GB2120310A

GB2120310A - Aerial Clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2120310A
Application number: GB08308297A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Charles Jospeh Greest
Original assignee: STROMBERG GREEST Ltd
Current assignee: STROMBERG GREEST Ltd
Priority date: 1982-05-18
Filing date: 1983-03-25
Publication date: 1983-11-30
Also published as: GB8308297D0; GB2120310B

Abstract

A clamp for connecting two components such as an aerial mast 10 and boom 11 in mutually transverse relationship comprises two parts 12, 13 of similar form having flanges 16 to embrace one of the components 11, and one of the parts 12 having further flanges 20 presented away from the flanges 16 to locate the other component 10. A U-bolt 14 engages both parts 12, 13 to secure them together as well as securing the component 10 to the part 12, the parts 12, 13 being similar except for the further flanges 20 on the part 12, so that both parts can be made using the same tooling, using strip material of different widths. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Aerial clamp This invention relates to clamps for connecting two components together so that they extend transversely with respect to one another. An example of components to be connected comprise an aerial mast and an aerial boom so arranged that they extend substantially perpendicular with respect to one another. Usually the mast is vertical and the boom extends horizontally.

Several types of clamp have been proposed for this purpose, many being formed from pressed metal and having bolts for clamping purposes.

Since the aerial mast which is normally mounted vertically is usually of circular section whereas the horizontal boom is usually square section, the bracket should have different portions of different shape to accommodate and locate these.

Furthermore different sizes of mast and of boom may be used. This has led to complication in manufacture whether by pressing or otherwise and consequently most existing clamps are relatively expensive.

In Patent Application No. GB 2077846 there is described and claimed an arrangement in which two identical parts are used and while this reduces the expense as compared with different special parts, it has the disadvantage that some elements of the parts are unnecessarily duplicated.

The object of the invention is to provide a clamp which is simple and inexpensive to produce and in which no unnecessary elements are included.

According to the invention there is provided a clamp for connecting two components transversely with respect to one another, comprising two parts having respective formations to locate one of the components between them, and one of the parts having further formations presented away from said formations and arranged in use to partially embrace the other of the components, and the two parts being interconnected by a 'U' or 'V' bolt to secure the said one of the components between them and the 'U' or 'V' bolt being arranged to embrace said other of the components to secure it in the said further formations and the two parts being similarly shaped except for the said further formations which are on one of the parts only.

By this arrangement both the parts can be made using the same tooling.

Preferably the parts are made by inserting material of different widths into the same tools, whereby one of the parts is formed with the said further formations at opposite edges but the other part, being narrower, has no such further formations.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a perspective view partly exploded of a clamp for an aerial, constructed in accordance with the invention.

The figure shows an aerial including a mast 10 which in general is mounted in an upright position and a boom 11 which is mounted horizontally and therefore transversely with respect to the mast 10. The mast as shown is of circular section whereas the boom 11 has a square section. Both are tubular. There are a number of standard sizes in common use, the mast 10 being either 1" or 2" in diameter and the boom being 15 mm, 20 mm,+25 mm, 4 or 1" square or 4tt or 1" diameter and of round section.

To connect the boom 11 to the mast 10 and to hold it rigidly in its horizontal position a clamp is used. This comprises two pressed metal parts 12, 13 and a 'U' or'V' bolt 14.The parts 12, 13 are both of generally channel shape with a centre portion including raised reinforcing ribs 1 5 and having integral bent up generally triangular end flanges 1 6. The end flanges define between them respective stepped notches 1 7 having steps for location of square section booms of different sizes.

The two parts 12, 1 3 are so arranged as shown in the drawing that the four end flanges 1 6 together embrace and locate the boom 1 The parts 12, 1 3 have respective pairs of identically positioned corner holes 1 8 through which the legs of the 'U' or 'V' bolt 14 can pass. The holes are oblong and the legs of the 'U' or 'V' bolt are screw threaded to accept nuts 1 9 whereby the two parts 12, and 1 3 can be secured together.

The part 1 2 has side flanges 20 presented away from the flanges 16 and which are also of generally triangular formation. One pair of such flanges is shown but the other side edge of the part 12 has a similar pair. Between these is defined a stepped recess 21 similar to those identified at 1 7 between the end flanges of both the parts 12 and 13. The recess 21 partially embraces the mast 10 and the steps are arranged to accommodate round or other section tube used for the mast 10, or different sizes.

The 'U' or 'V' bolt 14 embraces the mast 10 to locate it in such recesses 21 and it is thereby secured at the side of the part 12 remote from the part 13.

It can be seen from the drawing that the two parts 12 and 13 are nearly the same, having identical centre portions with ribs 1 5 and end flanges 1 6 as well as pairs of oblong holes 1 8.

However the part 13 lacks the side flanges 20 of the part 12.

Conveniently both parts 12 and 1 3 can be made from the same press tools but wider strip material is used for the part 12 than for the part 13. The width of the material used for the part 12 is sufficient to enable the side flanges 20 to be cut and bent up in position whereas the material used for the part 13 is narrower than the width of the part 12 in its finished condition so that flat sides of the part 13 are formed.

1. A clamp for connecting two components transversely with respect to one another, comprising two parts having respective formations to locate one of the components between them, and one of the parts having further formations

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Aerial clamp This invention relates to clamps for connecting two components together so that they extend transversely with respect to one another. An example of components to be connected comprise an aerial mast and an aerial boom so arranged that they extend substantially perpendicular with respect to one another. Usually the mast is vertical and the boom extends horizontally. Several types of clamp have been proposed for this purpose, many being formed from pressed metal and having bolts for clamping purposes. Since the aerial mast which is normally mounted vertically is usually of circular section whereas the horizontal boom is usually square section, the bracket should have different portions of different shape to accommodate and locate these. Furthermore different sizes of mast and of boom may be used. This has led to complication in manufacture whether by pressing or otherwise and consequently most existing clamps are relatively expensive. In Patent Application No. GB 2077846 there is described and claimed an arrangement in which two identical parts are used and while this reduces the expense as compared with different special parts, it has the disadvantage that some elements of the parts are unnecessarily duplicated. The object of the invention is to provide a clamp which is simple and inexpensive to produce and in which no unnecessary elements are included. According to the invention there is provided a clamp for connecting two components transversely with respect to one another, comprising two parts having respective formations to locate one of the components between them, and one of the parts having further formations presented away from said formations and arranged in use to partially embrace the other of the components, and the two parts being interconnected by a 'U' or 'V' bolt to secure the said one of the components between them and the 'U' or 'V' bolt being arranged to embrace said other of the components to secure it in the said further formations and the two parts being similarly shaped except for the said further formations which are on one of the parts only. By this arrangement both the parts can be made using the same tooling. Preferably the parts are made by inserting material of different widths into the same tools, whereby one of the parts is formed with the said further formations at opposite edges but the other part, being narrower, has no such further formations. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a perspective view partly exploded of a clamp for an aerial, constructed in accordance with the invention. The figure shows an aerial including a mast 10 which in general is mounted in an upright position and a boom 11 which is mounted horizontally and therefore transversely with respect to the mast 10. The mast as shown is of circular section whereas the boom 11 has a square section. Both are tubular. There are a number of standard sizes in common use, the mast 10 being either 1" or 2" in diameter and the boom being 15 mm, 20 mm,+25 mm, 4 or 1" square or 4tt or 1" diameter and of round section. To connect the boom 11 to the mast 10 and to hold it rigidly in its horizontal position a clamp is used. This comprises two pressed metal parts 12, 13 and a 'U' or'V' bolt 14.The parts 12, 13 are both of generally channel shape with a centre portion including raised reinforcing ribs 1 5 and having integral bent up generally triangular end flanges 1 6. The end flanges define between them respective stepped notches 1 7 having steps for location of square section booms of different sizes. The two parts 12, 1 3 are so arranged as shown in the drawing that the four end flanges 1 6 together embrace and locate the boom 1 The parts 12, 1 3 have respective pairs of identically positioned corner holes 1 8 through which the legs of the 'U' or 'V' bolt 14 can pass. The holes are oblong and the legs of the 'U' or 'V' bolt are screw threaded to accept nuts 1 9 whereby the two parts 12, and 1 3 can be secured together. The part 1 2 has side flanges 20 presented away from the flanges 16 and which are also of generally triangular formation. One pair of such flanges is shown but the other side edge of the part 12 has a similar pair. Between these is defined a stepped recess 21 similar to those identified at 1 7 between the end flanges of both the parts 12 and 13. The recess 21 partially embraces the mast 10 and the steps are arranged to accommodate round or other section tube used for the mast 10, or different sizes. The 'U' or 'V' bolt 14 embraces the mast 10 to locate it in such recesses 21 and it is thereby secured at the side of the part 12 remote from the part 13. It can be seen from the drawing that the two parts 12 and 13 are nearly the same, having identical centre portions with ribs 1 5 and end flanges 1 6 as well as pairs of oblong holes 1 8. However the part 13 lacks the side flanges 20 of the part 12. Conveniently both parts 12 and 1 3 can be made from the same press tools but wider strip material is used for the part 12 than for the part 13. The width of the material used for the part 12 is sufficient to enable the side flanges 20 to be cut and bent up in position whereas the material used for the part 13 is narrower than the width of the part 12 in its finished condition so that flat sides of the part 13 are formed. CLAIMS

1. A clamp for connecting two components transversely with respect to one another, comprising two parts having respective formations to locate one of the components between them, and one of the parts having further formations presented away from said formations and arranged in use to partially embrace the other of the components, and the two parts being interconnected by a 'U' or 'V' bolt to secure the said one of the components between them and the 'U' or 'V' bolt being arranged to embrace said other of the components to secure it in the said further formations and the two parts being similarly shaped except for the said further formations which are on one of the parts only.

2. A clamp as claimed in claim 1 wherein the parts are made from sheet metal and have flanges serving as said formations and said further formations.

3. A clamp as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the formations and the further formations are shaped to accommodate components of different sizes.

4. A clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the formations and the further formations are stepped flanges.

5. A method of producing parts of a clamp as specified in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a strip a predetermined width is placed in tools and a first part is formed having formations at its ends, and a second strip of greater width is placed in the same tools and a second part is formed having formations at its ends, and further formations are formed at its sides.

6. A clamp for connecting two components and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. A method of producing parts of a clamp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.