Clamp suitable for use at high temperatures in a flexible tooling apparatus
US6250619A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB25B11/005
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A clamp for clamping extendible supports in flexible tooling system includes three overlapping tapered collets surrounding the extendible support, with a set of ball bearings positioned between each of the collets. The middle collet is tapered in a direction opposite to that of the inner and outer collets, so that when the middle collet is pressed by springs into a gap between the inner and outer collet, the inner collet is forced against the extendible support, thereby clamping it. The ball bearings and the three collet assembly prevent the clamp from binding with thermal expansion so that the clamp releases when the force pressing the middle collet into the space between the inner and outer collet is removed. The springs maintain a sustained clamping force so the clamp does not release upon thermal expansion of it components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.