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:
Aug. 17, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 20, 2001
Jan Linnenbuerger, Dettenhausen, DE;
Renishaw PLC, Gloucestershire, GB;
Abstract
A retaining device comprises a holder for receiving an object and a clamp . The holder comprises a cylindrical sleeve with three longitudinal cut-out slits spaced 120° apart and a base secured at one end. The inner surface of the clamp has three lobes also spaced 120° apart. The portions midway adjacent lobes contact the portions of the sleeve midway adjacent slits , resulting in a symmetrical force being applied to the circumference of the sleeve when the clamp is tightened. The clamp is free from the base of the holder and is not rigidly attached to the sleeve and thus does not apply unequal forces to the holder when the clamp is tightened. Alternatively the sleeve may have a thin continuous wall which deforms when forces are applied to it by the clamp . The object inserted into the sleeve may have a spherically shaped portion to allow is to be angularly adjusted in the sleeve before the clamp is tightened.