TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention pertains to clamping devices, and more specifically to clamping
devices which are infinitely adjustable.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Clamps are well known and have long been used in a wide variety of industries and
private workshops. A clamp is designed to bind or constrict or to press two or more
parts together so as to hold them firmly. Many clamps, such as C-clamps, can clamp
two items together or hold an item to a surface to be worked on. One drawback with
this type of clamp is that in order to clamp an item on a surface, the surface must
have an accessible edge. Thus, while the surface may be large, only the exposed edges
can be used for clamping. Furthermore, many clamping devices are large and unwieldy,
possibly obstructing work on the clamped item. For example, an item clamped to the
surface of a work bench cannot easily be sanded because the clamp most probably projects
past the surface to be sanded. Many attempts have been made to incorporate a clamp
into a workbench or a tool, such as a drill press or miter box, with little success.
[0003] Accordingly, it is highly desirable to provide a new and improved clamping system.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved clamping system
which is infinitely adjustable.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a clamping system which
can be incorporated into a work bench or tools.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved clamping
system which can clamp irregular shaped items.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved clamping
system which allows clamping of an item to a surface.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above purposes
and others are realized in a clamp apparatus including a base having a surface, a
plurality of holes positioned in a pattern in the surface of the base, and a cam peg
including a shaft sized to be rotatably receivable by a selected one of the plurality
of holes and a cam portion coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith. The cam portion
is adapted to engage an item to be clamped on the base.
[0009] In more specific embodiments, the cam peg includes a rotation facilitating member
which can be a grip or a tool receiving opening in an upper end of the shaft. In addition
a locking mechanism can be affixed to the shaft for locking the cam peg within the
selected one of the plurality of holes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a partial view of the clamp apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cam peg according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the cam peg of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cam peg;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cam peg with locking mechanism;
FIG. 6 is a view of the end of the cam peg of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the cam peg of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a top view of a cam washer;
FIG. 9 is a top plan of the base of the clamping apparatus illustrating a hole pattern;
FIG. 10 illustrates an enlarged portion of the base of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a miter box employing the clamping apparatus
according to the present invention; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an item clamped in the miter box of FIG.
11, employing the clamping apparatus according to the present invention.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0011] Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding
elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which
illustrates a clamping system including a base 10, in which is formed a plurality
of holes 12 (not drawn to correct positions), and cam pegs 13 of which only one is
illustrated. It will be understood that only a portion of base 10 is illustrated and
that base 10 may be substantially any dimensions as desired. Furthermore, the proper
positioning of holes 12 is important to the invention and will be described in detail.
Base 10 can be incorporated into or onto substantially any surface to provide clamping
capability. For example, a work bench can be surfaced with a plurality of interconnecting
bases 10 to incorporate the clamping system on a portion of or over the entire surface.
The present invention can also be incorporated with tools such as drill presses by
replacing or covering the base of the drill press with a base similar to base 10.
[0012] Turning now to FIG. 2, cam peg 13 is illustrated. Cam peg 13 includes a shaft 14
with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of holes 12 to allow insertion
of pegs 13 therein. Shaft 14 includes an end 15 for insertion into holes 12 and an
opposing end 17 having a grip 18 for facilitating rotation of cam peg 13 within holes
12. A cam portion 19 is formed on shaft 14 intermediate ends 15 and 17. As can be
seen with further reference to FIG. 3, cam portion 19 has a diameter greater than
the diameter of shaft 14 and holes 12, and is offset with respect to shaft 14 along
line A in FIG. 3. Cam portion 19 is offset so that its outer diameter is flush with
shaft 14 on one side and extends outward from shaft 14 on an opposing side. Grip 18
extends outward from shaft 14 along a line B, generally perpendicular to line A. In
other areas grip 18 is flush with shaft 14. While not critical to the invention, the
orientation of grip 18 with respect to cam portion 19 facilitates inserting and rotating
peg 13 when adjacent an upright surface as will be described presently.
[0013] With reference to FIG. 4, another embodiment of a cam peg, generally designated 30,
is illustrated. Cam peg 30 includes a shaft 32 with a diameter slightly smaller than
the diameter of holes 12 to allow insertion of pegs 30 therein. Shaft 32 includes
an end 33 for insertion into holes 12 and an opposing end 34. A cam portion 35 is
formed on shaft 14 proximate end 34. As with cam portion 19, cam portion 35 has a
diameter greater than the diameter of shaft 32 and holes 12, and is offset with respect
to shaft 32. Cam portion 35 is offset so that its outer diameter is flush with shaft
32 on one side and extends outward from shaft 32 on an opposing side. End 34 further
includes a socket 37 formed therein for receiving a tool such as an allen wrench to
facilitate rotation of peg 30 within holes 12.
[0014] A further embodiment of a cam peg, generally designated 40, is illustrated in FIGS.
5-7. Peg 40 is generally similar to peg 13, including a shaft 42 having an end 43
and opposing end 44, but can be locked into holes 12 by rotating a screw 45 extending
the length of shaft 42. End 43 is split to allow outward expansion thereof as illustrated
in FIG. 6. With additional reference to FIG. 7, a tapered expansion member 47 is carried
within a tapered chamber 48 formed in end 43 and threadably receives the end of screw
45. As screw 45 is tightened, tapered expansion member 47 is pulled toward end 44,
forcing end 43 to expand outward. In this manner a peg can be locked into a hole 12.
It should be understood that while a cam peg is illustrated, the locking feature can
be used on any peg or accessory. For example a straight peg can also be provided with
a locking feature. Also, pegs may vary in length as desired.
[0015] Turning now to FIG. 8, it may be desirable to enlarge the cam of cam pegs 13, 30,
and 40 etc. Thus, a cam washer 50 is provided which includes a bore 52 sized and shaped
to receive, for example, cam portion 19 of cam peg 13 therein. In this manner a larger
cam is provided for purposes which will be discussed presently.
[0016] Turning now to FIG. 9, a top plan of base 10 is illustrated with a portion of holes
12 shown, and a grid of lines. The grid of lines illustrates the positions of holes
12 wherein intersections 65 of the lines designate where the center of each hole 12
is located. For purposes of orientation and to aid in the description, base 10 includes
an upper edge 60, left edge 62 and right edge 63. Holes 12 are aligned in a plurality
of slanted rows 64 which extend at an angle to upper edge 60. With additional reference
to FIG. 10 which illustrates an enlarged portion of base 10 of FIG. 9, slanted rows
64 are formed at approximately a fourteen degree angle with respect to an orientation
line such as upper edge 60, Furthermore, each slanted row 64 is offset with respect
to adjacent slanted rows. An example of a method to determine the location of holes
12, is to draw a line 67 at a fourteen degree angle with respect to upper edge 60.
A mark 68 is made every nine-sixteenths of an inch. As will be discussed below, this
distance will vary depending on the diameter of and distance between holes 12. Then
the grid is drawn with lines intersecting marks 68 and being at thirty degree angles
with respect to slanted line 67. In this specific example, holes 12 have a diameter
of approximately one-half of an inch and are approximately one-sixteenth of an inch
apart. At their closest point, holes 12 are approximately one-sixteenth of an inch
apart. Also, the centers of holes 12 in adjacent slanted rows 64 are approximately
nine-sixteenths of an inch apart. It will be understood that the size of holes 12
can be increased or decreased as desired, in which case the distance between marks
must also be adjusted. It should also be noted, that while fourteen degrees is the
preferred angle of slanted rows 64, other angles can also be employed, such as eleven
degrees, sixteen degrees, and nineteen degrees. In each instance holes will align
in adjacent rows 64, but the vertical and horizontal distance between will vary.
[0017] Slanted rows 64 are formed because holes 12 will align vertically and horizontally
a given distance apart, as illustrated by the blackened holes. With reference back
to FIG. 9, the alignment of holes 12 permits stops 70 and 72 to be secured on base
10 by pegs extending therefrom and received in the aligned holes 12. These stops can
be positioned anywhere on base 10, and act to anchor an object. To clamp the object,
cam pegs 13, 30, 40, etc. are used. An item 73 is shown abutting stop 70. To clamp
item 73 into position, the correct holes 12 must be selected, in this case designated
12a and 12b. Due to the slanted and staggered alignment of holes 12, there will always
be a hole which is completely uncovered and which will receive a peg. By using camming
pegs, such as peg 13, item 73 can be tightened against stop 70 by rotating shaft 14
to bring cam portion 19 against a surface 75 thereof and to tighten as needed. When
rotated, peg 13 will remain at the new orientation due to the pressure exerted against
cam portion 19. The pressure between item 73 and cam portion 19 binds shaft 14 within
hole 12. The off-centered nature of cam portion 19 permits holes 12 to be used which
are a slight distance from the surface to be contacted. If an individual desires to
use a hole further from the surface to be contact, cam washer 50 can be used.
[0018] It should be understood that the possible combinations of holes and pegs are endless
in the present invention. For example, straight pegs, camming pegs or multiple peg
stops may be used in combination. Typically, these pegs extend upward past the top
surface of the item to be held. This may, however pose a problem for certain activities
such as sanding the top surface of a board. In this instance cam peg 30 can be employed.
End 34 of peg 30 will be below the level of the top surface to permit unobstructed
sanding. It should also be understood that irregularly shaped objects can also be
clamped to base 10 simply by using different combinations of pegs, and finding the
appropriate holes 12.
[0019] Turning now to FIG. 11, a specific example of a use of the clamping system of the
present invention is illustrated. In this specific example, the clamp system is incorporated
into a miter box generally designated 80. Miter box 80 includes a base 82 having a
plurality of holes 83 formed therein in an orientation as described previously, upright
sidewalls 84 and 85 extending upward from opposing edges of base 82 to define a channel
87 overlying base 82, and slots 88 formed in sidewalls 84 and 85 for guiding a cutting
blade.
[0020] In a conventional miter box, a molding or like article is placed between upright
sidewalls, and held firmly against one of the sidewalls by hand to prevent movement
of the board during the cutting operation, and to insure that the cut is made at the
desired angle. This, however, can be less than satisfactory for safety reasons and
quality of cut. With additional reference to FIG. 12, miter box 80 is employed to
aid in making a cut having a specific angle on a molding 89. Miter box 80 avoids the
problems of conventional miter boxes by incorporating the novel clamp system of the
present invention. Molding 89 is positioned in channel 87 on base 82 with one side
abutting sidewall 84. Cam peg 13 is inserted into one of the plurality of holes 83
which is fully uncovered by molding 89. Peg 13 is rotated bringing cam portion 19
against a surface of molding 89. Peg 13 is rotated until molding 89 is clamped against
sidewall 84 with the desired force. Peg 13 remains in this orientation due to the
force between molding 89 and peg 13 binding shaft 14 to the sides of hole 83. One
or more pegs 13 may be employed, although only one is illustrated. Molding 89 can
be cut without any movement. Pegs 13 are easily released by rotating them in the opposite
direction.
[0021] Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of
illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such
modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they
are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair
interpretation of the following claims.
1. Clamp apparatus comprising:
a base having a surface;
a plurality of holes positioned in a pattern in the surface of the base; and
a cam peg including a shaft sized to be rotatably receivable by a selected one of
the plurality of holes and a cam portion coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith,
the cam portion adapted to engage an item to be clamped on the base.
2. Clamp apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cam peg further includes a rotation
facilitating member to facilitate shaft rotation.
3. Clamp apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the rotation facilitating member includes
a grip extending from an upper end of the shaft.
4. Clamp apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the rotation facilitating member includes
a tool receiving opening in an upper end of the shaft.
5. Clamp apparatus as claimed in claim 1 includes in addition a locking mechanism affixed
to the shaft for locking the cam peg within the selected one of the plurality of holes.
6. Clamp apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the locking member includes an expanding
portion of a lower end of the shaft.
7. Clamp apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pattern in the surface of the base
includes:
a reference line with which the pattern is oriented; and
the plurality of holes positioned in rows and columns with each column being at a
first angle to the reference line and each row being at a second angle to the reference
line such that periodic groupings of holes from rows or columns of the plurality of
holes align along a line parallel to or perpendicular to the reference line with each
grouping differing from adjacent groupings by a distance substantially equal to a
width of the cam portion.
8. Clamp apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the base is included in a miter box
having one side which defines the reference line.
9. Clamp apparatus comprising:
a base having a surface;
a plurality of holes positioned in a pattern in the surface of the base wherein the
pattern includes a reference line with which the pattern is oriented, and the plurality
of holes are positioned in rows and columns with each column being at a first angle
to the reference line and each row being at a second angle to the reference line such
that periodic groupings of holes from rows or columns of the plurality of holes align
along a line parallel to or perpendicular to the reference line with each grouping
differing from adjacent groupings by a selected distance; and
a plurality of cam pegs, each including a shaft sized to be rotatably receivable by
a selected one of the plurality of holes and a cam portion coupled to the shaft for
rotation therewith, the cam portion adapted to engage an item to be clamped on the
base;
wherein the item to be clamped is positioned on the surface of the base and the plurality
of cam pegs are receivable within a like plurality of the holes adjacent the item
to be clamped and each cam peg is rotatable to engage the item to be clamped with
the cam portions.
10. Clamp apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the base is included in a miter box
having one side which defines the reference line.