GB2568251A

GB2568251A - Clamp arrangements

Info

Publication number: GB2568251A
Application number: GB1718447.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tennant-Taylor Chris; Rogers Anthony
Original assignee: Preston Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Preston Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-08
Filing date: 2017-11-08
Publication date: 2019-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-08
Also published as: GB201718447D0; GB2568251B

Abstract

The clamp arrangement can be slidably adjusted and clamped, in use, on a vertical elongate element of circular cross-section. The clamp includes a pair of C-shaped clamp members 10, 12, each having a semi-cylindrical shell with opposing longitudinal edges 10a, 10b, 12a, 12b. The clamp members are hingedly connected along respective first longitudinal edges thereof for movement between a first configuration, in which the respective second end edges of the clamp members are adjacent to each other to form a collar having an internal passage of circular cross-section, and a second configuration, in which the respective second end edges of the clamp members are separated. This allows an elongate element, such as a leg of an angler’s seat box or chair, to be inserted therebetween. An actuating mechanism is for selectively moving the clamp members between the first and second configurations. The actuating mechanism is rotationally coupled at a second side edge of at least one of the clamp members and is configured, in the first configuration, to exert a lateral force on at least one of the clamp members to hold the second longitudinal edges adjacent to each other.

Description

CLAMP ARRANGEMENTS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to fittings for an angler’s seat box and, in particular but not exclusively, to a clamp arrangement for allowing accessories to be attached to an elongate element of the seat box structure. The invention also relates to clamp arrangements for general use where an item is to be longitudinally and rotationally adjustable with respect to an elongate support element.

Background of the Invention

An angler’s seat box is an item of equipment which serves the functions of providing a seat and foot support for an angler at the water’s edge, storage of small items of tackle, and support for items such as the rod, bait container, etc. A typical design of seat box includes an underlying chassis or frame with four or six adjustable legs which can be slidably adjusted and clamped in a particular position to allow for unevenness of the terrain on which the box is located. On top of the chassis is a seat box comprising a padded seat and storage drawers underneath it for storage of tackle. The chassis may provide a foot rest in front of the box. There is a desire to use the free ends of the legs to support other items of equipment in the required position. However, due to the fact that the ground may slope steeply at the water’s edge or be otherwise uneven, the free end of the leg appears at different heights relative to the seat box.

Clamp arrangements are known for use with respect to non-circular and, more specifically, polygonal support elements, wherein the clamp arrangement provides the dual functions of both being slidable vertically to allow the clamp (and the attached equipment) to be brought to a convenient level relative to the seat box and also rotatable to allow the angular position thereof to be varied as required. The polygonal cross-section provides the friction and surface area required to produce, in use, a force sufficient to counteract the vertical force exerted by the weight of an accessory hanging from a fitting on a ‘front’ part thereof. However, a substantial counteracting force in the longitudinal direction is much more difficult to achieve with elongate support elements of substantially rounded cross-section and it would be desirable to provide a clamping arrangement for allowing accessories to be attached to an elongate element of a seat box structure, wherein the elongate element has a substantially circular cross-section.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clamp arrangement for being slidably adjusted and clamped, in use, on a substantially vertical elongate element of generally circular cross-section, said clamp arrangement comprising a pair of generally C-shaped clamp members, each clamp member comprising a substantially semi cylindrical shell having opposing longitudinal edges, the clamp members being hingedly connected along respective first longitudinal edges thereof, for movement between a first configuration, in which the respective second end edges of said clamp members are adjacent to each other to form a collar having an internal passage of generally circular cross-section, and a second configuration, in which said respective second end edges of said clamp members are separated to allow a said elongate element to be inserted therebetween, the clamp arrangement further comprising an actuating mechanism for selectively moving said clamp members between said first and second configurations, said actuating mechanism being rotationally coupled at a second side edge of at least one of said clamp members and being configured, in said first configuration, to exert a lateral force on at least one of said clamp members to hold said second longitudinal edges substantially adjacent to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the actuating mechanism is configured to (additionally) exert a circumferential force on said at least one of said clamp members to exert a circumferential force on said at least one clamp member so as to generate a corresponding radial force to clamp said collar around a said elongate element, in use.

Thus, in a preferred exemplary embodiment, the actuating mechanism is effectively a toggle/cam mechanism, that translates the rotational actuating force into a linear force (i.e. the above-mentioned lateral force) and a circumferential clamping force on at least one of the clamping members. In a prior art clamping arrangement of the type described above, wherein the elongate element is generally polygonal, only a lateral force is required to hold the clamp members together and maintain a clamping force against the elongate element. However, where the elongate element is substantially circular in cross-section, a lateral force alone is not sufficient to effect a counteractive vertical force that will enable accessories to be attached to the clamp arrangement without the clamp arrangement simply sliding down the elongate element. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the actuating mechanism is configured to also exert a circumferential force, which creates an additional radial (“clamping”) force to provide the required counteractive vertical force needed to enable accessories to be attached to the clamp arrangement whilst maintaining the desired position and orientation of the clamp arrangement on the elongate element.

The actuating mechanism may comprise a toggle latch or toggle catch mechanism.

For example, the actuating mechanism may comprise a link arm coupled at a second longitudinal edge of one of said clamp members. In an exemplary embodiment, the link arm may be hingedly coupled along the second longitudinal edge of one of said clamp members for selective pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said second longitudinal edge.

The link arm may include or comprise a tab portion configured to be gripped by a user, in use, so as to move said clamp members between said first and second configurations. Optionally, the tab portion may be contoured so as to substantially match a contour of an outer wall of said one of said clamp members, said tab portion substantially abutting said outer wall of said one of said clamp members in said first configuration.

In an exemplary embodiment, the actuating mechanism may comprise a closing member having first and second opposing ends, wherein a first of said ends of said closing member is hingedly coupled to said link arm.

In a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second end of said closing member may comprise a hook portion and a catch member may be provided on the second longitudinal edge of the other of said clamp members, the hook portion being configured, in use, to engage with the catch member when the clamp arrangement is in said first configuration.

In this case, the clamp arrangement may be selectively moveable between first, second and third distinct configurations, wherein, in said third configuration, the second longitudinal edges of said clamp members are separated and the hook portion of the closing member is disengaged from the catch member, in the second configuration, the second longitudinal edges of the clamp members are separated and the hook portion of the closing member is engaged with said catch member, and in said first configuration, the second longitudinal edges of the clamp members are substantially adjacent to each other.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second end of said closing member may be hingedly coupled to the second longitudinal edge of the other of said clamp members.

The clamp arrangement may further comprise a fitting for receiving and supporting a further item or accessory therein or thereon.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an angler’s seat box or chair, having a substantially vertical elongate leg of substantially circular cross-section, and further comprising a clamp arrangement substantially as described above clamped onto said leg..

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a clamp arrangement according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in an open configuration;

Figure 1A is a partial schematic view of the first longitudinal edges of a clamp arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, having an alternative catch configuration;

Figure 2 is a schematic end view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 3A is a schematic side view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view along line M-M of the clamp arrangement illustrated in Figure 3A;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 1, in an unlocked configuration;

Figure 5 is a schematic end view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 4;

Figure 6A is a schematic side view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 4;

Figure 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view along line M-M of the clamp arrangement illustrated in Figure 6A;

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 1, in a closed configuration;

Figure 8 is a schematic end view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 7;

Figure 9A is a schematic side view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 7;

Figure 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view along line M-M of the clamp arrangement illustrated in Figure 9A;

Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a clamp arrangement according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in an unlocked configuration;

Figure 11 is a schematic end view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 10;

Figure 12A is a schematic side view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 10;

Figure 12B is a schematic cross-sectional view along line L-L of the clamp arrangement illustrated in Figure 12A;

Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 10, in a closed configuration;

Figure 14 is a schematic end view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 13;

Figure 15A is a schematic side view of the clamp arrangement of Figure 13; and

Figure 15B is a schematic cross-sectional view along line L-L of the clamp arrangement illustrated in Figure 15A.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figures 1 to 9B of the drawings, a clamp arrangement according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter referred to as a “catch knuckle”, and is selectively configurable between three configurations, namely, fully closed, unlocked and fully open.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3B of the drawings, the catch knuckle is illustrated in its fully open configuration, and comprises a first semi cylindrical shell 10 and a second semi cylindrical shell 12. Each of the semi cylindrical shells 10, 12 has a respective first longitudinal edge 10a, 12a, and a respective opposing second longitudinal edge 10b, 12b. The semi cylindrical shells 10, 12 are hingedly coupled together along their respective second longitudinal edges 10b, 12b for selective movement of the semi cylindrical shells relative to each other between the above-mentioned configurations.

The outer wall of the first cylindrical shell 10 is referred to herein as the ‘front’ face of the arrangement. A fitting 14 is provided on the front face of the clamp arrangement for receiving an accessory to be fitted on, and supported by, the leg of an angler’s seat box, for example. There are numerous different fittings known for receiving such accessories, and the type used will be dependent on the accessory it is required to support. Thus, in the embodiment of Figure 1, the fitting 12 comprises an open-ended, generally polygonal collar that extends outwardly from the front face of the clamp arrangement. However, and as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the present invention is in no way limited to this type of fitting, and numerous other such types of fitting will be known and can be used.

The first longitudinal edge 10a of the first semi cylindrical shell comprises a catch member or region. In a first exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, a pair of opposing supports 18a define the first longitudinal edge 10a of the first semi cylindrical shell 10, each support 18a being located adjacent a respective end of the first semi cylindrical shell 10. A space is provided between the supports 18a, and an elongate bar or pin 18b extends across the space (longitudinally relative to the first semi cylindrical shell 10) to form a catch.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the catch 180 is formed integrally in the first semi cylindrical shell 10, adjacent its first longitudinal edge 10a. In this case, the catch 180 comprises a groove of generally triangular cross section that extends along most of the length of the first semi cylindrical shell 10, and stops just short of each of the end edges. In either case (or, indeed, alternative cases), it will become apparent to a person skilled in the art that it is beneficial to provide a catch arrangement that facilitates positive engagement between the hook portion (to be described hereinafter) and the catch 18b, 180 so as to facilitate the unlocked configuration (to be described hereinafter) and to contribute to the required counteractive vertical force when the arrangement is in the fully closed configuration.

The clamp arrangement further comprises a hook member 20 and a link arm 22 at the first longitudinal edge of the second semi cylindrical shell 12. The link arm 22 comprises a coupling portion 22a and a tab portion 22b. The coupling portion 22a comprises a pair of spaced apart hinge members 24 and the first longitudinal edge 12a of the second semi cylindrical shell 12 is provided with a pair of corresponding, spaced apart recesses 26. When assembled, the hinge members 24 are located within respective recesses 26 and a hinge pin 28 extends along the length of the first longitudinal edge region, through the hinge members 24, in a manner similar to that of a butt hinge, so as to hingedly couple the link arm 22 to the first longitudinal edge 12a of the second semi cylindrical shell 12 such that the link arm 22 is pivotal about the longitudinal axis defined by the hinge pin 28.

The tab portion 22b, which in this exemplary embodiment is integrally formed at, and extends from, the ends of the hinge members 24 furthest from the first longitudinal edge 12a of the second semi cylindrical shell 12, comprises a tab member in the form of a generally rectangular plate, which may be slightly curved, profiled or contoured as required/desired, e.g. to match the contour of the outer wall of the second clamp member 12.

The hook member 20 is formed in three integral sections: a hinge portion 20a, an intermediate portion 20b, and a hook portion 20c. The hinge portion 20a is recessed between the hinge members 24 of the link arm 22, and a hinge pin 30 extends longitudinally through the hinge portion 20a and the hinge members 24, again in a manner similar to that of a butt hinge, so as to hingedly couple the hook member to the link arm 22 such that the hook member 20 is pivotal about the longitudinal axis defined by the hinge pin 30 between a fully open configuration (as shown in Figures 1 to 3B), in which the tab member 22a lies against the outer wall of the second semi cylindrical shell 12 and further rotation of the hook member 20 relative thereto is prevented because the intermediate portion 20b of the hook member 20 butts against the tab member, and a fully closed position (through an unlocked configuration), which will be described later.

In this fully open configuration, the clamp arrangement can be placed around a portion of an elongate element, such as the leg of an angler’s seat box, for example, such that the elongate element is located between the first and second semi cylindrical shells 10, 12 and extends substantially longitudinally relative thereto. Once the elongate element has been so located, the clamp arrangement can be moved to the unlocked configuration for further sliding and angular adjustment. Thus, referring in particular to Figures 4 to 6B, with the elongate element located between the first and second semi cylindrical shells 10, 12, the user can grasp the tab member 22b between their thumb and forefinger, and use it to rotate the second semi cylindrical shell 12 relative to the first semi cylindrical shell 10 until its first longitudinal edge 12a is adjacent that of the first semi cylindrical shell 10. Next, the user pulls the tab member 22b relative to the hook member 20 back toward the outer face of the second semi cylindrical shell, initially pulling the hook portion 20c of the hook member 20 back until it catches on the bar 18b or within the recess 180 running along the length of the first longitudinal edge 10a of the first semi cylindrical shell 10. At this point, the clamp arrangement is in the unlocked configuration, with the hook portion 20c of the hook member 20 located over the bar 18b or within the recess 180, hinge members 24 of the link arm 22 extend generally orthogonally outward from the first longitudinal edge 12a of the second semi cylindrical shell 12, and the tab member 22b extends outwardly at an angle from the axis defined by the hinge pin 30.

In this unlocked configuration, the user can slidably adjust the location of the clamp arrangement along the length of the elongate element, and also rotationally adjust the orientation of the clamp arrangement about the axis defined by the length of the elongate element (so as to define the orientation of the fitting 14 relative thereto). Once the clamp arrangement has been located on the elongate element as required, the clamp arrangement can be fully locked in position. Thus, referring particularly to Figures 7 to 9B of the drawings, in order to move the clamp arrangement to a fully closed position, the user pushes the tab portion 22b toward the outer face of the second semi cylindrical shell 12, thus rotating it relative to the hinge members 24 of the link arm 22, until it lies substantially flush against the outer face of the second semi cylindrical shell 12. Optionally, the outer wall or face of the second semi cylindrical shell may be recessed to receive the tab portion 22b when the clamp arrangement is in the fully closed configuration. The tab portion 22b may be contoured to match the contour of the outer wall or face of the second semi cylindrical shell 12 (or the above-mentioned recess). During this process, a linear (lateral) force is applied to the hook portion 20c against the catch 18b, 180, so as to pull the first longitudinal edges 10a, 12a of the first and second semi cylindrical shells 10, 12 closer together, such that the semi cylindrical shells 10, 12 effectively form a collar about the elongate element. During the locking process, a circumferential force is also applied to the collar. Once the first longitudinal edges 10a, 12a are abutting (so they cannot move any further together), further rotation of the tab member 22b relative to the hook member 20 creates a circumferential force on the collar. This circumferential force translates into a radial “clamping” force, thus clamping the collar about the elongate element and holding it there, even once an accessory has been mounted on the fitting.

The clamp arrangement of the first exemplary embodiment, as described above, opens fully to enable it to be placed around an elongate element that may be blocked at both ends, can then be moved to the unlocked configuration for adjustment, and then finally fully closed and clamped around the elongate element.

In other cases, the elongate element may have at least one free end, and a clamp arrangement according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention may instead be used. Referring to Figures 10 to 15B of the drawings, a clamp arrangement according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is similar in many respects to that of the first exemplary embodiment and like reference numerals will be used for corresponding elements. The clamp arrangement of the second exemplary embodiment is hereinafter referred to as “latch knuckle”, and is configurable between two configurations, namely, fully closed and unlocked.

Referring to Figures 10 to 12B of the drawings, the latch knuckle is illustrated in its unlocked configuration, and comprises a first semi cylindrical shell 10 and a second semi cylindrical shell 12. Each of the cylindrical shells 10, 12 has a respective first longitudinal edge 10a, 12a, and a respective opposing second longitudinal edge 10b, 12b, as before. The semi cylindrical shells 10, 12 are hingedly coupled together along their respective second longitudinal edges 10b, 12b for selective movement of the semi cylindrical shells relative to each other between the above-mentioned configurations.

The outer wall of the first cylindrical shell 10 is referred to herein as the ‘front’ face of the clamp arrangement. A fitting 14’ is provided on the front face of the clamp arrangement for receiving an accessory to be fitted on, and supported by, the leg of an angler’s seat box, for example. As stated previously, there are numerous different fittings known for receiving such accessories, and the type used will be dependent on the accessory it is required to support. Thus, in the embodiment of Figure 10, the fitting 14’ comprises an open-ended, generally barrel-shaped member having a generally polygonal channel therein. The fitting 14’ extends outwardly from the front face of the first cylindrical shell 10, and the polygonal channel is configured to receive and support therein a portion of an accessory. However, and as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the present invention is in no way limited to this type of fitting, and numerous other such types of fitting will be known and can be used.

The latch knuckle further comprises a latch member 20’ and a link arm 22 coupled at the first longitudinal edge 12a of the second semi cylindrical shell 12. The link arm 22 comprises a coupling portion 22a and a tab portion 22b. The coupling portion 22a comprises a pair of spaced apart hinge members 24 and the first longitudinal edge 12a of the second semi cylindrical shell 12 is provided with a pair of corresponding, spaced apart recesses 26, as before. When assembled, the hinge members 24 are located within respective recesses 26 and a hinge pin 28 extends along the length of the first longitudinal edge region, through the hinge members 24, in a manner similar to that of a butt hinge, so as to hingedly couple the link arm 22 to the first longitudinal edge 12a of the second semi cylindrical shell 12 such that the link arm 22 is pivotal about the longitudinal axis defined by the hinge pin 28.

The tab portion 22b, which in this exemplary embodiment is integrally formed at, and extends from, the ends of the hinge members 24 furthest from the first longitudinal edge 12a of the second semi cylindrical shell 12, comprises a tab member in the form of a rectangular plate, which may be curved, profiled or contoured, as before.

The latch member 20’ is similar to the previously described hook member (Figure 1, reference numeral 20) in that it is formed in three integral sections: in this case, a first hinge portion 20a’, an intermediate portion 20b’, and a second hinge portion 20c’. The first hinge portion 20a’ is recessed between the hinge members 24 of the link arm 22, and a hinge pin 30 extends longitudinally through the first hinge portion 20a’ and the hinge members 24, again in a manner similar to that of a butt hinge, so as to hingedly couple the hook member 20’ to the link arm 22 such that the hook member 20’ is pivotal about the longitudinal axis defined by the hinge pin 30 between an unlocked configuration (as shown in Figures 10 to 12B) and a fully closed position, which will be described later.

In this case, the second hinge portion 20c’ of the hook member 20’ is hingedly coupled along the first longitudinal edge 10a of the first semi cylindrical shell 10, such that the distance by which the first longitudinal edges 10a, 12a can be separated is limited (i.e. less than the distance by which they can be separated in the above-described first exemplary embodiment).

In this unlocked configuration, the clamp arrangement can be placed over a free end of an elongate element, such as the free end of the leg of an angler’s seat box, for example, such that the elongate element is located between the first and second semi cylindrical shells 10, 12 and extends substantially longitudinally relative thereto. With the elongate element located between the first and second semi cylindrical shells 10, 12, the user can slidably adjust the location of the clamp arrangement along the length of the elongate element, and also rotationally adjust the orientation of the clamp arrangement about the axis defined by the length of the elongate element (so as to define the orientation of the fitting 14’ relative thereto). Once the clamp arrangement has been located on the elongate element as required, the clamp arrangement can be fully locked in position. Thus, referring particularly to Figures 13 to 15B of the drawings, in order to move the clamp arrangement to a fully closed position, the user pushes the tab portion 22b toward the outer face of the second semi cylindrical shell 12, thus rotating it relative to the hinge members 24 of the link arm 22, until it lies substantially flush against the outer face of the second semi cylindrical shell 12. The outer face of the second semi cylindrical shell 12 may be recessed to receive the tab portion 22b in the fully closed configuration. During this process, a linear (lateral) force is applied to the second hinge portion 20c’ of the hook member 20’ against the respective hinge pin, so as to pull the first longitudinal edges 10a, 12a of the first and second semi cylindrical shells 10, 12 closer together, such that the semi cylindrical shells 10, 12 effectively form a collar about the elongate element. During the locking process, a circumferential force is also applied to the collar. Once the first longitudinal edges 10a, 12a are abutting (so they cannot move any further together), further rotation of the tab member 22b relative to the hook member 20’ creates a circumferential force on the collar. This circumferential force translates into a radial “clamping” force, thus clamping the collar about the elongate element and holding it there, even once an accessory has been mounted on the fitting.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, from the foregoing description, that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clamp arrangement for being slidably adjusted and clamped, in use, on a substantially vertical elongate element of generally circular cross-section, said clamp arrangement comprising a pair of generally C-shaped clamp members, each clamp member comprising a substantially semi cylindrical shell having opposing longitudinal edges, the clamp members being hingedly connected along respective first longitudinal edges thereof, for movement between a first configuration, in which the respective second end edges of said clamp members are adjacent to each other to form a collar having an internal passage of generally circular cross-section, and a second configuration, in which said respective second end edges of said clamp members are separated to allow a said elongate element to be inserted therebetween, the clamp arrangement further comprising an actuating mechanism for selectively moving said clamp members between said first and second configurations, said actuating mechanism being rotationally coupled at a second side edge of at least one of said clamp members and being configured, in said first configuration, to exert a lateral force on at least one of said clamp members to hold said second longitudinal edges substantially adjacent to each other.

2. A clamp arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said actuating mechanism is configured to exert a circumferential force on said at least one of said clamp members, and to exert a circumferential force on said at least one clamp member so as to generate a corresponding radial force to clamp said collar around a said elongate element, in use.

3. A clamp arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a toggle latch or toggle catch mechanism.

4. A clamp arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a link arm coupled at a second longitudinal edge of one of said clamp members.

5. A clamp arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said link arm is hingedly coupled along the second longitudinal edge of one of said clamp members for selective pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said second longitudinal edge.

6. A clamp arrangement according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said link arm includes or comprises a tab portion configured to be gripped by a user, in use, so as to move said clamp members between said first and second configurations.

7. A clamp arrangement according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a closing member having first and second opposing ends, wherein a first of said ends of said closing member is hingedly coupled to said link arm.

8. A clamp arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the second end of said closing member comprises a hook portion and wherein a catch member is provided on the second longitudinal edge of the other of said clamp members, the hook portion being configured, in use, to engage with the catch member when the clamp arrangement is in said first configuration.

9. A clamp arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the second end of said closing member is hingedly coupled to the second longitudinal edge of the other of said clamp members.

10. A clamp arrangement according to claim 8, being selectively moveable between first, second and third distinct configurations, wherein, in said third configuration, the second longitudinal edges of said clamp members are separated and the hook portion of the closing member is disengaged from the

5 catch member, in the second configuration, the second longitudinal edges of the clamp members are separated and the hook portion of the closing member is engaged with said catch member, and in said first configuration, the second longitudinal edges of the clamp members are substantially adjacent to each other.

io

11 .A clamp arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a fitting for receiving and supporting a further item or accessory therein or thereon.

12. A clamp arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said tab portion is contoured so as to substantially match a contour of an outer wall of said one

15 of said clamp members, said tab portion substantially abutting said outer wall of said one of said clamp members in said first configuration.

13. An angler’s seat box or chair, having a substantially vertical elongate leg of substantially circular cross-section, and further comprising a clamp arrangement according to any of the preceding claims clamped onto said leg.