Toggle clamps operate using a mechanical linkage system to securely fasten objects. There are several common types of toggle clamps including vertical handle, horizontal handle, push-pull, latch, hook, and toggle plier clamps. Additionally, heavier duty weldable and air-powered toggle clamps are available for industrial applications requiring high forces. Each toggle clamp type has a specific geometry and operation that makes it suited for different clamping needs such as height restrictions, multi-directional clamping, or automated use.

2. Types of toggle clamps
Toggle clamps operate on a simple mechanical principal and are used to fasten objects
instantly, especially for jigs and fixtures.(eg.a checking fixture below)
Typically, a toggle clamp consists of: A handle to operate the mechanism A clamping
arm to hold the work-piece Linkages to multiply the applied force and a base to
mount the clamp to a work bench or other surface.
Toggle clamps work on the over centre linkage principle and high forces are
generated as the pivot points align and once applied the clamps are locked into
position.You can easily load it on or unload by move it leveraged handle.And this
picture tells what is the “over center linkage principle”.

3. Here we goes to the part of introduction of different types of toggle clamps.We try to
cover as more types as we know.
1,vertical handle toggle clamp
Vertical toggle clamps are the most versatile, producing the highest clamping forces
with the arm and handle geometry using the same axis direction.
Features include:
 Red vinyl hand grip with cushioned rib profile for improved user comfort.
 All body and linkage components are zinc plated to resist corrosion.
 Pivot points are fitted with hardened steel or stainless steel rivets to maintain
accuracy and provide a long service life.
 Clamps with adjustable spindles are manufactured with a formed end to the arm,
which captivates the spindle should it become loose during operation.
 Flanged washers are supplied with all slotted arm versions and weldable bolt
retainer brackets are supplied with all solid arm models.
 The arm and handle opening angles can be increased on some models by the
removal of a positioning pin on the base of the clamp.
2,Horizontal handle toggle clamp
Horizontal toggle clamps have the advantage of having a low profile when the handle
is inthe closed position, and so are most suitable for applications having a height
restriction.The arm and handle geometry use opposite axis directions.

4. Features include:
 Red vinyl hand grip with cushioned rib profile for improved user comfort.
 All body and linkage components are zinc plated to resist corrosion.
 Pivot points are fitted with hardened steel or stainless steel rivets to provide a
long service life.
 Clamps with adjustable spindles are manufactured with a formed end to the arm,
which captivates the spindle should it become loose during operation.
 The handle and arm linkages are designed to provide a smooth continuous action
when the handle is opened and closed.
3, Push&pull type
Push-Pull toggle clamps use a plunger mechanism to produce a positive straight-line
action. They have the advantage of having a low profile, using side or end clamping,
and so are most suitable for applications having a height restriction.

5. Features include:
 Red vinyl hand grip with cushioned rib profile for improved user comfort.
 All body and linkage components on the light duty range are zinc plated
to resist corrosion.
 The heavy-duty range has ductile cast iron bases for strength and rigidity.
 A close tolerance is maintained between the base and plunger to allow use for pin
location and gauging as well as clamping applications.
 Pivot points are fitted with hardened steel or stainless steel rivets to maintain
accuracy and provide a long service life.
4,Latch type
Latch action toggle clamps are available in two types, with a horizontal or vertical
action. The latch action allows two faces to be fastened together on the same plane or
at 90 degrees.They have the advantage of having a low profile, and so are most
suitable for applications having a height restriction.The latch action makes this clamp
ideally suited for applications on mould box lids, quick release covers, hatches and
doors.
Features include:
 Red vinyl hand grip with cushioned rib profile for improved user comfort.
 All body and linkage components on the light duty range are zinc plated to resist
corrosion.
 The heavy-duty range has cast steel bases for strength and rigidity.
 Pivot points are fitted with hardened steel or stainless steel rivets to maintain
accuracy and provide a long service life

6. 5,Hook clamp
Hook action toggle clamps operate on a horizontal plane, to pull two faces together, or
at 90 degrees.They have the advantage of having a low profile, and so are most
suitable for applicationshaving a height restriction. The hook action makes this clamp
ideally suited for applications on mould box lids, quick release covers, hatches and
doors.
Features include:
 Red vinyl hand grip with cushioned rib profile for improved user comfort.
 All body and linkage components on the light duty range are zinc plated to resist
corrosion.
 The heavy-duty range has wide flanged bases for strength and rigidity.
 Pivot points are fitted with hardened steel or stainless steel rivets to maintain
accuracy and provide a long service life.
6,Toggle plier
Toggle pliers have the advantage of a pivoting jaw mechanism to allow a deep throat
depth to open and close easily when clamping awkward profiles such as steel angle
section.

7. The jaw spindle can be pre-set to achieve the optimum clamping distance and
pressure and so is most useful for repetitious clamping applications.F clamps are
manufactured to a robust design with hardened and tempered forged steel jaw and
clamping rail to provide a long service life.
Available in two versions, the T handle design allows very high clamping forces to be
achieved with the hex nut facility on the spindle.The quick action lever ratchet type
allows instant clamping and loosening of the workpiece with minimum effort.
Features include:
 Heavy duty forged steel jaws and handles to achieve high clamping forces
without flexing.
 All pliers and fabricating clamps are zinc plated finish to resist corrosion and
have profiled handles for improved operator comfort.
 Models 50380 & 50450 are manufactured with an integral central release
trigger to facilitate quick release with minimum effort.
 All spindles are supplied with a copper plated surface finish to resist weld spatter.
 Pivot points are fitted with hardened steel or stainless steel rivets to maintain
accuracy and provide a long service life.
7,Heavy duty weldable
This range of clamps has been developed to withstand the most arduous welding
conditions and are very well suited to repetitive production areas such as the
automotive industry. They have the advantage of having the basic toggle mechanism,
onto which the arm and handle can be welded at the desired position to suit the
specific application.
Features include:
 Holding forces of up to 2000 kg can be achieved.
 Two types of base mounting are available;
A short swivel base to allow the clamp to be mounted at an angle relative to
the arm and handle.
A long straight base to allow the mechanism to be welded directly on to a

8. dedicated jig or fixture.
 All body and linkage components are drop forged high alloy steel for strength and
 rigidity.
 All pivot pins are manufactured from hardened and ground steel, and the main
pivot
 pins run in hardened steel bushes to maintain accuracy and provide a long service
life.
 Chemi-black surface finish to resist corrosion.
8,Air powered clamp
Air-powered clamps are available in three distinctive versions.
Vertically acting mechanisms, which share the features of the equivalent manual
series,from which they are derived.
Straight line action mechanisms providing a push-pull output force.
Swing action cylinder clamps operating on a helix principle.
The obvious benefits offered by air powered clamps are the increased productivity
andsafety offered by fully automatic hands free operation.Prevention of accidental
handle opening even if the air supply is disconnected
 Features include:
 The heavy-duty range has ductile cast iron bases for strength and rigidity.
 Cylinder ports are fitted with air-flow restrictors to control the cycle speed and to
provide cushioning at each end of the stroke.
 Chromed piston rods for protection against weld spatter.
 Pivot points are fitted with hardened steel or stainless steel rivets to maintain
accuracy
 and provide a long service life.
You can read more at toggle clamp introduction.