US4025414A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for clamping a body against downward movement
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-09-30
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Granted: 1977-05-24
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Expires: 1995-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Device for electrode clamping against supporting crosspieces in electrolytic cells for aluminum production, comprising a clamping unit for each of the electrodes, which clamping unit is transversely arranged on the brackets having the electrode inserted therebetween, with a drive element centrally arranged between said two clamping elements to urge one of the clamping elements against the front edges of the brackets and the other against the front surface of the electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Alessandra Vendramini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:50
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B7/00; H05B7/02; H05B7/10; C; C25; C25C; C25C3/00; C25C3/06; C25C3/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44641; Y10T24/44684; Y10T24/44692; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/76
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
An assembly for holding a structure against downward movement, comprising means providing an upright surface against which the structure is adapted to be pressed, bracket means fixedly carried by said means which provides said upright surface, said bracket means having spaced from said upright surface a blocking surface which faces said upright surface, expandable clamping means supported by said bracket means and expanding means cooperating with said expandable clamping means for expanding the latter into a clamping position pressing against said blocking surface of said bracket means and against a surface of a structure situated against said upright surface, said expandable clamping means including an element adapted to press against said structure while having frictional rolling contact therewith, said element having, for engagement with said structure, a convex surface which is curved around a horizontal axis, and said clamping means automatically responding to the tendency of said element to be rolled by said structure, when the latter tends to move downwardly, for increasing the dimension of said clamping means between said blocking surface and said upright surface, whereby the clamping force will automatically tend to increase with any tendency of the structure to move downwardly with respect to said upright surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
An assembly for holding a structure against downward movement, comprising means providing an upright surface against which the structure is adapted to be pressed, bracket means fixedly carried by said means which provides said upright surface, said bracket means having spaced from said upright surface a blocking surface which faces said upright surface, expandable clamping means supported by said bracket means and expanding means cooperating with said expandable clamping means for expanding the latter into a clamping position pressing against said blocking surface of said bracket means and against a surface of a structure situated against said upright surface, said expandable clamping means including an element adapted to press against said structure while having frictional rolling contact therewith, said element having, for engagement with said structure, a convex surface which is curved around a horizontal axis, and said clamping means automatically responding to the tendency of said element to be rolled by said structure, when the latter tends to move downwardly, for increasing the dimension of said clamping means between said blocking surface and said upright surface, whereby the clamping force will automatically tend to increase with any tendency of the structure to move downwardly with respect to said upright surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein said clamping means includes a wedge having an inclined surface inclined downwardly toward said upright surface, said element of said clamping means being a cylindrical element engaging said inclined surface of said wedge and situated between the latter and said upright surface, and said expanding means including a rotary spindle threaded to said wedge for controlling the elevation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein said clamping means includes a second cylindrical element engaging said wedge at the side thereof distant from said upright surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 3 and wherein said wedge has oppositely inclined surfaces respectively engaging said cylindrical elements and is of trapezoidal cross section with the base of its trapezoidal cross section facing downwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein said expandable clamping means includes a pair of coaxial pivots and a pair of arms connected together by each of said pivots, said expanding means being operatively connected with said coaxial pivots for controlling the elevation thereof, one of the arms of each pair extending from the common axis of said pivots toward said upright surface and the other of the arms of each pair extending from the common axis of said pivots toward said blocking surface, said other arms terminating in free ends carrying an elongated member engaging said blocking surface and said one arms terminating in free ends carrying said element which has said frictional rolling contact with the structure pressed against said upright surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 5 and wherein said element includes a curved cam providing said convex surface which is curved around said horizontal axis and a pin fixedly carrying said cam and carried by said one arms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein said means providing said upright surface is a crosspiece of an electrolytic cell while the structure to be clamped against said upright surface includes an electrode of said cell.
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) | 1980-05-23 | 1980-11-22 | 1981-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-23 | 1984-11-22 | 1985-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-23 | 1988-11-22 | 1989-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |