Patent Application
20230104256
The present disclosure relates to a clamp and more particularly, to a power clamp utilized in harsh environments.
When utilizing various types of clamps, in harsh environments, it is difficult to utilize a manual clamp. While the manual clamp may be utilized in these environment, they are susceptible to damage from the environment. Thus, it is possible, due to harshness of the environment, that the manual clamps may be compromised.
Thus, it is desirable to have a powered clamp that can be utilized in harsh environments. The clamp provides a clean appearance and retains the necessary lubricants within the clamp. It is desirable to have a clamp that provides these features.
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a power clamp that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. The present clamp provides utilization in harsh environments while keeping the necessary lubricants within the clamp. Further, it provides a clean appearance. The present disclosure provides a clamp with a composition material that does not require lubrication. Thus, a drive operation does not attract dust or debris. The present disclosure provides operation in various orientations while providing a solid feel while the linkage is stopped or play is kept internally within the body. The present application also provides that the clamp can be positioned or operated manually when required. Also, the clamp can have a left or right side mounting.
According to the present disclosure, a power clamp comprises a body and a piston assembly coupled with the body. The piston assembly includes an actuation mechanism and a movable piston rod. A linkage is housed within the body. The linkage is movably coupled with the piston rod. A plunger is movably coupled with the linkage. A clamp hook is coupled with the plunger to clamp a workpiece. The linkage moves the clamp hook between a release and clamped position. The linkage includes a first, second and third links. The first link is pivotally connected to the body and pivotally connected to the second link. The second link pivotally connects with the plunger and the first link. A pin is coupled with the piston rod pivotally connecting the third link. The third link is coupled with the first and second links. A second pin is coupled with the second link. The second pin moves in a track, in the body, to provide motion to the clamp. The second pin is coupled with the plunger. A pivotable trunnion supports the plunger. The trunnion includes a composite bearing supporting the plunger. The body is manufactured from a plastic material and includes a pair of metal side cover plates. Additionally, a pair of mounting plates are positioned over the cover plates to enable the power clamp to be secured to a surface. A post projects from the first link outside of the body. A clamp handle is coupled with the post to manually rotate the clamp between a clamping and release position. A release handle is rotatably coupled with the body and includes a fourth link associated with the third link to move the clamp out of the clamped position. A spring is associated with the release handle to return the release handle to its original starting position. The body encloses the linkage and piston connection. Sensors are present to sense the operation of the piston and power clamp assembly.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A power clamp is illustrated and designated with the reference numeral 10. The power clamp 10 includes a body 12 and piston assembly 14. A clamp hook 16 is actuated by the piston assembly 14 via a linkage 20.
The body 12 includes a molded plastic housing portion 22 having opened sides with an overall rectangular configuration illustrated with a pentagonal wall 24. The wall 24 includes an opening 26 in a front face 28 to receive the clamp hook 16. An opening 30 in a rear face 32 receives the piston assembly 14. Also, the housing 22 includes a plurality of bosses 34 and bores 36 that receive fasteners to retain various elements on the housing 22. The housing 22 protects and encloses the linkage 20.
Fasteners may be inserted into the boss bores 36 to secure outer cover plates 38 and 40 with the housing 22. The cover plates 38 are inlayed within a boundary recess of the housing 22 as illustrated in
Mounting plates 42 have a configuration similar to plates 38. However, the mounting plates 42 include a ledge 43 to secure the clamp 10 to a surface. The ledge 43 generally is perpendicular to the body 44 of the plate 40 to provide an L-shaped plate. The mounting plates 40 cover the cover plates 38 as well as the sides of the housing 22 as illustrated in
Turning to
The plunger 62 is coupled with the clamp hook 16. The plunger 62 is passed through a trunnion 70. The trunnion 70 is secured rotatably secured between the cover plates 38, via pins 72, projecting from the trunnion 70 into apertures 74 in the cover plates 38. The trunnion 70 includes a composite bearing 74 pressed into the trunnion 70. The composite bearing 74 supports the plunger 62 as it moves through the trunnion 70. The composite bearing 74 provides the lubricant for the plunger 62. The trunnion 70 pivots in the cover plates 38 and maintains the proper plunger 62 position.
In operation, the piston rod 46 extends away from the piston block. As this occurs, the clamp hook 16 moves upward into a release position as seen in
In order to lock the clamp hook 16, the piston rod 46 is retracted into the piston body. As this occurs, the pin 64 travels in the slot 40 towards the piston body 14. As the pin 64 travels up the incline portion of the slot 40, the clamp hook 16 is rotated from the released position, illustrated in
A sensor 80 is positioned in the body 12. The sensor 80 senses the stroke of the linkage 20 to provide information to a controller on the clamped and release positions of the power claim 10.
Turning to
The handle 108 is rotated from a release position to a clamped position as illustrated in
Turning to
The arm 128 contacts the projecting portion 66 of the first link 58. The handle 120 is rotated which, in turn, rotates the shaft 122. As the shaft 122 is rotated, the fourth link 126 is rotated with the arm 128 contacting the projecting portion 66. The contact with the projecting portion 66 continues until the arm 128 rotates the first link pushing the linkage 20 out of the overcenter position. Once the first link 58 is released from the overcenter toggle lock position, the spring 130 returns the handle 124 to its original position. Thus, the handle 108 can be actuated to move the clamp hook 16 out of the clamped position. Also, the piston assembly 14 could be utilized to move the linkage 20 out from the overcenter position.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
