Clamp Apparatus
20170326027 · 2017-11-16
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
A clamp apparatus for clamping an article, the clamp apparatus includes a first finger and a second finger with a biased flexible connecting member wherein the bias urges the first and second fingers apart with structure to limit the bias, the connecting member is affixed to one end of each finger wherein a “V” shape is formed as between the first and second fingers and the connecting member. Also included in the clamp apparatus is a locking fastener for overcoming the connecting member urging via manually selectively bringing the first and second fingers together, plus a first extension with a first shoe disposed in the first finger and a second extension with second shoe disposed in the second finger, wherein operationally the first and second shoe portions act to clamp the article to the extent of the locking fastener.
Claims
1. A clamp apparatus for clamping an article, comprising: (a) a first finger with a first proximal end portion and an opposing first distal end portion with a first finger axis spanning therebetween; (b) a second finger with a second proximal end portion and an opposing second distal end portion with a second finger axis spanning therebetween; (c) a biased flexible connecting member with structure to limit said bias, said connecting member is affixed to said first proximal end portion and said second proximal end portion wherein a “V” shape is formed as between said first finger axis of said first finger, said connecting member, and said second finger axis of said second finger, said connecting member urges through said bias said first and second fingers apart from one another to be limited within said “V” shape, wherein operationally said first distal end portion and said second distal end portion have opposing flexible movement relative to one another; (d) a means for overcoming said connecting member urging via manually selectively bringing said first distal end portion and said second distal end portion toward one another in a lockable manner; (e) a first extension disposed adjacent to said first distal end portion, said first extension terminating in a first shoe portion, wherein said first shoe portion faces said second distal end portion; and (f) a second extension disposed adjacent to said second distal end portion, said second extension terminating in a second shoe portion, wherein said second shoe portion faces said first distal end portion, wherein operationally said first and second shoe portions act to clamp the article to the extent of said means.
2. A clamp apparatus for clamping an article according to claim 1 wherein said first finger, said connecting member, and said second finger have a combined flexible structural stiffness K factor of about 32 pounds per inch as between said first and second distal end portions due to a first finger cross section, a connecting member cross section, and a second finger cross section, wherein said K factor stiffness is operational for said means for overcoming said connecting member urging to have a desirable amount of manual effort for said selectively bringing said first and second distal end portions together.
3. A clamp apparatus for clamping an article according to claim 1 wherein said means for overcoming said connecting member urging is constructed of a threaded fastener that includes a pair of threadably engaged nuts.
4. A clamp apparatus for clamping an article according to claim 3 wherein said first proximal end portion has a first aperture disposed therethrough with a first aperture axis and said second proximal end portion has a second aperture disposed therethrough with a second aperture axis, wherein said first and second aperture axes are coincident with one another, wherein said threaded fastener is disposed therethrough both of said first and second apertures, wherein each said threadably engaged nut is disposed outside of said “V” shape on opposing ends of said threaded fastener wherein operationally said threadably engaged nut is tightened to selectively to bring said first distal end portion and said second distal end portion toward one another in a lockable manner.
5. A clamp apparatus for clamping an article according to claim 1 wherein said first extension is constructed of a first elongated threaded portion having a first extension axis, wherein said first elongated threaded portion terminates on one end at said first shoe, said first distal end portion including a first threaded opening having a first threaded opening axis that is positioned perpendicular to said first finger axis, wherein said first elongated threaded portion has a first threadable engagement to said first threaded opening, wherein said first extension facilitates further clamping force adjustment upon the article via said first threadable engagement.
6. A clamp apparatus for clamping an article according to claim 1 wherein said second extension is constructed of a second elongated threaded portion having a second extension axis, wherein said second elongated threaded portion terminates on one end at said second shoe, said second distal end portion including a second threaded opening having a second threaded opening axis that is positioned perpendicular to said second finger axis, wherein said second elongated threaded portion has a second threadable engagement to said second threaded opening, wherein said second extension facilitates further clamping force adjustment upon the article via said second threadable engagement.
7. A clamp apparatus for clamping an article according to claim 5 wherein said first shoe is constructed of a first elastomeric expanded element that has a larger area perpendicular to said first extension axis than said first elongated threaded portion area perpendicular to said first extension axis for operationally increasing a clamping area upon the article to lessen a unit loading from said first shoe upon the article.
8. A clamp apparatus for clamping an article according to claim 6 wherein said second shoe is constructed of a second elastomeric expanded element that has a larger area perpendicular to said second extension axis than said second elongated threaded portion area perpendicular to said second extension axis for operationally increasing a clamping area upon the article to lessen a unit loading from said second shoe upon the article.
9. A clamp apparatus for clamping a body part for acupressure, comprising: (a) a first finger with a first proximal end portion and an opposing first distal end portion with a first finger axis spanning therebetween; (b) a second finger with a second proximal end portion and an opposing second distal end portion with a second finger axis spanning therebetween; (c) a biased flexible connecting member with structure to limit said bias, said connecting member is affixed to said first proximal end portion and said second proximal end portion wherein a “V” shape is formed as between said first finger axis of said first finger, said connecting member, and said second finger axis of said second finger, said connecting member urges through said bias said first and second fingers apart from one another to be limited within said “V” shape, wherein operationally said first distal end portion and said second distal end portion have opposing flexible movement relative to one another; (d) a threaded fastener that includes a pair of threadably engaged nuts, wherein said first proximal end portion has a first aperture disposed therethrough with a first aperture axis and said second proximal end portion has a second aperture disposed therethrough with a second aperture axis, wherein said first and second aperture axes are coincident with one another, wherein said threaded fastener is disposed therethrough both of said first and second apertures, wherein each said threadably engaged nut is disposed outside of said “V” shape on opposing ends of said threaded fastener wherein operationally said threadably engaged nut is tightened to manually selectively bring said first distal end portion and said second distal end portion toward one another in a lockable manner thus overcoming said connecting member urging; (e) a first extension disposed adjacent to said first distal end portion, said first extension terminating in a first shoe portion, wherein said first shoe portion faces said second distal end portion; and (f) a second extension disposed adjacent to said second distal end portion, said second extension terminating in a second shoe portion, wherein said second shoe portion faces said first distal end portion, wherein operationally said first and second shoe portions act to clamp the body part for acupressure to the extent of said threaded fastener.
10. A clamp apparatus for clamping a body part for acupressure according to claim 9 wherein said first finger, said connecting member, and said second finger have a combined flexible structural stiffness K factor of about 32 pounds per inch as between said first and second distal end portions due to a first finger cross section, a connecting member cross section, and a second finger cross section, wherein said K factor stiffness is operational for said threaded fastener for overcoming said connecting member urging to have a desirable amount of manual effort for said selectively bringing said first and second distal end portions together.
11. A clamp apparatus for clamping a body part for acupressure according to claim 9 wherein said first extension is constructed of a first elongated threaded portion having a first extension axis, wherein said first elongated threaded portion terminates on one end at said first shoe, said first distal end portion including a first threaded opening having a first threaded opening axis that is positioned perpendicular to said first finger axis, wherein said first elongated threaded portion has a first threadable engagement to said first threaded opening, wherein said first extension facilitates further clamping force adjustment upon the article via said first threadable engagement.
12. A clamp apparatus for clamping a body part for acupressure according to claim 9 wherein said second extension is constructed of a second elongated threaded portion having a second extension axis, wherein said second elongated threaded portion terminates on one end at said second shoe, said second distal end portion including a second threaded opening having a second threaded opening axis that is positioned perpendicular to said second finger axis, wherein said second elongated threaded portion has a second threadable engagement to said second threaded opening, wherein said second extension facilitates further clamping force adjustment upon the article via said second threadable engagement.
13. A clamp apparatus for clamping a body part for acupressure according to claim 11 wherein said first shoe is constructed of a first elastomeric expanded convex disc that has a larger area perpendicular to said first extension axis than said first elongated threaded portion area perpendicular to said first extension axis for operationally increasing a clamping area upon the body part for acupressure comfort.
14. A clamp apparatus for clamping a body part for acupressure according to claim 12 wherein said second shoe is constructed of a second elastomeric expanded convex disc that has a larger area perpendicular to said second extension axis than said second elongated threaded portion area perpendicular to said second extension axis for operationally increasing a clamping area upon the body part for acupressure comfort.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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[0023]
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0024] The present invention is a clamp apparatus for clamping an article, the clamp apparatus includes a first finger with a first proximal end portion and an opposing first distal end portion with a first finger axis spanning therebetween, also a second finger with a second proximal end portion and an opposing second distal end portion with a second finger axis spanning therebetween. Further included is a biased flexible connecting member with structure to limit the bias, the connecting member is affixed to the first proximal end portion and the second proximal end portion, wherein a “V” shape is formed as between the first finger axis of the first finger, the connecting member, and the second finger axis of the second finger. The connecting member urges through the bias the first and second fingers apart from one another to be limited within the “V” shape, wherein operationally the first distal end portion and the second distal end portion have opposing flexible movement relative to one another.
[0025] Also included the clamp apparatus is a means for overcoming the connecting member urging via manually selectively bringing the first distal end portion and the second distal end portion toward one another in a lockable manner. In addition, included is a first extension disposed adjacent to the first distal end portion, the first extension terminating in a first shoe portion, wherein the first shoe portion faces the second distal end portion and a second extension disposed adjacent to the second distal end portion, the second extension terminating in a second shoe portion, wherein the second shoe portion faces the first distal end portion, wherein operationally the first and second shoe portions act to clamp the article to the extent of the means.
[0026] These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which;
REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS
[0027] 50 Clamp apparatus [0028] 55 Article [0029] 60 Body part for acupressure [0030] 65 Clamping the article [0031] 70 First finger [0032] 75 First proximal end portion of the first finger 70 [0033] 80 First aperture of the first proximal end portion 75 [0034] 85 First aperture axis [0035] 90 First distal end portion of the first finger 70 [0036] 95 First threaded opening [0037] 100 First threaded opening axis [0038] 105 Perpendicular position of the first threaded opening axis 100 to the first finger axis 115 [0039] 110 First finger cross section [0040] 115 First finger axis [0041] 120 Second finger [0042] 125 Second proximal end portion of the second finger 120 [0043] 130 Second aperture of the second proximal end portion 125 [0044] 135 Second aperture axis [0045] 140 Second distal end portion of the second finger 120 [0046] 145 Second threaded opening [0047] 150 Second threaded opening axis [0048] 155 Perpendicular position of the second threaded opening axis 150 to the second finger axis 165 [0049] 160 Second finger cross section [0050] 165 Second finger axis [0051] 170 Coincident position of the first 85 and second 135 aperture axes [0052] 175 Biased flexible connecting member [0053] 180 Structure of the connecting member 175 to limit bias [0054] 185 Cross section of the connecting member 175 [0055] 190 Affixed nature of connecting member 175 to the first 75 and second 125 proximal end portions [0056] 195 V shape formed from the first 70 and second 120 fingers and connecting member 175 [0057] 200 Bias of the first 70 and second 120 fingers apart from one another [0058] 205 Opposing flexible movement of the first 90 and second 140 distal end portions to one another [0059] 210 Means for overcoming the connecting member 175 urging [0060] 215 Manually selectively bringing the first 90 and second 140 distal end portions toward one another [0061] 220 Locking the first 90 and second 140 distal end portions in a selected position toward one another [0062] 225 First extension [0063] 230 First extension axis [0064] 235 First elongated threaded portion of the first extension 225 [0065] 240 First threadable engagement [0066] 245 First shoe portion [0067] 250 Facing of the first shoe portion 245 to the second distal end portion 140 [0068] 255 First elastomeric expanded element of the first shoe 245 [0069] 260 First elastomeric expanded convex disc of the first shoe 245 [0070] 265 Larger area of the first shoe 245 perpendicular to the first extension axis 230 than the first elongated threaded portion 235 area perpendicular to the first extension axis 230 [0071] 270 Second extension [0072] 275 Second extension axis [0073] 280 Second elongated threaded portion of the second extension 270 [0074] 285 Second threadable engagement [0075] 290 Second shoe portion [0076] 295 Facing of the second shoe portion 290 to the first distal end portion 90 [0077] 300 Second elastomeric expanded element of the second shoe 290 [0078] 305 Second elastomeric expanded convex disc of the second shoe 290 [0079] 310 Larger area of the second shoe 290 perpendicular to the second extension axis 275 than the second elongated threaded portion 280 area perpendicular to the second extension axis 275 [0080] 315 Flexible structural stiffness K factor [0081] 320 Threaded fastener [0082] 325 Threadably engaged nuts [0083] 330 Nuts position outside of the V shape 195 [0084] 335 Further clamping force adjustment
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0085] With initial reference to
[0086] Continuing,
[0087] Next,
[0088] Further,
[0089] Next,
[0090] The present invention is the clamp apparatus 50 for clamping 65 an article 55, the clamp apparatus 50 includes the first finger 70 with the first proximal end portion 75 and the opposing first distal end portion 90 with the first finger axis 115 spanning therebetween, also the second finger 120 with the second proximal end portion 125 and the opposing second distal end portion 140 with the second finger axis 165 spanning therebetween, see
[0091] Also included the clamp apparatus 50 is the means 210 for overcoming the connecting member 175 urging 200 via manually selectively bringing the first distal end portion 90 and the second distal end portion 140 toward one another 215 in a lockable manner 220, see in particular
[0092] As an option, for the clamp apparatus 50 for clamping 65 the article 55, the first finger 70, the connecting member 175, and the second finger 120 can preferably have a combined flexible structural stiffness K factor 315 of about 32 pounds per inch as between the first 90 and second 140 distal end portions due to the first finger cross section 110, the connecting member cross section 180, 185, and the second finger cross section 160, using the cross sections inertia (inches to the fourth power) as is known in the art with preferably a mild carbon steel or stainless steel, or possibly a flexible plastic used for material of the first 70 and second 120 fingers, plus the connecting member 175, see
[0093] Further, as an option for the clamp apparatus 50 for clamping 65 the article 55, the means 210 for overcoming the connecting member 175 urging 200 is preferably constructed of the threaded fastener 320 that includes the pair of threadably engaged nuts 325 which may be wing nuts as known in the art (not shown) for eliminating the need for tools, as best shown in
[0094] Yet a further option for the clamp apparatus 50 for clamping 65 the article 55, wherein the first extension 225 is preferably constructed of the first elongated threaded portion 235 having the first extension axis 230, wherein the first elongated threaded portion 235 terminates on one end at the first shoe 245, see
[0095] Another option for the clamp apparatus 50 for clamping 65 the article 55, wherein the second extension 270 is preferably constructed of the second elongated threaded portion 280 having the second extension axis 275, wherein the second elongated threaded portion 280 terminates on one end at the second shoe 290, see
[0096] An even further option for the clamp apparatus 50 for clamping 65 the article 55, wherein the first shoe 245 is preferably constructed of a first elastomeric expanded element 255 that has a larger area 265 perpendicular to the first extension axis 230 than the first elongated threaded portion 235 area perpendicular to the first extension axis 230 for operationally increasing a clamping 65 area upon the article 55 to lessen a unit loading from the first shoe 245 upon the article 55, see in particular
[0097] Continuing for another option for the clamp apparatus 50 for clamping 65 the article 55, wherein the second shoe 290 is preferably constructed of a second elastomeric expanded element 300 that has a larger area 310 perpendicular to the second extension axis 275 that the second elongated threaded portion 280 area perpendicular to the second extension axis 275 for operationally increasing a clamping 65 area upon the article 55 to lessen a unit loading from the second shoe 290 upon the article 55, see in particular
[0098] Continuing, on the options for the clamp apparatus 50 for clamping 65 the article 55 or body part 60 for acupressure, wherein the first shoe 245 is preferably constructed of a first elastomeric expanded convex disc 260 that has a larger area 265 perpendicular to the first extension axis 230 than the first elongated threaded portion 235 area perpendicular to the first extension axis 230 for operationally increasing a clamping 65 area upon the body part 60 for acupressure comfort, see in particular
[0099] Continuing, on the options for the clamp apparatus 50 for clamping 65 the article 55 or body part 60 for acupressure, wherein the second shoe 290 is preferably constructed of a second elastomeric expanded convex disc 305 that has a larger area 310 perpendicular to the second extension axis 275 than the second elongated threaded portion 280 area perpendicular to the second extension axis 275 for operationally increasing a clamping 65 area upon the body part 60 for acupressure comfort, see in particular
METHOD OF USE
[0100] Looking in particular at
CONCLUSION
[0101] Accordingly, the present invention of a clamp apparatus 50 has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained therein.