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(11) | EP 1 050 349 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Mandrel clamping arrangement |
| (57) A mandrel clamping arrangement is described comprising an actuation mechanism (4)
coupled to a clamping assembly (9). The actuation mechanism (4) comprises a linearly
actuable connection rod (8) coupled to a pivotally mounted cam actuator (12) which
is angularly displaced by virtue of the linear motion of said connection rod (8).
The actuation mechanism is coupled to the clamping assembly by means of interengaging
teeth and toothed sprockets (22,24) or by means of a pin (54) disposed at the free
end of the actuator which is received in a slot (58) in an eccentric component. In
either case, the rotation of the actuator (12) in one direction causes rotation of
a cam (28) in the alternate direction, said cam (28) having an arcuate surface through
which a clamping force can be exerted on a mandrel (18) beneath said cam (28). Optionally,
a clamping bar (30) biased against the cam (28) may also be provided so that the clamping
force on the mandrel (18) is exerted by said bar (30). The cam arrangement (28) ensures
uniform and precisely applied clamping force over the entire mandrel (18) length and
does not require any particularly precisely machined components to achieve this end. |