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A clamping system for use in air float tables in machine tool and other environments wherein the workpiece supporting fixture is supported on a cushion of pressurized air established between it and the surface of the table. The clamping system comprises one or more T-clamps mounted within the table

A clamping system for use in air float tables in machine tool and other environments wherein the workpiece supporting fixture is supported on a cushion of pressurized air established between it and the surface of the table. The clamping system comprises one or more T-clamps mounted within the table for vertical rectilinear movement under the action of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, and a T-slot in the lower surface of the fixture which is capable of receiving the T-clamps, preferably through enlarged entry openings at various places along the slot. With the T-clamps received in the T-slots in unclamped condition, the fixture is guided by the T-clamps as it is moved about on the table. When the fixture has been located in the desired position, pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is applied to the cylinder thereby drawing the T-clamps downwardly so that they clamp the fixture to the table. The T-slots may be arranged in a number of different patterns, for example, orthogonally related straight slots, circularly arranged arcuate slots, and closed circular slots. This arrangement permits the fixture to be easily moved about on the table in a controlled manner, accurately located, and then clamped in place with minimal effort required on the part of the machine tool operator, as in the case where the air float system is part of a machine tool, such as a milling machine, boring machine, etc.

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In a fluid fixture support system including a table having an upwardly facing upper surface adapted to support a workpiece fixture, a workpiece fixture having a lower surface in facing relationship with the table upper surface when the fixture is supported on the table upper surface, and means for s

In a fluid fixture support system including a table having an upwardly facing upper surface adapted to support a workpiece fixture, a workpiece fixture having a lower surface in facing relationship with the table upper surface when the fixture is supported on the table upper surface, and means for supplying a cushion of fixture supporting pressurized fluid to the surface of the table whereby the fixture may be floatingly supported thereon, a fixture clamping system comprising: a clamp element movably mounted in said table and including a portion thereof overhanging said table, retraction means in said table connected to said clamp element for selectively drawing at least said overhanging portion toward said table, said fixture including an elongated slot in the lower surface thereof accommodating the clamp element overhanging portion therein, said clamp element adapted to be received in said slot, said slot including shoulder means disposed beneath the overhanging portion of said clamp element when said clamp element is received in said slot such that said shoulder means will be clamped by said overhanging portion when the overhanging portion is drawn toward said table, at least one opening in the lower surface of said fixture contiguous with said slot and being sufficiently large to permit said clamp element to project upwardly through said opening into said slot, whereby said clamp element and slot function to locate the fixture as it is moved over the surface of the table and enable the fixture to be immediately clamped in place by retracting the clamp element when the desired position of the fixture on the table has been reached.