# US 4,396,185 A · Clamping apparatus for machine tools

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- Number: US 4,396,185 A
- Document ID: US4396185A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/217,048
- Filed: 1980-12-16
- Granted: 1983-08-02
- Earliest claimed: 1979-12-18
- Assignees: Amada Company, Limited
- Inventors: Shigeo Kasai; Tsuneo Aizawa; Kiju Kawada
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4396185A

## CPC

- B21D 28/04: Centering the work; Positioning the tools
- B21D 43/10: by grippers {(B21D43/055, B21D43/057, B21D43/145 take precedence)}
- Y10T 83/7527: With equalizer or self-aligning jaw
- Y10T 83/7533: With biasing or counterbalancing means
- B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A clamping apparatus (3) for holding a workpiece (W) between an upper punching tool (19) and a lower punching tool (21) in a machine (1). A frame (33) attaches the clamping apparatus (3) to the machine (1). The clamping apparatus (3) comprises an upper clamp (61) and a lower clamp (57), the latter pivotably cooperating with the upper clamp (61) in order to secure the workpiece (W). The clamping apparatus (3) also comprises a plate member (51) and rods (49) and (75). These rods (49) and (75) are mounted in the frame (33) in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece (W). The lower end of the rods (49) and (75) are attached to the lower clamp (57) and the upper end of the rods (49) and (75) are attached to the plate member (51). A spring (83) is arranged between the lower clamp (57) and the plate member (51) for the purpose of maintaining the lower clamp (57) and the plate member (51) in horizontal orientation whenever the lower clamp (57) collides with the lower punching tool (21).

## Claims

### Claim 1

Clamping apparatus for holding a workpiece between upper and lower punching tools in a machine, comprising:
frame means for attaching said clamping apparatus to said machine;
upper clamping means;
lower clamping means for pivotally cooperating with said upper clamping means for securing said workpiece;
a plate member;
rod means, mounted in said frame means in a direction perpendicular to said workpiece, the lower end of said rod means being attached to said lower clamping means and the upper end of said rod means being attached to said plate member; and
spring means, arranged between said lower clamping means and said plate member, for maintaining said lower clamping means and said plate member in horizontal orientation whenever said lower clamping means collides with said lower punching tool.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further including motor means for moving said upper and lower clamping means into closed and open positions.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plate member is arranged substantially parallel to said workpiece.