UNIVERSAL HOLDER FOR WORKPIECE TO BE MACHINED

Abstract

A universal holder for a workpiece to be machined including a serrated inclined plane and an equally serrated positioning block mounted in a movable manner along the inclined plane in an adjustment position and in a fixed manner along the inclined plane in a clamping position for a machining operation.

Claims

1. A universal holder (1) for a workpiece to be machined comprising a serrated inclined plane (2) and an equally serrated positioning block (3) mounted in a movable manner along the inclined plane (2) in an adjustment position and mounted in a fixed manner along the inclined plane (2) in a clamping position for a machining operation.

2. The universal holder (1) for a workpiece to be machined as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the block along the serrated inclined plane (2) is carried out by a bolt (4) allowing said positioning block (3) to be placed in a selected position along said inclined plane (2), the transition from the adjustment position to the clamping position for a machining operation being implemented by clamping a clamping cam (5) provided in a hollow shaft (6) substantially parallel to the inclined plane (2), the positioning block (3) and the clamping cam (5) being connected together through a longitudinal slot (7) arranged along the serrated inclined plane (2).

3. The universal holder (1) for a workpiece to be machined as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping cam (5) comprises a pair of movable clamping planes (16), controlled by a clamping screw (14) and cooperating with two fixed inclined planes (15), so that the clamping of the screw (14) leads to a radial offset of the clamping planes (16), allowing the movable bolt (4) to be clamped in the hollow shaft (6), in order to obtain the clamping position for a machining operation.

4. The universal holder (1) for a workpiece to be machined as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the adjustment position, the corresponding serrated portions of the inclined plane (2) and of the positioning block (3) are sufficiently spaced apart to allow the block (3) to slide along said inclined plane.

5. The universal holder (1) for a workpiece to be machined as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the clamping position for a machining operation, the corresponding serrated portions of the inclined plane (2) and of the positioning block (3) are in contact, thus creating a plurality of support points for the block against the inclined plane.

6. The universal holder (1) for a workpiece to be machined as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning block (3) comprises an installation plane (12), against which an adapter can be positioned, and at least one fastening stud (13) for rigidly fixing said adapter.

7. The universal holder (1) for a workpiece to be machined as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rotary base (11) rotationally mounted in a fixed base (10), allowing the universal holder and the positioning block (3) to angularly move about an axis substantially perpendicular to the fixed base (10).

8. The universal holder (1) for a workpiece to be machined as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one clamping screw (17) allows the angular position of the rotary base (11) to be fixed in the fixed base (10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are provided in the description that is illustrated by the accompanying figures, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a workpiece holder according to the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a section view of the workpiece holder of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an example of a positioning block and a movable bolt according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a section view of the movable bolt and of the positioning block of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a universal holder 1 for a workpiece to be machined. It comprises two main parts, namely, first and foremost, a substantially rectangular body 9 oriented substantially vertically, one of the sides of which is provided with a serrated inclined plane 2. An equally serrated positioning block 3 is mounted in a movable manner along the inclined plane 2. The positioning block 3 comprises an installation plane 12, against which an adapter or a clamp can be positioned, using at least one fastening stud 13, for example, or using other screwing or clamping fixing means. It is then easy to fasten any type of workpiece, regardless of its shape, with a minimum amount of adaptation work.

[0032] The multiple corresponding serrated portions of the inclined plane 2 and of the positioning block 3 create a plurality of support points for the block against the inclined plane. The user thus can easily select a suitable position as a function of the workpiece that must be held by the holder.

[0033] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the block 3 is adjusted along the serrated inclined plane 2 by a bolt 4 that allows said positioning block 3 to be placed in a selected position along the inclined plane 2. The body 9 also provides a hollow shaft 6 substantially parallel to the inclined plane 2. This hollow shaft allows a cam 5 to be accommodated for clamping the bolt 4. A longitudinal slot 7 arranged along the serrated inclined plane 2 allows the positioning block 3 and the clamping cam 5 to be connected.

[0034] By virtue of the bolt 4, the positioning block 3 can be configured in an adjustment position, in which the block is movable along the inclined plane, or a clamping position, in which the block 3 is firmly held in place.

[0035] In the adjustment position, the corresponding serrated portions of the inclined plane 2 and of the positioning block 3 are sufficiently spaced apart to allow the block 3 to slide along said inclined plane.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, in the clamping position for a machining operation, the corresponding serrated portions of the inclined plane 2 and of the positioning block 3 are in contact, thus creating a plurality of support points for the block against the inclined plane. The support that is obtained is firm, stable and provides vibration-free retention, even under machining conditions involving significant forces.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a clamping screw 14 allows one or the other of the positions to be implemented. To this end, the clamping cam 5 comprises a pair of movable clamping planes 16, controlled by the clamping screw 14 and cooperating with two fixed inclined planes 15, so that the clamping of the screw 14 results in a radial offset of the clamping planes 16, allowing the bolt 4 to be clamped.

[0038] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to be able to place the body 9 and the inclined plane 2 in a plurality of angular configurations, the universal holder provides a rotary base 11 rotationally mounted in a fixed base 10. This arrangement allows angular movement of the universal holder and the positioning block 3 about an axis substantially perpendicular to the fixed base 10. In order to be secured in the desired angular position, at least one clamping screw 17 (or any other angular locking means) allows the angular position of the rotary base 11 to be fixed in the fixed base 10.

REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE FIGURES

[0039] 1 Universal holder [0040] 2 Serrated inclined plane [0041] 3 Positioning block [0042] 4 Movable bolt [0043] 5 Clamping cam [0044] 6 Hollow shaft [0045] 7 Longitudinal slot [0046] 9 Universal holder body [0047] 10 Fixed base [0048] 11 Rotary base [0049] 12 Installation plane [0050] 13 Fastening stud [0051] 14 Clamping screw [0052] 15 Clamping plane [0053] 16 Clearance plane [0054] 17 Clamping screw