GB2426547A

GB2426547A - Clamp comprising three tubes with a Vernier hole arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2426547A
Application number: GB0508533A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Andrew Stevens; Anthony Leslie John Stevens
Original assignee: BOSS INTERNAT CORP Ltd
Current assignee: BOSS INTERNAT CORP Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-27
Filing date: 2005-04-27
Publication date: 2006-11-29
Also published as: GB0508533D0

Abstract

A clamp to fit a device to a supporting pole comprises a universal joint to fit to the pole, and three tubes (1-3) which are slidable relative to each other, two of the tubes (1, 2) being provided with respective clamp arms (4, 5). Each tube is provided with a set of holes, the pitch of which differs between at least two of the tubes such that a Vernier hole arrangement is obtained. A pin (6) may be inserted through holes in all three tubes to fix them relative to each other, and a lock (7) may be provided on the end of the pin. The arrangement is such that the clamp arms may be fixed to devices in a range of different sizes. The clamp arms may be attachable to their respective tubes in one of two perpendicular positions, one position providing a smaller area of contact between the clamp arms and the device to which they clamp. One of the clamp arms (5) may be rotatable to provide a firmer grip on non-square devices. The universal joint may be formed integrally with the third tube (3).

Description

Device to fit equipment securely to ceiling mounted poles This invention is a clamp to support digital projectors or other devices on ceiling mounted poles. When digital projectors are installed in classrooms or lecture theatres for educational purposes, it is common to connect them to a pole hanging vertically from the ceiling, where the projector does not interfere with the students' view of the screen. This invention is a clamp which provides a fitting mechanism to securely connect digital projectors or other devices to their supporting poles by the clamp's Universal Joint pole fitting. The clamp comprises three tubes which slide over each other, and the strategic placing of Vernier holes inserted in each tube, enables the clamp to be fixed tightly onto different sizes of equipment. Different sized square and rectangular arms are used for devices of different depths to ensure they too are gripped tightly. This adjustability makes the device universal, fitting most sizes of digital projector and a number of other devices. The clamp consists of five components which fix together and are held tightly in place on the projector by a steel pin and padlock, as described in detail in the accompanying drawings:- 1/5-Fig 1 Shows the whole clamp assembled, with components marked as follows:- Inner Tube 1, Middle Tube 2, Outer Tube & Universal Joint 3, Fixed Arm Clamp 4, Rotational Arm Clamp 5, Fixing Pin 6 and Shackle-less Padlock 7. 1 /5- Fig 2 Shows the Section of Inner Tube 1 1/5- Fig 3 Shows the Section of Middle Tube 2 1/5 -Fig 4 Shows the Section of Outer Tube and Universal Joint 3 2/5 Shows the Fixed Arm Clamp 4, threaded onto Inner Tube 1, which would be held securely in place by Stop End 8. Inner Tube I is in turn inserted as shown into Middle Tube 2. 3/5 Shows the Rotational Arm Clamp 5, threaded onto Middle Tube 2, held in place by Stop End 9. Middle Tube 2 is inserted as shown into Outer Tube & Universal Joint 3. 4/5 Shows the Outer Tube & Universal Joint 3 5/5 Shows an alternative Outer Tube without a Universal Joint which can be used if the clamp is not to be used to connect to the pole. The operation of the clamp is as follows:- Step I Inner Tube 1 is inserted through Fixed Arm Clamp 4 and the Fixed Arm Clamp 4 held firmly in place by Stop End 8. The Fixed Arm Clamp 4 can be threaded onto Inner Tube I from either side. If inserted from one side, this enables the arms to lie flat along the object being secured providing 35mm "touch points" on the device being supported. If the Arm is found to interfere with any cables and controls, the Fixed Arm Clamp can be inserted from the other direction, this enables the arm to provide only a 5mm "touch point" on the device being supported, thus creating less interference with controls, cable or lenses. Step 2 Middle Tube 2 is inserted through Rotational Arm Clamp 5 and the Rotational Arm Clamp 5 held in firmly in place by Stop End 9. The Rotational Arm Clamp 4 can be threaded onto Inner Tube 1 from either side. If inserted from one side. If inserted from one side, this enables the arms to lie flat along the object being secured providing 35mm "touch points" on the device being supported. If the Arm is found to interfere with cables and controls, the Rotational Arm Clamp can be inserted from the other direction, enabling the arm to provide only a 5mm "touch point" on the device being supported, thus creating less interference with controls, cable or lenses. The Rotational Arm Clamp is able to "swing" 15 degrees from side to side, enabling a firmer grip on non-square devices. Step 3 Middle Tube 2 holding Rotational Arm Clamp 5 is inserted through Outer Tube & Universal Joint 3, and Inner Tube 1 holding Fixed Arm Clamp 6 is inserted into Middle Tube 2. Step 4 The Rotational Arm Clamp 6 and Fixed Arm Clamp 4 are placed tightly at diagonal corners of the device to be secured, and the Fixing Pin inserted through the Vernier holes placed strategically in the Inner Tube 1 (28 pitch), Middle Tube 2 (17.5 pitch), and Outer Tube & Universal Joint 3 (17.5 pitch). It is the use of three sets of Vernier holes which enables the clamp to hold the device being supported sufficiently tight that it cannot be removed. Step 5 The Outer Tube & Universal Joint 3 is connected to a ceiling mounted pole, thus securing the whole clamping mechanism and the clamped device on the pole. Options Option 1 Both Fixed Clamp Arm 4 and Rotational Clamp Arm 6 are available in different heights to fit different digital projectors. Option 2 The Outer Tube is available without a Universal Joint (refer 5/5 Fig 1) if fitting onto a pole is not required. In this case one end of a security cable (refer 5/5 Fig 2) can be used to fix the three Tubes in place through the Vernier holes, and the other end used to secure the whole device to an immovable object.

Claims

Claims I This invention is a clamp which provides a fitting mechanism to securely connect digital projectors or other devices to their supporting poles by the clamp's Universal Joint pole fitting. The clamp comprises three tubes which slide over each other, and the strategic placing of Vernier holes inserted in each tube, enables the clamp to be fixed tightly onto different sizes of equipment. Different sized square and rectangular arms are used for devices of different depths to ensure they too are gripped tightly. This adjustability makes the device universal, fitting most sizes of digital projector and a number of other devices.
2 A clamp which according to claim 1 has two arms which can be used facing inwards or outwards, giving 4 combinations ("both facing in", "both facing out", "one facing in, one out", "the other facing in and the other out"), in irder to ensure the clamp does not interfere with cables or controls on the device being clamped.
3 A clamp which according to claim 1 has one arm able to swivel to enable the clamp to fit snugly on a rectangular rather than square device.
4 A clamp which according to all preceding claims, can hold a device securely, enabling it to be connected to a ceiling mounted vertically hanging pole via a Universal Joint welded to its largest tube.
5 A Universal Joint according to Claim 4 which enables the level of the clamp to be adjusted up or down.
6 A clamp which according to all preceding claims can optionally be used without a Universal Joint pole fitment, rather just a tube with padlock housing (refer 5/5). This enables the tubes to be held tightly together with a steel cable rather than Steel Pin in 1/1, enabling the other end of the cable to be secured to an immovable object to prevent the clamp being removed.