Patent ID: 7490882

Claim:
Clamping device suitable for lifting and handling of sheet-like objects, having a rigid frame with a fixed jaw that provides a first clamping surface, a movable jaw that provides a second clamping surface that is substantially parallel to the first clamping surface, the movable jaw being supported at the frame for reciprocating, linear movement towards and away from the fixed jaw, and an operating mechanism arranged to bias the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw in response to an actuating force being exerted on a tensile force transmitting member of the operating mechanism, to thereby abut the respective clamping surfaces onto opposite faces of the sheet-like object received between the jaws and frictionally clamping same against displacement, characterised in that the movable jaw comprises a sliding plate on which the second clamping surface is provided, the sliding plate being inclined at an angle of about 8 to 12 degrees with respect to the first and second clamping surfaces and being supported at the frame to maintain said angle during movement to and from the fixed jaw, and in that the tensile force transmitting member is guided and supported at an upper location of the sliding plate that substantially aligns with or overhangs the second clamping surface, wherein the operating mechanism is a cam pulley system of the type having an actuating pulley mounted on the sliding plate with an axis of rotation of the actuating pulley being perpendicular to the sliding plate, variable-height actuating cams protruding from one face of the pulley, and actuating rollers that are mounted in fixed locations on a stationary frame part opposite the movable sliding plate in such manner as to co-operate with a respectively associated one of the cams thereby to travel along the cams upon rotation of the pulley, wherein the arrangement is such that rotation of the pulley causes axial displacement of the sliding plate and the pulley along the axis of the rotation of the pulley.