Rotatable rod type clamp

By enabling the actuator and gripper parts of the lever clamp to rotate around the lever and locking them by aligning or disengaging the indexing surface, the problem of cumbersome orientation of traditional lever clamps is solved, improving ease of operation and adaptability.

CN223572922UActive Publication Date: 2025-11-21STANLEY BLACK & DECKER INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202390000368.0
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-05-20
Filing Date
2023-05-19
Publication Date
2025-11-21
Estimated Expiration
2033-05-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The actuator mechanism of traditional lever-type clamps is cumbersome to orient, making it difficult to adjust conveniently according to workpiece configuration and user gestures.

Method used

The actuator and gripper parts of the lever clamp can rotate around the lever. By rotating the actuator to align or disengage from the indexing surface of the mounting part, selective rotation locking of the movable gripper can be achieved.

Benefits of technology

It simplifies the operation of the rod clamp, improves the adaptability and stability on different workpieces and support surfaces, and reduces the number of operation steps.

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Abstract

The utility model relates to a rotatable bar clamp. According to one embodiment, a rod clamp includes a rod, a fixed jaw, and a movable jaw assembly having an actuator portion and a jaw portion. The movable jaw assembly is configured to move along the rod toward or away from the fixed jaw. At least one of the actuator portion and the jaw portion is configured to be rotatable about the rod. According to another embodiment, in which a lever clamp includes a lever, a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, and a movable jaw actuator, a method of operating the lever clamp includes rotating one of the movable jaw actuator and the movable jaw about the lever while the fixed jaw and the lever remain stationary, and rotating one of the movable jaw actuator and the movable jaw about the lever while the fixed jaw and the lever remain stationary. And moving the movable jaw toward or away from the fixed jaw along the rod using a movable jaw actuator.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present utility model relates to a lever clamp or spreader with an actuator that incrementally moves a movable jaw against or away from a fixed jaw. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional lever clamps include a trigger or other actuator that can be engaged by a user squeezing the actuator against a handle to move an actuator mechanism along the lever to move a movable jaw associated with the actuator mechanism relative to a fixed jaw that is fixed opposite the lever. It can be appreciated that depending on the workpiece configuration and the user's hand inclination, the particular orientation of the actuator relative to the jaws can be troublesome. Among other things, the present disclosure improves upon known actuator mechanisms on lever clamps. SUMMARY

[0003] According to one embodiment, a lever clamp includes a lever, a fixed jaw, and a movable jaw assembly having an actuator portion and a jaw portion. The movable jaw assembly is configured to move along the lever toward or away from the fixed jaw. At least one of the actuator portion and the jaw portion is configured to rotate about the lever.

[0004] According to a preferred arrangement, the jaw portion is rotatable about the lever.

[0005] According to a preferred arrangement, the actuator portion includes a mounting portion that extends into the jaw portion and is selectively locked to a rotational orientation relative to the jaw portion.

[0006] According to a preferred arrangement, the jaw portion includes a jaw portion index surface that selectively aligns with a mounting portion index surface formed on the mounting portion to retain the jaw portion in the rotational orientation.

[0007] According to a preferred arrangement, the jaw portion index surface is formed on a rotational actuator that moves from a first position in which the jaw portion index surface aligns with the mounting portion index surface and a second position in which the jaw portion index surface is spaced apart from the mounting portion index surface allowing the jaw portion to rotate about the mounting portion.

[0008] According to a preferred arrangement, the rotational actuator is spring biased to the first position.

[0009] According to a preferred arrangement, the fixed jaw is removable and rotatable on the lever to align with the rotational orientation of the jaw portion of the movable jaw assembly.

[0010] According to a preferred arrangement, the actuator portion is rotatable about the stem.

[0011] According to a preferred arrangement, the jaw portion includes a mounting portion extending into the actuator portion, and the actuator portion is selectively locked to a rotational orientation relative to the mounting portion.

[0012] According to a preferred arrangement, the mounting portion includes a plurality of teeth.

[0013] According to a preferred arrangement, the actuator portion includes a lock selectively engaged within the plurality of teeth.

[0014] According to a preferred arrangement, the lock is formed on a rotary actuator that moves from a first position in which the lock is engaged with one or more of the plurality of teeth, and a second position in which the lock is disengaged from the plurality of teeth, allowing the actuator portion to rotate about the mounting portion.

[0015] According to a preferred arrangement, the rotary actuator is spring biased to the first position.

[0016] According to a preferred arrangement, the lock and the plurality of teeth are shaped to prevent the actuator portion from rotating when the lock is engaged within the plurality of teeth, and do not allow the actuator portion to rotate about the mounting portion until the lock is disengaged from the plurality of teeth.

[0017] According to a preferred arrangement, the plurality of teeth and the lock are each shaped with angled sidewalls that block the actuator portion from rotating about the mounting portion until a rotational force is applied to the actuator portion about the stem.

[0018] According to a preferred arrangement, the rotational force causes the angled sidewalls of the lock to slide out of the angled sidewalls of the plurality of teeth.

[0019] According to a preferred arrangement, the lock is spring biased to be engaged within the plurality of teeth.

[0020] According to another embodiment, in which a lever clamp includes a stem, a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, and a movable jaw actuator, a method of operating the lever clamp includes rotating one of the movable jaw actuator and the movable jaw about the stem while the fixed jaw and the stem remain stationary, and moving the movable jaw along the stem toward or away from the fixed jaw using the movable jaw actuator.

[0021] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present application, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of the application, the structural components illustrated herein are drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not a definition of limits of the application. In addition, it should be appreciated that structural features shown or described in any one embodiment herein can be used in other embodiments as well. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Features of a bar clamp according to one or more embodiments are illustrated in the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like elements. The drawings form a part of this disclosure wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of a bar clamp having a movable jaw assembly and a fixed jaw assembly is shown, with the actuator portion of the movable jaw assembly in a first position.

[0024] Figure 2 A perspective view of the first embodiment of a bar clamp is shown, with the actuator portion in a second position.

[0025] Figure 3 A perspective view of Figure 1 is shown, with the cover plate removed so that the mechanisms therein are visible.

[0026] Figure 4 A separate and partially exploded perspective view of a rotatable assembly coupled to the actuator portion of the first embodiment is shown.

[0027] Figure 5 A side view of the rotatable assembly is shown as it engages a mounting portion extending thereinto from the actuator portion, with its cover omitted to show the engagement.

[0028] Figure 6 An exploded view of an embodiment of the fixed jaw of the first embodiment is shown, configured to engage a bar.

[0029] Figure 7 A perspective view of a second embodiment of a bar clamp having a movable jaw assembly and a fixed jaw assembly is shown, with the actuator portion of the movable jaw assembly in a first position.

[0030] Figure 8An enlarged perspective view of the movable gripper assembly of the second embodiment is shown, with the cover removed to show the engagement between the actuator portion and the gripper portion of the movable gripper assembly.

[0031] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 Another perspective view of the actuator section, in which the rotary actuator and gripper sections are removed from the rod to better show their features.

[0032] Figure 10 An exploded front view of a portion of a second embodiment of the lever clamp is shown to better illustrate its features.

[0033] Figure 11 It shows the relationship with Figure 8 The opposite perspective view, which also omits the housing of the actuator portion, shows the engagement between the rotary actuator and the toothed member fixed relative to the jaw portion of the movable jaw assembly.

[0034] Figure 12 The third embodiment is shown to be similar to Figure 11 The view shows that the toothed member of the third embodiment is configured to slide the toothed region to allow the actuator portion to rotate relative to the gripper portion by applying a rotational force to the actuator portion. Detailed Implementation

[0035] One aspect of this invention may include a lever clamp, wherein an actuator mechanism is rotatable about the lever such that actuation can be performed when a user clamps the workpiece from the underside (e.g., at the edge of the support surface) or when the clamp is placed on the support surface such that the actuator mechanism is positioned above the support surface.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the rod-type clamp 10 of this invention may include a rod 20, on which a fixed gripper 30 and a movable gripper assembly 40 are mounted. An actuator 50, which will be described in more detail below, is connected to the movable gripper, and the actuator 50 facilitates... Figure 1 In the configuration shown, the movable gripper assembly 40 can be moved along the rod 20 toward the fixed gripper 30, or when the fixed gripper 30 is positioned relative to the movable gripper assembly 40, the movable gripper assembly 40 can be moved away from the fixed gripper 30, so that the rod clamp 10 is reconfigured as a spreader, as understood in the art.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the movable gripper assembly 40 includes an actuator portion 50, which includes a handle 60, a trigger 70, and a release lever 80 extending therefrom. The movable gripper assembly 40 also includes a rotatable component 90, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0038] One aspect of the present disclosure is that the fixed jaw 30 and the rotatable assembly 90 can be rotatable about the bar 20 such that the handle 60, the trigger 70, and the release bar 80 extend relative to the bar 20 in the same direction as the majority of the extension of the rotatable assembly 90 and the fixed jaw 30. It can be appreciated that such rotation (the effects of which can be understood in Figure 2 the illustrated embodiment, a pair of legs 100a and 100b are located on the fixed jaw 30, a pair of legs 100c and 100d are located on the rotatable assembly 90, and a leg 100e is located on a flange 110 on the bar 20. It can be appreciated that in embodiments including the flange 110, the flange 110 can be removed such that the fixed jaw 30 can be inserted into its position, facilitating use of the bar clamp 10 as a spreader.

[0039] As Figure 1 further shown and in part shown in the view of Figure 2 , the rotatable assembly 90 can include a rotation actuator 120, while the fixed jaw 30 can include a removal actuator 130. While various assembly configurations can be used in embodiments, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable assembly 90 includes a cover plate 140, while the fixed jaw 30 includes a cover plate 150. Similarly, the actuator portion 50 includes a cover plate 160. In such embodiments, the cover plates 140, 150, and 160 can be secured with threaded fasteners or by any other appropriate mechanism, which can facilitate assembly or disassembly of the bar clamp 10.

[0040] Figure 3 a view of Figure 1 is shown in which the cover plates 140, 150, and 160 are removed, such that the mechanisms of embodiments of the bar clamp 10 can be appreciated. As shown, in one embodiment, the actuator portion 50 can include a wedge plate 170 coupled to the release bar 80, and can include an entraining slide plate 180 coupled to the trigger 70, as such features are known in the art. As further shown, a mounting portion 190 of the actuator portion 50 (e.g., secured to or integrally formed with the mounting portion 190) can extend into the rotatable assembly 90, and can be configured to selectively engage with the rotation actuator 120, as described in greater detail below, to allow the rotatable assembly 90 to rotate about the mounting portion 190, and thus allow the bar 20 to extend about the mounting portion 190.

[0041] Figure 4An isolated and partially exploded view is shown, with actuator portion 50 intact on stem 20, and rotatable assembly 90 in exploded view. As shown, rotatable assembly 90 includes rotatable jaws 200 alongside rotary actuator 120 and cover plate 140. As further shown, spring 210 can bias rotary actuator 120 out of cover plate 140. As Figure 4 shown, and as can be more clearly seen in Figure 5 , mounting portion 190 of actuator portion 50 can include a pair of curved rotation surfaces 220 (only one visible in the view, the other opposite), and a pair of indexing surfaces 230 (both visible in Figure 5 ). Similarly, rotary actuator 120 can include indexing surface 240 and rotation facilitating surface 250 coupled therewith or formed therewith. As can be appreciated, when spring 210 biases rotary actuator 120 outward, indexing surface 240 can align with either of indexing surfaces 230, thereby locking rotatable assembly 90 in the associated indexed position relative to stem 20. By pressing rotary actuator 120 inward, indexing surface 210 can push away from indexing surface 230, such that rotatable assembly 90 can rotate relative to mounting portion 190, with curved rotation surfaces 220 rotating in the space opened by rotation facilitating surface 250. Once rotation has flipped the orientation of rotatable jaws 200 through stem 20, the other indexing surface 230 will be exposed to rotation facilitating surface 250, such that spring 210 can push indexing surface 240 against the other indexing surface 230, locking rotatable jaws 200 in the other indexed position. Figure 2 , the inverted position of rotatable assembly 90 shown.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, fixed jaws 30 can then be flipped by pressing removal button 130, and fixed jaws 30 removed and flipped on stem 20. As Figure 6 shown in the exploded view, stem 20 can include indexing hole 260, which can be engaged by lock 270, which is coupled or fixed to removal button 130. In embodiments, lock 270 (and actuator 130) can be spring biased by spring 280. Thus, pressing removal button 130 removes lock 270 from hole 260, thereby allowing fixed jaws 130 to be removed from stem 20.

[0043] While embodiments of stem clamp 10 as Figures 1-6 shown require multiple steps to move stem clamp 10 from the first configuration Figure 1 to the second configuration Figure 2the lever clamp can be configured such that the structure analogous to the actuator portion 50 is rotatable, while the structure analogous to the rotatable jaw 200 and the fixed jaw 30 remains in the same position on the lever 20. In such a configuration, it will be appreciated that fewer steps are required to change the configuration of the lever clamp. Embodiments of such a lever clamp are described in greater detail below.

[0044] As Figure 7 shown, the lever clamp 300 includes features such as the lever 20 and the fixed jaw 30, which can be identical to the features described above. However, in place of the movable jaw assembly 40, the lever clamp 300 includes a movable jaw assembly 310, described below. The movable jaw assembly 310 includes a handle 320, which can be substantially similar to the handle 60 disclosed above. The movable jaw assembly 310 also includes a trigger 330, which can be substantially similar to the trigger 70 disclosed above. In addition, the movable jaw assembly 310 includes a release lever 340, which can be substantially similar to the release lever 80 disclosed above, except as discussed in greater detail below.

[0045] One aspect of the present disclosure is that the actuator portion 350 of the movable jaw assembly 310 can be rotated about the lever 20, while the jaw portion 360 remains in the same position relative to the lever 20 without rotating. Thus, by rotating the actuator portion 350, the protruding structures such as the handle 320, the trigger 330, and the release lever 340 can be moved out of the plane on which the lever clamp 300 can be positioned, such as the plane defined by the legs 100a and 100b of the fixed jaw 30, the legs 100e of the flange 110, and the legs 100f and 100g of the jaw portion 360.

[0046] As Figure 7 further shown in FIG. 3, the actuator portion 350 can include a rotary actuator 370, described in greater detail below, which can facilitate rotation of the actuator portion 350 of the movable jaw assembly 310. While various assembly configurations can be used in embodiments, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuator portion 350 includes a cover plate 380, which in such embodiments can be secured with threaded fasteners or by any other suitable mechanism, which can facilitate assembly or disassembly of the lever clamp 300.

[0047] Figure 8 An enlarged view of the movable jaw assembly 310 on the lever 20 is shown, with the cover plate 380 removed so that the

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[0050] its internal features. Reference can also be made to Figure 9 which shows another perspective view with the rotating actuator 370 and the jaw portion 360 moved away from the rod 20 for greater detail. As shown, the jaw portion 360 includes a toothed member 390 having a plurality of indexed regions extending thereon into the actuator portion 350. The lock 400 of the rotating actuator 370 can selectively engage the indexed regions when the actuator portion 350 is selectively rotated about the rod 20 (and the toothed member 390). As shown, in the case where the rod 20 has an I-beam configuration (with or without serifs / crossbars), the shape of the non-rotatable slot 410a on the jaw portion 360 can prevent rotation of the jaw portion 360. Further as Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the wedge plate 420 coupled to the release lever 340 and the strap slide 430 coupled to the trigger 330 can have a rotationally symmetric configuration such that when the rotating actuator 370 is actuated and the outer engageable features of the actuator portion 350 are rotated relative to the jaw portion 360 and the rod 20, the housing 440 of the actuator portion 350 can rotate about the wedge plate 420 and the strap slide 430. While in the illustrated embodiment, the wedge plate 420 and the strap slide 430 have a circular cross-section, other polyhedral shapes capable of supporting rotation of the housing 440 thereabout can be utilized in other embodiments.

[0051] It can be appreciated that the handle 320 can be fixed to the housing 440, while the trigger 330 and the release lever 340 can be configured to be carried by the housing 440 for rotation about the rod 20 when the rotating actuator 370 is depressed to disengage the lock 400 from the toothed member 390. In Figure 8 and Figure 9 further shown is that the housing cap 450 can have a curved surface or other shape that can rotatably support the housing 440 such that when the housing 440 is rotated about the rod 20 and the housing cap 450, the housing cap 450 encloses the actuator portion 350.

[0052] Turning to Figure 10FIG. 3A shows a front exploded view of portions of the lever clamp 300 showing how certain structures (e.g., the wedge plate 420 and the clamping slide 430) can also include non-rotatable slots 410b and 410c, respectively, while other structures can be configured to rotate about the lever 20, including the release lever 340 having a rotatable slot 340a, the trigger 330 having a gap 330a at which the trigger 330 can be mounted to the housing 350, and the rotary actuator 370 including a wide opening 370a in which the lever 20 can rotate. Further shown in the front view is a location at which the spring 460 can be supported between the rotary actuator 370 and the housing 350 so as to spring bias the rotary actuator 370 to engage the lock 400 into the toothed member 390 of the clamp jaw portion 360.

[0053] In Figure 11 the spring 460 can be seen more clearly as well as how the lock 400 can engage with the toothed member 390, Figure 11 a perspective view is shown opposite Figure 8 in which the housing 440 of the actuator portion 350 is also omitted. As shown, the toothed member 390 can have a plurality of indexed regions 470 into which the lock 400 can be inserted. Thus, as the actuator portion 350 is rotated relative to the clamp jaw portion 360 and the lever 20, the lock 400 can be rotated relative to the toothed member 390 to selectively engage the toothed member 390 and the lever 20. Figure 7 Various orientation angles of the handle 320, the trigger 330, and the release lever 340 are shown relative to the clamp jaw portion 360 and the fixed jaw 30.

[0054] While in the embodiment of the lever clamp 300, the lock 400 must be manually pushed out of the indexed region 470 to allow rotation, it can be appreciated that in other embodiments, the toothed region 390 can be configured such that a rotational force can be applied to force the lock out of engagement without pressing the rotary actuator 370. For example, as Figure 12 shown, a sliding toothed region 390* can be provided on the clamp jaw portion in which a rotational force applied to the housing against the lock 400* spring biased from the housing (omitted) to the sliding toothed region 390* by the spring 460* can slide the lock 400* having angled sidewalls out of the angled sidewalls defining the sliding indexed region 470*. It can be appreciated that other rotational engagements can be used in various embodiments, including but not limited to a ratchet or clamping mechanism to selectively clamp the actuator portion 350 to the lever 20 and / or the clamp jaw portion 360.

[0055] Other mechanisms can also be appreciated by the disclosed embodiments or combinations taught therein, in which the actuator portion (e.g., actuator portion 350) or the jaw portion (e.g., jaw portion 360) can be rotated about an axis of the shaft (e.g., shaft 20) relative to one another. For example, in some embodiments, the actuator portion can be decoupled from the jaw portion and configured to be removed from the shaft, allowing the rotation of the actuator portion to be manually rotated for reinsertion on the shaft in a rotated orientation and then reengaged with the jaw portion. In some embodiments, the housing of the actuator portion can be configured to hold a path for the shaft to be reinserted, while the internal components of the actuator portion (e.g., plates similar to wedge plate 420 and clamping slide plate 430) do not become misaligned when no longer abutting the shaft. An example of an actuator portion having such a configuration can include, for example, the actuator portion of the motor unit disclosed as U.S. 7,090,209, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Methods of using a shaft clamp as described herein can also be appreciated by the present disclosure.

[0056] The objects, features and advantages of the present application and the manner of attaining them will become apparent in light of the following description and the attached drawings, in which: In one embodiment of the present application, the structural components shown in the drawings are not to scale. It should be noted, however, that the figures are for purposes of illustrating the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Additionally, it should be understood that structural features shown or described in any one embodiment herein can be used in other embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0057] In various embodiments, the tools described herein, and components thereof, can be formed from metal, plastic, ceramic, or a combination of any other suitable material. It can be appreciated that the components described herein can have different configurations or arrangements, including but not limited to one or more comprised of different material selections. For example, various components described herein can each be comprised of a plurality 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. In addition to the components disclosed above, portions of the tools utilizing the teachings described above can be formed from molded or 3D printed plastic, metal, or combinations thereof (e.g., plastic coupling portions with metal supports or fasteners are more robust). In some embodiments, structural components and functional components can be formed from metal or hard plastic, while the outermost gripped components positioned to engage the palm of a grasping 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, such as a rubber-based material. In some embodiments, the material selection can vary from component to component. In various embodiments, some components can be integrally formed together, while other components can be assembled through any suitable mechanism, including but not limited to fastening, welding, snap fitting, friction fitting, adhesive bonding, or other suitable securing.

[0058] While the application has been described in detail based upon the embodiments presently considered to be the most practical and preferred, it is understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the application. Thus, for example, it is to be understood that the application can be carried out otherwise than as specifically outlined herein.

[0059] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0060] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 344,492, filed May 20, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A lever clamp, characterized in that Comprising: a stem; a fixed jaw; and a movable jaw assembly having an actuator portion and a jaw portion; wherein the movable jaw assembly is configured to move along the stem toward or away from the fixed jaw; and wherein at least one of the actuator portion and the jaw portion is configured to rotate about the stem.

2. The lever clamp of claim 1, wherein, The jaw portion is rotatable about the stem.

3. The lever clamp of claim 2, wherein, The actuator portion includes a mounting portion that extends into the jaw portion and is selectively locked to a rotational orientation relative to the jaw portion.

4. The lever clamp of claim 3, wherein, The jaw portion includes a jaw portion indexing surface that selectively aligns with a mounting portion indexing surface formed on the mounting portion to retain the jaw portion in the rotational orientation.

5. The lever clamp of claim 4, wherein, The jaw portion indexing surface is formed on a rotational actuator that moves from a first position in which the jaw portion indexing surface is aligned with the mounting portion indexing surface and a second position in which the jaw portion indexing surface is spaced apart from the mounting portion indexing surface, allowing the jaw portion to rotate about the mounting portion.

6. The lever clamp of claim 5, wherein, The rotational actuator is spring biased to the first position.

7. The lever clamp of claim 2, wherein, The fixed jaw is removable and rotatable on the stem to align with the rotational orientation of the jaw portion of the movable jaw assembly.

8. The lever clamp of claim 1, wherein, The actuator portion is rotatable about the stem.

9. The lever clamp of claim 8, wherein, The jaw portion includes a mounting portion that extends into the actuator portion and the actuator portion is selectively locked to a rotational orientation relative to the mounting portion.

10. The lever clamp of claim 9, wherein, The mounting portion includes a plurality of teeth.

11. The lever clamp of claim 10, wherein, The actuator portion includes a lock that selectively engages within the plurality of teeth.

12. The lever clamp of claim 11, wherein, The lock is formed on a rotational actuator that moves from a first position in which the lock engages one or more of the plurality of teeth and a second position in which the lock disengages the plurality of teeth, allowing the actuator portion to rotate about the mounting portion.

13. The lever clamp of claim 12, wherein, The rotational actuator is spring biased to the first position.

14. The lever clamp of claim 11, wherein, The lock and the plurality of teeth are shaped to prevent the actuator portion from rotating when the lock is engaged within the plurality of teeth and do not allow the actuator portion to rotate about the mounting portion until the lock disengages the plurality of teeth.

15. The lever clamp of claim 11, wherein, The plurality of teeth and the lock are each shaped with angled sidewalls that block the actuator portion from rotating about the mounting portion until a rotational force is applied to the actuator portion about the stem.

16. The lever clamp of claim 15, wherein, The rotational force slides the angled sidewalls of the lock out of the angled sidewalls of the plurality of teeth.

17. The lever clamp of claim 11, wherein, The lock is spring biased to engage within the plurality of teeth.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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