OBJECT USING A CLAMP DEVICE

Technical Field

The inventive concept described herein generally relates to clamps, and in particular to a clamp device for securing a first object to a second object.

Background

Clamps for securing objects to baby cribs or carriages are known in the art, but existing clamps have deficiencies. They are not able to be reliably fixed to the crib or carriage while maintaining a secure hold of the object. They are difficult to manipulate, and they cannot be easily rearranged. They are not safe for use in a baby environment, with respect to both the operation of the clamp and in particular with respect to the safety of the baby.

There is a need for improved clamp devices.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present inventive concept to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in combination.

According to a first aspect of the inventive concept, these and other objects are achieved in full, or at least in part, by a clamp device for securing a first object to a second object, wherein the clamp device comprises: a first member comprising a first engaging surface; a second member comprising a second engaging surface, said second member being configured to be movably attached to the first member along an axis; an intermediate member comprising a third engaging surface at a first end of the intermediate member, and a fourth engaging surface arranged at a second opposing end of the intermediate member, said intermediate member being configured to be movably attached to the first member along the axis; an adjustment arrangement being configured to move the second member along the axis; wherein the second and third engaging surfaces are configured to face each other, thus forming a first clamping arrangement configured to engage with a first object located between the second and third engaging surfaces; wherein the first and fourth engaging surfaces are configured to face each other, thus forming a second clamping arrangement configured to engage with a second object located between the first and fourth engaging surfaces.

The present inventive concept is based on the realization that a clamp device according to the first aspect may secure and/or release a first and a second object in a single action. Another advantage is that the clamp device ensures that equal clamping forces are acting on the first and second object. Yet another advantage is that the clamp device does not have any protruding parts on which a child may e.g. snag their clothes on.

The first object referred to in the present disclosure may be e.g. a baby crib, a stroller, a carriage, a high chair, or... The second object referred to in the present disclosure may be e.g. a toy, a structure of a building, an equipment associated with child care, or the like.

The first member may be configured to house at least part of the second member and at least part of the intermediate member. In particular, the first member may be configured to house at least part of the intermediate member. The intermediate member may thus be arranged between the first and fourth engaging surfaces. Hereby, the intermediate member, which is configured to be movably attached to the first member along the axis, may be protected by the first member, and/or the second member, and/or the first and fourth engaging surfaces.

The first member may comprise a first and a second part being reversibly attached to each other. In particular, the first and second part may be reversibly attached to each other along the axis. An advantage with such an arrangement is that manufacturing, assembly, and/or maintenance of the clamp device is facilitated.

The first, second, third and fourth engaging surfaces may be substantially perpendicular to the axis.

The adjustment arrangement may be configured to urge the second engaging surface towards the third engaging surface. In other words, the adjustment arrangement may be configured to urge the second member towards the intermediate member. Hereby, a first object may be secured between the second and third engaging surfaces. The adjustment arrangement may be configured to secure the second member in a selected position along the axis. Hereby, it may be possible to adjust and select a clamping force of the first clamping arrangement, comprising the second and third engaging surfaces, on the first object. As will be understood from the present disclosure, a clamping force of the first clamping arrangement on the first object may be transferred to the second clamping arrangement via the intermediate member, thus achieving an equal clamping force in both the first and second clamping arrangement on the first and second object respectively. The adjustment arrangement may thus be configured to adjust and/or select a clamping force of the first and second clamping arrangement on the first and second object respectively.

As will be readily understood by the person skilled in the art, a clamping force is not exerted on the first object by the first clamping arrangement until the first and fourth engaging surfaces are in contact with the second object, and the second and third engaging surfaces are in contact with the first object. Likewise, as will be readily understood by the person skilled in the art, a clamping force is not exerted on the second object by the second clamping arrangement until the first and fourth engaging surfaces are in contact with the second object, and the second and third engaging surfaces are in contact with the first object. Of course, if one were to omit either the first or second object, i.e. only clamp one object, a clamping force would be able to be exerted on the remaining object via the corresponding clamping arrangement, given that the engaging surfaces of the other clamping arrangement are in contact.

The adjustment arrangement may comprise a threaded element being fixedly secured to the first member, and a corresponding threaded bolt configured to be received in a through-hole of the second member and to interact with the threaded element. Hereby, a simple adjustment arrangement may be achieved which may be utilized in order to adjust a clamping force of the first and second clamping arrangement and/or to increase or decrease a gap between the engaging surfaces of the respective clamping arrangements. The adjustment arrangement may be adjusted by axial rotation of the threaded bolt in an appropriate direction. Such an appropriate direction includes e.g. a clockwise or counter- clockwise movement. As is readily understood by the person skilled in the art, depending on the threading of the threaded bolt the resulting direction and length of movement of the threaded bolt by clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the threaded bolt may vary. The second member may comprise a bolt recess configured to accommodate a top part of the threaded bolt such that the threaded bolt is recessed into the second member. Hereby, the threaded bolt may be at least level with an outer surface of the second member. The bolt recess may also provide for that the top part of the threaded bolt is protected by the second member, thus achieving an adjustment arrangement which does not have any protruding parts in an operating position.

The first and fourth engaging surfaces may be concave. Hereby, the second clamping arrangement may be configured to secure and/or engage with an object having a circular cross-section, such as a pipe.

The second and third engaging surfaces may be concave. Hereby, the first clamping arrangement may be configured to secure and/or engage with an object having a circular cross-section, such as a pipe.

The first and fourth engaging surfaces may be substantially flat. Hereby the second clamping arrangement may be adapted to secure and/or engage with a substantially flat object, such as a board.

The second and third engaging surfaces may be substantially flat. Hereby the first clamping arrangement may be adapted to secure and/or engage with a substantially flat object, such as a board.

The intermediate member may be configured to be slid along the axis with respect to the first member between a first and a second end point.

The first member may comprise a protruding element and wherein the intermediate member comprises a slit configured to receive the protruding element, wherein the protruding element and the slit is further configured to limit a range of motion of the intermediate member with respect to the first member along the axis. Hereby, the intermediate member may be prevented from being accidentally or deliberately removed from its housing within the first member. In particular, the intermediate member may be prevented from being removed from the first member when the first and second part of the first member are attached to each other. The slit may be configured to extend along the axis. Hereby a range of motion of the intermediate member with respect to the first member along the axis may be limited. In particular, the slit may have an elongated shape along the axis.

The protruding element and the slit may be further configured to limit the intermediate member to be slid between the first and second end point.

According to a second aspect of the inventive concept, these and other objects are achieved in full, or at least in part, by a method for securing a first object to a second object using the clamp device according to the first aspect, wherein the method comprises the steps of: positioning the first object between the second and third engaging surfaces; positioning the second object between the first and fourth engaging surfaces; operating the adjustment arrangement such that the second member is urged along the axis towards the first surface, thus causing the second and third engaging surfaces to engage with and secure the first object and the first and fourth engaging surfaces to engage with and secure the second object.

The method may further comprise operating the adjustment arrangement until a desired clamping force exerted on the first and second object is achieved.

The features and advantages described in relation to the first aspect may be applied to the second aspect.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present inventive concept will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims as well as from the drawings.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. Further, the use of terms "first", "second", and "third", and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. Brief Description of the Drawings

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventive concept, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non- limiting detailed description of different embodiments of the present inventive concept, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a clamp device;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exploded view of a clamp device;

FIGS. 3A - 3B schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a clamp device in a released state and a secured state respectively.

FIGS. 4a - 4b schematically illustrate a clamp device securing a first object to a second object.

The figures are not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts that are necessary in order to elucidate the inventive concept, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

Detailed Description

A clamp device 100 according to the inventive concept will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. It should be noted that even though the illustrated clamp device 100 comprises a first clamping arrangement having flat engaging surfaces and a second clamping arrangement having concave engaging surfaces, other variants or permutations of clamping arrangements are possible within the scope of the present inventive concept.

The clamp device 100 comprises a first member 102 comprising a first engaging surface 104. Here, the first member 102 comprises a first part 106 and a second part 108 being reversibly attached to each other along an axis A. A second member 1 10 comprising a second engaging surface 112 is movably attached to the first member along the axis A.

An intermediate member 114, comprising a third engaging surface 1 16 arranged at a first end of the intermediate member and a fourth engaging surface (not shown) arranged at a second opposing end of the intermediate member 114, is movably attached to the first member 102 along the axis A.

The first member 102 is here configured to house at least part of the second member 1 10. The first member 102 may comprise a recess to accommodate at least part of the second member 110. The first member 102 is also configured to house at least part of the intermediate member 1 14. Similarly, the first member 102 may comprise a recess to accommodate at least part of the intermediate member 1 14. The recesses

accommodating at least part of the second member 110 and at least part of the intermediate member 114 may be one and the same recess.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the clamp device 100 is illustrated. This view clearly shows the relationship between first part 106 and second part 108 of the first member. The first part 106 and second part 108 may comprise corresponding fastening elements 118 configured to reversibly attach the first part 106 and second part 108 of the first member to each other along the axis A. In particular, the clamp device may comprise threaded elements (not shown) configured to interact with the fastening elements 1 18, thus reversibly attaching the first part 106 and second part 108 of the first member to each other along the axis A.

Also, in this illustration it can be seen that the first engaging surface 104 may be shared between the first and second part 106, 108. The fourth engaging surface 120 of the intermediate member 114 is also visible in this view. The third engaging surface 1 16 may comprise a gripping element 122 providing friction between the third engaging surface 1 16 and an object being secured via the third engaging surface 116. Similarly, the second engaging surface 1 12 may comprise a gripping element 124 providing friction between the second engaging surface 1 12 and an object being secured via the second engaging surface 1 12. The friction elements 122, 124 may be made of a material providing a high amount of grip, such as rubber. The friction elements 122, 124 may provide for that an object being held by either of the clamping arrangements of the clamp device 100 does not slip out of the grip of the respective clamping arrangement. The first, second, third and fourth engaging surfaces 104, 1 12, 1 16, 120 are perpendicular to the axis A, which allows the clamp device 100 to secure a first object to a second object by moving the second member along the axis A towards the first engaging surface 104.

The clamp device 100 further comprises an adjustment arrangement configured to move the second member 110 along the axis A. Here, the adjustment arrangement comprises a threaded element 126 being fixedly secured to the first member. The threaded element 126 may be held by a corresponding groove, recess or slot 128 in the first member, however it is envisioned that the threaded element 126 may e.g. form part of the first member. The adjustment arrangement here further comprises a threaded bolt 130 corresponding to the threaded element 126. The threaded bolt 130 is configured to be received in a through-hole 132 of the second member 1 10 and to interact with the threaded element 126. Thus, the adjustment arrangement may be seamlessly adjusted by axial rotation of the threaded bolt 130. A rotation of the threaded bolt 130 in a tightening direction will urge the second member 1 10 towards the intermediate member 114.

The intermediate member 114 here comprises two slits 134 and 134b and the first member comprises two corresponding protruding elements 136a and 136b. In particular, the second part 108 here comprises the two protruding elements 136a and 136b. It is envisioned that the first part, in addition or alternatively, may comprise the two protruding elements 136a and 136b. The intermediate member 1 14 may thus be arranged with respect to the first member such that the protruding elements 136a and 136b extend through the slits 134a and 134b respectively. Hereby, the intermediate member 1 14 may be prevented from being removed from the first member when the first and second part 106, 108 are attached to each other. Further, the slits 134a and 134b and protruding elements 136a and 136b may through their mutual interaction limit a range of motion of the intermediate member 1 14 with respect to the first member along the axis A. As is readily understood by the person skilled in the art, although the illustrated embodiment comprises two slits and two corresponding protruding elements, any number of slits and protruding elements are possible within the scope of the inventive concept. Further, as readily understood by the person skilled in the art, the intermediate member 1 14 may comprise the protruding element, and the first member may comprise the slit, while providing similar advantages and effects as described above. Still further, the term‘slit’ is not meant to infer any structural limitation, such as width or the like. It is envisioned that the slit may be exchanged for a locking recess in the intermediate member 1 14 configured to receive the one or more protruding elements of the first member, wherein the locking recess provide the same or alike advantages as the slit described in the present disclosure. It may be noted that one of the fastening elements 118 may be defined as a protruding element, and that one of the fastening elements 118 may interact with a slit, recess or hole 134c, thus providing similar advantages and effects as described above. The movement of the second member 1 10 and intermediate member 1 14 with respect to the first member 102 will be described in further detail in conjunction with FIGS. 3a - 3b.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a - 3b, a cross-sectional view of the clamp device 100 taken along the axis A is illustrated. Referring first to FIG. 3a, the clamp device 100 is in a released state, wherein the first and second object 138, 140 may be moved with respect to the first and second clamping arrangements 142, 144. In this cross-sectional view it can more clearly be seen that the first member 102 is configured to house at least part of the second member 1 10 and at least part of the intermediate member 1 14.

A bolt recess 146 is arranged in the first member 1 10. The bolt recess 146 is configured to accommodate a top part of the threaded bolt 130. The bolt recess 146 may act as a counter-sink for the threaded bolt 130.

Referring now to FIG. 3b, the clamp device 100 has been moved into a secured state via the adjustment arrangement. Moving from the released state to the secured state may comprise the threaded bolt 130 being axially rotated in a clockwise direction which urges the second member 110 towards the intermediate member 1 14. In particular, the second engaging surface 1 12 is urged towards the third engaging surface 116. The second engaging surface 1 12 engages with the first object 138, and via the continued operation of the adjustment arrangement a gap between the second and third engaging surfaces 1 12, 116 is decreased. Eventually the first object 138 engages with the third engaging surface 1 16, and continued operation of the adjustment arrangement further urges the intermediate member 1 14 towards the first engaging surface 104. In particular, the fourth engaging surface 120 is urged towards the first engaging surface 104. In other words, an object placed between the second and third engaging surfaces 1 12, 116 will carry over the movement of the second member 1 10 to the intermediate member 114, thus urging the intermediate member 1 14 towards the first engaging surface 104. Continued operation of the adjustment arrangement urges the fourth engaging surface 120 into engagement with the second object 140, decreases a gap between the first and fourth engaging surfaces 104, 120, and eventually urges the second object 140 into

engagement with the first engaging surface 104. At this point, the adjustment

arrangement may be operated until a desired clamping force is achieved. The

arrangement of the clamp device 100 provides that the first and second clamping arrangements 142, 144 exert an equal clamping force on the first and second object 138, 140 respectively.

The first and second objects 138, 140 may be released by moving the clamp device 100 into the released state by operating the adjustment arrangement accordingly. In the illustrated example, the clamp device 100 may be moved into the released state by axial rotation of the threaded bolt 130 in a counter-clockwise direction.

As is readily understood, any reference to clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of threaded elements in the present disclosure depend on the threading of the threaded elements. In the present disclosure, a clockwise rotation of the threaded bolt is to be understood as a rotation which tightens the threaded bolt, and vice versa a counter- clockwise rotation of the threaded bolt is to be understood as a rotation which loosens the threaded bolt.

The clamp device in use will now be described in conjunction with FIGS. 4a - 4b.

Referring first to FIG. 4a, the clamp device 100 is illustrated securing a pipe or tube 146 to a crib 148. In the context of the present disclosure, the pipe or tube 146 may be referred to as the first object, and the crib 148 as the second object. Here, the first clamping arrangement 142 secures a panel 150 of the crib 148, and the second clamping arrangement 144 secures the pipe or tube 146. The pipe or tube 146 may be part of a toy, a structure of a building, or any other type of object which may be desirable to secure to the crib 148. In particular, if the pipe or tube 146 is part of a structure of a building, the crib 148 may be prevented from tipping or falling over by securing the crib 148 to the pipe or tube 146. As is readily understood, the clamp device 100 may be arranged in other positions with respect to the crib 148, such that the first clamping arrangement 142 is in contact with other elements of the crib 148.

Referring now to FIG. 4b, the clamp device 100 is illustrated securing a pipe or tube 146 to a carriage 152. In the context of the present disclosure, the pipe or tube 146 may be referred to as the first object, and the carriage 152 as the second object. Here, the first clamping arrangement 142 secures a panel 150 of the carriage 152, and the second clamping arrangement 144 secures the pipe or tube 146. The pipe or tube 146 may be part of a toy, or any other type of object which may be desirable to secure to the carriage 152. As is readily understood, the clamp device 100 may be arranged in other positions with respect to the carriage 152, such that the first clamping arrangement 142 is in contact with other elements of the carriage 152.

The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.

List of reference signs

100 Clamp device

102 First member

104 First engaging surface

106 First part

108 Second part

110 Second member

112 Second engaging surface

114 Intermediate member

116 Third engaging surface

118 Fastening elements

120 Fourth engaging surface

122 Friction element

124 Friction element

126 Threaded element

128 Slot

130 Threaded bolt

132 Through-hole

134a Slit

134b Slit

136a Protruding element

136b Protruding element

138 First object

140 Second object

142 First clamping arrangement

144 Second clamping arrangement

146 Tube or pipe

148 Crib

150 Panel

152 Carriage