Clamp with movement management

Abstract

A clamp includes a rod having a top surface and a bottom surface, a stationary jaw secured to the rod, and a movable assembly movable along the rod. The movable assembly includes a movable claw, an actuator that incrementally moves the movable assembly to apply a clamping force to the clamping load, and a release lever that disengages the movable assembly to release the clamping force and allows the movable assembly to freely slide along the lever. The movable assembly may support a bearing surface formed of a low friction material that is positioned to prevent the movable assembly from bonding to the rod when a clamping load is released. The release lever is movable between a position in which the lever is engaged, a position in which the release lever is disengaged from the lever, and another position in which the lever is engaged, the third position being opposite the first position, the second position being between the third position and the first position.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This utility model claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 275,915, filed on November 4, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] This utility model generally relates to hand tools, and more particularly to clamps or spreaders. Background art

[0004] Various tools configured to grip and / or spread against a surface are known. Additionally, this application relates to various improvements to such gripping or spreading tools, which can be used to hold workpieces (such as woodworking structures, cabinets, doors, windows, frame sections, pallets, etc.) together or spread them. As used herein, the term clamp can be understood to generally refer to a tool that can be used to move a jaw to pull into a workpiece (e.g., for gripping), or to move a jaw to push against a workpiece (e.g., for spreading), or to a tool that can be configured to pull into or push against a workpiece (e.g., by changing the orientation of its components). This disclosure includes various improvements that can be utilized together or independently in various embodiments. Some known clamps utilize a pull trigger to move an engagement assembly along a rod. Other known clamps utilize a screw mechanism (e.g., in an F - clamp). Still other known tools are hybrid clamps that combine the features of screw clamps and trigger clamps. This disclosure includes various improvements to clamps that can be used together or independently in various embodiments for trigger clamps or hybrid clamps. Summary of the utility model

[0005] According to one embodiment, a clamp includes a rod having a top surface and a bottom surface, a fixed jaw fixed relative to the rod, and a movable assembly configured to selectively move along the rod. The movable assembly includes: a movable jaw positioned to move relative to the fixed jaw together with the movable assembly; an actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the rod toward the fixed jaw and apply a clamping force to a clamping load; a release lever configured to disengage the movable assembly from the rod to allow the movable assembly to freely slide along the rod toward or away from the fixed jaw and release the clamping force when actuated; and a support surface formed of a low - friction material, which is supported in the movable assembly and is positioned to prevent the movable assembly from binding to the rod when the clamping load is released by actuation of the release lever.

[0006] According to another embodiment, the fixture includes a rod having a top surface and a bottom surface, a fixed jaw fixed relative to the rod; and a movable assembly configured to selectively move along the rod. The movable assembly includes: a movable jaw positioned to move relative to the fixed jaw together with the movable assembly; an actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the rod toward the fixed jaw and apply a clamping force to the clamped load; and a release lever configured to disengage the movable assembly from the rod to allow the movable assembly to freely slide along the rod toward or away from the fixed jaw and release the clamping force when actuated. The release lever is movable between a first position engaged with the rod, a second position where the release lever is disengaged from the rod to allow the movable assembly to freely slide along the rod, and a third position engaged with the rod, the third position being opposite to the first position and the second position being between the third position and the first position.

[0007] By considering the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, these and other objects, features and characteristics of the present utility model, as well as the operating methods and functions of the related elements of the structure and the combinations of components and the economy of manufacture, will become more apparent, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals represent corresponding components in the various drawings. In the embodiments of the present utility model, the structural components shown herein are drawn to scale. However, it should be clearly understood that the drawings are for illustrative and descriptive purposes only and are not intended as a definition of the limitations of the present utility model. Additionally, it should be understood that the structural features shown or described in any one of the embodiments herein can also be used in other embodiments. As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The features of a fixture according to one or more embodiments are shown in the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. The drawings form a part of this original disclosure, wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of the fixture of the present disclosure is shown;

[0010] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 a side cross-sectional view along the length of the rod of the fixture;

[0011] Figure 3A Shows an enlarged perspective view of the fixture according to an embodiment Figure 1 wherein the cover of the housing is removed to observe the interior of its movable assembly, the movable assembly including a support surface, the support surface being shown separately in the insertion Figure 3B shown. <F

[0012] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1An enlarged side view of the clamp, with the cover removed, where the release lever is in the first position;

[0013] Figure 5 Repeat Figure 4 An enlarged side view of the clamp, where the release lever is in the second position; and

[0014] Figure 6 Repeat Figure 4 And Figure 5 An enlarged side view of the clamp, where the release lever is in the third position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an embodiment of the clamp 100 of the present disclosure is shown. The clamp 100 includes a rod 110, and a fixed jaw 120 is mounted on the rod 110. In some embodiments, the rod 110 and the fixed jaw 120 may be conventional. In one embodiment, the fixed jaw 120 may be removably mounted to the rod 110 and may be removed or repositioned on the rod 110 by actuation of the fixed jaw release 130. The clamp 100 further includes a movable assembly 140 that is configured to move along the rod 110 as described herein. As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the clamp 100 is a hybrid clamp, and thus, in addition to the movable assembly 140 being configured to move along the rod 110, the movable assembly 140 further includes a screw clamping assembly 150 that includes screw clamping jaws 160 mounted to the remainder of the movable assembly 140 via a screw clamping mount 170.

[0016] Additional details of the clamp 100 can be seen in Figure 2 which Figure 2 shows a side view of the clamp 100 taken along the length of the rod 110. As shown, the movable assembly 140 includes a housing 180, and the housing 180 may include a handle 190 that extends from or is formed with the housing 180. The movable assembly 140 further includes a trigger clamping mechanism 200 that selectively engages the movable assembly 140 and moves the movable assembly 140 along the rod 110. The trigger clamping mechanism will be discussed in more detail below; however, it can be understood that in some embodiments, the mechanism 200 may include an actuator 210 (e.g., a trigger) and a release lever 220. Actuating the actuator 210 by pulling the actuator 210 towards the trigger clamping mechanism handle 190 formed in or extending from the housing 180 of the trigger clamping mechanism 200 causes the trigger clamping mechanism 200 to move along the rod 110 and thus move the movable assembly 140, which includes the screw clamping assembly 150 extending from it on the screw clamping mount 170 such that the screw clamping jaws 160 of the screw clamping assembly can clamp a load against the fixed jaw 12.

[0017] As further shown, the screw clamping assembly 150 may include a screw clamping handle 240 and a screw clamping shaft 230 that couples the screw clamping jaws 160 to the screw clamping handle 240. Once in the desired position for clamping a load between the screw clamping jaws 160 and the fixed jaws 120, further clamping force may be applied by twisting the screw clamping assembly 150 such that the shaft threads 230a on the screw clamping shaft 230 between the screw clamping handle 240 and the screw clamping jaws 160 engage the mounting threads 170a on the screw clamping mount 170, such that rotation of the screw clamping handle 240 can move the screw clamping jaws 160 forward or backward relative to the screw clamping mount 170. This can further move the screw clamping jaws 160 toward the fixed jaws 120 or otherwise move relative to the rod 110. Similarly, fine-tuning of the clamping force can be performed by twisting the screw clamping assembly 150 to move the screw clamping jaws 160 slightly away from the fixed jaws 120 by rotating the screw clamping handle 150 in the opposite direction, thereby loosening the screw clamping shaft 230 relative to the movable assembly 140.

[0018] In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the screw clamping jaws 160 may be pivotally and / or rotatably mounted on the screw clamping shaft 230 such that a desired engagement between the screw clamping jaws 160 and the workpiece can be achieved. As shown, by the movement of the movable assembly 140 along the rod 110 toward the fixed jaws 120 and by the further movement of the screw clamping jaws 160 toward the fixed jaws 120, a desired clamping force 250 can be achieved between the fixed jaws 120 and the screw clamping jaws 160 by squeezing the clamped load 255 (which may include one or more objects fixed between the fixed jaws 120 and the screw clamping jaws 160).

[0019] In Figure 2 is further shown, and as magnified in Figure 3A and shown separately in Figure 3B the fixture 100 may utilize a support surface (e.g., one or more bearings 260) to mitigate or prevent jaw binding. The support surface may be formed on the bearing 260. It will be appreciated that while the incremental movement of the trigger clamping mechanism 200 is actuated via the actuator 210, the release of the clamping force (or the ability to freely slide the movable assembly 140 along the rod) is actuated by the release lever 220. Jaw binding may occur at any point during the movement between the movable assembly 140 of the fixture 100 and the rod 110 of the fixture 100, as discussed in more detail below, including but not limited to when the clamping force 250 is released (e.g., when the fixture 100 applies the clamping force 250 to the clamped load 255 and the clamping force 250 is released by actuation of the release lever 220).

[0020] When a clamping force 250 is applied between the fixed jaw 120 and the screw clamping jaw 160, especially when another screw clamping force is applied on top of the trigger clamping force formed by the trigger clamping mechanism 200, a bonding force can be formed on the opposite side of the trigger clamping mechanism 200 that engages the rod 110, near the location where the screw clamping mount 170 meets the rod 110. As described herein, the support member 260 positioned at these contact points between the rod 110 and the movable assembly 140 can be configured to prevent the movable assembly 140 from bonding to the rod 110 when the clamping force is released by the release lever 220 of the trigger clamping mechanism 220.

[0021] In one embodiment, the support member 260 can be a low-friction support member. In some embodiments, the support member 260 can be formed from a polymer, such as but not limited to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene materials. In one embodiment, the support member 260 can be formed from an oil-impregnated material (such as oil-impregnated sintered bronze), or can be lubricated or self-lubricated in other ways. In some embodiments, the oil-impregnated material can be a material sold under a trade name, or can be formed from a similar material. It will be understood that such a support member 260 can have a desired compressive strength and a desired low coefficient of friction to prevent the movable assembly 140 from bonding to the rod 110.

[0022] Figure 3A An enlarged view of the movable assembly 140 is shown, with the cover portion of the housing 180 omitted to expose the trigger clamping mechanism 200 therein. As shown, in some embodiments, the support member 260 can be positioned between the rod 110 and the remainder of the movable assembly 140. For example, in one embodiment, the support member 260 can be below the rod 110 (e.g., to contact the bottom surface 110a of the rod 110), opposite the screw clamping mount 170 when the screw clamping mount 170 extends above the rod 110 (e.g., at the top surface 110b of the rod 110). In one embodiment, the support member 260 can be positioned on top of the rod 110 (e.g., at the top surface 110b), adjacent to the location where the release lever 220 engages the rod 110. In some embodiments, the screw clamping mount 170 can extend from a larger piece or assembly formed from a low-friction material that serves as the low-friction support member 260. In one embodiment, the screw clamping mount 170 including the area around the rod 110 in front of the release lever 220 of the movable assembly 140 can be formed from such a low-friction material to serve as the low-friction support member 260.

[0023] In embodiments where the support members 260 are separate pieces assembled into the movable assembly 140, they can be appropriately shaped to be received in the movable assembly 140. For example, Figure 3A the insert in Figure 3BAn embodiment of one of the supports 260 of the illustrated embodiment is shown having alignment features 270 that allow it to be received in or receive corresponding alignment features 280 of the movable assembly 140.

[0024] In another aspect of the present disclosure, in some embodiments, the clamp 100 may be configured with a rod anti-jump mechanism as described below. As described above, although the clamp 100 is shown as a hybrid clamp, it will be understood that the rod anti-jump mechanism may be implemented on other clamp configurations. In any case, it will be understood that when the clamp 100 has applied a clamping force 250 to a load 255 held between a movable jaw (e.g., the screw clamping jaw 160 of the illustrated embodiment) and a fixed jaw 120, release of such clamping force (such as by releasing the release rod 220) can generally cause one or more of the movable assembly 140 and the fixed jaw 120 (fixed to the rod 110) to rapidly jump or accelerate away from the load 255. Depending on whether the fixed jaw 120 itself is supported on a surface, or if the movable assembly 140 is firmly held by the user, this movement can occur in the case where the rod 110 and the fixed jaw 120 move away from the movable assembly 140 held in a relatively fixed position, or can occur in the case where the movable assembly 140 jumps away from the fixed jaw 120 along the rod 110, thus simultaneously striking the user's engaging hand.

[0025] As Figures 4 - 6 shown, the rod anti-jump mechanism may be provided on the rod clamp 100, such as in the trigger clamp mechanism 200, and may be configured to act as a brake on the movable assembly 140 to hold the movable assembly 140 and the rod 110 relative to each other in a controlled manner when the clamping force is released by actuating the release rod 220, to mitigate the jumping motion between the rod 110 (and the fixed jaw 120 mounted thereon) and the movable assembly 140. In particular, the release rod 220 may be configured to pivot relative to the rod 110 and move between three notable positions, each position being shown in Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 one of.

[0026] Figure 4Shows the rod clamp 100 in the clamped position, where the brake plate 290 (also referred to as the brake tab) is in a first position angled relative to the rod 110 to prevent the movable assembly 140 and the fixed jaw 120 from moving apart (e.g., away from each other) by clamping on the rod 110. The actuating plate 290 is configured to move with the release lever 220 and selectively engage the rod 110 beside the release lever 220. Although actuating the actuator 210 by pulling the actuator 210 towards the trigger clamping mechanism handle 190 will cause the clamping plate 300 to move so as to incrementally grip the rod 110 to cause the movable assembly 140 to travel along the rod 110 towards the fixed jaw 120, when as Figure 4 shown and unactuated, the load 255 can be clamped between the movable assembly 140 and the fixed jaw 120, applying an outward force blocked by the brake plate 290.

[0027] Move to Figure 5 , when the user actuates the release lever 220, the brake plate 290 moves to a second position to create a gap between the brake plate 290 and the rod 110 such that the rod 110 can move freely relative to the movable assembly 140. In this position, when a force has been previously clamped between the movable assembly 140 and the fixed jaw 120, this relative movement due to the release of the clamping force will start to cause relative movement between the rod 110 and the movable assembly 140. As Figure 5 further shown, in some such embodiments, in the second position, the release lever 220 may have disengaged from the rod 110, yet will not have engaged the shock-absorbing spring 310, which is described in more detail below. The shock-absorbing spring 310 biases the actuating plate 290 and the release lever 220.

[0028] Finally, as Figure 6 shown, the release lever 220 can be further pulled such that the brake plate 290 is in a third position that is angled oppositely to the position it was in in Figure 4 its clamped position. It can be understood that some effort is required to pull the release lever 220 to overcome the clamping force when applied, as in Figure 4 , and thus, when the user pulls the release lever 220 with sufficient force to release the clamp, the brake plate 290 will move through Figure 5 its second position, which allows the movable assembly 140 to move freely relative to the rod 110, and into the third position, i.e., the opposing braking position, to again prevent the movable assembly 140 from moving relative to the rod 110. Therefore, it can be understood that when the user further squeezes the release lever 220 relative to the trigger clamping mechanism handle 190 of the movable assembly 140, the movement of the movable assembly 140 relative to the rod 110, especially a sudden jumping movement, will be slowed down or prevented because such a force will not tend to cause the release lever 220 to move only from the first position to the second position.

[0029] As Figure 6 Further shown in Figure 6 , in some embodiments, the shock-absorbing spring 310 can be actuated with such a force as to overcome the pulling force of the release lever 220 (e.g., a compression spring in the illustrated embodiment). Thus, it can be understood that once the clamping force is released, the shock-absorbing spring 310 can bias the release lever 220 when not actuated under the clamping force, so as to tend to cause the release lever 220 to move from the first position to the second position, or from the third position to the second position, and prevent further movement to the third position, such that the sliding movement of the movable assembly 140 relative to the lever 110 can be easily achieved (e.g., for coarsely adjusting the spacing between the movable jaws (e.g., the screw clamping jaws 160 and the fixed jaws 120)).

[0030] It can be understood that any suitable spring force can be utilized on the shock-absorbing spring 310 or at the angle of the brake plate 290 when the brake plate 290 engages with the lever 110, so as to provide the desired braking for the relative movement of the movable assembly 140 and the lever 110, and generate the desired user feedback from the actuation of the release lever 220 to release the clamping force or allow free movement of the movable assembly relative to the lever.

[0031] The objects, features, and characteristics of the present utility model, as well as the operating methods and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination and manufacturing economy of the components may be apparent upon consideration of the description and drawings herein, all of which form a part of this specification. In one embodiment of the present utility model, the structural components shown herein are drawn to scale. However, it should be clearly understood that the drawings are for illustrative and descriptive purposes only and are not intended as a definition of the limitations of the present utility model. Additionally, it should be understood that the structural features shown or described in any one embodiment herein can also be used in other embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0032] In various embodiments, the hybrid grippers described herein can be formed from metal, plastic, ceramic, wood, or any other suitable material or combination of these materials. It will be understood that the components described herein can have different constructions or configurations, including but not limited to one or more including different material selections. For example, the various components described herein can each be composed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or more of fabric, plastic, metal, rubber, elastomer, or any other suitable material selection, such as aluminum (e.g., machined aluminum), iron (e.g., steel), ceramic, or any other suitable material. Additionally, portions of the tools that utilize the teachings above can be formed from molded plastic, metal, or a combination thereof (e.g., plastic with a metal support or fasteners that couple the portions together). In some embodiments, the structural and functional components can be formed from metal or hard plastic, while the outermost grippable components that are positioned to engage the palm of the gripper hand to provide a comfortable gripping surface to the palm can be made from a suitable molded plastic material or elastomeric material and can generally be formed as a dual-material suitable molded plastic material coated with a layer of elastomeric material (e.g., rubber-based material). In some embodiments, the material selection can vary by component. In various embodiments, some components can be integrally formed together, while other components can be assembled by any suitable mechanism, including but not limited to fastening, welding, snap fitting, friction fitting, adhesive bonding, or other suitable fixation.

[0033] Although the present utility model has been described in detail for purposes of illustration based on the currently considered most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that such details are for that purpose only and that the present utility model is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the present utility model as more particularly understood in the context of the foregoing disclosure.

Claims

1. A fixture, characterized in that, Comprising: A rod having a top surface and a bottom surface; A fixed jaw fixed relative to the rod; And A movable assembly configured to selectively move along the rod, the movable assembly comprising: A movable jaw positioned to move relative to the fixed jaw together with the movable assembly; An actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the rod toward the fixed jaw and apply a clamping force to a clamped load; A release lever configured to disengage the movable assembly from the rod to allow the movable assembly to freely slide along the rod toward or away from the fixed jaw and to release the clamping force when actuated; and A support surface formed of a low-friction material, the support surface being supported in the movable assembly and positioned to prevent the movable assembly from binding to the rod when the clamped load is released by actuation of the release lever, wherein the support surface is formed on a support member received in the movable assembly, and the support surface includes alignment features to support and retain the support member in the movable assembly.

2. The fixture according to claim 1, wherein The support surface is formed of a polymer.

3. The fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support surface is formed of one or more of PTFE, HDPE, or UHMW polyethylene.

4. The jig according to claim 1, wherein The support surface is formed of an oil-impregnated material.

5. The jig according to claim 4, wherein The support surface includes sintered bronze.

6. The fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support surface is positioned to contact the bottom surface of the rod, opposite the mounting for the movable jaw.

7. The fixture according to claim 1, wherein, The support surface is positioned to contact the top surface of the rod, adjacent the location where the release lever engages the rod.

8. The fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable assembly includes a screw clamping assembly including a screw clamping handle, and wherein the movable jaw is a screw clamping jaw configured to move relative to the fixed jaw independently by rotation of the screw clamping handle.

9. The jig according to claim 1, wherein The release lever is movable between a first position engaging the rod, a second position where the release lever disengages from the rod to allow the movable assembly to freely slide along the rod, and a third position engaging the rod, the third position being opposite the first position, and the second position being between the third position and the first position.

10. A fixture, characterized in that, Comprising: A rod having a top surface and a bottom surface; A fixed jaw fixed relative to the rod; And A movable assembly configured to selectively move along the rod, the movable assembly comprising: A movable jaw positioned to move relative to the fixed jaw together with the movable assembly; An actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the rod toward the fixed jaw and apply a clamping force to a clamped load; and A release lever configured to disengage the movable assembly from the rod to allow the movable assembly to freely slide along the rod toward or away from the fixed jaw and to release the clamping force when actuated; wherein the release lever is movable between a first position engaging the rod, a second position where the release lever disengages from the rod to allow the movable assembly to freely slide along the rod, and a third position engaging the rod, the third position being opposite the first position, and the second position being between the third position and the first position.

11. The fixture according to claim 10, wherein It further includes one or more brake plates configured to move with the release lever and selectively engage the lever beside the release lever.

12. The fixture according to claim 10, wherein It further includes a shock-absorbing spring configured to bias the release lever from the third position to the second position.

13. The jig according to claim 12, characterized in that It further includes one or more brake plates configured to move with the release lever and selectively engage the lever beside the release lever, wherein the shock-absorbing spring biases the brake plates and the release lever.

14. The jig according to claim 12, characterized in that, The shock-absorbing spring is a compression spring.

15. The fixture according to claim 10, characterized in that, The movable assembly includes a screw clamping assembly that includes a screw clamping handle, and wherein the movable jaw is a screw clamping jaw configured to move independently of the fixed jaw relative to the fixed jaw by rotation of the screw clamping handle.

16. The fixture according to claim 10, characterized in that, It further includes a support surface formed of a low-friction material, the support surface being supported in the movable assembly and positioned to prevent the movable assembly from binding to the lever when releasing the clamp load by actuation of the release lever.

17. The jig according to claim 16, characterized in that, The support surface is formed of a polymer.

18. The jig according to claim 17, wherein The support surface is formed of one or more of PTFE, HDPE, or UHMW polyethylene.

19. The fixture according to claim 10, wherein, The support surface is formed of an oil-impregnated material.

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