U.S. patent application number 11/433437 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for clamping device.
Invention is credited to Chun-Chen Lin, Fu-Ching Wang, Leland Wang.
Application Number | 20070262223 11/433437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38684235 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070262223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Leland ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
Clamping device
Abstract
A clamping device includes a seat body, two clamping elements,
at least one spring, a gear, a turning wheel, an impeding element,
and a release button. The seat body has a front casing and a rear
casing. Each clamping element has a clamping body with a rack. The
spring is disposed between the seat body and one of the two
clamping elements. The gear and the turning wheel are pivoted in
the seat body together. The gear is engaged with the two racks, and
the turning wheel has a contact surface formed therearound. The
impeding element is pivoted in the seat body, wherein the impeding
element has an impeding surface that contacts the contact surface.
The release button is movably disposed on the seat body and
connected with the impeding element. Hence the clamping device's
whole structure is simple, and the cost of the clamping device is
reduced.
Inventors: |
Wang; Leland; (Walnut,
CA) ; Lin; Chun-Chen; (Yilan City, TW) ; Wang;
Fu-Ching; (Taipei City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
38684235 |
Appl. No.: |
11/433437 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/346.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/00 20130101;
F16M 11/041 20130101; B60R 11/0241 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/346.07 |
International
Class: |
A47B 91/00 20060101
A47B091/00 |
Claims
1. A clamping device, comprising: a seat body having a front casing
and a rear casing; two clamping elements, wherein each clamping
element has a clamping body and a lateral clamping element
connected with the clamping body, each clamping body has a rack,
and the two clamping bodies of the two clamping elements are
disposed between the front casing and the rear casing; at least one
spring disposed between the seat body and one of the two clamping
elements; a gear and a turning wheel pivoted in the seat body
together, wherein the gear is engaged with the two racks of the two
clamping bodies, and the turning wheel has a contact surface formed
therearound; an impeding element pivoted in the seat body, wherein
the impeding element has an impeding surface contacting the contact
surface of the turning wheel; and a release button movably disposed
on the seat body and connected with the impeding element.
2. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear
casing has a plurality of through holes and rectangular holes, each
two of the rectangular holes communicated with two sides of each
through hole, and the rectangular hole has a smaller width than
that of the through hole; wherein the seat body further comprises a
support board that has a plurality of protrusions projected from
one surface thereof, each of the protrusions has two retaining
portions projected from two sides thereof, the protrusions of the
support board are inserted into the corresponding through holes of
the rear casing, and the protrusions are moved toward the
corresponding rectangular holes for retaining the retaining
portions on an inner face of the rear casing; wherein an opposite
surface of the support board is jointed with a sucker device via a
connecting rod of the sucker device.
3. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each clamping
element has a flexible spacer attached on an inner face of each
lateral clamping element.
4. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each clamping
body has a rectangular hole, and the two racks are respectively
disposed on a top side of one of the rectangular hole and a bottom
side of the other rectangular hole.
5. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the
clamping bodies has a receiving space formed thereover, and the
other clamping body is received in the receiving space for stacking
the two clamping bodies.
6. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring is
a compression spring.
7. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring
contacts against the seat body and a projected piece of one of the
clamping elements.
8. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear and
the turning wheel are pivoted in the seat body together by a
pivoting element passing through the gear and the turning
wheel.
9. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeding
element has a pivoting portion formed on one side thereof, and a
pivot for pivoting the pivoting portion of the impeding element in
the seat body.
10. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeding
surface of the impeding element is a cambered surface.
11. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeding
surface has a first side and a second side, one distance between
the first side and an axle center of the impeding element is longer
than an other distance between the second side and the axle center
of the impeding element, and the impeding surface further comprises
a plurality of one-way teeth formed between the first side and the
second side.
12. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeding
element has an impeding post projected from one face thereof, the
release button has an impeding arm and the impeding arm has an
impeding hole, and the impeding post of the impeding element is
inserted into the impeding hole of the impeding arm.
13. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the release
button is movably disposed in a sliding groove of the front
casing.
14. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the release
button has a button portion projected outside the seat body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a clamping device, and
particularly relates to a clamping device adapted for clamping
electronic devices, such as a GPS, a PDA or a cell phone, inside a
vehicle.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Electronic devices, such as a GPS, a PDA, or a cell phone
can be installed in a vehicle via a clamping device. Referring to
FIG. 1, a known clamping seat 9 includes two seat bodies 91, 92, a
fixed seat 93, and two clamping bodies 94 disposed on both sides of
the two seat bodies 91, 92. The two clamping bodies 94 can be two
support bodies for adjusting an electronic device's position and
fixing the electronic device. The fixed seat 93 is disposed on a
bottom side of the seat body 92, and is inserted into a
cigarette-lighter's socket of a vehicle or fixed in the vehicle.
Two compression springs 95 are disposed between two seat bodies 91,
92. The clamping body 94 is slid along a sliding groove 921, and
each clamping body 94 has a lateral clamping portion 941 protected
outside the corresponding seat body 91 or 92. Moreover, each
clamping body 94 has a one-way ratchet wheel 942 formed on a front
and a rear side thereof. A flexible retained seat 96 contacts the
ratchet wheel 942, and the flexible retained seat 96 has a stop
body 961 projected therefrom for being inserted into the ratchet
wheel 942 of the clamping body 94. Hence the clamping body 94 can
only be moved inwardly and then positioned. Furthermore, the
flexible retained seat 96 has an oblique edge groove 962 formed on
a rear side thereof. A pressing rod 97 is inserted into the oblique
edge groove 962, and has an oblique concave groove 971 for pushing
the flexible retained seat 96 to move inwardly and outwardly.
[0005] The stop body 961 is inserted into the ratchet wheel 942 of
the clamping body 94. Hence the two clamping bodies 94 can only be
moved inwardly until both clamping bodies 94 clamp the electronic
device. Moreover, a user can press the pressing rod 97 to spring
out the two clamping bodies 94 via two compression springs 3 for
releasing the electronic device. However, both ratchet wheels 942
need to be formed on the two sides of every clamping body 94.
Moreover, the ratchet wheel 942 needs to be formed on the
displacement distance of the clamping body 94. Hence, the known
clamping seat's whole structure is complex, and the cost of
manufacturing the clamping device is increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a clamping device. The
clamping device provides a gear and a turning wheel that are
coaxial. Hence, when both clamping elements are moved outwardly and
inwardly to drive the gear, the turning wheel can be driven to
rotate synchronously. Moreover, an impeding element limits both
clamping elements from moving inward only for clamping an
electronic device. Furthermore, when a release button is pressed,
both clamping elements can be sprung out for releasing the
electronic device. In addition, the present invention does not
require two one-way ratchet wheels on both sides of the clamping
elements. Hence, the entire structure of the clamping device's of
the present invention is simple, and its manufacturing cost
considerably less than that of the prior art.
[0007] One aspect of the invention is a clamping device comprising
a seat body, two clamping elements, at least one spring, a gear, a
turning wheel, an impeding element, and a release button. The seat
body has a front casing and a rear casing. Each clamping element
has a clamping body and a lateral clamping element connected with
the clamping body. Each clamping body has a rack, and the two
clamping bodies of the two clamping elements are disposed between
the front casing and the rear casing. The at least one spring is
disposed between the seat body and one of the two clamping
elements. The gear and the turning wheel are pivoted in the seat
body together, wherein the gear is engaged with the two racks of
the two clamping bodies, and the turning wheel has a contact
surface formed therearound. The impeding element is pivoted in the
seat body, wherein the impeding element has an impeding surface
that contacts the contact surface of the turning wheel. The release
button is movably disposed on the seat body and connected with the
impeding element.
[0008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary,
and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as
claimed. Other advantages and features of the invention will be
apparent from the following description, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The various objects and advantages of the present invention
will be more readily understood from the following detailed
description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective, exposed view of a clamping device
according to a prior art;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective, exposed view of a clamping device
according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is one perspective, assembled view of a clamping
device according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is another perspective, assembled view of a clamping
device according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a clamping device according to
the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective, assembled view of a clamping device
in use according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the present invention provides a
clamping device, comprising: a seat body 1, two clamping elements
2, two springs 3, a gear 4, a turning wheel 5, an impeding element
6 and a release button 7. The seat body 1 has a front casing 11 and
a rear casing 12. The front casing 11 and the rear casing 12 are
locked or retained together via screws 13 to form a hollow casing.
The rear casing 12 has a plurality of circular through holes 121
formed thereon and rectangular holes 122, both of the rectangular
holes 122 communicate with both sides of each through hole 121, and
the rectangular hole 122 has a width smaller than that of the
through hole 121 for retaining a support board 14. The support
board 14 of the seat body 1 has a plurality of protrusions 141
projected from one surface thereof and corresponding to the through
holes 121. Each of protrusions 141 has two retaining portions 142
projected from both sides thereof, and there is a predetermined
distance from a surface of each retained portion 142 to a surface
of the support board 14. The protrusions 141 of the support board
14 can be inserted into the corresponding through holes 121 of the
rear casing 12, and the protrusions 141 are moved toward the
corresponding rectangular holes 122 for retaining the retaining
portions 142 on an inner face of the rear casing 12. Hence the
support board 14 can be retained on a rear side of the seat body 1.
Moreover, an opposite surface of the support board 14 is jointed
with a sucker device 8 via a connecting rod 81 of the sucker device
8 (as shown in FIG. 6). Hence the clamping device can be positioned
on any place by the sucker device 8. The seat body further
comprises two support elements 15 retained on one side of the front
casing 11 for supporting a bottom edge of an electronic device.
[0017] Both of the two clamping elements 2 have a clamping body 21
and a lateral clamping element 22 connected with the clamping body
21 via a retaining or adhesive method. Each clamping element 2 has
a flexible spacer 23 attached on an inner face of each lateral
clamping element 22. Each clamping body 21 has a rectangular hole
211 and a rack 212 disposed on one side of the rectangular hole
211. Hence the two racks 212 are respectively disposed on a top
side of one of the rectangular holes 211 and a bottom side of the
other rectangular hole 211 for engaging with the gear 4 to form an
impeding mechanism. The two clamping bodies 21 of the two clamping
elements 2 are disposed between the front casing 11 and the rear
casing 12. Furthermore, one of the clamping bodies 21 has a
receiving space 213 formed thereover, and the other clamping body
21 is received in the receiving space 213 for stacking both
clamping bodies 21. The two clamping bodies 21 can be moved
oppositely each other. Hence the two clamping bodies 21 can moved
inwardly for clamping the electronic device, or outwardly for
releasing the electronic device.
[0018] The two springs 3 are compression springs. One spring 3
contacts against between the seat body 1 and one projected piece
214 of the clamping body 21. The other spring 3 contacts against
between the seat body 1 and the other projected piece 214 of the
clamping body 21. Hence the two springs 3 are disposed between the
seat body 1 and one of the two clamping elements 2. Hence, the two
springs 2 provide force to the two clamping elements 2 for making
the two clamping elements 2 move outwardly.
[0019] The gear 4 and the turning wheel 5 are pivoted in the seat
body 1 together by a pivoting element 41 (such as a screw) that
passes through the gear 4 and the turning wheel 5. The gear 4 is
engaged with the two racks 212 of the two clamping bodies 21. The
gear 4 mates with the two racks 212 to form an impeding mechanism.
Hence, the two racks 212 can be moved together, either inward or
outward, at the same time. The turning wheel 5 is a circular wheel
body and has a contact surface 51 formed therearound for contacting
the impeding element 6.
[0020] The impeding element 6 has a pivoting portion 61 formed on
one side thereof, and a pivot 62 for pivoting the pivoting portion
61 of the impeding element 6 in the front casing 11 of the seat
body 1. Hence the impeding element 6 can be swung via the pivot 62
as an axle center. The impeding element 6 has an impeding surface
63 with a cambered surface. The impeding surface 63 contacts the
contact surface 51 of the turning wheel 5. The impeding surface 63
has a first side 631 and a second side 632, one distance between
the first side 631 and an axle center of the impeding element 6 is
longer than an other distance between the second side 632 and the
axle center of the impeding element 6. The impeding surface 63
further comprises a plurality of one-way teeth 633 formed between
the first side 631 and the second side 632. Hence, the impeding
surface 63 has a one-way moving function. For example, referring to
FIG. 5, when the turning wheel 5 is rotated in a clockwise
direction, the impeding surface 63 stops the movement. When the
turning wheel 5 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the
impeding surface 63 allows the movement. Hence, the two clamping
elements 2 can only be moved inwardly for driving the turning wheel
5 to rotate in a clockwise direction and locking the electronic
device. The impeding element 6 has an impeding post 64 projected
from one face thereof.
[0021] The release button 7 is movably disposed in a sliding groove
111 of the front casing 11. The release button 7 has a button
portion 71 and an impeding arm 72 connected to one side of the
button portion 71. The button portion 71 is projected outside the
seat body 1 for pressing the button portion 71. The impeding arm 72
has an impeding hole 721, and the impeding post 64 of the impeding
element 6 is inserted into the impeding hole 721 of the impeding
arm 72 for connecting the release button 7 with the impeding
element 6. When the release button 7 is pressed, the impeding
element 6 can be rotated anti-clockwise for the impeding surface 63
of the impeding element 6 to separate from the contact surface 51
of the turning wheel 5. At the same time the impeding element 6
loses its impeding function. Hence the two clamping elements 2 can
be sprung out via the two springs 3 for releasing the electronic
device.
[0022] In conclusion, the present invention providing the gear 4
and the turning wheel 5 are coaxial. Hence, when the two clamping
elements 2 are moved outwardly and inwardly to drive the gear 4,
the turning wheel 5 can be driven to synchronously rotate.
Moreover, the impeding element 6 limits the two clamping elements 2
to move inwardly only for clamping the electronic device.
Furthermore, when the release button 7 is pressed, the two clamping
elements 2 are sprung out for releasing the electronic device.
[0023] Moreover, the two clamping elements 2 can be moved outwardly
and inwardly for clamping different electronic devices of different
size. For example, when the two clamping elements 2 are moved
outwardly to a larger distance, the two clamping elements 2 can
clamp a larger electronic device. Hence the present invention's
clamping device is very convenient for users.
[0024] Furthermore, the present invention does not need to have two
one-way ratchet wheels formed on both sides of the clamping
elements 2. Hence, in the present invention the clamping device's
whole structure is simple, and the manufacturing cost for the
clamping device is reduced. In addition, each of protrusions 141
has two retaining portions 142 projected from both sides thereof
for providing a retaining effect. Hence, between the support board
14 and the seat body 1 there is a good, firm joint formed, and
users do not have to worry about the clamping device losing its
grip and sliding off.
[0025] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be
understood that the invention is not limited to the details
thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been
suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to
those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such
substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within
the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *