Joints and connections – Articulated members – Lockable at fixed position
Patent
1993-03-02
1994-10-04
Reese, Randolph A.
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Lockable at fixed position
403375, 403380, 403DIG9, 248230, 2482891, F16B 206, F16B 704
Patent
active
053520580
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to rotatable clamps of the type used for clamping two relatively rotatable parts together.
In many situations it is necessary to loosen a clamping means holding two relatively rotatable parts together to adjust their positions and then to tighten the clamping means to hold them tightly in the adjusted position. Examples of such situations abound in various types of adjustable machinery and devices. The most common clamping means used in such cases is a simple nut and bolt, perhaps with washers on either side of the parts to be clamped to increase the frictional forces acting on the parts to be clamped.
The problem with such nut-and-bolt clamping means is that they must be tightened very firmly or else the two parts will not be properly clamped together. In the case of very heavy parts or parts on which a high load is to be imposed after clamping, especially if the bolt is held substantially horizontally so that gravity assists the torque acting to loosen the nut-and-bolt clamp, the tightening of the nut must be very carefully controlled so as to tighten adequately but not to be turned so far as to strip the thread from the bolt or to damage the parts being clamped.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rotatable clamp which can be easily tightened and loosened but which still provides a large clamping force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the invention provides a rotatable clamp for clamping first and second relatively rotatably elements together, the clamp comprising a first plate for attaching to the first element, a second plate for attaching to the second element and clamping means for clamping the two plates together, in use, wherein the two plates are provided with a plurality of matching concentric indentations and protruberances on the sides facing each other so that the protruberances on one plate fit into the indentations on the other plate whereby when the two elements are to be clamped together the two plates are clamped together by the clamping means so that the protruberances and indentations on the plates are thereby in contact to provide a frictional clamping force and when the clamping means is loosened, the two plates can rotate with respect to each other.
Preferably, the clamping means comprises a bolt extending from the center of one of the plates and, in use, passing through an aperture in the other plate and a nut for screwing onto the bolt so as to clamp the two plates together.
In a preferred embodiment, the clamping means comprises a bolt extending from the center of one of the plates and, in use, passing through an aperture in the other plate and a nut for screwing onto the bolt so as to camp the two plates together.
In one embodiment, the matching concentric protrusions and indentations are formed by concentric circular ridges provided in the opposing faces of the plates. However, in a different embodiment, the matching concentric protrusions and indentations are formed by a plurality of concentric series of protrusions arranged in circles with circular channels between each circular series of protrusions so that the plates can relatively rotate when slightly loosened. Since the protruberances and indentations provide a large frictional clamping force, the nut and bolt do not need to be tightened as greatly as previously and therefore can be more easily loosened. Thus adjustment of the relative positions of the elements is quick and easy yet still providing adequate clamping force for large torques.
In a preferred embodiment, a handle is provided on the nut so that it can be tightened and loosened by hand. It has been found that even such hand tightening is enough to adequately clamp a heavy car transmission casing on a mounting jig.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of a rotatable clamp according to the invention will now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a part cross-sectional side view through apparatus incorpor
REFERENCES:
patent: 973206 (1910-10-01), Parizek
patent: 1627901 (1927-05-01), Hills
patent: 2251253 (1941-07-01), Miller
patent: 3126191 (1964-03-01), Holden
patent: 4185808 (1980-01-01), Donohoe et al.
patent: 4720952 (1988-01-01), Fricker
patent: 4936702 (1990-06-01), Hsu
patent: 4964603 (1990-10-01), Yair
Munro Paul J.
Swan Alan
Novosad Christopher J.
Reese Randolph A.
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