Solid surface clamp

Abstract

A solid surface clamp that has a top jaw and bottom jaw, along with alignment structures is disclosed. The clamp includes a top jaw, a bottom jaw, a bolt attached to the bottom jaw and slideably received through the top jaw, and a nut. The bolt has an alignment cutout, a threaded portion extending from the top jaw and defines a bolt longitudinal axis. The nut is threaded onto the threaded portion of the bolt and transitions the clamp from an open position to a clamping position. The top jaw further includes an alignment shaft that contacts the alignment cutout and maintains the top jaw and bottom jaw substantially fixed relative to each other about the bolt longitudinal axis. The alignment cutout moves relative to the alignment shaft in the direction of the bolt longitudinal axis when the clamp transitions from an open position to a clamping position.

Claims

1. A solid surface clamp, comprising: a top jaw constructed to exert a clamping force on a top clamping surface configured to contact a solid surface slab; a bottom jaw comprising a bottom clamping surface; a bolt attached to the bottom jaw and slideably received through the top jaw, the bolt comprising an alignment cutout and a threaded portion extending from the top jaw, wherein the bolt defines a bolt longitudinal axis; a nut threaded onto the threaded portion, the nut and threaded portion constructed to transition the clamp from an open position to a clamping position; the top jaw comprising an alignment shaft configured to contact the alignment cutout and maintain the top jaw and bottom jaw substantially fixed relative to each other about the bolt longitudinal axis; and wherein the alignment cutout moves relative to the alignment shaft in the direction of the bolt longitudinal axis when the clamp transitions from an open position to a clamping position.

2. The solid surface clamp of claim 1, further comprising: a shroud shielding the nut and the entire threaded portion that extends from the top jaw, the shroud constructed to continuously shield the nut and the entire threaded portion that extends from the top jaw (1) when the solid surface clamp is the fully open position; (2) when the solid surface clamp transitions from the fully open position to the clamping position; and (3) when the solid surface clamp is in the clamping position.

3. The solid surface clamp of claim 2, wherein the shroud is constructed to shield the entire alignment cutout that extends from the top jaw (1) when the solid surface clamp is the fully open position; (2) when the solid surface clamp transitions from the fully open position to the clamping position; and (3) when the solid surface clamp is in the clamping position.

4. The solid surface clamp of claim 2, wherein the top jaw and shroud are constructed to shield the alignment cutout (1) when the solid surface clamp is the fully open position; (2) when the solid surface clamp transitions from the fully open position to the clamping position; and (3) when the solid surface clamp is in the clamping position.

5. The solid surface clamp of claim 2, wherein the nut is integrally formed in the shroud.

6. The solid surface clamp of claim 1, further comprising: an elongated stiffening member, and wherein the elongated stiffening member comprises the top clamping surface.

7. The solid surface clamp of claim 6, wherein the elongated stiffening member is adjustably attached to the top jaw which allows the elongated stiffening member to slide with respect to the top jaw.

8. The solid surface clamp of claim 6, wherein the elongated stiffening member comprises a channel that defines a channel longitudinal axis, wherein the top jaw comprises a channel retention clip, the clip is disposed of in the channel and constructed to allow the top jaw to slide along the channel in the direction of the channel longitudinal axis.

9. The solid surface clamp of claim 6, wherein the top jaw further comprises a face and extending from the face is an offset bump adjacent to the clip, wherein the offset bump restricts the rotational movement of the top jaw relative to the elongated stiffening member.

10. The solid surface clamp of claim 1, wherein the top clamping surface is longer than the bottom clamping surface and both surfaces are substantially parallel to each other.

11. The solid surface clamp of claim 1, wherein the alignment cutout is formed into the threaded portion.

12. The solid surface clamp of claim 1, wherein the alignment cutout is a slot.

13. The solid surface clamp of claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises two states: an aligned state wherein the alignment shaft contacts the alignment cutout; and a freely rotating state wherein the alignment shaft is moved such that the alignment shaft does not contact the alignment cutout.

14. The solid surface clamp of claim 13, wherein the movement of the alignment shaft is biased by an alignment shaft spring.

15. The solid surface clamp of claim 1, wherein the alignment cutout is configured such that the cross-sectional shape of the bolt perpendicular to the bolt longitudinal axis has at least one flat side.

16. The solid surface clamp of claim 1, wherein the alignment shaft is a pin or a screw.

17. The solid surface clamp of claim 1, further comprising a spring extending between the top jaw and the bottom jaw.

18. A solid surface clamp, comprising: a top jaw constructed to exert a clamping force on a top clamping surface configured to contact a solid surface slab, the top jaw comprising a top jaw alignment hole; a bottom jaw comprising a bottom clamping surface; a bolt attached to the bottom jaw and slideably received through the top jaw alignment hole, the bolt comprising an alignment cutout and a threaded portion extending from the top jaw, wherein the bolt defines a bolt longitudinal axis, and wherein the bolt cross sectional shape is non-circular at least at the potion of the bolt comprising the alignment cutout; a nut threaded onto the threaded portion, the nut and threaded portion constructed to transition the clamp from an open position to a clamping position; wherein the top jaw alignment hole is a complementary shape to the bolt cross sectional shape and configured to contact the alignment cutout and maintain the top jaw and bottom jaw substantially fixed relative to each other about the bolt longitudinal axis; and wherein the alignment cutout moves relative to the top jaw hole in the direction of the bolt longitudinal axis when the clamp transitions from an open position to a clamping position.

19. The solid surface clamp of claim 18, further comprising: a shroud shielding the nut and the entire threaded portion that extends from the top jaw, the shroud constructed to continuously shield the nut and the entire threaded portion that extends from the top jaw (1) when the solid surface clamp is the fully open position; (2) when the solid surface clamp transitions from the fully open position to the clamping position; and (3) when the solid surface clamp is in the clamping position.

20. The solid surface clamp of claim 18, further comprising: an elongated stiffening member, and wherein the elongated stiffening member comprises the top clamping surface.

Description

6.0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(1) Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the present invention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described or illustrated embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(2) In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, process operations well known to persons of skill in the art have not been described in detail in order not to obscure unnecessarily the present invention. Various techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some embodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple mechanisms unless noted otherwise. Similarly, various steps of the methods shown and described herein are not necessarily performed in the order indicated, or performed at all in certain embodiments. Accordingly, some implementations of the methods discussed herein may include more or fewer steps than those shown or described. Further, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes describe a connection, relationship or communication between two or more entities. It should be noted that a connection or relationship between entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities or processes may reside or occur between any two entities. Consequently, an indicated connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection unless otherwise noted.

(3) The following list of example features corresponds with FIGS. 1-12B and is provided for ease of reference, where like reference numerals designate corresponding features throughout the specification and figures:

(4) Clamp (1st Embodiment) 10A

(5) Clamp (2nd Embodiment) 10B

(6) Clamp (3rd Embodiment) 10C

(7) Elongated Stiffening Member 15

(8) Top Clamping Surface 18

(9) Channel 20

(10) Channel Retention Clip 25

(11) Channel Longitudinal Axis 27

(12) Threaded Nut/Shroud 30

(13) Spacer/Washer 35

(14) Top Jaw (1st Embodiment) 40A

(15) Top Jaw (2nd Embodiment) 40B

(16) Top Jaw (3.sup.rd Embodiment) 40C

(17) Top Jaw Alignment Hole 41

(18) Top Jaw Face 42

(19) Screw Fasteners 45

(20) Top Jaw Alignment Shaft (screw) (1st Embodiment) 50A

(21) Top Jaw Alignment Shaft (pin) (2nd Embodiment) 50B

(22) Top Jaw Alignment Shaft with Cutout 50D

(23) Alignment Shaft Spring 51

(24) Sliding Movement of Alignment Shaft 52

(25) Alignment Shaft Cutout 54

(26) Spring 55

(27) Sleeve 60

(28) Bottom Jaw 65

(29) Bottom Clamping Surface 67

(30) Bolt (1st Embodiment) 70A

(31) Bolt (2nd Embodiment) 70B

(32) Bolt (3rd Embodiment) 70C

(33) Preferred Position of alignment shaft 71

(34) Threaded Portion of Bolt 72

(35) Bolt Longitudinal Axis 74

(36) Alignment Cutout (Flat Side) (1st Embodiment) 75A

(37) Alignment Cutout (Slot/Channel) (2nd Embodiment) 75B

(38) Alignment Cutout (Extended Flat Side) (3rd Embodiment) 75C

(39) Fixed Rotational Position Between Top and Bottom Jaws 78

(40) Bolt Anti-rotation Shaft 80

(41) Bolt Anti-rotation Slot 85

(42) Offset Elongated Bump 90

(43) Clamping/De-clamping Nut Rotation 95

(44) Clamping/De-clamping Bolt Movement 100

(45) Plurality of Clamps 105

(46) Solid Surface Slab 110

(47) FIGS. 1-5B illustrate a first embodiment of the solid surface clamp, FIGS. 6-10B illustrate a second embodiment, and FIG. 11 illustrates a third. All of these embodiments are very similar to each other, but differ slightly in the alignment structures.

(48) Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a solid surface clamp 10A is illustrated connected to an elongated stiffening member 15. The clamp 10A has a channel retention clip 25 that fits into the channel 20 of the elongated stiffening member 15, allowing the clamp 10A to move relative to the elongated stiffening member 15 along the channel longitudinal axis 27. The clamp may come into contact with a solid surface (not shown) along the top clamping surface 18 and bottom clamping surface 67. As shown the top clamping surface 18 is formed into the elongated stiffening member 15, such that engaging the clamping action of the clamp 10A, exerts a clamping force on the top clamping surface 18.

(49) The solid surface clamp 10A is advantageously used to assist in laminating solid surface materials together. For example, solid surface clamp 10A may be used to laminate granite, marble, Corian, engineered stone, and other solid surfaces. When laminating, typically two pieces of material are adhered together. Often, the bottom piece will be a larger slab of material, with its finished surface resting on a work bench. The top piece often is a relatively narrow strip of material. For example, when edging a granite slab, the granite slab is used as the bottom piece, while a 1 inch wide strip of granite is used as the top piece. When the laminating adhesive agent has cured, the slab is turned over so that the strip becomes a lower edge to a countertop. The solid surface may be in the form of slabs, sheets, or tiles. It will be appreciated that other solid surface materials may be used with solid surface clamp 10A. Solid surface clamp 10A may be manufactured or milled from aluminum stock, or may be formed using other rigid materials.

(50) Solid surface clamp 10A has a bottom jaw 65 and a top jaw 40A. FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the various components of the clamp 10A. A connecting rod in the form of bolt 70A connects the bottom jaw 65 to the top jaw 40A. More particularly, the bolt 70A is fixedly attached to the bottom jaw 67 by a bolt anti-rotation shaft 80 and fits into the bolt anti-rotation slot 86 formed into the bottom jaw 65. Although this is shown as two separate structures, the bolt 70A may have the anti-rotation shaft 80 integrally formed therein. Further, the anti-rotation shaft 80 need not be a shaft, rather may be a non-circular shape such as a hexagon. So, for example, the threaded bolt may have a hexagon shape that acts like the anti-rotation shaft 80, and the bottom jaw 65 would have a slot 86 to receive the hexagon and prevent the rotation of the bolt 70A. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 3B. The bolt 70A is slideably received through the top jaw 10A. The threaded portion of bolt 72 extends through the top jaw 40A so that a threaded nut/shroud 30 couples to the threaded portion of the bolt 72. The threaded nut/shroud 30 has sufficient space for receiving the threaded portion 72. In this way, threaded nut/shroud 30 acts as a shroud to protect the bolt threads and the threads in the nut. For example, contamination from adhesives or other substances may be avoided. It will be appreciated that some applications may not require the use of a shroud.

(51) A spring 55 surrounds the bolt 70A and is positioned between the top jaw 40A and the bottom jaw 67. The spring 55 thereby causes the jaws to separate and press the top jaw 40A against the threaded nut/shroud 30.

(52) There may also be a fastener 45 that holds the channel retention clip 25 to the top jaw 40A. The clip 25 travels in the channel 20 of the elongated stiffening member 15 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), allowing the clamp 10A to slide along the stiffening member 15. This is done by loosening the fasteners 45, sliding the clamp 10A to the desired position, and then tightening the fasteners 45. As shown in FIG. 4 the face 42 of the top jaw 40A may have an offset elongated bump 90 that offsets the face 42 from the clip 25. This bump 90 may also comprise two or more separate bumps. The elongated bump 90 fits into the opening on the elongated stiffening member 15, and prevents the rotation of the top jaw 40A relative to the elongated stiffening member 15, and reduces play. This in turn, maintains the top clamping surface 18 substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 74 of the bolt 70A. FIG. 8D shows a perspective view of the top jaw face 42, which illustrates the elongated shape of the bump 90.

(53) Returning to FIG. 3, when the fasteners 45 are tightened, the clip 25 imparts force onto the inside surface of the channel 20 maintaining the longitudinal position of the clamp 10A relative to the elongated stiffening member 15. When the fasteners 45 are loosened, the clip 25 releases this force and the clamp 10A is free to move along the channel 20. There are other structures that may be included in the clamp 10A, including a spacer/washer 35 to allow for freer rotational movement of the threaded nut/shroud 30 relative to the top jaw 40A, and rubber sleeve 60 that protect the solid surface material from metal spring 55 and bolt 70A that may cause damage.

(54) When using a clamp, it is advantageous to keep the alignment between the top and bottom jaws. In other words, when a user engages the nut and rotates it to either open or close the clamp, the bottom and top jaws should stay in the same rotational position. This alignment allows a user to engage the clamp with a single hand, and need not use the other hand to physically prevent the rotation to maintain alignment. To achieve this feature, the present clamp has some alignment structuresan alignment shaft 50A and an alignment cutout 75A. The top jaw 40A contains the shaft 50A, shown as a screw in the first embodiment, and the bolt 70A contains the alignment cutout 75A.

(55) The alignment cutout 75A has a cross sectional shape with a flat side (i.e., a circle with a flat side) as shown in FIG. 5B. It is against the flat side that the alignment shaft 50A (a screw) contacts, thus maintaining the top jaw 40A and bottom jaw 65 substantially fixed relative to each other about the bolt longitudinal axis 74. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view that shows the alignment shaft (screw) 50A alongside of the alignment cutout 75A. As the threaded nut/shroud 30 is rotated in the clamping/de-clamping direction 95, the bolt 70A will move in the direction of arrows 100. Because the alignment cutout 75A is an elongated flat side, the alignment shaft (screw) 50A will allow the bolt 70A translational movement in the direction of the bolt's longitudinal axis (i.e., arrows 100) but will restrict the rotation of the bolt 70A about its longitudinal axis 74. And finally, since the bolt 70A is attached to the bottom jaw 65 through the bolt anti-rotation shaft 80 and the bolt anti-rotation slot 85, the bottom jaw 65 will move relative to the top jaw 40A in the translational direction of arrows 100, but will not move rotationally about the bolt longitudinal axis 74.

(56) It should be noted that the alignment shaft 50A is completely protected from any adhesive that contacts the clamp 10A during use. Also, the alignment cutout 75A is also largely protected from adhesives. In fact, the alignment shaft 50A may be placed in the position shown by arrow 71 (FIG. 5A), such that the entire length of the alignment cutout 75A is shielded either by the top jaw 40A or the threaded nut/shroud 30, further increasing the operational robustness of the clamp 10A.

(57) Advantageously, the solid surface clamp 10A protects the threads and bolt from contamination. Further, the solid surface clamp 10A distributes the clamping force over a longer edge through the elongated stiffening member 15, thereby more evenly distributing the force and permitting the use of fewer clamps as compared to conventional clamping tools. In this way, a set of solid surface clamps may be spaced apart and still provide sufficient and even clamping force. Also, the alignment structures enable the efficient alignment of the material to be clamped. By assisting the alignment, and by enabling the use of fewer clamps, the laminating process is made more efficient using the solid surface clamp 10A.

(58) These alignment structures maintain alignment between the top and bottom jaws, easing the use of the solid surface clamp. Now a user need only place the top jaw on the solid surface and turn the threaded nut, without having to physically restriction the rotational movement of the bottom jaw to maintain proper alignment.

(59) When a plurality of these clamps 105 are connected to an elongated stiffening member 15, the user can easily tighten more than one clamp at the same time without having to worry about the bottom jaw rotating out of alignment. Not only is this easier, it saves time and results in a better work product. Specifically, the user can operate faster by engaging multiple clamps simultaneously, but also when two clamps are engaged simultaneously the position of the material being clamp can be more easily controlled. For example, if the elongated stiffening member is four feet long and has four clamps, a single user can place adhesive on a skirt piece, line up the skirt on top of the solid slab, place the top clamping surface of the elongated stiffening member on the skirt and the bottoms jaws of the clamps on the slab, and simultaneously engage the outermost clamps bringing in the far edges of the skirt into contact with the slab at about the same time. The two innermost clamps could then be engaged.

(60) This is simply not possible with previous clamps. The same scenarios would require either two workers each operating a single clamp at a time, or much more time. A single worker could not simply engage the outermost clamp to its final position, because this would then leave the other end of the skirt unsupported, making accurate final positioning of all the clamps impossible. Rather, a single worker would engage the outermost clamps independently (being careful the bottom jaw does not rotate) and only for a small portion of the entire translational movement necessary for the skirt to be properly positioned. The single user would then continue engaging the several clamps independently, with each engagement nudging each clamp closer to its final position. This is very time consuming.

(61) It should also be noted, that the alignment shaft 50A, shown as a screw can be removed. When this is done, the bottom jaw 65 is not locked into alignment with the top jaw. This can be useful when the material being clamped requires the bottom clamp to contact a surface that is not immediately below the top jaw. Thus, the clamp 10A can be shifted into two operational states: aligned and freely rotating.

(62) FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate an alignment shaft 50D that has a spring 51 that is biased in forcing the shaft 50D in the direction of the arrow shown. FIG. 4B is the aligned operational state, where the alignment pin 50D is in contact with the alignment cutout 75A, thus restricting the rotational movement of the bolt 70A about the bolt longitudinal axis. Pulling the alignment pin in the direction of arrow 52 moves a cutout 54 in the alignment shaft 50D to allow the rotation of the bolt 70A about the longitudinal axis 78, and consequently the bottom jaw 65 that is fixed relative to the bolt 70A. This is the freely rotating state of the clamp (shown in FIG. 4C). Because the alignment shaft 50D has a spring pulling on it when the top and bottom jaws are aligned, the alignment shaft 50D will move back to aligned stated (FIG. 4B). This same type of spring-activated alignment pin may be used in the second embodiment described below. Specifically, the user can pull the alignment shaft out of the alignment slot to place the clamp in the freely rotating state and the spring would move the alignment shaft back into the slot when it is properly align, placing the clamp in the aligned state.

(63) Referring to FIG. 3C, the clamp 10A may also be placed into the freely rotating state by pushing the bottom jaw 65 towards the top jaw 40A, causing the end of the bolt 70A and the bolt anti-rotation shaft 80 to exit the bottom edge of the bolt anti-rotation slot 85, allowing the bottom jaw 65 to rotate about the bolt longitudinal axis 78. Unlike the movement of the alignment shaft discussed with reference to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the bottom jaw 65 would rotate relative to the bolt 70A, and the bolt 70A would remain rotational fixed relative to the top jaw 40A.

(64) The second embodiment (FIGS. 6-10B) has several of the same parts as the embodiment just described. The difference is that the first embodiment implements an alignment cutout 75A that had a cross sectional shape with a flat side (i.e., a circle with a flat side) against which the alignment shaft 50A (a screw) would contact, thus maintaining the top jaw 40A and bottom jaw 65 substantially fixed relative to each other about the bolt longitudinal axis 74. The second embodiment instead implements an alignment cutout 75B which is a slot or channel running along the bolt 70B in the direction of the longitudinal axis 74. It is into this slot/channel that the alignment shaft 50B, which in the second embodiment is a pin, rides thus maintaining the top jaw 40B and bottom jaw 65 substantially fixed relative to each other about the bolt longitudinal axis 74. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the alignment cutout 75B comprising a slot/channel. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view that shows the alignment shaft (pin) 50B inserted into the alignment cutout (slot/channel) 75B. As the threaded nut/shroud 30 is rotated in the clamping/de-clamping direction 95, the bolt 70B will move in the direction of arrows 100. Because the alignment cutout 75B is an elongated slot, the alignment shaft (pin) will allow the bolt 70B translational movement (i.e., in the direction of arrows 100) but will restrict the rotation of the bolt 70B about its longitudinal axis 74. And finally, since the bolt 70B is attached to the bottom jaw 65 through the bolt anti-rotation shaft 80 and the bolt anti-rotation slot 85, the bottom jaw 65 will move relative to the top jaw 40B in the translational direction of arrows 100, but will not move rotationally about the bolt longitudinal axis 74.

(65) The third embodiment (FIG. 11) has several of the same parts as the embodiments just described. The difference is that in the third embodiment, the clamp 10C implements an alignment cutout 75C similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the flat side extends to the end of the threaded portion 72. The top jaw 40C has an opening 41 that is not circular as in the first and second embodiments, but rather complementary to the shape of the alignment cutout 75C (i.e., the cross sectional shape of the bolt 70C). The flat side of the opening 41 acts like the alignment shaft and prevents the bolt 70C from rotating, but does allow sliding movement of the bolt 70C into and out of the top jaw. This maintains the top jaw 40C and bottom jaw 65 substantially fixed relative to each other about the bolt longitudinal axis 74.

(66) The advantage of the present design over the prior art are multi-fold. First, the amount of material used is less because, as compared to the '379 patent, a large second alignment pin has been eliminated. Less material means lower manufacturing and shipping costs. Second, the alignment cutout and alignment pins are shielding from adhesives, rendering the clamps more operationally robust. Third, the previous '379 patent design had two shafts running parallel to each other such that the alignment pin 23 would exit the top jaw when the clamp was fully closed, potentially interfering with the operation of the clamp. This becomes much more pronounced with the opening distance of the clamp becomes larger, requiring a longer and larger alignment pin. In the present design, the threaded bolt is only shaft that moves longitudinally when the clamp is opened or closed, eliminating the extra obtrusive and heavy shaft of the prior art.

(67) FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate the clamp used on a finished slab. This may be helpful to reinforce the slab when transporting the slab to its final installation. Further, the clamp can be used to reinforce the slab when cutouts (such as those for a sink) are made to the finished material. The importance of reinforcement is discussed at length in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/3,976,692 filed on Jan. 3, 2017, incorporated herein by reference. And of course, the clamp made be used for lamination, as discussed above.

(68) The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently-preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.