US 11,858,062 B2
Multi-position clamp for friction welding operations
Harvey Lau, Silverdale, WA (US); Francis Baumann, Conroe, TX (US); John M. Griffin, Holly Hill, FL (US); Richard Jackson, Poulsbo, WA (US); Nicole Medina, Daytona Beach, FL (US); and Mark Andrew Smith, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to Fusematic Corporation, Somerville, TX (US)
Appl. No. 17/631,626
Filed by Fusematic Corporation, Ormond Beach, FL (US)
PCT Filed Jul. 7, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/044423
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 31, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/022120, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 4, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/881,340, filed on Jul. 31, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0193817 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. B23K 20/12 (2006.01); B23K 20/26 (2006.01); B23K 37/04 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 20/26 (2013.01) [B23K 20/12 (2013.01); B23K 20/1285 (2013.01); B23K 20/1295 (2013.01); B23K 37/0435 (2013.01)] 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An indexable, multi-position clamp for positioning and holding a portable friction welding tool adjacent a substrate for friction welding a plurality of fixtures in a pattern referenceable from a fixed position on a substrate, said clamp comprising:
a clamp base securable at the fixed position on the substrate;
a traveling mount comprising:
a tool mount for receiving said portable friction welding tool;
a connection to the clamp base allowing relative movement of the tool mount over the substrate; and
index stops accessible with the relative movement of the tool mount over the substrate whereby the pattern for the plurality of fixtures is referenceable from the fixed position of the clamp base on the substrate;
an articulated fixture loading system engaging the tool mount in a manner so as to allow reorientation of said mounted portable friction welding tool, when mounted in said tool mount, to a position allowing access for loading the fixture without disengaging and removing said portable friction welding tool from connection with the clamp base.