WO1993014002A1

WO1993014002A1 - Method and apparatus for equipment strapdown

Info

Publication number: WO1993014002A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/003614
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Christopher Mcmanus
Original assignee: John Christopher Mcmanus
Priority date: 1992-01-06
Filing date: 1992-05-01
Publication date: 1993-07-22

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for securing an object (2) on a mounting surface (5). Each of a plurality of clamp assemblies (10) has at least two clamps (20) and a tension strap (30). The strap (30) interconnects the two clamps (20). Each clamp (20) has a fixed jaw portion (40) and a movable jaw portion (50). The jaws (40, 50) are pivotally joined such that the strap (30), when inserted between the jaws (40, 50), can be gripped thereby. Each clamp (20) further includes a base (70) with a swivel pin (80), and the fixed jaw portion (40) has a recess (90) for accepting the swivel pin (80) such that the fixed jaw portion (40) is able to rotate in the horizontal plane about the base (70) in order to position the strap (30) in any direction. The base (70) has a layer of bonding material (60). One of the clamps (20) is fixed to the mounting surface (5), preferably with the base (70) thereof in contact with the object (2), and the other of the clamps (20) is fixed to the object (2). The strap (30) has sufficient length to interconnect the clamps (20), a sufficient thickness to be clamped between the jaws (40, 50), and sufficient strength to hold the object (2) on the surface (5) in the event of an earthquake or other jarring disturbance.

Description

TITLE: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EQUIPMENT STRAPDOWN

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to retaining straps, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for securing an object to a mounting surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clamp assemblies for straps are well known in the prior art, and are typically used to secure one end of a belt or other strap-like object to the other end of same. For example, U.S. Patent 3,678,542, granted to Prete, Jr., on July 25, 1972, teaches a cam buckle for fastening belts and straps which are used in cargo handling. U.S. Patent 3,413,691, issued to Eisner on Dec. 3, 1968, discloses a similar type of device. Indeed, many patents have been issued on clamping devices used to secure one end of a belt to the other end of the same or another belt.

While such apparati are well suited for temporarily securing cargo and similar objects to, say, a dolly or transportation cart, such devices are not well-suited for securing equipment such as electrical components to a mounting surface. Such prior art devices would have to be strapped entirely around the mounting surface, which is often impractical or infeasible. Moreover, such an arrangement would have an unpleasant appearance.

Clearly, then, there is a need for an apparatus that may be used to secure equipment, such as a computer, to a mounting surface, such as a desk, so that in the event of an earthquake or other jarring disturbance the equipment remains safely on the surface. Such a needed apparatus would be easy to install, use, and remove. Moreover, such a needed apparatus "would be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and would have an attractive appearance. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus for securing an object on a mounting surface. Each of a plurality of clamp assemblies has at least two clamps and a tension strap. The strap interconnects tine two clamps. Each clamp has a fixed jaw portion and a movable jaw portion. The jaws are pivotally joined such that the strap, when inserted between the jaws, can be gripped thereby. Each clamp further includes a base with a swivel pin, and the fixed jaw portion has a recess means for accepting the swivel pin such that the fixed jaw portion is able to rotate in the horizontal plane about the base in order to position the strap in any direction. The base has a surface attachment means, such as a layer of bonding material. The strap has sufficient length to interconnect the clamps, a sufficient thickness to be clamped between the jaws, and sufficient strength to hold the object to the moimting surface in the event of an earthquake or other jarring disturbance. Moreover, each base, when fixed to the surface while contacting with the object, provides further lateral retention of the object on the surface.

In operation, a clamp is attached to the mounting surface with the surface attachment means. Preferably the clamp base contacts the object to resist lateral motion of the object. Another clamp is attached to the object for securing to the mounting surface. The two clamps are turned toward each other so that the interconnecting strap may be routed without lateral bending thereof. One end of the strap is inserted between the jaws of one of the clamps and held thereby, and the other end of the strap is inserted between the jaws of the other damp and held thereby, such that the strap is held taut between the clamps. This process is repeated until a sufficient number of clamp assemblies have been attached to secure the object to the mounting surface.

This apparatus is quickly installed onto computer equipment, or the like, and protects such equipment from falling off of a desk, shelf, or other mounting surface in the event of an earthquake or other jarring disturbance. Moreover, the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, can be removed quickly for convenience, and is extremely easy to use. Additionally, use of the apparatus on equipment discourages theft of the equipment, since a potential thief can quickly ascertain that the equipment is secured in some manner that may take time to unfasten. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view showing objects held to a mounting surface by a plurality of clamp assemblies of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective illustration of a clamp and tension strap of the present invention; and FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of the damp assembly and tension strap of FIG. 2, taken generally along lines 3 — 3 of FIG. 2, further showing an object abutting a base of the damp assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an apparatus for securing at least one object 2 on a mounting surface 5. Each of a plurality of damp assemblies 10 has at least two damps 20 and a tension strap 30. The strap 30 interconnects the two damps 20. Each damp 20 has a fixed jaw portion 40 and a movable jaw portion 50. The jaws 40,50 are pivotally joined such that the strap 30, when inserted between the jaws 40,50, can be gripped thereby. Each damp 20 further indudes a base 70 with a swivel means 80, such as a swivel pin, and the fixed jaw portion 40 has a recess means 90 for accepting the swivel means 80 such that the fixed jaw portion 40 is able to rotate in the horizontal plane about the base 70 in order to position the strap 30 in any direction. The base 70 has a surface attachment means 60, such as a layer of bonding material (FIG. 3). The strap 30 has suffident length to interconnect the damps 20, a suffident thickness to be damped between the jaws 40,50, and suffident strength to hold the object 2 to the mounting surface 5 in the event of an earthquake or other jarring disturbance.

In operation, a damp 20 is attadied to the moimting surface 5 with the surface attachment means 60, preferably in a position abutting the object 2 such that lateral movement of the object 2 is resisted by the base 70 of the damp 20. Another damp 20 is attached to the object 2 for securing to the mounting surface 5. The two damps 20 are turned toward each other so that the interconnecting tension strap 30 may be routed without lateral bending thereof. One end of the strap 30 is inserted between the jaws 40,50 of one of the damps 20 and held thereby, and the other end of the strap 30 is inserted between the jaws 40,50 of the other damp 20 and held thereby, sud that the strap 30 is held taut between the damps 20. In this manner the apparatus holds the object 2 to the surface 5. This process is repeated until a suffident number of clamp assemblies 10 have been attached between the object 2 and the mounting surface 5 to secure the object 2 to the mounting surface 5.

Preferably, the strap 30 is constructed from a strong plastic material that can be manufactured inexpensively, such as by extrusion. Further, each damp 20 is made from a strong injection molded plastic. Clearly, the surface mounting means 60 can include a strong bonding material, a strong hook-and-loop type fastener between two layers of bonding material, or a like fastening means.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is to be dearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. For example, more than two damps 20 may be included in each damp assembly 10, sud as when securing several stacked objects 2 to the mounting surface 5 (FIG. 1). Thus, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended daims.

Claims

CLAIMSI dai :

1. An apparatus for securing an object on a mounting surface, comprising:

a plurality of damp assemblies, each damp assembly having at least two damps and a tension strap, the strap for interconnecting the damps, each damp having a fixed jaw portion, a movable jaw portion, the jaws pivotally joined such that the strap, when inserted between the jaws can be gripped by the jaws, the fixed jaw portion having means for attachment to a surface, one of the damps being fixed to the mounting surface, the other of the damps being fixed to the object, the strap having suffident length to interconnect the damps, and a suffident thidαiess to be damped between the jaws, whereby the damp assemblies provide a means for securing the object upon the mounting surface by applying a downward force to the object.

2. The apparatus of daim 1 wherein the surface attachment means is a layer of bonding material on the fixed jaw portion.

3. An apparatus for securing an object on a mounting surface, comprising:

a plurality of damp assemblies, each clamp assembly having at least two damps and a tension strap, the strap for interconnecting the damps, each damp having a fixed jaw portion, a movable jaw portion, the jaws pivotally joined such that the strap, when one end is inserted between the jaws, can be gripped by the jaws, and a base, the base having a swivel means, the fixed jaw portion having recess means for accepting the swivel means such that the fixed jaw portion is able to rotate in the horizontal plane about the base to position the strap in any direction, the base having a means for attachment to a surface, one of the damps being fixed to the mounting surface, the other of the damps being fixed to the object, the strap having suffident length to allow alternate ends of the strap to be gripped by each of the clamps, to interconnect the clamps, and a suffident thickness to be damped between the jaws, the clamps being turned in such direction as to provide a least length path for the strap, whereby the clamp assemblies provide a means for securing the object to the mounting surface.

4. The apparatus of daim 3 wherein the swivel means is a swivel pin extending upward to accept the recess means of the fixed jaw portion of the damp.

5. A method of securing an object on a mounting surface, comprising the steps of:

A. providing a plurality of damp assemblies, each assembly having at least a pair of damps and a tensioning strap, the damps being able to grip the strap;

B. fixing one of the damps to the surface for mounting;

C. fixing the other one of the damps to the object for securing to the mounting surface;

D. gripping one end of the interconnecting strap in one of the damps;

E. gripping the other end of the interconnecting strap in the other of the

') damps sudi that the strap is held taut between the damps; F. repeating the above steps with at least one other damp assembly such that the object is secured to the mounting surface on at least two opposing sides of the object.

6. The method of daim 5 further induding the new step, inserted after step D, of:

turning the two damps toward each other so that the strap is routed, without lateral bending of the strap, between the two damps.

7. The metiiod of daim 5 wherein, in step B, the damps are affixed to the surface for mounting in a position abutting the object such that lateral movement of the object is resisted by the damps.