US3868102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contour-conforming clamping device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-02-22
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1994-02-22
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses a clamping device for efficient application and distribution of clamping forces over engaged flat and contoured objects by utilization of multiple, movable engaging elements and thereby rendering more efficient use of the total applied force and avoiding harmful concentrated loads against objects being held. It includes adjacent gripping jaw members having closed-end bores in which tubular arbors supply pressure fluid, such as hydraulic liquid, from a common manifold and pressure reservoir for supplying member-distending fluid, together with means for controlling fluid flow and means providing for fluid supply from outside the internal fluid system.
Inventors
- 👤 Maxwell Pevar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:46
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B1/00; B25B1/24; B25B1/2405; B25B1/241; B25B1/2415; B25B1/2421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A contour-conforming clamping device for applying uniformly distributed clamping engagement with contoured objects, said device comprising a housing base provided with a plurality of pressure fluid supply passages, a plurality of tubular arbors affixed to the housing base and having their interior tubular spaces separately in fluid connection with said supply passages, a plurality of closely adjacent vise jaw members having outwardly-closed inwardly-open bores slidably receiving said tubular arbors interiorly thereof, said tubular arbors and the bores of said jaw members having sealing means therebetween, and openings in the arbors beyond said sealing means for supplying fluid within the bores of said vise jaw members in chambers of variable length between the ends of said arbors and the ends of said bores to urge the jaw members outward, and means for retaining said vise jaw members in sliding operative position on said tubular arbors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A contour-conforming clamping device for applying uniformly distributed clamping engagement with contoured objects, said device comprising a housing base provided with a plurality of pressure fluid supply passages, a plurality of tubular arbors affixed to the housing base and having their interior tubular spaces separately in fluid connection with said supply passages, a plurality of closely adjacent vise jaw members having outwardly-closed inwardly-open bores slidably receiving said tubular arbors interiorly thereof, said tubular arbors and the bores of said jaw members having sealing means therebetween, and openings in the arbors beyond said sealing means for supplying fluid within the bores of said vise jaw members in chambers of variable length between the ends of said arbors and the ends of said bores to urge the jaw members outward, and means for retaining said vise jaw members in sliding operative position on said tubular arbors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A clamping device according to claim 1, wherein said base is provided with a common manifold chamber, the tubular spaces within all tubular arbors and their fluid passages communicate with said common manifold chamber, and which further includes a separately operated cut-off valve for each supply passage which admits fluid to or from said manifold chamber to extend the vise jaw member or allow its retraction when the valve is open and which locks fluid within the member bore when the valve is closed to hold the vise jaw member against yielding return movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A clamping device according to claim 1, wherein said base is provided with a common manifold chamber, the tubular spaces within all tubular arbors and their fluid passages communicating with said common manifold chamber, a fluid supply reservoir chamber in said base, a by-pass passage between said fluid supply reservoir chamber and said manifold chamber, and a cut-off valve for said by-pass passage which admits the passage of fluid through said by-pass passage for extension or retraction of said vise jaw members when the by-pass valve is open and which locks fluid in said manifold chamber and bores to hold the vise jaw members against group retraction when the by-pass valve is closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A clamping device according to claim 1, wherein a removable jaw-retaining side cover plate is provided for said vise jaw members, said side cover plate having means which cooperate with means on said vise jaw members for retaining said vise jaw members in sliding operative position on said tubular arbors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A clamping device according to claim 4, wherein said retaining means for said vise jaw members comprises cooperating projections and closed-end grooves on said vise jaw members and side cover plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A clamping device according to claim 3, wherein each of said arbor passages is provided with a cut-off valve to allow passage of fluid when the valve is open and to lock fluid in the bore of a vise jaw member to hold the vise jaw member against yielding return movement when the valve is closed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A clamping device as set forth in claim 3, which further includes means in said supply reservoir chamber for urging the flow of fluid from said supply reservoir chamber into said manifold chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A clamping device as set forth in claim 6, which further includes means in said supply reservoir chamber for urging the flow of fluid from said supply reservoir chamber into said manifold chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A clamping device as set forth in claim 7, in which said means for urging fluid from said supply reservoir chamber comprises a piston and resilient means urging said piston in the direction to force fluid from said supply reservoir chamber toward said by-pass passage and manifold chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A clamping device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said sealing means comprises sealing rings carried by said arbors adjacent their outer ends.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |