Work holders – Operator supported – Handle manipulation for jaw actuation
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-11
2003-11-04
Wilson, Lee D. (Department: 3723)
Work holders
Operator supported
Handle manipulation for jaw actuation
C269S003000, C269S166000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06641122
ABSTRACT:
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in German application No. 101 62 861.7 of Dec. 12, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a lever clamp comprising a slide rail, a fixed jaw, which is arranged on the slide rail, and a slide arm, which can be displaced on the slide rail and on which a lever element is mounted in a pivotable manner and a pressure plate is mounted such that it can be displaced transversely to the slide arm, it being possible for the movement of the pressure plate towards the fixed arm to be actuated by a pivoting movement of the lever element, so that a workpiece can be clamped between the fixed arm and pressure plate.
Such lever clamps are known by the designation GH or GSH from Bessey & Sohn GmbH & Co.
Such lever clamps can be used for clamping in workpieces by means of leverages. They can be used advantageously, in particular, when a large number of clamps have to be set in place and released in a time-saving manner. It is possible then for high clamping forces to be achieved quickly, with only a low level of force being applied, via the corresponding lever element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a lever clamp which is straightforward and cost-effective to manufacture is provided.
In accordance with the invention, in order to form a pivot bearing for the pivotability between the lever element and slide arm, a pivoting-shaft element is arranged on the lever element, or the slide arm and the slide arm or the lever element has a pivoting-shaft mount, in which the pivoting-shaft element can be positioned and by means of which the pivoting-shaft element and pivoting-shaft mount can be rotated relative to one another.
Since a pivoting-shaft element is arranged on the lever element or the slide jaw and a pivoting-shaft mount, in which the pivoting-shaft element can be positioned, is provided on the corresponding other part, that is to say the slide arm or the lever element, respectively, it is possible to minimize the number of components for assembling a corresponding lever clamp. Furthermore, there is no need to provide, in particular, any positive-locking elements in order to form a corresponding pivot bearing. This also simplifies the assembly. In addition, the lever element may be manufactured from a plastics material, it being possible for the pivoting-shaft element to be produced integrally. This, in turn, minimizes the weight of such a lever clamp.
In particular, the pivoting-shaft element is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the lever element or the slide arm, so that, if the pivoting element is arranged on the lever element, the pivoting-shaft element can be rotated in the corresponding pivoting-shaft mount during pivoting of the lever or, if the pivoting-shaft element is arranged on the slide arm, the pivoting-shaft mount of the lever element can be rotated about the pivoting-shaft element on the slide arm. This realizes a pivot bearing which can easily be assembled and in the case of which the number of components required is minimized.
It may be provided, in principle, that the pivoting-shaft element is a separate component which is fixed correspondingly on the lever element or on the slide arm. It is quite particularly advantageous, however, if the pivoting-shaft element is formed integrally or in a one-piece arrangement on the lever element or on the slide arm. In this case, it is produced integrally with the lever element or the slide arm and the number of components is minimized as a result. The amount of time required for assembling a corresponding lever clamp is also minimized.
It may also be provided that the pivoting-shaft element is arranged in a force-locking manner on the lever element or the slide arm by, for example, a corresponding cylindrical pin being pushed into mounts provided for this purpose, in which case rotatability about this pin, or of this pin, is ensured.
It is quite particularly advantageous if the pivoting-shaft mount is formed as a recess on a surface of the slide arm or of the lever element, said recess being directed toward the fixed arm. Such an open recess, for example a half-open bore, is straightforward to produce and, in particular, can be produced integrally during the production of the slide arm or of the lever element. The assembly and, in particular, the joining together of the lever element and slide arm in order to form the pivot bearing may be simplified in that the pivoting-shaft element can be positioned in the corresponding pivoting-shaft mount, although there is no need to provide any specific positive-locking elements.
It is quite particularly advantageous if the lever element has a recess by means of which the lever element can be positioned on the slide arm such that it surrounds the latter at least partially. A corresponding lever clamp according to the invention can thus be manufactured straightforwardly and cost-effectively. On the one hand, the number of components required is minimized and, on the other hand, the lever clamp according to the invention can easily be assembled since, in particular, no screws or bolts or the like are required.
Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if accommodating stubs are arranged on opposite surfaces of the lever element. By means of these accommodating stubs, in turn, it is possible to form a guide for a pivoting/translatory movement of the pressure plate. This, in turn, minimizes the number of components and the lever clamp according to the invention can be assembled straightforwardly and cost-effectively. Furthermore, it is thus possible to provide an inner surface for retaining a pivoting-shaft element in a force-locking manner.
In particular, an accommodating stub projects beyond a surface of the lever element in order for it to be possible for it to enter (plunge) into a guide of a pressure plate.
Furthermore, it is advantageous if the lever element and the slide arm are adapted to each other such that the pivoting-shaft element is blocked from moving in a translatory manner out of the pivoting-shaft mount. If the mount is formed as a recess in a surface, then the lever element is basically not blocked from moving away from the slide arm. The corresponding formation of the lever element and slide arm in coordination with one another, however, makes it possible to achieve such a blocking action, it nevertheless being possible for the slide arm to be manufactured, in particular, without any high-outlay milling.
For example, the lever element is provided with a first blocking element and the slide arm is provided with a corresponding second blocking element, the lever element being blocked from moving away from the slide arm by the first blocking element striking against the second blocking element. It may thus be provided that a pin element projects, or mutually opposite pin elements project, into a corresponding recess of the lever element and the slide arm is provided with a beaded rim, the lever element and slide arm being blocked from moving away from one another by the pin elements butting against the beaded rim.
In order to subject a workpiece to a compressive force, it is provided that a distance between an activating surface, by means of which the lever element acts on the pressure plate, and a surface of the slide arm which is located opposite the fixed arm depends on the pivoting angle of the lever element. This can be achieved by the formation of a corresponding eccentric surface. A workpiece may then be subjected to a compressive force via a torque exerted by means of the lever element.
It is provided, in particular, that the activating surface is closed, i.e. is continuous. The contact region by means of which said surface acts on the pressure plate is thus increased in size. Consequently, in turn, the force to which the pressure plate is subjected is distributed over a greater surface area; analogously, the same applies to the opposing forces to which the lever element
Bessey & Sohn GmbH & Co.
Lipsitz Barry R.
McAllister Douglas M.
Wilson Lee D.
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