FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10) CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT
Numbered as dated
INVENTORS:
a) ABISHEK K. AYNIPULLY
APPLICANT:
M/s. LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
L&T House, Ballard Estate, P.O. Box No 278,
Mumbai, 400 001, Maharashtra,
INDIA
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THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
NATURE OF THE INVENTION

CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT
A) Technical field
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a clamping arrangement, and more specifically to testing fixture used to test contactors.
B) Background
[0002] In a testing fixture it is necessary that component to be tested be held properly in place so that current carrying contact pins of the fixture comes in proper contact with terminals of the contactor and there is no mismatch.
[0003] Many devices for clamping arrangement have been developed. A conventional system of clamping is used with a pneumatic cylinder. The pressure applied by the pneumatic cylinder sometimes exceeds the limit and the component is not able to withstand the pressure applied by the pneumatic cylinder on it while the clamping takes place. This causes damage to the component being clamped.
[0004] While the conventional solutions are advantageous for their intended purposes, the existing state of the art generally does not provide adequate solutions for clamping arrangement that provides proper clamping of the
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component and the pressure applied on component can be adjusted based on the component.
[0005] Hence, there is a need to develop a clamping arrangement wherein pressure applied on the components can be adjusted and overall assembly would not damage the component.
C) Object of the invention
[0006] An object of the embodiment is to provide a clamping arrangement that enables the clamping of the contactors without damaging them.
[0007] Another objective of the embodiment is to provide a clamping arrangement that can adjust the pressure applied on the contactors.
[0008] Yet another object of the embodiment is to provide a coupling arrangement that dampens the additional stroke provided by the pneumatic cylinder used for clamping.
D) Summary
[0009] The embodiments herein provide a clamping arrangement that enables the clamping of the contactors without damaging them. The arrangement
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comprises a pneumatic cylinder that provides the clamping pressure. Component is mounted by means of a shoulder screw with springs in between the holder plate and pneumatic cylinder. This arrangement enables the system to dampen the extra pressure applied by the cylinder once the component has been properly held in position. The additional stroke of the cylinder is utilized during compression of the springs, which are designed in such a manner that they compress only when the component is properly clamped and held in position. Thus a proper clamping with good dampening is achieved by means of this arrangement.
[0010] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
E) Brief description of the drawings
[0011] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates simplified representation of the clamping arrangement;
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[0013] FIG.2 illustrates the initial position of clamping mechanism;
[0014]FIG.3 illustrates the intermediate stage where component has been clamped with required clamping pressure;
[0015] FIG.4 illustrates the final stage of the clamping where all the stroke of the pneumatic cylinder has been consumed.
F) Detailed description of the Invention
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] A preferred embodiment herein provides a clamping arrangement that enables the clamping of the contactors without damaging them. The arrangement comprises a pneumatic cylinder that provides the clamping
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pressure. Component is mounted by means of a shoulder screw with springs in between the holder plate and pneumatic cylinder. This arrangement enables the system to dampen the extra pressure applied by the cylinder once the component has been properly held in position. The additional stroke of the cylinder is utilized during compression of the springs, which are designed in such a manner that they compress only when the component is properly clamped and held in position. Thus a proper clamping with good dampening is achieved by means of this arrangement.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates simplified representation of the clamping arrangement. Pneumatic cylinder 1 is mounted by means of a shoulder screw 6 with springs 5 and component 3 is fixed in between the holder plate 4 and cylinder 1. This arrangement enables the system to dampen the extra pressure applied by the cylinder once the component 3 has been properly held in position. The additional stroke of cylinder 1 is utilized during compression of springs 5, which are designed in such a manner that they compress only when the component 3 is properly clamped and held in position.
[0019] FIG.2 illustrates the initial position of clamping mechanism. Z-link 3. is open and component 6 is placed into the fixture. The rod eye 2 provides a means of hinging piston 7 to Z-link 3. Piston 7 is at the bottom most position and can deliver a stroke S. Springs 5 are maintained at a pre-compressed length (P) by means of clamping moving plate 4 to the bottom plate by means of screw 8. Springs 5 are selected such that the load required to compress them is almost equal to the safe load for the clamping of component 6.
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[0020] FIG.3 illustrates the intermediate stage where component has been clamped with required clamping pressure. Once pneumatic cylinder is actuated piston 7 moves upwards which causes the Z-link to turn in the direction shown, thus clamping the component 6. Here piston 7 is moved by a stroke equal to length(S-L) thus changing the position of point A to Point B. The distance between A & B (i.e. M) is given by M=S-L. Even though the component has been clamped properly there is still some stroke left with pneumatic cylinder, which is shown as L. Now this additional stroke is absorbed in such a manner that this does not exert any pressure on the component.
[0021] FIG.4 illustrates the final stage of the clamping where all the stroke of the pneumatic cylinder has been consumed. The Point B is not changed which indicates that the additional stroke has not been transferred to component 6. When the pressure exerted by the cylinder's piston 7 on component 6 exceeds the safe clamping load, springs 5, which are so designed that the start compressing as soon as the load on them is more than the safe clamping load. As shown in the figure the cylinder 1 is not firmly fastened to the bottom plate, rather it is clamped by keeping the springs in between and the screws are loose in the bottom plate which allows them to move out as springs 5 start compressing. The space available due to compression of spring 5 is occupied by the cylinder moving down till the complete stroke is consumed. Thus the compressed length of the spring changes from P to P-L.
[0022] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully
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reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the description.
The detailed scope and monopoly of the invention shall be more clearly ascertained at the time of filing Complete Specification
Dated this the 28™ day of March, 2007

Rakesh Prabhu,
Patent Agent, ALMT Legal,
No.2, Lavelle Road, Bangalore-560 001, INDIA
To,
The Controller of Patents, The Patent office,
At Mumbai
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Abstract
A clamping arrangement that enables the clamping of the contactors without damaging them. The arrangement comprises a pneumatic cylinder that provides the clamping pressure. Component is mounted by means of a shoulder screw with springs in between the holder plate and pneumatic cylinder. This arrangement enables the system to dampen the extra pressure applied by the cylinder once the component has been properly held in position. The additional stroke of the cylinder is utilized during compression of the springs, which are designed in such a manner that they compress only when the component is properly clamped and held in position. Thus a proper clamping with good dampening is achieved by means of this arrangement.
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