U.S. patent application number 11/462365 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for rollable magnetic clamp.
Invention is credited to Ian Godfrey Heard.
Application Number | 20070034757 11/462365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37741734 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070034757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heard; Ian Godfrey |
February 15, 2007 |
Rollable Magnetic Clamp
Abstract
A magnetic clamping device which uses rollers or wheels to
create an air-gap between the clamping edges and a ferromagnetic
work-piece, thereby reducing friction so that the clamp is able to
be rolled or easily moved upon the surface or surfaces to which it
is clamped.
Inventors: |
Heard; Ian Godfrey; (Elanora
Heights, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SERPENT AND DOVE PTY LTD
UNIT 6-32 CAMPBELL AVENUE
CROMER NSW
2099
AU
|
Family ID: |
37741734 |
Appl. No.: |
11/462365 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60706726 |
Aug 10, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/206.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25B 11/002 20130101;
B25B 5/142 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/206.5 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/17 20060101
A47G001/17 |
Claims
1. A magnetic clamping device of the type having two or more
ferromagnetic pole plates with a magnetizing element between them,
having rollers or wheels of preferably non-magnetic material such
as aluminium or brass or plastic fixed rotatably between the pole
plates at several points around the perimeter of the device and of
such diameter and location that the perimeter of the rollers always
provides a small air-gap between the edges of the pole plates and
any surface upon which the clamp is placed for the purpose of
clamping.
2. A magnetic clamping device of the type having two or more
ferromagnetic pole plates with a magnetizing element between them,
having rollers or wheels of preferably non-magnetic material such
as aluminium or brass or plastic fixed rotatably on the outer side
of the pole plates at sveral points around the perimeter of the
device and of such diameter and location that the perimeter of the
rollers always provides a small air-gap between the edges of the
pole plates and any surface upon which the clamp is placed for the
purpose of clamping.
3. A magnetic clamping device of the type having two or more
ferromagnetic pole plates with a magnetizing element between them,
having rollers or wheels of ferromagnetic material fixed rotatably
either between or on the outer side of the pole plates at several
points around the perimeter of the device and of such diameter and
location that the perimeter of the rollers always provides a small
air-gap between the edges of the pole plates and any surface upon
which the clamp is placed for the purpose of clamping.
4. A magnetic clamping device of the type having two or more
ferromagnetic pole plates with a magnetizing element between them,
having non-rotatable elements fixed as for any of the above claims
so as to provide a small air-gap between the edges of the pole
plates and any surface upon which the clamp is placed and to
provide decreased friction between the clamp and the surface upon
which it is clamped.
5. A magnetic clamp as described in claims 1 to 4 where the element
to provide an air-gap between the clamping edges of the clamp and
the surface to which it clamps is a magnetic or non-magnetic and
non-rotatable skid or protrusion.
6. A magnetic clamp as decribed in claims 1 to 3 where the rotating
rollers or wheels are of a type that enables movement in more than
one direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present Utility Patent Application claims priority
benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application for patent No.
60/706,726 filed on Aug. 10, 2005 under 35 U.S.C 119(e)
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention pertains to permanent magnetic clamping
devices and specifically to permanent magnetic clamping devices
used to clamp ferromagnetic workpieces together during fusion of
said workpieces such as by welding or other joining processes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The clamping together of ferromagnetic workpieces with
magnetic clamping devices during welding or similar processes is
made awkward by the limited manoueverability of such clamping
devices once they are magnetically clamped to such workpieces.
[0004] This limitation in manoueverability makes it difficult to
adjust a workpiece to a pre-determined position or mark once the
magnetic clamping device has gripped the surface of either of the
ferromagnetic workpieces. It is common to use hammers or other
implements to effect such adjustment, with the consequent risk of
damage to either the workpieces or the magnetic clamping
device.
[0005] Furthermore, such clamping devices often require relatively
excessive force to remove from the workpieces after use.
[0006] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a magnetic
clamping device that can more easily be manouevered once in
position on a workpiece or workpieces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates but by no means limits with respect to
shape or type a common type and shape of magnetic clamping device
employing a magnetizing element, Item A of ferrite, rare earth or
other magnetized material with its direction of magnetization
through its thickness and with said magnetizing element sandwiched
between two ferromagnetic pole plates, Item B. The assembly is
usually held together with a combination of adhesive bonding and
typically a rivet or rivets, Item C, preferably of non-magnetic
material. Such clamping devices may be triangular, square,
arrowhead shape, rectangular or any other shape suitable for the
purpose of clamping ferromagnetic workpieces together at a right
angle, 45 degrees or other angles.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates another typical shape of magnetic
clamping device, with Item D being the magnetizing element, Item E
the pole plates and Item F a rivet. In some embodiments a number of
rivets are used, disposed about the area of the pole plates. FIG. 3
shows a preferred embodiment of a magnetic clamping device having
rollers or wheels, Item G, each having an axle or a reduced
diameter portion bearing within a hole, Item H in the pole plates
B. In this preferred embodiment the width of the rollers or wheels
is something less than the inside distance between the clamping
device's pole plates so as to allow the wheel to rotate unhindered
whilst they are retained between the pole plates. The said rollers
are disposed upon the clamping device in such a position and are of
such outer diameter that they provide an air-gap, Item I between
the device's pole plate edges and any ferromagnetic surface upon
which the clamp is placed, such as ferromagnetic work-pieces Items
J and K. The said rollers or wheels in the preferred embodiment
will be of non-magnetic material so as not to shunt the magnetic
field between the pole plates and impair the available clamping
force.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein the
rollers, Item L, are positioned outside the pole plates of the
clamp rather than between them. In this embodiment the rollers or
wheels may be of either magnetic or non-magnetic material. In a
preferred embodiment the wheels are secured by means of a
non-magnetic axle, Item M, through their centre and bearing in the
holes, Item N in the pole plates, Item B. The said axle preferably
has threaded ends for a locking nut, Item O. However, other means
such as a central rivet, rivet forming part of the wheel, or screw
into a threaded centre hole in each wheel may be deemed
appropriate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] To achieve the foregoing and other objectives of the purpose
of the invention a typical embodiment is described. In one
embodiment rotatable rollers or wheels of preferably non-magnetic
material which could be plastic or non-magnetic metal such as brass
or aluminum are of such diameter and so disposed on the magnetic
clamping device as to provide a small air-gap between the clamping
edges of the pole plates and the surface on which the clamping
device is placed, such that there is no frictional contact between
the edges of the pole plates and the clamped surface. This small
air-gap, provided by the rollers or wheels ensures that magnetic
clamping is still effected but also that the clamping device may be
manually propelled along the ferromagnetic surface to which it is
magnetically clamped. In a typical embodiment these rollers or
wheels have their axle through the pole plates of the clamping
device. The rollers or wheels may be near the corners or disposed
at any points around the perimeter of the clamping device. In an
alternative embodiment the rollers or wheels may be disposed on the
outside of the pole plates. In a further alternative embodiment the
rollers or wheels may be of ferromagnetic material and disposed
within or outside the pole plates in such a manner that they do or
do not not provide a shunt to the magnetic field between the pole
plates. Further alternative embodiments may include rollers or
wheels that are not rotatable or a combination of rotatable and
non-rotatable elements to provide the necessary air-gap.
[0012] The embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the
invention to those forms. The invention is thus to cover all
modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *