Patent ID: 6497419
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: B23B,Y10T

Abstract:
A clamp for holding a workpiece in place, said workpiece having an opening, said opening having an effective perimeter, said clamp comprising:a. a first member movable along an axis from a first position to a second position, said first member having an effective perimeter which is less than the effective perimeter of said opening of said workpiece; and b. a plurality of pivoting expansion members being in a retracted position when said first member is in said first position, and being in an extended position when said first member is in said second position, said plurality of expansion members contacting said first member when said first member is in said second position such that substantially all force transmitted by said first member to said plurality of expansion members is axial, said plurality of expansion members having a retracted effective perimeter when said plurality of expansion members are disposed at said retracted position, said retracted effective perimeter being less than the effective perimeter of said opening of said workpiece, said plurality of pivoting expansion members being configured to engage said workpiece when said plurality of expansion members are disposed at said extended position.