FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamping device or clamping assembly that has a pair of adjustable arms that allow it to be used in connection with working areas that have limited space or where there are irregular or specific clamping requirements.

BACKGROUND

It is generally known to have clamping devices that are generally provided with C shaped main frame which at one end has a fixed jaw with a clamping plate and at the other opposing end there is an adjustable screw threaded rod having a movable jaw positioned at the end of the rod and rotation of the adjusting screw opens or closes the distance between the two jaws to provide a clamping effect on material positioned in between. Such clamping devices are common and come in many sizes depending upon the specific work requirements however in all cases the frame is on a fixed dimension with the two jaw components substantially in line with one another on the same longitudinal axis. The space between the two draw elements is often referred to as the throat and when larger pieces require clamping then typically clamps with a larger throat opening are employed.

It is also known to have clamping devices that have an adjustable throat wherein the distance between the two clamping heads on the opposed sides of the frame can be adjusted not only by rotation of the adjusting screw rod but also by having an extending caution within the frame of the C-clamp.

In woodworking it is known to use clamps that have a pair of opposed jaws to hold articles between them for gluing portions of a work piece together. These clamps are often referred to as sash clamps and exert pressure on the sides of the work piece, that hi s horizontally or laterally. In some situations a C clamp can be used to apply horizontal clamping pressure to the work piece however such clamps are inefficient in the application of the clamping pressure and furthermore provide little or no vertical support to the work piece, which can be a disadvantage if the work piece is thin and extends over a large area. In such instances, standard C clamps or sash clamps, will provide the horizontal clamping force but this can then lead to the work piece buckling under the horizontal pressures. There are however deficiencies in such clamps as mentioned above when used on work pieces or supporting benches that provide either too little room to apply a standard C clamp or alternatively where the work piece is quite large and cannot be accommodated within the throat of a standard C claim due to the alignment of the upper and lower clamping surfaces.

Having the ability to apply sufficient clamping force to a work piece is essential for safety reasons so that the work piece does not inadvertently move whilst under pressure, for example during a cutting action or in a finishing operation. Should the work piece move then this can result in either harm to the operator, disfiguring the work piece or a combination of both .

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taking in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is di sclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, although this should not be seen as limiting the invention in any way, there is provided an adjustable clamp device including, a first arm and a second arm; the first arm having; a threaded rod member having first and second threaded rod ends, the threaded rod being threadably mounted through an opening in the first arm and a clamping plate located at the first threaded rod end; the second arm having a clamping plate; the first arm and second arm being pivotally interconnected to each other by a pivot means to allow rotation of the first arm wi th respect to the second arm.

In preference, the clamping plate on the second arm is fixed.

In preference, the clamping plate located at the first threaded rod end is a swivel clamp plate. In preference, the pivot means is a pin pivotally connecting the first arm and second arm to each other.

In preference, the clamping plate on the second arm is fixed to an extension arm that is slidably attached to the second arm.

In preference, a movable clamp support is slidably attached onto the second arm. In preference, the adjustable clamp device is a C- clamp.

An adjustable clamp device including, a first slider arm and a second slider arm; the first slider arm having; a threaded rod member having first and second threaded rod ends, the threaded rod being threadably mounted through an opening in the first arm and a clamping plate located at the first threaded rod end; the second slider arm having a clamping plate; a connecting arm positioned between the first slider arm and second slider arm the first arm and second arm being slidably interconnected each to the connecting arm to provide independent slidably adjustment of the first arm and second arm.

In preference, the connecting arm includes an upper end and a lower end.

In preference, the upper end and a lower end are pivotally interconnected to allow rotation of the upper end and lower end.

In preference, the lower end includes a locking mechanism to lock the first slider arm in a present position.

In preference, the upper end includes a locking mechanism to lock the first slider arm in a present position.

In preference, a movable clamp support is slidably attached onto at least one of the first slider arm and/or the second slider arm.

In preference, the adjustable clamp device is a C- clamp.

In a further form of the invention there is an adjustable clamp device including, a main support arm and a slider arm; the main support arm having; a threaded rod member having first and second threaded rod ends, the threaded rod being threadably mounted through an opening in the main support ann and a clamping plate located at the first threaded rod end and a slot for receiving the slider arm; the slider arm having a clamping plate; the slider arm being slidably interconnected to the slot in the main support ann to provide slidably adjustment of the slider arm.

In preference, the clamping plate is positioned distal to the slot in the main support arm

In preference, the connecting arm includes an upper end and a lower end.

In preference, the upper end and a lower end are pivotally interconnected to allow rotation of the upper end and lower end.

In preference, a movable clamp support is slidably attached to the slider arm. In preference, the adjustable clamp device is a C- clamp.

In a further form of the invention there is an adjustable clamp device including first and second main connecting members, each first and second main connecting member having a first slot opening located at a first end and a second slot opening located at a second end; a first slider arm shaped to slot wi thin the first slot opening of each of the first and second main connecting members; each of the second slot openings having each a second slider arm inserted therein; each second slider arm having a threaded rod member located on an inner end of the second slider ann, the threaded rod member threadably mounted through a threaded hole piece and having a clamping surface to clampingly engage a work piece in a first clamping direction; a threaded rod member adapted to threadably mount through a first arm located on the first slider arm to exert a force against the first movable main connecting member to clampingly engage the work piece in a second clamping direction, between the first and second movable main connecting members, wherein the first clamping direction and the second camping direction are substantially perpendicular to one another.

In preference, in preference, the first main connecting member is slidably engageable with the first slider arm. In preference, the second main connecting member is slidably engageable to the first slider arm.

In preference, the first and second main connecting members are both slidably engaging with the first slider arm.

In preference, the first slider arm has a plurality of projections on a first surface that engage or mesh with an inner surface of the first slot opening of each of the first and second main connecting members.

In preference, the first arm located on the first slider arm is in slidably engagement all with the first slider arm.

In preference, the first arm can releasably engage with the first slider arm.

In preference, each of the second slider anns can releaseably engage with the second slot openings located at the second ends of the first and second line connecting members.

In further form of the invention there is a connecting arm when used for a clamping device, wherein the connecting arm has first end with a first slot opening there through, a second end with a second slot opening there through, both the first and second slot openings shaped to receive a respective slider arm within.

In preference, the connecting arm is adapted to receive a slider arm there through. The slider arm having engagement means to releasably engage within the slot.

In preference, the engagement means to releasably engage within the slot includes an edge of the slider arm having a pattern profile.

In preference, the pattern profile is a plurality of projections.

In preference, an inner surface of the slot has a plurality of projections.

In preference the plurality of projections are shaped to substantially mesh with one another. In preference, the connecting arm includes the features as shown in the accompanying representations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

By way of example/illustration only, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspecti ve view of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the pivot means shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a top view of figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further form of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional side view of figure 4;

Figure 6 is a top view of the device shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a further form of the present invention in a perspective view;

Figure 8 is a side view of the device shown in figure 7;

Figure 9 i s a perspective view of a further form of the present in vention;

Figure 10 is a side view of the device shown in figure 9.

Figure 13 is a side view of a further form of the clamping deceive invention;

Figure 14 is a left side view of the clamping deceive shown in figure 13;

Figure 15 is a right side view of the clamping deceive shown in figure 13;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the clamping deceive shown in figure 13; Figure 17A is a perspective view of the clamping deceive shown in figure 13 with the second slider arm removed and a mounting plate removably attached;

Fi gure 17B is side view of the cl amping deceive from figure 17A;

Figure 17C is a top view of the clamping deceive from figure 17A;

Figure 17D is a perspective view of two clamping devices releasably attached to one another at a respective end;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a further clamping assembly using the connecting an of the present invention;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a further clamping assembly using the connecting arm of the present invention

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a further clamping assembly using the connecting arm of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to figure 1 the adjustable clamp device 10 has a first ann 12 and a second ann 14, which define a substantially C shaped clamping section. The lower arm 12 has a threaded hole 17 to receive the screw threaded rod 20. The screw thread rod 20 has a handle assembly 22 at one end and a clamping pad 24 at the other end. The clamping pad 24 can either be fixed or, as shown in figure 1 , attached to the screw thread rod 20 by way of a swivel head 26 to allow the clamping head 24 to adjust as required. The second arm 14 has a fixed clamping plate 28, sometimes referred to as a clamping head or anvil.

The first ann 12 and second ann 14 are connected to each other through a pivot means, wherein the flange 30 of the second arm 14 has a circular projection 32 which nests within a recess 40 in upper pivot end 47 of the first arm 12. The circular projection 32 can be held within the recess 40 by way of a locking pin (not shown) or any alternative locking means that would be known to those skilled in this particular field. A washer element 44 can be located between the pivot ends 46 and 47 respectively to reduce friction between the two pivot ends.

Once the projection 32 has been slid into the recess 40 and locked in place, this allows the second arm 14 to rotate about the axis 50 thus allowing for the clamping head 24 and fixed clamping plate 28 to be offset with respect to one another so that they are no longer in vertical alignment. As can be seen in figure 3, the clamping plate 28 of the second arm 14 is now out of vertical alignment with the clamping head 24 of the first arm 12. The angle alpha (a) between the clamping plate 28 of the second arm 14 and the clamping head 24 of the first arm 12 can be adjusted as required by the user.

This then allows for the clamping of work pieces of an irregular shape to one another as rotation of the screw thread rod 20 moves the clamping had 24 upwards to exert a clamping pressure on work pieces held between the clamping had 24 and the fixed clamping plate 28.

This has further advantages in that it allows for the clamping device 10 to hold work pieces together and provides the ability to move either the second arm 14 or the first arm 12 into a particular orientation, for example to move the respective ann out of an area which work is required to be done, such as cutting.

Other pivot means that allow the rotation of the first and second arms 12 and 14 are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Figure 4 an alternative form of the present invention in which there is a clamping device 70 having a first arm 72 and a second arm 74, each having a pivot end 76 and 78 respectively.

The first arm 72 has a threaded hole 84 receiving a screw thread rod 82 there through. The screw thread rod 82 includes a handle assembly 84 and a clamping pad 86.

The second arm 74 has a slot 90 distal to the pivot end 78. The slot 90 is shaped to provide longitudinal sliding movement of an extension arm 92, which has a clamping plate 94 securely attached thereto at end 96. The face 98 of the extension ann 92 has a plurality of projections that releasably mesh with an inner surface of the slot 90 so as to provide a releasably secure fit between the extension ann 92 and the slot 90 so that under clamping pressure, the extension arm 92 is held relatively securely within the slot 90. The first arm 72 and second arm 74 are connected to each other to allow pivoting rotation between the two. The second arm 74 at the pivot end 78 has a circular projection (pin) 100 that nests within a recess 102 in the pivot end 76 of the first arm 72. A locking pin (not shown) 100 holds the circular projection (pin) (100) securely in place whilst allowing for rotation. A washer element 104 may be positioned between the pivot ends 76 and 78 respectively to reduce any friction between the two. The second arm 74 can then be rotated about axis 106 relative to the first-round 72 and the extension arm 92 may also be moved along the longitudinal axis 108 so as to more the clamping plate 94 of the extension arm 92 at an appropriate location on the working piece, which may be required when the working piece is of an unusual length or size.

In addition, a movable clamp support 120 can be slidably attached to the extension arm 92. The movable clamp support 120 has a clamping plate 122, handle assembly 124, screw threaded rod 126 and a slot to recevie the extension arm 92 within. The movable clamp support 120 can be moved along the length of the extension arm 92 to provide additional clamping support to the work piece were required. This can be particularly advantageous when the working piece is quite large and additional clamping forces provided by the movable clamp support 120, in combination with the clamping force provided between or by the clamping plate 94 and the clamping plate 86.

With reference to figure 7, a further form of the invention is shown in which there is a clamping assembly 150 having a first slider arm 152, a second slider arm 154, and a main connecting arm 156 having slots 158 and 160 positioned at opposing ends.

Located on the end 151 of the first slider arm 152 is a threaded hole piece 153 having a threaded shaft 158 with a handle assembly 161 at a first end and a clamping plate 163 at the opposite end.

Both slider arms 152 and 154 have projections on faces 162 and 164 respectively, each provide a releasably locking engagement within the respective slots 158 and 160. The second slider arm 154 has a clamping plate 168 located at the end 170. A locking mechanism 172 is positioned adjacent the slot 158 on the lower end 155 of the main connecting member 156. Rotation of the handle assembly 173 rotates the shaft 174, which is threaded, to force it against the first slider arm 152 so as to lock it in a desired location. A similar locking mechanism may be positioned next to the slot 160 on the upper end 157 of the main connecting arm 156.

A movable clamping support 170 can be slidably attached to the second slider arm 154 to affect an additional clamping force on the work piece as required.

Figure 9 shows a further form of the invention in which there is a clamping device 200 that has a main support arm 205 with a slot opening 208 positioned on the upper end 210. The main support arm 205 has a threaded hole 212 through which a threaded screw shaft 215 fits within. The threaded screw shaft 215 has a handle assembly 217 at one end and a clamping plate 220. A slider arm 222 fits within the slot 208 and can be slidably adjusted as required. The slider arm 28 has a face 225 has a plurality of teeth for engagement with the inner surface of the slot 208 so as to provide a means to releasably secure the slider arm 222 in the slot 208 when clamping pressure is applied. A clamping plate 230 is affixed to the slider arm 222 at the end 232. A movable clamping support 235 can be slidably attached to the slider arm 222, the operation thereof can effect an addi tional clamping force to a work piece as required.

Both of the clamping devices show in in figures 7 and 9 may also include a pi voting means either on the main connecting arm 156 or the main support arm 205 so as to allow the slider arms 154 or 222 to pivot with respect to the first slider arm 152 or lower end 204 of the main support arm 205.

Referring to figure 1 1 , there is a adjustable clamping device 280 that has a first and second main connecting members 82 and 283 each of which have a first end 92 and a second end 296 positioned opposite from one another. At each of the first ends 292 there is a slot opening 290, and the second end 296 has a slot opening 294. A first slider arm 284 is shaped to fit within the first end 292 slot opening 290 so that the main connecting members can slidably engage along a longitudinal length of the first slider arm 284. The surface of edge 285 may have a plurality of projections, such as teeth, that mesh or engage with the inner surface of the slot openings 290. In this manner the main connecting members can be slid along the longitudinal length of the first slide around 284 and be placed in the appropriate position in accordance with the size/shape of the work piece 291.

The threaded hole piece 300 is located at the end 287 of the first slider arm 284, the first slider arm 284 shaped to fit within the slot opening 302. The threaded hole piece or first arm 300 has a threaded hole 304 to receive the screw thread rod 306 therein. Rotation of the screw threaded rod 306 forces the clamping plate 308 to urge against the first main connecting member 292. The first arm 300 can even be fixed to the first slider arm 284 or alternatively it can slidably engage along the longitudinal length of the first slider arm 284 as required to ensure that items placed between the first and second main connecting members can be held securely and that sufficient force to the work piece 291 can be applied, such as when curing an adhesive.

Each of the second ends 296 of the first and second main connecting members 282 and 283 has a slot opening 294 within which a second slider arm 286 can fit. The surface 287 of the second slider arm 286 may have a plurality of projections or teeth that releasably mesh or partially engage with the inner surface of the slot opening 294 so as to allow for the second slider arm to move mwards and outwards from the work piece 291. At the inner end 151 of the second slide around 286 is a threaded hole 310 through which a threaded rod 312 engages with. Rotation of the threaded rod 312 forces the clamping plate 314 towards the surface 293 of the work peace 291.

What can now be seen is that insertion of a work piece 291 between the main connecting members 282 and 283, which form the jaws of the clamp, with operation of the screw thread rod 306, the work piece 291 has applied to it a horizontal clamping force between the two main connecting members of the clamping device. Notably, each of the main connecting members may be moved along the length of the first slider arm 284 so as to provide adjustability depending upon the work piece that is inserted therein.

Once the work piece 291 is in place both of the second slider arms 286 may be sli d through their respective slot openings 294 in the first and second main connecting members 282 and 283 such that operation of the threaded rods 312 results in a clamping force being applied in a vertical or first direction downwards onto the surface of the work piece.

In this instance, there is then applied a clamping force on the horizontal plane as well as subsequently a clamping force in the vertical plane such that the clamping forces are substantially perpendicular to one another. This has great advantages as it allows for significant clamping forces to be applied in the horizontal direction whilst at the same time the clamping forces resulting from operation of the second clamping means on the second slider arms keeps the work piece 291 intact and in place. Referring now to figure 13, there is a further form of the clamping device of the present invention, similar to that shown in figure 8, where there is a adjustable clamping device 350 having a main connecting arm 355, with an upper end 360 and a lower end 365, both the upper and lower end having slot openings (first slot opening 381 and second slot opening 382) to allow for the insertion of a slider arm in each of the slot openings (381 and 382).

Through the slot opening in the upper end 360 is a first slider arm 370, through the slot opening in the lower end 365 is the second slider arm 375. Similar to the mechanism shown in figure 8, both the first and second slider arms 370 and 375 can move laterally from side to side within their respective slot openings independently of one another. The edges 383 and 384 of the first and second slider arms have a plurality of teeth for engagement with an inner surface of the slot openings so as to provide a means to release at least secure the slider arms therein once clamping pressure has been applied. Other means to releasably secure the slider arms may be utilised.

As shown in figure 17A, the connecting arm 355 at its lower end 365 has a joining means or adaptor to provide for the releasable engagement of an additional connecting arm, in this instance connecting arm 380, which has at its lower end 385 a slider arm 390. In this configuration, the joining of the two connecting arms 355 and 380 to one another allows for the insertion of larger work pieces between the clamping plate 371 on the end of the threaded rod 372 and the clamping plate 373 on the slider arm 390. Any suitable joining means may be utilised to join the connecting arms to one another in an end to end the relationship. Figure 17 A shows the joining means as a mounting plate 400 which is adapted to connect removably to the low-end 365 of the connecting arm 355. The mounting plate 400 can readily be secured and removed by way of screws or similar fastening means. In the alternative the mounting plate 400 can be inserted into a secure slot located in the connecting arm 355.

As can now be seen, the adjustable clamping device of the present invention allows for a greatly increased arrangement of securing clamps that allow the worker to customise the clamping system as per their unique requirements, for example as shown by the clamping assemblies 450, 500 and 520 in figures 17-20, utilising the uniquely adaptable connecting arm 355. For example, in figure 18 the clamping assembly 450 has two connecting arms 451 and 452 arranged parallel to one another, through which are inserted slider arms 460 and 461. The lower end 464 of the slider arm 461 is attached to the ann 467and the clamping plate 470 on the treaded rod 471 can be raised and lowered as required to urge against the connecting arm 452 to clamp to the appropriate material between the two connecting arms 451 and 452. Adjustment of the connecting arms 451 and 452 is substantial in that they can be adjusted to suit a variety of objects that a user may wish to secure.

Figure 19 shows a further arrangement of the clamping assembly 500 in which the two connecting arms 45 1 and 452 each of which are slidingly engaged to a common arm 517 member. The two threaded rods 520 and 521 can then clamp down on an object independently of one another and the remaining threaded rod 522 can, for example, be used to secure the clamping assembly 500 to a suitable secure anchor, such as a work bench or similar.

The clamping devices referred to above provide exceptional variability in clamping of a work piece, in particular when the work piece is of an unwieldy size or unusual shape. In addition, the service to which the work piece is to be clamped may also be irregular in tenns of it's cl amping surface, in particular where a lower portion of the clamp needs to be fixed.