US1046356A - Bow rest and clamping device. - Google Patents

Description

H. B. WHITE.

. BOW REST AND ULAMPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 423.22, 1912.

QemnllMk lTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY B. WHITE, OECANTON, OHIO, .ASSIGNOR TO THE GILLILAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CANTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

- BOW BEST AND CLAMPING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY B. W HITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canton, in the, county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Bow Rests and Clamping Devices, of which theby a device embodying my invention. Fig. :2 1s a front elevation of the device. F 1g. 3

is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a top plan view with the clamp plate rotated to an inoperative position. Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are detail views,partly in section.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a vehicle of any suitable construction, the body of which 1.. provided with a foldable or collapsible top This top may also be of any approved form and construction. The top 2 is supported by sets of bows 2 which are connected to the vehicle 1 and swing rearwardly and downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 in the usual manner.

l indicates brackets (only one being shown) which are preferably fixed to and extend laterally from either side of the vehicle body at a point rearward of the pivot connection of the bows 2 therewith. At its enter end the bracket 1 is enlarged and formed with an opening 1", the inner wall of which is preferably of conical shape.

indicates a supportingmember, preferably comprising a rod 3" which is connected to and depends from the bracket 1*. At its lower end the rod carries a horizontal arm 3 which may be integrally formed with the rod 3-. The upper free end of the rod 3 extends through theopening 1, it being reduced as shownat 3 to form a shoulder 3, which engages the lower side or face of the bracket. The reducedend tl of the rod Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 22, 1912. Serial No. 692,369.

Patented Dec. 3, 1912.

is provided with screw threads to take a nut 4. Surrounding the reduced end 3 is a split collar 5 the outer wall of which is conically shaped to fit the conical walls of the opening'l". When these parts are arranged as just described and the nut 4: is

tightened, the collar 5 will be forced downwardly and through the engagement of its outer wall with the inner wall of the opening 1", the collar will be contracted into snug engagement with the reduced end 3. The effect of this operation will be to rigidly connect the rod 3" to the bracket 1.

. 6 indicates a rest member movable laterally, that. is, toward and from the vehicle 1, and also angularly on the arm 3*. This member preferably comprises a body 6 a. plate 6 on which the lowermost bow of the set rests and a collar or sleeve 6 through which the arm 3 extends, all of these parts being preferably formed integral. The

plate 6? is preferably channeled to receive and prevent lateral movement of the lowermost. bow. I

6 indicates an opening extending through the body 6' and screw-threaded to receive a bolt 6, whereby the rest member 6 can befiXed in its adjusted position to the arm 3*. Along its opposite longitudinal edges the plate 6 may be provided with lips 6 which are bent over and extend toward each other. These lips are spaced from the upper face of the plate 6 to form a recess to receive theopposite longitudinal edges of a pad 6 and thus hold the latter in position thereon. At 6 the inner walls of the lips 6 are cut away intermediate the ends of the plate 6" to form recesses the end walls of which serve as abutting shoulders 6, 6

As shown in the drawings, the pad 6 is provided with proiecting members 6 along its opposite sides, which members fit the recesses 6 The opposite end walls of the projecting members 6 ".re arranged to engage with the abutting shoulders 6 and in this manner the pads 6 are detachably secured to the plate 6 and also held against relative movement in a longitudinal direction.

To secure a pad 6 to a plate, it is first positioned as shown in dotted lines in Fig.

3 with its projecting member 6 oppositeto or in registry with the recesses 6, after which, bymeans of a tool or plunger,the central portion of the pad 6 is forced downwardly-into engagement'with the face of the plate.

7, 7 indicate a pair of arms which preferably extend rearwardly, that is, toward the vehicle 1. These'a. .ns are arranged in-the same vertical plane and spaced from each other whereby they may properly support in upright position a rod 8. The arms 7, 7*, are preferably integrally connected with the body 6 and formed with alined openings 7 through which the rod 8 extends as shown in the drawings. The openings 7 areof a size to permit free movement of the rod 8 vertically and angularly therein. The upper end of the rod 8 is preferably bent or curved forwardly to form an arm 8 on which is adjustably mounted a clamp 9. This clamp 9, when in operative position, engages the uppermost bow of bows 2 and clamps them upon the 'rest plate 6". In this manner the plate 6 and clamp 9 cooperate with each other to support and hold the folded top stationary.

As shown in the drawings the collar 6 and body are so arranged, relative to each other that the collar lies midway between the ends of the plate 6". By this-arrangement and construction the arms 7, 7, may extend rearwardly without interference with the arm 3" and also support the rod 8 at one side of therod 3*. Another advantage.

of this construction is thatthe rod 8 can be moved vertically without contact with-the bracket 1*. Furthermore the construction lends itself to simplicity and cheapness of construction as well as lightness.

10 indicates means for connecting and clamping the rod 8 to the arms 7 7 whereby the clamp 9 can be locked in engagement with the uppermost bow and disengaged.

therefrom at will. Of these means 1() indicates a collar or equivalent device, preferably comprising a nut which has screwthreaded engagement with the rod 8 and adapted to form an abutment that engages with the upper surface of the arm 7 when the rod 8 is clamped or secured in operative position. The engagement of the collard 0 with the adjacent arm 7 is not direct, a yieldable device 1O being interposed between the collar and arm for a purpose to be later described. The nut 10 serves, to determine the position of the clamp 9 relative'to the plate 6", so that by adjusting the nut longitudinally of the rod 8 in one direction or another the clamp 9 can be adjusted and arranged to properly clamp the uppermost bow.

10 indicates a locking nut preferably of the thumb type) adapted to the screw threads of the rod 8. It is arranged below the arm 7 and when tightened it draws the of grooves.

against turning.

the set of 9%; and the plate 9.

rod 8 and nut 10 downwardly, acting in opposition to the yieldable device 10", and

effects a locking operation in a well known manner.

10 indicates a wall arranged between th e' arms 7, 7- and extending from'the-fbody- 6 This wall is preferably an integral part of the arms 7, 7 and body 6. The'wall' 110 is formed with acavity 10? in which is mounted a ball ratchet device comprising a ball 10 and a spring 10 which normally tends to force the ball outwardly. As shown at 10 that wall of "the nut 10 which engages the-arm 7 is formed with a plurality When the nut 10 is tightened the ball 1O co-acts with the walls of a groove 10 to automatically lock the nut The yieldable device 10 preferably comprises a split spring washer which is coiled as shown. It tends to normally elevate the rod 8.

The nut 10 is thus always maintained in enwith the ratchet whereby it is gagement locked against rotation, at the same time, when the nut 10 is loosened, the rod 8 is automatically elevated, thus causing a disengagement of the clamp '9 from the adjacent bow. can be easily rotated a quarter turn, positioning the clamp 9 out of thepath of-movement of the bows-see Fig.4, whereupon the bows can be folded or unfoldedwithoutgenengagement with the clamp 9 exits-support:

ing rod. The spring 10 also. s'ert es'to'pre vent rattling of the parts, and'icoiiperates with the automatic locking means'* to assist in locking the nut 10.

The clamp 9 preferablycomprises a col-f I formed-integral there lar 9 and aplate 9 with and arranged in an inverted position. 9 indicates a-recess formed in'thecollar This recess is prefe'r ably elongated, in the longitudinal direction of the plate 9 and at its opposite ends the recess is reduced in width as shown at 9 to receive and support the opposite ends of a spring member 11.

9 indicates alined openings formed 1n and extending through the walls of the collar9 on opposite sides of the recess 9 and adapted to receive the arm 8. The arm 8 and the openings 9 'therefor being round, the latter can be adjusted on the arm angularly as well as laterally, in order to permit the plate are) properly engage the/adjacent In this latter position the rod -8 able force or friction and thusprevents the clamp 9 from turning normally, thereon.

8 indicates an annular groove, formed oaders in the arm 8 to receive'the wire 11. This groove serves to secure the spring member of the to the arm 8 in a manner which permits the clamp to rotate thereon but prevents movement of the spring laterally, and tends to maintain the clamp in a predetermined position.

. From this construction it will be seen that the wire section 11 is secured at its opposite ends to the clamp 9 and intermediate its ends to the arm 8; As the recess 9 is of a width greater than the width or diameter of .the spring member 11, the construction permits the clamp ,9 to be moved laterally on the arm 8 in either direction against the tension of the spring member 11.

It will thus be seen that when the rod 8' is drawn downwardly to efiect the operation of the clamp 9 in clamping engagement with the uppermost bow 2 the clamp automatically adjusts itself both angularly and laterally on the arm 8 to properly engage the said bow. The free end of the arm 8 may be upset or provided with suitable means to permanently secure the clamp on the arm.

The clamp plate 9 is preferably constructed similarly to the rest plate 6 and provided with a pad 6 In a construction such. as I have described it will be seen that all of the supporting members for the upper and lower bow engaging plates are arranged rearward bows 2 and that only one operating part is required to lock and release the bows, the operating part being controlled by automatic means that lock such part all times.

It will also be seen that the support 8, rod 8, and its connections therewith, constitute supporting and spacing means for the rest 6 or its plate 6 and the clamp 9, which-in turnconstitute a pair of relatively movable bow-engaging and clamping mem- To those skilled in the art of making apparatus of the class described, many alterations in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

My disclosures andthe description herein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to. be in any sense limiting. Whatlclaim is: 1

In a' device of the character described, the combination of a supporting member having a rest arranged to support the bows ofa-vehicletop, a rod movably mounted on said member and provided with a clamparranged to cooperate with the rest to support the bows, arranged above said member, a clamping device mounted on said rod below said memberand arranged to cooperate with the colranged at one side which is "detaehably a collar carried by said rod and lar' when tightened to draw the rod downwardly and rigidly secure it to said mem-' ber, ball ratchet mechanism between the said member and clamping device for locking the latter against turning, and a yieldable device interposed between the collar and member tending to normally elevate the rod.

2. In a device of the character described, thecombination of a support adapted to be arranged at one sidesof a vehicle and provided with horizontal arm, a rest .movable toward and from the vehicle on said arm, means for securing the rest to said arm, the said rest including a pair of brackets extending rearwardly therefrom and arof said support, the

brackets being formed with alined openings, a rod slidably mounted in said openings and provided withan arm at its upper end, a clamp mounted on the last mentioned arm and arranged to cooperate with the rest to support a set of vehicle top bows in folded position, a pair of nuts screwthreaded on said rod and arranged above and below said brackets and coiiperating with each other to secure the rod thereto in operative position, 'a ball ratchet mechanism interposed between one of said nuts and the adjacent bracket for locking said nut against turning movement, and a yieldable member arranged between the other nut and the adjacent bracket tending to normally elevate the said rod.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support. adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle and having a rest movabletoward and from the vehicle thereon, means for securing the rest to said support, the said rest being pro-- vided with a pair of spaced brackets extending rearwardly, therefrom and arranged at one side of said support, the brackets being formed with alined openings, a rod slidably and rotatably mounted in said openings and provided with an arm at its upper end, a plate mounted on the last mentioned arm and arranged to coiiperate with the rest to support a set of top bows in folded position, a pair of nuts screw-threaded on said ro dand arranged above and be low said brackets and coiiperating with each other-to secure therod thereto in operative position, a ball ratchet mechanism interposed between the lower bracket and the adjacent nut for locking the latter against turning movement, and a spring interposed between the other nut and the adjacent bracket arranged to be put under tension when the first mentioned nut is operated.

4.. In a device of the character described, the combination of supporting means adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle and including a plate on which the bows of the vehicle top rest, said supporting means being. formed with alined openings, a rod extending through and adjust-ably mounted in said openings, the said rod being provided with a clamping plate cooperating 5 with the rest plate to support the bows-inv folded position, and provided with screw threads at its lower end, a nut engaging with the screw threaded end of the rod for securing it tosaid supporting means, a ball ratchet mechanism between the supporting means and the nut for locking the latter against turning, and means tending to elevate said'rod and arranged to be compressed when said nut is tightened.

/ 5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle for supportinga set of top bows, a device for clamping the bows on said. supportcomprising a vertically adjustable member having an arm and a clamp mounted thereon and a spring member carried by said clamp and connected to said arm intermediate its ends for securing the clamp thereto and permitting it to move angularly and laterally thereon against the tension of said spring member, and means for operating said clamping device.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle for sup porting a set of top bows, a device for clamping the bows on said support comprising a vertically adjustable member having-an arm formed with an annular groove, a clamp mounted thereon and formcdwith a recess,

and a spring member mounted in said recess and having its opposite ends secured to said clamp, the said spring member being arranged within the groove of the arm intermediate its ends, whereby the clamp is secured to said arm but permitted to move angularly and laterally thereon against thetension of said spring member, and means for operating said clamping device.

7. In a devieeof the character described, the combination of a support on which the bows of a vehicle top are adapted 'to rest, a member movable vertically relative to said support, and provided with an arm, a clamp mounted on said arm and arranged to engage the uppermost bow of the set of bows to clamp said bows on the support, the said clamp being formed with a recess,-and a spring arranged within said recess secured at its opposite ends to said clamp and yieldingly engaging said arm intermediate its ends, the said recess being wider than the width of said spring and the arm being formed with an annular groove to receive the spring for connecting it to said arm, whereby the said clamp when moved into engagement with the adjacent bow, may adjust itself thereto by angular and lateral 5 movement on said arm against the tension of thespring, and means for drawing said movable member downwardly tovertically clamp the bows. Q v

8. In a device of'the character described, a pair ofrlatively movable bow engaging and clamping members-for clamping a set of bows im folded position therebetween, supporting and spacing means for said bow engaging and clamping members, one of said spacing means, and means for causing the porting and spacing means.

9. In a device of the character described, a pair of relatively movable bow engaging said member to frictionally engage said supand clamping members for clamping a set of bows in folded position therebetween,

supporting and spacing means for said bow engaging and clamping members, one of said bow engaging and clamping members being mounted on said supporting and spacing means to swing thereupon and to move bodily laterally relative thereto, and a yielding device interposed between said supporting and spacing means and said movable how engaging and clamping member serving to oppose the bodily movement and swinging movement of said bow engaging and clamping member upon the supporting and spac-.

ing means.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support adapted to be fixed to a body, a rest plate carried by said support, a rod slidably and rotatably supported by said support, the upper end of said rod having a laterally extending arm, a plate rotatably mounted on said arm and arranged. to clamp the uppermost bow of a set of vehicle to-p bows, aresilient device carried by said plate and arranged to engage said arm and frictionally oppose the rotation of said plate relatively thereto but permitting the plate to adjust itselfjto the in- .clina-tion of the adjacent bow whendrawn downwardly into clamping engagement e rod therewith, and means fordrawingdownwardly. v 1

11. The combination of a normally statie-nary rest adapted to be 'fixed to the side of a vehicle and arranged to support the bows of a vehicle top, a clampin member for engaging the bows of the to and cooperating with the rest to rigidly hold the bows in folded position, supporting-means for the clamping member permitting it to move vertically toward and from said rest and also to swing horizontally, and a friction device interposed between the clamping -member and its supporting means permit ing an arm formed with an,annular groove,

a clamp mounted thereon and formed with a recess, and a spring member mounted centrally in said recess and connected on opposite sides of said arm to said clamp, the said spring member being arranged within the groove of the arm intermediate its ends,

' whereby the clamp is secured to said arm but permitted to ,move angularly and laterally thereon against the tension of said spring member, the side walls of said recess operating to limit the lateral movment of the clamp on said arm, and means for operating said clamping device.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination with asupport adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle, of a plate mounted on said support and having lips arranged along its opposite longitudinal sides, the said lips eitending toward each other, the inner walls of the lips being cut away intermediate their ends to form recesses, the end walls of which form shoulders, and a pad mounted on said plate and having its opposite sides extended into said recesses, whereby said shoulders operate to prevent endwise movement of the padrelatively to the plate.

14. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a support adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle, of a channeled plate mounted on said support and having flanges extending along its opposite longitudinal side edges, the said flanges being spaced to receive the opposite edges of a pad and also cut away to form shoulders near their opposite ends, and a pad mounted on said plate and having mem bers projecting laterally from its opposite longitudinal sides, the said projecting members extending into said recesses and the opposite end walls thereof engaging said shoulders to secure the pad to said plate.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of asupport adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle, the said support including a rest-on which a set of vehicle top tbowsmay be supported, a device for clamping the bows on said rest, the said device comprising a movable member having an arm formed with an annular groove, a clamp mounted on and bodily movable laterally and angularly relative to said arm and a spring carried by said clamp and arranged within the groove of said arm and engaging the walls thereof to oppose angular and lateral movement of said clamp on the arm, and means for securing said clamping device to said support.

16. The combination of a stationary rest for the bows of a vehicle top, a clamping member arranged to cooperate with the rest for clamping the bows in folded position,

supporting means for said clamping member including an arm on which it is rotatably mounted, the said clamping member be inguformed witha recess, and a resilient member overlying said arm and bent intermediate its ends to permit itsopposite ends to engage the'walls of said recess on opposite sides of said arm for frictionally securing the clamping memberthei eto and permitting the adjustment of said clamping member to the inclination of the bows.

' In testimony whereof I afiix my signature,

in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses LAURENCE C. KEELER, ANTHONY HOWELLS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G.

HARRY B. wHrrn.

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