Abstract:
The present invention relates to a clamping device, and more specifically to a clamping device for precision instruments. It comprises first and second clamping jaws that are secured against a work surface by forces applied in opposite directions via a shank member and locking nut working along integrated first and second threaded bores. The clamping device provides superior rigidity in applications involving the stability of precision instruments.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to, claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications; claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications), and incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith; the present application also claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from, and also incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s) to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith: 
     U.S. provisional patent application 62/389,534 entitled “Clamping device for precision tools”, naming David Nelson as inventor, filed Feb. 29, 2016. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a general purpose clamping device and more particularly to a multi-function clamp. The invention is designed to be clamped tightly, quickly and conveniently to the working surface of a table, a workbench, a surface plate or a machine tool. Yet the invention can be relocated easily for different configurations and can be removed without trouble after the work is finished. The working surface of the table or workbench can be made of wood, metal, stone and is preferable a stable hard surface to enable the clamping device to engage in an effective manner. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the fields of measuring, inspection, bonding, welding and machining, clamps are used for holding work pieces together or holding a work piece on a work surface. Various types of clamps are available, such as bar clamps, C-clamps, F-clamps and screw clamps. These clamps generally comprise a fixed arm with a fixed clamping pad, a movable arm with a clamping pad, or a fixed arm with a fixed clamping pad at one end and a movable clamping pad attached directly to the other end of the fixed arm. Bar clamps utilize a sliding arm over the fixed arm to clamp a work piece. 
     Different types of quick locking and quick releasing mechanisms for the sliding arm are available in the field. A C-clamp consists of a C-shaped fixed arm with a clamping pad at one end and a threaded rod at the other end, the threaded rod having a clamping pad at one end and a cranking handle at the other end. The movable arm of an F-clamp is a straight arm with one end sliding over the L-shape fixed arm and the other end feeding a threaded rod with a clamping pad. A screw clamp utilizes two parallel clamping arms opened and closed by two parallel screws. 
     To clamp a work piece to the surface of a work surface, these conventional clamps must be used at the edge of the work surface so that one of the clamping arms will cross over the edge and reach the bottom of the working surface of the bench. 
     Conventional clamps utilized for clamping at the edge of a work surface, when used for securing precision measuring instruments are less than ideal in supplying a rigid stable platform in applications that necessitate precise tolerances in the fields of measuring and inspection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of the clamping device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates bottom perspective view of the clamping device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the clamping device of  FIG. 1  as mounted to a work surface. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the clamping device interface to a work surface. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the clamping device of  FIG. 4 , as shown with a measuring device attached thereto. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded view of the moveable arm of the clamping device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate moveable arm  10  in an extended position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. 
     Referring  FIGS. 1  thru  7 , an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, depicting a clamping device  100 . Device  100  includes a moveable arm  10  for attachment of a precision measuring device  12  ( FIG. 4 ). The moveable arm  10  may be, constructed of a one piece aluminum alloy of ALUMINUM 6061-T6. Arm  10  is rotatable both vertically and horizontally about cylinder  16 . Arm  10  may include various openings for connection of tools and implements, including connection apertures for the connection of digital tools such as a measuring instrument  12  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     Arm  10  is further extendable as illustrated in  FIG. 8,9  where second extension  10 D may be extended and locked into place by screws  10 F to allow for an extended reach for larger work surfaces  30  (see  FIG. 6 ). Referring to  FIG. 7 , Arm  10  includes at least one opening  14  formed in first extension  10 E. Extension  10 E further includes a longitudinal channel  14 A that bisects opening  14 . The portions of extension  10 E bisected by channel  14 A are constricted via tightening screw  10 B for securement of moveable arm  10  along shank  16 . Tightening screw  10 B is rotated via handle  10 C to engage threaded bores  10 A for constricting opening  14  against shank  16  (clockwise rotation) to secure movable arm  10  and to retract opening  14  to release moveable arm  10  when handle  100  is rotated counter-clockwise. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , device  100  includes a work surface clamping assembly  18 , having a first clamping jaw  20  and a second clamping jaw  22 . The clamping assembly  18  may be constructed of ALUMINUM OR STEEL. Second clamping jaw  22  includes both first  24  and second  26  outwardly extending threaded guide rods that are at one end fixedly engaged into top surface  22 B of second clamping jaw  22 . Second clamping jaw  22  includes a base portion  22 A having a top surface  22 B that steps down to a second engagement extension  22 C. Second engagement section  22 C includes a base portion  22 C 1  that extends to an end lip  22 C 2 . 
     First clamping jaw  20  includes a base portion  20 A including openings for the pass through of the second end of the first  24  and second  26  guide rods that outwardly extend from second clamping jaw  22 . First clamping jaw  20  can be freely positioned along the longitudinal length of first and second guide rods  24  and  26 . First clamping jaw  20  base portion  20 A includes a top surface  20 B and a bottom surface  20 C, surface  20 C being opposite second clamping jaw  22  top surface  22 B. Bottom surface  20 C steps down to a base portion  20 D that defines a first engagement extension. Bottom surface  20 C step and top surface  22 B step are in substantial alignment for positioning device  100  to a work surface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a work surface  30  is illustrated having a top surface  30 A and a bottom surface  30 B. The work surface may comprise just a solid slab material that is elevated to a position to allow for the engagement of both first and second clamping jaws  20  and  22 . The clamping arrangement of the present invention is adaptable to engage the normal edge of a work surface as illustrated in  FIG. 4-6 . First clamping jaw  20  is slided along first and second guide rods  24  and  26  to adjust to the width of work surface  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , top  30 A and bottom  30 B work surface edges slideably engage base portion  20 D of first clamping jaw  20  and end lip  22 C 2  of second clamping jaw  22 , up to a point of engagement with bottom surface  20 C and top surface  22 B step surface projections  20 C 1  and  22 B 1 . It is noted that second threaded guide rod  26  is positioned in near proximity to the step engagement position to allow for maximum force projections at the point of first and second clamping jaw engagement of the top and bottom work surfaces. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 , cylinder  16  includes an internal threaded bore  16 A surrounded by a rigid aluminum or metal material. The cylinder  16  screwedly engages second threaded guide rod  26  with the cylinder  16  exerting a downward force against top surface  20 B of first clamping arm  20  which forces base portion  20 D of first clamping jaw  20  against top surface  30 A. Threaded NUT  40  at the same time is adjusted to engage first threaded guide rod  24  to provide an upward force against bottom surface  20 C of clamping jaw  20 . These forces work together to provide an increased force against top surface  30 A via engagement with engagement portion  20 D. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , as a result of the forces exerted on first clamping arm  20  via cylinder  16  and threaded NUT  40 , second clamping jaw  22  is forced upward at the point of fixed engagement with second threaded guide rod  26 , and forced downward at the point of fixed engagement with first threaded guide rod  24 . This combination of forces translates to an increased directional force against lip extension  22 C 2  that is further enhanced by recess  22 C 3  acting to allow a degree of bending second engagement section  22 C.