US20090065539A1

US20090065539A1 - Adjustable clamp device

Info

Publication number: US20090065539A1
Application number: US11/851,394
Authority: US
Inventors: Shang-Wen Yang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-07
Filing date: 2007-09-07
Publication date: 2009-03-12

Abstract

An adjustable clamp device for adjusting a length to clamp positioning is disclosed. The adjustable clamp device has a chassis, an adjusting element and an elastomer. The chassis has a pressing portion on a side thereof and a limiting portion on another side thereof. The limiting portion has a sliding space for mounting adjusting element, and the adjusting element comprises a sliding base and a buckling portion correspondingly positions on the two sides of the adjusting portion. The elastomer is positioned in the buckling portion for elastically moving in the sliding space.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an adjustable clamp device, more particularly, the present invention relates to a length adjustable clamp device for clamp positioning, wherein by moving the buckling portion of the adjusting element in the sliding space of the chassis of the clamp device, the length of the clamp device can be adjusted.
2. Description of Related Art
The advancement of information technology evolved the wide use of the mobile phone, and related software and hardware are also being improved day by day, for example, photography, video communication, wireless internet, MP3 and multimedia playing, games and so on. In order to carry and use the mobile phone anytime and anywhere, the mobile phone case usually has a clamp on the back to enable the user to clamp to the belt or the clothing. However, the mobile phone and the case cannot be positioned upright on a deck after removing from the clamping position. In other words, the mobile phone can only be placed flat on the deck or be held by the user's hand for operation. If the user operates the mobile phone by hands for a long time, the hands, wrists and the neck can become easily fatigue or stiff.
Therefore, how to overcome the defect of the conventional design is an important issue for the manufacturer in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an adjustable clamp device.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the clamp device has a limiting portion at a side of a chassis with a sliding space and an adjusting element mounted on the two sides of the limiting portion of the chassis. When a sliding base and a buckling portion slide in the sliding space, an elastomer can elastically stop to position in order to adjust the length of the clamp device. The clamp device also can assemble with a positioning set to serve as a stand. Thus, the clamp device according to the present invention can be a resilient clamp or positioning upright, or for other purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an adjustable clamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable clamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the adjustable clamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing before adjusting the adjusting element of the clamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing while adjusting the adjusting element of the clamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing after adjusting the adjusting element of the clamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing before assembling the clamp device with the positioning set according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the stand according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the adjustable clamp device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a clamp device 1 in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of a chassis 2 and an adjusting element 3.
The chassis 2 has a top surface and a bottom surface. On the top surface of the chassis 2 comprises an inclined pressing portion 21 on one end and a receiving space 22 on another end for mounting the adjusting element 3. The pressing portion 21 has a plurality of protrusions 211 for providing a skidproof effect. On the bottom surface of the chassis 2 comprises two receiving portions 23 each having an axial hole 231, a stopper 232 disposed between the two receiving portions 23 at one side, a positioning element 24, and a limiting portion 25 formed at another side away from the receiving portions 23. The positioning element 24 comprises at least one notch 241, and the limiting portion 25 comprises a sliding space 251 and an opening 252. The two sidewalls of the sliding space 251 comprise a plurality of gear-like buckling grooves 253 and a long track groove 254.
The adjusting element 3 comprises a sliding base 31 and a buckling portion 32. The sliding base 31 comprises a bent hook-shaped clamping portion 311 formed on a side thereof, an inlaying space 312, and a buckling block 313 positioned on the surface inside the inlaying space 312; the buckling portion 32 comprises an inlayed hole 321 for engaging with the buckling block 313, a sliding block 322 formed at an outer side adjacent the inlayed hole 321, and a V shaped elastomer 324 bent to form a tip 3241. The buckling portion 32 further comprises a chamber 323 for receiving the elastomer 324, and the tip 3241 of the elastomer 324 protrudes out of a slot 3231 on a side of the chamber 323.
During assembly of the clamp device 1, first, the elastomer 324 is received in the chamber 323, and then the sliding base 31 and the buckling portion 32 of the adjusting element 3 are mounted on the two surfaces of the limiting portion 25 respectively, keeping the buckling portion 32 inlayed into the sliding space 251. Thus, the tip 3241 of the elastomer 324 can protrude out of the slot 3231 of the chamber 323 against one of the buckling grooves 253, and the sliding block 322 is mounted in the track groove 254 to let the buckling block 313 of the sliding base 31 engage with the inlaying hole 321 of the buckling portion 32. Next, the inlaying space 312 of the sliding base 31 is fit into the receiving space 22 of the chassis 2, so that the sliding base 31 of the adjusting element 3 can be movable in the receiving space 22.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the length of the clamp device 1 is adjustable by moving the buckling portion 32 of the adjusting element 3 in the sliding space 251 of the limiting portion 25 of the chassis 2. When moving the buckling portion 32, the tip 3241 of the elastomer 324 in the chamber 323 of the buckling portion 32 can be slide along the gear-like buckling grooves 253 and stopped against one of the buckling grooves 253 elastically to enable the adjusting element 3 in position properly. Furthermore, the sliding block 322 of the buckling portion 32 is mounted in the track groove 254 to ensure the adjusting element 3 is positioned in the limiting portion 25 positively.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the clamp device 1 can be further assembled with a positioning set 4 to constitute a stand 5.
The positioning set 4 comprises two jointing portions 41 each having a axle hole 411 for inserting an axle 412, a stopper 413 at the front side, a elastic element 414, a star-shaped positioning hole 43 at the rear side away from the stopper 413, and two axial portions 42 set between the jointing portions 41 and the positioning hole 413. The two axial portions 42 each have a groove 422 at the interior thereof and a hole 421 for mounting a U-shaped supporting rod 423, and a positioning plate 424 near the jointing portions 41. Further, the elastic element 414 is a folded spring and comprises two jointing holes 4142 and two holding portions 4141 extended from the two sides of the jointing holes 4142; the supporting rod 423 comprises two terminal rods 4231 at two free ends and a holding rod 4232 between the two terminal rods 4231.
To assemble the above elements, first, the receiving portions 23 of the chassis 2 of the clamp device 1 are positioned and assembled with the jointing portions 41 of the positioning set 4 to make the axial holes 231 of the receiving portions 23 correspond to the axial holes 411 of the jointing portions 41. Next, the resilient element 414 is positioned axially between the receiving portions 23 and the jointing portions 41 and the jointing holes 4142 of the resilient element 414 correspond to the axial holes 411 and 231, allowing the axle 412 insert into the axial holes 411 and 231 and the jointing holes 4142. Then, the holding portions 4141 of the elastic element 414 stop against the stoppers 413 and 232 on the positioning set 4 and the chassis 2 respectively to avoid the resilient element 414 bouncing away from the positioning set 4 and the chassis 2. Further, the two terminal rods 4231 of the supporting rod 423 respectively insert into the holes 421 axially to enable the holding rod 4232 stop against the positioning plate 424 on the positioning set 4 for limiting the displacement of the supporting rod 423. Thus, the stand 5 of the present invention can be firmly assembled.
The stand 5 may further include a case 51 and a receiving chamber 52 for receiving an electronic device 53. The case 51 comprises an embedding portion 511, a plurality of buckles 512 on the flange of the embedding portion 511, and an arched-shape limiting block 513 adjacent to the embedding portion 511. The electronic device 53 may be a mobile phone, a palm video game player, a PDA, a MP3 player or the portable video device. Thus, the user can carry and use the electronic device 53 without the limitation of the environment.
To assemble the above elements, the embedding portion 511 of the case 51 is inserted into the positioning hole 43 of the positioning set 4 to enable the plurality of the buckles 512 at the flange of the embedding portion 511 to fit in and expose out of the positioning hole 43. Meanwhile, the outer flange of the positioning hole 43 is positioned between the embedding portion 511 and the limiting block 513. Thus, the arched-shape limiting block 513 and the positioning set 4 can provide the case 51 a proper rotation angle, at the same time, the plurality of buckles 512 of the case 51 are respectively embedded and alternately arranged around the positioning hole 43. Besides, the electronic device 53 has a display 531 and a plurality of keys 532 for the user to view and to input operation commands.
When using the stand 5, the user may depress the pressing portion 21 of the chassis 2, allowing the pressing portion 21 moved toward the positioning set 4. Meanwhile, the resilient element 414 is forced to deform between the positioning set 4 and the chassis 2. Thus, the other side of the chassis 2 away from the pressing portion 21 is opened in a desired angle, and the holding rod 4232 of the supporting rod 423 is lodged in the at least one groove 241 of the positioning element 24 of the chassis 2, keeping the chassis 2 and the positioning set 4 form an opening position. Further, the stand 5 can be positioned upright on a platform. At this time, the clamping portion 311 of the adjusting element 3 of the clamp device 1 and the bottom of the case 51 is positioned on the platform, and the chassis 2, the positioning set 4 and the adjusting element 3 can form a triangular structure with more stability. Besides, by moving the sliding base 31 and the buckling portion 32 of the adjusting element 3 in the limiting portion 25 and stopping the tip 3241 of the elastomer 324 in the chamber 323 of the buckling portion 32 against one of the buckling grooves 253 in the sliding space 251, the length of the clamp device 1 can be adjusted substantially. Accordingly, the case 51 can be positioned on the platform in various angles by adjusting the adjusting element 3 in the limiting portion 25 and lowering the center of gravity of the triangular structure for position more steadily.
Furthermore, the terminal rods 4231 are served as an axis of the supporting rod 423 for rotating in the holes 421 of the axial portions 42 to enable the holding rod 4232 lodges in the at least one groove 241 of the positioning element 24 of the chassis 2 for adjusting the opening angle. Accordingly, the case 51 assembled with the positioning set 4 can be positioned at a proper distance from the chassis 2 and the user can adjust depending on the need to place the stand 5 upright on the platform to view the electronic device 53 received in the case 51 at a best viewing angle. Thus, the user can process the live video communication, multimedia and games by using the display 531 and the plurality of the keys 532 of the electronic device 53 to avoid affecting the gesture and health. Besides, the stand 5 can also serve as a stand for taking a picture. Thus, the user can only carry the stand 5 without carrying an additional stand and avoid additional cost.
Referring to FIG. 9, this embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment in FIG. 2 with the exception of the positioning element 24, a recess 26, two tracks 27 and two fitting blocks 314. The positioning element 24 is detachable from the chassis 2, and the recess 26 is form between the receiving portions 23 and the limiting portion 25 for mounting the positioning element 24. The positioning element 24 further comprises a plurality of grooves 241 with different oblique angles and a distance between the two adjacent grooves 241 is also dissimilarity. Thus, the stand 5 can be in different open position according to the user's need. Further, the two tracks 27 are positioned on the two lateral sides of the recess 26 respectively, and there is a partition 271 in each of the tracks 27. The fitting block 314 are positioned in the inlaying space 312 of the adjusting element 3 for engage with the partitions 271 in the tracks 27, keeping the adjusting element 3 mounted on the receiving space 22 stability.
The above detachable positioning element 24 can be positioned in the recess 26 by adhesive, screws, rivets, hot glue or silica gel, and the grooves 241 have different oblique angles and the distance between the two adjacent grooves 241 is also dissimilarity.
The present invention has at least the following advantages.
1. The clamp device 1 comprises a limiting portion 25 formed on the side of the chassis 2, and the adjusting element 3 is axially movable in the sliding space 251 of the limiting portion 25 for adjusting the length of the clamp device 1; meanwhile, the clamp device 1 assembled with the positioning set 4 provides various inclined angles to steadily position on the platform.
2. The supporting rod 423 of the positioning set 4 comprises a holding rod 4232 which can be lodged in the at least one groove 241 of the positioning element 24 of the chassis 2 to adjust the clamp device 1 and the positioning set 4 in a desired angle.
3. The clamping portion 311 on a side of the adjusting element 3 of the clamp device 1 and the bottom of the case 51 can respectively support on the platform, and the receiving portions 23 of the chassis 2, the jointing portions 41 of the positioning set 4 and the adjustable element 3 form a triangular structure for position steadily.
4. The case 51 assembled with the positioning set 4 can be positioned at a proper distance from the chassis 2 and the user can adjust it depending on the need to place the case 51 upright on the platform to view the electronic device 53 received in the case 51 at a best viewing angle.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations in which fall within the spirit and scope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.

Claims

What the invention claimed is:

1. An adjustable clamp device, comprising:

a chassis, comprising a pressing portion on a side thereof and a limiting portion on another side thereof, wherein said limiting portion comprises a sliding space;

an adjusting element, positioned movably in said limiting portion of said chassis, comprising a sliding base and a buckling portion mounted on two sides of said limiting portion respectively; and

a elastomer, positioned in said buckling portion for elastically moving in said sliding space.

2. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 1, wherein said sliding space further comprises a plurality of gear-like buckling grooves and a long track groove at two sides respectively.

3. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 2, wherein said sliding base comprises a bent hook-shaped clamping portion at one side and a buckling block formed on a surface thereof, said buckling portion comprises an inlaying hole for engaging with said buckling block and a sliding block formed on an outer side adjacent to said inlaying hole for sliding in said long track groove of said sliding space.

4. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 2, wherein said elastomer is bent to form a tip; said buckling portion comprises a chamber for receiving said elastomer and a slot formed on a side in said chamber for protruding said tip against said gear-like buckling grooves of said sliding space.

5. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 1, wherein said chassis comprises a receiving space adjacent to said pressing portion for receiving said sliding base of said adjusting element.

6. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 1, wherein said chassis comprises a positioning element, a recess set adjacent said limiting portion for mounting said positioning element in position and two tracks positioned at two lateral sides of said recess, and each of said tracks has a partition; said sliding base of said adjusting element comprises a inlaying space and two fitting blocks in said inlaying space for engaging with said partitions in said tracks.

7. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 1, further comprises a positioning set having two jointing portions and a elastic element; said chassis comprises two receiving portions at back side of said pressing portion assembled with said jointing portions of said positioning set for mounting said elastic element between said positioning portions and said jointing portions.

8. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 7, wherein said positioning set comprises two axial portions for axially mounting a supporting rod; said chassis comprises a positioning element with at least one notch for lodging said supporting rod.

9. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 7, wherein said jointing portions each have a axial hole for axially mounting an axle, and a stopper is positioned on a side adjacent to said jointing portions.

10. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 8, wherein said axial portions each have a groove at an interior thereof, a positioning plate positioned on a side near said jointing portions, and a positioning hole on another side away from said jointing portions.

11. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 9, wherein said receiving portions each have a axial hole corresponding to said axial holes of said positioning set and a stopper positioned between said two receiving portions.

12. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 1, wherein said pressing portion comprises a plurality of protrusions for providing a skidproof effect.

13. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 7, wherein said elastic element is a folded spring with two jointing holes and two holding portions extended from said jointing holes.

14. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 7, wherein said positioning set can further be assembled with a case, and said case comprises an embedding portion on a side, a plurality of buckles on a flange of said embedding portion, an arch-shape limiting block formed adjacent to said embedding portion, and a receiving chamber formed apart from said embedding portion for receiving an electronic device.

15. The adjustable clamp device according to claim 14, wherein said electronic device can be a mobile phone, a palm video game player, a PDA, a MP3 player and a portable video device.