# US 9,518,698 B2 · Two axis variable clamp assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,698 B2 - Document ID: US9518698B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/735,354 - Filed: 2015-06-10 - Published: 2015-10-01 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-22 - Applicants: Kenneth J. Herzog - Inventors: Kenneth J. Herzog - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518698B2 ## CPC - F16M 11/043: {Allowing translations} - F16B 2/065: {using screw-thread elements (F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence)} - F16B 7/0493: {forming a crossed-over connection} - F16M 13/022: {repositionable} - G01N 21/84: Systems specially adapted for particular applications - G01N 2021/845: {Objects on a conveyor} - G02B 6/44785: {Cable clamps} - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A clamp assembly includes a single adjustment mechanism that allows for adjustment of an object supported on the clamp assembly along two axes. The adjustment mechanism connects to a bracket and a support rod on which the object is mounted to lock a desired position of the object in place when desired and to allow for adjustment of that position, when desired. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clamp assembly comprising: an adjustment knob including a shaft extending outward therefrom; a connector including a recess configured to receive the shaft of the adjustment knob and to releasably secure the adjustment knob to the connector such that a gap between the adjustment knob and the connector is adjustable by operation of the adjustment knob; and a support rod movably mounted in the connector, such that a position of the support rod relative to the connector is adjustable by operation of the adjustment knob; the connector including: an outer element including a first rod channel opening formed in a side thereof; and; an inner element including a second rod channel opening formed in a side thereof with the recess configured to receive the shaft of the adjustment knob formed in an end thereof; the inner element slidably mounted in the outer element such that the second rod channel opening is movable into and out of alignment with the first rod channel opening based on rotation of the adjustment knob to secure and release the support rod; and wherein the shaft of the adjustment knob is threaded and rotation of the adjustment knob in a first direction moves the first rod channel opening out of alignment with the second rod channel opening to secure the support rod. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein rotation of the adjustment knob in a second direction, moves the first rod channel opening into alignment with the second rod channel opening such that the support rod is released. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The clamp assembly of claim 2, wherein the support rod passes through the first rod channel and the second rod channel such that the support rod is movable relative to the connector when the first rod channel and second rod channel are in alignment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The clamp assembly of claim 3, wherein the recess includes a thread configured to interact with the threaded shaft of the adjustment knob to selectively lock a position of the support rod relative to the connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The clamp assembly of claim 4, wherein the outer element includes at least one tooth extending from an inner end thereof to prevent the outer element from rotating. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The clamp assembly of claim 5, wherein the threaded shaft engages the threads of the opening to slide the inner element toward the adjustment knob when the adjustment knob is turned in the first direction to move the second rod channel out of alignment with the first rod channel and lock the position of the support rod relative to the connector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The clamp assembly of claim 6, wherein the threaded shaft engages the threads of the opening to slide the inner element away from the adjustment knob when the adjustment knob is turned in the second direction to move the second rod channel into alignment with the first rod channel and allow movement of the support rod relative to the connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sensor mounted on the support rod and held in a desired position with the clamp assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a reflector mounted on the support rod and held in a desired position by the clamp assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one fiber optic cable mounted on the support rod and held in a desired position by the clamp assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first element extending vertically between the adjustment knob and the connector and including a slot through which the shaft of the adjustment knob extends. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The clamp assembly of claim 11, where the support rod is movable horizontally relative to the connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the support rod is movable vertically relative to the connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first element extending horizontally between the adjustment knob and the connector and including a slot through which the shaft of the adjustment knob extends. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The clamp assembly of claim 14, wherein the support rod is movable horizontally relative to the connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The clamp assembly of claim 14, wherein the support rod is movable vertically relative to the connector. ### Claim 17 A clamp assembly comprising: an adjustment knob including a shaft extending outward therefrom; and a connector including a recess configured to receive the shaft of the adjustment knob and to releasably secure the adjustment knob to the connector such that a gap between the adjustment knob and the connector is adjustable by operation of the adjustment knob; the connector including: an outer element including a first rod channel opening formed in a side thereof; and an inner element including a second rod channel opening formed in a side thereof with the recess configured to receive the shaft of the adjustment knob formed in an end thereof; the inner element slidably mounted in the outer element such that the second rod channel opening is movable into and out of alignment with the first rod channel opening based on rotation of the adjustment knob; and wherein the shaft of the adjustment knob is threaded and rotation of the adjustment knob in a first direction moves the first rod channel opening out of alignment with the second rod channel opening to secure the support rod. ### Claim 18 A clamp assembly comprising: an adjustment element including a first elongated member extending outward therefrom; and a connector including a recess configured to receive the first elongated member of the adjustment element and to releasably secure the adjustment element to the connector such that a gap between the adjustment element and the connector is adjustable by operation of the adjustment element; a second elongated member movably mounted in the connector, such that a position of the second elongated member relative to the connector is adjustable by operation of the adjustment element; the connector including: an outer element including a first channel opening formed in a side thereof; and an inner element including a second channel opening formed in a side thereof with the recess configured to receive the first elongated member of the adjustment element formed in an end thereof; the inner element slidably mounted in the outer element such that the second channel opening is movable into and out of alignment with the first channel opening based on rotation of the adjustment element to secure and release the second elongated member; and wherein the first elongated member of the adjustment element is threaded and rotation of the adjustment element in a first direction moves the first channel opening out of alignment with the second channel opening to secure the second elongated member. ### Claim 19 A clamp assembly comprising: an adjustment element including a first elongated member extending outward therefrom; and a connector including a recess configured to receive the first elongated member of the adjustment element and to releasably secure the adjustment element to the connector such that a gap between the adjustment element and the connector is adjustable by operation of the adjustment element; the connector including: an outer element including a first channel opening formed in a side thereof; and an inner element including a second channel opening formed in a side thereof with the recess configured to receive the first elongated member of the adjustment element formed in an end thereof; the inner element slidably mounted in the outer element such that the second channel opening is movable into and out of alignment with the first channel opening based on rotation of the adjustment element; and wherein the first elongated member of the adjustment element is threaded and rotation of the adjustment element in a first direction moves the first channel opening out of alignment with the second channel opening to secure the second elongated member.