STEINHOBEL BRIAN ARTHUR (ZA)
VAN DER MERWE CLARE DEBORAH (ZA)
STEINHOBEL BRIAN ARTHUR (ZA)
MERWE CLARE DEBORAH V D (ZA)
| FR1560494A | 1969-03-21 | |||
| US4738424A | 1988-04-19 | |||
| FR1013597A | 1952-07-30 | |||
| EP0736728A2 | 1996-10-09 |
| 1. | A clamp including first and second jaws, at least the first jaw being biased towards the second jaw by an extension of the first jaw which extension is connected to an extension of the second jaw so that movement of the extension of the first jaw towards the extension of the second jaw causes the first jaw to move away from the second jaw and thus open the jaws to receive an object to be clamped between the jaws. |
| 2. | The clamp of claim 1 wherein one of the first and second jaws consists of two spaced jaws. |
| 3. | The clamp of claim 2 wherein the other of the first and second jaws consists of a single jaw located between the two spaced jaws. |
| 4. | The clamp of any of the above claims wherein the extensions of the first and second jaws are connected to a stem. |
| 5. | The clamp of claim 4 wherein the stem consists of a first part slidable relative to a second part. |
| 6. | The clamp of claim 5 wherein the jaws, their extensions and one of the first and second parts comprise an integral moulding. |
| 7. | The clamp of claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the first and second parts include cooperating retaining formations for retaining the two parts together. |
| 8. | The clamp of any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the first part is a rod and the second part is a tube, with the rod extending into the tube. |
| 9. | The clamp of any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the stem is connected to a foot. |
| 10. | The clamps of claim 9 wherein the foot includes an aperture for fastening means for fastening the foot to a surface. |
| 11. | A clamp including first and second jaws connected to a stem which consists of a first part slidable relative to a second part, the two parts being biased away from one another by biasing means which is integrally formed with one of the parts. |
| 12. | A clamp for a light emitting tube including a pair of jaws which are biased towards one another by biasing means, the jaws being connected to a stem which is connected to a foot adapted to be secured to a surface. |
| 13. | A clamp substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION One type of prior art clamp for a light emitting tube consists of a single jaw supported on a stem. The tube is located in the jaw and fastened to the jaw with wire.
Another type of prior art clamp for a light emitting tube consists of a fixed jaw and a movable jaw. The fixed jaw extends from a body which is supported on a stem. The movable jaw has a pair of arms with teeth which engage teeth on either side of the body so that the movable jaw can be moved in one direction only towards the fixed jaw as the teeth engage in a ratchet-like fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention a clamp includes first and second jaws, at least the first jaw being biased towards the second jaw by an extension of the first jaw which extension is connected to an extension of the second jaw so that movement of the extension of the first jaw towards the extension of the second jaw causes the first jaw to move away from the second jaw and thus open the jaws to receive an object to be clamped between the jaws.
One of the first and second jaws preferably consists of two spaced jaws and the other of the first and second jaws consists of a single jaw located between the two spaced jaws.
The extensions of the first and second jaws are preferably connected to a stem.
The stem may consist of a first part slidable relative to a second part.
The jaws, their extensions and one of the first and second parts preferably comprise an integral moulding.
The first and second parts may include co-operating retaining formations for retaining the two parts together.
The first part may be a rod and the second part may be a tube, with the rod extending into the tube.
The stem is preferably connected to a foot.
The foot may include an aperture for fastening means for fastening the foot to a foundation.
According to another aspect of the invention a clamp includes first and second jaws connected to a stem which consists of a first part slidable relative to a second part, the two parts being biased away from one another by biasing means which is integrally formed with one of the parts.
According to another aspect of the invention a clamp for a light emitting tube includes a pair of jaws which are biased towards one another by biasing means, the jaws being connected to a stem which is connected to a foot adapted to be secured to a surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a clamp according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the clamp ; Figure 3 is a side view of the clamp; Figure 4 is a plan view of the clamp; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view on line V-V of figure 4; Figure 6 is a front view of the clamp; Figure 7 is a rear view of the clamp; and Figure 8 is a side view of a fluorescent tube anchored to a surface by two of the clamps.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A quick release clamp 10 includes a lower jaw 12 located between two upper jaws 14. The upper jaws 14 are integrally connected to an extension 16 which is in turn integrally connected to an extension 18 of the lower jaw 18. The extensions 16 and 18 are integrally connected to a stem 20. The stem 20 is slidably located within a tube 24 which is integrally connected to a foot 26.
A spring 28 is integrally formed with the stem 20. The spring 28 biases the stem 20 away from the tube 24.
The stem 20 is retained within the tube by co-operating retaining formations on the stem 20 and the tube 24 in the form of abutting shoulders 30 and 32.
The shoulder 30 on the stem 20 is shaped to facilitate insertion of stem 20 into the tube 24, but to prevent removal of the stem 20 from the tube 24.
The extensions 16 and 18 have roughened surfaces 34 to facilitate gripping of the clamp 10.
The foot 26 has an aperture 36.
The clamp 10 is moulded from a transparent polymeric material with the jaws 12 and 14 in their closed position. The jaws 12,14 their extensions 16,18 and the stem 20 and the spring 28 comprise an integral moulding.
In use, the clamps 10 are used to anchor a fluorescent tube 38 to a surface 40 as can be seen in figure 8. The clamps 10 are fastened to the surface by screws 42. In order to clamp the tube 38 between the jaws 12 and 14, the extension 16 is pushed towards the extension 18 to cause the upper jaws 14 to move away from the lower jaw 12. The tube 38 is then inserted between the jaws 12 and 14. The pressure on extension 16 is then released causing the upper jaws 14 to move back towards the lower jaw 12 to clamp the tube 38 between the jaws 12 and 14. The tube 38 can readily be released from the clamps 10 by opening their jaws in the manner described.
It will be appreciated that many modifications or variations of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.