Automatic workpiece clamp and support
OwnerMatthew Wayne Wuerthnerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automatic clamping device is disclosed for holding planar workpieces such as: doors, windows, panels, plasterboard, etc. The planar workpiece is held in an upright position by clamping jaws actuated by the weight of the workpiece. Automatic clamping is accomplished by placing the workpiece through a slot at the top of the clamping device and lowering it onto a flexible strap connected to movable jaws which, under the weight of the workpiece, move laterally towards and clamp the workpiece. The workpiece is released by simply lifting it up through the slot and coil springs will automatically return the jaws to an open position. The device also provides support for holding planar workpieces on an incline.
Claims18
A clamping device for holding generally planar workpieces in an upright position comprising:
- two bars with a generally square cross-section that serve to clamp a planar workpiece such as a door, panel, window, or plasterboard in an upright position;
- at least one of said bars can move perpendicular to the plane of said workpiece;
- the force of clamping is generated by the weight of said workpiece;
- the weight of said workpiece generates clamping via utilization of a flexible catch strap which is attached to the bottom of said bars;
- and
- a starting gap in between said bars so as to permit said workpiece to easily slide therein and engage said flexible catch strap.
A clamping device for holding generally planar workpieces in an upright position comprising:
- two bars with a generally square cross-section that serve to clamp a planar workpiece such as a door, panel, window, or plasterboard in an upright position;
- at least one of said bars can move perpendicular to the plane of said workpiece;
- the force of clamping is generated by the weight of said workpiece;
- the weight of said workpiece generates clamping via utilization of a catch strap which is attached to the bottom of said bars;
- a starting gap in between said bars so as to permit said workpiece to easily slide therein and engage said catch strap;
- and
- springs or other elastic means generate the force necessary to hold said bars apart when said flexible catch strap is not engaged with said workpiece.
A clamping device for holding generally planar workpieces in an upright position comprising:
- two bars with a generally square cross-section that serve to clamp a planar workpiece such as a door, panel, window, or plasterboard in an upright position;
- at least one of said bars can move perpendicular to the plane of said workpiece;
- the force of clamping is generated by the weight of said workpiece;
- the weight of said workpiece generates clamping via utilization of a catch strap which is attached to the bottom of said bars;
- a starting gap in between said bars so as to permit said workpiece to easily slide therein and engage said catch strap;
- springs or other elastic means generate the force necessary to hold said bars apart when said flexible catch strap is not engaged with said workpiece;
- and
- top portions of said clamping device beveled to form one continuous angle with respect to the ground between 10° and 15°.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.