Work holders – Operator supported – Handle manipulation for jaw actuation
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-01
2003-08-05
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Work holders
Operator supported
Handle manipulation for jaw actuation
Reexamination Certificate
active
06601837
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a clamping device with a clamping rail guided for displacement in its longitudinal direction and an actuating device which comprises a gripping element, by means of which the clamping rail can be displaced.
It is known from DE 299 08 240 U1 to arrange a clamping bar with a stationary counterstop so as to be pivotable on a housing of the actuating device in such a clamping device.
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,847 to provide a detachable contact bar.
Proceeding from this state of the art, the object underlying the invention is to provide a clamping device which is simple to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention, in a clamping device of the type described at the outset, in that a first contact element and a second contact element are held on the clamping rail, that the clamping rail is displaceable in relation to the first contact element and that the first contact element is rotatable relative to the actuating device.
As a result of the inventive clamping device, the contact elements seated on the clamping rail may also be aligned in relation to a workpiece during any one-handed operation without the actuating device needing to be turned or grasped. In addition, a contact element may be turned unlimitedly since no parts of the housing are in the way. As a result of the non-displaceability of the first contact element, a contact surface may, on the one hand, be made available for the clamping of a workpiece (this may also take place, in principle, by means of a contact surface of the actuating device itself), wherein, on the one hand, the rotatability of this contact element, the adjustment of a certain distance between the first contact element and the second contact element and a rotatability, which does not alter the relative alignment of the two contact elements during the rotation of the clamping rail, can be achieved in a simple manner with respect to production techniques.
In principle, the rotatability of the first contact element may be brought about in that this can be rotated against the clamping rail and/or the clamping rail can be rotated with the first contact element.
In the case of an embodiment which is simple from a constructional point of view and advantageous from the point of view of production techniques, the clamping rail is guided so as to be non-rotatably displaceable. The first contact element is then rotatable relative to the clamping rail. In particular, the second contact element is then designed to be rotationally symmetric transversely to the clamping rail. When the first contact element is turned, the relative orientation between the first and the second contact element is, nevertheless, not altered.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the clamping rail is mounted for rotation on the actuating device, wherein first and second contact elements are rotatable with the clamping rail. As a result, a set relative orientation of the contact elements transversely to the clamping rail is also maintained during rotation relative to the actuating device.
Advantageously, the clamping rail is unlimitedly rotatable with the contact elements held on it in order to obtain manifold possibilities for use.
It is particularly favorable from a constructional point of view when the clamping rail is guided for displacement by at least one bearing element. As a result, the displaceability of the clamping rail is ensured. The clamping rail is, in particular, guided for sliding displacement by the bearing element.
It is particularly advantageous when the bearing element itself is mounted for rotation on the actuating device in order to also ensure the rotatability of the clamping rail in this way.
For this purpose, a bearing element favorably guides the clamping rail so as to be non-rotatable and slidingly displaceable, i.e., the clamping rail is not rotatable relative to the bearing element and the rotation of the clamping rail is brought about via the rotation of the bearing element. It is then advantageous when the clamping rail has a profile which is designed such that the rotatability of the clamping rail can be blocked in relation to a bearing element, by means of which the clamping rail is guided for displacement.
In an advantageous embodiment it is provided for the clamping rail to have a flat profile, for example, a rectangular profile. Such a clamping rail may be produced inexpensively and during operational use is less susceptible to damage which could interfere with the sliding displaceability.
In an alternative embodiment which is, in particular, simple to produce, a bearing element guides the clamping rail so as to be rotatable and slidingly displaceable, i.e., such a bearing element is designed as a rotary slide bearing.
It is particularly favorable from the point of view of production techniques when at least one bearing element is designed as a deep-groove bearing which is arranged on the actuating device so as to be non-displaceable and rotatable by means of a groove. Such a deep-groove bearing may be produced in an inexpensive manner and also assembly of an inventive device is possible in a simple manner since only one such deep-groove bearing need be used and no additional securing means, such as screws, are necessary.
Furthermore, it is favorable from a constructional point of view when the first contact element is held on the housing of the actuating device via a deep-groove bearing so as to be non-displaceable and rotatable with the clamping rail. For example, the first contact element may be connected to the deep-groove bearing in one piece or in a form-locking manner. As a result, a slidingly displaceable mounting of the clamping rail is achieved, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, a rotary mounting. Furthermore, it is possible for the first contact element to be turned with the clamping rail and, therefore, its orientation in relation to the second contact element is also maintained during the rotation. In addition, the first contact element is held, as a result, on the housing of the actuating device so as to be non-displaceable so that the distance between the first contact element and the second contact element is altered during a displacement of the clamping rail in a constructionally simple manner.
The inventive clamping device may be operated in a simple manner when the gripping element comprises a handle arranged on the actuating device so as to be pivotable. In this respect, a respective handle can be present, in particular, for each direction of movement of the clamping rail or also only one single handle.
It is particularly favorable from a constructional point of view when at least one advancing element is provided which is arranged and designed such that it can be tilted contrary to the direction of displacement of the clamping rail in order to block the displaceability of the clamping rail in relation to the advancing element and that it is movable in the direction of displacement of the clamping rail. As a result, the clamping rail can be advanced in one direction in a simple manner during the actuation of the gripping element. An advancing element is advantageously arranged in the housing of the actuating device so as to be rotatable in order to ensure the rotatability of the clamping rail.
An advancing element is favorably tiltable and movable via a force acting on it by way of the gripping element.
When a pressure spring is arranged between an advancing element and a blocking element or holding element for exerting a restoring force on the advancing element contrary to the direction of displacement, the advancing element may be pushed back in a simple manner into its initial position, from which a further advancing of the clamping rail can be actuated.
In this respect, the blocking element is favorably arranged on a housing of the actuating device so as to be rotatable in order to bring about a rotary guidance of the clamping rail in this manner which is to a great extent free from play.
The blocking e
Foshag Siegfried
Klimach Horst
Philipp Karl
Roesch Hans
Bessey & Sohn GmbH & Co
Lipsitz Barry R.
McAllister Douglas M.
Watson Robert C.
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