Patent ID: 6325903
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: C25D,H05K

Abstract:
A holding clamp for releasably holding a thickened planar article to be submerged in a liquid solution bath ahead of a submerged anode bar and to be electroplated therein, said holding clamp destined to downwardly depend from an overlying cathode frame bar, said holding clamp comprising:a) an elongated main arm member, made from an electrically conducting material, and defining first and second opposite end portions;b) a pair of first and second tubular bar members, each defining an outer end portion coated with a fluid-tight and electrically insulating sleeve and an opposite inner end portion, each bar member outer end portion having a transverse terminal stud projecting therefrom, said first bar member anchored at its said inner end portion to said main arm member first end portion parallel thereto;c) a rail member, integral to an intermediate section of said main arm member and slidably engaged by said second bar member inner end portion, wherein said second bar member is maintained by said rail member parallel to said first bar and wherein said second bar member is movable relative to said first bar member while continuously remaining parallel thereto, while the pair of said terminal studs are directed toward one another and remain coaxially aligned;d) a first biasing member, cooperating with said rail member and continuously biasing said first and second bar members toward one another; ande) a second biasing member, for discretely biasing said second bar member away from said first bar member, against the continuous bias of said first biasing member;said second biasing member including an arcuate cantilever member defining an engagement leg, an intermediate actuation leg transverse to said engagement leg, a handle bar opposite said engagement leg and extending generally away from said first and second bar members and integral and transverse to said actuation leg, said engagement leg extending between said first and second bar members within their common plane, and a pivotal mount integral to said main arm member and pivotally carrying a section of said arcuate cantilever member intermediate said engagement and actuation legs, said pivotal mount defining a pivotal axis orthogonal to the plane intersecting said first and second bar members;wherein said engagement leg of cantilever member is engageable with said second bar member inner end portion, so that upon push actuation of said handle bar toward said main arm member, pivotal motion of said cantilever member brings about frictional engagement of said cantilever member engagement leg about said second bar member and displacement of the latter away from said first bar member.