GB2512113A

GB2512113A - A retaining clamp device for storage or disposal of sheet materials

Info

Publication number: GB2512113A
Application number: GB1305167.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Hamilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-21
Filing date: 2013-03-21
Publication date: 2014-09-24
Also published as: GB201305167D0

Abstract

A device for retaining sheet material at a location, for example cardboard for recycling, comprises a sprung clamp means 16 and a tether 32. The tether may be formed in two separable parts, joined by a seperation means 40 such that a first part is attached to the clamp means 16 and second part is attached at the fixed location 60.

Description

Patent Application Of Nigel Hamilton For A retaining clamp device for storage or disposal of sheet materials

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for retaining sheet material in situ for disposal, and in particular for bundling and holding together of one or more sheets and tethering them to a fixed location for collection and disposal.

Background

There is a need for a device that can assist recycling of sheet materials such as cardboard, to allow different sizes of sheet to be held together easily for transport to a recycling location and to hold them there against being blown around by wind.

Present devices for this objective are typically bundling or binding aids, presenting sheet materials such as cardboard or paper in a ready means for binding with twine or specially adapted binding straps. Typically they comprise a framework into which the sheet material is placed, so the devices are heavy and need to be left in place near the recycling location, so are not useablè to gather and retain the sheet material together before it is brought to the recycling location, and are vulnerable to theft from the recycling location. An improved means to retain sheet materials in a bundle while being transported to the recycling location, and to be removable from the recyling location, would have value.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: U56374728 discloses: This invention entails the piling of newspapers to be bundled into a stack atop a pair of shelves secured to, and between, rear and side wails of a housing, with the shelves being separated a distance to allow a length of twine, cord, rope, tape or other material to be drawn down from off a roll, under and over the newspapers to be tied in perpendicular directions, without having to lift and rotate the pile. In one embodiment of the invention, the bundling apparatus can be wall-mounted, while in a second embodiment, a lower compartment can be provided to accumulate stacked bundles or to house an additional collection container for glass, plastic, metal, or paper trash so separated, as a free-standing unit.

This is an example of a stacking device for recyclable sheet material. It relies on the material being closely the same size, and is not suitable for general use as a means of retaining a variety of odd-sized and stiff materials such as cardboard.

1JS5853155 discloses: An expandable holder for storing cardboard, newspapers or similaritems has a front support and a rear support connected to one another by arms. The arms are pivotally connected to the supports along each side. The rear support is mounted on a vertical wall. The supports are formed from elongated members. When cardboard and the like is inserted into the holder, the supports are moved further apart. As more cardboard is inserted the supports move still further apart until the holder is in a fully open position. In each position between a closed position and an open position the cardboard is clamped between the supports either by gravity or by manually moving the holder toward the closed position after inserting the cardboard.

US5582098 discloses: A collection and compacting apparatus for cardboard refuse such as flat pieces of cardboard and broken down or collapsed cardboard boxes and a uniquely shaped coil of flexible lashing for use with the apparatus for bundling the cardboard refuse. The apparatus, preferably wall mounted, includes a rigid support frame which defines a stationary upright surface and a lower horizontal support surface extending from a lower portion or margin of the stationary surface. A movable platen defines a flat cardboard refuse crushing surface and is pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to the horizontal support surface about an axis spaced from and parallel to the stationary surface. After the storage space defined by. and lying within, the stationary and crushing surfaces and the horizontal support surface is filled with cardboard refuse gathered in upright side-by-side orientation and supported edgewise atop the horizontal support surface, the movable platen is manually forcibly pivoted from its inclined collection position wherein the upper margin of the platen is further from the stationary surface than is the pivot axis to a generally upright compaction position. While the platen is held in this compaction position, either manually or by a releasible retainer, the compressed cardboard may be lashed into a bundle. Two coils of preferably uniquely shaped flexible lashing matérial or twine are positioned within the support frame behind the stationary surface to facilitate expedient bundling.

Both the above device function as compression and compaction devices to crush and retain paper and cardboard. They are heavy device comprising a frame and again can only handle material up to a certain size and shape. They rely on their being left in place where the recycled material is to be stored, and so do not present the ability to be used to gather and retain sheet material together as a location remote from the storage or recycling location.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a device to retain sheet material at a location comprising: A clamp means comprising a first and a second clamp portion, each portion comprising a jaw portion and a handle The.first and second clamp portion being hinged together at a point between the handle and the jaw portion A retaining means adapted to keep the jaws closed together in a first closed position of the clamp means The clamp means being operable at the handles to open the jaws, and A flexible tether comprising fixing means at its distal end adapted to fix the tether to a fixed location and detachable coupling means to couple the tether to the clamp means.

Typically the handles are squeezed or urged together to pivot open the jaws.

In a preferred embodiment the tether comprises a first flexible cord attached to the clamp means at its proximal end, a second flexible cord comprising fixing means at its distal end adapted to fix the second cord to a fixed location and a detachable cord connection operable to join the distal end of the first flexible cord to the proximal end of the second flexible cord.

H

In an alternative embodiment the tether comprises attachment means provided on the proximal end of the cord adapted to lix the cord to the clamp means. Preferably the attachment means comprises a snap in attachment adapted to pass through an opening in a region one of the clamp portions, preferably a handle. Such an attachment may be a karabiner or similar as known in the art.

By fixed location is meant any portion of an immovable object or of a less movable object than the device itself to which the second cord may be fixed in order to retain the device and material retained by it in place adjacent to the object. For example, a fixed location might comprise a handle of a waste disposal bin, a post or handrail fixed in the ground, a ground anchor or other fixing point provided specifically for the attachment of items.

In a preferred embodiment the retaining means comprises spring means adapted to keep the jaws closed by spring force.

In an alternative embodiment the retaining means comprises ratchet clamp means in which the first and second clamp portions initially spaced apart come into contact in use to provide a fulcrum about which a clamping force is exerted by means of a closing pressure on the handlea In this way in use the clamp means is used to retain one or more sheets of material in its jaws, in a preferred embodiment where the clamp means has a spring closing means, the handles being squeezed together to open the jaws and released to clamp the sheet material between them, the clamp being retained by the tether to a fixed location. The sheet material is thereby held in place ready for collection. In particular the clamp means may be detached from the fixed location to clamp the sheet material and so may be used remotely from the fixed location, the clamped sheet material then being moved to the fixed location and the tether connection closed to hold the sheet material in place. In a particular usage it is advantageous to fix the tether to a recycling bin so that the sheet material is held in position ready for disposal.

In a preferred embodiment the jaws comprise one or more gripping features projecting from the meeting surfaces of the jaw portions. Preferably the gripping features comprises a plurality of pointed projections, in preferred embodiments in the manner of ridges or teeth. In more preferred embodiments the gripping features comprise a ring of sharp pointed tooth-like projections adapted to bite into the surface of a soft material such as cardboard. -In preferred embodiments the tether connection comprises a boss attached to one cord and a slotted housing attached to the other cord into which (he boss fits.

Preferably the slotted housing comprises a slot oriented substantially at a right angle to the dord fitted to the housing. In this way the boss slides into the slot in a direction substantially at a right angle to the direction of tension in the cord so retaining the boss in place if the cord is pulled. In a preferred embodiment the housing is provided on the second card and the boss is provided on the first cord.

In a preferred embodiment the fixing means provided on the second cord comprises an eye on the distal end of the second cord. In this way the second cord may be wrapped around a portion of a fixed object and the end passed through the eye so holding the second cord removably in place linked to the fixed object. In n alternative embodiment the fixing means may comprise a permanently attachment such as a bolted clamp or a locked fixing.

In a preferred embodiment the clamp means comprises jaw portions wider than the handle portion in the direction parallel to the hinge. In an alternative embodiment the jaw portions are substantially the same dimension as the handle portion parallel to the hinge. In a preferred embodiment the clamp comprises two or more gripping features separated by a distance in a direction parallel to the hinge.

The clamp may be provided in a variety of sizes to suit the nature of the material to be retained. In a preferred embodiment the clamp has a dimension laterally across the jaw portion parallel to the hinge means in the range at 3cm tp 50cm. In a more preferred embodiment the dimension is in the range 15cm to 25cm.

According to a further aspect the invention provides a method for retaining sheet material items at a location comprising the steps of: Providing a device as described herein Clamping one or more sheets of material in the jaw portions of the device Fixing the second cord to a fixed object at the location, and Using the cord connection to join the first and the second cords.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the Jnvention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to. falling within the scope of the invention

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in figure 1. The front of the device denotes the position of the jaws.

Figure 4 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in figure 1. The rear of the device denotes the position of the handles and the tether.

Figure 5 shows a three quarter view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring the figures 1 to 5, an embodiment 10 of the inventive device to retain a sheet material at a location comprises a clamp means 12 comprising a first clamp portion 14 and a second clamp portion 16, each portion comprising a jaw portion 18 and a handle 20, the first and second clamp portion being hinged together at a point 22 between the handle and the jaw portions, and retaining means 24 adapted to keep the jaws closed together in a first closed position of the clamp means, the clamp means being operable by squeezing the handles together to open the jaws.

The device comprises a tether 30 attached to the clamp portion 16 comprising a first flexible cord 32 attached to the clamp means at its proximal end 34, a second flexible cord 36 comprising fixing means 38 at its distal end adapted to fix the second cord to a fixed location, and a detachable cord connection 40 operable to join the distal end of the first flexible cord to the proximal end of the second flexible cord.

In this embodiment the retaining means comprises spring means 24 adapted to keep the jaws closed by spring force.

The jaw portions comprise gripping features 50 projecting from the meeting surfaces of the jaw portions, comprise a ring of sharp pointed tooth-like projections adapted to bite into the surface of a soft material such as cardboard.

The cord connection 40 comprises aboss.42 attached to the first cord and a slotted housing 44 attached to the second cord into which the boss fits. Preferably the slotted housing comprises a slot 46 oriented substantially at a right angle to the cord fitted to the housing. In this way the boss slides into the slot in a direction substantially at a right angle to the direction of tension in the cord so retaining the boss in place if the cord is pulled.

In a preferred embodiment the fixing means provided on the second cord comprises an eye 60 on the distal end of the second cord 36. In this way the second cord may be wrapped around a portion of a fixed object and the end passed through the eye so holding the second cord removably in place linked to the fixed object. The fixing means may comprise a permanently attachment such as a bolted clamp or a locked fixing.

In this embodiment the clamp portions are formed from moulded polymer, for example a moulded engineering polymer material such as polypropylene. The clamp portions comprise a moulded component with ribbing 62 to give a strong yet lightweight device. The two clamp portions are hinged together on a steel hinge pin 70. The tether comprises coated steel cable, preferably 5mm cable, with aluminium ferrules to form the eyes that retain the cords on the clamp and the fixed location.

The connection 40 is preferably formed from aluminium components bolted to the cord. The clamp portions preferably have a rubber grip 64 moulded onto them.

Claims

Claims 1. A device to retain a sheet material at a location comprising: A clamp means comprising: a first and a second clamp portion, each portion comprising a jaw portion and a handle The first and second clamp portion being hinged together at a point between the handle and the jaw portion, A retaining means adapted to keep the jaws closed together in a first closed position of the clamp means, The clamp means being operable at the handles to open the jaws, and A flexible tether comprising fixing means at its distal end adapted to fix the tether to a fixed location and detachable coupling means to couple the tether to the clamp means.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tether comprises a first flexible cord attached to the clamp means at its proximal end, a second flexible cord comprising fixing means at its distal end adapted to fix the second cord to a fixed location and a detachable cord connection operable to join the distal end of the first flexible cord to the proximal end of the second flexible cord.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tether comprises attachment means provided on the proximal end of the tether adapted to fix the tether to the clamp means.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the attachment means comprises a snap in attachment adapted to pass through an opening in a region one of the clamp portions, preferably a handle.
5. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the retaining means comprises spring means adapted to keep the jaws closed by spring force,
6. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the retaining means.comprises ratchet clamp means in which the first and second clamp portions initially spaced apart come into contact in use to provide a fulcrum about

Swhich a clamping force is exerted by means of a closing pressure on the handles.
7. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the jaws comprise one or more gripping features projecting from the meeting surfaces of the jaw portions.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the gripping features comprises a plurality of pointed projections adapted to bite into the surface of a soft material such as cardboard.
9. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the tether connection comprises a boss attached to one cord and a slotted housing attached to another cord into which the boss fits.
10. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the clamp comprises two or more gripping features separated by a distance in a direction parallel to the hinge.
11. A device as claimed in any claim above wherein the clamp has a dimension laterally across the jaw portion parallel to the hinge means in the range of 3 cm to 50 cm.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the clamp has a dimension laterally across the jaw portion parallel to the hinge means in the range 15 cm to 25 cm.
13. A device for maintaining sheet material proximate a fix point, comprising jaws arranged to grip a width of said sheet material, an opening mechanism for opening said jaws, and a tether for tethering said jaws to said fix point.
14. A method for retaining sheet material items at a location comprising the steps of: Providing a device as claimed herein Clamping one or more sheets of material in the jaw portions of the device Fixing a second cord to a fixed object at the location and Using the tether connection to join a first and the second cord