Fixturing apparatus
A fixturing apparatus that includes a base, a housing attached to the base and formed to include a semi-circular arcuate surface in a bottom portion, a circular member comprising a periphery and rotatably attached to said base, wherein a portion of said periphery is disposed adjacent the arcuate surface to create a channel between the housing and the circular member, a plurality of locking teeth disposed around the periphery, a ratchet gear attached to the circular member, and a pawl pivotably attached to the housing.
1. A fixturing apparatus comprising:
a base;
a housing attached to said base and formed to include a semi-circular arcuate surface in a bottom portion;
a circular member comprising a periphery and rotatably attached to said base, wherein a portion of said periphery is disposed adjacent said arcuate surface to create a channel between said housing and said circular member;
a plurality of locking teeth disposed around said periphery;
a ratchet gear attached to said circular member;
a pawl pivotably attached to said housing;
a flexible strap having a first end attached to said housing;
wherein:
when said pawl is engaged with said ratchet gear said circular member can rotate in a first direction but not in a second opposite direction;
said locking teeth permit said flexible strap to move through said channel in a first direction, but not in a second direction;
further comprising a plurality of loop-type fasteners disposed on a surface of said flexible strap.
2. The fixturing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a spring having a first end attached to said housing and a second end attached to said pawl.
3. The fixturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each locking tooth comprising said plurality of locking teeth comprises a rectangular base, a first rectangular side attached to a first end of said rectangular base and extending outwardly therefrom, and a second rectangular side attached to an opposing end of said rectangular base and extending outwardly therefrom, wherein a first rectangular side distal end is attached to a said second rectangular side distal end to form a gripping edge.
4. The fixturing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:
said first rectangular side comprises a first surface area;
said second rectangular side comprises a second surface area;
said first surface area is less than said second surface area.
5. The fixturing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:
said rectangular base comprises two parallel opposing short sides in combination with two parallel and opposing long sides;
each locking tooth comprises a long axis parallel to said long sides and which bisects each short side;
each locking tooth comprises a short axis parallel to said short sides and which bisects each long side;
said plurality of locking teeth are arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows.
6. The fixturing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the long axes of each locking teeth disposed in a column are aligned with one another.
7. The fixturing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the short axis of each locking tooth disposed in a row are aligned with one another.
8. The fixturing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the short axis of each locking tooth disposed in a row are not aligned with one another.
9. The fixturing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the long axes of each locking teeth disposed in a column are not aligned with one another.
10. The fixturing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the short axis of each locking tooth disposed in a row are aligned with one another.
11. The fixturing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the short axis of each locking tooth disposed in a row are not aligned with one another.