FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hardware and tools, and more particularly to a third hand clamp device operable to clamp an object to a pipe or other elongated member of round cross- section.

BACKGROUND

It often happens in a manual working environment that one feels a third hand is needed to hold something. This is of course more evident when working solo. There are many different types of "third hand" devices out there which have one end as a clamping means and the other being meant to rest or somehow attach to a surface or object.

US Patent No. 184,957 describes a clamp that is placed over a vertical square post, and is linked to another clamp that may hold planar type objects.

US Patent No. 1 ,160,103 describes a carpenter's tool that consists of two opposing clamps. One clamp is fixed to a main wood piece member while the second clamp can hold a secondary wood piece member,

US Patent No. 1,410,184 describes a tool that comprises two opposing adjustable clamps.

US Patent No. 2,101,317 describes a double clamp that may hold metallic tubing. The clamps are held with fasteners and may swivel one in relation to the other.

US Patent No. 2,245,939 describes a double clamp that presents two opposing clamps for respective coupling to round vertical pipes and channel-shaped horizontal beams in a scaffolding structure.

US Patent No. 2,392,932 describes a double clamp that features two opposing clamps that are installed on scaffolds and may swivel one in relation to the other.

US Patent No. 3,266,208 describes a double clamp for scaffolds that presents a girder clamp.

US Patent No. 3,904,161 describes a clamp for an umbrella that is attached to a lawn chair. A first clamp encircles a chair tube while a second clamp holds an umbrella.

US Patent No. 4,002,328 and UK Patent Application No. GB 1 469 196 describe a double clamp that comprises a C-clamp combined with a vice clamp. One clamp may hold a wood piece member.

US Patent No. 4,256,295 describes a double clamp that includes two C-clamps that may hold various elements.

US Patent No 5,040,916 and International Patent Application Publication No. WO89/06730 describes a double clamp that presents a C clamp and a girder clamp. The clamp may be affixed to scaffolds. UK patent GB 2 073 309 describes a double clamp that includes two opposing girder type clamps.

Despite the significant volume of prior art, there remains room for improvement in the area of dual clamping devices operable to couple an object to a pipe, tube or other elongated member of round cross-section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a clamping device for connecting an object to an elongated member of round cross-section, the clamping device comprising:

a first clamp for clamping to the object, said first clamp comprising:

a clamping frame comprising opposing first and second sides and a third central side spanning therebetween, and a channel bound between said first, second and third sides;

a first clamping member passing through one of the opposing first and second sides into the channel, and arranged for displacement back and forth through said one of the opposing first and second sides toward and away from the other of said opposing first and second sides; and

a second clamp for clamping to the elongated member, said second clamp comprising: a curved pivotal member having opposing first and second ends and a concavely shaped inner side;

a complimentary member attached to the clamping frame of the first clamp at a position outside the channel thereof, the mounting member having a cutaway-shaped outer side facing away from the clam ing frame;

a pivotal connection between the curved pivotal member and the complimentary member adjacent the first end of the curved pivotal member; and

a locking arrangement operable to detachably couple the second end of the curved member to the complimentary member in a closed position in which the curved pivotal member and the complimentary member cooperatively close around a clamping area with the concave inner side of the curved pivotal member and the cutaway-shaped outer side of the complimentary member facing one another across said clamping area; and

a second clamping member passing through the curved-pivotal member at an intermediate position between the first and second ends thereof, and arranged for displacement back and forth through the curved pivotal member toward and away from the complimentary member.

Preferably the cutaway-shaped outer side of the complimentary member has a pair of linear edges that diverge from one another in a direction moving toward the curved pivotal member in the closed position thereof.

Preferably a cutaway area of the cutaway-shaped outer side of the complimentary member is generally V-shaped. Preferably the second clamping member is an externally threaded screw member engaged in a threaded bore of the curved pivotal member for movement back and forth therethrough under rotation of the screw member.

Preferably each clamping member has a respective handle attached thereto for manual operation of said clamping member.

The respective handle of at least one of the clamping members may be a swivel handle pivotally coupled thereto.

Preferably the clamping frame comprises gripping features on the second side to resist axial movement of an object through the channel when said object is clamped against the second side by the first clamping member.

There may be provided a third clamp of different character than the second clamp, wherein the pivotal connection of the second clamp is arranged for selective disconnection and reconnection thereof, which enables detachment of the curved pivotal member and mounting of the third clamp in place of the detached curved pivotal member of the second clamp.

Preferably the third clamp comprises a respective channel-defining frame that defines a respective channel, a third clamping member passing through one of a pair of opposing sides of the respective channel-defining frame of the third clamp and arranged for displacement back and forth through said one of the pair of opposing sides toward and away from the other of said pair of opposing sides, and a mounting arrangement that projects from a respective side of the respective channel-defining frame of the third channel at a surface thereof facing outwardly away from the respective channel thereof and is arranged for coupling to the complimentary member by the locking arrangement and the pivotal connection.

The mounting arrangement may be configured to place an axis of the respective channel of the third clamp in an orientation perpendicular to an axial direction of the first clamp.

Preferably the mounting arrangement comprises a pair of mounting lugs projecting from the respective side of the channel defining frame.

Preferably the mounting lugs are defined by opposing ends of a rigid bar affixed to the respective side of the channel defining frame.

Preferably there are provided a set of gripping features on said other of the opposing sides of the respective channel-defining frame of the third clamp.

Preferably the set of gripping features on said other of the opposing sides of the respective channel-defining frame of the third clamp are pointed units protruding into the respective channel of the third clamp.

Preferably each pointed unit is individually removable from said other of the opposing sides of the respective channel of the third clamp. Preferably each pointed unit is a pointed set screw.

Preferably the set of gripping features on said other of the opposing sides of the channel- defining frame of the third clamp comprise a plurality of separate individual grippers and the clamping frame comprises an array of mounting locations on said other of the opposing sides of the respective channel-defining frame of the third clamp, each individual gripper being selectively mountable at any of the mounting locations to allow user-customization of the quantity and position of the individual grippers mounted to the respective channel-defining frame of the third clamp.

Preferably each individual gripper is a threaded member and each mounting location is a respective threaded bore in said other of the opposing sides of the channel-defining frame of the third clamp.

Preferably each individual gripper is a set screw.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamping device for connecting an object to an elongated member of round cross-section, the clamping device comprising:

a first clamp for clamping to the object, said first clamp comprising:

a clamping frame comprising opposing first and second sides and a third central side spanning therebetween, and a channel bound between said first, second and third sides;

a first clamping member passing through one of the opposing first and second sides into the channel, and arranged for displacement back and forth through said one of the opposing first and second sides toward and away from the other of said opposing first and second sides; and

a second clamp attached to the first clamp at a position outside the channel for clamping to the elongated member of round cross-section;

wherein the clamping frame comprises gripping features on the second side to resist axial movement of an object through the channel when said object is clamped against the second side by the second clamping member.

Preferably the gripping features are removably mounted to the second side of the clamping frame.

Preferably the gripping features comprise pointed members protruding from the second side toward the first side at spaced apart locations distributed over an area of said first side.

Preferably each pointed member is individually removable from the second side of the clamping frame.

Preferably each pointing member is a pointed set screw.

Preferably the gripping features comprise a plurality of separate individual gripping units and the clamping frame comprises an array of mounting sites on the second side thereof, each individual gripping unit being selectively mountable at any of the mounting sites to allow user-customization of the quantity and locations of the gripping units mounted to the clamping frame. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamping device for connecting an object to an elongated member of round cross-section, the clamping device comprising:

a first clamp for clamping to the object; and

a second clamp for clamping to the elongated member, said second clamp comprising: a curved pivotal member having opposing first and second ends and a concavely shaped inner side;

a complimentary member attached to the first clamp, the mounting member having a cutaway-shaped outer side facing away from the clamping frame;

a pivotal connection between the curved pivotal member and the complimentary member adjacent the first end of the curved pivotal member;

a locking arrangement operable to detachably couple the second end of the curved pivotal member to the complimentary member in a closed position in which the curved pivotal member and the complimentary member cooperatively close around a clamping area with the concave inner side of the curved pivotal member and the cutaway-shaped outer side of the complimentary member facing one another across said clamping area; and

a clamping member passing through the curved-pivotal member at an intermediate position between the first and second ends thereof, and arranged for displacement back and forth through the curved pivotal member toward and away from the complimentary member;

wherein the cutaway-shaped outer side of the complimentary member features a generally V-shaped cutaway that widens toward the concave inner side of the curved pivotal member in the closed position thereof .

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamping device for connecting an object to an elongated member of round cross-section, the clamping device comprising:

a first clamp for clamping to the object; and

a second clamp for clamping to the elongated member, said second clamp comprising: a curved pivotal member having opposing first and second ends and a concavely shaped inner side;

a complimentary member attached to the first clamp, the mounting member having a cutaway-shaped outer side facing away from the clamping frame;

a pivotal connection between the curved pivotal member and the complimentary member adjacent the first end of the curved pivotal member;

a locking arrangement operable to detachably couple the second end of the curved pivotal member to the complimentary member in a closed position in which the curved pivotal member and the complimentary member cooperatively close around a clamping area with the concave inner side of the curved pivotal member and the cutaway-shaped outer side of the complimentary member facing one another across said clamping area; and

a clamping member passing through the curved-pivotal member at an intermediate position between the first and second ends thereof, and arranged for displacement back and forth through the curved pivotal member toward and away from the complimentary member;

wherein the cutaway-shaped outer side of the complimentary member has a pair of linear edges that diverge from one another in a direction moving toward the curved pivotal member in the closed position thereof.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a third hand clamp device comprising:

a semi-circular pivotable band member releasably attachable to a complementary semicircular fixed member, the a semi-circular pivotable band member being further comprised of a shoe which is raised or lowered by way of a bottom bolt;

a pin that secures both the pivotable band member and the circular fixed member together so that they can clamp around a steel pipe;

a bottom bolt handle to turn the bottom bolt;

a spacer member that extends upwardly from the semi-circular fixed member and connects to a clamping frame;

wherein the clamping frame has a ^' worm screw with a round shoe at one end and a worm screw handle at its opposite end.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamp comprising:

a clamping frame comprising opposing first and second sides and a third central side spanning therebetween, and a channel bound between said first, second and third sides;

a clamping member passing through one of the opposing first and second sides into the channel, and arranged for displacement back and forth through said one of the opposing first and second sides toward and away from the other of said opposing first and second sides; and

individually removable pointed members protruding from the second side toward the first side at spaced apart locations distributed over an area of said first side.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamp comprising: a clamping frame comprising opposing first and second sides and a third central side spanning therebetween, and a channel bound between said first, second and third sides;

a clamping member passing through one of the opposing first and second sides into the channel, and arranged for displacement back and forth through said one of the opposing first and second sides toward and away from the other of said opposing first and second sides; and

gripping features on the second side to resist axial movement of an object through the channel when said object is clamped against the second side by the second clamping member; wherein the gripping features comprise a plurality of separate individual gripping units and the clamping frame comprises an array of mounting sites on the second side thereof, each individual gripping unit being selectively mountable at any of the mounting sites to allow user-customization of the quantity and locations of the gripping units mounted to the clam ing frame.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamping device comprising:

a first clamp;

a second clamp attached to the first clamp, at least a portion of the second clamp being detachable from the first clamp; and

a third clamp of different character than the second clamp, the third clamp being selectively attachable to the first clamp in place of said at least a portion of the second clamp when detached from the first clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an assembled isometric view of a clamping device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which features a first clamp for gripping a plywood sheet or other flat-sided object and a second clamp for gripping a pipe or other round elongated member.

Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of the clamping device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the clamping device of Figure 1, in which solid and broken lines are used to respectively illustrate closed and open positions of a pipe clamp of the device.

Figure 4 is an overhead plan view of the clamping device of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the clamping device of Figure 1.

Figure 6 A is an isometric view illustrating attachment of the clamping device of Figure 1 to a scaffolding pipe or the like using the pipe clamp of the device.

Figure 6B is an isometric view illustrating attachment of a planar object to the scaffolding pipe of Figure 6 A using the clamping device of Figure.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a clamping device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which again features a first clamp for gripping a plywood sheet or other flat-sided object and a second clamp for gripping a pipe or other round elongated member, but with the clamps having a different relative orientation to one another than in the first embodiment.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the clamping device of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the clamping device of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the clamping device of Figure 9 as viewed along line X - X thereof. Figure 11 is another side elevational view of the second embodiment clamping device, similar to Figure 8, but with an alternate third clamp mounted thereto in place of a removable component of the second clamp to enable attachment of the device to dimensional lumber or other flat-sided elongated members.

Figure 12 is an overhead plan view of the clamping device of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the clamping device of Figure 11 installed on a piece of dimensional lumber.

Figure 14 is an overhead plan view of the clamping device of Figure 13.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 through 6 illustrate a third hand clamp device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. A pipe clamp of the device has a semi-circular pivotable band member 12 which is releasably attachable to a complementary fixed member 14. A locking pin 16a secures both the pivotable band member 12 and the circular fixed member 14 together in a closed position so that they can clamp around a steel pipe 18, such as the type found on scaffolding, for example. The locking pin 16a is attached to a small cable 17, which in turn is tied to a lug or anchor point on the fixed complementary member 14 of the plank, thereby tethering the locking pin 16a to the pipe clamp so as to prevent loss of the locking pin. One end of the pivotal band member 12 is hinged to the fixed member 14 by pivot pin 16b for pivotal movement of the band member 12 relative thereto about a pivot axis A] that is parallel to a pipe clamp axis A2 on which the semi-circular curvature of the pivotal band 12 is centered in the closed position.

With reference to a orientation of the device 10 shown in the drawings, in which the pivotal band member 12 hangs downwardly from its connection to the overlying fixed member 14, the pipe clamp is further comprised of a shoe 20 which is raised or lowered by way of a bottom bolt 22 when the pipe clamp is in the closed position. This provides for a securely tightened clamping of the device to a pipe 18 by turning of the bottom bolt 22 via a bottom bolt handle 24 once the pipe 18 has been passed axially through the clamping area bound by the closed band and complementary members 12, 14 after locking thereof into the closed position using the locking pin 16a,

Extending upwardly from the fixed member 14 is a spacer member 26 which connects to a clamping frame 28. The clamping frame 28 is "C" shaped, and features worm screw 30 with a flat-faced round shoe 32 at one end and a worm screw handle 34 at its opposite end. The clamping frame 28 has a bottom plate 28a which has spikes 38 to acts as gripping elements further prevent slippage of whatever object 40 is being clamped. More specifically, the clamping frame 28 is defined by a piece of U-shaped or C-shaped metal channel that features an opposing first and second parallel side plates 28a, 28b and a central third side plate 28c joining the two parallel side plates 28a, 28b together. The clamping frame thereby defines an open channel 42 that is bound between the three side plates 28a, 28b, 28c and passes through the clamping frame 28 on a channel axis A ₃ that is parallel to the pivot and pipe clamp axes A _1: A _2. The spacer 26 is affixed to the second side plate 28b of the clamping frame 28 at the bottom surface thereof that faces outwardly away from the channel 42, whereby the pipe clamp affixed to the underside of the spacer 26 is situated externally of the clamping frame 28 and outside the channel 42 that passes therethrough.

The worm screw 30 passes through a matingly threaded opening or bore 44 in the center of the first side plate 28a of the clamping frame 28, thereby reaching into the internal channel 42 of the framing member 28 and extending toward the opposing second side plate 28b of the clamping frame 28. Using the manually operated handle 34 that is affixed to the end worm screw 30 at the actuating end thereof disposed outside the channel 42, rotation of the screw 30 in an advancing direction thereby drives the opposing working end of the worm screw 30 (and the shoe 32 affixed thereto) toward the second side plate 28b of the clamping frame 28. The spikes 38 on the second side plate 28b of the clamping frame 28 point into the channel 42 toward the opposing first side plate 28a of the clamping frame so as to pierce into the object 40 when the advancement of the worm screw 30 forces the object 40 against the spiked second side plate 28b of the clamping frame 28.

Turning back to the pipe clamp of the first embodiment, the fixed member 14 of the pipe clamp has a cutaway shape at an outer side 14a thereof that faces toward a concavely contoured inner side 12a of the band 12 when the band 12 is in the closed position. In the first embodiment, the cutaway is in the shape of a circular segment, whereby the outer side 14a of the fixed member 14 features a concavely arcuate cradle-shaped curvature. It will be appreciated that the term "cutaway" is being used to describe a visual shape or appearance of the fixed member 14, i.e. the absence of material from what would otherwise be a linear edge of the fixed member, and not necessarily to dictate that the "cutaway" shape is actually produced by "cutting away" material from a stock piece of standardized shape. For example, as alternatives to machined fabrication (i.e. subtractive manufacturing), the fixed member 14 and its "cutaway could be formed by casting or additive manufacturing. The cutaway shape creates a cradle for the circumference of a pipe 18 to abut against when tightening the bolt 22 of the clamping device into an advanced position holding the pipe 18 and the device 10 in stationary relation to one another.

To attach the first embodiment clamping device 10 to a scaffolding pipe or other elongated member of round cross-section (e.g. shaft, axle, bar, tube, post, etc.), first the locking pin I6a is removed, thereby releasing the respective end of the band 12 from the fixed member 14, under which the band 12 swings into an open position, as shown in broken lines in Figure 3. The pipe 18 is situated at or adjacent the cutaway side 14a of the fixed member 14, at which point the band 12 is manually swung back into the closed position, in which an axial through-bore 46 in the band 12 (Figure 2) near the movable end thereof is aligned with a respective axial through-bore 14b in the fixed member to enable reinsertion of the locking pin 16a through these aligned bores to established a locked condition of the band 12 in the closed position. In this closed position, the band 12 and fixed member 14 cooperate with one another to encircle around the pipe 18. The bottom bolt 22 is then advanced through the band, via a threaded through-bore 48 therein at an intermediate location between the ends of the band, so to reach further into the clamping area in order to drive the pipe 18 firmly against the cradle-shaped cutaway at the outer side 14a of the fixed member, thereby clamping the device 10 to the pipe 18. In the event that a desired position of the device 10 on a pipe is achievable by axially sliding the device onto the pipe over an accessible end thereof, initial opening of the pipe clamp to accommodate receipt of the pipe therein may be omitted from this process.

Before or after coupling of the device 10 to the pipe 18, an edge of a wooden board or other generally planar object 40 is inserted into the internal channel 42 of the clamping frame 28, whether in an axial direction parallel to the channel axis A ₃ , a lateral direction perpendicular to the channel axis A ₃ and third side plate 28c, or a combination thereof. The edge is inserted far enough so as to place a portion of the board or other object 40 between the shoe 32 and the spiked second plate 28b of the clamping frame 28, at which time the worm screw 30 is then advanced in order to drive the object 40 firmly against the spiked second side plate 28b, thereby clamping the device to the object 40. Piercing slightly into the object 40, the spikes 38 obstruct relative sliding of the object 40 relative to the clamping frame 28 in both the axial and lateral directions, thereby increasing the hold strength between the two as compared to the holding force that would be achieved by mere clamping of the object against a purely planar top surface of the framing member's second wall 28b.

Since the clamp axis A ₂ and channel axis A ₃ are parallel to one another in the first embodiment, the first embodiment clamping device is particularly suited to supporting a board or other object 40in a horizontal orientation extending to one side of a horizontally oriented pipe or other elongated member 18 of circular cross-section, as shown in Figure 6B.

Turning to Figures 7 through 9, a second embodiment clamping device 10' instead has its clamp axis A ₂ and channel axis A ₃ oriented in perpendicular relation to one another, whereby the clamping device 10' is well suited for supporting a board or other object in a horizontal orientation extending to one side of a vertically oriented pipe or elongated member. In the second embodiment, the spacer 26 of the first embodiment is omitted, and the fixed member 14' of the pipe clamp is attached directly to the channel shaped clamping frame 28. More specifically, the fixed member 14' is affixed to the third side plate 28c of the clamping frame 28 at the outer surface thereof that faces outwardly away from the channel 42 of the clamping frame 28. The second embodiment also differs from the first in that the cutaway shape of the fixed member 14' of the pipe clamp at the outer side 14a thereof is not purely arcuate in shape, but instead has more of a V-shaped profile in which linear side edges 48 of the cutaway diverge away from one another in a direction moving away from the third side plate 28 c of the clamping frame 28. As shown, the two diverging edges 48 may be joined together by a rounded or arc-shaped curvature at the inner end of the cutaway nearest to the third side plate 28c of the clamping frame 28. Alternatively, the V-shaped profile may terminate at its inner end with a sharp point of intersection between two longer linear edges. Once again, the pivotal band 12 is hinged at one end to the complementary fixed member 14 by a pivot pin 16b, and releasably connectable to the fixed member 14' at the other end by a locking pin 16a. As is true of the first embodiment, the band 12 may be semi-circular, U-shaped, C-shaped or horseshoe-shaped so as to have a concavely shaped inner side 12a that faces toward the cutaway of the fixed member's outer side 14a in the closed position. The V-shaped profile allows the second embodiment to securely clamp onto pipes or other round members of varying diameter. Pipes of radius less than or equal to that of the optionally arcuate inner end of the cutaway will be abutted against this curved portion of the cutaway under advancement of the pipe clamping bolt 22 theretoward, while pipes of greater radius than the arcuate inner end of the cutaway will be held against the diverging sides 48 of the cutaway at two circumferential points of the pipe under such advancement of the clamping bolt 22.

The accommodation of varying pipe diameters allows use of the invention on scaffolding of different pipe diameter, and use in any other applications where attachment of an object to a pipe or other elongated member of round section is desirable. As illustrated, the pipe clamp shoe 20 of the first embodiment may be omitted, in which case the clamping bolt 22 alone serves as the clamping member for tightening the pipe against the cutaway side 14a of the fixed member 14.

The second clamping member at the channel shaped clamp is similar to that of the first embodiment, once again featuring a worm screw 30 with a clamping shoe 32 attached to the inner end of the worm screw 30 inside the channel 42 of the clamping frame 28. While the first embodiment employed a fixed cross-bar at the outer end of each of the object-clamping worm screw 30 and the pipe clamping bolt 22 to define the respective handle, the second embodiment instead employs swivel handles 24', 34' that can each pivot relative to the respective clamping member about an axis perpendicular thereto. In either embodiment, each clamping member can be manually tightened and loosened, thereby allowing tool-free operation of the clamping device.

With reference to Figure 10, the pointed spikes 38 of the second illustrated embodiment are defined by pointed set screws that are removably engagable with respective threaded through-bores 50 in the second side plate 28b of the clamping frame 28. Each set screw spike 38 is threaded sufficiently far into a respective one of the threaded bores 50 so that the pointed end 38a of the set screw resides between the planes of the first and second side plates 28a, 28b of the clamping frame. The end of the set screw 38 opposite the pointed end 38a thereof features a hexagonal socket or other tool-engagable recess or feature enabling rotation of the set screw via a hex-key or other suitable driver. If any of the set screws spikes 38 is worn or damaged, it can be easily replaced by a user, either independently of, or in combination with, the other set screw spikes.

The threaded bores 50 are spaced apart from one another over the area of the second side plate 28b in a predetermined array or pattern. The set screws are identical to one another in size and thread configuration, as are the threaded bores 50, whereby any set screw can be threaded into any of the bores 50. Not only does this enable individual replacement of any spike independently of the others, but a user can also select whether to fill the full array of bores 50 with respective set screws, or whether to leave a select one or more of the bores unoccupied by a respective set screw, thereby enabling user customization of the quantity and layout of the set screws removably mounted to the clamping frame through this threaded engagement.

In addition to allowing service or repair to the device via the selective removal of the set screws, the worm screw 30 and bottom bolt 22 may likewise removable from their respective threaded bores for replacement when, or if, such replacement becomes necessary due to wear or damage. Top enable this, the flat-faced shoe 32 on the worm screw 30 is removably coupled thereto in order to allow full withdrawal of the worm screw 30 from bore 44 after removal of the shoe 32. The pipe clamp shoe 20 of the first embodiment, when included in the assembly, may likewise be removable to enable removal of the other threaded clamping member 20 from the pipe clamp. The pivot pin 16b of the hinged connection of the pipe clamp may also be removable. Through these various removable components, the device can be dissembled to a substantial degree to allow selective replacement of different components on an as- needed basis.

Expanding on the removability of the pivot pin 16b that enables disconnection of the pivotal connection between the curved band member 12 and the complimentary fixed member 14' to enable detachment of the of curved band member 12 from the rest of the device (i.e. from the first clamp cooperatively defined by the clamping frame 28 and cooperating worm screw 30 and shoe 32), Figures 8 through 9 illustrate the mounting of an optional third clamp 52 in place of the removed curved band member 12.

The third clamp 52 features a respective clamp-defining frame 28' of similar configuration to the first clamp's clamping frame 28 that is permanently attached to the fixed complimentary member 14' of the pipe clamp by welding or other means. The respective clamp- defining frame 28' of the third clamp 52 therefore has an opposing pair of parallel first and second side plates 28a', 28b' and a central third side plate 28c' joining the two parallel side plates 28a, 28b together so as to define a respective open channel 42' that is bound between the three side plates 28a', 28b', 28c ¹ and passes through the channel-defining frame 28' on a respective channel axis A _t . The third clamp also features a respective third clamping member 54 in the form of a worm screw 30' and corresponding flat-faced shoe 32' of matching configuration to those which cooperate with the first clamping frame 28 to define the first clamp. Accordingly, the worm screw 30' of the third clamping member 54 passes through the a matingly threaded opening or bore in the center of the first side plate 28a' of the clamp-defining frame 28', thereby reaching into the internal channel 42' thereof toward the opposing second side plate 28b' of the clamp - defining frame 28'.

Also like the clamping frame 28 of the first clamp, the clamp-defining frame 28' of the third clamp features pointed spikes 38' in the form of pointed set screws that are individually engaged in a removable manner with an array of threaded through-bores 50' in the second side plate 28b' of the clamp- defining frame 28'. Again, these set screws define grippers for preventing slippage of the item to which the third clamp is clamped by the advancement of the third clamping member 54 toward the spiked second side plate 28b' of the channel-defining frame 28'.

To enable mounting of the third clamp 52 in place of the removed curved band member 12 of the pipe clamp, a mounting arrangement of the third clamp features a rigid bar 56 is affixed by welding or other means to the third side plate 28c' of the channel-defining frame 28' of the third clamp 52 on an outer side thereof that faces outwardly away from the respective channel 42'. The rigid bar 56 features a linear central portion 56a spanning a majority or entirety of the third side plate 28c' in one direction, and lobe-shaped ears 56b defining terminal ends of the bar 56 at opposite ends of the linear central portion 56a. Each lobe-shaped ear 56b angles outwardly away from the plane of the third side plate 28c at an oblique angle diverging away from the other ear 56b in a symmetric manner across a center line of the third side plate 28c'. A through-bore extends through each lobe-shaped ear 56b in a direction perpendicular to the linear portion 56a of the bar 56 and parallel to the plane of the third side plate 28c' of the charLnel-defining frame 28'. The through-bore in each ear 56b is sized to accommodate passage of a respective one of the locking pin 16a and pivot pin 16b therethrough, whereby each ear 56b forms a respective mounting lug by which the third clamp 52 is selectively attachable to the fixed complimentary member 14' of the pipe clamp at a respective side of the V-shaped cutaway therein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the complimentary member 14' is defined by a pair of parallel plates 14a, 14b of matching shape that are spaced apart from one another in the pipe clamp's axial direction (i.e. parallel to axis Ai). The thickness of the rigid bar 56 in the axial direction of the mounting lug ears 56b is slightly less than the distance between the parallel plates 14a, 14b of the fixed complimentary member 14' of the pipe clamp. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 11, when the curved band member 12 of the pipe clamp is removed, the ears 56b of the rigid bar 56 of the third clamp's mounting arrangement are receivable between the two plates 14a, 14b of the fixed complimentary member 14' in positions aligning the through-bores of the ears 56b with corresponding holes in the plates 14a, 14b of the fixed complimentary member. As a result, the locking pin 16a and pivot pin 16b are each receivable through a respective one of the mounting lug bores and the corresponding holes in the fixed complimentary member 14. The pinned connection of each mounting lug ear 56b to the fixed complimentary member 14' thereby secures the third clamp 52 in a fixed position relative to the first clamp.

In the same manner that the clamping frame 28 of the first clamp accommodates receipt of a plywood sheet or other flat-sided object therein through the open side of the channel for clamping of the object between the second side plate 28b of the clamping frame 28 and the shoe 32 of the first clamping member, the channel-defining frame 28' of the third clamp accommodates receipt of a dimensional piece of lumber (e.g. 2 x 4, or 2 x 3) or other flat-sided member through the open side of the channel 42' for clamping of the flat-sided member between the second side plate 28b' of the channel-defining frame 28' and the shoe 32' of the third clamping member. As shown in Figure 13, the third clamp thereby enables mounting of the device to a wooden member 58 of rectangular cross-section, for example a vertical wooden stud or horizontal wooden header of a stud wall, rather than to a scaffold pipe or other rounded member.

While the illustrated embodiment of the third clamp 52 has the rigid mounting bar 56 spanning across the third wall plate 28c' in the direction in which the first and second wall plates 28a', 28b' are spaced, thereby orienting the channel axis A4 of the third clap perpendicular to the channel axis A3 of the first clamp, for example to support a plywood sheet or other object in a horizontal plane on a vertical stud, it will be appreciated the orientation of the mounting bar 56 may be varied to achieve other relative orientations between the two clamp axes A ₃ , A . For example, if the mounting bar 56 was instead oriented parallel to the channel axis A4 of the third clamp 52, the two clamp axes A ₃ , A4 would be parallel, e.g. suitable to support a plywood sheet or other flat-sided object horizontally on a horizontally extending piece of lumber, such as the header of a stud wall. Other non-parallel, non-perpendicular orientations could likewise be achieved by affixing the mounting bar 56 at an oblique angle relative to the axis A4 of the third clamp. In addition, while the attachment of the mounting bar 56 to the third side plate 28c' places the open side of the third clamp's channel 42' at a position opening distally away from the fixed complimentary member, the mounting bar could alternatively be affixed to the first or second side plate 28a ¹ , 28b', in which case the channel 42' of the third clamp would open laterally away from the complimentary member 14' of the pipe clamp.

The central portion 56a of the rigid mounting bar provides reinforcement of the third side plate 28c' to which it is affixed in order to better resist and prevent deformation of the channel-defining frame 28 ' under loading of the device. In other embodiments, if the channel-defining member 28 ' itself is sufficiently robust, the mounting lug ears 56b at the exterior thereof could alternatively be separately defined features projecting from the channel at distinct positions without an additional span of reinforcing bar material between them. While the third clamp of the illustrated embodiment is of the same configuration as the first clamp, i.e. designed for engagement of flat-sided objects, as opposed to the second pipe-style clamp of the device for engaging elongated cylindrical objects of circular cross-section, it will be appreciated that the removable connection of a third clamp installed in place of the removed band member 12 of the pipe clamp may be similarly employed for the purpose of outfitting the device with an alternate clamp of different character than the pipe clamp regardless of the particular type of configuration of this alternate third clamp.

In summary, the disclosed embodiments each provide for a compact, simple and practical third hand device employing an op enable and closeable clamping means designed to attach to a scaffolding pipe or other pipe-like member, and a flat clamping means with an open sided, channel- shaped clamping frame at an opposite end of the third hand clamping device.

While the first embodiment is described and illustrated in an orientation placing the channel-shaped flat clamping means overtop of the pipe clamp, whereby the object clamped to the clamping frame 28 is carried a short height above a horizontal pipe, it may also be used in an inverted position for carrying an object a short depth below a horizontal pipe, or may even be used with the two clamps side by side in order to support a board or other object in an upright position alongside a vertical pipe. Likewise, while the illustrated orientation of the second embodiment clamping device has the handle 34' of the flat-clamp situated below the channel-shaped clamping frame 28, the clamp may be inverted for operation of the flat-clamp handle from above the device. The second embodiment device 10' may also be used on a horizontal pipe in order to hang an object therefrom or carry an object thereabove. It will be appreciated that either clamping device could also be used on pipes of an obliquely inclined orientation.

While the illustrated embodiments employ an externally threaded screw member to partly or entirely define each of the manually driven clamping members, other embodiments may alternatively employ other means of displacing the clamping member back and forth into the pipe clamping area and object clamping channel, including possible use of quick clamping members that are freely displaceable in the tightening direction acting against the pipe/object, but self-locking in the reverse direction so as to ensure confident clamping until such time as a release actuator is manipulated to allow the clamping member to be backed off out its deployed state clamped against the pipe or object.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the scope of the claims without departure from such scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.