ADJUSTABLE MULTIPLE JAW CLAMP

Abstract

A clamp including a first clamping jaw assembly, a second clamping jaw assembly facing toward the first clamping jaw assembly, the second clamping jaw assembly including a plurality of jaw clamps, at least one of the jaw clamps being a pivoting jaw clamp which is pivoted about a pivot axis that goes longitudinally from the second clamping jaw assembly to the first clamping jaw assembly, the pivoting jaw clamp being pivotable to a position adjacent another of the jaw clamps of the second clamping jaw assembly and the pivoting jaw clamp being pivotable to a different position angularly spaced away from the other jaw clamp of the second clamping jaw assembly, and a tightening mechanism for tightening the clamping jaw assemblies against a workpiece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a clamp constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in respective spread-out and closed orientations of the jaw clamps, the clamp being a bar clamp with the fixed jaw clamp being spreadable;

FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the clamp of FIGS. 1A and 1B shown as a spreader clamp;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a clamp constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, in respective spread-out and closed orientations of the jaw clamps, the clamp being a bar clamp with both the fixed and moving jaw clamps being spreadable, creating a double pivoted clamp;

FIG. 4 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a clamp constructed and operative in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the clamp being an adjustable clamp with pivoted arms; and

FIG. 5 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a clamp constructed and operative in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, the clamp being a deep throat sliding bar clamp with pivoted arms.

Claims

1. A clamp comprising: a first clamping jaw assembly;a second clamping jaw assembly facing toward said first clamping jaw assembly, said second clamping jaw assembly comprising a plurality of jaw clamps, at least one of the jaw clamps being a pivoting jaw clamp which is pivoted about a pivot axis that goes longitudinally from the second clamping jaw assembly to the first clamping jaw assembly, said pivoting jaw clamp being pivotable to a position adjacent another of the jaw clamps of said second clamping jaw assembly and said pivoting jaw clamp being pivotable to a different position angularly spaced away from said other jaw clamp of said second clamping jaw assembly; anda tightening mechanism for tightening said clamping jaw assemblies against a workpiece.

2. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein said pivoting jaw clamp pivots freely about said pivot axis.

3. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein said pivoting jaw clamp is lockable at predetermined angular positions about said pivot axis.

4. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein an angular spread between said pivoting jaw clamp and said other jaw clamp of said second clamping jaw assembly is 0°-180°.

5. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein all the jaw clamps of said second clamping jaw assembly are pivoting jaw clamps.

6. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein said first clamping jaw assembly also comprises at least one pivoting jaw clamp.

7. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein said clamp comprises a bar clamp wherein said first clamping jaw assembly moves along a bar and said second clamping jaw assembly is fixed to said bar.

8. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein said clamp comprises an adjustable clamp.

9. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein said clamp comprises a deep throat sliding bar clamp with said first clamping jaw assembly on a rotating tightening spindle.