GB2354548A - Clamping device for furniture - Google Patents
Clamping device for furniture Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2354548A GB2354548A GB0021274A GB0021274A GB2354548A GB 2354548 A GB2354548 A GB 2354548A GB 0021274 A GB0021274 A GB 0021274A GB 0021274 A GB0021274 A GB 0021274A GB 2354548 A GB2354548 A GB 2354548A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- clamping
- article
- clamping device
- housing member
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B2/00—Friction-grip releasable fastenings
- F16B2/02—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
- F16B2/06—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening external, i.e. with contracting action
- F16B2/065—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening external, i.e. with contracting action using screw-thread elements
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
- Furniture Connections (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to the provision of a clamping device which allows the connection or clamping of an article to a component or structure, such as for example, for use when forming an item of furniture from a flatpack kit. The clamping device includes a housing member 4 in which the article 26 is located and a clamping member 6 with securing means 8 acting on the article. A threaded portion 22 of the means 8 engages in a bore 16 in member 6 and acts on the article 26. Members 4 and 6 slidably interengage via flanges 10 and slots 12.
Description
2354548 Clampin Device This invention relates to clamping devices.
Although the present invention refers to a clamping device for clamping two components of furniture together, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the clamping device could be used in areas other than furniture manufacture.
Conventionally, if two components or furniture are required to be joined in use, they are welded together, screwed together, adhered together or the like. All these forms of attachment are fairly permanent and if the components are dismantled, such as to aid moving them or to repair them, they typically result in permanent damage to the components and are also likely to leave unsightly marks on the same. For example, drill holes or glue marks Many furniture manufacturers now sell their products flat packed for ease of storage and transport, such that the purchaser has to erect the article of furniture themselves at home. This often results in complicated instructions as to how the components of the article are fitted together and also requires a variety of tools and equipment to be used. This can result in added expense to the purchaser who has to buy the tools and also requires time and patience to construct the article. In addition, once an attachment has been made, if the purchaser has attached the components in the wrong place, the components can not subsequently be easily adjusted.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive clamping device which can be used to join together components, and to allow the same to be dismantled, without requiring any special tools or equipment 2 It is a further object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive clamping device which can join components together and which can be released and tightened as and when required without damaging the components or marking the same.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a clamping device, said clamping device comprising a housing member for locating at least part of an article to be clamped, and a clamping member which is located at an open end of said housing member to maintain the position of the article, said clamping member having means which can engage with complementary means on said housing member, and securing means to move said clamping member and said housing member in a manner to exert a clamping force on the article.
Preferably the housing member has a channel into which the article is placed. The housing member is preferably dimensioned to produce a friction fit with the article.
Preferably the clamping member has grooved edges which slidably engage with complementary means on the housing member. The complementary means can be flanges projecting from an external surface of the housing member.
Further preferably the clamping member comprises a plate having two turned up parallel edges, forming two grooves into which the respective flanges of the housing member fit.
Preferably the securing means comprises a handle portion and a threaded portion. An aperture can be provided in the plate of the clamping member through which the threaded portion can be 3 screwed. The end of the threaded portion can act on the article to hold the same in a locked or clamped position.
Typically, at least one of the housing member or clamping member are attached to a further component or structure so as to allow the clamping and attachment of the article to the said component or structure.
ln a further aspect of the invention there is provided an item of furniture comprising an article which is to be clamped and attached to a component or structure to at least partially form the item of furniture wherein a clamping device is used, said clamping device having a housing member and a clamping member, one or the other of which is attached to the component or structure and said clamping member having means which can engage with complementary means on said housing member, and securing means are provided to move said clamping member and said housing member in'a manner to exert a clamping force on the article which is located between the housing member and the clamping member.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a clamping device, said method comprising the steps of locating an article in a housing member, maintaining the position of the article within the housing member by engaging a clamping member with complementary means on said housing member, and moving said clamping member to said housing member using securing means.
The clamping device according to the present invention has the advantage that when the housing and clamping members are moved together the article is clamped rigidly within the housing in both a horizontal and vertical plane, thereby making the clamped components extremely secure.
4 The clamping device also has the advantage in that the clamping member can be released and the article required and replaced in the housing as frequently as required without damage to either the article or the components of the clamping device.
A further advantage is that the article can be clamped without the requirements of any special tools, thereby allowing any member of the public to quickly and easily assemble the clamping arrangement.
Typically, the housing and/or the clamping members are attached to a component, by welding, screwing or any other suitable joining means.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures wherein:- Figure la is a perspective view of the clamping device components according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure lb is a perspective view of the clamping device in Figure la fitted together; Figure 1c is an end view of the clamping device clamping an article in accordance with the present invention.
Referring firstly to Figures la and 1b, there is illustrated a clamping device 2 comprising a housing member 4, a clamping member 6 and a securing means 8.
In this embodiment the housing member 4 is joined to a component 5 of an article of furniture only part of which is shown and it is envisaged that a series of said clamping members will be used to enable the formation of the item of furniture.
The housing member 4 has flanges 10 which slidably engage on grooved edges or slots 12 of clamping member 6, as shown by the arrows 14 in Figure 1 a to allow the tow members to be brought into clamping position.
The clamping member 6 has an aperture 16, in a base plate 18, through which the securing means 8 is placed.
The securing means 8 in the embodiment shown comprise a head portion 20 and a threaded portion 22. Threaded portion 22 is inserted into threaded aperture 16 and the head portion 20 is rotated, as shown by arrow 24. The head portion 20 in the embodiment shown can be rotated by hand without the use of any tools.
The clamping in position of an article to the component 5 is shown in Figure 1c. In this case an article 26 is to be clamped and is inserted to lie in the channel defined in the housing member 4 and the slots 12 of the clamping member 6 are slidably engaged with flanges 10, as illustrated in Figure 1c. The threaded portion 22 of the securing means is inserted into aperture 16 and the head is rotated according to arrow 24. This screws the threaded portion 22 through the aperture and forces article 26 further into housing member 4 thereby clamping the same in a vertical direction. At the same time, the base plate 18 of clamping member 6 moves closer to the article causing the flanges 10 to be put under tension by grooved edges 12 thereby locking or clamping the same in a horizontal direction.
6 The clamping device can be dismantled by reversing the method of assembly as described.
The housing member can be any shape corresponding to the shape of the article it is to house. The head portion can incorporate a variety of designs which can be used to make the handle aesthetically appealing to a user or can be different shapes and designs according to whether the clamping device is to be used by the disabled, the elderly, adults or the like.
The components of the clamping device can be made from any substantially rigid material such as plastic, metal or wood.
The clamping device is of particular use in the assembly of items of furniture and particularly where the assembly takes place in the home environment by purchasers of "flatpack" furniture. The clamping device allows assembly and connection and clamping of articles to form the items of furniture by "unskilled" persons and, furthermore the disassembly of the same thereafter if required.
7
Claims (2)
1 A clamping device, said clamping device comprising a housing member for locating at least part of an article to be clamped, and a clamping member which is located at an open end of said housing member to maintain the position of the article, said clamping member having means which can engage with complementary means on said housing member, and securing means to move said clamping member and said housing member in a manner to exert a clamping force on the article.
2. A clamping device according to claim 1 wherein the housing member includes a channel into which the article is placed.
3 A clamping device according to claim 1 wherein the housing member is shaped with respect to the article to provide a friction fit between the article and member.
4 A clamping device according to claim 1 wherein the clamping member has grooved edges which slidably engage with flanges projecting from an external surface of the housing member.
A clamping device according to claim 4 wherein the clamping member comprises a plate having two turned up parallel edges, forming two grooves into which respective flanges of the housing member fit.
6 A clamping device according to claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises a handle portion and a threaded portion and an aperture is provided in the clamping member through which the threaded portion is screwed.
8 7 A clamping device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the article is clamped within the housing in both horizontal and vertical planes.
8 A clamping device according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the housing member or clamping member are attached to a further component or structure so as to allow the clamping and attachment of the article to the said component or structure.
9 An item of furniture comprising an article which is to be clamped and attached to a component or structure to at least partially form the item of furniture wherein a clamping device is used, said clamping device having a housing member and a clamping member, one or the other of which is attached to the component or structure and said clamping member having means which can engage with complementary means on said housing member, and securing means are provided to move said clamping member and said housing member in a manner to exert a clamping force on the article which is located between the housing member and the clamping member.
A method of using a clamping device, said method comprising the steps of locating an article in a housing member of the clamping device, maintaining the position of the article within the housing member by engaging a clamping member with complementary means on said housing member, and moving said clamping member to said housing member using securing means.
9 A clamping device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A method of using a clamping device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9922183.0A GB9922183D0 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 1999-09-21 | Clamping device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0021274D0 GB0021274D0 (en) | 2000-10-18 |
| GB2354548A true GB2354548A (en) | 2001-03-28 |
Family
ID=10861227
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9922183.0A Ceased GB9922183D0 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 1999-09-21 | Clamping device |
| GB0021274A Withdrawn GB2354548A (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2000-08-31 | Clamping device for furniture |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9922183.0A Ceased GB9922183D0 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 1999-09-21 | Clamping device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9922183D0 (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB778874A (en) * | 1955-03-09 | 1957-07-10 | Scaffolding Great Britain Ltd | Improvements in scaffolding clamps or couplers |
| GB897376A (en) * | 1960-06-30 | 1962-05-23 | Universal Flaymaster Equipment | Improvements in or relating to pipe or tube fittings |
| GB1185169A (en) * | 1966-12-15 | 1970-03-25 | Scaffolding Great Britain Ltd | Scaffolding |
| US4852840A (en) * | 1988-09-06 | 1989-08-01 | Marks Dale H | Clamp for mounting a device to a tubular |
-
1999
- 1999-09-21 GB GBGB9922183.0A patent/GB9922183D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2000
- 2000-08-31 GB GB0021274A patent/GB2354548A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB778874A (en) * | 1955-03-09 | 1957-07-10 | Scaffolding Great Britain Ltd | Improvements in scaffolding clamps or couplers |
| GB897376A (en) * | 1960-06-30 | 1962-05-23 | Universal Flaymaster Equipment | Improvements in or relating to pipe or tube fittings |
| GB1185169A (en) * | 1966-12-15 | 1970-03-25 | Scaffolding Great Britain Ltd | Scaffolding |
| US4852840A (en) * | 1988-09-06 | 1989-08-01 | Marks Dale H | Clamp for mounting a device to a tubular |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0021274D0 (en) | 2000-10-18 |
| GB9922183D0 (en) | 1999-11-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |