WO2005023482A1

WO2005023482A1 - Clamping device

Info

Publication number: WO2005023482A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2004/000106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clement Martin Robertson
Original assignee: Clement Martin Robertson
Priority date: 2003-09-09
Filing date: 2004-09-08
Publication date: 2005-03-17

Abstract

The invention provides a locating device (1) for locating at least two members at predetermined positions relative to each other, the locating device including a first limb (2) arranged to be located against a first member and a second limb operatively associated with the first limb, the second limb (3) having a holding formation for holding a second member thereon, so that, in use, the second member can be held against the first member when the first limb is located against the first member and the second member is held on the second limb, the holding formation on the second limb defining a seat formation (18, 19) such that the second member is seated in the seat formation when held on the second limb.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a locating device. In particular, the invention relates to a locating device, to a locating device kit and to a stand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The clamping, or locating, device of the invention, can be used advantageously to clamp, or locate, members, or pieces of materials, together, so as to assist in performing operations such as joining, sawing, welding, or the like, on the members. In particular, the locating device can be used advantageously to locate, or hold, members together at predetermined positions relative to one another so that the members can be joined, such as by welding, brazing, or the like.

Throughout the ages, many tools, devices, and fixtures, normally intended to be used for other purposes, have been used for clamping and holding work-pieces, or members, together. Such devices typically include separate components, such as G- clamps, pieces of wood, or steel, or the like, which are used together to hold, or locate, members in predetermined positions relative to one another so as to enable a desired operation to be performed on the members. Because such components are separate from one another, and normally not intended to be used in such a way, this can lead to the misplacement of one or more of the components when not in use, such that when required one, or more, of the components are not readily available. One or more of the components can even become lost.

It has been found that it is relatively expensive to acquire such separate components to perform certain operations, such as welding members together, or the like. It has been found also that many components, or devices, currently in use, are not robust enough to handle excessive stresses when required to provide relatively high clamping forces to perform operations for which the devices are not normally intended.

Accordingly, the components currently used to perform certain operations are not well suited to perform the operations adequately and often fail upon repeated use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a clamping, or locating, device arranged to hold at least two members, or work-pieces, at predetermined positions relative to each other, so as to enable the members to be joined, such as by welding, or brazing, or the like. It is another object of the invention to provide a locating, or clamping, device that is fully assembled and ready for mounting, without any loose parts. In other words a device which can be used on its own to hold members together without the need for additional components, or devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamping device that is common to several work piece dimensions. In other words, a locating device, which can be used to hold members having a wide variety of cross-sectional dimensions and shapes together, such as members having circular, rectangular, triangular, and the like, cross- sections, for example, of varying sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamping, or locating, device which is relatively compact or space-saving.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a clamping, or locating, device which can be exposed, in use, to relatively high temperatures, such as when used to hold members together to perform a welding operation on the members, for example.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamping, or locating, device, which is capable of holding pipes or tubes of varying diameters at predetermined positions relative to each other, so as to enable an operation, such as welding, brazing, gluing, or the like, to be performed on the pipes, or tubes, while held together.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamping, or locating, device, which is adjustable in a relatively simple manner, so that work pieces can be positioned and held at a variety of different angular positions relative to each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a locating device for locating at least two members at predetermined positions relative to each other, the locating device including: a first limb arranged to be located against a first member; and a second limb operatively associated with the first limb, the second limb having a holding formation for holding a second member thereon, so that, in use, the second member can be held against the first member when the first limb is located against the first member and the second member is held on the second limb, the holding formation on the second limb defining a seat formation such that the second member is seated in the seat formation when held on the second limb.

The limbs may be arranged to define an angle therebetween. The holding formation may be arranged to hold the second member at a position outside the angle between the first and the second limbs.

The seat formation may include at least one recessed region on the second limb for receiving the second member.

The seat formation may include two spaced apart recessed regions for receiving the second member.

The second limb may define an elongate base and two spaced apart seat elements standing proud from the elongate base, each seat element defining one of the recessed regions.

The seat formation may further include a cover panel adjustably mounted on at least one of the seat elements so as selectively to enable the recess on that seat element at least partially to be covered.

Each recessed region may be defined by a generally V- shaped notch in one of the seat elements.

The locating device may further include a clamping arrangement on the second limb for clampingly engaging the second member so as to hold the second member against the seat formation.

The clamping arrangement may include a generally L-shaped arm arranged hookingly to engage the second member.

The second limb may be pivotally connected to the first limb so as selectively to enable the position of the limbs to be adjusted angularly relative to each other.

The locating device may further include a clamping arrangement on the first limb, the clamping arrangement on the first limb being arranged to engage the first member when located thereagainst.

The clamping arrangement on the first limb may include a generally L-shaped member adjustably mounted on the first limb and arranged hookingly to engage the first member.

The first limb may include a seat formation for receiving the first member in seated relationship thereagainst when the first limb is located against the first member. The seat formation on the first limb may be in the form of a channel.

The channel may be generally V-shaped.

The locating device may further include a spacing arrangement for positioning the locating device relative to a third member.

The spacing arrangement may include an arm, the arm being adjustably mounted on the limb to permit selective axial displacement of the arm relative to the limb.

The arm may be generally L- shaped.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a locating device kit including: a locating device as described above; and a stand including an engaging formation for releaseably engaging a work-piece and support means for supporting the work-piece in a generally upstanding attitude on a generally horizontally extending surface when the work-piece is engaged by the engaging formation.

The engaging formation may define a channel into which the work-piece is receivable to be engaged by the engaging formation.

The engaging formation may further include locking means for releaseably locking a work-piece in the channel.

The channel may be defined by a member having opposed facing walls. The locking means may then include at least one screw-threaded shank arrangement extending screw-threadedly through the one wall so as to enable the work-piece to be clamped against the other wall when the work-piece is received in the channel and the screw-threaded shank arrangement is turned. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a stand including: an engaging formation for releaseably engaging a work-piece: and a support formation for supporting a work-piece in a generally upstanding attitude on a horizontally extending surface when the work-piece is engaged by the engaging formation, the engaging formation defining a channel for receiving the work-piece so as to be engaged therein.

The channel may be defined by a member having opposed facing walls. The locking means may include at least one screw-threaded shank arrangement extending screw-threadedly through the one wall so as to enable the work-piece to be clamped against the other wall when the work-piece is received in the channel and the screw- threaded shank arrangement is turned.

The locking means may include at least two spaced apart screw-threaded shank arrangements extending screw-threadedly through the one wall so as to enable the work- piece to be clamped against the other wall when the work-piece is received in the channel and the screw-threaded shank arrangements are turned.

The support means may include at least one leg extending from the channel. Advantageously, the support means includes at least two legs extending from the channel.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamping device comprising a base member and clamping head, said base member is a bracket in the form of an angle-bent plate having a bottom portion and a raised portion, said bottom portion includes a V-shaped abutment portion and the raised portion being provided with holding means for a first L-shaped clamping member to retain and secure a work-piece against the V-shaped abutment portion of the bottom portion.

The base member includes a raised portion, being essentially planar and being provided with an aperture for passing of screw means in the raised portion. In this embodiment it is advantageous that a hole in the clamping head is constituted in an angle- bent flange, so that said aperture and hole coincides to form a pivot point, when said screw means passes there through. The clamping head is therefore displaceable and pivotable about said pivot point.

Typically, the pivot point is provided with radially spaced apart calibrations to indicate the angle between the base member and said clamping head.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamping head comprising an elongated U-shaped member, the U-shaped member having holding means for an adjustable positioning member and a second L-shaped clamping member to retain and secure a work piece against bottom and top holding portions at the distal ends of said U-shaped member, said bottom holding portion includes a V-shaped abutment edge and said top holding portion being provided with an adjustable clamping plate.

The adjustable clamping plate includes a slot with screw means for releasably securing said clamping plate to the distal end of said U-shaped member, accordingly whereby a positioning plate is arranged therein between, for adjustable engagement with said clamping plate for retention of said positioning plate in abutment against a work piece.

The positioning plate is configured to have a V-shaped holding edge and is typically adjustable to receive a work piece pressing against said V-shaped holding edge when secured within the clamping plate. The clamping plate in combination with said positioning plate having a form, shape or configuration of abutment edges to provide for maximum gripping surfaces to accommodate various sizes and dimensions of work pieces when pressing against said edges.

In addition, the L-shaped adjustable positioning member is releasable secured by screw means within holding means of the elongated U-shaped member.

Another advantageous embodiment according to the invention is characterized in that a clamping system is provided including said clamping device and support member, the support member having an elongated angle-shaped body supported in a vertical position by support legs at one distal end thereof, and having clamping members pressing a work piece against said angle-shaped body, when aligned and secured in position.

The components of the invention may be machined or cast solid or integrally formed, or weldlessly connected to each other through the use of suitable attachment elements. The weldlessly connected clamping device can withstand, without failure, high amounts of clamping torque and heating and cooling cycles while the tool is utilized to clamp or hold work pieces together. The attachment elements also allow interchangeability of different sized clamping elements.

With this embodiment one obtains the advantage that the clamping device may be made relatively narrow transversely to the longitudinal direction of the work piece to be clamped, the legs of the support member occupying little space on either side of the work piece.

This may be a substantial advantage in places where there is a limited space in the lateral direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, the accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate, by way of example, several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a clamping device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the clamping device of FIG. 1, when viewed from a different angle;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a top holding portion of a clamping head of the clamping device showing a positioning plate with V-shaped holding edge and size markings for positioning, or seating, a work piece;

FIGS. 4 A and B show schematic plan views of the clamping head shown in FIG.3;

FIGS. 5 shows a schematic side view of the clamping device, set at an angle between different work pieces and illustrating the application of an adjustable positioning member relative to a further work piece, according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6A shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a stand, or supporting member, with clamping members according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B shows a schematic side view of the stand shown in FIG. 6 A;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of a clamping system, or clamping device kit, according to the invention, illustrating a clamping device and support member, or stand, used to support and position work pieces relative to each other; and

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a spacer having a positioning mark. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 8, a locating, or clamping, device, embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention, is generally designated by reference numeral 1.

The locating device 1 comprises a first limb, or base member, generally indicated by reference numeral 2, and a second limb, or clamping head, generally indicated by reference numeral 3. The base member 2 includes a bracket generally indicated by reference numeral 5. The bracket 5 is typically in the form of an angle-bent plate. The bracket 5 has an operatively bottom portion 4 and a raised portion 6. The bottom portion 4 includes a V-shaped abutment portion, or channel, 7. The raised portion 6 includes a clamping arrangement generally indicated by reference numeral 8A. The clamping arrangement 8 A includes holding means, generally indicated by reference numeral 8.1, and a L-shaped clamping member 9. The clamping member 9 is releaseably held by the holding means 8.1. The holding means 8.1 includes a collar 8.4 on which the member 9 is held screw-threadedly by means of a wing-nut 13.4. The position of the member 9 relative to the first limb 2 is adjustable in the direction of arrows AA by turning the wing- nut 13.4. By turning the wing-nut 13.4, a member 34.3 can be clamped hookingly against the limb 2 when received in the recess 7 as can best be seen with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings.

The raised portion 6 is generally planar and is provided with an aperture at 12 through which screw means, or a screw-threaded fastener, 13.1, can be passed. An associated aperture at 14 in the clamping head, or second limb, 3, is provided in an angle- bent flange 15 of the second limb 3, so that the fastener 13.1 can be passed through the apertures 12 and 14 to form a pivot point 11. The clamping head 3 is therefore displaceable and pivotable about said pivot point 11 as indicated by arrows BB. Typically, at the pivot point 11, radially spaced apart calibrations 10 are provided to indicate a size of an angle 16 between the base member, or first limb, 2, and the clamping head, or second limb, 3.

The clamping head 3 includes an elongate base, or member, 17. The member 17 has a spacing arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 8B. The spacing arrangement 8B includes holding means, generally indicated by reference numeral 8.3, on the limb 3. The spacing arrangement 8B further includes an adjustable positioning member in the form of an arm 22. The arm 22 includes an arm portion 22.1 and an engaging portion 22.2 at a remote end 22.3. The holding means 8.3 includes a collar 8.6 on which the arm 22 is held releaseably by means of a wing-nut 13.2. The position of the arm 22 relative to the second limb 3 is adjustable in the direction of arrows CC by releasing the wing-nut 13.2, displacing the arm 22, and tightening the wing-nut 13.2.

The second limb 3 further includes a clamping arrangement generally indicated by reference numeral 8C. The clamping arrangement 8C includes holding means, generally indicated by reference numeral 8.2 and a L-shaped clamping member 23. The holding means 8.2 includes a collar 8.7 on which the member 23 is held screw-threadedly by means of a wing-nut 13.3. The position of the member 23 relative to the second limb 3 is adjustable in the direction of arrows DD by turning the wing-nut 13.3. By turning the wing-nut 13.3, a member 34.1 can be clamped hookingly against the limb 3.

The limb 3 further includes a bottom holding portion, or seat element, 18, and a top holding portion, or seat element, 26, which stand proud of the base member 17, as can best be seen with reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings. The seat element 18 defines a V- shaped recessed portion, or abutment edge, generally indicated at 20. As can best be seen with reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the seat element 26 also includes a V-shaped recessed portion, or abutment edge, generally indicated at 27.

As can best be seen with reference to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the clamping arrangement 8C cooperates with the seat elements 18, 26 so as to retain and hold a work piece, or member, 34.1 against the bottom holding portion 18 and top holding portion 26 in the recessed portions, or V-shaped notches, 20, 27. The elements 18, 26 together define a holding formation for a member 34.1.

The top holding portion 19 is provided with an adjustable clamping plate, or cover panel, 21. The adjustable clamping plate 21 defines a slot 24. Screw means, in the form of a wing-nut 25, is provided releaseably to secure the clamping plate 21 to the seat element 26 so as to enable the position of the plate, or cover, 21, to be adjusted on the seat element 26. By adjusting the position of the plate 21, as indicated by arrows EE in Figure 3 of the drawings, the recess 27 on the seat element 26 can be exposed to a varying degree. By doing so, the recess 27 can be covered to varying degrees so as to accommodate members of varying cross-sectional shapes and sizes, as indicated in FIGS. 4A and 4B of the drawings.

The plate 21 co-operates with the seat element 26 to provide a seat formation in the recess 27 having a shape providing for enhanced gripping of a work piece, or member, 34.1, when held, or located, on the limb 3.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, part of a locating device kit, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 29. The kit includes a locating device 1 as described above and the part 29 which is in the form of a stand, or support member. The support member, or stand, 29, has an elongate angle-shaped body 30 supported in a vertical position by support legs 33 at one distal end thereof. The stand 29 further has screw-threaded shank arrangements, or clamping members, 31, arranged to clamp a work piece 34.4 against said angle-shaped body 30. The body 30 defines a channel 40 between two opposing walls 41, 42. The clamping members 31 extend screw- threadedly through the one wall 41 so that when a work piece is received in the channel 40, the screw-threaded shank arrangements 31 can be turned to clamp the work-piece against the other wall 42. By means of the stand 29, a work-piece engaged in the channel 40 can be held in an upstanding attitude on a surface 44. Referring to Figure 7 of the drawings, in operation, a work piece, or first member 34.3 is received within V-shaped abutment portion 7 and secured in position by the L- shaped clamping member 9, by tightening the wing-nut 13.4.

The position of the base member, or first limb, 2, can be determined with reference to a fixed work piece, or third member, 34.2, by positioning the base member 2 a distance away from the fixed work piece 34.2 as determined by the length of the adjustable positioning member, or arm 22. Naturally, the arm 22 can be adjusted to space the device 1 as desired relative to the fixed member 34.2.

A work piece, or second member, 34.1, can then be secured within the clamping head, or second limb, 3, by the L-shaped clamping member 23 pulling said work piece 34.1 against the bottom holding portion 18 and top holding portion 19, respectively. As can best be seen with reference to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the limbs 2, 3 can be adjusted angularly relative to each other to enable the members 34.1, 34.3 to be joined at a desired angle relative to each other. This is typically achieved by loosening the screw means

13.1, adjusting an angle between the limbs 2, 3 about pivot BB, and then securing, or tightening the screw means 13.1.

In this way, the two work pieces, i.e. 34.3 and 34.1 can be joined together at 50 by welding, bolting, brazing, or the like. The device 1 enables the members 34.1, 34.3 to be joined together at a desired angle and at a desired position relative to another member

34.2. The limbs can thus be arranged to define an angle therebetween. The holding formation on the second limb is arranged to hold the second member at a position outside the angle between the first and the second limbs so as to render the position at 50 readily accessible to perform an operation there, as described in greater detail below.

It will be appreciated that at the top holding portion 19, the positioning plate 26 can be secured at various positions relative to wing-nut 25. In operation, the adjustable clamping plate 21 is set at a certain distance from screw means 25 to allow markings 36 on positioning plate 26 to appear according to the dimension or size of the work piece 34. In this embodiment, the clamping plate 21 enables that a seat is defined for the work piece 34, for securely seating the work-piece 34. The screw means 25 is typically tightened after the selection is made.

As shown in the FIG. 1, a plurality of spacers 35.1, 35.2 can be placed on a surface 44 to position the work piece 34.3 at a desired elevation above the surface 44. A positioning mark, or indentation, 37, can be provided on the spacers 35.1, 35.2 to assist in aligning a work piece on the spacers 35.1, 35.2, as can best be seen with reference to FIG. 8 of the drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the clamping device can be provided with more than one clamping arrangement positioned on the base member or the clamping head. Such a modification may be used also in connection with the embodiments described herein.

The various components of the clamping device are typically of a metallic material, preferably steel of a suitable type.

The drawings are referred to for the purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the various aspects and parameters of the present invention can vary within the scope of the teachings herein.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A locating device for locating at least two members at predetermined positions relative to each other, the locating device including: a first limb arranged to be located against a first member; and a second limb operatively associated with the first limb, the second limb having a holding formation for holding a second member thereon, so that, in use, the second member can be held against the first member when the first limb is located against the first member and the second member is held on the second limb, the holding formation on the second limb defining a seat formation such that the second member is seated in the seat formation when held on the second limb.

2. A locating device as claimed in claim 1, in which the limbs are arranged to define an angle therebetween and the holding formation is arranged to hold the second member at a position outside the angle between the first and the second limbs.

3. A locating device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the seat formation includes at least one recessed region on the second limb.

4. A locating device as claimed in claim 3, in which the seat formation includes two spaced apart recessed regions on the second limb.

5. A locating device as claimed in claim 4, in which the second limb defines an elongate base and two spaced apart seat elements standing proud from the elongate base, each seat element defining one of the recessed regions.

6. A locating device as claimed in claim 5, in which the seat formation further includes a cover panel adjustably mounted on at least one of the seat elements so as selectively to enable the recessed region on that seat element to be covered at least partially.

7. A locating device as claimed in claim 6, in which each recessed region is defined by a generally V- shaped notch in one of the seat elements.

8. A locating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which further includes a clamping arrangement on the second limb for clampingly engaging the second member so as to hold the second member against the seat formation.

9. A locating device as claimed in claim 8, in which the clamping arrangement includes a generally L- shaped arm arranged hookingly to engage the second member.

10. A locating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the second limb is pivotally connected to the first limb selectively to enable the position of the limbs to be adjusted angularly relative to each other.

11. A locating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which further includes a clamping arrangement on the first limb, the clamping arrangement on the first limb being arranged to engage the first member when located thereagainst.

12. A locating device as claimed in claim 11, in which the clamping arrangement on the first limb includes an adjustable generally L-shaped member arranged hookingly to engage the first member.

13. A locating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first limb includes a seat formation for receiving the first member in seated relationship thereagainst when the first limb is located against the first member.

14. A locating device as claimed in claim 13, in which the seat formation on the first limb is in the form of a channel.

15. A locating device as claimed in claim 14, in which the channel is generally V - shaped.

16. A locating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which further includes a spacing arrangement for positioning the locating device relative to a third member.

17. A locating device as claimed in claim 16, in which the spacing arrangement includes an arm adjustably mounted on one of the limbs to permit selective axial displacement of the arm relative to the limb.

18. A locating device as claimed in claim 17, in which the arm of the spacing arrangement is generally L- shaped.

19. A locating device kit including: a locating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18; and a stand including an engaging formation for releaseably engaging a work-piece and support means for supporting the work-piece in a generally upstanding attitude on a generally horizontally extending surface when the work-piece is engaged by the engaging formation.

20. A locating device kit as claimed in claim 19, in which the engaging formation defines a channel into which the work-piece is receivable to be engaged by the engaging formation.

21. A locating device kit as claimed in claim 20, in which the engaging formation further includes locking means for releaseably locking a work-piece in the channel.

22. A locking device kit as claimed in claim 21, in which the channel is defined by a member having opposed facing walls and the locking means includes at least one screw- threaded shank arrangement extending screw- threadedly through the one wall so as to enable the work-piece to be clamped against the other wall when the work-piece is received in the channel and the screw-threaded shank arrangement is turned.

23. A stand including: an engaging formation for releaseably engaging a work-piece: and a support formation for supporting a work-piece in a generally upstanding attitude on a horizontally extending surface when the work-piece is engaged by the engaging formation, the engaging formation defining a channel formation for receiving the work- piece so as to be engaged thereby.

24. A stand as claimed in claim 23, in which the engaging formation further includes locking means for releasably locking a work-piece in the channel formation.

25. A stand as claimed in claim 24, in which the channel is defined by a member having opposed facing walls and the locking means includes at least one screw-threaded shank arrangement extending screw-threadedly through the one wall so as to enable the work-piece to be clamped against the other wall when the work-piece is received in the channel and the screw-threaded shank arrangement is turned.

26. A stand as claimed in claim 25, in which the locking means includes at least two spaced apart screw-threaded shank arrangements extending screw-threadedly through the one wall so as to enable the work-piece to be clamped against the other wall when the work-piece is received in the channel and the screw-threaded shank arrangements are turned.

27. A stand as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26, in which the support means includes at least one leg extending from the channel.

28. A locating device substantially as herein described and illustrated.

29. A locating device kit substantially as herein described and illustrated.

0. A stand substantially as herein described and illustrated.