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US4339116A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for centering and clamping circular workpieces

Assignee: Georg Fischer AG
•
Filing: 1980-10-08
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Granted: 1982-07-13
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Expires: 2000-10-08
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Abstract

Abstract A clamping apparatus includes jaws carried by a frame and movable toward each other to center and engage a workpiece by a lever and linkage arrangement which operates quickly. The workpiece is then firmly clamped by a rope which extends from the frame around the workpiece at least 360° and through a gripping device. The gripping device is urged toward the gripping position by a spring.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gottlieb Benz
  • 👤 Hans-Jakob Egg

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 13:41
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B5/00; B25B5/14; B25B5/147; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S269/00; Y10S269/902

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 166 words
A clamping apparatus for centering and clamping workpieces having circular cross sections and diameters within a predetermined range of diameters along a predetermined axis, comprising a support frame; first and second jaws shaped to center and partially engage a workpiece; means for mounting said jaws on said frame for sliding movement toward and away from each other to permit said jaws to at least partially surround the workpiece; means, coupled to and interconnecting said jaws, for moving said jaws simultaneously and uniformly toward each other into engagement with the workpiece to locate the workpiece at a centered position coaxially along the predetermined axis; and clamping means, attached to said frame, for firmly clamping the workpiece in said centered position, said clamping means including an elongated pliable clamping means, fixedly attached at one end to said frame, for extending in a loop of at least 360°, crossing itself and circumscribing the workpiece, and means for gripping said clamping means at a point spaced from said one end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 166 words
A clamping apparatus for centering and clamping workpieces having circular cross sections and diameters within a predetermined range of diameters along a predetermined axis, comprising a support frame; first and second jaws shaped to center and partially engage a workpiece; means for mounting said jaws on said frame for sliding movement toward and away from each other to permit said jaws to at least partially surround the workpiece; means, coupled to and interconnecting said jaws, for moving said jaws simultaneously and uniformly toward each other into engagement with the workpiece to locate the workpiece at a centered position coaxially along the predetermined axis; and clamping means, attached to said frame, for firmly clamping the workpiece in said centered position, said clamping means including an elongated pliable clamping means, fixedly attached at one end to said frame, for extending in a loop of at least 360°, crossing itself and circumscribing the workpiece, and means for gripping said clamping means at a point spaced from said one end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said clamping means is a rope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said jaws include guide recesses for receiving and guiding said rope.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 21 words
An apparatus according to either of claims 2 or 3 wherein said means for gripping is openable to release said rope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for gripping includes clamping lever means pivotally mounted on said frame for engaging and gripping said rope; and a spring for urging said clamping lever means toward its gripping position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the length of said rope between said one end and the location of engagement by said clamping lever means is selected in accordance with the diameter of the workpiece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 70 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for gripping further includes a rope guide mounted on said frame; and said clamping lever means includes a first lever supported for pivotal movement relative to said frame adjacent said rope guide, and a second lever pivotally mounted on said first lever with an end of said first lever being adjacent said rope guide and spaced therefrom to receive said rope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of said first and second levers has a handle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 14 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said rope is a steel wire rope.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said rope is formed from stretched polymeric or glass fibers.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 58 words
An apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2, or 5-10 wherein said means for moving said jaws includes a rotatable shaft; a manually operable arm connected to said shaft; and means for coupling said shaft to said jaws such that movement of said manually operable arm causes rapid and uniform movement of said jaws in opposite directions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 52 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for coupling includes a first gear mounted on said rotatable shaft; a second rotatable shaft having a second gear mounted thereon, said second gear meshing with said first gear; and linkage means for interconnecting each of said shafts with one of said jaws.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 24 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said linkage means includes first and second articulated links connected, respectively, between said shafts and said jaws.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said jaws on said frame permits movement of said jaws only along a straight line path passing through the predetermined axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said jaws each have V-shaped workpiece contacting surfaces.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US1051585A Cited
US1269381A Cited
US1289252A Cited
US2696065A Cited
US2795984A Cited
US3224754A Cited
US3386726A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-07-12 1986-01-11 1986-07-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-07-12 1990-01-11 1990-07-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-07-12 1994-01-11 1994-07-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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