WO2003098055A1

WO2003098055A1 - Clamping device for attachment of a surface-covering object as a tarpaulin, cloth, sheet or similar

Info

Publication number: WO2003098055A1
Application number: PCT/SE2003/000799
Authority: WO
Inventors: Staffan Gunnarsson
Original assignee: Amicus Trade Ab
Priority date: 2002-05-16
Filing date: 2003-05-16
Publication date: 2003-11-27
Also published as: SE0201480D0; SE0201480L; DE10392646T5; SE522167C2; AU2003242043A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping device (1) for fastening a surface-covering object (2) such as a tarpaulin, a banner, a sheet or similar, comprising: a base element (3) provided with an insertion passage (4), a clamping portion (6) extending in a first direction from said insertion passage (4), said clamping portion (6) being provided with a patterned engagement surface (8), and an eyelet portion (9) extending in an opposite direction from the insertion passage (4), said eyelet portion (9) having an opening (10) adapted for engagement with an outer fastening means (11) such as for example a draw-string or a hook member, a wedge-element (12) adapted to insertion into the insertion passage (4) of the bas element (3) in order to effect a clamping of the object (2) between a lower face (13) of the wedge-element (12) and the clamping portion (6), said wedge-element (12) having an eyelet opening (20) which substantially overlaps the eyelet opening (10) in the eyelet portion (9) of the base element (3) when the wedge-element (12) is inserted in the insertion passage (4). The invention is particularly characterized in that an interstitial element (23) for use when clamping a relatively thin object (2), is releasably attached upon the clamping portion (6) of the base element (3) in such a way that the lower face (13) of the wedge-element (12) partly abuts an upper face (7) of the interstitial element (23) whilst the object (2) abuts a lower face (24) of the interstitial element (23) and the patterned engagement surface (8) on the clamping portion (6) of the base element (3), the wedge-element being adapted to slide on the upper face (7) of the interstitial element (23) during a progressing clamping phase.

Description

TITLE

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR ATTACHMEN - OF A SURFACE -COVERING OBJECT A3 A TARPAUL IN , CLOTH , SHEET OR SIMI LAR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a clamping device for fastening a surface-covering object, such as tarpaulin, a banner, a sheet or similar. The clamping device may advantageously be used for example on tarpaulins that lack eyelets for fastening drawstrings.

BACKGROUND

Originating from the applicant, a clamping device is previously known, which is described in the international patent application WO 00/0011352. The clamping device according to WO 00/0011352 exhibits a base element provided with an insertion passage for a wedge-element. A patterned engagement surface extends from the insertion passage in order to achieve a clamping effect on, for example, a tarpaulin between a lower face of the wedge-element and the engagement surface. The engagement surface is patterned with a plurality of sharp grooves adapted for engagement with the tarpaulin in order to obtain a secure grip. An eyelet opening is arranged at the front portion of the wedge-element for fastening a draw-string. This clamping device works well for clamping relatively thick tarpaulins, where the patterned engagement surface effectively holds the tarpaulin.

A problem with the above type of clamping device is, however, that the clamping device has a lesser gripping capability on thinner objects, such as, for example, banners made or pure polyester or other thinner textiles. The reason for this is that the grooved pattern of the base element often fails to engage the thin material during an initial stage of the clamping procedure, wherein the wedge-element is initially inserted into the insertion passage. The consequence may be that the clamping device slides off the object, particularly upon heavy pulls in the clamping device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above mentioned problem is solved by the invention providing a clamping device for fastening a surface-covering object such as a tarpaulin, a banner, a sheet or similar, comprising: a base element provided with an insertion passage, a clamping portion extending in a first direction from said insertion passage, said clamping portion being provided with a patterned engagement surface, and an eyelet portion extending in an opposite direction form the insertion passage, said eyelet portion having an opening adapted for engagement with an outer fastening means such as for example a draw-string or a hook member, a wedge-element adapted for insertion into the insertion passage of the base element in order to effect a clamping of the object between a lower face of the wedge-element and the clamping portion, said wedge-element having an eyelet opening which substantially overlaps the eyelet opening in the eyelet portion of the base element when the wedge-element is inserted in the insertion passage.

The invention is particularly characterized in that an interstitial element for use when clamping a relatively thin object, is releasably attached upon the clamping portion of the base element in such a way that the lower face of the wedge-element partly abuts an upper face of the interstitial element whilst the object abuts a lower face of the interstitial element and the patterned engagement surface on the clamping portion of the base element, the wedge-element being adapted to slide on the upper face of the interstitial element during a progressing clamping phase.

In a favourable embodiment of the invention, the upper face of the interstitial element is substantially planar.

Suitably, the upper face of the interstitial element substantially overlaps the patterned engagement surface on the clamping portion of the base element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the interstitial element is provided with a first fastening means adapted for releasable engagement with a corresponding second fastening means on the clamping portion of the base element.

In one embodiment, the interstitial element is adapted to be fastened to a lower face of the base element in a non-use position.

In a suitable embodiment, the first fastening means comprises at least one snap element extending from the interstitial element whilst the second fastening means comprises a corresponding recess in the clamping portion of the base element, said recess being formed for a snap engagement with said snap element.

Alternatively, said first fastening means comprises rails arranged along side edges of the interstitial element, whilst said second fastening means comprises corresponding longitudinal slots in the base element. In a suitable embodiment, the insertion passage of the base element is substantially rectangularly shaped.

Preferably, the wedge-element has at least one substantially concave wedge-surface, along which the cross-sectional height of the wedge-element increases from a front portion of the wedge-element to a tail portion thereof.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view from above of a clamping device according to a first embodiment of the invention. A thin object in the form of a part of a banner is clamped in the clamping device. For the sake of clarity, the object is drawn in a transparent way.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the clamping device in Fig. 1. In the figure, it is clearly seen that the interstitial element of the invention is intended for use upon clamping thin objects;

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 2, however, with the difference that the interstitial element has been removed. The clamping device is here used for clamping a thicker object;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the base element of the clamping device, having an interstitial element mounted according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the base element, wherein the interstitial element has been removed;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the removed interstitial element, which is provided with protruding snap elements;

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the wedge-elements of the clamping device, with its eyelet opening; Fig. 8 shows an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention, where the interstitial elements, in a non- use position, is adapted to be fastened on a lowered face of the base element;

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the interstitial element is instead releasably attached to the base element by means of rails on the interstitial element, said rails protruding into corresponding slots in the base element,

Fig. 10 finally shows the third embodiment of the invention, wherein the interstitial element has been mounted on the lower face of the base element in a non-use position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In fig. 1, reference numeral 1 generally denotes a clamping device according to a first embodiment of the invention. The clamping device 1 is intended for fastening a surface- covering object 2, which - in the figure - is comprised of a part of a banner of a thin plastic material such as, for example, pure polyester. For the sake of clarity, the object 2 is draw in a transparent way so that the various parts of clamping device 1 can be seen more clearly. The object 2 may also be comprised of, for example, a tarpaulin, a sheet, a plastic film or similar.

The clamping device 1 comprises a base element 3, which is suitably manufactured of a plastic material. The base element 3 is provided with an insertion passage 4, which is substantially rectangularly-cyliπdrically shaped and is delimited by a rectangular loop 5 which is integrally formed in the base element 3. A clamping portion 6 extends in a first direction from the insertion passage 4, to the right in the figure. The clamping portion 6 is provided with a patterned engagement surface 8 adapted for fastening relatively thick objects 2, such as thick tarpaulins, or similar. In the shown embodiments, the engagement surface 8 is patterned with a plurality of parallelly extending grooves 39. The grooves 39 exhibits a sharp wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape, which is clearly seen in the longitudinal cross-sectional view in fig. 2 as well as in the perspective view in fig. 5. In the shown embodiment, the patterned engagement surface 8 is provided with a total number of six parallel grooves 39, but it should be noted that the number of grooves 39 may be varied from a single groove to a larger number of grooves. Furthermore, it should be noted that the patterned engagement surface 8 may alternatively be formed in a number of different ways, not necessarily including grooves 39. An example of an alternative pattern comprises plurality of pointed dot-shaped members (not shown), and another example may include a plurality of cross-shaped members (not shown) or combinations of these shapes.

The base element 3 further includes an eyelet portion 9 extending in an opposite direction from the insertion passage 4. The eyelet portion 9 thus extends to the left in the figures, and is provided with an eyelet opening 10 for engagement with an outer fastening means 11, indicated with dash-dotted lines.

In the figures, the outer fastening means 11 is comprised of a dash-dotted draw-string, but it may alternatively be formed as a hook member (not shown) or similar.

The clamping device 1 further includes a wedge-element 12 for clamping the object 2, said wedge-element 12 being adapted for insertion into the insertion passage 4 of the base element 3. The wedge-element 12 is shown attached to the base element 3 in figs. 1, 2, 3 and 8, and is shown separately in fig. 7. The wedge-element 12 - as seen from above - exhibits an essentially triangular front portion 14, which via a rectangular intermediate portion 15 adapted to the width of the insertion passage 4, transits into a substantially rectangular tail portion 16. The rectangular tail portion 16 is wider than the insertion passage 4 so as to prevent it from being drawn through the insertion passage 4, and thus transits to the rectangular intermediate portion 15 via two rounded shoulders 17. Two diagrammatic partition planes 18 and 19 respectively, are drawn in fig. 7 in order to indicate theoretical boarder planes between the front portion 14, the intermediate portion 15 and the tail portion 16. The front portion 14 of the wedge- element 12 exhibits an eyelet opening 20, which is circularly shaped in the shown embodiments. As can be seen in figs. 2, 3 and 8, the eyelet opening 20 of the wedge- element 12 overlaps the corresponding eyelet opening 10 in the eyelet portion 9 of the base element 3 when the wedge-element 12 is inserted in the insertion passage 4. Hereby, the draw-string 11 may be threaded through both the eyelet opening 10 of the base element 3 and the eyelet opening 20 of the wedge-element 12, whereby their mutual positions - upon a load in the direction of the draw-string 11 - are mutually fixed in the manner shown in figs. 1, 2, 3 and 8. Furthermore, the wedge-element 12 exhibits a substantially concave wedge-surface 21 at least on an upper face 22 of the wedge-element 12, i.e. the upwardly facing side in the figures. The cross-sectional height of the wedge-element 12 thereby increases non-linearly from the front portion 14 to the tail portion 16. Alternatively, the lower face 13 of the wedge-element 12 may also exhibit a corresponding concave wedge surface 21. According to the invention, the clamping device 1 is further provided with an interstitial element 23 for use when clamping a relatively thin object 2. Such a thin object 2 is shown in fig. 1 and 2. The interstitial element 23 is releasably attached upon the clamping portion 6 of the base element 3 in such a way that the lower face 13 of the wedge-element 12 partly abuts an upper face 7 of the interstitial element 23 whilst the object 2 abuts the lower face 24 of the interstitial element 23 and the patterned engagement surface 8 on the clamping portion 6 of the base element 3, the wedge- element 12 being adapted to slide on the upper face 7 of the interstitial element 23 during a progressing clamping phase.

The upper phase 7 of the interstitial element 23 is substantially planar and substantially overlaps the patterned engagement surface 8 on the clamping portion 6 of the base element 3, which is clearly shown in fig. 4.

The interstitial element 12 provides a secure clamping effect also for thin objects 2. The interstitial element 12 may be said to work as a substitute for a thicker object 2. By applying the interstitial element 23, the clamping device 1 is made to clamp the thinner object 2 in a relative position between the wedge-element 12 and the base element 3, which corresponds to the position which these elements 3, 12 has upon an ideal clamping of a thicker object 2 without the interstitial element 23 - as can be seen in a comparison between fig. 2 and fig. 3. The interstitial element 23 is fixed relative to the thin object 2 during the entire clamping procedure, whereby the friction between the object 2 and the interstitial element 23 contribute to the initial clamping, i.e. when the front portion 14 of the wedge-element 12 has been inserted into the insertion passage 4, but where the wedge-element 12 has not yet reached its final position, in which full clamping effect is achieved. The final position is shown in fig. 2.

Another advantage with the interstitial element 23 according to the invention, is that the grooves 39 of the patterned engagement surface 8 are pressed against a stationary object 2 during the clamping procedure, which results in an improved engagement compared to if the wedge-element 12 were to slide directly against the object 2 during the same procedure. This takes place upon clamping of thicker objects 2, as shown in fig. 2, but in this case, the clamping effect is still sufficient in order to safely hold the object 2, as a result of the relatively larger thickness of the object 2.

In fig. 2 it is hereby clearly shown how the thin object 2 is clamped between the lower face of the wedge-element 12 and the upper phase 7 of the interstitial element 23. The term "upper face 7" here means the upwardly facing surface in figs. 1-6 of the interstitial element 23, i.e. the surface which - in a position of use - partly abuts the lower face 13 of the wedge-element 12.

The interstitial element 23 is provided with a first fastening means 25 adapted for releasable engagement with a corresponding second fastening means 26 on the clamping portion 6 of the base element 3 as shown in the longitudinal cross-sectional view in fig. 2, the first fastening means 25 exhibits a snap element 27 which extends perpendicularly downwards from the interstitial element 23. The second fastening means 26 is hereby comprised of a corresponding recess 28 in the clamping portion 6 of the base element 3, said recess 28 being formed for a snap engagement with said snap element 27. The shape of the recess 28 is shown clearly in fig. 3, where the interstitial element 23 has been removed prior to clamping a relatively thick object 2. This figure also shows how the sharp grooves 39 of the patterned engagement surface 8 grips a lower phase 29 of the object 2.

In the embodiments shown in figures 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8, the interstitial element 23 is provided with two snap elements 27 located on each side of the interstitial element 23. Correspondingly two recesses 28 are located on each side of the clamping portion 6 of the base element 3 in vicinity of the loop 5.

Fig. 6 shows the interstitial element 23 separately, whereby it is clearly shown that the snap element 27 is comprised of a circular-cylindrical part 30 positioned on a relatively thinner connection portion 31 to the interstitial element 23.

Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the interstitial element 23 - in a non-use position - is adapted to be fastened to a lower face 32 of the base element 3. Thus, in fig. 8, the clamping device 1 is shown with the interstitial element 23 in a non-use position, i.e. in a position adapted for clamping thicker objects 2 between the lower face 13 of the wedge-element 12 and the patterned engagement surface 8. The lower face 32 of the base element is hereby provided with a recess 33, the shape of which corresponds to the recess 28 of the second fastening means 26. The snap element 27 of the interstitial element 23 is shown inserted in the recess 33, whereby the interstitial element 23 abuts the lower phase 32 of the base element 3.

Fig. 9 and 10 finally shows a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the first fastening means 25 of the interstitial element 23 comprises rails 34 arranged along side edges 35 of the interstitial element 23. The second fastening means 26 is hereby comprised of corresponding longitudinal slots 36 in the base element 3. With this solution, the interstitial element 23 may either be attached in a position of use upon the patterned engagement surface 8 of the clamping portion 6, as shown in fig. 9, or be attached in a non-use position to the lower face 32 of the base element 3, as shown in fig. 10. In similarity with the base element 3, the interstitial element 23 is suitably manufactured in a plastic material.

In the shown embodiment, the base element 3 is provided with a longitudinal recess 37 in the vicinity of the loop 5, said recess 37 being adapted to receive a sewn-in edge- cord 38 in the object 2. The edge-cord 38 may alternatively be represented by a simple fold-over seam (not shown). Such edge-cord 38 are normally used for example on tarpaulins. The recess 37 exhibits a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional shape, as is clearly shown in figs. 2, 3 and 8. The recess 37 further extends parailelly with the loop 5 in the base element 3, as shown in fig. 4 and 5. In an alternative, not shown embodiment of the invention, the base element 3 may completely lack a recess 37.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but may be freely varied within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Clamping device (1) for fastening a surface-covering object (2) such as a tarpaulin, a banner, a sheet or similar, comprising: a base element (3) provided with an insertion passage (4), a clamping portion (6) extending in a first direction from said insertion passage (4), said clamping portion (6) being provided with a patterned engagement surface (8), and an eyelet portion (9) extending in an opposite direction from the insertion passage (4), said eyelet portion (9) having an opening (10) adapted for engagement with an outer fastening means (11) such as for example a draw-string or a hook member, a wedge-element (12) adapted to insertion into the insertion passage (4) of the base element (3) in order to effect a clamping of the object (2) between a lower face (13) of the wedge-element (12) and the clamping portion (6), said wedge-element (12) having an eyelet opening (20) which substantially overlaps the eyelet opening (10) in the eyelet portion (9) of the base element (3) when the wedge-element (12) is inserted in the insertion passage (4), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that an interstitial element (23) for use when clamping a relatively thin object (2), is releasably attached upon the clamping portion (6) of the base element (3) in such a way that the lower face (13) of the wedge-element (12) partly abuts an upper face (7) of the interstitial element (23) whilst the object (2) abuts a lower face (24) of the interstitial element (23) and the patterned engagement surface (8) on the clamping portion (6) of the base element (3), the wedge-element being adapted to slide on the upper face (7) of the interstitial element (23) during a progressing clamping phase.

2. Clamping device (1) according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the upper face (7) of the interstitial element (23) is substantially planar.

3. Clamping device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the upper face (7) of the interstitial element (23) substantially overlaps the patterned engagement surface (8) on the clamping portion (6) of the base element (3).

4. Clamping device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interstitial element (23) is provided with a first fastening means (25) adapted for releasable engagement with a corresponding second fastening means (26) on the clamping portion (6) of the base element (3).

5. Clamping device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the interstitial element (23) is adapted to be fastened to a lower face (32) of the base element (3) in a non-use position.

6. Clamping device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, character ized in that said first fastening means (25) comprises at least one snap element (27) extending from the interstitial element (23), whilst the second fastening means (26) comprises a corresponding recess (28) in the clamping portion (6) of the base element (3), said recess (28) being formed for a snap engagement with said snap element (27).

7. Clamping device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said first fastening means (25) comprises rails (34) arranged along side edges (35) of the interstitial element (23), whilst said second fastening means (26) comprises corresponding longitudinal slots (36) in the base element (3).

8. Clamping device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion passage (4) of the base element (3) is substantially rectangularly shaped.

9. Clamping device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge-element (12) has at least one substantially concave wedge surface (21), along which the cross-sectional height of the wedge-element (12) increases from a front portion (14) of the wedge-element (12) to a tail portion (16) thereof.