir (9) operably in fluid communication with the supporting elements such as to cause sliding of ones of the supporting elements on displacement of the fluid in the at least one fluid reservoir, and fluid control means (53) for displacing the fluid in the at least one reservoir such as to cause the supporting elements to be extended to a supporting position in contact with the workpiece and locking the supporting elements in the supporting position.

Abstract: A pin locking apparatus for use in a support fixture includes a locking plate having a pin receiving hole and a ball receiving hole, and a ball contained within the ball receiving hole. The bottom of the ball receiving hole merges with a lower portion of the pin receiving hole. In a locking position, the ball of the pin locking apparatus is positioned approximately at a bottom of the ball receiving hole, and in an unlocking position, the ball is remote from the bottom of the ball receiving hole. The pin locking plate may be included in individual pin locking modules, which may be added, rearranged or removed from a supporting device. The pin locking plate may also be included in a supporting device wherein the pins are locked and unlocked using vacuum and air pressure, and in a supporting device wherein the pins are locked and unlocked manually by twisting, lifting and lowering the pins.