GB2400842A - Hands free clamping device - Google Patents

Abstract

A hands-free self-tightening clamping device for containers allowing a rotational force to be applied to the container or its lid (8, 9) comprising a base plate (1) carrying at least 2 rotatably mounted eccentrics (2, 3, 4) whose acting surfaces (7) are made from a relatively high-friction material. When the eccentrics are in near proximity to the jar or lid and the jar or lid may be rotated in the appropriate direction, whereby the eccentrics self-tighten and grip the container or lid. Preferably the position of at least one of said eccentrics (2, 3, 4) is moveable to various locations on the base plate thus enabling the device to grip different sizes and shapes of container or lid.

Description

HANDS FREE CLAMPING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a hands-free clamping device to hold containers or their lids securely thereby allowing a rotational force to be applied to them.

Removing screw lids from containers has been a problem for many years. It is well known that containers with screw top lids are often difficult to open due to the amount of force required, not only to twist the lid off but also to hold the container steady whilst the lid is being twisted. Those who find it particularly problematic are those people whose manipulative powers have been compromised by disease, age, amputation or misadventure. This is particularly so for people with restricted movement or reduced strength.

Most known devices of this sort incorporate an adjustable collar of some description, either held by hand or secured to a surface, into which the container is placed or which is placed around the container, then secured by various means with the container's release generally effected by a reverse of the securing procedure. One device ("Belliclamp") requires the user to apply a continuous force, pressing the container between a moveable clamp and an additional fixed clamping surface. Another ("SpillNot"), uses three different cones of high friction material into which the container is lowered until its circumference matches that of the chosen cone.

US Patent 2,064,381 describes a device which is able to clamp the base of a container, eg a glass jar with a screw top lid, thus allowing the person opening the container to use all their strength and dexterity to turn the lid. This device comprises a base plate with an opening which on one side is curved and of a size which makes fairly close contact with one side of the jar and a rotatable arm having a curved or profiled shape which can be rotated to engage with the side of the jar. On applying a turning turn force to the lid (and hence the jar itself) the arm is lightened against the jar and the jar is firmly gripped.

In WO 9315993 there is described a device which is placed onto the screw top lid of a container having from 1 to 3 straight serrated members which lighten and grip the lid when a turning force is applied thereto. This device can deal with a greater variation in diameter than that of US Patent 2,064,381 but the range is still limited.

There are known devices for opening screw tops using well known wrench designs, for example the "Good Grip", "Easy Grip", "Baby Boa", and "MagiTwist" jar openers.

The present invention provides a device for gripping the base of a container while the operator applies a loosening or, in another embodiment, a tightening force to the lid.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for gripping the base of a container comprising a base plate carrying at least 2 rotatably mounted eccentrics whose acting surfaces are made from a relatively high-friction material thus enabling the device to grip a range of containers of different sizes.

The acting surfaces are those which contact and grip the container.

The base plate may be of any shape but typically the shape will be rectangular, triangular or elliptical including square or circular.

In addition the present invention also provides a device for gripping the lid of a container comprising a base plate carrying at least 2 rotatably mounted eccentrics whose acting surfaces are made from a relatively highfriction material thus enabling the device to grip different sizes of lid. Such a device may also comprise a handle attached to the base plate to provide ease of use and mechanical advantage when turning a lid.

The eccentrics may, for example, be cams or be of circular shape with the axis of rotation off centre. The containers are typically of cylindrical shape and have circular screw lids.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device for gripping the base of a container is such that the position of at least one of the eccentrics is moveable to various locations on the base plate thus enabling the device to grip an even greater range of sizes of container. In other arrangements there may be provided other locations to which at least one other eccentric may be moved.

The present gripping devices allow operators to secure a container with extreme ease without having to manipulate a complicated mechanism. All their available manipulative power and leverage can then be directed towards removal or tightening of the lid. Furthermore, removal of the container is also extremely easy and requires no manipulation merely a rotation in the opposite direction.

The device preferably comprises 3 rotatably mounted eccentrics.

In one embodiment each of the eccentrics rotate about a mounting pin passing through both the eccentric and the base. The pin may be gripped lightly by eccentric or base plate but not so strongly that it cannot rotate. Alternatively it could be gripped tightly by either the base plate or the eccentric.

The holes in the base plate may be lined with a collar to protect the holes from wear. Such a collar may be made of metal, hardwood or a plastics material.

Preferably below each eccentric there is a washer or spacer through which the mounting pin passes. This places the eccentric's gripping surface higher than any curvature of the bottom of the jar so that its entire gripping surface is in contact with the straight portion of the sides of the jar.

When the eccentrics are cams they need to be turned over when changing from loosening to tightening mode.

When the eccentrics are circular in shape the device has the advantage that jars may be gripped for tightening or loosening the lid without turning the eccentrics over. When turning the jar to lessen the grip of the device and remove the jar in this form of the device, the operator should not turn it so much that it starts gripping the jar again in the opposite direction - although this will only happen when the jar is at the absolute minimum or maximum size grippable in that configuration of eccentrics. Another advantage of circular eccentrics over cams is that they can accommodate a larger range of jar sizes without resorting to remounting one of them in another location.

The eccentric whose location on the base plate is moveable allows the present device to clamp containers of widely varying size and shape. In practice a series of mounting holes for at least one of the eccentrics is provided in the base plate so that as well as removing cam shaped eccentrics so that the direction of gripping can be reversed, all designs of eccentrics can be repositioned to allow large, small and irregularly shaped containers to be gripped.

In a preferred embodiment the centres of the mounting holes for one or more moveable eccentrics are arranged in a straight line, optionally with a groove in the base plate surface connecting said holes to assist relocation in another hole position by dragging the pin along the groove.

The eccentric surfaces which are adapted to grip the container have a surface having a sufficiently high coefficient of friction chosen so that the eccentric does not slip on the container's surface. Preferably this surface comprises a layer of a high friction material. Examples would include a natural or artificial rubber, rubberised fabric or a plastics material specially made for the purpose. One such material is available from Dycem Ltd. of Bristol. The surface of such materials can be smooth or can be contoured to increase its grip.

Preferably the base plate has means to inhibit it turning as force is applied to the Jar.

A preferred means comprises one or more sucker pads, preferably those which have means for breaking the seal and releasing the sucker pad. Wall hooks having such means are currently commercially available but a custom sucker pad device may also be used. The suckers may be permanently fixed to the base or may be removably mounted in slots cut in the base plate. It may be desirable to provide a number of such slots to accommodate different arrangements of sucker pads to suit its current position on a work surface.

Clearly the sucker pads will only be effective if the surface to which they are being stuck to is smooth and relatively impermeable to air.

The base may not rest perfectly on the raised portion of the pad mount and in this case using 3 to 4 suckers will be needed. Alternatively a similar stabilising effect may be achieved with fewer suckers if the underside of the base plate comprised one or more feet to steady it in use.

Other means for inhibiting turning of the base plate comprise a semipermanent sticky pad or the use of pairs of "Velcro" (trade mark) devices, the latter allowing the device to be removed and replaced on the work surface.

Another example of such means comprises having a base plate with at least one straight side which can be placed against a wall or other vertical surface adjacent the work surface. Turning inhibition is then achieved by placing a straight side of the base plate against a wall and having at least one sucker pad elsewhere on the base plate. Turning inhibition may also be achieved with a stop such as a pin either fixed to the work surface or placed in a purpose made hole in the work surface, so placed that the base plate fits closely between the stop and the vertical surface and in such a location that it prevents the base plate from turning when a rotational force is applied.

Acting together, the eccentrics provide a secure, hands-free, active and self- tightening clamping force at two or more points around the circumference of a container which allows the user to direct all his available effort to unfastening or fastening the lid of the clamped container. The device is best used in conjunction with another embodiment of the present invention described below or with one of the many proprietary lid- unfastening/fastening devices. The present invention is of particular utility for people with limited movement or grip in both hands or to people who have only one hand available.

In use the container is placed more or less centrally between the two or more eccentrics which are then manually or mechanically, for example by a motor or spring means, rotated until in contact with the container's surface. A slight rotation of the container in the direction in which the lid is to be rotated is now all that is needed to clamp it in position. Moreover, it is not necessary for the user to be too precise when placing the container as the design is to some extent self- adjusting because the action of the eccentrics naturally draws the container towards them.

The present device, especially when at least one of the eccentrics is moveable to another position, can accommodate containers of many sizes and different circumference profiles such as square and octagonal bottles or jars.

According to the present invention there is also provided a lid opening device comprising a base plate carrying at least 2 rotatably mounted circular eccentrics whose acting surfaces are made from a relatively highfriction material.

Preferably the lid opening device comprises a handle attached to the base plate, and mounted on the other side of the base plate control means comprising an arrangement of a primary disc or cog and at least 2 secondary discs or cogs which are arranged to coact to hold the rotatably mounted eccentrics in contact with each other at rest by turning the primary disc or cog under the influence of a spring.

The eccentrics may, for example, be cams or be of circular shape with the axis of rotation off centre. Preferably the device comprises 3 rotatably mounted eccentrics.

Preferably the eccentrics may be held in contact, when not in use, by the control means under the influence of spring means. In such a case, in use, the eccentrics must be moved apart sufficiently to fit over the jar lid. In such an embodiment the control means preferably has means for moving the rotatably mounted eccentrics apart.

In a preferred embodiment the secondary discs or cogs are mounted on the same pins as the eccentrics on the other side of the base plate in such a way that they rotate together, the secondary discs or cogs driving the eccentrics.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a plan view of a device according the present invention comprising 3 eccentrics, Fig 2 is a side elevation of the device illustrated in Fig 1, Fig 3 is a plan view of a device according the present invention comprising 3 circular eccentrics, Fig 4 is a plan view of a part of Fig 3 having means to attach it to the work surface.

Fig 5 is a cross section of Fig 4 along the line A - A', Fig 6 is a plan view of Fig 1 with means for inhibiting turning, l Fig 7 is a plan view of a lid rotating device using circular eccentrics, Figs 8 and 9 are side elevations of the lid opening device illustrated in Fig 7.

Figs 10 and 11 are plan views of lid rotating devices according to the present invention.

Fig 1 shows a rectangular base plate (1) having mounted thereon three eccentrics (2, 3, 4) rotatably mounted on the base plate (1) by means of pins (5) each of which pass through holes (10) having a collar (11) in the base plate. The base plate may be made of wood, laminate, or the like. Other similar mounting holes (6) for said pins (5) are present in the base plate so that eccentric (3) can be mounted therein to accommodate different sizes and shapes of container. The edge of each eccentric in its curved portion (7) is covered with a layer of a high friction plastics material obtained from Dycem Ltd. of Bristol. A groove (13) located in the upper surface of the base plate allows eccentric (3) and its mounting pin (5) to be moved and located in the next hole by dragging it down the groove. Preferably below each eccentric there is a washer or spacer (12) through which the pin (5) passes.

As shown in fig 2 the eccentrics (2,3) are mounted on the base plate (1) by means of pins (5). The pins (5) are shown passing through a collar (11) mounted inside the hole (10) and which protects the hole from wear. The collar (11) may be made of metal or a plastics material. The jar (8) has a lid (9) which can be removed once the jar has been clamped in position.

In use, a jar (8) with a screw lid (9) is placed in the space bounded by the eccentrics and the eccentrics are moved into approximate contact with it either by hand or by some mechanism, for example, a motor. As the lid of the jar (9) is rotated anticlockwise (as indicated by the arrow) to unscrew it, the eccentrics automatically tighten on the jar allowing the lid to be removed using one or two hands without having to hold the jar as well. After the lid has been removed, rotating the jar clockwise will immediately release it.

If it is desired to use the device to hold a jar while screwing the lid on, the eccentrics (2, 3 & 4) are removed from the base plate, turned over and replaced onto their mounting pins (5). The eccentrics will then tighten when the jar is rotated clockwise.

Fig 3 shows a circular base plate (14) having mounted thereon three eccentrics comprising a circular member (15,16,17) mounted onto the base plate by eccentrically placed pins (18) which pass though holes (19) lined with a collar (20). The working surfaces of the eccentrics (21) are covered with a high friction material. On the upper surface of the base plate underneath the eccentrics there are spacer washers (22) having the pin (18) passing through them. There is provided an additional hole (23) for mounting one of the eccentrics to accommodate larger jars and a surface groove (24) to make relocating the eccentric easier.

In use a jar is placed in between the eccentrics (15,16,17) which may then be placed lightly in contact with the jar manually or mechanically, in one of two configurations depending whether the lid is to be loosened or tightened. When the jar is turned it is gripped by the eccentrics, the grip lightening as the jar is turned.

The turning may be clockwise or anticlockwise to tighten or loosen the lid respectively, the same arrangement of the circular eccentrics acting in similar manner in both directions.

Fig 4 shows a part of the device of Fig 3 with a slot (25) cut in the base plate and located therein a mounting piece (26) attached to a sucker pad (27). Fig 5 shows a cross section of the device of fig 4. When the sucker pad is stuck to the work surface, the turning of the base plate is inhibited. Such a hook with sucker pad is a commercially available article which can be attached or detached from the work surface with ease. The device may have 2 to 4 such sucker pads mounted in slots.

Fig 6 shows the device of Figs 1 and 2 wherein the base plate has four slots (28) and in one of them a mounting piece (29) attached to a sucker pad (30). The other three slots also advantageously have sucker pads mounted therein which, when stuck to the work surface, inhibit turning of the base plate. In use the device illustrated can be place up against a fixed vertical surface, eg a wall (31), and this, in conjunction with the sucker pad (30), inhibits turning of the base plate. This may be increased by having sucker pads mounted in one or more of the vacant slots (28). In order that the base plate is held firmly on the work surface, two feet (32, 33) are provided on its underside.

Fig 10 shows a simple lid opening device viewed from the bottom (jar side) showing a base plate (60) having three rotatably mounted eccentrics (61) having between them and the base plate spacing members (63) both mounted on pins (62) and a handle (64) attached to the base plate. In use the eccentrics (61) are moved by hand to be in light contact with the screw lid. On turning with the handle anticlockwise the eccentrics tighten on the lid allowing it to be unscrewed with ease.

Fig 11 shows a simple lid removing or tightening device viewed from the bottom (jar side) showing a base plate (65) having three rotatably mounted circular eccentrics (66) having between them and the base plate spacing members (67) both mounted on pins (68) and a handle (69) attached to the base plate. In use the eccentrics (66) are moved by hand to be in light contact with the screw lid. On turning the handle anticlockwise the eccentrics tighten on the lid allowing it to be unscrewed with ease. In the alternative configuration, on turning the handle clockwise the eccentrics tighten on the lid allowing it then to be tightened with ease.

Fig 7 shows a lid-removing or lightening device according to the present invention comprising a triangular base plate (40) having rotatably mounted on one surface thereof (the underside) three rotatably mounted circular eccentrics (41) with mounting pins (42) and washers (43) rotatably mounted between the base plate (40) and the eccentrics. On the other (upper) surface of the base plate are a primary disc or cogwheel (44) and secondary discs or cogwheels (45) rotatably mounted on pins (42, 46) adapted so that the primary disc or cogwheel (44) engages with secondary discs or cogwheels (45) so that on turning the primary (44), the secondaries (45) are also turned. Preferably the primary and secondaries are cog wheels but discs having a high friction material on their working surfaces are also possible. The device has a handle (47) mounted on the base plate comprising a thumb slide and its mounting (48) slideable in slot (49) and attached to the proximal end of the slot by a tension spring (50). An actuating rod (51) joins the thumb slide and primary wheel (44) and is pivotally mounted in each. Using the configuration illustrated with the actuating rod (51) lying over the right hand eccentric, the lid may be loosened by turning the device anticlockwise.

If it is desired to tighten a lid, the primary disc or cogwheel (44) must be turned so that the actuating rod (51) is moved to lie over the left hand eccentric so that the lid can be turned clockwise and tightened.

Figs 8 & 9 show the device in use. In Fig 8 the device is placed (at rest) above the jar (only shown in fig 9) (8) and its lid (9) and the thumb slide is pushed in the direction of the arrow in Fig 8. This has the effect of moving the eccentrics (41) apart. The device is now lowered onto the jar lid and the thumb slide released.

The eccentrics are now lightly held against the lid by spring (50). On turning the device anticlockwise by applying force to the handle, the lid may be loosened or, in the alternative configuration, on turning the device clockwise the lid may be tightened.

Claims (10)

1. A device for gripping the base of a container comprising a base plate carrying at least 2 rotatably mounted eccentrics whose acting surfaces are made from a relatively high-friction material thus enabling the device to grip a range of containers of different sizes and shapes.

2. A gripping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the position of at least one of said eccentrics is moveable to various locations on the base plate thus enabling the device to grip a wide range of different sizes and shapes of container.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the eccentrics rotate about a mounting pin passing through both the eccentric and the base plate.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which at least one of the eccentrics has associated therewith a series of holes in the base plate into which it and its pin may be moved to accommodate containers of varying size and shape.

5. A device as claimed in any of claims 1-4 in which the base plate holds at least one removable sucker means mounted so that it can releasably attach itself to the underlying work surface thus inhibiting the turning of the base plate when the device is in use.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 in which the base plate has at least one slot therein adapted to hold a removable sucker device.

7. A lid opening or tightening device comprising a base plate carrying on one side thereof at least 2 circular rotatably mounted eccentrics whose acting surfaces are made from a relatively high-friction material.

8. A lid opening or tightening device as claimed in claim 7 comprising a handle attached to the base plate, and mounted on the other side of the base plate control means comprising an arrangement of a primary disc or cog and at least 2 secondary discs or cogs which are arranged to coact to hold the rotatably mounted eccentrics in contact with each other at rest by turning the primary disc or cog under the influence of a spring.

9. A lid opening or tightening device as claimed in claim 8 in which the eccentrics and their associated discs or cogs are mounted on the same pin.

10. A device as claimed in any of claims 1-9 substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.