GB2548365A

GB2548365A - Clamp device

Info

Publication number: GB2548365A
Application number: GB1604382.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Whatton Rolly
Original assignee: Haygrove Ltd
Current assignee: Haygrove Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-15
Filing date: 2016-03-15
Publication date: 2017-09-20
Also published as: GB201604382D0; WO2017158317A1

Abstract

A clamp device comprises clamp body 18 shaped to substantially encircle a part 16 to which the clamp device is to be secured, in use. The clamp body 18 defines a pair of lips 20 provided with openings 22 (see figure 2) which substantially align with one another with a threaded member 24 extending through the substantially aligned openings. First and second cable retaining features 28, 30 (see figure 2) are formed in the clamp body 18 and are positioned such that a cable 12 extending between the first and second cable retaining features 28, 30 extends in a first direction. A third cable retaining feature 32 (see figure 2) is formed in the clamp body 18 and positioned such that a cable 14 extending between the first cable retaining feature 28 and the third cable retaining feature 32 extends in a second direction angled to the first direction.

Description

CLAMP DEVICE

This invention reiates to a ciamp device, and in particuiar to a cabie ciamp device for use in ciamping cabies, wires or the iike to parts of a structure of a poiytunnei or to a simiiar temporary structure.

One form of poiytunnei structure in common use comprises rows of upstanding iegs and a series of cover support members, each being supported between a ieg of one of the rows and a corresponding ieg of an adjacent one of the rows. A cover materiai is supported by the cover support members, and is anchored in position using ropes or straps that extend over the cover and that are secured to, for exampie, fittings associated with the iegs.

Cabies or wires or the iike (referred to hereinafter as cabies) are often provided in such structures, the cabies being ciamped to, and interconnecting, the iegs and/or cover support members, or to other parts of the structure. By way of exampie, the cabies or wires may serve to enhance the rigidity of the structure, or they may be used to secure other equipment used in the structure in position or as a support for crops growing within the structure. A typicai ciamp device used in this type of appiication comprises a ciamp member shaped to substantiaiiy encircie a part of the poiytunnei structure, the member inciuding projecting lips provided with substantiaiiy aiigned openings through which a threaded boit can be passed, tightening of a nut onto the boit compressing the ciamp member so as to reduce the diameter thereof so that the ciamp member is firmiy ciamped onto the part of the poiytunnei structure. The ciamp member is formed with a pair of openings through which the cabie to be ciamped is threaded prior to securing of the ciamp member to the said part of the poiytunnei structure, it wiii be appreciated that with the cabie threaded through the openings, subsequent ciamping of the ciamp body to the said part of the poiytunnei structure resuits in part of the cabie being firmiy ciamped between the ciamp member and the said part of the polytunnel structure. The clamp device thus serves to firmly secure the cable in position, allowing the cable to bear significant loadings.

Whilst the aforedescribed clamp device operates satisfactorily in clamping a single cable to part of the polytunnel structure, there are circumstances in which two cables which extend substantially perpendicularly to one another need to be clamped to part of the polytunnel structure at substantially the same position. It is an object of the invention to provide a clamp device suitable for use in such an application.

According to the present invention there is provided a clamp device comprising a clamp body shaped to substantially encircle a part to which the clamp device is to be secured, in use, the clamp body defining a pair of lips provided with openings which substantially align with one another, a threaded member extending through the substantially aligned openings, a first cable retaining feature formed in the clamp body, a second cable retaining feature formed in the clamp body and positioned such that a cable extending between the first and second cable retaining features extends in a first direction, and a third cable retaining feature formed in the clamp body and positioned such that a cable extending between the first cable retaining feature and the third cable retaining feature extends in a second direction angled to the first direction.

The first, second and third cable retaining features conveniently comprise openings formed in the clamp body. However, it will be appreciated that they could alternatively comprise slots or channels formed therein.

Preferably the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular to one another.

The clamp body may be shaped to substantially encircle a part of substantially circular cross sectional shape. Alternatively, it may be shaped to substantially encircle a part of, for example, oval form including a pair of flat side walls. It will be appreciated, however, that this does not represent an exhaustive list of the shapes of part with which the clamp device may be used.

The cable openings may be of circular shape. Alternatively, they may be of oval shape, or of another shape. The cable openings may all be of the same shape, or may be of a mix of shapes. Likewise, they may all be of the same size or may be of a mix of sizes.

The invention further relates to a polytunnel structure comprising legs and cover support members supported by the legs, cables extending between the legs and/or cover support members and/or other parts of the polytunnel structure, and at least one clamp device of the type defined hereinbefore securing the cables to the legs and/or cover support members and/or other parts of the polytunnel structure.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a clamp device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in use;

Figure 2 is an exploded view illustrating the clamp device of Figure 1; and

Figures 3 to 5 illustrate alternative clamp devices in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a clamp device 10 is illustrated, the clamp device 10 being used to secure a first cable 12 and a second cable 14 to a part 16 of a polytunnel structure. As noted hereinbefore, the expression 'cable' is used to denote cables, wires or similar elongate components. By way of example, the part 16 may comprise a leg or a cover support member of the polytunnel structure. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not restricted in this regard and the clamp device 10 may be used in securing cables to other parts of a polytunnel structure without departing from the scope of the invention. The cables 12, 14 may take the form of tensioning cables used to enhance the rigidity of the structure. It will be appreciated, however, that the cables may be employed for other purposes.

The part 16, in the embodiment illustrated, is of generally circular cross sectional shape.

The clamp device 10 comprises a clamp body 18 taking the form of a length of a steel or other suitable strong, resilient material strip that is bent or formed to define a region 18a of substantially circular shape and a pair of lips 20 that lie substantially adjacent one another. The lips 20 are formed with openings 22 which substantially align with one another. A threaded bolt 24 extends through the substantially aligned openings 22, a nut 26 cooperating with the bolt 24 and being arranged such that tightening of the nut 26 and bolt 24 results in the lips 20 being urged or forced towards one another, reducing the diameter of the substantially circular region 18a to clamp the device 10 around and onto the part 16. As illustrated in certain of the drawings, the openings 22 need not be of circular shape and may be arranged to cooperate with part of the bolt 24 in such a manner as to resist rotation of the bolt 24.

The clamp body 18 is formed with first, second and third cable openings 28, 30, 32. Each cable opening 28, 30, 32 is of dimensions sufficient to allow a cable 12, 14 to extend therethrough. The first and second cable openings 28, 30 are positioned relative to one another such that the first cable 12, which is threaded through the first and second openings 28, 30 extends in a first direction. The first and third cable openings 28, 32 are positioned relative to one another such that the second cable 14, which is threaded through the first and third openings 28, 32 extends in a second direction angled to the first direction. In the arrangement shown, the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular to one another. However, the invention is not restricted in this regard and the positions of the openings may be modified so as to allow the clamp device to be used in applications in which the cables are required to extend at other angles relative to one another.

In use, prior to fitting the clamp device 10 to the part 16, the cables 12, 14 are threaded through the respective pairs of the cable openings 28, 30, 32. Once this has been completed, the clamp device 10 is fitted to the part 16 by applying a force to the clamp body 18 to expand the diameter of the region 18a until a point is reach at which the part 16 can be introduced between the lips 20. Once fully introduced into the void defied by the region 18a, the inherent resilience of the clamp body 18 will bring the lips 20 close to one another. The bolt 24 is then introduced through the openings 22, and the nut 26 brought into engagement with the threads of the bolt 24, the nut 26 being tightened onto the bolt 24 to draw the lips 20 towards one another, thereby clamping the clamp body 18 to the part 16, and clamping parts of the cables 12,14 between the clamp body 18 and the part 16, thereby firmly securing the cables 12, 14 to the part 16. It will be appreciated that, in this manner, the two cables 12, 14 are both secured to the part 16 at substantially the same location.

Whilst Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an arrangement in which the cable openings 28, 30, 32 are all of circular shape, this need not be the case, and Figure 3 illustrates an arrangement in which oval shaped openings 28a, 30a, 32a are provided. The provision of oval shaped openings may allow the invention to be used in applications in which the cables 12, 14 extend in directions that are not perpendicular to the axis of the part 16. In a further modification (not illustrated), certain of the cable openings may be circular and others of oval form. In other arrangements, the openings may be of different sizes.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate other modifications, wherein the clamp device 10 may be used with parts 16 of other cross sectional shapes, by way of example of oval cross section shape, having flat sides. It will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable to parts of other cross sectional shapes.

Whilst the embodiments described hereinbefore incorporate cable openings through which the cables extend, other forms of cable retaining feature may be provided. For example, the cable retaining features could comprise grooves or slots formed in the clamp body.

Although described in relation to a particular type of polytunnel structure, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted in this regard and may be used with structures of a wide range of forms and designs.

Whilst specific embodiments of the invention have been described hereinbefore, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A clamp device comprising a clamp body shaped to substantially encircle a part to which the clamp device is to be secured, in use, the clamp body defining a pair of lips provided with openings which substantially align with one another, a threaded member extending through the substantially aligned openings, a first cable retaining feature formed in the clamp body, a second cable retaining feature formed in the clamp body and positioned such that a cable extending between the first and second cable retaining features extends in a first direction, and a third cable retaining feature formed in the clamp body and positioned such that a cable extending between the first cable retaining feature and the third cable retaining feature extends in a second direction angled to the first direction.
2. A clamp device according to Claim 1, wherein the first, second and third cable retaining features comprise openings formed in the clamp body.
3. A clamp device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular to one another.
4. A clamp device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp body is shaped to substantially encircle a part of substantially circular cross sectional shape.
5. A clamp device according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the clamp body is shaped to substantially encircle a part of oval form including a pair of flat side walls.

5. A clamp device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cable retaining features comprise openings of circular shape.
7. A clamp device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cable retaining features comprise openings of oval shape.
8. A polytunnel structure comprising legs and cover support members supported by the legs, cables extending between the legs and/or cover support members and/or other parts of the polytunnel structure, and at least one clamp device according to any of the preceding claims securing the cables to the legs and/or cover support members and/or other parts of the polytunnel structure.