Clamping systems for pipes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11697189-B2
Application number	US-201916591753-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 3, 2019
Priority date	Oct 5, 2018
Publication date	Jul 11, 2023
Grant date	Jul 11, 2023

Abstract

Systems for cutting cylindrical workpieces such as pipe are described. The systems include a clamping assembly and can be used in various methods. In one method, the clamping assembly and a cutting tool or saw is used on a rotating workpiece. In another method, the clamping assembly and a cutting tool or saw is used on a stationary workpiece. Also described are frames that can be secured to the clamping assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A clamping system ( 10 ) comprising:
a base ( 20 ) defining a threaded member ( 22 );
a pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ) pivotally supported by the base ( 20 ), each arm ( 30 , 40 ) defining a proximal end ( 32 , 42 ) and an opposite distal end ( 34 , 44 );
a shaft ( 70 ) threadedly engaged with the threaded member ( 22 ) of the base ( 20 ), the shaft ( 70 ) defining a proximal end ( 72 ) and an opposite distal end ( 74 );
a central carriage ( 80 ) rotatably affixed to the distal end ( 74 ) of the shaft ( 70 ) and slideably retained to the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 );
wherein rotation of the shaft ( 70 ) relative to the base ( 20 ) results in
(i) axial displacement of the shaft ( 70 ) and linear displacement of the central carriage ( 80 ), (ii) pivotal displacement of the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 );
a force limit system ( 130 ), wherein the shaft ( 70 ) is in the form of a threaded collar ( 140 ), and wherein the collar ( 140 ) defines a proximal end ( 141 ) and an opposite distal end ( 142 ),
an outer periphery threaded region ( 144 ) extending at least partially between the proximal end ( 141 ) and the distal end ( 142 ), and
a central bore ( 146 ) extending between the proximal end ( 141 ) and the distal end ( 142 ),
wherein the force limit system includes:
a central shaft ( 180 ) extending through the central bore ( 146 ) of the threaded collar ( 140 );
a handle ( 150 ) including a post ( 160 ) engageable with the proximal end ( 141 ) of the threaded collar ( 140 ); and
one or more springs ( 112 ) disposed between the distal end ( 142 ) of the threaded collar ( 140 ) and the central carriage ( 80 ).

2. The clamping system ( 10 ) of claim 1 wherein each arm ( 30 , 40 ) also defines a guide slot ( 46 ) extending at least partially between the proximal end ( 32 , 42 ) and the distal end ( 34 , 44 ) of each said arm ( 30 , 40 ),
the clamping system ( 10 ) further comprising:
a first locating pin ( 82 ) extending from the central carriage ( 80 ) through the guide slot ( 46 ) of a first arm ( 30 or 40 ) of the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ) and
a second locating pin ( 84 ) extending from the central carriage ( 80 ) through the guide slot ( 46 ) of a second arm ( 40 or 30 ) of the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ) to thereby movably retain the central carriage ( 80 ) to the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ).

3. The clamping system ( 10 ) of claim 1 wherein the central carriage ( 80 ) includes one or more rollers ( 90 ) rotatably secured to the central carriage ( 80 ).

4. The clamping system ( 10 ) of claim 1 further comprising:
a quick release provision ( 100 ) including a nut ( 102 ) pivotally engaged with the base ( 20 ), the nut ( 102 ) defining a threaded engagement end ( 106 ),
wherein the shaft ( 70 ) is threadedly engaged with the threaded member ( 22 ) of the base ( 20 ) by threaded engagement with the engagement end ( 106 ) of the nut ( 102 ).

5. The clamping system ( 10 ) of claim 1 further comprising:
a suspension system ( 110 ) including one or more springs ( 116 ) positioned between the shaft ( 70 ) and the central carriage ( 80 ).

6. The clamping system ( 10 ) of claim 1 further comprising an indicator ( 210 ) extending from the central carriage ( 80 ), the indicator ( 210 ) defining a face ( 212 ) for visual reference to align the clamp in a position desired by a user.

7. A framed support system comprising the clamping system ( 10 ) of claim 1 and:
a frame ( 220 ) secured to the clamping system ( 10 ), wherein the frame ( 220 ) includes a central component ( 222 ), and a plurality of outwardly extending members.

8. The framed support system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of outwardly extending members include:
a first proximal member ( 224 ) extending outward from the central component ( 222 );
a first distal member ( 226 ) extending outward from the central component ( 222 );
a second proximal member ( 232 ) extending outward from the central component ( 222 ); and
a second distal member ( 234 ) extending outwardly from the central component ( 222 ).

9. The framed support system of claim 8 wherein the frame ( 222 ) further includes: at least one grab member ( 240 , 242 , 244 or 246 ) affixed to the proximal or distal members ( 224 , 226 , 232 or 234 ), the at least one grab member ( 240 , 242 , 244 or 246 ) extending transversely therefrom.

10. The framed support system of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first distal member ( 226 ) and the second distal member ( 234 ) serves as a ground-contacting member.

11. The clamping system of claim 1 ,
wherein a first spaced-apart pair of rollers ( 50 ) of one or more rollers ( 50 , 60 ) are rotatably supported about a first longitudinal axis by a first arm ( 30 ) of the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ),
wherein a second spaced-apart pair of rollers ( 60 ) of the one or more rollers ( 50 , 60 ) are rotatably supported about a second longitudinal axis by a second arm ( 30 ) of the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ), and
wherein the first and second axes are parallel,
whereby a pipe ( 4 ) of predetermined length when contacted by the first and second spaced-apart pairs of rollers ( 50 , 60 ) aligns with the first and second axes.

12. A clamping system ( 10 ) comprising:
a base ( 20 ) defining a threaded member ( 22 );
a pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ) pivotally supported by the base ( 20 ), each arm ( 30 , 40 ) defining a proximal end ( 32 , 42 ), an opposite distal end ( 34 , 44 ), and wherein each arm ( 30 , 40 ) of the pair arms includes one or more rollers ( 50 , 60 );
a shaft ( 70 ) threadedly engaged with the threaded member ( 22 ) of the base ( 20 ), the shaft ( 70 ) defining a proximal end ( 72 ) and an opposite distal end ( 74 );
a central carriage ( 80 ) rotatably affixed to the distal end ( 74 ) of the shaft ( 70 ) and slideably retained to the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 );
wherein rotation of the shaft ( 70 ) relative to the base ( 20 ) results in (i) axial displacement of the shaft ( 70 ) and linear displacement of the central carriage ( 80 ), (ii) pivotal displacement of the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 );
a brake system ( 190 ) including a lever ( 192 ) moveably attached to the central carriage ( 80 ) and selectively positionable between
(i) an engaged position in which the lever ( 192 ) contacts one or more rollers ( 90 ) secured to the central carriage ( 80 ) and prevents rotation of the rollers ( 90 ), and
(ii) a disengaged position in which the lever ( 192 ) is free from contact with the one or more rollers ( 90 ) secured to the central carriage ( 80 ) thereby enabling rotation of the rollers ( 90 ).

13. The clamping system ( 10 ) of claim 12 wherein the brake system ( 190 ) further includes a biasing member ( 200 ) to urge the lever ( 192 ) toward the engaged position.

14. The clamping system ( 10 ) of claim 12 wherein each arm ( 30 , 40 ) also defines a guide slot ( 46 ) extending at least partially between the proximal end ( 32 , 42 ) and the distal end ( 34 , 44 ) of each said arm ( 30 , 40 ), the clamping system ( 10 ) further comprising:
a first locating pin ( 82 ) extending from the central carriage ( 80 ) through the guide slot ( 46 ) of a first arm ( 30 or 40 ) of the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ) and
a second locating pin ( 84 ) extending from the central carriage ( 80 ) through the guide slot ( 46 ) of a second arm ( 40 or 30 ) of the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ) to thereby movably retain the central carriage ( 80 ) to the pair of arms ( 30 , 40 ).

15. The clamping system ( 10 ) of claim 12 wherein the central carriage ( 80 ) includes one or more rollers ( 90 ) rotatably

Assignees

• Ridge Tool Co

Inventors

• Chartier Glen R
• Kruepke Scott
• Feskanich Jr Lawrence
• Hall Katherine
• Embree Don
• Bullock Seth
• Skrjanc Robert

Classifications

• B25B5/04 Primary

  with pivoted jaws · CPC title

• B25B5/106 Primary

  with one end of the lever resting on an additional block and the screw being positioned between the ends of the lever · CPC title

• B23Q3/00 Primary

  Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine (work-tables or other parts, e.g. faceplates, normally not incorporating means for securing work B23Q1/00; automatic position control B23Q15/00 {; food cutting boards A47J47/00; workpiece support for dies B21D37/02}; rotary tool heads for turning-machines B23B3/24, B23B3/26; non-driven tool holders B23B29/00; general features of turrets B23B29/24 {; drawbars in spindles B23B31/261; for electrical discharge machining B23H11/003; for welding B23K37/04; means for securing grinding wheels B24B45/00; mountings for abrasive wheels B24D5/16}; tools or bench devices for fastening, connecting, disengaging or holding B25B {; chucks for percussive tools B25D17/084; work benches for manual work B25H1/00; devices for securing circular saw blades B27B5/32; for assembling or manufacturing aircrafts B64F5/10; devices for holding circuit boards H05K13/0061; for holding semiconductors or wafers H10P72/00}) · CPC title

• B23Q2703/10

  Devices for clamping workpieces of a particular form or made from a particular material · CPC title

• B25B5/10

  using screws · CPC title