GB2095605A

GB2095605A - Clamping device

Info

Publication number: GB2095605A
Application number: GB8109552A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-03-26
Filing date: 1981-03-26
Publication date: 1982-10-06
Also published as: GB2095605B

Abstract

A clamping device for clamping resilient pipes for example. The device includes handles 10 and 11 and jaws 12 and 13. A retaining ring 16 cooperates with the handles so that on clamping an article, the ring slides away from the pivot 14. On releasing manual pressure, the ring locks against the arms to retain the clamping action. In an alternative embodiment the handle is of a generally U-shaped configuration. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clamping device With known devices for use on rubber brake pipes for example, these incorporate a pivoted closure member which has to be moved into the retaining position once the device is located over the pipe and compression of the pipe is accomplished by means of a screw mechanism affixed to the member. Such operation is awkward, takes a relatively long time and needs two handed operation.

The present invention is directed to a device which is simple and quick to operate.

According to the invention there is provided a clamping device having a handle portion terminating in a pair of jaws pivotably relative to each other from an open position to a closed position and including slidable retaining means cooperating with the handle portion so as to be moveable into a position to retain said jaws in the closed position.

The pivoting means may be provided remote or adjacent the jaw end of the device.

The pivoting means may comprise a resilient coupling.

The jaws, handle portion and resilient coupling may comprise a substantially U-shaped resilient member.

The device may include a lever abutting one limb of the U-shaped member to effect movement of said jaws into the closed position, the retaining means cooperating with both said limb and said lever to retain said jaws in the closed position.

The retaining means may be held in a locking position by means of the resilience of the handle portion and/or that of the article when clamped.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in an open position, FIGURE 2 shows the Figure 1 arrangement in a closed position, FIGURE 3 shows an alternative embodiment in an open position, and FIGURE 4 shows the Figure 3 arrangement in a closed position.

A first embodiment of the clamping device of the invention is shown in open and closed positions respectively in Figures 1 and 2. The device includes a handle portion formed by arms 10 and 11 and a clamping portion formed by jaws 12 and 13. The handle 10 and jaw 12 are shown formed as a single element which is coupled to the other handle 11 and its respective jaw 13 by means of pin 14 which allows the jaws to pivotably move relative to each other. A retaining ring 1 6 is shown cooperating with the handle portion of the device. In the position of Figure 1 this is placed towards the jaws to allow sufficient opening thereof to accommodate the article to be clamped (shown sectionally as a resilient pipe 20).

To clamp the article, manual pressure on the handles 10 and 11 will move these towards each other, at the same time the jaws will clamp the article and ring 1 6 will slide down the arms away from pivot 14. On releasing manual pressure on the handle portion the ring 1 6 will lock against the arms 10 and 11. The resilience of the arms together with any resilience in the article clamped will tend to aid this locking action. Steel rod can be used to form the device as shown but other manufacturing techniques such as forging could be adopted.

The simplicity of the clamp device shown allows articles of different sizes to be clamped easily without adjustment as the ring position will be selected in dependence on the size of the article clamped, the ring typically slipping into a locking position under the force of gravity.

In an alternative embodiment shown in open and closed positions respectively in Figures 3 and 4 the handle portion now comprises a single generally U-shaped element 17, which at its open end forms the jaws 12 and 13. When formed from steel rod as shown, the resilience of the steel tends to urge the jaws into their open position.

The jaws 12 and 13 pass through guide 18 which limits the amount the jaws can open.

Typically jaw 12 can be fixed relative to guide 1 8, by means of a weld for example. The closure of the jaws 12 and 13 against the resilience present is provided by the action of arm 19, which arm is pivoted about pin 1 9a. The lever action of arm 1 9 under manual operation forces the moveable jaw 13 towards jaw 12, at the same time, the ring 16 moves downwards and on release of the manual pressure remains in a locked position.

Although it is expedient to provide the handle and jaws as a single element the device could be formed from separate portions if desired (e.g. parts 1 7a and 1 7b could be rigid and 1 7b providing resilient coupling between the other portions).

Alternatively portion 1 7b could be simply hinged and resilience provided by means of a spring located within guide 1 8.

Although the device has been described generally with relation to clamping resilient pipes, it can be used for other purposes and with items not of a resilient nature with modification to the shape of the jaws as necessary.

1. A clamping device having a handle portion terminating in a pair of jaws pivotable relative to each other from an open position to a closed position and including slidable retaining means co-operating with the handle portion so as to be moveable into a position to retain said jaws in the closed position.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pivoting means is provided remote from the jaw end of the device.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pivoting means is provided adjacent the jaw end of the device.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the pivoting means comprises a resilient coupling

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Clamping device With known devices for use on rubber brake pipes for example, these incorporate a pivoted closure member which has to be moved into the retaining position once the device is located over the pipe and compression of the pipe is accomplished by means of a screw mechanism affixed to the member. Such operation is awkward, takes a relatively long time and needs two handed operation. The present invention is directed to a device which is simple and quick to operate. According to the invention there is provided a clamping device having a handle portion terminating in a pair of jaws pivotably relative to each other from an open position to a closed position and including slidable retaining means cooperating with the handle portion so as to be moveable into a position to retain said jaws in the closed position. The pivoting means may be provided remote or adjacent the jaw end of the device. The pivoting means may comprise a resilient coupling. The jaws, handle portion and resilient coupling may comprise a substantially U-shaped resilient member. The device may include a lever abutting one limb of the U-shaped member to effect movement of said jaws into the closed position, the retaining means cooperating with both said limb and said lever to retain said jaws in the closed position. The retaining means may be held in a locking position by means of the resilience of the handle portion and/or that of the article when clamped. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in an open position, FIGURE 2 shows the Figure 1 arrangement in a closed position, FIGURE 3 shows an alternative embodiment in an open position, and FIGURE 4 shows the Figure 3 arrangement in a closed position. A first embodiment of the clamping device of the invention is shown in open and closed positions respectively in Figures 1 and 2. The device includes a handle portion formed by arms 10 and 11 and a clamping portion formed by jaws 12 and 13. The handle 10 and jaw 12 are shown formed as a single element which is coupled to the other handle 11 and its respective jaw 13 by means of pin 14 which allows the jaws to pivotably move relative to each other. A retaining ring 1 6 is shown cooperating with the handle portion of the device. In the position of Figure 1 this is placed towards the jaws to allow sufficient opening thereof to accommodate the article to be clamped (shown sectionally as a resilient pipe 20). To clamp the article, manual pressure on the handles 10 and 11 will move these towards each other, at the same time the jaws will clamp the article and ring 1 6 will slide down the arms away from pivot 14. On releasing manual pressure on the handle portion the ring 1 6 will lock against the arms 10 and 11. The resilience of the arms together with any resilience in the article clamped will tend to aid this locking action. Steel rod can be used to form the device as shown but other manufacturing techniques such as forging could be adopted. The simplicity of the clamp device shown allows articles of different sizes to be clamped easily without adjustment as the ring position will be selected in dependence on the size of the article clamped, the ring typically slipping into a locking position under the force of gravity. In an alternative embodiment shown in open and closed positions respectively in Figures 3 and 4 the handle portion now comprises a single generally U-shaped element 17, which at its open end forms the jaws 12 and 13. When formed from steel rod as shown, the resilience of the steel tends to urge the jaws into their open position. The jaws 12 and 13 pass through guide 18 which limits the amount the jaws can open. Typically jaw 12 can be fixed relative to guide 1 8, by means of a weld for example. The closure of the jaws 12 and 13 against the resilience present is provided by the action of arm 19, which arm is pivoted about pin 1 9a. The lever action of arm 1 9 under manual operation forces the moveable jaw 13 towards jaw 12, at the same time, the ring 16 moves downwards and on release of the manual pressure remains in a locked position. Although it is expedient to provide the handle and jaws as a single element the device could be formed from separate portions if desired (e.g. parts 1 7a and 1 7b could be rigid and 1 7b providing resilient coupling between the other portions). Alternatively portion 1 7b could be simply hinged and resilience provided by means of a spring located within guide 1 8. Although the device has been described generally with relation to clamping resilient pipes, it can be used for other purposes and with items not of a resilient nature with modification to the shape of the jaws as necessary. CLAIMS

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the jaws, handle portion and resilient coupling comprise a substantially U-shaped resilient member.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 5 including a lever abutting one limb of the U-shaped member to effect movement of said jaws into the closed position, the retaining means co-operating with both said limb and said lever to retain said jaws in the closed position.

7. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the retaining means is adapted to be held in a locking position by means of the resilience of the handle portion and/or that of the article when clamped.

8. A clamping device substantially as described herein and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 2, or 3 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.