Clamping device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clamping device which includes a mounting plate, a left and a right holding element, two balls and a rear support. The mounting plate receives at least one set of the right and left holding elements at the front side thereof. The right and left holding elements fitted to the front side of the mounting plate includes two accommodations or one accommodation with a clamping plate to create a top wide while bottom narrow funnellike shape. A ball is disposed inside each of the accommodations. Only part of ball surface projects over an opening while the remaining part thereof is restricted within the inclined channel. The rear support is arranged at the front side of the mounting plate and interposed between the right and left holding elements so that the rear support and the right and left holding elements create a three-sided clamping unit. Accordingly, the present invention has advantages of simple structure, low cost, low malfunction rate and stable clamping. In addition, the clamped object can be directly taken off.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a clamping device, and more particularly, to a device which utilizes the tapering principle and a three-sided clamping unit to create a stable clamping force. Accordingly, objects of different forms and sizes can be stably clamped and hung.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In the everyday life, many objects are required to be hung on the wall or on the surface of another objects for storage or demonstration. The most conventional method is to use nails or hooks to receive the objects, thereby losing the aesthetically appealing appearance. Thus, restriction and drawbacks are still existing.

[0005] A conventional clamping device of TW 219099, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, mainly includes a holder 1, a clamping element 2 and a casing 3. The holder 1 has toothed rails 11 at two sides of which the slide rails 12 are arranged. A compressing device 13 is mounted on the slide rails 12 so that the object on the slide rails 12 is pushed to the clamping end in place. The clamping element 2 has a grooved gearwheel 21 at the center thereof. The gearwheel 21 corresponds to the toothed rails 11 so that they are engaged to each other for movement thereon. The casing 3 receives the holder 1 and the clamping element 2. One side of the casing 3 is a closed surface 31 while the other side thereof is an opening 32. The clamping element 2 projects from the opening 32. Based on the assembly of the above components, a clamping effect is created to clamp common objects.

[0006] In the above conventional clamping device, the object (G) is clamped by means that the gearwheel 21 in the grooved part of the cylindrical clamping element 2 rolls along the toothed rails 11 of the holder 1. However, the manufacturing and the assembly of the gearwheel 21 and the toothed rails 11 are more difficult so that the economic efficiency isn't achieved. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to take off the object (G), the object (G) has to be pushed upward first and the clamping element 2 therefore rolls in an inclined way and draws inward. The reason is that the clamping element 2 only has rolling freedom along the direction of the toothed rails 11. And the clamping point of the clamping element 2 isn't a circular surface. When horizontally pulled, the clamping element 2 can't create component force. Generally, the object (G) is taken off by pulling it outward, and this forcing way will, however, damage or destroy the object (G).

[0007] In addition, the clamping width (W) of the above conventional clamping device isn't adjustable so that the object of greater diameter can be clamped. Besides, as shown in FIG. 3, the clamped object (G) swings to and fro in an unstable state. The reason is that the clamping point 22a of the clamping element 2 and the clamping point 22b at the other side create a narrow and small clamping area so that the front and rear parts is empty without resting surface. Accordingly, the object (G) can't be stably clamped.

[0008] Another conventional clamping device of TW 397164, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, is an improvement of the above-mentioned clamping device. In the improved disclosure, only the gearwheel 21 and the toothed rails 11 are replaced by a recess 20 and a guide bar 10 for simplifying the production cost and facilitating the assembly. However, this improved disclosure also has the drawbacks of unstable clamping, uneasy removal, easy wearing, easy malfunction, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a clamping device which has simple configuration, low manufacturing cost and low malfunction rate. Moreover, an ergonomic convenience in removal of the clamped object is achieved.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a clamping device through which a three-sided clamping unit is formed to create a stable clamping force.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a clamping device through which the clamping width is adjustable to the clamped object of different sizes so that the application scope is enlarged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings of which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional clamping device disclosed by TW 219099;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the conventional clamping device disclosed by TW 219099;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the conventional clamping device disclosed by TW 219099;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another conventional clamping device disclosed by TW 397164;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of the conventional clamping device disclosed by TW 397164;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a longitudinally sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

[0022] FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of the first embodiment of the present invention in a three-sided clamping state;

[0023] FIG. 11 is a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 12 is a front view of the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 11;

[0027] FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing of the second embodiment of the present invention in a three-sided clamping state;

[0028] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the section taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 12, showing the structure of the locating member;

[0029] FIG. 17 is a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 18 is a front view of an accommodation of the third embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] FIG. 19 is a side view of the accommodation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] First of all, referring to FIGS. 6 and 9, a first embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting plate 4, a right and a left holding element 5, two balls 6 and a rear support 7.

[0033] The mounting plate 4 receives at least one set of the right and left holding elements 5 at the front side thereof.

[0034] The right and left holding elements 5 fitted to the front side of the mounting plate 4 are formed in shape of two accommodations 51. An opening 511 is arranged at the inner side thereof. An outward inclined channel 512 is formed at the inner side thereof in such a way that both channels 512 are symmetrically disposed at opposing sides, thereby creating a top wide while bottom narrow funnellike shape.

[0035] Two balls 6 are disposed inside the accommodations 51, respectively. Only part of ball surface projects over the opening 511 while the remaining part thereof is restricted within the inclined channel 512.

[0036] The rear support 7 is arranged at the front side of the mounting plate 4 and interposed between the right and left holding elements 5 so that the rear support 7 and both balls 6 create a three-sided clamping unit.

[0037] Moreover, the accommodations 51 can be constructed in cylindrical shape while a sealing cover 52 restricts both balls 6 to move within the channels 512.

[0038] In addition, the rear support 7 includes a plurality of indentations or has a harsh surface to increase the clamping force.

[0039] Furthermore, the mounting plate 4 is provided with a slide rail 41 at top and bottom ends thereof, respectively, for receiving a back plate 53 which is provided with a locating element 54 and fitted to each of the accommodations 51. The rear support 7 is also received in the slide rail 41. Accordingly, the clearance between both accommodations 51 and the rear support 7 mounted on the mounting plate 4 is adjustable to the objects (G) of different sizes.

[0040] Based on the above components, the operation of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The object (G) to be hung rests on the two properly projecting balls 6 and is pushed inward so that the balls 6 inclinedly roll upwards due to the sloping arrangement of the channel 512 inside the accommodations 51. Thus, the object (G) can be smoothly placed inside. After the object (G) is released, the object (G) and both balls 6 fall down because of the gravity. A tapering effect is created due to the sloping arrangement of the accommodations 51. Moreover, a three-sided clamping unit is formed in combination with the rear support 7, thereby creating a stable clamping force. As shown in FIG. 10, the object (G) is stably hung. In removing the object (G), both balls 6 also rolls inclinedly upward so that the clamping mouth is opened to smoothly release the object (G).

[0041] In comparison with both conventional clamping devices, the present invention has advantages of simple structure, low cost and low malfunction rate. In addition, the object (G) can be directly taken off and unlike the conventional one that it's required to move the object (G) upward first. Therefore, the present invention has the ergonomic convenience. As shown in FIG. 10, both balls 6 and the rear support 7 forms a three-sided large clamping surface so that the clamped object (G) is stably fastened. Moreover, the position of both accommodations 51 and the rear support 7 on the mounting plate 4 can be adjusted to have a desired clearance therebetween in order to hang objects of different sizes. Thus, the application scope is enlarged.

[0042] Again, referring to FIGS. 11 through 16, a second embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Both have little difference. The appearance of both accommodations 51 of the right and left holding elements 5 looks more round, and, of course, the openings 511 and the inclined channels 512 are also rounded. Besides, the balls 6 are restricted inside the channels 512.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the channels 512 of the accommodations 51 of the right and left holding elements 5 are outwardly inclined from the bottom to the top, thereby forming an outwardly inclined angle &thgr;°. Therefore, the more the balls 6 inside the channel 512 rise to both sides, the greater is the clearance between the balls 6 and the rear support 7. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the objects of different sizes can be hung so that the application scope of the present invention is enlarged. Again, referring to FIGS. 12, 13 and 16, one of both accommodations 51 of the right and left holding elements 5 is fixed on the mounting plate 4 while the other accommodation 51 is arranged in an adjustable state. The locating element 54′ includes a slider 541, a spring 542 and a lock pin 543. The lock pin 543 in combination with a spring 542 can be engaged in place into any of locating holes 411 of the slide rail 41 at the bottom of the mounting plate 4. When the slider 541 is slightly moved upward, the bottom end of the lock pin 543 is released out of the locating holes 411 of the slide rail 41 for adjusting its position.

[0044] In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments of the present invention, the right and left balls 6 and the rear support 7 are utilized to form a three-sided clamping unit so that the object (G) can be stably hung in place.

[0045] In a third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 17, at least one set of the right and left holding elements 5 is mounted on the mounting plate 4. Moreover, in order to save space, each of the added right and left holding elements 5a through 5d includes an accommodation 51 which is identical with the accommodation 51 in the first and second embodiments and receives a ball 6. A clamping plate 55 is disposed at the opposing side of the accommodation 51. Thus, another accommodation 51 is replaced by the clamping plate 55. As shown in FIG. 18, the clamping plates 55, the opposing accommodations 51 and the balls 6 inside the accommodations 51 forms the right and left holding elements 5a through 5d. Besides, any of the right and left holding elements 5a through 5d and the rear support 7 constitute a three-sided clamping unit for stably clamping the object (G). Accordingly, the same effect of the first and second embodiments is achieved.

[0046] The aforementioned clamping plate 55 can be mounted on the back plate 53 of any of the accommodations 51 so that it is movable along with the back plate 53. Moreover, the clamping surface of the clamping plate 55 can be constructed as a harsh or serrated surface 551 in order to increase the resistance to clamp a more heavy object (G).

[0047] The above-mentioned embodiments show that the clamping device of the present invention can solve the problems of the prior art. In addition, it is easy to use, the clearance of the holding elements is adjustable and the three-sided clamping will ensure a stable fastening.

[0048] Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clamping device comprising:

a mounting plate receiving at least one set of right and left holding elements at the front side thereof;

a right and a left holding element fitted to the front side of said mounting plate and formed in shape of an accommodation, respectively, an opening being arranged at the inner side thereof, an outward inclined channel being formed at the inner side thereof in such a way that both channels are symmetrically disposed at opposing sides, thereby creating a top wide while bottom narrow funnellike shape;

two balls being disposed inside said accommodations, respectively, part of the ball surface projecting over said opening while the remaining part thereof is restricted within said inclined channel; and

a rear support arranged at the front side of said mounting plate and interposed between said right and left holding elements so that said rear support and both balls create a three-sided clamping unit.

2. The clamping device as recited in claim 1, wherein said mounting plate is provided with a slide rail at top and bottom ends thereof, respectively, for receiving a back plate which is provided with a locating element and fitted to each of said accommodations, and wherein said rear support is also received in said slide rail so that the clearance between both accommodations and the rear support mounted on the mounting plate is adjustable.

3. The clamping device as recited in claim 1, wherein said channels of said accommodations of said right and left holding elements are outwardly inclined from the bottom to the top, thereby forming an outwardly inclined angle &thgr;°.

4. The clamping device as recited in claim 2, wherein said locating element includes a slider, a spring and a lock pin, and wherein said lock pin in combination with a spring can be engaged in place into any of locating holes of said slide rail at the bottom of said mounting plate.

5. A clamping device comprising:

a mounting plate receiving at least one set of right and left holding elements at the front side thereof;

a right and a left holding element fitted to the front side of said mounting plate and having an accommodation and a clamping plate, an opening being arranged at the inner side of said accommodation, an outward inclined channel being formed at the inner side thereof while said clamping plate is disposed at the opposing side of said accommodation, thereby creating a top wide while bottom narrow funnellike shape;

a ball being disposed inside said accommodation, part of the ball surface projecting over said opening while the remaining part thereof is restricted within said inclined channel; and

a rear support arranged at the front side of said mounting plate and interposed between said right and left holding elements so that said rear support, said ball and said clamping plate create a three-sided clamping unit.

6. The clamping device as recited in claim 5, wherein said clamping plate is fixed on said rear plate of said accommodation.