Material Sheet Frictional Securing Assembly

Abstract

An assembly facilitating the ability to frictionally secure a sheet of material to a surface or to cover an opening defined by any type of frame, comprising a Base Piece (12) which can be secured to any desired frame or surface and a Clamp Arm (13) that are two separate parts, but connected to each other via a Clamp Ball (17b) and Clamp Joint (17a) allowing the Clamp Arm (13) radial motion so that it may rotate to an up (open) position allowing insertion of a Material Sheet (11) between the two parts then rotate to a down (secured) position by using any standard flat-headed tool to apply a radial force against the Lock Ridge (19) on the Clamp Arm (13), frictionally securing the Material Sheet (11) in between the Base Piece (12) and the Clamp Arm (13). Excess length of the Material Sheet (11) is forced into the Material Cavity (20) and hidden, avoiding the need for the Material Sheet (11) to be cut or trimmed to the exact smallest size required to cover the desired area, giving the edges of the Material Sheet (11) a straight and clean look, and pulling the Material Sheet (11) taut. By using any standard flat-headed tool to apply a radial force in the opposite direction of the Lock Ridge (19), the Clamp Arm (13) is dislodged allowing removal of the Material Sheet (11), also allowing for easy uninstallation or re-installation of the Material Sheet (11) if desired or should it become dislodged from the exertion of excessive external force.

Claims

1. A frictional securing assembly for holding a sheet of material on one or more of its edges comprising: a. A base piece of variable length with a bottom, middle area, and top where the bottom contains a clamp notch, the middle area is comprised of a back wall that connects the top and bottom and an open space or material cavity, and the top has a clamp joint b. A clamp arm also of variable length with a left leg, top side, and right leg where the left leg begins at the bottom with a clamp ball, and the right leg has a notch post at the bottom which is perpendicular to the right leg protruding out in the direction pointing away from the left leg whereby when said base piece is secured to a frame or surface and said clamp arm is attached to said base piece by inserting said clamp ball in to said clamp joint, then by applying a radial force to said clamp arm in the direction opposite said base piece to an up (open) position allowing insertion of a material sheet in to said material cavity, then by applying a radial force to said clamp arm in the direction of said base piece, said clamp arm engages with said material sheet, dragging it further in to said material cavity, then engaging said notch post into said clamp notch on said base piece frictionally securing said material sheet between said base piece and said clamp arm.

2. The frictional securing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein having a fully engaged said base piece and said clamp arm frictionally securing said material sheet can be disengaged by applying a radial force to said clamp arm in the direction opposite said base piece, disengaging said notch post from said clamp notch on said base piece, where said clamp arm then disengages from said material sheet, thus releasing the frictional force upon said material sheet, allowing removal of said material sheet from said material cavity.

3. The frictional securing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein having a fully engaged said base piece and said clamp arm frictionally securing said material sheet will allow said material sheet to become dislodged, by overcoming the frictional force applied to said material sheet by said base piece and said clamp arm when exposed to an excessive external force which exceeds said frictional force, avoiding transfer of said excessive eternal force to said frame or surface, thus minimizing or completely eliminating damage to said frame or surface.

Description

DRAWINGS

Figures

[0021] FIG. 1 is a full perspective view of one embodiment of the assembly as a four-sided frame with a material sheet secured on all four edges

[0022] FIG. 2 is a partly sectional perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of the assembly showing the manner of attaching a material sheet with the Clamp Arm in the down (secured) position

[0023] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the assembly depicting the up (open) state when a material sheet is inserted and prior to secure closure

[0024] FIG. 4 is a sectional isolation view of one embodiment of the Base Piece

[0025] FIG. 5 is a sectional isolation view of one embodiment of the Clamp Arm

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0026] 11. Material SheetSheet of screening or other material to be secured [0027] 12. Base PieceAssembly piece that is secured to surface for which it is desired to affix the material sheet [0028] 13. Clamp ArmAttached to the Base Piece (12) by inserting its Clamp Ball (17b) into the Clamp Joint (17a) on the Base Piece (12) allowing it to swing in a radial motion from an open (up) position to a secured (down) position [0029] 14. Lock/Unlock HoleOpenings periodically spaced along the length of the Clamp Arm where a flat-headed tool is inserted to either lock the Clamp Arm into the Base Piece (12), or unlock it [0030] 15. Securing Screw HolesIn one embodiment where the Base Piece (12) is a stand-alone piece, the Securing Screw Holes can be used as one way to affix the Base Piece (12) to the desired platform, frame, or other surface. [0031] 16. Lock/Unlock CavityOpen area in the middle of the Clamp Arm (13) where a flat-headed tool enters after being inserted through the Lock/Unlock Hole (14). [0032] 17. (a) Clamp JointA circular opening in the Base Piece (12) for which the Clamp Ball (17b) is inserted. [0033] 17. (b) Clamp BallThe rounded left corner of the Clamp Arm (13) which is inserted into the Clamp Joint (17a). [0034] 18. Clamp NotchAn indentation in the Base Piece (12) allowing the Notch Post (21) on the Clamp Arm (13) to lock in place with a Material Sheet (11) lodged in between thus utilizing friction to secure the Material Sheet (11) in place between the two pieces of the assembly. [0035] 19. Lock RidgeA ridge or protrusion that runs along the inside of the Clamp Arm (13), creating one side of the Lock/Unlock Well (16). [0036] 20. Material CavityAn open area within the Base Piece (12) where excess Material Sheet (11) is fed into under the Clamp Arm (13) and over top of the Clamp Notch (18) [0037] 21. Notch PostA protrusion on the end of the Clamp Arm (13) opposite the Clamp Ball (17b) that fits in to the Clamp Notch (18) on the Base Piece (12). [0038] 22. Back WallThe area in the middle of the Base Piece (12) that connects its top and bottom sections. [0039] 23. Base Piece TopIn a sectional view of the Base Piece (12), denotes the area above the Material Cavity (20) and the Back Wall (22) of which it is connected, and contains the Clamp Joint (17a) [0040] 24. Base Piece MiddleIn a sectional view of the Base Piece (12), denotes the area below the Base Piece Top (23) and above the Base Piece Bottom (25), comprised of the Back Wall (22) and the Material Cavity (20) [0041] 25. Base Piece BottomIn a sectional view of the Base Piece (12), denotes the area below the Material Cavity (20) and the Back Wall (22) of which it is connected, and contains the Clamp Notch (18) [0042] 26. Clamp Arm LeftIn a sectional view of the Clamp Arm (13), denotes the area of the Clamp Arm (13) to the left of the Lock/Unlock Cavity (16) and the Clamp Arm Top (27), of which it is connected, and contains the Clamp Ball (17b) [0043] 27. Clamp Arm TopIn a sectional view of the Clamp Arm (13), denotes the area above the Lock/Unlock Cavity (16) and to the left of the Clamp Arm Right (28) of which it is connected [0044] 28. Clamp Arm RightIn a sectional view of the Clamp Arm (13), denotes the area of the Clamp Arm (13) to the right of the Lock/Unlock Cavity (16) and the Clamp Arm Top (27), of which it is connected, and contains the Notch Post (21)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Description

[0045] A Material Sheet Frictional Securing Assembly, hereinafter referred to as the assembly, will work with any size or shape opening, or area, that needs to be covered with a secured sheet of material. The Assembly can be made in variable size lengths that can be mounted in-line alongside each other, or at any required angles, to extend the coverage area as long and as wide as needed, and in any geometric shape desired.

[0046] In one embodiment, the assembly is comprised of two distinct pieces, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 1 shows a simple square shape design of the assembly securing a Material Sheet (11) on all four sides. The Base Pieces (12) are fastened to a frame or surface in some manner such as being screwed down using the Securing Screw Holes (15), or glued, or any other method that is secure.

[0047] The Base Piece (12) can be made of either a strong, non-corrosive metal such as aluminum or a sturdy inflexible plastic. From a sectional perspective, as depicted in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the Base Piece (12) resembles the letter C with the bottom of the piece flat and elongated and having a notch in it, called the Clamp Notch (18). The top is considerably thicker than the bottom with a circular opening, or joint, at the right end called the Clamp Joint (17a). In the middle of the Base Piece (12) is an open area known as the Material Cavity (20) where the ends of the secured Material Sheet (11) are stored as well as the Back Wall (22) which connects the top to the bottom.

[0048] The Clamp Arm (13) can be made from a sturdy yet flexible plastic. The Clamp Arm (13) is connected to the Base Piece (12) by inserting the Clamp Ball (17b) into the Clamp Joint (17a), allowing the Clamp Arm (13) radial motion. From a sectional perspective, as depicted in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the Clamp Arm (13) resembles a lowercase letter n. The bottom of the left leg of the n shape is a rounded ball shape called the Clamp Ball (17b) that fits in to the Clamp Joint (17a) on the Base Piece (12). Also, on the left leg of the n shape, periodically spaced apart are holes known as Lock/Unlock Holes (14). The bottom of the right leg of the n shape has a protrusion at a 90-degree angle called the Notch Post (21) that extends along the entire length of the Clamp Arm (13) and fits in to the Clamp Notch (18) on the Base Piece (12). On the inside of the right leg of the n shape is another protrusion known as the Lock Ridge (19) which can run along the entire inner length of the Clamp Arm (13). In the middle of the Clamp Arm (13) is an open area known as the Lock/Unlock Cavity (16).

Operation

[0049] When the Clamp Arm (13) is lifted to the up (open) position it creates an opening where a sheet of material can be inserted and fed under the Clamp Arm (13), over top of the Clamp Notch (18), and back into the Material Cavity (20). By inserting any standard flat-headed tool into one of the Lock/Unlock Holes (14), through the Lock/Unlock Cavity (16), and resting it against the Lock Ridge (19), one can apply force pushing the Clamp Arm (13) in a radial motion towards the Base Piece (12). Once the Clamp Arm (13) rotates far enough, the Notch Post (21) begins to drag along the Material Sheet (11) and drags it further into the Material Cavity (20), then snaps into the Clamp Notch (18), thus frictionally securing the Material Sheet (11) in between the Notch Post (21) and the Clamp Notch (18) in a taut state. One then removes the flat-headed tool and moves it to the next Securing Screw Hole (15) in line and repetitively performs the same process described above until the entire length of the Notch Post (21) is fully inserted into the Clamp Notch (18) and the Clamp Arm (13) fully resides in the down (secured) position along the entire length of the Base Piece (12).

[0050] To disengage the assembly, insert the flat-headed tool into one of the Lock/Unlock Holes (14), through the Lock/Unlock Cavity (16), and apply radial force in the opposite direction of the Lock Ridge (19) until the Notch Post (21) snaps out of the Clamp Notch (18). One then removes the flat-headed tool and moves it to the next Securing Screw Hole (15) in line and repetitively performs the same process described above until the entire length of the Notch Post (21) is fully removed from the Clamp Notch (18) along the entire length of the Base Piece (12) and the Clamp Arm (13) can move in a radial direction away from the Base Piece (12). This will create an open space between the Base Piece (12) and the Clamp Arm (13) to allow for insertion or removal of a sheet of material.

Alternative Embodiments

[0051] In alternative embodiments, the design elements of the Base Piece (12) can be incorporated directly into the construction of a manufactured frame such as a screened window frame or door frame or easel, or a surface such as a table or wall, and used with a Clamp Arm (13) with the same design. The functional operation would remain the same.

[0052] Additionally, alternative materials can be used in the manufacture of both the Base Piece (12) and the Clamp Arm (13) to account for specific situational needs including, but not limited to, strength, flexibility, and to withstand environmental factors (i.e., weather).

Advantages

[0053] 1.) Simplifies the process of installing, re-installing, or removing material sheets (11) on to or from a frame, or surface [0054] 2.) Simplistic in its design: [0055] a. Requiring only two parts that can be manufactured as a stand-alone product or integrated into the design of another product [0056] b. Requiring only a standard screwdriver or other flat headed tool with no specialized features to install, remove, and adjust material sheet (11) [0057] 3.) Allows the ability: [0058] a. To hold a material sheet (11) in place in a secure and taut state [0059] b. To release a material sheet (11) when it experiences excessive forces and/or pressure applied to it from any direction, in effect relieving these forces and/or pressures and avoiding damages to both the material sheet (11) as well as the frame or surface to which it is attached [0060] c. To install a material sheet (11) without the need to cut or trim it to the exact smallest measurable size, while in a taut state, of the area it is being used to cover [0061] d. To re-use and re-install an otherwise undamaged material sheet (11) that has become dislodged from the assembly, thus avoiding unnecessary waste [0062] 4.) Is compact, of low profile, and aesthetically pleasing

Conclusion

[0063] Accordingly, the reader will see that the various embodiments of the assembly can be used to secure a material sheet (11) in a taut state easily and conveniently and can be removed just as easily and without damage to the material sheet (11). The Assembly eliminates the need for any specially designed tools, requiring only a standard screwdriver or other flat-headed tool for installation, removal, or adjustment of a material sheet (11). Its simplicity makes any material sheet (11) adjustment an easy and quick process saving the user time. The material sheet (11) does not, and should not, be cut or trimmed to the exact smallest size to fit the opening or surface, with the excess material being hidden away inside the Material Cavity (20) of the assembly giving it a clean, symmetrical look. Should the material sheet (11) be dislodged by the exertion of some excessive force, it can be re-inserted and re-used, thus eliminating unnecessary waste. Finally, the design's simplicity makes it simpler to manufacture as a stand-alone product, or by integrating it into the manufacture of a larger frame or surface assembly where its low profile allows for an aesthetically pleasing finished product.

[0064] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. Thus, the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.