Laboratory clamp having a fully enclosed hinge mechanism
AssigneeTroemner, Inc.
InventorsRobert W. Johnston, Alan L. Hooper, Peter D. Byar, Ronald G. Pridham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Utility clamp for use in a laboratory or other environment containing caustic elements. The clamp has a fully-enclosed hinge which is isolated from the environment. The critical hinge components such as the hinge pin and coil spring are internally located in the hinge and are protected from corrosion or attack by agents which might contact the clamp during normal use. A method is also provided for assembling the clamp whereby pre-loaded springs are positioned within the internal cavity to normally bias the jaws of the clamp in an open position relative to each other.
Claims15
A utility clamp resistant to corrosion of internal components when exposed to caustic environments, comprising
- a pair of opposed jaw members mounted for relative pivotal movement about a hinge axis between open and closed positions;
- an extension arm adapted to support said jaw members;
- a fully-enclosed hinge on said extension arm, said hinge having a central disc portion with a central passage therethrough providing a cavity, a hinge pin defining said hinge axis, and pre-loaded torsion bias mechanism internal of said cavity so as to be isolated from the environment, said pre-loaded torsion bias mechanism continuously urging at least one of said jaw members in one direction between the open and closed positions;
- said pair of opposed jaws each having an outer disc portion comprising part of said hinge, the outer disc portions of said pair being on opposite sides of said central disc portion and covering said central passage to provide a closed cavity defined by said passage between said outer disc portions, said jaws normally biased to an open position by said pre-loaded torsion bias mechanism;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism for adjusting and locking said jaws in a closed position relative to each other against the urging of said pre-loaded torsion bias mechanism.
A utility clamp resistant to corrosion of internal components when exposed to caustic environments, comprising
- a pair of opposed jaw members mounted for relative pivotal movement about a hinge axis between open and closed positions;
- an extension arm adapted to support said jaw members;
- a fully-enclosed hinge on said extension arm, said hinge having a central disc portion with a central passage therethrough providing a cavity, a hinge pin defining said hinge axis, and pre-loaded torsion bias mechanism internal of said cavity so as to be substantially isolated from the environment, said pre-loaded torsion bias mechanism continuously urging at least one of said jaw members in one direction between the open and closed positions;
- said pair of opposed jaws each having an outer disc portion comprising part of said hinge, the outer disc portions of said pair being on opposite sides of said central disc portion and covering said central passage to provide a closed cavity defined by said passage between said outer disc portions, said jaws normally biased to an open position by said pre-loaded torsion bias mechanism;
- an access bore extending through said hinge into said closed cavity, constructed and arranged to receive a temporary stop operable during assembly of the clamp to engage and pre-load said torsion bias mechanism;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism for adjusting and locking said jaws in a closed position relative to each other against the urging of said pre-loaded torsion bias mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.