US2261557A - Clamping mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 4-, 1941. J. N. MATTHEWS 2,261,557

CLAMPING MECHANISM Original Filed April 17, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l N V. 4, 1941- J. N. MATTHEWS 2,261,557

CLAMPING MECHANISM Original Filed April 17, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 25 Fig-.7.

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(Ittorneg 1941- J. N. MATTHEWS CLAMPING MECHANISM Original Filed April 17, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jig-.11.

Zhwentor Gttorneg Patented Nov. 4, 1941 2,261,557 CLAMPING MECHANISM Joseph N. Matthews, Lakewood, Ohio Original application April 17, 1937, Serial No.

135,525. Divided and this application Decemher 5, 1938, Serial N0. 243,925

7 Claims.

This invention relates to clamping devices for clamping tarpaulins when positioned over and around hatches and the covers therefor. The devices embodying my invention are particularly applicable for hatches on boats, for example ore boats and the like, where each hatch occupies a large area to accommodate material handling apparatus and accordingly the tarpaulin, on account of the size thereof required to cover and enclose the hatch, is readily loosened by winds unless securely clamped in position.

The application is a division of my application filed April 1'7, 1937, Serial No, 135,525, now matured into Patent No. 2,176,915, dated October 24, 1939.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved device of relatively simple construction for clamping a tarpaulin in position over a hatch in a ready manner.

Another object is to give a seaman protection while working on deck by providing an improved clamping device which, when the tarpaulins have been removed, will be in an out of the way position, whereby danger of the seaman stumbling or falling is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved devices for clamping and holding a tarpaulin in enclosing position over a hatch and the covers therefor, so constructed and mounted that the clamping element of each device may be readily operated into and out of clamping position.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a boat showing three hatches disposed transversely thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on the line construction, parts being in sectionand broken away.

Fig. 10 is a View, partly in section, of another modified form of construction shown in position.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line I l-H of Fig. 10.

In the drawings, I indicates as an entirety a portion of a boat of the ore carrying type, the deck 2 thereof having transversely disposed hatches 3; three hatches being shown. The hatches herein shown consist of openings 2a through the deck 2 and side walls 3a along the sides and ends of the opening, the side walls being preferably reinforced by an angle 5. Each hatch 3 is closed by two series of covers 4 extending from the center of th hatch outwardly to the ends thereof. When in closed position, the outer edge and depending flanges of the inner cover overlap the inner edge and depending flanges of the adjacent cover and the latter and succeeding covers (except the end one) are similarly related to the adjacent covers, respectively. To open the hatch the covers 4 of each series are slid into a superposed relation with respect to the outer or end cover and suitably supported on the deck.

6 indicates the tarpaulin which is stretched over the hatch covers 4 and angles 5, as shown in the upper portion of Fig. 1, with its marginal side and end portions clamped to or against the side walls 3:1 by a plurality of clamping mechanisms, each indicated as an entirety at l. The mechanisms! are spaced along the side walls of the sides and ends of each hatch, their clamping elements 1' being arranged to engage and clamp a bar or batten 8, which is preferably' formed of wood and extends substantially from end to end ofeach side wall. As will be understood from Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the adjacent marginal edge of the tarpaulin 6 is clamped between the bar 8 and side wall 311, such edge being doubled on itself, as shown, when its size makes this doubling over necessary.

Each clamping mechanism 1 consists of a supporting member, a clamping device la, for engaging the bar 8 and through it clamping the tarpaulin in position and a separate clamping device 1b, operable as later set forth to engage that portion of the tarpaulin which extends over the hatch covers. These devices are constructed in a manner, whereby either device may be operated independently of the other.

The supporting member indicated as an entirety at 9, may be supported in operative relation to a hatch, that. is, on the deck 2 or side wall. 3a

of the hatch. In the illustrated form of construction the member 9 is by preference, arranged to be mounted on the side wall of the hatch to eliminate obstructions on the deck; and this arrangement is advantageous as in my improved construction none of the parts of the mechanism engage the deck when the hatch covers and tarpaulin are removed. Accordingly, the member 9 is shaped to provide at its lower inner end flanges H), which may be bolted or riveted to the adjacent side walls 3a, an outwardly extending wall H on which the bar 8 may rest while being clamped and an up-standing member I2, these parts being formed integrally. The member [2 is formed with an opening l3 through it, the inner wall 14 of the opening being disposed vertically and its rear wall l5 being inclined downwardly and inwardly so as to receive and. accommodate a wedge l6, for a purpose later set forth. The wall 14 is formed with a horizontally disposed opening I? to slidably receive a shank I8, which carries at its inner end a clamping element 1'. The outer end of the shank [8 extends into the opening l3 for engagement by the wedge IS. The clamping element 1' extends laterally to either side of the shank l8 to provide a wide clamping surface to engage the bar 8 and also walls arranged to be engaged by the bifurcated ends l9 of a suitable tool 20. The tool ends 19 are connected by a bar 2| which is adapted to removably engage a seat 22 provided on the upper end of the wall 14, the bar thereby serving as a fulcrum, so that when the tool is operated to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, the clamping element 1 will be operated into final position, that is, with the bar 8 clamped against the adjacent side wall 3a with the marginal edge of the tarpaulin secured to the latter wall, and while the element is held in this position by the tool 20, the wedge l6 may be dropped into the opening I3 behind and in engagement with the outer end of the shank l8 to hold the clamping element (Kin its operated position, as shown in Fig. 2. The wedge I6, when positioned, may be hit with a hammer or other device to frictionally secure it in position in the opening I3, that is, between and in engagement with the wall l5 and inner end of the shank l8; and as its lower end is accessible, the wedge may be loosened by a blow thereon. One side wall of the opening I3 is formed with a threaded opening into and through which a screw |6x extends, so that after the wedge I6 is positioned, the screw I69: may be turned to cause its inner end to engage the wedge and thus lock it in position. The upper end of the wedge is provided with a bail lBa or other device to facilitate its removal and handling.

The separate device 1b comprises an arm 23 arranged to engage that portion of the tarpaulin extending over the adjacent hatch cover and a depending portion or leg 24 terminating in a rod 25, which removably and slidably fits a recess 26, of similar shape in cross section, formed in the up-standing member l2, outwardly of the opening I3. The rod 25 and the recess 26 therefor are preferably round so that the device may be swung to an inoperative position parallel to the side wall 30. when not in use (see Fig. 5). The rod 25 is movable endwise in the recess 26 and guided by the walls thereof when the device 11) is operated to clamp the tarpaulin, as well as when the device is being moved or rotated to its inoperative position, as later set forth.

The clamping device it is locked or secured to the supporting member 9 by means indicated as an entirety at 21, to effect a clamping engagement of the arm 23 with the tarpaulin. The securing means 21 comprise a pair of links 21a disposed upon opposite sides of the member 9 and pivoted on the ends of a pin or shaft 28 mounted in an opening 28a formed in the thickened portion of the wall l2, the links being connected at their free ends by a cross bar 29, preferably integrally therewith. The bar 29 is formed with a threaded opening 30 in which is mounted a screw 3|, the free or inner end of which, when the screw is rotated, is adapted to be projected into a notch or recess 32 formed in the arm 23, and when tightened, the screw serves to rigidly connect the devices Ia, 7b, together and clamp the arm 23 against the hatch cover 4, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The outer end of the screw 3| is provided with a suitable head or device 33, whereby it may be effectively operated to clamp the arm 23 against the tarpaulin, the slidable relation between the rod 25 and its recess 26 permitting movement of the arm 23 by the endwise movement of the screw. Upon disengagement of the securing means 21, the clamping device 1b may be removed or rotated into an inoperative position, for example, into a position wherein the arm 23 is parallel to the side wall 3a (see Fig. 5), when the hatch is to be opened as shown in Fig. 1. For maintaining the device 1b in this position, the upper end of the recess 26 is formed with off-sets 26a (see Fig. 8) and the upper end of the rod 25 is provided with lugs 25a (see Fig. 7), complementary to the oil-sets 26a, and arranged to seat therein to lock the device 1b in this predetermined position. When the clamping device 1b is disposed in its inoperative position, as just referred to, the securing links are swung into a position similar to that shown in Fig. 6. The arm 23 may be formed with an opening 23a to receive the wedge l6 when it is not in use or while the clamping element 1' is being operated by the tool 20.

It will be noted that when the tarpaulin is in position, the arm 23 engages therewith to clamp it against the hatch covers which rest upon the upper end of the adjacent wall 3a. Also, since the clamping device lb is adjustably related to the supporting member 9, its arm, instead of being clamped to the tarpaulin as shown in Fig. 2, may be clamped upon the end of a channel or cross bar 4a (see Fig. 1) and operate therethrough to secure the tarpaulin in position.

Fig. 9 illustrates a modified form of construction wherein the wedge receiving opening, indicated at I3 is arranged rearwardly of the recess, indicated at 26', which receives the supporting rod 25 for the supplemental clamping device. In this arrangement the recess 26' extends vertically and the links, indicated at 21 of the securing means, are pivotally mounted inwardly of the recess 26 so that the application of pressure or force by means of the screw, indicated at 3|, is transmitted substantially axially of the recess 26' and at right angles to the covers 4f Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, which illustrate another embodiment of the invention, 31-indicates a supporting member suitably secured to the hatch side wall 3a and having an up-standing wall 31a, which is (a) formed with a guide way 38 to receive the shank 39 of a clamping element 39a, the latter in turn being arranged to operate through the batten 8 to clamp the tarpaulin 6 against the side wall 3a, (b) an opening-40 to receive a wedge 4| and (c) a recess 42 to removably and slidably and rotatably receive the supporting rod 43 of a hatch cover clamping device 44. 45 indicates a device pivotally supported on the wall 31a for operating the clamping element 39a into clamping position, whereby the wedge 4i may be positioned in the opening 45 in engagement with the outer end of the shank 39 as shown in Fig. 10, thereby securing the clamping element 39a in operated position. The operating device 45 comprises a cam 45a and an arm 451) which may be grasped by an operative (for example, a deck-hand) and swung inwardly which operation will cause the cam to engage the lateral, rearwardly extending side walls 39a of the clamping element 39a and. move the latter into clamping position, following which a wedge 41 is inserted in the opening 40. After the wedge 4| is positioned to lock the clamping element 39a in position, as above set forth the operating device 45 may be swung clockwise (as viewed in Fig. to an inoperative position. Thereafter, the clamping device 44 is positioned on the supporting member 31; that is, its rod 43 is inserted in the recess 42 with the outer end of the device 44 disposed above that portion of the tarpaulin extending over the hatch covers 4; the device 45 is then swung back to a position whereby the screw 46 may engage the device 44, and when tightened, as shown in Fig. 10, secure the device in clamped engagement with the tarpaulin.

The device 45 is substantially U shaped the side members or legs of the device being pivoted on stud shafts 41 extending from the opposite sides of the wall 37a. As shown, one shaft 41 is threaded into an opening formed in the wall 31a to permit assembly of the device 45. In this form of construction, two cams 45a are provided to engage with the opposite ends of the clamping element 39a to operate it, the device straddles the outer end of the clamping device 44 and the screw 46 is mounted in and extends through a threaded opening formed in that portion of the device which connects the legs together, so that the applied force resulting from the tightening of the screw 46, to rigidly secure the clamping device 44 in position, is a plane between the legs of the U-device.

The cover clamping device 44 may be removed at will Without affecting the clamping of the tarpaulin by the batten or it may be released from its operated position and swung about the axis of the recess 42 to an inoperative position, that is, in a position substantially parallel to the adjacent hatch side wall 311. For this latter purpose, the rod 43 is provided with an interlock 43a which fits an oiT-set in the recess 42 (not shown), to prevent the device, when moved to its inoperative position, from swinging outwardly and becoming a hazard. The device 44 is released by loosening the screw 46 and swinging the device 45 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10. To unclamp the tarpaulin a sharp blow may be imparted to the lower end of the wedge. This operation will be facilitated if the device 45. is operated and the cams 45a brought into engagement with the opposite ends of the clamping element 39a and the latter held thereby while the wedge is removed.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from'the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrativev and not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting member adapted to be secured in operative relation to the side wall of a hatch and formed with a substantially vertical recess, a clamping device having a rod slidably mounted in said recess and arranged to move in a direction substantially parallel to the side wall, and means carried by said member for connecting said clamping device thereto, said means including an element arranged to effect clamping engagement of said device with the cover or tarpaulin 0f the hatch.

2. In a device of the classdescribed, the combination of a supporting member adapted to be secured to the side wall of a hatch andiormed with a substantially vertical recess, a clamping device arranged to engage that portion of the.

tarpaulin lying over the hatch cover and provided at its outer end with a depending rod slidably mounted in said recess and arranged to guide said device in a direction substantially parallel to the hatch side wall, a link pivoted on said member and provided, at its outer end with an adjustable device arranged to engage said clamping device for moving it into clamping engagement with the tarpaulin.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said adjustable device engages said clamping device at a point inwardly of its outer end beyond said rod.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rod and said member are provided with interlocking elements for securing said rod in a predetermined inoperative position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting member adapted to be secured in operative relation to the side wall of a hatch and formed with a substantially vertical recess, a clamping device comprising a substantially L-shaped member one end portion of which slidably and rotatably fits into said recess and the other end portion of which is arranged, when in one position, to extend over the top of the hatch, an element pivoted at one end on said supporting member and provided at its opposite end with an operating device arranged to detachably engage said member and secure it in clamping position.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said element consists of a U-shaped member straddling said L -shaped member the free ends of said U-shaped member being pivoted to opposite sides of said supporting member to permit the other end thereof to swing into position over said L- shaped member, and said operating device being carried by said other end of the U-shaped member.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting member adapted to be secured in operative relation to the side wall of a hatch and formed with a substantially vertical recess, a clamping device comprising a substantially L-shaped member one end portion of which slidably and rotatably fits into said recess and the other end portion of which is arranged, when in one position, to extend over the top of the hatch, an element pivoted at one end on said supportingmember inwardly of said recess and provided at its opposite end with an operating device arranged to detachably engage said member and secure it in clamping position.

JOSEPH N. MATTHEWS.

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