Anodizing rack and clamps

Claim 2

An acid-proof electrically non conductive clamp for holding articles to be anodized on a rack for immersion into a liquid anodizing bath, said clamp comprising: A) a foot member adapted for attachment to an anodizing rack, B) a first frame member extending from said foot member, C) a second frame member extending from the end of said first frame member generally perpendicular thereto, D) at least one internally threaded passage in said second frame member spaced from said first frame member, E) an operating screw within one of said threaded passages, said screw being spaced from and generally parallel to said first frame member and defining the throat of the clamp therewith, and F) screw turning means at the end of said screw farthest from said foot member, the opposite end of said screw, comprising the moveable jaw of the clamp, being adapted to hold an article to be anodized securely against an anodizing rack.

Claim 3

A clamp according to claim 1 wherein said foot member is rectangular and includes at least one pair of parallel outwardly extending shoulders on opposite sides thereof, said shoulders being slideably engageable with a flanged channel in an anodizing rack.

Claim 4

A clamp according to claim 1 wherein said first and second frame members are pivotally connected in a toggle connection.

Claim 5

A clamp according to claim 1 wherein said first and second frame members are integral.

Claim 6

A clamp according to claim 1 wherein said second frame member includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel threaded passages.

Claim 7

A clamp according to claim 1 wherein said operating screw is a thumb screw.

Claim 8

A clamp according to claim 1 wherein a locking nut is disposed on said operating screw between the screw turning means and second frame member.

Claim 9

A clamp according to claim 1 wherein the end of the operating screw comprising the moveable jaw of the clamp is a projection of reduced diameter.

Claim 10

A clamp according to claim 1 wherein said clamp parts are composed of a synthetic phenylene oxide-based resin.

Claim 11

A clamp according to claim 9 wherein said resin is 30% glass filled.

Claim 12

In combination: A) a metalic anodizing rack including: 1) a pair of opposed spaced apart parallel elongated clamp-supporting rack members and cross-members rigidly connecting the clamp-supporting members, 2) a longitudinal channel in each of said claim-supporting members, said channels having openings of narrower width than the bottom of said channels, and 3) stop means at one end of each of said channels, and B) a plurality of pairs of acid-proof electrically non-conductive clamps in engagement with said rack for holding articles to be anodized for immersion in an anodizing bath, one clamp of each of said pairs of clamps being in engagement with one of said opposed clamp-supporting rack members, each of said clamps comprising: 1) a foot member of cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the rack channel for slideable engagement therein, 2) a first frame member extending from said foot member, 3) a second frame member extending from the end of said first frame member generally perpendicular thereto, 4) at least one internally threaded passage in said second frame member spaced from said first frame member, 5) an operating screw within one of said threaded passages, said screw being spaced from and generally parallel to said first frame member and defining the throat of the clamp therewith, and 6) screw turning means at the end of the screw farthest from said foot member, the opposite end of the screw, comprising the moveable jaw of the clamp, being adapted to hold an article to be anodized securely in contact with the clamp-supporting rack member.

Claim 13

A combination according to claim 11 wherein an acid-proof electrically non-conductive spacer of cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the rack channel is in engagement with the channel between each adjacent pair of clamps.

Claim 14

A combination according to claim 11 wherein said clamp foot members are square whereby clamps may be oriented longitudinally or transversely relative to the clamp-supporting rack members.

Claim 15

A combination according to claim 11 wherein said rack is composed of aluminum and said clamp parts are composed of a synthetic phenolene oxide-based resin.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 11 wherein said first and second clamp frame members are pivotally connected in a toggle connection.

Claim 17

A combination according to claim 11 wherein said first and second clamp frame members are integral.

Claim 18

A combination according to claim 11 wherein said second clamp frame member includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel threaded passages.

Claim 19

A combination according to claim 11 wherein said clamp operating screw is a thumb screw.

Claim 20

A combination according to claim 1 wherein a locking nut is disposed on said clamp operating screw between the screw turning means and second clamp frame member.

Claim 21

A combination according to claim 11 wherein the end of the clamp operating screw comprising the moveable jaw of the clamp is a projection of reduced diameter.