Functional component usable for demonstration and/or training purposes

• US 5,794,901 A
• Filed: 08/17/1995
• Issued: 08/18/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Festo AG & Company KG (Festo GmbH & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Festo AG (Festo SE & Company KG)
• Inventors: Sigel, Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERGER, DEREK JOEL
• Application Number:
  US08/505,316
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 248/221.11, 248/222.13, 248/222.14, 248/222.52, 248/223.41, 248/207, 248/245, 248/292.12, 211/94, 411/84, 411/85, 411/551, 411/553
• US Class Current: 248/221.11
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/102 for fixing elements in slots
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/185 for building block systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/02 of industrial processes; of machinery
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/025 hydraulic; pneumatic

Abstract

Functional component usable for demonstration and/or training purposes which can be releasably secured to the mounting face of a support base (1). It is provided with a clamping device (8) which is brought into engagement with a mounting recess (3) of support base (1), which is activated by rotating an actuating element (12). A downwardly extending clamping head (18) is mounted on the actuating element which is insertable into the mounting recess (3) and which can be positioned by rotating in such a manner that it engages behind two retaining protrusions in the mounting recess (3). By a further rotation of the actuating element, the functional element is clamped against the surface of the support base (1).

Claims

1. A functional component adapted to be releasably secured to a mounting face of a support base, said component comprising:

a base body, said base body having a lower face adapted for engagement with the mounting face of the support base;

a clamping device cooperating with said base body and adapted for engagement with the support base whereby said base body is secured to the support base;

an actuating element for operating said clamping device, said clamping device including a clamping element in mechanical communication with said actuating element, said clamping element defining an axis of rotation extending through said base body and perpendicular to said lower face, said clamping element including a clamping head rotatable about said axis via said actuating element between a released position and a locked position and translatable through a distance along said axis;

at least one centering element provided on said lower face for positioning said base body on the support base, said centering element located radially outside said axis and adjustable thereabout with respect to said base body.

2. The functional component according to claim 1, wherein said centering element is releasably lockable in at least two positions with respect to said base body.

3. The functional component according to claim 1, wherein said actuating element is a disk-like part rotatably mounted to said base body, said actuating element including a set of female threads;

and

wherein said clamping element includes a set of male threads sized to engage said female threads whereby rotation of said actuating element causes rotation of said clamping head about said axis and translation of said clamping head with respect to said lower face.

4. A functional component adapted to be releasably secured to a mounting face of a support base, said component comprising:

a base body, said base body having a lower face adapted for engagement with the mounting face of the support base;

a clamping device cooperating with said base body and adapted for engagement with the support base whereby said base body is secured to the support base;

an actuating element for operating said clamping device, said clamping device including a clamping element in mechanical communication with said actuating element, said clamping element defining an axis of rotation extending through said base body and perpendicular to said lower face, said clamping element including a clamping head rotatable about said axis via said actuating element between a released position and a locked position and translatable through a distance along said axis;

at least one centering element provided on said lower face for positioning said base body on the support base;

an apertured rotating disk rotatably mounted on said lower face and centrally penetrated by said clamping element; and

wherein said at least one centering element is provided on said disk.

5. The functional component according to claim 4, wherein said base body includes an upper face opposite said lower face and an aperture extending through said base body from said upper face to said lower face;

and

wherein said actuating element is rotatably mounted on said upper face and includes lockable holding arms extending through said aperture and cooperating with said disk to rotatably secure said disk to said lower face.

6. An assembly, comprising:

i) a support base having a mounting face thereon, said support base including at least one groove-like mounting recess, said recess defining at least one retaining protrusion; and

ii) a functional component, said functional component including

a base body, said base body having a lower face for engaging said mounting face of said support base;

a clamping device cooperating with said base body for securing said base body to said support base;

an actuating element for operating said clamping device, said clamping device including a clamping element in mechanical communication with said actuating element, said clamping element defining an axis of rotation extending through said base body and perpendicular to said lower face, said clamping element including a clamping head rotatable about said axis via said actuating element between a released position wherein said clamping head is insertable into said mounting recess and a locked position wherein said clamping head is coupled to said mounting recess, said clamping head being translatable along said axis whereby said clamping head is movable between a locked untensioned position wherein said clamping head loosely engages said retaining protrusion and a locked tensioned position wherein said clamping head positively engages said retaining protrusion;

at least one centering element provided on said lower face for positioning said base body on the support base, said centering element located radially outside said axis and adjustable thereabout with respect to said base body.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said clamping element further includes rotating limit means for preventing rotation of said clamping head in said mounting recess when said clamping head is in said locked tensioned position.

8. An assembly, comprising:

i) a support base having a mounting face thereon, said support base including at least one groove-like mounting recess, said recess defining at least one retaining protrusion; and

ii) a functional component, said functional component including

a base body, said base body having a lower face for engaging said mounting face of said support base;

a clamping device cooperating with said base body for securing said base body to said support base;

an actuating element for operating said clamping device, said clamping device including a clamping element in mechanical communication with said actuating element, said clamping element defining an axis of rotation extending through said base body and perpendicular to said lower face, said clamping element including a clamping head rotatable about said axis via said actuating element between a released position wherein said clamping head is insertable into said mounting recess and a locked position wherein said clamping head is coupled to said mounting recess, said clamping head being translatable along said axis whereby said clamping head is movable between a locked untensioned position wherein said clamping head loosely engages said retaining protrusion and a locked tensioned position wherein said clamping head positively engages said retaining protrusion;

at least one centering element provided on said lower face for positioning said base body on the support base;

an apertured rotating disk rotatably mounted on said lower face and centrally penetrates by said clamping element; and

wherein said at least one centering element is provided on said disk.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein said clamping element further includes rotating limit means for preventing rotation of said clamping head in said mounting recess when said clamping head is in said locked tensioned position.