GB2429947A

GB2429947A - Clamp with rotationally adjustable head

Info

Publication number: GB2429947A
Application number: GB0517841A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Miskimmin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-02
Filing date: 2005-09-02
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Also published as: GB0517841D0

Abstract

A clamp comprises a head 3, a rod (2, fig 1) and a nut 4, wherein the head can be secured in any radial position in relation to the longitudinal axis of the rod whilst not affecting the pressure distribution between the head and the nut. A workbench 5 may also be provided that comprises a panel 6 with at least one aperture 6c of suitable diameter to receive the rod of the clamp.

Description

1 2429947

IMPROVED CLAMP

The present invention relates to clamps, particularly clamps for use with Various methods of clamping objects are currently available but have their disadvantages in the way that they hold the object. A vice is a simple and effective clamp but is limited by its size and its position, which is usually fixed. Portable workbenches are available but they are restricted by the holding methods that they can employ. "G" clamps can be used but are difficult to secure in position and can get in the way of activities such as sawing.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a clamp comprising a head, a rod and a nut, wherein the head can be secured in any radial position in relation to the longitudinal axis of the rod whilst not affecting the pressure distribution between the head and the nut.

The rod is preferably an elongate rod having a first end and a second end.

The rod is preferably provided with a screw thread along at least a portion of its length.

The head preferably includes an elongate portion. The elongate portion may be any suitable shape for example an elongate bar or rod or an elongate planar shape, for example the elongate portion may be rectangular or oval. The head preferably comprises an elongate portion having first and second ends and a substantially flat face.

The head is preferably connected, via either the first or second end of the head, to the first end of the rod such that the longitudinal axis of the head lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod. Preferably the substantially flat face of the head faces towards the second end of the rod.

The head is preferably provided with a handle means to allow movement of the clamp.

The second end of the rod is adapted to mate with the nut, preferably via a screw thread system. The nut is therefore provided with a screw threaded aperture of suitable size to receive the rod. The nut is preferably provided with a flat circumferential surface extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.

The present invention also provides a workbench comprising a panel with first and second surfaces and at least one aperture of suitable diameter to receive a rod of a clamp of the first aspect of the invention extending therethrough.

The panel is preferably provided with a recess on the first surface of the panel. Preferably there is provided a recess associated with each aperture, wherein each recess is adapted to allow a head of a clamp to be housed in the recess when not in use.

The workbench preferably further comprises a second panel positioned parallel to and spaced apart from the first panel. The panels preferably have first surfaces facing outwards away from each other and second surfaces facing towards each other. The panels are preferably connected to each other via hollow pillars. The hollow pillars are preferably perpendicular to the panels and the panels both have apertures extending through them at the position where each hollow pillar is connected.

Also provided is a combination of a workbench comprising a panel with first and second surfaces and at least one aperture of suitable diameter to receive a rod of a clamp of the first aspect of the invention extending therethrough, and at least one clamp comprising a head, a rod and a nut, wherein the head can be secured in any radial position in relation to the longitudinal axis of the rod whilst not affecting the pressure distribution between the head and the nut.

The clamp of the present invention offers distinct advantages over clamps in the prior art because the position of the head can be altered quickly and easily without adversely affecting pressure distribution. When used in combination with the workbench a plurality of clamps can be used to hold irregularly shaped objects. The workbench can be attached to any suitable base. Furthermore the clamp is compact and does not therefore affect activities being undertaken in relation to the object being held in the clamp.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by means of example only with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a clamp according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; and Figure 2 shows a workbench and clamp according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

Figure 1 displays a clamp 1 comprising a rod 2 having a first end 2a and a second end 2b. The clamp has a head 3 connected to the first end 2a of the rod 2. The second end 2b of the rod 2 is adapted to mate with a nut 4.

The rod 2 is an elongate externally screw-threaded metal rod.

The head 3 comprises a rectangular metal plate having opposing first and second faces 3a, 3b joined by two opposing long sides and two opposing short sides. The first face 3a faces towards the second end 2b of the rod 2. The head 3 is connected to the rod 2 at its first end 2a by means of welding. The first face 3a of the head 3, near one of the short sides, is connected to the first end 2a of the rod 2 such that the longitudinal axis of the head 3 lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod 2.

Both of the faces 3a, 3b of the head 3 are flat and the second face 3b is provided with a handle 3c. The handle 3c comprises a rectangular metal bar, running substantially along the length of the head 3 and extending perpendicular to the surface of the second face 3b of the head 3.

The nut 4 has an internally screw threaded aperture 4a of a suitable size to receive the rod 2. The nut 4 is provided with a flat circumferential surface 4b extending around the aperture 4a and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod 2 and facing the first face 3a of the head 3 when mated to the rod 2. The nut 4 is also provided with wings 4c to allow manual movement of the nut 4 along the rod 2.

In use the clamp 1 is used to hold an article between the first face 3a of the head 3 and the circumferential surface 4b of the nut 4. The head 3 can be moved to any radial orientation in relation to the rod 2 and there will still be even pressure between the head 3 and the nut 4 owing to the shape and orientation of the areas of the head 3 and the nut 4 through which pressure is applied.

Figure 2 displays a workbench 5 comprising a first panel and a second panel 6, 7. The panels 6, 7 are positioned parallel to and spaced apart from each other and the panels 6, 7 have first surfaces 6a, 7a facing outwards away from each other and second surfaces 6b, 7b facing towards each other. The two panels 6, 7 each comprise a flat rectangular wooden board and are connected to each other via hollow pillars 8. The second panel 7 is provided with a cut out 9 in its centre. The hollow pillars 8 are perpendicular to the two panels 6, 7.

The two panels 6, 7 both have apertures extending through them at the position where each hollow pillar 8 is connected, thereby creating a channel from the first surface 6a of the first panel 6 to the first surface 7a of the second panel 7. The channel is of a suitable diameter and length to receive a rod 2 of a clamp 1.

The first panel 6 has a rectangular recess 6c associated with each hollow pillar 8, each rectangular recess 6c is adapted to allow a head 3 of a clamp 1 to be housed in the recess 6c when not in use.

The clamp 1 of Figure 1 can be used in combination with the workbench by passing the second end 2b of the rod 2 of a clamp 1 through an aperture in the first panel 6, through the connected hollow pillar 8 and through the aperture of the second panel 7. The nut 4 can then be mated to the second end 2b of the rod 2. An object can be clamped by placing it between the head 3 and the first panel 6 and then tightening the nut 4 until it contacts the second panel 7.

For example, a long and narrow object such as a plank can be secured along the length of the workbench 5 or a wide object such as a door can be clamped across the width of the workbench 5 by utilising a number of clamps 1 and directing the heads 3 accordingly. The clamp holds the object in place without extending beyond the workbench 5 and does not therefore impinge on activities such as sawing the object.

Claims

1. A clamp comprising a head, a rod and a nut, wherein the head can be secured in any radial position in relation to the longitudinal axis of the rod whilst not affecting the pressure distribution between the head and the nut.

2. A clamp according to Claim 1 wherein the rod is an elongate rod having a first end and a second end.

3. A clamp according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the rod is provided with a screw thread along at least a portion of its length.

4. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the head includes an elongate portion.

5. A clamp according to Claim 4 wherein the elongate portion is an elongate bar or rod or an elongate planar shape.

6. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the head comprises an elongate portion having first and second ends and a substantially flat face.

7. A clamp according to Claim 6 wherein the head is connected, via either the first or second end of the head, to the first end of the rod such that the longitudinal axis of the head lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.

8. A clamp according to Claim 7 wherein the substantially flat face of the head faces towards the second end of the rod.

9. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the head is preferably provided with a handle means to allow movement of the clamp.

10. A clamp according to any preceding claim wherein the second end of the rod is adapted to mate with the nut.

11. A clamp according to Claim 10 wherein the nut is provided with a screw threaded aperture of suitable size to receive the rod.

12. A clamp according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein the nut is provided with a flat circumferential surface extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.

13. A workbench comprising a panel with first and second surfaces and at least one aperture of suitable diameter to receive a rod of a clamp according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 extending therethrough.

14. A workbench according to Claim 13 wherein the panel is provided with a recess on the first surface of the panel.

15. A workbench according to Claim 13 or Claim 14 wherein there is provided a recess associated with each aperture, wherein each recess is adapted to allow a head of a clamp to be housed in the recess when not in use.

16. A workbench according to any one of Claims 13 to 15 further comprising a second panel positioned parallel to and spaced apart from the first panel.

17. A workbench according to Claim 16 wherein the panels have first surfaces facing outwards away from each other and second surfaces facing towards each other.

18. A workbench according to Claim 16 or Claim 17 wherein the panels are connected to each other via hollow pillars.

19. A workbench according to Claim 18 wherein the hollow pillars are perpendicular to the panels and the panels both have apertures extending through them at the position where each hollow pillar is connected.

20. A combination of a workbench comprising a panel with first and second surfaces and at least one aperture of suitable diameter to receive a rod of a clamp according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 extending therethrough, and at least one clamp according to any one of Claims 1 to 12.

21. A clamp substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.

22. A workbench substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.

23. A combination of a clamp and a workbench substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.