CLAMPING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping device, in particular a quick-release clamp, comprising a base, at least one holding arm articulated to the base, at least one actuating arm movably connected to the base, and at least one clamping element articulated to the at least one holding arm and to the at least one actuating arm.

[0002] Such a clamping device, which is designed in particular as a quick-release clamp, can be manually moved by an operator from an open or basic position to a closed position in which an object to be clamped can be subjected to a clamping force.

[0003] A clamping device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP1159110B1.

[0004] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a clamping device of the type mentioned at the outset, which makes it possible to clamp various objects that have different heights (i.e., different extensions perpendicular to a clamping surface against which the object to be clamped is pressed by means of the clamping device) using the clamping device without having to carry out any modifications and / or adjustments to the clamping device, wherein the clamping device is locked particularly securely and reliably in the closed state.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention in a clamping device with the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the clamping device comprising a slide movably held at the base, wherein the at least one actuating arm is pivotally connected to the slide, and that the clamping device comprises at least one connecting lever and a first wedge element slidably guided at the base, wherein the at least one connecting lever is pivotally connected to the first wedge element and pivotally connected to the at least one actuating arm, wherein the clamping piece and the at least one actuating arm together form a first toggle lever which is overextended in a closed state of the clamping device, and wherein the at least one connecting lever and the at least one actuating arm together form a second toggle lever which is overextended in the closed state of the clamping device.

[0006] Because the clamping device comprises two toggle levers, which are each in an extended position when the clamping device is closed, the operator must exert a particularly high unlocking force to release the clamping device from the closed position. The clamping device according to the invention thus enables a particularly secure and reliable locking mechanism.

[0007] The clamping device is preferably lockable in several closed states, in which the distance between a pressure element of the clamping device, which in the respective closed state rests against the object to be clamped, and the clamping surface against which the object to be clamped is pressed by means of the clamping device, assumes different values.

[0008] It is particularly advantageous if the clamping device can be locked in a continuum of closing states, with these closing states extending from an upper closing state (in which an object with maximum height h can be clamped) to a lower closing state (in which the object to be clamped has a minimum height).

[0009] It is particularly advantageous if the lowest closing state is a closing state in which the pressure element of the clamping device rests against the clamping surface, which corresponds to clamping an object with a height of zero.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the clamping device, it is provided that the clamping device has a holding arm clamping piece swivel axis, an actuating arm clamping piece swivel axis, an actuating arm slide swivel axis, an actuating arm connecting lever swivel axis and a connecting lever wedge element swivel axis.

[0011] In this arrangement, at least one holding arm is pivotable relative to at least one clamping piece about the holding arm-clamping piece pivot axis.

[0012] The at least one actuating arm is pivotable relative to the at least one clamping piece about the actuating arm-clamping piece pivoting axis.

[0013] The at least one actuating arm is pivotable relative to the slide about the actuating arm-slide pivot axis.

[0014] The at least one actuating arm is pivotable relative to the at least one connecting lever about the actuating arm-connecting lever pivot axis.

[0015] The at least one connecting lever is pivotable relative to the first wedge element about the connecting lever-wedge element pivot axis.

[0016] The holding arm clamping piece swivel axis and the actuating arm slide swivel axis clamp a first dead center plane of the first toggle lever.

[0017] The actuating arm slide swivel axis and the connecting lever wedge element swivel axis create a second dead center plane of the second toggle lever.

[0018] In the closed position of the clamping device, the actuating arm clamping piece swivel axis can be offset relative to the first dead center plane from a contact surface of the base, with which the base can be placed against a substrate, or towards the contact surface of the base, with which the base can be placed against a substrate.

[0019] Furthermore, in the closed position of the clamping device, the actuating arm connecting lever pivot axis can be offset towards the second dead center plane and the contact surface of the base with which the base can be placed against a substrate, or offset away from the contact surface of the base with which the base can be placed against a substrate.

[0020] A particularly reliable locking of the clamping device in the closed position is achieved when, in the closed position of the clamping device, the actuating arm-clamping piece swivel axis is offset away from a contact surface of the base with which the base can be placed against a substrate relative to the first dead center plane, and the actuating arm-connecting lever swivel axis is offset towards the contact surface of the base with which the base can be placed against a substrate relative to the second dead center plane.

[0021] In this case, the first and second toggle levers of the clamping device are therefore hyperextended in opposite directions when closed. The clamping device according to the invention then functions according to a counter-rotating double toggle lever principle.

[0022] In an alternative realization of this double counter-rotating toggle lever principle, the actuating arm clamping piece swivel axis is offset relative to the first dead center plane towards a contact surface of the base, with which the base can be placed against a substrate, and the actuating arm connecting lever swivel axis is offset relative to the second dead center plane away from the contact surface of the base, with which the base can be placed against a substrate.

[0023] It is therefore particularly advantageous if, in the closed position of the clamping device, either the actuating arm clamping piece swivel axis is offset away from the base surface relative to the first dead center plane, or the actuating arm connecting lever swivel axis is offset away from the base surface relative to the second dead center plane.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the slide is guided in a linearly displaceable manner at the base.

[0025] In order to be able to vary the clamping force exerted by the clamping device on an object to be clamped in the closed position, it is advantageous if the clamping device includes a force adjustment device by means of which a clamping force exerted by the clamping device on an object to be clamped in the closed position can be adjusted.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a clamping device comprises a second wedge element slidably guided at the base, wherein the force adjustment device is designed such that a distance between the slide and the second wedge element, preferably a distance between the slide and the second wedge element along the direction in which the slide and the second wedge element are linearly slidably guided at the base, can be changed by means of the same.

[0027] The force adjustment device may include a slide-side threaded element arranged on the slide.

[0028] The threaded element on the slide side is preferably fixed to the slide in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the force adjustment device may include a wedge-side threaded element arranged on the second wedge element.

[0030] The threaded element on the wedge element side is preferably rotatably arranged on the second wedge element relative to the second wedge element.

[0031] Preferably, the threaded element on the wedge-side is provided to engage with the threaded element on the slide-side.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least a part of the force adjustment device is captive and held on the base and / or on the second wedge element of the clamping device.

[0033] For good accessibility of the force adjustment device for an operator, it is advantageous if the force adjustment device extends through a through-opening and / or through a recess in the base.

[0034] In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a part of the force adjustment device is rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is essentially aligned parallel to a displacement direction of the slide.

[0035] Furthermore, the clamping device can include an intermediate element that is guided transversely to a displacement direction of the first wedge element at the base, wherein the first wedge element bears against a first inclined surface of the intermediate element at least temporarily.

[0036] Furthermore, it may be provided that the clamping device includes a second wedge element which is slidably guided at the base, wherein the second wedge element bears against a second inclined surface of the intermediate element at least temporarily.

[0037] In order to bring the clamping device into a defined initial state before transitioning to a closed position, it is advantageous if the clamping device includes a pre-tensioning element which pre-tensions the second wedge element against the intermediate element.

[0038] Such a prestressing element is preferably designed to be elastically deformable.

[0039] The preload element can, in particular, comprise an elastic spring element, for example a compression spring.

[0040] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of an exemplary embodiment.

[0041] The drawings show: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a clamping device in the form of a quick-release clamp, comprising a base, two holding arms pivotally connected to the base, two actuating arms movably connected to the base, and a clamping element pivotally connected to the holding arms and to the actuating arms, wherein the clamping device includes a slide movably held on the base, wherein the actuating arms are pivotally connected to the slide, wherein the clamping device includes two connecting levers and a first wedge element slidably guided on the base, wherein the connecting levers are pivotally connected to the first wedge element and pivotally connected to the actuating levers, wherein the clamping element and the actuating levers together form a first toggle lever which is overextended in at least one closed state of the clamping device, and wherein the connecting levers and the actuating levers together form a second toggle lever.which is overextended in at least one closed state of the clamping device, wherein the clamping device is in , Fig. 1 is shown in a lowest closed position, in which a pressure element of the clamping device rests against a clamping surface; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the clamping device made of Fig. 1 , which shows the various components of the clamping device individually; Fig. 3 a longitudinal section through the clamping device made of Fig. 1 , along a longitudinal median plane of the clamping device; Fig. 4 an enlarged view of area I from Fig. 3 Fig. 5 a perspective view of the clamping device in an open or ground state; Fig. 6 a side view of the clamping device from Fig. 5 in the open or basic state; Fig. 7 a longitudinal section through the clamping device from the Fig. 5 and 6in the open state or basic state, along the longitudinal center plane of the clamping device; Fig. 8 a side view of the clamping device in a first intermediate state in which the holding arms and the actuating arms have been moved out of their fully open position, but a contact element of the clamping device is not yet in contact with an object to be clamped, wherein the base of the clamping device is shown transparently in order to show components of the clamping device arranged in a receiving space of the base; Fig.Fig. 9 A side view of the clamping device in a second intermediate state, in which the holding arms and the actuating arms of the clamping device have been moved further out of their open position and the contact element of the clamping device rests against the object to be clamped, the base of the clamping device being shown transparently to show components of the clamping device arranged in the receiving space of the base; Fig. 10 A perspective view of the clamping device in an upper closed state, in which the pressure element of the clamping device rests against the object to be clamped, which has a large height h, the object is pressed against a clamping surface with a clamping force and the actuating arms of the clamping device are locked in a closed position; Fig. 11 A side view of the clamping device made of . Fig. 10 in the upper closed position; Fig. 12 a side view of the clamping device from the Fig. 10 and 11 in the upper closed position, with the base of the clamping device shown transparently to show components of the clamping device arranged in the receiving space of the base; Fig. 13 a longitudinal section through the clamping device from the Fig. 10 bis 12 in the upper closed state, along the longitudinal center plane of the clamping device; Fig. 14 a perspective view of the clamping device in a lower closed state, in which the pressure element of the clamping device rests against an object to be clamped, which has a low height h', wherein the object to be clamped is pressed against the clamping surface by the clamping device with a clamping force and wherein the actuating arms of the clamping device are locked in a closed position; Fig. 15 a side view of the clamping device made of Fig. 14 in the lower closed position; Fig. 16 a side view of the clamping device from the Fig. 14 and 15in the lower closed state, with the base of the clamping device shown transparently to show components of the clamping device arranged in the receiving space of the base; and Fig. 17 a longitudinal section through the clamping device from the Fig. 14 bis 16 in the lower closed position, along the longitudinal center plane of the clamping device.

[0042] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0043] One in the Fig. 1 bis 17 The clamping device shown, designated as a whole by 100, is designed as a quick-release clamp 102 in the embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0044] The clamping device 100 comprises a base 104, two holding arms 108 pivotally connected to the base 104 by means of a holding arm base bearing 106, two actuating arms 110 and a clamping piece 112, which is pivotally connected to the holding arms 108 via a holding arm clamping piece bearing 114 and to the actuating arms 110 via an actuating arm clamping piece bearing 116.

[0045] The support arm base bearing 106 makes it possible to pivot the support arms 108 relative to the base 104 about a support arm base pivot axis 118.

[0046] The retaining arm base bearing 106 can, for example, include a rivet 120 whose longitudinal axis runs along the retaining arm base pivot axis 118, and / or include a sleeve 122 which keeps the two retaining arms 108 at a distance from each other.

[0047] The holding arm base swivel axis 118 extends, as do all swivel axes described below, along a transverse direction 124 of the clamping device 100.

[0048] The retaining arm clamping piece bearing 114 makes it possible to pivot the retaining arms 108 relative to the clamping piece 112 about a retaining arm clamping piece pivoting axis 126.

[0049] The retaining arm clamping piece bearing 114 can, for example, include a rivet 128, the longitudinal axis of which runs along the retaining arm clamping piece pivot axis 126 through through openings in the two retaining arms 108 and in the clamping piece 112.

[0050] The actuating arm clamping piece bearing 116 makes it possible to pivot the actuating arms 110 relative to the clamping piece 112 about an actuating arm clamping piece pivoting axis 130.

[0051] The actuating arm clamping piece bearing 116 can, for example, comprise a rivet 132 whose longitudinal axis runs along the actuating arm clamping piece pivot axis 130 and which extends through through openings in the actuating arms 110 and through an opening in the clamping piece 112.

[0052] The two retaining arms 108 run essentially parallel to each other and are designed to carry a pressure piece 134, by means of which the retaining arms 108 exert a clamping force on an object 138 clamped on a clamping surface 136 by means of the clamping device 100 in a closed position of the clamping device 100.

[0053] The pressure piece 134 preferably comprises a pressure element 140 which is pivotably mounted on a threaded pin 144 by means of a ball joint 142.

[0054] The thread of the threaded pin 144 engages with a threaded insert 146 of a lower washer 148, which rests against an underside of the retaining arms 108 facing the pressure element 140 of the pressure piece 134.

[0055] Furthermore, the thread of the threaded pin 144 extends through a passage opening 150 of an upper washer 152, which rests against a top side of the retaining arms 108 facing away from the pressure element 140 of the pressure piece 134.

[0056] An end portion of the threaded stud 144, projecting beyond the upper washer 152, engages with a nut 154.

[0057] The pressure piece 134 is arranged on the retaining arms 108 so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the retaining arms 108 and can be locked in a desired position relative to the retaining arms 108 by tightening the nut 154 against the upper washer 152.

[0058] Each actuating arm 110 has a bearing part 156 and a handle part 158, which are connected to each other via a bend 160.

[0059] The handle parts 158 of the actuating arms 110 are at least partially surrounded by an actuating handle 162 of the clamping device 100.

[0060] The operating handle 162 serves to allow an operator to grasp it in order to move the operating arms 110 relative to the base 104 and relative to the holding arms 108 out of the position in the Fig. 5 bis 7 disclosure presented regarding the information in the Fig. 8 and 9 the intermediate positions shown up to one of the ones in the Fig. 10 bis 16 and to move to the closing positions shown in 1, 2 and 3.

[0061] The actuating arms 110 are pivotally connected to a slide 166 of the clamping device 100 by means of an actuating arm slide bearing 164. The slide 166 rests with its underside 168 flat against a top surface 170 of a base plate 172 of the base 104 and is guided by two side surfaces 174 along a longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 so as to be linearly displaceable on two side walls 178 of the base 104.

[0062] The carriage is thus guided linearly displaceable along a displacement direction 177, which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104.

[0063] The actuating arm slide bearing 164 enables a pivoting movement of the actuating arms 110 relative to the slide 166 about an actuating arm slide pivoting axis 180.

[0064] The actuating arm slide bearing 164 comprises, for example, a press-fit pin 182, the longitudinal axis of which runs along the actuating arm slide pivot axis 180 and which preferably extends through a through-opening in one actuating arm 110, through a through-opening in a cantilever 184 of the slide 166 and through a through-opening in the other actuating arm 110.

[0065] The actuating arms 110 are furthermore articulated to two connecting levers 188, which are arranged between the two actuating arms 110, by means of an actuating arm connecting lever bearing 186.

[0066] The actuating arm connecting lever bearing 186 enables a pivoting movement of the actuating arms 110 relative to the connecting levers about an actuating arm connecting lever pivoting axis 190.

[0067] The actuating arm connecting lever bearing 186, for example, comprises a bearing pin 192, which extends through a through-hole in one of the actuating arms 110, through a through-hole in one connecting lever 188, through a through-hole in the other connecting lever 188 and through a through-hole in the other actuating arm 110, and whose longitudinal axis runs along the actuating arm connecting lever pivot axis 190.

[0068] At one end opposite the actuating arm connecting lever bearing 186, the connecting levers 188 are pivotally connected to a first wedge element 196 of the clamping device 100 by means of a connecting lever wedge element bearing 194.

[0069] The connecting lever wedge element bearing 194 enables a pivoting movement of the connecting levers 188 relative to the first wedge element 196 about a connecting lever wedge element pivoting axis 198.

[0070] How best to Fig. 2 As can be seen, the first wedge element 196 has two slot-shaped receptacles 200 for receiving one end region of each connecting lever 188 facing the first wedge element 196.

[0071] The connecting lever wedge element bearing 194, for example, comprises a press-fit pin 202, the longitudinal axis of which runs along the connecting lever wedge element pivot axis 198 and which extends through a first passage opening of the first wedge element 196, through a passage opening in the first connecting lever 188, through a second passage opening of the first wedge element 196 between the two slot-shaped receptacles 200, through a passage opening in the second connecting lever 188 and through a third passage opening of the first wedge element 196.

[0072] The first wedge element 196 has a top surface 204 which, preferably in a flat area, abuts a lower guide surface of an upper guide element 206 of the base 104, preferably in a flat area.

[0073] Furthermore, the first wedge element 196 has a bottom surface 208 with which the first wedge element 196 rests against the top surface of a lower guide element 210 of the base 104, preferably over a flat surface.

[0074] Thus, the first wedge element 196 is guided linearly displaceable on the base 104 by the contact of the upper surface 204 of the first wedge element 196 with the underside of the upper guide element 206 of the base 104 and by the contact of the underside 208 of the first wedge element 196 with the upper surface of the lower guide element 210 of the base 104 along the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 and along the displacement direction 177.

[0075] End regions of the actuating arm slide bearing 164, for example, end regions of the press-fit pin 182, engage in one of two guide slots 212, each of which is formed on one of the side walls 178 of the base 104 and extends parallel to the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 and thus parallel to the displacement direction 177. Therefore, the slide 166 is guided linearly displaceable along the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 and along the displacement direction 177 by the engagement of the actuating arm slide bearing 164 with the guide slots 212 of the base 104.

[0076] The end regions of the actuating arm connecting lever bearing 186, however, are not in engagement with the guide slots 112, so that the actuating arm-side end regions of the connecting levers 188 can be moved upwards out of the receiving space 213 of the base 104, which is formed between the side walls 178 of the base 104.

[0077] The top surface 204 and the bottom surface 208 of the first wedge element 196 are connected to each other via a first wedge surface 214.

[0078] The first wedge surface 214 is inclined at an acute angle α to the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104, which is oriented essentially parallel to the top surface 170 of the base plate 172 of the base 104 (see, for example, Fig. 1 ).

[0079] At least in the closed states of the clamping device 100, the first wedge surface 214 is in contact with a first inclined surface 216 of an intermediate element 218 of the clamping device 100 arranged in the receiving space 213 of the base 104.

[0080] The first inclined surface 216 is inclined at the same angle α to the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 and thus preferably also to the top surface 170 of the base plate 172 of the base 104 as the first wedge surface 214 of the first wedge element 196.

[0081] The intermediate element 218 is guided linearly displaceable along a guide direction 222 by means of a vertical guide slot 220 in each of the side walls 178 of the base 104.

[0082] The guidance of the intermediate element 218 on the vertical guide slots 220 of the base 104 is effected, for example, by means of two guide pins 224, which extend in the transverse direction 124 of the clamping device 100 through a through hole of the intermediate element 218 and engage with their two end regions in one of the vertical guide slots 220 of the base 104.

[0083] Alternatively, it could also be provided that a basic body of the intermediate element 218 engages directly in guide recesses in the side walls 178 of the base 104 and is thereby guided linearly displaceable along the guide direction.

[0084] Furthermore, the intermediate element 218 has a second inclined surface 226 facing away from the first inclined surface 216, which is aligned parallel to the first inclined surface 216.

[0085] The second inclined surface 226 is therefore preferably inclined at the same angle α to the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 and thus preferably also to the top surface 170 of the base plate 172 of the base 104 as the first inclined surface 216 of the intermediate element 218 and / or as the first wedge surface 214 of the first wedge element 196.

[0086] The second inclined surface 226 of the intermediate element 218 is in contact with a second wedge surface 228 of a second wedge element 230 of the clamping device 100, at least in the closed states of the clamping device 100.

[0087] The second wedge element 230 is guided linearly displaceable on the base 104 with its underside 232, which - preferably in a planar fashion - abuts the top surface 170 of the base plate 172 of the base 104, and with its side surfaces 234, which - preferably in a planar fashion - abut the opposing inner surfaces of the side cheeks 178 of the base 104, along the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 and thus along the displacement direction 177.

[0088] The second wedge surface 228 of the second wedge element 230 is preferably inclined at the same angle α to the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 and thus preferably also to the top surface 170 of the base plate 172 of the base 104 as the second inclined surface 226 of the intermediate element 218, as the first inclined surface 216 of the intermediate element 218 and / or as the first wedge surface 214 of the first wedge element 196.

[0089] The angle α is preferably at least 10° and / or preferably at most 30°. The angle α can, for example, be 12°.

[0090] The clamping device 100 further comprises a force adjustment device 236, by means of which the clamping force exerted by the clamping device on an object 138 to be clamped in a closed position can be adjusted.

[0091] The force adjustment device 236 is designed to connect the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 in such a way that a distance d between the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 along the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 of the clamping device 100 and thus along the displacement direction 177 can be changed by means of the force adjustment device 236.

[0092] For this purpose, the force adjustment device 236 includes a slide-side threaded element 238 which is fixed to the slide 166 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0093] Furthermore, the force adjustment device 236 comprises a wedge-element-side threaded element 242 rotatably arranged on the second wedge element 230 relative to the second wedge element 230 about a rotation axis 240.

[0094] The axis of rotation 240 is preferably aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104 and thus preferably also parallel to the top surface 170 of the base plate 172 of the base 104.

[0095] The wedge-side threaded element 242 is designed, for example, as a knurled pin 244.

[0096] The slide-side threaded element 238 is designed, for example, as a threaded pin 246.

[0097] The wedge-side threaded element 242 preferably comprises an annular collar 248, which projects into a recess 250 of the second wedge element 230 in the radial direction of the wedge-side threaded element 242 in such a way that the wedge-side threaded element 242 is secured against displacement relative to the second wedge element 230 in the axial direction, i.e. parallel to the axis of rotation 240.

[0098] Furthermore, the wedge-side threaded element 242 has a threaded blind hole 252 at its end area facing the slide 166, with which the thread of the slide-side threaded element 238 engages.

[0099] This ensures that, by rotating the wedge-side threaded element 242 about the axis of rotation 240 relative to the second wedge element 230 and relative to the slide-side threaded element 238 which is fixed to the slide 166 in a rotationally fixed manner, the slide-side threaded element 238 is drawn further into the threaded blind hole 252 of the wedge-side threaded element 242 or pushed out of the threaded blind hole 252 of the wedge-side threaded element 242, depending on the direction of rotation of the wedge-side threaded element 242.

[0100] In the first case, the rotation of the wedge-side threaded element 242 reduces the distance d between the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230, while in the latter case, the rotation of the wedge-side threaded element 242 increases the distance d between the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230.

[0101] Increasing the distance d between the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 reduces the clamping force exerted by the clamping device 100 on the clamped object 138 in the closed state. Conversely, decreasing the distance d between the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 increases the clamping force exerted by the clamping device 100 on the clamped object 138 in the closed state.

[0102] How best to Fig. 1 As can be seen, the wedge-element-side threaded element 242 extends beyond a rear side 254 of the second wedge element 230 facing away from the slide 166 and through a passage opening 256 in a holder 258 of the base 104 into an outer space of the base 104.

[0103] Since the end region 260 of the threaded element 242 facing away from the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 is located outside the receiving space 213 of the base 104 of the clamping device 100 enclosed by the base 104, it is easily accessible for operation by an operator of the clamping device 100.

[0104] The operator can easily, for example with two fingers or with a suitable tool, grasp the end region 260 of the wedge-side threaded element 242 in order to rotate the wedge-side threaded element 242 about the axis of rotation 240 and thereby change the distance d between the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 and consequently the clamping force exerted on the clamped object 138 by the clamping device 100, without being prevented from such actuation of the force adjustment device 236 by other components of the clamping device 100, in particular by the actuating arms 110 or by the actuating handle 162.

[0105] Furthermore, the clamping device 100 comprises a preloading element 262, which is supported on the one hand on the rear side 254 of the second wedge element 230 and on the other hand on the holder 258, through whose passage opening 256 the wedge-element-side threaded element 242 extends.

[0106] The pre-tensioning element 262 pre-tensions the second wedge element 230 against the intermediate element 218 to ensure that the second wedge surface 228 of the second wedge element 230 comes into contact with the second inclined surface 226 of the intermediate element 218.

[0107] The preload element 262 can, for example, be designed as a spring element, in particular as a compression spring.

[0108] The base plate 172 of the base 104 of the clamping device 100 can have one or more fastening openings 264 through which (not shown) fastening means can extend, with which the base 104 can be fixed, preferably detachably fixed, to a substrate 266, for example to a machine table.

[0109] A top surface 268 of the substrate 266 and a contact surface 265 of the base, with which the base 104 rests on the substrate 266 - preferably over a surface - can lie in the same plane as the clamping surface 136, against which the object 138 to be clamped is clamped by means of the clamping device 100.

[0110] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the clamping surface 136 is offset upwards or downwards relative to the top surface 268 of the substrate 266, against which the base 104 of the clamping device 100 rests with its contact surface 265.

[0111] Furthermore, the base plate 172 of the base 104 can be provided to comprise two areas, wherein a first area forms a support plate of the base 104, on the underside of which the contact surface 265 of the base 104 is arranged, with which the base 104 rests against the substrate 266 – preferably over a flat surface – while a second area of ​​the base plate 172 forms a guide plate of the base 104, on which the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 are slidably guided along the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104. The guide plate can be arranged offset from the support plate in an offset direction perpendicular to the contact surface 265 of the base 104.

[0112] How best to Fig. 4 As can be seen, the second wedge element 230 has a stop 270 which projects towards the slide 166 and engages in a recess 272 of the slide 166, the stop 270 of the second wedge element 230 engaging behind a projection 274 formed on the slide 166, so that the stop 270 of the second wedge element 230 cannot be moved out of the recess 272 of the slide 166.

[0113] The interaction of the stop 270 of the second wedge element 230 and the projection 274 of the slide 166 thus determines the maximum distance to which the distance d between the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 can be extended along the longitudinal direction 176 of the base 104.

[0114] When the distance d between the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 reaches its maximum value, the stop 270 of the second wedge element 230 strikes the projection 274 of the slide 166.

[0115] The minimum distance d between the slide 176 and the second wedge element 230 is zero and is reached when the facing end faces of the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 abut each other.

[0116] The clamping device 100 described above functions as follows: A clamping process, by which an object 138 to be clamped is clamped to the clamping surface 136, begins in the Fig. 5 bis 7 The open state or basic state of the clamping device 100 is shown, in which the holding arms 108 of the clamping device 100 have been pivoted away from the clamping surface 136 by a maximum angle about the holding arm base pivot axis 118 and the actuating arms 110 have been pivoted out of their locking position by a maximum angle about the actuating arm clamping element pivot axis 130.

[0117] How best to Fig. 6 As can be seen, a further opening movement of the retaining arms 108 and the actuating arms 110 relative to each other is not possible, since the retaining arms 108 have a stop 276 which interacts with a recess 278 of the actuating arms 110 in such a way that the retaining arms 108 and the actuating arms 110 cannot be pivoted further relative to each other.

[0118] The stop 276 can be formed by a component of the retaining arm clamping piece bearing 114, for example by an end area of ​​the rivet 128 which protrudes over an outer side of one of the retaining arms 108 facing away from the other retaining arm 108.

[0119] In order to clamp an object 138, whose clamping surface 280 lies above the clamping surface 136 by a height h, using the clamping device 100, the operating handle 162 is operated by an operator - in the direction of the Fig. 8 and 9pressed clockwise downwards, towards the base 266 of the clamping device 100, thereby moving the actuating arm clamping piece swivel axis 130 upwards. This causes the retaining arms 108 to rotate on a circular path around the retaining arm base swivel axis 118 – in the direction of view of the Fig. 8 and 9 swivelled counterclockwise - downwards, towards the clamping surface 136 and towards the object 138 to be clamped.

[0120] At the same time, the actuating arm connecting lever pivot axis 190 is moved towards the rear end of the base 104, whereby the connecting lever wedge element pivot axis 198 and thus the first wedge element 196, which is guided linearly displaceable on the upper guide element 206 and on the lower guide element 210 along the longitudinal direction 276 of the base 104 and along the displacement direction 177, are moved towards the rear end of the base 104, i.e., the end facing away from the object 138 to be clamped.

[0121] The slide 166 and the second wedge element 230, however, do not move during this phase of the closing process of the clamping device 100, since they are pre-tensioned by the pre-tensioning element 262 towards the front end of the base 104 facing the object 138 to be clamped, and the actuating arm slide bearing 164, guided in the guide slots 212, is located at the front end of the guide slots 212 (see the figure in Fig. 8 the first intermediate state of the clamping device 100 shown).

[0122] Only when the actuating handle 162 with the actuating arms 110 is pressed further downwards in a clockwise direction and the pressure element 140 of the pressure piece 134 of the clamping device 100 comes into contact with the clamping surface 280 of the object 138 to be clamped, which is indicated in the Fig. 9 In the second intermediate state of the clamping device 100 shown, the retaining arms 108 can no longer be pivoted further counterclockwise downwards towards the clamping surface 136 during a further pivoting movement of the actuating arms 110. If the pivoting movement of the actuating handle 162 and the actuating arms 110 is now continued, the slide 166, guided via the actuating arm slide bearing 164 on the guide slots 212, and the second wedge element 230 coupled to the slide 166 now move against the preload force of the preloading element 262 towards the rear end of the base 104.As a result, the intermediate element 218, which rests with its second inclined surface 226 on the second wedge surface 228 of the second wedge element 230 and is guided linearly along the guide direction 222 at the vertical guide slots 220 of the base 104, moves downwards, that is to the contact surface 265 of the base 104 and to the top 268 of the substrate 266 of the clamping device 100.

[0123] The connecting levers 188 and the first wedge element 196 continue to move towards the rear end of the base 104 and thus towards the first inclined surface 216 of the intermediate element 218.

[0124] Finally, the one in the Fig. 10 bis 13 The upper closed state of the clamping device 100 shown is reached, in which the clamping device 100 is in a toggle lever over-center position because the first toggle lever 282 formed by the clamping piece and the actuating arms 110 is overextended and the second toggle lever 284 formed by the connecting levers 188 and the actuating arms 110 is also overextended.

[0125] The clamping piece 112 is pushed upwards by the actuating arms 110 via the first toggle lever 282, i.e. away from the contact surface 265 of the base 104.

[0126] The second toggle lever 284 pushes the connecting levers 188 downwards from the actuating arms 110, that is, towards the support surface 265 of the base 104.

[0127] Since the two toggle levers 282 and 284 are in their respective toggle lever over-center points, the clamping device 100 is in the position shown in the Fig. 10 bis 13 The upper closed position is locked as shown. The lock can only be released if the operating handle 162 is pivoted counterclockwise upwards with the operating arms 110, overcoming the locking force.

[0128] In the first closed state of the clamping device 100, the first wedge element 196 and the second wedge element 230 both support themselves on the base 104 and clamp the intermediate element 218 between them, on whose first inclined surface 216 the first wedge surface 214 of the first wedge element 196 now lies flat against it.

[0129] The positions of the various components of the clamping device 100 in the upper closed state depend on the height h of the object 138 to be clamped. Depending on the height h of the object 138 to be clamped, the actuating arm-clamping piece swivel axis 130 shifts relative to the base 104, which then also leads to a different position of the slide 166 and the intermediate element 218.

[0130] This becomes clear through a comparison with the Fig. 14 bis 17 , which show the clamping device 100 in a lower closed state, which is assumed when an object 138 with a lower height h' is clamped on the clamping surface 136 by means of the clamping device 100.

[0131] In particular, a comparison of the Fig. 11 and 15It can be seen that in the lower closed state, the actuating arm clamping element swivel axis 130 is shifted further towards the clamping object 138 relative to the base 104. Consequently, the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 are also positioned closer to the clamping object 138 in the lower closed state, which results in the intermediate element 218 being positioned higher in the lower closed state, i.e., having a greater distance from the support surface 265 of the base 104, than in the upper closed state.

[0132] Regardless of the height h of the object 138 to be clamped, a closed state of the clamping device 100 can always be achieved in which the first toggle lever 282 and the second toggle lever 284 are overextended.

[0133] This is from the Fig. 1 , 3 and 4to see which represent the clamping device 100 in a lowest closed state in which the pressure element 140 of the pressure piece 134 of the clamping device 100 is directly in contact with the clamping surface 136, which corresponds to clamping an object 138 with height h equal to zero.

[0134] From the enlarged view in Fig. 4 It can be seen that the holding arm clamping piece swivel axis 126 and the actuating arm slide swivel axis 180 clamp a first dead center plane 286 of the first toggle lever 282, wherein in the closed position of the clamping device 100 the actuating arm clamping piece swivel axis 130 is offset upwards, i.e. away from the contact surface 265 of the base 104, relative to the first dead center plane 286 of the first toggle lever 182.

[0135] Furthermore, it is from Fig. 4 It can be seen that the actuating arm slide pivot axis 180 and the connecting lever wedge element pivot axis 198 span a second dead center plane 288 of the second toggle lever 284, wherein the actuating arm connecting lever pivot axis 190 is offset downwards, i.e. towards the contact surface 265 of the base 104, relative to the second dead center plane 288 of the second toggle lever 284.

[0136] The first toggle lever 282 and the second toggle lever 284 of the clamping device 100 are thus extended in opposite directions to each other in the closed state, thereby achieving a particularly secure locking of the actuating arms 110 in their closed position and thus of the clamping device 100 in the closed state.

[0137] When the clamping device 100 is opened, i.e. when it is moved from a closed state to the open state, the first toggle lever 282 and the second toggle lever 284 are released by a pivoting movement of the actuating arms 110, which is carried out by an operator overcoming the locking force of the clamping device 100.

[0138] This reduces and eventually releases the jamming of the intermediate element 218 between the first wedge element 196 and the second wedge element 230.

[0139] The first wedge element 196 is moved forward along the displacement direction 177 specified by the guide elements 206 and 210, i.e. towards the clamped object 238.

[0140] The slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 coupled to it are also pushed forward again by the preload force of the preload element 262, i.e. towards the clamped object 138.

[0141] This allows the retaining arms 108 to be inserted into the Fig. 5 bis 7 to move back to the open or basic position of the clamping device 100 as shown.

[0142] The clamping force, by means of which the clamped object 138 is pressed against the clamping surface 136, can be adjusted by means of the force adjustment device 236, which has been described above.

[0143] By rotating the wedge-element-side threaded element 242, which is designed, for example, as a knurled pin 244, the slide-side threaded element 238, fixed to the slide 266, moves forward or backward relative to the wedge-element-side threaded element 242. This moves the second wedge element 230 backward, i.e., toward the rear end of the base 104, or forward, thereby lowering or raising the intermediate element 218. The higher the intermediate element 218 is positioned when the clamping device 100 is open, the sooner it comes into contact with the first wedge element 196 when the clamping device 100 is closed, and the greater the clamping force achieved when the clamping device 100 is closed.

[0144] In the clamping device 100 described above with regard to its construction and function, the holding arms 108 and the actuating arms 110 are not directly connected to each other by a hinge; rather, the holding arms 108 and the actuating arms 110 are indirectly connected to each other via the clamping piece 112 which is connected to both the holding arms 108 and the actuating arms 110.

[0145] The movement of the first wedge element 196 and the movement of the second wedge element 230 occur independently of each other. Neither wedge element 196 nor 230 drives a movement of the other wedge element.

[0146] The operation of the clamping device 100 is based on a double toggle lever principle, whereby in the closed state of the clamping device 100 both the first toggle lever 282 and the second toggle lever 284 are overextended, in opposite directions with respect to the respective dead center plane 286 and 288.

[0147] The actuating arms 110 are not directly connected to the first wedge element 196 by a pivot; rather, the actuating arms 110 and the first wedge element 196 are indirectly connected to each other via the connecting levers 188, which are each pivotally connected to the actuating arms 110 and pivotally connected to the first wedge element 196.

[0148] The end area 260 of the wedge-element-side threaded element 242, on which an operator grips to adjust the clamping force with which an object 138 to be clamped is subjected, is neither located within the receiving space 213 of the base 104 nor in the area between the actuating arms 110, in the area between the holding arms 108 or in the area between the connecting levers 188, but is freely accessible for actuation by the operator.

[0149] The slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 move exclusively linearly when the clamping device 100 is moved from the open or basic state to a closed state. The movement of the slide 166 and the second wedge element 230 does not include any pivoting movement.

[0150] An embodiment of a clamping device 100 has been described above, in which some components, in particular the holding arms 108, the actuating arms 110 and the connecting levers 188, are present in pairs, while other components, in particular the clamping piece 112, are present only in one instance.

[0151] In principle, one or more of the components of the clamping device 100, which are present in pairs in the embodiment described above, could also be present only individually, while one or more of the components, which are present only individually in the embodiment described above, could also be present in pairs.

Claims

1. Clamping device, in particular quick-action clamp (102), comprising a base (104), at least one holding arm (108) hingedly connected to the base (104), at least one actuating arm (110) movably connected to the base (104), and at least one clamping piece (112) hingedly connected to the at least one holding arm (108) and to the at least one actuating arm (110), characterized in that the clamping device (100) comprises a slide (166) movably held on the base (104), wherein the at least one actuating arm (110) is hingedly connected to the slide (166), and in that the clamping device (100) comprises at least one connecting lever (188) and a first wedge element (196) displaceably guided on the base (104), wherein the at least one connecting lever (188) is hingedly connected to the first wedge element (196) and hingedly connected to the at least one actuating arm (110), wherein the clamping piece (112) and the at least one actuating arm (110) together form a first toggle lever (282), which is overcenter in a closed state of the clamping device (100), and wherein the at least one connecting lever (188) and the at least one actuating arm (110) together form a second toggle lever (284), which is overcenter in the closed state of the clamping device (100).

2. Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (100) comprises a holding arm-clamping piece pivot axis (126), an actuating arm-clamping piece pivot axis (130), an actuating arm-slide pivot axis (180), an actuating arm-connecting lever pivot axis (190), and a connecting lever-wedge element pivot axis (198), wherein the holding arm-clamping piece pivot axis (126) and the actuating arm-slide pivot axis (180) span a first dead-center plane (286) of the first toggle lever (282), wherein the actuating arm-slide pivot axis (180) and the connecting lever-wedge element pivot axis (198) span a second dead-center plane (288) of the second toggle lever (284), and wherein, in the closed state of the clamping device (100), the actuating arm-clamping piece pivot axis (130) is offset with respect to the first dead-center plane (286) away from a contact surface (265) of the base (104), with which the base (104) can be placed on a mounting surface (266), and / or the actuating arm-connecting lever pivot axis (190) is offset with respect to the second dead-center plane (288) towards the contact surface (265) of the base (104).

3. Clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that in the closed state of the clamping device (100) either the actuating arm-clamping piece pivot axis (130) is offset with respect to the first dead-center plane (286) away from the contact surface (265) of the base (104), or the actuating arm-connecting lever pivot axis (190) is offset with respect to the second dead-center plane (288) away from the contact surface (265) of the base (104).

4. Clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the slide (166) is guided on the base (104) so as to be linearly displaceable.

5. Clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping device (100) comprises a force-adjusting device (236), by means of which a clamping force, which the clamping device (100) exerts in the closed state on an object (138) to be clamped, is adjustable.

6. Clamping device according to claim 5, characterized in that the clamping device (100) comprises a second wedge element (230) displaceably guided on the base (104), wherein the force-adjusting device (236) is configured such that a distance between the slide (166) and the second wedge element (230) can be varied by means of the force-adjusting device (236).

7. Clamping device according to either one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the force-adjusting device (236) comprises a slide-side threaded element (238) arranged on the slide (166).

8. Clamping device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the force-adjusting device (236) comprises a wedge-element-side threaded element (242) arranged on the second wedge element (230).

9. Clamping device according to either one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the wedge-element-side threaded element (242) is in engagement with the slide-side threaded element (238).

10. Clamping device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that at least a part of the force-adjusting device (236) is held captive on the base (104) and / or on the second wedge element (230) of the clamping device (100).

11. Clamping device according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the force-adjusting device (236) extends through a passage opening (150) and / or through a recess (250) of the base (104).

12. Clamping device according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that a part of the force-adjusting device (236) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (240), wherein the axis of rotation (240) is oriented substantially parallel to a displacement direction (177) of the slide (166).

13. Clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the clamping device (100) comprises an intermediate element (218) displaceably guided on the base (104) transversely to a displacement direction (177) of the first wedge element (196), wherein the first wedge element (196) at least temporarily contacts a first inclined surface (216) of the intermediate element (218).

14. Clamping device according to claim 10, characterized in that the clamping device (100) comprises a second wedge element (230) displaceably guided on the base (104), wherein the second wedge element (230) at least temporarily contacts a second inclined surface (226) of the intermediate element (218).

15. Clamping device according to claim 11, characterized in that the clamping device (100) comprises a biasing element (262), which biases the second wedge element (230) against the intermediate element (218).