AU2014100116A4 - Clamps & clamp components - Google Patents

Abstract

In one preferred form of the present invention there is provided a clamp component 10. The component includes two portions 14 that are able to be moved relative to one another to a position in which the portions 14 receive a ball-type end J. of a threaded 5 shaft 18. and provide a clamping surface 20 facing away from the threaded shaft 18. fig.I 20 28 34 14 24 22 20 26 37 16 30 14 28 18 10

Description

1 CLAMPS & CLAMP COMPONENTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to clamps and clamp components. BACKGROUND To THE INVENTION 5 There are a number of clamps available on the market. One such clamp is known as the G-clamp due to the shape of the clamp representing the letter 'G'. Such clamps generally include a frame having two ends. A turntable threaded member generally extends through one of the ends of the frame. The other end of the frame generally provides a clamping abutment that faces an opposing clamping abutment 10 fixed to the upper end of the threaded member. The opposing clamping abutment generally comprises a swivel abutment in the form of a shoe. The shoe forms part of a ball joint with a ball-type end of the threaded member. The lower end of the threaded member generally comprises a grippable member that is able to be readily gripped and turned to either retract or extend the 15 clamping abutment provided on the ball-type end of the threaded member, away from or towards the clamping abutment of the frame. G-type and other clamps are often subject to rugged environments and difficult conditions. It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that 20 the present invention has been developed. The present invention may find application with several forms of clamps. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a clamp component comprising: two portions that are able to be moved relative to one 25 another to a position in which the portions receive a ball-type end of a threaded shaft of the clamp and provide a clamping surface facing away from the threaded shaft.

2 Preferably the two portions provide respective halves of a body that provides the clamping surface facing away from the threaded shaft. Preferably portions comprises semi-circular portions having a number of holes therein. According to a second aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is 5 provided a clamp component comprising: two portions; each portion providing a recess portion for securing a ball-type end of a threaded shaft and including two holes either side of the recess portion; the holes for receiving fastening elements for holding the two portions in a position securing the ball-type end of the threaded shaft thereto. Preferably each portion includes a planar portion for providing a clamping surface; and 10 each recess portion includes a first wall portion for allowing the ball-type end to be received beneath the clamping surface and an opening portion for allowing the threaded shaft to extend therefrom when the ball-type end is received therein. According to a third aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a component for clamp comprising: a body having a number of portions, the 15 portions being able to provide a first condition in which the portions are able to receive a ball-type end of a threaded shaft of the clamp; the portions being able to be moved to a second condition in which the portions hold the ball-type end so as to be secured thereon. Preferably each portion includes: a recess portion for forming a recess for receiving the 20 ball-type end; and at least one hole, the or each hole for receiving a respective fastening element. Preferably the or each hole extends across the portion and the recess is centrally disposed when the portions are secured on the ball-type end of the threaded member. Preferably the portions comprise precisely two portions; the at least one hole of each 25 portion comprising two holes spaced either side of the recess for receiving the ball type end. Preferably the two holes of each portion comprise an unthreaded hole and a threaded hole.

3 According to a fourth aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a clamp component comprising: a body having two portions, the portions being able to provide a first condition in which the portions are able to receive a ball type end of a threaded shaft of the clamp and being able moved to a second condition 5 in which the portions provide a recess that holds the ball-type end to secure the portions thereon. Preferably the clamp component is provided as a shoe of a clamp. It is to be recognised that other aspects, preferred forms and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the present specification including the detailed description, 10 drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In order to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, several preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 15 Figure 1 provides a schematic exploded perspective view of a clamping component according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clamping component forming part of a clamp; Figure 2 provides a schematic perspective view of the clamping component and the clamp shown in Figure 1; 20 Figure 3 provides an enlarged exploded view of the clamping component shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 provides a top cross-sectional view of the accessory shown in Figures 1 to 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 25 It is to be appreciated that each of the embodiments is specifically described and that the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to any specific feature of any one of the embodiments. Neither is the present invention to be construed as being limited to 4 any feature of a number of the embodiments or variations described in relation to the embodiments. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is provided a component 10 for a clamp 12. The component 10 includes two portions 14 that are able to be moved relative to one another to 5 a position in which the portions 14 receive a ball-type end 16 of a threaded shaft 18 of the clamp 12 and provide a clamping surface 20 facing away from the threaded shaft 18. The portions 14 provide two halves 22 that respectively provide a corresponding clamping surface 24. The clamping surfaces 24 provide the clamping surface 20. Referring to Figure 2, the portions 14 provide a body 25 that allows for ready clamping when secured to the 10 shaft 18. Returning to Figure 1, each portion 14 provides a recess portion 26 for securing the ball type end 16 of the threaded shaft 18. Two holes 28 are provided in each portion 14. The holes 28. of each portion 14 are positioned either side of the recess portion 26.. The holes 28 extend in a perpendicular manner to the shaft 18 across the body 25. The holes 28 are 15 able to receive fastening elements 30 forming part of the component 10. The fastening elements 30 extend through the holes 28 to hold the two portions 14 in a secured position holding the ball-type end 16 on the threaded shaft 18. Each portion 14 includes a planar portion that makes up the clamping surface 20. Each recess portion 26 includes a first wall portion 34 for allowing the ball-type end 16 to be 20 received beneath the clamping surface 20. Each recess portion 26 includes an opening 36 for allowing the threaded shaft 18 to extend therefrom when the ball-type end 16 is received therein. The portions 14 are separable to provide a first condition in which the portions 14 are able to receive the ball-type end 16 of the threaded shaft 18. The portions 14 are movable to a 25 second condition in which the portions 14 abut each other to hold the ball-type end 16 so as to be secured thereon. In operation the portions 14 are moved into position over the ball portion 16 to surround the neck portion 3-7 thereof. Referring to Figure 3 each portion 14 includes a face 38 for being brought into a face to face relationship with the face 38 of the other portion 14. The recess portion 36 of each 5 portion 14 provides an opening 40 on the corresponding face 38. The opening portion 36 provides an adjoining opening that is substantially perpendicular to the opening 40. The two portions 14 are identical and provide two halves of the body 25. Referring to Figure 4, the two holes 28 of each portion 14 comprise a first hole 42 and a 5 second hole 44. The first hole 42 provides an abutment 46 for the head of a fastener and the second hole 44 provides a threaded hole. In the component 10 the first holes 42 are each aligned with a respective second hole 44 to allow the corresponding fastener 30 to hold the portions 14 together. The holes 28 and the fasteners 30 extend across the clamping surface 20. The holes 28. and the fasteners 30 are provided in a parallel arrangement. 10 The portions 14 provide a securing recess for the ball-type end 16 and have at least one fastening hole 28 extending laterally across the body 25 formed by the portions 14. Two such holes 28 are provided. The portions 14 are provided as two semi-circular portions 14 that form the body 25 in a cylindrical shape. Each semi-circular portion has at least one hole 28. extending through the 15 semi-circular portion 14 to the corresponding flat face 38 (in a direction across the cylinder). An opening extends around the centre point of the cylinder and opens inwardly to provide a ball-type joint recess. A narrow necked opening is provided to hold the ball type end in position when secured. Another embodiment provides a method of repairing a G clamp that has lost its 'shoe'. The 20 portions 14 are brought together and the fastening elements 30 are secured in position to provide a secure and robust replacement. The component 10 could also could be used in new clamps. The component 10 will allow a user to readily remove and repair the clamping surface. As would be apparent, various alterations and equivalent forms may be provided without 25 departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This includes modifications within the scope of the appended claims along with all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents.

6 There is no intention to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is to be construed beneficially to the applicant and the invention given its full scope. In the present specification, the presence of particular features does not preclude the 5 existence of further features. The words 'comprising', 'including' and 'having' are to be construed in an inclusive rather than an exclusive sense. It is to be recognised that any discussion in the present specification is intended to explain the context of the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that the material discussed formed part of the prior art base or relevant general knowledge in any particular 10 country or region.

Claims (12)

1. A clamp component comprising: two portions that are able to be moved relative to one another to a position in which the portions receive a ball-type end of a threaded shaft of the clamp and provide a clamping surface facing away from 5 the threaded shaft.

2. A component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the two portions provide respective halves of a body that provides the clamping surface facing away from the threaded shaft.

3. A component as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein portions comprises 10 semicircular portions having a number of holes therein.

4. A clamp component comprising: two portions; each portion providing a recess portion for securing a ball-type end of a threaded shaft and including two holes either side of the recess portion; the holes for receiving fastening elements for holding the two portions in a position securing the ball-type end of the threaded 15 shaft thereto.

5. A component as claimed in claim 4 wherein each portion includes a planar portion for providing a clamping surface; and each recess portion includes a first wall portion for allowing the ball-type end to be received beneath the clamping surface and an opening portion for allowing the threaded shaft to 20 extend therefrom when the ball-type end is received therein.

6. A component for clamp comprising: a body having a number of portions, the portions being able to provide a first condition in which the portions are able to receive a ball-type end of a threaded shaft of the clamp; the portions being able to be moved to a second condition in which the portions hold the ball-type end 25 so as to be secured thereon. 8

7. A clamp component as claimed in claim 6 wherein each portion includes: a recess portion for forming a recess for receiving the ball-type end; and at least one hole, the or each hole for receiving a respective fastening element.

8. A clamp component as claimed in claim 7 wherein the or each hole extends 5 across the portion and the recess is centrally disposed when the portions are secured on the ball-type end of the threaded member.

9. A clamp component as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the portions comprise precisely two portions; the at least one hole of each portion comprising two holes spaced either side of the recess for receiving the ball- type end.

10 10. A clamp component as claimed in claim 9 wherein the two holes of each portion comprise an unthreaded hole and a threaded hole.

11. A clamp component comprising: a body having two portions, the portions being able to provide a first condition in which the portions are able to receive a ball type end of a threaded shaft of the clamp and being able moved to a second 15 condition in which the portions provide a recess that holds the ball-type end to secure the portions thereon.

12. A clamp component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 where clamp component is provided as a shoe of a clamp.