Clamping mechanism for an elongated workpiece
AssigneeCustom Machine Manufacturing, LLC.
InventorsJohn A. Bosker, Stephen A. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The clamping mechanism is used in an automated tooling machine to secure and hold an elongated workpiece for processing. The machine includes a frame, automated router assembly and a conveyer table. The workpiece is supported on the conveyer table and secured by the clamping mechanism between a fixed clamp rail and a moving clamp rail. The moving clamp rail is supported above the conveyer table by a plurality of arms and articulated by two linkage members pivotally connecting the arms to the frame beneath the conveyer table. The linkage members of the clamping mechanism allows the moving clamp rail to traverse laterally over the conveyer table at substantially the same height above the conveyer table as the height of the fixed clamping rail.
Claims20
A clamping mechanism for securely holding an elongated workpiece for processing by a tooling machine comprising:
- a frame;
- a longitudinally extending conveyer table mounted to the frame for moving and supporting the workpiece;
- a first longitudinally extending clamping rail;
- a pair of uprights mounted to the frame below the conveyer table for supporting the first clamping rail above the conveyer table;
- a second longitudinally extending clamping rail;
- a pair of arms for supporting the second clamping rail above the conveyer table for traverse movement over the conveyer table toward and away from the first clamping rail;
- linkage means connecting the pair of arms to the frame beneath the conveyer table for shifting the pair of arms to move the second clamping rail over the conveyer table between an open position where the second clamping rail is spaced from the workpiece and a closed position where the second clamping rail engages the workpiece and forces the workpiece against the first clamping rail, the linkage means shifting the pair of arms such that the second clamping rail traverses over the conveyer table along a path substantially parallel in relation to the conveyer table between the one position and closed position,
- the linkage means includes a first linkage member and a second linkage member, the first linkage member is pivotally connected to the frame and one of the pair of arms, the second linkage member is pivotally connected to the frame and the one of the pair of arms between the second clamping rail and the location where the first linkage member is connected to the one of the pairs of arms;
- and
- means for actuating the linkage means.
A tooling machine for processing an elongated workpiece comprising:
- a frame;
- a longitudinally extending conveyer table mounted to the frame for moving and supporting the workpiece;
- a clamping mechanism for securely holding an elongated workpiece atop the conveyer table, the clamping mechanism including a first longitudinally extending clamping rail, a pair of uprights mounted to the frame below the conveyer table for supporting the first clamping rail above the conveyer table, a second longitudinally extending clamping rail, a pair of arms for supporting the second clamping rail above the conveyer table for traverse movement over the conveyer table toward and away from the first clamping rail, linkage means connecting the pair of arms to the frame beneath the conveyer table for shifting the pair of arms to move the second clamping rail over the conveyer table between an open position where the second clamping rail is spaced from the workpiece and a closed position where the second clamping rail engages the workpiece and forces the workpiece against the first clamping rail, the linkage means shifting the pair of arms such that the second clamping rail traverses over the conveyer table along a path substantially parallel in relation to the conveyer table between the open position and closed position, the linkage means includes a first linkage member and a second linkage member, the first linkage member is pivotally connected to the frame and one of the pair of arms, the second linkage member is pivotally connected to the frame and the one of the pair of arms between the second clamping rail and the location where the first linkage member is connected to the one of the pairs of arms, and means for actuating the linkage means;
- and
- a tool assembly mounted to the frame and suspended over the conveyer table for processing the workpiece supported by the conveyer table.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.