IMPROVED CLAMPING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a clamping device for retaining two members in abutting relationship to one another.

The invention has been developed as a clamping device for holding adjacent pieces of bench top, furniture components, and the like in abutting relationship.

The invention also relates to a method of clamping adjacent pieces of bench top, furniture components and the like in an abutting relationship using a clamping device according to the present invention.

Background of the Invention

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

When installing a new kitchen, bathroom or the like it is often necessary for the installer to align and fix two or more bench top members so as to form a continuous bench top surface.

Typically, bench top members are clamped together by a mechanical means.

Presently, adjacent bench top members are clamped and retained in an abutting relationship by means of clamping members that are held together on a threaded shaft.

In order to secure the clamp, a nut is fitted to the threaded section of the shaft and either the nut or the shaft is rotated until the clamp is tightened sufficiently to hold the clamping members in clamping positions.

However, one disadvantage with known clamping devices is that they are often hard to install and secure in a clamped position clamp due to the close confines and the awkwardness of rotating the nut or shaft in order to secure the clamp. An additional disadvantage with known clamping devices is that they often require the installer to use two hands to position and activate the clamp.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. To this end, a first aspect of the present invention provides a clamping device, said clamping device comprising: a body, a first clamping member with a first clamping surface, a second clamping member with a second clamping surface, said second clamping member movable with respect to said first clamping member a cam member operable on said second clamping member to move said second clamping member with respect to said first clamping member.

Preferably said second clamping member is slidably mounted on said body. Preferably said first clamping member is fixed with respect to said body. Preferably said first clamping member is integrally formed on said body.

Preferably said cam member is mounted on said body.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a bench top clamping device, said clamping device comprising: a body, a first clamping member with a first clamping surface, a second clamping member with a second clamping surface, said second clamping member movable with respect to said first clamping member a cam member operable on said second clamping member to move said second clamping member with respect to said first clamping member. Preferably said second clamping member is slidably mounted on said body.

Preferably said first clamping member is fixed with respect to said body. Preferably said first clamping member is integrally formed on said body. Preferably said cam member is mounted on said body.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of clamping adjacent pieces of bench top, furniture components and the like in an abutting relationship using the clamping device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an

inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a first perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the clamping device according to the present invention, shown in a first position; Fig. 2 is a second perspective view of the clamping device shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the clamping device shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the clamping device shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 is a first perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the clamping device according to the present invention, shown in a second position; Fig. 6 is a second perspective view of the clamping device shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the clamping device shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the clamping device shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the clamping device; Figs. 10a and 10b are perspective views of the main body of the clamping device; Figs. 1 1 a and 1 Ib are perspective and plan views respectively of the cam member;

Figs. 12a to 12d are views of the boss;

Figs. 13a to 13c are views of the second clamping member; and Fig. 14 is an underside view of two abuting bench top pieces of furniture with two clamping devices according to the present invention shown in position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the clamping device 1 according to the present invention includes a longitudinally extending main body 2 with a spine 3 terminating at opposing free ends 4, 5. At one end 4 of the body there is a first clamping member 6. In the preferred embodiment shown, clamping member 6 is formed by a pair of feet 7, 8 that are preferably integrally formed with the body 2. The feet 7, 8 provide a

first clamping surface. The clamping surface may be provided with a surface feature 9 to enhance the grip on the component being clamped.

Slidably mounted on spine 3 is a second clamping member 10 that is free to move longitudinally along the spine 3. The second clamping member 10 has a clamping surface 11. As with the first clamping member, the clamping surface 11 may be provided with a surface feature 12 to enhance grip on the component being clamped. The spine 3 includes a neck 13 formed by a pair of opposing cutouts. The neck 13 is sized to receive a corresponding open T-shaped slot 14 on the second clamping member 10 so as to facilitate engagement and removal of the second clamping member 10 on the body 2.

At the second end 5 of the body is a head 15 with an circular aperture 16 to which is mounted a cam member 17. In the preferred embodiment, cam member 17 is in the form of a cam plate. The cam plate 17 includes a central aperture 18 into which a drive member 19 is mounted. Drive member 19 includes a cylindrical boss 20 which locates within aperture 18 of cam plate 17 and extends through aperture 16 in head 15 to enable rotation of the cam member 17 with respect to head 15. Shoulders 21, 22 on drive member 19 seat within corresponding recesses 23, 24 in the cam plate to provide positive engagement between the drive member and the cam plate. Free end 25 of boss 20 includes a circumferencial groove 26 into which a retainer, such as a circlip, is fitted so as to connect the drive member 19, cam plate 17 to the body 2 of the device.

Drive member 19 is adapted to engage with a suitable driving device. In the embodiment shown, the drive member 19 includes a head 27 with a recess 28 adapted to receive an Allen key. The head is shaped so as to facilitate finger and thumb rotation of the drive member and cam plate. During installation this enables the installer to tighten the clamp sufficiently to hold the clamp in position. The clamp may then be subsequently tightened by means of an Allen key. It should be noted that the head 27 may be adapted to be driven by other forms of hand held drive devices such as, for example, a socket or wrench.

The cam member 17 includes a cam face 30 which acts on a corresponding face 31 on the second clamping member 10. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the cam face 30 and face 31 of the second clamping member may be provided with a surface features 32, 33 to enhance the locking of the cam. With the second clamping member seated against the cam, rotation of the cam member causes the second clamping member

10 to move longitudinally along the spine over a predetermined distance as determined by the profile of the cam. In the embodiment depicted rotation of the cam through approximately 270 degrees moved the clamp from its unlocked to clamping position. The surface features 32, 33 on faces 30, 31 act as a locking mechanism that enables the cam 17 to be rotated to a clamping position but which acts to prevent counter-rotation of the cam. In the preferred embodiment depicted, the surface features 32, 33 take the form of relatively small teeth. The teeth are profiled such that the cam is able to be rotated in the clamping direction, but engage so as to present counter-rotation in a manner similar to a ratchet mechanism. With reference to Fig 3, in order to activate the clamp the cam 17 is rotated in a clockwise direction to move to the clamping position shown in Fig. 7. When the clamp is secured the surface features 32, 33 on the engaging faces 30, 31 act to prevent counter-clockwise rotation of the cam 17.

Whilst the preferred embodiment described above the cam member 17 and the drive member 19 are formed separately, it should be noted that these two components may be integrally formed such that the boss 20 and the drive head 27 are integral with the cam member 17.

With particular reference to Fig. 14, in use the clamping device may be used to clamp two adjacent bench top members, furniture components or the like. The adjacent members 40, 41 are each provided with a recess 42, 43 comprising an elongate slot 44, 45. Each elongate slot 44, 45 has an open end which terminates at the edge of the respective bench top member. The opposing end of each slot is shaped and sized to receive an end of the clamping device. When the bench top members are brought into alignment slots 44, 45 align to form a combined recess that extends across the junction of the two members 40, 41. It will be appreciated that the length of the spine 3 of the clamp 1 needs to be slightly longer that the combined length of the elongate slots 44, 45 when the members 40, 41 are in abutting relationship so as to accommodate the clamp 1 and allow for sufficient movement of the second clamping member 10 as it is acted upon by the cam member 17. The clamping device 1 is located in the recess, with the spine 3 extending across the junction. The first free end 4 of the device is seated within recess 42 formed in the first bench top member, whilst the head 5, cam member 17 and second clamping member 10 is located within the recess 43 formed in the second bench top member. As the cam member 17 is rotated the second clamping member 10 is moved along the spine 3 of the clamp until engages with the wall of recess 43. At the opposing

end 4 of the clamp, feet 7, 8 are seated against the wall of recess 42. As cam member 17 further rotated so as to move the second clamping surface in a direction towards the first clamping surface, the clamping surfaces are pressed against respective surfaces in the recesses of the bench top members and force the two bench top members together in an abutting relationship. The locking features 32, 33 on the faces of the cam member and the second clamping member act to retain the clamp in its clamping position.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a simple, easy to manufacture clamping device that enables installers of bench tops to more easily clamp the bench top members in abutting position. In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated, the clamping device comprises four separate components; namely the body, the second clamping member, the cam plate and the drive member. In additional to being relatively simple and easy to manufacture, the clamping device of the present invention can be positioned and installed using a single hand, thereby greatly improving ease of installation. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.