US2663938A - Clamping device - Google Patents

Description

H. STODGELL CLAMPING DEVICE Use. 29, 1953 Filed May 20, 1952 INVEN TOR. HENRY 5 TODGEL L Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES rATENT OFFICE CLAMPING DEVICE Henry Stodgcll, Seattle, Wash. Application May 20, 1952, Serial No. 288,800

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a clamping means and it has reference more particularly to a pair of identical spring steel clamps to be used in combination with a chalk line to hold the ends of the taut chalk line in a fixed position and wherein the clamps are adapted primarily to be removably applied to opposite ends of a board A chalk line is commonly used by carpenters, bricklayers and other workmen to mark a relatively straight line of substantial length. The common practice is to drive a nail or brad into the board or object to be marked and secure one end of the line to the nail and then drive another nail in the opposite end of the board and to draw the line tight and to secure it to the second nail. The line is then chalked and the marking of the board is obtained by raising the line and releasing it so as to strike the board and deposit a portion of the chalk in a relatively straight line on the board. After the marking has thus been accomplished, it is then necessary to loosen the line and remove the nails from the board.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a clampin device to be used in combination with a chalk line to secure its ends and which may be easily and quickly applied to boards of varying thickness without requiring the use of nails or other securing means for their secure- 'ment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a line securing clamp which may be applied to boards of varying thickness without requiring adjustment or alternation of the clamping means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a clamping means which may also be secured to a flat surface, a wall or floor, or to timbers or other objects of substantial thickness.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a clamping device which is small, easy to apply, simple in its construction and relatively inexpensive in it cost of manufacture.

A further object of this invention is to provide a clamping device wherein means is provided for securing the line in taut condition by a simple and quickly performed operation.

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction and in the relationship of the various parts as will hereinafter be more fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of line clamping devices applied to opposite ends of a board and a chalk line drawn taut between and held at its ends by the clamping members.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the clamping device embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates the manner in which the clamping device may be applied to a flat surface such as a wall or floor.

Fig. 5 illustrates the manner in which the clamping device may be applied to the end or side of a timber.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- In Fig. l, I have illustrated a board designated in its entirety by reference numeral II! and comprising the side surfaces I Ila, and the top surface I00. The clamping means which embodies my invention is designated in its entirety by reference numeral I I and, as is illustrated in Fig. it is designed primarily to be applied to a relatively thin board or sheet like material.

The clamping device is an integral unit formed from a single piece of relatively light gauge spring steel material. It comprises a base or bottom portion I2, and end wall I3 perpendicular to the bottom portion, and the top portion I4 extends at right angles to the end wall and is substantially parallel to the bottom. The top portion is divided along a central longitudinal line by a deep cut, V-shaped notch I5, into a pair of ears or flanges I4-'-I4', and it will be seen by reference to Fig. 2 that the inner end or apex of the notch extends into the end wall I3. The specific purpose or reason for this construction will hereinafter be set forth.

To provide the clamping effect, I provide an upwardly extending and rearwardly curved clamping leg 20 which extends from the outer end of the base I2 toward the end wall I3. This clamping member is rounded into a closed curl at its outer end as at 2| and terminates short of the end wall, and relatively close to the ears I4'I4' as noted in Fig. 3.

At the opposite ends of the end wall I3, I provide ears 22-22 which extend in the same vertical plane as the end wall. These ears preferably are rounded or curved on their edges as shown. Holes are provided in the ears, as at 23, and a hole 24 is provided through the endwall I3 at a center point.

The preferred distance between the base I 2 and top portion I4 is one and one-eighth inch, and the clamping member 20 provides that the device may be applied to boards varying in thickness from approximately one-eighth of an inch to one inch and it is applied by merely causing the end portion of the board to be received between the top portion I4 and the clamping leg 20. If the device is applied to a board which, for example, is three quarters of an inch in thickness, the clamping leg will be depressed or sprung downwardly to receive the board and will remain tightly clamped thereto.

As is illg'istratedin 1, a pair of clamping devices is hs'edln combination, one clamping device being applied to each end of the board. The string or chalk line 30 is passed through the center hole 24 in the end wall I3 and a knot (not shown) is tied in the end of the line at tnecutei side of the end wall. The opposite fend of the chalk line is drawn through the hole, in the opposing clamping device and is baiised to "be wound around the ear 22 as is illustrated in Fig.

1. With the chalk applied and the line drawn taati s arneaier may the s e l i n permit it tosnap a tth board the contheneby providing a straight ve tional manner.

In Figs. 4 and 5, respectively, I have illustrated its m nner of lis t smo t e halkflirie clamping device to a wan and timber. In Fig, a in tan ,5 iilmfl 1 ..-B .,W 1 .3 m lend :3 2p: credence fiany isposes against the wall surface and held in secured position by the application of nails or brads whichlare projected mage th h les i je '.zi2- +22. The line-en is seated in'the verse: of the V-s'haped'notch 5 and as preyio usly stated, th V-shaped noth'eiitends eyorid the fiur'ifiture' "opfiortion Ti t and ,th n'clwall 13,]th1is' it 'g 'the chalk line to i t1" 51; he wan, The line is lchalkediand 'tae wall s" V ,.to',be"in' arked in the same manner as indicated in marking a l 'w l '1: r hefslamtifis id vi ef s eam "t f .i m or an'ob'iet ,ofs'iib'staiitial thick ess-asi's illustrated .5 efna ailj stot flatly cc .6: the a realis e me rs. ofgna'ils thr h 12-.- The line is drawn tight Hakim ventional ii'ianthi defin Tm yfeiso ight'lihe on a floor 01' an isieadilyf's'een that the jans i y 15, a pl ed ays .....,..1' i j 2 T hiiim l fi e i properly'ih positioh 'formakinga line.

" Htiiiibelrin iii? usiyrstated Though my device is designed primarily to be used to produce a chalk line marking, it is to be understood that it may also be employed to temporarily secure a small line for various uses, and to provide that the line may be readily removed when its use has been terminated. The size of the device and relative proportions in size of its parts may vary as desired or required and the specific shape may be altered without departing from the teaching of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1, A chalk line clamp comprising a metal strip time to form a bottom portion, an end wall, a top portion overlying said bottom portion and spaced thereirognand a resilient clamping leg extending upwardly and rearwardly from the outer edge ofthe bottom portion; said end wall having a hole therein through which one end portion of the chalk line is passed, and ears projecting from the opposite ends of the end wall providing means about which the end 'of the line, after passing through the hole in the end wall, may be remov ably secured. k

2. A combination as in claim 1 wherein the ears of theclam'p are provided with holes therethrough to receive nails for thesecurement'o'f the clamp to a wall. p v w 3. A chalk line clamp of the character asfs'c'ribed comprising a single strip of relatively thin spring steel bent to form a 'bottom portion, an endjwall extending at right angles to the bottom portion, a top portion extending at right angles to the end walland overlying the bottom portion in spaced relationship therefrom, and 'a resilient clamping leg eitending upwardly and rearwardlyjfrom tl'ie'outer edge of the bottom portion toward said 'endw all, said top porti'on'of the clamp having a 'V shaped notch forine'd therein longitudinally thereof and having the apex thereof extending intoth'e topedge portion of end wall, and said end wallh'aving'a'holetherethrough 'directly below'the apex'oi the notch to receive the end portions "of a chalk line therethrough. u Y

"HENRY STODGELL.

References Cited in the 'file of '-this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 'Name Date ;!4TI;6 8;2 Bradin Dec.-22, 1%.! 1,017,390 Dittrioh Feb. '13, 1912 069,134 Hatzfeld Aug; 5, 191.3

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