Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a clamping tool for a hidden deck system. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a clamping tool for a hidden deck system as defined in the introductory part of and claim 1.

Background art

Clamping tools are designed to fasten a work piece, such as a wooden board or a composite element, to an underlying support structure. A number of wooden boards or composite elements attached to an underlying support structure may together form an outdoor or indoor terrace. Clamping tools for a hidden deck system according to prior art are designed to support a fastener in the form of threaded screw when it is advanced at an angle through the side of the board, and further into the underlying support structure. When the fastener is driven into the side of the board, a head of the fastener may not be visible from above the board.

Known clamping tools may include first and second body members, which are controlled by a handle for arranging the clamping tool on a work piece, such as a wooden board. A guide arrangement of the clamping tool, for guiding the advancement of a fastener, may extend through a portion of one or both of the body members. The guide arrangement defines a longitudinal bore within which the fastener is rotated and guided during advancement thereof. The rotation of the fastener may be performed by a machine tool or manually by means of a screwdriver. The first and second body members are movable arranged in relation to each other. Clamping elements are connected to and extending downward from the body members for clamping and positioning the clamping tool on the work piece. Clamping and releasing of the clamping tool to and from the work piece are performed by the handle, which maneuvers a spring element. When releasing the handle, the force from the spring element urges the body members and thus the clamping elements of the clamping tool to clamp the work piece there between.

Documents US2013276589A1 and EP3064321B1 disclose prior art clamping tools designed to fasten a work piece, such as a wooden board or a composite element, to an underlying support structure by threaded screws at an angle through the side of the work piece, and further into the underlying support structure.

A problem with the known solutions is that the strength and stability for clamping of the work piece using the resilient restoring force of the spring element often are insufficient, which may result in that the fasteners are likely to deviate from the intended angle and position, when driven into the work piece. This may result in bulging and splitting of the work piece.

A further problem with the known solutions is that their design and shape result in that they are difficult to handle during work and to carry between different workplaces.

There is thus a need for an improved clamping tool.

It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above-mentioned problems.

An objective problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to achieve a clamping tool, which is firmly clamped and attached to a work piece during work.

A further objective problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to achieve a clamping tool, which is versatile and useful in different situations.

A further objective problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to achieve a clamping tool, which is ergonomic for a user.

These objectives are achieved with the above-mentioned clamping tool for a hidden deck system according to the appended claims.

According to the present disclosure, a clamping tool for a hidden deck system is provided. The tool comprises: a first body member; a second body member; the first and second body members being displaceably arranged to each other; a first clamping element and a first fastener guide arrangement connected at the first body member; and a second clamping element and a second fastener guide arrangement connected to the second body member. A linkage is pivotally connected to the first and second body members for displacing the first and second clamping elements towards and apart from each other. A spring element is arranged between the linkage and the second body member, which spring element is configured to displace the first and second clamping elements towards each other to a clamping position, and wherein the spring element is configured to generate a clamping force between the first and second clamping elements after they have reached the clamping position.

Such a clamping tool provides a stable clamping of the clamping tool to the work piece. Due to the linkage, which is pivotally connected to the first and second body members, the clamping tool will be firmly clamped and attached to a work piece when applied. Since the spring element is arranged between the linkage and the second body member, the spring force of the spring element can be increased. An increased spring force will increase the clamping force of the clamping tool, so that the clamping tool will be firmly clamped and attached to a work piece when in operation. The clamping tool is grip-friendly and easy to use, which, due to its low profile, is both versatile and useful in a variety of different situations. The clamping tool delivers a high-quality working result without operational interruption during use.

The clamping tool is designed to fasten a work piece, such as a wooden board or a composite element, to an underlying support structure by a fastener advanced by a power tool at an angle through the side of the board, and further into the underlying support structure. A head of the fastener may be invisible or becomes very difficult to find from a position above the work piece. The clamping tool, power tool, the work piece and the underlying support structure may together form the hidden deck system.

The first and second body members may be arranged linearly displaceable to each other. Guides, slots or tracks arranged between the first and second body members may allow the first and second body members to be displaced in relation to each other. When a user maneuvers or operates the clamping tool, the first body member may be fixed in the hand of the user, and the second body member may be displaced in relation to the first body member. Since the first and second body members are displaceably arranged to each other, the design of the clamping tool may be very compact and without and significant protrusions. The compact design may facilitate the use of the clamping tool.

The first and second clamping elements are configured to bear on the work piece. The first and second clamping elements have surfaces that exerts a pressure force on the work piece when the clamping tool is clamped to the work piece. When the clamping tool is clamped to the work piece, the work piece is clamped between the clamping elements. The first and second fastener guide arrangements are configured to guide a fastener element. The fastener element may be a threaded screw provided with a screwdriver for connection to a power tool or a screwdriver. The first and second fastener guide arrangements may be provided with a longitudinal bore with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the fastener. The longitudinal extension of the first and second fastener guide arrangements is inclined in relation to the displaceable direction of the first and second body members. The inclination of the first and second fastener guide arrangements may be in the range 20° - 60° in relation to a plane, which coincides with the contact surfaces of the first or second clamping elements with the work piece.

The linkage may comprise link arms connected to each other and to other parts of the clamping tool by articulation joints. The linkage may comprise at least two link arms connected to each other. The linkage may comprise at least two sets of link arms in parallel, arranged on each longitudinal side of the first and second body members of the clamping tool.

The spring element may be at least one tension or compression coil spring. The spring element may be at least one resilient rubber spring or leaf spring. The spring element is arranged between the linkage and the second body member. The spring element is configured to displace the first and second clamping elements towards each other to a clamping position. At the clamping position, the first and second clamping elements have been displaced towards each other and they abut against the work piece. The spring element is configured to generate a clamping force between the first and second clamping elements after they have reached the clamping position. At the clamping position, an external force from an operator of the working tool may be exerted on the linkage, which is transmitted to the spring element, which in turn generates a clamping force between the first and second clamping elements.

The spring element may be configured to adapt the clamping tool to compensate for work pieces of different widths. The clamping tool may be designed and/or adjusted for work pieces of at least one nominal width. However, since the actual width of the work piece may deviate from the nominal width, the spring element will generate a clamping force on the first and second clamping elements after the first and second clamping elements has been displaced in a direction towards each other and have reached a position when they abut against the work piece, corresponding to a clamping position.

The spring element may be configured to act with a spring force on the linkage after the first and second clamping elements have reached the clamping position. An external force acting on the linkage may overcome the spring force of the spring element. The external force may be exerted by an operator or user of the clamping tool. Due to the linkage, the clamping tool may be provided with a strong spring element with an increased spring force. The increased spring force of the spring element will result in an increased clamping force acting on the work piece. Thus, the clamping tool according to the present disclosure will be firmly clamped and attached to the work piece during work, which will ensure that the fastening element is driven into the work piece in the predetermined angle guided by the clamping tool.

The more powerful spring element with an increased spring force will firmly lock the clamping tool in the clamping position of the first and second clamping elements on the work piece. The linkage may thus be used for attaching and detaching the camping tool to and from the work piece.

The linkage comprises a knee joint, which is configured to fixate the first and second body members in a clamping position after the first and second clamping elements have been displaced towards each other.

After the first and second clamping elements have been displaced towards each other, and the spring force of the spring element acts on the linkage, the knee joint will effectively lock the clamping tool in the clamping position on the work piece. A knee position may be passed when pivoting the linkage for clamping the first and second clamping elements on the working piece. At the knee position, the force from the spring element acting on the linkage is maximized. The force from the spring element acting on the linkage is reduced after the knee position has been passed. In order to detach the camping tool from the work piece, the knee position of the knee joint must be passed and the maximum force from the spring element must be overcome. Thus, the clamping tool according to the present disclosure will be firmly clamped and attached to the work piece during work.

The linkage comprises a control lever, which is pivotally connected to the second body member, so that a pivotal movement of the control lever in a first direction displaces the first and second clamping elements toward each other, and so that a pivotal movement of the control lever in a second direction displaces the first and second clamping elements apart from each other.

The control lever may have a length, an extension and/or a shape, which exerts a substantial torque on the linkage. The torque from the control lever may be transferred to a linear force for displacing the first and second clamping elements and to overcome the spring force of the spring element. The first body member comprises a first slot, which extends in a longitudinal direction of the first body member, and wherein a pivotal axis of the control lever is configured to move axially in the first slot during the pivotal movement of the control lever.

The control lever may during the pivotal movement also move axially and follow the extension of the first slot. The axially movement may be a linear movement, which may correspond to the displacement direction of the first and second body members. The first slot may pass through the first body from side to side and the pivotal axis or a shaft of the control lever may extend through the first slot from side to side of the first body member. The control lever can thus be connected to the pivotal axis or shaft on each longitudinal side of the first body member. Such a connection may stabilize the control level so that a large external force may be applied on the control lever.

The control lever comprises a handle, which is provided with a push surface for pivotally moving the control lever in the first direction and with a pull surface for pivotally moving the control lever in the second direction.

In order to overcome the spring force from the spring element, an external force should be exerted on the push surface of the handle. The external force for pivotally moving the control lever in the first direction may clamp and attach the clamping tool on the work piece. In order to release the clamping tool from the work piece, an external force should be exerted on the pull surface of the handle. The external force for pivotally moving the control lever in the second direction may release the clamping tool on the work piece. The push and pull surfaces of the handle may have an ergonomic shape, so that an operator, by hands, conveniently can apply the external force on the push and pull surfaces.

Due to the pivotal movement of the control lever in the first and second direction, the clamping tool may conveniently be used by both right and left hand operators. In addition, the operator may grab or lay the hands on the handle in different positions. In a first position, the fingers of the operators hand may be used for pushing and pulling the handle. In a second position the operator may use the palm or the flat of the hand to push the handle in the first direction, and to use the thumb together with one or more of the other fingers to pull the handle in the second direction. Such handle provides an ergonomic and user-friendly clamping tool. Due to the possibility to apply a large push force on the handle, the spring force of the spring element can be increased.

The handle comprises a holder for at least one screwdriver bit. A power tool may be used to driving the fastening elements, such as threaded screws into the working piece. Different types of screwdriver bits, adapted to the fastening elements, may be used in the power tool. The screwdriver bit may be a standard or a custom-made screwdriver bit, which is configured to pass and cooperate with the guide arrangement when driving the fastening element into the working piece. The holder may be designed to steadily hold the at least one screwdriver bit in the handle. The holder may be designed to leave the push and pull surfaces of the handle undisturbed.

The linkage comprises a link arm, which is pivotally connected to the control lever and the first body member.

The length of the link arm may be fixed, so that the pivotal movement of the control lever in the first and second direction is achieved. The link arm may stabilize the linkage and the control level on the first body member. At least two link arms in parallel may be arranged on the clamping tool.

The knee joint comprises the pivotal connection between the control lever and the link arm.

Arranging the knee joint at the pivotal connection between the control lever and the link arm will result in an effective clamping and locking of the clamping tool in the clamping position on the work piece. Such a knee joint may also be reliable and easy to control.

The pivotal connection between the control lever and the link arm is configured to pass a position, a knee position, where the pivotal connection of the link arm to the first body member, the pivotal connection of the control lever to the second body member, and the pivotal connection between the control lever and the link arm are aligned with each other for releasably fixating the control lever in a position where the first and second clamping elements have been displaced towards each other.

At the knee position, the force from the spring element acting on the linkage is maximized. The force from the spring element acting on the linkage is reduced after said knee position has been passed. In order to detach the camping tool from the work piece, the knee position must be passed and the maximum force from the spring element must be overcome.

The second body member comprises a second slot, which extends in a longitudinal direction of the second body member, and wherein the pivotal axis or shaft of the control lever is configured to move axially in the second slot during the pivotal movement of the control lever and during overcoming the spring force of the spring element.

The second slot in the second body member may be parallel to the first slot in the first body member. Thus, the pivotal axis of the control lever may extend through the first and second slots from side to side of the first body member and of the second body member. Before the first and second clamping elements have reached the work piece during pivotal movement of the control lever, the pivotal axis of the control lever will move axially in the first slot in the first body member. During the movement of the pivotal axis of the control lever in the first slot, the external force acting on the control lever will also act on the spring element via the pivotal axis of the control lever. Since the spring element is connected to the pivotal axis or shaft of the control lever and to the second body member, the spring element will act on the second body, and the spring element will axially displace the second body member. When the first and second clamping elements have reached the work piece and abuts the work piece, the spring element will still act on the second body member. The spring element will thus act with a force on the first and second clamping elements. From this position, the pivotal axis of the control lever may be displaced axially in the second slot during the pivotal movement of the control lever and during overcoming the spring force of the spring element. This axial displacement of the pivotal axis of the control lever in the second slot may compensate for work pieces of different widths. The spring element may be tension or compression coil spring, which in one end is connected to the pivotal axis or shaft of the control lever and in the other end is connected to the second body member.

A third body member is displaceably arranged to the first body member, and wherein the first clamping element and the first fastener guide arrangement are connected to the third body member.

The displacement of the third body member may extend the distance between the first and second clamping elements. The displaceble third body member will increase the utility of the clamping tool to work pieces of different nominal widths. When the clamping tool should be clamped to a work piece with a first width, which is smaller than a second with of a different work piece, the third body member is displaced to a first position in relation to the first body member. In this first position, the distance between the first and second clamping elements is slightly wider than the nominal width of the work piece, the clamping tool is in the open position, wherein the control lever with the handle has been pivoted in the second direction. When the clamping tool should be clamped to a work piece with a second width, which is larger than the first width, the third body member is displaced to a second position in relation to the first body member. In this second position, the distance between the first and second clamping elements is increased and is slightly wider than the nominal width of the work piece with the first width, when the clamping tool is in the open position. The displacement of the third body member in relation to the first body member may be possible after a locking element is released, so that the third body member is allowed to move and to be displaced in relation to the first body member. The first and third body members may be locked at different displaced positions by the locking element. The locking element may be a sprint, arranged in the first body, and to be introduced in at least two apertures arranged in the third body members.

The first and second clamping elements each comprises a third slot, and wherein each third slot has an endless extension in the direction of the first and second clamping elements and in a perpendicular direction to the extension of the first and second body members.

Chips are generated when a fastener is driven into the work piece. The chips are discharged via the third slot and guided besides the work piece, and thus prevented from being collected on the top of the work piece. Further, the third slot may prevent chips to be stuck in the corresponding fastener guide arrangement. The third slot may be arranged in connection to an end opening of the fastener guide arrangement. The third slot may as a result prevent operational interruption of the clamping tool.

The first and second fastener guide arrangements each comprises a coupling element for a feeder arrangement of fastener elements.

The feeder arrangement has a coupling arrangement for connecting the feeder arrangement on the coupling elements of the first and second fastener guide arrangements. The coupling arrangement on the feeder arrangement and the coupling element of the fastener guide arrangements may be quick couplings, so that an empty feeder arrangement may be replaced with loaded feeder arrangement in a short period of time. Feeder arrangements may simultaneously be connected to both the first and second fastener guide arrangements.

Distance elements are connected to the first and second clamping elements, which distance elements are configured to rest on a work piece of the hidden deck system. The distance elements are configured to rest on the work piece at the end areas of the work piece in order to compensate for any unevenness in the surface of the work piece. This will increase the stability of the clamping tool when attached to the work piece.

A safety bracket is arranged on the tool, which safety bracket is configured to be connectable to an object separated from the tool by a wire.

When using the clamping tool on different workplaces, such as on scaffolding, the clamping tool may be secured to an object, such as to a part of the scaffold or to a wall in order to prevent the clamping tool from falling from heights.

The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description disclose specific examples of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular examples only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

Brief descriptions of the drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates in a sectional view, a clamping tool in an open position according to an example;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates in a side view, the clamping tool in the open position according to an example; Figure 3 schematically illustrates in a sectional view, a clamping tool in a clamping position according to an example;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates in a side view, the clamping tool in the clamping position according to an example;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates in a side view, the clamping tool in an intermediate position between the open position and the clamping position according to an example;

Figure 6 schematically illustrates in a view of perspective, the clamping tool in the clamping position according to an example; and

Figure 7 schematically illustrates in a side view, the clamping tool in the clamping position and extended by a third body member according to an example.

Detailed description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed example embodiments. The disclosed example embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate in sectional and side views, a clamping tool 1 in an open position according to an example. The clamping tool 1 is arranged at a hidden deck system 2, schematically illustrated in figure 1. The tool 1 comprising: a first body member 4 and a second body member 6, which are displaceably arranged to each other. A first clamping element 8 and a first fastener guide arrangement 10 are connected to the first body member 4. A second clamping element 12 and a second fastener guide arrangement 14 are connected to the second body member 6. A linkage 16 is pivotally connected to the first and second body members 4, 6 for displacing the first and second clamping elements 8, 12 towards and apart from each other. In the open position, the first and second clamping elements 8, 12 are displaced apart from each other, to allow the clamping tool to be applied on and released from a work piece 17 of the hidden deck system 2. Distance elements 38 are connected to the first and second clamping elements 8, which distance elements 38 are configured to rest on the work piece 17 of the a hidden deck system 2.

The linkage 16 comprises a control lever 20, which is pivotally connected 62 to the second body member 6. A pivotal movement of the control lever 20 in a first direction displaces the first and second clamping elements 8, 12 towards each other. A pivotally movement of the control lever 20 in a second direction displaces the first and second clamping elements 8, 12 apart from each other. The linkage 16 comprises a link arm 22, which is pivotally connected 64 to the control lever 20 and the first body member 4. The first body member 4 comprises a first slot 24, which extends in a longitudinal direction of the first body member 4, and wherein a pivotal axis 26 of the control lever 20 is configured to move axially in the first slot 24 during the pivotal movement of the control lever 20.

The control lever 20 comprises a handle 40, which is provided with a push surface 42 for pivotally moving the control lever 20 in the first direction and with a pull surface 44 for pivotally moving the control lever 20 in the second direction. Pull surfaces in form of grip surfaces 45 are also arranged on each longitudinal side of the handle 40 for pivotally moving the control lever 20 in the second direction. The handle may comprise a holder 46 for at least one screwdriver bit 48.

Figures 3 and 4 schematically illustrate in a sectional and side view, a clamping tool 1 in a clamping position according to an example. The handle 40 has been pushed down in a pivotal movement and thus pivotally moved the control lever 20 in the first direction. A spring element 28 is arranged between the linkage 16 and the second body member 6, which spring element 28 is configured to act on the linkage 16 when the first and second clamping elements 8, 12 are displaced towards each other. The second body member 6 comprises a second slot 30, which extends in a longitudinal direction of the second body member 6, and wherein a pivotal axis 26 of the control lever 20 is configured to move axially in the second slot 30 during the pivotal movement of the control lever 20 and during overcoming the spring force of the spring element 28.

The linkage 16 comprises a knee joint 18, which is configured to fixate the first and second body members 4, 6 in a clamping position after the first and second clamping elements 8, 12 have been displaced towards each other. The knee joint 18 comprises the pivotal connection 64 between the control lever 20 and the link arm 22. The pivotal connection 64 between the control lever 20 and the link arm 22 is configured to pass a knee position where the pivotal connection 60 of the link arm 22 to the first body member 4, the pivotal connection 62 of the control lever 20 to the second body member 6, and the pivotal connection 64 between the control lever 20 and the link arm 22 are aligned with each other for releasably fixating the control lever 20 in a position where the first and second clamping elements 8, 12 have been displaced towards each other. Figure 5 schematically illustrates in a side view, the clamping tool 1 in an intermediate position between the open position and the clamping position according to an example, wherein the intermediate position is when the pivotal connection 60 of the link arm 22 to the first body member 4, the pivotal connection 62 of the control lever 20 to the second body member 6 and the pivotal connection 64 between the control lever 20 and the link arm 22 are aligned with each other. This intermediate position corresponds to the knee position.

Schematically disclosed in figure 3, the first and second fastener guide arrangements 10, 14 each comprises a coupling element 36 for a feeder arrangement 50 of fastener elements 52.

A safety bracket 54 may be arranged on the tool 1, which safety bracket 54 is configured to be connectable to an object 56 separated from the tool 1 by a wire 58.

Figure 6 schematically illustrates in a view of perspective, the clamping tool 1 in the clamping position according to an example. The first and second clamping elements 8, 10 each comprises a third slot 34, and wherein each third slot 34 has an endless extension in the direction of the first and second clamping elements 8, 12 and in a perpendicular direction to the extension of the first and second body members 4, 6.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates in a side view, the clamping tool 1 in the clamping position and extended by a third body member 32 according to an example. The third body member 32 is displaceably arranged to the first body members 4, and wherein the first clamping element 8 and the first fastener guide arrangement 10 are connected to the third body member 32. The first and third body members 4, 32 may be locked at different displaced positions of the third body member 32 by a locking element 66.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed example embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.