Patent Publication Number: US-6338588-B1

Title: Stabilization coupling adapted to both sides of a rotatable clamp block

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A stabilization coupling for both sides of a rotatable clamp block features the tensile strength to withstand forces resulting from the arched coupling interfacing between the rotatable block and the corresponding chassis, as does a traditional rotatable clamp coupling mechanism, but is further reinforced with a stabilization structure on either side thereof to substantially enhance axial traction occasioned by the irregularity of an object being clamped. The enhanced axial traction provides an advantage over the coupling structure of any similarly configured conventional mechanism. Other advantages include compactness, convenience and ease of processing, assembly, and servicing. The device finds extensive application in benchtop vices, mechanical vices of a hardware mechanic&#39;s trade or of a carpenter&#39;s trade, carpenter&#39;s consoles, clamping structures in various hand clamps, wrench tools, robot arms, as well as measuring tools or clamping implements which must be held in place while being rotated. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along segment A-A′ of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the chassis consists of three coupling interfaces; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the assembly shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken along segment B-B′ of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention having a trapezoidal slope complete with multiple faceted coupling interfaces; and, 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the invention having arched multiple-faceted coupling interfaces. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This invention relates to the structure of a stabilization coupling for both sides of a rotatable clamp block. The rotatable clamp block is capable of autonomous adjustment of clamping angles to suite the contour of the object being clamped, as is summarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The invention includes a rotatable clamp block  100  having an arched coupling interface  101  coupled to the chassis  200  via one or more arched notches  201 , and that is characterized in that the cross-section of the arched coupling interface  101  on the rotatable clamp block  100  is flanked on either side with a pair of flanges  102  which form a notched section with a retracted groove  103  in the center. The flanges  102 , duly arched, are each drilled with a pinhole or screwhole  104  to accommodate a set pin or screw  105 . Opposite ends of each of the arched notches  201  are cut to form retracted steps  202  that define therebetween a central flange  203 . The retracted steps  202  include a semi-circular or crescent-shaped coulisse or slot  204  coaxial with the center of rotation of rotative clamp block  100 , both ends of each coulisse being closed for engagement with the set pin or screw  104  associated with the rotatable clamp block  100 , in order for the rotatable clamp block  100  to enjoy unrestrained rotation within a set angle, namely, a predetermined angular displacement limited by both closed ends of the crescent coulisse  204 . 
     In a specific variation of the embodiment per FIG. 1, the structure of the chassis may be one embodying a triplicate coupling interface in respect to which a three-dimensional perspective is given in FIGS. 5-8. Instead of retracted steps on both sides of the arched notches, in view of cost economy, each end of the arched notch  301  formed by sides of the chassis  300  may directly include a crescent coulisse  304  coaxial with the center of rotation of the rotative clamp block  100  on a side extended at a specific angle rearwards of the arched notch  301 , both ends of the crescent slot or coulisse  304  being closed to facilitate coupling with the set pin or screw  104  associated with the rotative clamp block  100  and free rotation by the rotative clamp block  100  within a set angle which is to be determined by both closed ends of the crescent coulisse  304  acting altogether. 
     In a variation of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, a trapezoidal multiple faceted coupling interface may be provided to further enhance the strength of the rotatable clamp block, such as is illustrated in FIG.  9 . The trapezoidal multifaceted coupling features a rotatable clamp block trapezoidal structure  311  complemented with a correspondingly shaped structure  312  for ready coupling engagement on the chassis. 
     The rotatable clamp block and chassis of FIGS. 1-8 may further incorporate an alternative arched multiple faceted coupling means to enhance the strength of the rotatable clamp block as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG.  10 . The multiple faceted coupling means of FIG. 10 features an arched surface  411  on the coupling block and a correspondingly shaped arched surface  412  on the chassis for mutual coupling purposes. 
     The invention exemplified by the embodiments of FIGS. 1-10 adapted to couple both sides of a rotatable clamp block provides the tensile strength to withstand arched coupling interfacing on the part of mobile block and chassis, as does a traditional rotatable clamp coupling mechanism, but is further reinforced with a stabilization structure on either side thereof to enhance axial traction occasioned by the irregularity of the object being clamped, in contrast to such a feature the coupling structure of any otherwise configured conventional mechanism, and further provides advantages of compact size, and convenience and ease of processing, assembly, and servicing. 
     In practice, the stabilization coupling of the preferred embodiments, may be embodied either by having one rotatable clamp block complete with a stabilizer means on either side thereof coupled to a single clamp assembly chassis, or alternatively to clamp assemblies which consist of one or more sets of bilateral stabilization coupling chassis structures each furnished with a rotatable clamp block; or still further by the combination of one or more sets of bilateral stabilization coupling structures furnished with rotatable clamp blocks having one or more sets of clamp assemblies each equipped with a level clamp front or with a clamp assembly of otherwise fixed geometric configuration. 
     The invention finds extensive applications in benchtop vices, mechanical vices of hardware mechanic&#39;s trade or of a carpenter&#39;s trade, carpenter&#39;s consoles, clamping structure in various hand clamps, wrench tools, robot arms, as well as in measuring tools or clamping implements which must be held in place while rotating.