Patent ID: 6371468
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A workpiece holder for securing an annulus therein, wherein the annulus has an interior and exterior diameter, the workpiece holder comprising:(a) a circular hub comprising a plurality of spokes extending radially outward therefrom, wherein said spokes are equiangularly spaced, each of said spokes having a predetermined length and a distal end, thereby forming a hub diameter; and (b) a plurality of clamping devices circumferentially aligned with said spokes, each of said clamping devices comprising: (1) a first sliding block having a locating end, an extensible clamping end, and a length equal to the distance between said locating end and said extensible clamping end, said sliding block positioned outwardly of said circular hub such that said locating end is closer to said circular hub than said clamping end; (2) means for allowing said first block to travel radially of said circular hub such that when said locating end abuts said distal end of said spoke, the sum of said hub diameter and twice said length of said sliding block is approximately equal to the interior diameter of the annulus; (3) means for extending said extensible clamping end radially outward of said circular hub for pressing said extensible clamping end against the interior diameter of the annulus; and (4) clamping means for applying a force against the exterior diameter of the annulus at a location circumferentially aligned with said sliding block for clamping the annulus between said extensible clamping end of said sliding block and said clamping means.