US3920235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-tightening quick release clamp
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1974-06-05
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A quick-release clamping device including two facing L-shaped members having the horizontal leg of one pivoted to the vertical leg of the other to form clamping jaws between the horizontal legs. A ring is wedgingly inserted between the vertical legs to tighten and maintain the clamp. In the preferred embodiment the clamping device, including the ring, is formed from stainless steel for self-tightening of the clamping action when used in processing workpieces under heat.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurgen Hermanns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:44
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B5/00; B25B5/06; B25B5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A clamping device comprising: first and second substantially L-shaped members, one leg of said first member being pivoted to one leg of said second member, a portion of said one leg of said second member extending beyond the pivot point, said one leg of said first member and the other leg of said second member forming clamping jaws having opposed surfaces to receive an article therebetween, and a surface of the other leg of said first member and a surface of said portion of said one leg of said second member being in opposed, substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship; and a separate freely movable wedging member for wedging insertion between and in bodily contact with the substantially parallel opposing surfaces of the other leg of said first member and said portion of said one leg of said second member, said wedging member being in free sliding longitudinal contact with and along the longitudinal dimension of said last named opposing surfaces during insertion for exerting a force therebetween affecting Relative pivoting of said one leg of said first member toward said other leg of said second member while maintaining substantially parallel spaced-apart relation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A clamping device comprising: first and second substantially L-shaped members, one leg of said first member being pivoted to one leg of said second member, a portion of said one leg of said second member extending beyond the pivot point, said one leg of said first member and the other leg of said second member forming clamping jaws having opposed surfaces to receive an article therebetween, and a surface of the other leg of said first member and a surface of said portion of said one leg of said second member being in opposed, substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship; and a separate freely movable wedging member for wedging insertion between and in bodily contact with the substantially parallel opposing surfaces of the other leg of said first member and said portion of said one leg of said second member, said wedging member being in free sliding longitudinal contact with and along the longitudinal dimension of said last named opposing surfaces during insertion for exerting a force therebetween affecting Relative pivoting of said one leg of said first member toward said other leg of said second member while maintaining substantially parallel spaced-apart relation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The clamping device of claim 1 adapted for clamping workpieces in a heat-processing environment wherein said wedging member is formed from heat expansible material, said wedging member for expansibly biasing said other leg of said first member apart from said portion of said one leg of said second member when heat is applied to said wedging member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The clamping device of claim 1 wherein one of said legs forming a clamping jaw is pivoted at a predetermined height above other of said clamping jaws for maintaining said clamping jaws substantially parallel to each other during clamping of a workpiece of specific thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The clamping device of claim 3 wherein said wedging member is a ring, said ring sized for cooperating with the substantially parallel opposing surfaces of said other leg of said first member and said portion of said one leg of said second member for firmly securing itself therebetween while biasing said last-named legs apart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The clamping device of claim 4 adapted for clamping workpieces in a heat-processing environment wherein said ring is formed from heat expansible material, said ring for expansibly biasing said other leg of said first member apart from said portion of said one leg of said second member when heat is applied to said ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The clamping device of claim 5 wherein said heat expansible material is stainless steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
A clamping device comprising: a pair of clamping jaws, an end of one of said jaws being pivoted to an end of the other jaw; a leverage extension on the unpivoted end of said one jaw; a leverage extension on the pivoted end of said other jaw; said leverage extensions extending away from said jaws in substantially the same direction and each having a surface in opposed, substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation; and a separate freely movable wedging member for wedging insertion between and in bodily contact with said substantially parallel opposing surfaces of said leverage extensions, said wedging member being in free sliding longitudinal contact with and along a longitudinal dimension of said last named opposed surfaces during insertion for exerting a force therebetween affecting relative pivoting of said jaws toward each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
A clamping device comprising: a pair of clamping jaws, an end of one of said jaws being pivoted to an end of the other jaw; a leverage extension on the unpivoted end of said one jaw; a leverage extension on the pivoted end of said other jaw; said leverage extensions extending away from said jaws in substantially the same direction and each having a surface in opposed, substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation; and a separate freely movable wedging member for wedging insertion between and in bodily contact with said substantially parallel opposing surfaces of said leverage extensions, said wedging member being in free sliding longitudinal contact with and along a longitudinal dimension of said last named opposed surfaces during insertion for exerting a force therebetween affecting relative pivoting of said jaws toward each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The clamping device of claim 7 wherein said other jaw includes a portion for spacing apart the clamping surfaces of said clamping jaws.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The clamping device of claim 7 adapted for clamping workpieces in a heat-processing environment wherein said wedging member is formed from heat expansible material, said wedging member for expansibly biasing said leverage extensions apart when heat is applied to said wedging member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The clamping device of claim 7 wherein said wedging member is a ring, said ring sized for cooperating with the substantially parallel opposing surfaces of said leverage extensions for firmly securing itself therebetween while biasing said leverage extensions apart.
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) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |