US2372904A - Sheet holder - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1945. v s. M. MCCARTHY 2,372,904

SHEET HOLDER Filed June 21, 1943 Patented Apr. 3, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEET HOLDER Samuel M. McCarthy, Columbus, Ga.

Application June: 21, 1943, Serial No. 491,687

1 Claim. (01. 855) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in sheet holders and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for temporarily but firmly securing together two or more sheets of material while in the process of fabrication.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a sheet material holder of the aforementioned character which is adapted to be expeditiously applied and removed from one side of the material and which obviates the use of wrenches, nuts, etc.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a sheet material holder of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eiiicient and reliable in use and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several view, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, showing a holder constructed in accordance with the present invention applied to two sheets of material, said material being shown in section.

Figure 2 is an elevational view, showing the device ready to be applied.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section through the holder.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the holder, showing the device ready to be applied.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the device.

Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective of the expansible element.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a socket l of suitable dimensions and material, preferably metal. Projecting in opposite directions from the open end portion of the socket l and integral therewith are finger receiving lugs 2.

An integral boss 3 projects from the closed end of the socket I. A longitudinal bore 4 in the closed end portion of the socket extends through the lug 3. p

The bore 4 accommodates 'a rod 5 which extends slidably through the socket 1. Heads 6 and l are provided on the ends of the rod 5.

Mounted on the rod 5 between the head I and the boss 3 is a resilient tube constituting an expansible retaining element 8. A coil spring 9 encircles the rod 5 in the socket and is engaged with the head 6, for longitudinally compressing and radially expanding or bulging the resilient retainer 8.

It is thought that the manner of using the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the sheets of material it which are being fabricated are brought together and two of the openings II therein are aligned. Two of the fingers of the hand are then engaged beneath the lugs 2, and the thumb is engaged with the head 6. The rod 5 is then actuated against the tension of the coil spring 9 for permitting the resilient retaining element 8 to assume its natural longitudinally extended shape, as seen in Figures 2, 4, and 6 of the drawing. The element 8 is then passed through the registering openings ll, the boss 3 is engaged therein and the closed end of the socket I is caused to abut one of the sheets ID. The rod 5 is then released to permit the coil spring 9 to function. Thus, the resilient retaining element 8 is compressed longitudinally and expanded or bulged radially for anchoring the holder in the material.

Of course, to remove the device it is only necessary to again contract the resilient element 8 radially to permit its withdrawal through the openings II.

It is believed that the many advantages of a sheet material holder constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may beresorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A sheet material holder of the character de-' scribed comprising a socket having an open upper end and a closed lower end, integral finger lugs projecting from the open end portion of the socket, an integral boss projecting longitudinally from the closed end of the socket and adapted to clamp the sheets between the latter and the lower I end of the socket.

SAMUEL M. MCCARTHY.

Images