Clamping apparatus
AssigneeScovill Manufacturing Company
InventorCharles W. Ward
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This specification discloses a clamping apparatus having an adjustable strap, a clamping member on the strap, means for securing the strap to a first object and means for shortening the effective length of the strap to clamp the first object to another object. In particular, the clamping means is well adapted for use for securing an apparatus which has a proximity sensor to the two tie rods of a fluid cylinder. The clamping means permits easy and secure coupling and longitudinal adjustability of the apparatus with respect to the fluid cylinder.
Claims15
In combination, a first object a second object, and a clamping apparatus for securing the first object to said second object, said clamping apparatus comprising:
- an elongated, flexible clamping strap having a plurality of spaced, generally transverse slots therethrough;
- a clamp member connected to a free end of said clamping strap and contoured to the shape of the second object for positive, secure engagement with the second object;
- an adjustment means coupled to said clamping strap for moving said clamping strap in the direction of elongation of said strap to adjust the effective length of said clamping strap between the first and second objects;
- said adjustment means including a screw with threads engaging said transverse slots of said clamping strap, a mount with an opening securing said screw therein;
- and an elongated slot in communication with said opening and receiving said clamping strap therein, so that turning said screw causes longitudinal movement of said clamping strap within said slot thereby changing the effective length of said clamping strap between said mount and said clamp member;
- and
- securing means coupling said adjustment means to the first object, said securing means including an elongated strap separate from said clamping strap, said separate elongated strap having first and second ends, permanent securement means for permanently fastening said first end to the exterior of said first object, said mount with said screw including flange means for fixedly securing said mount in a predetermined position at said second end of said separate elongated strap whereby when said clamp member is engaged with the second object, said clamping strap can be tightened or loosened by manipulation of the adjustment means to clamp the first object to or release the first object from the second object.
In combination, a proximity device and an improved clamping apparatus for securing the proximity device having a base for supporting said device to a fluid cylinder, the fluid cylinder having tie rods extending along and spaced outwardly from the exterior surface of the cylinder and a piston mounted for movement within the cylinder, the improvement comprising said clamping apparatus including a pair of spaced, clamping arms each comprising an elongated strap having a plurality of equally spaced transverse slots therein, a clamp member at a free end of each arm and contoured to the shape of the tie rod for engaging and receiving one of the tie rods and retaining the apparatus on the fluid cylinder;
- attaching means at the other end of each of said clamping arms for attaching said clamping arms to said base;
- and tightening means including a screw with threads engaging said slots and positioned intermediate the ends of each of said clamping arms for shortening the effective length of said clamping arms thereby tightening said clamp members on said clamping arms toward said base so that said proximity device is securely clamped to the fluid cylinder in a position to sense the proximity of the piston within the fluid cylinder.
In combination, a base and an improved clamping apparatus for securing the base to another object, the improvement comprising:
- said clamping apparatus including a pair of spaced, clamping arms, each clamping arm having a flexible, elongate strap with a plurality of equally spaced slots therein, a clamp member at one end of each arm and contoured to the shape of said other object for engaging and receiving said other object and retaining the apparatus on said other object;
- attaching means at the other end of each of said clamping arms for attaching said clamping arm to opposed portions of said base, said attaching means including an elongated strap separate from said elongate strap, said separate elongated strap having first and second ends, permanent securement means for permanently fastening said first end to the exterior of said base;
- and tightening means positioned intermediate the ends of each of said clamping arms for shortening the effective length of said clamping arms, said tightening means including a securing mount having a screw-receiving opening and flange means for fixing said mount in a predetermined position at said second end of said separate elongated strap and a screw with threads for engaging the slots, said screw being confined against longitudinal movement but allowed to rotate within said screw-receiving opening whereby tightening said clamp members on said clamping arms toward said base with said tightening means clamps said base to said other object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.