Case clamp

Abstract

The invention discloses a case clamp (20) for clamping of carcass parts to furniture carcasses, such as tall cupboards, top or bottom cupboards, having a base frame (1), a lower compression beam (1′) provided on the base frame (1), at least two supports (2, 3) disposed on the base frame (1), of which at least one is traversable horizontally on the base frame (1), at least two pairs of horizontal compression beams (6, 7) disposed on the supports (2, 3) so as to be horizontally traversable, and an upper compression beam (4) disposed on the supports (2, 3) so as to be vertically traversable. The case clamp according to the invention is characterised in that in each case the supports (2, 3) are supported exclusively on the base frame (1) in the vertical direction at least and are free at the opposing end (2′, 3′)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram in perspective view of a case clamp as a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a rear perspective view of the case clamp shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A case clamp 20 as a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2 in perspective views. Case clamp 20 serves to clamp carcass parts to furniture carcasses, such as, for example, tall cupboards, top or bottom cupboards, other items of furniture or the like.

Case clamp 20 has a base frame 1, which may for example consist of a welded steel structure. Provided laterally on base frame 1 is a lower compression beam 1′, which in the present embodiment is integrated with a feed device 5 which will be explained in even greater detail below.

In addition, disposed on base frame 1 in the present embodiment are two supports 2, 3 which in the present embodiment are both horizontally traversable on base frame 1. The traversability of supports 2, 3 is achieved here by way of guide rails 10 in addition to two, servomotor-driven ball-and-screw spindles 13 working in opposite directions. As may be seen best in FIG. 2, guide rails 10 are located at a distance from each other so that the supports can transmit a bending moment and dissipate corresponding forces into the base frame around an axis parallel to guide rails 10.

The free end 2′, 3′ of the supports opposing guide rails 10 is free (unsupported) with the result that supports 2, 3 are supported exclusively on base frame 1 in the vertical direction at least.

Disposed in pairs on supports 2, 3 respectively are horizontal compression beams 6, 7, i.e. a horizontal compression beam 6 is matched in operation to opposing horizontal compression beam 7 in each case. The traversability of horizontal compression beams 6, 7 along supports 2, 3 is achieved by way of a positioning device 14, in the form of a belt for example. Case clamp 20 also has an upper compression beam 4, which is supported by way of guide rails 8 so as to be vertically traversable on supports 2, 3. In addition, supports 2, 3 are also disposed so as to be horizontally traversable in relation to upper compression beam 4, that is to say by way of guide rails 9, which may best be seen in FIG. 2.

Within the scope of the present invention, horizontal and vertical are understood to be two directions which are orthogonal to each other. Thus the invention is not restricted such that the case clamp or its components must be exactly horizontally or vertically disposed, but rather that the directions referred to are orthogonal to each other.

Case clamp 20 also comprises a drive pillar 11 for upper compression beam 4, which in the present embodiment has a servo drive 11′. By means of this drive 11′ it is possible to traverse upper compression beam 4 vertically along supports 2, 3. In this regard, a pneumatic counterweight 12 is integrated into drive pillar 11 by means of which drive 11′ is largely relieved of the own weight loads arising from the movements of upper compression beam 4.

Finally, case clamp 20 in the present embodiment has a feed device 5, for example in the form of a belt conveyor, by means of which carcass parts or carcasses to be clamped may be transported into the case clamp or clamped carcasses may be transported out of the case clamp. In this regard, lower compression beam 1′ in the present embodiment is integrated in feed device 5 which results in an especially compact and simple construction.

Due to completely dispensing with an upright support frame, case clamp 20 according to the invention enables a significantly simplified structural design with lower own weight and improved accessibility to the case clamp in addition to reduced space requirements.

Claims

1. Case clamp (20) for clamping of carcass parts to furniture carcasses, such as tall cupboards, top or bottom cupboards, having: a base frame (1),a lower compression beam (1′) provided on the base frame (1),at least two supports (2, 3) disposed on base frame (1), of which at least one is traversable horizontally on the base frame (1),at least two pairs of horizontal compression beams (6, 7) disposed on the supports (2, 3) so as to be vertically traversable, andan upper compression beam (4) disposed on the supports (2, 3) so as to be vertically traversable characterised in thatin each case the supports-(2, 3) are supported exclusively on the base frame (1) in the vertical direction at least and are free at the opposing end (2′, 3′).

2. Case clamp according to claim 1, characterised in that the supports (2, 3) are supported in each case by way of at least two guide elements, especially guide rails (10), on the base frame (1).

3. Case clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it also has a drive pillar (11) for the upper compression beam (4), which comprises a drive (11′), in particular a servo-drive.

4. Case clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also has a counterweight (12) which is preferably integrated in the drive pillar (11) and/or functions pneumatically.

5. Case clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also has a feed device (5) in which the lower compression beam (1′) is preferably integrated.