Centering cone and clamping device
AssigneeZeroclamp GmbH
InventorKlaus Hofmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A centering cone for positioning a fastening element in a receptacle of a clamping device. The centering cone has an internally located cone section with a cone-shaped inner surface to which a one-piece spring section is connected in a radial direction. The spring section is configured to deform slightly under a radially applied force to provide a certain tolerance for receiving the fastening element.
Claims12
A centering cone for use in a clamping device having a receptacle and a clamping element associated with the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is adapted to receive an elongated fastening element and the clamping element is adapted to clamp the elongated fastening element in a clamped position in the receptacle, the centering cone including:
- (a) a cone section defining a cone axis, the cone section being ring-shaped and including a cone-shaped internal surface;
- (b) a spring section which is formed with the cone section in one piece and is located radially outwardly from the cone axis relative to the cone section;
- (c) wherein the cone section and spring section together have an approximately U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section, with the cone section comprising an inner leg of the U or V shape in a radial direction from the cone axis, the spring section comprising an outer leg of the U or V shape in the radial direction from the cone axis, and the inner leg of the U or V shape being longer than the outer leg of the U or V shape in the direction of the cone axis;
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- (d) wherein the cone section and spring section are adapted to be received in an operating position within the receptacle with the cone axis substantially aligning with an axis of the receptacle, and wherein in this operating position the spring section is adapted to apply a radial positioning force on the cone section in a radial direction toward the cone axis when the fastening element is in the clamped position in the receptacle, the cone section thereby defining a floating position for the fastening element in the receptacle.
A clamping device for use in clamping an elongated fastening element in a clamped position, the clamping device including:
- (a) a receptacle adapted to receive the elongated fastening element therein when the elongated fastening element is in the clamped position;
- (b) a clamping element associated with the receptacle, the clamping element being adapted to clamp the elongated fastening element to retain the elongated fastening element in the clamped position;
- (c) a centering cone including (i) a cone section defining a cone axis, the cone section being ring-shaped and including a cone-shaped internal surface, and (ii) a spring section which is formed with the cone section in one piece and is located radially outwardly from the cone axis relative to the cone section;
- (d) wherein the cone section and spring section together have an approximately U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section, with the cone section comprising an inner leg of the U or V shape in a radial direction from the cone axis, the spring section comprising an outer leg of the U or V shape in the radial direction from the cone axis, and the inner leg of the U or V shape being longer than the outer leg of the U or V shape in the direction of the cone axis;
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- (e) wherein the centering cone is received in an operating position within the receptacle with the cone axis substantially aligning with a receptacle axis, and wherein in this operating position the spring section is adapted to apply a radial positioning force to the cone section in a radial direction toward the cone axis when the fastening element is in the clamped position in the receptacle, the cone section thereby defining a floating position for the fastening element in the receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.