A DEVICE FOR LOCALIZING AND/OR HOLDING AN OBJECT

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for localizing and/or holding an object firmly, preferably in fixtures and the like. The device includes a base part (2) which is intended to be fitted to a support surface, a spacing arm (3) which is attached to the base part, and an object attachment (4) for accommodating the object to be localized and/or held. In accordance with the invention, the base part (2) is provided with a flat bottom surface for abutment with the support surface and two abutment surfaces which extend per­ pendicularly to one another and to the bottom surface. The device further comprises a localizing member (1) which is intended to hold the base part (2) firmly against the sup­ port surface and which is provided with abutment surfaces intended for abutment with the abutment surfaces on the base part (2), so as to localize the base part in relation to the localizing member (1).

Description: The present invention relates to a device for localizing and/or holding an object firmly, preferably in a fixture or like device, and comprising a base part which is intended to be fitted to a support surface, a spacing arm which is attached to the base part, and an object attachment which can be fitted to the spacing arm and which is intended to receive the object to be localized and/or held. Devices of this kind are used to localize and/or secure objects in fixtures and the like. The objects in question may be, for instance, an abutment shoulder, a guide pin, a clamp unit, or some like object. Previously, it has been usual to produce such a device particularly for each case of use, which means that the work involved in designing and manufacturing the device takes a relatively long time and incurs considerable costs. Furthermore, it has not been possible to re-use such a device, other than certain parts thereof. In FR-A-2526347 a device of the aforesaid kind is disclosed. Said device makes it possible to locate an object in a desired position. However, there is no possibility to make incremental time adjustments to the positioning of the object. The object of the present invention is to provide a device of the aforesaid kind which is simple and inexpensive and of which all parts can be re-used, and which enables fine adjustments to be made. Those objects are realized in accordance with the invention, by means of an object localizing and/or holding device that has the characteristic features set forth in the characterizing clause of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the inventive device are set forth in the dependent claims. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the inventive device; and Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device illustrated in Figure 1. The essential components of the inventive device illustrated in the drawing include a localizing member 1, a base part 2 which cooperates with the localizing member 1, a spacing arm 3 which is attached to the base part 2, and an attachment 4 for accommodating the object to be localized and/or held, this object having the form of a guide pin 5 in the case of the illustrated embodiment. The localizing member 1 of the illustrated embodiment is angular in shape and is intended to lie against a support surface, not shown. Each of the two legs of the localizing member 1 has provided therein holes for receiving guide elements and fasteners in the form of pegs or screws 6, which extend down into corresponding holes in the support surface, therewith to hold the localizing member firmly against said surface. Each leg of the localizing member has a surface 7 provided on the inner surface thereof, the surfaces 7 extending perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the localizing member 1 and to each other. The base part 2 of the illustrated inventive device is substantially square in shape and has a thickness which is slightly smaller than the thickness of the localizing member 1. The base part 2 has a flat bottom surface for abutment with the support surface, and two abutment surfaces 8 which extend perpendicularly to said bottom surface and to each other, these abutment surfaces 8 being intended to abut the surfaces 7 on respective legs of the localizing member 1. The spacing arm 3 is attached to the base part 2 and extends essentially vertically therefrom. The spacing arm 3 of the illustrated embodiment has the form of a circular-cylindrical tube, although other configurations are conceivable of course. The spacing arm 3 is fitted into the base part 2 in a manner to take a specific position relative thereto and to enable the arm to be disconnected from said base part. The object attachment 4 is configured so that it fits onto the spacing arm and so that it can be rotated and displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the arm. The attachment 4 is secured on the spacing arm 3 by means of screws 9 which extend through a slotted part of the attachment and which can be tightened so as to clamp the attachment 4 firmly to the spacing arm 3. The attachment 4 is also provided with a slot 10, which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the attachment 4 and in which a guide pin 5 is slideably arranged. The lower part of the guide pin extends through the slot 10 and can be clamped firmly to the attachment 4 with the aid of a nut 11 located on the undersurface of the attachment 4. The localizing member 1 is held against the support surface (not shown) with the aid of the screws 6, whereas the base part 2 is held against the support surface with the aid of screws or screwthreaded bolts 12 provided in brackets 13, which are fastened to the localizing member 1 and project over the base part 2. The abutment surfaces 8 on the base part 2 are drawn into abutment with the surfaces 7 on the respective legs of the localizing member 1 with the aid of a screw 14 which extends essentially along the bisector of the angle subtended by the abutment surfaces 7 and through a hole in the localizing member 1. In order to enable subsequent adjustment to be made to the position of the base part 2 in relation to the support surface and in relation to the localizing member 1, or to enable the base part to be positioned to within fine limits, a number of spacing washers or shims 15 are placed between the support surface and the bottom surface of the base part 2 during the initial stage of mounting the device in position, while at the same time further spacing washers or shims 16 are placed between each of the abutment surfaces 8 of the base part 2 and the corresponding surfaces 7 on the legs of the localizing member 1. Fine settings or fine adjustments can then be accomplished, by removing or adding shims 15 and 16 until the desired setting is achieved. It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the aforedescribed embodiment, but that modifications can be made within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: 1. A device intended for localizing and/or holding an object firmly, preferably in fixtures and the like, and comprising a base part (2) which is intended to be fitted to a support surface, a spacing arm (3) attached to the base part, and an object attachment (4) which can be fitted to the spacing arm and which is intended to receive the object to be localized and/or held, characterized in that the base part (2) has a flat bottom surface for abutment with the support surface and two abutment surfaces (8) which extend perpendicularly to the bottom surface and to each other; in that the device further comprises a localizing member (1) which is provided with fastener means (12, 13) for holding the base part (2) firmly against the support surface and which is provided with a flat bottom surface for abutment with the support surface and two abutment surfaces (7) which extend perpendicularly to the bottom surface and to each other for abutment with the abutment surfaces (8) on the base part (2), the localizing member (1) also being provided with a fixing device (14) for holding the base part (2) firmly against the localizing member (1); in that one or more removable shims (15) are located between the support surface and the bottom surface of the base part (2); and in that one or more further shims (16) are located between each of the abutment surfaces (8) on the base part (2) and the corresponding abutment surfaces (7) on the localizing member (1). 2. A device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the object attachment (4) is arranged for movement along the spacing arm (3) and can be located in desired positions thereon. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing device (14) comprises a screw (14) which is operative in holding the base part (2) firmly against the localizing member (1) and which acts along a line which bisects the angle subtended by the abutment surfaces (8) on the base part. 4. A device according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the fastener means (12, 13) comprise screws (12) arranged in brackets (13) on the localizing member (1), said brackets extending over portions of the base part (2), so that the screws (12) are able to press the base part (2) against the support surface.

Inventors: PERSSON, JAN, RANGSTAHL, JAN
Applicants: AB VOLVO
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B23Q3
IPC codes: B23Q3