Abstract: Disclosed is a clamp apparatus comprising a cylinder section for displacing a rod member provided at the inside of a body in an axial direction; a toggle link mechanism for converting rectilinear motion of the rod member into rotary motion; an arm for making rotation by a predetermined angle in accordance with a driving action of the cylinder section; and a lock mechanism for maintaining a clamped state of a workpiece effected by the arm even when transmission of driving force of the cylinder section to the arm is stopped.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a housing and a pivot pin mounted for pivoting movement about an axis of rotation with respect to the housing. A clamp member is connected to the pivot pin and is moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to rotation of the pivot pin. The pivot pin has an arm extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation. A drive member is mounted for linear reciprocal movement along a fixed path with respect to the housing, and a linkage connects the drive member to the arm of the pivot pin for converting reciprocal movement of the drive member into pivoting movement of the pivot pin. An electric motor is connected to an output shaft with an axis of rotation, and an adjustable converting mechanism connects the drive member to the electric motor for adjustably converting the rotary motion driving force into a linear reciprocal harmonic motion of the drive member.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven extending clamp is disclosed having a pivoting main body which includes an extendable clamping rod disposed therein. The clamping rod extends above the pivot and is extended by air pressure and retracted by a spring internal to the clamping rod. A retaining member extends through a slot in the clamping rod and forms a travel limit stop as well as a retraction spring contact point. A hydraulic cylinder pivots the main body in seesaw-like fashion to apply clamping forces.

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.

Abstract: A rotary clamp having a telescopic piston rod with predetermined adjustable lengths corresponding to predetermined rotational angles of a clamp arm. The rotary clamp utilizes a linear actuator for transmitting linear motion to the piston rods and a linkage assembly is connected to the piston rod to convert the linear motion of the piston rod into rotary motion of the clamp arm. The telescopic piston rod provides an outer shaft and an inner shaft wherein the outer shaft is connected to a piston in the linear actuator. The outer shaft also provides a bore extending from the free end of the outer shaft for receiving an inner shaft of the piston rod. The inner shaft of the piston rod has a plurality of apertures extending transverse to and spaced along the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft. The apertures of the inner shaft may correspondingly align with an aperture provided in the outer shaft.

Abstract: A clamp for clampingly engaging a portion of a workpiece and for lifting the workpiece from a work surface.

Abstract: A rotary cylinder actuator has a piston rod placed in a cylinder, provided in its surface with a guide groove and capable of being moved axially between a position corresponding to a clamping angular position and a position corresponding to an unclamping angular position. A guide member is attached to the cylinder to engage in the guide groove. The piston rod turns from a first angular end position toward a second angular end position for normal turning and turns from the second angular end position toward the first angular end position for reverse turning. The opposite guide surfaces of the guide groove serve as a first guide surface for normal turning and a second guide surface for reverse turning, respectively, so that the guide member moves relative to the piston along different paths in the guide groove while the piston rod turns for normal turning and reverse turning, respectively.

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: When clamping, compressed air within a second chamber (22) of a pneumatic cylinder (12) is discharged and fresh compressed air is supplied to a first chamber (21). Then a pressure of the compressed air within the first chamber (21) and an urging force of a compression spring (25) move a piston (20) leftwards. The piston (20) moves an output rod (26) rightwards strongly through a plurality of engaging balls (34) and a first pressure receiving member (31). When unclamping, the compressed air within the first chamber (21) is discharged and fresh compressed air is supplied to the second chamber (22). Then a pressure of the compressed air within the second chamber (22) moves the piston (20) rightwards and at the same time the output rod (26) leftwards.

Abstract: A clamp employs a workpiece-clamping member, a clamp body, and a driving member. A further aspect of the present invention provides a camming mechanism to couple a clamping member to a camming member. Still another aspect of the present invention employs a piston and a clamping member wherein the piston advances in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of movement of the clamping member.

Abstract: A toggle link mechanism has a releasing projection which protrudes from an opening formed in a body when it is displaced integrally with a piston rod. The body is provided with a cap for closing the opening and covering the releasing projection.

Abstract: A power clamp apparatus, comprised of, a single metal body with an interior cavity running there through, a unit assembly which is inserted into said interior cavity, and said unit assembly including, a piston for slidable back and forth movement within said cavity, a lower portion of said cavity acting as a chamber for said piston, a piston rod connected to said piston, a floating head member on the piston rod, a link mechanism connected proximate to an upper end of said piston rod, a lower cap member which closes off said cavity near a bottom end of said metal body, an upper cap member which closes off the metal body proximate to a top end thereof after said unit assembly is inserted into said cavity, a drive shaft inserted through apertures in a generally transverse position through said metal body, with a central portion of said drive shaft inside the metal body being connected to an end of said link mechanism, a clamp arm attached to said drive shaft on the outside of said metal body, and wherein when sa

Abstract: A bolster of a press machine has a T-shaped groove, into which a T-shaped leg of a hydraulic clamp is fitted. The clamp advances and retreats along the T-shaped groove by a pneumatic cylinder. A housing of the clamp has a side surface to which a block is fixed. The block is provided with a hydraulic locking device. When placing the clamp in a waiting condition at a retreated position, a push piston of the locking device is projected downwards from a retracted position. Then the push piston pushes an upper surface of the bolster and the thus resulting reaction force fixes the T-shaped leg to a peripheral wall of the T-shaped groove.

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.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus comprises a single driving unit for displacing a piston rod in the axial direction, clamp arms which are rotatable by predetermined angles in accordance with the displacement action of the piston rod, a positioning pin which is displaceable in the axial direction in accordance with the displacement action of the piston rod, and a driving force-transmitting mechanism for operating the clamp arms and the positioning pin substantially simultaneously by transmitting the driving force of the driving unit to the clamp arms and the positioning pin respectively.

Abstract: The a modular system for locating and clamping a workpiece in space is provided that includes positioning blade including a riser mount having a plurality of first mounting-bores and a plurality of first positioning-bores. A clamp mount is provided on the blade that includes a plurality of second mounting-bores and a plurality of second positioning-bores. The first positioning-bores have a predetermined positional relationship to the second positioning-bores. A locator arm is also provided on the blade, and has a plurality of third positioning-bores where the third positioning-bores comprise a predetermined position relative to the first positioning-bores and the second positioning-bores. A system for positioning and clamping a workpiece is also provided that includes in combination the foregoing positioning blade mounted on structure for elevating the workpiece, e.g., a riser, and structure for clamping the workpiece.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus comprising a holding member which is formed of a metal material and which is displaceable in an axial direction of a body in accordance with rotary action of an arm, and a pair of proximity switches for sensing the position of the holding member respectively. The holding member is selected from a plurality of available holding members having respective different lengths and selectively provided corresponding to a rotation amount of the arm.

Abstract: When clamping, compressed air within a second chamber (22) of a pneumatic cylinder (12) is discharged and fresh compressed air is supplied to a first chamber (21). Then a pressure of the compressed air within the first chamber (21) and an urging force of a compression spring (25) move a piston (20) leftwards. The piston (20) moves an output rod (26) rightwards strongly through a plurality of engaging balls (34) and a first pressure receiving member (31). When unclamping, the compressed air within the first chamber (21) is discharged and fresh compressed air is supplied to the second chamber (22). Then a pressure of the compressed air within the second chamber (22) moves the piston (20) rightwards and at the same time the output rod (26) leftwards.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven extending clamp is disclosed having a pivoting main body which includes an extendable clamping rod disposed therein. The clamping rod extends above the pivot and is extended by air pressure and retracted by a spring internal to the clamping rod. A retaining member extends through a slot in the clamping rod and forms a travel limit stop as well as a retraction spring contact point. A hydraulic cylinder pivots the main body in seesaw-like fashion to apply clamping forces.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus comprises a toggle link mechanism including a link plate connected to a rod member and a support lever linked to the link plate, for converting rectilinear motion of the rod member into rotary motion, a long hole formed for the link plate, for being engaged with a knuckle pin provided on a first end side of the rod member, and a lever stopper formed with a fastening surface for regulating a rotary action of the support lever.

Abstract: The a modular system for locating and clamping a workpiece in space is provided that includes positioning blade including a riser mount having a plurality of first mounting-bores and a plurality of first positioning-bores. A clamp mount is provided on the blade that includes a plurality of second mounting-bores and a plurality of second positioning-bores. The first positioning-bores have a predetermined positional relationship to the second positioning-bores. A locator arm is also provided on the blade, and has a plurality of third positioning-bores where the third positioning-bores comprise a predetermined position relative to the first positioning-bores and the second positioning-bores. A system for positioning and clamping a workpiece is also provided that includes in combination the foregoing positioning blade mounted on structure for elevating the workpiece, e.g., a riser, and structure for clamping the workpiece.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus comprises a cylinder unit for displacing a rod member provided at the inside of a body in an axial direction of the body, and a link plate for being connected to the rod member, and it further comprises a toggle link mechanism for converting rectilinear motion of the rod member into rotary motion, an arm for making rotation by a predetermined angle in accordance with a driving action of the cylinder unit, and a guide roller supported by the body, the guide roller being rotatable while making contact with a curved surface of the link plate.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus comprises a toggle link mechanism which converts rectilinear motion of a rod member into rotary motion, an arm which is rotatable by a predetermined angle in accordance with a driving action of a cylinder section, and a lock mechanism which holds an unclamping state of the arm even when transmission of driving force of the cylinder section to the arm is cut off.

Abstract: A gear mechanism has a first gear which is coaxially connected to a drive shaft of a rotary driving source, a second gear which is meshed with the first gear, and a third gear which is meshed with the second gear and which is integrally interlocked with a ball screw nut. Diameters of the first to third gears are set to be smaller than a dimension of an upper body in a widthwise direction and a dimension of a lower body in the widthwise direction.

Abstract: A clamping tool holds a workpiece in place on a surface, for example in a machine tool, by a clamping bolt (2) which is moved into a workpiece contacting position by a locking piston (6). The bolt (2) and the piston (6) are slidable in respective bores (3, 4) in a housing (1) in which the clamping bolt (2) is locked in a workpiece supporting position by the locking piston (5, 6). For this purpose the locking piston (6) has a piston rod (5) with a wedging incline (8) cooperating with a respective wedging incline (2′) at an inner end of the clamping bolt (2). A tongue and groove combination is provided between the piston rod (5) and the inner end of the clamping bolt to facilitate the cooperation and force transmission between the piston rod (5) and the clamping bolt (2). A self-locking effect holds the locking piston in a working position until the self-locking effect is released.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for transporting pressurized fluid. The system includes a plate having a first face and a slot extending along the face between opposite first and second ends of the slot. In addition, the system includes a body having a surface sealingly engaging the first face of the plate and overlying the slot so that a portion of the surface and the slot at least partially define a passage for transporting pressurized fluid between the first and second ends of the slot. A method of making the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A toggle lever clamping device has a bearing head (15) arranged on an actuating means (2), on which head a pivot unit (16), which comprises a clamping arm (22), may be moved between a release position and a clamping position. An abutment face (48) is provided on the bearing head (15) for presetting the clamping position of the clamping arm (22), such abutment being in the path of pivoting of the pivot unit (16) and serving for presetting the clamping position by cooperating with the pivot unit (16).

Abstract: A power clamp includes a body member (2), an arm member (14) connected to the body member by means of a pivot joint (16) to allow pivoting movement of the arm member between an open position and a closed position, an actuator (10), a first drive mechanism (42) connecting the actuator (10) to the arm member (14) to control movement thereof, and a second drive mechanism (20,28) connecting the actuator (10) to the arm member (14) to apply a clamping force to the arm member when the arm member is in a closed position.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a workpiece holder which includes a pair of plates which can be coupled together so as to define two openings at their coupled surfaces. The plates are coupled together by threaded members which are located on either side of each of the two openings. One of the openings is cylindrical and designed to receive a workpiece holder. The other opening has a partial spherical bore and is provided with a spherical collar that can receive a support structure. The threaded members can be selectively loosened to allow either or both of the openings to expand.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clamp apparatus comprising a cylinder section for displacing a rod member provided at the inside of a body in an axial direction; a toggle link mechanism for converting rectilinear motion of the rod member into rotary motion; an arm for making rotation by a predetermined angle in accordance with a driving action of the cylinder section; and a lock mechanism for maintaining a clamped state of a workpiece effected by the arm even when transmission of driving force of the cylinder section to the arm is stopped.

Abstract: A hold-down clamp has a post extending along an axis and having a lower end adapted to be secured to a work surface and an upper end and a clamping body axially displaceable along the post and formed offset from the axis with at least one seat. A locator ring engaged around the post can be fixed to the post adjacent the body in any of a multiplicity of angularly and axially offset positions. A locator element fixed on the ring is engaged in the seat. The seat is a radially outwardly open notch and the locator element is a small-diameter pin extending parallel to the axis from the locator ring.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a workpiece in a predetermined position during a manufacturing operation. The fixture includes a support having a surface for receiving the workpiece. The surface has a reference point for locating and orienting the workpiece in the predetermined position. The fixture also includes a clamp for clamping the workpiece in a fixed position with respect to the reference point to hold the workpiece in the predetermined position and a brace mounted on the support for bracing the workpiece to prevent the workpiece from deforming during the manufacturing operation. The brace has at least two jaws adapted for clamping the workpiece when received by the support to prevent movement of the workpiece toward or away from the support.

Abstract: A toggle clamping device or piston-cylinder unit including mechanism for adjusting the opening angle of the clamping arm. Within the cylinder there are a number of interrogator devices that function to determine the position of pistons within the cylinder and transmit this information to a micro processor. The location of the interrogator devices can be adjusted. Also within the cylinder there are damping mechanism, the location of which can also be adjusted. When the toggle clamping device is in use, the opening angle of the clamping arm, the final-position of the interrogator devices and the final-position of the damping mechanism can be adjusted and locked simultaneously and jointly through a single adjusting element from the outside of the device without dismantling the toggle clamping device.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a housing and a pivot pin mounted for pivoting movement about an axis of rotation with respect to the housing. A clamp member is connected to the pivot pin and is moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to rotation of the pivot pin. The pivot pin has an arm extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation. A drive member is mounted for linear reciprocal movement along a fixed path with respect to the housing, and a linkage connects the drive member to the arm of the pivot pin for converting reciprocal movement of the drive member into pivoting movement of the pivot pin. An electric motor is connected to an output shaft with an axis of rotation, and an adjustable converting mechanism connects the drive member to the electric motor for adjustably converting the rotary motion driving force into a linear reciprocal harmonic motion of the drive member.

Abstract: A clamping device for structural components includes a clamping rod and a clamping arm which can be pivoted from a clamping position into a ready position and vice versa. A rigid lever is rigidly connected through a pivot shaft to the clamping arm. A rigid bracket is rotatably coupled to the lever and to an end of the clamping rod. The length of the rigid bracket between the coupling joints is greater than the distance between the first coupling joint of the bracket with the lever and the longitudinal axis of the clamping rod in the ready position.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a housing and a pivot pin mounted for pivoting movement about an axis of rotation with respect to the housing. A clamp member is connected to the pivot pin and is moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to rotation of the pivot pin. The pivot pin has an arm extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation. A drive member is mounted for linear reciprocal movement along a fixed path with respect to the housing, and a linkage connects the drive member to the arm of the pivot pin for converting reciprocal movement of the drive member into pivoting movement of the pivot pin. An electric motor is connected to an output shaft with an axis of rotation, and an adjustable converting mechanism connects the drive member to the electric motor for adjustably converting the rotary motion driving force into a linear reciprocal harmonic motion of the drive member.

Abstract: Circular arc-shaped projections are formed on a support lever which is exposed to the outside through openings formed through a first casing and a second casing for constructing a body. The circular arc-shaped projections abut against plates which are coupled to the body. Accordingly, the rotary action of an arm is stopped.

Abstract: A work bench top constructed preferably of hardwood dimension lumber of a thickness sufficient to provide the strength and rigidity required for heavy duty work bench use. The bench top consists of two sections, one of which forms the main body of the top and a movable narrower section the same length and thickness as the main section of the top. The narrower or front section of the top is pulled to the main section by hydraulic power and an arrangement of cable and pulleys creating a full length vise. The front section of the top is attached to the main portion or balance of the top by wooden guides that slide into brackets on the underside of the top and by a steel cable attached to eye bolts installed on wooden blocks reinforced by angle iron and attached to this front member of the top. The cable is then threaded around two pulleys mounted on the underside of the main portion of the top and to a third pulley mounted on a metal block also on the underside of the main part of the top.

Abstract: A gripping device, particularly for vehicle body work, comprises a housing 1 containing a moveable equipment 26 displaceable in translation. One end 26a of the moveable equipment 26 is connected to an actuator 25 and the other end 27 of the moveable equipment 26 is connected to a gripping member 24. The housing 1 has two separate and spaced openings 8, 9 adapted each to receive a detector 18, 19 of the position of the moveable equipment 26 or of a rod 25a of the actuator 25.

Abstract: A device for locating and locking components of sheet metal which are to be subjected to a welding operation comprises a fixed supporting element and a movable clamp element which can be closed over the supporting element. The movable clamp element is carried by a body which is supported by a fixed supporting structure through said fixed supporting element, to which said body is directly connected.

Abstract: An information encoding method encodes information on a recording medium in accordance with for a new standard. When decoded by a reproducing device adapted for coping with the encoding method for a old standard, the user is appraised of the fact that part of the recorded signals cannot be reproduced by a reproducing device adapted for coping only with the encoding method for the old standard. For encoding the information in accordance with the encoding method for the new standard, the user message information is encoded simultaneously. The user message information has been encoded in accordance with the encoding method for the old standard, which can be reproduced by the reproducing device adapted for coping with the encoding method for the old standard.

Abstract: A force multiplying apparatus employs a pivoting clamping arm motion and then a subsequent linear clamping arm motion. A slotted swing arm and a slotted drive link are pivotably and slidably mounted to a relatively fixed body. A toggling action and coincidental sliding of pivots cause the multiplied closing forces.

Abstract: An annular piston (4) is inserted into a housing (1) axially movably but unrotatably. A clamp rod (9) is hermetically inserted into a through-hole (4a) of the piston (4). When the piston (4) is lowered by a clamping spring (20), a back pressure is produced in pressurized oil within a second chamber (12) formed below the piston (4). The back pressure pushes an input portion (9a) for clamping provided at a lower end of the clamp rod (9) to a stopper (23) through a bearing (24) and a transmission plate (25). The piston (4) is lowered relatively to the clamp rod (9) at a raised position, whereby the clamp rod (9) is rotated by a converting mechanism (21).

Abstract: A workpiece clamp comprising an upstanding pillar (30, 32) having two relatively movable workpiece engaging jaws (34, 36, 42, 44) extending from, and carried by the upper end of the pillar. A drive (74) for effecting the movement of the jaws is located remote from the pillar and thrust transmitting means (54, 56, 62, 66) extends between the drive and one or both of the jaws, to effect relative movement between it and the other. The drive transmitting means may comprise a rigid thrust transmitting member such as a rod or lever, or a flexible sheathed cable, a sheathed rod or an exposed rod, a chain or a set of levers operatively connected one to the other, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined centering and clamping device that is actuatable by a pressure medium, and is especially useful in auto body building industry. Through this invention, large-area clamping of the work product around the circumference of the centering part is possible. This large area clamping produces not only favorable force distribution but also large-area, reliable centering around the centering part, which allows the work product to be locked together with high precision. This invention is especially advantageous in building auto bodies in the automotive industry.

Abstract: A work piece holding mechanism which provides multi position part holding capability to automatically sequentially hold and present a work pieces in multiple orientations for work thereon. The work piece holding mechanism includes two rotatable clamp means for clamping the work piece therebetween. Rotation of at least one of the rotary clamps is driven by a rotary drive mechanism, preferably a rotary air cylinder. The rotary air cylinder is provided with at least one fixed rotational stop. In addition, the rotary air cylinder may be provided with one or more actuatable intermediate stops. Rotation of the work piece can be accomplished by driving the rotary air cylinder to a predetermined position against either a fixed stop or an actuatable stop. Each of such stop positions results in a different orientation of the work piece and thus a different work plane on which the robot can operate.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus, for use with an actuator, has a housing with a guide track mounted on or formed in the housing. A roller or cam operably engages with the guide track such that the cam can be moved and positioned along the guide track by way of the actuator. At least one pivoting arm is pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent to and spaced from the guide track. Each pivoting arm has an elongate slot adjacent to the shoulder. The elongate slot has two arcuate surfaces positioned parallel to each other and has two end surfaces joining the arcuate surfaces to define a closed loop surface. The cam is positioned within the elongate slot of each pivoting arm to pivot each pivoting arm between a clamped position and a released position as the cam is moved along the guide track and driven against the arcuate surfaces of each pivoting arm.

Abstract: A toggle lever tightening device for use in the automobile industry in the assembly of automobile bodies. Toggle lever tightening devices secure one workpiece relative to a second work piece to locate the pieces for permanent connection. This toggle lever tightening device prevents deformation of the grip head and its seatings. The design of this toggle lever tightening device allows the grip head and cylinder to be constructed of light metal alloys without experiencing damaging deformation of the grip head. A very simple bearing arrangement for this toggle lever tightening device has made possible an embodiment in which a single tightening arm is provided on one side of the grip head. This single tightening arm design is highly desirable in the automobile industry. However, it results in an unfavorable introduction of forces. The pivot shaft that is driven by the toggle lever arrangement and functions to drive the tightening arm is axially and radially seated in the grip head.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning apparatus comprising a housing including opposite side walls defining a hollow therebetween; a motor assembly secured to a housing side wall and including an output shaft; and a rotor. The rotor includes a first journal portion connected to the output shaft and journaled in one of the housing side walls, a second journal portion journaled in the other housing side wall, and a central generally circular disc portion positioned in the hollow of the housing between the housing side walls and defining a bifurcated segment. A pivot shaft is journaled in a the housing for rotation about an axis laterally spaced from and parallel to the rotational axis of the output shaft and a driven member is drivingly connected to the pivot shaft, positioned within the housing between the housing side walls, and defines a crank arm.

Abstract: A device for holding, positioning or clamping, particularly for the holding, positioning or clamping of pieces of auto body work, comprises a housing 1 containing a movable device 3 displaceable in translation under the action of an actuator 5, and an arm 4 for gripping or holding. The movable device 3 and the rod 8 of the actuator 5 are connected by an adjustable length device. A connection member 12 is screw threaded at one end, to coact with a tapping 9 of the rod 8 of the actuator.