Clamping assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US11787015B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Clamping assembly",
  "abstract": "A workpiece clamping assembly includes a fixed member and a movable member and the movable member is associated with a motor for movement toward and away from the fixed member. The motor is in communication with a controller that selectively signals for movement of the movable members in response to an operator's command.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A battery powered, motor operated workpiece holding assembly for an embroidery machine, the workpiece holding assembly comprising: a carriage mountable in the embroidery machine; a support bracket attached to the carriage; a pair of mounts; a pair of fasteners for connecting each of the mounts to the support bracket; a first pair of clamping jaws attached to the support bracket, each clamping jaw of the first pair of clamping jaws is attached to a respective mount; a second pair of clamping jaws attached to the support bracket, each clamping jaw of the second pair of clamping jaws is movably attached to a respective mount in vertical opposition to the clamping jaw of the first pair of clamping jaws attached to the respective mount; and, a pair of servo motors attached to the support bracket, each servo motor is attached to a respective mount and activates a respective one of the second pair of clamping jaws via rotational movement of a pin within a race defined in a mounting block attached to the respective clamping jaws of the second pair of clamping jaws, wherein the race has an oblong profile in a lateral direction; a controller supported on the carriage that selectively activates each of the pair of motors for movement of the second pair of clamping jaws; and a self-contained battery pack supported on the carriage that powers each respective motor and the controller.",
    "2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein, the controller independently activates the respective motor.",
    "3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein, the controller terminates power to the respective motor after the second pair of the clamping jaws is in the clamping position.",
    "4. The clamping assembly of claim 1, wherein the pin is configured to traverse the race in the lateral direction.",
    "5. A clamping assembly in combination with an embroidery machine, the combination comprising: the embroidery machine having: a needle array; a thread supply; a control unit; a workpiece embroidery position; and, a motherboard with at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and, a workpiece holding assembly having: a carriage mounted to the embroidery machine; a support bracket attached to the carriage; a pair of mounts; a pair of fasteners for connecting each of the mounts to the support bracket; a first pair of clamping jaws attached to the support bracket, each clamping jaw of the first pair of clamping jaws is attached to a respective mount; a second pair of clamping jaws attached to the support bracket, each clamping jaw of the second pair of clamping jaws is movably attached to a respective mount in vertical opposition to the clamping jaw of the first pair of clamping jaws attached to the respective mount; and, a pair of servo motors attached to the support bracket, each servo motor is attached to a respective mount and activates a respective one of the second pair of clamping jaws via rotational movement of a pin within a race defined in a mounting block attached to the respective clamping jaws of the second pair of clamping jaws, wherein the race has an oblong profile in a lateral direction; a controller supported on the carriage that selectively activates each of the pair of motors for movement of the second pair of clamping jaws; and a power source supported on the carriage powers each of the respective motors and the controller.",
    "6. The clamping assembly of claim 5, wherein the control unit acts in response to commands from an operator control.",
    "7. The clamping assembly of claim 6, wherein commands between the operator control and the control unit are transmitted wirelessly.",
    "8. The clamping assembly of claim 5, wherein the controller has a plurality of modes.",
    "9. The clamping assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of modes include sequential and simultaneous movement of the at least two spatially arranged clamps.",
    "10. The clamping assembly of claim 8, wherein said control unit includes a display that indicates each of the respective modes among the plurality of modes.",
    "11. The clamping assembly of claim 5, wherein the control unit terminates power to the respective motor after the associated clamps is in the clamping position.",
    "12. The clamping assembly of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to lock the at least two spatially arranged clamps in position when an operator control is engaged.",
    "13. The clamping assembly of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to issue a warning signal when either clamp of the at least of the two spatially arranged clamps is in an opened position."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to devices for clamping a workpiece in a desired position. More particularly, the invention relates to clamping a workpiece in a stitch applying machine. Most particularly, the invention relates to a device that enables selective clamping of a workpiece in an embroidering machine.\n\nClamping devices for holding a workpiece are known in the apparel industry and in related industries. The known devices are used for embroidering and monogramming a variety of workpieces including shirts, pants, sweaters, jackets, hats, handkerchiefs, towels and the like.\n\nThe known devices include manually operated devices where the user opens and closes the clamps by hand to position and hold the workpiece. In certain environments, manually-operated devices may be difficult to use. Additionally, manual actuation is time consuming and costly where high volume output is required, and manual operation of the clamp levers can result in overtightening which may lead to excessive wear and premature failure of the clamp or its parts. Furthermore, manual operation is undesirable where it is necessary for the user to have two hands available for holding the workpiece in position before clamping.\n\nPneumatically operated clamping systems are available. These pneumatic clamping systems typically use a compressor, which is often noisy and can involve piping which make them undesirable.\n\nIn view of the known problems and disadvantages of prior manual and pneumatic devices, the present invention provides an efficient clamping assembly that utilizes a servo motor for opening and closing the clamp arms.",
  "cpc": [
    "B25B 5/06",
    "B25B 5/02",
    "D05C 9/04"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25B 5/02",
    "B25B 5/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "MELCO INTERNATIONAL LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Antonio Jose Da Silva Pedregal"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-05-14",
  "publication_date": "2023-10-17",
  "grant_date": "2023-10-17",
  "priority_date": "2020-05-14",
  "application_number": "US-202015931861-A",
  "family_id": "78513846",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
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}