GB2190034A - Clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A clamp for securing utensils for example to a support, such as a table, comprises first (1) and second (8) parts; the first part (1) having a first jaw (3) with a face (5) for engaging one surface of the support. The first jaw extends from a side member (4) which is arranged in use to extend past the edge of the support. A bead (6) is fixed to or integrally formed with the side member remote from the first jaw, the bead being disposed at an acute angle to the face of the first jaw. The second part (8) comprises a bifurcated member having a slot (12) to receive closely the bead (6), and a second jaw (17) for opposing the first jaw and for engaging an opposite surface of the support in use. The arrangement is such that the second part can be slid along the bead to bring the jaws towards one another to clamp the support between them. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clamp The present invention relates to clamping devices and, more particularly, to clamps that may be attached to the edge of a support.

One use of such clamps isto support tools, utensils and other articles on a support such as a bench ortabie top. Such clamps are often used by physicailydisabled persons two hold utensils such as, for example, potato peelers, and the like orto support other items such as workpieces.

It is known to provide such a clamping device with a spiral clamping member which is rotated by a handletoengagethe underside of the supporting surface on which the tool or the like is to be mounted.

This enables the clamp to befitted simply and quickly on supporting members of different thicknesses without complex adjustmentofthe clamp being necessary before fitting. However, the rotation of the handle and the fact that it often projects away from the underside of the clamp at an awkward angle can makeitdifficultforsome handicapped people to use. Furthermore, the handle may also interfere with access below the surface on which the clamp is to be mounted.

Whilst this known clamp can befitted on members of different thicknesses, the range of thicknesses is rather limited as the angle of the spiral clamping member cannot be too great if the clamp is to retain a good grip on the supporting member.

There is a need for an improved clamp therefore that retains the facilities and advantages of known clamps, but which overcomes the known disadvantages as far as possible.

According to the present invention there is provided a clamp for securing to the edge of a support, such as a table, the clamp comprisingfirst and second parts; the first part having a first jaw with afaceforengaging one surface ofthe support, a side memberfrom which the firstjaw extends transversely and which is arranged in use to extend past the edge ofthe support, and a bead fixed to or integrally formed with the side member remote from .he first jaw, the bead being disposed at an acute angleto the face of the first jaw; and the second part comprising a bifurcated member having a slot to receive closely the bead, and a second jawfor opposingthefirstjawandforengaging an opposite surface of the support in use; the arrangement being such that the second part can be slid along the bead to bring the jaws towards one anotherto clamp the support between them.

The close fit of the second part on the bead and the acute angling of the bead to the face of the first jaw ensureasecurefitting of the clamp on the support, whilst enabling very simple attachment and removal ofthe clamp from the support. Additionally the sliding motion of the second part on the bead enables a wide range of thicknesses of support to be accomodated bytheclamp.

Preferably, the side member is a plate at an edge of which the bead is formed, the slot in the second part having a recess so that the second part embraces the edge of the plate in such a way that the bead lies in the recess.

Advantageously, additional recesses are formed in opposing positions on opposite sides of the slot also to receive the bead to allow itto be mounted in alternative positions on the bead, thus to increase still furtherthe range ofthicknesses of the supports to which the clamp may be attached.

Preferably, the bead has a substantially part-cylindrical surface, the slot having a keyhole or appropriately shaped cross-section so as to embrace the plate with the bead in the enlarged portion of the slot.

Preferably, the first part is formed of metal such as steel, with a protective and decorative coating, and the second part is moulded from a resilient plastics material.

The relative sizing of the slot in the second member and the bead (and plate if present) can be arranged to provide a suitably frictional sliding fitof the second part on the first, whilst ensuring that the fit does not make itto difficult to slide the second part along the bead on the first part.

In practice, the first part is formed with an upstanding member or members to supporttolls, utensils, work pieces and the like and thus enable such items to be securely mounted on the support.

It will be appreciated that the clamp may also be used to clamp a workpiece or tool to the support directly if the item has a flange or other member of a suitablethicknessto be received between the jaws of the clamp.

One example of a clamp according with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures la, riband icshowvariousviewsofthe first part of a clamp; Figures2a to2dshowvariousviews of the second partoftheclamp; and, Figure 3 illustrates a modified form of the first part specially adapted to hold needles or the like.

The clamp has a first part 1 formed from a steel plate 2 which is shaped so as to provide a firstjaw3 extending transversely from a side plate 4, the lower edge of which is spaced from and cut at an acute angle of about 10 to theface 5 ofthefirstjaw3and which is formed with a part-cylindrical bead 6. To the under face5 of the first jaw a rubber pad 7 is fixed to provide a good grip on the top surface of any support to which the clamp is to be attached.

The second part 8 comprises a synthetic plastics moulding having a pair of arms 9,10 connected buy a bight portion 11. The bifurcating slot 12 thus formed between the arms 9,10 is sized to be a friction sliding fit on the plate 2 and has recesses 13,14,15 each of which can bea close fit around the bead 6,thus guiding the second part 8 along the bead. The recesses 13,14,15 are angled also at about l00tothe face 16 of the second jaw 17 comprised by a surface of one of the arms 9, so that the two jaws 3,17 always remain substantially parallel.

The second jaw 17 also has a rubber pad 18 similar to that on the first jaw 3.

In usethesecond part is slid along the bead until the jaws engage opposite sides of the supportto mountthe clamp thereon.

Figure 3 shows a modified clamp 20 having the same parts as the clamp of the first example, but also an additional fixing device for holding a plurality of knitting needles (not shown) between a second pair of jaws 21,22 which are squeezed together by a threaded fastening actuated by a large knob 23.

It will be appreciated that a wide variety of mountings and fixings may be either attached to or integ rally formed with the main part of the clamp to provide a wide range of clamping devices for tools, utensils and workpieces of different descriptions.

Claims (7)

1. A clamp for securing to the edgeof a support, such as a table, the clamp comprising first and second parts; the first part having a first jaw with a face for engaging one surface ofthe support, a side memberfromwhichthefirstjawextends transversely and which is arranged in use to extend past the edge of the support, and a bead fixed to or integrallyformed with the side member remote from the first jaw, the bead being disposed atan acute angle to the face of the firstjaw; and the second part comprising a bifurcated member having a slotto receive closely the bead, and a second jaw for opposing the first jaw and for engaging an opposite surface of the support in use; the arrangement being such that the second part can be slid along the bead to bring the jaws towards one another to clamp the support between them.

2. Aclamp accordingtoclaim 1, wherein the side member is a plate at an edge ofwhich the bead is formed, the slot in the second part having a recess so thatthe second part embraces the edge of the plate in such a waythatthe bead lies in the recess.

3. Aclamp according to claim 2, wherein additional recesses are formed in opposing positions on opposite sides of the slot also to receive the bead to allow itto be mounted in alternative positions on the bead, thus to increase still further the range ofthicknesses of the supports to which the clamp may be attached.

4. Aclampaccording toanyofciaims 1 to3, wherein the bead has a substantially part-cylindrical surface, the slot having a keyhole or appropriately shaped cross-section so as to embrace the plate with the bead in the enlarged portion of the slot.

5. A clamp according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first part is formed of metal such as steel,with a protective and decorative coating, and the second part is moulded from a resilient plastics material.

6. Aclamp according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first part is formed with an upstanding member or members to supporttolls, utensils, work pieces and the like and thus enable such items to be securely mounted on the support.

7. A clamp substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.