EP0080960B1 - Device with orientable jaws, adaptable to any support to assure in a stable way the holding, assembling, separating or keeping in position of workpieces of different shapes or dimensions - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A device with orientable jaws, adaptable to any support to assure in a stable way the clamping, assembling, separating, keeping in position or mounting on said support of workpieces of different shapes or dimensions, said device with at least two movable parts (1-6) mounted on a support part (2), each of said movable parts being provided with means for the mounting, translating and blocking thereof along said support part, at least one of said movable parts (6) being linked to a jaw member (1a) through a means for continuous and adjustable compression (7), said means being an elastic means such as a coil spring or the like, and at least one of said movable parts (1) constituting itself another jaw member being capable of tipping and thus blocking against said support part (2), said jaw members moving parallel to each other, for the setting as well as for the clamping, the assembling, and the keeping in position, each of said jaw members having possibly one or several jaws or shoes (1-1s and 1a-1as) of indifferent shapes and dimensions, said device being characterized in that said support part (2) is of cylindrical external shape with an uniform cross section, said cross section being of indifferent outline and dimensions, and said support part can be easily interchanged with another cylindrical part having same section but different length ; that said movable parts (1-6) and said jaw members are adapted to turn around said support part that the passage of said support part through said movable parts is cylindrical ; that these movable parts are removable so that overturning said movable parts (1-6) along said support part (2) makes the separating manoeuvre practicable ; that each of said movable parts can be easily interchanged with a semblable part having the same purpose and that the fixing, hooking or fastening lock (3) of said means for the mounting, translating and blocking of said movable parts along said support part is removable ; that said means for continuous and adjustable compression (7) is only limited in stroke, on the side of related jaw member (1a), by the piece(s) to be clamped or separated ; said compression means (7) is removable and can be easily replaced by one another and said jaw members (1-1a) are removable and easily exchangeable.

Description

The present invention relates to a device with orientable jaws, adaptable on any support, for stably ensuring a clamping, an assembly, a spacing, a holding in position or a mounting on said support of parts of arbitrary shapes and dimensions.

It is known that tools with jaws or jaws used for clamping or assembling parts generally consist of two jaws mounted on a support piece serving as a guide, part along which can slide at least one of these jaws so as to be able to adjust their spacing as a function of the size of the part to be clamped or of the parts to be assembled and / or held in position. Numerous devices such as notches, ratchets, screws, springs or the like are provided to maintain the relative position of the jaws and / or to exert pressure on the part or parts to be clamped or assembled. Reference may be made, for example, to French patents No. 1,214,695.1 233,786, 2,347,156 and 1,368,244, to patents of the United States of America No. 669,282, 1,424,034, 3,151,897, 3 044 512, 3 218 058 and 4 202 540 and to the utility patent of the Federal Republic of Germany n ° G. 8111072.3.

The device according to the invention falls into the category of tools with jaws or jaws which are used for clamping or assembling parts, tools whose jaws or jaws move parallel to themselves, both for laying and for clamping. .

• - il y a serrage sans risque d'écrasement: la force de serrage limite est la force maximum du ressort;
• - le rattrapage de réduction d'épaisseur de l'ensemble des pièces enserrées est possible; une telle réduction d'épaisseur peut se produire par exemple si les pièces en question ont été assemblées pour être collées et que la colle présente du retrait, soit par un étalement progressif, soit par le séchage.
• - l'assemblage des pièces enserrées résiste bien aux chocs et vibrations.

We know that in this category, tools whose clamping force results from the action of a spring have on those whose clamping force is obtained by a screw system, eccentric, of the cam or toggle type, advantages of which the most striking are:

• - tightening without risk of crushing: the limit clamping force is the maximum spring force;
• - the reduction in thickness reduction of all the enclosed parts is possible; such a reduction in thickness can occur for example if the parts in question have been assembled to be glued and the glue exhibits shrinkage, either by progressive spreading or by drying.
• - the assembly of the enclosed parts withstands shock and vibration well.

• - une tige support dont les extrémités sont usinées; l'une des deux, sur une assez grande longueur, a un diamètre plus réduit que la partie centrale de la tige support et est filetée; l'autre extrémité est usinée en bout en forme d'arrêtoir et peut comporter en deçà un crantage sur une partie assez longue;
• - deux pièces mobiles sur le support; la première constitue un élément de mâchoire composé de manière hétérogène d'une partie principale en matériau doux et d'une insertion en matériau dur pour pouvoir à la fois glisser sur la partie du support qui peut être crantée et se bloquer contre elle par basculement; la seconde pièce mobile en forme de cylindre terminé par une collerette est en liaison, côté collerette, avec un second élément de mâchoire par l'intermédiaire d'un ressort à boudin; celui-ci est guidé par la tige support; ce second élément de mâchoire fait face au premier et glisse également sur la tige support; cette seconde pièce mobile est percée suivant son axe de deux trous cylindriques successifs, celui qui est situé du côté de la collerette a un diamètre plus réduit que l'autre et est fileté pour se visser sur la partie filetée de la tige support; la collerette sert de butée au ressort; elle sert également à retenir captif le second élément de mâchoire sur la seconde pièce mobile par l'intermédiaire d'un logement; ce logement est fixé rigidement sur cet élément de mâchoire et glisse sur l'extérieur de la seconde pièce mobile; ce logement abrite le ressort et, par un épaulement sur sa partie qui glisse autour de la seconde pièce mobile, sert de prise à une pince indépendante; celle-ci est rapportée sur le dispositif pour comprimer le ressort; la pince s'appuie alors également sur l'extrémité de la seconde pièce mobile qui est opposée à la collerette. Quand le ressort est comprimé, les éléments de mâchoire se séparent pour encadrer les pièces à enserrer. Le relâchement du ressort provoque l'enserrement des pièces.

The most advanced of these tools, the clamping force of which results from the action of a spring, has hitherto seemed to be the device which is the subject of US Patent No. 3,218,058. This device comprises:

• - a support rod whose ends are machined; one of them, over a fairly long length, has a smaller diameter than the central part of the support rod and is threaded; the other end is machined at the end in the form of a retainer and may have a notch on a fairly long part below;
• - two moving parts on the support; the first constitutes a jaw element heterogeneously composed of a main part of soft material and an insertion of hard material so as to be able to both slide over the part of the support which can be notched and lock against it by tilting; the second movable part in the form of a cylinder terminated by a collar is connected, on the collar side, with a second jaw element by means of a coil spring; the latter is guided by the support rod; this second jaw element faces the first and also slides on the support rod; this second movable part is pierced along its axis with two successive cylindrical holes, the one which is located on the side of the collar has a smaller diameter than the other and is threaded to be screwed onto the threaded part of the support rod; the collar serves as a stop for the spring; it also serves to retain the second jaw element captive on the second movable part by means of a housing; this housing is rigidly fixed on this jaw element and slides on the outside of the second movable part; this housing houses the spring and, by a shoulder on its part which slides around the second movable part, serves as a socket for an independent clamp; this is attached to the device to compress the spring; the clamp then also rests on the end of the second movable part which is opposite the flange. When the spring is compressed, the jaw elements separate to frame the parts to be clamped. The loosening of the spring causes the parts to be clamped.

To obtain a different spacing of the jaw elements for the same compression of the spring, the second movable part can be screwed onto the support rod beforehand. But this faculty offers a fairly limited range of variation in the spacing and because of the need to tighten, the adjustment is slow. But if we use the fact that the first jaw element is movable on the support rod, we obtain a much larger range and an almost immediate adjustment. It is the improvement which this patent brings compared to the patent of the United States of America N ° 3 044 512 which protected an identical device except that the first jaw element was fixed on the support rod.

U.S. Patent No. 3,218,058 discussed above additionally introduces the ability to pair two spring devices by the jaw members.

• - permettre le serrage en porte-à-faux pour éviter les obstacles;
• - permettre l'écartement par retournement des éléments de mâchoires sur la tige support;
• - permettre l'échange du ressort par un ressort de force différente;
• - permettre la détente complète du ressort;la détente est limitée à la taille du logement.

Potentially, therefore, the device protected by this patent is very interesting even if it does not provide services such as:

• - allow clamping in overhang to avoid obstacles;
• - allow the spacing by turning the jaw elements on the support rod;
• - allow the exchange of the spring with a spring of different force;
• - allow complete relaxation of the spring; the relaxation is limited to the size of the housing.

Its main fault lies in its manufacturing difficulty: the support rod must be removed. collared, threaded; the second moving part must be drilled with two holes of different diameters, one of these holes having to be threaded; the first moving part must be armed with a hard insert; the second jaw element must be crimped onto the spring housing once the spring is engaged on the support rod and the housing slid around the second movable part.

It will therefore be understood that this device, which has certain advantages for the user, cannot be made available to it under favorable economic conditions.

The present invention aims at a much simpler constitution device and which offers the same advantages as the device described above, with in addition the services mentioned above that the latter could not render.

• - que la tige support dans le dispositif selon l'invention est une pièce cylindrique sans décolletage ni filetage;
• - que les pièces mobiles sont seulement percées d'un trou cylindrique sans double perçage ni filetage pour le passage de la pièce support;
• - que le logement du ressort est supprimé;
• - que les pièces constituant le dispositif peuvent parfaitement être chacune composée d'un matériau homogène;
• - que ces pièces, dont le ressort, peuvent facilement être échangées.

This much simpler constitution means:

• - That the support rod in the device according to the invention is a cylindrical part without turning or threading;
• - that the moving parts are only pierced with a cylindrical hole without double drilling or threading for the passage of the support part;
• - that the spring housing is removed;
• - that the parts constituting the device can perfectly be each made of a homogeneous material;
• - that these parts, including the spring, can easily be exchanged.

More specifically, the device according to the invention is of the type comprising at least two movable parts mounted on a part called "support", each of these movable parts being provided with means allowing its mounting, its translation and its blocking along said support, at least one of these moving parts being connected to a jaw element by means of a continuous and adjustable compression means, elastic means of the coil spring type or equivalent and at least one of these moving parts constituting it -even another jaw element, said movable part being able to tilt and lock by tilting against the support part, the jaw elements moving, both for fitting and for clamping, assembly and holding in position, in parallel to themselves, said jaw elements may each comprise one or more jaws or jaws of any shape and size, this device being characterized in that the part called "support »Is of cylindrical external shape, of uniform section, this section is of any shape and size and said support part is easily interchangeable with a cylindrical part of the same section and of different length, that the moving parts as well as the jaw elements can rotate around said support, the passage of the support in these moving parts is cylindrical, that these moving parts are removable, so that by inverting these parts on the support part, the spacing operation is possible, that each of these parts mobile can be easily replaced by a similar piece of the same destination, as the system for fixing, hooking and / or tightening the means allowing the mounting, the translation and the blocking of said moving parts along said support is removable, as the continuous and adjustable compression means is limited in its relaxation on the side of the corresponding jaw element only by the part or parts to be clamped or to be discarded, that said compression means is removable and can easily be exchanged and that the jaw elements are removable and easily exchangeable.

• - La pièce dite «support» est équipée, au cas où les mâchoires sont orientées différemment autour de l'axe dudit support, d'une pièce amovible dite pièce de butée ou d'appui munie de son moyen du type collier ou bague permettant son montage, sa translation et son blocage le long dudit support, ainsi que son orientation autour de ce dernier, cette pièce de butée amovible étant aisément échangeable avec une pièce semblable de même destination;
• - Ledit moyen amovible de compression continue et ajustable est guidé autour de l'axe dudit support par une portion de tige ou équivalent;
• - Un dispositif auxiliaire amovible pour contraindre le moyen de compression continue et ajustable et pour conduire directement la translation de l'élément de mâchoire soumis à l'action dudit moyen de compression est, tout en restant libre de la pièce support, fixé à demeure sur la pièce mobile qui supporte ledit moyen de compression.
• - Ledit dispositif auxiliaire en liaison directe avec l'élément de mâchoire soumis à l'action du moyen de compression est constitué par un système à parallélogramme articulé, un système à poussoir ou de traction à tringle ou analogue;
• - Suivant un mode d'exécution, les pièces mobiles sont munies de colliers ou bagues avec un système de fixation, d'accrochage et/ou de serrage amovible permettant leur montage, leur translation, leur orientation et leur blocage en position le long dudit support du type poutre, cornière, tige ou tube; le moyen de compression pour exercer la pression continue et ajustable sur au moins un des éléments de mâchoire est constitué par un ressort à boudin ou équivalent élastique, pneumatique ou autre, monté entre ledit élément de mâchoire et la pièce mobile correspondante; ledit dispositif auxiliaire amovible est constitué par tout moyen adapté pour être mis en liaison directe avec ledit élément de mâchoire pour tirer ou pousser sur celui-ci de manière à comprimer momentanément ledit moyen de compression et à permettre ultérieurement à ce dernier par restitution d'une fraction de le force de compression, d'exercer à son tour une pression continue sur ledit élément de mâchoire au contact de la ou des pièces à enserrer, assembler ou écarter ou d'un support matériel.

According to other preferred characteristics:

• - The part called "support" is equipped, in case the jaws are oriented differently around the axis of said support, with a removable part called abutment or support part provided with its means of the collar or ring type allowing its mounting, its translation and its blocking along said support, as well as its orientation around the latter, this removable stop piece being easily exchangeable with a similar piece of the same destination;
• - Said removable means of continuous and adjustable compression is guided around the axis of said support by a portion of rod or equivalent;
• - A removable auxiliary device for constraining the continuous and adjustable compression means and for directly driving the translation of the jaw element subjected to the action of said compression means is, while remaining free from the support piece, permanently fixed to the moving part which supports said compression means.
• - Said auxiliary device in direct connection with the jaw element subjected to the action of the compression means is constituted by an articulated parallelogram system, a push rod or traction system with rods or the like;
• - According to one embodiment, the moving parts are provided with collars or rings with a fixing, hooking and / or removable clamping system allowing their mounting, their translation, their orientation and their locking in position along said support. beam, angle, rod or tube type; the compression means for exerting continuous and adjustable pressure on at least one of the jaw elements is constituted by a coil spring or elastic, pneumatic or other equivalent, mounted between said jaw element and the corresponding moving part; said removable auxiliary device is constituted by any means adapted to be put in direct contact with said jaw element to pull or push on it so as to momentarily compress said compression means and to subsequently allow the latter by restitution of a fraction of the compressive force, in turn exerting continuous pressure on said jaw element in contact with the part or parts to be clamped, assembled or separated or a material support.

According to a variant, the device can be mounted head to tail with a device of the same type along a common support so that these devices can be actuated one after the other. the other, or simultaneously, without mutual annoyance by the same set of controls.

• - Ledit moyen amovible de compression continue et ajustable est guidé par une portion de tige ou équivalent dont l'axe est parallèle à l'axe dudit support mais distinct de celui-ci, la pièce mobile supportant ledit moyen de compression peut, comme la pièce mobile constituant elle-même un élément de mâchoire, basculer et par là même se bloquer contre le support et l'élément de mâchoire en liaison avec cette pièce mobile et soumis à l'action du moyen de compression peut pivoter et basculer autour de la tête de la partie guide dudit moyen de compression;
• - Dans cette variante, ledit dispositif auxiliaire en liaison directe avec l'élément de mâchoire soumis à l'action du moyen de compression est constitué par un système amovible faisant levier par appui sur la pièce mobile correspondante et sollicitant directement le moyen de compression, un moyen auxiliaire étant prévu ou non pour maintenir à volonté la compression maximale;
• - Dans le cas où la force du moyen de compression n'est pas trop importante, on utilisera la variante suivante où les pièces mobiles sont agencées de sorte que l'opérateur puisse y appuyer ses mains pour amener les éléments de mâchoires au contact des pièces à enserrer ou écarter et contraindre ledit moyen de compression.

According to another possible embodiment:

• - Said removable means of continuous and adjustable compression is guided by a portion of rod or equivalent, the axis of which is parallel to the axis of said support but separate from it, the movable part supporting said compression means can, like the part mobile itself constituting a jaw element, tilt and thereby block against the support and the jaw element in connection with this movable part and subjected to the action of the compression means can pivot and tilt around the head the guide portion of said compression means;
• - In this variant, said auxiliary device in direct connection with the jaw element subjected to the action of the compression means is constituted by a removable system levering by pressing on the corresponding moving part and directly requesting the compression means, a auxiliary means being provided or not to maintain at will the maximum compression;
• - In the event that the force of the compression means is not too great, the following variant will be used where the moving parts are arranged so that the operator can press his hands there to bring the jaw elements into contact with the parts to enclose or spread and constrain said compression means.

According to other variants, the jaws or jaws that comprise the jaw elements are orientable.

It should be noted that each of the parts which constitute the device according to the invention can be composed of a homogeneous material.

• - la figure 1 est une vue en élévation d'un dispositif selon l'invention;
• - la figure 2 est une vue en perspective correspondante montrant la possibilité d'orientation des différents éléments constitutifs du dispositif selon l'invention;
• - la figure 3 est une vue en élévation de deux dispositifs selon l'invention couplés sur le même support avec un système de commande unique; et
• - la figure 4 est une vue en élévation d'une autre forme de réalisation possible du dispositif selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• - Figure 1 is an elevational view of a device according to the invention;
• - Figure 2 is a corresponding perspective view showing the possibility of orientation of the various components of the device according to the invention;
• - Figure 3 is an elevational view of two devices according to the invention coupled on the same support with a single control system; and
• - Figure 4 is an elevational view of another possible embodiment of the device according to the invention.

• - Deux pièces mobiles, l'une (1) constituant elle-même un élément de mâchoire, l'autre (6) portant un second élément de mâchoire (1 a) par l'intermédiaire d'un ressort de compression à boudin (7) et de sa tige guide (2a), chacune de ces pièces mobiles (1-6) étant munie d'un moyen permettant son montage, sa translation et son blocage le long d'un support, avec possibilité d'orientation autour de ce support et de basculement contre ce dernier. Un tel moyen peut être obtenu par exemple par l'utilisation d'un écrou-papillon (tel que 3) sur un collier de serrage. Ce support est tel qu'une tige ou un tube (2) de forme extérieure cylindrique, de section uniforme, cette section ayant une forme et des dimensions quelconques. Un tel support (2) peut éventuellement être inséré dans un socle (E);
• - Une pièce amovible (4) dite «pièce de butée» ou d'appui affectant, par exemple, la forme d'une tige. Cette pièce est également munie d'un moyen permettant son montage, sa translation et son blocage avec possibilité d'orientation sur le même support (2). Ce moyen (5) peut être du même type que celui qui est utilisé sur les pièces (1-6) ou d'un type différent.

Referring to these drawings, a device according to the invention comprises:

• - Two moving parts, one (1) itself constituting a jaw element, the other (6) carrying a second jaw element (1 a) by means of a compression compression spring (7 ) and its guide rod (2a), each of these moving parts (1-6) being provided with a means allowing its mounting, its translation and its blocking along a support, with the possibility of orientation around it. support and tilting against the latter. Such a means can be obtained for example by the use of a wing nut (such as 3) on a clamp. This support is such that a rod or a tube (2) of cylindrical external shape, of uniform section, this section having any shape and dimensions. Such a support (2) can optionally be inserted in a base (E);
• - A removable part (4) known as a "stopper" or support piece affecting, for example, the shape of a rod. This part is also provided with a means allowing its mounting, its translation and its blocking with possibility of orientation on the same support (2). This means (5) can be of the same type as that used on the parts (1-6) or of a different type.

In this embodiment of the invention, it is possible, by adjusting the spacing between the jaw elements, to grip one or more parts (such as P) without worrying about having, to avoid the effect of couple, to bring the jaws rigorously opposite one another.

In fact, to neutralize this torque, it suffices to bring the abutment or support piece (4) against a fixed surface (S) which may or may not belong to the assembly of which the said part or parts form (or belong). than P). This possibility provided by the device according to the invention is all the more advantageous since this or these parts to be clamped are difficult to access and the gripping of which can therefore only be envisaged between jaws which are variously oriented and carried by a support (2) having a shape and dimensions which do not obstruct such access or such arrangement of the jaws.

It is understood that the abutment piece (4) plays an essential role in the case where the jaws are differently oriented around the support (2); however, the torque effect no longer exists if the jaws face each other and the part (4), which is removable, is no longer essential.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, to obtain the spacing of the jaw elements (1-1 a), it suffices to compress, by any means, said spring (7) by constraining the element jaw (1a) in the direction of the arrow (F). This element (1 a) then moves away from the jaw element (1) insofar as the latter has been previously brought and blocked on the support (2) by means of a collar or equivalent type, or if quite simply this jaw element (1) has been immobilized by hand along said support (2). Once the jaw elements are spread, a piece to be clamped or pieces to be assembled can be inserted between them. This insertion being carried out, it suffices to release the compression stress of the spring so that the jaw element (1a) comes to bear forcefully against the said inserted part or parts, this or these being retained by the jaw part (1), either that it has been previously blocked on the support (2), or that this jaw element (1) is blocked by the tilting caused by the support of said one or more pieces inserted on its far end of the support (2). This tilting takes place as for the poles on the cable of a ski lift. The force ultimately exerted on said part or said parts inserted, once one has ceased to constrain the jaw element (1 a) in the direction of arrow F, is all the more important as the spring remains compressed over a greater length of its race. This length is obviously equal to the thickness of said piece or of said inserted pieces, reduced by the starting distance between the jaw elements (1) and (1a) before compression of the spring (7).

The action on the spring (7) in the direction of the arrow (F) can be done manually by acting directly on the jaw element (1 a) and keeping it in the desired position with or without the help of d '' a mechanical locking means as long as necessary. One can also act through an auxiliary device. Such an auxiliary device must be designed to, on the one hand, be able to slide said jaw element (1a) along the rod section (2a) by compressing the spring (7), and on the other hand, to be able to maintain said compression spring (therefore the jaw elements (1) and (1 a) separated) without other intervention as long as the part or parts in question have not been inserted between these jaws.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-2 is a non-limiting example of such an auxiliary device. This includes a control bracket (8) provided with a control handle (9) and mounted articulated at (6a) on the movable part (6) in the form of a ring. This stirrup cooperates with two parts such as (12) acting as levers and which are hingedly connected at one of their ends, at (13), to the jaw element (1a) and to the other end to said stirrup by means of a lug (10). The fastener (13) is located in the middle position relative to the housing of the jaw element (1a) on the rod section (2a). The lug (10) is carried by each of the legs of the stirrup (8) and cooperates with a window or slide (11) produced on each part (12). The axis of the guide rod (2a) of the spring (7) is then coincident with the axis of the support part (2).

It is easy to see that by operating the handle in the direction of F1, the part (6) being immobilized in position, the jaw element (1 a) is biased downwards (arrow F) and the spring (7) is compressed. According to the relative mounting of the joints of the system, it is easy to understand that this handle can occupy a low equilibrium position so that, without other intervention, said jaw element (1a) remains lowered and said spring (7) also compressed as long as desired.

Wanting to bring the handle (9) back to its initial starting position involves breaking this balance. The jaw element (1 a) is then driven upwards (arrow F2) to return to the starting position as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, if one or more parts are inserted between the jaw elements (1 ) and (1 a), these are in turn subjected to the stress exerted by the spring (7) which will remain partially compressed due to the very thickness of the inserted piece or pieces. Even if this thickness were to reduce under the effect of the tightening, or to vary under the effect of any external stresses, it is easily understood that the tightening will be maintained because the spring is in no way hindered in its expansion.

FIG. 3 shows two pairs of jaws mounted in the same manner as that which has just been described and which can be actuated by a single control handle. Examination of this figure shows that the spacing of the jaw elements (1-1 a) and the compression of the spring (7) do not prevent the junction of the jaw elements (1 b-1 c) and the relaxation of the spring (7a). In other words, it is possible to grip different pieces independently by means of a single device and with one of the easiest operations. Of course, the removable stop or support piece (4) can be used for the two assemblies according to the direction of the torques to be canceled or else a piece (4) will be provided for each pair of jaw elements.

It will be easily understood that each jaw element of the type (1) and (1 a) can comprise several jaws, in particular two, as illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1; the device then comprises, as can be seen in this figure, the jaw elements (1-1 a) and their symmetrics, respectively (1 s) and (1 as).

Referring now to the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the device according to the invention consists, as in the previously described variant, of a support (2), on which are mounted, in the same manner as in this first variant, two movable and orientable parts (1-6). The part (1) constitutes one of the jaw elements and the part (6) carries, by means of a compression compression spring (7) mounted on the guide rod (2a), the other jaw element ( 1 a) advantageously mounted so as to be able to pivot and tilt in the direction of the arrows (f1-f2) around the head of said rod (2a). This rod crosses the part (6) in the vicinity of its end to come to hang in (13) (according to a possible embodiment) to a bent part (8-9-12) in the form of a handle taking pivoting support - in (10) - on the part (6). The latter is then, in this case, extended (along 9a) on the side opposite its end through which the rod (2a) passes to form a handle intended to cooperate with the handle (9).

It will be noted that these two handles have the role, when pushing the handle (9) towards the handle (9a) by hand or by any other appropriate means, of pulling, by pivoting around the zone (10), on the rod (2a), therefore on the jaw element (1 a) which is integral with it and thus compress the spring (7) mounted between this jaw element (1 a) and the part (6), spring guided by said rod (2a).

The comments made about the variant of Figures 1-2 also apply here. It will be emphasized that, whatever the manner in which the compression means used (such as the spring 7) is mounted, whether on a section of the support (2) or on a rod (2a) parallel to the latter, the compressive force is applied directly to the corresponding jaw element (such as (1 a)), without any other intermediate element.

Thus, once the installation has been carried out, it is easily understood that the auxiliary means (8-9-12) can be eliminated without compromising the tightening. This means can therefore be provided removable. Moreover, in the case where the force of the compression means (such as the spring (7) is not too great, the auxiliary means (8-9-12) is unnecessary and its operation can be replaced by a simple direct manual action on the parts (1-6) sufficient to compress the spring (7). One can also provide a known means (not shown) to maintain at will for the desired duration the two handles (9-9a) close together by exerting thus the maximum pressure sought. Similarly, by tilting, the locking of the moving parts (1-6) against the support (2) can be easily ensured, if only by direct support - and indirect through of the spring - parts inserted on the spring side end of said moving parts, as was specified above in the case of the moving part (1) for the variant of FIGS. 1-2. In this case, it is possible to dispense with removable fixing systems (3) of said moving parts (1-6). A simple action on the end of these parts es mobile, opposite the side where the spring is located, is enough to return them (after tilting) to their initial position.

In addition, as indicated above, the stop or support piece (4) illustrated in the appended figures does not play any role in the case of only use with jaws facing each other; as it is removable, it can then be deleted as in the variant of FIGS. 1,2 and 3.

Furthermore, the operation of the device according to the invention as a spacer is the same as for clamping, except that the parts (1-6) are mounted on their support so that the jaws which were facing for clamping then "turn their backs".

It goes without saying that the compression means, illustrated in the drawings for understanding the invention, may be replaced, if necessary, by any equivalent means, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, magnetic, electromagnetic, the condition being that it can exert a continuous and adjustable compression force on the jaw element (s) involved.

The device of the invention can be easily produced by means of removable and interchangeable parts which are independent of each other and which can be mounted on supports of cylindrical external shape, of uniform section and of any length. It will also be noted that such a device has the advantage of easy maneuvering: in particular, the tightening can be obtained by the action of one hand of the operator.

It should be noted that the device according to the invention can find multiple applications such as the fixing of devices on a support when such a device is made integral with or constitutes one of the two parts (1-6).

Claims (12)

1. A device with orientable jaws, adaptable to any support to assure in a stable way the clamping, assembling, separating, keeping in position or mounting on said support of workpieces of different shapes or dimensions, said device with at least two movable parts (1-6) mounted on a support part (2), each of said movable parts being provided with means for the mounting, translating and blocking thereof along said support part, at least one of said movable parts (6) being linked to a jaw member (1 a) through a means for continuous and adjustable compression (7), said means being an elastic means such as a coil spring or the like, ans at least one of said movable parts (1) constituting itself another jaw member being capable of tipping and thus blocking against said support part (2), said jaw members moving parallel to each other, for the setting as well as for the clamping, the assembling, and the keeping in position, each of said jaw members having possibly one or several jaws or shoes (1-1 and 1a-1as) of indifferent shapes and dimensions, said device being characterized in that said support part (2) is of cylindrical external shape with an uniform cross section, said cross section being of indifferent outline and dimensions, and said support part can be easily interchanged with another cylindrical part having same section but different length; that said movable parts (1-6) and said jaw members are adapted to turn around said support part that the passage of said support part through said movable parts is cylindrical; that these movable parts are removable so that overturning said movable parts (1-6) along said support part (2) makes the separating manoeuvre practicable; that each of said movable parts can be easily interchanged with a semblable part having the same purpose and that the fixing, hooking or fastening lock (3) of said means for the mounting, translating and blocking of said movable parts along said support part is removable; that said means for continuous and adjustable compression (7) is only limited in stroke, on the side of related jaw member (1 a), by the piece(s) to be clamped or separated; said compression means (7) is removable and can be easily replaced by one another and said jaw members (1-1 a) are removable and easily exchangeable.

2. A device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said support part (2) in equipped, for the case where said jaws are differently oriented about said support part axis, with a removable part (4), called abutment or bearing piece, provided with means (5) such as a collar or a ring for the mounting, translating and blocking thereof along said support part and for turning the same around said support part to a different azimuthal position, this removable abutment piece being easily interchangeable with a semblable piece having the same purpose.

3. A device according to Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said removable means for continuous and adjustable compression (7) is guided around said support part (2) axis by a rod portion or the like (2a).

4. A device according to Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said removable means for continuous and adjustable compression (7) is guided by a rod portion or the like (2a), the longitudinal axis thereof is parallel to said support part (2) axis but is apart therefrom, that the movable part (6) which carries said compression means is capable, as the movable part (1) constituting itself a jaw member, of tipping and thus blocking against support part (2) and that the jaw member (1 a) linked to this movable part (6) and submitted to the biasing of compression means (7) can pivot and tilt around the termination of the guide part of said compression means.

5. A device as claimes in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a removable auxiliary means (8-9-12) to drive said means for continuous and adjustable compression (7) and to directly lead the translational movement of the jaw member (1 a) submitted to said compression means bias is secured to movable part (6) carrying said compression means, but is free from said support part (2).

6. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that movable parts (1-6) are adapted to be manually pushed to bring said jaw members in contact with the pieces to be clamped or separated and to drive said compression means (7).

7. A device according to Claim 5, characterized in that said auxiliary means (8-9-12) which is directly linked to jaw member (1 a) submitted to said compression means bias comprises a system of the jointed parallelogram type, pusher type, link traction type or the like.

8. A device according to Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said auxiliary means (8-9-12) which is directly linked to jaw member (1 a) submitted to said compression means bias comprises means acting as a lever by application thereof upon the related movable part (6) so as to directly drive said compression means, and possibly additional means for maintaining maximum compression as long as desired.

9. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that movable parts (1-6) are provided with collars or rings with removable fixing, hooking and or fastening means (3) for the mounting, translating, orienting and blocking into position thereof along said support part (2) of the beam, corner iron, rod or tube type the compression means for exerting continuous and adjustable pressure upon at least one (1 a) of said jaw members is a coil spring (7) or elastic, pneumatic or different, equivalent means mounted between said jaw member and the related movable part (6); said auxiliary means (8-9-12) comprises adaptive means for being directly connected with said jaw member (1 a) to pull or push the latter so as to temporarily compress said compression means (7) whereby due to restoration of a fraction of the compression force, a continuous pressure can be exerted later on upon said jaw member in contact with the piece(s) to be clamped, assembled or separated or with a material support.

10. A device as claimed in any of Claims 5 or 7 to 9, characterized in that it can be mounted head to foot with a device of the same type along a common support part (2) so that these devices can be operated one after the other or simultaneously by a same auxiliary means (8-9-12) without hampering each other.

11. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that jaws or shoes (1-1s and 1a-1as) included in jaw members (1-1 a) are orientable.

12. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said support part (2) is provided with a removable base (E).

Images