Patent ID: 6089557
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B23Q

Abstract:
A device for clamping a work piece or a tool in a well defined position, comprising:a first coupling element (2) adapted to be stationary mounted;a second coupling element (1) assigned to the work piece or tool and adapted to be fixed to and released from said first coupling element (1);first aligning means (10) for aligning said second coupling element (1) with respect to said first coupling element (2) in the direction of the X-axis and/or in the direction of the Y-axis of a Cartesian co-ordinate system;second aligning means (26) for aligning said second coupling element (1) with respect to said first coupling element (2) in the direction of the Z-axis of a Cartesian co-ordinate system;means for locking said second coupling element (1) on said first coupling element (2), including at least one clamping pin means (21) located on said first stationary coupling element (2);said first aligning means (10) comprising groove means (13) provided on one of said first and second coupling elements, and aligning member means (26) provided on the other one of said first and second coupling elements, said aligning member means (26) engaging said groove means (13) when said second coupling element (1) approaches said first coupling element (2);said second aligning means (26) comprising elevated contact surface means (24) protruding from one of said first and second coupling elements, and flat surface means (10A) provided on the other one of said first and second coupling elements, said contact surface means (24) and said flat surface means (10A) resting on each other when said second coupling element (1) is locked to said first coupling element (2);said second coupling element (1) being equipped with supporting means including a lower supporting surface (12) and a supporting member (11) towering above the alignment means (10) provided on said second coupling element (1), andsaid first and second coupling elements have essentially a cylindrical shape, said supporting means being of annular shape having an inner diameter substantially corresponding to the outer diameter of said second coupling (1) element and adapted to enclose said second coupling element (1).