US20090188087A1 - Clamp assembly - Google Patents
Clamp assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090188087A1 US20090188087A1 US12/415,726 US41572609A US2009188087A1 US 20090188087 A1 US20090188087 A1 US 20090188087A1 US 41572609 A US41572609 A US 41572609A US 2009188087 A1 US2009188087 A1 US 2009188087A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- gripping
- assembly
- clamp assembly
- material receiving
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
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- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 6
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- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B2/00—Friction-grip releasable fastenings
- F16B2/02—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
- F16B2/16—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening using rollers or balls
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/44—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof
- Y10T24/44282—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof having equally spaced or continual gripping faces revolving about central axis
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/44—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof
- Y10T24/44573—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof including track or way guided and retained gripping member
- Y10T24/44581—Biased by distinct spring
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/44—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof
- Y10T24/44573—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof including track or way guided and retained gripping member
- Y10T24/4459—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof including track or way guided and retained gripping member with operator for moving guided member
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to clamp assemblies, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved clamp assembly for selectively gripping material.
- Clamp assemblies which employ a wedging effect have been used for gripping sheet materials, including paper, metal plates, and slabs of concrete.
- Such clamp assemblies tend to fall into one of two categories: those that are simple in construction and those that are complex in construction. Both the simple and complex clamp assemblies are generally limited in their functionality. That is, they are usually intended to be used for a specific purpose and for gripping a specific type of material. In the case of the clamp assemblies of simple construction, they generally have less gripping power than those of more complex construction. However, the complex clamp assemblies are obviously more expensive to construct and more complicated to use.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown gripping a piece of material.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the clamp assembly of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a gripping assembly of the clamp assembly of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is an elevational view of one section of a housing of the clamp assembly of the present invention illustrating the gripping assembly in a biased, extended material engaging position.
- FIG. 5 is an elevational of the section of the housing of the clamp assembly of FIG. 4 in a retracted position.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a clamp assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- a clamp assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown gripping a material 12 .
- the material 12 gripped by the clamp assembly 10 may be sheets of material, tarps, covers, belts, straps or the like. Material of various shapes and sizes including materials having inconsistent shapes may be gripped.
- the clamp assembly 10 may be secured to any suitable structure, such as a vehicle, including a trailer, and may be used to secure various items.
- the clamp assembly 10 is not limited to use with a vehicle, but may be connected to any structure so as to grip a desired material.
- the clamp assembly 10 is desirably made of a durable, substantially rigid material which is strong enough to grip any material. Suitable materials for construction of the clamp assembly 10 and components thereof include metals such as aluminum, steel, titanium, magnesium or alloys thereof, polymeric materials, and composite materials which are capable of providing the desired strength and durability to the clamp assembly 10 .
- the clamp assembly 10 includes a housing 14 and a gripping assembly 16 .
- the housing 14 of the clamp assembly is shown having a substantially U-shaped structure. While the clamp assembly 10 is shown as U-shaped, it should be understood that the clamp assembly 10 may be any shape, such as V-shaped, C-shaped, and the like, as long as the clamp assembly 10 is capable of selectively gripping material in accordance with the present invention. It is contemplated that the housing 14 is constructed from multiple components, however, it should be understood that the housing 14 may be constructed as a single component.
- the housing 14 is provided with a substantially U-shaped configuration and has a first end 18 , a second end 20 , a first portion 22 and a second portion 24 .
- a lug 26 extends from the second end 20 of the housing 14 , substantially as shown, for selectively connecting a connecting member (not shown), such as a bungee cord, rope, strap, cable, or other suitable device to the clamp assembly 10 to enable the clamp assembly 10 to be selectively connected to a support structure (also not shown).
- a connecting member such as a bungee cord, rope, strap, cable, or other suitable device
- support structure also not shown.
- support structures include various locations of a vehicle and stakes or rods positioned in the ground.
- the first and second portions 22 and 24 of the housing 14 cooperate to define a material receiving slot 28 therebetween, which extends from the first end 18 of the housing 14 and terminates a distance 30 from the second end 20 of the housing 14 .
- the first portion 22 of the housing 14 is provided with an angularly disposed channel 32 having a first end 34 terminating a distance 35 from the first end 18 of the housing 14 and a second end 36 terminating a distance 37 from the second end 20 of the housing 14 .
- the second portion 24 of the housing 14 defining the material receiving slot 28 is provided with a gripping surface 38 disposed along at least a portion thereof.
- the housing 14 is shown constructed of a first section 40 and a second section 42 .
- the first section 40 and the second section 42 are mirror images of one another except that the first section 40 is provided with a plurality of female connector members, such as openings 44 , and the second section 42 is provided with a plurality of male connector members, such as pins 46 .
- the first and second sections 40 and 42 may be connected to form the housing 14 substantially as shown in FIG. 1 , by use of a suitable adhesive, sonic welding, or other suitable means for securing the first and second sections 40 and 42 .
- the size and shape of the openings 44 and the pins 46 may be varied.
- the lug 26 which extends outwardly from the second end 20 of the housing 14 , is likewise constructed of a first section 48 having an aperture 50 and a second section 52 having an aperture 54 .
- the apertures 50 and 54 provided in the first and second sections 48 and 52 of the lug 26 are disposed substantially adjacent and the apertures 50 and 54 provided in the first and second sections 48 and 52 of the lug 26 are axially aligned substantially as shown in FIG. 1 .
- An inner surface 56 of the first section 48 of the lug 26 is provided with a recessed portion 58 extending about the aperture 50
- an inner surface 60 of the second section 52 of the lug 26 is provided with a recessed portion 62 extending about the aperture 54 .
- the recessed portion 58 and 62 formed about the apertures 50 and 54 are sized to substantially receive a reinforcing member, such as a washer 64 having an aperture 66 substantially corresponding in size to the apertures 50 and 54 .
- the washer 64 is desirably disposed within one of the recessed portions 58 and 60 of the first and second sections 48 and 52 of the lug 26 , such as the recessed portion 62 on the inner surface 60 of the second section 52 of the lug 26 , such that upon assembling the housing 14 , the first and second sections 48 and 52 of the lug 26 are disposed substantially adjacent one another and the washer 64 is disposed within the recessed portions 58 and 62 or the washer 64 may be embedded in one of the first or second sections 48 and 52 , whereby the washer 64 functions to reinforce and thus strengthening the portion of the first and second sections 48 and 52 of the lug 26 surrounding the aperture 50 and 54 in the first and second sections 48 and 52 of the lug 26 .
- first and second sections 40 and 42 of the housing 14 are substantially mirror images of one another.
- an inner surface 67 of the first section 40 of the housing 14 is provided with an angularly disposed recessed portion 68 extending in a downwardly direction toward the first end 18 of the housing 14 so as to intersect the material receiving slot 28 formed by the connection of the first and second sections 40 and 42 of the housing 14 .
- An inner surface 69 of the second section 42 of the housing is provided with an angularly disposed recessed portion 70 extending in a downwardly direction toward the first end 18 of the housing 14 so as to intersect the material receiving slot 28 formed by the connection of the first and second sections 40 and 42 of the housing 14 (See FIGS. 2 , 4 , and 5 ).
- the angularly disposed recessed portion 68 is a mirror image of the angularly disposed recessed portion 70 .
- the angularly disposed portions 68 and 70 cooperate to provide the angularly disposed channel 32 which defines a travel path for the gripping assembly 16 so that the gripping assembly 16 can be selectively moved between a biased first position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 wherein a portion of the gripping assembly 16 extends into the material receiving slot 28 , and a second position ( FIG. 5 ) wherein the gripping assembly 16 is withdrawn from the material receiving slot 28 .
- the first and second sections 40 and 42 of the housing 14 also cooperate to form a slot 72 in the first portion 22 of the housing 22 .
- the slot 72 openingly communicates with the angularly disposed channel 32 which defines the travel path for the gripping assembly 16 and the material receiving slot 28 of the housing 14 so that the gripping assembly 16 can be selectively moved between the biased first position and the second position.
- the gripping assembly 16 is shown as having a guide plate 74 , a neck member 76 and a roller assembly 78 .
- the guide plate 74 is disposed on an outer surface 80 of the first portion 22 of the housing 14 .
- a finger projection 82 extends upwardly from the guide plate 74 and the neck member 76 is connected to the guide plate 74 so that the neck member 76 extends into and through the slot 72 formed in the first portion 22 of the housing 14 .
- the roller assembly 78 includes an axle 84 connected to a lower end portion 86 of the neck member 76 and a pair of rollers 88 and 90 connected to the axle 84 such that each roller 88 and 90 is able to rotate independently of the other roller.
- a spring retainer 92 is connected to the neck member 76 so as to be substantially aligned with the rollers 88 and 90 while at the same time preventing interference with the rollers 88 and 90 .
- the spring retainer 92 is provided with an aperture 94 therein adapted to receive one end 96 of a spring 98 .
- An opposite end 100 of the spring 98 is disposed within a recessed portion 102 formed in one end 104 of the slot 72 substantially as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
- the first section 48 of the housing 14 may be provided with a protrusion (not shown) that serves to extend the recessed portion 102 and support the spring 98 prior to the sections 48 and 50 being assembled.
- At least a portion of the material receiving slot 28 formed by the second portion 24 of the housing 14 is provided with a plurality of teeth 106 (See FIGS. 2 , 4 and 5 ), which cooperate with the rollers 88 and 90 of the roller assembly 78 to enhance gripping of material 12 disposed within the material receiving slot 28 of the housing 14 .
- housing 14 may be formed without teeth so as to form a smooth surface.
- the spring 98 is desirably provided with a tapered configuration wherein a smaller end of the spring 98 is connected to the spring retainer 92 supported on the lower end portions 86 of the neck members 76 and a larger end portion is disposed within the recessed portion 102 formed in the first portion 22 of the housing 14 so that the spring 98 extends along the channel 32 formed in the housing 14 .
- the spring 98 has been shown as a tapered spring, it should be understood that the spring 98 can be provided with any configuration as long as it functions to biased the rollers 88 and 90 in the first cloth receiving position as shown in FIG. 4 , and at the same time allows the rollers 88 and 90 of the roller assembly 78 to be selectively withdrawn from material engaging contact from the material receiving slot 28 .
- FIG. 6 another embodiment of a clamp assembly 110 is shown.
- the clamp assembly 110 is similar to the clamp assembly 10 except that the clamp assembly 110 includes a gripping assembly 112 .
- the gripping assembly 112 is similar to the gripping assembly 16 described above with the exception that the gripping assembly 112 includes a block member 118 instead of rollers.
- the block member 118 is connected to a lower end portion of the neck member (not shown) and has an engaging surface 120 .
Abstract
A clamp assembly selectively grips material. The clamp assembly includes a housing, a gripping assembly and means for connecting the clamp assembly to an object. The housing has a first end, a second end, a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions cooperate to define a material receiving slot. The first portion of the housing has an angular disposed channel and an angular disposed recessed portion. The second portion of the housing has a gripping surface. The gripping assembly is slidably disposed within the channel such that the recessed portion cooperates with the channel to define a travel path so that the gripping assembly can be selectively movable between a biased first position and a second position. In the biased first position, the gripping assembly extends into the material receiving slot. In the second position the gripping assembly is withdrawn from the material receiving slot.
Description
- The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/713,395, filed Mar. 2, 2007, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to clamp assemblies, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved clamp assembly for selectively gripping material.
- 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
- Clamp assemblies which employ a wedging effect have been used for gripping sheet materials, including paper, metal plates, and slabs of concrete. Such clamp assemblies tend to fall into one of two categories: those that are simple in construction and those that are complex in construction. Both the simple and complex clamp assemblies are generally limited in their functionality. That is, they are usually intended to be used for a specific purpose and for gripping a specific type of material. In the case of the clamp assemblies of simple construction, they generally have less gripping power than those of more complex construction. However, the complex clamp assemblies are obviously more expensive to construct and more complicated to use.
- To this end, a need exists for an effective clamp assembly that is simple in construction and which can be used on a variety of materials and at a variety of locations. It is to such a clamp assembly that the present invention is directed.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown gripping a piece of material. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the clamp assembly ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a gripping assembly of the clamp assembly of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of one section of a housing of the clamp assembly of the present invention illustrating the gripping assembly in a biased, extended material engaging position. -
FIG. 5 is an elevational of the section of the housing of the clamp assembly ofFIG. 4 in a retracted position. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a clamp assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention. - Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , aclamp assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown gripping amaterial 12. Thematerial 12 gripped by theclamp assembly 10 may be sheets of material, tarps, covers, belts, straps or the like. Material of various shapes and sizes including materials having inconsistent shapes may be gripped. It should be understood that theclamp assembly 10 may be secured to any suitable structure, such as a vehicle, including a trailer, and may be used to secure various items. In addition, it should be understood that theclamp assembly 10 is not limited to use with a vehicle, but may be connected to any structure so as to grip a desired material. - The
clamp assembly 10 is desirably made of a durable, substantially rigid material which is strong enough to grip any material. Suitable materials for construction of theclamp assembly 10 and components thereof include metals such as aluminum, steel, titanium, magnesium or alloys thereof, polymeric materials, and composite materials which are capable of providing the desired strength and durability to theclamp assembly 10. - The
clamp assembly 10 includes ahousing 14 and agripping assembly 16. Thehousing 14 of the clamp assembly is shown having a substantially U-shaped structure. While theclamp assembly 10 is shown as U-shaped, it should be understood that theclamp assembly 10 may be any shape, such as V-shaped, C-shaped, and the like, as long as theclamp assembly 10 is capable of selectively gripping material in accordance with the present invention. It is contemplated that thehousing 14 is constructed from multiple components, however, it should be understood that thehousing 14 may be constructed as a single component. - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , thehousing 14 is provided with a substantially U-shaped configuration and has afirst end 18, asecond end 20, afirst portion 22 and asecond portion 24. Alug 26 extends from thesecond end 20 of thehousing 14, substantially as shown, for selectively connecting a connecting member (not shown), such as a bungee cord, rope, strap, cable, or other suitable device to theclamp assembly 10 to enable theclamp assembly 10 to be selectively connected to a support structure (also not shown). Examples of support structures include various locations of a vehicle and stakes or rods positioned in the ground. The first andsecond portions housing 14 cooperate to define amaterial receiving slot 28 therebetween, which extends from thefirst end 18 of thehousing 14 and terminates adistance 30 from thesecond end 20 of thehousing 14. Thefirst portion 22 of thehousing 14 is provided with an angularly disposedchannel 32 having afirst end 34 terminating adistance 35 from thefirst end 18 of thehousing 14 and a second end 36 terminating a distance 37 from thesecond end 20 of thehousing 14. Thesecond portion 24 of thehousing 14 defining thematerial receiving slot 28 is provided with agripping surface 38 disposed along at least a portion thereof. - As more clearly shown in
FIG. 2 , thehousing 14 is shown constructed of afirst section 40 and asecond section 42. Thefirst section 40 and thesecond section 42 are mirror images of one another except that thefirst section 40 is provided with a plurality of female connector members, such asopenings 44, and thesecond section 42 is provided with a plurality of male connector members, such aspins 46. Upon matingly disposing one of thepins 46 in one of theopenings 44, the first andsecond sections housing 14 substantially as shown inFIG. 1 , by use of a suitable adhesive, sonic welding, or other suitable means for securing the first andsecond sections openings 44 and thepins 46 may be varied. - The
lug 26, which extends outwardly from thesecond end 20 of thehousing 14, is likewise constructed of afirst section 48 having anaperture 50 and asecond section 52 having anaperture 54. Theapertures second sections lug 26 are disposed substantially adjacent and theapertures second sections lug 26 are axially aligned substantially as shown inFIG. 1 . - An
inner surface 56 of thefirst section 48 of thelug 26 is provided with arecessed portion 58 extending about theaperture 50, and aninner surface 60 of thesecond section 52 of thelug 26 is provided with arecessed portion 62 extending about theaperture 54. Therecessed portion apertures washer 64 having anaperture 66 substantially corresponding in size to theapertures washer 64 is desirably disposed within one of therecessed portions second sections lug 26, such as therecessed portion 62 on theinner surface 60 of thesecond section 52 of thelug 26, such that upon assembling thehousing 14, the first andsecond sections lug 26 are disposed substantially adjacent one another and thewasher 64 is disposed within therecessed portions washer 64 may be embedded in one of the first orsecond sections washer 64 functions to reinforce and thus strengthening the portion of the first andsecond sections lug 26 surrounding theaperture second sections lug 26. - As previously stated, the first and
second sections housing 14 are substantially mirror images of one another. Thus, aninner surface 67 of thefirst section 40 of thehousing 14 is provided with an angularly disposedrecessed portion 68 extending in a downwardly direction toward thefirst end 18 of thehousing 14 so as to intersect thematerial receiving slot 28 formed by the connection of the first andsecond sections housing 14. An inner surface 69 of thesecond section 42 of the housing is provided with an angularly disposedrecessed portion 70 extending in a downwardly direction toward thefirst end 18 of thehousing 14 so as to intersect thematerial receiving slot 28 formed by the connection of the first andsecond sections FIGS. 2 , 4, and 5). - As shown, the angularly disposed
recessed portion 68 is a mirror image of the angularly disposed recessedportion 70. Thus, in a connected position of the first andsecond sections housing 14, the angularly disposedportions channel 32 which defines a travel path for thegripping assembly 16 so that thegripping assembly 16 can be selectively moved between a biased first position as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4 wherein a portion of thegripping assembly 16 extends into thematerial receiving slot 28, and a second position (FIG. 5 ) wherein thegripping assembly 16 is withdrawn from thematerial receiving slot 28. - The first and
second sections housing 14 also cooperate to form aslot 72 in thefirst portion 22 of thehousing 22. Theslot 72 openingly communicates with the angularly disposedchannel 32 which defines the travel path for thegripping assembly 16 and thematerial receiving slot 28 of thehousing 14 so that thegripping assembly 16 can be selectively moved between the biased first position and the second position. - Referring more specifically to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thegripping assembly 16 is shown as having aguide plate 74, aneck member 76 and aroller assembly 78. Theguide plate 74 is disposed on anouter surface 80 of thefirst portion 22 of thehousing 14. Afinger projection 82 extends upwardly from theguide plate 74 and theneck member 76 is connected to theguide plate 74 so that theneck member 76 extends into and through theslot 72 formed in thefirst portion 22 of thehousing 14. Theroller assembly 78 includes anaxle 84 connected to alower end portion 86 of theneck member 76 and a pair ofrollers axle 84 such that eachroller spring retainer 92 is connected to theneck member 76 so as to be substantially aligned with therollers rollers spring retainer 92 is provided with anaperture 94 therein adapted to receive oneend 96 of aspring 98. Anopposite end 100 of thespring 98 is disposed within arecessed portion 102 formed in oneend 104 of theslot 72 substantially as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 . To facilitate assembly of thespring 98 and thehousing 14, thefirst section 48 of thehousing 14 may be provided with a protrusion (not shown) that serves to extend the recessedportion 102 and support thespring 98 prior to thesections spring 98 within theslot 72 and its connection to thespring retainer 92 and thefirst portion 22 of thehousing 14, together with the angular disposition of theneck member 76 and thus theroller assembly 78 to theguide plate 74, permits theroller assembly 78 to be selectively biased in a material engaging position within thematerial receiving slot 28 of thehousing 14 while at the same time allowing theroller assembly 78 to be selectively moved to a retracted position wherein therollers material receiving slot 28. - In order to enhance the clamping abilities of the
clamp assembly 10 to thematerial 12, at least a portion of thematerial receiving slot 28 formed by thesecond portion 24 of thehousing 14 is provided with a plurality of teeth 106 (SeeFIGS. 2 , 4 and 5), which cooperate with therollers roller assembly 78 to enhance gripping ofmaterial 12 disposed within thematerial receiving slot 28 of thehousing 14. However, it should be appreciated thathousing 14 may be formed without teeth so as to form a smooth surface. - To enhance the biasing of the gripping
assembly 16 in the first or material engaging position, thespring 98 is desirably provided with a tapered configuration wherein a smaller end of thespring 98 is connected to thespring retainer 92 supported on thelower end portions 86 of theneck members 76 and a larger end portion is disposed within the recessedportion 102 formed in thefirst portion 22 of thehousing 14 so that thespring 98 extends along thechannel 32 formed in thehousing 14. - While the
spring 98 has been shown as a tapered spring, it should be understood that thespring 98 can be provided with any configuration as long as it functions to biased therollers FIG. 4 , and at the same time allows therollers roller assembly 78 to be selectively withdrawn from material engaging contact from thematerial receiving slot 28. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , another embodiment of aclamp assembly 110 is shown. Theclamp assembly 110 is similar to theclamp assembly 10 except that theclamp assembly 110 includes agripping assembly 112. Thus, for common components, like numbers will be used in accordance with the description ofFIGS. 1-5 . The grippingassembly 112 is similar to the grippingassembly 16 described above with the exception that the grippingassembly 112 includes ablock member 118 instead of rollers. Theblock member 118 is connected to a lower end portion of the neck member (not shown) and has anengaging surface 120. - From the above description, it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed and claimed.
Claims (7)
1. A clamp assembly for selectively gripping material, the clamp assembly comprising:
a housing having a first end, a second end, a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions cooperating to define a material receiving slot therebetween, the material receiving slot extending from the first end of the housing and terminating a distance from the second end of the housing, the first portion of the housing having a channel angularly disposed relative to the material receiving slot and a slot formed therethrough, the channel having a first end terminating a distance from the first end of the housing and a second end terminating a distance from the second end of the housing, the second portion of the housing having a gripping surface; and
a gripping assembly slidably disposed within the channel and through the slot such that the channel and the slot cooperate to define a travel path so that the gripping assembly is selectively movable between a biased first position and a second position, the gripping assembly having a guide plate disposed on an outer surface of the first portion of the housing and a neck member connected to the guide plate so that the neck member extends into and through the slot of the first portion of the housing, the gripping assembly further comprising at least two cylindrical rollers rotatably connected to a lower end portion of the neck member with at least one roller positioned on each side of the neck member in axial alignment with the other roller, in the biased first position the rollers extending into the material receiving slot in such a way as to cooperate with the gripping surface of the second portion of the housing to grip material positioned in the material receiving slot and in the second position the rollers being substantially withdrawn from the material receiving slot.
2. The clamp assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing is provided with a substantially U-shaped configuration.
3. The clamp assembly of claim 1 wherein the gripping surface includes a plurality of teeth.
4. The clamp assembly of claim 1 further comprising a lug extending outwardly from the second end of the housing for connecting a connecting member to the housing.
5. The clamp assembly of claim 1 further comprises:
a spring positioned in the channel of the housing for biasing the gripping assembly in the biased first position, the spring having one end engaging the gripping assembly and another end engaging the second end of the housing.
6. The clamp assembly of claim 5 wherein the spring has a tapered configuration with a smaller end engaging the gripping assembly and a larger end engaging the second end of the housing.
7. The clamp assembly of claim 6 wherein the larger end of the spring is positioned in a recess formed in the second end of the housing.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/415,726 US20090188087A1 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2009-03-31 | Clamp assembly |
US13/490,223 US8544154B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2012-06-06 | Clamp assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/713,395 US7509713B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2007-03-02 | Clamp assembly |
US12/415,726 US20090188087A1 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2009-03-31 | Clamp assembly |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/713,395 Continuation US7509713B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2007-03-02 | Clamp assembly |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/490,223 Continuation US8544154B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2012-06-06 | Clamp assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20090188087A1 true US20090188087A1 (en) | 2009-07-30 |
Family
ID=39732064
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/713,395 Active US7509713B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2007-03-02 | Clamp assembly |
US12/415,726 Abandoned US20090188087A1 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2009-03-31 | Clamp assembly |
US13/490,223 Active US8544154B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2012-06-06 | Clamp assembly |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/713,395 Active US7509713B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2007-03-02 | Clamp assembly |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/490,223 Active US8544154B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2012-06-06 | Clamp assembly |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US7509713B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2148586A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2008223190A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008109294A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140083579A1 (en) * | 2012-09-25 | 2014-03-27 | Matthew White | Universal covering system |
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US7509713B2 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2009-03-31 | Get A Grip, Inc. | Clamp assembly |
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US8650725B1 (en) | 2010-02-25 | 2014-02-18 | Jonathan E. Cooper | System and method for securing a flexible panel |
DE202012002174U1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2013-06-12 | Schletter Gmbh | Device for fastening a rail |
ITVI20120071A1 (en) | 2012-03-28 | 2013-09-29 | Giancarlo Brun | QUICK CONNECTION AND / OR FIXING SYSTEM. |
US20140033509A1 (en) * | 2012-08-01 | 2014-02-06 | Maximum Visibility Solutions, Llc | Advantageous Clamp |
AP2015008907A0 (en) * | 2013-05-10 | 2015-12-31 | Weir Minerals Australia Ltd | A liner system for a container used in handling bulk solids |
US9080715B2 (en) * | 2013-10-02 | 2015-07-14 | Steelcase Inc. | Support device for suspending an article from a horizontal object |
JP6346276B2 (en) * | 2013-10-21 | 2018-06-20 | ボルボ トラック コーポレイション | Fixing device and fixing method for assembling two vehicle parts facing each other |
TWI600508B (en) * | 2016-08-30 | 2017-10-01 | 甲舜企業有限公司 | A clamping structure for clamping flexible thin sheets |
USD855438S1 (en) * | 2018-03-22 | 2019-08-06 | Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. | Garage door cam |
USD868205S1 (en) * | 2018-10-08 | 2019-11-26 | Camco Manufacturing, Inc. | Fishing plier latch |
JP7293713B2 (en) * | 2019-02-25 | 2023-06-20 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Gripping mechanism and assembly device |
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US2654630A (en) * | 1952-05-27 | 1953-10-06 | Joseph C Renfroe | Plate lifting clamp |
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- 2008-02-26 WO PCT/US2008/054998 patent/WO2008109294A2/en active Application Filing
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US1589076A (en) * | 1925-04-14 | 1926-06-15 | William J Haskins | Clothespin |
US2471186A (en) * | 1946-01-29 | 1949-05-24 | Ethel P Ashcroft | Clothespin |
US2654630A (en) * | 1952-05-27 | 1953-10-06 | Joseph C Renfroe | Plate lifting clamp |
US2675593A (en) * | 1953-01-15 | 1954-04-20 | Jean L Okell | Clothespin |
US3008749A (en) * | 1958-04-02 | 1961-11-14 | Willard E Gowan | Lifting clamp |
US3197250A (en) * | 1963-01-23 | 1965-07-27 | Bethlehem Steel Corp | Roller plate grab |
US3653708A (en) * | 1969-05-16 | 1972-04-04 | Amerota Products Corp | Gripping device |
USD246141S (en) * | 1975-01-06 | 1977-10-25 | Mazur Harry E | Fastener |
US4688304A (en) * | 1983-05-12 | 1987-08-25 | Marcott Roger F | Tarp fastener |
US4536924A (en) * | 1984-03-05 | 1985-08-27 | Patrick Willoughby | One piece clamping device |
USD288162S (en) * | 1984-03-26 | 1987-02-10 | Hutton William B | Bedclothes fastener for a waterbed |
US4693443A (en) * | 1985-02-20 | 1987-09-15 | D. L. West Manufacturing, Inc. | Apparatus for removeably retaining sheet material |
USD302241S (en) * | 1986-04-16 | 1989-07-18 | Polysheet A/S | Fastener for securing a tarpaulin to a supporting structure |
US4686748A (en) * | 1986-05-30 | 1987-08-18 | Kaivanto Pekka J | Attachment device |
US4956899A (en) * | 1989-03-22 | 1990-09-18 | John Green | Self clamping device |
USD339521S (en) * | 1991-02-15 | 1993-09-21 | Russell P. Bartlett | Tarp tie-down clip |
US5544395A (en) * | 1992-02-07 | 1996-08-13 | Rosenvinge; Carl Cilius | Clamping device for a textile edge |
USD362176S (en) * | 1992-07-20 | 1995-09-12 | Polysheet A/S | Fastener for attaching eyelets of tarpaulins and other weatherproof covers to anchoring and locking devices |
USD366607S (en) * | 1993-09-17 | 1996-01-30 | JSC Marketing Incorporated | Tie down strap |
US5507246A (en) * | 1994-11-07 | 1996-04-16 | Rand, Jr.; David | Visible signaling sports whistle |
US6182936B1 (en) * | 1997-07-29 | 2001-02-06 | Li Fen Yang | Copy holder |
US6266854B1 (en) * | 1999-04-30 | 2001-07-31 | Ekco Housewares, Inc. | Clothespin or multipurpose clamp |
US20020149218A1 (en) * | 2000-12-11 | 2002-10-17 | Franz Gartner | Transporting device for large heavy fabrics |
US6416028B1 (en) * | 2001-02-27 | 2002-07-09 | Harry Miller Co., Inc. | Device and method of hanging elevator pads |
USD526559S1 (en) * | 2003-07-01 | 2006-08-15 | John W. Lewis | Tarp, tent and fabric roller clip |
US7509713B2 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2009-03-31 | Get A Grip, Inc. | Clamp assembly |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140083579A1 (en) * | 2012-09-25 | 2014-03-27 | Matthew White | Universal covering system |
US8991448B2 (en) * | 2012-09-25 | 2015-03-31 | Matthew White | Universal covering system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2008109294A3 (en) | 2008-11-06 |
WO2008109294A2 (en) | 2008-09-12 |
EP2148586A2 (en) | 2010-02-03 |
US20120304426A1 (en) | 2012-12-06 |
US8544154B2 (en) | 2013-10-01 |
US7509713B2 (en) | 2009-03-31 |
AU2008223190A1 (en) | 2008-09-12 |
EP2148586A4 (en) | 2011-04-06 |
US20080209696A1 (en) | 2008-09-04 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |