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US 12,551,985 B2Granted
Clamp locking mechanism
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorsDaniel R. Janosch, Ryan C. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamp release mechanism is provided. The clamp includes a body, a shaft slideably coupled to the body, a fixed jaw, and a moveable jaw coupled to the shaft. A locking component actuates between a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the locking component biases the shaft to remain stationary with respect to the body. The clamp includes a securing component pivotally coupled to the locking component, and a biasing element that biases the securing components towards the shaft.
Claims21
A laser level system, comprising:
- a clamp, comprising:
- a body;
- a shaft coupled to the body, the shaft configured to move along a first axis with respect to the body;
- a first jaw extending from the body;
- a second jaw coupled to an end of the shaft;
- a groove formed in the body, the groove comprising a first end spaced a first distance from the first axis and a second end opposite the first end and spaced a second distance from the first axis, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance;
- and
- a locking component configured to interface with the shaft, the locking component comprising a projection movable along the groove between the first end and the second end;
- and
- a laser level coupled to the body of the clamp and configured to emit a laser at a predetermined orientation with respect to gravity;
- wherein the locking component is configured to actuate between a locked position and an unlocked position;
- wherein, when the projection is moved towards the first end of the groove, the locking component is actuated into the locked position such that the locking component interfaces with the shaft to bias the shaft to remain stationary with respect to the body;
- and
- wherein, when the projection is moved towards the second end of the groove, the locking component is actuated to the unlocked position such that the locking component does not interface with the shaft.
11 more elements
A laser level supporting clamp, comprising:
- a body defining a groove including a first portion and a second portion distinct from the first portion;
- a coupling interface coupled to the body, the coupling interface configured to couple to a laser level;
- a shaft slidably coupled to the body, the shaft extending along a first axis and configured to slide along the first axis with respect to the body;
- a first jaw extending from the body;
- a second jaw coupled to the shaft;
- and
- a locking component configured to interface with the shaft, the locking component configured to actuate between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking component comprising a projection, wherein the locking component is in the locked position when the projection is in the first portion of the groove and the locking component is in the unlocked position when the projection is in the second portion of the groove;
- wherein, when the shaft moves along the first axis in a first direction, the shaft actuates the locking component into the locked position and the locking component interfaces with the shaft to bias the shaft to remain stationary with respect to the body;
- and
- wherein, when the shaft moves along the first axis in a second direction opposite the first direction, the shaft actuates the locking component into the unlocked position and the locking component does not interface with the shaft.
7 more elements
A clamp, comprising:
- a body;
- a coupling interface coupled to the body, the coupling interface configured to couple to a laser level projection tool;
- a shaft extending along a first axis, the shaft slidably coupled to the body and configured to slide along the first axis with respect to the body;
- a first jaw coupled to the body;
- a second jaw coupled to the shaft, the second jaw configured to slide along the first axis;
- a securing component interfacing against the shaft;
- and
- a locking component coupled to the securing component, the locking component configured to pivot around a second axis with respect to the securing component, the locking component comprising a projection;
- wherein, when the shaft moves along the first axis, the shaft actuates the locking component between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the shaft rotates about the first axis with respect to the first body, the projection interfaces with the body to vary a distance of the projection from the first axis, which results in the locking component actuating between the locked position and the unlocked position;
- wherein, when the locking component is in the locked position, the locking component interfaces with the shaft to bias the shaft to remain stationary with respect to the body and secure the shaft in a first position along the first axis with respect to the body;
- and
- wherein, when the locking component is transitioned between the unlocked position and the locked position, the securing component actuates circumferentially with respect to the shaft.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.