Clamping system
View Patent ↗A clamping system that includes a first jaw, a second jaw—the second jaw being pivotally connected to the first jaw—a locking handle pivotally connected to the first and second jaws, an adjustment element, first and second lever arms, and a release lever secured to the locking handle and configured to move the locking handle away from the first jaw.
1. A clamping system comprising:
a first jaw ( 40 ′″″) having first and second ends and a first jaw pad ( 24 ′″″) located at the second end of the first jaw ( 40 ′″″);
a second jaw ( 50 ′″″) having first and second ends and a second jaw pad ( 26 ′″″) located at the second end of the second jaw ( 50 ′″″), the second jaw ( 50 ′″″) being pivotally connected to the first jaw ( 40 ′″″) at a first pivot ( 100 ′″″) located at the respective first ends of the first jaw ( 40 ′″″) and the second jaw ( 50 ′″″);
a handle ( 60 ′″″) having first and second ends;
a first lever arm ( 130 ′″″) having first and second ends; and
a second lever arm ( 150 ′″″) having first and second ends;
wherein the second end of the first lever arm ( 130 ′″″) is connected to the second end of the handle ( 60 ′″″) at a third pivot ( 134 ′″″), and the first end of the first lever arm ( 130 ′″″) is connected to the first jaw ( 40 ′″″) at a fourth pivot ( 112 ′″″) located between the first and second ends of the first jaw ( 40 ′″″);
wherein the second end of the second lever arm ( 150 ′″″) is connected to the first end of the handle ( 60 ′″″) at a fifth pivot ( 225 ′″″) and the first end of the second lever arm ( 150 ′″″) is connected to the bottom jaw at a second pivot ( 205 ′″″);
wherein the third pivot ( 134 ′″″) and the fifth pivot ( 225 ′″″) define an imaginary line ( 111 ′″″); and
wherein the clamping system occupies an open configuration when the fourth pivot ( 112 ′″″) is positioned at a point on the side of the imaginary line ( 111 ′″″) facing away from the handle ( 60 ′″″), and the clamping system occupies a closed configuration when the fourth pivot ( 112 ′″″) is positioned at a point on the imaginary line ( 111 ′″″) or at a point on the side of the imaginary line ( 111 ′″″) facing the handle ( 60 ′″″).
2. The clamping system of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment knob ( 170 ′″″) secured to the bottom jaw ( 50 ′″″), wherein adjusting adjustment knob ( 170 ′″″) moves a second pivot ( 205 ″″″).
3. The clamping system of claim 2 , wherein second jaw ( 50 ′″″) comprises a channel ( 210 ′″″) and the second pivot ( 205 ′″″) is configured to move along channel ( 210 ′″″).
4. The clamping system of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment knob ( 170 ′″″) is positioned toward the first end of second jaw ( 50 ′″″).
5. The clamping system of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment element ( 170 ′″″) comprises a knob ( 170 A′), a bolt ( 170 B′), and a block ( 170 D′) configured to move along the bolt ( 170 B′), the block ( 170 D′) connected to the first end of the second lever arm ( 150 ′″″) at the second pivot ( 205 ′″″), and wherein rotation of the knob ( 170 A′) rotates the bolt ( 170 B′) causing the second pivot ( 205 ′″″) to move either toward or away from the first jaw ( 40 ′″″).
6. The clamping system of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting point ( 900 ) secured to the second jaw ( 50 ″″).
7. The clamping system of claim 6 , wherein the mounting point ( 900 ) comprises a quick release mechanism ( 910 ), a mounting surface ( 1200 ), a receiving mechanism, or a through hole.
8. The clamping system of claim 6 , wherein the mounting point ( 900 ) is positioned between the first and second ends of the second jaw ( 50 ″″).
9. The clamping system of claim 6 , wherein the mounting point is positioned between the second jaw pad ( 26 ′″″) and the adjustment element ( 170 ′″″).
10. The clamping system of claim 6 , wherein the mounting point is positioned between the adjustment element ( 170 ′″″) and the first pivot ( 100 ′″″).
11. The clamping system of claim 6 , wherein the clamping system comprises at least two mounting locations ( 240 , 245 ).
12. The clamping system of claim 1 , wherein the first jaw pad ( 24 ″″) is pivotally connected at the second end of the first jaw ( 40 ″″).
13. The clamping system of claim 1 , wherein the first jaw pad ( 24 ″″) and the second jaw pad ( 26 ″″) are pivotally connected to the first jaw ( 40 ″″) and the second jaw ( 50 ″″), respectively.
14. The clamping system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second jaw pads ( 24 ″″, 26 ″″) respectively comprise three sides with at least two of the three sides having different three-dimensional surface patterns, textures, or materials.
15. The clamping system of claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second jaw pads ( 24 ′″″, 26 ′″″) comprises a recessed portion configured to receive a gripping material.
16. The clamping system of claim 15 , wherein the gripping material is compressible, roughened, grooved, scalloped, and/or patterned.
17. The clamping system of claim 13 , wherein at least one side each of first and second jaw pads ( 24 ′″″, 26 ′″″) comprises a concaved or curved surface.
18. The clamping system of claim 1 , wherein the second jaw ( 50 ″″) comprises a first portion ( 190 ″″) and a second portion ( 195 ″″), wherein the first and second portions ( 190 ″″, 195 ″″) define substantially parallel planes.
19. The clamping system of claim 18 , wherein the adjustment element ( 170 ″″) is positioned between the first and second portions ( 190 ″″, 195 ″″) of the second jaw ( 50 ″″).
20. The clamping system of claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second portions ( 190 ″″, 195 ″″) of second jaw ( 50 ″″) include a channel ( 210 ″″) configured to allow the fifth pivot ( 205 ″″) to move forward and backward relative to the second jaw ( 50 ″″).
21. The clamping system of claim 19 , wherein the second lever arm ( 150 ″″) is positioned between the first and second portions ( 190 ″″, 195 ″″) of the second jaw ( 50 ″″).
22. The clamping system of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment element ( 170 ″″) comprises a rotatable, threaded element.
23. The clamping system of claim 2 , wherein movement of the handle ( 60 ″″) either toward or away from the first jaw ( 40 ″″) affects the distance between the first end of the first lever arm ( 130 ″″) and the imaginary line ( 111 ″″).
24. The clamping system of claim 1 , wherein the handle ( 60 ″″) further comprises a release mechanism ( 70 ″″) configured to apply a force against the second end of the handle ( 60 ″″) to move the handle ( 60 ″″) away from the first jaw ( 40 ″″).
25. The clamping system of claim 24 , wherein the release mechanism ( 70 ″″) comprises a button.
26. The clamping system of claim 24 , wherein the release mechanism ( 70 ″″) comprises a third lever harm having first and second ends, the second end being pivotally connected to the second end of the handle ( 60 ″″), and the first end extending beyond the first end of the handle ( 60 ″″).
27. The clamping system of claim 24 , wherein application of a force against the first end of the release mechanism ( 70 ″″) toward the first jaw ( 40 ″″) causes the second end of the release mechanism ( 70 ″″) to apply a force against the second end of the handle ( 60 ″″) away from the first jaw ( 40 ″″).