GB2380223A

GB2380223A - Clamping device

Info

Publication number: GB2380223A
Application number: GB0123131A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tony Saunders
Original assignee: DAIWA SPORTS Ltd
Current assignee: DAIWA SPORTS Ltd
Priority date: 2001-09-26
Filing date: 2001-09-26
Publication date: 2003-04-02
Also published as: WO2003027512A1; GB0123131D0

Abstract

A clamping device comprises: a forked member with parallel facing forks 12,13 linked by a cross member, each fork including an aperture 18,19 and being disposed relative to one another so that the apertures lie transverse a common working axis A, each aperture 18,19 having a periphery 20,21 including a specific region 22 differing in shape from the remainder of the periphery; and a displacing device 30 located by the cross member and adapted for displacement along a clamping axis C transverse the working axis A such that when a working member R (regardless of cross-sectional shape) is positioned so as to extend coaxially or parallel to the working axis of, and through, the apertures, the displacing device serves to drive the working member R along the clamping axis into contact with the specified region of each aperture and thereby releasably clamp the external member to the forked member.

Description

CLAMPING DEVICE This invention relates to a clamping device.

There can arise a need to provide a clamping device which can be readily set up and removed which whilst in place can provide a secure anchorage for a component which carries a load. Such a device is particularly useful in an outdoor context where having established a temporary operating location there is a need to set up one or more working items in such a way that a user can readily and promptly obtain access to the, or each, item. Angling is such a context.

According to the present invention there is provided a clamping device made up of: a forked member with parallel facing forks linked by a cross member, each fork including an aperture, the forks being disposed relative to one another so that the apertures lie transverse a common working axis, each aperture having a periphery including a specific region differing in shape from the remainder of the periphery; and a displacing device located by the cross member and adapted for displacement along a clamping axis transverse the working axis such that when a working member (regardless of cross-sectional shape) is positioned so as to extend co-axially or parallel to the working axis of, and through, the apertures; the displacing device serving to drive the working member along the clamping axis into contact with the specified region of each aperture and thereby releasably clamp the external member to the forked member.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing of a clamping device of which: Figure 1 is a plan view; Figure 2 is a side view along section II-II of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a component for incorporation in the device of Figure 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows the component of Figure 3 when fitted with a additional component; and Figure 5 shows the assembled device comprising components of Figures 1,3 when mated.

The drawings variously show a clamping device 11 including a forked member with parallel facing forks 12,13 linked by a cross member 14. The cross member includes a collar 15 having an internal threaded bore 16 into which a displacing device 17 is mounted for rotation about an axis C.

Each fork 12,13 includes an aperture, respectively aperture 18,19. The forks 12,13 are disposed with long sides facing one another so that the apertures 18,19 lie on a common axis A.

Each aperture 18 19 has a periphery, respectively periphery 20,21, which is for the most part circular. However for aperture 18 the periphery 20 has a recess 22 with straight edges 23,24 meeting to define an apex 25. Aperture 19 has its periphery 21 adapted in a similar manner so that it has a recess similar to that of recess 22 located in a corresponding position to that of recess 22 so that they have a similar radial location relative to axis A.

Figure 3 and 4 (Figure 4 being on a smaller scale than Figure 3) show a displacing device 30 comprising a bolt 31 having an external threaded section 32 adapted to mate with bore 16 in collar 15. Figure 4 shows the bolt 31 when equipped with a clamping jaw 33 which is provided with a cut-out 33A which serves to receive a component being clamped by means of the device.

The device 11 is assembled as shown in Figure 5 with bolt 31 screwed into collar 15.

When it is desired to secure the device 11 to a rod (rod R shown in broken outline in Figure 5) the rod R is passed through the two apertures 18,19 so as to initially lie coaxial with, or parallel to, axis A. If necessary the bolt 31 can be unscrewed to enable the rod R to pass freely through the two apertures. Once rod R is positioned where it is to be clamped the bolt 31 is then screwed in along axis C, and transverse the axis A, until clamping jaw 33 seats on the rod R. Further rotation of the bolt 31 causes the rod R to be driven into the recesses 22, where the rod R seats on regions of the straight edges 23,24 of recess 22 in aperture 18 and the corresponding straight edges of the recess in aperture 19. The bolt 31 is then turned sufficiently to provide the necessary clamping force on the rod R.

The clamping action provided by the device is readily applied and released. In this case the rod R is shown as being of circular cross-section. However as long as the'rod' can be passed through the two apertures 18,19 land can be displaced transverse the mounting axis A to engage the recesses in the apertures 18m 19 then the'rod'can be of any cross-sectional shape.

The clamping device 11 has been described in the simplest terms and is of a basic form.

However it can be incorporated in another device such as, for example, a seat, stand, table, angling or camping equipment, vehicle, communication equipment, to enable an item corresponding to the rod R to be clamped in a required manner relative to the other device.

A more elaborate clamping device can be made up of a single unit formed by two or more clamping devices each being of the form described in the exemplary embodiment. This would provide for the ready clamping of two or more rods or rod like components relative to one another in a controlled configuration.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A clamping device made up of: a forked member with parallel facing forks linked by a cross member, each fork including an aperture, the forks being disposed relative to one another so that the apertures lie transverse a common working axis, each aperture having a periphery including a specific region differing in shape from the remainder of the periphery; and a displacing device located by the cross member and adapted for displacement along a clamping axis transverse the working axis such that when a working member (regardless of cross-sectional shape) is positioned so as to extend co-axially or parallel to the working axis of, and through, the apertures; the displacing device serving to drive the positioned working member along the clamping axis into contact with the specified region of each aperture and thereby releasably clamp the external member to the forked member.
2 A clamping device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the forked member is in the form of an integrally fabricated U shaped member and the displacing device comprises a block and a threaded shaft; the shaft extending through a complementary nut member mounted on the cross member.
3 A clamping device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
4 A clamping device in the form of a single unit incorporating two or more clamping devices as claimed in any preceding claim.
5 A clamping device as claimed in any preceding claim having a working member extending through the two apertures and clamped therein by means of the displacing member.