GB2185385A

GB2185385A - Clamping device

Info

Publication number: GB2185385A
Application number: GB08601283A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Arthur Lovering
Original assignee: British Alcan Aluminium Ltd
Current assignee: British Alcan Aluminium Ltd
Priority date: 1986-01-20
Filing date: 1986-01-20
Publication date: 1987-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2006-01-20
Also published as: GB2185385B; GB8601283D0

Abstract

A clamping device comprising a first part 1 to be secured to an item to be supported, or to a fixed structure a second part 3 capable of releasably engaging the first part in a variety of angular positions relative thereto, means for securing the first and second parts to the item or the structure, the second part being formed to receive a flexible support member and means for releasably clamping the support to the second part. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clamping device This invention relates to a clamping device which is particularly but not exclusively for use in suspending shelves or other furniture items on a wall.

Wall mounted furniture has a considerable attraction in small rooms in order to conserve floor space and many proposals have been made for widely differing constructions.

Among these it is known to use ropes or cords of wire or other material and flexible tapes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved clamping device capable of releasably engaging a flexible support member and of being secured to an item to be supported thereby.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a clamping device comprising a first part to be secured to an item to be supported, a second part capable of releasably engaging the first part in a variety of angular position relative thereto, means for securing the first and second parts to the item, the second part being formed to receive a flexible support member and means for releasably clamping the support to the second part. Preferably the second part has an internally threaded recess with opposed slots in its wall to receive the flexible support member and a third threaded part is provided to engage within the recess and clamp the member against the base thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a furniture system to be suspended from a supporting vertical surface comprising an item of furniture, a plurality of clamping devices to be secured to the item in appropriate angular relation thereto, at least one clamping device to be secured to the surface and a plurality of flexible support members to extend between said one clamping device and the plurality of clamping devices.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded elevational view, partly in section, of a clamping device; Figure 2 is an illustrative perspective view of a support system for shelving; and Figure 3 is a similar illustration of a corner unit.

Referring to Fig. 1 a clamping device comprises a first part 1 to be secured to a shelf 2; a second part 3 to be secured to a flexible support member 4 and a third, threaded part 5.

The first part 1 is of circular section and has a diametral recess 6 to receive an edge 7 of the shelf 2. The base 8 of the part 1 is formed with a central aperture 9 and a number of projections 10 are disposed in spaced circumferential relationship around the base.

The second part 3 is formed with an'internally threaded recess 11 the wall 12 of which has diametrally opposed slots 13 to receive the flexible support member 4. The latter can be a hemp or plastics cord, a wire rope, a tape or a solid rod. The base 14 of the part 3 is formed with a central aperture 15 having a countersunk part 16 and a number of circumferentially spaced recesses 17.

The externally threaded part 5 is to screw into the recess 11 and has a slot 18 for engagement, for example, by a coin or a large screwdriver.

In operation the part 1 is located on the shelf edge as shown; the part 3 is disposed at a desired angular relationship thereto with the projections 10 engaging within appropriate recesses 17. A countersunk screw, (not shown) is passed through the apertures 15, 9 to secure the parts 3 and 1 to the shelf 2.

The member 4 is then engaged through the slots 13 across the recess 11 and is clamped in place by the member 5.

The parts 1, 3 and 5 may be moulded from a rigid plastics material such as nylon.

It will be understood that the part 1 could be shaped to engage items of wall furniture other than shelves. Furthermore the member 4 may be secured at its upper end (not shown) directly to a wall surface or to a specially provided rail using the clamping device. In any event the geometry of parts of the support members 4 will be such that relative rotation between the parts 1 and 3 permits appropriate engagement with the member.

Fig. 2 shows how an extruded rail 19 may be secured to a wall to support a shelf system and other items. The rail 19 has a base 20 and two upstanding walls 21 with inwardly turned lips 22 to define a -T-shaped slot 23.

A plastics cover strip 24 is a clip fit in the slot. The rail is screwed to the wall at intervals with screws such as 25 and the spacing of the walls 21 is such as to receive the recess 6 of the first part 1 of the clamping device. The second part 3 may be secured through the slot 23 to the wall or, with appropriate fasteners (not shown) it may be clamped behind the lips 22. As shown one or more shelves 26 may be supported from the rail 19 with the support member 4 passing upwardly through the clamping device on the rail and then dwonwardly outside it. Other items of wall furniture may similarly be suspended from the rail 19.

A modified clamping device (not shown in detail) may also be used to support a light unit such as a spotlight 27. In this case the threaded part 5 would have a central aperture for an electrical connection (not shown) which could pass through the slot 23.

Fig. 3 shows another arrangement in which the part 1 of the clamping device is modified at 1 a to fit into a corner between two walls, to support triangular shelves 28.

Although with the arrangements of Figs. 2 and 3 it is desirable to use the clamping device of Fig. 1 or a modification thereof, it will be understood that other clamps could also be used.

Claims

1. A clamping device comprising a first part to be secured to an item to be supported, or to a fixed structure a second part capable of releasably engaging the first part in a variety of angular positions relative thereto, means for securing the first and second parts to the item or the structure, the second part being formed to receive a flexible support member and means for releasably clamping the support to the second part.

2. A clamping device according to claim 1 in which the second part has an internally threaded recess with opposed slots in its wall to receive the flexible support member and a third threaded part is provided to engage within the recess and clamp the member against the base thereof.

3. A clamping device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the fixed structure is an existing vertical surface and the item is an article of furniture such as shelving.

4. A furniture system to be suspended from a supporting vertical surface comprising an item of furniture, a plurality of clamping devices to be secured to the item in appropriate angular relation thereto, at least one clamping device to be secured to the surface and a plurality of flexible support members to extend between said one clamping device and the plurality of clamping devices.

5. A system according to claim 4 in which the clamping devices are as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A clamping device substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A furniture system substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.