EP1389154A2

EP1389154A2 - Clamping tool

Info

Publication number: EP1389154A2
Application number: EP02739392A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kenneth H. Green; Richard L. Collister, Jr.
Original assignee: Timberline Tool and Casting Inc
Current assignee: Timberwolf Corp
Priority date: 2001-05-23
Filing date: 2002-05-23
Publication date: 2004-02-18
Also published as: AU2002312042A1; WO2002094509A3; EP1389154A4; WO2002094509A2

Abstract

A clamping tool for clamping pipes to prevent fluid flow includes jaws that remain parallel to one another. A handle is provided that can be rotated to open and close the clamping tool. A rotating sleeve is also provided that allows the closed gap width to be selectively determined. A pipe positioner is also provided that properly positions the pipe between the jaws.

Description

CLAMPING TOOL

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority from a US Provisional Application 60/293,329, filed May 23, 2001 , which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to tools. More specifically, the present invention relates to clamping tools.

Various circumstances require a clamping tool. Often, it is advantageous to pinch or otherwise block piping through which fluid is moving. For example, a utility crew may expose a portion of a natural gas line to perform maintenance or some other type of work. The utility crew cannot just access the pipe without controlling the flow of the fluid, yet it may be difficult and overly disruptive to cease flow to that entire line. Thus, a clamp is used to pinch the pipe and stop fluid flow from that point forward.

A number of tools have been created to accomplish this task. Some of the problems that all of these tools have include the positioning of the clamp around the pipe within a confined area, clamping the pipe without expelling it from the tool, and providing a configuration offering sufficient force to compress the pipe. These problems act individually and collectively to make it more difficult to use a clamping tool to secure fluid flow through a pipe or other conduit.

Generally, only a small area is provided to work in, when securing the pipe. For example, a trench may be dug through the ground to reveal a small segment of the pipe. This makes it difficult to access the pipe, makes it difficult to reach the pipe (it may be several feet below ground level), and makes it difficult to engage the pipe with a tool. Because of the cylindrical shape of the pipe, the strength of the pipe, and the "scissoring" (i.e., angled closing) effect of the clamping tools, the pipe is often expelled from the clamping tool as the tool is actuated. That is, the pipe is not necessarily easy to compress and as the tool closes, the angled closing simply causes the tool to disengage rather than clamping the pipe. As a related issue, the small workspace, the resistance of the pipe to clamping, and the depth of the pipe in the ground make it difficult to provide a tool that an operator can use to develop sufficient force. Traditionally, when manually operated tools need to exert a greater force, a longer lever arm is provided. In this context, such a solution is impractical for the reasons previously noted.

Thus, there exists a need to provide an improved clamping tool.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a tool for gripping and/or clamping and/or holding an object, wherein the tool comprises a handle portion, a linkage portion and a working portion, and wherein the working portion comprises a double jaw design with two pivot pins per jaw. In some embodiments, a bar portion may comprise bars that cross during operation of the tool. In use, the jaws generally remain parallel throughout the operation of the tool and move generally axially from a tube portion; when they are open they are spaced generally axially away from the remainder of the tool. In one embodiment, the present invention is a tool comprising a first jaw; a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are moveable towards one another while the first jaw and the second jaw each have a workpiece contacting surface that remains generally parallel to the other; and a rotating sleeve on the second jaw, wherein the rotating sleeve is adjustable to define the width of a gap between the first jaw and the second jaw when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a tool comprising a clamp assembly having an opening; a first jaw coupled to the clamp assembly with a first four bar linkage, the first jaw being moveable within the opening; a second jaw coupled to the clamp with a second four bar linkage, the second jaw being moveable within the opening; a first link coupled between an actuating member and the first jaw; a second link coupled between the actuating member and the second jaw, wherein selective actuation of the actuating member causes the first and the second link to move the first and the second jaw respectively, between an open and a closed position, wherein the first and the second jaws remain parallel to one another.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a pipe clamping tool comprising a clamp assembly; a tube extending from the clamp assembly; a handle rotatably coupled with the tube; a first jaw coupled with the clamp assembly; a second jaw coupled with the clamp assembly, wherein rotational movement of the handle causes the first jaw to move towards the second jaw, while the first jaw and the second jaw remain generally parallel to one another. In one embodiment, the present invention is a pipe clamping tool comprising an extension tube; a threaded rod located within the extension tube and linearly moveable therein; a jaw base coupled to a first end of the threaded rod; a first jaw; a second jaw; and a linkage assembly coupled to the first jaw, the second jaw, the jaw base and the extension tube so that actuation of the threaded rod causes the first jaw to move towards the second jaw while the first jaw and the second jaw remain parallel to one another.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be apparent, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamping tool.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamping assembly of the clamping tool in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clamping assembly of the clamping tool in a closed position. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the clamping assembly of the clamping too in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a handle assembly with a threaded rod. FIG. 6 is a side, planar view of a clamping tool in an open position. FIG. 7 is a side, planar view of the clamping tool of FIG. 6 in a closed position.

FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is a clamping tool. With regard to fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting components of the present invention to form the tool as a whole, unless specifically described otherwise, such are intended to encompass conventional fasteners such as threaded connectors, snap rings, detent arrangements, rivets, toggles, pins and the like. Components may also be connected by adhesives, glues, welding, ultrasonic welding, and friction fitting or deformation, if appropriate. Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making components of the present invention may be selected from appropriate materials such as metal, metallic alloys, vinyls, plastics and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods including casting, pressing, extruding, molding and machining may be used.

Any references to front^' and back, right and left, top and bottom and upper and lower are intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spatial orientation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a parallel jaw clamping tool 10. Clamping tool 10 includes a clamping assembly 12 coupled with an extension tube 14. A handle 16 is rotatably coupleable to the extension tube 14. In use, the handle 16 is rotated in one direction to cause the clamping assembly 12 to open and is rotated in the opposite direction to cause the clamping assembly 12 to close. The handle 16 could be permanently coupled with the extension tube 14 or may be removable. In one embodiment, extension tube 14 includes a standard sized bolt head so that a socket driver and socket can be use as the handle 16. Thus, different lengths of the handle 16 or extension tube 14 can be utilized depending upon the amount of force that will be required or the distances involved (e.g., the depth of a trench). FIG. 2 illustrates the clamping assembly 12 in an open position. The clamp assembly 12 includes a clamp base 18. The clamp base 18 is a rigid structural element having a clamp base opening 15 defined therein. A pair of moveable jaws 17 are defined by a moveable mandrel block 20 and a moveable rotating sleeve 22. The opposing moveable jaws 17 are caused to remain parallel to one another when opening and closing. This prevents the pipe to be clamped from sliding out of or away from the jaws 17. In addition, it becomes easier to clamp the pipe because the jaws 17 are positioned on opposite sides of the pipe and the force is equally applied to the pipe in a direction that is generally normal to the abutting surfaces of the jaws 17.

The jaws 17 are adjustable. That is, the rotating sleeve 22 is rotatable so that one of three faces is positioned opposite to the mandrel block 20. The particular face chosen will affect the resulting clamp gap 50 (FIG. 3), which is the space between the mandrel block 20 and the rotating sleeve 22 when the clamp assembly 12 is in the closed position. In addition, the faces of the rotating sleeve 22 are curved to facilitate the clamping of the pipe and to reduce the likelihood of crimping or cutting the pipe. To cause the jaws 17 to remain parallel, a "four bar linkage" is utilized. On the left (as illustrated in FIG. 2), the mandrel block 20 forms one bar of the four bar linkage, and is pivotably coupled to the clamp base 18 by a top link 30 and a bottom link 32, forming two more bars of the four bar linkage. Though not clearly shown, another top link 31 and another bottom link 33 couple the mandrel block 20 to the clamp base 18 and are located behind the assembly, as illustrated. Thus, the two top links 30, 31 form on "bar" of the "four bar linkage" and the two bottom links 32, 33 form another "bar" of the "four bar linkage." The fourth bar is formed by a portion of the clamp base 18, and denoted as the base link 34. The rotating sleeve 22 is similarly coupled to the clamp base 18 through a four bar linkage. Top links 24, 25 and bottom links 26, 27 (FIG. 3) are provided along with base link 28 to form the four bar linkage with rotating sleeve 22. Attached to top link 31 is a link extension 40. Likewise, another link extension 42 is coupled with top link 24. When clamp assembly 12 is in the open position, the link extensions 40, 42 extend to a position between the jaws 17. Thus, the tool 10 can be set down on top of or around a pipe in a relatively confined space. The link extensions 40, 42 prevent the tool from moving so far that the pipe is positioned beyond the jaws 17. In other words, the link extensions 40, 42 keep the pipe positioned between the jaws 17, and in some embodiments centered between the jaws 17. The pipe will generally extend in an axial direction. The clamping tool 10 will be brought into position in a direction normal to the pipes axial length. The link extensions 40, 42 keep the pipe properly poisoned and the arrangement of the jaws 17 generally prevent the tool from moving off of the pipe and prevent the pipe from moving out of the jaws 17 in cases where such movement might be possible. Since the link extensions 40, 42 are coupled to the top links 31 , 24, the link extensions will be moved out of the way and into the position illustrated in FIG. 3 as the jaws 17 are closed. To close the jaws 17, adjusting links 44, 46 are retracted into clamp base

18. As this occurs, the mandrel block 20 and the rotating sleeve 22 are raised (as illustrated), but because of the pivoting top links 30, 31, 24, 25 and the pivoting bottom links 32, 33, 26, 27 the mandrel block 20 and the rotating sleeve 22 also move towards one another, while also remaining parallel to one another. To open the jaws 17, the process is simply reversed. That is, the adjusting links 44, 46 are extended out of the clamp base 18. This causes the jaws 17 to move in a direction away from extension tube 14 and to separate from one another, while still remaining parallel.

Various mechanisms can be employed to translate the rotational movement of the handle 16 in a force that extends and retracts the adjusting links 44, 46. Referring to FIG. 4, a threaded rod 64 is provided within a bearing assembly 60 that is coupled with extension tube 14. The threaded rod 64 need only have threads over a portion of the rod and is coupled at one end with the handle 16. The threaded rod 64 passes through a threaded nut 66, so that rotational movement is translated into linear movement. The threaded rod 64 is coupled with a slider 62. The slider 62 is pivotably connected to both the adjusting links 44, 46 at couplings 70, 72 respectively. Thus, when threaded rod 64 is rotated within threaded nut 66, linear motion results, causing the slider 62 to move axially relative to the clamp base 18; that is, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the extension tube 14 (up or down as illustrated). As it moves down it moves the actuating links 44, 46 out of the clamp assembly 12. This motion causes the jaws 17 to open, as previously described. As the slider 62 is moved up, the adjusting links 44, 46 are pulled into the clamp assembly 12. This causes the jaws 17 to close. Because the adjusting links 44, 46 are pivotably coupled between the slider 62 and the jaws 17, they come together within clamp assembly 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates the handle 16 as it is coupled to the threaded rod 64. An angled bar 82 may be attached to the extension tube 14. The angled bar 82 includes a lower locking hole 84 that can be aligned with an upper locking hole 86 bored through handle 16. When the two holes 84, 86 are aligned a locking member such as a padlock or any securing member can be passed through both holes 84, 86 and essentially lock the clamping tool 10. When the clamping tool 10 is locked after a pipe has been sealed, the lock will prevent the clamping tool 10 from accidentally or unintentionally being opened.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a parallel jaw clamping tool 10. Clamping assembly 12 includes an upper jaw 90 and a lower jaw 92 that remain generally parallel to one another when opening and closing. Jaws 90, 92 are pivotably coupled with the extension tube 14 through a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly includes an outer bar 94 and an inner bar 96 pivotably coupled at one end to the upper jaw 90 and the lower jaw 92 respectively. The outer bar 94 and the inner bar 96 are also pivotably coupled at the same end to a jaw base 102. The upper jaw 90 and the lower jaw 92 are pivotable with respect to the jaw base 102. The inner bar 96 is pivotably coupled with an inner link 98, which is then pivotably coupled to the extension tube 14. Likewise, the outer bar 94 is pivotably coupled with an outer link 100, which is then pivotably coupled to the extension tube 14. Though not visible, another inner bar, outer bar, inner link and outer link are located on an opposite side of the clamp assembly 12 and are configured in the same manner.

To close the jaws 90, 92 the threaded rod 64 is rotated with a handle assembly, as in FIG. 5. As the threaded rod 64 is rotated it is caused to extend from the extension tube 14 (to the right, as illustrated). As this occurs, jaw base 102 is moved away from the extension tube 14. The bottom end (as illustrated in FIG. 6) of the outer bar pivots upward; the top end of the inner bar 96 pivots downwards. The upper and lower jaws 90,92 pivot with respect to the jaw base 102 via their attachment to the jaw base 102 through an upper and lower jaw link 106, 108. The upper and lower jaws 90, 92 remain parallel to one another as they are caused to move towards one another. To open the jaws 90, 92 the process is reversed. The threaded rod 64 is rotated in the opposite direction and the jaw base 102 is pulled back towards the extension tube 14.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the clamping tool 10. Clamping tool 10 includes a clamping assembly 12. A pair of handles 208, 210 are pivotably coupled to one another at a pivot point 212. Jaws 209 are defined by portions of handles 208, 210 that extend beyond pivot point 212 and by a workpiece abutting surface 200 that is pivotably coupled to handle 210 at pivot point 205 and a workpiece abutting surface 202 that is pivotably coupled to handle 208 at pivot point 207. The workpiece abutting surfaces 200, 202 are free to pivot with respect to each other and with respect to the handles 208, 210. Thus, there will be times when the workpiece abutting surfaces 200, 202 will not be parallel to one another. However, when the jaws 209 are placed about a pipe, the workpiece abutting surfaces 200, 202 will pivot into a parallel relationship between each other and will remain parallel as the pipe is compressed. In other words, in some embodiments portions of the jaws 209 may not be parallel to each other at all and only workpiece abutting surfaces 200, 202 will be parallel. In addition, the workpiece abutting surfaces 200, 202 may be parallel at all time or may only be parallel over a portion of their path of travel, which would include contact with the pipe and compression of that pipe.

In this embodiment, a pipe positioning attachment 214 may be attached to the handles 208, 210 and include a pipe contacting surface 216 to maintain the position of the pipe between workpiece the abutting surfaces 200, 202

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A tool comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are moveable relative to one another while remaining parallel to one another; and a rotating sleeve on the second jaw, wherein the rotating sleeve is rotated to define the width of a gap between the first jaw and the second jaw when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position.

2. A tool comprising: a clamp assembly having an opening; a first jaw coupled to the clamp assembly with a first four bar linkage, the first jaw being moveable within the opening; a second jaw coupled to the clamp with a second four bar linkage, the second jaw being moveable within the opening; a first link coupled between an actuating member and the first jaw; and a second link coupled between the actuating member and the second jaw, wherein selective actuation of the actuating member causes the first and the second link to move the first and the second jaw respectively, between an open and a closed position, wherein the first and the second jaws remain parallel to one another.

3. The tool of claim 2, further comprising a first link extension coupled with the first four bar linkage, wherein a first end of the first link extension is positioned within the opening when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position so that a pipe positioned within the opening is maintained between the first jaw and the second jaw.

4. The tool of claim 2, wherein the actuating member is a threaded rod coupled with a handle.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein a slider interconnects the threaded rod to the first and the second links.

6. The tool of claim 2, further comprising a rotating sleeve positioned on the first jaw, wherein rotation of the rotating sleeve selects the distance of a gap between the first and the second jaw when in the closed position.

7. A pipe clamping tool comprising: a clamp assembly; a tube extending from the clamp assembly; a handle rotatably coupled with the tube; a first jaw coupled with the clamp assembly; a second jaw coupled with the clamp assembly, wherein rotational movement of the handle causes the first jaw to move towards the second jaw, while the first jaw and the second jaw remain generally parallel to one another.

8. The pipe clamping tool of claim 7, wherein a first four bar linkage couples the first jaw to the clamp assembly and a second four bar linkage couples the second jaw to the clamp assembly.

9. The pipe clamping tool of claim 8, further comprising a first extension coupled to the first four bar linkage and positioned so that when the first jaw and the second jaw are in an open position, the first extension maintains a pipe between the first jaw and the second jaw.

10. A pipe clamping tool comprising: an extension tube; a threaded rod located within the extension tube and linearly moveable therein; a jaw base coupled to a first end of the threaded rod; a first jaw; a second jaw; and a linkage assembly coupled to the first jaw, the second jaw, the jaw base and the extension tube so that actuation of the threaded rod causes the first jaw to move towards the second jaw while the first jaw and the second jaw remain parallel to one another.

11. The clamping tool of claim 10, wherein the linage assembly further includes; an inner bar having a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the inner bar is coupled to both the first jaw and the jaw base and the second end of the inner bar is pivotably coupled to a first end of an inner link and a second end of the inner link is pivotably coupled with the extension tube; and an outer bar having a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the outer bar is coupled to both the second jaw and the jaw base and the second end of the outer bar is pivotably coupled to a first end of an outer link and a second end of the outer link is pivotably coupled with the extension tube.

12. A clamping tool comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw; and means for selectively moving the first jaw and the second jaw towards or away from one another while the first jaw and the second jaw remain parallel to one another.

13. The clamping tool of claim 12, further comprising means for maintaining a pipe to be clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw.

14. The clamping tool of claim 12, further comprising means for locking the clamping tool in a clamped position.

15. The clamping tool of claim 12, further comprising means for determining a distance of a gap between the first jaw and the second jaw when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a clamped position.

16. A tool comprising: a first workpiece abutting surface; a second workpiece abutting surface, wherein the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface are moveable relative to one another while remaining parallel to one another over at least a portion of a travel path that includes contact with the workpiece; and a rotating sleeve on the second jaw, wherein the rotating sleeve is rotated to define the width of a gap between the first jaw and the second jaw when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position.

17. A pipe clamping tool comprising: a clamp assembly; a tube extending from the clamp assembly; a handle rotatably coupled with the tube; a first workpiece abutting surface coupled with the clamp assembly; a second workpiece abutting surface coupled with the clamp assembly, wherein rotational movement of the handle causes the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface to move towards one another, while the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface remain generally parallel to one another through at least a portion of a path of travel including contact with the pipe.

18. The pipe clamping tool of claim 17, wherein a first four bar linkage couples the first workpiece abutting surface to the clamp assembly and a second four bar linkage couples the second workpiece abutting surface to the clamp assembly.

19. The pipe clamping tool of claim 88, further comprising a first extension coupled to the first four bar linkage and positioned so that when the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface are in an open position, the first extension maintains a pipe between the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface.

20. A clamping tool comprising: a first workpiece abutting surface; a second workpiece abutting surface; and means for selectively moving the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface towards one another while the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface remain parallel to one another through at least a portion of a path of travel including contact with a workpiece.

21. The clamping tool of claim 20, further comprising means for maintaining a pipe to be clamped between the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface .

22. The clamping tool of claim 20, further comprising means for locking the clamping tool in a clamped position.

23. The clamping tool of claim 20, further comprising means for determining a distance of a gap between the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface when the first workpiece abutting surface and the second workpiece abutting surface are in a clamped position.