CLAMPING DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clamping device which is simple in structure, and applicable to a wide range. SOLUTION: The clamping device is formed of drive motors, worm gears each secured to a rotating shaft of the drive motor, worm wheel gears each arranged on the worm gear so as to be in mesh with the same, and clamping claws each directly or indirectly attached to the worm wheel gear. The clamping device is simple in structure, and can clamp a clamping object. Thus by changing an engaging location of the worm wheel gear with the worm gear, the location and the number of clamping members are easily changeable. Further since the worm wheel gear and the worm gear are in mesh with each other, even if a power failure occurs when the clamping device is in a clamping state, the clamping state is maintained. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI