CLAMP ASSEMBLY

A clamp assembly and method of use. Disclosed examples of the clamp assembly include an annular base, at least three movable fingers, a plurality of first finger fasteners, and a plurality of edge fasteners. The annular base defines an opening. A workpiece can be positioned in the opening. The movable fingers have first and second opposite end portions, and each of the movable fingers has substantially the same size and shape. Each first finger fastener pivotally couples the first end portion of one of the movable fingers to the base to enable movement of the movable finger in the opening. The first end portions of the movable fingers are equidistantly spaced from one another. Each edge fastener is coupled to the second end portion of one of the movable fingers and configured for movement between a clamping position and a release position.

FIELD

Disclosed embodiments relate generally to clamps for clamping workpieces.

BACKGROUND

Articles of personal adornment such as jewelry include small stampings that have designs sawed or pierced into them by hand with a jewelers' saw. In order to make a pair of identical components, two stamped discs can be glued or taped together, and a design is applied to one of the discs as a template for sawing or otherwise forming the design. The design can then be simultaneously sawed out on two disc-shaped workpieces.

Various holding mechanisms including manual holding mechanisms (i.e., a maker's fingers), as well as various tools, such as bench pins, pliers, and ring clamps, are employed to hold workpieces while a design is sawed out. Often these workpieces are quite small and difficult to be held securely and manipulated during sawing.

There remains a continuing need for improved mechanisms to hold workpieces. Such a holding mechanism should be capable of securely holding the workpiece and efficient to use. A holding mechanism that can be used with workpieces having ranges of sizes and shapes would be especially desirable.

SUMMARY

Various inventive concepts disclosed herein relate to features for overcoming problems currently encountered using methods and tools according to more standard practice and may also provide greater ergonomic comfort for the person performing a forming method on a workpiece.

Disclosed examples include a clamp assembly that can be used with workpieces having ranges of sizes and shapes. The clamp assembly can securely hold the workpieces, and is efficient and effective to use. Examples of the clamp assembly comprise: a base defining an opening, wherein a workpiece can be positioned in the opening; a plurality of movable fingers including first and second opposite end portions, wherein the first end portion of each movable finger is adjustably coupled to the base such that the movable finger is angularly adjustable relative to the base and capable of extending into the opening; and an edge fastener coupled to the second end portion of each movable finger, wherein the edge fastener is configured to releasably engage the workpiece in the opening. In examples, each movable finger is substantially similar in size and shape. In examples, the base is annular in shape. In examples, each movable finger is arcuate in shape. Each edge fastener is adjustably attached to the associated movable finger for movement between a clamping position and a released position in examples. For example, each edge fastener can be threadedly attached to the associated movable finger. In examples, each edge fastener includes a friction enhancing member configured to enhance engagement with the workpiece. Examples include a plurality of friction enhancing members, wherein each friction enhancing member is associated with one of the movable fingers and is configured to enhance engagement between the movable finger and the workpiece. Examples include at least three movable fingers. Each movable finger is configured to project radially into the opening relative to the base, and to be rotated at least 45 degrees with respect to the base, in examples.

Disclosed examples include a clamp assembly, comprising: an annular base defining and opening, wherein a workpiece can be positioned in the opening; at least three movable fingers having first and second opposite end portions, wherein each of the movable fingers has substantially the same size and shape; a plurality of first finger fasteners, each first finger fastener pivotally coupling the first end portion of one of the movable fingers to the base to enable movement of the movable finger in the opening, and wherein the first end portions of the movable fingers are equidistantly spaced from one another; and a plurality of edge fasteners, each edge fastener coupled to the second end portion of one of the movable fingers and configured for movement between a clamping position and a release position. In examples, each movable finger is arcuate and has a radius of curvature substantially similar to a radius of curvature of the base. For example, the base and movable fingers can be sized and shaped to enable each of the movable fingers to overlay the base in a retracted position. In examples, each movable finger is arcuate and has a radius of curvature substantially similar to a radius of curvature of the base. A lip extends from a side of the base opposite the opening, and prevents movement of the movable arms beyond the base in examples. The edge fasteners are threadedly attached to the movable fingers for movement between the clamping and release positions in examples. Examples also include a plurality of friction enhancing members, wherein each friction enhancing member is associated with one of the movable fingers and is configured to enhance engagement between the movable finger and the workpiece.

Disclosed examples include patterning one or more workpieces using a clamp assembly including a frame defining an opening and a plurality of movable fingers extending from the frame into the opening, comprising: positioning the one or more workpieces in the opening of a frame; pivoting the movable fingers into engagement with the one or more workpieces; clamping the one or more workpieces to the movable fingers; and forming a pattern on the one or more workpieces while the one or more workpieces are clamped to the clamping assembly. Examples also include positioning a positioning guide in the opening of the frame; and positioning the one or more workpieces using the positioning guide before clamping the one or more workpieces to the movable fingers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various inventive aspects addressed herein relate to a clamp assembly for use with a workpiece where the clamp assembly is adjustable for use with any of a variety of different workpiece shapes and sizes. Examples of the clamp assembly are configured for use with workpieces in the form of thin discs of material (e.g., circular in profile, or of another shape) where the clamp assembly includes a plurality of movable fingers that can be adjusted to hold the workpieces by their edges. In examples, the plurality of movable fingers are pivotally attached to a frame or base of the clamp assembly through a plurality of finger fasteners, and the workpieces are removably attached to the movable fingers through a plurality of edge fasteners. Multiple workpieces can be attached to the clamp assembly at the same time, facilitating sawing or otherwise making identical patterns in the workpieces as part of a single operation.

FIG. 1is an illustration of an example clamp assembly100with a workpiece W coupled to it, according to some embodiments. As shown, the clamp assembly100includes a frame or base102, a plurality of movable fingers104A-104D mounted to the base102, a plurality of finger fasteners106A-106D for adjustably (e.g., pivotally) coupling the movable fingers104A-104D to the base102, and a plurality of edge fasteners108A-108D for releasably coupling the workpiece W to the plurality of fingers104A-104D. As will be subsequently described, the plurality of movable fingers104A-104D are adjustable to accommodate a shape and size of the workpiece W. In some instances, components of the clamp assembly100could be made of various materials such as metal, aluminum, or any other materials.

FIG. 2is an illustration of the base102of the clamp assembly100, according to some embodiments. The base102includes a plurality of base openings110A-110D. The plurality of movable fingers104A-104D may be pivotally mounted to the base102through the plurality of base openings110A-110D. The base102also has a central opening116. In some instances, the base102and/or the central opening116are annular or circular in shape. The base102further includes a raised lip118extending from the outer side of the base. The lip118can enhance the rigidity of the base102, and can also constrain the movement of the fingers104A-104D (e.g., by preventing the fingers from being able to rotate beyond the perimeter of the base). In some instances, the outer diameter of the base102is 6 cm and the inner diameter is 4.4 cm, and the raised lip may be 0.1 cm. The inner and outer diameters may vary based on the sizes of the workpieces. Accordingly, the size of the central opening116may vary as well relative to the inner and outer diameters.

FIG. 3shows a first movable finger104A of the plurality of movable fingers104A-104D, according to some embodiments. As shown, each of the plurality of movable fingers104A-D is optionally substantially similar in shape and size (e.g., within manufacturing tolerances, or to provide similar functionality), and thus each of the plurality of movable fingers104A-104D is described collectively with reference to the first movable finger104A. Although fingers of similar shape and size are described, it should also be understood that differing finger designs are contemplated. As shown inFIG. 1, there are four movable fingers, including the first movable finger104A, a second movable finger104B, a third movable finger104C, and a fourth movable finger104D. As an expedient, features of the other movable fingers are called out in the subsequent description with the same reference number as the first movable finger, but followed by a letter corresponding to that movable finger (e.g., a “C” where a feature of the third movable finger104C is being called out that corresponds to a similar feature to that of the first movable finger104A). Although four movable fingers are shown by way of example, any numbers are contemplated (e.g., two, three, seven, twelve, etc.). Additionally, although the movable fingers104A-104D are each optionally substantially similar to one another, they may also vary in size and shape with respect to one another according to various alternative examples.

In the illustrated embodiments, the first movable finger104A is arcuate in shape defining a radius of curvature Ra. In some examples, Ra is similar to the radius of curvature of the base102such that the first movable finger may be tucked or folded against the raised lip118of the base102in a relatively compact arrangement. In the illustrated example, the movable fingers104A-104D can overlay the base102when the movable fingers are in retracted positions (e.g., as shown inFIG. 7). In addition, due to the similarity in radius and curvature, there is more overlap between the first movable finger104A and the base102, so that the base102provides more support for the movable finger104A. In other embodiments, one or more, and optionally all, of the moveable fingers have other shapes (e.g., are straight).

The first movable finger104A defines a first end portion120and a second end portion122, the first end portion120being adjustably coupled to the base102such that the first movable finger104A is angularly adjustable (e.g., pivotal) relative to the base102. The first movable finger104A further includes a first movable finger opening112A and a second movable finger opening112B. The first movable finger opening112A is used to attach the first movable finger104A to the base102through the finger fastener106A on the first end120. The second movable finger opening112B is used to attach the workpiece W to the first movable finger104A through the edge fasteners108A on the second end portion122.

FIG. 4is an illustration of an edge fastener108A of the clamp assembly100, according to some embodiments. The edge fastener108A may further include a friction enhancing member114A. The friction enhancing member114A may be made of plastic, or any other material that enhances friction between the workpiece W and the edge fasteners108A-108D. In some instances, the finger fastener106A may be the edge fastener108A without the friction enhancing member114A, and the finger fastener106A may be a screw with either male or female threading. In other instances, the finger fastener106A may be a spring clip or adhesive. Other embodiments include other friction enhancing structures (e.g., on the second end122of the finger104A) to enhance the friction between the workpiece W and the finger.

FIGS. 5A-5Eare illustrations of various sizes and shapes of the workpiece W, according to some embodiments. The workpiece W could be circular in shape, or triangular, hexagonal, or of any other shape.

FIG. 6shows an example clamp assembly100without the workpiece W in the center, with the movable fingers104A-104D oriented radially inward (i.e., extending) into the opening116according to some embodiments. As shown, the arrows suggest how the movable fingers104A-104D move relative to the base102. In some instances, the movable fingers104A-104D can be rotated at least 45 degrees with respect to the base102. In other instances, the movable fingers104A-104D can be rotated up to 180 degrees with respect to the base102. The amount of rotation of the movable fingers104A-104D may depend on the size and shape of the workpiece W being clamped to the movable fingers104A-104D.

FIG. 7shows an example clamp assembly100with the movable fingers104A-104D aligned closely with the raised lip118of the base102, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8shows an example clamp assembly100with a workpiece W with a pattern sawed out removably attached to the clamp assembly100, according to some embodiments. As shown, the overlap between the first movable finger104A and the base102is enhanced due to the similarity in radius and curvature, so that the base102provides more support for the movable finger104A.

FIG. 9shows a cross section of an example clamp assembly100with two workpieces W1-W2clamped to the movable fingers104A-104B, according to some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the raised lip118has the same height as the movable fingers104A-104B. In some instances, the raised lip118can be higher or lower than the movable fingers104A-104B. The friction enhancing members114A-114B are placed in between the edge fasteners108A-108B and the workpieces W1-W2in the illustrated embodiment. In other instances, the friction enhancing members114A-114B may be placed in between the movable fingers104A-104B and the workpieces W1-W2. In addition, there may be more than one friction enhancing member on each movable finger104A-104D. For instance, in addition to the friction enhancing member114A shown inFIG. 9, an additional friction enhancing member could be placed between the workpiece W2and the movable finger104A for friction enhancement.

After the two workpieces W1and W2are clamped to the movable fingers104A-104D (e.g., between the movable fingers104A-104B and the edge fasteners108A-108B), a pattern may be sawed out simultaneously on the two workpieces W1and W2. The patterns sawed out or formed on the two workpieces W1and W2are substantially similar to each other. In some instances, more than two workpieces can be clamped to the clamp assembly100, forming substantially identical patterns to more than two workpieces.

FIG. 10is an isometric view of the clamp assembly100and workpieces W1and W2shown inFIG. 8, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11illustrates a centering tool200that can be used in connection with the clamp assembly100. In the illustrated embodiment, the centering tool200includes a base member202and indicia204on the base member. The base member202is sized and shaped to fit and register within the opening116of the clamp assembly100. Indicia204(shown as intersecting lines in the illustrated embodiment) is located on the base member202at a position that will identify generally a center of the opening116of the clamp assembly100when the base member is mated with the opening of the clamp assembly.FIG. 12is an illustration of the centering tool200located in the opening116of the clamp assembly100. During use of the clamp assembly100, a user can use the indicia204as a guide to locate workpieces such as W1-W2within the base102when clamping the workpieces to the movable fingers104A-104D. The centering tool200can be removed from the clamp assembly100before work on the workpiece W begins.