IES20170179A2 - Device for clamping items to support surface - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (10) for clamping items to a fixed surface comprises an elongate flexible strap (12), a first end (16) having a series of pronged ends (18) and a second end (20) having a locking orifice (22) for receiving the pronged ends (18) in one or more locking positions. Bracket (14) is provided on the strap intermediate the first and second ends (16, 20), with the bracket having fasteners (36) to enable the bracket to be fixed to the fixed surface. <Figure 1>

Description

The present invention relates to a device for clamping items, such as shrubs, trees, pipes wires and the like to a support surface such as a wall.

There is often a difficulty with current prior art clamps for one person to gather the items to be clamped and readily secure them together and then fix the gathered and clamped items and fix the assembly to a fixed surface.

The object of the invention is to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Accordingly the present invention provides a device for clamping items to a fixed surface comprising an elongate flexible strap, a first end having a series of pronged ends and a second end having a locking orifice for receiving the pronged ends in one or more locking positions, and a bracket on the strap intermediate the first and second ends, with the bracket having means to enable the bracket to be fixed to the fixed surface.

Advantageously, the device includes a retainer bracket around the strap for accommodating the second end of the strap after it has been engaged with the locking orifice. ideally, the bracket is made of the same material as the strap, such as a flexible plastics material.

Preferably, the bracket includes at least one orifice through which a fastening element, such as a nail, rivet or screw, is inserted so as to fix the device to a support surface, such as a wall. The bracket may be integrally formed with the strap or may be retrofitted by being in two separate parts engagable about the strap.

The device can easily be used by one person who can gather up the items to be clamped, secure the first end of the strap through the locking orifice to obtain the correct diameter for the number of items and then secure the bracket of the clamp to the support surface, such as a wall.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, one embodiment of a device for clamping items according to the invention. in the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled device laid out flat prior to the use; Figure 2 consists of a number of separate views of the strap element of the device; Figure 2A being a plan view of the entire strap; Figure 2B being an end view; Figure 2C being a side view; Figure 2D being a plan view of the middle strapped gripping section; Figure 2E being an end view and; Figure 3 consists of a series of separate views of the retrofittable bracket in two parts which can be fixed about the strap of the device; Figure 3A being a side view of the first part; Figure 138 being an end view; Figure 3C being a plan view; Figure 3D being a side view of the second part; Figure 3E being an end view and; Figure 3F being a plan view.

Referring to the drawings, the device 10 for clamping items comprises an elongate flexible strap 12 and a mounting bracket 14. The strap 12 has two ends, a first end 16 with a number of pronged locking ends 18 and a second end 20 having an orifice 22 into which the first end can engage in one orientation and lock in position when turned into a second orientation. A collar 24 is fitted over the strap 12 and retains that portion of the second end 20 which extends beyond the orifice 22.

One surface of the strap 12 is smooth and the obverse surface is provided with a multiplicity of gripping ridges 26 which grip the particular items being clamped.

The mounting bracket 14 may be moulded integrally with the strap 12 or as shown in the drawings may be retrofitted to the strap 12. As shown in Figure 3, the bracket _ 4 - comprises two parts, a first part 30 and a second part 32 which engages with the first part.

The first part 30 includes a channel section 34 which fits over the strap 12 and the second part 32 fits over the fixed part 30 and is connected to the first part by fasteners 36 which can also secure the bracket to an upright surface such as a wall.

The clamping device of the invention is very versatile and has many uses where one wants to secure items to a wall of the like. it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein and which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention and defined in the appended claims.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A device for clamping items to a fixed surface comprising an elongate flexible strap, a first end having a series of pronged ends and a second end having a locking orifice for receiving the pronged ends in one or more locking positions, and a bracket on the strap intermediate the first and second ends, with the bracket having means to enable the bracket to be fixed to the fixed surface.

2. A device for clamping items as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a retainer bracket is provided around the strap for accommodating the second end of the strap after it has been engaged with the locking orifice.

3. A device for clamping items as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the bracket is made of the same material as the strap, such as a flexible plastics material; optionally the bracket is integrally formed with the strap or alternatively is retrofittable by being in two separate parts engagable about the strap.

4. A device for clamping items as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket includes at least one orifice through which a fastening element, such as a nail, rivet or screw, is inserted so as to fix the device to a surface, such as a wall.

5. A device for clamping items substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the drawings. Agents for the Applicant MacLachlan & Donaldson, 2b Clonskeagh Square, Clonskeagh Road, DUBLlN 14