Slidable Wedge Patents (Class 269/234)
  • Patent number: 11376775
    Abstract: A clamping device for fastening an injection mold to a tool plate comprises an upper part and a lower part, said lower part having a mounting surface arranged flat against the tool plate. First, second, third and fourth side surfaces upstand from said mounting surface, said upper part having first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. Said upper and lower parts are connected by a first bolt having an axis of symmetry defining an axis. A resilient member is arranged in connection with the first bolt between the upper and lower parts concentrically with the bolt's axis. The first bolt has a non-threaded section such that the lower part or upper part may move along the bolt in the direction of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: AMMERAAL BELTECH MODULAR A/S
    Inventor: Kenneth Westergaard Andersen
  • Patent number: 11305403
    Abstract: A vise jaw is provided, including: a first jaw, including a slide groove and at least one locking portion, each locking portion including a receiving room, a threaded hole and a through hole, the receiving room, the threaded hole and the through hole respectively communicated with each other; a second jaw, having a slide protrusion slidably disposed within the slide groove, the slide protrusion having a lateral face facing the through hole; at least one fastening assembly, each fastening assembly including a screw member, an abutting member and at least one elastic member, the screw member screwed into the threaded hole, the abutting member adjustably disposed within the receiving room, the abutting member including a large diameter section and a small diameter section which are arranged along a first direction, the small diameter section disposed through the through hole and extending into the slide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventors: Chang-Yi Lin, Chang-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 10933512
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping device having a mounting element with an axis of rotation X, an actuator, a support that has an opening of axis X in which opening the mounting element and the actuator are positioned. The mounting element includes a slide in which there are positioned a ring and a locking wedge which collaborate with at least one angle transmission. The support has an interior groove arranged in the opening and the ring and the locking wedge collaborate with the interior groove. The mounting element can thus easily be angularly positioned. There are preferably two angle transmissions positioned such that they are diametrically opposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Christophe Boiteux
  • Patent number: 10792786
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure demonstrate a lapping carrier system for a bar to be lapped. The lapping carrier system may be configured with a single piece insert whose bridge is separated from a plurality of joints of the carrier insert by a varying distance. The varying distance can be greater at a medial portion of the bridge than at an end portion of the bridge to collectively form a parabolic shape. In some embodiments, a lapping insert can include a bridge with its length longer than the bar. In some embodiments in a lapping insert, the centerline between the end joint edge and the end finger edge extends beyond the edge of bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yuhong Xiong, Andrew David Habermas, Kok Yen Goh, PengKoon Hew
  • Patent number: 10751842
    Abstract: A first rod (21) is inserted into a first guide hole (11) so as to be movable in a vertical direction. A second rod (22) is inserted into a second guide hole (12), which crosses the first guide hole (11), so as to be movable in a horizontal direction. An accommodation groove (31) is disposed in a lower half portion of the first rod (21). The second rod (22) is provided with an insertion portion (32) to be fitted in the accommodation groove (31). A cam groove (38) provided in the insertion portion (32) is fitted over a pin (35) provided in the lower half portion of the first rod (21). A drive transmission (D) connected to the second rod (22) moves the second rod (22) in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: KOSMEK LTD.
    Inventor: Yosuke Haruna
  • Patent number: 10661412
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus including two pairs of first and second clamp arms, which are supported rotatably with respect to a body and are disposed mutually in parallel. First and second cam members including respective cam surfaces are provided on ends of the first and second clamp arms. The first cam members are pressed by rollers upon lowering of a block body under a driving action of a first cylinder that makes up a drive unit. The first clamp arms are rotated to assume a clamped state. The second cam members are pressed by rollers upon lowering of a block body under a driving action of a second cylinder of the drive unit, whereby the second clamp arms are rotated to assume a clamped state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chiaki Fukui, Kazuyoshi Takahashi, Hideki Sasaki, Masaharu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9744631
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus includes a mounting module, a clamp module, and an actuator. The clamp module includes two facing arms and a cam clamped between the two arms. Each arm is rotatably mounted to the mounting module and has a clamp end. The clamp module is configured to have a clamped configuration in which each clamp end is engaged with the object and an open configuration in which the object is free from each of the clamp ends, and further configured to operate between the clamped configuration and the open configuration. The actuator is configured to drive the cam thereby imparting motive force to the two arms during the operation between the clamped configuration and the open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignees: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: Ze Chen, Bing Yu, Jian-Ping Jin
  • Patent number: 9669519
    Abstract: A work piece holder including, but not limited to, a bracket having a first arm, a second arm, and a gap between the first arm and the second arm. A first portion of the second arm is non-parallel with a first portion of the first arm such that a lower portion of the gap is narrower than an upper portion. The work piece holder further includes a wedge having a first side and a second side. The second side is configured to engage the first portion of the second arm. The wedge is configured to move along the first portion of the second arm. The wedge and the first arm support the work piece when the work piece is positioned in the gap and the wedge has moved along the first portion of the second arm to a position where it engages the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 9408701
    Abstract: A reusable orthopedic instrument includes a reusable orthopedic trial having a first outer surface and a second outer surface that is opposite the first outer surface. A notch is formed in each side of the orthopedic instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: DEPUY (IRELAND)
    Inventors: Kyle B. Thomas, Thomas E. Wogoman
  • Patent number: 9377199
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods of reinforcing apertures in turbomachine combustors, and related combustors. In various particular embodiments, a method of reinforcing an existing turbomachine combustor aperture includes: broaching the existing aperture to modify an initial profile of the existing aperture and form a modified profile, where the modified profile protrudes radially outwardly from an outer surface of the turbomachine combustor; and welding a combustor ring along an inner surface of the modified profile, where the modified profile enhances bonding between the existing aperture and the combustor ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrzej Jacek Radlicz, Kamil Bazyli Kaczorowski, Mariusz Grzegorz Karpinski, Damian Strzelec
  • Publication number: 20150102546
    Abstract: A curtain cutting aid includes a curtain holder including two hollow holder blocks arranged in parallel and defining therein a respective insertion space in communication with each other for a insertion of a curtain, a bearing plate connected between the two hollow holder blocks and a cutting groove defining between the two hollow holder blocks for the insertion of a cutter to cut off the inserted curtain, and a stop rod selectively and detachably mounted in the insertion space of one of the two hollow holder blocks to stop the inserted curtain in place for cutting. Thus, the curtain cutting aid can effectively enhance the convenience and precision of the cutting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Chin-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 8317175
    Abstract: A manipulator includes a driving member, a sliding rod and a sleeve. The sliding rod includes an expanding portion on an end thereof. The sleeve includes at least two expanding sections on an end thereof. The driving member drives the sleeve to slide along the sliding rod. The two or more expanding sections are elastically bent outward via pressing against the expanding portion, and are resumed to their original shape and positions via detaching from the expanding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Feng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110121502
    Abstract: A manipulator includes a driving member, a sliding rod and a sleeve. The sliding rod includes an expanding portion on an end thereof. The sleeve includes at least two expanding sections on an end thereof. The driving member drives the sleeve to slide along the sliding rod. The two or more expanding sections are elastically bent outward via pressing against the expanding portion, and are resumed to their original shape and positions via detaching from the expanding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: FENG ZHANG
  • Patent number: 7900897
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Ritchie Bonkowski
  • Patent number: 7878491
    Abstract: An exemplary clamp includes a holder, a moving unit, a fixing arm, and a driving unit. The moving unit includes a push block, a connecting member, and a guiding member. The guiding member is fixed on the holder. The connecting member connects the push block and the guiding member. The push block includes a slanted side surface. The push block is guided to move by the guiding member. The slanted side surface of the push block interacts with the connecting member. The fixing arm is fixed to the connecting member. The driving unit is connected to the push block. The driving unit is capable of moving the push block of the moving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua Li, Xi-Song Shuai, Zhen-Chang Tian, Zhuang Xiong, Dong Li
  • Patent number: 7784776
    Abstract: The invention concerns a transport support for transport of at least one object along the transport path through at least one processing station, and can include transport of at least one printable object along the transport path for printing of a printable object, in which the transport support includes a device by means of which the object can be aligned in the desired position relative to the transport support. The invention also concerns a method for alignment, including centering, of at least one object of a transport support, by means of which at least one object is transported along a transport path to/through at least one processing station, in which the object can be aligned by a device provided in the transport support into a desired position relative to transport support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: KBA-Metronic AG
    Inventors: Klaus Pechtl, Rainer Endres
  • Publication number: 20090166941
    Abstract: An exemplary clamp includes a holder, a moving unit, a fixing arm, and a driving unit. The moving unit includes a push block, a connecting member, and a guiding member. The guiding member is fixed on the holder. The connecting member connects the push block and the guiding member. The push block includes a slanted side surface. The push block is guided to move by the guiding member. The slanted side surface of the push block interacts with the connecting member. The fixing arm is fixed to the connecting member. The driving unit is connected to the push block. The driving unit is capable of moving the push block of the moving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HUA LI, XI-SONG SHUAI, ZHEN-CHANG TIAN, ZHUANG XIONG, DONG LI
  • Patent number: 7500661
    Abstract: A self-clamping mechanism includes a first support surface and a clamping member in sliding contact with the first support surface. The clamping member has a first surface in confronting engagement with the first support surface, and a second surface for engaging the surface of an object to be clamped by the mechanism. The first and second surfaces of the clamping member are disposed at a predetermined angle, ?, such that when certain conditions are met, the object will remain clamped by the mechanism regardless of external forces applied to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Shirley Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Fengyu Liu, Hongwei Liu
  • Patent number: 7290425
    Abstract: A quick change gripping apparatus for gripping a workpiece having a profile. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end. The cylindrical housing also includes an inner feature having a tapered wall. The housing also has a bottom section and a clam shell section that is hingedly connected to the bottom section. The quick change gripping apparatus also includes a first ring and a second ring, each disposed around the cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Craig E. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20070228631
    Abstract: A self-clamping mechanism includes a first support surface and a clamping member in sliding contact with the first support surface. The clamping member has a first surface in confronting engagement with the first support surface, and a second surface for engaging the surface of an object to be clamped by the mechanism. The first and second surfaces of the clamping member are disposed at a predetermined angle, ?, such that when certain conditions are met, the object will remain clamped by the mechanism regardless of external forces applied to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: SHIRLEY TECH, LLC
    Inventors: Fengyu Liu, Hongwei Liu
  • Patent number: 7125009
    Abstract: A clamp holding an object such as a door. The clamp comprises a body shaped to define a recess for receiving a portion of the object, and a wedge which is movable within the recess in order to clamp the object, between the wedge and the body. The wedge and the body are coupled together by means of a coupling mechanism which allows the wedge to adopt a use state, in which the wedge may be moved through the recess, and a storage/transport state in which the wedge is generally co-planar with the body. In the preferred embodiment, the coupling mechanism comprises a guide member mated with an elongate aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Gerald McCann
  • Patent number: 7073784
    Abstract: The invention concerns a structure for maintaining a body part, the structure consisting of assembled frame members, at least one of the frame members being a tubular beam (1) provided on the outside with at least a groove (7) extending longitudinally. The invention also concerns a template for drilling said beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: ABB MC
    Inventors: Daniel Demit, Francois Malatier
  • Patent number: 7069761
    Abstract: A quick change gripping apparatus for gripping a workpiece having a profile. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end. The cylindrical housing also includes an inner feature having a tapered wall. The housing also has a bottom section and a clam shell section that is hingedly connected to the bottom section. The quick change gripping apparatus also includes a first ring and a second ring, each disposed around the cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Craig E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6883794
    Abstract: An adjustable positioning device used to position a work piece on a work platform is provided. The adjustable positioning device includes a base which is coupled to the work platform and has multiple sockets, and a supporting frame which has multiple slots. The supporting frame further includes a supporting portion protruded from a lateral side of the supporting frame, a number of bars which are installed at the bottom of the supporting frame and are used to insert into selected sockets, a slide block with a sliding section and a pressing section wherein the sliding section is able to slide and can be selectively fixed in a slot while the pressing section and the supporting portion are opposed to each other. The work piece can be retained between the pressing section and the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 6854227
    Abstract: A jig (40) for locating anchor bolts in concrete standards of outdoor lighting installations comprises four complementary corner members (42) that can be interconnected and then secured together with fasteners (45) in the desired pattern. A second embodiment (70) comprised of male and female members (72, 74) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Mark S. Grendahl
  • Patent number: 6830273
    Abstract: A parallel gripper includes a housing and two adjustable gripper base jaws which are displacably guided in a jaw guiding recess. The base jaws are moved relative to one another by a wedge hook gearing that is adjusted by a piston guided in the housing. The jaw guiding recess is provided with complementary configured guiding grooves. The ratio of the wall thickness of the housing between the base of the guiding grooves and the outside of the housing to the width of the housing measured vertically in relation to the direction of displacement of the base jaws is at least 0.2. The ratio of the width of inclined traction of the wedge hook gearing to the outside width of the base jaws is at least 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Schunk GmbH & Co. KG Fabrik fur Spann - und Greifwerkzeuge
    Inventors: Gerhard Michler, Ralf Winkler
  • Patent number: 6777903
    Abstract: The present invention provides a robotic gripper mechanism. The invention comprises gripping jaws and a wedge that moves along angled groove between the gripping jaws. The angled grooves are connected to the gripping jaws, and the wedge moves the gripping jaws together and apart as it slides backward and forward along the angled grooves. The wedge also keeps the gripper jaws parallel to each other as they open and close. A motor moves the wedge backward and forward, and guiding surfaces attached to the base prevent the jaws from moving horizontally relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy C. Ostwald
  • Patent number: 6736383
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: A Römheld GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf Kohlert
  • Patent number: 6698739
    Abstract: An apparatus for retaining objects on surfaces includes a body, a lock pin extending from the body, and a pin extending through the body and engageable with the lock pin so that movement of the pin causes movement of the lock pin so that the apparatus is secured to the surface. The pin may be slidably moved into and out of the lock pin and thereby cause the lock pin to secure and release the apparatus from the surface. The apparatus may also include an engagement member that contacts an object and provides additional retentive forces. The apparatus provides clamping forces on the object so that the object may be forged or otherwise machined. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Mark D. McKim
  • Patent number: 6698741
    Abstract: A workpiece support device includes a body having a base portion adapted for mounting on a surface. The workpiece support device also includes a support member mounted on the body so as to be extendable outward relative to the body and away from the base portion, and retractable inward relative to the body and toward the base portion. The support member has an outer end adapted for supporting a workpiece, and it has an inner end. The workpiece support device also includes a cam member having a camming surface. The cam member is mounted on the body so as to be movable in first and second directions. The movement of the cam member in the first direction causes the camming surface to drivingly engage the inner end of the support member and force the support member to extend outward relative to the body. The movement of the cam member in the second direction allows the support member to retract inward relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6685177
    Abstract: A clamping and locating fixture includes a hollow body, a pin or angled plate mountable to the body, a locking arm positionable within the body locatable between two positions and a drive pin moveable within the body to engage the locking arm. A workpiece can be directed to a clamping position by the guide pin or angled plate. The pin or plate includes an aperture allowing a locking projection of the locking arm to extend therethrough and over a workpiece to clamp the workpiece for a processing operation. The locking projection can be retracted through the aperture while the workpiece is being located or is being removed. The drive pin can be moved within the body to engage a cam follower of the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Dugas, Velibor Kilabarda, Fred Zarna, Greg Bildson
  • Patent number: 6539600
    Abstract: A pressing machine for joining two workpieces includes a workbench (10), a rigging (30) providing periodical vertical movement, a pair of pressing devices (42) for impacting the workpieces, and a push apparatus (70). A wedge block (40) is secured under the rigging. The wedge block has two first slopes (48). The push apparatus includes a push block (70) with a second slope. A stop screw (26) is secured in the workbench. When the rigging is moved downwardly, the pressing devices impact the workpieces and the first slopes abut against the second slope. The push block is moved toward the workpieces, thereby pushing one workpiece to move relative to the other one. When the wedge block abuts the stop screw, the push block stops pushing the workpiece. The moving workpiece is completely engaged with hooks formed in the stationary workpiece at corresponding openings defined in the moving workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Ling Wu, Ya Qiang He, Lie Qiang Bu
  • Patent number: 6506143
    Abstract: In a finishing apparatus, a plurality of works are retained at distances from each other in a direction of an X-axis. A single spindle is disposed on a table movable in the direction of the X-axis, the spindle has an axis parallel to an axis of each of bores to be finished, and is capable of being advanced and retracted axially. A measuring device is provided that measures an inside diameter of each finished bore and which is advanced and retracted independently from the spindle in a direction along the axis of each finished bore. A combination tool is mounted at a tip end of the spindle and finishes an inner surface of any of the bores to be finished, even if the position of insertion of the combination tool into each of the bores is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaname Goto, Yuzo Abe, Koichi Arai, Tsugio Ueno, Yasuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 6471200
    Abstract: A gripper includes a body, at least two jaws (11, 11′), which can move linearly on the body in opposite directions and at least one fluid-type piston (12, 12′) that is arranged in the body and is intended to control the movements of the jaws. The jaws are supported and guided on said body with the interposition of at least one cylindrical bolt (26, 26′) arranged in facing semicylindrical slots (27, 27′) provided on one side of the jaws and in an adjacent part of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Patent number: 6435496
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Steven E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6394439
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Gene Christopher Weber
  • Patent number: 6371469
    Abstract: A workpiece holder features a grip post having an interior wall structure and an exterior wall structure defining a plurality of expandable sections adapted to engage the wall of a bore formed on a workpiece. The grip post houses a cam arrangement abutting the interior wall structure. A pin arrangement is movably mounted in the grip post and has a tapered head engageable with the cam arrangement. A fluid system is provided for instantaneously imparting longitudinal movement to the pin arrangement whereby the exterior wall structure of the grip post is expanded into gripping relationship with the workpiece bore by the progressive engagement of the tapered head with the cam arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: David T. Gray
  • Patent number: 6305679
    Abstract: A portable stand for holding snowboards and skis horizontal and upright during servicing, comprising two identical and free standing stations. Each station having one horizontal member having two temporarily connected support legs. The top surface of the horizontal member and the bottom surface of the support legs are covered with an anti-slip material. A two sided angular slot is centrally located along the top surface of the horizontal member for receiving an upright, base vertical, snowboard or ski for side edge servicing. The depth of the angular slot being approximately equal to one half the width of the widest portion of a typical ski and having a vertical wall and an inclined wall. A wedge dimensioned to mate with the angular slot rests within the angular slot and a means for securing the wedge within the angular slot is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Donald James Brill
  • Patent number: 6244581
    Abstract: A wedge clamp for clamping a plurality of planar members in a side-by-side disposition for work such as gluing to be performed thereon. The wedge clamp includes a rail unit which defines a track having two opposing side walls and an end wall disposed in a U-shaped configuration to closely receive the ends of stock members. The side walls are spaced apart to define a throat for closely receiving a selected thickness of stock. A base member is provided at one end of the rail unit, a second end of the base member extending away from side walls a distance at least as great as the width of the throat. The side walls and the end wall define a series of slotted openings for receiving a wedge block. At least one spacer is used to reduce the width of the throat and accommodate close receipt of the stock material defining a thickness less than that of the throat. The spacer defines an L-shaped cross section, with the first leg defining a first thickness and the second leg defining a second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: William J. Arnhold
  • Patent number: 6234465
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping metal concrete forms. The clamping apparatus includes a clamp body (10) and wedge (20). The clamp body includes two opposed sides (16) and (18) that define a tapered slot for receiving the wedge therebetween. The clamp body also includes an opening or mouth (12) that is operative to receive one or more work pieces which may be clamped together with the apparatus. The wedge is operative to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the clamp body. As the wedge slides between the first and second position within the slot, a front upper surface (22) of the wedge is operative to urge the work pieces against a jaw surface (15) of the clamp body that bounds the upper portion of the mouth. Also as the wedge slides toward the second position, the upper side wall portions (34) and (36) of the wedge slide adjacent a narrower portion of the slot (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Elias A. Sutton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6126159
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Stanley W. Dornfeld
  • Patent number: 6109602
    Abstract: A clamping device for frictional clamping of a workpiece which includes a clamp element adapted to frictionally clamp a workpiece and a mechanism for moving the clamp element which includes a shape memory alloy adapted to move the clamp element when the shape memory alloy is heated. The shape memory alloy moves the clamp element into a clamped state and/or unclamped state upon heating the shape memory alloy. The clamped element is preferably a super elastic alloy which is naturally oriented in a clamped position for a positive clamp and in an unclamped position for a non-positive clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Jergens, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Schron, Jr., Jeff L. Summers
  • Patent number: 6073922
    Abstract: Clamp apparatus comprising a base, a rocker arm mounted at a location intermediate first and second portions thereof to the base for pivotal movement in opposition to the base, a first clamp element carried by the first portion, power transfer structure supported movably by the base and having drive and driven ends, a second clamp element carried by the driven end in substantial opposition to the first clamp element, and carried adjacent the second portion, a drive element responsive to application of a first force for exerting a second force to the drive end for pivoting the rocker arm to force the first clamp element against a work piece positioned between the first and second clamp elements, and for moving the power transfer structure to force the second clamp element against the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Stevens Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Ray Frattone
  • Patent number: 6065897
    Abstract: The present invention is a locking mechanism which utilizes rolling members positioned on recessed inclined surfaces, the rolling members being biased toward a locked position wherein the rolling members engage both the inclined surface of the locking mechanism and an engagement surface of a member or workpiece disposed above and positioned proximate to the recess. Each rolling member is moved from its locked position to its unlocked position along its respective inclined surface by a lever pivotably mounted to the locking mechanism and engaging the rolling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: E & E Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Lutz, III
  • Patent number: 6050560
    Abstract: Clamping apparatus for holding a motor vehicle window pane wherein a window pane (6) is fixed to and moved in a height-adjustable manner on a driver holder (2) of a window lifting mechanism (1), said clamping means comprising a driver holder (2) having at least one concave surface and a clamping plate (3) which can be braced against the window pane (6) by means of a fastening element (7), with the interposition of spacers (4 and 5), the driver holder (2) and the clamping plate (3) each have a pair of upper and lower recesses (11 and 12 respectively) concave to the window pane (6) and the clamping plate (3) is held parallel to these by prismatic guide means (8/9) on the driver holder (2), the window pane (6) is embraced by directly interposed spacers (4 and 5) having on their outer faces convex upper and lower raised portions (13 and 14 respectively) corresponding to the respective concave recesses (11 and 12), and the window pane, held in a desired installed position by a device, can be clamped fast in the de
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno Schuetteler
  • Patent number: 5961108
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Gene Christopher Weber
  • Patent number: 5833225
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Gene Weber
  • Patent number: 5737820
    Abstract: A clamping tool designed for clamping sheet metal runners onto the side panels of drawers comprises an elongated grippable casing, at one end of which is a clamp (27, 127) composed of a pair of jaws (20, 21, 121) designed to grip a clamping area of a runner clasping the edge of a side panel of the drawer. Inside the casing is a actuator (18, 118) for moving a wedge-shaped element (19, 119). At least one jaw (21, 121) of the pair is made on the extremity of a lever (22, 122) having its other extremity (24, 124) slidingly resting on the wedge-shaped element (19, 119). Upon actuation of the actuator, the wedge (19, 119) slides over the extremity (24, 124) of the lever (22, 122) to rotate it around a pivot (23, 123) lying between the extremities and shift the jaws towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Franco Ferrari
    Inventors: Franco Ferrari, Carlo Migli
  • Patent number: 5735513
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Joseph F. Toffolon
    Inventor: Joseph F. Toffolon
  • Patent number: 5730432
    Abstract: A clamp used in the concrete forming industry to attach various devices to framing systems in order to maintain vertical alignment of concrete forms. The clamp is a wedge style clamp that provides a friction connection between the waler and strongback beam. The clamp is set in place by use of a hammer and is a one piece design so the various parts will not be lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventors: Brent Gendreau, Robert Porter