GB2353491A

GB2353491A - Dual clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2353491A
Application number: GB9920288A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony James Michael Nolan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-26
Filing date: 1999-08-26
Publication date: 2001-02-28
Also published as: GB9920288D0

Abstract

A dual clamp comprises two pairs of co-acting clamp faces adapted to be driven independently along two different axes which may be fixed relative to one another or may be adjusted to any angle relative to one another. The axes are preferably defined by two rods 2,3 which may be held by ajunctionmember 1. The junction member preferably forms two clamp faces 13, one for each co-acting pair with the other clamp faces being carried on the end 10 of rod 2 and on a slideable member (Figure 2, 15) on rod 3. Rod 2 is preferably slidable with respect to the junction member 1. The movement of rod 2 is controlled by a clutch mechanism formed by a drive plate 4 driven by one end 5 of a pivoted member 6 with a trigger portion 7 moved by squeezing against a fixed member 8. The plate 4 is urged against a portion of the mount 8 by a spring 9. Unidirectional movement is ensured by means of a locking plate 11, mounted on rod 2 and acting against notch 12 (which forms part of junction member 1). The second clamp (Figure 2) is operated via a similar clutch mechanism.

Description

2353491 DUAL CLAMP This invention relates to a novel clamps that can hold

components oriented in different directions and maintain their orientation while the components are secured, machined or otherwise treated.

Clamps are known, such as Q-clamps and cramps, which hold components together by compression. Such clamps comprise a frame element having an inner first clamp face and a compression element having a second clamp face that can be driven towards the first clamp face. In its simplest form such clamps consist of a frame whose inner surface acts as the first clamp face and a threaded aperture opposite to the first clamp face. A threaded rod passes through the aperture and carried the second clamp face on its end inside the frame. Turning of the opposite end of the rod, usually aided by manually operated flanges, provides a clamping action between the two clamp faces.

To avoid the twisting action which frequently necessitates the use of two hands a clamp has been proposed in GB-B-2 178 689 in which a one way clutch system is used in conjunction with a trigger mechanism to drive the clamp faces towards each other. It is suggested that such a clamp only requires that a single hand need be used for its operation. As with prior screw clamps only a single pair of clamp f aces is available to hold a work piece.

The present invention provides a clamp which is able to hold workpieces oriented at different angles to each other.

According to the present invention there is provided a clamp assembly comprising two pairs of co-acting clamp faces adapted to be driven independently towards each other along two different axes.

In the preferred construction the two different axes may be adjusted at any angle to each other. The arrangement permits two items to be rigidly held at a desired angle while they are attached by means of adhesive or mechanical fixing devices such as screws, dowels, nails or bolts.

The clamp faces are preferably fitted to rigid rods which are mounted so as to be permanently aligned in the two axes. In a preferred embodiment the rods are held by a junction member. Each rod carries one element of a pair of clamp faces, the second clamp face is slidably mounted on the rod. The slidable clamp face is capable of being locked in any position along the rod. In a most preferred embodiment one clamp f ace of a f irst pair of clamp f aces is carried by a slideable and lockable member which slides along the f irst rod and engages a mating clamp face that is part of the junction member that rigidly attached to the first rod. One clamp face of a second pair of clamp faces is part of the junction member which accommodates the second rod in a slidable manner and is capable of locking the second rod which carries the other clamp face of the pair.

The locking mechanism used to hold each clamp face in position may consist of a ratchet having a pawl that engages serrations on each rod. Alternative locking mechanisms include a one-way gripper of the type described in GB-B-1 555 455.

The components of the dual clamp assembly are 35 preferably formed from steel components to ensure adequate strength. The clamp faces can take a variety of forms according to the nature of the objects to be held by them. They may comprise substantially flat surfaces with slip reducing coverings, small area faces providing high pressure at the clamped points or rollers to assist in positioning the components to be clamped.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood two forms thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partial side view of a dual clamp in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a partial view of the dual clamp shown in Figure 1 rotated through a right angle, and is Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate different forms of clamp faces to be used on the dual clamp.

A dual clamp according to the invention, see Figure 1, comprises a junction member 1 carrying a slidably mounted f irst rod 2 and a rigidly connected second rod 3 mounted at an angle with respect to the first rod 2. Movement of the rod 2 can be arrested by a clutch mechanism f ormed by drive plate 4 driven by one end 5 of a pivoted member 6 having a trigger portion 7 adapted to be moved by squeezing against a mount member 8. The plate 4 is urged against a portion of the mount 8 by a spring 9. One way movement is ensured by means of a locking plate 11 freely mounted on the rod 2 and acting against the junction member 1 through one end being located in a notch 12. Clamping action takes place between one end 13 of the junction member 1 and a co-operating element 10 formed by creating a right angle bend at the end of the rod 2. The bent angle forming the element 10 may be substituted with a plate or other face that can mate with the surface 13.

The second rod 3, see Figure 2, carries a moveable clamp f ace 14 mounted on a frame 15. The frame 15 has a one way drive mechanism formed from a drive plate 16, pivoted member 17, spring 18 and locking plate 19. The drive mechanism operates in the same manner as described for the one fitted to the rod 2.

The clamp faces shown schematically in Figures I and 2 may be selected to take into account the nature of the items to be clamped by the device. For example the element 10 f ormed by bending the rod 2 through a right angle may be substituted with a clamp face 30, see Figure 3a, by sliding the element 10 through a rubber grommet 29. In a further embodiment the clamp face 30 can engage a cup 23. Clamping action takes place between the surface 13 of the junction member I and the clamp face 30 or 32 mounted on the element 10 at the end of the rod 2.

In yet a further embodiment the element 10 at the end of the rod 2 carries a bearing 36, see Figure 3b. A mount 35 carries bearings 34 fitted over the clamp face 13.

Claims

1. A clamp assembly comprising two pairs of co-acting clamp faces adapted to be driven independently towards each 5 other along two different axes.

2. The clamp as claimed in claim 1 in which the two different axes may be adjusted at any angle to each other.

3. The clamp as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, in which the clamp faces are fitted to rigid rods which are mounted so as to be permanently aligned in the two axes.

4. The clamp as claimed in claim 3 in which the rods are held by a junction member.

5. The clamp as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4, in which each rod carries one element of the pair of clamp faces and the second clamp face is slidably mounted on the rod.

6. The clamp as claimed in claim 5 in which the second slidable clamp face is capable of being locked in any position along the rod.

7. The clamp as claimed in claim 6 in which the clamp face of the first pair of clamp faces is carried by the slidable and lockable member which slides along the first rod and engages a mating clamp face that is part of the juhction member that is rigidly attached to the first rod.

8. The clamp as claimed in claim 7 in which one clamp tace of the second pair of clamp faces is part of the junction member which accommodates the second rod in a slidable manner and is capable of locking the second rod which carries the other clamp f ace of the pair.

9. The clamp as claimed in any of the claims 3 to 8 in which the locking mechanism used to hold each clamp face in position consists of a ratchet having a pawl that engages serrations on each rod.

10. The clamp as claimed in any of the claims 3 to 8 in which the locking mechanism used to hold each clamp face in position is a one-way gripper.

11. The clamp as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the clamp faces comprise substantially flat surfaces with slip reducing coverings.

12. The clamp as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the clamp components are fabricated from steel.

13. Clamp assemblies comprising two pairs of co-acting clamp faces adapted to be driven independently towards each other along two different axes as claimed in claim 1 and as herein described.

14. Clamp assemblies comprising two pairs of co-acting clamp faces adapted to be driven independently towards each other along two different axes as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.