Patent ID: 6435493
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A fluid operated clamping mechanism comprising,a clamp body having a bottom closure member and a top closure member, a chamber formed within the clamp body, a piston mounted within said chamber for back and forth movement therein, said piston including a magnet associated therewith, a piston rod connected to said piston at one end and a second end of said piston rod extending through the top closure member of the clamp body, a clamp arm being connected to said second end of the piston rod, a first fluid port near said bottom closure member, a second fluid port near said top closure member, said first and second ports being adapted for introduction of a pressure fluid on a first and second side of said piston to thereby cause back and forth movement of the piston rod and which thereby moves the clamp arm between its clamped and un-clamped position, said clamp body containing at least three external surfaces thereon which run lengthwise in the same direction as the piston rod, each of said surfaces containing a different specially grooved slot generally co-extensive with the length of the clamp body, an electronic switch positioned in at least one of said slots, said switch being activated by movement of the magnet included with the piston, to thereby detect the position of the clamp arm.