US20110068590A1

US20110068590A1 - Safety device for toggle clamps

Info

Publication number: US20110068590A1
Application number: US12/566,296
Authority: US
Inventors: Wei-Chen TENG
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-24
Filing date: 2009-09-24
Publication date: 2011-03-24

Abstract

A safety device for toggle clamps is disclosed. The safety device of the present invention comprises a seat portion, a fixing portion, a position-limiting portion, a pull portion and a retaining piece. The fixing portion and the pull portion are connected with the seat portion. The position-limiting portion connects the fixing portion with the pull portion. A positioning hole is provided by either connective juncture of the position-limiting portion, and another positioning hole is provided by either protrusion. To affix the pull portion, we can insert the two insertion ends of the retaining piece into the two positioning holes of the pull portion and the two positioning holes of the position-limiting portion. In addition, a positioning piece may affix an object so that a user may work on the object.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to a safety device for toggle clamps. More particularly, the invention relates to a safety device that can secure the fixing or retaining of the relevant components of a toggle clamp to avoid hazards and bodily injuries.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As of now, a connective piece is usually used in the toggle clamps for clamping. Hinges are usually used to connect components, such as the pull portion, insertion ends and position-limiting portion. Therefore, the components are not completely affixed; especially, when the connective piece is used vertically, some of the components can still move. In addition, the toggle clamps of the prior art are structurally complicated and have a higher cost of production. These drawbacks need to be improved.
From the above, we can see that the toggle clamps of the prior art have disadvantages and need to be improved.
To eliminate the disadvantages of the toggle clamps of the prior art, the inventor has put a lot of effort into the subject and has successfully come up with the safety device of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a safety device that can secure the fixing of the relevant components of a toggle clamp to avoid hazards and bodily injuries. Therefore, safety may be assured.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety device that is structurally simple and easy to use and has a low cost of production.
To reach these objects, the safety device of the present invention is disclosed. The safety device of the present invention comprises a seat portion, a fixing portion, a position-limiting portion, a pull portion and a retaining piece. The fixing portion and the pull portion are connected with the seat portion. The position-limiting portion connects the fixing portion with the pull portion. A positioning hole is provided by either connective juncture of the position-limiting portion, and another positioning hole is provided by either protrusion. To affix the pull portion, we can insert the two insertion ends of the retaining piece into the two positioning holes of the pull portion and the two positioning holes of the position-limiting portion. In addition, a positioning piece may affix an object so that a user may work on the object.
These features and advantages of the present invention will be fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of the accompanying Drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the safety device of the present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are two views illustrating how the retaining device of the present invention is used.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view illustrating the safety device of the present invention. The safety device of the present invention comprises a seat portion 1, a fixing portion 2, a position-limiting portion 3, a pull portion 4 and a retaining piece 5. The seat portion 1 has several holes 11 and several screws or bolts (not shown in the drawing) may be used to fasten it to a flat surface. The seat portion 1 may be placed on top of any flat surface. A slot 21 is formed in the fixing portion 2. A positioning piece 22 passing through the slot 21 is provided. The rear portion of the fixing portion 2 is connected to the rear portion of the seat portion 1. One end of the position-limiting portion 3 is connected with the fixing portion 2, and the other end is connected with the two arms 41. A positioning hole 31 (only one hole 31 is shown in the drawing) is provided by either connective juncture of the position-limiting portion 3. An insertion end 51 is provided on each end of the retaining piece 5. Either insertion end 51 is inserted into the positioning hole 412 of the pull portion 4 and the corresponding positioning hole 31 of the position-limiting portion 3. Two arms 41 extend downwards from the pull portion 4. The lower end of each arm 41 is connected with the seat portion 1. The middle portion of each arm 41 is connected with the position-limiting portion 3. A hemispherical protrusion 411 is formed at either juncture of each arm 41 and the corresponding position-limiting portion 3. A positioning hole 412 (only one hole 412 is shown in the drawing) is provided by either protrusion 411. Either positioning hole 412 may be aligned with the corresponding positioning hole 31.
Please see FIGS. 2 and 3, which are two views illustrating how the retaining device of the present invention is used. When a toggle clamp is used, either insertion end 51 is inserted into the positioning hole 412 of one of the two arms 41 and the positioning hole 31 of the corresponding position-limiting portion 3; therefore, the fixing portion 2 and pull portion 4 are affixed and are perpendicular to each other. In addition, the positioning piece 22 may retain or affix an object so that a user may work on the object. If the user wants to loosen the fixing portion 2 and pull portion 4, he may push the retaining piece 5 upwards; now, either insertion end 51 would press against a protrusion 411 located at each side of the pull portion 4. When the two insertion ends 51 move to the top portion of each protrusion 411, the two insertion ends 51 would move out of the two positioning holes 31. Now, the fixing portion 2 and pull portion 4 are loosened.
Therefore, the safety device of the present invention is structurally simple, easy to use and very safe. In addition, the goal of swift clamping may be reached.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 (which are views illustrate other three embodiments of the present invention), the retaining piece 5 may be disposed in a different location as according to the requirement or specification of a user. In such case, the positioning holes and protrusions 411 may be relocated accordingly so that the safety device of the present invention may be used in various types of toggle clamps 6, 7 and 8.
In comparison to the prior art, the safety device of the present invention has the following advantages:
1. In the safety device of the present invention, a retaining piece is used to secure the fixing or retaining of the relevant components of a toggle clamp to avoid hazards and bodily injuries. Therefore, safety may be assured.
2. The safety device of the present invention is structurally simple and easy to use and has a low cost of production.
3. The safety device of the present invention may be used for various types of toggle clamps.
Many changes and modifications in the above described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A safety device for toggle clamps, comprising:

a seat portion, having several holes, wherein several screws or bolts may be used to fasten the seat portion to a flat surface and the seat portion may be placed on top of any flat surface;

a fixing portion, wherein a slot is formed in the fixing portion and a positioning piece passing through the slot is provided, characterized in that the rear portion of the fixing portion is connected to the rear portion of the seat portion;

a position-limiting portion, wherein one end of the position-limiting portion is connected with the fixing portion and the other end is connected with the two arms, characterized in that a positioning hole is provided by either connective juncture of the position-limiting portion;

a pull portion, wherein two arms extend downwards from the pull portion and the lower end of each arm is connected with the seat portion, characterized in that the middle portion of each arm is connected with the position-limiting portion and a protrusion is formed at either juncture of each arm and the corresponding position-limiting portion, wherein a positioning hole is provided by either protrusion and either positioning hole may be aligned with the corresponding positioning hole of the position-limiting portion; and

a retaining piece, wherein an insertion end is provided on each end of the retaining piece and either insertion end is inserted into the positioning hole of one of the two arms and the corresponding positioning hole of the position-limiting portion.

2. The safety device as in claim 1, wherein either protrusion may be hemispherical.

3. The safety device as in claim 1, wherein the retaining piece may be a flexible piece or may be driven by a flexible mechanism.

4. The safety device as in claim 1, wherein the safety device of the present invention may be used in various types of toggle clamps and the retaining piece may be disposed in a different location, characterized in that the positioning holes may be relocated to the seat portion or the position-limiting portion or the pull portion.