Apparatus and method for a compression spindle assembly for clamping
OwnerRich Cummines, William Casseauinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compression spindle for use in a clamp for holding a work piece has a plunger with a bore that defines a seat for a spring. A spindle is inserted into the bore against the spring. A retainer screw holds the spindle in restrained, sliding engagement with the plunger, and allows the spring compression to be adjusted. The spring is completely encapsulated within the compression spindle assembly. When installed in a clamp or press, the compression spindle mediates application of holding pressure on a work piece, and reliably holds work pieces of varying dimensions without adjustment of the clamp.
Claims20
A clamp for holding a work piece, said clamp having a compression spindle assembly, and a lever linkage that moves said compression spindle assembly into and out of contact with the work piece, said compression spindle assembly having a plunger and a spindle, said spindle telescoping with said plunger to compress an encapsulated spring so that as a work piece is contacted by said compression spindle assembly said plunger and said spindle telescope and compress said spring.
A compression spindle assembly for a clamp, said compression spindle assembly comprising a plunger and a spindle arranged to telescope together, and an internal spring mounted between said plunger and said spindle, said internal spring being completely encapsulated within said compression spindle assembly so that said internal spring is hidden from view.
A compression spindle assembly for a clamp comprising:
- a plunger having a longitudinal axis;
- said plunger having a plunger bore along said longitudinal axis;
- said plunger bore having a spring mount portion and a screw mount along said longitudinal axis;
- said plunger bore defining a shoulder between said spring mount portion and said screw mount;
- a helical spring disposed in said spring mount portion against said shoulder;
- a spindle disposed in close, sliding cooperation with said plunger bore;
- said spindle encapsulating said spring in said plunger bore;
- said spindle having a through hole coaxial with said longitudinal axis of said plunger;
- said through hole transitioning to a screw inlet;
- said transition defining a seat;
- and
- a screw having a cap, said cap being disposed in said through hole of said spindle against said seat and said screw having a shaft threaded into said screw mount of said plunger bore such that said spindle is retained in said plunger bore against expansion of said spring.
A method of assembling a compression spindle assembly for holding a work piece comprising:
- engaging a spindle with a plunger in sliding cooperation;
- mediating travel of said spindle relative to said plunger with a spring encapsulated by said spindle and said plunger;
- retaining excursion of said spindle relative to said plunger against expansion of said spring with a screw that is threadedly engaged with one of said spindle or said plunger and restrainingly engaged with the other of said spindle or said plunger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.