Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/044,134 for a CLAMPING LOCATOR, filed on Jan. 10, 2002, which claimed the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/262,565 for a LOCKING AND LOCATING PIN, filed on Jan. 18, 2001, and also claimed the benefit of the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/278,225 for a CLAMPING LOCATOR, filed on Mar. 23, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to an apparatus for engaging a workpiece, and more specifically, the invention provides a clamping locator for retaining an automotive body component.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It has been a problem that current configurations of fixturing devices for automotive body components are not as flexible as desired. These current configurations are inoperable to both locate and lock an automotive body component simultaneously with a relatively compact, inexpensive, reliable clamping and locating device. Typically, a fixturing device will have at least one locating guide and at least one clamping or fixturing device.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention provides an apparatus for clamping and locating a workpiece. The apparatus includes a body having a length and an aperture extending along at least a portion of the length of the body. The invention can also include a guide or guide pin fixedly attached to the body. The guide or wedge has an angled end for engaging a surface on a workpiece. The guide pin has a tapered end for engaging a surface on a workpiece and an open end. The guide, or guide pin, also includes an opening or port extending from a side of the guide, or guide pin, in communication with the aperture of the body. The tapered end of the guide pin allows a workpiece to be precisely positioned over the guide pin in two dimensions. The guide or wedge includes an angled surface for precisely locating a workpiece in a single dimension. The apparatus also includes a locking arm. The locking arm is mounted within the body and is rotatable between an extended clamping position and a retracted disengaged position. The locking arm includes a cam follower and a locking projection. The locking projection extends through the aperture and the open end of the guide, or guide pin. The locking projection is operable to extend through the port of the guide, or guide pin, and is operable to be retracted from the port in response to the locking arm movement between the extended position and the retracted position respectively. When the locking arm is in a locking position, the locking projection extends through the port to clamp a located workpiece. The apparatus also includes a drive pin. The drive pin has a cam surface extending along at least one side of the pin. The pin projects through the aperture of the body. The cam surface operably engages the cam follower of the locking arm to rotate the locking arm between the extended or locked position and the retracted or unlocked position. The apparatus can also include an actuator for extending and retracting the drive pin.  
           [0005]    Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a clamping locator with a locating pin according to the present invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a cut away view of the clamping locator of FIG. 1 in a locked position;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a cut away view of the clamping locator of FIG. 1 in an open position;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a clamping locator with a locating guide or wedge according to the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a cut away view of the clamping locator of FIG. 4 in a locked position;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is a cut away view of the clamping locator of FIG. 4 in an open position;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is a left-hand plan view of a clamping locator according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the clamping locator of FIG. 7;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 9 is a front plan view of the clamping locator of FIG. 7;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of the clamping locator of FIG. 7 where the projection is in a retracted position; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 11 is a cutaway view of the clamping locator of FIG. 7 where the projection is in an extended position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    Various embodiments of the present invention are shown throughout the figures. These figures include common elements in different structural configurations. Common elements are designated with a common base numeral and differentiated with an alphabetic designation.  
         [0019]    The present invention provides a clamping locator  10  for clamping a workpiece. The clamping locator  10  includes a body  14 , guide means  16 , a locking arm  18  and a drive pin  20 . The guide means  16  can be a locating pin  16   a  or a locating guide  16   b.  The guide means  16  can receive a workpiece  12  and guide the workpiece  12  into a precise position. The workpiece  12  can then be locked in position between the body  14  and the locking arm  18  in response to movement of the drive pin  20 .  
         [0020]    When the workpiece  12  has been locked into position, a processing operation can be performed on the workpiece  12 .  
         [0021]    The body  14  acts as a base and support for the guide means  16 . The body  14  has an aperture  22  extending through at least a portion of the length of the body  14 . As shown in FIG. 2, the aperture  22  can have a circular cross section at a first end  24  of the body  14  and a non-circular cross section at a second end  26  of the body  14 . The aperture  22  is sized to receive the locking arm  18 .  
         [0022]    The guide means  16  can be a locating pin  16   a,  or a locating guide  16   b . As shown in FIG. 3, the guide pin  16   a  includes a tapered end  28 . The tapered end  28  is operable to receive a workpiece  12  having a locating aperture or surface  30 . The guide pin  16   a  has a diameter or shape corresponding to the diameter or shape of the aperture or surface  30  to precisely locate the workpiece in at least two dimensions. The guide pin  16   a  also includes an open end  32 , as shown in FIG. 1. The open end  32  is positioned communicating with the aperture  22  through the body  14 . The guide pin  16   a  is immovably associated with the body  14 . The guide pin  16   a  can be formed integral with the body  14 , can be affixed by welding or soldering, or can be attached to the body  14  with a bracket or replaceable wear pad  34  and suitable fasteners. The guide pin  16   a  also includes a port  36 . The port  36  extends from a side of the guide pin  16   a  and extends through to the open end  32 . The port  36  is formed of appropriate size and shape to allow a locking projection  44  of the locking arm  18  to extend through the port  36 . As shown in FIG. 6, the guide means  16  can include a locating guide or wedge  16   b  having an angled end  28   b.  The tapered or angled end  28   b  is operable to receive a workpiece  12   b  having a locating surface  30   b.  In operation, the surface  30   b  engages a surface  29  of the angled end  28   b.  The workpiece  12   b  is urged toward the body  14   b.  The surface  30   b  follows the surface  29  as the workpiece  12   b  is urged downward toward the body  14   b  to precisely locate the workpiece in at least a single dimension. The guide  16   b  also includes an open end  32   b,  as shown in FIG. 4. The open end  32   b  is positioned communicating with an aperture  22   b  through the body  14   b.  The body  14   b  has the aperture  22   b  extending through the length of the body  14   b.  As shown in FIG. 4, the aperture  22   b  can have a circular cross section at a first end  24   b  of the body  14   b  and a non-circular cross section at a second end  26   b  of the body  14   b.  The aperture  22   b  is sized to receive the locking arm  18   b.  The guide or wedge  16   b  is immovably associated with the body  14   b.  The guide  16   b  can be formed integral with the body  14   b,  can be affixed by welding or soldering, or can be attached to the body  14   b  with suitable fasteners  34   b.  The guide  16   b  also includes a port  36   b . The port  36   b  extends through a side of the guide  16   b  and extends to the open end  32   b . The port  36   b  is formed of an appropriate size and shape to allow a locking projection  44   b  of the locking arm  18   b  to extend through the port  36   b.    
         [0023]    The clamping locator  10  also includes the locking arm  18 . As shown in FIGS.  1 - 3 , the locking arm  18  is mounted in the body  14 . As shown in FIG. 1, the locking arm  18  can be mounted on a pin or shaft  38 . The locking arm can also be mounted on a bearing  40  mounted on the pin or shaft  38 . The locking arm  18  is rotatable relative to the body  14 . The locking arm  18  includes a cam follower  42  and a locking or clamping projection  44 . The cam follower  42  is positioned within the aperture  22  of the body  14 . The cam follower  42  can be integral with the locking arm  18  or can be mounted on the locking arm  18  with a pin or shaft  46 . The locking projection  44  of the locking arm  18  extends through the aperture  22 , through the open end  32  of the guide  16 , and is operable to project through the port  36 . The locking projection  44  can be integral with the locking arm  18  or can be a separate component mounted to the locking arm  18 . When the clamping locator  10  of the present invention is in a locked position, the locking projection  44  extends through the port  36  to clamp a workpiece in position. As shown in FIG. 2, the locking projection  44  can clamp a workpiece  12  between the locking projection  44  and the body  14 . When the clamping locator  10  of the present invention is in an unlocked position, the locking projection  44  is retracted internally relative to the pin  16 . As shown in FIG. 3, the locking projection  44  can be retracted internally relative to the guide means  16 .  
         [0024]    As shown in FIGS.  4 - 6 , the locking arm  18   b  can be mounted on a pin or shaft  38   b . The locking arm can also be mounted on a bearing  40   b  mounted on the pin or shaft  38   b . The locking arm  18   b  is rotatable relative to the body  14   b . The locking arm  18   b  includes a cam follower  42   b  and a locking projection  44   b . The cam follower  42   b  is positioned within the aperture  22   b  of the body  14   b . The cam follower  42   b  can be integral with the locking arm  18   b  or can be mounted on the locking arm  18   b  with a pin or shaft  46   b . The locking projection  44   b  of the locking arm  18   b  extends through the aperture  22   b , through the open end  32   b  of the guide  16   b , and is operable to project through the port  36   b  to clamp the workpiece between the projection  44   b  and the body  14   b.  When the clamping locator  10   b  of the present invention is in a locked position, the locking projection  44   b  extends through the port  36   b . When the clamping locator  10   b  of the present invention is in an unlocked position, the locking projection  44   b  is retracted to an opposite side of the guide  16  relative to the surface  29  of the guide or wedge  16   b . As shown in FIG. 5, the locking projection  44   b  can clamp a workpiece  12   b  between the projection  44   b  and the replaceable wear pad  66 . As shown in FIG. 6, the locking projection  44   b  can be retracted out of the port  36   b . The locking projection  44   b  can be integral with the locking arm  18   b  or can be a separate component mounted to the locking arm  18   b . The locking arm  18   b  can include a gauge or spacer block  45  to mount the locking projection  44   b.  A plurality of differently sized blocks  45  can accommodate a plurality of different gauge metal sheet workpieces  12 . In other words, the spacer block  45  can be changed to accommodate different thicknesses of workpieces to be clamped in the clamping locator  10  according to the present invention.  
         [0025]    The clamping locator  10  also includes a drive pin  20 . The drive pin  20  is extendable in the aperture  22  of the body  14  between a first position and a second position. The drive pin  20  extends in the aperture  22  from the first end  24  toward the second end  26 . The drive pin  20  includes a cam surface  48  for engaging the cam follower  42 . The drive pin  20  is extendable between at least two positions in the aperture  22 . FIG. 2 shows the drive pin  20  in a generally retracted position within the aperture  22 . FIG. 3 shows the drive pin  20  in a generally extended position within the aperture  22 .  
         [0026]    The body  14  can be operable to receive an individual locking arm  18  chosen from a plurality of differently configured locking arms. The aperture  22  can be opened by removing a cover  50 . When the cover  50  is removed, the pin or shaft  38  can be removed and the locking arm  18  can also be removed. A second locking arm can be inserted into the body  14 . The cover  50  can be mounted to the body  14  with fasteners  52 . The body  14  can also include a sleeve  54 . The sleeve  54  can be desirable to reduce friction between the extendable drive pin  20  and the body  14 . The body  14  can also include a first sensor  60  and a second sensor  62  for sensing a position of the locking arm  18 . As shown in FIG. 2, a first sensor  60  can sense the locking arm  18  in the extended, clamped position. As shown in FIG. 3, a second sensor  62  can sense the locking arm  18  in the retracted or released position.  
         [0027]    The clamping locator  10  of the present invention can also include an actuator  56 . The actuator  56  can be operably associated with the drive pin  20  to extend and retract the drive pin  20 . The actuator  56  can be a fluid operated actuator such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, or an electric actuator such as a roller screw drive or a standard screw drive. The body  14  can be mounted to the actuator  56  with a bracket  58  and base  64  or a locking ring  64   b.  The bracket  58  can also be operable to mount the clamping locator  10  to another component of a work station.  
         [0028]    The clamping locator  10   b  of the present invention can also include a mounting block or replaceable wear pad  66 . The wear pad  66  is replaceably mounted with respect to the body  14   b . The workpiece  12   b  is clamped between a wear surface  68  of the wear pad  66  and the replaceable locking projection  44   b . The wear pad  66  can be mounted to the body  14   b  with fasteners  72 . A spacer element  70  can be positioned between the wear pad  66  and the body  14   b  to adjust the precise locating position of the wear pad  66  relative to the locking projection  44   b  when the clamping locator  10   b  is in an extended, clamped position as show in FIG. 5.  
         [0029]    Referring now to FIGS.  7 - 9 , the present invention provides a clamping locator  10   c  for clamping a workpiece. The clamping locator  10   c  includes a body  14   c  and guide means  16 . The guide means  16  can receive a workpiece and guide the workpiece into a clamping position. The body  14   c  acts as a base and support for guide means  16 . The guide means  16  can be a locating pin  16   c  including a tapered end  28   c.  The tapered end  28   c  is operable to receive a workpiece  12   c  having a locating aperture  30   c,  best seen in FIG. 11. The locating pin  16   c  has a diameter or shape corresponding to the diameter or shape of the aperture to locate the workpiece in at least two dimensions at the clamping position. The locating pin  16   c  is removably associated with the body  14   c.  The locating pin  16   c  can be formed integral with the body  14   c,  can be affixed by welding or soldering, or can be attached to the body  14   c  with suitable fasteners  35 . The locating pin  16   c  also includes a port  36   c.  The port  36   c  extends from a side of the locating pin  16   c.  The port  36   c  is formed of appropriate size and shape to allow a locking projection to extend through the port  36   c.    
         [0030]    Referring now to FIGS.  10 - 11 , the clamping locator  10   c  can also include a locking arm  18   c  and a drive pin  20   c.  The locking arm  18   c  is rotatable to the locating pin  16   c.  A workpiece  12   c  can be received by the locating pin  16   c  and locked in position between the body  14   c  and the locking arm  18   c  in response to movement of the drive pin  20   c  to drive the locking arm  18   c  to rotate. When the workpiece  12   c  has been locked into position, a processing operation can be performed on the workpiece  12   c.    
         [0031]    The body  14   c  has an aperture  22   c  extending through at least a portion of the body  14   c . The aperture  22   c  can have a circular cross-section at a first and  24   c  of the body  14   c  and a non-circular cross-section and a second end  26   c  of the body  14   c . The aperture  22   c  is sized to receive the locking arm  18   c  and allow a predetermined range of rotation of the locking arm  18   c . The body  14   c  can also include one or more mounting apertures  104  to releasibly mount the clamping locator  10   c  at a workstation.  
         [0032]    The locating pin  16   c  also includes an open end  32   c . The open end  32   c  is positioned communicating with the aperture  22   c  of the body  14   c . The port  36   c  extends from the side of the locating pin  16   c  to the open end  32   c.    
         [0033]    The locking arm  18   c  can be mounted in the body  14   c . The locking arm  18   c  can be mounted on a shaft  38   c  for rotation about the shaft  38   c . The locking arm  18   c  can also be mounted on a bearing  40   c  mounted on the shaft  38   c . The locking arm  18   c  also includes a cam follower  42   c  positioned within the aperture  22   c  of the body  14   c . The cam follower  42   c  can be integral with the locking arm  18   c  or can be a roller mounted on the locking arm  18   c  with a shaft  46   c.    
         [0034]    The clamping locator  10   c  also includes a projection  44   c . The projection  44   c  can extend through the port  36   c  to clamp the workpiece  12   c . The port  36   c  is formed of appropriate size and shape to allow the locking projection  44   c  to extend through the port  36   c . The locking projection  44   c  also extends through the opening  32   c  of the locating pin  16   c . The locking projection  44   c  can be integral with the locking arm  18   c  or can be engaged with the locking arm  18   c  with fasteners  47 . A gauge or spacer block  45   a  can be disposed between the projection  44   c  and the locking arm  18   c . When the clamping locator  10   c  of the present invention is in a locked or clamped position, the locking projection  44   c  extends through the port  36   c  to clamp the workpiece in position as best shown in FIG. 11. When the clamping locator  10   c  of the present invention is in an unlocked or clamped position, the locking projection  44   c  is retracted internally relative to the locating pin  16   c  as best shown in FIG. 10. A plurality of differently sized spacer blocks  45   a  can accommodate a plurality of different gauge metal sheet workpieces  12   c . In other words, the spacer block  45   a  can be changed to accommodate different thicknesses of workpieces to be clamped in the clamping locator  10   c  according to the present invention.  
         [0035]    The clamping locator  10   c  also includes a drive pin  20   c . The drive pin  20   c  is moveable in the aperture  22   c  of the body  14   c  between a first end limit of travel and a second end limit of travel to move the locking arm  18   c . The first end limit of travel corresponds to a retracted position of the projection  44   c  and is shown in FIG. 10. The second end limit of travel corresponds to an extended position of the projection  44   c  and is shown in FIG. 11. The first end limit of travel is closer to the second end  26   c  of the body  14   c  and the second end limit of travel is closer to the first end  24   c  of the body  14   c.    
         [0036]    The drive pin  20   c  can include a pin body  74  and a pin member  76 . The pin member  76  can be moveably associated with the pin body  74  and define a cam surface  48   c . The pin member  76  can be threaded and engaged with a threaded aperture  78  of the pin body  74 . The pin member  76  can be rotated in the threaded aperture  78  as desired to selectively position the cam surface  48   c  relative to the pin body  74 . In other words, the cam surface  48   c  can be selectively positioned to control an angle of rotation of the locking arm  18   c . The drive pin  20   c  can also include a drive surface  80  for engaging the locking arm  18   c  to move the locking arm to a first position corresponding to the retracted position of the projection  44   c  as shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0037]    The body  14   c  can be operable to receive an individual locking arm  18   c  chosen from a plurality of differently configured locking arms. The aperture  22   c  can be opened by removing a cover  50   c . When the cover  50   c  is removed, the pin or shaft  38   c  can be removed and the locking arm  18   c  can also be removed. The second locking arm can be inserted into the body  14   c . Cover  50   c  can be mounted to the body  14   c  with fasteners  52   c . The body  14   c  can also include a sleeve  54   c  and a gasket  82 . The sleeve  54   c  can be desirable to reduce friction between a shaft  84  of an actuator  56   c  and the body  14   c.    
         [0038]    The clamping actuator  10   c  of the present invention can also include a first sensor  60   c  and a second sensor  62   c  for sensing a position of the locking arm  18   c . The first sensor  60   c  can sense the locking arm  18   c  in the extended or clamped position. The second sensor  62   c  can sense the locking arm  18   c  in the retracted or released position. The sensors can communicate a signal corresponding to a position of the locking arm  18   c  to a controller  86 . The controller  86  can receive the signals from the sensors and control an actuator  56   c  for moving the pin  20   c . The controller  86  can receive the signals from the sensors and determine the position of projection  44   c  relative to the port  36   c  based on the position of the locking arm  18   c .  
         [0039]    The clamping locator  10   c  of the present invention can also include actuator  56   c . The actuator is schematically shown in FIG. 10. The actuator  56   c  can be operably associated with the drive pin  20   c  to extend and retract the drive pin  20   c . The actuator  56   c  can be a fluid operated actuator such as an hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, or an electric actuator such as a roller screw drive or a standard screw drive. The body  14   c  can be mounted to the actuator  56   c  or the actuator  56   c  can be substantially integral with the body  14   c . The actuator  56   c  can direct a fluid stream through a first passage  88  and a port  90  to displace a piston  92  and move the drive pin  20   c  to the second end limit of travel corresponding to an extended position of the projection  44   c , or a clamped position of the clamping locator  10   c . The actuator  56   c  can direct a fluid stream through a second passage  94  and a port  96  to displace the piston  92  and move the drive pin  20   c  to the first end limit of travel corresponding to a retracted position of the projection  44   c , or an unclamped position of the clamping locator  10   c.    
         [0040]    The clamping locator  10   c  of the present invention can also include means for supporting the drive pin  20   c  during movement between the first and second end limits of travel. The supporting means can include at least one roller  98  mounted in the aperture  22   c  of the body  14   c  on a pin  100 . The roller  98  can engage a first surface  102  of the drive pin  20   c . The supporting means can include a plurality of rollers to support the drive pin  20   c . Preferably, the support means supports the drive pin  20   c  along an entire path of movement of the drive pin  20   c . Preferably, support means is disposed in the aperture  22   c  such that the drive pin  20   c  is substantially between support means and the cam follower  42   c  of the locking arm  18   c.    
         [0041]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.

Technology Category: 7