Apparatus for releasably clamping workpieces
OwnerJames M. Montagueinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for supporting a selected number of workpieces at a machining center, each workpiece support having a sleeve within which is reciprocably accommodated a workpiece bearing member cooperable with the sleeve to clamp and unclamp a workpiece in a selected position for machining. The workpiece may be clamped axially or transversely of the sleeve and, when clamped transversely, in a position selectively normal or inclined to the axis of reciprocation.
Claims31
Apparatus for releasably clamping a workpiece comprising a base;
- a sleeve having a longitudinal axis mounted on said base;
- a pair of workpiece supports either selected one of which may be accommodated within said sleeve for reciprocating movements relative to said sleeve along said axis;
- and reciprocable drive means coupled to said selected one of said supports for effecting conjoint reciprocation of said selected one of said supports along said axis, said sleeve having diametrally opposed openings through which said workpiece may extend and at least one of said supports having a bearing surface engagable with a workpiece extending through said openings and operable releasably to clamp said articles against said sleeve.
Apparatus for releasably clamping a workpiece comprising a base;
- a tubular support having a cylindrical wall and being mounted on and extending beyond said base, said tubular support having a longitudinal axis;
- a second support accommodated within said tubular support for movements along said axis;
- and reciprocable drive means coupled to said second support for effecting reciprocation of said second support relative to said tubular support along said axis, the cylindrical wall of said tubular support having diametrally opposed openings therein for the accommodation of said workpiece, said second support having a bearing surface engageable with a workpiece extending through said openings, said drive means being operable to move said second support in a direction to enable said bearing surface to seat upon said workpiece and clamp said workpiece between said bearing surface and the wall of said tubular support.
Apparatus for releasably clamping a plurality of separate workpieces comprising a base;
- a corresponding plurality of workpiece supports, each of said supports having a tubular first member carried by said base, a second member accommodated within said first member for reciprocating movements relative thereto along an axis in directions toward and away from said base, and actuating means coupled to said second member for reciprocating the latter along said axis;
- a source of pressure fluid;
- and manifold means connecting said source to each of said actuating means for reciprocating all of said actuating means, each of said tubular support having diametrally opposed workpiece accommodating openings therein and each of said second members having a bearing surface clampingly engagable with the workpiece in response to movement of the second member in one direction when such workpiece extends through the openings in the associated tubular first member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.