Clamping assembly that acts as an interface between two components
First Claim
1. A clamping assembly that acts an interface between two components, the clamping assembly comprising:
- a first member that includes a housing and a plunger that reciprocates within the housing, the first member further including a first biasing member that biases the plunger in a first direction and a second biasing member that biases the plunger in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the first member further including a bearing positioned within a cavity in the housing such that the bearing reciprocates within the cavity in a third direction that is partially orthogonal to the first and second directions, the plunger including a first surface that applies a radially inward first force to the bearing that is at least partially in the third direction as the first biasing member moves the plunger in the first direction; and
a second member that includes a second surface that engages the bearing, the bearing applying a second force to the second surface of the second member that is at least partially in the second direction when the plunger applies the first force to the bearing, the second member being compressed against the first member as the bearing applies the second force to the second surface, wherein at least a portion of the second member is inside the first member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A clamping assembly which includes a first member that has a housing and a plunger that reciprocates within the housing. The first member further includes a first biasing member that biases the plunger in a first direction and a second biasing member that biases the plunger in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The first member further includes a bearing positioned within a cavity in the housing such that the bearing reciprocates within the cavity in a third direction that is partially orthogonal to the first and second directions. The plunger includes a first surface that applies a first force to the bearing that is at least partially in the third direction. The clamping assembly further includes a second member that includes a second surface that engages the bearing. The bearing applies a second force to the second surface of the second member that is at least partially in the second direction.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A clamping assembly that acts an interface between two components, the clamping assembly comprising:
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a first member that includes a housing and a plunger that reciprocates within the housing, the first member further including a first biasing member that biases the plunger in a first direction and a second biasing member that biases the plunger in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the first member further including a bearing positioned within a cavity in the housing such that the bearing reciprocates within the cavity in a third direction that is partially orthogonal to the first and second directions, the plunger including a first surface that applies a radially inward first force to the bearing that is at least partially in the third direction as the first biasing member moves the plunger in the first direction; and a second member that includes a second surface that engages the bearing, the bearing applying a second force to the second surface of the second member that is at least partially in the second direction when the plunger applies the first force to the bearing, the second member being compressed against the first member as the bearing applies the second force to the second surface, wherein at least a portion of the second member is inside the first member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A clamping assembly that acts an interface between two components, the clamping assembly comprising:
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a first ring that includes a housing and a plunger that reciprocates within the housing, the first ring further including a first compression spring that biases the plunger in a first direction and compressed gas that biases the plunger in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the first ring further including a bearing positioned within a cavity in the housing such that the bearing reciprocates within the cavity in a third direction that is partially orthogonal to the first and second directions, and wherein the housing further includes a stop that prevents the bearing from exiting the cavity, the plunger including a first surface that applies a radially inward first force to the bearing that is at least partially in the third direction as the first compression spring moves the plunger in the first direction; a second ring that includes a second surface that engages the bearing, the bearing applying a second force to the second surface of the second ring that is at least partially in the second direction when the plunger applies the first force to the bearing, the second ring being compressed against the first ring as the bearing applies the second force to the second surface, wherein at least a portion of the second ring is inside the first ring; and wherein the first surface of the plunger includes a first detent that receives a portion of the bearing such that the bearing is aligned relative to the first surface when the bearing is partially received within the first detent, wherein the second surface of the second includes a second detent that receives a portion of the bearing such that the bearing is aligned relative to the first and second surfaces when the bearing is partially received within the first and second detents, wherein the bearing forms the first detent in the first surface of the plunger when the first force is applied to the bearing, and the bearing forms the second detent in the second surface of the second ring as the second force is applied to the second surface of the second ring.
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Specification