GB2118891A

GB2118891A - Flexible band clamp or wrench

Info

Publication number: GB2118891A
Application number: GB08206590A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Robert Haslam; Peter Melville Wilkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-03-05
Filing date: 1982-03-05
Publication date: 1983-11-09
Also published as: GB2118891B

Abstract

The clamp or wrench comprises a handle 5, including screw-threaded members 8, 16 for adjusting the size of the band loop and an anchor 19 for maintaining the band in a closed loop during gripping of an object, the anchor 19 being separate from the screw threaded members and being either on or spaced from the handle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for gripping at least one object This invention provides apparatus for gripping at least one object, said apparatus comprising: a flexible band for being at least one loop around said at least one object, said loop being changeable in size to grip permanently or releasably said at least one object; handle means having at least one inlet and at least one optional outlet, said handle inlet being for receiving at least one band portion from said loop, said handle outlet being for discharging at least one said received band portion;; transport means for transporting at least one band portion through said at least one handle inlet so as to reduce or enlarge said loop, said transport means having at least one inlet and at least one optional outlet, said transport inlet admitting thereto at least one said received band portion, said transport outlet being for discharging at least one band portion from said transport means; and at least one anchorage means for anchoring outside said transport means (this anchoring being inside and/or outside said handle means) at least one band portion so as to enable said loop to be a closed shape during said gripping. The apparatus can be hand held or e.g. mounted to a bench or other equipment. The loop can be used in any way, e.g. for clamping or wrenching or as a hold fast projecting through an aperture in a bench or other structure (e.g. a vehicle).

The band can be constituted in any suitable manner. The band can have opposite ends or be endless. The band can have any suitable cross section, e.g. have an oblong, square, curved (e.g.

circular), or V-shaped conformation. The band can have at least one aperture for receiving a projection when at least one said object has at least one said projection. Any said aperture can be in any direction(s) relative to any dimension(s) of the band, e.g. relative to a longitudinal and/or transverse dimension of the band. At least two apertures can be different or identical in shape. A plurality of apertures can be in any direction(s) relative to any dimension of the band. Different or identical spacing(s) apart can be provided for pluralities of adjacent apertures, when there is at least three apertures. The band can have any suitable property(s) for enhancing said gripping and/or enhancing transport of band. The band can be a single member (e.g. an extruded or cut-out strap), or a plurality of members (e.g. a chain or woven strap).The band can comprise at least one material chosen e.g. from any of: fabrics, leathers, metals, natural or synthetic polymeric materials.

The band can be made from filaments (e.g. natural and/or synthetic fibres, for instance suitable polyalkylene or suitable polyester fibres).

The handle means can be constituted in any suitable manner. Handle inlet(s) or outlet(s) can be adapted to constrain in any predetermined way the band passing therethrough, e.g. prevent or resist twisting of at least one band portion. For or to assist that purpose, the apparatus can comprise at least one guide means integral or non-integral with at least one handle inlet or with at least one handle outlet. Handle inlet(s) or outlet(s) can be fixed or adjustable. Handle inlet(s) can be a plug having at least one aperture for passing band.

Another handle inlet is the mouth of a barrel.

Surface of handle inlet (s) or outlet(s) can be adapted to assist passage of band. For example, that surface can have anti-frictional properties constituted e.g. by smoothness and/or antifrictional material, for instance when an inlet or outlet is embodied from anti-frictional material or has a coating of that material. Nylons and/or other polymeric materials (for instance polytetrafluoroethylenes) can be used in making the handle inlet(s) or outlet(s). Handle outlet(s) can be embodied like or unlike handle inlet(s). A said handle outlet can be absent, e.g. when a supply of band is stored in the handle means, e,g. as a spring biased roll of band.

The transport means can be constituted in any suitable manner. Transport inlet(s) or outlet(s) can be embodied as described for the handle inlet(s) or the handle outlet(s). The transport means preferably comprises first and second screw threaded members, said first screw threaded member being a transport member axially movable to provide said advancing of band. In a first embodiment, this transport member is axially movable as a result of rotating that member relative to said second screw threaded member. In a second embodiment the transport member is axially movable as a result of rotating the second screw threaded member while the first screw threaded member is prevented from rotating, e.g.

that prevention being a result of the nature of the handle's inlet(s), or the nature of the inlet(s) of the transport means or key means or any other means.

At least one said screw threaded member could be provided with latch means for latching said screw threaded members together. At least one said screw threaded member (e.g. the second member) can be provided with ratchet-wrench means for producing rotation of that member from arcuate movements of the wrench means.

In the first embodiment, the second screw threaded member can be a barrel having first and second opposite ends, this first end corresponding to the handle's inlet(s). The barrel can have a shank on which is slidably seated a sleeve having first and second opposite ends, this first end corresponding to the handle's inlet(s). The sleeve's second end can abut an optional shoulder on the exterior of the barrel. The sleeve can be hand held while the transport member is rotated. The transport member can have at least one aperture for receiving means for rotating the transport member. A first said aperture can be transverse to the axial direction of the transport member, e.g.

for receiving a tommy bar. A second said aperture can be axial of the transport member, e.g. for receiving an Allen key.

In a second embodiment, the second screw threaded member can be a nut having first and second opposite ends, the first screw threaded member being a transport member screwed into said nut first end and having a shank projecting outwardly from said nut second end, this shank having a free end containing at least one inlet of a passage leading to at least one outlet of that passage. Such an outlet can have any disposition, e.g. be at the nut first end or-inwardly or outwardly disposed relative to that end. The transport member can have a butt containing the passage's outlet(s) and abutting the nut first end. Preferably, the passage's outlet(s) are part of or lead to at least one said anchorage means.The free end of the shank can receive at least one band portion which can pass along said passage and e.g. to at least one said anchorage means (which can be in train with the handle means). Rotation of the transport member during rotation of the nut can be prevented by e.g. the nature of any said inlet(s) through which a band portion passes, and/or key means co-operating with keyway means (e.g.

provided along the exterior of at least an axial portion of the shank). A barrel or other member can have at least one inwardly directed key means cooperating with at least one corresponding keyway. The barrel can be a sliding fit on the shank. A member having key means can have opposite first and second ends, this first end corresponding to the handle's inlet(s), this second end abutting the nut second end. The nut and keyed member can permanently or releasably interengage each other.

In general, the first and second screw threaded members can be constituted in any suitable manner. For example, the first or second screw threaded member can have any kind of thread, e.g.

a single start or multi-start screw thread (for instance of constant pitch or variable pitch), and be continuous or discontinuous in length. The apparatus can comprise measurement means for enabling or indicating a required axial location of any said screw threaded member. For example, the apparatus can comprise micrometer means.

The apparatus can comprise tension indicating means (e.g. other than said micrometer means) for indicating tension applied to the band, e.g. when the apparatus is used in surgery (for instance as a tourniquet).

Any said anchorage means can be constituted in any suitable manner. For example, a said anchorage means can comprise first and second opposite ends; a passage having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, communicating between those ends and along which at least one band portion can pass; and at least one movable or static gripping means for releasably gripping band portion(s) inside or outside of that passage. A said anchorage means can have movable first and second said gripping means, respectively disposed and biased so that their normal modes are to grip band portion(s) and be depressable to release band portion(s). A said anchorage means can be connected to or integral with the handle means, e.g. the first end of that anchorage means can be adjacent (e.g. part of or connected to) said nut first end. An anchorage means can be spaced apart from the handle means.An anchorage means can be a knot or other kind of knode provided in the band.

At least a portion of the loop can have at least one predetermined shape, e.g. at least partly enabled by at least one guide means. A plurality of guide means can be provided. A plurality of said guide means can be used e.g. in constraining corners of a structure, for instance chair legs, a picture frame, or a window frame. Any suitable guide means can be constituted in any suitable manner. At least one such guide means can be connected to (e.g. integral with) or spaced apart from at least one other component of the apparatus, e.g. be integral with the handle's inlet(s). At least one guide means not part of the handle can be adapted to be readily mounted onto the loop or dismounted therefrom while a closed loop exists before applying grip. A guide means can be a conduit (e.g. a right angled channel) having at least one aperture for inserting or removing band.A guide means can be at least partly rigid; or at least partly resilient; and if desired at least partly articulated. A said guide means can comprise at least one material chosen e.g. from fabrics, leathers, metals, natural or synthetic polymeric materials.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of apparatus of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the handle of apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an anchorage device belonging to apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of apparatus of the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal section through the handle of apparatus of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a section on the line VI/VI of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows a guide means for use in apparatus of Fig. 1 or Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 shows a further guide means for use in apparatus of Fig. 1 or Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of apparatus of the invention.

Fig. 10 shows a longitudinal section through the handle of apparatus of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 shows a section on the line Xl/XI of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of apparatus of the invention.

Fig. 1 3 shows a longitudinal section through the handle of apparatus of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 shows a section on the line XIV/XIV of Fig. 13.

Fig. 1 5 shows an exploded view of another guide means for use in apparatus of Fig. 9.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, a flexible band 1 of planar cross section has two end portions 2, 3 received into an inlet plug 4 of a handle 5. Those end portions are anchored in an axial slot 6 in a shank 7 of a transport member 8, a screw 9 being transversely screwed into slot 6 so as to anchor the band end portions. Transport member 8 has a screw thread 10 engaging a screw thread 11 on the interior surface of a barrel 1 2. This barrel has a shank 13 on which is slidably seated a hand holdable sleeve 14 in which inlet plug 4 is seated.

Piug 4 has an inlet aperture 1 5 for the band portions 2, 3, but there could be two apertures 15 respectively for them. Barrel 12 has a butt 1 6 adjacent an end of sleeve 14 and rotatable while sleeve 14 is hand held, thereby causing transport member to move axially within barrel 12 and enable band end portions 2, 3 to advance into or out of the inlet plug 4. A folded portion 1 7 of band 1 is threaded through a passage 18 in an anchorage device 1 9 having two spring biased detents 20, 22 for releasably gripping corresponding band portions passing through anchorage device 19, those detents respectively having pressable surfaces 21,23 to cause the detents to pivot and release the gripped band portions.The looped band 1 between anchorage device 1 9 and handle 5 has four right angled guides 30 each having a channel with spaced apart lips 34, 35, 36, 37 giving access to that channel so as to enable the channel to receive band of the loop and enable the band to be removed from the channel.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 6, flexible bands 101 of planar cross section has two end portions 102, 103 received into an inlet plug 104 having an aperture 105 for those band portions, but there could be two apertures 105 respectively for them.

A passage 106 is in and communicates between opposite ends 107, 108 ofta transport member 109 having a shank 110 on which is a screw thread 111 engaging a corresponding screw thread 112 in a nut 113. A barrel 114 is slidably seated on shank 110 and extends from nut 113.

Barrel 114 has two inwardly projecting key portions 11 5, 11 7 seated in two corresponding keyways 11 6, 11 8 extending axially along diametrically opposite sides of shank 11 0. Thus, when nut 113 is rotated while barrel 114 is hand held, transport member 109 will not rotate but move axially to enable band portions 102, 103 to move into or out of aperture 105, in inlet plug 104. Band end portions 102, 103 project from lower end 108 of transport member 109 and into and through a passage 120 (in train with passage 106) in an anchorage device 121 having two spring biased detents 122, 124 for releasably gripping corresponding band portions passing through passage 120, those detents respectively having surfaces 123, 125 for pivotal depression to cause the detents to pivot and release the gripped band portions.Four right angled guides 30 identical to those shown in Fig. 1 are mounted on band 101.

Fig. 7 shows one alternative to inlet plug 2 or 104, the inlet plug 182 in Fig. 7 having forked channels 1 83, 1 84 for respective portions of band 1 or 104. The channels 183, 184 could be constituted by an angular guide adjacent but not integral with the plug 1 82.

Fig. 8 shows an alternative to guide 30, the guide 190 shown in Fig. 8 being right angled and having a channel with spaced apart lips 1 94, 195, 1 96, 1 97 for giving access to that channel so as to enable the channel to receive band 1 or 104 and enable that band to be removed therefrom. The guide 1 90 has a transverse rod or tube 191, the rod insertable into an object, the tube being able to receive an object.

Referring to Figs. 9 to 11, flexible band 201 of circular cross section has two end portions 202, 204 received into respective apertures 203, 205 in an otherwise closed upper end of a sleeve 206.

Passages 207, 208 corresponding to apertures 202, 204 are in an axial transport member 209 having a shank 210 of reduced external diameter extending downwardly to a wider butt 211 of the transport member. The shank 210 has an external screw thread 212 engaging a corresponding screw thread 21 3 in a nut 214, whose lower end abuts the butt 211. The lower end of sleeve 206 abuts the upper end of nut 213. Rotation of nut 21 3 causes axial motion of the threaded shank 210 inside sleeve 206, which is slidably seated on that shank.Passage 207 leads downwards to give exit at a side of the butt 211, so that band end 202 can be releasably gripped by downwardly sloping static teeth 21 5 of a cleat 21 6 mounted by means of screws 217,218 to the side of the butt 211. Passage 208 leads downwards to give exit at the bottom end of transport member 209, the exited band end 204 having an anchorage knot 21 9 outside the transport member. The looped band 201 (Fig. 9) has four right angled guides 222, whose fronts have plain right angle surfaces 223 for abutting an object (not shown) to be gripped, and whose back have slotted cylindrical conduits 224 enclosing channels in which the band is removably seated.

Referring to Figs. 12 to 13, a flexible band 301 of planar cross section has two end portions 302, 303 received into a corresponding apertures 304 in an otherwise closed upper end of a sleeve 305. A passage 306 corresponding to aperture 304 is in an axial transport member 307 having a shank 308 of reduced external diameter extending downwardly to a wider butt 309 of the transport member. The shank 308 has an external screw thread 310 engaging a corresponding screw thread 311 in a nut 312, whose lower end abuts the butt 309. The lower end of sleeve 305 abuts the upper end of nut 312. Rotation of nut 312 causes axial motion of the threaded shank 308 inside sleeve 305, which is slidably seated on that shank. Passage 306 leads downwards to give exit into a slot 309 whose walls have downwardly sloping static teeth 310 for releasably gripping the band ends 302, 303. The looped band 301 has four right angled guides 30 of the kind shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig.15, a triangular guide 400 has a sloping face 401 for abutting an object to be gripped by pressure from a loop formed from a circular band 201 (Fig. 9). The right angled rear face 402 of guide 400 has a recess 403 for seating a removable right angled bracket 404 whose outer face has two slotted cylindrical conduits 405 enclosing channels in which the band is removably seated.

The present invention includes equivalents of the disclosures of the accompanying drawings and their above description. Those disclosures and their equivalents can be modified in accordance with the description given above before the introduction to the drawings. Apparatus of the invention can be used as a clamp or cramp or for any other suitable purpose, e.g. in the home or in industry. The invention also includes the components of said apparatus, as further aspects of the invention. A guide 400 could be provided with a dished face 406 instead of a plane face 401.

Claims

1. Apparatus for gripping at least one object, said apparatus comprising: a flexible band for being at least one loop around said at least one object, said loop being changeable in size so as to grip permanently or releasably said at least one object; handle means for said loop, said handle means comprising transport means for transporting at least one band portion so as to change the size of said loop, said transport means comprising at least one transport inlet and optionally at least one transport outlet, said at least one transport inlet being closer said loop than would be said transport outlet, said at least one transport inlet being able to pass at least one band portion from or to said loop, said at least one optional transport outlet being able to pass at least one band portion from or to said at least one transport inlet; and at least one anchorage means for anchoring outside said transport means (this anchoring being connected to and/or spaced apart from said handle means) at least one band portion so that said loop is a closed shape during said gripping.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said band has ends.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said band is endless.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said band has a planar cross section.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said band has a curved cross section.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said band has at least one aperture for receiving a projection when at least one said object has at least one said projection.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one transport inlet and/or at least one transport outlet is adapted to constrain in any predetermined way the band passing therethrough.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one said transport inlet comprises a plug having at least one aperture for passing band, that plug aperture being adapted to constrain in any predetermined way the band passing therethrough.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said transport means comprises first and second screw threaded members, said first screw threaded member being a transport member axially movable to provide advancing of band.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said transport member is axially movable as a result of rotating that member relative to said second screw threaded member.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second screw threaded member is a barrel having first and second opposite ends, this first end corresponding to said at least one transport inlet.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said barrel has a shank on which is slidably seated a sleeve having first and second opposite ends, this first end corresponding to said at least one transport inlet.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein, when the exterior of said barrel has a shoulder, said sleeve's second end can abut that shoulder.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein said sleeve is adapted to be hand held when said transport member is rotated.

1 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein said transport member has at least one aperture for receiving means for rotating said transport member.

1 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said transport member is axially movable as a result of rotating said screw screw threaded member while said first screw threaded member is prevented from rotating.

1 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second screw threaded member is a nut having first and second opposite ends, said first screw threaded member being a transport member screwed into said nut first end and having a shank projecting outwardly from said nut second end, this shank having a free end containing at least one inlet of a passage leading to at least one outlet of that passage, at least one band portion being able to pass along that passage.

1 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one said passage outlet is at said nut first end.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one said passage outlet is inwardly or outwardly disposed relative to said nut first end.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 6 to 1 9, wherein said transport member has a butt containing said at least one passage outlet and abutting said nut first end.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 7 to 20, wherein at least one said passage outlet is connected to at least one said anchorage means.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 7 to 20, wherein at least one said passage outlet leads to at least one said anchorage means.

23. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 6 to 22, wherein rotation of said transport member during rotation of said nut is prevented by the nature of any said inlet(s) through which a band portion passes.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 6 to 23, wherein rotation of said transport member during rotation of said nut is prevented by key means cooperating with keyway means.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said keyway means is provided along the exterior of at least an axial portion of said shank.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25, comprising a barrel (or other member) having at least one inwardly directed key means cooperating with at least one corresponding said keyway means provided along the exterior of at least an axial portion of said shank.

27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein said barrel comprising said at least one inwardly directed key means is a sliding fit on said shank.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein a said barrel (or other member) having said at least one inwardly directed key means has first and second ends, this first end corresponding to said at least one handle inlet, this second end abutting said nut second end.

29. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein a said anchorage means comprises first and second opposite ends; a passage having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, communicating between those ends and along which at least one band portion passes; and at least one movable gripping means for releasably gripping at least one band portion inside or outside of that passage.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein a said anchorage means comprises first and second said movable gripping means, respectively disposed and biased so that their normal modes are to grip at least one band portion.

31. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein a said anchorage means comprises first and second opposite ends; a passage having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, communicating between those ends and along which at least one band portion passes; and at least one static gripping means for releasably gripping at least one band portion inside or outside of that passage.

32. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein a said anchorage means is connected to said handle means.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32, when according to any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein said first end of a said anchorage means is adjacent said nut first end.

34. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein a said anchorage means is spaced apart from said handle means.

35. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein a said anchorage means is a knot or other'optional node provided in said band.

36. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein at least a portion of said loop has at least one predetermined shape.

37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 36, comprising at least one guide means for enabling at least a portion of said loop to have at least one predetermined shape.

38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein at least one said guide means for said loop is connected to at least one said handle inlet.

39. Apparatus as claimed in claim 37 or 38, wherein at least one said guide means for said loop is not part of said handle, and is adapted to be mounted onto said loop or dismounted therefrom before applying said grip.

40. Apparatus for gripping at least one object, said apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs.

1 to 3, 7 of the accompanying drawings.

41. Apparatus for gripping at least one object, said apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs.

4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

42. Apparatus for gripping at least one object, said apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs.

9 to 11, 1 5 of the accompanying drawings.

43. Apparatus for gripping at least one object, said apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs.

12 to 14, of the accompanying drawings.

44. A method of gripping at least one object, said method comprising applying that gripping by using apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 43.