Norgren Automotive, Inc.

Timothy Wheeler

Wayne D Morroney

Jeffery J Dellach

Jeffrey J Dellach

An apparatus for absorbing the mounting and clamping forces of a linkage assembly of a power clamp. An enclosed bilateral housing of a power clamp is provided, wherein a linear actuator is connected to the housing and provides a piston rod extending into the housing. A linkage assembly is connected to the piston rod and disposed within the housing for converting the linear motion of the piston rod into rotary motion of a clamp arm. A high strength plate and beam structure is disposed within the housing and connected to the linkage assembly for absorbing the mounting and clamping forces generated by the linkage assembly. By absorbing the mounting and clamping forces of the linkage assembly, the high strength plate and beam structure allows the housing to be fabricated from a lightweight, inexpensive material.

Structure for isolating mounting and clamping forces of a power clamp

A linear actuator having an adjustable piston rod for transmitting linear motion to a rotary clamp wherein the adjustable length of the piston rod corresponds to predetermined rotational angles of a clamp arm. The adjustable piston rod provides a first portion connectable to said power clamp, and a second portion connectable to a piston of the linear actuator. The first portion is fabricated from a substantially cylindrical rod having a plurality of substantially cylindrical recesses formed thereon. The second portion provides a block connected to a tubular shaft for telescopically receiving the cylindrical rod. A cam is pivotally connected to the block and provides an aperture formed therein for receiving the cylindrical rod. A torsional spring biases the cam against the cylindrical rod within the cylindrical recesses formed in the rod to prohibit the rod from telescopically moving relative to the tubular shaft.

Linear actuator having an adjustable piston rod

A rotary clamp having an adjustable pre-stop wherein the rotary clamp includes a linear actuator for transmitting linear motion to a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly converts the linear motion into rotary motion of a clamp arm, wherein the clamp arm moves between a clamped position and an unclamped position. The adjustable pre-stop provides a substantially cylindrical member having a substantially polygonal shaped surface formed on the cylindrical member. The polygonal surface matingly engages a substantially polygonal shaped aperture formed in the housing of the rotary clamp. An eccentric mid-portion of the cylindrical member engages the linkage assembly in the clamped position to prohibit the clamp arm from rotating beyond the clamped position. The eccentric mid-portion provides a plurality of predetermined radial distances extending from the longitudinal axis corresponding to predetermined rotational positions of the hexagonal surface relative to the hexagonal aperture, wherein the predetermined radial distances correspond to predetermined incremental angular adjustments of the clamp arm in the clamped position.

Rotary clamp having an adjustable pre-stop

A rotary clamp having a linkage assembly that provides an over-center condition for providing high actuation and clamping forces without excessively wearing the components of the linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is connected to a linear actuator for converting linear actuator motion into rotary clamp motion between a clamped position and an unclamped position. The linkage assembly provides a first link having an aperture for receiving a pin and a roller wherein the roller is coaxially connected o the pin. The second link is pivotally connected to the first link, and the third link is pivotally connected to the second link. The roller of the first link rollably engages a surface on the third link when moving in and out of the clamped position. A beam-like structure connected to the housing provides a wear surface wherein the pin engages the wear surface in response to the roller engaging the third link to prohibit the first link from reaching an over-center position. A spring detent is provided in the third link to engage the roller in the clamped position and resist movement of the roller from moving toward the end clamped position when power is lost to the rotary clamp.

Over-center power clamp toggle mechanism

A valve and position control system integrable with a clamp having at least one clamp arm moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to movement of an actuator between first and second end limits of travel controlled by differential fluid pressure in first and second chambers located on opposite sides of the actuator. The system allows selective setting of at least one of the clamped position and the released position at an actuator position between the first and second end limits of travel of the actuator. The system selectively controls the speed of actuator movement as the actuator moves between the first and second end limits of travel. Preferably, the system also selectively controls the speed of actuator movement as the actuator approaches at least one of the first and second end limits of travel to provide a soft touch clamp action. The system selectively adjusts pressurized fluid within the first and second chambers independent of one another.

Growing community of inventors

Shelby Township, MI, United States of America

Timothy Wheeler