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US 6,386,786 B1Granted
Rotating clamp
AssigneeDelaware Capital Formation, Inc.
InventorsMaurice Perlman, Don Hufford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamp that is particularly suitable for automated manufacturing or assembly environments, such as on a transfer press, includes a first and a second clamp which engage each other via a joint. The joint is adapted to allow the first and second clamps to both pivot and rotate with respect to each other. A third clamp fits over the joint and selectively secures the first and second clamps in a desired orientation when the third clamp is tightened. The joint may be a ball and socket joint.
Claims22
A swivel clamp for securing together a first and second part, comprising:
- a first clamp having an attachment structure for attaching said first clamp to the first part, said first clamp adapted to selectively secure said first part to said first clamp;
- a second clamp having an attachment structure for attaching said second clamp to the second part, said second clamp adapted to selectively secure said second part to said second clamp;
- a socket attached to said first clamp;
- a ball attached to said second clamp, said ball dimensioned to fit partially within said socket such that said ball can rotate within said socket;
- and
- a third clamp positioned around said ball and said socket, said third clamp adapted to be selectively tightened against said first and second clamps such that said first and second clamps are prevented from rotating when said third clamp is tightened, whereby said first and said second clamps can be swiveled and rotated with respect to each other when said third clamp is not tightened.
3 more elements
A swivel clamp for securing together a first and second part, comprising:
- a first clamp having an attachment structure for attaching said first clamp to the first part, said first clamp adapted to selectively secure said first part to said first clamp;
- a second clamp having an attachment structure for attaching said second clamp to the second part, said second clamp adapted to selectively secure said second part to said second clamp;
- a socket attached to said first clamp;
- a ball attached to said second clamp, said ball dimensioned to fit partially within said socket such that said ball can rotate within said socket;
- a third clamp positioned around said ball and said socket, said third clamp adapted to be selectively tightened against said first and second clamps such that said ball is prevented from rotating in said socket when said third clamp is tightened, whereby said first and said second clamps can be swiveled and rotated with respect to each other;
- and
- said second clamp further including a generally hemispherical protrusion surrounding said ball, said hemispherical protrusion contacting said third clamp when said third clamp is tightened.
4 more elements
A swivel clamp, comprising:
- a first clamp defining a generally cylindrical opening for receiving a first part, said first clamp including a top and a bottom half which define a gap therebetween;
- a second clamp defining a generally cylindrical opening for receiving a second part, said second clamp including a top and a bottom half which define a gap therebetween;
- a first fastener for selectively narrowing said gap in said first clamp;
- a second fastener for selectively narrowing said gap in said second clamp;
- a joint disposed between said first and said second clamps, said joint adapted to allow said first and said second clamps to rotate and swivel with respect to each other;
- a third clamp disposed around said joint, said third clamp having a top and a bottom selectively secured together by way of at least one fastener, said third clamp engaging said joint and preventing said joint from rotating or swiveling when said at least one fastener tightly secures said top and bottom together, said joint being integrally attached to said first and second clamps such that said first and second clamps are prevented from rotating when said third clamp is tightened.
3 more elements
A swivel clamp, comprising:
- a first clamp defining a generally cylindrical opening for receiving a first part, said first clamp including a top and a bottom half which define a gap therebetween;
- a second clamp defining a generally cylindrical opening for receiving a second part, said second clamp including a top and a bottom half which define a gap therebetween;
- a first fastener for selectively narrowing said gap in said first clamp;
- a second fastener for selectively narrowing said gap in said second clamp;
- a ball and socket joint disposed between said first and said second clamps, said ball being attached to said first clamp and said socket being attached to said second clamp, said joint adapted to allow said first and said second clamps to rotate and swivel with respect to each other;
- and
- a third clamp disposed around said joint, said third clamp having a top and a bottom selectively secured together by way of at least one fastener, said third clamp engaging said joint and preventing said joint from rotating or swiveling when said at least one fastener tightly secures said top and bottom together;
- wherein said ball is partially surrounded by a generally hemispherical protrusion, said hemispherical protrusion having an exterior surface which is contacted by said third clamp when said top and bottom of said third clamp are secured together.
5 more elements
A swivel clamp, comprising:
- a first clamp defining a generally cylindrical opening for receiving a first part, said first clamp including a top and a bottom half which define a gap therebetween;
- a second clamp defining a generally cylindrical opening for receiving a second part, said second clamp including a top and a bottom half which define a gap therebetween;
- a first fastener for selectively narrowing said gap in said first clamp;
- a second fastener for selectively narrowing said gap in said second clamp;
- a ball and socket joint disposed between said first and said second clamps, said ball being attached to said first clamp and said socket being attached to said second clamp, said joint adapted to allow said first and said second clamps to rotate and swivel with respect to each other;
- a third clamp disposed around said joint, said third clamp having a top and a bottom selectively secured together by way of at least one fastener, said third clamp engaging said joint and preventing said joint from rotating or swiveling when said at least one fastener tightly secures said top and bottom together;
- wherein said ball and socket joint further includes:
- an interior surface on said socket dimensioned to partially receive said ball, said socket attached to said first clamp, said socket further including an end wall;
- and
- a generally hemispherical protrusion surrounding a portion of said ball and attached to said second clamp, said generally hemispherical protrusion having an end wall, said end wall of said protrusion facing said end wall of said socket.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.