WO1999028635A1

WO1999028635A1 - Clamping system

Info

Publication number: WO1999028635A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/003562
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Robert Alfred Wybrow
Original assignee: Marke John David; Brian Robert Alfred Wybrow
Priority date: 1997-11-27
Filing date: 1998-11-27
Publication date: 1999-06-10
Also published as: GB2331787B; GB2331787A; AU1253299A; EP1040279A1; GB9826020D0

Abstract

A clamping system based on a jawed clamping arrangement in which, in one main variant, the clamping force which holds objects within the jaws is derived from the adjustment, and joining together, of parts of the arrangement, after manufacture, and where, in one variant of this arrangement, the clamping means is single-ended, and in another, it is double-ended. The design of the single-ended arrangement is such that it offers distinct advantages over conventional clamping systems e.g. clothes pegs and clips, because it is easier, and cheaper, to manufacture, and because it provides facile and flexible means for controlling operating characteristics. The design of the double-ended arrangement is such that, in addition to offering these same manufacturing advantages and flexible means for controlling operating characteristics, the associated product is easier to select for immediate use from a collection of similar units, because of its double-endedness. The double-ended clamping arrangement can be used in a multitude of different applications because it allows objects to be clamped to one-another and independently released, by means of alternately operable parts of the same arrangement. It is particularly useful for creating a tidy arrangement of cables, wires, tubing, etc., which commonly become tangled, in computer, and general equipment, environments. It also offers convenient means for holding together, objects such as Christmas and Birthday cards, and for holding advertising labels. The principles of the double-ended clamping system can be used as a common element of building systems, on any conceivable scale.

Description

CLAMPING SYSTEM

This invention relates to clamping arrangements.

Clamping means range from the simple paper clip, which relies on the pinching action of the temporarily separable elements of the clip to hold items together, to spring- loaded devices, which require force, assisted by leverage, to open clamping jaws against the restraining force offered by a torsion spring.

In application to holding clothes on a clothes line, clamps called "clothes pegs", range from a simple one-piece V-shaped arrangement, whose jaws open against the restoring force offered by the flexible arms or splines of the peg as the peg is slipped over the clothes, to a three-piece arrangement, wherein two clamping jaws are moved apart by the application of opposing forces by the fingers of one hand, at the ends remote from the jaws, against the restoring action of a spring.

The need to use the peg by sliding it over the clothes, or to operate the peg by pressing the ends remote from the gripping jaws, means that, because such pegs are single- ended, when the peg is selected from a group of pegs by feel alone, time has to be spent selecting the correct end of the peg. Moreover, there is an additional necessity for further manipulation of the peg, if the peg has been picked up the wrong way around and not manipulated on first contact with the hand, in order to use it to clamp the clothing. The solution to this difficulty is to make the peg, double-ended.

It will be shown, in the following account, how this disadvantage found with single- ended pegs is overcome in an improved design of clothes peg, which is double-ended. Furthermore, it will also be shown how the concepts and principles embodied in the new designs of double-ended peg, have led to new designs of single-ended peg and how the development of both types of peg has given rise to cheaper, and easier to manufacture, designs of peg whose operating characteristics can be accurately controlled. Moreover, it will also be shown how the basic principles embodied in the design of the peg, can be applied in other types of clamping and fastening arrangement.

According to the present invention, the new clamping means utilises a double fulcrum- pair principle, in which each fulcrum pair, serves both to grip the clothes or other objects e.g. when they are to be held on a line or a drying frame, etc., and to allow the fulcrums to be utilised for opening and closing the clamping means whilst gripping these objects. It also offers dual means for clamping clothes, etc., to one another, and for joining materials and objects together, to form structures, which can be readily dismantled. It thus affords means for implementing a new building or construction mechanism, which can be applied to toys and model construction, and to building of any kind, on any scale.

The process of development of the invention has given rise to a method of creating clamping strength which does not rely on the use of an auxiliary spring, or springs, in the way that conventional clamps and clamping systems do. Since the necessary clamping strength appeared not to be easily creatable by direct manufacture, it was decided to carry out research into other ways in which it could be created, whilst keeping the number of parts to an absolute minimum.

The consequent intensive investigation, then resulted in methods of creating the required clamping strength, which involve adjustment of parts of the construction in relation to one another. The culmination of the research work is a system of single- ended, and double-ended, clamping devices which can be used in a very large variety of different applications.

The double-endedness is particularly useful for holding bed sheets, etc., in a spread out orientation, in order to assist drying, by using the Double-ended Peg (DEP) to clamp the edge of one sheet to the edge of an adjacent one. Furthermore, by arranging to have a length of secured clothes line or other suitable anchorage device, supported in a vertical orientation at either end of a section of clothes line, the outer extremities of sheets or other materials to be dried, can be pulled sideways, by clamping part of such extremity with one end of the DEP and clamping the other end of the DEP to the vertical line, or device. The DEP can also be used to suspend objects in a roughly vertical orientation such that the upper jaws of the DEP are clamped to the upper object whilst the lower jaws are clamped to the lower object.

The DEP can also be used for clamping display card, signs, materials, or objects in general. For example, restaurant menu cards could be mounted into one end of the DEP whilst the other end was utilised in attaching the card to an object on the table or wall, or the DEP could just be free-standing and hold two menu cards, etc. Another example is to use the DEPs to spread out flags or banners, or the like.

The DEP can also be custom designed to blend in, with a restaurant environment. Novel arrangements of specially designed DEPs can be used for advertising products and/or to be sold as part of them, or with them. Such products could, for instance be toys, e.g. the elongated nature of the DEP could be utilised in a design imitating the appearance of, say, a crocodile or an alligator or a fish, or other things which have a length which is greater than their breadth, and the principles of the DEP can be incorporated into any other design.

The DEP can also be utilised in holding Christmas, Birthday, or Greetings, cards together. Christmas cards in particular would benefit from assisted mounting. Such mounting could be, side by side on approximately the same level, or one above the other. In the latter case an especially lightweight DEP, e.g. made from low-density plastic or designed so as to be light in weight due to its hollow, or other, construction, would be particularly useful. Here, the design would be such as to maximise frictional resistance by ensuring that a sufficiently large surface area of contact exists between the jaws of the DEP and the card, whilst ensuring, also, that the gripping strength does not damage the card.

In order to describe the invention in more detail, reference will now be made to the accompanying diagrams in which:

Figure 1 shows, in side-elevation, a conventional clothes peg of one-piece construction. Figure 2 shows, in side-elevation, a conventional clothes peg, of three-part construction

Figure 3 shows, in side-elevation, the conventional peg represented in Figure 2, but in its opened configuration

Figure 4 shows, in side-elevation, the conventional peg represented in Figure 2, in use, in its closed configuration

Figure 5 shows, in perspective, double-ended clamping means, representing one variant of the invention, in its closed configuration

Figure 6 shows, in side-elevation, a schematic representation of a variant of the double-ended clamping means shown in Figure 5, in its closed configuration

Figure 7 shows, in side-elevation, a schematic representation of the double-ended clamping means shown in Figure 6, but in one of its two, opened configurations

Figure 8 shows, in side-elevation, a schematic representation of the double-ended clamping means shown in Figure 7, but in the other, of its two, opened configurations.

Figure 9 shows, in side-elevation, a stylised schematic representation of the double- ended clamping means shown in Figure 5

Figure 10 shows, in side-elevation, a stylised schematic representation of the clamping means shown in Figure 9, in one of its two, opened configurations

Figure 1 1 shows, in side-elevation, a stylised schematic representation of the double- ended clamping means shown in Figure 10, but in the other, of its two, opened configurations. Figure 12 shows, in side-elevation, double-ended clamping means containing means for ensuring that the jaws of the clamping means shown in Figure 9, remain in a closed configuration until forces are applied in opposing directions to the operating arms

Figure 13 shows, in side-elevation, the double-ended clamping means shown in Figure

12, in one of its two opened configurations,

Figure 14 shows, in side-elevation, the double-ended clamping means shown in Figure

13, in the other, of its two, opened configurations

Figure 15 shows, in side-elevation, a variant of the double-ended clamping means incorporating an extension spring

Figure 16 shows, in side-elevation, a variant of the double-ended clamping means incorporating a double-curved, S-shaped spring

Figure 17 shows, in side-elevation, double-ended clamping means of three-part construction containing an insertable S-shaped spring

Figure 18 shows an enlarged view of part of the diagram shown in Figure 17

Figure 19A shows, in side-elevation, a double-ended peg (DEP) of one-piece construction.

Figure 20A shows, in side-elevation, a double-ended peg (DEP) of one-piece construction, containing a feature which demonstrates a variation in its operating principles

Figure 19B represents a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 19 A

Figure 20B, represents a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 20A

Figure 21 A shows, in side-elevation, a DEP of two-piece construction Figure 22A shows, in side-elevation, the DEP of two-piece construction, shown in Figure 21 A, with the two pieces moved closer together.

Figure 23A shows, in side-elevation, a DEP resembling the DEP of two-piece construction shown in Figure 21 A, but containing a change to its central mating sections so that the two pieces can be mated with one-another.

Figure 24 A shows, in side-elevation, the DEP of two-piece construction, represented in Figure 23 A, with the two pieces interlocked with one-another against the restraining forces offered by the spring arms of the DEP so that they give rise to compressive forces at the jaws.

Figure 21B shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 21 A.

Figure 22B shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 22A.

Figure 23 B shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 23 A.

Figure 24B shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 24A.

Figure 25A shows, in side-elevation, of a DEP, of two-piece construction, containing interlocking male and female, central sections.

Figure 25B shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 25 A.

Figure 26A shows, in side-elevation, the DEP, of two-piece construction shown in Figure 25A, but with the two interlocking male and female, central sections, interlocked with one-another.

Figure 26B shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 26A. Figure 27A shows, in side-elevation, a DEP of two-piece construction, which resembles the DEP shown in Figure 25A but which contains a variation in the design of its central interlocking sections

-.

Figure 27B shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 27 A

Figure 28A shows, in side-elevation, a DEP that resembles the DEP shown in Figure 25 A, but which is of one-piece construction 0

Figure 28B shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 28 A

Figure 29A shows, in side-elevation, the DEP represented in Figure 28A, in its interlocked configuration 5

Figure 29B shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 29A

Figure 30 shows, in side-elevation, a DEP of two-piece construction, which resembles the DEP represented in Figure 21 A, but which has interlocking channels formed in the 0 central interlocking sections of each piece

Figure 31 shows, in side-elevation, the rear view of the DEP shown in Figure 30

Figure 32 shows, a perspective view of the two pieces of the DEP shown in Figure 30, 5 and shows how the profiles of the interlocking channels change to their mirror image, halfway through the depth of the DEP

Figure 33 shows a perspective view of the DEP represented in Figure 32, with the two pieces close together, ready to be interlocked with one-another 0

Figure 34 shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 33, with the two pieces interlocked with one-another Figure 35 shows, in side-elevation, a DEP which resembles the DEP shown in Figure 30, but which has interlocking teeth formed on the mating faces of the channels of its central interlocking regions

Figure 36 shows, in side-elevation, the rear view of the DEP shown in Figure 35

Figure 37A shows, in side-elevation, an enlarged view of the central section of the DEP shown in Figure 35

Figure 37B shows, in side-elevation, a rear view of the central section of the DEP represented in Figure 37A

Figure 38 shows a perspective view of the DEP shown in Figure 35

Figure 39 shows, in side-elevation, a DEP which resembles the DEP represented in Figure 22A, but which has more than one set of curved channels, for gripping clotheslines or objects, formed at each end

Figure 40 shows a perspective view of the DEP represented in Figure 39

Figure 41 A shows, in side-elevation, a single-ended peg (SEP) of two-piece construction, which contains operating parts which resemble those contained in the DEP represented in Figure 35

Figure 4 IB shows a perspective view of the SEP represented in Figure 41 A

Figure 42 shows, in side-elevation, an SEP, which resembles the SEP represented in Figure 41 A, but which has a variation in the design of its central interlocking sections, which are joined by means of a flexible loop

Figure 43A shows, in side-elevation, the SEP represented in Figure 42, but with its central interlocking parts interlocked with one-another

Figure 43B shows a perspective view of the SEP shown in Figure 43 A Figure 44 shows a perspective view of an SEP, which resembles the SEP shown in Figure 42, but which has no flexible loop joining the two central sections and has, instead, interlocking channels resembling those incorporated into the design of the SEP represented in Figure 41 A.

Figure 45 shows a perspective view of an SEP, which resembles the SEP represented in Figure 44, but which has greater height.

Figure 46 shows a perspective view of an SEP, which resembles the SEP represented in Figure 44, but which has flat-faced jaws in place of the curved jaws possessed by the latter SEP.

Figure 47 shows a perspective view of an SEP, which resembles the SEP represented in Figure 46, but which has greater height.

Figure 48 shows, in side-elevation, a DEP of two-piece construction, which resembles the DEP represented in Figure 22A, but which has an upper piece which has different dimensions from those of the lower piece.

Figure 49 shows a perspective view of the DEP represented in Figure 48.

Figure 50 shows a perspective view of a DEP, which resembles the DEP, represented in Figure 49, but which has mounting holes formed in its lower piece.

Figure 51 shows a perspective view of a DEP which resembles the DEP represented in Figure 49 but which has upper, and lower, pieces, which are, respectively, shallower, and deeper, than the upper and lower pieces of the latter DEP.

Figure 52 shows a perspective view of a DEP, which resembles the DEP, represented in Figure 21 A, but which has greater depth than that of the latter.

Figure 53 shows a perspective view of a DEP, which resembles the DEP, represented in Figure 52, but which has greater depth than that of the latter. Figure 54A shows, in side-elevation, a DEP of two-piece construction, which resembles the DEP, represented in Figure 22A.

Figure 54B shows a perspective view of three DEP's in use, holding display cards on a flat surface.

With reference to Figure 1, which represents a side-elevation, a conventional clothes peg, 1, of one-piece construction, has a shank, 2, and flexible splines, 3 A and 3B. In use, in holding clothing on a clothes-line, the clothes are placed on the line and the open end of the peg is slipped over them.

With reference to Figure 2, which represents a side-elevation, a conventional clothes peg, 4, of three-part construction, and which is lying in a roughly horizontal orientation, has a lower section, 5, and an upper section, 6, each held in contact with one-another by means of a torsion spring, 7, located within a cylindrical opening formed in the construction.

It can be seen that the visible, front arm, 7 A, of the spring, 7, serves to apply an upward force, FI, to the lower section, 5, of the peg, at location, 8 A, where a right- angled extension of the spring, 7, fits into a groove formed in the lower section, 5, of the peg, 4. Similarly, the arm, 7B, at the rear of the peg, 4 (which is only visible, in part, as its end) serves to apply a downward force, F2, to the upper section, 6, at location, 8B, where a similar right-angled extension to the spring, 1, fits into a groove formed in the upper section, 6, of the peg, 4. The two arms, 7 A and 7B, of the torsion spring, 7, therefore serve to hold the peg together.

The forces, FI and F2, are derived from the restoring forces residing within the spring, 7, which has to be wound up slightly during the process of fixing it in place over the two sections, 5 and 6, of the peg, 4. The forces, FI and F2, exerted by the ends of the spring at locations, 8A and 8B, respectively, give rise to resultant forces, RSF5 and RSF6, respectively, at the points of contact, PC5 and PC6, respectively, of each of the sections, 5 and 6, of the peg, 4, with one another. In some designs of peg there would be a line of contact, which extends on either side of points PC5 and PC6, in the plane of the paper.

The large hole, 9, and the small hole, 10, are formed from the combination of two semi-circular indentations formed in the lower and upper sections, 5 and 6, respectively, of the peg, 4, and serve to allow the peg to be placed on clothes lines having circular cross-sectional profiles of dimensions similar to those of the holes, 9 and 10, either on its own or when holding clothes to the line.

With reference to Figure 3, which represents a side-elevation, the peg, 4, represented in Figure 2, is shown in its opened configuration, which is achieved by applying forces, AF5 and AF6, at the locations indicated by the points of the arrows, respectively, near the ends of each part, 5, and 6, respectively, of peg, 4

The forces, AF5 and AF6, are opposed by spring forces, SF5 and SF6, respectively, (similar to F 1 and F2, respectively, see Figure 2) which are applied at locations, 8A and 8B, respectively (see Figure 2) by the spring, 7, whilst in compression.

It can be seen that all of the forces mentioned in the foregoing, can be considered to be applied, for the purpose of calculating moments of forces, with the centre of the spring, 7, as Fulcrum, and that consequently, the reactive forces offered by the clothes, etc., gripped by the peg, 4, which will be equal to the resultant forces, RSF5 and RSF6 (or forces slightly greater than these; see later) respectively, will have a greater leverage about this fulcrum than do the forces, SF5 and SF6, respectively. It is for this reason that the spring, 1, has to be very strong, and it is pointed out that, in this conventional configuration, the spring is at a mechanical disadvantage.

When the peg, 4, is used to hold clothes on a clothesline, the clothes are gripped as a consequence of the resultant forces, RSF5 and RSF6.

It is pointed out that forces, RSF5 and RSF6, are likely to vary, depending on the degree of displacement of the ends of the parts, 5 and 6, by the application of forces, AF5 and AF6 This variation will be due to the geometry of the configuration and to possible variation in spring force with compression

It is also pointed out that the spring, 7, is not necessarily in the relative location shown

With reference to Figure 4, which represents a side elevation, the peg, 4, represented in Figure 2, is shown again, but in its closed configuration whilst enclosing a clothes line, shown in cross-section as element, 11 Forces RSF5 and RSF6, respectively, act in opposition at points PC5 and PC6, respectively, and corresponding forces will be applied to the clothes line, 11, and/or, to clothes (not shown) held on the line.

It is pointed out, with reference to Figure 4, that the two semi-circular indentations, referred to earlier, together, form a circular cross-sectional region, 9, when the peg, 4, is in its closed configuration This circular shape ensures that when the peg, 4, is in a vertical orientation, the peg cannot easily be opened due to its own weight acting in a vertical direction downwards, whilst clamped to a clothes line The same reasoning applies to hole, 10

It is true to say, however, that some conventional, three-part pegs have holes, 9, and/or, 10, especially, 9, formed in a slightly oval cross-section, with a smooth profile This serves to reduce the pressure on the gripped clothing, thereby avoiding damage to it, but it could also make it easier for the peg to be opened by forces acting in line with the long axis of the peg, and therefore, clothes could become dislodged from the line, etc., unless a correspondingly stronger spring is used

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that lateral stability within the peg, 4, is achieved by means of interlockable protrusions and depressions in each of the sections, 5 and 6, and that these have not been shown in the diagrams.

With reference to Figure 5, which represents a perspective view, a double-ended peg (DEP) 12, has a lower section, 13, and an upper section, 14, which are in contact with one another at the apexes of the curved surfaces of curved protrusions, 13 A, 14 A, and 13B, 14B, respectively, on the main sections, 13 and 14, respectively The application, by the fingers on one hand, of forces, AF7 and AF8, respectively, to each of the sections, 13 and 14, respectively, near their ends, along the directions, shown, approximately, by the arrows, will cause the DEP to open, with the points of contact of the protrusions, 13B and 14B, acting as fulcrums. A void, 12V, exists between sections 13 and 14. Application of similar forces at the other end of the DEP will cause it to open at the opposite end.

Of course, for this limited, and undeveloped, version of the DEP, it must be assumed that the two sections, 13 and 14, are held together by means of a roughly centrally placed spring or piece of elastic; otherwise they will just slide apart. Furthermore, interlockable protrusions and depressions within each of the sections, 13 and 14 (not shown) will provide lateral stability.

Before describing the detailed construction of this variant of the DEP. it is expedient to refer to the idealised schematic view of it, 15, shown in Figure 6.

Thus, with reference to Figure 6, which represents a side-elevation, the lower section, 16, represents section, 13, in Figure 5, and the upper section, 17, represents section 14, in Figure 5, whilst protrusions, 16A, 17A, and 16B, 17B, represent, protrusions, 13 A, 14A, and 13B, 14B, respectively, shown in Figure 5. The void, 12V, is represented by void, 15V

It is pointed out that protrusions, 16A, 17A, 16B and 17B, are pointed, in order to demonstrate their function as fulcrums. Ideally, they would be curved, in order to prevent damage to clothing, etc.

With reference to Figure 7, which represents a schematic side-elevation, it can be seen that the application of forces, AF9 and AF10, near the ends of sections, 6 and 17, respectively, has caused the DEP, 15, to open.

With reference to Figure 8, which represents a schematic side-elevation, it can be seen that the application of forces, AF11 and AF12, near the ends of sections, 16 and 17, respectively, opposite to those referred to with reference to Figure 7, has caused the DEP to open at its other end.

With reference to Figure 9, which represents a schematic side-elevation, a stylised variant, 18, of the DEP, 15, represented in Figures, 6, 7, and 8, has a lower section, 19, and an upper section, 20, which are in contact with one another at points, 21 and 22, with a void, 18V, existing between sections, 19 and 20.

With reference to Figure 10, which represents a schematic side-elevation, it can be seen that the application of forces, AF13 and AF14, near the ends of sections, 19 and 20, respectively, of the DEP, 18, (shown in its closed configuration in Figure 9) has caused the DEP to open about point, 22, as fulcrum.

With reference to Figure 1 1 , which represents a schematic side-elevation, it can be seen that the application of forces, AF15 and AF16, near the ends of sections, 19 and 20, respectively, opposite to those referred to with reference to Figure 10, and with point, 21, as fulcrum, has caused the DEP, 18, to open at its other end.

With reference to Figure 12, which represents a schematic side-elevation, a further stylised variant, 23, of the DEP, 18, shown in Figures 9, 10, and 1 1, has a lower section, 24, and an upper section, 25, which are in contact with one another at points, 26 and 27. An elastic band, 28, engages in grooves, 29 and 30, respectively, formed in lower section, 24, and in upper section, 25, respectively. A void, 23V, exists between sections 24 and 25. The elastic band, 28, passes all of the way around the DEP, 23, and holds sections 24 and 25, together.

With reference to Figure 13, which represents a schematic side-elevation, it can be seen that the application of forces, AF17 and AF18, respectively, near the ends of sections 24 and 25, respectively, with point, 27, as fulcrum, has caused the DEP, 23, to open against the restraining action of the elastic band, 28, which is in tension.

With reference to Figure 14, which represents a schematic side-elevation, it can be seen that the application of forces, AF19 and AF20, respectively, near the ends of sections, 24 and 25, respectively, opposite to those referred to with reference to Figure 13, has caused the DEP, 23, to open at its other end, with point, 26, as fulcrum, against the restraining action of the elastic band, 28, which is in tension.

It can be seen that the elastic band will hold the jaws of the DEP, 23, closed, over clothes, etc., when the clothes are placed at either, or both, ends.

Now that the basic principles of the double-ended clamping means have been described, it is expedient to describe the construction of particular variants.

Thus, with reference to Figure 15, which represents a side-elevation, a double-ended peg, 31 A, has a lower section, 32, and an upper section, 33, which are in contact at the points of contact, 34 and 35, respectively, of the curved surfaces of the two pairs of curved protrusions, 32 A, 33 A, and 32B, 33B, respectively, formed on sections, 32 and 33, respectively

A void, 31AV, exists between each of the sections, 32 and 33, and an extension spring, 36, is anchored at locations, 36A and 36B, whilst being free to extend within a cylindrical tunnel formed in each of the sections, 32 and 33

The application of forces at either end of the peg, 31 A, as already described with reference to earlier figures, will allow the peg, 31 A, to be opened against the tensional force in the spring, 36, with either of the two points, 34 or 35, as fulcrums.

It is pointed out that the definitive design based on this principle would have curvature at the edges of the cylindrical tunnels formed in sections, 32 and 33, where the spring, 36, enters each section. This will ensure that the coils of the spring do not catch on the inside of the peg.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the points, 34 and 35, referred to as fulcrums, are actually parallel lines of contact in the real, three-dimensional object that is the actual double-ended peg. With reference to Figure 16, which represents a side-elevation, a double-ended peg, 3 IB, represented in Figure 15, as item, 31 A, is shown again, but with a metal, or plastic, S-shaped spring, 37, in place of the extension spring, 36. The spring, 37, is fixed, or formed, between sections, 32 and 33, and forms voids 31BVA and 31BVB.

The spring, 37, has loops, 37A and 37B, respectively, which are anchored to the lower and upper, sections, 32, and 33, respectively, along regions, 38A and 38B, respectively.

When forces are applied to open the DEP, as already described with reference to earlier figures, one of the loops, 37A or 37B, will open, whilst the other remains closed This is achieved by ensuring that the open loop opposite the opened end of the DEP, offers less resistance to opening than do the flexible parts of the spring, 37, which are anchored to sections 32 and 33, of the DEP

In order to ensure that the clothes, or other items to be held by the DEP, do not have to make contact with the spring, 37, the length of spring, 37, must be relatively short in comparison with that of the DEP, 3 IB. A balance has therefore to be struck between the relative dimensions of the joined sections, 32 and 33 (which are similar) and of the spring, 37. The greater the lengths of the loops of the spring, 37, the greater will be the leverage attained, about the bend in the loop, by the section of the DEP anchored to the appropriate loop.

It is essential that the loops of the spring, 37, do not exceed their elastic limit during use.

With reference to Figure 17, which represents a side-elevation, a DEP, 39, has a lower section, 40, and an upper section, 41, which are in contact along parallel lines whose ends, visible in the diagram, are represented by points 42 and 43.

As with the conventional, three-part, peg, already described with reference to Figures, 2, 3, and 4, the sections, 40 and 41, form, when in contact, two pairs of large and small, holes, 9 A, 10 A, and 9B, 10B, respectively. A metal, or plastic, spring, 44, is located in a specially designed, contoured recess, formed in each section, 40 and 41, which forms voids, 39VA and 39VB, when it is inserted into both sections to hold them together.

The straight ends, 45 and 46, respectively, of each loop of the spring, 44, engage in shaped tunnels, such that there are spurs, 47 and 48, respectively, in each section, 40 and 41, respectively.

Since the spurs, 47 and 48, can also act as fulcrums, during the DEP opening process, it is important to make the straight ends, 45 and 46, of the loops of the spring, 44, very strong along their anchorage regions, so that there is no tendency for them to bend about the ends of the spurs, whilst, due to the bends in the loops being elastic, there is every tendency for them to bend at the curves forming these loops in the S-shaped spring.

This arrangement thus affords means for implementing the principles of the double- ended peg, in a three-part system using an insertable, S-shaped spring unit.

By careful design, it is possible for the peg to be held together by means of friction, but ideally, means for locking the spring in place are desirable. This can be achieved by creating depressions in sections 40 and 41 , which engage with raised sections on the arms of spring, 44, which are in contact with sections, 40 and 41, whilst allowing each end to open freely according to the principles of the invention as already described.

It is also possible to use an external spring which encloses the two sections, 40 and 41, whilst allowing each end to open according to the principles of the invention as already described.

With reference to Figure 18, which represents a side-elevation, part of the diagram shown in Figure 17, is reproduced, but of larger size. Elements of this diagram are otherwise identical with those in Figure 17. It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing description, that protrusions and depressions can be formed in each of the sections which, together, make the DEP, in order to provide lateral stability.

A further variant of the design described with reference to Figures 16, 17 and 18, could be moulded, or otherwise formed, as a one-piece construction, from suitable plastic or other material.

Yet further variants of the DEP can incorporate a Z-shaped spring, either inserted into, or moulded as part of, or otherwise formed as part of, the construction of the DEP.

Now that the general principles of the DEP have been explained with reference to variants, which utilise springs, it is expedient to provide specific details of more specific means by which double-endedness, and spring tension, are achieved. It will be shown that this also leads to new designs of single-ended peg and to designs of clamp/clip which provide new features, in a variety of applications.

With reference to Figure 19A, which represents a side-elevation, a DEP, 50, of one- piece construction, has fulcrums formed by the points of contact, 51, left, and 52, right, respectively, of the inner ends of the operating arms, 57, 58 (left) and 59, 60, (right) respectively, which can be compared, for position and function, with the points of contact, 26, left, and 27, right, respectively, of DEP, 23, shown in Figure 12. Spring loops, 53 (left) and 54 (right) can be compared, in function, with the elastic band, 28, shown in Figure 12, or with the spring, 36, shown in Figure 15. Spring arms, 53 AU (upper) and 53AL (lower) joined by spring loop, 53, serve to hold the left hand pair of jaws formed by clothes-line grippers (CLG's) 61 and 62, together, at point 51, whilst spring arms, 54AU (upper) and 54AL (lower) joined by spring loop, 54, serve to hold the right hand pair of jaws formed by line grippers, 63 and 64, together, at point, 52.

Sections, 55 and 56, respectively, can be compared with sections, 25 and 24, respectively, of DEP, 23, shown in Figures 12, 13, and 14. Operating arms, 57, 58, left and 59, 60, right, allow opposing forces to be applied by the fingers, as already described with reference to earlier Figures. Thus, forces AF17, and AF18, can be applied as shown in Figure 19A, in order to open arms 57 and 58, and also at arms 57 and 58, respectively, in order to open arms 59 and 60, respectively, as already explained with reference to Figures 13 and 14, respectively.

Pairs of clothes-line grippers 61 , 62 (left) and 63, 64 (right) where each part of the pair is semi-circular in cross-section and where each pair forms a circular loop, serve to allow the DEP to grip objects of roughly circular cross-section, e.g. a clothes line. It is pointed out that variants of the DEP can contain CLG's which have a shallower, curved cross-section, e.g. that of an ellipse, so that clothing, and other items, of various shapes and thicknesses, can be gripped by the DEP. For the purpose of gripping objects in general, other designs of DEP can have a whole range of differently shaped line grippers or they can either have no line grippers at all, or have them at one end of the DEP only. Where line grippers are absent, the jaws of the DEP can have flat, or round, contours, which act as fulcrums whilst also allowing flat objects such as paper or card, or other such objects and/or materials which have parallel, or roughly parallel, faces, to be gripped. In these forms, the DEP can serve as a very effective office clip or clamp. In these forms and in these applications, the devices are better referred to as double-ended clips or clamps.

It is important to note that the fulcrums at point, 52, formed by contact between the right hand extremities of CLG's, 63 and 64, must make contact at the same time as, or before, contact takes place between the left-hand extremities of these CLG's. If such contact is not made as stated, effort will be wasted when forces AF17 and AF18 are applied, as already described. The same reasoning is applied to the application of similar forces at the opposite end of the DEP, at arms, 57, and 58.

Taking the case of forces acting in the right hand section of DEP, 50, shown in Figure 19 A, and in particular, the upper right-hand section, it can be seen that when arm, 59, is pushed downwards by force, AF18, with point, 52, acting as a fulcrum, arm, 57, at the opposite end of the DEP, moves upwards. For this to occur without hindrance, either, or both, of the curves existing to the left and right of the upper part, 63, of the right hand line gripper, 63, must be flexible. Since the desired functional action of the DEP is to provide double-endedness, it is important that the flexibility of these curves is not so great that they bend, and therefore do not allow the arm, 59, to pull the whole of the line gripper, 63, together with the upper arm, 54 AU, of the right-hand spring loop, 54, when arm, 57, is pushed towards the horizontal centre-line of the DEP, 50, with point, 51, acting as a fulcrum.

However, some flexibility in the loop to the left side of the line gripper, 63, and/or in the loop to the right of it, is desired when arm, 59, is pushed towards the horizontal centre-line of the DEP, 50 (e.g. by means of force AF18) in order to cause arm, 57, to move away from the horizontal centre-line, when point, 52, acts as a fulcrum.

Taking the case for operation of the DEP by applying opposing forces at the right hand side of the DEP, 50, shown in Figure 19A, it can be seen that the application of forces AF17, and AF18, respectively, to the operating arms, 59 and 60, respectively, will cause the jaws, 57 and 58, respectively, at the left hand side of the DEP, to open against the restraining force offered by the spring loop, 53. This reasoning also applies to all of the other line grippers, shown in Figure 19 A.

The foregoing reference to the need for some flexibility on either side of the line grippers, 61, 62, 63, and 64, can be assisted in a number of alternative ways. Thus, with reference to Figure 20A, which represents a side-elevation, the left side of line gripper, half-piece, 63, of DEP, 50, has a region, 65, which partially fills-in, the valley created between the upper arm, 54AU, of spring loop, 54, and the left side of the line gripper, half-piece, 63, shown in Figure 19 A. The space, 65 S, between this region and the outer, end-section, of arm, 54AU, provides the necessary flexibility at this point, when arm, 59, is pushed towards the horizontal centre-line (an imaginary line through points 51 and 52) of the DEP, 50, by the application of force AF18. When arm, 59, is pulled upwards as a consequence of a downward force applied at arm, 57, the space, 65S, is reduced in size, and region, 65, touches the outer section of the arm, 54AU, thereby locking up, and preventing any flexure in this area. Region, 65, can also be formed for the remaining line grippers, 61, 62 and 64, and the same principles can be implemented by incorporating a similar design to the region immediately to the right of line gripper, 63, and to other such regions. An alternative to this method is to incorporate a reverse loop in the arm, 54AU, so that the action of applying a force, AF18, to arm, 59, in order to raise arm, 57, opens out this loop which is to the left of the line gripper, 63.

Figures 19B and 20B, respectively, show three-dimensional representations of the DEP's shown in Figures 19A and 20A, respectively.

Thus, the foregoing description referring to Figures 19A and 20 A, has shown how a DEP of one-piece construction operates. However, the DEP as described, will have limited gripping power because it has to be removed from the mould, or otherwise cut from suitable material, or otherwise made, in the shape shown in these Figures, and there will therefore be limited gripping force at the jaws, with only a resistance to opening when an object is placed between them. It is, of course, possible to create a gripping force by inserting "shoes" over the jaws, or by coating the made-product, with paint, or plastic, or other suitable material, or even by applying localised heating and/or cooling at particular parts of the DEP during the moulding process. However, notwithstanding all of these methods, it will now be shown how the gripping force at the jaws of the DEP can be achieved in more elegant ways:

In these more elegant solutions, the DEP is either made from two similar pieces, where each part is held in contact with the other, by means of a strap and/or clamp and/or by means of interlocking joints in each part, or, alternatively, the DEP is made in just one piece, which may involve the interlocking of sub-parts of the construction, with one another.

Where the DEP is constructed from two identical pieces, the gripping force existing at the jaws of the DEP, is attained by designing each part so that fulcrums on either side of a mating central flange, are at a different horizontal level from that of the central flange itself. This ensures that when the two parts are in contact at their fulcrums, ready to be clamped or interlocked, the action of clamping, or interlocking, which has to be carried out against restraining forces offered by the spring arms of the loops which make up the DEP, gives rise to gripping forces at the jaws of the DEP. Spring tension can therefore be accurately controlled and internally adjusted, by design and/or by the incorporation of spacers, in special designs of DEP.

Where the DEP is made in one piece, the fulcrums which are on either side of the central interlocking region, are moulded, or manufactured, so that they are in touching contact, but with an air gap between them, whilst the central flanges, which will eventually be in close proximity, are then at a prescribed distance from one-another. When one central interlocking region is pressed towards the other central interlocking region by the application of opposing forces at the outer surfaces of the two regions, the two central pieces are ultimately locked into one another against the restraining forces applied by the spring arms of the loops which make up the DEP. This therefore gives rise to the desired gripping force at each pair of jaws, which can then be accurately controlled and adjusted, by design and/or by use of spacers. The method of achieving gripping, or clamping, strength, itself offers further advantages in that by careful design of the two pieces, it is possible adjust the clamping strength to different values in the working product, as desired.

Where the DEP is manufactured by joining two similar pieces to one-another. a whole range of different fastening devices in a wide range of materials, is available. These can merely clamp one piece to the other by gripping both pieces externally, or they can interlock them by utilising pre-formed holes or indentations in the surface of each part. Alternatively, by designing the two similar pieces so that they possess dovetail joints at the mating faces of their central flanges, it will be possible to slide one piece into the other. A yet further alternative, based on the interlocking of two different pieces, is to design one piece so that it has a male section which locks into a female section on the other, ideally in the region of the central flange of each. One of the crudest, but nevertheless still effective, methods, which has been used in our prototypes, is to use a nut, bolt, and washers, arrangement where the bolt passes through a hole in the central flange of both pieces with one part held firmly against the other, by means of a locking nut and washers. The two pieces could also be joined together by means of riveting techniques, or by locally heating the central flanges of both pieces so that they melt into one-another, and then cooling them; a particularly well established method of achieving this, is to use ultra-sound welding techniques. It is important to note that most of the designs, already described and to be described, attempt to make manufacture by injection moulding easier and hence quicker and less costly, by allowing the two halves of the injection moulding tool to move apart at right angles, thereby avoiding the need for multi-part tools.

However, it is also pointed out that where there is an advantage in manufacturing designs, which do require the use of multi-part injection moulding tools or more complicated tools in general, this might be a preferred route to manufacture. Other designs of DEP can incorporate a male, threaded stud, on one piece, which screws into a female threaded stud-hole, on the other, where provision for final locking up, can also be made by incorporating ridges and channels into the design.

The two alternative two-piece and one-piece designs just referred to, are now described with reference to Figures, 21A, 22A, 23A, and 24A, and to Figures 21B, 22B, 23B, and 24B, where the latter set of Figures are, respectively, three-dimensional representations of Figures 21 A, 22A, 23 A, and 24A, respectively. It is pointed out that, in order to avoid unnecessary reference to new parts, those parts which can be assumed to remain the same in the DEP's to be described with reference to Figures 21A, 22A, 23A, and 24A, retain there identifying alphanumerics. It is also pointed out that, for brevity, section, 65, already described with reference to Figures 20 A and 20B, will not be referred to, in the following description made with reference to Figures 21 A, 22A, 23A, 24A, 21B, 22B, 23B, and 24B, but it could be incorporated into the design shown in these Figures.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that whilst the designs illustrated, explain the basic concepts, and principles of operation, of the DEP, the designs may change somewhat in order to cater for the use of particular plastics or other materials. Thus whilst, the general shapes of the spring loops and arms, adequately demonstrate a working shape, subtle changes such as appropriate curvature, and thickness, for relieving or eliminating strain at joints, and/or other specific designs, may be necessary in the definitive working articles. It will also be necessary to utilise durable materials for construction of the DEP's, which allow them to be used under a wide range of operating conditions, thus, for example, clothes pegs need to withstand the weather conditions which are common for conventional clothes pegs. Thus the materials of construction should be able to withstand extremes of temperature and rain, ice. snow, and the effects of ultra-violet light and other sources of radiation.

It is also pointed out that considerable savings in plastic or other material of manufacture, in general, are achievable by reducing the thickness of the DEP's in appropriate regions, whilst retaining operating strength in the same way that girders of, say, "H" section retain strength through their particular construction.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the designs recently introduced, and shortly to be described with reference to Figures 21 A, 22A, 23 A, and 24A, will operate without the use of the metal spring which is a characteristic component of conventional clothes pegs. This means that means for gripping and/or clamping, are achievable without having any metal present, and this could offer distinct advantages in some applications, e.g. where magnetic fields might be generated or interfered with e.g. in bomb disposal or other delicate electrical/electronic work. Furthermore, the DEP can be manufactured at a lower cost, because the conventional metal spring is eliminated, thereby reducing materials costs and assembly costs. Moreover, there is greater scope offered for variation in design in order to achieve desired results, e.g. the gripping strength obtained via the spring arms of the DEP can be controlled by the shape and the thickness of component parts, and spacers can also be used, and special designs of DEP could provide for adjustable gripping force.

Thus, taking the case of the two-piece DEP, with reference to Figure 21 A, which represents a side-elevation, a DEP, 66, comprises two similar half-pieces, 66U (upper) and 66L (lower) which are in contact at points, 51 (left) and 52 (right). Left, and right, half loops, 67L, and 67R, respectively, of upper piece, 66U, are joined by a central section, 66UC. Similarly, left, and right, half loops, 68L, and 68R, respectively, of lower piece, 66L, are joined by central section, 66LC. All other parts of the DEP, 66, are similar to those already described with reference to DEP, 50, shown in Figures 19A and 19B. With reference to Figure 22A, which represents a side-elevation, the central sections, 66UC, and 66LC, of upper and lower, half-pieces, 66U, and 66L, respectively, have been pushed towards an imaginary horizontal centre-line which passes through points, 51, and 52. This action gives rise to gripping forces at the line grippers, 61, 62, 63 and 64, due to the reaction of the spring loops, 67L, 68L (left) and 67R, 68R (right) applied through arms 53 AU, 53 AL (left) and 54AU, 54AL (right) respectively.

The shapes, and sizes, of the resultant left, and right, spring loops, now formed by the contact between the central sections, 66UC and 66LC, thus resemble those of spring loops, 53 and 54, respectively, shown in Figures 19A and 19B.

It can thus be readily seen that, appropriate clamping of upper half-piece, 66U to lower half-piece, 66L, will produce a DEP which functions with desired gripping force at its line grippers, 61, 62 (left) and 63, 64 (right) provided that the central sections, 66UC and 66LC, respectively, are above, and below, respectively, the imaginary horizontal centre-line which passes between points, 51, and 52, in the manufactured state for each half-piece, 66U and 66L.

With reference to Figure 23 A, which represents a side-elevation, it can be seen that DEP, 66A, which resembles DEP, 66, already described with reference to Figures, 21 A and 22 A, now has the central sections, 66UC, and 66LC, containing dovetail joints formed at their mating surfaces, and that the two pieces, 66U and 66L are similar. This can be confirmed by rotating either piece through 180 degrees, in the plane of the paper.

Note that, in order to make comparisons between designs easier, the identifying numbers used in Figures, 21A, 22A, 23A and 24A, respectively, and in Figures 21B, 22B, 23 B and 24B, respectively, which contain three-dimensional representations of the DEP, shown in the former set of Figures, have been retained, since the various parts of DEP's, 66A and 66B, are the same as those described with reference to Figures 21 A and 22A, 21B and 22B, except for the central sections. In order to join one part to the other, the end-face of the central section, 66UC, of the upper piece, 66U, will need to be placed in contact with the end-face of the central section, 66LC, so that the two sets of dovetail joints are matched for joining. This can be achieved by use of a specially constructed jig comprising two parallel, and firmly fixed, vertical plates (at right angles to the plane of the paper on which the diagram is drawn) of width just less than the length of the flat outer surface of each central section, 66UC and 66LC, and taller than the depth of each piece 66U and 66L, and spaced at a distance equal to just greater than the thickness of the central section in its joined state. Two cylindrical rods of diameter equal to that of the circles formed by half-piece line grippers, 61 and 62, and 63 and 64, fixed to the jig, on either side of the vertical plates, can be used to guide, say, the lower piece, 66L, into the upper piece, 66U, whilst half-piece line grippers. 61 and 63, of upper piece, 66U, are held in place by the rods, with the fingers and thumb of one hand pushing the arms 58 and 60, whilst the fingers and thumb of the other hand, push downwards on the central section, 66LC, of piece, 66L, so that it moves downwards and so that its dovetail sections lock into those of upper piece, 66U.

The resultant, assembled combination is shown, in side-elevation. in Figure 24A, and is shown in three-dimensional form, in Figure 24B. The DEP, 66, now has the gripping strength resulting from the restraining spring tension in the spring sections, 67L, 67R, 68L and 68R, as already described with reference to Figures 21 A and 22 A,

Another design, based on the use of a dovetail joint, is shown, in side-elevation, in Figures 25A, and 26A, and in three-dimensional form, in Figures 25B and 26B.

Thus, with reference to Figure 25A, which represents a side-elevation, a DEP, 69, resembles the DEP's already described with reference to Figures, 21A, 22A, 23A, 24 A, 2 IB, 22B, 23B, and 24B, but has an upper piece, 69U containing a central female section, 70C and a lower piece, 69L, containing a central male section, 71C, which engages with section, 70C. Also, its spring loops, 67L, 67R, 68L and 68R, and the arms, 53AU, 54AU, 53AL and 54AL, all have more curvature, representing, more closely, one definitive design for the DEP. With reference to Figure 26A, which represents a side-elevation, it can be seen that the upper piece, 69U, and the lower piece, 69L, of DEP, 69, shown in Figures 25 A and 25B, have effectively been moved towards an imaginary line passing between points 51 and 52, and locked together, and that this has been achieved by sliding the male section, 71C, into the female section, 70C.

Figure 27A, shows, in side-elevation, a variant of the design shown in Figures, 25 A, 25B, 26A and 26B, in which the DEP, 69A, has more solid, central sections, and Figure 27B shows a three-dimensional representation of the DEP, 69A, shown in Figure 27A.

Whilst it is true to say that the DEP's described with reference to Figures 23 A, to 27B, inclusive, will perform well, it must be pointed out that they rely on adequate friction between the dovetail joints, in order to keep one piece from sliding away from the other. Also, whilst it is possible to design the two pieces so that the dovetail "tunnels" are tapered from one end to the other, where the two pieces are no longer similar in the region of the dovetails, and so that one piece has to be forced into the other in order to overcome the resistance to joining resulting from the tapering, more elegant solutions are possible.

These are now described with reference to Figures 28 A, 28B, 29A and 29B.

Thus, with reference to Figure 28A, which represents a side-elevation, and to Figure 28B, which represents a perspective view, a DEP, 69B, resembles DEP's, 66, already described with reference to Figures, 21 A, 22 A, 2 IB, and 22B, but is in one piece, since central sections, 70C (upper) and 71 C (lower) are joined by means of flexible loops, 72L and 72R. Also, the spring loops, 67L, 67R, 68L and 68R, and the arms, 53AU, 54AU, 53AL and 54AL, have more curvature, representing, more closely, one definitive design for the DEP.

With reference to Figure 29A, which represents a side-elevation, and to Figure 29B, which represents a perspective view, it can be seen that the flexibility of loops, 72L and 72R, has allowed central section, 70C of the upper piece, 69U, of DEP, 69B, and central section, 71C, of the lower piece, 69L, to be pushed towards an imaginary horizontal line which passes between points, 51 and 52, and locked in place by means of the shaped, male and female sections, respectively, of the lower and upper central sections, 71 C and 70C, respectively, thereby imparting gripping force to the two pairs of line grippers, 61, 62 (left) and 63, 64 (right).

Thus, the incorporation of the flexible loops, 72L and 72R, allows the whole DEP, 69B, to be moulded or otherwise formed, in one piece, and prevents the upper piece, 69U, from moving in a direction at right angles with the plane of the paper i.e. in a direction which is at right angles with the side-elevation of the DEP, 69B, is shown in Figures 28A and 29 A.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that, since the central sections of the various DEP's described in the foregoing, finish up further away from their respective upper and lower sections, after they have been pushed towards the centre line and locked together, the DEP could be made with smaller vertical dimensions by incorporating depressions in the undersides of the upper and lower sections, provided always, that sufficient strength is retained in these sections for the correct operation of the DEP's.

Whilst the designs incorporating flexible loops, 72L and 72R (see Figures 28A to 29B, inclusive) work adequately, an even more elegant design obviates the need for such loops, by utilising a locking principle based on the incorporation of keyed channels in each upper, and lower, piece, of the DEP, which prevent each piece from moving along two, out of the available, three, directions in space, which are at right angles with one another. These two directions are usually referred to as the x and y directions, for objects whose position is defined by means of Cartesian Rectangular Co-ordinates. The third direction is along the, so-called, z-axis, and movement along this direction can be prevented by the incorporation of various locking methods into the design of the DEP. The simplest of these is a tie made from plastic, metal, or other suitable material, which can be wrapped around the central region between the flexible spring arms of the DEP, and locked, but a more elegant and satisfactory arrangement, involves the formation of interlocking teeth on each of the upper and lower pieces, of the DEP, so that the two pieces can be pushed together and hence locked in place.

The method of interlocking, based on the formation of channels, can be explained by considering the generation of three-dimensional representations of the outline shapes of the central sections of the front and mirror images of the front, of the DEP.

Thus, with reference to Figure 30, which represents a side-elevation of a DEP, 73, which is similar to DEP, 66, shown in Figure 21 A, with the exception of its central section, upper piece, 73UF has central section, 73UFC, and lower piece, 73LF has central section, 73LFC, where lower piece, 73LF, is similar to upper piece, 73UF, as can be seen by rotating upper piece, 73UF through 180 degrees, in the plane of the paper, about its geometric centre and displacing it vertically to the position occupied by piece, 73LF, shown in the diagram.

With reference to Figure 31, which represents a side-elevation of the rear face of DEP, 73, already described with reference to Figure 30, upper piece, 73UR has central section, 73URC, and lower piece, 73L has central section, 73LRC, where lower piece, 73LR is similar to upper piece, 73UR, as can be seen by rotating upper piece, 73UR through 180 degrees, in the plane of the paper, about its geometric centre and displacing it vertically to the position occupied by piece, 73LR, shown in the diagram.

Figures 30 and 31, appear identical because Figure 31 represents the view of DEP, 73, from the rear, and it is to be appreciated that the cross-section changes to its mirror image, halfway through. This is made clearer by reference to Figure 32.

Thus, with reference to Figure 32, generation of the outline shown in Figure 30, rearwards, to a depth equal to half that of the actual three dimensional DEP, 73, to produce an extruded object, and generation of the mirror image of the outline shown in Figure 30, to the same depth, from, and beyond, the rearward limit for the first generation, gives rise to the representation shown in Figure 32, which represents a perspective view. Thus, with reference to Figure 32, the front part, 73UFC, of upper half, 73UF, of DEP, 73, is visible, but the rear part, 73URC (Figure 31) is not- With further reference to Figure 32, the front section, 73LFC, of lower half, 73LF, and, the rear section, 73LRC of DEP, 73, can be seen.

With reference to Figure 33, which represents a perspective view, the upper and lower halves of the DEP, 73, are shown close to one another, ready to be interlocked. The various parts of the DEP, 73, need not be referred to further since the identifying alphanumerics are identical with those already described with reference to Figures 30, 31 and 32.

With reference to Figure 34, which represents a perspective view, it can be seen that the two halves of the DEP, 73, shown in Figure 33, have now been interlocked with one another to give the operational configuration shown and that movement of one piece in relation to the other, in the x and y directions, is impossible. The identifying alphanumerics need not be referred to further, since they are identical with those already described with reference to Figures 30, 31, 32 and 33,

With reference to Figure 35, which represents a side-elevation, the front face of a DEP, 76, which is similar to DEP, 73, already described with reference to Figures, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34, is shown, but instead of the plain-sided interlocking channels possessed by DEP, 73, DEP, 76, has interlocking teeth formed on the inner contact faces of its interlockable channels. These will be described in more detail, with reference to Figures 37 A and 37B, later.

With further reference to Figure 35, DEP, 76, has upper piece, 76UF, containing central section, 76UFC, and lower piece, 76LF containing central section, 76LFC, where lower piece, 76LF, is similar to upper piece, 76UF, as can be seen by rotating upper piece, 76TJF, through 180 degrees, in the plane of the paper, about its geometric centre and displacing it vertically to the position of piece, 76LF, shown in the diagram.

With reference to Figure 36, which represents a side-elevation of the rear face of DEP, 76, already described with reference to Figure 35, upper piece, 76UR has central section, 76URC, and lower piece, 76LR, has central section, 76LRC, where lower piece, 76LR is identical with upper piece, 76UR, as can be seen by rotating upper piece, 76UR through 180 degrees, in the plane of the paper, about its geometric centre and displacing it vertically to the position occupied by piece, 76LR, shown in the diagram.

Figures 35 and 36, respectively, thus show representations of the front, and rear, side- elevations, respectively, of the DEP, 76, in the same way that Figures 30 and 31, respectively, show representations of the front, and rear, side-elevations, respectively, of the DEP, 73.

With reference to Figure 37 A, which represents a side-elevation of an enlarged view of the central sections of the DEP, 76, shown in Figure 35, the central section, 76UFC, of the upper piece 76UF, of DEP, 76, has a male part, 77U, provided with teeth, 78U, on one side- face, and provided with a flat surface, 79U, on the side-face, which is parallel with this toothed face. A three-dimensional channel, 80U, is formed by the space which exists between the toothed face, 78U, and the flat face, 81U, opposite the toothed face, 78U, where the flat face 81U, forms the inner extremity of side element, 82U, of central section, 76UFC.

The central section, 76LFC, of lower piece, 76LF, of DEP, 76, has a male part, 77L, which is provided with teeth, 78L, on one side-face, and provided with a flat surface, 79L, on the other side-face, which is parallel with this toothed face. A three- dimensional channel, 80L, thus exists between the toothed face, 78L, of male part, 77L, and the inner, flat face, 81L, of side element, 82L, of central section, 76LFC.

Thus, when upper piece, 76UF, of DEP, 76, is pushed towards lower piece, 76LF, of DEP, 76, the male part, 77U, of the central section, 76UFC, of upper piece, 76UF, passes into the female part, 80L, of the central section, 76LFC, of lower piece, 76LF, whilst the male part, 77L, of the central section, 76LFC, of lower piece, 76LF, passes into the female part, 80U, of the central section, 76UFC, of upper piece, 76UF. The flexibility of side elements, 82U and 82L, allows each of the pieces, 76UFC and 76LFC, to move sideways slightly, so that the teeth of the interlocking sections do not impede movement of one piece into the other, and so that, when each male part has reached the bottom of the tunnel in the other piece, the teeth engage with one another and are held in contact by the sideways force exerted by the side elements, 82U and 82L. The open, rectangular shaped channels, 83 and 84, respectively, thus receive side elements, 82L and 82U, respectively, and give rise to a continuous smooth surface consisting of pairs of faces, 85U, 85L, and 86U, 86L.

As already described with reference to Figures 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34, the incorporation of interlocking channels which reverse laterally, half way into the DEP, prevents the upper piece, 76UF, from moving in relation to the lower piece, 76LF, so that the whole DEP, 76, is now firmly held together.

Since the cross-section of the DEP, 76, reverses, half way into its depth, the appearance of a cross-section of the central section, of the DEP, 76, from the rear, is identical with that seen from the front. This is shown as object, 87, in Figure 37B, where the central section, 76URC, of DEP, 76, is shown above the central section, 76LRC, of DEP, 76.

It is pointed out, with respect to the foregoing, that for ease of interpreting the diagram, the angle of inclination, with respect to the horizontal, of the hypotenuse faces of the teeth, 78U and 78L, referred to with reference to Figure 37 A, is shown lower than might be used in practice; the most suitable angle depends on a compromise being reached between the minimum desired sideways movement and the maximum desired locking strength.

Figure 38 shows a three-dimensional representation of DEP, 76, shown in Figure 35.

With reference to Figure 39, which represents a side-elevation, a DEP, 88, resembles DEP, 66, already described with reference to Figures 21 A, 2 IB, 22A and 22B, but has three pairs of line grippers on either side of the central sections, 88UC (upper) and 88LC (lower). Left, and right, half loops, 89L, and 89R, respectively, of upper piece, 88U. are joined by a central section, 88UC, and left, and right, half loops, 90L, and 90R, respectively, of lower piece, 88L, are joined by central section, 88LC. Spring arms, 53AU and 53AL, provide the gripping force which allows pairs of line grippers, 61, 62; 91, 92, and 95, 96, which are on the left hand side of DEP, 88, to function, whilst spring arms, 54AU and 54AL, provide the gripping force which allows pairs of line grippers, 63, 64; 93, 94, and 97, 98, which are on the right hand side of DEP, 88, to function. Other parts are identical in function with those already described with reference to Figures 22 A and 22B. It can thus be readily seen how the DEP, 88, can provide means for clamping sets of cables to one another and that, by altering the relative sizes of the line grippers, different sizes of cable can be accommodated. It is important to note that either pair of jaws can be opened by moving one, or both, operating arms whilst the other pair of jaws remains closed around an object.

Figure 40 shows a three-dimensional representation of the DEP, 88, described with reference to Figure 39 and the identifying alphanumerics are identical, so need not be referred to, further

It is pointed out that the line grippers, referred to with reference to Figures 39 and 40, could be designed so that ribbon cables could be held in them on either or both sides of the DEP and that any reasonable number of pairs of line grippers could be incorporated into the design provided, always, that the design was consistent with the correct operation of the DEP as already explained, and with not causing damage to the cables, etc., which it holds and makes tidy.

As a direct consequence of the development of the double-ended peg/clamp, single ended pegs/clamps have been developed. Thus, with reference to Figure 41 A, which represents a side-elevation, a single-ended peg (SEP) 99, consists of an upper piece, 100, which is in contact with lower piece, 101, at fulcrums point, 102, and at gripping regions, 103, and 104. The arrangement is such that the piece, 100, can be joined to piece, 101, by means of interlocking regions, 105 (upper) and 106 (lower) which resemble central regions, 76UFC and 76LFC, respectively, of DEP, 76, already described with reference to Figures 35, 37A, 37B, and 38, where each region has sets of teeth which interlock with one another in the same way that the sets of teeth, 78U and 78L, of DEP, 76, interlock Spring arms 107 (upper) and 108 (lower) which resemble arms 53 AU and 53 AL, of DEP, 66, already described with reference to Figures 21 A, 2 IB, 22 A and 22B, serve to pull the two pieces, 100 and 101, towards one another when regions 105 and 106 are interlocked with one another, and curved line grippers, 109 (upper) and 110 (lower) serve to grip, for example, the clothes and clothes-line, inside the space, 111.

In order to prevent the upper piece, 100, from moving depth-wise, in relation to the lower piece, 101, interlocking channels, not shown, resembling those having profiles, 73LFC and of its mirror image, already first described with reference to the DEP, 73, shown in Figures 30, 31, 32 and 33, are formed as part of the region behind the profiles of regions, 105 and 106, shown in Figure 41 A.

Opposing forces applied at operating arms, 112 (upper) and 1 13 (lower) respectively, which resemble arms, 59, and 60, respectively, of the various DEP's already referred to with reference to Figures 19A through 40, allow the jaws, 1 14, and 115, respectively, of SEP, 99, to be opened against the restoring forces in the spring arms, 107 and 108, respectively.

Figure 41B shows a perspective view of SEP, 99, shown in Figure 41 A

With reference to Figure 42, which represents a side-elevation, an SEP, 99B, resembling SEP, 99, already referred to, with reference to Figures 41 A and 4 IB, is shown. Since this SEP is similar to SEP, 99A, with the exception of its interlocking regions, the parts which are similar to those of SEP, 99, are identified by means of the same alphanumerics and need not be referred to, further. Thus, with further reference to Figure 42, interlocking regions, 1 16 (upper) and 1 17 (lower) each have two sets of teeth, but instead of the channels already referred to with reference to Figure 41 A and 41B, flexible loop, 1 18, which joins upper piece, 1 16, with lower piece, 1 17, prevents depth-wise movement of one piece in relation to the other in a manner similar to that already described with reference to Figure 28A.

With reference to Figure 43 A, which represents a side-elevation, SEP, 99 A, is shown in its interlocked configuration, in which regions- 116 and 117. have been interlocked - with one another, and it can be seen that flexible loop, 118, has now been bent into a tighter configuration.

Figure 43B shows a perspective view of SEP, 99A.

With reference to Figure 44, which represents a perspective view, an SEP, 1 19, resembles SEP, 99 A, shown in Figure 42, in that it has interlocking regions, 120 (upper) and 121 (lower) respectively, which are similar to regions 116 and 117, respectively, of SEP, 99 A, but it has no flexible loop, 118. In this configuration, it must be assumed that the flexible loop, 118, has been replaced by the interlocking channels already referred to with reference to Figures 41 A and 41 B. It can be seen that the jaws, 122 (upper) and 123 (lower) are of a different shape, which is such that they are curved, in a similar a manner to that characteristic of pliers. Figure 45, shows a three-dimensional representation of SEP, 1 19A, which resembles SEP, 119, shown in Figure 44, but which has greater height.

Figures 46 and 47, respectively, show three-dimensional representations of SEP's, 119B and 119C, respectively, which resemble DEP's, 119 and 119A, respectively, but which have flat-faced jaws, 124 and 125, respectively, whose faces are defined as 124F and 125F, which allow generally flat objects to be held in them Variants of these designs have the flat-faced jaws inclined at an angle with the horizontal such that when the jaws are opened to a predetermined distance apart, the flat faces are generally parallel with one another so that they can grip generally flat objects which correspond in thickness, to this distance apart. Other variants have stepped jaws, which enable the DEP to hold objects which vary in thickness.

It is pointed out that, because of the presence of two sets of teeth, which might prove difficult to interlock under certain conditions, in SEP, 99 A, it is pointed out that the flexible loop, 1 18, might be better utilised in a design whose central sections resemble those of DEP, 99, shown in Figures 41 A and 41B. This reasoning also applies to the SEP's, 119, 119A, 119B and 119C, described with reference to Figures 44 to 47, inclusive With reference to Figure 48, which represents a side-elevation, a DEP, 126, resembling DEP, 66, already referred to with reference to Figure 22A, has a lower piece, 126L which resembles lower piece, 66L, shown in Figure 22 A, and an upper piece, 126U, which resembles upper piece, 66U, of DEP, 66, but has shorter operating arms, 57S (left) and 59S (right) which can be compared with arms 57 and 59, respectively, of DEP, 66. It is pointed out that, for ease in interpreting the diagram via cross- referencing to other diagrams, the various parts of DEP, 126, which resemble those referred to with reference to Figure 22A, have retained their identifying alphanumerics, or parts of them, where appropriate.

With further reference to Figure 48, the central sections, 126UC (upper) and 126LC (lower) respectively, can be compared with sections. 66UC and 66LC, respectively, of DEP, 66. This particular DEP is designed to provide means for holding objects whilst the lower piece, 126L, rests on a firm base, e.g. a workbench or desk, where the arrangement lends itself to easier operation of the arms, 57S and 59S, because the force required to open the jaws created by line grippers, 61, 62 (left) and 63, 64 (right) is downwards and hence assisted by the weight of the operator and gravity. Whilst this arrangement can be used to hold any conceivable objects having shapes and dimensions which suit the dimensions and shapes of the jaws, which can, themselves, be designed appropriately in any suitable shape or size, it is particularly useful for holding wires, cables, tubes, rods, etc., in a tidy and secure arrangement whilst assembly jobs involving such items directly or indirectly as parts of other equipment, are carried out.

Figure 49 shows a three-dimensional representation of a DEP, 126, shown in Figure 126.

With reference to Figure 50, which represents a perspective view, a DEP, 126 A, resembling DEP, 126, shown in Figures 48 and 49, has holes, 127 (left) and 128 (right) respectively, moulded, drilled, or otherwise formed, in the operating arms, 58 (left) and 60 (right) of the lower piece, 126L, so that the whole DEP, can be held firmly to the workbench or desk, etc., by means of nuts and bolts or studs, thereby enhancing its use in connection with the tasks already referred to with reference to Figures 48 and 49. Whilst smooth internal contours to the holes, 127 and 128, will allow the use of threaded, or partially threaded, bolts or studs, together with appropriate nuts, the provision of threads inside the holes will allow the DEP to be bolted to a larger and if desired, heavier, base plate, or directly to a custom designed, working base, having pre-drilled and threaded mounting holes. It is also possible for the DEP, 126 A, to be held to the workbench or desk, by means of custom designed adhesive systems, e.g. one based on double sided adhesive, where the protective cover on one side of a section of double-sided tape, can be removed to allow it to be fixed to the underside of the lower piece, 126L, and where the protective cover on the other side of the tape can be removed when it is desired to fix the DEP, 126A, to a suitable supporting surface.

With reference to Figure 51 , which represents a perspective view, a DEP, 127, has an upper piece, 127U, which resembles upper piece, 126U of DEP, 126, already described with reference to Figures 48 and 49, but which is shallower depth, and a lower piece, 127L, which resembles lower piece, 126L, of DEP, 126, but which is deeper in depth. Central sections, 127UC and 127LC, respectively, resemble sections, 126UC and 126LC, of DEP, 126, but are, respectively, shallow and deeper, respectively, than these latter sections.

With further reference to Figure 51 , it can be readily seen how objects can be clamped between the line grippers, 61, 62 (left) and 63, 64 (right) whilst allowing exposed, but nevertheless supported, regions of these objects, to be seen and worked upon. The provision of clamping holes and/or adhesive systems, as already described with reference to Figure 50, will allow the DEP, 127, to function as a convenient and effective device for assembly, inspection and experimentation, as already described for DEP, 126A.

The incorporation of magnetic, and/or magnetisable material into the design of the DEP's or their manufacture in magnetisable material, or anyway, magnetically attractable material, allows the DEPs to be used as a convenient device for assisting work on objects, or parts of objects, e.g. a ship, since, once located on the object, e.g. a ship's hull, inside or outside, tools or other objects/equipment can be held. For instance, paintbrushes could be temporarily clamped to the surface of a ship or bridge, whilst it is being painted

It is pointed out that specially designed DEP's could be used for working on and/or holding together, uninsulated wires, provided always, that the DEP's were of sufficient insulating strength and sufficiently safely designed and manufactured to allow safe use in this way.

With reference to Figure 52, which represents a side-elevation, a DEP, 66A, resembling DEP, 66, already described with reference to Figures 21 A and 21B, is shown in three-dimensional form, and it can be seen that its depth is greater than that of DEP, 66, shown in Figure 21B Figure 53, shows, in perspective a variant of DEP, 66A, which has even greater depth, and this DEP can be used, for instance, for sealing bags or envelopes or holding papers, leaflets, etc., or as a general "desk-tidy"

With reference to Figure 54A, which is intended to assist interpretation of Figure 54B, and which contains a side-elevation of a DEP, 66, already referred to with reference to Figure 22A, the various parts identified by means of alphanumerics, have already been described and therefore need not be referred to again

Thus, with reference to Figure 54B, which represents a perspective view, three DEP's, 66R, 66S, and 66T, which resemble DEP, 66, shown in Figure 54A, are shown holding display cards such that, DEP, 66R, holds page 128 of a display set containing pages, 128, 129, 130 and 131, DEP, 66S, holds page, 131 of this set as well as page 132, of a display set containing pages, 132, 133, 134 and 135, whilst DEP, 66T, holds page 135 of this latter set The bottom edges of the cards, and the flat bases of the DEP's, all lie on a flat surface so that it can be readily seen, how any number of such display cards, which could, for instance, be Christmas, or Birthday, cards, can be held in stable equilibrium

It can also be seen how the use of DEP's on each page of a card set, can allow a three- dimensional arrangement to be quickly assembled and disassembled and that the angle of opening of pages can be adjusted for convenience of viewing It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the clamping arrangement for holding together, the upper and lower pieces of the various DEP's, described in many of the examples given, has not been shown, but that the basic configuration which is shown, could have any of the range of different means for holding the two parts together which have already been described; the aim has been to make the description easier by using the same basic design to exemplify basic features.

Applications for double-ended pegs/clips/clamps, which are applicable to the variants described in the foregoing:

The functional features of the DEP can be part of a semi-permanent or permanent structure in which parts are removable or non-removable.

The DEP can be used to hold a torch or lamp e.g. in a cave or mine, and in underwater applications where the material of construction would be such that it could withstand the ambient conditions.

The DEP can also be used in a fishing environment where, for instance, a bell or lamp could be attached to one set of jaws, whilst the other set of jaws was used to attach the DEP. and hence the bell or lamp, to a fishing rod or other object, where the bell or lamp was used as a bite indicator or where the lamp was used for general lighting purposes. A DEP attached to a lamp or other indicating device, could also be attached to a float. The DEP could also be used for attaching objects to a bicycle.

The DEP can be used to hold chromatographic columns and other objects, in chromatographic equipment installations, where the ease of fitting and removal is important. Where temperatures above ambient, are to be encountered/tolerated, it is recommended that the DEP be designed so that it can withstand such temperatures; many application s for chromatography involve the use of e.g. nylon tubing and the DEP thus affords particularly useful means for fitting and removal of such tubing.

The DEP will also be generally useful for holding pressure tubing, in installations involving the transportation of gases e.g. the distribution of gases in laboratories, whether permanent or mobile, and the holding of gas tubing on vehicles, etc. It can also be used for holding pipettes and general glass equipment/objects, or equipment/objects of other construction, in a laboratory environment.

The DEP could also be used as part of a door hinge in a cupboard, or on other doors.

The principles embodied in the DEP can be applied to equipment used to aid mountain climbing, camping, and caravanning. It can also be used to hold filmstrips and film processing materials during drying or processing. A further application for the DEP is as a hinge for holding together the parts of a clothes drying frame or any other whole frame or sub-frame or assembly. Here, each part of the frame is held in the jaws at one end of the DEP, and there can be as many DEP's as is required for stability. An extension of this concept is to use the principles of the DEP in a building system in which each DEP is designed so that it has modifications to its shape which allow one DEP to be interlocked with another. When the modifications are on the side-faces of the DEP, for instance, the formation of shaped raised areas on one side-face and the formation of shaped depressions on the other side-face, will allow two or more DEP's to be interlocked with one another to make their use more versatile; they can and then be subsequently separated from one another, as desired. This interlocking can, of course, occur via any of the surfaces of the modified DEP and with careful design of the jaws, the ends or other parts of the operating arms of a DEP can be gripped by the jaws of another DEP, thus allowing walls, frameworks, etc., to be built thereby affording means for building new structures on any scale which can be dismantled as desired.

Another application involves the use of the DEP's, or clamps/clips, to hold cables and wires, etc., where each pair of jaws can hold a single object or has sufficient capacity via its shape and design, to hold more than one object, e.g. in side-by-side, orientation. These methods of use allow application to, holding, HI-FI, hospital equipment, telephone, television, radio, general electrical and electronic, vehicle, aircraft, etc., cables or wires, to a secure location, or to one another. Where the DEP's are designed with proper insulation, they can be used for holding live cables, in experimental and control testing, etc., applications. They can also be used to enable one secure cable or wire, or object, to hold another cable or wire or object, to itself, e.g. where a cable or object is itself at a safe distance from a hazard such as a hot radiator, a DEP can be used to allow that cable or object to keep another cable or object at the same safe distance from the hazard by allowing it to be attached to the cable or object by means of a DEP.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing that, by incorporating these means for attaching DEP's and SEP's to one another, in any combination, in any one of many orientations, the width or height of a single DEP or SEP, can be increased as a consequence of combining DEP's and SEP's in these ways. Where the DEP's are designed to hold cables, wires, rope, string or cord, etc., the use of spacers when joining join the DEP's to one another, provides means for maintaining a tidy arrangement where the cables, or wires, are, for instance, used on hospital equipment.

The incorporation of particular colours and/or alphanumerics, and or other identifying shapes and visible features, into the designs of the DEP's and double-ended clamps/clips, whether manufactured as such or modified afterwards, will provide easier and quicker means of identification of objects, e.g. cables, held by them. This can be particularly useful in computer, and telephone, installations, and it is pointed out that the DEP could be used on telephone handsets and telephone hardware in general, either when used in vehicles, in the home or in the office.

Another application is for holding a writing implement on a telephone cable or handset or general piece of telephone hardware or computer hardware e.g. a laptop computer, or for example, for holding pages whilst entering details from them into a computer. The DEP can also be used to advantage in any equipment, which is involved in space exploration or occupation, where the need to secure objects and release them easily, is particularly important because of the lack of gravity.

Where a cable is of a particular cross-section and size, it is recommended that the DEP be designed so that its jaws can grip such a cable without damage. Special designs of DEP can therefore hold ribbon cables, which are flat and wide in proportion to their height and telephone cables, which tend to have a flat contour with rounded sides.

The DEP can be used in a skiing environment for use in holding, gloves or goggles, to ski sticks or clothing.

In the kitchen, the DEP can be used to hold cloths, etc., anywhere in any location where the cloth, etc., can be clipped via the DEP to another object or part of an object. When provided with an in-built magnet or when attached to a magnet, the DEP can be used to attach lists, notes, etc., to a fridge. The DEP can also be used to hold photographs and pictures.

The DEP also has general application in the office or home, when using a computer, or typewriter, or when reading a book or magazine, etc.

The DEP can also be used to hold identity cards, etc., and ornaments/badges to clothing, e.g. a pocket or a tie, for conference and exhibition purposes, or for holding other objects attached to the body, or held on the body e.g. a rucksack. The incorporation of, for example, cylindrical shaped protrusions and circular depressions, on the jaws of the DEP, for example those resembling the shapes of the teeth of a ticket punch used for cancelling tickets, will allow easier fixing of e.g. conference badges, etc., to the lapel, etc., of a coat, where the existence of such shaped jaws at both ends of the DEP will allow easier fixing to both objects.

The DEP can also be used to hold advertising material of any kind, e.g. in shops, restaurants, etc.

The DEP affords convenient means for holding sheet, or book, music on music stands or on other objects, even musical instruments themselves, e.g. on a trumpet or clarinet, etc., and it can also be used to extend shelves or attach objects to shelves.

The DEP also has applications in sailing where cords and ropes are handled and need to be releasablv secured. The DEP can also be used as an auxiliary aid to the use of clothes hangers and in a clothing environment in general

A further use for the DEP is as part of a collection of custom designed DEP's, which constitute a tool rack. It can also be used to create or extend the cover from the Sun, afforded by a Sunblind, or to extend cover from any other source of radiation.

Where delicate, or generally damageable, objects are to be held by the jaws of the DEP, it is recommended that the DEP be designed so that its surfaces have smooth contours. This can also be important for preventing damage to users, and to objects, which could come into contact with the DEP Such smooth contouring can also limit any tendency for DEP's to become tangled up with one another and with other objects or pegs, clips, etc.

A yet further application for the DEP is for temporarily sealing packages or packets or bags of any kind. Permanent sealing is possible via use of designs of DEP, which utilise locking principles at one of the pairs of jaws

Special designs of DEP can be used in plumbing where objects need to be temporarily fixed to tubing, which is of generally large diameter

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the jaws of the DEP can be designed so as to allow their shape and size to be adjusted so that objects of varying size and shape, can be held by them. The jaws can, for instance, be designed so that they can hold objects of circular, or square, cross-section e.g. an umbrella or walking stick, to a secure location, or so that they can provide means of attachment of objects to such objects, or to other objects, for example, prams, pushchairs, etc. The DEP can also be designed so that the length of the central section is minimised so that the overall length of the DEP is thereby minimised.

An important adjunct to these observations about the shape of the jaws of the DEP is that, because parallel, flat-faced jaws, of a DEP will be inclined at a particular angle with respect to one-another when the jaws of the DEP are opened, there will be a tendency for the DEP to slip away from the object which is to be gripped or to which the DEP is to be attached, due to the restoring force in the spring loops characterising the design of the DEP, not acting in a direction which is roughly at right angles with the outer surface of the gripped object. The jaws in DEP's intended for use in certain applications should therefore have their flat, or generally flat, faces, inclined inwards so that when the jaws are opened, these flat faces become parallel or roughly parallel and therefore do not tend to slip away from the gripped object.

Special designs of DEP can have their jaws shaped so that, with one jaw of a pair, flat, and the other, v-shaped, the closed arrangement produces a triangular shaped combination.

As a further adjunct to these observations it is to be noted that the DEP could be designed so that auxiliary jaws could be fitted over the jaws of the manufactured product, so that the DEP could hold objects of particular sizes and/or shapes.

Other forms of double-ended peg:

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that, notwithstanding the methods of achieving double-endedness in pegs, as already described, another variant which achieves the same result, involves joining two single-ended pegs (SEP's) or two double-ended pegs, in a back-to-back configuration, where the pegs can be either of conventional design or designed according to the new principles for single-ended and double-ended pegs, already described in this account.

The simplest means of connection is by means of two lengths of rubber or other flexible, tubing, where each length joins an adjacent arm of one of the two pegs. Provided that the tubing is a tight fit onto each operating arm of the pair of pegs, the flexibility of the combined arrangement will allow the user to press inwards on the rubber tubing at points opposite to one another, between each operating arm. Variants of this principle involve specially constructed connectors which allow the two SEP's to be connected to one another whilst providing flexibility in operation and durability in use

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that ease of use of the SEP's and DEP', descπbed, can be further improved by incorporating specially shaped, open or, closed-but-easily-openable, loops, into their design This will allow them to be slipped over e g a clothes-line, until required for use, and easily removed for use The loops could be formed on any or all of the operating arms of the SEP's and DEP's

It is to be noted that, in the foregoing account, the dimensions of usable designs of the invention described would be those characteristic of conventional clothes pegs, but that there is no limit to the dimensions, relative or absolute, of any of the designs descπbed, provided that the operating principles apply It is also to be noted that, unless the particular application referred to, involves pegs in particular, it must be assumed that the term DEP has been used in a general, way for brevity, and that clips, clamps, etc , are also implied

Finally, it is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the following terms, each terminated with a semi-colon to separate one from the next, are to be considered as Trade Marks and/or trading/marketing names, relating to the various potential products resulting from exploitation of the invention,

DOUBLE-ENDED PEG, DEP, ESEE PEG, EESEE PEG, DOUBLE-ENDED CLIP, DUPLIPEG, DUPLICLIP, ESEECLIP, EESEECLIP, TWOCLIP, TWO-CLIP, TOCLIP, TO-CLLP, TOOCLIP, TOO-CLIP, BI-CLLP

Other variants of these above names can involve combinations of these words with, or without hyphenation, with one-another, or with the following other words

CLAMP, TIE, CATCH, GRIP, GRIPPER, LOCK, LOCKER, DOUBLE JAWED, DOUBLE MOUTHED, DOUBLE ACTING, DOUBLE OPENING

Claims

1. A clamping arrangement, which includes means whereby the clamping strength of the arrangement, can be created after manufacture of constructional parts of the said arrangement.

2. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 1, which includes means whereby the said clamping strength can be achieved by adjustment of first and second constructional parts in relation to one-another.

3. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said first part can be connected to the said second part after moving the said first part towards the said second part against the restraining forces offered by structural elements of the design of the said clamping arrangement, thereby giving rise to compressive forces at the clamping jaws of the arrangement.

4. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said method of connection involves the use of adhesive.

5. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said adhesive is in the form of double-sided adhesive tape and wherein a length of such tape is first attached to the first said part of the arrangement, with a protective layer existing over a part of the adhesive layer which is to be subsequently exposed and brought into intimate contact with the surface of the second said part of the arrangement, and wherein, when the said protective layer is subsequently removed, thereby exposing the adhesive, the two said parts can be joined to one-another.

6. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said first part, is connected to the said second part, by means of ultra-sound welding techniques.

7. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said first part can be connected to the said second part, by means of a nut, bolt, and washers, arrangement.

8. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said first part can be connected to the said second part by external means.

9. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the said external means is at least one tie-wrap which can be locked and unlocked or which can be permanently locked when wrapped around the arrangement-

10. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the said external means has elastic properties.

1 1 A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said external means is at least one spring.

12. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said first part can be connected to the said second part, as a consequence of the particular design of each part.

13. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the said first part has at least one male part and the said second part has at least one female part, and wherein the said male part is designed to fit into the said female part so that the two said first and second parts, are held in contact with one-another, and cannot move in relation to one-another in the so-called, "X" and "Y" directions in space, as defined according to the Rectangular Coordinate System, and such that depth-wise movement along the "Z" direction, of the said first part, in relation to the said second part, is limited by friction between the male and female parts.

14. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the said first part is pushed in the "Y" direction into the said second part and wherein parts of the structure of at least one part are then temporarily displaced in order to join and hold the two said parts together, whereupon, such said parts of the structure then return to their undisturbed state, with the consequence that, depth-wise movement, along the "Z" direction, of the first said part in relation to the second said part, is then limited by friction, and so that movement of the first said part in relation to the second said part, along the "X" and "Y" directions, is prevented.

15. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the said first part is slid into the said second part, in a depth-wise fashion, along the "Z" direction, in order to join and hold the two parts together.

16. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the said first part is provided with a set of dovetail joints, and the said second part is provided with a similar set of dovetail joints, such that one set of joints can be fitted into the other set in order to hold the two parts together, and wherein the dovetail nature of the joints prevents movement of one part in relation to the other in the "X" and "Y" directions and wherein friction, prevents depth-wise movement in the so-called, "Z" direction.

17. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the said first and second parts are each provided with male protrusions and female channels which engage with one-another and wherein the channels and protrusions are provided with engaging teeth so that the movement of the first said part, in relation to the second said part, in the "X" and "Y" directions, is prevented by the channels and the teeth, once the two said parts have been totally engaged with one-another, and wherein movement in the "Z" direction is limited by friction.

18. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the said first and second parts are designed so that when the two parts are joined, the first said part cannot slide, depth-wise, along the "Z" direction, and cannot move sideways, along the "X" direction, in relation to the second said part.

19 A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 18, wherein the said design is such that the two said, first and second parts, are each provided with channels and protrusions which engage with one-another when the two parts are joined

20 A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 19, wherein the engaging channels and protrusions are provided with engaging teeth which, together with the said channels and protrusions, prevent the said two parts from moving away from one- another, in any direction, once they have been interlocked

21 A clamping arrangement claimed in claim 17, wherein the said design is such that the said first and second parts are joined loosely to one another by means of flexible loops which prevent depth-wise movement, along the "Z" direction, of one part in relation to the other but which allow the said first part to be moved towards the said second part in the "Y" direction, so that the two said parts can be locked to one another, the arrangement then being such that one said part cannot move in relation to the other, said part, in any direction

22 A clamping arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, inclusive, wherein the two said parts are physically separate from one another when the arrangement is manufactured

23 A clamping arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, inclusive, wherein the design is such that either, i) the said first and second parts can be so similar in their region of interconnection, that the arrangement can be constructed, either from the interconnection of two such said parts, which can be manufactured i) solely from one design of mould, or ii) from different designs of mould which have the same shape in the interconnecting regions, or, ii) from the interconnection of sub-parts of one construction

24 A clamping arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the two said parts are physically joined loosely to one-another when the said arrangement is manufactured

25. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claims 1 to 24, inclusive, wherein various parts of the construction are specifically designed to aid use in particular applications.

26. A double-ended clamping arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25, inclusive, which has two sets of clamping jaws, which can be operated by means of two pairs of arms acting about two pairs of fulcrums.

27. A double-ended clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 26, wherein the two said sets of clamping jaws are held closed by means of two sources of clamping stren╬╡th.

28. A double-ended clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 27, including two, alternately operable, sets of clamping jaws, wherein the means for implementing the said clamping strength, is such that, upon increasing the loading on a part, or parts, of a first set of the said two sets of clamping jaws, the clamping effect, at a second set of the said, two sets of clamping jaws, is reduced.

29. A double-ended clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 28, wherein the two alternately operable sets of said clamping jaws for holding and releasing objects, are such that a first object can be held by a first set of jaws of said two sets of jaws, under the clamping action of a first source of clamping strength, of said two sources of clamping strength, and subsequently released from the said first set of jaws by the application of at least one first force having a moment about at least one first fulcrum of said two pairs of fulcrums, which is in contact with at least one second fulcrum of a first fulcrum pair of said two pairs of fulcrums, which forms part of a second set of said two sets of clamping jaws, said first force being applied without interfering with the clamping of a second object held by the second set of jaws of said two sets of jaws, and wherein the second object can be held by the said second set of jaws, under the clamping action of a second source of clamping strength of said two sources of clamping strength, and subsequently released from the said second set of jaws by the application of at least one second force having a moment about at least one third fulcrum, which is in contact with at least one fourth fulcrum, of a second fulcrum pair of said two pairs of fulcrums, which forms part of the first said set of clamping jaws, said second force being applied without interfering with the clamping of the said first object held by the said first set of jaws.

30. A double-ended clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 29, wherein the said first fulcrum pair forming part of the said second set of jaws, lies between the point of application of the said first force and the location of a said second source of said two sources of clamping strength, which holds the said second object within the said second set of jaws, and wherein the said second fulcrum pair forming part of the said first set of jaws, lies between the point of application of the said second force and the location of a said first source of clamping strength of the said two sources of clamping strength, which holds the said first object within the said first set of jaws.

31 A double-ended clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 30, wherein the two said clamping strengths are the same.

32. A double-ended clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 30, wherein the two said clamping strengths are different.

33. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claims 31, or 32, wherein any two of the said operating arms at opposite ends of the said arrangement have their external faces in the same plane, so that the said arrangement can be operated whilst it is resting on, or attached to, a flat surface.

34. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 25, which has one pair of clamping jaws, for holding and releasing objects, which can be operated by one pair of arms acting about one pair of fulcrums, and wherein each arm can be operated in order to release and grip objects, and wherein the said pair of clamping jaws are held closed by means of one source of clamping strength.

35. A clamping arrangement as claimed in claim 33, or 34, wherein, any one, or all, of the said operating arms, is, or are, designed for ease of operation of the said arrangement.

36. A clamping arrangement, as claimed in claim 35, wherein, one first clamping means, is flexibly joined to a second, clamping means, in a back-to-back configuration, wherein first and second pairs of adjacent operating arms of the two said first and second clamping means, are connected to one-another by means of flexible connections, and wherein two of the pairs of outer jaws of the said clamping means, which are then positioned on either side of each connected pair of said two pairs of operating arms, can be operated, simultaneously, by applying forces to the flexible connection between the said connected operating arms.