Cam operated heater clamp with locking device and rotational position indicator
US5263230A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/1414
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improvement in cam operated clamps for clamping heater elements to the nozzles of injection molding equipment. The clamp is adjusted by the rotation of a cam shaft parallel to the nozzle axis. The clamp housing consists of a circular cylinder with a longitudinal slit. Journals for the cam shaft are mounted on one side of the slit and the cam follower is mounted on the opposite side of the slit. Adjustment of the cam shaft increases or decreases the width of the slit providing the clamping action. Attached to the clamp housing is a tab which stops the cam pin rotation at an optimum position just beyond the position of maximum clamping effect. This position provides substantially the maximum clamping effect available from the clamp and effects a torque on the cam pin which holds the cam follower against the stop tab locking the clamp in place. In an alternative embodiment, a protrusion extends downward from the inside of one of the cam journals and mates with a indentation on the cam pin at the rotational position of maximum clamping effect. The added rotational resistance provided by the engagement of the protrusion in the indentation effectively locks the clamp in place.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.