GB2426948A

GB2426948A - Clamp with adjustable mounting means

Info

Publication number: GB2426948A
Application number: GB0522628A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Kenneth Nock
Original assignee: CJ Wildbird Foods Ltd
Current assignee: CJ Wildbird Foods Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-05
Filing date: 2005-11-05
Publication date: 2006-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-05
Also published as: GB2426948B; GB0522628D0

Abstract

A clamp comprises a C-frame 12 having a generally I-shaped cross-section, a first jaw and a screw 10 driven second jaw 16. A saddle 50 locates on the C-frame and is slidably adjustable thereon and is locked in a required position by saddle clamp 52 operated by nut 38. An attachment means is retained between clamp 52 and nut 38, which may comprise a pole grip 60 or a further C/G-clamp (70). The clamp is thus provided with a variably orientable attachment means. The clamp is particularly intended for securing the pole of a bird table to garden decking or similar horizontal surfaces.

Description

* 2426948

Adjustable Clamp

The present invention relates to a clamp and in particular to a clamp that may be fixed, at various positions, to another member.

In use, birdfeeders are often supported by or on a pole. Such poles are conveniently inserted within ground soil, typically in garden area. However, patio decking has become popular, sometimes covering a major proportion of a residential garden area. Users of wild bird feeders often prefer to support a birdfeeder within close proximity of a house window and so may desire to support a birdfeeder in an area of the garden that has decking. At present it is difficult to attach a mounting pole to decking, especially in a manner that easily allows subsequent re-location on such decking.

Clamps are also frequently used by builders, joiners, do-it-yourself enthusiasts and the like, in order to temporarily hold or secure items under construction. G-clarnps and C-clamps and the like are widely used for this purpose hut have limited functionality owing as they only gave one jaw that may engage a work item.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clamp that allows the adjustable positioning of a support pole on external structures such as decking, fences and the like. Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp tool that may be supported in various orientations for use by joiners, do-it-yourself enthusiasts and the like. A further aim is to provide a clamp tool that can hold a plurality of work items between individual jaws.

In one aspect the invention comprises an adjustable mounting clamp having a main frame with a first jaw member; and a second jaw member; means of applying force between said jaw members so that an object can be firmly held between said first and second jaw members; further comprising attachment means that engage said frame and in use allows variation of the orientation of the attachment means with respect to said main frame.

The attachment means may engage a side surface of the main frame member. Preferably, the attachment means engages at least one rail member forming an integral part of the main frame member. Preferably, the position at which the attachment means engages the main frame member may be adjusted. The attachment means may comprise a saddle member that at least partly surrounds an elongate portion of the main frame member. The attachment means preferably further comprises a grip that in use allows the attachment means to be held in a fixed position. The grip may comprise the saddle member and a saddle clamp. In use, an elongate portion of the main frame member may be clamped between a saddle member and said saddle clamp. A force may be applied between said saddle member and saddle clamp by means or a threaded bolt member. The attachment means may further comprise a fixing member pivotally attached to the main frame and/or attachment means. This fixing member may comprise a further clamp; the further clamp may be a C-clamp or a G-clamp.

Alternatively, the fixing member may comprise a sleeve or the like that may be tightened around a rod or pole or support arm. Preferably the main frame comprises a C-frame/G- frame. Preferably the second jaw member comprises a threaded portion that engages a corresponding thread in said n-iain frame. The second jaw member may be pivotally mounted.

In another aspect the invention comprises a clamp system comprising a first clamp and a second clamp and a connector joining said clamps that allows multi directional adjustment of the orientation of the first clamp with respect to the second clamp.

The invention will now be described by reference to the following diagrammatic figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the invention used fix a pole to a beam; Figure 2 is a side view of the clamp shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the clamp shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a rear view of the clamp shown in Figure 1, without the pole grip; Figure 5 is a further rear view of the clamp shown in Figure 4 without the saddle clamp; and Figure 6 is a view of a clamping apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a clamp 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention connecting a pole P and a beam member B. In some respects clamp 10 resembles well known C-clamps and G-clamps in that it comprises a main frame member 12 with a (first) jaw member 14 and a second jaw member 16 pivotally mounted to a threaded bar IS (see Figure 2); preferably second jaw member 16 pivots only slightly relative to the longitudinal axis of the threaded bar, such being provided by conventional means. Bar 18 is mounted for axial movement in threaded hole 20 located at a first end of main frame member 12. A handle 22 is attached to the distal end of threaded bar 1 8. Thus, in use turning handle 22 turns threaded bar 18 relative to the main frame 12 and allows adjustment of the gap between first jaw 14 and second jaw 16. First jaw member 14 may optionally comprise a clamp cup or the like (not shown); however in this case any such member is preferably an integral part of main frame 12 and so unlike second jaw member 16 cannot pivot. Adjustment of the gap between the jaw members 14 and 16 allows the apparatus to be clamped to a first member; for example a beam B, as shown in Figure 1.

Clamp 10 further comprises attachment means 30. This may take the form of a saddle 32, a saddle clamp 34 and a bolt 36 with a wing nut 38. Attachment means 30 engages rails 40 formed by the "I-I-shaped' cross section of the main frame member 12 (see Figure 3); further each rail 40 comprises two parallel straight portions 42 connected by two 90 bends 44 and a further intermediate straight portion 46. The saddle 32 and saddle clamp 34 are configured to allow the attachment means 30 to be locked to any part of rails 40. Thus, Figures 1 to 3 show the attachment means locked at the centre of intermediate straight portion 46; however, the saddle 32 and saddle clamp 34 may be untightened so that the attachment means 30 can slide freely along rail 40; and thereby moved along the rail so that it can subsequently be locked at another position; for example part way along curved portion 44. Thus, by moving attachment means from one end of rail 40 to the other its orientation relative to main frame member 12 may change by 180 .

Saddle 32 comprises side portions 50 and a central junction portion 58 that joins these side portions and also provides an abutment surface. Saddle clamp 34 has a generally U-shaped cross section and comprises a pair of abutment jaws 54 with an intermediate member 56; both jaws 54 and member 56 are in use housed between saddle side portions 50. Intermediate member 56 and junction portion 58 have holes that in use are aligned and accept the threaded portion of bolt 36 hut are not large enough to allow the head of this bolt to pass there through.

Further, the abutment surface allows an inward force to be applied to the saddle clamp when the wing nut 38 is tightened. Junction portion 58 also has a hexagonal recess within the face facing main frame 12, that in use prevent bolt 36 rotating when wing nut 38 is tightened or un-tightened. Thus, in use by tightening the wing nut 38 on the thread of bolt 36 part of rail can he held in position (clamped) by a force applied between the saddle and the saddle clamp.

Clamp 10 further comprises pole grip 60. Grip 60 allows a pole P to be attached to attachment means 30 and comprises a collar 62 dimensioned to enfold pole P; having a pair of coinciding side members 64 that when pushed together face to face result in collar 62 firmly gripping pole P. These side members have a bore through which bolt 36 passes. Thus, in use when wing nut 38 is tightened on bolt 36; in addition to closing saddle clamp 56 within saddle 54; sides 64 of grip 60 are also pushed together, so that the pole P and main frame 12 are simultaneously gripped. Alternatively Grip 60 may take other forms; for

example, a G-Clamp.

The outer face of intermediate member 56 has an integral circular serrated disc 60 that in use co-operates with a similarly serrated outer surface on side member 64 of grip 60 thereby discouraging pivotal slip of the grip 60 relative to the main frame 12 once the wing nut 38 has been tightened.

Main frame 12 has an end stop 66; that is an end section that is rectangular in cross section rather than "H-shaped". This advantageously prevents accidental detachment of attachment means 30 when the clamp is in use or storage.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention 68 where grip 60 has been replaced by a G-clamp 70 wherein frame 72 has a side extension 74 with a bore (not shown) dimensioned so that bolt 36 may pass therethrough and so that wing nut 38 may abut against the outer face of member 74 so that upon tightening the wing nut member 74 is firmly held in place against attachment means 30. This embodiment is particularly well suited for securing one item to another during a construction process such as woodwork joinery.

The invention offers the advantage of allowing a pole P to he held in almost any direction with respect to member B held between main frame 12; this is achieved by rotating grip 60 relative to attachment means 30 (this allows 180 movement) and by sliding attachment means 30 along rail 40; which allows 90 movement in a plane orthogonal to that of the rotational movement of grip 60. Further, the invention provides means of rapidly attaching a pole to a structure such as residential garden decking and allows easy and rapid relocation if desired. When used as a building tool the invention provides a pair of clamp jaws in effect connected by a "universal" joint in as such allows almost complete freedom of orientation of the clamp jaw relative to pole P or of one clamp relative to another 70 (see Figure 5).

Claims

Claims 1. An adjustable mounting clamp comprising a main frame (12) having

a first jaw member (14); and a second jaw member (16); means of applying force between said jaw members so that an object can be firmly held between said first and second jaw members; further comprising attachment means (30) that engage said frame and in use allows variation of the orientation of the attachment means with respect to said main frame.
2. A clamp according to Claim 1 wherein the attachment means engages a side surface of the main frame member.
3. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means engages at least one rail member forming an integral part of the main frame member.
4. A clamp according to Claim I wherein the position at which the attachment means engages the main frame member may be adjusted.
5. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises a saddle member that at least partly surrounds an elongate portion of the main frame member.
6. A clamp according to any preceding comprising a grip that in use allows the attachment means to be held in a fixed position.
7. A clamp according to Claim 6 wherein the grip comprises said saddle member and a saddle clamp.
8. A clamp according to Claim 7 wherein an elongate portion of the main frame member may in use be clamped between a saddle member and said saddle clamp.
9. A clamp according to Claim 7 or 8 wherein a force is applied between said saddle member and saddle clamp by means or a threaded bolt member.
10. A clamp according to any preceding claim comprising a fixing member pivotally attached to the main frame and/or attachment means.
11. A clamp according to Claim 10 wherein the fixing member comprises a further clamp.
12. A clamp according to Claim 11 wherein the further clamp is a C-clamp or a G-clamp.
13. A clamp according to Claim 10 wherein the fixing member comprises a sleeve that may he tightened around a rod or pole.
14. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the main frame comprises a C- frame/G-frame.
15. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the second jaw member is pivotally mounted.

1 6. A hirdfeeder accessory comprising a support pole and an adjustable clamp according to any preceding claim.

1 7. A clamp as described above by reference to Figures 1 to 6.

15. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the second jaw member comprises a threaded portion that engages a corresponding thread in said main frame.

16. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the second jaw member is pivotally mounted.

17. A birdfeeder accessory comprising a support pole and an adjustable clamp according to any preceding claim.

1 8. A clamp system comprising a first clamp and a second clamp and a connector joining said clamps that allows multi directional adjustment of the orientation of the first clamp with respect to the second clamp.

19. A clamp as described above by reference to Figures 1 to 6.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1 1. An adjustable mounting clamp comprising a main frame (12) having a first jaw member (14); a second jaw member (16); means of applying force between said jaw members so that an object can be firmly held between said first and second jaw members; further comprising attachment means (30) that engage at least one rail member (40) forming an integral part of the main frame (12), said rail member (40) having at least one curved portion so that in use the orientation of the attachment means with respect to said main frame may be varied.

2. A clamp according to Claim I wherein the attachment means engages a side surface of the main frame member.

3. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the position at which the attachment means engages the main frame member may be adjusted.

4. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises a saddle member that at least partly surrounds an elongate portion of the main frame member.

5. A clamp according to any preceding comprising a grip that in use allows the attachment means to he held in a fixed position.

6. A clamp according to Claim 5 wherein the grip comprises said saddle member and a saddle clamp.

7. A clamp according to Claim 6 wherein an elongate portion of the main frame member may in use he clamped between a saddle member and said saddle clamp.

8. A clamp according to Claim 6 or 7 wherein a force is applied between said saddle member and saddle clamp by means or a threaded bolt member.

9. A clamp according to any preceding claim comprising a fixing member pivotally attached to the main frame and/or attachment means. 1'

10. A clamp according to Claim 9 wherein the fixing member comprises a further clamp.

11. A clamp according to Claim 10 wherein the further clamp is a C-clamp or a G-clamp.

12. A clamp according to Claim 9 wherein the fixing member comprises a sleeve that may be tightened around a rod or pole.

13. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the main frame comprises a C- frame/G-frame.

1 4. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the second jaw member comprises a threaded portion that engages a corresponding thread in said main frame.