초록 ▼

A clamp is for clamping a first member to a second member. The clamp comprises a lever that is rotatably coupled to the first member and a plunger. The lever comprises a handle and a cam that rotate together about a rotational axis. Rotation of the lever about the axis in a first direction cams the

A clamp is for clamping a first member to a second member. The clamp comprises a lever that is rotatably coupled to the first member and a plunger. The lever comprises a handle and a cam that rotate together about a rotational axis. Rotation of the lever about the axis in a first direction cams the plunger towards the second member to couple the first and second members together and wherein rotation of the lever about the axis in a second, opposite direction cams the plunger away from the second member to uncouple the first and second members from each other.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A clamp for clamping a first member to a second member, the clamp comprising: a lever that is rotatably coupled to the first member, the lever comprising a handle and a cam that rotate together about a rotational axis; anda plunger;wherein rotation of the lever about the axis in a first direction

1. A clamp for clamping a first member to a second member, the clamp comprising: a lever that is rotatably coupled to the first member, the lever comprising a handle and a cam that rotate together about a rotational axis; anda plunger;wherein rotation of the lever about the axis in a first direction cams the plunger towards the second member to couple the first and second members together and wherein rotation of the lever about the axis in a second, opposite direction cams the plunger away from the second member to uncouple the first and second members from each other;wherein the cam comprises a first cam surface camming the plunger towards the second member when the lever is rotated in the first direction and a second cam surface camming the plunger away from the second member when the lever is rotated in the second direction;wherein the first cam surface comprises an outer curved surface that is radially eccentric with respect to the rotational axis;wherein the outer curved surface is shaped so that an amount of torque necessary to rotate the lever about the axis is greatest at an over-center rotational position, such that the lever is retained in position after it is rotated past the over-center rotational position in the first direction and such that the lever is retained in position after it is oppositely rotated past the over-center rotational position in the second direction;wherein the plunger comprises an inner cam surface that is cammingly engaged by the eccentric outer curved surface of the first cam surface when the lever is rotated in the first direction to thereby move the plunger towards the second member;wherein the second cam surface comprises outer surfaces on opposite sides of the inner cam surface, the outer surfaces being radially eccentric with respect to the rotational axis;wherein the plunger further comprises opposing retaining rings that are cammingly engaged by the outer surfaces of the second cam surface when the lever is rotated in the second direction to thereby move the plunger away from the second member; andwherein the retaining rings are spaced apart from each other so that the lever can rotate between the retaining about the rotational axis and past the over-center rotational position in the first and second directions. 2. A clamp according to claim l, wherein the outer surfaces of the second cam surface comprise ends of a cam cylinder extending from the cam. 3. A clamp according to claim 2, comprising at least one bearing in which the cam cylinder rotates. 4. A clamp according to claim 3, wherein the at least one bearing comprises a plurality of rotatable pins on which the cam cylinder rotates. 5. A clamp according to claim 1, comprising a resilient member resiliently biasing the plunger against the second member when the lever is rotated in the first direction. 6. A clamp according to claim 5, wherein the resilient member is disposed inside the cam. 7. A clamp according to claim 6, wherein the resilient member comprises a bushing. 8. A clamp according to claim 5, comprising a pivot sleeve and a cam cylinder in the cam, wherein the resilient member is disposed in the cam between the pivot sleeve and the cam cylinder. 9. A clamp according to claim 1, comprising a pivot member about which the lever rotates. 10. A clamp according to claim 9, wherein comprising a clevis connecting the pivot member to the first member. 11. A clamp according to claim 10, comprising a pivot sleeve through which the pivot member extends. 12. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the plunger comprises a concave engagement surface for engaging a cylindrical-shaped second member. 13. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the plunger comprises a V-shaped engagement surface for engaging a corner surface on a second member. 14. A clamp according to claim 1, comprising a lock rotationally locking the lever with respect to the axis. 15. A clamp according to claim 14, wherein the lock comprises a pivotable tongue having a first end and a second end and a pivot joint located there between and being pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position. 16. A clamp according to claim 15, wherein the first end of the pivotable tongue has an engagement finger for engaging a recess on the first member when the pivotable tongue is in the locked position. 17. A clamp according to claim 16, wherein application of pressure on the second end of the pivotable tongue causes the tongue to pivot about the pivot joint such that the finger disengages from the recess and the tongue is moved into the unlocked position. 18. A clamp according to claim 17, wherein the pivot joint extends through the lever. 19. A clamp according to claim 1, comprising the first and second members, wherein the second member is pivotable with respect to the first member, wherein rotation of the lever in the first direction prevents pivoting of the second member and wherein rotation of the lever in the second, opposite direction allows pivoting of the second member. 20. A clamp according to claim 19, wherein the first member comprises a plurality of arms retaining the second member with respect to the first member. 21. A clamp according to claim 20, wherein the second member is substantially spherical and each of the plurality of arms is long enough to retain the spherical second member. 22. A clamp according to claim 21, comprising a screw extending from the second member for mounting a peripheral device. 23. A clamp according to claim 22, therein at least one of the plurality of arms is movable between a first position wherein the second member is retained with respect to the first member and a second position wherein the second member is not retained with respect to the first member. 24. A clamp according to claim 23, comprising a spring biasing the movable arm into the first position. 25. A clamp according to claim 1, comprising the first and second members, wherein the first member comprises a mount and the second member comprises a track within which the mount is slidably retained. 26. A clamp according to claim 25, wherein the track comprises a C-shaped cross-section having opposing retaining ends. 27. A clamp according to claim 26, wherein the mount comprises an outer diameter that is larger than a gap formed between the opposing retaining ends and smaller than an inner diameter of the track. 28. A clamp according to claim 27, wherein the mount comprises opposing end members and at least one spacer extending there between. 29. A clamp according to claim 25, wherein the plunger comprises a linkage and locking arms, and wherein the linkage couples the plunger to the locking arms. 30. A clamp according to claim 29, wherein rotation of the lever about the pivot member in the first direction causes the linkage to move the locking arms into engagement with the track to couple the first and second members together and wherein rotation of the lever in the second, opposite direction causes the linkage moves the locking arms out of engagement with the track to uncouple the first and second members. 31. A clamp according to claim 30, wherein the linkage is rotatably coupled to the cam. 32. A clamp according to claim 31, wherein the linkage comprises a pivot bar having a first end coupled to the cam and a second end coupled to a cross bar, wherein the cross bar has opposing ends coupled to the locking arms. 33. A clamp according to claim 32, wherein the cross bar pivots about pivot located between its opposing ends. 34. A clamp for clamping a first member to a second member, the clamp comprising; a lever that is rotatably coupled to the first member, the lever comprising a handle and a cam that rotate together about a rotational axis; anda plunger;wherein rotation of the lever about the axis in a first direction cams the plunger towards the second member to couple the first and second members together and wherein rotation of the lever about the axis in a second, opposite direction cams the plunger away from the second member to uncouple the first and second members from each other;further comprising the first and second members, wherein the second member is pivotable with respect to the first member, wherein rotation of the lever in the first direction prevents pivoting, of the second member and wherein rotation of the lever in the second, opposite direction allows pivoting of the second member;wherein the first member comprises a plurality of arms retaining the second member with respect to the first member;wherein the second member is substantially spherical and each of the plurality of arms is long enough to retain the spherical second member;a screw extending from the second member for mounting a peripheral device;wherein at least one of the plurality of arms is movable between a first position wherein the second member is retained with respect to the first member and a second position wherein the second member is not retained with respect to the first member;a spring biasing the movable arm into the first position.wherein the movable arm pivots along a track.