CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT FOR CLAMPING A FLEXIBLE LINE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clamping arrangement for clamping a flexible line, and which may be used for carrying an object from a support structure at an above ground level. According to the present invention there is a clamping arrangement for clamping a flexible line the clamping arrangement comprising a body structure arranged to be mounted to a support structure and having an upper end and a longitudinally spaced lower end and comprising an opening therein, the opening having a longitudinal length extending between an upper end and a lower end. The invention further comprises a clamping element arranged to cooperate with the body structure and extend across the opening, wherein an upper separation gap is defined between the upper end of the opening and the clamping element and a lower separation gap is defined between the lower end of the opening and the clamping element, the upper and lower separation gaps configured to allow a flexible line to extend through the upper and lower separation gaps concurrently, wherein the clamping element is moveable longitudinally relative to the body structure such that tensioning a flexible line passed through the lower and upper separation gaps and projecting from the upper separation gap forces the clamping element downwardly to clamp the flexible line between the clamping element and the body structure.

Claims

1. A clamping arrangement for clamping a flexible line, the clamping arrangement comprising: a body structure arranged to be mounted to a support structure and having an upper end and a longitudinally spaced lower end and comprising an opening therein, the opening having a longitudinal length extending between an upper end and a lower end; a clamping element arranged to cooperate with the body structure and extend across the opening, wherein an upper separation gap is defined between the upper end of the opening and the clamping element and a lower separation gap is defined between the lower end of the opening and the clamping element, the upper and lower separation gaps configured to allow a flexible line to extend through the upper and lower separation gaps concurrently, wherein the clamping element is moveable longitudinally relative to the body structure such that tensioning a flexible line passed through the lower and upper separation gaps and projecting from the upper separation gap forces the clamping element downwardly to clamp the flexible line between the clamping element and the body structure.

2. A clamping arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the clamping element is slideably engaged with the body arrangement.

3. A clamping arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the clamping element is captive in the body structure.

4. A clamping arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the clamping element is retained in the body structure.

5. A clamping arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the body structure defines a chamber therein for receipt of the clamping element.

6. A clamping arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the body structure comprises opposing channels and wherein the clamping element comprises opposing edge portions received in the opposing respective channels.

7. A clamping arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the longitudinal length of the body structure is less than 20 cm, and preferably less than 10 cm.

8. A clamping arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the body structure comprises a mounting structure for releasably mounting to a support structure.

9. A clamping arrangement according to any of claims 3-8 wherein the body structure comprises a cover portion provided forwardly and/or rearwardly of the opening, the cover portion partially providing a cover to the opening and the clamping element.

10. A support arrangement according to claim 9 wherein the cover portion has first and second apertures enabling access to the upper and lower separation gaps respectively.

11. A method of clamping a flexible line, the method comprising providing a clamping arrangement having a body structure having an upper end and a longitudinally spaced lower end and comprising an opening therein, the opening having a longitudinal length extending between an upper end and a lower end, and a clamping element arranged to co-operate with the body structure and extend across the opening, wherein an upper separation gap is defined between the upper end of the opening and the clamping element and a lower separation gap is defined between the lower end of the opening and the clamping element, the upper and lower separation gaps configured to allow a flexible line to extend through the upper and lower separation gaps concurrently, wherein the clamping element is moveable longitudinally relative to the body structure, the method comprising the steps of; passing a distal end of a substantially de-tensioned flexible line through the upper separation gap and subsequently the lower separation gap; tensioning the flexible line extending from the upper separation gap to provide a force downwardly on the clamping element clamping the flexible line between the clamping element and body structure.

12. A method according to claim 11 comprising the step of tying a knot in the portion of flexible line projecting from the lower separation gap.

13. A method according to claim 11 for hanging an object from a support structure wherein the distal end extends from an object and the weight of the object acts to force downwardly in the clamping element to hang the object at an above ground level.

14. A method according to claim 13 comprising the step of mounting the body structure to a support structure.

15. A method according to any of claims 13-14 wherein the object is a hay net.

Description

[0032] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a clamped configuration.

[0035] FIG. 3 is schematic perspective view of a body structure for use in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a clamped configuration.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1 there is a support arrangement (2) comprising a body structure (4) and a clamping element (6). The body structure (4) is arranged to be mounted to a support structure such as a ceiling or a wall and comprises a mounting formation (8) shown in the exemplary embodiment as an opening for receipt of a dowel which in turn may connect to a male or female engaging portion which in turn communicates with a corresponding male or female engaging portion secured to a wall or ceiling.

[0040] The body structure (4) is designed to cooperate with the clamping element (6) to enable movement longitudinally of the clamping element (6). The body structure (4) extends between an upper end (10) and a lower end (12). The clamping element (6) is retained by the body structure and is captive in the body structure. A chamber (14) is provided defined by the dashed lines (16) through which the clamping element (6) can move. The clamping element (6) extends across an opening (18) in the body structure (4) and an upper separation gap represented by arrow (20) and lower separation gap represented by arrow (22) are defined between the clamping element (6) and the upper and lower ends of the opening (18). As best represented in FIG. 3, the clamping element (6) has been removed for clarity and the chamber (14) can be clearly seen defined in the body structure (4). Opposing channels (24) are provided for receipt of the edges of the clamping element (6) to enable the clamping element (6) to slideably engage with the channels in the chamber (14).

[0041] As presented in FIG. 1, a hay net (26) is shown in an open configuration allowing the hay net to be filled. First and second elongate cords (28, 30) extend from the hay net in a de-tensioned or slack configuration and have been pushed through the upper separation gap (20) and subsequently drawn through the lower separation gap (22) and then extend to a distal end (32). This configuration is the unlocked configuration whereby there is minimal tension upon the cords (28, 30) and thus the upper end of the hay net (26) has not been drawn together nor has the clamping element (6) been activated.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 2, upon lifting the support arrangement (2) tension is applied to the cords (28, 30) and thus the weight of the hay net (26) is taken from the support arrangement (2) and through the cords (28, 30). As the support arrangement (2) is lifted further the clamping element (6) is forced downwardly in a direction indicated by arrow (34). A further effect is that the upper edge of the hay net is drawn together and as the weight of the hay net (26) is transferred through the support arrangement (2) the clamping element (6) is forced downwardly and the cords (28, 30) are clamped between the clamping element (6) and the body structure (4). The clamping surface (36) of the body structure (4) can be clearly seen in FIG. 3. Thus, the support arrangement (2) can be lifted without slippage of the cords (28, 30) from the support arrangement (2). It will be appreciated that for security reasons that a knot (38) is tied into the distal ends (32) of the cords (28, 30).

[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, the body structure (4) is presented in more detail. It will be appreciated that the clamping element (6) is not shown in FIG. 3 for clarity purposes. The body structure (4) defines chamber (14) therein and the clamping element (6) when present does not project beyond the confines of the chamber (14). It will be appreciated, however, that the body portion (4) presented in FIGS. 3 and 4 particularly comprises front and rear cover portions (40). These cover portions are beneficial for providing structural integrity to the body structure (4) and improve strength. The opening (18) through which the clamping element (6) moves is uninterrupted by the provision of the cover portion (40). The cover portion (40) partially provides a cover to the opening (18) and the clamping element (6) and comprises first and second apertures (42, 44) to enable access to the upper and lower separation gaps (20, 22) respectively. The portion of the cover portions (40) adjacent to the first and second apertures (42, 44) may be profiled such as chamfered to aid insertion of the cords (28, 30) therethrough.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4 the cords (28, 30) are presented having passed through the lower and upper separation gaps (22, 20) respectively and the ends of the cord are looped. This looped portion is represented by reference numeral (26) and tends in practice to the loop extending around the upper peripheral edge of the hay net. It will be appreciated that upon application of a downward force to the loop (26) the clamping element (6) is forced downwardly into tighter engagement with the cords (28), (30).

[0045] FIG. 5 is a further schematic exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In its embodiment the clamping element (6) is provided externally of the body structure (4) and slideably engages with respect to the body structure (4).

[0046] FIG. 6 is a further schematic exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment a cord (28) in the form of a flat webbing. The clamping surface (36) in this embodiment is substantially linear in order to best secure such a type of webbing meaning that as the clamping element (6) pushes against the webbing (28) which is not twisted once clamped. It will be appreciated that in the embodiment presented clamping is achieved by supplying tension to the distal end of the cord (28) to which a clip (48) is secured. Thus, the clip (48) may be secured to a structure and the clip (50) may be secured to a load meaning that in effect the orientation of the support arrangement (2) is effectively reversed in operation.

[0047] It will be appreciated that the clamping arrangement is suitable for many applications. These include supporting a hay-net at an above-ground level, but also include tensioning a flexible line for many different purposes where one end of a flexible line may be fixed and passed through the clamping arrangement which is also then fixed or pre-fixed to a structure. Pulling the distal end of the flexible line causes tensioning in the flexible line and clamps the line holding the desired tension. In addition the flexible line itself may be elastically deformable such as a known bungee type cord.

[0048] Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated to the skilled addressee that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.