Clamping system for weldments

Abstract

A recess to accommodate a gasket on a door is formed from a pair of components. The components are held in spaced location by a clamping system having a pair of legs. A clamping member is adjustably supported on one of the legs and a spacer is mounted on the other leg to hold the components in the required positions.

Description

CLAMPING SYSTEM FOR WELDMENTSFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to clamps and methods of clamping for fabrication.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] The refurbishment of articles frequently requires the reconstruction of fabrications used in the original article. An example of such refurbishment is the watertight doors and hatches used on marine vessels. The doors are mounted to the superstructure to open and close a passageway. A gasket is carried by the door to seal against the superstructure when closed.

[0003] The gasket is carried in a recess extending around the periphery of the door. The recess and surrounding area is subjected to a harsh environment due to the salt water that can be trapped in the recess that leads to corrosion of the door and accordingly requires frequent replacement and refurbishment of the door itself.

[0004] During reconstruction, the recess has to be replicated to suit the gasket used which requires careful alignment of different components that make up the recess for the gasket to function correctly. As the recess extends about the periphery of the door, this is time consuming and adds to the overall cost of the refurbishment.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clamping system and method of clamping in which obviates or mitigates the above problems.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a clamping system to locate a weldment on a substrate, said clamping system comprising a body, a pair of support legs depending from the body at spaced locations, a moveable clamping member supported on one of said support legs and having an abutment face moveable relative to the other of said support legs, and a spacer detachably secured to another of said support legs, said spacer maintaining a lateral spacing between a pair of components defining an elongate- 1 - 1381-5681-1036.1recess, said abutment face being moveable toward said spacer to engage one of said components and inhibit movement thereof relative to said spacer.

[0007] Preferably said clamping system includes a third support leg having a further moveable clamping member supported thereon, said further moveable clamping member having an abutment face moveable into engagement with another of said components and thereby move the other component into engagement with said spacer.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fabricating a recess from a pair of components, said method comprising the steps of supporting a spacer on a leg of a clamp, adjusting a clamping member to locate one of said components against a face of said spacer, supporting another of said components on an opposite face of said spacer to overlie said one component, connecting said components to one another and releasing said clamping member to permit removal of said spacer.

[0009] Preferably said method includes the step of removing a portion of a substrate to prove a peripheral edge and locating said recess on said substrate with said peripheral edge overlying said one component and abutting said other component.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a typical watertight door,

[0012] Fig. 2 is a section on the line ll-ll of Figure 1 ,

[0013] Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2 of a replacement structure,

[0014] Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of clamping system used in the refurbishment of a door shown in Fig. 1

[0015] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of Fig 4,

[0016] Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a second embodiment of clamping system,

[0017] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the Fig. 6,

[0018] Fig 8 is a further perspective view of Fig. 6 taken from an alternative angle,

[0019] Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of a third embodiment of clamping system,- 2 - 1381-5681-1036.1

[0020] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the clamping system of Fig. 9,

[0021] Fig 11 is a perspective view from an opposite side to Fig 10,

[0022] Figs. 12 and 13 are perspective and elevation views respectively of a gauge used to confirm spacing of components.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Referring first to Fig. 1 , a watertight door 10 has an outer skin 12 that is supported by ribs 14. An elongate recess 16 extends about the periphery of the door 10 to locate a sealing gasket 18 (Fig. 2).

[0024] As can be seen more clearly in Fig. 2, the recess 16 is defined by an L-shaped stiffener 17 and an outer flange 19 formed by turning up the peripheral edge of the skin 12. As noted above, saltwater can be trapped in the recess 16 leading to corrosion of the stiffener 17 and the flange 19.

[0025] To effect refurbishment, the peripheral edge of the skin 12, including the flange 19 is removed leaving a planar substrate free of corrosion and with an exposed edge 13 (Fig 3). In some cases the stiffener 17 may be retained with the skin 12 but usually the stiffener is also corroded and so is removed.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, a replacement recess 16A is formed from a weldment having an inner L-shaped component 20 and an outer channel component 22. The inner L-shaped component 20 is of similar profile to the stiffener 17 and has a base 24 and an upstanding flange 26. The flange 26 has a pair of projections 28, 30, one of which, 28, is provided to retain the gasket 18 and the other of which, 30, stiffens the edge of the flange 26.

[0027] The outer channel component 22 replicates the upturned edge of the original door and has a pair of arms 34, 36 extending from a base 38. The uppermost of the arms, 34 is positioned at the same height as the projection 28 to retain the gasket 18 and the lowermost of the arms 36, extends beneath the base 24 of L-shaped component 20 to abut the exposed edge 13 of the skin 12. The components are secured to one another, usually by welding to provide a recess 16Ato receive the gasket 18 around the periphery of the refurbished door.

[0028] In a preferred methodology, the component 20 is initially seam welded to the skin12 along the heel of the component 20. The toe 25 of the base 20 is seam welded to the- 3 - 1381-5681-1036.1skin 12 using a pair of overlapping seam welds and the weld at the toe 25 is ground to present a planar face along the edge of the skin 12. The lower arm 36 of the outer channel component 22 is then presented to the planar face and the inner face of the arm 36 is tack welded to locate the outer channel component 22. The underside of the arm 36 is seam welded to the skin 17 providing a secure connection around the door. The spacing of the base 38 and the flange 26 may be adjusted using different channel sections to ensure a proper fit of the gasket.

[0029] To provide proper support for the gasket 18 and effective sealing, the fabrication of the recess 16A must be precise and in particular the spacing between the inner and outer components 20, 22 must be maintained within permissible limits.

[0030] To facilitate fabrication of the recess 16A, a clamping system 40 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is used. The clamping system 40 comprises a body 42 with two legs 44, 46 depending from opposite ends of the body 42. One of the legs, 42 terminates in a threaded bore 48 which carries a moveable clamping member 50. The clamping member 50 comprises a threaded rod 52 co-operating with the threaded bore 48 and a shoe 54 at one end. The shoe 54 is connected to the rod 52 by a ball joint 56 and has a planar abutment face 58. A nut 60 is welded to the threaded rod 52 to facilitate rotation of the rod and adjustment of the abutment face 58 relative to the leg 44.

[0031] The other leg 46 terminates in a transverse head 62 that projects to either side of the leg 46. The head 62 carries a spacer 64 made from a suitable material such as mild steel, which has a T shaped slot 66 to receive the leg 46. The spacer 64 approximates to the cross section of the recess 16A and has a pair of oppositely directed faces 68, 70. The faces 68, 70 are laterally spaced to correspond to the required width of the recess 16A. One of the faces, 68, has a notch 69 to receive the projection 28 and the other face 70 has a slot 72 to receive the arm 34 of the channel component 22.

[0032] As can be seen in Fig. 5, the spacer 64 is relatively slim to allow the spacer to be twisted and removed from the recess 16A when no longer required.

[0033] In use, a spacer 64 of the required dimensions is placed on the leg 46 with the T shaped head 62 in the slot 66. The L-shaped component 20 is positioned so that the flange 26 engages the face 68 on the spacer 64 with the projection 28 in the notch 69. The threaded rod 50 is adjusted so the abutment face 58 of the shoe 54 engages the flange 26 and forces it against the face 68 on the spacer 64 to hold the component 20 in position.- 4 - 1381-5681-1036.1

[0034] The outer channel component 22 is then positioned on the spacer 64 with the arm 34 within the slot 72. The slot 72 supports the outer channel member 22 and locates it vertically and laterally relative to the inner L-shaped member 20. The lateral spacing of the component is then fixed and the clamping system 40 positions the recess 16A as a unit onto the skin 12 so the arm 36 of the outer channel member 22 abuts the exposed edge 13.

[0035] This is repeated at multiple locations around the periphery of the skin and once positioned additional C-clamps may be used to hold the assembly on the skin 12. The spacing of the components 210, 22 may be checked using a gauge 110 as shown in Figures 12 and 13 where the profile of the spacer can be manually moved along the recess to verify the spacing.

[0036] Once positioned, the components 20, 22 are welded to one another and to the skin 12 between the clamped locations. The clamping system 40 is then released by undoing the rod 50 and the leg 46 is slid off the spacer 64. The spacer 64 may the be twisted in the recess 16 A and removed. Once all the clamps are removed the components 20, 22 may be further welded to provide a unitary structure to receive a gasket 18.

[0037] A further embodiment is shown in Fig. 6 where like reference numerals will be used with a suffix “a” for clarity. In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the spacer 64a is provided with a lip 80 projecting from the face 70a at its lower edge. The leg 46 has a notch 82 to receive the lip 80 and so position the spacer 64a between the shoe 54a and leg 46a.

[0038] The lower end of the leg 46a is enlarged around the slot 72a and a bolt 84 inserted in to a threaded hole 86. Once the arm 34a of the component 22a is located in the slot 72a, the bolt 84 may be tightened to bear against the arm 34a and hold it to the leg 46a.

[0039] Once the components 20a, 22a are secured to the skin 32, the bolt 84 is released and the clamping member 50a released. The body 42a and legs 44a, 46a may then be slid along the recess 16A until free of the spacer 64a and then removed. The bolt 84 ensures retention of the component 22a as the clamping systems 40 are being positioned.

[0040] If preferred, the threaded bolt may be replaced by an over centre mechanism secured to the leg 46a and operable to extend a rod into the hole 86 to secure the arm 34a.

[0041] An additional embodiment is shown in Figs. 9 ,10 and 11 in which like reference numerals will be used to denote like components with a suffix “b” added for clarity. As seen in Figs. 9 , 10 and 11 , the clamping system 40b is provided with an additional leg 90 on the opposite side of the leg 46b to the leg 44b. The leg 46b is formed with a T-shaped head 62b- 5 - 1381-5681-1036.1to receive a spacer 64b in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 4. The spacer 64b has a ledge 92b to replace the slot 72 and locate the outer component 22b at the desired vertical and lateral spacing.

[0042] The additional leg 90 is similar to the leg 44b in that it carries an adjustable clamping member 50b that moves a shoe 54b toward and away from the spacer 64b. A cap 94 is placed between the shoe 54b and the outer channel component 22b to spread the load placed on the outer member 22b.

[0043] The cap 94 has a pair of vertically spaced ribs, 96, 98 to encompass the outer channel member 22b. The upper rib 96 is received between the arm 36b of the outer channel member 22 and the lower rib 98 extends beneath the lowermost arm 36b to locate securely the outer channel member.22.

[0044] To inhibit longitudinal movement of the spacer 64, the spacer is provided with a tongue 100 that is received in a slot 102 in the upper rib 96, as best seen in Fig. 11.

[0045] The clamping system 40b is used as described above with the additional leg 90 and clamping member 50b permitting the inner and outer members 20b, 22b to be secured to the spacer. 64b.

[0046] In each of the embodiments it will be seen that close control of the relative position of the components 20, 22 is attained ensuring the optimum spacing for the gasket 18 in the finished article. As mentioned above, multiple clamping systems may be used around the periphery of the substrate, some closely spaced and others more widely spaced allowing adjustment of the recess 16A on the substrate before welding is initiated.

[0047] In each of the embodiments it will be noted that the length of the legs 44, 46, 90 are dimensioned to allow clearance between the clamping member 50 and the substrate 12 whilst maintaining the position of the spacer for application of the clamping forces at optimum locations.

[0048] The relative position of the components 20, 22 is maintained by the support for each component provided by the spacer, thereby facilitating the assembly and positioning of the components on the substrate.

[0049] In each of the embodiments movement of the abutment faces of the clamping members is provided by a threaded rod. Alternative devices may be used, such as linear actuators or mechanical linkages to provide movement of the abutment faces toward and away from the spacer.- 6 - 1381-5681-1036.1

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A clamping system to locate a weldment on a substrate, said clamping system comprising a body, a pair of support legs depending from the body at spaced locations, a moveable clamping member supported on one of said support legs and having an abutment face moveable relative to the other of said support legs and a spacer detachably secured to another of said support legs, said spacer maintaining a lateral spacing between a pair of components defining an elongate recess, said abutment face being moveable toward said spacer to engage one of said components and inhibit movement thereof relative to said spacer.

2. The clamping system of claim 1 wherein said clamping system includes a third support leg having a further moveable clamping member supported thereon, said further moveable clamping member having an abutment face moveable into engagement with another of said components and move said other component into engagement with said spacer.

3. The clamping system of claim 1 or 2 wherein said spacer supports the other of said components to inhibit relative movement therebetween.

4. The clamping system of claim 3 wherein said spacer has a ledge to support an arm of said other component.

5. The clamping system of claim 4 wherein said ledge is provided by a slot to receive an arm of said other component.

6. The clamping system of claim 5 wherein a fastener is located on said other of said support legs to secure said arm in said slot.

7. The clamping system of claim 2 wherein said abutment face of said further moveable clamping member carries a shoe having ribs to engage and locate said other of said components.

8. The clamping system of claim 7 wherein said ribs are spaced apart to encompass said other component.

9. The clamping system of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said moveable clamping member includes a threaded bore on said one leg and a threaded rod co-operating with said bore so that rotation of said rod induces movement of said abutment face.- 7 - 1381-5681-1036.

110. A method of fabricating a recess from a pair of components, said method comprising the steps of supporting a spacer on a leg of a clamp, adjusting a clamping member to locate one of said components against a face of said spacer, supporting another of said components on an opposite face of said spacer to overlie said one component, connecting said components to one another and releasing said clamping member to permit removal of said spacer.

11. The method of claim 1 including the step of removing a portion of a substrate to provide a peripheral edge and locating said recess on said substrate with said peripheral edge overlying said one component and abutting said other component.1381-5681-1036.1

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