Patent ID: 6257972
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: B23Q,B24B,Y10T

Abstract:
In a workpiece gripping apparatus, a combination comprising:a slide base;a first clamping bar slidably mounted on the slide base along a first linear path of motion between a clamping position, and a release position;a second clamping bar slidably mounted on the slide base adjacent the first clamping bar along a second linear path of motion parallel to the first path of motion of the first clamping bar between a clamping position, and a release position;the first clamping bar having a camming slot disposed at an acute angle with respect to the linear path of motion of the first clamping bar;the second clamping bar having a camming slot disposed at an acute angle with respect to the linear path of motion of the second clamping bar;actuator means and means supporting the actuator means for movement generally normal to the slide base;a camming means disposed in the camming slots of the first clamping bar and the second clamping bar for moving them in opposite directions along their respective linear paths of motion toward their respective clamping positions as the camming means is moved in an actuating motion, and for moving the clamping bars toward their respective release positions as the camming means is moved in a reverse motion;means connecting the actuator means to the camming means for moving same to cam the clamping bars toward their clamping positions to engage a workpiece; anda first workpiece gripping member on the first clamping bar and a second workpiece gripping member on the second clamping bar for engaging a rotatable workpiece as the clamping bars are urged toward their respective clamping positions.