Patent Publication Number: US-8123205-B2

Title: Universal locking mechanism for a clamp

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to locking clamps, and more particularly, relates to a manual universal locking mechanism for use on a variety of manual clamp mechanisms. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Manual clamps including pull action clamps and toggle locking action clamps have been known for numerous years. Many of these prior art toggle clamps may include a central handle housing, which has a pivoted latch element and leaf spring reacting against surfaces of the handle to preposition the latch for engaging a base mount latch pin upon actuating the clamp handle to a clamping position. Some of these prior art clamps are also simple to release by manual finger actuation of a lever. Some other prior art toggle clamps may use a locking means or mechanism that include a flat leaf spring lock welded to the handle that is released by a trigger member or the like. 
     Furthermore, many of these prior art over center toggle locking action clamps are ideally suited for holding against heavy forces such as those generated in plastic molding operations or the like. These clamps may also be ideal for quick clamping of doors, lids, access covers and drums, containers, other vessels or for holding work pieces to predetermined positions during manufacturing operations being performed thereon or the like. Some of these prior art clamps are equipped with a latch or bracket mechanism that engages a latch plate located on the door or the like. Furthermore, some of these prior art manual action clamps may use a plunger mechanism that will engage with a work piece or door for securing the work piece or door in a predetermined position. Furthermore, many of these manual action toggle clamps may be hold down clamps that hold a work piece or other component in a predetermined position during operation on the work piece or for holding the work piece in a predetermined position over a predetermined amount of time. Generally, many of these prior art toggle clamps require two hands to operate the manual clamps. In particular, to get the clamps into a locked position in the fully closed or clamped position. Furthermore, many of these different manual clamps, including hold down and pull action clamps, generally have to have a predetermined and specifically designed locking mechanism to lock the clamps in a closed or clamped position. Therefore, increased costs are required for designing a locking mechanism for each variety of clamp such as hold down clamps, pull action clamps, plunger clamps, and any other known manual operating clamp. Furthermore, many of these manual prior art clamps operate satisfactorily but are frequently subjected to environments of vibration, inverted positioning and other harsh industrial environments. Therefore, many of these prior art clamps require both of the users hands to open the clamp, i.e., one hand to either operate the clamp lever while the other is needed for pulling back the latch element on the clamp. 
     Hence, there is a need in the art for an improved manual action clamp, hold down clamp, plunging clamp, and any other type of manual clamp that is capable of one handed operation in the work environment while also providing for easy locking of the clamp in the fully closed or clamped position and in the fully opened position for each of the clamps. There also is a need in the prior art for an improved manual pull action, plunger, and hold down action clamp. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for a universal locking mechanism that can be used on a hold down action clamp, pull action clamp or a plunger clamp without the need for redesign of the locking mechanism for each different type of manual action clamps. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention may be to provide an improved clamp. 
     Another object of the present invention may be to provide an improved one handed operating locking clamp. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention may be to provide a universal locking mechanism for use on manual action clamps. 
     Still a further object of the present invention may be to provide a universal locking mechanism for use on hold down action manual clamps, pull down action manual clamps, and plunging action manual clamps. 
     Still a further object of the present invention may be to provide a low cost and more economical to manufacture locking clamp. 
     Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a universal locking mechanism for a manual clamp that is capable of locking the clamp in both its fully closed and fully open position. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a more robust clamp that will be capable of locking via a squeeze lever. 
     To achieve the foregoing objects a manual locking clamp is disclosed. The clamp includes a base, and a handle pivotally connected to the base. The clamp also includes a locking lever connected to the handle wherein the locking lever having a first lock orifice and a fulcrum orifice therethrough. The locking lever may also include a second locking orifice and a predetermined bend therein. The locking lever is capable of locking the clamp in both its fully open and fully closed position. 
     One advantage of the present invention may be that it provides a clamp that is capable of one handed operation to lock the clamp in both its fully open or fully closed position. 
     A further advantage of the present invention may be that the clamp includes a universal locking mechanism that can be used with a variety of clamping systems such as but not limited to, pull actions clamps, hold down clamps, plunger clamps, etc. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention may be that the clamp is easier to manufacture and is more robust in holding a component or work piece in its fully clamped or closed position. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention may be that the clamp will include a locking lever that has a first lock orifice and a second lock orifice along with a fulcrum orifice. 
     Still a further advantage of the present invention may be to reduce the necessary time to move the hand clamp into either of the locking positions thus reducing manufacturing costs. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention may be the ability to have the locking lever placed on either side of the manual clamp to better serve right or left handed users of the clamp. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a clamp according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of a clamp according to the present invention in both the clamped and unclamped positions. 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of a clamp according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows an alternate embodiment of a clamp according to the present invention in perspective view. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of a clamp according to the present invention in both its clamped and unclamped positions. 
         FIG. 6  shows an end view of an alternate embodiment of a clamp according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows an alternate embodiment of a clamp according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows an end view of a clamp according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of a clamp in its fully clamped and fully unclamped position according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Referring to the drawings, a clamp  10  according to the present invention is shown. It should be noted that the clamp  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  is a manual hold down toggle action locking clamp. However, any other type of manual clamp, such as pull action toggle clamp, straight line action clamps, latch action clamps, squeeze action clamps or plunger clamps, etc., may also be used in conjunction with the accompanying disclosed invention. It should also be noted that the present invention can be used on any known toggle action clamp or cam action clamp or any other known action clamp for a manual clamp mechanism. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  the clamp  10  according to the present invention is in the form of a manual hold down action clamp. The clamp  10  includes a base  12 , which in the embodiment shown, includes a first  14  and second base member  16  which are similar to each other. The base members  14 ,  16  include a plurality of orifices  18  therethrough. Some of the orifices  18  are used to connect the base  12  to a door, a wall, a table, or other component that is part of the clamping environment. Some of the other orifices  18  are used to connect a handle  20  thereto. The base  12  is generally made of a steel material, however any other type of metal, hard plastic, ceramic or composite may be used for the base  12  of the clamp  10 . It should be noted that the base  12  may be made of a single piece of material and not have the first and second members  14 ,  16  as shown in the drawings. However, it is preferred to have a first and second member  14 ,  16  as shown in the drawings. The first and second members  14 ,  16  are arranged adjacent to one another to create the base  12  of the clamp  10 . Each of the base members  14 ,  16  generally have an L-shape cross section. The upright portion of the base members  14 ,  16  may have any known shape that is compatible to the clamping environment in which the manual clamp  10  will be used. Generally, the base members  14 ,  16  are arranged back to back to one another, however, it should be noted that the base members  14 ,  16  may be welded together, have any other type of chemical or mechanical bond used to hold the base members  14 ,  16  together in a predetermined position to one another or may be separated by a spacer or other component. 
     A handle  20  is pivotally connected to the base  12  via an orifice  18  in the base  12  and an orifice in the handle  20 . A fastener  22  is used to pivotally connect the handle  20  to the base  12 . It should be noted that any known fastener  22  can be used to connect the handle  20  to the base  12 , such as but not limited to a set screw with nut, pin, dowel, rod, or any other known type of fastener. The handle  20  will also include another plurality of orifices therethrough to connect to a locking lever  24  of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that the handle  20  can be comprised of two separate pieces that are connected to each other via a fastener or via any mechanical or chemical bonding technique. The handle  20  is generally made of a steel material, however any other metal, plastic, hard ceramic, or composite may be used for the handle  20 . The handle  20  may or may not include an outward extending portion to create interior space for passing of the base  12  therein. The handle  20  as shown in the present invention includes a solid one piece member with a first and second arm  26 ,  28  extending from an end thereof. The handle  20  may also include a handle grip  30  arranged on one end of the handle  20 . The handle grip  30  can be made of any number of materials, such as rubber, plastic, composite, cloth, etc. The handle  20  will rotate in a pivoting manner with respect to the base  12  wherein the base  12  is fixed to a work machine or component. 
     A bar  32  is pivotally connected to the base  12  at a predetermined position thereof. The bar  32  in one embodiment shown is positioned pivotally on the fastener  22  that also pivotally connects one end of the handle  20  to the base  12 . The bar  32  may have any known shape, however, the shape shown is a two piece end member that is capable of holding a hold down member therein. Arranged between the bar  32  and the handle  20  or between the handle  20  and base  12  may be a link. It should be noted that the bar  32  and link are all made of a steel material, however any other metal, hard plastic, ceramic, or composite may be used for these components. 
     A locking lever  24  is arranged adjacent to or may be in contact with the base  12  on one surface thereof. The locking lever  24  generally includes a body member  34  and an arm or finger  36  extending from the body  34  at a predetermined angle. The locking lever  24  generally will have a predetermined angled bend located at a predetermined position. Located at or near where the transition to the bend occurs is a fulcrum orifice  38 . The fulcrum orifice  38  passes through the locking lever  24  and allows for the locking lever  24  to connect via any known fastener  40  to an orifice through the handle  20  of the clamp  10 . It should be noted that in one contemplated embodiment a spacer  42  will be arranged between a surface of the handle  20  of the clamp  10  and a surface of the locking lever  24 . The locking lever  24  also includes a pivot orifice  44  arranged through the body  34  of the locking lever  24 . The pivot orifice  44  may be used to pivotally connect the locking lever  24  to the base member  12 , bar  32  or handle  20 . In one contemplated embodiment the base member  12  engages with a surface of the locking lever  34 , however in another contemplated embodiment a spacer is arranged between the surface of the base member  12  and the surface of the locking lever  24 . The fastener  22  placed through the pivot orifice  44  of the locking lever  24  is also the fastener that connects the handle  20  to the base member  12  and/or the bar  32 . This will allow for the locking lever  24  to rotate in unison with the handle  20  about the base member  12 . The locking lever  24  may also include a first lock orifice  46  and a second lock orifice  48  arranged at predetermined positions around the pivot orifice  44 . The first lock orifice  46  will be used to clamp the clamp  10  in its fully closed or clamped position while the second lock orifice  48  will be used to clamp the clamp  10  in its fully open or unclamped position. It should be noted that the arm and body of the locking lever  24  can have any known shape. Arranged between the fastener  22  and a surface of the locking lever  24  is a spring member  50 . The spring member  50  can be any known spring made of any known material and in the embodiment shown the spring  50  is made of a metal material, however any other composite, plastic, or like material may be used for the spring. The spring  50  will urge the locking lever  24  towards the base  12  of the clamp  10  in both the fully clamped position and fully unclamped positions. Generally, all of the orifices through the locking lever  24  will have a circular shape, however any other shaped orifice including but not limited to square, rectangular, oval, pentagonal, or any other random shape may be used for the orifices through the locking lever  24 . 
     A locking pin  52  will be arranged through at least one surface of the base member  12 , bar  32  or any other component of the clamp  10 . The locking pin  52  will be used to engage with either the first locking orifice  46  or second locking orifice  48  depending on if the clamp  10  is in its fully clamped position or fully open position. It should be noted that the locking pin  52  generally is made of a steel material, however any other metal, ceramic, plastic, composite or the like may be used for the locking pin  52 . It is contemplated to have the locking pin  52  extend through both members of the base  12  or bar  32  to ensure compatibility with either a left handed and right handed operator of the locking lever  24  depending on the user using the clamp  10 . It should be noted that the predetermined angle or bend on the locking lever  24  will allow for a pivot mechanism having a fulcrum located generally at or near the bend in the locking lever  24  such that when the arm  36  of the locking lever  24  is pressed towards the handle  20 , the locking lever  24  will disengage from the locking pin  52  and allow for rotation of the manual clamp  10  either into a fully clamped position or into a fully unclamped position. Thus, allowing the operator of the clamp to ensure that the clamp is positively locked in either a fully clamped or fully unclamped position due to engagement of the locking pin  52  with either the first lock orifice  46  or second lock orifice  48  depending on the design requirements. The universal locking lever  24  is capable of being used on a variety of clamps as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 9 . It can be used on any known manual locking clamp such as straight line action clamps, plunger clamps, hold down action clamps, pull action clamps, latch clamps, or any other known manual or power locking clamp. It should also be noted that the size and shape of the locking lever  24  can be changed and it is also contemplated to have just one locking orifice through the body of the locking lever  24  to ensure that the clamp  10  is always in its fully clamped or closed position. However, generally a first and second locking orifice  46 ,  48  will be used to ensure that the clamp  10  is positively locked in its fully closed or clamped position or fully opened or unclamped position. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the lever  24  will have a predetermined member of locking orifices  46 ,  48  greater than the two disclosed in the one contemplated embodiment. This plurality of orifices  46  may be arranged in any type of pattern through the locking lever  24 . The use of a plurality of locking orifices will allow for the clamp  10  to be locked in any member of intermediate positions as well as the fully opened and closed. The plurality of locking orifices  46 ,  48  can be used on any of the clamps or design disclosed or contemplated herein. It should also be noted that the locking lever  24  and associated plurality of orifices  46 ,  48  may lock on a locking pin  52  or it is even contemplated to have one orifice that locks on a plurality of pins or a plurality of orifices that lock on a plurality of pins. 
       FIGS. 4 through 6  show an alternate embodiment of a clamp  110  according to the present invention. Like numerals represent like parts. In particular, it shows a hold down action manual clamp  110 . The hold down manual action clamp  110  generally has the same parts as that of the clamp  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . A base  112  member has a handle  120  pivotally connected thereto and a bar member  132  is pivotally connected to the base member  112  at a predetermined point. A link member  133  is pivotally connected between the bar member  132  and the handle member  120 . A locking member  124  similar to but not exactly like that for  FIGS. 1 through 3  is then connected at a fulcrum orifice  138  to the handle member  120  at a predetermined position thereof. The locking lever  124  is also connected to the base member  112  via a pivot orifice  144  through the locking lever  124  which will allow for the locking lever  124  to hold the clamp  110  in both its fully opened or fully closed positions via a first locking orifice  146  and second locking orifice  148  arranged through the locking lever  124  of the hold down clamp  101  as shown in  FIGS. 4 through 6 . The locking lever  124  will operate generally in the same manner as that described above for  FIGS. 1 through 3  in that the locking lever  124  will be squeezed and urged towards the handle  120  thus creating a pivot member that has a fulcrum point connected to the handle  120  which will release the body  134  of the locking lever  124  from the locking pin  152  arranged within the base member  112  of the hold down action clamp  110 . The operator of the hold down action clamp  110  can lock the clamp  110  in either its fully closed position or fully opened position via rotation of the locking lever  124  with relation to the base  112  and hence locking pin  152  arranged therein. 
       FIGS. 7 through 9  shows yet another embodiment of the universal locking member  224  for use with a straight line action or plunger clamp  210 . Like numerals indicate like parts. The plunger clamp  210  generally includes the same members as the clamps described above including a base member  212  having a handle member  220  pivotally connected thereto. Furthermore, a link member  233  is pivotally connected to the handle  220  and to a plunger  221  which is arranged within a bore of the base  212 . The plunger  221  will slide with relation to the base  212  thus providing a straight line action mechanism for clamping doors, work pieces or the like. A locking lever  224 , such as those described above for  FIGS. 1 through 6 , is connected at a fulcrum point through a fulcrum orifice  238  to a predetermined orifice through the handle  220  of the plunger clamp  210 . The connection of the fulcrum orifice  238  of the locking lever  224  to the handle  220  will ensure that the locking lever  224  and handle  220  move in unison with relation to the base  212  of the clamp  210 . A fastener  222  is passed through the base member  212  and the locking lever pivot orifice  244  to ensure that the locking lever  224  rotates with relation to the base member  212  as the handle  220  does. A locking pin  252  is arranged at a predetermined position in or through the base  212  of the plunger clamp  210 . This will allow for a first and second locking orifice  246 ,  248  to be arranged at predetermined positions on a body  234  of the locking lever  224  to engage with the locking pin  252  of the plunger clamp  210  to lock the plunging clamp  210  in both its fully open and fully closed positions. The locking lever  224  operates the same way as described above, in that the lever  224  is urged by pushing on its angled arm  236  towards the handle  220  of the plunger clamp  210 , thus releasing the body  234  of the locking lever  224  from the side surface of the base  212  and the first or second locking orifice  246 ,  248  of the locking lever  224  from the locking pin  252  thus creating rotation between the handle  220  of the plunger clamp  210  and the base  212  of the plunger clamp  210 . This will allow for the clamp  210  to be either opened or closed into the two predetermined positions and positively locked therein via the first or second orifice  246 ,  248  of the locking lever  224 . It should be noted that all of the components described for all three embodiments of the universal locking manual clamps are made of steel or any other metal, ceramic, plastic, composite except for the grips that are arranged over the ends of the handles and the arm of the locking lever which generally are made of a plastic or other soft rubber like material. 
     In operation, the user of any of the clamps described herein will move the clamp  10  from its open position as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  9  and move it into its fully closed or clamped position in the following manner. First, the operator will grasp the handle  20  and squeeze the arm  36  of the locking lever  24  towards the handle  20  thus disengaging the locking pin  52  from either the first or second locking orifice  46 ,  48  of the locking lever  24  and rotate the handle  20  and hence clamp  10  into its fully clamped or toggle position, thus engaging the first or second locking orifice  46 ,  48  depending on the design of the clamp  10  with the locking pin  52 . This will lock the clamp  10  with a positive lock in its fully toggled position by engaging the locking pin  52  with the first or second locking orifice  46 ,  48  depending on the design requirements. Upon the need to unlock the clamp  10 , the operator of the clamp  10  will squeeze the locking lever  24  towards the handle  20  of the clamp  10  and rotate the handle  20  and hence clamp  10  in the opposite direction, thus unlocking the clamp  10  and moving it into its fully unclamped position. In one contemplated embodiment the locking lever  24  will have a second locking orifice therethrough which will allow for the clamp  10  to be positively locked in its open position thus ensuring the clamp will not slip from its open position and harm the user of the clamp  10  or other materials around the manufacturing environment. However, it should be noted that it is contemplated to just use one locking orifice through the body of the locking lever  24  thus ensuring the clamp  10  is at least positively locked in its fully clamped or closed position. The locking lever  24  of the present invention as described herein is a universal locking mechanism that can be used on any variety of manual action locking clamps, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 through 9  or any other known manual locking or power clamp needing manual intervention to lock the clamp in either both or only one of a closed or open position. 
     The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. 
     Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.