Work holders – Relatively movable jaws – Jaw features
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-22
2001-09-18
Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3723)
Work holders
Relatively movable jaws
Jaw features
C269S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290219
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns clamping pliers. In particular, the invention concerns a clamping plier with a support extension arm for grasping and longitudinally supporting one or more objects. The clamping plier of the present invention is particularly useful for clamping and stabilizing objects that are relatively long and otherwise unmanageable when grasped by conventional clamping pliers.
In the field of autobody repair, a mechanic repairing a damaged or rusted portion on the body of a vehicle, such as a fender or quarter panel, must often weld sheet metal replacement panels to the surviving metal on the vehicle. Typically, the autobody mechanic will cut away the damaged or rotted metal on the panel and will prepare the remaining intact metal to receive a replacement panel. The mechanic will then form a replacement panel from a piece of sheet metal to fill the void created by the cutaway metal. The mechanic will weld the edges of the replacement panel to the remaining intact metal. To accomplish the welding step, the mechanic must hold the replacement panel accurately in line with the remaining intact metal; otherwise the panel will not be properly oriented on the automobile as the welding step is carried out. To hold the panel in place during welding, mechanics have traditionally used clamping devices, which are available in various sizes and shapes.
One clamp that mechanics typically use in autobody repair is a locking C-clamp plier. A mechanic will use a locking C-clamp plier to fasten the replacement panel to the remaining intact metal. Conventional locking C-clamps suffer, however, in that they cannot be used efficiently to secure large sheets of metal. When a mechanic uses a conventional C-clamp to fasten one end of a large sheet of metal to the intact metal on the auto, the opposed end of the replacement sheet inevitably protrudes or bows out making it very difficult to align that end with the corresponding intact metal to which it must be welded. This makes it very difficult to weld the replacement metal sheet to the remaining intact metal on the auto.
The present invention solves the above-referenced problem and many other drawbacks associated with the prior art clamping pliers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a C-clamp plier with a support extension arm for grasping and longitudinally supporting one or more objects. The plier of the invention generally comprises a handle assembly, a C-shaped clamping section, an extension arm disposed above one of the jaws of the C-shaped clamping section and adjustably extending longitudinally to an outer-point, and a pressure post and counter-pressure post for providing counteracting forces on either side of the point where the tips of the C-clamp come together.
The C-shaped clamping section is connected to and actuated by the handle assembly to an opened or closed position. The C-shaped clamping section includes upper and lower curved jaws ending at opposed tips. The tips come together at a point when the clamping section is in the closed position for grasping an object placed between the tips. The tips are adapted to grasp the object a first point along the longitude of the object. In a preferred embodiment, the C-shaped clamping section has a locking mechanism for locking the clamping section in the closed position. In addition, the handle may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the clamping tips when the clamping section is in the closed position.
The extension arm is attached to the upper jaw and extends longitudinally beyond the clamping section to an outer end. The length of the extension arm is adjustable so that the distance between the clamping section and the outer end may be varied as needed. The extension arm is preferably attached to the upper jaw in a slidable arrangement, such that the distance between the clamping section and the outer end of the extension arm may be varied simply by sliding the arm.
A pressure post mounted to the extension arm at the outer end is disposed approximately perpendicular to the extension arm. The pressure post is displaceable vertically so as to be adjustable in height. The pressure post has a lower end (with an optional swivel foot) for pressing against the object at a second point along the longitude of the object that is outside of the first point.
A counter-pressure post is mounted within the upper curved jaw. The counter-pressure post is preferably disposed approximately perpendicular to the extension arm. In addition, the counter-pressure post is preferably slidably mounted and may be moved to various locations within the upper curved jaw. When an object is grasped within the opposed tips at a first point on the longitude of the object and the pressure post is displaced such that the lower end presses against the object at the second point, the object will begin to rotate about the first point until the counter-pressure post presses against the object at the third point along the longitude of the object that is inside of the first point. The downward pressure applied by the pressure post has the tendency to drive the end of the object in a downward direction. Since the mid-point of the object is grasped within the tips of the clamping section, the first point where the opposed tips grasp the object serves as a fulcrum point. The force exerted by the counter-pressure post will stop the rotation of the object about the first point. Consequently, the forces on the object at the second and third points on opposed sides of the first point provide longitudinal support and stability for stabilizing the object within the clamping section.
The invention also provides an support extension assembly that may be used with a variety of clamping devices to provide longitudinal support to objects grasped by the claming device. The support extension assembly comprises an extension arm attached to the clamp and extending longitudinally beyond the clamping section to an outer end. A pressure post is mounted to the extension arm at the outer end, and the pressure post has a lower end for pressing against the objects at a point on one side of the clamp. A counter-pressure post is mounted either to the arm or the clamping device itself and is disposed for pressing against the object(s) at a point one the opposite side of the clamp. The forces applied on the objects by the pressure post and counter-pressure post on opposite sides of the clamp provide longitudinal support and stability for stabilizing the object(s) within the clamp.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1402621 (1922-01-01), Knittel et al.
patent: 1497107 (1924-06-01), Lasell
patent: 2610661 (1952-09-01), Romine
patent: 2642905 (1953-06-01), Hewatt
patent: 4505011 (1985-03-01), Dupuy
patent: 4592541 (1986-06-01), Huray
patent: 4962918 (1990-10-01), Yang
patent: 5058869 (1991-10-01), Ruthven
Banks Derris H.
Shanley Daniel
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