Hydraulically actuated tooling clamps for the ram and bed of a press

Abstract

Tooling clamps by which tooling having mounting tongues can be attached to and detached from the working edges of the ram and bed of a press brake. Each clamp comprises a clamp body affixed to the working edge of one of the ram and bed. The clamp body provides a clamping surface. The clamp body supports a plurality of clamping bars aligned end-to-end. Each clamping bar has a clamping surface opposed to the clamp body clamping surface. Each clamping bar is affixed to the body by bolts which pass through perforations in the clamp body with clearance, so that each clamping bar is shiftable between a tool-clamping and a tool-release position. Spring means bias the clamping bars to their tool-clamping positions. A housing is affixed to the rear of the clamp body and extends the length thereof. The housing has a longitudinal cavity containing an actuating bar in abutment with the heads of the clamping bar bolts and a high pressure hose. When the hose is filled with hydraulic fluid under pressure, it expands, shifting the actuating bar against the bolt heads, the bolt heads against the action of their spring means, and the clamping bars to their tool-release positions, permitting a tooling tongue to be inserted between the clamping surfaces. When hydraulic fluid is drained from the hose, it will contract, causing the tooling clamp to return to its normal clamping condition and the tooling tongue to be firmly clamped.