Intermediate element for placement between a clamping device and a substrate, and a clamping tower encompassing an intermediate element

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an intermediate element for arrangement between a clamping device for clamping a workpiece and a substrate, to which the intermediate element can be detachably fixed.

[0002] Such an intermediate element serves to form a clamping tower together with the clamping device, by means of which workpieces can be clamped whose height is greater than the maximum height of workpieces which can be clamped with the clamping device without the intermediate element.

[0003] EP 0 533 093 A2, which also shows the preamble of claim 1, and US 4 120 490 A disclose intermediate elements for arrangement between a clamping device for clamping a workpiece and a substrate on which the intermediate element can be detachably fixed, wherein the intermediate element comprises a receptacle for at least partially receiving a positioning area of ​​the clamping device and a locking device for locking the clamping device to the intermediate element.

[0004] US 6 957 808 B2 discloses an intermediate element according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] The present invention is based on the objective of creating an intermediate element of the aforementioned type which can be combined with a clamping device to form a stable and easy-to-handle clamping tower.

[0006] This problem is solved by an intermediate element according to claim 1.

[0007] The inclusion of the intermediate element makes it possible to precisely position the clamping device relative to the intermediate element.

[0008] The locking device makes it possible to securely and releasably attach the clamping device to the intermediate element and subsequently to handle the clamping tower formed from the clamping device and the intermediate element (and possibly further intermediate elements) as a unit and to align it easily relative to the clamping point of the workpiece and to reliably and safely fix it releasably to the substrate.

[0009] The invention provides that the receiving element of the intermediate element comprises at least one guide channel into which the positioning area of ​​the clamping device can be at least partially inserted.

[0010] It is provided that at least one guide channel includes a curved boundary wall.

[0011] The boundary wall can be, in particular, convexly curved.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one guide channel comprises a further curved boundary wall which runs at least sectionally essentially parallel to the first curved boundary wall.

[0013] In order to easily form a tensioning tower which, in addition to the tensioning device, includes at least two intermediate elements, it is advantageous if the intermediate element includes a positioning area which is designed and arranged in such a way that it can be received, at least partially, in the receptacle of a further intermediate element identical to the intermediate element, if such a further intermediate element is arranged between the intermediate element and the substrate.

[0014] This makes it possible, in principle, to stack any number of intermediate elements on top of each other to form a tension tower.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the positioning area of ​​the intermediate element is essentially identical to the positioning area of ​​the clamping device.

[0016] In order to attach the tension tower to the substrate in the simplest possible way, it is advantageous if the receptacle of the intermediate element includes a through-opening through which an actuating tool can be passed in order to engage the actuating tool with a fastening means for attaching the intermediate element to the substrate.

[0017] The locking device preferably comprises a movable locking element which can be brought into engagement with the clamping device.

[0018] Such a locking element can, for example, include a locking lever that is pivotably held on a housing of the intermediate element.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the locking device includes a pre-tensioning element which pre-tensions the locking element into a locking position in which the clamping device is locked with the intermediate element.

[0020] Such a prestressing element is preferably designed to be elastic.

[0021] For example, the preload element can be designed as a spring.

[0022] Preferably, the preload element is designed as a coil spring and / or as a compression spring.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking element can be moved from a locking position, in which the locking element causes the clamping device to lock onto the intermediate element, to an unlocking position, in which the locking of the clamping device onto the intermediate element is released, by applying a compressive force.

[0024] The pressure force can be applied manually by an operator or by means of an operating tool.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous if the connection between the clamping device and the intermediate element can be detached without tools, especially without the use of a screwdriver.

[0026] The intermediate element according to the invention is particularly suitable for use as a component of a clamping tower, wherein the clamping tower comprises a clamping device for clamping a workpiece and at least one intermediate element according to the invention, which can be arranged between the clamping device and a substrate, wherein the clamping device can be locked to the intermediate element, and wherein the clamping device comprises a positioning area which is at least partially received in the receptacle of the intermediate element when the clamping device is locked to the intermediate element.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the positioning area of ​​the clamping device borders a recess in the clamping device through which a fastening means can extend when the clamping device is attached directly to the substrate without the use of an intermediate element.

[0028] In this way, the clamping tower can also be used in a modified configuration in which the intermediate element of the clamping tower is not used, but the clamping device is arranged directly on the ground to clamp a workpiece of lower height.

[0029] Furthermore, it may be provided that the clamping device includes a movable clamping arm which is designed and arranged in such a way that an actuating tool can be guided past the clamping arm or through a passage opening of the clamping arm and through a passage opening of the intermediate element's receptacle in order to bring the actuating tool into engagement with a fastening means for attaching the intermediate element to the substrate.

[0030] The fastening tool can be designed, for example, as an internal multi-sided key, in particular as an internal hexagon key (Allen key).

[0031] It is particularly advantageous if the clamping tower comprises at least two, preferably identical, intermediate elements according to the invention and / or comprises at least one fastening means for attaching the intermediate element or the clamping device to a substrate.

[0032] Such a fastening device may in particular include a T-slot nut and / or a fastening screw.

[0033] The base can, for example, be designed as a machine table of a machine tool.

[0034] The surface can be provided with one or more T-slots.

[0035] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of an exemplary embodiment.

[0036] The drawings show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a combination of a clamping tower, comprising a clamping device for clamping a workpiece and an intermediate element, and a base in the form of a machine table having T-slots, wherein the intermediate element is arranged between the clamping device and the base, wherein the clamping device is locked to the intermediate element, wherein the clamping device comprises a positioning area which is at least partially received in a receptacle of the intermediate element, wherein the intermediate element is fastened to a T-slot of the machine table by means of a screw and a T-slot nut, and wherein an actuating tool, preferably in the form of an Allen key, extends past a lateral boundary wall of a clamping arm of the clamping device and through a through-opening of the receptacle of the intermediate element to a fastening screw of a fastening element.to engage the fastening screw and tighten or loosen it; Fig. 2 a side view of the clamping tower, the machine table and the actuating tool made of , Fig. 1 Fig. 3 shows a top view of the clamping tower, the machine table and the actuating tool from the Fig. 1 and 2 from above; Fig. 4 a view of the clamping tower, the machine table and the actuating tool from the Figs. 1 to 3 from the front; Fig. 5 a view of the clamping tower, the machine table and the actuating tool from the Figs. 1 to 4from the rear; Fig. 6 a vertical section through the clamping tower and the machine table along a vertical longitudinal center plane of the clamping device and the intermediate element; Fig. 7 a perspective view of the clamping tower comprising the clamping device and the intermediate element, looking towards a front of the clamping device and a front of the intermediate element; Fig. 8 a perspective view of the clamping tower from Fig. 7 , with a view towards the rear of the clamping device and the rear of the intermediate element; Fig. 9 a side view of the clamping tower from the Fig. 7 and 8 , with the view towards the right side of the clamping device and the right side of the intermediate element; Fig. 10 a side view of the clamping tower from the Figs. 7 to 9 , with the view towards the left side of the clamping device and the left side of the intermediate element; Fig. 11 a front view of the clamping tower from the Figs. 7 to 10; Fig. 12 a view of the tension tower from the Figs. 7 to 11 from the rear; Fig. 13 a section through the tension tower from the Figs. 7 to 12 , along a vertical median plane of the clamping device and the intermediate element, in a locking state of a locking device by means of which the clamping device and the intermediate element are locked together; Fig. 14 one of the Fig. 13 corresponding section through the clamping tower in an unlocked state in which the clamping device and the intermediate element are not locked together; Fig. 15 a section through the clamping tower from the Figs. 7 to 14 along a plane which is parallel to the cutting plane of the Fig. 13 and 14 runs, but perpendicular to this cutting plane opposite the cutting plane of Fig. 13 and 14 is offset in such a way that the cutting plane of the Fig. 15through a guide channel of the intermediate element's receptacle, in a locking state of the locking device in which the clamping device and the intermediate element are locked together; Fig. 16 one of the Fig. 15 corresponding cut through the clamping device and the intermediate element of the clamping tower made of the Figs. 7 to 15 , along the same cutting plane as in Fig. 15 , in an unlocked state in which the clamping device and the intermediate element are not locked together, but a positioning area of ​​the clamping device engages in guide channels of the intermediate element's receptacle; Fig. 17 a perspective view of the clamping device and the intermediate element of the clamping tower from the Figs. 7 to 15 , in which also in Fig. 16 the unlocked state shown, in which the positioning area of ​​the clamping device engages in the guide channels of the intermediate element; Fig. 18 one of the Fig. 17corresponding perspective view of the clamping device and the intermediate element of the clamping tower from the Figs. 7 to 15 in an unlocked state in which the clamping device and the intermediate element are completely separated and the positioning area of ​​the clamping device does not engage in the guide channels of the intermediate element; Fig. 19 a perspective view of the intermediate element from the Figs. 1 to 18 , with a view towards a front side of the intermediate element; Fig. 20 a perspective view of the intermediate element made of Fig. 19 , with a view towards the back of the intermediate element; Fig. 21 a side view of the intermediate element from the Fig. 19 and 20 , looking towards the left side of the intermediate element; Fig. 22 a front view of the intermediate element from the Figs. 19 to 21 ; Fig. 23 a view of the intermediate element from the Figs. 19 to 22from the rear; Fig. 24 a top view of the intermediate element made of the Figs. 19 to 23 ; Fig. 25 a view of the intermediate element from the Figs. 19 to 24 from below; and Fig. 26 a vertical section through the intermediate element from the Figs. 19 to 25 , along line 26 - 26 in Fig. 24 .

[0037] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0038] In the Figs. 1 to 15 is a combination designated as a whole by 100 of a clamping tower 102, which includes a clamping device 104 for clamping a (not shown) workpiece and an intermediate element 106, and a base 108 in the form of a machine table 110, which includes T-slots 112 that extend along an x-direction 114 of the machine table 110 and are spaced apart from each other along a y-direction 116 oriented perpendicular to the x-direction 114.

[0039] The intermediate element 106 is arranged between the clamping device 104 and the substrate 108.

[0040] The clamping device 104 is secured by means of a locking device 118 which will be described in more detail later (see in particular Fig. 6 ) locked to the intermediate element 106.

[0041] The intermediate element 106 is detachably attached to the substrate 108 in the area of ​​one of the T-slots 112 by means of a fastening means 119.

[0042] The fastening device 119 preferably comprises a fastening screw 120 and a T-slot nut 122.

[0043] An actuating tool 124, preferably in the form of an Allen key 126, extends along a lateral boundary wall 128 (see Fig. 6) of a clamping arm 130 of the clamping device 104 and through a passage opening 132 of a receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106 to the fastening screw 120 in order to engage with the fastening screw 120 and to tighten or loosen it.

[0044] The design and function of the clamping device 104 of the clamping tower 102 are described below with reference to the Figs. 7 to 13 described.

[0045] The clamping device 104 serves to clamp the (not shown) workpiece on a clamping surface 136, which can be identical to a top surface of the substrate 108, but can also be offset upwards and downwards in a z-direction 140 perpendicular to the x-direction 114 and perpendicular to the y-direction 116 and / or inclined relative to the top surface 138 of the substrate 108.

[0046] The clamping device 104 comprises a housing 142, which is designed, for example, in two parts and can comprise a first housing part 144a and a second housing part 144b.

[0047] The first housing part 144a and the second housing part 144b preferably lie against each other in a contact plane 146, which is aligned parallel to a longitudinal direction 146 of the clamping device 104 and perpendicular to a transverse direction 150 of the clamping device 104.

[0048] The longitudinal direction 148 and / or the transverse direction 150 of the clamping device 104 are preferably aligned parallel to a support surface 152 of the housing 142.

[0049] A vertical direction 154 of the clamping device 104 is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 148 and perpendicular to the transverse direction 150 and thus also perpendicular to the support surface 152 of the housing 142 of the clamping device 104.

[0050] The two housing parts 144a and 144b are fixed to each other by means of one or more, for example three, fastening elements 156 - preferably detachably.

[0051] The fastening elements 156 can, for example, each be designed as a screw which passes through a through-hole in one housing part, for example in the second housing part 144b, and is screwed with its (not shown) thread into a complementary internal thread on the other housing part, for example on the first housing part 144a.

[0052] How best to use perspective in Fig. 18As can be seen, the housing 142 of the clamping device 104 is provided at its front edge 158 with a positioning area 160 - for example, essentially U-shaped - which serves to position the clamping device 104 on the intermediate element 106 of the clamping tower 102 or - in the case of an alternative use of the clamping device 104 without the intermediate element 106 - to accommodate a fastening means 119 for attaching the clamping device 104 directly to the substrate 108.

[0053] Such a fastening device 119, as well as the fastening device 119 for fastening the intermediate element 106 to the substrate 108, can, for example, comprise a fastening screw 120 and a T-slot nut 122, wherein the fastening screw 120 is screwed with its external thread into a complementary internal thread of the T-slot nut 122.

[0054] How best to use the sectional view of Fig. 13As can be seen, the clamping device 104 further comprises the clamping arm 130 which is pivotably held on the housing 142 about a pivot axis 162.

[0055] The pivot axis 162 of the clamping arm 130 is aligned parallel to the transverse direction 150 of the clamping device 104.

[0056] The clamping arm 130 comprises a clamping section 164, which extends through an outlet opening 166 on the front of the housing 142, bordered by the housing parts 144a and 144b, into an outer space 166 of the housing 142.

[0057] A pressure piece 172 is arranged at one of the free end regions 170 of the clamping arm 130, which is located away from the pivot axis 162 and serves to transmit a clamping force from the clamping device 104 to the workpiece to be clamped.

[0058] The pressure piece 172 is preferably pivotally mounted on the clamping arm 130 about a pressure piece pivot axis 174 relative to the free end region 170 of the clamping arm 130.

[0059] The pressure piece 172 can be formed in one piece.

[0060] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the pressure piece 172 comprises a pressure piece base body which is connected to the clamping arm 130 and a pressure piece insert which is detachably connected to the pressure piece base body.

[0061] The detachable connection between the pressure piece insert and the pressure piece base makes it possible to replace the pressure piece insert with a differently designed pressure piece insert.

[0062] The pressure piece 172 has a clamping surface 176 which rests against the workpiece when the clamping device 104 is used to clamp a workpiece.

[0063] The clamping surface 176 can, for example, be essentially flat.

[0064] In order to pivot the clamping arm 130 of the clamping device 104 about the pivot axis 162 into a desired working position in which the clamping surface 176 of the pressure piece 172 rests against the workpiece to be clamped, the clamping device 104 comprises a movement device designated as a whole by 178, which includes a clamping screw 180 that is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis 182 of the clamping screw 180 (see Fig. 13 ).

[0065] The clamping screw 180 has a thread 184, which is located in the Fig. 13 The working state shown is in engagement with a gear ring segment 186, which is formed on an engagement section 188 of the clamping arm 130.

[0066] The engagement section 188 of the clamping arm 130 is arranged on the side of the pivot axis 162 of the clamping arm 130 facing away from the free end region 170 of the clamping arm 130.

[0067] The clamping screw 180 further comprises a bearing end part 190, by means of which the clamping screw 180 is pivotably mounted relative to the housing 142.

[0068] The bearing end part 190 is detachably fixed to an end area 194 of a shaft 196 of the clamping screw 180 by means of a fastening screw 192.

[0069] The thread 184 of the clamping screw 180 is formed on the shaft 196 of the clamping screw 180.

[0070] Between the thread 184 and the bearing end part 190, an annular stop 198 is arranged, which prevents the clamping screw 180 from moving downwards along its longitudinal axis 182 when it is not in engagement with the engagement section 188 of the clamping arm 130.

[0071] The bearing end part 190 comprises a bearing section 200, which has a partially spherically formed outer contour.

[0072] The sectionally spherically shaped bearing section 200 of the clamping screw 180 is arranged in a sectionally complementary bearing receptacle 202 of the housing 142 of the clamping device 104, so that the clamping screw 180 can be pivoted along the sectionally spherically shaped contact surface between the bearing section 200 of the bearing end part 190 on the one hand and the bearing receptacle 202 on the other.

[0073] In the working state of the clamping device 104, the longitudinal axis 182 of the clamping screw 180 is preferably oriented essentially perpendicular to the bearing surface 152 of the housing 142 of the clamping device 104 and thus essentially parallel to the vertical direction 154 of the clamping device 104.

[0074] At the end of the clamping screw 180 facing away from the bearing end part 190, an actuating end part 204 is formed, on which an operator can grip by hand or by means of a tool in order to turn the clamping screw 180 about its longitudinal axis 182 and thereby move the clamping arm 130 into a desired working position.

[0075] The actuating end part 204 can in particular be designed as a clamping screw head.

[0076] The actuating end part 204 preferably has a polygonal cross-section - perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 182 of the clamping screw 180 - for example a hexagonal cross-section.

[0077] A guide section 206 of the clamping screw 180, located between the actuating end part 204 and the thread 184 of the clamping screw 180, passes through a guide opening 208 in a guide element 210 of the clamping device 104.

[0078] The guide element 210 is slidably guided on the housing 142 of the clamping device 104 such that it is guided by the in Fig. 13 The clamping screw 180 can be moved from the engagement position shown, in which it engages with the clamping arm 130, to a release position, in which it is out of engagement with the clamping arm 130, and can be moved from the release position back to the engagement position.

[0079] The clamping device 104 can further comprise a (not shown) pre-tensioning device which guides the guide element 210 into the Fig. 13 The depicted engagement position is pre-tensioned.

[0080] The guide element 210 and the pre-tensioning device form components of a decoupling device of the clamping device 104, by means of which the thread 184 of the clamping screw 180 can be disengaged from the engagement section 188 of the clamping arm 130.

[0081] This decoupling device further comprises a locking device by means of which the guide element 210 can be locked in the engagement position and / or in the release position relative to the housing 142.

[0082] The locking device can comprise one or more locking parts which are movable between a locking position, in which the locking parts lock the guide element 210 in the engagement position or in the release position, and a disengagement position, in which the locking parts allow movement of the guide element 210 from the engagement position to the release position or from the release position to the engagement position.

[0083] The movement of the locking part or parts from the locking position to the unlocking position or from the unlocking position to the locking position preferably takes place along the transverse direction 150 of the clamping device 104.

[0084] Each locking element is provided at least at one end projecting from the housing 142 away from the housing with an actuating element 212, which an operator can grasp to move the respective locking element into the unlocking position.

[0085] In particular, it may be provided that an operator applies pressure to one or both of the actuating elements 212 simultaneously in order to move the locking part or parts against the elastic restoring force of a spring element of the locking device into the unlocking position.

[0086] Each of the actuating elements 212 can be designed as an actuating button.

[0087] To perform a rapid adjustment of the clamping arm 130 over a large swivel angle of 60° or more around the swivel axis 162 using the decoupling device described above, the following procedure is carried out: Starting from the in Fig. 13 In the illustrated working position of the clamping device, in which the engagement section 188 of the clamping arm 130 is in engagement with the thread 184 of the clamping screw 180 and the clamping arm 130 is, for example, near its upper end position, the guide element 210 is in the engagement position and the at least one locking part of the locking device is in the locking position, the locking part or parts of the locking device are moved into the unlocking position by an operator grasping at least one of the actuating elements 212 and moving it along the transverse direction 150 of the clamping device 104.

[0088] In the unlocked position, at least one locking element initiates a movement of the guide element 210 from the in Fig. 13 The depicted engagement position is free in the release position, whereby the guide element 210 - in the direction of view of the Fig. 13seen - parallel to the longitudinal direction 148 of the clamping device 104 is moved to the right.

[0089] The movement of the guide element 210 from the in Fig. 13 The engagement position shown in the (not shown) release position is achieved by the operator, who is acting on at least one of the actuating elements 212, moving the actuating element 212 and thus the at least one locking part in the longitudinal direction 148 of the clamping device 104 from the front of the housing 142, where the clamping arm 130 exits the housing 142, to the rear, towards the back of the housing 142.

[0090] When the guide element 210 has reached the release position and the operator no longer acts on the actuating elements 212 of the locking parts, the at least one locking part is moved back into the detent position by a spring element of the detent device, in which the at least one detent element locks the guide element 210 in the release position.

[0091] In this state of the clamping device 104, the engagement section 188 of the clamping arm 130 is disengaged from the thread 184 of the clamping screw 180, so that the clamping arm 130 can be pivoted from a first working position, for example near the upper end position of the clamping arm 130, to any second working position, for example near a lower end position of the clamping arm 130, independently of a rotation of the clamping screw 180 relative to the housing 142 of the clamping device 104.

[0092] This quick adjustment of the clamping arm 130 saves a great deal of adjustment time, which would otherwise have to be spent to move the clamping arm 130 from the first working position to the second working position simply by turning the clamping screw 180 around its longitudinal axis 182.

[0093] When the clamping arm 130 has been moved into the desired second working position, the guide element 210 is moved from the release position back into the engagement position by an operator moving the at least one locking part by means of at least one of the actuating elements 212 against the elastic restoring force of the spring element of the locking device from the detent position, in which the guide element 210 is locked in its release position, to the undetent position, in which the at least one locking part releases a movement of the guide element 210 from the release position to the engagement position.

[0094] Subsequently, the guide element 210, which has been released from the locking position in the release position, is moved by the preloading device of the decoupling device of the clamping device 104, in particular a preload spring, from the release position to the engagement position (i.e. along the longitudinal direction 148 of the clamping device 104 away from the rear of the housing 142 to the front of the housing 142, where the clamping arm 130 exits the housing 142), so that the thread 184 of the clamping screw 180 is again engaged with the engagement section 188 of the clamping arm 130.

[0095] As soon as the guide element 210 reaches the engagement position, the at least one locking part of the locking device is moved along the transverse direction 150 of the clamping device 104 from the disengagement position to the locking position, so that the guide element 210 is locked in the engagement position and secured against moving back into the release position.

[0096] Furthermore, how from Fig. 13 As can be seen, the clamping device 104 comprises an upper chip guard element 214 and / or a lower chip guard element 216, wherein these chip guard elements 214, 216 each at least partially cover a space between two opposing inner walls 218a, 218b of the housing 142 of the clamping device 104, so that an interior space 220 of the housing 142, in which the engagement section 188 of the clamping arm 130 and the thread 184 of the clamping screw 180 are arranged, is protected by the chip guard elements 214, 216 against the ingress of chips and / or other contaminants from the outer space 168 of the housing 142.

[0097] The upper splinter guard element 214 is fixed to a ceiling wall 222 of the housing 142 and extends to an upper circumferential surface 224 of the clamping arm 130 or at least to the vicinity of this upper circumferential surface 224.

[0098] An edge section of the upper chip protection element 214 facing the clamping arm 130 preferably rests against the upper circumferential surface 224 of the clamping arm 130 or is spaced away from the upper circumferential surface 224 of the clamping arm 130 by less than 2 mm, in particular by less than 1 mm.

[0099] The lower chip protection element 216 is fixed to a bottom wall 226 of the housing 142 and extends to a lower circumferential surface 228 of the clamping arm 130 or at least to the vicinity of the lower circumferential surface 228.

[0100] Preferably, an edge section of the lower chip protection element 216 facing the clamping arm 130 rests against the lower circumferential surface 228 of the clamping arm 130 or is spaced away from the lower circumferential surface 228 of the clamping arm 130 by less than 2 mm, in particular by less than 1 mm.

[0101] Each of the chip protection elements 214, 216 can be essentially plate-shaped and / or essentially sheet-shaped.

[0102] How best to Fig. 3 As can be seen, the free end region 170 of the clamping arm 130 has a longitudinal median plane 230 which passes through the longitudinal axis 182 of the clamping screw 180, preferably regardless of whether the clamping screw 180 is in the engagement position or in the release position and preferably regardless of the working position of the clamping arm 130.

[0103] In order to enable the actuating tool 124 to extend from the area above the clamping arm 130 laterally past the clamping arm 130 through the passage opening 132 in the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106 to the positioning area 160' of a housing 232 of the intermediate element 106, the clamping arm 130 is provided with a bend 234, which is designed and arranged on the clamping arm 130 such that a side wall 236 of the clamping arm 130 facing the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 is offset in the bent area 238 of the clamping arm 130 by the distance Δ along the transverse direction 150 of the clamping device 104 relative to the same side wall 236 in the free end area 170 of the clamping arm 130, specifically from a lateral edge 240 of the positioning area. 160 away from this lateral edge 240 of the positioning area 160 towards an inner wall 218b of the housing 142 facing away from this lateral edge 240.

[0104] The side wall 236 of the clamping arm 130 in the free end region 170 of the clamping arm 130 on the one hand and the lateral edge 240 of the positioning region 160 on the other hand lie almost in the same plane perpendicular to the transverse direction 150 of the clamping device 104, and the offset Δ produced by the bend 234 is almost equal to the width of the recess 242 bounded by the positioning region 160, i.e. its extent in the transverse direction 150 of the clamping device 104, so that the bent region 238 of the clamping arm 130 overlaps the recess 242 bounded by the positioning region 160 - viewed from above along the height direction 154 of the clamping device 104 - only to a small extent or not at all.

[0105] It is therefore possible that the actuating tool 124 extends laterally past the cranked area 238 of the clamping arm 130 to the passage opening 132 of the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106, which is arranged centrally on the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104, and through this passage opening 132 to the recess 242' of the intermediate element 106, which is bordered by the positioning area 160'.

[0106] The actuating tool 124, preferably designed as an internal hexagon key 126, preferably comprises a long straight tool section 244, a short straight tool section 246 and a curved tool section 248 connecting the short straight tool section 246 and the long straight tool section 244.

[0107] As from the Fig. 1 , 3 , 4 and 6As can be seen, the long straight tool section 244 can extend laterally past the clamping arm 130 from the cranked area 238 of the clamping arm 130 through the passage opening 132 of the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106 to the fastening means 119 arranged at the recess 242' of the positioning area 160' of the intermediate element 106, in particular to the fastening screw 120 of the fastening means 119, when the clamping arm 130 is in its upper end position.

[0108] The angle formed by the longitudinal axis of the long straight tool section 244 of the actuating tool 124 with the vertical direction 154 of the clamping device 104, when the actuating tool 124 extends from above the clamping arm 130 laterally past the cranked area 238 of the clamping arm 130 and through the passage opening 132 of the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106 to a fastening means 119 arranged at the recess 242' of the positioning area 160' of the intermediate element 106, is preferably less than 10°, in particular less than 5°.

[0109] To fasten the clamping tower 102, formed from the clamping device 104 and the intermediate element 106, to the base 108 by means of the fastening element 119, the T-slot nut 122 is inserted into a selected T-slot 112 of the machine table 110. The clamping tower 102 is positioned on the base 108 such that the recess 242' of the intermediate element 106 is located above the T-slot nut 122 in the vertical direction 154 of the clamping device 104, and the fastening screw 120 is inserted into the recess 242' so that its thread engages with the internal thread of the T-slot nut 122.

[0110] The actuating tool 124 is then brought into engagement with the head of the fastening screw 120 such that the long, straight tool section 244 extends from the fastening screw 120 through the passage opening 132 of the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106 and laterally past the cranked area 238 of the clamping arm 130 of the clamping device 104 to the area above the clamping arm 130, as shown in the Figs. 1 to 6 is shown.

[0111] Subsequently, an operator grasps the short straight tool section 246 of the actuating tool 124 to rotate the long straight tool section 244 about its longitudinal axis and thereby screw the fastening screw 120, which is engaged with the actuating tool 124, into the internal thread of the T-slot nut 122 until the T-slot nut 122 and the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106 are clamped against the base 108, in particular the machine table 110, so that the clamping tower 102 is detachably fixed to the base 108.

[0112] The in the Figs. 19 to 26 The separately shown intermediate element 106 serves to increase the distance between the substrate 108 and the clamping device 104 if necessary, in order to clamp larger workpieces using the clamping tower 102, which could not be clamped using the clamping device 104 which is attached directly to the substrate 108.

[0113] The intermediate element 106 comprises the housing 232, which includes a bottom wall 250, a ceiling wall 252, two side walls 254a, 254b connecting the bottom wall 250 and the ceiling wall 252, and a rear wall 256 connecting the bottom wall 250 and the ceiling wall 252 and the two side walls 254a, 254b.

[0114] In order to reliably position the clamping device 104 on the intermediate element 106 such that a bottom surface 258 of the clamping device 104 is substantially congruent and substantially flat against a top surface 260 of the intermediate element 106, the intermediate element 106 is provided on its top surface 260 with the receptacle 134, which at least partially accommodates the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 when the clamping device 104 is arranged on the intermediate element 106.

[0115] The receptacle 134 comprises a base area 262, which extends upwards from the top 260 of the intermediate element 106 along the vertical direction 154, and an undercut area 264 adjoining the base area 262 in the vertical direction 154, which projects beyond the base area 262 of the receptacle 134 in the transverse direction 150, preferably on both sides.

[0116] Each of the parts of the undercut area 264 that project beyond the base area 262 in the transverse direction 150 forms an undercut projection 266.

[0117] Each of the undercut projections 266 has a convexly curved first boundary wall 268 on its underside facing the top surface 260 of the intermediate element 106.

[0118] An end area 272 of the boundary wall 268 facing a front side 270 of the intermediate element 106 is oriented essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction 148 and the transverse direction 150 and essentially perpendicular to the vertical direction 154.

[0119] Along the vertical direction 154 under each first boundary wall 268 of each undercut projection 266, the upper surface 260 of the intermediate element 106 is formed as a curved second boundary wall 274, which has a concave curvature.

[0120] An end region 276 of the second boundary wall 274 facing the front side 270 of the intermediate element 106 is preferably oriented essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction 148 and the transverse direction 150 and essentially perpendicular to the vertical direction 154.

[0121] Each of the following forms the boundaries of a guide channel 280 of the receiving 134: a first boundary wall 268, a second boundary wall 274 and a side wall 278 of the base area 262 of the receiving 134, preferably oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction 148 and / or parallel to the vertical direction 154; in each of these, a section of the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 can be at least partially inserted in order to position the clamping device 104 on the intermediate element 106.

[0122] For this purpose, the clamping device 104 is brought from the rear side of the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106, which faces away from the front side 270 of the intermediate element 106, to the top side 260 of the intermediate element 106, as shown in Fig. 18 depicted.

[0123] The underside 258 of the clamping device 104 is preferably inclined at an acute angle α to the top side 260 of the intermediate element 106.

[0124] The angle of inclination α is preferably at least 10° and / or preferably at most 20°.

[0125] Under this inclination, the clamping device 104 is moved towards the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106 until the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 enters the guide channels 280 of the intermediate element 106, as shown in the Fig. 16 and 17 is shown.

[0126] Due to the convex curvature of the first boundary walls 268 of the guide channels 280, the guide channels 280 widen towards the rear of the receptacle 134, creating an insertion funnel which facilitates the insertion of the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 into the guide channels 280 of the intermediate element 106.

[0127] As the clamping device 104 moves towards the front 270 of the intermediate element 106, the upper surface 282 of the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 slides along the first limiting walls 268 of the guide channels 280, thereby automatically moving the lower surface 258 of the clamping device 104 towards the upper surface 260 of the intermediate element 106, reducing the angle of inclination α, until the lower surface 258 of the clamping device 104 is in essentially full contact with the upper surface 260 of the intermediate element 106, as shown in the Fig. 10 , 13 and 15 is shown.

[0128] In this final position of the clamping device 104 on the intermediate element 106, the front edge 158 of the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 is preferably substantially flush with the front 270 of the intermediate element 106 and with the front of the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106.

[0129] The first boundary walls 268 and the second boundary walls 274 of the guide channels 280 of the intermediate element 106 are spaced apart along the vertical direction 154 so far that the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 is held on the intermediate element 106 with essentially no play or with only slight play along the vertical direction 154.

[0130] The dimensions of the recess 242 of the clamping device 104, which is bounded by the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104, along the longitudinal direction 148 and along the transverse direction 150, essentially correspond to the dimensions of the base area 262 of the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106 along the longitudinal direction 148 and along the transverse direction 150, respectively, so that the receptacle 134 forms a stop for the movement of the clamping device 104 along the longitudinal direction 148 towards the front 270 of the intermediate element 106 and the clamping device 104 is secured by the receptacle 134 against movement relative to the intermediate element 106 along the transverse direction 150.

[0131] To prevent rotation of the housing 142 of the clamping device 104 relative to the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106 during the fastening process, by which the clamping device 104 is detachably fastened to the intermediate element 106, and / or during the operation of the clamping tower 102 for clamping a workpiece, an anti-rotation device 284 is provided on the upper surface 260 of the intermediate element 106, which can, for example, be designed as a projection with a non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section, for example with a substantially rectangular cross-section (see in particular the Figs. 19 to 21 as well as 25 and 26).

[0132] When the clamping device 104 is placed on the top 260 of the intermediate element 106, the anti-rotation device 284 of the intermediate element 106 can engage with a complementary anti-rotation recess on the underside 258 of the clamping device 104, so that the engagement between the anti-rotation device 284 on the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106 and the anti-rotation recess arranged on the underside 258 of the clamping device 104 prevents the housing 142 of the clamping device 104 from rotating relative to the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106.

[0133] In principle, it can also be provided that an anti-rotation device designed as a projection is arranged on the underside 258 of the clamping device 104 and that a complementary anti-rotation recess is provided on the top side 260 of the intermediate element 106.

[0134] In order to be able to guide the actuating tool 124 for the releasable fastening of the clamping tower 102 to the substrate 108 through the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106, the receptacle 134 is provided with the passage opening 132, which is preferably formed substantially in the middle of the receptacle 134 and can, for example, be substantially cylindrical.

[0135] To prevent the clamping device 104 from unintentionally detaching from the intermediate element 106, the locking device 118 is provided, by means of which the clamping device 104 can be locked to the intermediate element 106.

[0136] How best to get from the Fig. 20 and 26As can be seen, the locking device 118 comprises a locking element 288, which is arranged in a recess 290 on the rear wall 256 of the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106 and is pivotably held on lateral boundary walls of the recess 290 about a pivot axis 292 relative to the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106.

[0137] In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the locking element 288 is designed as a two-armed locking lever 294, which comprises a first lever arm 296 arranged below the pivot axis 292 and a second lever arm 298 arranged above the pivot axis 292.

[0138] In one in the Fig. 13 and 26 In the locking position shown, the rear side 300 of the locking lever 294, facing away from the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106, is essentially aligned parallel to the vertical direction 154.

[0139] In a Fig. 14In the unlocked position shown, the locking lever 294 is aligned such that its rear side 300 is inclined relative to the vertical direction 154.

[0140] In order to pre-tension the locking element 288 into its locking position, the locking device 118 comprises an elastic pre-tensioning element 302, which is supported on one side by the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106 and on the other side by the first lever arm 296 of the locking element 288.

[0141] Preferably, a first end region 304 of the preloading element 302 engages in a blind bore 306 on the rear wall 256 of the housing 232, and a second end region 308 of the preloading element 302 engages in a recess 310 on a front face 312 of the locking element 288 facing the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106.

[0142] The prestressing element 302 is preferably designed to be elastic.

[0143] In particular, it can be provided that the preload element 302 is designed as a spring, especially preferably as a coil spring and / or as a compression spring.

[0144] The second lever arm 298 of the locking element 288 has a detent lug 314.

[0145] The locking tab can, for example, be wedge-shaped.

[0146] How best to Fig. 13 As can be seen, the locking lug 314 of the locking element 288 engages in a locking recess 316, which is provided on a rear wall 318 of the housing 142 of the clamping device 104 facing away from the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104, when the clamping device 104 is positioned in its working position on the intermediate element 106.

[0147] The locking lug 314 of the locking element 288 engages behind an area of ​​the bottom wall 226 of the clamping device 104, so that the housing 142 of the clamping device 104 is secured against movement away from the top 260 of the intermediate element 106 along the vertical direction 154 by positive locking and is thus locked to the intermediate element 106.

[0148] The locking of the clamping device 104 on the intermediate element 106 can be released by an operator pressing against the first lever arm 296 of the locking element 288 with a finger or a tool, so that the first lever arm 296 is pivoted against the restoring force of the preloading element 302 into the recess 290 on the rear wall 256 of the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106.

[0149] This causes the locking lug 314 on the second lever arm 298 of the locking element 288 to disengage from the locking recess 316 on the housing 142 of the clamping device 104.

[0150] Subsequently, the clamping device 104 can be lifted at its rear so that the underside 258 of the clamping device forms an acute angle α with the top side 260 of the intermediate element 106, and subsequently the clamping device 104 can be moved along the longitudinal direction 148 relative to the intermediate element 106 so that the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 comes out of engagement with the guide channels 280 of the receptacle 134 of the intermediate element 106.

[0151] Thus, the clamping device 104 is detached from the intermediate element 106 and can be moved away from the intermediate element 106.

[0152] In this way, the connection between the clamping device 104 and the intermediate element 106 of the clamping tower 102 can be detached without tools, in particular without the use of a screw tool.

[0153] To clamp particularly tall workpieces, it may be necessary to add one or more additional intermediate elements 106 to the clamping tower 102.

[0154] To enable this, the intermediate element 106 is provided at the front edge of its bottom wall 250 with the positioning area 160', which is designed and arranged in such a way that it can be received at least partially in the receptacle 134 of a further intermediate element identical to the first intermediate element 106, if such a further intermediate element is arranged between the intermediate element and the substrate.

[0155] Preferably, the positioning area 160' of the intermediate element 106 is designed and arranged on the bottom wall 250 of the intermediate element 106 in the same way as the positioning area 160 of the clamping device 104 on the bottom wall 226 of the housing 142 of the clamping device 104.

[0156] To secure the intermediate element 106 against rotation relative to the further intermediate element 106, the intermediate element 106 is further provided in the rear area of ​​the bottom wall 250 of the housing 232 with an anti-rotation recess 320, which is complementary to the anti-rotation feature 284 on the top 260 of the intermediate element 106 and is arranged vertically below the anti-rotation feature 284 along the vertical direction 154, so that the anti-rotation feature 284 of the further intermediate element 106 can engage in the anti-rotation recess 320 of the first intermediate element 106 when the first intermediate element 106 is placed on the second intermediate element 106.

[0157] Finally, the intermediate element 106 has a locking recess 316 in the lower area of ​​the rear wall 256 of the housing 232, into which the locking lug 314 of the further intermediate element 106 can engage in order to lock the first intermediate element 106 to the second intermediate element 106 when the first intermediate element 106 is placed on the second intermediate element 106.

[0158] Preferably, the locking recess 316 on the rear wall 256 of the housing 232 of the intermediate element 106 is designed exactly like the locking recess 316 on the rear wall 318 of the housing 142 of the clamping device 104.

Claims

1. Intermediate element for arranging between a clamping device (104) for clamping a workpiece and a base (108) to which the intermediate element (106) is releasably fixable, wherein the intermediate element (106) comprises a receptacle (134) for at least partially accommodating a positioning region (160) of the clamping device (104) and comprises a locking device (118) for locking the clamping device (104) to the intermediate element (106), and wherein the receptacle (134) of the intermediate element (106) comprises at least one guide channel (280) into which the positioning region (160) of the clamping device (104) is at least partially insertable, characterized in that the at least one guide channel (280) comprises a curved delimiting wall (268).

2. Intermediate element in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one guide channel (280) comprises a further curved delimiting wall (274), which extends substantially in parallel with the first curved delimiting wall (268) at least in sections.

3. Intermediate element in accordance with either of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate element (106) comprises a positioning region (160'), which is configured and arranged such that it is able to be at least partially accommodated in the receptacle (134) of a further intermediate element (106) configured identically to the intermediate element (106) when such a further intermediate element (106) is arranged between the intermediate element (106) and the base (108).

4. Intermediate element in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receptacle (134) of the intermediate element (106) comprises a through-opening (132), through which an actuating tool (124) is able to be passed in order to bring the actuating tool (124) into engagement with a fastening means (119) for fastening the intermediate element (106) to the base (108).

5. Intermediate element in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking device (118) comprises a movable locking element (288), which is able to be brought into engagement with the clamping device (104).

6. Intermediate element in accordance with Claim 5, characterized in that the locking element (288) comprises a locking lever (294) that is pivotably held on a housing (232) of the intermediate element (106).

7. Intermediate element in accordance with either of Claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the locking device (118) comprises a biasing element (302), which biases the locking element (288) into a locking position.

8. Intermediate element in accordance with any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the locking element (288) is movable by exerting a pressing force from a locking position, in which the locking element (288) effects a locking of the clamping device (104) to the intermediate element (106), into an unlocking position, in which the locking of the clamping device (104) to the intermediate element (106) is released.

9. Intermediate element in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connection between the clamping device (104) and the intermediate element (106) is releasable without tools.

10. Clamping tower, comprising a clamping device (104) for clamping a workpiece and comprising at least one intermediate element (106) in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 9, said intermediate element being arrangeable between the clamping device (104) and a base (108), wherein the clamping device (104) is lockable to the intermediate element (106), and wherein the clamping device (104) comprises a positioning region (160), which is at least partially accommodated in the receptacle (134) of the intermediate element (106) when the clamping device (104) is locked to the intermediate element (106).

11. Clamping tower in accordance with Claim 10, characterized in that the positioning region (160) of the clamping device bounds a recess (242) of the clamping device (104), through which a fastening element (156) is able to extend when the clamping device (104) is fastened directly to the base (108) without the use of an intermediate element (106).

12. Clamping tower in accordance with either of Claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the clamping device (104) comprises a movable clamping arm (130), which is arranged and configured such that an actuating tool (124) is able to be guided past the clamping arm (130) or passed through a through-opening (132) of the clamping arm (130) and through a through-opening (132) of the receptacle (134) of the intermediate element (106) in order to bring the actuating tool (124) into engagement with a fastening means (119) for fastening the intermediate element (106) to the base (108).

13. Clamping tower in accordance with any one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the clamping tower (102) comprises at least two intermediate elements (106) in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 11 and / or comprises at least one fastening means (119) for fastening the intermediate element (106) or the clamping device (104) to a base (108).