Ratcheting C-clamp
View Patent ↗A one-handed ratcheting C-clamp is provided. The C-clamp incorporates a spring loaded handle mechanically coupled to a ratcheting mechanism. The ratcheting mechanism has a plurality of gear teeth that engage the threads of a corresponding rod disposed through a hole formed in one section of the C-shaped C-clamp. The handle rotates the bidirectional ratchet such that the threaded rod is lowered or raised within the hole of the C-shaped C-clamp. A button located in the side of the handle may release the ratchet mechanism pawl to provide axial sliding engagement of the rod to a corresponding work piece. The handle and corresponding ratchet mechanism secure the rod against the work piece. Further tightening engagement of the work piece is accomplished via a lever located on a top portion of the rod.
1. An adjustable C-clamp, comprising:
a main body;
a threaded rod movably attached to main body;
an actuator;
a ratchet mechanism that mechanically couples the rod to the actuator, wherein actuation of the actuator drives the ratchet mechanism to cause axial movement of the rod toward or away from a workpiece; and
a gear assembly connecting the ratchet mechanism to the rod, wherein the gear assembly includes external pear teeth that couple to external threads on the rod.
2. A C-clamp as in claim 1 , wherein the main body is c-shaped.
3. A C-clamp as in claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a handle.
4. A C-clamp as in claim 3 , wherein the handle is pivotably attached to main body.
5. A C-clamp as in claim 4 , further comprising a spring attached to the handle and the main body, wherein the spring maintains handle in state of tension having a default position away from main body.
6. A C-clamp as in claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a handle and wherein actuation of the actuator comprises squeezing the handle toward the main body.
7. A C-clamp as in claim 1 , wherein the actuator can be actuated using a single hand.
8. A C-clamp as in claim 1 , wherein the ratchet mechanism includes ratchet teeth that indirectly couple to threads on the rod.
9. A C-clamp as in claim 8 , wherein the ratchet teeth couple to the gear assembly.
10. A C-clamp as in claim 1 , wherein the ratchet mechanism includes a pawl arm and a pawl, wherein the pawl arm is movable between two positions including a first position that causes clockwise movement of ratchet mechanism, and a second position that causes counterclockwise movement of ratchet mechanism.
11. A C-clamp as in claim 10 , wherein the actuator comprises a handle and wherein movement of the handle toward main body when the pawl arm is in the first position causes the rod to move toward the workpiece.
12. A C-clamp as in claim 10 , wherein the actuator comprises a handle and wherein movement of the handle toward the main body when the pawl arm is in the first position causes the rod to move away from the workpiece.
13. A C-clamp as in claim 1 , further comprising a quick-release member, wherein actuation of the quick-release member causes the ratchet mechanism to uncouple from the rod so that the rod can move freely toward or away from the workpiece.
14. A C-clamp as in claim 1 , further comprising a quick-release member, wherein actuation of the quick-release member causes a pawl of the ratchet assembly to disengage from teeth of the ratchet assembly.
15. A C-clamp as in claim 1 , wherein pulling on an end of the threaded rod causes the threaded rod to slide toward the workpiece.
16. An adjustable C-clamp, comprising:
a main body;
a threaded rod movably attached to main body, wherein the threaded rod includes a lever at an end portion;
an actuator; and
a ratchet mechanism that mechanically couples the rod to the actuator, wherein actuation of the actuator drives the ratchet mechanism to cause axial movement of the rod toward or away from a workpiece and wherein actuation of the lever rotates the threaded rod to cause movement of the rod toward or away from the workpiece.
17. A C-clamp as in claim 16 , wherein the actuator comprises a handle and wherein actuation of the actuator comprises squeezing the handle toward the main body.
18. A C-clamp as in claim 16 , wherein the actuator can be actuated using a single hand.
19. A C-clamp as in claim 16 , further comprising a gear assembly connecting the ratchet mechanism to the rod.
20. A C-clamp as in claim 19 , wherein the ratchet mechanism includes teeth that couple to the gear assembly, which couples to threads on the rod.
21. A C-clamp as in claim 16 , wherein the ratchet mechanism includes a pawl arm and a pawl, wherein the pawl arm is movable between two positions including a first position that causes clockwise movement of ratchet mechanism, and a second position that causes counterclockwise movement of ratchet mechanism.
22. A C-clamp as in claim 16 , wherein the threaded rod includes a plunger at a second end portion and wherein the plunger is movable relative to the threaded rod.
23. An adjustable C-clamp, comprising:
a main body;
a threaded rod movably attached to main body;
an actuator;
a ratchet mechanism that mechanically couples the rod to the actuator, wherein actuation of the actuator drives the ratchet mechanism to cause axial movement of the rod toward or away from a workpiece;
a quick-release member, wherein actuation of the quick-release member causes the ratchet mechanism to uncouple from the rod so that the rod can move freely toward or away from the workpiece; and
a gear assembly coupled between the ratchet mechanism and the threaded rod, wherein the gear assembly is configured to rotate on an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the threaded rod.
24. A C-clamp as in claim 23 , wherein the ratchet mechanism includes teeth that couple to the gear assembly and wherein the gear assembly includes external teeth that couples to external threads on the rod.