Miter clamping system
OwnerRodney Scott Stoufferinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamping system and method useful in miter edge fabrication. Two separate units, each including a vacuum plate may be placed on separate slabs. The units may be connected with a knuckle that can be rotated to provide connection of the slabs in a variety of angles. The units are vacuum sealed to the slabs. The vacuum plates may include various sections of varied sizes to connect to different sized slabs. When the knuckle is locked, a worm gear will provide for lateral movement, relative the knuckle, to provide precision fitting of slabs.
Claims16
A method for aligning two slabs against one another to prepare a mated miter edge, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. affixing a first vacuum plate to a first slab;
- b. further affixing a second vacuum plate to a second slab;
- c. coupling the first and second vacuum plates via arms extending from each of said vacuum plates together into a knuckle;
- d. turning a worm gear coupled with the first vacuum plate to cause linear motion of the first vacuum plate relative the knuckle;
- and
- e. causing linear motion of the first vacuum plate relative the knuckle.
A method for aligning two slabs against one another to prepare a mated miter edge, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. affixing a first vacuum plate to a first slab;
- b. further affixing a second vacuum plate to a second slab;
- c. coupling the first and second vacuum plates via arms extending from each of said vacuum plates together into a knuckle;
- d. causing linear motion of the first vacuum plate relative the knuckle;
- wherein the vacuum plate includes two separate cavities on the plate underside, and wherein said step of affixing comprises sealing a first cavity and a second cavity against the slab.
A method for aligning two slabs against one another to prepare a mated miter edge, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. affixing a first vacuum plate to a first slab;
- b. further affixing a second vacuum plate to a second slab;
- c. coupling the first and second vacuum plates via arms extending from each of said vacuum plates together into a knuckle;
- d. causing linear motion of the first vacuum plate relative the knuckle;
- rotating the two vacuum plates relative one another about the knuckle.
A method for aligning two slabs against one another to prepare a mated miter edge, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. affixing a first vacuum plate to a first slab;
- b. further affixing a second vacuum plate to a second slab;
- c. coupling the first and second vacuum plates via arms extending from each of said vacuum plates together into a knuckle;
- d. causing linear motion of the first vacuum plate relative the knuckle;
- whereby the step of causing linear motion comprises coupling a threaded drive rod to a drive bolt perpendicular one another, rotating the drive bolt, and translating rotational movement of the drive rod into lateral movement of an arm relative the knuckle.
A method for aligning two slabs against one another to prepare a mated miter edge, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. affixing a first vacuum plate to a first slab;
- b. further affixing a second vacuum plate to a second slab;
- c. coupling the first and second vacuum plates via arms extending from each of said vacuum plates together into a knuckle;
- d. causing linear motion of the first vacuum plate relative the knuckle;
- whereby said step of affixing comprises mating an underside of the vacuum plate to a surface of a slab via a first cavity in the underside, whereby the underside includes at least a first cavity and a second cavity separated by a seal bar isolating the first cavity from said second cavity.
A method for aligning two slabs against one another to prepare a mated miter edge, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. affixing a first vacuum plate to a first slab;
- b. further affixing a second vacuum plate to a second slab;
- c. coupling the first and second vacuum plates via arms extending from each of said vacuum plates together into a knuckle;
- d. causing linear motion of the first vacuum plate relative the knuckle;
- whereby said step causing linear motion is driven by a motor coupled to a drive gear along an arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.