Self-centering clamp
OwnerMelvyn James Marple, James Arthur Marpleinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A clamping device is configured to ensure that a workpiece fixed between the jaws of the clamp is self centered by coupling the jaws to a pair of linkages that rotate through the same angle as the application of a first causes the jaws to translate in linear fashion across the surface of the device. In particular, the clamping device utilizes coupled linkage (e.g., a 180° bell crank), in combination with slots for retaining opposing jaws and maintaining only linear movement of the jaws, thus providing a fast and accurate self-centering arrangement. The clamping device may also be located within a hollow workpiece and controlled to move the jaws outward and engage the inner surface of the hollow workpiece in a self-aligned configuration.
Claims6
A self-centering clamping device comprising:
- a pair of jaws disposed on a first coverplate, each jaw positioned within a separate lateral slot formed along a portion of a top, surface of the first coverplate, the jaws disposed such that clamping surfaces are aligned;
- a first upright attached to a first jaw of the pair of jaws and extending in a direction perpendicular to the associated lateral slot and in the plane of the first coverplate:
- a second upright attached to a second jaw of the pair of jaws and extending in the direction perpendicular to the associated lateral slot and in the plane of the first coverplate;
- an upper linkage coupled between upper end terminations of the first and second uprights;
- a lower linkage coupled between lower end terminations of the first and second uprights and
- a second coverplate disposed over, the pair of jaws, the first and second uprights and the upper and lower linkages in a manner parallel with the first coverplate, with an aperture formed through the first and second coverplates in a central area between the clamping surfaces of the pair of jaws, wherein the application of a lateral force to either one or both of the jaws causes the upper and lower linkages to rotate through a same angle and provide a like movement of each jaw, providing a repeatable, precision self-centering clamping action to a workpiece disposed within the aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.