US2384148A - Jig clamp - Google Patents

Description

Patented Sept. 4, 1945 umrl-zbffsrA'res PATE:Nrj-fn t0, Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 10, 1943, Serial N o. 501,846

. i 4 Claims. This invention relates to al iig clamp, suc-h as that which may be used to clamp one or more angle-flangedv stringers or chords to a web for riveting or'welding the parts together, andlias for'an object the provision of improvements in this art.

One of the particular objects of the invention is to provide a vclamp of convenient type for holding edge reinforcing strips having overhanging `flanges to a web or body member' tov whichthey are to be secured.

Another object is to provide a clamp which may be quickly engaged with the stock.

Another object is to provide a clamp which will accurately place and securely hold the stock.

Another'object is to provide a clamp of simple and inexpensive design.

The above and other objects and advantages will be evident from the following description of an exemplary'embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Y

Fig. 1 is a side elevation and section of the clamp in stock gripping position;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the clamp in released position.

Say the structure to be secured together is the rib, spar, or other frame member of an airplane, it may comprise a web l and one or more stringers, chords, or cap strips Il. When these chords are simple angle 0r flanged members, they may be readily clamped to the Web by simple jig clamps of -well-known construction. Even when there is a chord member with an overhanging flange, that is, an edge iiange which turns back in the direction away from the main flange, the usual type of clamp may be used if the chord member is on the top side where it is readily visible and accessible. In such a case the web may be laid on a fixed rest or positioning member; the flanged chord member laid on the web; and a swinging overhanging clamp brought over, down and back to enter beneath the overhanging flange and clamp the parts in proper position.

But when the chord member with overhanging flange is to be placed beneath the web where it is diiicult to locate and position, the clamp of the present invention provides a convenient means for quickly bringing the parts into proper position.

The clamp here illustrated comprises a frame l5 having a base I6 andl a" pedestal` l1.' The base is adapted to b'essecurecll to a table orstand (notshown) which carries other 'such'clamps and also lsuitable xed partsy or rests to support the stock parts at proper height.

The lower chord memberl is engaged by a rest jaw having" an overhang 2i, the rest jaw being mounted-rigidly ,on/a slide or'slides`22're'- ciprocable in arguid'epr guides 2*3- onthe pedestal Il. The uppefsurfacev 2li-of the 'rest is at the properfheightgto support the ange yof the chordV member which is, parallel "to the web This upper Asurface *moves back and" forth ina horizontal 4plane and when vthe restfjaw is pulled back the: overhang '2|'V enters!! the space.

within the Chord-member to engagethe-vertical* flange. The range ofmovement i's- Asuch that the'ehord member ismoved back'to proper sition when the rest'jaw 4movesffback and Vthat the overhang 2| clears "the overhan'ging ange l2 of' the rchord member when the'rersthjaw is returned toits ,forwardy position.

The 'rear 'end of the slide 22 "is secured to a car# riage 26 which is moved in one or both directions (here both) by a cam 21 mounted in the carriage upon a shaft or shaft stubs 28 and turned by a handle 29 between fixed abutments 30 and 3l. These abutments are carried by the pedestal and may consist of hardened blocks anchored in position by screws or the like.

'To the upper part of the carriage there is hinged, as by a pivot pin 32, a swingable bar 33 carrying a clamp jaw 34. The jaw is rigid with the -bar and has an overhang 35 adapted to enter the space within the upper chord member. The clamp jaw moves back and forth with the lower reet jaw and in addition may be swung out of p0- sition to permit the stock members to be introduced to and removed from the jig.

The clamp jaw 34 has a clamp face 36 on its lower side which presses the stock members together when the jaws are pulled back by the eccentric. The means by which this clamping action is effected is a wedging device comprising a pin 38 on the jaw bar 33 and a tapered slotl 39 for the pin formed in an upstanding bracket 40 secured to the pedestal I1.

In operation, when the handle and eccentric are turned in one direction the jaws are moved rearwardly and clamped upon the stock, the upper clamp ljaw and bar, of course, first having been swung over into stock engaging position; and when the handle and eccentric are moved in the other direction ythe jaws are moved forwardly to the invention provides a simple, convenient and eective device for clamping vand holding a number of stock members of shapes which are difficult to clamp rapidly by usual clamping devices.V

While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described by way of example, it is to be understood that-there may be various embodiments within the limits of the prior art andthe scope of the subjoined claims.Y

What is claimed is: 1. A stock clamp adapted to position and clamp an overlying chord member having an overhangl ing iiange upon a body member, comprising in combination, a iiXed jaw, a first clamping jaw mounted for simple reciprocatory movement in the plane of the body member toward and from the iixed jaw, a second clamping jaw mounted for reciprocatory movement in the plane of the body member toward and from the xed jaw and also for swinging movement to clear the space above the rst clamping jaw on the side of the body member in unclamped position, means for reciprocating said clamping jaws, and means for bringing said clamping :laws toward each other as they approach the xed jaw.

2. A stock clamp adapted to position and clamp an overlying chord member having an overhang- Y ing Vflange upon a body member, comprising in combination, a Vfixed jaw, a first clampingV jaw mounted' for simple reciprocatory4 movement in the plane ofthe body member toward and from the iixed jaw, a, second clamping jaw mounted for reciprocatory movement in the plane of the bodyl member toward and from the xed jaw and also being pivoted for freeoutward swinging movement by hand about a pivot behind the region of the body member to clear the space above the rst clamping jaw in unclamped position, means for reciprocating said clamping jaws abreast, and

Y position.

means for moving the second clamping jaw toward the rst clamping jaw to 'clamp the members as the jaws approach their final rearward position.

3. A stock clamp adapted to position and clamp angle-section chord members having return angesruponthe opposite sidesrof a plate member, comprising'in combination, a rearstop, a first jaw mounted forV reciprocation toward and Vfrom said rear stop, said rst jaw having a side face forming an aligning support for the lower chord member, and said rst jaw also having a rear overhang with a rear face adapted to fit within and press the lower chord member against Ysaid rear stop, a second jaw mounted for reciprocation toward and from said rear stop, said second jaw being mounted to swing out freely about a rear pivot to permit insertion of the chord and plate members in a direction normal to the aligning face of lthe rst jaw and in front of the rear stop, said secondjaw` having an aligning face parallel with the aligning face of the first jaw when inV stock eng-agingposition Vand an overhanging rear face adapted to fit within and press the upper chord member against said rear stop, means to reciprocate said jaws together to clamp the stock against the rear stop, and means for moving the second jaw Vtoward the rstr to clamp the stock between them as the Yjaws near their rear position'.V Y

4. A stock clamp comprising in combination, a rear-fixed jaw,a pair of clamping jaws reciprocable toward vand from said iixed jaw to clamp stock thereagainst, one of said clamping jaws having straight reciprocation to guide the stock and the other clamping jaw being mounted to swing freely outward when in the unclamped position away from thexed jaw, means for reciprocating saidV clampingjaws, and means for mov-V ingY the swinging jaw against the stock and toward the first clamping jaw as the clamping jaws move toward the xed jaw and the final clamped THOMAS EARLE YEAGER.

Images