CLAMP STAND

Abstract

A clamp stand for supporting a clamp in an elevated position above a fixture base comprises an extruded support column having upper and lower ends and an interior that is at least in substantial part open. The clamp stand includes longitudinally extending fastener attachment openings, which are attachable by threaded fasteners to a base at the lower end and to a clamp base an upper end. Flat and angled adapter plates are used to attach clamps having bases with different hole patterns. The support column can be mounted to a fixture base by a base bracket. Clamps can be mounted for vertical movement in key slots in the sides of the support column.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved clamp stand for supporting work pieces and/or instruments on or at a desired distance above or orientation with respect to a work surface.

In many applications it is necessary to hold an instrument or work piece at a desired location or orientation on or above a fixture base, such as a work bench. The application can include welding, dimensional checking, or other industrial, laboratory, or similar applications. In each case, one or more standard clamps are used to position the desired instrument or work piece in a desired position. It is often necessary that the clamp be positioned at a location above the work surface, so that the clamp can engage the instrument or work piece at a desired location or at a desired height or orientation above the work surface. This is achieved by mounting the clamp on a clamp stand.

Prior clamp stands (which are also referred to as clamp supports, clamp towers, and risers or other similar nomenclature) are conventionally made of one or more solid bars of metal into which holes are drilled and tapped. The holes are positioned so as to correspond with the mounting holes in the base of the clamp that is mounted on the clamp stand. Multiple holes can be drilled in the solid bar in order to provide some position adjustment or to provide mounting holes for different clamps.

A disadvantage of prior clamp stands is that there is a high material cost associated with using solid metal bars. In addition, solid bars are heavy and cumbersome to carry. Moreover, clamp stands that include multiple mounting holes provide only discreet locations for mounting clamps and do not provide a means for continuous adjustment of the position of the clamp. Multiple mounting holes also sometimes interfere with each other.

An object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight extruded clamp stand that is rigid, lightweight, strong and cost effective and that is adaptable to a number of different clamps.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clamp stand that provides for orientation of a clamp in a number of different positions and provides for continuous height adjustment of the clamp in one or multiple vertical slots in the clamp support stand.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an improved clamp stand comprises an extruded clamp stand support column having upper and lower ends, with extruded open channels running longitudinally along the column and with the extrusion including fastener openings in the ends for receipt of threaded fasteners. The lower end of the support column is mounted on a base by one or more threaded fasteners that extend through mating openings in the base. A clamp can be mounted on the upper end of the column by threaded fasteners that extend through openings in a base of the clamp and engage the openings in the upper end of the column. Flat and angled adapter plates can be used to mount different clamps having different base hole patterns to a common support column or to mount clamps at different inclinations.

A clamp can be mounted on the side of the support column by means of a key that is slidably disposed in a keyway slot in the side of the support column. The key has a threaded opening therein that is accessible through the keyway slot. A side mounting bracket is mounted to the key by means of a threaded fastener that extends through the side mounting bracket into the key opening. The clamp mounts to the side mounting bracket by means of clamp openings in the side mounting bracket that mate with clamp openings in the base of the clamp. Desirably, the side mounting bracket is a short section of the clamp support column. A central side mounting bracket opening permits attachment of the bracket and rotational adjustment of the side mounting bracket for rotational adjustment of the clamp. Adapter plates also can be used. The keyway slots also preserve the rigidity of the support column while maintaining a reduced mass.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support column is substantially rectangular with a hollow interior and includes a longitudinal side bracket mounting slot on at least one side thereof and preferably on at least two sides, with the two sides preferably being on opposite sides of the column. In another aspect of the invention, the column is square and substantially hollow and includes longitudinal channels and key slots in all four sides of the column. Clamp mounting holes are positioned in enlarged portions adjacent corners of the column. In some embodiments, the column has an extruded central portion having an opening for attaching an adapter plate or for attaching a side mounting bracket to the side of the column by means of a slidable key mounted in the keyway slot. The central portion is connected to the sides of the column by ribs.

Still another feature of the present invention is that the fastener openings are formed so that either English or metric system fasteners can be used in the openings.

These and other features of the present invention will hereinafter appear, and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below and shown in the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is perspective view showing the clamp stand of the present invention mounted on a work surface.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a side mounting bracket mounted on the side of the support column of the clamp stand.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a clamp stand wherein the support column of the clamp stand is mounted on a base bracket, which is in turn mounted to the work surface of the fixture base.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the support column of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the support column of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a third embodiment of the support column of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the key employed in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the key of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an adapter plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the adapter plate of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another adapter plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the adapter plate of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of still another adapter plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the adapter plate of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is still another adapter plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an end view of the adapter plate of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is another adapter plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an end view of the adapter plate of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of an inclined adapter plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the inclined adapter plate of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a view taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, a mounting fixture 10 for supporting a workpiece 12 (shown schematically) at a given position and orientation on or above a fixture base 14 is shown in FIGS. 1-3. Mounting fixture 10 includes one or more adjustable clamp stands 16, each having a clamp 18 mounted thereon at a predetermined position above fixture base 14 by threaded fasteners 15. Clamps 18 are known and can be selected from any number of existing clamps. Toggle hold down clamps are shown (in a locked position). Typically, clamp 18 has a clamp base 20 which has a plurality of mounting holes 22 formed in a particular hole pattern. These vary from clamp to clamp. A clamp with a rectangular base and four mounting holes adjacent the corners is shown for exemplary purposes.

In the present description, it should be understood that reference may be made to directions and orientation, such as “upper” and “lower.” These terms are intended to be relative only and are not intended to require a particular directional orientation.

As shown in FIG. 1, clamp 18A is mounted on the upper end of clamp stand 16A, while clamp 18B is mounted on the side of clamp stand 16A. Clamp 18C (FIG. 3) is mounted on the upper end of clamp stand 16B.

Clamp stands 16 in the illustrated embodiments comprise extruded support columns 17 formed in a generally rectangular cross sectional configuration. Support columns 17 have upper and lower ends 24 and 26 and an elongated body 28 extending between the ends. The upper and lower ends typically are parallel to each other, but this can be modified depending upon the application. For example, the upper end can be inclined somewhat if desired (FIG. 3) in order to position the clamp at an inclined angle.

The clamp stand support columns may be formed of an appropriate extrudable material having sufficient strength for the purpose of the present invention. Desirably, the extrusions are formed of aluminum or a suitable aluminum alloy, such as 6063 aluminum.

The cross sectional configurations of the clamp stand support columns may vary depending upon the application. Three different configurations are shown in cross section in FIGS. 4-6. The cross section of the support column of each of the illustrated clamp stands is rectangular in configuration, but this shape may vary depending upon the application. An important feature of all of the support columns is that the extruded support columns include one or more enlarged open interior channels that reduce the mass and weight of the stand while still retaining ample strength in the stand. The open channels are formed to dramatically reduce the weight (and hence the cost) of the extrusions by at least about 30% and preferably by at least about 50% relative to a solid bar.

Referring to FIG. 4, support column 70 includes a central portion 72 with a central fastener opening 74 formed therein. Ribs 76 extend outwardly to corners of the support column where enlarged portions 78 include fastener openings 80 therein. An arcuate flange forming outer end 82 of rib 76 forms the corner of the support column. Legs 84 extend outwardly from enlarged portion 78, and flanges 86 extend at right angles from the ends of legs 84 to in-turned edges 88 that define the edges of an outer or narrow portion 90 of a slot leading to an enlarged internal elongated opening 92. Openings 92 and slots 90 are formed in all four sides of support column 70 and reduce substantially the weight and hence the expense of this support column. The longitudinal recesses or channels in the support column reduce the weight of the support column by fifty percent or more in the illustrated embodiment. For example, in a support column two inches on a side, the ribs may be as thin as about 0.12 inches (3.05 mm) and the flanges 86 may be as thin as about 0.06 inches (1.52 mm).

The longitudinal fastener openings in the support column may be extruded into the column and threaded at the ends. Thus, a section of the column cut to any length will already have openings at the ends. The support column alternatively could have solid portions where the holes are located, and the holes could be drilled and tapped in the ends only of the support columns. Extruded openings are preferred.

Referring to FIG. 5, support column 100 includes a peripheral side wall 102 with spaced flanges 104 defining relatively narrow slots 106 adjacent enlarged inner channels 108. Longitudinal fastener openings 110 are formed in a plurality of enlarged areas 112 adjacent inner sides of sidewall 102. A central column 114 is attached to the sides of the support column by ribs 116, and a central opening 118 is formed in column 114. Internal open portions 119 are adjacent the ribs.

In FIG. 6, support column 120 includes a peripheral sidewall 122 and a central opening 124. Fastener openings 126 are formed in enlarged portions 128 at the corners of the column. Internal openings 130 at the corners remove additional material from the corners of the column. Flanges 132 define a narrow outlet slot 134 adjacent an enlarged internal slot 136. Wall 138 forms the base of the slot 136.

In all of the foregoing embodiments, extrusion of the support columns reduces the weight and mass of the support columns substantially, while maintaining a light weight and strong construction.

A feature of the present invention is that the elongated, generally t-shaped slots in the sidewalls not only reduce weight but they serve as elongated key slots for attaching clamps at continuously adjustable locations along the sides of the clamp stand. The term “key slot” is intended to include any slot wherein the outer edge of the slot is narrower than an enlarged inner portion of the slot, such that a key member wider than the slot is constrained to longitudinal movement along the slot and is restrained from movement through the slot by flanges adjacent to the outer edge of the slot.

In the clamp stand of the present invention, fastener openings can be extruded into the clamp stand. Thus, the clamp stand has fastener openings at the top and bottom ends of the clamp stand whatever extrusion length is selected for use. The openings at the bottom of the clamp stand can be employed for fastening the clamp stand to the fixture base directly by fasteners 40, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the clamp stand can be mounted to a base bracket 42, as shown in FIG. 3, and the base bracket can be screwed to the fixture base by fasteners 44 that can have a different hole pattern.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, shown in the drawings, the mounting holes 22 in clamp base 20 are in alignment with the clamp openings in the support column, so that the two elements can be bolted directly together by fasteners 15. While it is desired that the clamp stand be formed with fastener openings that mate with the fastener openings in a desired clamp base, if the fastener openings in the clamp stand do not mate with the openings in a particular clamp, an adapter plate can be employed. An adapter plate can be provided with a set of fastener openings that mate with the openings in the ends of the selected clamp stand and also with a set of openings that mate with the openings in the base of the selected clamp. By the use of adapter plates, one clamp stand can be used for a variety of different clamps having different bases and different hole configurations. The illustrated adapter plates are about three eights inches thick.

A number of different adapter plates are shown in FIGS. 9-21. The adapter plate 140 of FIG. 9 has countersunk support column fastener openings 142 that mate with the fastener openings in the upper end of the clamp stand support column and has another set of fastener openings 144 for mounting a clamp base thereto. Plate 146 of FIG. 11 has four support column openings 148 and two clamp fastener openings 150 at opposite ends for a particular clamp base design. Plate 152 of FIG. 13 has a single, centered support column opening 154 and four offset clamp fastener openings 156. Plate 158 of FIG. 15 similarly has a centered support column opening 160 and two pair of offset clamp fastener openings 162 and 164, with only openings 162 being threaded. Plate 166 of FIG. 17 has one centered support column opening 168 and four clamp fastener openings 170 adjacent the corners of the adapter plate. Each of the adapter plates is designed to mount a particular clamp base to a support column with a non-matching hole pattern, thus saving the cost of a completely new support column for each clamp base hole pattern.

Another adapter plate 172, shown in FIGS. 19-21, provides an additional feature. This plate is wedge-shaped, so that it provides a way to mount the clamp on an inclined angle with respect to the fixture base. Plate 172 has a flat bottom surface 174 that mates with the upper end of the support column and an inclined upper surface 176, with a single support column fastener opening 178 extending perpendicularly into the bottom surface and four clamp fastener openings 180 extending perpendicularly into the inclined upper surface 176. This adapter plate thus provides for rotational adjustment and well as inclined mounting of a clamp.

In all applications, in order to attach the clamp to the upper end of the clamp stand, the clamp fastener openings are usually tapped so that fasteners can be threaded directly into the threaded interior openings in the clamp stand and adapter plates.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, clamp stands having different lengths can be employed so as to locate clamps at different distances from the clamp stand base. This can be accomplished simply by cutting the extruded clamp stands to different lengths.

As shown in the drawings, the clamp stands can have different internal configurations. In all of the configurations, a substantial portion of the interior portion of the clamp stands are removed and open, with only ribs and thin sidewalls remaining to support the fastener receptacles used for attaching the clamp stand to the base and attaching a clamp to the clamp stand.

Clamps are attached to the sides of the clamp stand by means of the keyway slots extending longitudinally along the sides. Keyway slots are fitted with keys 52 that fit inside the keyway slots and slide longitudinally therein. An exemplary key 52, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, comprises an elongated rectangular body 53, with an outwardly extending flange 56 thereon that fits in the narrow portion of the key slot. A threaded fastener opening 57 receives a fastener to attach a side mounting flange thereto. The key is wider than the slot at an inner portion thereof, so that the key is constrained from movement outward through the key slot.

As shown in FIG. 3, a short section of the adjustable clamp stand extrusion having a central opening can be used as side clamp 60. A section of extrusion does not have to be used as a side clamp, but this is a convenient and inexpensive way of doing this.

Side clamp 60 is attached by fastener 62 to key member 52. The fastener can be loosened to slide the side clamp along the slot to any adjustable location. The fastener can then be tightened to lock the side clamp in position. The clamp can then be screwed into the clamp retainer openings in the side clamp in the same manner as the clamp was screwed to the end of the clamp stand.

As illustrated, the present invention permits adjustment of the height of a clamp simply by cutting a relatively inexpensive aluminum extrusion to a desired height and forming or tapping threads in fastener openings in the ends. A side-mounted clamp can be further adjusted by sliding the clamp vertically for an continuously adjustable height, at which time the clamp can be locked by simply tightening the side clamp fastener.

In the preferred practice of the present invention, slots are formed in at least two sides of the clamp stand, and in one application the slots are formed on all four sides of a clamp stand having a square configuration. This provides a substantial adjustment capability in locating a clamp at a desirable position with respect to a base. This is all accomplished with a very inexpensive, lightweight aluminum extrusion.

The foregoing is intended to be illustrative of the preferred practice of the present invention. Various changes in the arrangements and details of the construction of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clamp stand for supporting a clamp in an elevated position above a fixture base, the clamp stand comprising an extruded support column having upper and lower ends and an interior that is at least in substantial part open, the clamp stand including longitudinally extending fastener attachment openings in the upper and lower ends, the lower end being attachable to a base by threaded fasteners, the upper end being attachable by threaded fasteners to a clamp base having fastener openings therein.

2. A clamp stand as in claim 1 wherein the support column has fastener attachment openings positioned in a rectangular pattern adjacent the periphery of the column.

3. A clamp stand as in claim 2 wherein the support column comprises a side wall extending around at least a portion of the periphery thereof.

4. A clamp stand as in claim 3 wherein the clamp stand has a generally central portion that is spaced from the side wall by ribs extending therebetween, with the stand including longitudinally extending open channels between the ribs and the side wall, the stand being formed such that the support column is lightweight but sufficiently rigid to support the clamp during operation.

5. A clamp stand as in claim 4 wherein the side wall has one or more longitudinal grooves therein that reduce weight while maintaining sufficient strength in the columns.

6. A clamp stand as in claim 5 wherein the grooves include at least one keyway slot that runs longitudinally along an outer side of the side wall, a key being slidably mounted for longitudinal movement in the slot, a side mounting bracket being mounted to the side of the support column by a threaded fastener that engages the key, a clamp being attachable by threaded fasteners to the side mounting bracket.

7. A clamp stand as in claim 1 wherein at least some of the fastener openings in the support column are formed so as to receive both metric and English standard fasteners.

8. A clamp stand as in claim 1 wherein the clamp stand includes one or more adapter plates for attaching a clamp base to the upper end of the clamp stand, the adapter plate having at least one support column mounting opening that mates with a mounting opening in the support column and having at least one clamp opening that mates with a mounting opening in the clamp base, such that a clamp base can be mounted on the support column even though the clamp base hole pattern does not necessarily match the hole pattern in the support column.

9. A clamp stand as in claim 8 wherein the adapter plate has a single mounting hole for attaching the stand to the support column and has a plurality of separate mounting holes for attaching the clamp to the adapter plate, such that the adapter plate is mounted in a fixed position on the adapter plate, but the adapter plate position on the support column can be rotationally adjusted by rotating the adapter plate around the axis of the single mounting hole and then locking the adapter plate in position by tightening the fastener that engages that hole.

10. A clamp stand as in claim 8 wherein at least one adapter plate is wedge shaped so as to position a clamp base on an inclined angle with respect to the support column.

11. A clamp stand as in claim 1 wherein the support column is attached by threaded fasteners to a base bracket, which is in turn attached by threaded fasteners to a fixture base.

12. An adjustable clamp stand comprising an extruded clamp stand support column having a longitudinal keyway slot in at least one outer side thereof, the column having upper and lower ends, each end having extruded fastener openings for receipt of threaded fasteners, the lower end of the support column being mounted on a base by threaded fasteners that extend through openings in the base and engage the openings in the column, a clamp being mounted on the upper end of the column by threaded fasteners that extend through openings in a base of the clamp and engage the openings in the upper end of the column, a clamp being mountable on the side of the support column by means of a key that is slidably disposed into the keyway slot, the key having a threaded opening therein that is accessible through the keyway slot, a side mounting bracket being mountable to the key, the side mounting bracket having a side mounting opening that is alignable with the key opening, the side mounting bracket being mounted to the key by a threaded side bracket fastener that extends through the side mounting opening into threaded engagement with the key opening, the fastener having an enlarged head thereon that does not fit completely through the opening in the side mounting bracket, such that tightening the side bracket fastener into the key opening clamps the side mounting bracket in its desired position in the longitudinal slot in the support column, the side mounting bracket having fastener openings therein that permits a clamp to be mounted on the side mounting bracket by threaded fasteners.

13. An adjustable clamp according to claim 12 wherein the side mounting bracket is formed from a section of the support column.

14. An adjustable clamp according to claim 13 wherein the support column is an extrusion formed from an extrudable metal.

15. An adjustable clamp according to claim 14 wherein the extrudable metal includes aluminum or an alloy thereof.

16. An adjustable clamp according to claim 13 wherein the column is rectangular and there are longitudinal slots for side brackets on at least two sides of the column.

17. An adjustable clamp according to claim 16 wherein two slots are on opposite sides of the column.

18. An adjustable clamp according to claim 16 wherein there are slots in all four sides of the column.

19. An adjustable clamp according to claim 13 wherein the column has clamp mounting openings in a rectangular pattern in the end of the column, the column further having a fastener opening in a substantially centered portion of the column for attaching the side bracket to the key in the slot.

20. An adjustable clamp according to claim 19 wherein the interior of the support column includes longitudinally extending open portions that reduce the weight of the support column by at least fifty percent over a solid column, while maintaining sufficient strength to support a clamp for normal applications.