Multiple clamping device for work pieces on a carrier

A multiple clamping device for work pieces (14) having a plurality of working surfaces to be machined, comprising:

• an elongated work piece carrier (1) having a polygonal cross-section, defining a longitudinal axis (3) and being retained, at least at one end, in bearing means (5, 9) for rotation about said longitudinal axis, and further having at least two clamping surface (2) extending parallel to said longitudinal axis (3);
• a plurality of rotatable work piece holding tables (11) rotatable about respective axes of rotation (12) relative to the work piece carrier (1), located adjacent each other in rows of at least two said tables on each of said clamping surfaces (2),
• wherein said rows are in common planes parallel to, or containing said longitudinal axis (3), and wherein said axes of rotation (12) of said tables are parallel to each other,
• wherein said work piece holding tables (11) are arrestable in predetermined angular positions of rotation about their respective axes of rotation (12) relative to the work piece carrier (1);
• a drive source (35, 43) providing rotational power to said work piece holding tables (11);
• interengaging, positive drive means (25, 26, 33) positively coupling said holding tables (11) and said drive source (35, 43);
• wherein said drive means (25, 26, 33) for said holding tables (11), in dependence on a rotational movement of the work piece carrier (1) about its longitudinal axis (3) relative to said bearing means (5, 9) are so rotatable that all holding tables (11) are rotated about their respective axes of rotation (12) about an angle which has at least approximately a fixed relation to the angle of rotational movement of the work piece carrier (1) about its longitudinal axis (3).