Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
`: :
- - .
1 3 3 1 0 2 6
OUICX-ACTION CL~MPS
BACXGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to clamps of the type used
to temporarily clamp together two art~cles, for example, for
gluing, or to hold a workpiece for welding, and more particularly
to quick-action clamps wherein the moving ~aw can be rapidly
advanced or advances in ~mall increments of selectable length.
The concept of a bar clamp is old and well-known. In recent
years, over-center toggle action handgrips have ~een incorporated
for use in final tightening against the workpiece, for example,
in U.S. Patents 4,088,313 by Pearson and 4,563,921 by Wallace. A
disadVantagQ ~n the prior art lles in the fact that ad~ustment ln
.: ~:.....
the moving jaw over a substantial distance is cumbersome and
imprecise. Freguently, the moving ~aw i~ entirely disengaged and
free to move until the final tightening of an ob~ect between the
movable and fixQd ~aws i8 accompli~hed. A third hand would be
helpful. -
The concept of a C-cl~p i8 al~o old ~nd well-~nown. A C-
haped fra~e holds a fixed ~aw, and a moving ~aw is advancedtoward the fixed ~aw or retracted therefro~ by rotation of a
threaded ~haft to which the moving ~aw is mounted. a
disadvantage of this arrangement lie~ in the fact that when the
moving ~aw has a substantial distance to travel before clampinq
1331~26
upon the workpiece or workp~eces, a great number o~ turns 18
required on the threaded 6haft ~upporting the moving ~aw.
Frequently, the handle for turning the 6haft i6 a sllde-type
handle, movlng transversely to the dlrectlon o~ 6haft motion 80
that the handle can be slipped back and forth through the shaft
with each half turn of the shaft. Thl6 i8 advantageous, where
turnlng must be accomplished in a tlgbt spot and a full 360
swing of the handle 18 not possible. However, slide-shifting of
the handle is awkward and bothersome. Bar clamps using a
threaded rod for ad~ustment have similar problems.
What are needed are clamps having a moving ~aw which is
rapidly movable over both short and long distances to clamp
against a workpiece and is operable using one hand with complete
control by the operator at all times.
SUMMARY OF THE I~VE~TION
Generally speakinq, in accordance witb the invention, C~
and bar clamps especially suitable for rapid and precise closure
against a workpiece are provided. The bar clarp includes a fixed
~aw and a movable ~aw opposing the fixed ~aw. The movable ~aw
connects at one end to a slide rod which is ~ovable to bring the
movable ~aw toward and away from the fixed jaw. One-way drive
means, by operation of a trigger handle grip, releasably engages
the slide bar and advances the movable ~aw toward the fixed ~aw.
The one-way drive means is incapable of ~oving the slide bar and ~-
'' '
- 133~02~ :
~ovable ~aw away from the fixed ~aw. Return motion o~ the
Dovable ~aw i6 accomplished manually when the one-way drive ~eans
is disengaged. A first bra~ing lever which is biased to bind
agalnst the slide bar prevents rever6e ~otion Or the movable ~w
away from the fixed jaw, except when the fir~t lever is
disengaged fro~ the slide bar. Thus, for return motion of the
jaw, it is necessary that both the one-way drive means and the
first braking lever be disengaged. The trigger handle advances
the slide bar by driving a 6econd lever which binds against a
surface of the slide bar and moves the rod as the second lever
, ....
~oves toward the fixed ~aw. The second lever is returned by
,
spring force to its original position after each stroke of the
trigger handle, the second lever sliding over the bar surface
during its return Dotion.
The C-clamp includes a fixed ~aw and a movable ~aw opposing ~-`
the fixed jaw. The movable jaw connects at one end to a slide
, . : , ,
rod which is ~ovable to bring the movable ~aw toward and away
~ro~ the fixed jaw. A C-shaped framo includes a longltudinal bar
}~arallel with the 61ido rod; a fir6t arm is attached transvorsely
:~. :-.. "-:
~the longitudinal bar and extend6 to 6upport the fixed ~aw. A
~econd aru attached tran6ver6ely to tho bar extends to slidably
upport the slido rod. One-way drive means, by operation of a
trigger bandle grip, releasably engages the slid- rod and
~dvances t~e movable ~aw toward the fixed ~aw. The one-way drive
~eans is incapable of moving the slide rod and movable ~w away
fro~ the fixed ~aw. Return motion of the movable ~aw ~8
, ~ -
.'''.~.''~ '.'.`','.''~
.,,-,.,-:., ',: :,
- .
1331~2~ I
accompllshed ~anually when the one-way drlve Dean~ lo dl6engaged.
A flrst lever which 1~ blased to bind against the 61ide rod
prevent~ reverse motlon o~ the ~ovable ~aw away ~ro~ the flxed
jaw, except when the flrst lever i~ dlsengaged fro~ the sllde
rod. The trlgger handle advance6 the 61ide rod by driving a
second lever whlcb binds again6t the sur~ace of the ~lide rod and
~oves the rod as the second lever move~ forward. The second
lever is returned by spring force to it6 original po6ition, the
second lever sliding over the rod surface during its return
~otion. m ere is no handle to rotate in a plane transverse to
the motional direction of the moving ~aw as in the prlor art.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide
improved quick-action bar and C-clamps wherein the moving ~aw may
be moved over short and long distances rapidly.
Another o~b~ect of thi~ invention is to provide l~proved
quick-action bar and C-cla~ps, wherein the ~oving ~aw may be
incrementally ~nd precisely advanced from any position.
A further ob~ect of thi- invention i- to provide improved
~: ~ .. ....
quick-action bar and C-cla~ps wherein th ~cving ~aw ~ay be ~-
~dvancod in incre~ents of 6electable length for each action of a ;~
driving b~ndle. ~-
Yet another ob~ect of this invention i~ to provide an
~mproved quick-action bar clamp wherein tbe ~ovable ~aw doe~ not
~ove it~ weight when the clamp is in a vertic~l position.
Still another ob~ect o~ thi6 invention i~ to provide
improved quick-actlon bar and C-clamps wberein cla~p operation is ~;
1331~2~ ~:
~ccomplished with one hand.
Yet another ob~ect of the invention i8 to provide basically
flat bar and C-clamps which operate in narrow 6pace~
Still other ob~ect~ and advantages of the inventlon wlll ln
part be obvious and wlll in part be apparent from the
specification.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts
which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter et
forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the
claims.
.~.. ~,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWI~GS - -
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is
., . ~ ,-,, ~
~ad to the following description taken in connect~on with the
accompanying drawings, in whicb~
.~, .. .
Figure 1 i~ ~ front view of a quick-action bar clamp in
~ccordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a left end view to an enlarged scale of t~e
guick-action bar olamp of Figure ls
Figure 3 is a right end view to an enlarged scale of the
guick-action bar clamp of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a sectional view to an enlarged scale taken
along the line 4-4 of Figure 3; - ~
Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of an alternative ; - ~
.:.. :,. ., .~
, .-.. .
... - : :: .
:. . -~. ~ .,
. ,:.-:: :.-
1331~26
embodiment o~ a quick-action bar clamp ln accordance wlth the
invention;
Figure 6 i6 a ~ection view ta~en along the line 6-6 of
Figure S:
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of
Figure 5;
Figure 8 iB a front view of a quick-action C-clamp in
accordance with the invention:
Figure 9 is a top view of the quick-action C-clamp of Figure
8; - -~
Figure 10 is a right end view of the quick-action C-clamp of
Figure 8; and
Figure 11 is a fragmentary view, to a larger scale, similar
to Figure 8 showing operation of the quick-action C-clamp.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIMENTS
With reference to Figure6 1-7, a quick-acting bar cla~p 10
~ncludes a mov~ble ~w 12 connected to a slide bar 14. The slide
bar i~ slidably supported in a lot 16 (Fig. 4) which passes
through a handle/grip assembly 18.
The handle/grip assembly 18 includes a body 19 through which
the slot passes, a handgrip 20 attached to the body 19 on one
side of the slot 16, and a fixed jaw 22 attached to the body 19
1331~2 6
on the other slde of the slot 16. A trigger handle 24 i8
pivotably mounted to the body 19 ad~acent the slot 16 by mean~ of
a pivot pln 26. The moving ~aw 12 opposes the fixed ~aw 22.
As best illustrated in Fig. 4, the handgrlp 20 is hollow in
part so as to recelve the trigger handle in the cavity 28. A
second cavity 30 in the body 19 divides the bore 16. A driving
lever 32 is suspended on the slide bar 14 whlch passes through a
hole 34 in the driving lever 32. A ~pring 36 i6 compressed
between the driving lever 32 and a surface 38 of the cavity 30
urging the driving lever 32 agalnst the upper end 40 of the
trigger handle 24. The upper end 40 of the trlgger handle 24 is
forked and straddles the slide bar 14. Force of the spring 36
. . .:
urges the trigger handle 24 against an inner surface 42 of the
body 19 thus providing a standby condition. In the standby
condition, the driving lever 32 i8 positioned perpendicular to
~. .- ~ . .; .
the direction of motion, indicated by the arrow 44, of the slide
bar 14 when in operation. Any motion of the handle 24 about the
pivot pin 26 in the direction of the arrow 44 is acco~plished ;-
~gainst the bias of the spring 36.
., :, .:
A braking lever 46 i~ suspende~ from the slide bar 14 which -
~p~sses through an opening 48 in the brsking lever 46. One end 50
of the braXing lever 46 i8 pivotably captured in a recess 52 - -
within the body 19 such that the braking lever 46 may pivot i ~ -
, , ~ , . ~ . . .
within the-constraints defined by the surfaces of the recess 52 ~ -
and by binding of the braking lever 46 with the slide bar 14 when ~ -
the edges of the opening 48 in the lever 46 engage the surface of
.,' ~'.'.''.":
. '.
: . ,:- . ':
1 3 3 1 0 2 6
the sllde rod 14. A 6prlng 54 6eats ln a recess 56 ln the body
19 and biases the free end of the braklng lever 46 away from the
trigger handle 24. The biased positlon of the braklng lever 46
is limited by the blnding lnterference between the openlng 48 of
the lever 46 wlth the slide bar 14.
It should be noted that in the standby position illustrated
~n Figure 4, the driving lever 32 i8 sub6tantially perpendicular
to the longitudlnal axis of the sllde bar 14, whereas the portion
of the braklnq lever 46, whlch engages the slide bar 14, is
transverse to the longltudinal axis of the bar 14 but not
perpendicular thereto. In this condition, if a force is applled
to the moving jaw 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow 44,
the slide bar 14 is free to move through the hole 34 in the
driving lever 32 and throuqh the spring 36. Because the braking
lever 46 is free to pivot ~gainst the bias of the spring 54 when
force is applied on t~e moving ~aw 12 in the direction of the
arrow 44, the braking lever 46 presents no obstacle to this
~otion of the slide bar and the moving ~aw 12 may be advanced
continuoudy toward the fixed ~aw 22.
However, in the standby position a~ illustrated in Fig. 4,
if a force i6 applied to the ~ovable ~aw 12 in the direction
opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow 44, the edges of `-
the opening 48 in the lever 46 bind against the surface of the
slide bar 14 and it is not possible, without further action, to -;
withdraw the moving jaw farther away from the fixed ~aw 22, as
described more fully hereinafter. Compression of the spring 56
~.
~. .
--- 1331~26
by pressinq on the braking lever 46 ln the direction of the arrow
44, allows withdrawal of the sllde bar 14 and movable ~aw 12
away from the fixed ~aw 22. Thls force bring~ the end 50 of the
lever 46 lnto perpendlcularity wlth the directlon of the lntended
~otion of the slide bar. q~he 61ide bar 14 is free to 611de in
either direction through the opening 48 ln the braklng lever 46.
The trlgger handle 24 is 6queezed in the dlrectlon lndicated
by the arrow 44 to incrementally advance the 61ide bar 14 with
its attached movable ~aw 12 toward the fixed ~aw 22. When the
~andle 24 is squeezed between a user's hand ~not shown) and the
~andgrip 20, p~voting occurs about the pivot pin 26 and the end
40 of the trigger handle 24 moves in the direction of the arrow
44. This causes the driving lever 32 to pivot about its upper
end (Fig. 4), so that the driving lever 32 is no longer
perpendicular to the direction 44 of intended motion of the 611de
bar 14. Pivoting the driving lever 32 compresses the spring 36
~nd also causes the edges of the ~ole 34 through the driving
lever 32 to bind against the surface of the 61ide rod 14.
Binding occur~ because the driving lever 32 i6 no longer
perpendicular to the direction J.4 of the intended motion of the
diae bar 14. Further motion of the triqger hanale 2~, cause6
the driving lever 32 to translate in the direction of the arrow
~.4. $his motion further compresse6 the 6pring 36, and in the
,
process, by means of the binding interference between the lever : .
32 and rod 14, advances the bar 14 and its connected movable ~aw
12 toward thQ fixed ~aw 22. The maximum distance of advance of ~;
.', :-',, ' ,..:
--` 1331~26
the movable ~aw 12 with one stroXe of the trlgger handle 22 i5
limited when the spring 36 i6 fully compressed or, in an
alternative construction, the handle 24 etri~es the lnner sur~ace
58 of the handgrip 20.
However, the stro~e of the trigger handle 24 can be through
any lesser arc, thereby diminlshing the di6tance the movable ~aw
12 travels in a 6ingle stroke in proportion to the angle of the
trigger handle stroXe. Additional strokes may be applied to the
trigger handle 24 of any magnitude until the ~aws 12, 22 come
together or, a worXpiece (not shown) is firmly gripped between ...
t~em.
After the trigger handle 24 is fully pivoted in the
direction of the arrow 44 about the pivot pin 26, release of the
trigger handle 24 causes the return of the trigger handle 24, ~.
driving lever 32 and spring 36 to the position shown in Fig. 4 as
a result of the compressive forces in the spring 36 urging the
components toward the movable ~aw 12. ~ -
A transverse pin 60 passing through the. free end of the
~lide bar 14 prevents withdrawal of the slide bar 14 from the
~lot 16 when the braking lever 46 i6 pressed in the direction of
the ~rrow 44 and the movable ~aw 12 i6 manually drawn away rom
the fixed ~aw 22. It should be noted that operation of the
trigger handle 24 is ineffective in accomplishing any motion of .
the slide bar 14 in the direction opposite to the arrow 44.
For illustrative purposes only, protective pads 62 are shown
~ttached to the jaws 12, 22. Also for illustrative purposes, the
~" - ~;
~ ~'
. -: :..-.:.
.... -
1331~26
~ovlng ~aw 12 ~nd the handle/grip assembly 18 are formed of
~alves which are held together by 6crews 68. In the lllustrated
embodiment ~Fig. 4) ~n accordance with the inventlon, the slide
bar 14 has a rectangular cross-6ectlon. In alternative
embodiments in accordance wlth the invention, the slide bar 14
may be any shape, for example~, sguare, round, triangular, and
the opening~ 34, 48 in the levers 32, 46, respectively are
appropriately shaped for proper binding interference with the
slide bar 14.
In summary, if it is considered that a workpiece is to be
clamped between the jaws 12, 22, the movable ~aw 12 can be
advanced toward the fixed jaw 26 either in one continuous motion,
~erely by pushing in the direction of the arrow 44 on the movable
jaw 22 or, by operating the trigger handle 24 in a series of
strokes of length to be determined by the user. ~arge ~trokes
may be used at first and small strokes later as the desired
pressure is applied to the workpiece. During this advancing
operation, the braking lever 46 prevents any backward motion of
the slide bar 14 after each advance has been completed. While
tbe braking lever 46 holds the bar 14, the trigger handle 24 is
released. The ~pring 36 then returns the handle 24 and driving
lever 32 to the positions shown in Fig. 4, ready for another
~troke. At any time when the user desires to retract the movable
jaw 12 away from the fixed ~aw 22, for example, to release a
workpiece or to open the bar clamp to receive a workpiece, it is
only necessary to pull on the m~vable jaw 12 in the direction
11
1 3 3 1
opposite to the arrow 44 while slmultaneou~ly compresslng the
sprlng 54 by pressing on the braklng lever 46 ln the dlrectlon of
the arrow 44.
It ~hould be noted that all operations of the trigger handle
24 and braking lever 46 can be accompllshed wlth the ~ame hand
while holding the bar clamp 10 with that hand. Either the index
or middle finger i8 in positlon to actuate the braking lever 46
as required while the fingers encircle and contain the trigger
handle 24 and handgrip 20.
As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the overall quick-
action bar clamp 10 in accordance with the invention is basically
flat, takes up little space, and can be operated in t~ght places.
Slide bars 14 of different lengths may be used.
In Figs. 1-4, the handle/grip assembly 18 i6 formed of
halves which are held together by ~crews 66 and the trigger
handle 24 is solid and slips into the cavity 28 in the handgrip
20. In an alternative embodiment (Figs. 5-7), a guic~-action bar
clamp 110 in accordance with the invention includes a one-piece
h~ndle/grip assembly 118, which includes no lntern~l rece6s, and
basically U-~baped trigger handle 124. When the trigger handle
124 is squeezed again6t the handgrip 120, as will be apparent in
Fig. 7, the handle 124 moves in the direction of the arrow 144
~nd straddles the handgrip 102. The end 150 of the braking lever
! I : - ~ ' ` :
146 pivots in ~ recess 152 in the handle/grip assembly body 119. - ~ ~
. :.
~ ~he trigger handle 124 pivots about an axis 126 and includes
~ --- ~ .
se~i-circular tables 170 which are recessed into correspondingly
12
, .
1331~26 :~ -
shaped 610ts 172 in the body 119.
operation of the bar clamp of Figs. 5-7 is the same as that
~or the embodiment of Figs. 1-4, taklng note that the reference
numerals in Figs. 5-7 correspond with those numerals used in
describing Figs. 1-4, wlth addition of 100 thereto.
With reference to Figures 8-11, a gulck-acting C-clamp 210
includes movable ~aw 212 connected to a slide rod 214. The slide
rod 214 iB slidably supported in a bore 216 through a C-shaped
frame 218.
The C-shaped frame 218 includes a horizontal bar 220, a
transverse arm 222, and a second transverse arm 224 which
supports the slide rod 214 as described above. A fixed ~aw 226
opposing the movable jaw 212 is fixedly connected to the arm 222.
The slide rod 214 terminate~ in a hand grip 228 used for
advancing and withdrawing the movable ~aw 212 as described more
fully hereinafter.
A transverse opening 230 i8 formed through the arm 224
dividing the bore 216 into two portions- A driving lever 232 i6
~uspended on the slide rod 214 which passes through a hole 234 in
the driving lever 232. A spring 236 is compressed between tho
driving levor 232 and ~ surface 238 of the oponing 230 urging the
driving lever 232 against an opposite surface 240 of the opening
230.
.
A trigger handle 242 pivotably mounts to the C-clamp arm 224
by a pivot pin 244, and an end 246 presses against the rear -
surface of the driving lever 232. Thus, the lever 232 is acted ~ -
~ '
13
:~ '' , ' '- '
- 13310~6
on one s~de by the spring 236 and on the other 61de by the
trigger handle 242. The sprlng 236 urges the drivlng lever 232
into the position illustrated in Flgure 8 agalnst the surface 240
~hen ln a standby 6tate, and ln th~t way force~ the trlgger
handle 242 to plvot around the pln 244 to the posltlon
illustrated. Any motlon of the trigger handle 242 ln the
dlrection of the arrow 248 i6 accomplished again6t the blas of
the sprlng 236.
A braking lever 250 is suspended from the slide rod 214
which passes through an openlng 252 in the braking lever 250.
One end 254 of the lever 250 is pivotably captured in a recess
256 in the transverse arm 224, such that the braking lever 250
~ay pivot within constraints defined by the surfaces of the
recess 256 and binding of the lever 250 with the slide rod 214,
where the edges of the opening 252 engage the surface of the
slide rod 214. A spring 258 seats in a recess 260 formed into
the end of the C-shaped frame 18 and biases the braking lever 250
at its free end away from the transverse arm 224, leaving a gap
262 therebetween.
; It ohould be noted that in the standby position illustrated
~n Figure 8, the driving lever 232 i~ subst~antially perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the slide rod 214, whereas the
portion of the braking lever 252, which engages the slide rod
214, is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rod 214 but
not perpendicular thereto. In this condition, if a force is
applied to the handgrip 228 in the direction indicated by the
14
- 1331~26
arrow 264, the ~lide rod moves freely through the hole 234 ln the
driving lever 232 and through the spring 236. Because of the
cant of the braklng lever 2S0 relatlve to the dlrectlon o~ motlon
264, the braklng lever 250 presents no ob~tacle to this motion of
the ~lide rod and the movlng ~aw 212 may be advanced continuously
towsrd the flxed ~aw 226.
Nowever, ln the standby position as lllustrated, if a force
is applied to tbe hand grip 228 in a direction which i6 opposite
to the direction indicated by the arrow 264, the edges of the
opening 252, urged by the spring 258, bind against the surface of
the slide rod 214 and it is not possible, without further action,
to withdraw the moving jaw further away from the fixed ~aw 226,
as described more fully hereinafter. This further action, which
allows withdrawal of the slide rod and ~ovable ~aw 212 away from
the fixed ~aw 226, i6 compression of the spring 258 by presslng
on the braking lever 250 in the direction of the arrow 264. This
brings the end 2S4 of the lever 250 into perpendicularity with
the direction of intended motion of the 611de rod 214. Then the
~lid~ rod is freQ to sllde ln either dlrection through the
openlng 252 ln tbe braklng lever 250.
Th trlgger handle 242 i- sgueeze~ ln th~ dirQction
.. . .
indicated by the arrow 248 in order to incre~entally aavance the ~.
~lide rod 214 with its attached movablQ ~aw 212 toward the flxed
. I , . . .
~aw 226. When the handle 242 ls sgueezed between a user'~ hand
(not shown) and tbe transverse arm 224, pivoting occurs about the
pi~ot pln 244 and the end 246 of the trigger bandle 242 moves in :: -
` 1331~26
t~e directlon o~ the arrow 264. Thl- cause~ tbe drivlng lever
232 to plvot about its upper end 266 80 that lt le no longer
perpendicular to the directlon 264 o~ intended motlon of the
slide rod 214. Pivoting the driving lever 232 compresses the
sprlng 236 and also causes the edges of the hole 234 through the
dLrive lever 232 to bind aga~nst the surface of the slidQ rod 214
~ using the drive lever 232 to translate in the direction 264.
This motlon further compresses the spring 236, and in the
process, by means of the blndlng interference between the lever
232 and rod 214, advances the rod 214 and its connected movable
jaw 212 toward the fixed ~aw 26. ~Fig. 11). The maximum
distance of advance of the movable jaw 212 with one stroke of the
trigger handle 242 is limited when the lever 232 i8 translated
?until it rests against the surface 268 of the transverse opening
230 or the trigger handle 242 hits a stop ~not shown) on the
fra?me 218.
However, the stroke of the trigger handle 242 can be through
~ny lesser ~rc thereby di?~inishing the distance the novable ~aw
. tr~vel- in proportion to the angle of the trigger handle stroke.
~ additional ~trokes ray be applied to the trigger handle 2~2 o~
~ ~ ~ y nagnituae until the jaw 212, 226 con togetheir or, a
orkplece (not shovn) i- fir~ly gripped betveen t~e?~
In ~u~a?ry, if it is considered that a vorkpiece is to be
- clamped between the ~aws 212, 226, the ?novable ~aw 212 can be
~; . ~dvanced toward the fixed ~aw 226 either in one continuous
~otion, ~erely by pushing in thei direction of the arrow 264 on
. 16
~ i ~ ` ' .
~` 1331~26
the hand grip 228 or, by operating the trlgger handle 242 ln a
ser1es of 6trokes of length to be deter~lned by the user. Large
strokes may be used at first and smaller strokes later as the
deslred pressure is applied to the workplece. During thls
advancing operatlon, the braking lever 250 prevents any backward
motion of the slide rod 214 after each advance has been
completed. While the braking lever 250 holds the rod 214, the
trigger handle 242 i8 released. The spring 236 then returns the
handle 242 and driving lever 232 to the positions shown in Fig.
8, ready for another stroke. At any time when the user desires
to retract the movable ~aw 212 away from the fixed ~aw 226, for
example, to release a workpiece or to open the C-clamp to receive
a workpiece, it is only necessary to pull on the hand gr$p 228 in
the direction opposite to the arrow 264, while simultaneously
pressing on the braklng lever 250 in the direction of arrow 264.
It should be noted that all operations of the trigger handle
242 and brak$ng lever 250 can be accomplished with the same hand
while holdinq the C-cla~p 210 w$th that hand. The thumb $s in
position to actuate the braking lever 250 as reguired while the
fingers encircle and contain the trigger handle 242 and
transverse ar~ 224.
As best illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the overall qu$ck-
action c-cIamp 210 in accordance with the invention ls basically
flat, takes up little space, and can be operated in tight places.
The frame 218 can be of any conventional shape as used w$t~ C-
clamps of the prior art, and the length of transverse arms 222,
17
` 1331G26
224 may be varied a8 well a~ the angle~ which they assumQ
relstive to the direction of motion of the sliding rod 214.
It will thus be 6een that the ob~ects set forth above, among
those made apparent frou the preceding de w ription, are
efficiently attained and, 61nce certain changes may be made in
the above conetruction without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained
in the above de6cription or 6hown in the accompanylng drawings,
shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It i8 also to be under6tood that the following claims are
intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the
..
invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of :
the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to .;~
fall therebetween.
- : ~ : . ~-
,. ,.: ..~ ~
~ ' . ` .~ ' :,-
~ .' ', ~. ' .,-;
~: , , . '' ~
,'; ',
18
~ ': ~ ` ' ;` ''
: - . . :, :~:
..'. ,-,.. :':
