Apparatus for securing flat articles for cutting

Abstract

Apparatus for securing flat articles to be cut, includes, in one embodiment, a base and a clamp bar coupled to the base by actuators. The actuators are slideably moveable to actuate the clamp bar between a clamping position near the base and an open position away from the base. A flat article is positioned between the clamp bar and the base, and the actuators are moved to position the clamp bar into the clamping position, securing the flat article to the base in a desired position for cutting. In an alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a biasing member operatively engaged with the clamp bar to urge the clamp bar away from or toward the base. In another alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a swing arm slideably coupled with the clamp bar, the swing arm having a straight edge. The swing arm projects away from the clamp bar and is slideably moveable across the base, thereby facilitating the securing of the flat and providing the straight edge for guiding a cutting device along a desired axis of cutting. In another embodiment, the swing arm includes pinch clamps that pinch and slideably engage the clamp bar, eliminating the need for maintaining precision tolerances between the clamp bar and the swing arm. In yet another alternate embodiment, the swing arm includes an angular adjustment assembly. In yet another alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a cutting bar adjustably attached to the clamp bar. In yet another alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a second clamp bar coupled to the base by second actuators, thereby allowing a flat article to be secured along two axes for cutting. In still another alternate embodiment, an apparatus includes a base having at least one channel disposed therein, a rail member engageable within the channel, a clamp bar, actuators and a swing arm. The swing arm is slideably coupleable with the clamp bar or with the rail.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.