Clamping tool

Abstract

A clamping tool for clamping of socket bodies onto elongate members, for example, for clamping of cable terminals onto cable ends, comprising clamping jaws adapted to be moved relatively and defining between them a clamp opening is disclosed. Each clamp jaw is provided with an oblique surface which forms respective sides of the clamp opening, and each clamping jaw is slidably received in an auxiliary jaw projecting from the oblique surface and having an outer end adapted for sliding engagement against the oblique surface on the second clamping jaw on the action of spring force, whereby the auxiliary jaws form respective sides of the clamp opening.

Description

The present invention relates to a clamping tool for clamping of socket members onto elongate bodies, for example, for clamping of cable terminals onto cable ends, the said tool including clamping jaws adapted to be relatively movable and to form a clamp opening therebetween.

The object of the invention is to provide a clamping tool that can be used for a plurality of dimensions so that it is possible, with the same clamping tool for example, to clamp suitable cable terminals to cable ends of differing diameters, with conventional cable diameters.

In accordance with the invention this is achieved in that each clamping jaw has an oblique surface which forms respective sides of the clamp opening, and an auxiliary jaw is slidably received in each clamping jaw, said auxiliary jaw projecting from the oblique surface and adapted at its outer end for sliding engagement against the oblique surface on a second clamping jaw on the action of spring force, whereby the auxiliary jaws form respective sides in the clamp opening. When the clamping jaws are displaced towards and away from one another, the auxiliary jaws slide on the respective oblique surface and are at all times pressed into engagement thereagainst by respective spring force. In this manner, a closed clamp opening is formed at all times and it is possible to use the clamping tool for differing dimensions within a range restricted by the lengths of the oblique surfaces and the auxiliary jaws.

In an embodiment having two clamping jaws, one clamping jaw is preferably mounted rigidly in the housing, the second being slidably mounted in the housing. This gives a compact and strong embodiment, and the clamping tool is thereby formed as a unit.

Expediently, the housing may have a lateral opening for insertion of the socket body. This is an advantage, particularly when concerned with cable terminals where the free ends of the cable terminals are wider than the diameter of the socket so that an insertion from the end requires an extra large clamp opening.

In order to facilitate lateral insertion, one clamping jaw is drawn back as far as possible so that it also exposes a lateral opening within the opening of the housing. The auxiliary jaw which defines the clamp opening on the side where the clamp opening can be opened laterally is then drive-connected to the second clamping jaw in such a manner that, when the movable clamping jaw is drawn back, past a position where the clamp opening opens laterally, it will be drawn into its clamping jaw.

Expediently, the drive connection can be a wire pull.

The invention is further explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment example of the invention.

FIGS. 1a and 1b are a view of a clamping tool with both one housing portion removed, and a lateral view of the clamping tool with both housing portions together, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a view of the clamping tool in FIG. 1, viewed from the opposing side of the side appearing on FIG. 1a,

FIGS. 3a and 3b are the same view as FIG. 1a and 1b, but with the movable clamping jaw drawn back all the way, so that the side of the housing is exposed for insertion of a socket body, and

FIGS. 4a and 4b are the views illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b with the movable clamping jaw in closed position, a position where the clamp opening is at its smallest.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are a diagrammatic view of an embodiment with three and four clamping jaws respectively.

The clamping tool comprises a housing 1 divided into two housing portions 2 and 3. The housing portion 3 is effected as a cover for the housing portion 2 which thus constitutes the actual housing wherein the parts are disposed.

The housing portion 2 is, in the embodiment example, made from a plate provided with a straight guide 4 on one plane side, the said guide 4 being adapted for one clamping jaw 5, in this case, the movable clamping jaw. Further, on the plane side of the same housing portion a straight guide 6 is provided wherein a jaw 7 is slidably arranged and represents an auxiliary jaw for the stationary jaw. The stationary jaw is formed by the auxiliary jaw 7 and a rigid jaw 8, by means of two screws 9 and 10, are screwed into the housing portion 2. As will appear from the FIGS., the housing portion 2 is provided with an opening 11 and a similar opening is provided in the housing portion 3, so that a lateral opening is formed for insertion of, for example, a cable with cable terminal.

The movable clamping jaw 5 is provided with an oblique surface 12 which extends parallel to the oblique surface 13 formed by the rigid jaw 8. Further, an oblique straight guide 14 is provided in the clamping jaw 5 for an auxiliary jaw 15. The auxiliary jaw 15 bears with its tapered outer end 16 against the oblique surface 13 on the rigid jaw 8. In the same manner, the auxiliary jaw 7 bears with its slightly tapered end 17 against the oblique surface 12 on the movable clamping jaw 5.

The movable clamping jaw 5 is connected to a rod 18 leading to an actuating member, for example, a hydraulic ram. On the rod 18, a helical spring 19 is arranged effecting the pulling back of the clamp jaw 5 in accordance with the release of clamping pressure in the hydraulic ram. The housing is provided with a cylindrical abutment 20 adapted for mounting of the hydraulic ram.

The auxiliary jaws 15 and 7 are spring actuated by means of springs 21a and 22a respectively and the said springs push out the auxiliary jaws at all times so that they are in engagement with the respective oblique surface 12 and 13.

The position of the jaws illustrated in FIG. 1 represents the largest clamp opening.

FIG. 3 is a view of the clamping tool with clamping jaw 5 drawn back all the way such that the clamping jaw no longer blocks the opening 11 in the housing. As will be clear from FIG. 1, 3 and 4, the auxiliary jaw 7 is connected to the clamping jaw 5 by means of a wire 21. The wire is provided at one end with a button 22 or other suitable abutment, and is passed through a notch in the clamping jaw 5, through a notch 23 in the housing portion 2, and then passed around a deflecting member 24 and connected by its other end to the auxiliary jaw 7. The length of the wire is adapted such that when the clamping jaw moves further upwardly from the position illustrated in FIG. 1a, the button 22 is in engagement against the clamping jaw 5, and the auxiliary jaw 7, on continued movement of the clamping jaw 5 upwardly whereby opening 11 is exposed, is pulled into the housing portion 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. The opening 11 is thereby entirely exposed.

FIGS. 4a and b illustrate the smallest clamp opening. The clamping jaw 5 is then moved as far down as possible, i.e. the free end thereof abuts against the housing portion 2.

Adjustment of the clamping tool to the appropriate clamp opening, so as to be sure that the clamping tool does not clamp beyond a certain smallest clamp opening, can be undertaken either by means of a stopper, for example, the hydraulic ram which operates the movable jaw 5 of the clamping tool, or by a pressure adjustment of the hydraulic ram.

By means of the invention a readily maneuverable and compact clamping tool is provided which is suitable for use in the field, for example, where it is necessary to fit cable terminals onto cables. The hydraulic ram can be any suitable type whatsoever that can be applied manually with the desired pressure. The clamping tool can also be effected with several clamping jaws, for example three, the opening then being hexagonal. This is illustrated in diagram form in FIG. 5 where the clamping jaws are signified by 30, 31 and 32, and the appurtenant auxiliary jaws are signified by 33, 34 and 35.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment having four clamping jaws 36 - 39, with appurtenant auxiliary jaws 40 - 43.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a clamping tool having a housing, the tool further comprising:

at least a first jaw member stationarily connected to the housing;

at least a second jaw member slideably mounted in the housing for displacement relative to the first jaw member;

actuator means connected to the second jaw member for displacing it;

a plurality of resiliently biased third jaw members slideably mounted within the housing, each third jaw member disposed in coacting relationship with all other jaw members so that all the jaw members constitute work-engaging surfaces therebetween; and

a drive member contained in the housing for driving at least one of the third jaw members to an open position, the drive member having a first end for movably abutting the second jaw member, and a second end of the drive member fastened to at least one of the third jaw members for moving this member to an open position permitting entry of a work piece into the tool.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 together with means located within the housing for deflecting the direction of the wire at an intermediate point, therealong.

3. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein the drive member is a wire member.

4. The subject matter of claim 3 wherein a groove is formed in the housing for receiving an intermediate length of the wire.