KUPPLUNG FUER DIE LOESBARE BEFESTIGUNG EINES WERKSTUECKTRAEGERS AUF EINER MIT EINER WERKZEUGMASCHINE FEST VERBINDBAREN AUFNAHME

A coupling construction and a clamp therefor are disclosed which are operable in a workholding system for securing and holding a workpiece at a work station during a machining operation. The coupling which is preferably of substantially circular configuration and preferably comprises a substantially circular receiver which is securable at the work station, a carrier to which a workpiece is securable and which is receivable in mating relation with the receiver, and a plurality of the clamps which are operative for securing the carrier to the receiver in a coupled position wherein the carrier is received in mating relation with the receiver. The clamps are preferably disposed within the interior of the coupling and a drive means is also preferably provided within the interior of the coupling for manipulating the clamps between unclamped positions thereof and clamped positions thereof wherein they clampingly engage the carrier and the receiver to maintain the coupling in the coupled position. The structural features of the coupling make it particularly adapted for construction with a reduced axial dimension so that it can be effectively utilized in a workholding system without occupying a substantial portion of the machining envelope of a machining apparatus.