US5071013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-aligning wedge clamp
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1990-06-13
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Granted: 1991-12-10
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Expires: 2010-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A four directional self-aligning wedge clamp having a series of wedge elements is shown. A rod is centrally disposed through the series of elements of exert longitudinal forces thereto. A bracket pair is urged against the body of the device to be clamped while transverse forces are urged upon the wedge elements when the clamp is in its expanded state. When in its relaxed state, the clamp may be easily removed from the channels in which it is to be secured.
Inventors
- 👤 Keven T. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:03
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1401; H05K7/1402; H05K7/1404; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44573; Y10T24/4459; Y10T24/44598
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A clamp for retaining a module to a rack having a channel extending thereinto, said clamp having a relaxed state and an expanded state, the invention comprising a rib mounted to said module, having a passageway therethrough and having inclined surfaces thereon, a pair of bracket members engaging said rib upon the inclined surfaces thereof, a pair of first wedge elements engaging said bracket members, a pair of second wedge elements engaging said first wedge elements, said first wedge elements and said bracket members engaging at inclined surfaces therebetween, said wedge elements and said bracket members each having passageways therethrough communicative with said passageway of said rib, a rod receivable within said passageways and axially movable therein, engaging means to engage said rod, said first wedge elements being displaceable transversely to the axis of said rib as said rod engages said engaging means. said bracket members being urged orthogonally to said displacement of said first wedge elements as said rod engages said engaging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A clamp for retaining a module to a rack having a channel extending thereinto, said clamp having a relaxed state and an expanded state, the invention comprising a rib mounted to said module, having a passageway therethrough and having inclined surfaces thereon, a pair of bracket members engaging said rib upon the inclined surfaces thereof, a pair of first wedge elements engaging said bracket members, a pair of second wedge elements engaging said first wedge elements, said first wedge elements and said bracket members engaging at inclined surfaces therebetween, said wedge elements and said bracket members each having passageways therethrough communicative with said passageway of said rib, a rod receivable within said passageways and axially movable therein, engaging means to engage said rod, said first wedge elements being displaceable transversely to the axis of said rib as said rod engages said engaging means. said bracket members being urged orthogonally to said displacement of said first wedge elements as said rod engages said engaging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said rib having said inclined surfaces at the ends thereof, said inclined surfaces forming acute angles with said module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 2 where each of said bracket members slidable upon said module when said clamp is in its relaxed state, each of said bracket members being frictionally fixed upon said module when said clamp is in its expanded state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said bracket members being a mirror image of the other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said bracket members being generally elongate having an enlarged portion therealong, said passageways of said bracket members provided through said enlarged portions thereof, said enlarged portion of each of said bracket members having a first sloped face thereon engageable with an inclined surface of said rib, said enlarged portion of each of said bracket members having a second sloped face thereon engageable with one of said first wedge elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said rod receivable in, in series, a first of said second wedge elements, a first of said first wedge elements, said enlarged portion of one of said bracket members, said rib, said enlarged portion of said other bracket member, the second of said first wedge elements, the second of said second wedge elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said rod having threads upon one end thereof, said second of said second wedge elements having threads upon the passageway therein, said threads of said rod engaging said threads of said passageway of said second of said second wedge elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said bracket members interlinked by a spring, said spring urging said bracket members toward linear alignment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
146 words
A clamp for retaining a module to a rack having a channel extending thereinto on a side thereof, the invention comprising a rib mounted on a side of said module, said rib having a longitudinal bore thereinto, said rib having an including surface at an end thereof, a bracket member interactive with said rib at the inclining surface thereof, a first wedge element interactive with said bracket member, a second wedge element interactive with said first wedge element, said bracket having a passageway therethrough generally coaxial with said bore of said rib. said first wedge element and said second wedge element each being a passageway therethrough generally coaxial with said passageway of said bracket, a rod receivable within said passageways, said rod engageable with said bore of said rib, said first wedge element urged against said channel as said rod engages said bore of said rib.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
146 words
A clamp for retaining a module to a rack having a channel extending thereinto on a side thereof, the invention comprising a rib mounted on a side of said module, said rib having a longitudinal bore thereinto, said rib having an including surface at an end thereof, a bracket member interactive with said rib at the inclining surface thereof, a first wedge element interactive with said bracket member, a second wedge element interactive with said first wedge element, said bracket having a passageway therethrough generally coaxial with said bore of said rib. said first wedge element and said second wedge element each being a passageway therethrough generally coaxial with said passageway of said bracket, a rod receivable within said passageways, said rod engageable with said bore of said rib, said first wedge element urged against said channel as said rod engages said bore of said rib.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said bracket member having a first inclined surface thereon slidably engageable with said inclining surface of said rib, said bracket member abutting said module proximal to the rib thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said bracket having a second inclining surface thereon non-parallel to said first inclining surface of said bracket, said first wedge element having a pair of inclining surfaces thereon on opposing sides thereof, one of said inclining surface of said first wedge element slidably engaging said second inclining surface of said bracket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said second wedge element having an inclining surface thereon, said inclining surface of said second wedge element engaging said second inclining surface of said first wedge element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said rod being axially movable within said passageway when said rod is not fully engaged with said bore.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said rod being radially movable within said passageways when said rod is not fully engaged with said bore.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 9 where said bore of said rib having threading therein, said rod having threads thereon, said threads of said rod engageable with said threading of said bore of said rib.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said engagement of said inclined surface of said rib with said first inclined surface of said bracket member urges said bracket member toward said module.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
172 words
Apparatus for clamping a device to a rack having a longitudinal groove therein, comprising: a rib on the device having a longitudinal channel therethrough and whose first and second end faces are oppositely sloped to form acute angles relative to the device; a rod positioned in the longitudinal channel of the rib and having a retainer on one end and threads on the other end; and a plurality of adjacently positioned sections having holes larger in diameter than said rod for receiving said rod therethrough and having a first set of complementary faces sloped with respect to a first dimension for allowing said sections to laterally expand in a first direction to engage the longitudinal groove in said rack and having a second set of faces sloped with respect to a second dimension non-parallel with said first dimension for allowing said sections to laterally expand in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction to simultaneously engage the sloped faces of said rib on said device and align itself with said rack.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
172 words
Apparatus for clamping a device to a rack having a longitudinal groove therein, comprising: a rib on the device having a longitudinal channel therethrough and whose first and second end faces are oppositely sloped to form acute angles relative to the device; a rod positioned in the longitudinal channel of the rib and having a retainer on one end and threads on the other end; and a plurality of adjacently positioned sections having holes larger in diameter than said rod for receiving said rod therethrough and having a first set of complementary faces sloped with respect to a first dimension for allowing said sections to laterally expand in a first direction to engage the longitudinal groove in said rack and having a second set of faces sloped with respect to a second dimension non-parallel with said first dimension for allowing said sections to laterally expand in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction to simultaneously engage the sloped faces of said rib on said device and align itself with said rack.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein said two intermediate sections being flexibly linked.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein said sloped faces of said two intermediate sections engaging the faces of said rib in abutment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein said two intermediate sections frictionally retained to said module when said rod is fully engaged with said engaging means.
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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) | 1994-12-09 | 1995-06-10 | 1995-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-09 | 1999-06-10 | 1999-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-09 | 2003-06-10 | 2003-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |