Abstract: A clamp device includes an annular grip member capable of being inserted into an hole in a workpiece and of gripping the inner circumferential surface of the hole, a clamp rod having a tapered shaft portion fitted inside the grip member and engaged therewith, a hydraulic cylinder capable of axially advancing and retracting the grip member and the clamp rod, and a clamp main body member. The clamp device is provided with seating surfaces formed upon the clamp main body member, on which the workpiece is seated, and a poor clamping detection mechanism that detects poor clamping, in the state in which the grip member is driven in its clamping direction by the hydraulic cylinder via the clamp rod, and the workpiece is in its state of being seated upon the seating surfaces.

Abstract: A clamp device includes a grip member, a clamp rod, and a hydraulic cylinder, and, by the grip member being inserted into an hole in a workpiece, it can grip the inner circumferential surface of the hole. The clamp device is provided with: a main body member; seating surfaces formed upon the main body member, upon which the workpiece is seated; a seating sensor that includes a pressurized air ejection hole opening to the seating surfaces; and a workpiece mounting surface that can receive and stop a workpiece at a position that is more advanced than the seating surfaces when the grip member is at an advanced position (its unclamped state), and that shifts together with the grip member during clamp operation when the grip member and the clamp rod shift towards retraction.

Abstract: A clamp device including a detection mechanism provided to detect whether the clamp device is in a clamped state or an unclamped state. The detection mechanism includes a tilt plate tiltably placed inside a switch holder installed on a body and a sliding rod displaced together with a piston rod and displaced in the direction normal to the tilt plate. When the sliding rod presses and tilts the tilt plate while a piston is displaced, a second detection switch detects that the clamp device is in the unclamped state.

Abstract: Extension pole apparatus includes an attachment component (20,100) having an elongate body (22,105) that is adapted to receive a tubular or rod like component so that the latter extends generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the body. A pair of plates (24,25;110a,110b) are mounted to and project laterally from the body. The plates extend generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the body for receiving between them an aligned element of a powered sanding apparatus, which aligned element is a hollow shaft or a rib of a motor unit of the apparatus. Means (29,155) is included by which the plates may be rigidly fastened to the aligned element. A tubular or rod like component is receivable into the elongate body, and means (23,165) is provided by which the tubular or rod like component may be fastened to the attachment component while it is received in the elongate body.

Abstract: A clamping device has a top part (1) provided with an adjusting mechanism for a clamping arm that can be pivoted into a clamping position and an opening position on the top part (1). A housing (7) carries the top part (1). The housing has an inner region to receive a linearly mobile adjusting rod that is connected, at one end, to the adjusting mechanism (3) and to a drive, at the other end, arranged in the housing (7). The housing (7) has an extruded hollow profiled element (8). The inner region of the extruded element (8) has a uniform inner cross-section over its entire length.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool for assembling and disassembling components, such as gears, bearings, etc. of a shaft, is capable of performing an external-pulling or an internal-pulling operation as desired for an object to be assembled or disassembled. The hydraulic tool includes an oil pressure assembly having a hand-operated pump, an oil storage member, a control valve, an oil pressure tank, a set of external pulling type clamping jaws, internal pulling type clamping jaws, and a bolt for assembling purpose. The hydraulic tool has high mobility and portability, is capable of performing assembling or disassembling operations at any angle and position, and is considerably enhanced in applicability.

Abstract: A positioning and clamping apparatus, capable of positioning and clamping a panel material and removing the panel material from a locating pin under a state of releasing the clamping, is provided. A base having a contact surface contacting with the panel material is provided with the locating pin that penetrates through a through-hole of the panel material. A clamp arm moving between an escaping position and a clamping position is provided in a slit, and the clamp arm is moved between these positions by a reciprocating cam. When the clamp arm reaches the clamping position, the panel material is clamped by a clamp portion which is a tip of the clamp arm. A pusher driven by a pushing piston is provided inside the base, and the panel material is removed from the locating pin by the pusher.

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes a longitudinally extending slot. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending arcuate slot. The cam pin is coupled to the housing. The cam pin engages the slot. An electrical driven actuator includes an electric motor that rotates to move the locating pin linearly to rotate the twist pin.

Abstract: A positioning and clamping apparatus clamps a panel material by moving a clamp arm to a clamping position while the panel material positioned by a locating pin is supported by a workpiece supporting face of a workpiece support. An extruding member having a plurality of extruding rods protruding from the workpiece supporting face is slidably provided in the workpiece support, and the panel material is detached from the locating pin since the extruding member causes a tip face of the extruding rods to be moved to a carry-out position by the hollow piston. The extruding member is caused to protrude by a spring force up to a standby position located between the carrying-out position and the workpiece supporting position, thereby being pushed down up to the workpiece supporting position by the panel material.

Abstract: A lock mechanism includes a casing that is fixed to a side surface of a body, a handle disposed rotatably on the outside of the casing, and a transmission section, which is capable of transmitting a drive force applied by the handle. An end of a guide rod making up the transmission section is connected in a body surrounding groove of a piston rod disposed inside the body. In addition, by rotating the handle, the guide rod of the transmission section is displaced vertically (upward and downward), such that an arm is rotationally displaced through a toggle link mechanism by displacement of the piston rod along the axial direction.

Abstract: A device for holding a constructional unit (40) of a double clutch in a balancing machine, wherein the constructional unit (40) comprises a clutch cage (41) to be balanced, with a pivot bearing (45) and driving disks (46, 47), and contains a bearing mandrel (1), which has a first clamping device (24) for clamping the pivot bearing (45) rotatably bearing the clutch cage (41) to be balanced and a second clamping device (11) for clamping the driving disk (47). One of the clamping devices (11) is adjustable in respect of the bearing mandrel (1) in the axial direction by means of an operating device (22). The bearing mandrel (1) additionally has a third clamping device (29, 57) for clamping the driving disk (46), which is stationary or adjustable in respect of the bearing mandrel (1) in the axial direction by means of an operating device (34).

Abstract: A universal holding fixture assembly includes a plurality of linear actuators supported by the fixture and adapted to engage and support a workpiece relative to the fixture. A linear displacement member is supported by a housing and adapted to move between retracted and extended positions. An end effector assembly is operatively supported by the linear actuator and adapted to engage the workpiece when the linear displacement member is in its extended position. A sensor is operatively supported by the end effector assembly and is responsive to contact with the workpiece to establish a datum of the position of the linear actuator relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: A new arrangement for machining parts is disclosed. The parts to be machined are mounted on fixture plates on a fixture. Using a stationary hydraulic line, hydraulic equipment is then pressurized by a pump within the fixture. The pump is mechanically powered by a separate (and disconnectable) power source. A rotatable coupling is attached to the pump. It receives a spindle from a CNC machine, enabling the machine to activate the pump by rotating the spindle while the spindle is received in the coupling. The coupling has axially extending prongs that form slots that accommodates the spindle. The prongs have ends that taper inwardly toward the slots. The spindle is also used to actuate a pressure release valve. The fixture also has at least four angled work faces and an access face that separates two of those faces. In operation, parts are first mounted on the fixture plates. The fixture is then moved to a work area, where the spindle actuates the pump, pressuring clamps that lock the parts in position.

Abstract: A tool module associated with an end-effector for a robot arm that includes both linear and rotational locking mechanisms providing movement in five degrees of freedom. The tool module includes an integrated locking assembly that includes a linear locking mechanism and a rotary locking mechanism that are simultaneously locked and unlocked. The linear locking mechanism locks to a rod and the rotary locking mechanism locks and unlocks a shaft that is rigidly coupled to a swing arm. An opposite end of the swing arm includes another linear locking mechanism that locks and unlocks a shaft supporting a vacuum cup at an opposite end. The vacuum cup is mounted to a ball joint on the shaft that allows the vacuum cup to pivot. By locking and unlocking the locking mechanisms of the tool module, the end-effector can be readily configured to grasp and hold various parts of different dimensions and shapes.

Abstract: In an embodiment, there is disclosed a clamp having a frame and a latch member mounted within the housing so that the latch member is translatable along a displacement axis and rotatable about the displacement axis. A cam follower mounted to the frame engages a channel operatively associated with the latch member. An actuator mounted to the frame and operatively associated with the latch member translates the latch member along the displacement axis. The engagement of the cam follower and channel causes the latch member to be rotated about the displacement axis as the latch member is translated along the displacement axis.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus is equipped with a cylinder mechanism having a piston. A driving force of the cylinder mechanism is transmitted to a clamp arm, which is retained on a housing through a block body and a link pin that make up a driving force transmitting mechanism, the clamp arm being rotated through a predetermined angle. The block body includes a rotatably supported roller. The block body is guided along an axial direction by displacement of the roller, while the roller is rotated along a guide member of the housing.

Abstract: A pin clamp for use in a manufacturing line. The clamp including a body and a pin arranged on one end thereof. The clamp having a hook arranged within the pin. A first torque arm is connected to the hook and contacts a spring. A second torque arm contacts the spring and a link member. The clamp is capable of holding workpieces at various load strengths and workpieces having a variety of thicknesses.

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

Abstract: Disclosed are a substrate support apparatus and an apparatus for examining the seal pattern of an LCD cell. The substrate support apparatus includes a movable stage provided with drawing nozzles for attaching a substrate to an upper surface and adapted to rotate by a predetermined angle; a fixed stage spaced from the movable stage and provided with floating nozzles for ejecting air upward and drawing nozzles for drawing air downward; and a driving device coupled to the movable stage to rotate the movable stage. The apparatus for examining the seal pattern of an LCD cell includes the substrate support apparatus; and a gantry unit including support platforms positioned on both sides of the substrate support apparatus, a bridge positioned above the substrate support apparatus to connect the support platforms, and a correction device coupled to the bridge to examine and repair a seal pattern of a substrate.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus detachably clamps a work on a pallet. When a second pressing plate moves down from the unclamped state of a first position, elastic force of a first elastic member acts on a shaft through a first retainer and first operating balls so that a clamping arm is pressed down. When a first pressing plate moves down by a short distance, the first operating balls shift to the position of an unlocking segment of a sleeve, and a second operating balls are also located at an unlocking segment of a clamping case, to realize a releasing position. When the shaft is located at the releasing position where the first and second operating balls are not engaged with the shaft, the shaft can be removed from the clamping case.

Abstract: An annular piston (21) is inserted into a cylinder hole (20) of a housing (4) so as to be vertically movable and be prevented from rotating. Into a cylindrical hole (24) of the piston (21), a cylindrical rotating member (25) is inserted while prevented from moving vertically. A ball screw mechanism (28) is provided between the piston (21) and the rotating member (25). On an outer peripheral surface of the rotating member (25), a circulation passage (59) which communicatively connects a start end and a terminal end of a male spiral groove (56) is formed in a recessed manner. Into a guide hole (29) formed in an upper half of the housing (4), an output rod (30) is inserted rotatably and movably vertically. An input portion (41) of the output rod (30) is connected to the rotating member (25) so as to transmit rotation. By driving the piston (21) upward, a bolt (45) provided on an upper end portion of the output rod (30) is engaged with an internal threaded hole (12) of a work (10).

Abstract: According to a rotary clamp cylinder of this invention, in a rod cover 5, attachment holes 18 are formed so as not to intersect an axis CL of a piston rod 11, and pin members 19 are rotatably fitted in the attachment holes 18, respectively. An amount L of engagement between each pin member 19 and each turning guide groove 14 becomes greater, on the side of the axis CL of the piston rod 11 in the pin member 19 than on the side opposite to the side of the axis CL of the piston rod 11, and the outer circumferential face 21 of each pin member 19 on the side opposite to the side of the axis CL of the piston rod 11 can be supported by the inner face of each attachment hole 18, over substantially the entire length thereof. Accordingly, excessively large load and/or impact could be received by the pin members 19, as such the increase of the transfer speed upon clamping or unclamping, and/or attachment of a longer clamper 12 to the piston rod 11 can be further facilitated.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of positioning a workpiece (50) with a centering surface (51) on a centering clamping member (32) of a chuck (1), pressing a radial contact surface of the workpiece against a clamping surface (27) of the chuck (1) with a first force, centering the workpiece (50) by clamping the centering clamping member (32) against the centering surface (51), and pressing the radial contact surface (52) of the workpiece (50) against the clamping surface (27) of the chuck (1) with a second force, the second force being greater than the first force.

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes longitudinally extending and opposed slots, each disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the body and into the cavity. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending cavity disposed therein, and longitudinally extending and opposed cam slots disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the twist pin and into the cavity therein. The cam pin is coupled to the housing within the bore and extending there across.

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly having a housing, locating pin, at least one finger, a drive rod and an actuator is provided. At least a portion of the locating pin may be extendable exterior of the housing. The finger is located adjacent the locating pin and movable relative thereto. The drive rod is movable and is engagable with the finger to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions. The actuator drives the locating pin and the drive rod. Movement of the locating pin and drive rod is linear only and no rotational movement of the locating pin and drive rod is employed to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions.

Abstract: A pneumatic collet assembly has a housing, a piston, a collet, and ball bearings. The piston is disposed within the housing. A bore within the piston receives the collet. The collet has a base and fingers. The fingers of the collet define a center channel or bore configured to receive a torsion bar. The central channel extends along a longitudinal axis. The ball bearings are disposed between the piston and the fingers of the collet. The piston is configured to move between a first position along the longitudinal axis and a second position along the longitudinal axis in response to pressure changes within the housing. The piston increases force against the ball bearings to urge the fingers of the collet against the torsion bar to clamp the torsion bar.

Abstract: A clamp having a frame and a latch member mounted within the frame so that the latch member is translatable along a displacement axis and rotatable about the displacement axis. A guide pin mounted to the frame engages a channel operatively associated with the latch member. An actuator mounted to the frame and operatively associated with the latch member translates the latch member along the displacement axis. The engagement of the guide pin and channel causes the latch member to be rotated about the displacement axis as the latch member is translated along the displacement axis.

Abstract: A locating and clamping apparatus can prevent spatter from entering the clamp body through a spatter discharge hole. A longitudinal groove is formed in a side surface of the clamp body so as to communicate with both a spatter discharge hole and a hole for supporting a fulcrum pin. A spatter protecting cover having an upper cover member and a lower cover member is fitted in the longitudinal groove. The upper cover member of the spatter protecting cover prevents the fulcrum pin from coming off, and the lower cover member of the spatter protecting cover opens or closes the spatter discharge hole.

Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes longitudinally extending and opposed slots, each disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the body and into the cavity. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending cavity disposed therein, and longitudinally extending and opposed cam slots disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the twist pin and into the cavity therein. The cam pin is coupled to the housing within the bore and extending there across.

Abstract: A linearly adjustable apparatus having a stroke adjustment for locating geometric references on a workpiece. The present invention provides a housing having a linear actuator for actuating a locating member between an extended position, wherein the locating member engages the workpiece, and a retracted position, wherein the locating member disengages the workpiece. A bearing assembly is connected to the housing and slidably supports the locating member. The bearing assembly has an external threaded portion that threadably engages an internal threaded portion of the housing to provide linear adjustment of the stroke length of the locating member along a longitudinal axis of the housing. A jam nut threadably engages the bearing assembly to secure the relative position of the bearing assembly relative to the housing.

Abstract: A swing-arm clamp is provided. The swing-arm clamp has a piston rod which is disposed therein. The piston rod is movable through the swing-arm clamp in response to movement by the piston along a longitudinal axis between first and second positions. The clamp also has a plug that is selectively positionable to affect the positioning of the piston rod.

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

Abstract: A swing clamp (100) for selectively clamping a workpiece (58) having a surface to be worked upon to a support surface is provided. The swing clamp includes a housing (108) and an actuator (101) at least partially disposed within the housing. A clamp arm (102) is coupled to the actuator, wherein the actuator is adapted to actuate the clamp arm between a clamped position, an unclamped position, and a retracted position in which the clamp arm is adapted to be disposed below an elevation of the surface to be worked upon.

Abstract: A swing-arm clamp is provided. The swing-arm clamp has a locating member that is movable in concert with a rod which is disposed in the clamp. The locating member engages a guide when the arm is located in a first position and separates from the guide when in a second position.

Abstract: A novel two-stage clamp used in testing a device-under-test (DUT) is herein presented. The two-stage clamp provides two sequential actuations via one linear force, and includes clamps moving in multiple different directions. The two-stage clamp uniquely uses the DUT being clamped to provide the linkage and timing for the two-stage actuation of clamps moving in three different directions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locating and clamping fixture for locating and clamping a workpiece, wherein the fixture comprises a generally hollow body and a floating clamping arm. A first cam follower is located within the body, and a drive pin comprising a second cam follower and having a first axis associated therewith is moveable within the body along the first axis. The floating clamping arm comprises a first cam surface, a second cam surface, and a gripping portion, wherein the first cam surface and the second cam surface are operable to respectively engage the first cam follower and the second cam follower. Upon an application of a driving force by the drive pin, the clamping arm is operable to rotate and linearly translate with respect to the body via a translational movement of the drive pin along the first axis, wherein the gripping portion of the clamping arm is operable to extend over the workpiece and to clamp the workpiece to the body.

Abstract: A sealed pin locating and clamping apparatus includes a body, an actuator moveably supported by the body, a pin mounted to the body and a clamping member drivingly coupled to the actuator. The actuator includes a first rod having an internal cavity and a second rod rotatably positioned within the internal cavity. A portion of the pin is positioned within a cam slot formed in the second rod and the second rod rotates in response to linear movement of the first rod to position the clamping member.

Abstract: A housing (3) has an upper end wall (3a) which supports an upper slide portion (11) of a clamp rod (5) vertically movably. The housing (3) has a lower end wall (3b), a support cylinder (13) of which supports a lower slide portion (12) of the rod (5) vertically movably. The rod (5) is provided with an input portion (14) between the upper slide portion (11) and the lower slide portion (12). A clamp spring (20) connected to the input portion (14) drives the rod (5) downwards for clamping. The lower slide portion (12) has an outer periphery provided with a helical rotary groove (27) and a straight groove (28) which is in upward continuity with the rotary groove (27). A ball (29) engages with the rotary groove (27) and the straight groove (28). The ball (29) is supported by an inner wall (13a) of the support cylinder (13).

Abstract: The abutment of the rod to the work piece is accomplished in a stable manner by providing an air passage in the inside of the work support for supplying pressurized air for detecting the abutment between the rod and the work piece. Work support is equipped with case, rod, sleeve that elastically deforms to reduce its diameter, hydraulic cylinder for driving rod in an advancing direction, spring for elastically energizing rod in advancing direction, detection nozzle for ejecting pressurized air, air passage connected to detection nozzle, sensor for detecting abutment between the tip of rod and work piece based on air pressure, and a control unit. Work piece is supported by the tip of rod abutting work piece while ejecting pressurized air from detection nozzle, and locks rod by elastically deforming sleeve to reduce its diameter after detecting the abutment of rod by a pressure sensor and control unit.

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

Abstract: A clamp system includes a plurality of clamping devices arrayed along at least a first hydraulic supply loop and a plurality of support devices arrayed along at least a second hydraulic supply loop. The clamping devices may include vertical rotating clamping devices which rotate vertically to secure a workpiece to a base plate. The clamping devices may also include horizontally rotating clamping devices which rotate axially and extend vertically to clamp the workpiece. The support devices support and stabilize the workpiece during machining operations. The first and second hydraulic supply loops are interconnected and allow the clamping devices to clamp the workpiece before the support pieces support the workpiece. The second hydraulic supply loop boosts support to and locks the support devices for additional stability.

Abstract: A clamp rod (5) is vertically movably inserted into a housing (3). The housing (3) has a lower end wall (3b) formed with a detecting hole (58) substantially concentrically with an axis of the clamp rod (5). The detecting hole (58) has a peripheral surface opened to provide at least one inlet hole (71, 72) for supplying compressed air. A detecting member (62) is vertically movably fitted into the detecting hole (58). The detecting member (62) has an outer peripheral surface provided with a closing surface (68) which closes an opening portion (71a, 72a) of the inlet hole (71, 72) and with a recess (69) which communicates the opening portion (71a, 72a) with the outside air. The clamp rod (5) has a downwardly oriented projection (5a). The projection (5a) is connected to the detecting member (62) so that it can make a relative movement radially.

Abstract: An adapter for picking up and placing a fixture element on a fixture body using a controlled tool handling device having a tool translating and rotating spindle. The spindle has a tool receiving end and an axis of rotation. The adapter receives a cylindrical post member of a fixture element on a fixture body. The adapter has a first end having a receptacle for receiving the end of the spindle. The second end of the adapter is displaced from the first end and includes a cylindrical socket formed on the end. The socket is co-axial with the spindle and receives the cylindrical post member of the fixture element. A fluid passage is formed in the adapter from the receptacle to the cylindrical socket. The cylindrical socket has an upstream end and a down stream end. A piston is disposed in the upstream end of the socket. The piston is moveable longitudinally within the socket in response to fluid pressure delivered from the spindle through the fluid passage.

Abstract: A swing clamp (100) for selectively clamping a workpiece (58) having a surface to be worked upon to a support surface is provided. The swing clamp includes a housing (108) and an actuator (101) at least partially disposed within the housing. A clamp arm (102) is coupled to the actuator, wherein the actuator is adapted to actuate the clamp arm between a clamped position, an unclamped position, and a retracted position in which the clamp arm is adapted to be disposed below an elevation of the surface to be worked upon.

Abstract: A clamp rod (5) is inserted into a housing (3) rotatably around an axis and movably downwards for clamping. The clamp rod (5) has an outer peripheral portion formed with three guide grooves (26) which are arranged peripherally at substantially the same spacing. An engaging ball (29) which is fitted into every guide groove (26) is supported by a lower end wall (3b) of the housing (3). Each of the guide grooves (26) comprises a rotary groove (27) and a straight groove (28) which is in upward continuity with the rotary groove (27). The rotary grooves (27) as well as the straight grooves (28) are arranged in parallel with one another. A partition wall between the adjacent guide grooves (26), (26) has a minimum thickness (T) set to a value smaller than a diameter (D) of the engaging ball (29).

Abstract: A clamp with a rotatable arm for clamping a workpiece has an impact-reducing mechanism, thereby reducing an impact exerted when the arm comes into contact with the workpiece. The impact-reducing mechanism has first and second plates. A support lever is provided between the first and second plates, and sides of the support lever are engaged with plate springs of the first and second plates, respectively.

Abstract: The device includes a hollow pilot equipped with at least two retractable hooks and driven by a piston provided with a groove, the whole assembly being mounted on a supporting nosepiece. The piston is locked in clamping position by a three-point system actuated by a pneumatic cylinder. The device assembly is integrated in a housing. The device is designed to equip fixed or mobile posts for assembling vehicles, or clamping arms.

Abstract: A housing (3) has an upper end wall (3a) and a lower end wall (3b) which support an upper slide portion (11) and a lower slide portion (12) of a clamp rod (5) vertically movably, respectively. The rod (5) is moved downwards for clamping through a clamp spring (20). The lower slide portion (12) has an outer periphery provided with guide grooves (26), each of which comprises a helical rotary groove (27) and a straight groove (28), peripherally in plural number. Engaging balls (29) which are fitted into the respective guide grooves (26) are rotatably supported by through holes (31) provided in an upper portion of the lower end wall (3b). A sleeve (35) is externally fitted over the engaging balls (29) rotatably around an axis.

Abstract: An apparatus to position or clamp a work piece includes a body, a generally linearly moving powered actuator positioned in the body, and a mechanism to adjust an available stroke of the actuator. The actuator has a first piston coupled to a second piston. The available stroke is defined by a distance spanned by the first and second pistons.

Abstract: An electrically powered clamp has a housing, a motor attached to the housing, a ball screw driven by the motor via gears, and a linkage driven at one end by the ball screw such that the linkage rotates an output shaft attached to the other end of the linkage. The motor and gears drive the ball screw to a fully extended position to rotate the shaft to a clamped position or to a fully retracted position to rotate the shaft to an unclamped position. A built-in computer monitors and controls the clamp. The clamp can also be controlled and monitored by a remote pendant. Indicator lights on the housing and remote pendant convey clamp status information. The clamp is programmable and can memorize the clamped and unclamped positions. The clamp uses velocity and position feedback to determine appropriate drive mode. Torque monitors and timers determine if the clamp becomes stuck.