GB2452046A - Sprung socket clamp for round objects - Google Patents
Sprung socket clamp for round objects Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2452046A GB2452046A GB0716291A GB0716291A GB2452046A GB 2452046 A GB2452046 A GB 2452046A GB 0716291 A GB0716291 A GB 0716291A GB 0716291 A GB0716291 A GB 0716291A GB 2452046 A GB2452046 A GB 2452046A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- clamp
- halves
- spring
- seatings
- means adapted
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000001674 Agaricus brunnescens Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
- F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
- F16C11/10—Arrangements for locking
- F16C11/103—Arrangements for locking frictionally clamped
- F16C11/106—Arrangements for locking frictionally clamped for ball joints
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B2/00—Friction-grip releasable fastenings
- F16B2/02—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
- F16B2/06—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening external, i.e. with contracting action
- F16B2/10—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening external, i.e. with contracting action using pivoting jaws
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B7/00—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections
- F16B7/04—Clamping or clipping connections
- F16B7/0433—Clamping or clipping connections for rods or tubes being in parallel relationship
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B7/00—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections
- F16B7/18—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections using screw-thread elements
- F16B7/185—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections using screw-thread elements with a node element
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
- F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
- F16C11/06—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/02—Heads
- F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
- F16M11/12—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting in more than one direction
- F16M11/14—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting in more than one direction with ball-joint
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
- F16M11/2035—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment in more than one direction
- F16M11/2078—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment in more than one direction with ball-joint
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
- F16M13/02—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/02—Locking means
- F16M2200/021—Locking means for rotational movement
- F16M2200/022—Locking means for rotational movement by friction
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
Abstract
A clamp comprises two clamp halves 1a, 1b at least one of which is associated with a gripping means (e.g. seating 6); a clamping means (e.g. a bolt 2 with thumbwheel nut 3); and 'third means' (e.g. spring 5) to draw the clamp halves together at least at one end. Preferably the spring 5 is a double torsion spring and is seated in recesses in the clamp halves such that the two clamp halves are held apart at one end and closed at the other (figure 2). The gripping means 6 may further comprise V grooves 7, 8 such that round or spherical objects such as balls, cylinders and bars may be accommodated in clamp. The device may be used for connecting two objects, such as ball ended rod 4 or tubular items.
Description
Ball Clamp This invention is a development of an earlier invention entitled BALL JOINT / CLAMP, application number 9103277.1 filed by the present inventor on 15th Feb 1991.
The invention is a development of a double ball coupling comprising a pair of clamp halves each having a pair of seatings and having central clamping means to draw the two halves together onto the ball ends of the two rods or tubes to be coupled. This type of coupling is not novel. However, in this invention, V grooves are set across the seatings and a double torsion return spring is housed around the central clamping means, so arranged that it exerts its opening load off centre from the line of action of the clamping means, thereby tilting the clamp halves together at the end furthest from the point of application of spring load, onto a ball end or cylinder, forming a pivot thereby. Operation of the clamping means makes the ends of the clamp halves furthest from the pivot open and close under the combined influence of the spring, clamping means and pivot, to form a clamp suitable for gripping tubes of various diameters, or another ball end, or other items such as a table top or other equipment. It can therefore function either as a clamp incorporating a universal joint of adjustable stiffness co-operating with a ball ended rod or other fixture, or as a double ball joint of adjustable stiffness having a very large range of movement (the clamp halves co-operating with a pair of ball ended rods or fixtures) or as a clamp joining tubes of various diameters. Rods or tubes may be ball ended both ends (allowing for a succession of rods and joints), or one end only having another fitting (a camera or microphone mount for example) on the other end. By combining these various possibilities, a wide variety of configurations and functions may be achieved.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is an Exploded view of the coupling, Fig 2 is a cross section through the four seating centres. Figure 3 is a view of one clamp half showing the seatings and spring housing.
With reference to Figs 1.2 and 3, two identical clamp half castings I a and lb are drawn together by a centre bolt 2 and thumbwheel nut 3 while pivoting about ball end 4 and being kept apart and correctly located in register with the ball end and the clamping means by double torsion return spring 5. Each clamp half has a pair of seatings 6 through the centres of which are formed v grooves 7 (laterally) and 8 (along the length of the clamp half). A pocket 9 is formed in the centre of each clamp half to house the double torsion spring 5, with additional positive location of the spring being provided by pads 10.Centre bolt 2 has a section of square shank 11, which can slide through but not rotate within rectangular section hole 12 formed in clamp half la. The bolt has a head 13 which in operation tilts on fulcrum 14 formed in I a. The spherical seatings 6 are largely cut away by grooves 7 and 8, and reduced further in area by spherical undercut 15, so that the 4 remaining pads 6 are of quite limited area, the better to grip the ball end. Knob 3 bears via load-spreading washers 16 and friction reducing plastic washer 17 on fulcrum 14 of clamp half lb. 2/2 Figure 4 shows the ball clamp in its double ball clamp configuration. The configuration for connecting tubes using the v grooves is self evident and not shown.
Figure 5 shows a possible configuration of the clamp for mounting (for example) a microphone or camera (fitting the threaded rod end) to a tube or other item (not shown) Various alternative embodiments are practical. The clamp halves can be pressed rather than cast ( or made by any suitable means) the seatings can be annular rings rather than seatings with a spherical surface, the clamp halves need not be symmetrical as shown here, and they need not be identical -there could be top and bottom halves having some different details (for example around the centre bolt). The central means for drawing the halves together may have any form of shank provided it can he prevented from rotating in the clamp half by a suitable matching hole form. Alternatively the head may be shaped to prevent turning (a square shaped head for example). Alternatively again, a T shaped shank formed from flat can be used as described in the earlier application mentioned above. There may be a plurality of means for drawing the halves together. The return spring (or springs), provided the load is applied offset as described, can have many forms -for example offset coil springs, or external elastic around the pivot end, or springs formed from flat.
Claims (15)
- Claims What I claim is: 1. A clamp comprising two clamp halves, one or both of which incorporates or is associated with various first means adapted to accommodate or grip part of another article, clamping means adapted to draw the halves together and third means adapted to cause two of the clamp ends adjacent to each other to move towards a closed position.
- 2. A clamp as claimed in claim 1 where the third means is a return spring in conjunction with means to secure the spring ends to the clamp halves.
- 3. A clamp as claimed in claim 2 where the means to secure the spring ends comprises recesses in the respective faces of the clamp halves.
- 4. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim where the return spring is a Q centrally housed double torsion spring which acts in co-operation with the clamping means both to hold the halves apart at one end and tilt them so that they can close upon another object at the other end.
- 5. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim where the means adapted to grip or accommodate another article comprises one or more seatings associated with one or both of the clamp halves.
- 6. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim where the means adapted to grip or accommodate another article comprises in addition or in the alternative one or more grooves in one or more of the faces of the clamp halves, optionally intersecting any seatings
- 7. A clamp as claimed in claim 6 where the grooves are V-shaped in cross-section.
- 8. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim where the halves close upon a ball or cylinder at one end so as to form a pivot.
- 9. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim where the opposed ends of the clamp halves are constrained to open and close with the operation of the clamping means.
- 10. A clamp as in any preceding claim where the clamping means comprise a threaded bolt with mushroom head and square shank, the threaded section engaging a thumbwheel nut or other device for tightening the clamp.
- 11. A clamp as in claim 11 where the thumbwheel nut acts via a thrust bearing.
- 12. A clamp as in claim 12 in which the thrust bearing comprises two steel washers with a washer of PTFE or other plastics material sandwiched in between.
- 13. A clamp as described in any preceding claim in which all or some of the seatings and grooves are omitted.
- 14. A clamp as described in any preceding claim in which the dimensions or shape of the halves are different.
- 15. A clamp substantially as described in the description and drawings. Co CoC
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0716291A GB2452046A (en) | 2007-08-21 | 2007-08-21 | Sprung socket clamp for round objects |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0716291A GB2452046A (en) | 2007-08-21 | 2007-08-21 | Sprung socket clamp for round objects |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0716291D0 GB0716291D0 (en) | 2007-09-26 |
GB2452046A true GB2452046A (en) | 2009-02-25 |
Family
ID=38566735
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0716291A Withdrawn GB2452046A (en) | 2007-08-21 | 2007-08-21 | Sprung socket clamp for round objects |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2452046A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2014095150A1 (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2014-06-26 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Connecting element and method for producing a connecting element |
WO2015000251A1 (en) * | 2013-07-02 | 2015-01-08 | 深圳一电科技有限公司 | Camera fastening device |
US11865976B2 (en) | 2021-08-17 | 2024-01-09 | Annex Products Pty Ltd | Mount for a handheld electronic device |
USD1030611S1 (en) | 2021-07-19 | 2024-06-11 | Annex Products Pty Ltd | Dual pivot mounting arm |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1280013A (en) * | 1918-07-03 | 1918-09-24 | Seneca Camera Mfg Company | Camera-mounting. |
GB2258690A (en) * | 1991-07-19 | 1993-02-17 | Harvey Edward Collis | Holder and stand for a hair drier |
US5845885A (en) * | 1993-12-14 | 1998-12-08 | National Products, Inc. | Universally positionable mounting device |
DE29904241U1 (en) * | 1999-03-09 | 1999-06-24 | Chen, Jenn-Hwang, He Mei, Changhua | Clamp holder |
WO2006019996A2 (en) * | 2004-07-14 | 2006-02-23 | Palmetto West Trading Company, Llc | Ball mounted mounting device |
-
2007
- 2007-08-21 GB GB0716291A patent/GB2452046A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1280013A (en) * | 1918-07-03 | 1918-09-24 | Seneca Camera Mfg Company | Camera-mounting. |
GB2258690A (en) * | 1991-07-19 | 1993-02-17 | Harvey Edward Collis | Holder and stand for a hair drier |
US5845885A (en) * | 1993-12-14 | 1998-12-08 | National Products, Inc. | Universally positionable mounting device |
DE29904241U1 (en) * | 1999-03-09 | 1999-06-24 | Chen, Jenn-Hwang, He Mei, Changhua | Clamp holder |
WO2006019996A2 (en) * | 2004-07-14 | 2006-02-23 | Palmetto West Trading Company, Llc | Ball mounted mounting device |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2014095150A1 (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2014-06-26 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Connecting element and method for producing a connecting element |
WO2015000251A1 (en) * | 2013-07-02 | 2015-01-08 | 深圳一电科技有限公司 | Camera fastening device |
USD1030611S1 (en) | 2021-07-19 | 2024-06-11 | Annex Products Pty Ltd | Dual pivot mounting arm |
US11865976B2 (en) | 2021-08-17 | 2024-01-09 | Annex Products Pty Ltd | Mount for a handheld electronic device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0716291D0 (en) | 2007-09-26 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |