Patent Publication Number: US-2023136041-A1

Title: Quick action clamping apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosed subject matter relates to clamping tools. More particularly, the present disclosed subject matter relates to a quick action clamping apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vices and clamping tools are known for securing or fixing objects into the desired position. These tools are often used for temporary positioning components while fixing them together. In addition, vices and clamping tools are intended for permanent use during construction, machining woodwork, or the like. 
     In essence, clamps or vices are fastening devices used to hold or secure objects tightly together to prevent movement or separation by applying pressure. Commercially available, vices and clamping tools generally use a threaded screw to determine the position of the objects (work-piece) and generate clamping pressure on it. 
     Clamping tools have different shapes and mechanisms, such as F-clamps, C-clamps and G-clamps, which are used to position the object and determine a clamping pressure upon it by tightening a threaded screw. Other clamps generate clamping pressure by friction. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to a one aspect of the present disclosed subject matter a clamping apparatus for clamping at least one object, the clamping apparatus comprising: at least one rail having a channel; at least one stopper; and at least one dual-cam device comprising: a jaw and a body connected by a member having a member-base; a lever configured to be tilted comprising: two bushings, wherein each bushing comprising a first cam and a second cam; and wherein the lever and member are pivotally connected; and wherein the member-base slides within the channel thereby allowing the device to slide along the rail, wherein during tilting the lever, the first cam causes the device to secure emplacement to the rail then the second cam causes the device to clamp the object, so that the object is pressed by the jaw against the stopper. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the bushing is an eccentric bushing that rotates around a pivot when the lever is tilted, and wherein the first cam causes the device to secure emplacement by applying pressure with the first cam against the body that pull the member upwards so that the member-base is locked against the rail, and wherein the second cam causes the device to clamp the object by applying pressure with the second cam against a rear-end of the jaw thereby pushing the object against the stopper. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the clamping apparatus further comprise an L-shape clamping base constructed of two perpendicular rails each having metric marking and imperial marking, and wherein each rail is configured to accommodate at least one device. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the clamping apparatus further comprise a corner clamping base comprising two stoppers mounted perpendicular to one another and a channel configured to accommodate at least one device, wherein the device further comprises a jaw-extension having a right-angled triangle shape, and wherein a hypotenuse side of the j aw-extension is permanently connected to the jaw. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the clamping apparatus further comprise a mitered slotted base comprising: a plurality of stoppers; a plurality of channels configured to accommodate two or more devices. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the clamping apparatus is used as vise tools. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the stopper is selected from the group consisting of a fixed-jaw integrated with the rail or the base; a fixed-jaw connected to the rail or the base; a device; and any combination thereof. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the device further comprises regulator configured to adjust the pressure against the rear-end of the jaw. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosed subject matter a dual-cam device configured to be engaged with a rail and a stopper, for clamping at least one object the device comprising: a jaw and a body connected by a member having a member-base; a lever configured to be tilted comprising: two bushings, wherein each bushing comprising a first cam and a second cam; and wherein the lever and member are pivotally connected; and wherein the member-base slides within the channel thereby allowing the device to slide along the rail, wherein during tilting the lever, the first cam causes the device to secure emplacement to the rail then the second cam causes the device to clamp the object, so that the object is pressed by the jaw against the stopper. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the bushing is an eccentric bushing that rotates around a pivot when the lever is tilted, and wherein the first cam causes the device to secure emplacement by applying pressure with the first cam against the body that pull the member upwards so that the member-base is locked against the rail, and wherein the second cam causes the device to clamp the object by applying pressure with the second cam against a rear-end of the jaw thereby pushing the object against the stopper. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the device further comprises regulator configured to adjust the pressure against the rear-end of the jaw. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosed subject matter belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosed subject matter, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter described, by way of example only, regarding the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosed subject matter only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the disclosed subject matter. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosed subject matter in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosed subject matter, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the disclosed subject matter may be embodied in practice. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of a clamping apparatus, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG.  2 A  shows a perspective view of a dual-cam device, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject; 
         FIG.  2 B  shows a front view of the dual-cam device, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject; 
         FIG.  2 C  shows a perspective view of a lever of the dual-cam device, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject 
         FIG.  3 A  shows a cross-sectional side view of the clamping apparatus, having the dual-cam device in an open position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject; 
         FIG.  3 B  shows a cross-sectional side view of the clamping apparatus, having the dual-cam device in an emplacement position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject; 
         FIG.  3 C  shows a cross-sectional side view of the clamping apparatus, having the dual-cam device in a clamp position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject; 
         FIG.  4 A  shows a cross-sectional side view of clamping apparatus, having another dual-cam device that incorporates a regulator in a first position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject; 
         FIG.  4 B  shows a cross-sectional side view of the clamping apparatus, having the another dual-cam device that incorporates a regulator in a second position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject; 
         FIG.  5    shows a perspective view of another clamping apparatus, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG.  6    shows a perspective view of yet another clamping apparatus, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; and 
         FIG.  7    shows a perspective view of yet another clamping apparatus, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components outlined in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The drawings are generally not to scale. For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from some of the drawings. 
     The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, and “having” together with their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”. The term “consisting of” has the same meaning as “including and limited to”. 
     The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure. 
     As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof. 
     Throughout this application, various embodiments of this disclosed subject matter may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. 
     It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements. 
     One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a dual-cam device, configured for emplacing and clamping an object by a single stroke of a lever. In some exemplary embodiments, the emplacement is performed by locking the device in a position, along a rail, while in contact with the object (work-piece) and while the object&#39;s opposite end is pressed against a stopper. In some exemplary embodiments, the clamping action is further comprising pressing the object, by the device, against the stopper. 
     Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a quick-action clamping apparatus capable of both emplacing and clamping an object by a single action of force applied by a user of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, the quick-action clamping apparatus can be comprised of the dual-cam device capable of sliding along a rail of a clamping base that is typically fastened to a bench. 
     The clamping apparatus, of the present disclosure, can be provided with a straight clamping base, an L-shape clamping base, an angled clamping base, a mitered clamping base, and any combination thereof, or the like. All the bases have at least one rail for accommodating at least one dual-cam device. 
     A dual-cam device is provided in accordance with subject matter of this disclosure wherein the device is configured to be engaged with a rail and a stopper for clamping at least one object, the device comprising: a jaw; a body; a member connecting the jaw and the body wherein the member has a member-base configured to associate with and slide on the rail; and a lever pivotally connected to said member, wherein the lever has a first cam and a second cam and wherein the lever is configured to be tilted from an open position to a clamp position and vice versa, wherein during tilting the lever from an open position in which the dual cam device slides along the rail to a clamp position in which the object is clamped, the first cam causes the dual cam device to secure emplacement position of the dual cam device to the rail and then the second cam causes the dual cam device to press and clamp the object by the jaw against the stopper. 
     The first cam and the second cam of the dual-cam device form an eccentric bushing that rotates around a pivot when the lever is tilted, and wherein said first cam causes the dual cam device to secure emplacement by applying pressure that pulls the member upwardly so that the member-base is locked against the rail, and wherein said second cam causes the dual cam device to clamp the object by applying pressure against a rear-end of the jaw thereby pushing the object against the stopper. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 A  showing a perspective view of a dual-cam device, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject. 
     In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the dual-cam device (device)  100  is comprised of a lever  120  pivotally connected to member  160 , preferably by pivot  122 , wherein member  160  is inserted through body  140  and jaw  130  thereby connecting body  140  and jaw  130  in a way that allows jaw  130  to slightly slide with respect to body  140 . In some exemplary embodiments, the jaw  130  has a rear end  132  and front end  131 , which is designed to be in contact with an object (not shown in this figure). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 B  showing a front view of the dual-cam device, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject. The front-view of the dual-cam device depicts a member&#39;s base  166 , which is an integral part of member  160  (cannot be seen in this figure). It should be noted that member  160  and its base  166  are configured to slightly move, in a direction that overlaps an axis of the member with respect to body  140  and jaw  130 . In some exemplary embodiments, base  166  can have a trapezoid shape, cone shape, rectangular shape and any combination thereof, or the like. In any case, the base  166  has dimensions that don&#39;t allow the base to exit through a passage in a channel of the rail in which the member is engaged. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 C  showing a perspective view of the lever of the dual-cam device, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In some exemplary embodiments, lever  120  comprising two arms  121  each of which is terminated with a bushing having a first cam  127  and a second cam  128 . It should be noted that a space formed between both cams that face each other, is designed to accommodate member  160  to be connected to the bushing by pivot  122  through holes  126  and a hole situated on top of member  160  (not shown). In some exemplary embodiments, the bushing can be an accenting bushing integrating two different cams, i.e. the first cam  127  and the second cam  128 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, device  100  and its subcomponents can be made of a rigid material, such as plastic, aluminum, steel and any combination thereof, or the like. It should be noted that the drawings (figures) are generally not to scale and the device  100  can be provided/manufactured to any size required for utilizing the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1    showing a perspective view of a clamping apparatus, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The clamping apparatus  10  is comprised of the dual-cam device  100 , a clamping rail  200  and a stopper  290 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the clamping rail  200  is a strip of a rigid material having a fixed cross-sectional profile that forms a channel  220  stretching along the base. In some exemplary embodiments, the rail  200  can be manufactured by extrusion or machining, a combination thereof, or the like, from a material, such as plastic, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and any combination thereof, or the like. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the channel  220  is designed to accommodate and engage with the base  166  of member  160 , so as to allow device  100  to freely slide along channel  220 . The stopper  290  functions as a barrier that stops an object (not shown in this figure) from moving while the object is being clamped by device  100 . In some exemplary embodiments, the stopper  290  can be a fixed-jaw that is an integral part of rail  200  as shown in  FIG.  1   , or connected to one end of the base and another device  100 , while an opposite end of rail  200  may be used for inserting the device  100  to the rail, i.e. inserting base  166  into the channel. Additionally or alternatively, the device  100  may be used to replace the stopper  200 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the device  100  further comprises a regulator  150 , implemented by a pressure control dial, as depicted in  FIG.  1   , a tightening screw, a combination thereof, or the like. The regulator  150  is configured to adjust the pressure applied by the device on the object. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B and  3 C  showing a cross-sectional side view of the clamping apparatus, having the dual-cam device in an open, emplacement and clamp positions respectively, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
     All three figures are depicting an object  11  situated between stopper  290  and front-end  131  of jaw  130 .  FIG.  3 A  depicts the lever in an upright position, which is associated with the open position.  FIG.  3 B  depicts the lever in a midway position, which is associated with the emplacement position.  FIG.  3 C  depicts the lever in a full-travel position, which is associated with the clamp position. 
     It will be appreciated that lever  120  is configured to be tilted from the open position, via the emplacement position, to the clamp position by a single stroke applied by the user and without stopping at the emplacement position. It will be emphasized that the description comprises three drawings for the sole purpose of explaining what processes take place during the single stroke. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, of the open position as depicted in  FIG.  3 A , one end of object  11  is in contact with stopper  290  and the device  100  was moved (slid) against an opposite end of the object  11  while there is a minor distance [a] left between front-end  131  and object  11 , i.e. [a]&gt;0, and therefore no clamping pressure is applied to the object. It should be noted that in this position: lever  120  is free to rotate around member  160  and pivot  122 ; cam  127  is in contact with body edge  141 , of body  140 ; cam  128  doesn&#39;t touch rear-end  132  of jaw  130  (portions of cam  128  is seen behind cam  127 ); and base  166  is not in contact with rail  200  while there is a slight distance h between the lower edge of the rail  200  and the base member  166 , i.e. [h]&gt;0. Thus the device is free to move towards and away from object  11  along rail  200 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the emplacement position as depicted in  FIG.  3 B , is that one end of object  11  is in contact with stopper  290  and the device  100  was moved (in a sliding movement) against an opposite end of the object  11  while there is a minor distance [a] left between front-end  131  and object  11  and therefore, no clamping pressure is applied onto the object. It should be noted that in this position, lever  120  is in midway position (approximately 15-45 degrees) resulting from its rotation around member  160  and pivot  122  during the single stroke. Following this rotation movement, cam  127  presses body  140  causing member  160  to pull up and press base  166  against rail  200 , i.e. [h]=0, while cam  128  still doesn&#39;t touches rear-end  132 . Therefore, the contact between base  166  and rail  200  generates a substantial friction force between the device  100  and rail  200 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments, in the clamp position as depicted in  FIG.  3 C , the lever  120  is rotated around member  160  and pivot  120  to full travel position; causing cam  128  to contact rear-end  132  and as a consequence, push jaw  130  towards the object, i.e. [a]=0. The portion of the profile of cam  128  that can be seen protruding towards the jaw behind cam  127  is the portion that now pushes the jaw. Thereby the jaw is generating a compressing force against object  11  while maintaining the position of the device on rail  200 . At the same time, cam  127  maintains its pressure against body  140 , which upholds the friction force between base  166  to rail  200 . It should be noted that due to the profile of cam  127 , the rotation from the emplacement position to the clamp doesn&#39;t pull member  160  further upwardly. 
     It should be noted that the advantage of using two cams is that each cam has a specific action of applying force in a different direction, although a single stroke is made in order to perform the two actions. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4 A  showing a cross-sectional side view of the clamping apparatus, having another dual-cam device that incorporates a regulator in a first position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject. 
     It should be noted that the this embodiment may be identical to the dual-cam device  100 ; but incorporates also a regulator  150 . In some exemplary embodiments, the clamping apparatus of  FIG.  4 A  is in the emplacement position. In the emplacement position shown in  FIG.  4 A , one end of object  11  is in contact with stopper  290  and the device  100  was moved (slide) against an opposite end of the object  11  while there is a minor distance [a] left between front-end  131  and object  11  and no clamping pressure is applied onto the object. The object has a slight movement capability between the stopper  290  and the front end  131 . It should be noted that in this position, lever  120  is in midway position (approximately 15-45 degrees) resulting from its rotation around member  160  and pivot  122  during the single stroke. Following the rotation of the lever  120 , cam  127  presses body  140 , causing member  160  to pull up and press base  166  against rail  200 , i.e. [h]=0, while cam  128  doesn&#39;t touch rear-end  132 . Therefore, the contact between base  166  and rail  200  generates a substantial friction force between the device  100  and rail  200 . In some exemplary embodiments, when regulator  150  is in the first position (idle), the position of jaw  130  with respect to body  140  is not affected by the regulator and a distance b defined between the body  140  and the jaw  130  is substantially zero, i.e. [b]=0. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4 B  showing a cross-sectional side view of the clamping apparatus, having the other dual-cam device that incorporates the regulator in a second position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject. 
     It should be noted that the dual-cam device that is shown in  FIG.  4 B  may be the same as dual-cam device  100  except for incorporating regulator  150 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments, when regulator  150  is in the second position, it pushes jaw  130  away from body  140  towered object  11 , i.e. [b]&gt;0. Consequently, distancing the cam  128  from the rear-end  132 , which reduces the pressure that can be applied by cam  128 , allows to achieve a pressure control mechanism. The control over the pressure using the regulator can be achieved by rotating the pressure control dial of the regulator  150  shown in  FIG.  1   . The dial, shown schematically also in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  at the free end of the regulator  150  is connected to the regulator&#39;s stem that is shown to pass through the body  140  and the jaw  130 . The stem of the regulator  150  is preferably threaded so as to form a screw that pass through the jaw  130 . The positioning of the screw relative to the jaw is determined by the dial that can be rotated about the thread of the stem. In this way, the distance b is regulated. Other regulation mechanisms are possible without limiting the scope of the present subject matter as disclosed. In accordance with another aspect, a clamping apparatus for clamping at least one object is provided, the clamping apparatus comprising: at least one rail having a channel; at least one stopper; and at least one dual-cam device, each dual-cam device comprising: a jaw; a body; a member connecting the jaw and the body wherein the member has a member-base configured to slide within the channel; and a lever pivotally connected to said member, wherein the lever has a first cam and a second cam and wherein the lever is configured to be tilted, wherein during tilting the lever from an open position in which the dual cam device slides along the rail to a clamp position in which the object is clamped, the first cam causes the dual cam device to secure emplacement position of the dual cam device to the rail and then the second cam causes the dual cam device to press and clamp the object by the jaw against the stopper. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5    showing a perspective view of another clamping apparatus, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, clamping apparatus  30  is comprised of at least one dual-cam device  100 , an L-shape clamping base  300  and at least one stopper  390 . In some exemplary embodiments, the L-shape clamping base  300  is comprised of a first marked rail  360  and a second marked rail  370  that are perpendicular to each other, wherein each rail has a channel and wherein the marking is either metric marking imperial marking or both. It should be noted that each device  100  of the clamping apparatus  30  operates with respect to the rail it corresponds to, in the same manner of the clamping apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6    showing a perspective view of yet another clamping apparatus, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, clamping apparatus  40  is comprised of device  100 ; a corner clamping base  400 , having channel  420 ; a stopper  491 ; a stopper  492  that are perpendicular to each other; a jaw extension  410  permanently connected to jaw  130  of device  100 . In some exemplary embodiments, the jaw extension  410  has a shape of right-angled triangle connected to jaw  130  by its hypotenuse side. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7    showing a perspective view of yet another clamping apparatus, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In some exemplary embodiments, clamping apparatus  50  is comprised of at least one device  100 ; a mitered slotted base  500  comprising at least two channels, such as channels  521  and  522  and at least two stoppers, such as stoppers  591  and  592 . The mitered slotted base  500  comprising at least two channels, such as channels  521  and  522 , which are configured to accommodate two or more devices. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, clamping apparatus  30 , clamping apparatus  40  and clamping apparatus  50  may be made of similar material as clamping apparatus  10  and also manufactured similarly. It should be noted that, that clamping apparatus  30 , clamping apparatus  40  and clamping apparatus  50  can also be used as vise tools. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the stoppers  290 ,  390 ,  491 ,  492 ,  591  and  592  can be fixed-jaws that are an integral part of the rails or the bases; fixed-jaws that connected to one end of the rails or the bases; devices  100  and any combination thereof, or the like. 
     Other architectures can be built with different shaped rails and other combinations with different amounts of stoppers or dual cam devices. 
     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.