Patent Abstract:
A sliding clamp and clamp assembly are provided. The clamp assembly includes a cam member that, when actuated, biases a stationary clamp jaw assembly toward another jaw assembly. The cam member utilizes a ball-and-socket coupling to couple the cam member to the sliding clamp bar. The ball-and-socket coupling allows the cam member, and an extended actuator, to be pivoted and rotated into an infinite number of positions.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/916,409, filed May 7, 2007 entitled, CLAMP ASSEMBLY FOR SLIDING CLAMP. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a sliding clamp and, more specifically, to an improved clamping assembly for a sliding clamp. 
     2. Background Information 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a sliding clamp typically includes an elongated bar  1 , a stationary jaw assembly  2 , and a clamp assembly  3 . The sliding clamp further includes a sliding jaw (not shown). The two jaw assemblies are coupled to the bar  1 . The sliding jaw assembly is structured to slide over, essentially, the length of the bar. The sliding jaw assembly includes a locking assembly structured to limit the direction of travel of the sliding jaw assembly. That is, when the locking assembly is engaged, the sliding jaw assembly may not be moved away from the stationary jaw assembly  2 . The stationary jaw assembly  2  does not travel over the length of the bar  1  but may be moved a short distance longitudinally along the bar  1 . The stationary jaw assembly  2  includes a cam follower  4 . The stationary jaw assembly moves in response to actuation of the clamp assembly  3 . It is noted that the word “stationary” is not used in a strict sense, but rather indicates that the stationary jaw assembly&#39;s  1  range of motion is very limited relative to the sliding jaw assembly. 
     The clamp assembly  3  is coupled to the bar and includes a cam member  5  and a cam actuator  6 . The cam member  5  has, generally, a flat body with a pivot point  7 , a first flat side  8 , a second flat side  9 , and a transition between the flat sides. The first flat side  8  is located closer to the pivot point  7  than the second flat side  9 . The cam member  5  is coupled to the bar at the pivot point  7 . Thus, the cam member  5  is structured to pivot relative to the bar  1  between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first flat side  8  is adjacent to, and engages, the stationary jaw assembly cam follower  4 . In the second position, the second flat side  9  is adjacent to, and engages, the stationary jaw assembly cam follower  4 . Because the second flat side  9  is disposed further from the pivot point  7  than the first flat side  8 , when the cam member  5  is in the second position, the stationary jaw assembly  2  is shifted longitudinally toward the sliding jaw assembly. Further, because the cam flat sides  8 ,  9  engage a flat surface on the stationary jaw assembly  2 , the cam member  5  tends not to rotate without actuation. The cam member  5  is actuated by the cam actuator  6  which is, typically, an elongated handle. 
     In use, the sliding jaw assembly is initially spaced from the stationary jaw assembly  2  and the clamp assembly cam member  5  is in the first position. A user places the object(s) to be clamped between separated jaw assemblies and in contact with the stationary jaw assembly  1 . The user slides the sliding jaw assembly against the object and engages the locking assembly. Thus, at this point, the object is loosely held between the jaw assemblies. That is, while the jaws, which have been biased against the object with manual force, may hold the object, the object is not securely clamped between the jaws. When the user actuates the clamp assembly  3 , the stationary jaw assembly  2  shifts toward the sliding jaw assembly thereby securely clamping the object between the jaws with a mechanical force. 
     The disadvantage to this configuration is that the cam member  5  and the cam actuator  6  pivot about a stationary axis. That is, the cam member  5  and the cam actuator  6  are coupled to the bar  1  by a pivot coupling that is, typically, an opening in the bar  1  and a rod extending therethough. Thus, the cam member  5  and the cam actuator  6  may only pivot about this stationary axis. This is a disadvantage as the cam actuator  6  may not be rotated away from external obstacles or may interfere with work being performed on the clamped object. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A clamp assembly is provided which includes a cam and cam actuator that are coupled to the bar by a ball-and-socket assembly; that is, rather than a pivot with a fixed axis, the rod has a ball fixed thereto adjacent the stationary jaw assembly. The cam is now a generally cylindrical member having a ball-shaped socket, a slot, a first flat surface, a second flat surface, and an actuator coupling. The ball-shaped socket is sized to correspond to the ball on the rod. The first flat surface is, preferably, a first axial surface. The second flat surface is, preferably, a portion of the cylindrical member sidewall. The first flat surface is closer to the center of the socket than the second flat surface. A transition surface, which is preferably an acute curve, extends between the first flat surface and the second flat surface. The slot bifurcates the first flat surface, the transition surface, and the second flat surface. The cam actuator, which is preferably an elongated handle, is coupled to a second axial surface that is opposite the first axial surface. 
     In this configuration, the cam member is coupled to the bar by the ball-and-socket coupling. The bar extends through the slot. The cam member is structured to pivot relative to the bar between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first flat side is adjacent to, and engages, the stationary jaw assembly cam follower. In the second position, the second flat side is adjacent to, and engages, the stationary jaw assembly cam follower. Because the second flat side is disposed further from the pivot than the first flat side, when the cam is in the second position, the stationary jaw assembly is shifted longitudinally along the bar toward the sliding jaw assembly. Further, because the cam flat sides engage a flat surface on the stationary jaw assembly, the cam tends not to rotate without actuation. 
     Unlike the prior art, the cam member is coupled to the bar via a ball-and-socket coupling; therefore, the cam member and the cam actuator are free to rotate about the ball. Thus, a user may rotate the cam actuator to different orientations that may allow more convenient access to the clamped object. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a prior art sliding clamp with a clamp assembly in a first position. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a prior art sliding clamp with a clamp assembly in a second position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a sliding clamp according to the present invention with a clamp assembly in a first position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a sliding clamp according to the present invention with a clamp assembly in a second position and the cam actuator in a first orientation. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a sliding clamp according to the present invention with a clamp assembly in a second position and the cam actuator in a second orientation. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a sliding clamp according to the present invention with a clamp assembly in a second position and the cam actuator in a third orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs. 
     As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. 
     As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. 
     As used herein, “rotatably fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one and maintain a generally constant position relative to each other, however the components may rotate relative to each other. For example, a bicycle tire is “rotatably fixed” to the bicycle frame; while the tire may rotate, the tire still moves with, and maintains a generally constant position relative to, the frame. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3-6 , a sliding clamp  10  includes an elongated bar  12 , a sliding jaw assembly  14  ( FIG. 3 ), a stationary jaw assembly  16 , and a clamp assembly  30 . The sliding jaw assembly  16  is slidably disposed on the bar  12  and may move longitudinally thereon. As is known in the art, the sliding jaw assembly  16  includes a locking assembly (not shown) structured to limit the direction of travel of the sliding jaw assembly  16 . That is, when the locking assembly is engaged, the sliding jaw assembly  16  may not be moved away from the stationary jaw assembly  16 . The bar has a first end  18  and a first end distal tip  19 . It is noted that the bar first end distal tip  19  is, preferably, an extension from the bar  12  having a smaller cross-sectional area than the bar  12 . 
     The stationary jaw assembly  16  is coupled to the bar  12  at the bar first end  18  adjacent to the distal tip  19 . The stationary jaw assembly  16  is structured to have a limited longitudinal motion relative to the bar  12 . That is, the word “stationary” is not used in a strict sense, but rather indicates that the stationary jaw assembly  16  has a very limited range of motion relative to the sliding jaw assembly  14 . The stationary jaw assembly  16  moves between a first position, wherein the stationary jaw assembly  16  is closer to the distal tip  19 , and a second position, wherein the stationary jaw assembly  16  is further from the distal tip  19 . The stationary jaw assembly  16  includes a cam follower  20 . The cam follower  20  preferably includes a rigid member  22  and a resilient member  24 . The cam follower rigid member  22  is, preferably, disposed immediately adjacent to the first end distal tip  19 . The stationary jaw assembly  16  moves in response to actuation of the clamp assembly  30 , as described below. Thus, a user may position an object(s) between the sliding jaw assembly  14  and the stationary jaw assembly  16 , then slide the sliding jaw assembly  14  toward the stationary jaw assembly  16 . At this point, the user may apply manual pressure to bias the sliding jaw assembly  14  against the object, thereby loosely holding the object between the jaw assemblies  14 ,  16 . However, the object will not be securely clamped until the clamp assembly  30  is actuated. 
     The clamp assembly  30  includes a ball  32 , a cam member  34 , and a cam actuator  36 . The ball  32  is substantially spherical and is coupled to the bar first end distal tip  19 . The ball  32  may have a flat  33  disposed immediately adjacent to the bar  12 . The cam member  34  has a generally cylindrical body  40  with a first axial surface  42 , a radial sidewall  44 , a second axial surface  46 , and a slot  48 . Within the cam member body  40  is a ball socket  49 . The first axial surface  42  is generally flat and acts as a first flat surface  50 . The radial sidewall  44  also includes a flat portion that is a second flat surface  52 . The second flat surface  52  extends to the cam member first axial surface  42 . Thus, there is an interface of the first flat surface  50  and the second flat surface  52 . Preferably, the interface of the first flat surface  50  and the second flat surface  52  is rounded and acts as a transition surface  54  ( FIG. 5 ) between the first flat surface  50  and the second flat surface  52 . The slot  48  extends over the first flat surface  50  and the second flat surface  52 , as well as the transition surface  54 . That is, the first flat surface  50 , the second flat surface  52 , and the transition surface  54  are bifurcated, or substantially bifurcated, by the slot  48 . The slot  48  extends into the ball socket  49 . That is, the slot has a sufficient depth to be contiguous with the ball socket  49 . The slot  48  is sized to be disposed around the bar first end  18 . The cam actuator  36  is, preferably, an elongated handle  60 . The cam actuator  36  is coupled, and preferably fixed, to the cam member body second axial surface  46 . Further, the cam actuator  36 , preferably, extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cam member  34 . 
     The clamp assembly  30  is assembled as follows. As noted above, the ball  32  is coupled, and preferably fixed or rotatably fixed, to the bar first end distal tip  19 . Thus, the ball  32  is immediately adjacent to, and may contact, the cam follower rigid member  22 . Preferably, the ball flat  33  is in contact with the cam follower rigid member  22  when the cam member  34  is in the first position, as described below. The ball  32  is further disposed, and trapped within, in the cam member ball socket  49 . The ball  32  partially protrudes into the slot  48 . The ball-and-socket coupling of the ball  32  and the cam member  34  creates a rotatable and pivotal coupling. That is, the cam member  34  may rotate and pivot relative to the ball  32 , but the cam member  34  does not move axially or laterally relative to the ball  32 . The first flat surface  50  is disposed at a first distance from a plane parallel thereto that passes through the center of the ball  32 . The second flat surface  52  is disposed at a second distance from a plane parallel thereto that passes through the center of the ball  32 . That is, in general terms, the first flat surface  50  is closer to the ball  32  than the second flat surface  52 . 
     The clamp assembly  30  operates as follows. The cam member  34  moves between first and second operational positions. In the first operational position, the first flat surface  50  engages the cam follower rigid member  22  and, preferably, the cam actuator  36  extends in a direction substantially along, or parallel to, the longitudinal axis of the bar  12 . In this position, the cam member  34  does not operatively engage, that is, apply more than an original bias to, the cam follower rigid member  22 . Preferably, there is a slight bias between the cam member  34  and the cam follower rigid member  22 . This slight bias will hold the cam member  34  in the first position. That is, without a slight bias, the weight of the cam actuator  36  may cause the cam member  34  to move into an undesirable transitional position. When the clamp assembly  30  is in the first operational position, the stationary jaw assembly  16  is in the first position. 
     In the second operation position, the cam member  34  is pivoted so that the second flat surface  52  engages the cam follower rigid member  22  and, preferably, the cam actuator  36  extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar  12 . In this position, the cam member  34  operatively engages, that is, applies more than an original bias to, the cam follower rigid member  22 . The bias created by the cam member  34  causes the stationary jaw assembly  16  to shift away from the bar first end distal tip  19 . That is, when the clamp assembly  30  is in the second operational position, the stationary jaw assembly  16  is in the second position. 
     During the transition from the first and second operational positions, the transition surface  54  engages the cam follower rigid member  22 . Further, as described above, as the stationary jaw assembly  16  is shifting into the second position, the stationary jaw assembly  16  is moving away from the bar first end distal tip  19 . This action exposes a portion of the bar first end  18 . The exposed portion of the bar first end  18  extends through the slot  48 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     It is noted that the cam member  34  is free to rotate about the ball  32  when the cam member  34  is in either the first or second operational positions. Thus, the cam member  34  may move into an infinite number of positions. This is useful when the cam actuator  36  extends into a space a user needs to occupy or have a tool or other object occupy. For example, if the cam member  34  was only able to pivot in a vertical plane, in a manner similar to the prior art shown in  FIG. 1 , and if the bar  12  is disposed close to a workbench (not shown), when the user attempts to move the cam actuator  36  straight down, the cam actuator  36  may contact the workbench, thereby preventing the cam member  34  and stationary jaw assembly  16  from moving into their respective second positions. However, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , with the clamp assembly  30  disclosed herein, a user is able to rotate the cam member  34  and cam actuator  36  about the axis of the bar  12  into a position where the cam actuator  36  would not contact the workbench when moved into the second position. That is, the user could rotate the clamp assembly  30  so that the cam actuator  36  moves in a horizontal plane. 
     While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1