Clamp for holding wall panel against adhesive
US5617698A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE04F21/1844
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A clamp holds a wall panel against an adhesive bead on a wall frame as the adhesive bead cures. The clamps are automatically actuated to first secure the clamp to the structure adjacent the panel, and then hold the panel against the adhesive bead as the bead cures. In a first embodiment, the clamp is placed across the abutting edges of two adjacent panels, and a vacuum is drawn on both of the panels to draw edges of the panels against a reference surface. The reference surface insures that the edges of the panels an in abutting aligned relationships as the adhesive cures. In other embodiments of this invention the clamp may include a pusher member that receives a fluid pressure to drive the pusher member against the panel and hold the panel as the adhesive cures. With these embodiments there is also securement structure for holding the clamp against the panel. The securement members may be threaded screws driven by motors into the floor and ceiling. The securement structure may include separate cylinders which receive hydraulic pressure to hold securement members against structure such as the ceiling and floor, or may include suction cups. In a method according to this invention th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.