The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 21, 1989
Filed:
Oct. 26, 1987
Thomas W Todd, San Diego, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A clamp device for retaining a side marginal edge of a work piece during a cutting operation, which includes an elongated frame standing along substantially the entire side marginal edge of the work piece, for receiving it during the cutting operation. The clamp device also includes an adjustable upper gripping element which is retained releasably within the frame, and which extends along substantially the entire length thereof, for engaging frictionally the back side of the side marginal edge of the work piece. A lower gripping element is disposed inside the frame, and extends along substantially the entire length thereof, for engaging frictionally the underside of the marginal edge of the work piece. The upper gripping element includes an inflatable bladder for engaging the frame, and an elongated rail, which depends integrally from the bladder, for engaging frictionally the side marginal edge of the work piece, and for pressing it downwardly against the lower gripping element. The method of using the clamp device comprises placing the lower gripping element inside the frame, inserting the work piece inside the frame, between the upper and lower gripping elements, and inflating the bladder to cause the rail to move downwardly into frictional engagement with the work piece, and to press it against the lower gripping element.