Patent Document

REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     The applicant claims priority benefit under Title 35, United States Code section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/830,617 filed Jul. 14, 2006 and entitled CLAMPING DEVICE and U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/929,511 filed Jun. 29, 2007 and entitled WORK PIECE SUPPORT. The entire subject matter of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/830,617 filed Jul. 14, 2006 and entitled CLAMPING DEVICE is incorporated by reference. The entire subject matter of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/929,511 filed Jun. 29, 2007 and entitled WORK PIECE SUPPORT is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to devices and methods for securing plate-like work pieces during machining. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     The precision machining of large work pieces, such as plate-like work pieces, requires the use of a wide array of machine tools such as gauges, templates, cooling systems, hydraulic clamps, and drill-sets. These tools are expensive to acquire and maintain. 
     Large work pieces, such as steel plates, are typically manufactured using a large gantry milling machine. In one conventional system, steel plates are stacked on a milling table and clamped at regular locations along their aligned peripheries so not to interfere with the machining process, which may involve one or more milling and/or drilling steps. A gantry is configured to move along tracks that extend parallel to the work pieces, such that the gantry provides an overhead tool head to support for one or more machining tools. The gantry may be adjusted along the length of the work pieces, and the tool head may be adjusted along x, y and z axes relative to the work pieces to machine the work pieces. As the process proceeds, there is a tendency of bulging between the work pieces as material shavings force themselves in between the work pieces. This problem is more pronounced as the size of the work pieces increase, the amount of machining that is done on the work pieces and as the distance from the clamped peripheral edges increases. For example, the problem may be come acute when the machining step occurs in a central region of these work pieces. 
     What is needed is a novel approach to clamping such work pieces. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a temporary securing device for plate-like work pieces comprising a split body and an anchor segment, the split body having a resiliently compressible biasing member to allow an outer diameter of the split body to contract allowing passage within a plurality of openings in said work pieces, the split body having an engagement portion near a first end, the engagement portion having an operative surface to engage an outer surface on a first outer work piece, the split body having a second end and a threaded inner support near the second end, the anchor segment being operable to engage an outer surface on a second outer work piece, the anchor segment including a threaded member to engage the threaded inner support, the threaded member be rotationally operational to draw the split body toward the anchor segment. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the split body comprises two opposed body sections. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the engagement portion includes a peripheral lateral lip. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the operative surface of the peripheral lateral lip is inclined toward the anchor segment. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the resiliently compressible biasing member is a spring. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the split body includes one or more than one formations to engage the resiliently compressible biasing member. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the formation is a first cavity in each of the two opposed body sections. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the plurality of openings has a depth and the threaded member is selected accordingly to the depth. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the threaded member is a bolt. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the anchor segment is a cap having a hole to receive a threaded member. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the split body includes a second cavity to receive the threaded inner support. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the threaded inner support is a nut. 
     An alternative embodiment further comprises a restraining portion for preventing the split body from expanding beyond an operable expanded orientation. 
     In an alternative embodiment the spilt body further includes an outer peripheral groove to receive the restraining portion. 
     In an alternative embodiment the restraining portion is an o-ring. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a device for clamping a group of work pieces together, comprising a first body having a peripheral lateral surface, the first body being laterally dimensioned to pass through an inner path formed by aligned passages in the group of work pieces, the first body having a first end region with a circumferential laterally outwardly extending flange, the first body having at least two body sections, each having a corresponding portion of the peripheral lateral surface and a portion of the flange, a biasing portion positioned between the first body sections for laterally outwardly biasing the first body sections, the first body being movable from a compressed orientation in which the flange fits within the inner path, to an expanded orientation in which the flange extends laterally beyond the inner path to engage an outer surface on a first outer one of the group of work pieces, the first body having a second end region opposite the first end region with a central opening therein, an anchor portion extending between the body sections near the second end region, the anchor portion having a first threaded passage and exposed to the central opening; a second body to lie against a second one of the group of work pieces, the second body having a second passage which is alignable with the first threaded passage; a threaded member arranged to engage the first threaded passage and the second passage and to extend between the first and second bodies, the threaded member rotatably operable to draw the first and second bodies together against the first and second outer work pieces. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the first body is generally cylindrical in shape. 
     In an alternative embodiment, further includes at least one of the body sections including a first inner formation to receive the biasing portion. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the first inner formation includes a first cylindrical cavity. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the biasing portion includes a spring member. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the body sections includes a pair of second inner formations to receive the anchor portion. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the second inner formations each include a second cylindrical cavity. 
     An alternative embodiment further comprises a limiting portion for limiting movement of the body sections beyond the expanded orientation. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the outer peripheral surface includes a recess, the limiting portion including an o ring to be located in the recess. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the flange has a beveled peripheral edge region. 
     An alternative embodiment further comprises an undercut formation between the peripheral lateral surface and the circumferential laterally outwardly extending flange. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the peripheral lateral surface has a taper extending between the first end region and the second end region. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a device for clamping a plurality of work pieces together, comprising a body having a first portion of a first diameter and a second portion of a second diameter, the first portion having a circumferential laterally outwardly extending flange to engage an outer surface of a first work piece, the first portion further having at least two body sections, each having a corresponding portion of the flange, a biasing portion positioned between the body sections for laterally outwardly biasing the body sections, the body being operable in a first orientation with a first diameter to permit the flange to pass through a plurality of aligned passages in said work pieces and a second orientation with a second diameter to present the flange to extend beyond the aligned passages and engage an outer surface of a second work piece, the first and second portions having a threadable member to be rotatable to draw the first and second bodies together. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a kit for clamping a group of work pieces together, comprising a first body having a peripheral lateral surface, the first body being laterally dimensioned to pass through an inner path formed by aligned passages in the group of work pieces, the first body having a first end region with a circumferential laterally outwardly extending flange, the first body having at least two body sections, each having a corresponding portion of the peripheral lateral surface and a portion of the flange, a biasing portion positioned between the first body sections for laterally outwardly biasing the first body sections, the first body being movable from a compressed orientation in which the flange fits within the inner path, to an expanded orientation in which the flange extends laterally beyond the inner path to engage an outer surface on a first outer one of the group of work pieces, the first body having a second end region opposite the first end region with a central opening therein, an anchor portion extending between the body sections near the first second end region, the anchor portion having a first threaded passage and exposed to the central opening; a second body to lie against a second one of the group of work pieces, the second body having a second passage which is alignable with the first threaded passage; a plurality threaded members of various lengths each operable to be arranged to engage the first threaded passage and the second passage and to extend between the first and second bodies, each of the threaded members rotatably operable to draw the first and second bodies together against the first and second outer work pieces, an instructional manual instructing an user how to assemble the first and second bodies, how to choose the appropriate length of the threaded member and how to disengage the first and second bodies from the work pieces. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a method of machining plate-like work pieces comprising: assembling individual plate-like work pieces into a stack;
         clamping an outer region of the plate-like work pieces in a manner which will not interfere with a subsequent machining operation;   drilling at least one hole through the stack;   measuring the height of the stack;   assembling a tension device with a first anchor portion, a second anchor portion and threaded member selected with a length according to the height of the stack and operable to engage the first and second anchors portions, the first anchor portion transferable between a laterally expanded orientation and a laterally contacted orientation;   manipulating the tension device to laterally contracted orientation in order to fit within the at least one hole;   passing the tension device through said hole until the first anchor portion extends beyond a first outer plate member to engage a first contact surface thereon, aligning the second anchor portion with the hole and against a second contact surface on a second outer plate member;   rotating the threadable member to draw the first and second anchor portions together;   machining the stack;   releasing the tension device from the stack; and   disassembling the plate-like work pieces from the stack.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Several preferred embodiments of the present invention will be provided, by way of examples only, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein, 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a device for clamping a group of work pieces; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a machining installation for a stack of work pieces of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the stack of  FIG. 2  in a measuring step; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective side views, of the device of  FIG. 1  in alternative orientations; 
         FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  are fragmentary perspective views of the stack of  FIG. 2  and the device of  FIG. 1  in different operative positions; 
         FIG. 8   a  is a side view of a portion of the device of  FIG. 1  in an operative position according to  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a machining installation of  FIG. 2  with a plurality of devices of  FIG. 1  in an operative orientation; 
         FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  are fragmentary perspective views of the stack of  FIG. 2  and the device of  FIG. 1  in still further different operative positions; and 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a kit. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention. However, other alternative mechanical configurations are possible which are considered to be within the teachings of the instant disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the term “or” is to be considered inclusive. 
     Referring to the  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is provided a device  10  for clamping a group of work pieces  12  together. An example of such group (or stack  14  as in this case) of work pieces is shown in  FIG. 3  and in an operative position on a gantry milling machine  16  as shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  shows, in dashed lines, a number of aligned passages  18  in the work pieces of the stack  14 . 
     The device  10  has a first body  20  with a peripheral lateral surface  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the first body  20  is laterally dimensioned to pass through an inner path  24  formed by the aligned passages  18 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the first body  20  has a first end region  26  with a circumferential laterally outwardly extending flange  28 . The first body  20  also has at least two body sections  30 , each bearing a corresponding portion of the peripheral lateral surface and a portion of the flange  28 . A biasing portion  32  is positioned between the first body sections  30  for laterally outwardly biasing them. 
     As will be described below, the first body  20  is movable between a compressed orientation, as shown in  FIG. 7 , in which the flange fits within the inner path  24 , and an expanded orientation, as shown in  FIG. 8 , in which the flange  28  extends laterally beyond the inner path  24  to engage an outer surface  38  on a first outer one of the group of work pieces  40 . The first body also has a relaxed orientation as shown in  FIG. 1 , in which it is expanded still further beyond its expanded orientation. 
     Referring  FIG. 4 , the first body  20  has a second end region  42  opposite the first end region  26  with a central opening  44  therein. An anchor portion shown in  FIG. 5  at  46  extends between the body sections  30  near the second end region  42 . In this case, the anchor portion  46  has a first threaded passage  48  and is exposed to the central opening  44 . 
     As can be seen in a number of the figures, such as  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the device  10  is also provided with a second body  50  to lie against a second one of the group of work pieces  52  ( FIG. 8 ) in this case on an outer surface  54 . The second body  50  has a second passage  56  which is alignable with the first threaded passage  48 . A threaded member  58  is arranged to engage the first threaded passage  48  and the second passage  56  and to extend between the first and second bodies  20 ,  50  respectively. In this case the threaded member  58  is rotatably operable, with the help of a rotary tool shown at  60  in  FIG. 6 , to draw the first and second bodies  20 ,  50  together against the first and second outer work pieces  40 ,  52 . Other configurations and/or tools may be employed, if desired, to drive the threaded member  58 . Furthermore, other configurations may be available in which the first and or second body  20 ,  50  are correspondingly engaged with the first and second outer work pieces  40 ,  52  in different orientations. For instance, the second body  50  may engage the outer surface of the second work piece at a location distal to the inner path, or may engage an upper inner surface facing the inner path. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first body  20  is generally cylindrical in shape although the first body  20  may have other shapes and configurations, such as for instance, an oval or square cross section. As best illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the peripheral lateral surface  22  of the body has a taper  64  that extends between the first end region  26  and the second end region  42  or toward the second end region  42 . This taper  64  enhances the effect of the biasing portion  32  to bias the first body sections  20  to a fully expanded orientation and/or to extend the flange  28  laterally beyond the inner path  24  of the outer surface  38  on the first outer one of the group of work pieces  40 . Alternatively the first body  20  may have a peripheral lateral surface  22  of the body that is not tapered. For example, the peripheral lateral surface  22  may be provided with relatively consistent or varying diameter between the first end region toward and second end region. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8  and  8   a , at least one, in this case two, of the body sections  30  includes a first inner formation  66  to receive the biasing portion  32 . In this case, the first inner formation  66  is provided by a first cylindrical cavity  68 , but may be provided in other forms such as, for example, a projection. The biasing portion  32  is, in this case, a spring member  70 , though other resilient elements may also be used in some cases, as desired, such as for instance a rubber plug. 
     The body sections  30  include a pair of second inner formations  72  to receive the anchor portion  46 . The second inner formations  72  each include a second cylindrical cavity  74 . As shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 5 , the anchor  46  may be a bobbin  76  or nut or alternatively may be integrally formed with one or both of the body sections  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the device further includes a limiting portion  78  for limiting the movement of the body sections  30  beyond the expanded orientation. In this case the limiting portion  78  is an o ring  80  but for example, may be in some other form, such as a tension band. In this case, the outer peripheral surface  22  includes a recess  82  to accommodate the limiting portion  78 , though other arrangements may be utilized to operatively associate the limiting portion  78  with the body sections. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8   a , the flange  28  has a beveled peripheral edge region  84  to assist the entry of the device  10  into the inner path  24 . The flange  28  further includes an undercut formation  88  adjacent peripheral lateral surface  22  to aid in “biting” into the outer surface  38  of the first outer one of the group of work pieces  40 . The device  10  may also be provided with other formations other then the undercut formation, or in some other cases, without such undercut formation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the device  10  may be provided in the form of a kit  92  with a selection of parts according to the device and configured to be useful for one or more specific installations. For instance, the kit  92  may include a number of different length threaded members  94  as shown in  FIG. 13 , each threaded member being appropriate for a different stack height. The kit  92  may thus include a set of instructions on the steps for selecting the appropriate threaded member. The kit  92  may in some cases not include the threaded member, thus enabling the user to obtain the threaded member from a separate source. 
     The device  10  may thus be used in the following manner. First, the user assembles individual plate-like work pieces into the stack  14 , and clamps an outer region  96  of the plate-like work pieces  12  in a manner which will not interfere with a subsequent machining operation. The user then drills at least one hole or passage through the stack, and measures the height of the stack to determine the appropriate length of threaded member required. 
     The user then assembles the device with the first body  20 , the second body  50  and the threaded member  58 . In this case, the threaded member  58  is selected with a length appropriate for the overall thickness of the stack  14  or the overall thickness of the aligned passages  18  therein, as need be. 
     The user manipulates the device  10  to the compressed orientation in order to fit within the aligned passages  18 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     The user passes the device through the aligned passages  18  until the first body extends beyond the first outer plate work piece  40  shown at to engage the first contact surface  38  thereon, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The user aligns the second body  50  with the aligned passages  18  and against the second contact surface  54  on the second outer plate work piece  52 . 
     The user thus rotates the threadable member  58 , such as by way of the tool  60 , to draw the first and second bodies  20 ,  50  together to secure the stack. 
     The user may then repeat this process for as many devices as needed in the stacked work pieces. This may involve installing a first device in a first location (as for example shown at  98  in  FIG. 9 ) on the stack and then subsequently carrying out a number of machining steps at a predetermined vicinity of the first location and then installing a second device at a second location (as for example shown at  100  in  FIG. 9 ) and repeating the process. 
     Alternatively, the user may predrill a number of strategic locations on the stack and then pre-install a device at each of the strategic locations so that all the following machining steps, such as the boring of a hole in the stack, may be carried out in a corresponding succession of machining steps. 
     In this case, for this particular use of the device  10  (among other possibilities uses thereof) the materials used in the formation of the threaded member  58  and the first and second bodies  20 ,  50  should be sufficient to withstand the necessary loads thereon to offset the drive forces which are otherwise applying force to the shavings against the inner surface of the aligned holes, which would otherwise cause the stack  14  to bulge or delaminate. 
     When the machining operation is complete, the user rotates the threaded member  58  to release the device  10  from the stack  14 . To do this, the user displaces the first body  20  out of the aligned passages  18  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The user may then disassemble the plate-like work pieces from the stack. 
     While device is discussed with reference to holes formed in work pieces, the latter may be configured in other ways to accept the device, such as by way of slots, gaps, inner corners and the like. In this case, the device may be provided with other features to allow it to secure and clamp the work pieces together, so that the work piece has two or more opposing outer termini against which the first body can act in its expanded orientation to engage the work piece. While the device and method herein are discussed with respect to an inner path formed by the aligned passages in the work pieces, there may be some instances where the passages may not be aligned but may be of other configurations, such as offset, while still enabling a version of the device to be used successfully to clamp the work pieces. The inner passages may also be of different dimensions. For instance, the outer plate members may have relatively smaller passages while the adjacent inner plate members may have larger passages. 
     While the present invention has been described for what are presently considered the preferred embodiments, the invention is not so limited. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Technology Category: b