GB2434402A

GB2434402A - Clip with flexible tensioning member

Info

Publication number: GB2434402A
Application number: GB0601416A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Ellwood
Original assignee: Pointflame Services Ltd
Current assignee: Pointflame Services Ltd
Priority date: 2006-01-24
Filing date: 2006-01-24
Publication date: 2007-07-25
Also published as: WO2007085821A1; GB0601416D0

Abstract

A device 2 for preventing the jaws 30, 32 of a clip 4 from opening, the device 2 comprising a flexible tensioning member 5 that extends about jaws 30, 32 of the clip 4. The device 2 may comprise a strap 5, a first tensioning part 6 and second tensioning part 8. The first and second tensioning parts may each comprise a first attachment member 10, 12, a second attachment member 14, 16, an attachment pin 18, 20 and a retaining pin 22, 24. The first tensioning part may further comprise a hook 26 and the second tensioning part may further comprise a cam 28 with handle. The flexible tensioning member may comprise a strap 5 that has one end engaged by the hook 26. In use, the clip is attached to an article to be clamped, for example a cable, and the device used to hold the jaws 30, 32 of the clip closed. The strap 5 is tensioned by applying a force to its free end.

Description

CLIP

The present invention relates to a clip, and particularly but not exclusively relates to a device for preventing the jaws of a clip from opening.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Two jaw clips, such as the clip disclosed in European patent number 1297264 have many uses but are particularly suited to military and medical applications. For example, they may be used in a military command centre to route pipes and cables and to secure plans, maps or other documents. In mobile applications, the clips can be used in vehicles such as mobile command centres, ambulances, aeroplanes and helicopters. In medical applications, the clips may again be used in vehicles or in hospitals to hold cables and other articles to furniture, such as the frames of beds, or to operating theatre equipment. Such clips are sometimes required to support considerable weight and are often knocked or bumped while in use due to the close passage of people and equipment. They may also be subject to severe accelerations and shock loads when used in vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for preventing the jaws of a clip from opening, the device comprising a flexible tensioning member that extends about the jaws of the clip and means for tensioning the flexible tensioning member.

The flexible tensioning member may be attached to the clip at both ends of the flexible tensioning member and may be attached to first and second jaws of the clip.

The means for tensioning the flexible tensioning member may comprise first and second tensioning means, which may be removably attached to first and second jaws of the clip. The flexible tensioning member may comprise a strap.

Each of the first and second tensioning means may comprise first and second attachment members, first and second retaining members and a strap engaging member.

Each of the first attachment members may comprise a web that extends adjacent a jaw of the clip and at least two parallel flanges that extend away from the clip. The flanges may be formed integrally with the web. Aligned holes may extend through the flanges on each of the first attachment members.

Each of the second attachment members may comprise a web that abuts the web of the corresponding first attachment member and at least two parallel flanges that extend towards the clip. The depth of the flanges on the second attachment members may be greater than the thickness of the corresponding clip jaw, such that the flanges protrude on the opposite side of the jaw to the side adjacent the web of the first attachment member. Aligned holes may extend through the flanges of each of the second attachment members.

The web of each of the second attachment members may terminate in a curved portion that extends over a clamping surface of the corresponding first or second clip jaw.

The web of each first attachment member may be connected to the web of the corresponding second attachment member. The connection may be made by welding or riveting.

Each of the first retaining members may comprise an attachment pin and each of the second retaining members may comprise a retaining pin.

Each attachment pin may extend through the aligned holes on the flanges of the corresponding second attachment member, such that a clip jaw is secured between the webs of the first and second attachment members and the attachment pin. Each retaining pin may extend through the aligned holes on the flanges of the corresponding first attachment member.

The strap engaging member of the first tensioning means may comprise a hook. The hook may comprise a U shaped member having parallel arms integrally formed with a curved connecting portion. The hook may be mounted on the retaining pin of the first tensioning means with the arms of the hook towards the clamping surface of the first jaw. A first arm of the hook, that is adjacent to the first and second attachment members, may be bent at its free end to form a curved engaging portion. A second arm of the hook may comprise an opening, suitable for receiving the flexible tensioning member.

The strap engaging member of the second tensioning means may comprise a cam lever. The cam lever may comprise a cam and a handle. The cam may comprise an engagement surface and first and second flanges though which aligned holes may extend. The cam lever may be mounted for rotation on the retaining pin of the second tensioning means via the aligned holes in the cam flanges. A biasing means may act between the retaining pin of the second tensioning means and the cam lever to bias the engagement surface into engagement with the web of the second attachment member of the second tensioning means. The biasing means may comprise a torsion spring.

A first end of the flexible tensioning member may comprise a loop. The loop may pass through the opening extending through the second arm of the hook. The flexible tensioning member may pass over the jaws of the clip and between the engagement surface of the cam lever and the web of the second attachment member of the second tensioning means. The flexible tensioning member may pass around the jaws of the clip and between the engagement surface of the cam lever and the web of the second attachment member of the second tensioning means. The biasing spring of the cam lever forces the engagement surface of the cam to frictionally engage the portion of the flexible tensioning member passing between the engagement surface and the web of the second tensioning means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preventing the jaws of a clip from opening comprising, a) attaching a first tensioning means to a first jaw of the clip, b) attaching a second tensioning means to a second jaw of the clip, c) attaching a flexible tensioning member to the first tensioning means and passing the flexible tensioning member about the jaws of the clip and through the second tensioning means, d) tensioning the flexible tensioning member, e) releasably locking the flexible tensioning member in position.

The flexible tensioning member may be locked in position using a cam lock and the method may be performed using a device as described herein. The flexible tensioning member may pass over the jaws of the clip. Alternatively, the flexible tensioning member may pass around the jaws of the clip.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for holding the jaws of a clip in a closed configuration, the device comprising a strap that extends over the jaws of the clip and means for tightening the strap.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a clip secured with a locking device.

Figures 2A to 2E are side views of components of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3A is an exploded perspective view of a second tensioning means.

Figure 3B is a perspective view of a hook.

Figure 4A is a side view illustrating assembly of first and second attachment members.

Figure 4B is a side view of a combined attachment member.

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view illustrating connection of a combined attachment member to a clip jaw.

Figure 6 is a side view of the combined attachment member of Figure 4B with a cam mounted on the second attachment member.

Figure 7 is a partial sectional view of a combined attachment member with a hook mounted on the second attachment member.

Figure 8 is a side view of a clip secured with a locking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a clip 4 having a removable tensioning device 2. The device 2 comprises a strap 5, first tensioning means 6 and second tensioning means 8. With reference also to Figures 2 and 3, the first and second tensioning means each comprise a first attachment member 10, 12, a second attachment member 14, 16, an attachment pin 18, 20 and a retaining pin 22, 24. The first tensioning means further comprises a hook 26 and the second tensioning means further comprises a cam 28.

The clip 4 comprises first and second jaws 30, 32, each of which terminates in a clamping surface 34.

Each attachment member 10, 12, comprises a web 40 integrally formed with a pair of parallel flanges 42, 44. The flanges 42, 44 extend in a direction perpendicular to the web 40. Aligned openings 46 extend through the flanges 42, 44 of the first attachment member 10, 12. Each second attachment member 14, 16 comprises a web 50 integrally formed with a pair of parallel flanges 52, 54. The flanges 52, 54 extend in a direction perpendicular to the web 50. Aligned openings 56 extend through the flanges 52, 54 of the second attachment member 14, 16. An end of the web 50 terminates in a curved portion 58 that is shaped to extend over the clamping region 34 of a corresponding jaw 30, 32 of the clip 4.

With reference to Figure 4, each pair of first and second attachment members is assembled to form a combined attachment member 60, 62. In an assembled condition, the webs 40, 50 of the first and second attachment members 10, 12, 14, 16 abut and are connected to one another, with the two pairs of parallel flanges extending in opposite directions. The webs 40, 50 of the first and second attachment members 10, 12, 14, 16 are connected together using spot welds or other appropriate joining techniques, such as riveting.

With reference to Figure 5, the curved region 58 of the second attachment member 16 is closely received on the clamping surface 34 of the jaw 32, and the web 40 of the combined attachment member 62 rests on the jaw 32, such that the flanges 54, 56 of the second attachment member 16 extend on either side of the jaw 32 toward the other jaw 30 of the clip 4. The attachment pin 20 of the second tensioning means 8 is then pushed through the holes 56 extending through the flanges 54, 56 on the second attachment member 16. The combined attachment member 62 is thus secured to the jaw 32 via the closely fitting curved region 58 and the attachment pin 20. The combined attachment member 60 is attached to the jaw 30 of the clip 4 in a similar manner.

With reference to Figures 20, 3B and 6, a hook 26 is mounted on the first combined attachment member 60, to form the first tensioning means 6. The hook 26 comprises first and second arms 70, 72 integrally formed with a U shaped connecting region 74.

The arms 70, 72 extend substantially in parallel from the U shaped connecting region 74. The first flange 70 is bent at its free end to form a curved engagement region 76 and the second flange 72 comprises a rectangular opening 78. The retaining pin 22 is engaged in the holes 46 extending through the flanges 42, 44 of the first attachment member 10 and between the arms 70, 72 of the hook 26, with the arms 70, 72 of the hook extending towards the clamping region 34 of the jaw 30. The hook 70 is oriented such that the first flange 70 is adjacent the jaw 30, and the engagement portion 76 engages the web 50 of the second attachment member 14.

With reference to Figures 2E, 3A and 7, a cam lever 28 is mounted on the second combined attachment member 62 to form the second tensioning means 8. The cam lever 28 comprises a cam 80 and a handle 82. The cam 80 is hollow and comprises an engagement surface and a pair of flanges 86, 88, either side of the engagement surface 84. Aligned holes 90 extend through the flanges 86, 88. The retaining pin 24 is mounted in the holes 46 and extends through the flanges 42, 44 of the first attachment member 12. The cam lever 28 is mounted on the retaining pin 24 with the handle 82 extending away from the clip 4 and the engagement surface resting on the web 50 of the second attachment member 16. A biasing spring 90 is housed in the hollow cam 80. The spring 90 acts to bias the engagement surface 84 of the cam lever 28 into engagement with the web 50 of the second attachment member 16.

With reference to Figures 1, 2A and 8, an end of the strap 5 comprises a loop 92. The loop 92 is received in the opening 78 of the hook 26. The strap passes over webs 50 of the second attachment members 14, 16 and partially over the curved portions 58 of the second attachment members 14, 16. The strap passes between the flanges 42, 44 of the first attachment member 12 and is received between the engagement surface 84 of the cam lever 28 and the web 50 of the second attachment member 16. The biasing spring 90 causes the engagement surface 84 of the cam 26 to frictionally engage the strap 5 so as to prevent relative movement of the strap 5 towards the clamping regions 34 of the jaws 30, 32.

In use, the clip 4 is attached to an article to be clamped and the device 2 is used to hold the jaws 30, 32 of the clip 4 in a closed configuration. The strap 5 is tensioned by applying a force to a free end 94 of the strap 5 in a direction F away from the clamping regions 34 of the jaws 30, 32. The tension in the strap 5 acts to bias the clamping regions 34 of the jaws 30, 32 together and the frictional force between the engagement surface 84 and the strap 5 act to lock the strap 5 in place. When it is desired to release the strap 5, force is applied to the handle 82 in a direction towards the web 50, causing the cam lever 28 to rotate about the retaining pin 24. As the cam lever 28 rotates, the engagement surface 84 swings out of contact wit the strap. In this way the tension in the strap is released. When the force is removed from the handle, the biasing spring acts to rotate the cam lever 28 in the opposite direction, so that the engagement surface again engages the strap 5.

It will be appreciated that in the embodiment described above, because the strap must run over the ends of the jaws, the strap cannot be used if a large item is held in the jaws of the clip. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the strap 5 could extend around the sides of the clip between the hinge point and the clamping ends of the jaws, rather than over the end of the clip. The particular advantage of this arrangement is that the strap could still be used to stop the jaws opening, even if the jaws were clamping a large object which extended beyond the end of the clip.

In this alternative embodiment, if the strap was simply tightened around the clip, the strap could slide down the clip, because the outer surfaces of the jaws are not parallel until the clip is held wide open. This problem could be addressed by attaching wedges to the outer surfaces of the jaws, the outer surfaces of the wedges providing substantially parallel surfaces around which the strap could run. Tightening means could be provided, as in the previous embodiment. However, the tightening means would be rotated through 90 to accommodate a strap which passes over the sides of the clip. Flanges could be provided on the wedges, to centre the strap and to prevent the strap slipping off the wedges.

Claims

CLAIMS

1 A device for preventing the jaws of a clip from opening, the device comprising a flexible tensioning member that extends about the jaws of the clip and means for tensioning the flexible tensioning member.

2 A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible tensioning member is attached to the clip at both ends of the flexible tensioning member.

3 A device as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the flexible tensioning member is attached to first and second jaws of the clip.

4 A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for tensioning the flexible tensioning member comprises first and second tensioning means removably attached to first and second jaws of the clip.

A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible tensioning member comprises a strap.

6 A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the first and second tensioning means comprises first and second attachment members, first and second retaining members and a strap engaging member.

7 A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the first attachment members comprises a web that extends adjacent a jaw of the clip and at least two parallel flanges that extend away from the clip.

8 A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein aligned holes extend through the flanges on each of the first attachment members.

9 A device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein each of the second attachment members comprises a web that abuts the web of the corresponding first attachment member and at least two parallel flanges that extend towards the clip.

10 A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the depth of the flanges on the second attachment members is greater than the thickness of the corresponding clip jaw.

11 A device as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein aligned holes extend through the flanges of each of the second attachment members.

12 A device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the web of each of the second attachment members terminates in a curved portion that extends over a clamping surface of the corresponding first or second clip jaw.

13 A device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the web of each first attachment member is connected to the web of the corresponding second attachment member.

14 A device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein each of the first retaining members comprises an attachment pin.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein each of the second retaining members comprises a retaining pin.

16 A device as claimed in claim 14, when appendant to claim 11, wherein each attachment pin extends through the aligned holes on the flanges of the corresponding second attachment member.

17 A device as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein each retaining pin extends through the aligned holes on the flanges of the corresponding first attachment member.

18 A device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 17, wherein the strap engaging member of the first tensioning means comprises a hook.

19 A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the hook comprises a U shaped member having parallel arms integrally formed with a connecting portion.

A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the hook is mounted on the retaining pin of the first tensioning means with the arms of the hook extending towards the clamping surface of the first jaw.

21 A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein a first arm of the hook, that is adjacent to the first and second attachment members is bent at its free end to form a curved engaging portion.

22 A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein a second arm of the hook comprises an opening.

23 A device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 22, wherein the strap engaging member of the second tensioning means comprises a cam lever.

24 A device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the cam lever comprises a cam and a handle.

A device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the cam comprises an engagement surface and first and second flanges though which aligned holes extend.

26 A device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the cam lever is mounted on the retaining pin of the second tensioning means via the aligned holes in the cam flanges.

27 A device as claimed in claim 26, wherein a biasing means acts between the retaining pin of the second tensioning means and the cam lever to bias the engagement surface into engagement with the web of the second attachment member of the second tensioning means.

28 A device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the biasing means comprises a torsion spring.

29 A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a first end of the flexible tensioning member comprises a loop.

A device as claimed in claim 29, when appendant to claim 22, wherein the ioop passes through the opening extending through the second arm of the hook.

31 A device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the strap passes over the jaws of the clip and between the cam surface of the cam and the web of the second attachment member of the second tensioning means.

32 A device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the strap passes around the jaws of the clip and between the cam surface of the cam and the web of the second attachment member of the second tensioning means.

33 A method of preventing the jaws of a clip from opening comprising, a) attaching a first tensioning means to a first jaw of the clip, b) attaching a second tensioning means to a second jaw of the clip, c) attaching a flexible tensioning member to the first tensioning means and passing the flexible tensioning member about the jaws of the clip and through the second tensioning means, d) tensioning the flexible tensioning member, e) releasably locking the flexible tensioning member in position.

34 A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the flexible tensioning member is locked in position using a cam lock.

A method as claimed in claim 33 or 34, wherein the method is performed using a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 32.

36 A method as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the flexible tensioning member passes over the jaws of the clip.

37 A method as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the flexible tensioning member passes around the jaws of the clip.

38 A device substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

39 A method substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.