GB2192146A

GB2192146A - A transverse clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2192146A
Application number: GB08710623A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter N Jackson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-06-10
Filing date: 1987-05-05
Publication date: 1988-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-05
Also published as: GB8710623D0; GB2192146B

Abstract

A vice gripping movement generated along the direction 8 of a screw (5) is harnessed to a transmission point (6) which provides a clamping motion (7) to auxilliary jaws moving transversally to the clamping motion (8). This allows a greater clamping distance (9) than the normal clamping distance (4) to be achieved. The maximum clamping distance (9) can be increased and varied by the use of extenders (10), attached to the auxiliary jaws, and depth boards (Figures 11, 12 not shown) may also be attached to achieve clamping height. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION The transverse clamp This specification illustrates the concept of transverse clamping and details an invention showing an application of it.

Most clamps work on the principlethatthe clamping movement operates in the same direction asthevicing movement generating it. This is satisfactoryfor mostjobs. However, there are many combination bench vice units on the market (notably those ofthe "Hickman" type) where the maximum clamping distance, using vice-pegs, is relatively small (about 10" to 18" depending on the size of model). Consequently these units are currently unableto handle large clamping tasks.

This problem can be overcome by harnessing one or more vicing movements to provide clamping motions running transverse to them. That is, bythe application of the principle of transverse clamping.

Devices which incorporate some transverse clamping motions are previously known from the following sources: U.K. Patent Application GB 2164877A(Lowe): U.K. Patents 1 520216(Martinson) and 778369 (Franz); U.S. Patent 4233879 (Wolfe & BR< Kuban), and, EPA 379 (Arnold). None ofthese devices acts ina purelytransverse clamping mode.

The devices detailed by Lowe, Martinson and Franz make use of a hybrid lateral clamping/transverse clamping principle, where a conventional clamp (generating the vicing movement along the direction ofthe screw- i.e., the lateral clamping motion) is combined with the transverse clamping motion of two jaws. Consequently, the transverse clamping of both jaws depends on the single lateral vicing source. In the cases of Arnold and Wolfe & Kuban transverse motion depends on adjusting the lateral clamping jaws (in the case of Wolfe & Kuban transverse clamping motions are actively suppressed in orderto achieve a precise grip).

Whereas these devices are excel lent for specialist applications: making variable "T" joints (Lowe); Orthogonal frames (Franz) and precision gripping (Martinson: Arnold: Wolfe & Kuban), their manufacture calls for complex camming,threading orothertransmission elements in order to linkthe dependenttransverse clamping motions to the lateral clamping motions. This complexity of design tends to imply high cost, and this coupled with their specialist applications means that they are not likely to appeal to the needs of a mass market. However, a simpler and more versatile device can be designed which is more suitable for low price/high volume production by excluding the principle of lateral clamping and concentrating on the principle of transverse clamping based on an independent lateral vicing source.That is, where one transverse clamping motion is generated buy a lateral clamping motion from one vicing cource.

The present application of this principle is an invention which uses clamping boards which are attached to the vicing source, (normally a combination bench vice-unit of the Hickman type), by stops running against angled cut-outs, and, turn-bars. The stops running againstthe angled cut-outs harness the vicing movement to provide the transverse clamping motion. The turn-bars hold the clamping boards in position whilst allowing them to slide.

The clamping-boards are also fitted with extenders to allowthe maximum clamp distance to be varied.

The following drawings illustrate an application of this principle to a combination bench vice unit: Figures 7 & . - Show how the maximum clamping distance of a combination bench/vice unit can be increased by the application of a transverse clamping-board and extenders.

Thus, Figure 1, shows the normal clamping procedure: a vicing source (1) generates a clamping movement (2) running along the line of the screw.

Clamping is achieved by having eitherfixed or variable clamping boards (3) press against the object to be clamped. This achieves a relativelysmall clamping distance (4).

Figure2 shows the operation of a transverse clamp: a vicing movement (5) is harnessed to a transmission point (6) which provides a clamping motion (7) which runs transverse to the clamping motion (8). This allowed a greater maximum clamping distance (9) than the normal clamping distance (4). The maximum clamping distance (9) can be varied by the use of extenders (10).

Figure 3. - Shows a transverse clamping-board in front elevation with stops and stop-block accessory detached.

Figure 4. - Shows a transverse clamping-board with extenders in plan form with stops and stop-block accessory detached.

Figure5. - Shows a transverse clamping-board in side elevation with extenders attached.

Figure 6. - Shows the stop-block accessory attached to the clamping-board in side elevation.

Figure 7. - Shows the stop-block accessory in side elevation - detached.

FigureS. - Shows two transverse clamping-boards in position on a combination bench/vice unit. (Note: Stops running against triangular angled cut-outs).

Figures 9, 70, and 11, - Show three views of a depth-board attachment which can be added to the clamping board.

Figure 12.-Showsthe depth-boards in position on a combination bench vice unit of the "Hickman" type.

Figure 13. - Shows a simpleralternative embodiment of a transverse clamp focussing on the underside central portion of a clamping board to show an inclined plane and turn-bar attached to a swivel arm.

The procedureforclamping is as follows: Referto Figures 3 to 5.

Attach the extenders (11) to the clamping board (12) by using the wing-nut (13) to set the desired clamping distance. Use the turn-bar (14) to hold the clamping board (12) in position to a combination bench vice unit (18) on Figure 8. WJien in position take the stops (15) and place them through the angled cut-outs (16) Refer to Figure 8. Line-up the stops (15) so that they fit through the holes (17) in the combination bench vice unit (18). Repeat this for a second clamping-board. Take the objectto be clamped and place it on the clamping boards (12).

Turn the handles (19) on the combination bench/vice unit (18).

The independent pressure generated by the stops (15) running against the angled cut-outs (16) produces self-adjusting transverse clamping motions which can cope with tapering objects. The turn-bars (14) hold the clamping-boards (12) in position whilst allowing them to slide freely. Clamp to the desired width.

The transverse clamp as shown in Figures 3 and 8 shows mitre-ing (20) and squaring cut-outs (21).

These are combined with an adjustable stop-block (Figures 7 and 22) which moves along the raised portion (23) of the clamping board (12). The procedure for square cutting and mitre-ing is as follows: Taketheclamping board (12) and removethe extenders (11). Attach the clamping board (12) to the vice unit so that the raised portion (23) is on the inside of the clamping-board (12). Where specific or uniform lengths are required, the sliding stop (22) is attached to the raised portion (23), and held in position by the turn screw (24). Put the material to be squared or mitred on the clamping-board (12) resting againstthe raised portion (23). Square or mitre using the cut-outs (20,21).

Depth-boards (25) as shown in Figures 9,10, 11 and 12 can also be attached to the raised portion (23) ofthe clamp (12) by the depth-board retainers (26) in orderto cope with clamping deep objects such as drawers. Figure 12 shows two depth-boards (26) in position on a combination bench/vice unit of the "Hickman" type (27) holding some drawers (28) with packing (29).

During trials an improved aiternative embodiment was developed and this is shown as Figure 13. The improvements are: a solid inclined plane (30) replacing the angled cut outs (16) and a swivelling arm (31) added to the turnbar (14). The solid inclined plane (30) lifts the clamping board (12) to allowthe handles on a combination bench/vice unit to be turned more freely. The swivel-arm (31) on the turn-bar (14) allows a full self-adjusting transverse clamping motion to be developed over the entire range ofthe lateral clamping motions ofthe combination bench/vice unit. (The embodiment used in the transverse clamping application described in Figure 3 having a tendency to jam during the final 11/2" of the combination bench/vice unit's jaw closure). The procedure for operating this alternative embodiment is essentially the same as described previousiy for the transverse clamping application illustrated in Figures3to8.

Claims

1. Harnessing one lateral vicing source to provide clamping,or gripping, motions running transverse to it. (That is, where one series of transverse clamping motions is generated by a lateral motion from one vicing source.)

2. As claimed in Claim 1, but using the source(s) of the vicing movements to produce a self-adjusting motion.

3. As claimed in Claim 1 andClaim2,butusing the vicing movements of a combination bench/vice unit as the vicing source providing clamping motions running transverse to them.

4. As claimed in Claim 3 but using a bench/vice unitofthe "Hickman" type.

5. As claimed in Claims 1,2,3 and 4, but using one or more clamping boards held in position to the source of vicing - and, specifically, those described in Claims 3 and 4.

6. As claimed in Claim 5, but using stops running-up against angled cut-outs, to hold the boards in position to the sources of vicing - and, specificallythose described in Claims 3 and 4.

7. As claimed in Claim 5 but incorporating one or more turn-bars to hold the clamping board in position to the source of vicing (and specifically, those described in Claims 3 and 4) - whilst allowing the clamping boards to slide across the vice source as pressure is applied.

8. As claimed in Claim 6, but using the independent pressure generated by each stop running-up against its own angled cut-out, to produce a self-adjusting transverse clamping motion.

9. Asclaimed in Claims 5, 6,7and8wherethe clamping boards incorporate adjustable, permanent, pre-drilled, or replaceable extender bars, with stops.

10. As claimed in Claims 5,6,7 and 8wherethe clamping boards are provided with an adjustable/stop attachment facility for mitre-ing and square cutting to consistent lengths.

11. Atransverse clamping application substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 3 through to 8 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.

12. Atransverse clamping application as described in Claims 1,2,3,4 and 5, but using a "Scissors" principletotransmitthetransverse motion. (Note: This is not the preferred embodiment of the application since the maximum clamping distance is severely limited.)

13. Depth-boards which can be added to the transverse clamp claimed in Claim 1.

14. A depth board substantially similar two that shown and described herein with referenceto Figures 9 through to 10 inclusive ofthe accompanying drawings.

15. As claimed in Claim 5 but using stops running-up against an inclined planeto hold the boards in position to the sources of vicing - and, specifically those described in Claims 3 and 4.

16. As claimed in Claim 6, but using the independent pressure generated by each stop running-up against its own inclined plane to produce a self-adjusting motion.

17. As claimed in Claim 5 but incorporating one or more turn-bars each attached to a swivelling arm to hold the clamping boards in pqsition to the source of vicing - and specifically those described in Claims 3and4.

18. Atransverseclamping application substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings.