CN100491750C - Improvements in clamping assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-aligning coupling device (400) for installation in channel having an open end and a pair of substantially parallel side walls. The device includes an elongate connecting portion (402) having a longitudinal axis (404), a channel abutment portion (408), and at least one laterally projecting lug (412, 414). In use, the coupling device (400) is installed in the channel with the channel abutment portion (408) located at least partially within the channel and the laterally projecting lug (412, 414) located outside the open end of the channel. The channel abutment portion (408) is formed such that when aligned in a first angular position within the channel it abuts the side walls of the channel to prevent rotation of the device in a first rotational direction about said longitudinal axis, while allowing rotation in a second, opposed rotational direction.

Description

The improvement of clamping assembly

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to adjustable fixture, relates more specifically to be used in usually the improvement that is used for clamping assembly that described object is kept together in the notch portion of object or the cavity.

Background technique

The adjustable clamping assembly of known use comes for example by holding action two objects to be linked together.Fig. 1 represents wherein the example that two oblong object A and B are clamped together end-to-end.Described object can be made by any material feasible for the purpose that object was used that is held, and particularly can be made by timber, shaving board etc., perhaps by such as plastics and/or comprise steel or other suitable materials of the metal of aluminium are made.

Be used for relating to the known method that described object is clamped together end-to-end in object formation notch portion and utilizing anchor clamps that this notch portion is pulled in together.Figure 2 illustrates a kind of example of suitable known removing device.

In Fig. 2, described notching device comprises the notch portion A that makes respectively in object A and B ", B ", thereby known clamping device 200 can be inserted the notch portion A that be combined ", B " in.

Known clamping device 200 comprises against notch portion B " internal surface 203 first holding element 202 and against notch portion A " second holding element 204 of respective inner surfaces.Holding element 202,204 links to each other by the bar 206 that passes the respective aperture (not shown) in the holding element 202,204.Bar 206 freely rotates in the hole in holding element 202,204, and is provided with head 208 at the end place against the outer surface of second holding element 204.

The end relative with head 208 of bar 206 is provided with screw thread 210, nut 212 (illustrating with section) and these screw thread 210 thread engagement.Nut 212 is against the outer surface of first holding element 202.Therefore, two holding elemenies 202,204 are pulled in together, like this with notch portion A by tightening nut 212 ", B " be pulled in together, so that object A, B are clamped together.

Yet problem is, is difficult under many circumstances be expressed as A in such as Fig. 2 ", B " notch portion in the operation known anchor clamps 200.Be tightening nut 212, must use spanner or other forms of lever arm, this needs spanner or the inswept arc of lever arm.Therefore, when anchor clamps 200 are arranged in notch portion A ", B " time because the wall of object A, B and surface often hinder scanning of arc, thereby may be difficult to make spanner or lever arm to scan by this arc.Because notch portion B " wall restriction arc scan, at most must be with very little increment operation spanner.

What make the difficulty aggravation is such situation, promptly, in use, the clamping of this form is used on the lower surface of bench or desk usually or in the hidden cavity of the part in handrail or other assemblies, will is a problem in the not accessibility of these local anchor clamps in the appointed area.

Described a kind of known in the prior art anchor clamps in WO 03/035992, these anchor clamps attempt to overcome above-mentioned shortcoming.The anchor clamps of the prior art are provided with the first umbrella gear parts at an end of clamping device.So, a kind of special tool is provided, it engages with pivot positioning work piece in being positioned at a holding element, and this holding element is positioned near the end that described clamping device comprises the described first umbrella gear parts.This instrument comprises the second umbrella gear parts with the engagement of the first umbrella gear parts, thereby can operate described anchor clamps around its rotational by making this instrument, and this axis normal is in the axis of clamping device.Therefore, can operate, and needn't make the inswept arc that is hindered by the wall of object A, B and surface of spanner or lever described anchor clamps.

Yet still there are some shortcomings in disclosed anchor clamps in WO 03/035992.At first, described anchor clamps need be used for the special tool of its operation.Because the anchor clamps instrument must store, carry with other manual tools and stay on hand, therefore for this is especially disadvantageous as the handicraftsman of the main users of the anchor clamps of these types.That the anchor clamps instrument can be easy to is misplaced, lose or do not get simply when needed.Therefore, preferably, can use the handicraftsman often to need during operation and general utility tool on hand (for example, screw-driver etc.) is operated anchor clamps.

In addition, use described instrument to apply fastening torque, can be easy to slide from the pivot positioning work piece, this may produce injury to the operator, and/or cause the butcher cuts (stripping) of the umbrella gear on clamping device and the described instrument.

Described the jig Design of some alternatives in the inventor's the No.PCT/AU03/01007 of international patent application formerly, they have overcome more known problems in the first front jig.Wherein the disclosed embodiments adopt cam or worm screw (worm gear) device, thereby the anchor clamps that can use around operating with the master serew cutter of the rotational of the axis normal of clamping device etc. are provided.The embodiment 300 who utilizes endless screw apparatus has been shown among Fig. 3.

Adjustable fixture assembly 300 comprises first and second holding elemenies 330,320, and they have the corresponding opposite inner face 331,321 that is suitable for against the wall shown in Fig. 2 203,205.Assembly 300 also comprises the bar 340 that at one end has helical thread portion 341.

Setting has the housing part 356 of internal thread, thereby this housing part 356 can be connected on the helical thread portion 341 of bar 340 by thread engagement.First holding element 330 comprises the hole that allows bar 340 to pass.

Worm component 350 is combined with worm screw 351 and worm gear 352.Therefore, the rotation of worm screw 351 is rotated sleeve 356, and internal surface 321, the 331 property motion paths along the line of holding element 320,330 are pulled together sleeve 356 or separately, this depends on the sense of rotation of sleeve.

Worm screw 351 is positioned at the support 354 integrally formed with first holding element 330.Therefore, first holding element 330 is made of the integral unit that gear assembly is contained in one of them notch portion (for example, A ") fully.

Yet, above-mentioned clamping assembly can not satisfy the user's of described anchor clamps needs fully, therefore still there is demand to the modifying device that connects object, these devices provide attendant advantages, for example can realize at least some restrictions of the clamping assembly of further efficient and/or minimizing prior art in installation.

Any argumentation of document, device, action or the knowledge that it should be noted that in this specification to be comprised is used to explain content of the present invention.Should not think, can know the present invention by inference from any material of the part of the priority date that is formed on claim here or prior art basis the correlation technique before or common practise.

Summary of the invention

As clear as can be known from aforementioned discussion, when assembling object by object is clamped together, usually must be by whole clamping assembly being inserted in groove or the cavity (for example, the object A shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the notch portion A of B " and B "), and this clamping assembly is installed in this groove.The inventor recognizes, in some cases, when from the complete object of object assembling, may expect during fabrication or make after soon clamping assembly is installed in advance in the object (for example B), then this holding element (for example 204) is bonded in the groove (for example notch portion A ") of object A.Described object can for example be the part of the part that is assembled to form the bench top, kitchen at complete bench top, balustrade or wait to be clamped together other objects or its part to form complete product or assembly.

In this case, the inventor has recognized that, special expectation is the described clamping assembly notch portion B that withdraws fully " in, assemble complete object up to the described clamping assembly of needs by object A is connected to object B.Use the known clamping assembly shown in Fig. 2, holding element 204 is withdrawn in the undercut groove among the object B fully.In addition, still expansion connected element 206 and holding element 204 must be placed on notch portion A " in.For this reason, certainly must be at tectonic epochs chien shih notch portion A " opening and make it approaching easily.Notch portion A in the end face (object will be clamped together at this place) that uses the assembly shown in Fig. 2 that holding element 204 is directly extended to be formed on object A " opening end in.Holding element 204 may be too big, even to such an extent as to when spending with respect to the azimuth rotation shown in Fig. 2 90, can not be assemblied in notch portion A " groove in; the appropriate location of " desired region and under any circumstance; in case described clamping assembly 200 does not all provide any mechanism to be arranged in notch portion A to guarantee holding element 204, just turn to proper orientation, with against notch portion A " internal surface.

Particularly, the inventor has recognized that, if notch portion A " fully at object A inner sealing; thus the unique position that makes holding element 204 and connected element 206 enter is to treat that via object A with respect to the opening in the end face of object B clamping, then the clamping assembly shown in Fig. 2 can not be used reliably.Although the alternative assembly 300 shown in Fig. 3 is the improvement of clamping assembly 200 in other respects, yet do not provide solution at this problem.

Therefore, in one aspect of the invention, provide a kind of self-aligning connection set, this self-aligning connection set is used for being installed in the groove of the sidewall with opening end and a pair of almost parallel, and this device comprises:

Elongated attachment portion with longitudinal axis;

The groove bearing part; And

At least one crosses out lug;

Described connection set in use is arranged to can be installed in the described groove, and described groove bearing part is positioned at this groove at least in part, and the described lug that crosses out is positioned at outside the opening end of this groove;

Described groove bearing part forms like this, promptly, when this groove bearing part with first jiao of position in described groove on time, this groove bearing part is against at least one described sidewall of this groove, preventing that described device from rotating along first sense of rotation around described longitudinal axis, but allow this device along opposite second sense of rotation rotation; And

Described lug forms like this, promptly, in described first jiao of position, this lug extends beyond at least one sidewall in the described sidewall of described groove, thereby when described connection set being withdrawn apply torque simultaneously in this groove so that this device along described first sense of rotation when described first jiao of rotated position, described groove bearing part will be against the described sidewall of described groove, thereby aim at described lug so that this lug extends beyond at least one sidewall in the described sidewall of described groove, withdraw fully in the described groove to prevent described connection set.

Therefore, in case with in the described connection set insertion groove, thereby make the described lug that stretches out be positioned at outside the opening end of this groove, then when applying torque, make the action of this device withdrawal make this device self-aligning subsequently, thereby reenter in this groove owing to its sidewall that extends beyond described groove stops the described lug that stretches out.Therefore, when using connection set according to the present invention as the parts of the clamping assembly that is used for two objects are connected or is clamped together, needn't be near the opening end of groove, perhaps the manual alignment lug correctly engages to apply chucking power to it with near the surface the sidewall of guaranteeing connection set and the opening end of groove.

Preferably, described connection set comprises two relative lugs that cross out, these two lugs form when this connection set with described first jiao of position in groove on time, these two lugs extend beyond two sidewalls of this groove.This layout can engage with the adjacently situated surfaces on the both sides of the opening end of groove by making described connection set, and improved support and stronger chucking power are provided.

In a preferred embodiment, described one or more lugs form be roughly parallel to described groove when them described sidewall on time, can be assemblied between these sidewalls, thereby make described connection set in this groove, to be free to slide.

Therefore, the preferred embodiment of described device can and make this device slide through described groove by alignment of lugs in this way, is installed in the described groove from the opening of the far-end relative with described opening end.In this case, need not via opening surface near described groove.Therefore, described groove can be embedded in the object fully.Even described groove has come-at-able opening surface, also can be under many also situations and this connection set is installed quickly by described connection set is inserted the described groove from described far-end.

Particularly, can will comprise that the clamping assembly of connection set according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is installed in the object such as the bench top in advance, adjustable conjugative component by operating described anchor clamps and is clamped in described bench top on the adjacent bench top fast so that described connection set extends in the groove in the notch portion that is formed in the second bench top subsequently.

Further preferably, described groove bearing part forms like this, promptly, when described lug be roughly parallel to described groove described sidewall and on time, this groove bearing part is aimed at second jiao of position in described groove, at the described sidewall of the described groove bearing part in this position, angle, rotate around described longitudinal axis along described second sense of rotation to prevent described device, but allow this device to rotate along described first sense of rotation against described groove.

In described preferred structure, can pass through described groove from the remote extension relative by making described connection set with described opening end, apply torque simultaneously so that this device rotates along described second sense of rotation, described connection set is installed in the described groove.Described groove bearing part stops at described second jiao of position and guarantees that described lug remains parallel to the described sidewall of described groove and aims at, even they have extended to the outer position of described opening end of described groove.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, described connection set of the present invention provides so especially simply and has installed, at first when described second sense of rotation applies torque, make this connection set extend through described groove, the position outside described lug extends to the opening end of this groove fully.Subsequently, can make described connection set withdrawal, simultaneously apply torque along described first sense of rotation, this makes this connection set turn to described first jiao of position, thereby described lug has prevented described connection set and has withdrawn fully in the described groove, and they can be against one or more surfaces of the described opening end that is close to described groove, to apply chucking power.

Described elongated attachment portion can comprise cylindrical section, and this cylindrical section has the screw thread that formation is used for and be with the adjusting parts thread engagement of matching thread thereon.

According to these preferred structures, the rotation of threaded adjusting parts makes described connection set along described groove translation, and in addition, the friction between the described screw thread of described elongated attachment portion and the described matching thread of described adjusting parts applies torque to described connection set simultaneously.Therefore,, can at first make described connection set extend through described groove and then make this connection set withdrawal, carry out the installation of this connection set simply by applying suitable torque simultaneously by operating described adjusting parts in due form.

Part or all that is formed on screw thread on the described elongated attachment portion all can manufacture with described adjusting parts and be slidingly matched, thereby improves the friction between them, and the torque of proper level is provided.Alternatively, can apply shallow layer to described screw thread if desired, to improve friction and torque such as the suitable material of wax or lacquer.

In particularly preferred embodiment, described connection set comprises two lugs that are integrally formed in its place, end, has the head in essentially rectangular cross section with formation.Described rectangular cross-section is preferably greater than the width of described groove along the size of its major axis, thereby when (corresponding to described first jiao of position) this rectangular cross-section under the situation of described major axis perpendicular to cell wall was positioned at outside the described opening end of described groove, described lug prevented that described device from withdrawing in the groove fully.

In addition, preferably described rectangular cross-section is along the size of its minor axis width less than described groove, so that described head can be assemblied between the described sidewall when this minor axis is aimed at perpendicular to described cell wall, and this minor axis is perpendicular to described cell wall (corresponding to second jiao of position of described device).

Described essentially rectangular cross section can be included in the rounded portion at place, its bight, and when preventing to rotate between described first jiao of position and described second jiao of position, the respective edges of described head is stuck on the surface of the described groove of formation of object.

Preferably, described first jiao of position becomes roughly each other in the right angle with described second jiao of location arrangements.

Can make described edge and the described bight rounding or the equating at the place, described end of described head, can be stuck on the surface of the described groove of formation of object without any the bight that the angle is arranged or edge guaranteeing when described device slides in groove.

Described head preferably includes the surface that forms against near the respective surfaces the described opening end of described groove.

Described groove bearing part preferably includes two pairs of plat surface, and each intersects the edge of surface between them, and described to plat surface roughly toward each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of described connection set.

According to this preferred structure, in each position, angle of described first jiao of position and described second jiao of position, described one of them surface to every pair in the surface is positioned near the respective side walls of described groove.

Particularly preferably be, described to every pair in surface surface with right angle intersection, and be arranged such that in each position, angle of described first jiao of position and described second jiao of position that described one of them surface to every pair in the surface is against the respective side walls of described groove.

It is described that preferably the edge is relative with the described major axis of the described rectangular cross-section of the described head of described connection set becomes 45 degree to locate with minor axis axis to the surface.Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, described first jiao of position and described second jiao of position are roughly each other in the right angle, thereby in this first jiao of position, described head is aimed under the situation of its major axis perpendicular to cell wall, and in this second jiao of position, described head is aimed under the situation of its minor axis perpendicular to cell wall.

Further preferably, described groove bearing part is taper, thus make its near the width of described head greater than width near described attachment portion.Advantageously, this structure of this bearing part is beneficial to the degree of the relative transverse movement of two objects that increase is to be clamped together when applying suitable chucking power, thereby helps described object aligned with each other.

In particularly preferred embodiment, described groove bearing part and described head are integrally formed, thereby make that described one of them surface to every pair in the surface is continuous with the respective surfaces that is positioned on the side parallel with the major axis in essentially rectangular cross section of described head.Therefore, in described second jiao of position, described head and described groove bearing part are positioned near the respective parallel side of described groove and under the situation in parallel, are assemblied in this groove at described continuous surface.This structure has guaranteed that described head and described groove bearing part smoothly and reliably are directed in groove.

Described connection set also can comprise at least one protuberance (nib), this protuberance engages with corresponding recesses in the adjustable conjugative component, described protuberance becomes like this with described groove arrangement, promptly, when this protuberance and this engage grooves, described connection set remains on one jiao of position with respect to described conjugative component, thereby be suitable for and the complete clamping assembly that therefore forms can be inserted in the corresponding recesses for the treatment of in the clamping object or cavity, and described connection set is positioned in the groove of described groove or cavity in described second jiao of position.According to this layout, can easily described complete assembly be installed in the object in advance at suitable place, orientation, thereby can be connected to another object with respective cut part by fast that this is complete assembly, this notch portion comprises that groove is to receive described connection set.

Described connection set can form single parts, perhaps alternatively can be by a plurality of component-assembled.In a preferred embodiment, described connection set is formed by two parts, and described first parts comprise described head and described groove bearing part, and described second parts comprise described elongated attachment portion.

Described adjusting parts can be nut or similar inner thread piece, and this inner thread piece can be passed in described elongated attachment portion.

Yet the adjusting parts of described band matching thread are the rotating screw shell parts of adjustable conjugative component more preferably, described adjustable conjugative component such as here and in international application No.PCT/AU03/01007 disclosed those.

The screw thread that is formed on the described elongated attachment portion can be a left-handed thread, thereby when when watching near the end of described adjusting parts, described first sense of rotation is the counter clockwise direction around longitudinal axis.This layout is particularly preferred for using with for example disclosed here adjustable conjugative component, thereby makes described clamping assembly fastening by the clockwise rotation of the first umbrella gear parts of described conjugative component.

In addition, the inventor recognizes that also disclosed clamping assembly in PCT/AU03/01007 (for example assembly shown in Fig. 3 300) does not satisfy this anchor clamps user's needs fully owing to still have some problem.For example, worm screw 351 must be positioned at the bar 340 and sleeve 356 outsides.Therefore, must make holding element 330 enough wide to hold worm screw 351.For the size of the notch portion that reduces in surfaces A, to make (for example A "), the obviously size of expectation minimization holding element 330.If reduce the diameter of worm screw 351, can reduce the size of holding element, yet this causes the area of contact between the tooth of the helical of worm screw 351 and worm gear 352 to reduce.The area of contact that reduces causes the higher stress on these parts, thereby causes increasing the possibility that gear assembly damages or lost efficacy.

Can provide very high gear ratio by worm component 350, this gear ratio is usually in 10 to 20 scope.Although because it can apply high chucking power with the torque that reduces, thought in the past that this was the advantage of device 350, yet the chucking power that the inventor finds to be provided by worm component 350 now is considerably beyond common required chucking power.Because applying excessive power can produce damage to surfaces A, B, and/or produces damage (for example, the strain of the butcher cuts of screw thread 341 or bar 340) to clamping assembly, thereby high gear ratio is not desired.This is especially true when utilizing such as fastening this holding element of the mechanical device of electric screw driver or brill, and described mechanical device can apply high relatively torque to worm screw 351.

Therefore, in another aspect, the invention provides a kind of adjustable conjugative component, when in the clamping assembly that is used in the elongated connected element type with helical thread portion, this adjustable conjugative component is applicable to that described conjugative component comprises as holding element:

The first umbrella gear parts that have first rotation axis at the center;

The second umbrella gear parts, it comprises having the center hub cartridge unit that is used for the internal thread of cylindrical thread connected element thread engagement, these second umbrella gear parts have second rotation axis that is approximately perpendicular to described first axle at the center, and mesh ordinatedly, thereby make these first umbrella gear parts make these second umbrella gear parts around described second rotational around the rotation of described first axle with the described first umbrella gear parts; And

Housing, this housing form described first umbrella gear parts and the described second umbrella gear parts that are used for keeping therein engagement with being fitted to each other, and this housing has at least one outer surface, and this outer surface is in use against the respective surfaces for the treatment of the clamping object.

Therefore, provide a kind of clamping conjugative component of compactness, wherein all parts all remain in the housing, and this housing also is used as holding element in the anchor clamps after assembling.Particularly, by using bevel gearing, avoided to when using described assembly must with described connected element and registration such as the needs of the outboard gears parts of known endless screw apparatus in the prior art.Thereby reduced to locate the size of the required notch portion of described conjugative component.In addition, described bevel gearing can have roughly consistent gear ratio or any other required gear ratio, thereby can avoid particularly can taking place when utilizing the fastening described anchor clamps of power tool, applying excessive power to gear, screw thread and/or other holding elemenies.

Another advantage is, described conjugative component can comprise all movable parts in the complete clamping assembly, and described cylindricality connected element can be fixed on the appropriate position, and the described second umbrella gear parts can rotate around the connected element that engages with its helical thread portion, thereby make described conjugative component move along this helical thread portion.Therefore, described conjugative component can with one of them (for example, become via arrangement) of being installed in object to be clamped together in advance in, use together such as the fixed connecting part of connected element.

Preferably, described housing is formed by elastic material, and particularly can save local the manufacturing by injection-molded by suitable plastics.

Preferably, described housing comprises the cylindrical groove that passes described outer surface, and this cylindrical groove is aimed at the housing part of the described second umbrella gear parts, thereby in use can hold threaded connected element by this groove, to engage with described housing part.

In a preferred embodiment, the described first umbrella gear parts comprise the protuberance protuberance of circular cross-section, this protuberance protuberance is maintained in the line of rabbet joint in the end face that is formed at described housing, the described line of rabbet joint comprises: roughly semicircular end, and it has the diameter corresponding with the diameter of described protuberance protuberance; And relative neck, near its opening the opening side of described cavity has slightly narrow portion.

Preferably, the described second umbrella gear parts also comprise the groove around circumference, and described housing comprises two flank spares, these two flank spares are arranged near the opening side of described cavity, and form and be bonded in the described groove so that the described second umbrella gear parts are remained on the appropriate location.In particularly preferred embodiment, described flank spare curves inwardly, and ends at tongue and groove end (bezel-ended) projection that is bonded in the groove.

The described first umbrella gear parts preferably are provided with and are used for and the parts that this geared parts is connected around the instrument of its rotational.Described connected element can be formed in the groove in the end face of described protuberance protuberance.Described groove can be configured as with a rotating mechanism (for example, manually electric screw driver or have the brill that crosshead engages cutter head) engage.

Preferably, the internal thread of described collar tube sub-assembly is a left-handed thread, is used for the corresponding left-handed thread engagement with connected element.Advantageously, this makes the described anchor clamps can be fastened by the clockwise rotation of the described first umbrella gear parts according to ordinary practice.

In aspect another, the invention provides a kind of adjustable clamping assembly, this adjustable fixture assembly comprises:

The elongated connected element that has helical thread portion at the one end;

Adjustable conjugative component, it is suitable for use as first holding element; And

Second holding element, it is arranged in the relative place, end, the end with having described helical thread portion of described connected element;

Wherein said adjustable conjugative component comprises:

The first umbrella gear parts that have first rotation axis at the center;

The second umbrella gear parts, it comprises the rotating center hub cartridge unit that has with the internal thread of the helical thread portion thread engagement of described connected element, these second umbrella gear parts have second rotation axis that is approximately perpendicular to described first axle at the center, and mesh ordinatedly with the described first umbrella gear parts, thereby these first umbrella gear parts make these second umbrella gear parts around described second rotational around the rotation of described first axle; And

Housing, it forms the described first umbrella gear parts and the described second umbrella gear parts that are used for engagement with being fitted to each other and remains on wherein, and having at least one outer surface, in use described outer surface is against the respective surfaces for the treatment of the clamping object, thereby as first holding element.

More on the one hand in, the invention provides a kind of adjustable clamping assembly, adjustable clamping assembly comprises:

The self-aligning connection set; And

Adjustable conjugative component, it operationally engages with described connection set, thus the adjusting of this conjugative component makes the axis translation longitudinally of described connection set, applies the torque that centers on described longitudinal axis to this connection set simultaneously;

Wherein said self-aligning connection set is applicable to that in the groove that is installed in the sidewall with opening end and a pair of almost parallel, described device comprises:

Elongated attachment portion with longitudinal axis;

The groove bearing part; And

At least one crosses out lug;

Described connection set is arranged such, that is, in use this connection set can be installed in the described groove, and described groove bearing part is positioned at this groove at least in part, and the described lug that crosses out is positioned at outside the opening end of this groove;

Described groove bearing part forms like this, promptly, when this groove bearing part in first jiao of position in described groove on time, this groove bearing part is against the sidewall of described groove, preventing that described device from rotating along first sense of rotation around described longitudinal axis, but allow this device to rotate along the second opposite sense of rotation; And

Described lug forms like this, promptly, in described first jiao of position, this lug extends beyond at least one sidewall in the described sidewall of described groove, thereby when described connection set being withdrawn apply torque simultaneously in this groove so that this device during along described first sense of rotation towards described first jiao of rotated position, described groove bearing part will be against the described sidewall of described groove, thereby aim at described lug so that this lug extends beyond at least one sidewall in the described sidewall of described groove, withdraw fully in the described groove to prevent described connection set.

Preferably, the described elongated attachment portion of described self-aligning connection set comprises the cylindrical section with formation screw thread thereon, and described adjustable conjugative component comprises the adjusting parts of being with matching thread.

Thereby, in use, described adjusting parts and described elongated attachment portion thread engagement, thus the rotation of described adjusting parts makes described connection set along described longitudinal axis translation, simultaneously applies torque around this longitudinal axis to this connection set.

In a preferred embodiment, applying by the described torque of friction-produced between the described matching thread of the described screw thread of described elongated attachment portion and described adjusting parts.

Preferably, described adjusting clamping assembly comprises:

First geared parts that has first rotation axis at the center; And

Second geared parts, this second geared parts has second rotation axis that is approximately perpendicular to described first axle at the center, and mesh ordinatedly with described first geared parts, thereby this first geared parts makes this second geared parts around described second rotational around the rotation of described first axle;

Wherein said second geared parts comprises tapped rotating center hub cartridge unit, and this housing part forms the adjusting parts of described band matching thread.

In particularly preferred embodiment, described first geared parts and described second geared parts comprise the umbrella gear parts, and described adjustable conjugative component also comprises housing, this housing forms described first umbrella gear parts and the described second umbrella gear parts that are used for keeping therein engagement with being fitted to each other, described housing has at least one outer surface, this outer surface is in use against the respective surfaces for the treatment of the clamping object, thereby as the holding element of described adjustable clamping assembly.

Description of drawings

In following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other benefits and the advantage of the present invention in its All aspects of will be known, yet these descriptions should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that is limited by claims or any statement formerly.In order to understand the present invention more fully, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in these accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view for the treatment of two flat articles being clamped together end-to-end;

Fig. 2 is the planimetric map of clamping assembly that is arranged in the prior art of notch portion;

Fig. 3 is the stereogram of the clamping assembly of another prior art;

Fig. 4 represents connection set according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

The sectional view of the head of the connection set of Fig. 5 presentation graphs 4 and groove bearing part;

Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B are illustrated in the sectional view that is bonded on the connection set of the Fig. 4 in the groove in first and second jiaos of positions;

Fig. 7 represents the connection set of Fig. 4 of engaging with adjustable conjugative component;

Fig. 8 represents complete clamping assembly, and it comprises the connection set of Fig. 4 and is installed in the interior adjustable conjugative component of two objects to be clamped together;

Fig. 9 represents the alternative embodiment of connection set, and wherein this connection part is formed by two parts;

Figure 10 is the stereogram that comprises another complete clamping assembly of the adjustable conjugative component shown in Fig. 8;

Figure 11 is the exploded view that the clamping assembly of Figure 10 and being suitable for assembles the notch portion of this clamping assembly; And

Figure 12 represents to assemble fully and be positioned at the clamping assembly of Figure 10 of suitable notch portion.

Embodiment

Fig. 4 represents the preferred embodiment of connection set 400 according to an aspect of the present invention, and Fig. 5 represents the side view of same connection set, and cuts open the sectional drawing of getting at the different distance place along this device.In each accompanying drawing, same reference numerals is represented same parts.

Connection set 400 comprises elongated attachment portion 402, and in a preferred embodiment, this elongated attachment portion 402 is for having the cylindrical section of formation screw thread 406 thereon, and described screw thread is used for carrying out thread engagement with the adjusting element of band matching thread.Elongated attachment portion 402 has longitudinal axis 404.

Connection set 400 also comprises groove bearing part 408 and head 410.

Head 410 comprises that two cross out lug 412,414.Described lug is configured to like this, that is, with reference to as described in as described in Fig. 8, when being installed in described connection set 400 in the groove, described lug can be positioned at outside the opening end of groove, and extends beyond the wall of groove as subsequently.When installing by this way, surface 418,416 can be against the respective surfaces of the end of adjacent slot, to prevent in the connection set 400 withdrawal grooves.

Shown in the sectional drawing 5A of Fig. 5, head 410 has essentially rectangular cross section 502.This essentially rectangular cross section 502 has longer size along major axis 504, and has shorter size along minor axis 506.Select described size like this, that is, be arranged to sidewall with the groove with almost parallel sidewall when vertical head 410 being positioned to minor axis 506, this head 410 can be assemblied in this groove.Yet the width of groove can be like this, that is, when head 410 was positioned to minor axis 506 and is parallel to described sidewall, this head 410 can not be assemblied in this groove.

For installation and operation period at connection set are aimed at head 410 by the expectation mode, be provided with groove bearing part 408, this groove bearing part 408 has in the feature shown in the sectional drawing 5B of Fig. 5.As shown in the figure, in a preferred embodiment, described groove bearing part comprises first couple of plat surface 508a, 508b, they are relative with second couple of plat surface 510a, 510b along axis 512 basically, and this axis 512 is positioned to become 45 degree with the major axis 504 of the rectangular cross-section 502 of head 410 respectively with minor axis 506.Described each in the plat surface meets at right angles to all intersecting, thereby surperficial 508a and 510a are parallel to major axis 504 location, and surperficial 508b and 510b are parallel to minor axis 506 location.

As shown in Figure 5, further preferably, the surface 517,519 of bearing part 408 court between head 410 and joint 402 assembles each other slightly, thereby makes bearing part 408 slightly tapered.As described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 8, this preferred structure helps increasing the degree of two objects to be clamped together relative transverse movement under suitable chucking power.

Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B illustrate to be in respectively in first jiao of position and second jiao of position with section and center on connection set 400 longitudinal axis 404, that be positioned at undercut groove 600.It should be noted that Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B not drawn on scale.

Fig. 6 A illustrates with first jiao of position and is in connection set 400 in the groove 600.Locate in such a way, the surperficial 508b of groove bearing part 408 and 510b are against the parallel side wall 602,604 of groove 600.Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6 A, connection set can not rotate along first sense of rotation (counterclockwise) in groove, yet this connection set can rotate along second sense of rotation (clockwise direction) in groove 600.Shown in the dotted line among Fig. 6 A, in first jiao of position, head 410 surpasses the opening end location of groove 600, and is oriented because surface 418,416 engages with each respective surfaces of the wall 602,604 of adjacent slot 600 opening ends and can not make connection set pass through groove 600 withdrawals.

Therefore, if apply anticlockwise torque to this connection set, attempt to make this device by groove 600 withdrawals simultaneously, then this device will turn to first jiao of position shown in Fig. 6 A, prevent further rotation so surperficial 508b, 510b by groove bearing part 408 engage with sidewall 602,604.Therefore, this process of withdrawing simultaneously and applying anticlockwise torque makes connection set self-aligning in groove 600, thereby prevent this device withdrawal, and make surface 418 and 416 respective surfaces, to provide along the chucking power of the longitudinal axis of device against adjacent slot 600 opening ends.

Fig. 6 B illustrates with second jiao of position and is in connection set in the groove 600, and surperficial thus 508a and 510a engage with cell wall 602 and 604 respectively, thereby prevent that this connection set from clockwise rotating, but allow it to rotate in the counterclockwise direction about longitudinal axis 404.

In second jiao of position shown in Fig. 6 B, head 410 is aimed at and orientation by making major axis 504 be parallel to sidewall 602,604, thereby head 410 can be free to slide in groove 600.

Therefore, by applying clockwise torque to connection set 400, this device is extended in groove 600 or withdraw, make this connection set remain on the orientation shown in Fig. 6 B by engaging between surperficial 508a and 510a and parallel side wall 602 and 604, thereby keep major axis 504 to aim at, and guarantee that this connection set keeps being free to slide in groove 600 with sidewall.

The essentially rectangular cross section 502 of head 410 comprises rounding or equating part 518,520 near the bight relative with the corresponding diagonal angle, position of plat surface 508a, the 508b of groove bearing part 408,510a, 510b, preventing during rotating between first and second jiaos of positions, head is stuck on the surface of the described groove of formation of object.In addition, make the relative bight 522,524 and end 526,528 rounding or the equatings in all the other paired diagonal angles of head 410, to guarantee during connection set slides and/or rotates, not having bight or edge to be stuck on the object surfaces in groove 600.

Therefore can be performed as follows the installation of connection set.At first, this device is oriented in second jiao of position as shown in Fig. 6 B.In this orientation, connection set is extended by groove 600 apply clockwise torque simultaneously, in groove, aim at described second jiao of position to guarantee this device.In the preferred embodiment of connection set 400, plat surface 508a, the 510a adjacent and the respective side of head 410 (for example 420) with sidewall 602,604 continuously, as shown in Figure 4.Therefore, by between groove 600 extended peroids, this device is smoothed guiding reliably in this groove at connection set.

In case head 410 has extended to outside the opening end of groove, surperficial 508a, the 510a of groove bearing part 408 keeps in touch with sidewall 602,604 under the effect of clockwise torque, keeps aiming at groove 600 with second jiao of position with the head 410 of guaranteeing this device between the further extended peroid of this connection set.

Head 410 extends enough distances outside the opening end of groove 600 after, in the connection set 400 withdrawal grooves 600, apply anticlockwise torque simultaneously.The torque meeting that is applied turns in first jiao of position shown in Fig. 6 A connection set during withdrawing, contact with the sidewall 602,604 of groove 600 until plat surface 508b, 510b, to prevent further rotation.In this orientation, head 410 crosses described groove and aims at, thereby the surface of head 410 416,418 contact and the adjacent respective surfaces of groove 600 opening ends are withdrawn in the groove 600 fully to prevent connection set.

The best for connection set 400 is installed, should allow described head between the device extended peroid, outside the opening end of groove 600, to extend enough distances, under the torque that applies during the withdrawal subsequently, turn to first jiao of position fully from second jiao of position to allow device.

By with the cylindricality attachment portion 402 that is formed on connection set 400 on the operation of threaded adjusting parts of screw thread 406 engagement, just can realize the extension or the withdrawal of connection set simply, apply required torque simultaneously.Described threaded adjusting parts can be nuts etc., but the rotating screw shell parts of adjustable conjugative component preferably, the assembly 704 of the thread engagement of described adjustable conjugative component such as shown in Figure 7 and cylindrical section connection set 400.Conjugative component 704 rotates the rotatable screw shell parts (invisible in Fig. 7) that engage with connection set 400 by thread engagement by the operation that geared parts 710 rotates accordingly.With reference to Figure 10 to Figure 12 assembly 704 and operation thereof are described in further detail below.

The rotation of screw shell parts can make connection set 400 along its longitudinal axis with respect to conjugative component 704 translations.Yet the screw thread of rotatable screw shell parts and the friction meeting that is formed between the screw thread on the cylindrical section of connection set apply respective torque around its longitudinal axis to connection set simultaneously.Part or all of screw thread 406 all can form in the rotatable screw shell parts that are slidingly fitted in adjustable conjugative component, with the frictional force between the increase matching thread, and therefore improves the torque that is applied.Alternatively, can on screw thread 406 all or part of, apply shallow layer, extra friction to be provided and to strengthen torque such as the material of wax or lacquer.

As shown in the drawing, in preferred embodiment 400, the screw thread 406 of this connection set is a left-handed thread.Therefore, adjustable conjugative component 704 head that makes connection set 400 makes towards the operation of conjugative component 704 withdrawals and applies anticlockwise torque simultaneously.Therefore, the withdrawal of connection set 400 takes place simultaneously with rotation in the counterclockwise direction, and as previously mentioned, this in use can cause the rotation from second jiao of position as shown in Fig. 6 B to first jiao of position as shown in Fig. 6 A.When connection set was used for having the clamping assembly of adjustable conjugative component 704, it was particularly preferred using left-handed thread 406, thus the clockwise rotation of the geared parts 710 by conjugative component 704 and fastening clamp assembly.Yet, be to be understood that, this connection set also can be provided with the right-handed thread of standard, and groove bearing part 408 and head 410 are carried out corresponding modify, thereby by clockwise rotation rather than anticlockwise rotation and arrive first jiao of position from second jiao of position.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 also show the projection 706 that is formed on the connection set 400, and this projection 706 can engage with the corresponding recesses 708 of adjustable conjugative component 704.Such as can be seen, when the head of connection set when conjugative component is withdrawn fully, projection 706 can be bonded in the groove 708, to keep the constant bearing of connection set with respect to conjugative component.This orientation is suitable for complete clamping assembly is inserted in the respective cut part for the treatment of the clamping object, thereby makes connection set correct directed in second jiao of position shown in Fig. 6 B, so that get ready for extending by the groove in the incision tract of this object.

Fig. 8 represents to be installed on the clamping assembly of the Fig. 7 in the notch portion that is formed in object 802 and 804.Before the clamping object, can under the situation in connection set 400 is withdrawn undercut groove 806 fully, clamping assembly be installed in advance in the notch portion of object 802.Back slot part 818 is set, when described connection set is withdrawn in such a way fully, to hold the threaded joints of this connection set.

Can be at first by treating that the clamping object surfaces makes groove 806,808 rough alignment in the respective cut part operate the clamping assembly of pre-installation and object 802,804 is clamped together against one-tenth.Then, operate this clamping assembly,, outside groove 808 opening ends, extend in the circular incision zone 812 up to the head of connection set 400 so that connection set extends through groove 806,808 with aforementioned manner.In case the head of connection set 400 extends in the incision tract 812 fully, just operate conjugative component 816, thereby make connection set 400 withdrawals, make this connection set 400 turn to first jiao of position shown in Fig. 8 simultaneously, thereby the surface of the head of connection set 400 416,418 is against the internal surface near the opening end of groove 808 of incision tract 812.The outer surface of the housing of conjugative component 816 is against the respective inner surfaces in circular incision zone 810.Therefore, in layout shown in Figure 8, further the fastening clamp assembly can cause object 802,804 is clamped together.

In addition, can clamping assembly be adjusted between object 802,804 in when beginning and apply the degree of suitable chucking power, thereby this object is kept together, but the still relative to each other transverse movement of this object.In these cases, clamping assembly further is adjusted to object 802,804 is clamped together securely before, can two objects 802,804 be aimed at each other more accurately by the operator.As previously mentioned, compare with surface 517,519 situations about being set parallel to each other, by the surface between head 410 and the attachment portion 402 517,519 assemble slightly and the tapering of the bearing part 408 that forms to help increasing by two objects be the degree of aiming at the transverse movement of carrying out.

Should be appreciated that because connection set 400 is self-aligned to the position shown in Fig. 8 when withdrawal and fastening clamp assembly, thereby needn't be for correctly aiming at the head of connection set 400 near the notch portion in the object 804 812.Therefore, groove 808 and circular incision part 812 can be unapproachable, complete closed perhaps even in object 804.In addition, can finish the operation of the clamping assembly that carries out for object 802,804 is clamped together very soon by using machine tool (for example, electric screw-driver or have the electric drill of driver bit).Described instrument at first is applied to adjustable conjugative component 816 in the normal placement that is used to loosen screw, apply anticlockwise rotation to extend connection set to rotatable gear 820, be transformed into opposite location then with withdrawal and aligning connection set, thereby two objects are clamped together.

Fig. 9 shows the alternative embodiment of connection set 900 with section, and this connection set is formed by two parts that separate 902,904.First parts 902 comprise the cylindricality attachment portion, and it has the screw thread 903 that forms in the mode identical with screw thread 406 on the attachment portion 402 that is formed on first embodiment 400 thereon.Second parts 904 have integrally formed groove bearing part 905 and head 907, and they are similar to first embodiment's 400 appropriate section 408,410.

Connect second parts 904 and form the roughly groove 908 of cylindricality, this groove 908 has the opening 906 that first parts 902 can pass.Cylindrical groove 908 becomes stepped shaft and/or taper at opening 906 and the diameter between the opening 909 (being blocked by first parts 902) at place, the opposite end of groove 908 in Fig. 9.First parts 902 comprise respective steps part and/or the tapering part 910 that is formed on one end place, thereby when promoting first parts 902 by groove 908, the outer surface of part 910 passes completely through second parts 904 against the internal surface of groove 908 to prevent first parts 902.Therefore, thus two parts 902,904 are formed connection set 900 by wedge together.Randomly, on the internal surface of the outer surface of wedge-like portion 910 and/or cone tank 908, can comprise little sawtooth (not shown), thereby make parts 902,904 to be stuck more firmly.

In addition, when in clamping assembly, using the connection set 900 of two parts, the wedge-like portion 910 of first parts 902 will more closely be drawn in the cone tank 908 by holding action, thereby make this assembly in use fixing, and when anchor clamps were fastened, two parts 902,904 can not separate.

A potential advantage of the alternative embodiment 900 of connection set is, owing to two parts 902,904 can separately be made and can be made by different materials, thereby can reduce manufacture cost.For example, first parts 902 can form by rolled thread on the bar of being made by proper metal.Second parts 904 can separately form, and are for example formed by die casting process by aluminium.

For the structure and the operation of illustration Fig. 7 more clearly and conjugative component 704 shown in Figure 8, Figure 10 shows the embodiment 1000 of clamping assembly, and this clamping assembly comprises non-self-aligning interconnection lever 1006 and conjugative component 704.Figure 11 represents the exploded view of the clamping assembly of Figure 10, the notch portion that shows parts separately and be applicable to this clamping assembly of assembling.Same reference numerals is represented same parts in each accompanying drawing.

Embodiment 1000 comprises three critical pieces: as the adjustable conjugative component 704 of first holding element; Second holding element 1004; And interconnection lever 1006 traditional, non-self-aligning type.

Adjustable conjugative component 704 comprises housing 1008, first geared parts 1010 and second geared parts 1012, and these geared parts shown in are umbrella gear in the present embodiment, but it will be appreciated that and also can use other gearings (for example, worm screw).

In preferred embodiment 704, housing 1008 is formed by elastic material.For example, housing 1008 can be by suitable injection-moulding plastic, and this has advantageously provided simple manufacturing process and corresponding low manufacture cost.

Housing 1008 forms and makes that its curved exterior surface 1014 can be against the respective curved surface that is formed on the notch portion in the object for the treatment of clamping.Housing 1008 also comprises the opposing end surface 1016,1018 of support bends clamp face 1014.Clamp face 1014 and end face 1016,1018 forms the outer surface of the wall of the internal cavities that surrounds housings 1008, and described cavity is at side openings relative with surface 1014.

Be formed with cylindrical groove 1150 in housing 1008, this cylindrical groove passes clamp face 1014 and exposes in the opening side of described cavity.When assembling fixture, bar 1006 passes groove 1150.The slightly larger in diameter of groove 1150 is in the diameter of bar 1006, thereby makes this bar to be free to slide in groove and/or to rotate.

The first umbrella gear parts 1010 comprise toothed umbrella shape wheel 1024, this umbrella shape wheel 1024 with have protuberance protuberance 1026 one of circular cross-section and form coaxially.The cavity of housing 1008 comprises the part of proximate end face 1016, and this part forms with the shape with the shape complementarity of umbrella shape wheel 1024.Be formed with the line of rabbet joint 1020 in the end face 1016 of housing 1008, this line of rabbet joint comprises: roughly semicircular end, and it has the corresponding diameter of diameter with protuberance protuberance 1026; And relative neck, its opening in the opening side of contiguous described cavity has slightly narrow portion.Because form the elasticity of the material of housing 1008, the deflection temporarily of described neck can be inserted in the line of rabbet joint 1020 with the protuberance protuberance 1026 that allows the first umbrella gear parts 1010.When being engaged in the line of rabbet joint by this way ordinatedly, the first umbrella gear parts 1010 can rotate around the first axle that is parallel to bar 1006, but the motion of axis that is parallel to bar 1006 is by the slightly narrow restriction in the neck of the line of rabbet joint 1020, and limited by the wall of housing perpendicular to the motion of the axis of bar.

The second umbrella gear parts 1012 comprise toothed umbrella shape wheel 1036, this umbrella shape wheel 1036 with have rotatable cylindricality center hub cartridge unit 1038 one of internal thread (not shown) and form coaxially.Umbrella gear parts 1012 and center hub cartridge unit 1038 can rotate around their common axis line, and this common axis line is second axis with the first axle approximate vertical of the bar 1006 that is parallel to first geared parts 1010.Interconnection lever 1006 is included in the helical thread portion 1040 at one end place, and this helical thread portion 1040 is in use by being connected with housing part 1038 thread engagement of the second umbrella gear parts 1012.

The second umbrella gear parts 1012 also comprise the groove 1022 of the tooth of contiguous umbrella shape wheel 1036 in circumferential arrangement.Housing 1008 comprises two flank spares 1028,1030, and they are arranged near the opening side of cavity and away from clamp face 1014 extends.Flank spare 1028,1030 curves inwardly, and ends at the tongue and groove distal process and play 1032,1034.Owing to form the elasticity of the material of housing 1008,1028,1030 deflections temporarily of flank spare can be inserted in the cavity of housing 1008 to allow the second umbrella gear parts 1012, thus make projection 1032,1034 in groove 1022 with and the threaded interior of the sleeve 1038 aimed at of groove 1150 engage.

Therefore, when clamping assembly was used, bar 1006 passed groove 1150, thereby made the internal thread engagement of screw section 1040 and sleeve 1038.The tooth engagement of the tooth of the umbrella shape wheel 1036 of the second umbrella gear parts 1012 and the umbrella shape wheel 1024 of the first umbrella gear parts.The second umbrella gear parts 1012 are maintained at the appropriate location by projection 1032,1034 and 1010 engagements of the first umbrella gear parts with bar 1006, flank 1028,1030.The engagement of the second umbrella gear parts 1012 and the first umbrella gear parts 1010 also helps the first umbrella gear parts 1010 are firmly remained on the appropriate location in the line of rabbet joint 1020.When assembling fully, conjugative component forms highly stable and firm structure like this, wherein all constituent elementss all by secure fit remain on the appropriate location.

The first umbrella gear parts 1010 also are provided with and are used for the device that is connected with the instrument that makes this geared parts 1010 around its rotational.In a preferred embodiment, described connection set is formed in the groove 1042 in the end face of protuberance protuberance 1026, this groove shaped become with a rotating mechanism (for example, manually electric screw driver or have the brill that crosshead engages cutter head) engage.Yet, should be appreciated that to can be the rotating mechanism (for example, standard tack engages cutter head, spanner or socket head or Allen key) that engages other types and other forms are provided.

When clamping assembly 1000 is assembled fully, the first umbrella gear parts 1010 rotate by the torque that utilizes suitable rotating mechanism to apply, this rotation by the first umbrella gear parts 1010 tooth and the fit engagement of the tooth of the second umbrella gear parts 1,012 the second umbrella gear parts 1012 are rotated.Therefore, if limit rod 1006 rotates, then the thread engagement between the helical thread portion 1040 of sleeve 1038 that the rotation of the second umbrella gear parts 1012 will be by one and bar 1006 makes bar 1006 carry out translation along its axis.

Preferably, according to ordinary practice, bar 1006 is provided with left-handed thread, thereby the clockwise rotation that the first umbrella gear parts 1010 are undertaken by rotating mechanism will make anchor clamps fastening.

By arranging with described optimal way, according to the present invention, housing 1008 is suitable in the minimized mode in the space that gear assembly is occupied, and keeps umbrella gear parts 1010,1012 engagement with being fitted to each other, also is used as first holding element of complete clamping assembly 1000 simultaneously.Therefore, embodiment 1000 provides special compact structure, and this structure makes the size of notch portion compare and can significantly reduce with the clamping assembly of prior art.

In preferred clamping assembly 1000, second holding element 1004 comprises and is used for the flexure plane 1151 that engages with the respective surfaces of notch portion.Centre at the about described flexure plane of a side of second holding element 1004 is formed with the rectangle line of rabbet joint 1152.The end place relative with helical thread portion 1040 near bar 1006 is provided with the shoulder 1154 with square-section, and forms round ends 1156 in these shoulder 1154 backs, and this round end 1156 has the plat surface 1158 of contiguous shoulder 1154.

Therefore, when like that second holding element 1004 being placed on square shoulder top as shown in the figure, head 1156 is against second holding element 1004, in case stopping bar 1006 passes through the line of rabbet joint 1152 motions, and the side of shoulder is against the wall of the line of rabbet joint 1152.This layout guarantees when the first umbrella gear parts 1010 are rotated, thereby when the second umbrella gear parts 1012 and sleeve 1038 were rotated, bar 1006 can not rotate with respect to second holding element 1004.

Certainly, as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8, when conjugative component 704 uses with self-aligning connection set 400, as previously mentioned, when the first umbrella gear parts 1010 rotated, connection set 400 can rotate with respect to second holding element 1004 at first, until connection set 400 at groove (for example, 806,808) interior with first jiao of position or second jiao of position alignment, thus further rotation prevented.

In Figure 12, the clamping assembly 1000 that shows Figure 10 and Figure 11 is assembled fully and is inserted in the suitable notch portion 1206,1208 that is formed in two flat articles 1202,1204.This accompanying drawing illustrates the outer surface of the housing 1008 that comprises flank 1028,1030 and the apparent surface of second holding element 1004 all has arc form.Therefore, clamping assembly 1000 can be assembled in such notch portion, and this notch portion only comprises the straight portion of holding bar 1006 and holds conjugative component 704 and the circular portion of second holding element 1004.

In addition, complete conjugative component 704 is enough compact, is suitable for holding in the circular incision part of second holding element 1004 thereby can be assemblied in size.Therefore, need not only to cut out bigger notch portion in order to hold conjugative component.Owing to compare with more irregular shape, the formation of circular incision part is simpler usually, and is therefore more cheap, thereby can be owing to provide complete circular incision part to cause additional cost allowance for second holding element 1004.Therefore, generally speaking, clamping assembly 1000 can reduce the cost that flat articles is clamped together by incision process.

In addition, provable clamping assembly 1000 has been realized above-mentioned advantage, also provides enough chucking power satisfying the needs of using usually simultaneously, and the excessive chucking power that can cause that clamping assembly or object to be clamped together damage can be provided.

Can utilize known torque-tensile relationship to set up the relation of chucking power and the fastening torque that applied:

T＝FDK

In above-mentioned equation, T is the torque that is applied, and F is the chucking power that produces, and D is the effective diameter of threaded stem, and K is torque-tension coefficient, or says so-called " nut factor ".

Even screw thread for not becoming the friction defective, can calculate the nut factor by following formula:

$K=\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{p+\mathrm{\π\μ}D\sec \mathrm{\α}}{\mathrm{\πD}-\mathrm{\μ}p\sec \mathrm{\α}}\right)$

In above-mentioned equation, p is the pitch of screw thread, and μ is the friction factor between the threaded part, and α is a thread angle.

At first consider the anchor clamps of the prior art shown in Fig. 2, for standard metric system M6 screw thread, D=5.459mm, p=1mm and α=30 degree.Coefficientoffriction changes between 0.1 to 0.2 usually.Therefore, K is in 0.17496 to 0.29319 scope.

If use length to apply the power of 5kg (50N),, then use the anchor clamps 200 of prior art will be created in 6248N to the chucking power between the 10470N to produce the torque of 5Nm as the ring spanner of 100mm.

The fricative loss between nut 212 and the holding element 202 is not considered in this calculating.If consider this friction, the effective diameter of supposing nut is about 8mm, and then minimum grip power reduces to about 3124N from 6248N.

As adopt the endless screw apparatus of the anchor clamps 300 as shown in Fig. 3, then gear ratio is usually in 10 to 20 scope.Suppose gear efficiency (because friction) in 0.2 to 0.4 scope, if for example use wireless brill to apply the torque of 5Nm to the worm drive assembly, the torque that then is applied to worm gear 352 (corresponding to the nut in the anchor clamps 200 212) is between 10Nm and 40Nm.This provides the chucking power between 15620N and 62480N.Although consider that anchor clamps 200 are difficult to use, known its provides enough chucking powers for common application, and obvious above-mentioned chucking power is excessive power.In fact, big like this power has produced the danger that damages the miscellaneous part of screw head, gear or assembly, particularly when using electric tool fastening.

Because bevel gearing of the present invention has the speed ratio near 1:1 usually between two geared parts 1010,1012, therefore the chucking power that applies by this device can be similar to the chucking power size that is provided by known anchor clamps 200.Because the fricative loss between the umbrella gear can make this power reduce slightly, yet this loss (for example can be used electric tool by anchor clamps of the present invention, wireless brill or electric screw driver) the fastening fact and to a certain degree compensation, with under the situation of the anchor clamps 200 of prior art by using spanner to compare, use power-driven tool in most of the cases all to allow to apply big torque.

Should be appreciated that the foregoing description only proposes by example, can make amendment within the scope of the present invention.For example, the attachment portion of self-aligning connection set is not the cylindrical thread part, can be held and operate to apply required torque and to make other shapes of this connection set translation but can form.And, in alternative arrangements, the groove bearing part of self-aligning connection set need not with head integrally formed, but can be positioned at other positions along connection set, described groove bearing part remains in the groove in this position, and head or one or more other structures that cross out lug then extend beyond the opening end of groove.

In addition, although describe is installed in the notch portion that is formed in the object to be clamped together with the clamping assembly in the accompanying drawings, but the conjugative component that should be appreciated that described combination gear device can use with the suitable connected element of other structures.For example, conjugative component as described herein can engage with the helical thread portion of a junction spare, and this connected element is installed in one of them the end of object to be clamped together in advance, has perhaps used through hole rather than notch features to be installed in the object.In addition, although it with the object of general planar (for example is that accompanying drawing shows the purposes of clamping assembly substantially, the bench top) keeps together, but be to be understood that described clamping assembly can be used for other objects are kept together, these objects are the part of handrail for example, perhaps can be by being installed in other parts that therebetween clamping assembly is assembled into complete product or object.

Therefore, be understood that described and illustrated embodiment only as example, and do not will be understood that it is limitation of the present invention that the present invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (26)

1, a kind of self-aligning connection set, this self-aligning connection set is used for being installed in the groove of the sidewall with opening end and a pair of almost parallel, and this self-aligning connection set comprises:

Elongated attachment portion with longitudinal axis;

The groove bearing part; And

At least one crosses out lug;

Described connection set is arranged in use be installed in the described groove, and described groove bearing part is positioned at this groove at least in part, and the described lug that crosses out is positioned at outside the described opening end of this groove;

Described groove bearing part forms like this, promptly, when this groove bearing part with first jiao of position in described groove on time, this groove bearing part is against at least one described sidewall of this groove, preventing that described device from rotating along first sense of rotation around described longitudinal axis, but allow this device along opposite second sense of rotation rotation; And

Described lug forms like this, promptly, in described first jiao of position, this lug extends beyond at least one sidewall in the described sidewall of described groove, thereby when described connection set being withdrawn apply torque simultaneously in this groove so that this device along described first sense of rotation when described first jiao of rotated position, described groove bearing part will be against the sidewall of described groove, thereby alignment of lugs is so that this lug extends beyond at least one sidewall in the described sidewall of described groove, withdraws fully in the groove to prevent described connection set.

2, self-aligning connection set according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, this self-aligning connection set comprises two relative lugs that cross out, and these two lugs form two sidewalls that extend beyond this groove when this connection set is aimed in described groove with described first jiao of position.

3, self-aligning connection set according to claim 2, it is characterized in that, described two lugs form when they are roughly parallel to the described sidewall of described groove and on time, they can be assemblied between these sidewalls, thereby described connection set can be free to slide in this groove.

4, self-aligning connection set according to claim 2, it is characterized in that, described groove bearing part forms like this, promptly, when described two lugs be roughly parallel to described groove described sidewall and on time, this groove bearing part is aimed in described groove with second jiao of position, in this second jiao of position, described groove bearing part is against the described sidewall of described groove, preventing that described device from rotating along described second sense of rotation around described longitudinal axis, but allow this device to rotate along described first sense of rotation.

5, self-aligning connection set according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described elongated attachment portion comprises cylindrical section, and this cylindrical section has formation screw thread, that be used for and be with the adjusting parts thread engagement of matching thread thereon.

6, self-aligning connection set according to claim 5, it is characterized in that, the thread-shaped of described elongated attachment portion becomes like this, that is, because the friction between the described matching thread of the described screw thread of described elongated attachment portion and described adjusting parts and apply torque to described connection set.

7, self-aligning connection set according to claim 6 is characterized in that, is formed on the adjusting parts that described screw thread on the described elongated attachment portion is manufactured into described band matching thread and is slidingly matched, thereby improve friction between them.

8, self-aligning connection set according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described at least one cross out lug and be formed as one two lugs at place, the end of this self-aligning connection set, have the head in essentially rectangular cross section with formation.

9, self-aligning connection set according to claim 8, it is characterized in that, the essentially rectangular cross section of described head is along the size of its major axis width greater than described groove, thereby outside this head is positioned at the described opening end of described groove and described major axis during perpendicular to the sidewall of described groove, described lug prevents that described device from withdrawing in this groove fully, and described major axis is corresponding with described first jiao of position perpendicular to the sidewall of described groove.

10, self-aligning connection set according to claim 4 is characterized in that, described two lugs are integrally formed in the place, end of this self-aligning connection set, has the head in essentially rectangular cross section with formation.

11, self-aligning connection set according to claim 10, it is characterized in that, the essentially rectangular cross section of described head is along the size of its minor axis width less than described groove, so that described head can be assemblied between the sidewall of described groove when described minor axis is aimed at perpendicular to the sidewall of described groove, described minor axis is corresponding with described second jiao of position perpendicular to the sidewall of described groove.

12, self-aligning connection set according to claim 10, it is characterized in that, the described essentially rectangular cross section of described head is included in the rounded portion at its place, bight, when preventing that described head from rotating between described first jiao of position and described second jiao of position, the respective edges of this head is stuck on the surface of the described groove of formation of object.

13, self-aligning connection set according to claim 8, it is characterized in that, be positioned at described head place, described end one or more edges and the bight is rounded or equating, to guarantee when described device slides in described groove without any the bight that the angle is arranged or edge card on the surface of the described groove of formation of object.

14, self-aligning connection set according to claim 8 is characterized in that, described head comprises and forms the surface that is used for against the respective surfaces of the described opening end of contiguous described groove.

15, self-aligning connection set according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described groove bearing part comprises two pairs of plat surface, and each intersects the edge of surface between them, and described two pairs of plat surface with respect to the described longitudinal axis of described connection set roughly toward each other.

16, self-aligning connection set according to claim 4, it is characterized in that, described groove bearing part comprises two pairs of plat surface, each intersects the edge of surface between them, and described two pairs of plat surface with respect to the described longitudinal axis of described connection set roughly toward each other, in described two pairs of plat surface each to plat surface all with right angle intersection, and be arranged in each position, angle of described first jiao of position and described second jiao of position, one of them surface of every pair of plat surface in described two pairs of plat surface is against the respective side walls of described groove.

17, self-aligning connection set according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described at least one cross out the lugs that lug is two places, end that are integrally formed in this self-aligning connection set, have the head in essentially rectangular cross section with formation;

Wherein said groove bearing part comprises two pairs of plat surface, and each intersects the edge of surface between them, and described two pairs of plat surface with respect to the described longitudinal axis of described connection set roughly toward each other;

And wherein said two pairs of plat surface are relative along an axis, and this axis becomes 45 degree directed with the major axis of the described rectangular cross-section of the described head of described connection set with minor axis.

18, self-aligning connection set according to claim 17 is characterized in that, described groove bearing part is taper, thereby the width of the approaching described head of this groove bearing part is greater than the width of this groove bearing part near described attachment portion.

19, self-aligning connection set according to claim 17, it is characterized in that, described groove bearing part and described head are integrally formed, thereby one of them surface of every pair of plat surface in described two pairs of plat surface is continuous with the respective surfaces on being positioned at of the described head side parallel with the major axis in described essentially rectangular cross section.

20, self-aligning connection set according to claim 4, it is characterized in that, this self-aligning connection set also comprises at least one projection, this projection is used for engaging with the corresponding recesses of adjustable conjugative component, described projection becomes like this with described groove arrangement, promptly when this projection and this engage grooves, described connection set remains on one jiao of position with respect to described conjugative component, thereby the complete clamping assembly that is suitable for making so forms can insert in the corresponding recesses for the treatment of in the clamping object or cavity, and described connection set is directed in the groove of described groove or cavity with described second jiao of position.

21, self-aligning connection set according to claim 8 is characterized in that, this self-aligning connection set is formed by two parts, and first parts comprise described head and described groove bearing part, and second parts comprise described elongated attachment portion.

22, a kind of adjustable clamping assembly, this adjustable clamping assembly comprises:

According to each described self-aligning connection set in the aforesaid right requirement; And

Adjustable conjugative component, it operationally engages with described connection set, thus the adjusting of this conjugative component makes described connection set along described longitudinal axis translation, simultaneously applies torque around this longitudinal axis to this connection set.

23, adjustable clamping assembly according to claim 22, it is characterized in that, the described elongated attachment portion of described self-aligning connection set comprises the cylindrical section with formation screw thread thereon, and described adjustable conjugative component comprises the adjusting parts of being with matching thread;

Wherein said adjusting parts in use with described elongated attachment portion thread engagement, thereby the rotation of these adjusting parts makes described connection set along described longitudinal axis translation, simultaneously applies torque around this longitudinal axis to this connection set.

24, adjustable clamping assembly according to claim 23 is characterized in that, by applying of the described torque of friction-produced between the described matching thread of the described screw thread of described elongated attachment portion and described adjusting parts.

25, adjustable clamping assembly according to claim 22 is characterized in that, described adjustable conjugative component comprises:

First geared parts that has first rotation axis at the center; And

Second geared parts, this second geared parts has second rotation axis that is approximately perpendicular to described first rotation axis at the center, and mesh ordinatedly with described first geared parts, thereby this first geared parts makes this second geared parts around described second pivot axis around the rotation of described first rotation axis;

Wherein said second geared parts comprises the tapped rotating center hub cartridge unit of the adjusting parts that form described band matching thread.

26, adjustable clamping assembly according to claim 25, it is characterized in that, described first geared parts is the first umbrella gear parts, described second geared parts is the second umbrella gear parts, and described adjustable conjugative component also comprises housing, this housing forms described first umbrella gear parts and the described second umbrella gear parts that are used for keeping therein engagement with being fitted to each other, described housing has at least one outer surface, this outer surface is in use against the respective surfaces for the treatment of the clamping object, thereby as the holding element of described adjustable clamping assembly.

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