WO2007012122A1

WO2007012122A1 - A clamp

Info

Publication number: WO2007012122A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Patrick Healy; Simon Samuel Lyne; Robert Paul Healy; Andrew Gwyn Hyde
Original assignee: Grey Dog Designs Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-27
Filing date: 2006-07-27
Publication date: 2007-02-01
Also published as: EP1912763A1

Abstract

A clamp having two clamping portions, each arranged to hold an item in a fixed location relative to the item held by the other clamping portion. The clamping portions are joined by a connection means having a joint, the joint permitting the connection means to move between at least two configurations. In this way the clamping portions can be fixed in parallel, perpendicular or other desired angular orientation. It is envisaged the clamp will be used for locating two pipes in relative positions whilst being joined by means such as welding.

Description

A CLAMP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamp for fixing two articles in relative positions.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to require two items to be fixed in relative positions to each other. One common example of this is in the connection of pipes. When two pipes are to be connected together, the pipes must be rigidly held adjacent to each other so that they can be fixed in position by means such as plastic welding techniques.

The present invention attempts to provide a clamp to assist in this operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a clamp having a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion, each of the first and second clamping portions being able to releasably attach to items being clamped, the first and second clamping portions being joined by a connection means having a joint, the joint permitting the connection means to move between at least two configurations, wherein the relative position of the first and second clamping portions differs as the connection means moves between configurations. Preferably, the connection means has a first configuration wherein the first and second clamping portions are substantially parallel. More preferably, the connection means also has a second configuration wherein the first and second clamping portions are substantially perpendicular. Still more preferably, the connection has a third configuration wherein the first and

second clamping portions are offset by 45°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp in accordance with the present invention, shown in a first configuration;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clamp of Figure 1 shown in a second configuration;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clamp of Figure 1 shown in a third configuration;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a joint contained in the clamp of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a clamping portion of a clamp in accordance with the present invention showing a secondary clamping portion;

Figure 5a is a perspective view of the secondary clamping portion of Figure 5;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a clamping portion of a clamp in accordance with the present invention having a quick release mechanism shown in a first position; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the clamping portion of Figure 6 shown in a second position. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a clamp 10 having a first clamping portion 12 and a second clamping portion 14. The first clamping portion 12 and the second clamping portion 14 are substantially identical.

Each of the first and second clamping portions 12, 14 comprises a first jaw 16 which is connected to a second jaw 18 about a hinge 20. Each of the first and second jaws

16, 18 is formed from two substantially planar, parallel frame members 22 fixed in parallel relationship to each other by a plurality of pins 24. The frame members 22 of each first jaw 16 are located outside the frame members 22 of the respective second jaw 18.

Each of the first and second jaws 16, 18 has a substantially semi-circular gripping portion 26. The gripping portion 26 of the first jaw 16 is opposed to the gripping portion 26 of the second jaw 18, such that the two gripping portions combine to form a substantially circular gripping region when the clamping member 12, 14 is closed.

The gripping portions 26 include a ridged inner edge 28 to aid in the gripping of curved items such as pipes.

An adjusting means such as a bolt 30 passes between an outermost pin 24a on the first jaw 16 and an outermost pin 24b on the second jaw 18. The bolt 30 passes outside the hinge 20, on the opposite side to the gripping portions 26. Adjustment of bolt 30 causes relative rotation of the jaws 16, 18 about the hinge 20, and thus opens or closes the clamping member 12. The first and second clamping members 12, 14 are thus able to be releasably attached to items such as pipes.

The first and second clamping means are joined by a connection means 32. The connection means 32 has a first portion 34 which extends from an outer face of a frame member 22 of the first gripping portion 16 of the first clamping member 12 in a direction perpendicular to the frame member 22. The connection means 32 has a second portion 36 which extends from an outer face of a frame member 22 of the first gripping portion 16 of the second clamping member 14 in a direction perpendicular to the frame member 22.

The first portion 34 of the connection means 32 is connected to the second portion 36 of the connection means 32 by a joint 38. The joint 38 is shown in an exploded view in Figure 4.

The joint 38 includes a first member 40 having a substantially circular receiving portion 42 and a tangential arm 44. The joint 38 also includes a second member 46 having a substantially circular insertion portion 48 and a tangential arm 50.

The tangential arm 44 of the first member 40 is arranged to engage longitudinally with the first portion 34 of the connection means 32. The tangential arm 50 of the second member 46 is arranged to engage longitudinally with the second portion 36 of the connection means 32.

The insertion portion 48 is complementary in shape to the receiving portion 42, such that the insertion portion 48 can be received within the receiving portion 42. A bolt 52 passes centrally through the receiving portion 42 and the insertion portion 48, and is maintained in position by a nut 54 in order to prevent relative axial movement of the receiving portion 42 and insertion portion 48.

The insertion portion 48 includes two recesses 56 oriented towards the receiving portion 42. The recesses 56 are arranged to receive pins 58 and compression springs

60. The receiving portion 42 has a plurality of shallow recesses (not shown) which are arranged to engage, in use with the pins 58. The shallow recesses are arranged such that the pins 58 are received in the shallow recesses when the first and second members 40, 46 are in particular angular relationship.

Each such angular relationship relates to a configuration of the connection means 32. hi a first configuration, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the tangential arms 44, 50 are substantially parallel and aligned, hi turn, the first and second portions 34, 36 of the connection means 32 are substantially parallel and aligned. As a result, the first and second clamping portions 12, 14 are substantially parallel, and a pipe held within the gripping region of the first clamping portion 12 will be substantially parallel to, and axially aligned with, a pipe of similar diameter held within the gripping region of the second clamping portion 14.

In a second configuration, as shown in Figure 2, the tangential arms 44, 50 are angled

at 90° to each other. In turn, the first and second portions 34, 36 of the connection

means 32 are perpendicular. As a result, the first and second clamping portions 12, 14 are substantially perpendicular, and a pipe held within the gripping region of the first clamping portion 12 will be substantially perpendicular to a pipe of similar diameter held within the gripping region of the second clamping portion 14. hi a third configuration, as shown in Figure 3, the tangential arms 44, 50 are angled at

135° to each other, hi turn, the first and second portions 34, 36 of the connection

means 32 are offset by 45°. As a result, the first and second clamping portions 12, 14

are offset by 45°, and a pipe held within the gripping region of the first clamping

portion 12 will be held at 135° to a pipe of similar diameter held within the gripping

region of the second clamping portion 14. In use, the connection means 32 is moved into a desired configuration, thus bringing the first and second clamping portions 12, 14 into the desired configuration. Two items such as pipes can then be held in the clamping portions 12, 14. In one use of the invention, the pipes can be connected together for instance via plastic welding with the weld being spaced from each of the first and second clamping portions 12, 14.

In some situations, one or both of the items to be clamped may have a diameter smaller than the gripping region defined by the gripping portions 126. Figures 5 and 5a show a further embodiment of the present invention which at least partially ameliorates this problem.

Figure 5 shows a secondary clamping portion 112 positioned within a corresponding clamping portion 12 of a clamp 10. Figure 5a shows the secondary clamping portion 112 alone. The secondary clamping portion 112 comprises a first jaw 116 which is connected to a second jaw 118 about a hinge 120. Each of the first and second jaws 116, 118 is formed from two substantially planar, parallel frame members 122 fixed in parallel relationship to each other by the hinge 120 and opposed pins 124. The frame members 122 of the first jaw 116 are located inside the frame members 122 of the second jaw 118. The frame members 122 of the first jaw 116 are spaced so as to snugly fit between the frame members 22 of the first jaw 16 of the corresponding clamping portion 12. The frame members 122 of the second jaw 118 are spaced so as to snugly fit over the frame member 22 of the second jaw 18 of the corresponding clamping portion 12. Each of the first and second jaws 116, 118 has a substantially semi-circular gripping portion 126. The gripping portion 126 of the first jaw 116 is opposed to the gripping portion 126 of the second jaw 118, such that the two gripping portions combine to form a substantially circular gripping region when the secondary clamping portion 112 is closed. The gripping region formed is substantially smaller in diameter than that of the corresponding clamping portion 12. The gripping portions 126 include a ridged inner edge 128 to aid in the gripping of curved items such as pipes. The first jaw 116 includes an engaging portion 131. The engaging portion 131 comprises a semicircular recess in each of the frame members 122, located at the uppermost point of the first jaw 116, about 90° from the hinge 120. The engaging portion is sized so as to fit over a corresponding pin 24 of the corresponding clamping portion 12.

The secondary clamping portion 112 includes slits 133 in each of the four frame members 122. The slits 133 allow for some minor adjustment of the frame members 122 during engagement with the corresponding clamping portion 12. In order to engage the secondary clamping portion 112 with the corresponding clamping portion 12, the clamping portion 12 is opened, and the secondary clamping portion 112 moved into inside the clamping portion 12. The secondary clamping portion 112 is arranged such that the engaging portion 131 fits over the corresponding pin 24, and the hinge 120 of the secondary clamping portion 112 is located adjacent the hinge 20 of the clamping portion 12. The frame members 122 of the first jaw 116 of the secondary clamping portion 112 fit within the frame members 22 of the first jaw 16 of the clamping portion 12 in a friction fit. The frame members 122 of the second jaw 118 of the secondary clamping portion 112 fit over the frame members 22 of the second jaw 18 of the clamping portion 12 in a friction fit. As the clamping member 12 is opened and closed by the adjusting means, the secondary clamping portion 112 is also opened and closed due to the friction fit.

Figures 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the present invention, where each clamping portion 12, 14 includes a quick release mechanism. hi this embodiment, the second jaw 18 comprises two portions, an inner portion 72 and an outer portion 74.

The inner portion 72 extends from the hinge 20 through about 60° of the gripping

portion 26. It is, in essence, a cut-back version of the second jaw 18 of the first embodiment described above.

The outer portion 74 comprises two frame members 22a, joined by pins 24c, which locate at a near end about the inner portion 72 and complete the gripping portion 26 of the second jaw 18.

The outer portion 74 is connected to the inner portion at the outermost pin 24b. hi this embodiment the pin 24b extends through the inner portion 72 and protrudes on either side of the inner portion 72. The outer portion 74 has apertures which locate about the protruding ends of the pin 24b, and thus can be connected to the inner portion 72 at this location. It will be appreciated that the outer portion 74 can freely rotated relative to the inner portion 72 about the pin 24b.

The quick release mechanism further includes a locking means 76. The locking means

76 comprises an additional pin 78 located at the end of the inner portion 72. The additional pin 78 includes resiliently biased extension portions 80 at each outer end thereof. The extension portions 80 are moveable between an extended position (as shown) in which the extension portions protrude from the sides of the inner portion 72, and a withdrawn position in which the extension portions 80 are located substantially within the additional pin 78. The extension portions 80 are biased towards the extended position.

The outer portion 74 includes a locating aperture 82 located on each frame member 22a. The locating apertures 82 are sized and positioned such that when the outer portion 74 is rotated relative to the inner portion 72 such that the gripping portion 26 is substantially semi-circular, as shown in Figure 6, then the extension portions 80 located within the locating apertures 82 and lock the inner and outer portions 72, 74 in their relative positions. From this locked configuration the clamping portion 12, 14 acts as described in relation to the first embodiment of the invention above. When it is desired to quickly release the clamping portion 12, 14, the extension portions 80 are depressed and the outer portion 74 is permitted to swing freely about the pin 24b. This is shown in Figure 7.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A clamp characterised in that the clamp has a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion, each of the first and second clamping portions being able to releasably attach to items being clamped, the first and second clamping portions being joined by a connection means having a joint, the joint permitting the connection means to move between at least two configurations, wherein the relative position of the first and second clamping portions differs as the connection means moves between configurations.

2. A clamp as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the connection means has a first configuration wherein the first and second clamping portions are substantially parallel.

3. A clamp as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the connection means also has a second configuration wherein the first and second clamping portions are substantially perpendicular.

4. A clamp as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the connection has a third

configuration wherein the first and second clamping portions are offset by 45°.

5. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the joint comprises an insertion portion connected to one of the first and second clamping portions and a receiving portion connected to the other of the first and second clamping portions.

6. A clamp as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the insertion and receiving portions are substantially circular.

7. A clamp as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the connection means extends tangentially to each of the insertion and receiving portions.

8. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that one of the insertion and receiving portions has at least one recess in which a pin is located.

9. A clamp as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the pin is biased outwardly from the recess by a compression spring.

10. A clamp as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, characterised in that the other of the insertion and receiving portions has at least two relatively shallow recesses with which the pin may be engaged.

11. A clamp as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the angular position of the shallow recesses define desired relative angular orientations for the insertion and receiving portions.

12. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the first and second clamping portions include substantially planar, perpendicular frame members.

13. A clamp as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the connection means extends from the first and second clamping portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the frame members.

14. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that each of the first and second clamping portions has a substantially circular gripping region when closed.

15. A clamp as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that each of the first and second clamping portions is comprised of a first jaw and a second jaw which are hinged together, each of the first jaws and second jaws having a substantially semicircular gripping portion.

16. A clamp as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that each gripping portion includes a ridged inner edge.

17. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that at least one of the first and second clamping portions includes a secondary clamping portion.

18. A clamp as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the secondary clamping portion comprises a first jaw connected about a hinge to a second jaw.

19. A clamp as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the first jaw and the second jaw each comprise two substantially planar, parallel frame members connected by at least one pin.

20. A clamp as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that the planar members of the first jaw of the secondary clamping portion are arranged to be received within a first jaw of the first or second clamping portion in a friction fit.

21. A clamp as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, characterised in that the planar members of the second jaw of the secondary clamping portion are arranged to be received outside a second jaw of the first or second clamping portion in a friction fit.

22. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21, characterised in that the secondary clamping portion includes an engaging portion sized to fit over a corresponding pin in a jaw of the first or second clamping portion.

23. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22, characterised in that the secondary clamping portion includes slits to allow minor adjustment of the clamping portion.

24. A secondary clamping portion as defined in any one of claims 17 for 23.

25. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, characterised in that the clamp includes a quick release mechanism associated with at least one of the first and second clamping portions.

26. A clamp as claimed in claim 25, characterised in that the quick release mechanism is associated with a jaw of the clamping portion

27. A clamp as claimed in claim 26, characterised in that the jaw comprises an inner portion hinged to an outer portion.

28. A clamp as claimed in claim 27, characterised in that the inner portion and outer portion can be locked together with a locking means to define a substantially semi-circular gripping portion.

29. A clamp as claimed in claim 28, characterised in that the locking means comprises a pin located within the inner portion, the pin have resiliently biased extension portions at each outer end thereof, the extension portions being arranged to locate within locating apertures of the outer portion.

30. A clamp as claimed in claim 29, characterised in that the extension portions are moveable between an extended position in which the extension portions protrude from sides of the inner portion, and a withdrawn position in which the extension portions are located within the pin.

31. A clamp as claimed in claim 30, characterised in that the extension portions are biased towards the extended position.

32. A clamp having a quick release mechanism as defined in any one of claims 26 to 32.