Lock mechanism for pin clamp assembly

• US 7,815,176 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PHD Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PHD Incorporated
• Inventors: McIntosh, Bruce D., Patwardhan, Parag, Steele, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; Lee D
• Application Number:
  US11/528,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20070069439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,483 Days
• Field of Search: 269/32, 269/27, 269/229, 269/231, 269/24, 269/20
• US Class Current: 269/32
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/087 actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic piston

Abstract

A pin clamp assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, and first and second locks. The locating pin extends from the housing. The body extends from the locating pin. At least a portion of the body is located interior of the housing. The body and locating pin are movable with respect to the housing. The first lock is located on the body and the second lock is configured to selectively couple with the first lock. Selective coupling of the locks prevent the body from moving.

Claims

1. A pin clamp assembly for holding a workpiece, the pin clamp assembly comprising a movable locating pin with a finger that is extendable therefrom, a housing that receives a portion of the locating pin and has a workpiece support adjacent the extended finger, and a lock assembly which comprises a hook and a catch that selectively engages and holds each other to restrict movement of the locating pin, and further comprising an unlock bracket;

wherein the unlock bracket includes an angled surface configured to engage a pin extending from the hook to cause the hook to pivot and unlatch from the catch;

the hook and catch are configured to maintain a hold with each other under loss of actuation force, or if the locating pin is pulled on;

wherein the hook and catch are further configured such that the hook, using a spring, is biased against an angled surface of the catch as the locating pin moves in a first direction;

wherein as the locating pin continues to move in the first direction, the hook latches with the catch to hold the locating pin in place;

to release the lock assembly, the unlock bracket is movable in a second direction such that a surface on the unlock bracket engages a pin coupled with the hook;

movement of the unlock bracket in the second direction pivots the hook against the bias of the spring;

wherein pivoting of the hook begins unlatching it from the catch;

continued movement of the unlock bracket unlatches the hook from the catch.

2. The pin clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the catch is selectively adjustable relative to the housing.

3. The pin clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising an actuator that moves the locating pin.