GB2311480A

GB2311480A - Articulated clamping assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2311480A
Application number: GB9606314A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yeong-Ren Chern
Original assignee: CHERN YEONG REN
Current assignee: CHERN YEONG REN
Priority date: 1996-03-26
Filing date: 1996-03-26
Publication date: 1997-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-26
Also published as: GB9606314D0; GB2311480B

Description

CLAMPING ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a clamping assembly, more particularly to a clamping assembly which has a clamp member which can be positioned at different pitch angles with respect to the top of a worktable.

Referring to Figure 1, a conventional clamp device 10 is shown to comprise an elongated frame portion 11 which has a first end that is formed with a fixed jaw 12 and a second end that has an adjusting screw 14 mounted rotatably thereto. The adjusting screw 14 has a first end which is formed with a handle 141 and a second end which is connected to a movable jaw 142 in order to clamp a workpiece (not shown) between the fixed and movable jaws 12 and 142. The frame portion 11 has an elongated positioning groove 111 formed therethrough and locking bolt 112 extending through the positioning groove 111 in order to lock the clamp device 10 to the top of a worktable 200.

Although the conventional clamp device 10 is useful to hold a workpiece in place, the workpiece can only be held at a fixed pitch angle with respect to the worktable 200 by the clamp device 10 when the workpiece is painted, finished, etc.

It is therefore a main object of the present invention to provide a clamping assembly which has a clamp member that can clamp workpiece and that can be positioned relative to the top of a worktable at different pitch angles.

According to the present invention, a clamping assembly comprises: a clamp member having an elongated frame portion, the frame portion having a first end which is formed with a fixed jaw and a second end which has an adjusting screw with a movable jaw mounted thereto in order to clamp a workpiece between the fixed and movable jaws, the first end of the frame portion having a pair of arcuated plates extending therefrom and a receiving space defined between the arcuated plates, the arcuated plates having two first pivot holes which are aligned with one another, and a pair of first angle-positioning holes which are formed in the arcuated plates and which are aligned with one another; a base member having a pivot seat at its upper portion and a C-shaped locking member at its lower portion, the pivot seat being received within the receiving space of the clamp member and having a second pivot hole and a second angle-positioning hole which extend transversely therethrough and which are aligned respectively with the first pivot holes and the first angle-positioning holes, one of the first pivot holes and the second pivot hole being arcuated, the C-shaped locking member having two opposed end portions which have a pair of through holes that are aligned one another, and a first bolt which extends through the through holes of the end portions of the C-shaped locking member and which engages a first nut in order to adjust the clamping force of the C-shaped locking member by means of rotating the first bolt relative to the first bolt; a second bolt extending through the first pivot holes and the second pivot hole and engaging a second nut in order to connect pivotally the clamp member and the base member; a third bolt extending through the first anglepositioning holes and the second angle-positioning hole and engaging a third nut in order to position the clamp member at an angle relative to the base member, thereby permitting adjustment of the pitch angle of the clamp member relative the top of a worktable to which the base member is fixed; a tube-connecting member having a cylindrical portion which is clamped rotatably by the C-shaped locking member and a C-shaped restraining member with a pair of end portions, the end portions of the C-shaped restraining member having two through holes which are aligned with one another, a fourth bolt extending through the through holes of the end portions of the Cshaped restraining member and engaging a fourth nut in order to adjust the restraining force of the C-shaped restraining member by means of rotating the fourth bolt relative to the fourth nut. Therefore, the clamp member can be rotated horizontally above the top of the worktable about the axis of the cylindrical portion of the tube-connecting member. In addition, the C-shaped restraining member can be fastened to a tubular member.

Other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional clamp device; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a clamping assembly according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the clamping assembly according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic side view illustrating the pivotal movement of the clamp member relative to the base member of the first preferred embodiment according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic side view illustrating how the clamp member of the clamping assembly of the first preferred embodiment is mounted to the top of a worktable; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a clamping assembly according to the present invention; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a clamping assembly according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a partially exploded schematic view illustrating how the clamping assembly of the present invention is employed in a wood lathing device; and Figure 9 is a schematic side view illustrating how a workpiece is positioned in the wood lathing device of Figure 8.

Before the present invention is disclosed in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a first preferred embodiment of a clamping assembly according to the present invention is shown to comprise a clamp member 20, a base member 30, and a tube-connecting member 40.

The clamp member 20 is generally U-shaped and has an elongated frame portion 21. The frame portion 21 has a first end which is formed with a fixed jaw 22 and a second end which has an adjusting screw 24 mounted thereto. The adjusting screw 24 has a first end which is formed with a handle 241 and a second end which is connected to a movable jaw 242 in order to clamp a workpiece (not shown) between the fixed and movable jaws 22 and 242. The first end of the frame portion 21 has a pair of arcuated plates 25 extending therefrom.

A receiving space 26 is defined between the arcuated plates 25. The arcuated plates 25 has two first pivot holes 251 which are aligned with one another, and a pair of arcuated first angle-positioning holes 252 which are formed in the arcuated plates 25 and which are aligned with one another. The frame portion 21 has an elongated positioning groove 211 formed therethrough and a stepped portion 212 which is formed along the upper portion of the positioning groove 211. If desired, a locking bolt 213 with a square head extends through the positioning hole 211 with the head of the locking bolt 213 engaging the stepped portion 212 of the positioning groove 211 in order to lock releasably the clamp member 20 to a worktable 200, as shown in Figure 5.

The base member 30 has a pivot seat 31 at its upper portion and a C-shaped locking member 33 at its lower portion. The pivot seat 31 is received within the receiving space 26 of the clamp member 20 and has a second pivot hole 311 and a second angle-positioning hole 312 which extend transversely therethrough. The second pivot hole 311 and the second angle-positioning hole 312 are aligned respectively with the first pivot holes 251 and the first angle-positioning holes 252.

The C-shaped locking member 33 has two opposed end portions 331 which have a pair of through holes 332 (only one is shown in Figure 2) that are aligned one another. A first bolt 333 extends through the through holes 332 of the end portions 331 and engages a first nut 334 in order to adjust the clamping force of the Cshaped locking member 33 by means of rotating the first bolt 333 relative to the first bolt 334. The base member 30 has a positioning hole 34 which extends through the pivot seat 31 and the C-shaped locking member 33. A locking bolt 35 extends through the positioning hole 34 in order to lock releasably the base member 30 to the worktable 200, as best illustrated in Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, a second bolt 313 extends through the first pivot holes 251 and the second pivot hole 311 and engages a second nut 315 in order to connect pivotally the clamp member 20 and the base member 30. A third bolt extends through the first angle-positioning holes 252 and the second anglepositioning hole 312 and engages a third nut 316 in order to position the clamp member 20 at an angle relative to the base member 30. Therefore, the pitch angle of the clamp member 20 can be adjusted relative the top of the worktable 200 to which the base member 30 is fixed, as best illustrated in Figure 4. The pivot seat 341 has a pair of limiting faces 32 formed at two opposite sides thereof. The limiting faces 32 abut the lower face 214 of the frame portion 21 in order to limit the rotation angle of the clamp member 20 relative to the base member 30 within a predetermined range, thereby limiting the pitch angle of the clamp member 20, as shown in Figure 3.

The tube-connecting member 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 which is adapted to be clamped rotatably by the C-shaped locking member 33 so that the clamp member 20 can be rotated horizontally above the top of the worktable 200 about the axis of the cylindrical portion 41. The tube-connecting member 40 further has a Cshaped restraining member 42 with a pair of end portions 421. The end portions 421 of the C-shaped restraining member 42 has two through holes 422 which are aligned with one another. A fourth bolt 423 extends through the through holes 422 of the end portions 421 of the C-shaped restraining member 42 and engages a fourth nut 424 in order to adjust the restraining force of the C-shaped restraining member 42 by means of rotating the fourth bolt 423 relative to the fourth nut 424. Therefore, the C-shaped restraining member 42 can be fastened to a tubular member 300, as best illustrated in Figure 3.

To adjust the pitch angle of the clamp member 20, the nuts 315, 316 are loosened and clamp member 20 are rotated to a desired position relative to the base member 30. The nuts 315, 316 are then tightened to position the clamp member 20 and base member 30. The first bolt 333 and nut 334 may be employed to lock releasably the base member 30 to the cylindrical portion 41. Therefore, the rotation angle of the clamp member 20 relative to the tube-connecting member 40 can be adjusted by loosening and tightening the bolt 333 and nut 334.

When only the pitch angle of the clamp member 20 is to be adjusted, the tube-connecting member 40 can be removed from the base member 30, as shown in Figure 4.

The locking bolt 35 is employed to fasten the base member 30 to the worktable 200 as mentioned above.

When there is no angle-adjustment action is required, the base member 30 and the tube-connecting member 40 can be eliminated and the clamp member 20 can be fastened directly to the worktable 200 by means of the locking bolt 213 as mentioned above, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of a clamping assembly according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the first angle-positioning holes 252 are a pair of circular holes and the second angle positioning hole 312 is an arcuated hole. The operations and functions of the second embodiment is the same as those of the first embodiment.

Figure 7 shows a modified form of the second preferred embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the inner face of each of the arcuated plates 25 has an elongated projection 253 through which the pivot holes 251 and the first angle-positioning holes 252 pass. Each of the opposite sides of the pivot seat 31 is formed with an arcuated shoulder 36. One end of each projection 253 engages slildably a respective one of the shoulder 36 in order to facilitate the pivotal movement of the clamp member 20 relative to the pivot seat 31 of the base member 30.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the clamping assembly can be employed in a wood lathing device as a power seat. The clamp member 20, the base member 30 and the tube connecting member 40 are assembled as aforementioned. The clamp member 20 is clamped onto the worktable 200 and the tube-connecting member 40 is located above the worktable 200. The C-shaped restraining member 42 are fastened to an electrical hand drill 400. A cutter support 500 and a rear mounting seat 600 are clamped respectively to the worktable 200. Two ends of a workpiece 700 may be abut against the drill bit 401 of the drill 400 and the conical head 601 of a push rod 602 which is connected threadedly to the rear mounting seat 600 for lathing purposes.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangement.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A clamping assembly comprising: a clamp member having an elongated frame portion, said frame portion having a first end which is formed with a fixed jaw and a second end which has an adjusting screw with a movable jaw mounted thereto in order to clamp a workpiece between said fixed and movable jaws, said first end of said frame portion having a pair of arcuated plates extending therefrom and a receiving space defined between said arcuated plates, said arcuated plates having two first pivot holes which are aligned with one another, and a pair of first angle-positioning holes which are formed in said arcuated plates and which are aligned with one another; a base member having a pivot seat at its upper portion and a C-shaped locking member at its lower portion, said pivot seat being received within said receiving space of said clamp member and having a second pivot hole and a second angle-positioning hole which extend transversely therethrough and which are aligned respectively with said first pivot holes and said first angle-positioning holes, one of said first pivot holes and said second pivot hole being arcuated, said C-shaped locking member having two opposed end portions which have a pair of through holes that are aligned one another, and a first bolt which extends through said through holes of said end portions of said C-shaped locking member and which engages a first nut in order to adjust the clamping force of said C-shaped locking member by means of rotating said first bolt relative to said first nut; a second bolt extending through said first pivot holes and said second pivot hole and engaging a second nut in order to connect pivotally said clamp member and said base member; a third bolt extending through said first anglepositioning holes and said second angle-positioning hole and engaging a third nut in order to position said clamp member at an angle relative to said base member; a tube-connecting member having a cylindrical portion which is clamped rotatably by said C-shaped locking member and a C-shaped restraining member with a pair of end portions, said end portions of said Cshaped restraining member having two through holes which are aligned with one another, a fourth bolt extending through said through holes of said end portions of said C-shaped restraining member and engaging a fourth nut in order to adjust the restraining force of said C-shaped restraining member by means of rotating said fourth bolt relative to said fourth nut.

2. A clamping assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said frame portion has a positioning groove formed therethrough and a locking bolt extending through said positioning hole in order to lock releasably said clamp member to a worktable.

3. A clamping assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said base member has a positioning hole which extends through said pivot seat and said C-shaped locking member and a locking bolt which extends through said positioning hole in order to lock releasably said base member to a worktable.

4. A clamping assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said pivot seat has a pair of limiting faces formed at two opposite sides of said pivot seat, said limiting faces abutting the lower face of said frame portion in order to limit the rotation angle of said clamp member relative to said base member within a predetermined range.

5. A clamping assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, Figure 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

5. A clamping assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 9.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A clamping assembly comprising: a clamp member having an elongate frame portion, said frame portion having a first end which is formed with a fixed jaw and a second end which has an adjusting screw with a movable jaw mounted thereto in order to clamp a workpiece between said fixed and movable jaws, said first end of said frame portion having a pair of arcuate plates extending therefrom and a receiving space defined between said arcuate plates, said arcuate plates having two first pivot holes which are aligned with one another, and a pair of first angle-positioning holes which are formed in said arcuate plates and which are aligned with one another; a base member having a pivot seat at its upper portion and a C-shaped locking member at its lower portion, said pivot seat being received within said receiving space of said clamp member and having a second pivot hole and a second angle-positioning hole which extend transversely therethrough and which are aligned respectively with said first pivot holes and said first angle-positioning holes, one of said first angle-positioning holes and said second angle-positioning hole being arcuate, said C-shaped locking member having two opposed end portions which have a pair of through holes that are aligned with one another, and a first bolt which extends through said through holes of said end portions of said C-shaped locking member and which engages a first nut in order to adjust the clamping force of said C-shaped locking member by means of rotating said first bolt relative to said first nut; a second bolt extending through said first pivot holes and said second pivot hole and engaging a second nut in order to connect pivotally said clamp member and said base member; a third bolt extending through said first anglepositioning holes and said second angle-positioning hole and engaging a third nut in order to position said clamp member at an angle relative to said base member; and a tube-connecting member having a cylindrical portion which is clamped rotatably by said C-shaped locking member and a C-shaped restraining member with a pair of end portions, said end portions 6f said C-shaped restraining member having two through holes which are aligned with one another, a fourth bolt extending through said through holes of said end portions of said C-shaped restraining member and engaging a fourth nut in order to adjust the restraining force of said C-shaped restraining member by means of rotating said fourth bolt relative to said fourth nut.

2. A clamping assembly according to claim 1, wherein said frame portion has a positioning groove formed therethrough and a locking bolt extending through said positioning groove in order to lock releasably said clamp member to a worktable.

3. A clamping assembly according to either preceding claim, wherein said base member has a positioning hole which extends through said pivot seat and said C-shaped locking member and a locking bolt which extends through said positioning hole in order to lock releasably said base member to a worktable.

4. A clamping assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said pivot seat has a pair of limiting faces formed at two opposite sides thereof, said limiting faces abutting a lower face of said frame portion in order to limit the rotation angle of said clamp member relative to said base member within a predetermined range.