Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping mechanism that is configured to securely hold a workpiece in a machine tool, such as, but not limited to a vertical machining center, or a horizontal machining center, etc. More specifically, the clamping mechanism is configured as a modular soft jaw. A multiplicity of clamping mechanisms can be used to cooperatively secure large workpieces. Furthermore, a multiplicity of clamping mechanisms can be incorporated into a job set-up so a multiplicity of workpieces can be processed concurrently. The present invention's clamping mechanism can be secured in orientations such as, but not limited to a machine tool table bed, a fixture plate, a tombstone, etc. The present invention's modular, soft jaw clamping mechanism can be used in conjunction with other work holding equipment, such as, but not limited to jigs, fixtures, tools, vises, clamps, etc.

Abstract: An assembling device is disclosed. The assembling device is used to assemble a plastic frame and a back plate together and includes: a pressing mechanism configured to press a region of the plastic frame; and a supporting device. The supporting device includes: a supporting platform configured to support the back plate and the plastic frame; and a supporting frame configured to support the pressing mechanism. The pressing mechanism is configured to contact the plastic frame at least one contact point, and a direction of a resultant force of forces applied at the at least one contact point by the pressing mechanism is at an acute angle with respect to a plane where a top surface of the plastic frame lies.

Abstract: A T-Nut for use in a machine tool having a tooling plate with an inverted T-shaped channel. The T-Nut comprises a central body having oppositely inclined faces each including an opening forming a cavity extending through the central body, and first and second wedges in slideable communication with the central body inclined faces. Each of the wedges have wings extending laterally beyond the central body to engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion and include a clearance hole extending through a length of the wedge. A rotatable actuation member abuts the first wedge at an end opposite the first wedge mating surface and is internally threaded for a distance from one end thereof. An externally threaded cylindrical shaft is engaged with the internal threads of the actuation member and extends through the first and second wedge clearance holes, the shaft being secured to and non-rotatable with the second wedge.

Abstract: The embodiments provide a spinal implant that is configured for midline insertion into a patient's intervertebral disc space. The spinal implant may include structural guidance features to facilitate the angular approach of fixation elements into the apertures. The spinal implant may also be a configured with a tactile or visual feedback response feature to allow the user to know when the fixation elements are fully seated within the apertures.

Abstract: Fastening system for a linear machine element (2, 102) for fastening in a machine foundation (4), having a clamping element which has a shank (35) and a head (37), wherein the diameter of the head (37) is greater than the diameter of the shank (35), and having an eccentric (60) which comprises a sleeve (68) with an eccentric bore (66) and a torque-transmitting element (70), wherein the outer diameter of the head (37) is smaller than the inner diameter of the bore (66) or at least substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the bore (66).

Abstract: A five axis vise includes two separated vise body portions that are supported on a machine tool table or other support that fixes the vise body portions in position. The vise body portions have jaws spaced up from the machine tool table sufficiently to permit machining five surfaces of a work piece held in the jaws. A vise screw is rotatably mounted in one of the vise body portions, and extends to the other vise body portion to actuate a movable jaw on the other vise body portion. The vise screw is threaded into a jaw nut that has a drive surface that engages and drives a driven surface on the movable jaw, with the drive and driven surfaces being inclined relative to the axis of force application to provide a downward force component on the movable jaw as it is tightened. The vise screw is an assembly of a threaded shank or shaft and a hub that is rotatably mounted in one of the body portions, with the threaded shank or shaft being locked in position in the hub.

Abstract: In some aspects, a workpiece processing installation includes an operating area, an operating pallet able to be moved along a transport direction between a position within the operating area and a position outside the operating area, the operating pallet being configured to support a workpiece, and a pallet support that is configured to be transferred from a first position, in which the pallet support defines a storage area for the storage of the operating pallet outside the operating area, to a second position in which the pallet support protrudes away from the operating area in the transport direction to a lesser extent than it does in the first position. Transferring the pallet support from the first position to the second position includes moving at least a portion of the pallet support towards the operating area which results in the storage area defined by the pallet support becoming smaller.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for guiding and aligning a semiconductor chip package. The apparatus may include an insert, a plate above the insert, and an adapter. The insert may be configured to house various sizes of semiconductor chip packages. The plate may be configured to move vertically with respect to the insert. The adapter may be coupled to the plate and may be configured to guide at least one semiconductor chip package into the insert and to perform alignment of the at least one semiconductor chip package. In accordance with example embodiments, the at least one semiconductor chip package may have a size corresponding to at least one of the various sizes.

Abstract: A retaining device for a stand includes a base, a shaft inserted in the base, a handle pivotally mounted on the shaft, and a retainer sleeved on a cam portion of the handle. When the handle is pivotally moved downwards, the retainer can be driven to move toward an extending rod of the stand by actuation of the cam portion of the handle for stopping against the extending rod of the stand and retaining the extending rod of the stand in position.

Abstract: In a wedge drive comprising a slider element receiving component, a movable slider element and a driver element, wherein sliding surfaces are provided between the slider element and the driver element, a dovetail-like or prism guide is provided between the slider element and the slider element receiving component. The slider element has a portion having a dovetail-like configuration.

Abstract: A workbench system is disclosed which may include a work surface with a first dog hole, a second dog hole spaced apart from the first dog hole and a plurality of dogs, each of the plurality of dogs including a body defining a first and second securing portion, and a stem portion extending away from the body and configured to fit into the first and second dog holes such that the first securing portions of the first and the second of the plurality of dogs are spaced apart with respect to an axis extending along the first work surface portion at a distance corresponding to a first commonly sized work piece width and the second securing portions of the first and the second of the plurality of dogs are spaced apart with respect to the axis at a distance corresponding to a second commonly sized work piece width.

Abstract: A clamp rod (6) inserted into a guide hole (5) of a housing (4) has: a clamping member (10); an inner piston (12); and a tapered pressure receiving surface (13), which are provided in this order in an axial direction from a left end to a right end. An output portion (26) for locking and releasing is provided on an inner periphery of a right end portion of one outer piston (23) inserted between the inner piston (12) and the guide hole (5). A collet (33) inserted between the pressure receiving surface (13) and the guide hole (5) is formed of four divided members (34) arranged circumferentially at substantially regular intervals. An input portion (36) driven by the output portion (26) and a pressing surface (40) which makes a wedge-engagement with the pressure receiving surface (13) from a right side are respectively provided in an outer periphery portion and on an inner periphery portion of each divided member (34).

Abstract: A tile cutting table device featuring a platform with foldable legs; four side panels pivotally attached to side edges of the platform, the side panels can pivot between a down position and an up position forming an enclosure around the top surface of the platform; a water inlet hole for fluidly connecting a water source to the device; a drainage hole disposed in the platform; a perforated tile cutting plate disposed on the top surface of the platform; a clamp bar positioned over the tile cutting plate, the clamp bar functions to clamp down on a tile to hold the tile in place during cutting procedures, the clamp bar is connected to a foot pedal which functions to move the clamp bar between an up position and a down position, wherein the clamp bar is biased in the up position caused by compression springs.

Abstract: A fixture that allows for quickly preparing, painting and finishing a plurality of door panels that have opposed side surfaces interconnected by a relatively narrow edge. The fixture includes upper and lower horizontal support bars. A plurality of spaced vertical support bars extend between and are slidably attached to the upper and lower horizontal support bars so that the spacing between vertical support bars may be adjusted to accommodate the size of the door panels. A plurality of mounting stations are on the vertical supports. A pair of pins are received by the mounting stations and engage the opposite edges of a panel for pivotal movement, painting and finishing of the panel there between.

Abstract: A modular welding table where the work surface is made up of a plurality of plates that can be easily slid to and fro, adapting to objects of different shapes is disclosed. The through holes on these plates, as well as the parallel grooves between these plates, provide the foothold for clamping tools and devices that are used in conjunction to this welding table, to secure the work piece in place. Under each of the leg, a height-adjustable pad is provided, so that the welding table can adjust its evenness accordingly, by turning the screw stem of the pad easily.

Abstract: A workbench with a collapsible frame and a plurality of top members. The collapsible frame can include a first set of legs and a second set of legs can be coupled to one of the top members. The frame and top members can be positioned and supported by the first and second sets of legs to form a pair of free standing structures that can be employed as work benches and/or saw horses.

Abstract: A jaw assembly to hold hooks when tying artificial lures and flies for fishing is disclosed. The jaw assembly utilizes jaw members with angled surfaces and a cam with an off-center pivot pin to open and close the jaws. A tension spring may be used to lessen the clamping force so that the angle of the hook shank can be adjusted before clamping it securely.

Abstract: An elongated clamping member upon a conventional pallet support table extends its clamping range by providing several screw-head receiving portions for receiving a conventional clamping screw that presses against a selected screw-head receiving portion to cause the clamping member to press against a work-piece. A first edge portion of the clamping member is positioned a first distance from a first screw-head receiving portion, and a second screw-head receiving portion is positioned a second distance from a second edge portion of the clamping member opposite the first edge portion, this difference ensuring that the clamping screw moves the clamping member in a forward direction toward the work-piece rather than away from the work-piece. A work-stop employing a conventional flat head screw has several peripheral flats, positioned at progressively increasing distances from each flat to a central portion of the work-stop member to further extend the clamping range of the moveable clamp.

Abstract: A device used to secure a section of cable while one or more fiber is broken out from the cable. The device includes spaced apart clamp assemblies that hold a cable during the splicing process to protect the fairly delicate fibers within the sheathing. The disclosure also relates to a method of splicing using a clamp assembly.

Abstract: A clamping device & method for down clamping against a workpiece by utilizing part features produced during a prior operation. The mechanics of this device allow it to open, close, raise and lower during its initialization and release. The device contains a built in block type jaw restraint to facilitate the customization of its clamping heads to suit the shape of the part feature it is to clamp down upon. This device is used within the part boundaries, thus facilitating higher quantity part batch sizes being presented to the limited travels of the machine tool used to process the parts. This invention is comprised of readily available hardware items along with two cost effective and simple to mass-produce components. The device can be actuated manually or with automatic actuation. The method described to prepare the project is unique to the function & usage of this invention.

Abstract: A positioning assembly for a composite structure is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the positioning assembly includes at least one vertical carriage support, at least one vertical carriage carried by the at least one vertical carriage support, at least one vertical motor drivingly engaging the at least one vertical carriage, a transverse carriage support carried by the at least one vertical carriage, a riser block carried by the transverse carriage support and at least one horizontal motor drivingly engaging the riser block.

Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a workpiece includes a support member, sliding members and a rotating member. The support member is configured for supporting the workpiece. The support member defines cutouts in a periphery thereof. The sliding members each is positioned in one of the cutouts. Each of the sliding members has a cam pin. The rotating member is rotatable relative to the support member. The rotating member defines cam slots on top thereof. The cam pins are received in the cam slots and slidable in the cam slots. Positions of the sliding members are changeable along radial directions of the support member when the rotating member is rotated.

Abstract: A clamping device for fixing a machined part to a processing axis in a machine tool including the processing axis, a clamping head which is rotatable thereabout and with clamping elements floatably arranged thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foldable frame (1) for oscillating saws or the like with an elongated support body (2), to which the oscillating saw is mountable, and to which, at each one of its two respective ends, are connected two legs (6,7), the latter being swivelable from a storage configuration in which they extend essentially parallel to the support body (2) to an operative configuration in which they extend essentially perpendicular from the support body (2). In order to improve the usefulness of the above-described foldable frame, it is proposed that the support body (2) be configured as two support body sections (3, 4), which are connected to one another by a hinge (5), which in the storage configuration lie parallel to each other, and which by swivelling movement through 180° can be brought into the operative configuration.

Abstract: A clamping jaw for a vise, comprising a clamping plate and at least two bridges. The clamping power K applied to the clamped workpiece by the clamping plate can be varied along the surface facing the workpiece.

Abstract: A work holding mechanism for horizontally holding a flat work is incorporated in work transport equipment. The holding mechanism includes a base member for supporting the work and a plurality of guide members provided at the base member. Each guide member includes a shaft, a contact portion and a limit portion. The shaft is pivotally supported by the base member. The contact portion comes into contact with part of the lower surface of the perimeter of the work and is pushed down, with the shaft as a fulcrum, when the work is placed on the base member. The limit portion is raised, with the shaft as a fulcrum, to face part of the side surface of the perimeter of the work when the contact portion is lowered.

Abstract: A vise has a jaw connected to a jaw support has a recess formed in a rear surface. A biasing member in the recess applies a force to the recess having a downward component to secure a workpiece to the vise. The biasing member may be the end of a set screw, a ball bearing or cam. The recess may be provided with an inclined surface to allow a horizontal force to be converted into a force having a vertical component.

Abstract: A vise for holding more than one work piece on the support surface of a machine tool has a base for mounting on the support surface. More than one stationary jaws are fastened to the base. More than one movable jaws are slidably mounted on the base to move toward and away from the stationary jaws to securely hold at least one work piece between each pair of a stationary and a movable jaw. Movement of the each movable jaw is provided by a first mechanism that closes on the work piece snugly to accommodate minor variations in work piece dimensions. A second movement mechanism moves all of the movable jaws with great force including a spring bias to tightly clamp all of the work pieces at once with enough force to enable machine operations on the work pieces with no chance of their moving from the machining operations.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a workpiece such as a forging of an aerofoil component comprises a support body 24 to which a clamping member 26 is hinged. The clamping member 26 has a workpiece clamping element 54 having pads 58 for engagement with the workpiece. The workpiece clamping element 54 is pivotable relatively to the clamping member 26 by means of a ball and socket connection including a ball element 40. This enables the workpiece clamping element 54 to self-align with the profile of the workpiece, for example with a surface of the blade 6 of the aerofoil component. In an alterative embodiment, the workpiece clamping element 54 is formed integrally with the clamping member 26, but is connected thereto by a necked region of the clamping member 26 which permits flexure of the workpiece clamping element 54 relatively to the clamping member 26.

Abstract: An adjustable width wedge clamp apparatus (10) for use in locking channels having different dimensions wherein the apparatus (10) includes a base unit (11) comprising an elongated trapezoidal shaped base member (20) having an angled rear face (24) that slidably engages a complimentary angled face (39) on a wedge element (38) that depends downwardly from the intermediate portion (31) of a wedge body member (30) having a raised collar element (35) provided with a stepped shoulder bore (36) that is dimensioned to receive a locking screw member (40) and an apertured locking disk member (46) that slidably receives a portion of the locking screw member (40) to permit the wedge body member (30) to be laterally shifted relative to the base member (20).

Abstract: A rocking lever clamp device is disclosed for holding a workpiece. The rocking lever clamp is a one-piece design. In a preferred embodiment, the rocking lever clamp contains an elongated hole to permit rotation of the clamp relative to downward motion of a jacking screw. In another preferred embodiment, an automatic clamping system is disclosed to rotate the clamp. The rotation of rocking lever clamp causes a workpiece-engaging edge to hold a workpiece.

Abstract: A device having a fixture with a working surface and at least one hole, at least one stop rising above the working surface, a fastener, a gripping member having a first block portion and a second block portion where the first block portion is joined to the second block portion for relative movement. Each block portion has an inner wall and a gripper wall adapted to engage a workpiece, the inner walls of the first and second block portions form a through bore for receiving the fastener when the first and second block portions are joined and each inner wall has a lower radial surface and an upper conical surface.

Abstract: A holding device which wedges against the side of a workpiece to provide unencumbered access during machining operations. The jaws of the device are thick enough to be contoured to the shape of the workpiece for a firmer hold. A clamping brace is provided to immobilize the jaws during their machining.

Abstract: A jaw assembly for use on a slideway of a machine table includes one or more guide rods over which a vise jaw freely slides. No fasteners or mounting members are required to mount and demount the jaw from the assembly. Before the jaw is tightened to apply a clamping force, it is held in an unbiased condition without the need for biasing springs.

Abstract: A driving member (15) of piston type has an upper side, on which an annular holder (28), upper and lower cams (31), (32), and a transmission sleeve (33) are arranged in order. An annular wedge space (35) is defined between the upper and lower cams (31) and (32). A plurality of wedging members (36) are inserted into the wedge space (35) and peripherally spaced apart at a predetermined distance. When the driving member (15) is driven upward, first a plurality of engaging balls (41) supported by the transmission sleeve (33) engage with a lower portion of a pull rod (12) and then a pushing surface (38) of the driving member (15) vertically separates the cams (31),(32) from each other through the wedging members (36). Thus the lower cam (32) drives the pull rod (12) downward through the transmission sleeve (33) and the engaging balls (41).

Abstract: A device having a fixture with a working surface and at least one hole, at least one stop rising above the working surface, a fastener, a gripping member having a first block portion and a second block portion where the first block portion is joined to the second block portion for relative movement. Each block portion has an inner wall and a gripper wall adapted to engage a workpiece, the inner walls of the first and second block portions form a through bore for receiving the fastener when the first and second block portions are joined and each inner wall has a lower radial surface and an upper conical surface.

Abstract: A cam for locating and holding a windshield in an automobile during installation and cure includes a body having a bore in the bottom providing a journal for guiding rotation of the body in an arc around the bore. A lever arm projects from one side of the body. A nose projects from the opposite side of the body. A cam surface on the nose includes a ramped portion sloped outwardly and downwardly, having a planar section and an arcuate section.

Abstract: A pair of clamp pliers comprises an upper clip plate, a lower clip plate, a torsion spring disposed between the upper clip plate and the lower clip plate, a pivot pin passing through the torsion spring to fasten the upper clip plate and the lower clip plate together, a first recess hole formed on a front portion of the upper clip plate to receive a first compression spring and an upper mount, and a second recess hole formed on a front portion of the lower clip plate to receive a second compression spring and a lower mount.

Abstract: A gripping device including a fixture having a working surface and at least one hole. A stop rises above the working surface of the fixture. A threaded fastener is provided to screw into the at least one hole in the working surface of the fixture. A gripping member is provided such that a work piece can be held in a stationary fashion between the gripping member and another element such as a stop. The gripping member includes a conical bore and an elongated bore. The elongated bore is a through bore in that it extends through the entire thickness of the gripping member. The conical bore extends through only a portion of the thickness of the gripping member. The fastener extends through both the conical and elongated bores. The elongated bore is offset towards the gripping face of the gripping element thereby enabling the gripping member to travel to an from the work piece a greater distance than gripping members employing a centrally located circular through bore.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic machining jig is adapted to be attached to the bed of a machine such as a milling machine, grinding machine or the like. The jig holds a workpiece, such as a cylinder head, for machining in a desired position relative to a tool head. The machining jig has a pair of jig stands (10) for clamping the workpiece therebetween, with the jig stands (10) mounted in selected spaced relationship on the bed of the machine. Each jig stand (10) has a workpiece connection means (22, 25) mounted on an adjustable stand (16, 17, 18). The stand is supported on a base (11, 12) which includes air-float means (54, 55, 50) and electromagnetic means (13, 53). The air-float means (54, 55, 56) permits alignment of the clamped workpiece relative to the tool head whilst the bases of the pair of jig stands (10) are floating. When the air-float is terminated, the electromagnetic means (13, 53) are energized to clamp each jig stand (10) to a mounting plate on the machine.

Abstract: A multi-station, single action high precision mechanical vise for simultaneously clamping at least two work pieces with high dimensional stability and high holding forces. The multi-station work piece holder is used to hold a set of work pieces, so that sets of machining operations can be performed on the work pieces using the same tool, reducing the number of work tool change-outs needed when producing a large number of machined pieces.

Abstract: A workpiece indexing and clamping system for machining the workpiece. Spherical or narrow cylindrical heads of index pins extend from holes in a base plate into workpiece holes to align and index the workpiece. The pin portions in the base plate holes can be expanded to lock them to the base plate. Each pin has relief flats parallel to the pin axis. Clamps engage workpiece edges with thread-like angled grooves on a cam surface to force workpiece edges against the base plate during machining of the workpiece. A central clamp has a pin extending from the base plate into a workpiece hole. Angled grooves in a cam surface are brought into contact with the hole sides to force the workpiece toward the base plate and hold the central area in place during machining.

Abstract: An orbital hold-down clamp assembly holds a workpiece in place on a platen against a stop or backjaw on the platen. The clamp assembly has four main parts. A screw cam has a threaded shaft and an offset tapered head; a clamp jaw has a distal gripping surface and a foot or fulcrum at the proximal edge; a flat rubber spring is positioned beneath the clamp jaw; and a T-nut mounts in a nest in the platen. The clamp jaw has a tapered opening that matches the taper of the cam head. The nut has a threaded bore that receives the screw shaft of the cam, and a head or top that serves as the base for the fulcrum and the spring. As the screw cam is tightened down, the cam moves the jaw forward against the workpiece, and also pulls the jaw downward into the spring. This rotates the jaw on the fulcrum, gripping the workpiece and urging it downward. Fixtures are provided for forming the T-nut and the screw cam so that each have a predetermined, repeatable angular relationship with respect to the associated screw thread.

Abstract: A wedge workholding clamp has a clamp body that is adapted for mounting onto a table and is used for holding various objects, and specifically for holding piece parts in machining. The clamp body slidably mounts a movable jaw that is actuated with a wedge using a clamping screw. When a single jaw is actuated, the clamp body has one reaction surface that is square with the direction of clamping and parallel to the axis of the screw. The wedge has an end surface that engages and moves along the reaction surface of the clamp body as the wedge is tightened so there are no bending loads on the screw. The wedge also has a wedge surface that engages a surface of the movable jaw and which acts to move the movable jaw from a released position to a position clamping a workpiece.

Abstract: A gripping device for holding a workpiece includes a fixture with a working surface and least one hole, a stop rising above the working surface, a fastener and a gripping member. The gripping member has a through bore for receiving the fastener and a gripper wall adapted to engage the workpiece whereby the gripper member slides toward the stop and the gripper wall applies a downward inward holding force on the workpiece when the fastener is secured to the hole of the fixture.

Abstract: A clamping first piston (11) is inserted into a locking second piston (17) inserted into a cylinder bore (9) of a housing (4). A clamping member (7) is fixedly secured to the left portion of the first piston (11). A clamping first actuation chamber (21) is formed on the right side of both those pistons (11)(17), and an enclamping second actuation chamber (25) is formed on the left siede of the second piston (17). A wedgy space (30) is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the first piston (11) and the cylinder bore (9). A locking wedge (31) is inserted into the wedgy space (30) from right side and an unlocking engaging portion (34) is opposed to an unlocking engaged portion (33) of the first piston (11) from left side, so that these wedge (31) and the engaging portion (34) are fixedly secured to the second piston (17).

Abstract: A machine vise that can serve multipurpose uses is constructed utilizing a cast base made so that it can be easily mounted for NC machining, or mounted on a swivel base, and can be used mounted on its sides or on one end. The cast base is made to simplify clamping to a tool table by providing an accessible ledge for clamping along the sides and ends. The ledge also provides a coolant drain trough. A support for the distal end of the vise screw is mounted to simplify manufacturing without losing precision operation. The same vise body can be adapted for use with interchangeable screws for manual operation of a movable jaw from either end of the vise or using a hydraulic actuator for clamping the movable jaw.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated edge clamp employing inclined guide tracks for a clamp jaw advanced and retracted by linkage which substantially eliminates side loading of the piston from reaction loads during clamp engagement. The linkage is reaches an aligned end position with the piston rod in clamping position and to accelerate advance and retraction of the clamp jaw in moving to and from clamping engagement.

Abstract: A vise for use with a machining table having an elongated T-slot in its upper surface includes a stationary jaw and a jaw support transversely extending over the T-slot and clamped against the table in spaced relation to one another by a clamping device centrally extending through the jaw and jaw support into the T-slot. A movable jaw is mounted on the jaw support with its gripping surface facing the gripping surface of the stationary jaw and its opposite surface inclined to the table. A wedge member having an inclined surface conforming to the inclined surface of the movable jaw is located between the movable jaw and the jaw support. Adjustment of the vertical position of the wedge member relative to the table enforces a horizontal motion of the movable jaw to grip a work piece located between the jaws. An auxiliary base member with a T-slot in its upper surface is also provided upon which the vise may be alternatively mounted for portable free-standing use.

Abstract: Single blade, single cut tubing cut-off apparatus moves a blade along a first path of travel in which a first portion of the blade pierces the tubing and a second path of travel in which a second portion of the blade completes the cut, all in a concerted process. Motion of the blade is controlled by a cam and follower. The tubing is clamped for cutting by a pair of pivotably mounted jaws opened and closed by spring biased cam action.