Retract clamp apparatus
US5979886A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB25B5/064
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A retract clamp (20) utilizes three clamp arm retraction enhancement mechanisms (26, 28, 63) to increase clamp arm (24) retraction consistency. The first retraction enhancement mechanism (26) is a bifurcated piston having a first piston member (68) and a second piston member (70). If the first piston member (68) becomes tilted and caught, the second piston member (70) continues to move allowing the first piston member (68) to right itself. The second retraction enhancement mechanism (28) comprises a clamp arm guide mechanism having a base (82), a pusher (84), and a plurality of resilient members (110-124) interposed between the base (82) and the pusher (84) to bias the pusher (84) against the clamp arm (24) and align the clamp arm (24) with a clamp arm receiving area (40) defined in a clamp arm holder (22). The third clamp arm retraction enhancement mechanism comprises a lift surface (63) on the clamp arm (24). The lift surface 63 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the clamp arm (24) for upward retraction of the clamp arm outer end 54 substantially prior to axial retraction of the clamp arm (24).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.