US3138361A - Clamping device for a bag-type receptacle - Google Patents

Description

June 23, 1964 R. w. MELDRUM CLAMPING DEVICE FOR A BAG-TYPE RECEPTACLE Filed Nov. 2 1961 JNVENTOR. J EOY W ME'LDRUM ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,138,361 CLAMPIYG DEVICE FOR A BAG-TYPE RECEPTACLE Roy W. Meldrum, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Bursime C0rp., St. Paul, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Nov. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 149,734 3 Claims. (Cl. 24895) This invention relates to the method and apparatus for use in releasably gripping and supporting a bag type receptacle from a support structure such as a hospital bed or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel clamp ing device, of simple and inexpensive construction, for use in supporting a bag type receptacle in releasably clamped relation from a support structure such as a hospital bed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved clamping device attachable to a support structure such as a bed, and including opposed clamping members, one of which is provided with a slotted clamping surface and the other having a convex clamping surface for effectively clamping an edge portion of the bag receptacle therebetween in a manner to minimize strain on the gripped portion of the receptacle and to thereby greatly reduce the tendency of this type of receptacle from becoming damaged by tearing and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel improved clamping device attachable to a support struc ture such as a hospital bed and including opposed clamping members for clamping the upper edge portion of a bag type receptacle therebetween, one of the clamping members having a centering and positioning element v positionable within a recess in the upper peripheral edge of the receptacle, for properly centering the bag to permit proper clamping thereof.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a method for supporting a bag type receptacle in clamped relation from a hospital bed wherein pressure is applied evenly along an elongate annular portion of the receptacle adjacent the upper peripheral side edge thereof, to thereby grip and support the receptacle in suspended relation from the hospital bed, the portions of the receptacle circumscribed by the elongate gripped annular portion thereof being disposed out of co-planar relation with respect to the gripped annular portions of the receptacle.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my invention shown attached to a supporting hospital bed structure and illustrated in clamped relation with a bag type receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a side View on an enlarged scale partly in section and partly in elevation of my invention; and

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view on an enlarged scale of the stationary clamping member, a fragmentary portion of the bag type receptacle being illustrated in dotted line configuration.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel clamping device, designated in 'its entirety by the reference numeral 10, is thereshown.

interconnected for relative pivotal movement.

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Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that my novel clamping device 10 is illustrated in attached relation to a conventional hospital bed frame F for clamping a bag type receptacle B thereto. My novel clamping device 10 includes the stationary clamp member 11 suitably constructed of a rigid metallic material and being of substantially flat, rectangular shape, as best seen in FIG. 3. Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the stationary clamping member 11 is bent adjacent its upper marginal edge to define a rearwardly projecting flange 12 which is adapted to be positioned in overlying engagement with the uppermost surface of one of the side frame members of the hospital bed frame F. Stationary clamping member 11 is also provided with a pair of apertures 13 for receiving bolts 14, as best seen in FIG. 1, to permit the ready attachment of the clamping device to the hospital bed frame F. It will also be noted that the stationary clamping member is provided with a reinforcing rib 15 adjacent the marginal edge thereof to impart marginal rigidity and strength to the stationary clamping member 11.

The stationary clamping member 11 has a pair of ears l6 struck outwardly therefrom, these ears being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced-apart relation and each being suitably apertured. In the preferred embodiment, ears 16 are integrally formed with the stationary clamping member 11 and are formed by the punching operation to thereby define a pair of apertures 17. The stationary clamping member 11 is also provided with an elongate slot 18 extending transversely thereof, the function of which will be more fully explained hereinbelow. An outwardly struck positioning centering element 1% projects forwardly from the stationary clamping member 11 and it will be noted that this centering and positioning element 19 is disposed closely adjacent the slot 18.

My novel clamping device 10 also includes a movable clamping member 20 also suitably constructed from a rigid metallic material and having a pair of inwardly struck ears 21 projecting therefrom. These inwardly struck ears are also preferably formed by a punching operation so that a pair of openings 22 are defined by the outwardly struck metal comprising the ears 21. These cars 21 are also disposed in laterally spaced apart substantially parallel relation with respect to each other and each are suitably apertured in the manner of the ear 16. The apertures in each of the ears 21 are disposed in registering relation with an aperture in one of the ears 16 for the reception of an elongate pivot pin 23 therethrough so that the clamping members 11 and 20 are shiftably It will be noted, as best seen in FIG. 2, that the lower portion of the movable clamping member 20 is disposed in clamping engagement with the stationary clamping member 11 and means are provided to normally urge the movable clamping member 20 in clamped relation with respect to the stationary clamping member. A coil spring means 24 is disposed around pivot pin 23 and is provided with a pair of diverging legs 25 which respectively bear against the movable clamping member 20 and the stationary clamping member 11. Thus, it will be seen that when the movable clamping member 20 is pivoted about its clamping member 11, this movement of the movable clamping member 20 will be against the bias of the resilient spring means 24 so that movable clamping member 20 is normally urged and maintained in clamped relation with respect to the stationary clamping member 11.

The upper terminal edge of the movable clamping member 20 is angularly bent rearwardly to define a marginal flange to thereby eliminate any sharp upper edges on the movable clamping member. It will be noted that the movable clamping member 20 has a channel shaped lower marginal edge portion 26 which defines a convex clamping surface 27 disposed in opposed relation with respect to the elongate slot 18. Actually, the width of the movable clamping member 20, which is substantially rectangular shape, is less than the width of the stationary clamping member 11 and is slightly less than the length of the elongate slot 18. The convex clamping surface 27 is shaped and contoured to engage only the slot defining peripheral edges of the stationary clamping member 11 and cooperates with the latter for clamping the upper marginal edge of a bag type receptacle therebetween.

When a bag type receptacle B is to be releasably supported from a support structure such as a bed frame or the like, the clamp device 10 will be secured to the supporting structure such as the bed frame F by means of the bolt assemblies 14. The receptacle B which may be constructed of a suitable flexible material such as paper, plastic or the like and which may be of the disposable or reusable types is provided with a recess R in the upper peripheral edge at one side thereof. The recess side edge of the bag type receptacle B will be positioned between the clamping members 11 and 20, the movable clamping member 20 being first pivoted to the released or unclamped position. This edge portion will be so disposed that the recess R receives the centering and positioning element 19 therein so that the elongate slot is substantially parallel with the upper peripheral edge of the side of the bag to be clamped. Thereafter, the movable clamping member 20 is released to permit the smoothly arcuate convex clamping surface 27 to be moved into engagement with the slot defining peripheral edges of the stationary clamping member 11 so that the upper marginal portion of the bag is clamped therebetween. With this arrangement, it will be seen that pressure is applied evenly to an elongate annular portion of the receptacle defined by the cooperative relationship of the arcuate convex surface 27 and the slot defining peripheral edges of the stationary member 11. Because of the smoothly arcuate configuration of the convex clamping surface 27, the tendency of the bag to become damaged as by tearing will be substantially reduced. It will also be noted that the portions of the receptacle circumscribed by the elongate gripped annular portions will be disposed out of co-planar relation with respect to the gripped annular portions thus effecting an effective clamping action on the gripped side of the receptacle. This is attributable to the arcuate configuration of the convex clamping surface 27 which projects slightly into the slot 18. The centering and positioning element 19 also permits the bag type receptacle to be supported so that the receptacle is subjected to the least amount of strain.

Although the novel clamping device it is illustrated in attached relation to a support structure such as a conventional hospital bed frame F, it is pointed out that this device can also be used in attached relation to other support structures such as seat backs and the like. Thus, it will be seen that the device can be readily used and is especially adaptable for attachment to the back of seats used in aircraft. It is pointed out that when my clamping device 10 is used in conjunction with a hospital bed frame F, it is preferred that the clamping device be attached to head end of the bed to facilitate use by a hospital patient.

It will, therefore, be seen that I have provided a novel method and a novel clamping device for use in supporting a bag type receptacle in releasably clamped relation from a support such as a bed or the like, the clamping 4 device elfectively clamping the bag type receptacle while substantially reducing the tendency of the receptacle to be torn or otherwise damaged due to the clamping action.

It will further be noted from the preceding paragraphs that I have provided a novel clamping device which effectively centers a bag-type receptacle to permit the latter to be releasably clamped in suspended relation from a support structure such as a bed or the like in a manner to subject the bag-type receptacle to the least amount of strain.

It will, therefore, be seen from the preceding description that I have provided a novel clamping device which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction but which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable clamping devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement, and proportions of the various parts without departing from the general scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Clamping device for use in supporting a bag-type receptacle in releasably clamped relation upon a support such as a bed or the like, said clamping device including a substantially fiat stationary clamping member detachably connectible to the side rail of a bed, said stationary clamping member having a positioning flange integrally formed with one edge thereof for engagement with the upper surface of the bed side rail to permit orienting of said stationary clamping member in upright relation, a movable clamping member pivotally connected to said stationary clamping member for pivotal movement relative thereto between clamping and release positions, one of said clamping members having an elongate slot therein, the other of said members having an elongate smoothly arcuate convex clamping surface disposed in opposed relation with respect to said slot and being engageable with portions of said other member defining the peripheral edges of said slot when said members are disposed in clamping position for clamping the top marginal edge portion of a bag type receptacle therebetween, said convex clamping surface being disengageable from said slot defining peripheral edges when said movable member is pivoted to the release positions to permit ready removal of the receptacle therefrom, resilient means normally urging said members to said clamped position and a bag positioning element integrally formed with said one clamping member and being disposed above but in close proximity to the convex clamping surface and said slot defining peripheral edges, said positioning element being received within a recess in the upper marginal edge portion of the receptacle when the latter is clamped between said convex clamping surface and said slot-defining peripheral edges.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot is formed in said stationary clamping member and said convex clamping surface is on said movable clamping member.

3. A clamping device for use in supporting a bag-type receptacle in released clamped relation from a support such as a bed or the like, said clamping device including a stationary clamping member detachably connected to a support structure and being normally oriented in upright relation, said stationary clamping member having an elongate transversely extending slot formed therein, a movable clamping member pivotally connected to said stationary clamping member for relative pivotal movement relative thereto between clamping and released positions, the lower marginal edge portion of said movable clamping member being arcuately bent to define a smoothly arcuate convex clamping surface disposed in opposed relation to said slot and being engagable with portions of said stationary clamping member defining the peripheral edges of said slot when said movable clamping member is disposed in clamping position for clamping the top marginal edge portions of a bag type receptacle therebetween, a

bag-positioning and centering element projecting outwardly from said stationary clamping member and being disposed above in close proximity to said slot and centrally located relative thereto, said positioning and centering element being received within a recess in the upper marginal edge portion of a bag-type receptacle when the latter is clamped between said convex clamping surface and said slot defining peripheral edges, and resilient means normally urging said members to said clamped position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims (1)

1. CLAMPING DEVICE FOR USE IN SUPPORTING A BAG-TYPE RECEPTACLE IN RELEASABLY CLAMPED RELATION UPON A SUPPORT SUCH AS A BED OR THE LIKE, SAID CLAMPING DEVICE INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT STATIONARY CLAMPING MEMBER DETACHABLY CONNECTIBLE TO THE SIDE RAIL OF A BED, SAID STATIONARY CLAMPING MEMBER HAVING A POSITIONING FLANGE INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH ONE EDGE THEREOF FOR ENGAGE MENT WITH THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE BED SIDE RAIL TO PERMIT ORIENTING OF SAID STATIONARY CLAMPING MEMBER IN UPRIGHT RELATION, A MOVABLE CLAMPING MEMBER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID STATIONARY CLAMPING MEMBER FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO BETWEEN CLAMPING AND RELEASE POSITIONS, ONE OF SAID CLAMPING MEMBERS HAVING AN ELONGATE SLOT THEREIN, THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING AN ELONGATE SMOOTHLY ARCUATE CONVEX CLAMPING SURFACE DISPOSED IN OPPOSED RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SLOT AND BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH PORTIONS OF SAID OTHER MEMBER DEFINING THE PERIPHERAL EDGES OF SAID SLOT WHEN SAID MEMBERS ARE DISPOSED IN CLAMPING POSITION FOR CLAMPING THE TOP MARGINAL EDGE PORTION OF A BAG TYPE RECEPTACLE THEREBETWEEN, SAID CONVEX CLAMPING SURFACE BEING DISENGAGEABLE FROM SAID SLOT DEFINING PERIPHERAL EDGES WHEN SAID MOVABLE MEMBER IS PIVOTED TO THE RELEASE POSITIONS TO PERMIT READY REMOVAL OF THE RECEPTACLE THEREFROM, RESILIENT MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID MEMBERS TO SAID CLAMPED POSITION AND A BAG POSITIONING ELEMENT INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH SAID ONE CLAMPING MEMBER AND BEING DISPOSED ABOVE BUT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CONVEX CLAMPING SURFACE AND SAID SLOT DEFINING PERIPHERAL EDGES, SAID POSITIONING ELEMENT BEING RECEIVED WITHIN A RECESS IN THE UPPER MARGINAL EDGE PORTION OF THE RECEPTACLE WHEN THE LATTER IS CLAMPED BETWEEN SAID CONVEX CLAMPING SURFACE AND SAID SLOT-DEFINING PERIPHERAL EDGES.

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