Patent ID: 9095946
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: B23Q,B25J,F16C,F16M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A modular tooling apparatus, comprising: a first coupler portion; a second coupler portion, wherein the first coupler portion and the second coupler portion are rotationally adjustable with respect to one another; a locking member that is moveable to a locked position, in which the locking member engages the first coupler portion and the second coupler portion to restrain the first coupler portion from rotating with respect to the second coupler portion, and an unlocked position in which the locking member is disengaged from and spaced apart from the first coupler portion and the second coupler portion; and a friction member that engages the first coupler portion and the second coupler portion to resist rotation of the first coupler portion with respect to the second coupler portion when the locking member is in the unlocked position, and to permit rotation of the first coupler portion with respect to the second coupler portion in response to application of force to at least one of the first coupler portion or the second coupler portion that is sufficient to overcome a friction force applied by the frictional engagement of the friction member with respect to the at least one of the first coupler portion or the second coupler portion when the locking member is in the unlocked position, wherein the friction member includes a plurality of radially extending portions, the first coupler portion includes a plurality of slots, the radially extending portions of the friction member extend through the slots of the first coupler portion past an outer periphery of the first coupler portion, the radially extending portions of the friction member engage the slots of the first coupler portion such that the friction member rotates substantially in unison with the first coupler portion, and the radially extending portions are in direct frictional engagement with a surface formed on the second coupler portion to resist rotation of the first coupler portion with respect to the second coupler portion when the locking member is in the unlocked position.