U.S. patent application number 12/116947 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-12 for clamp device and packaging box assembly incorporating said clamp device.
Invention is credited to Kai-Ting CHUANG, Yea-Jye HOU, Chien-Hua HUNG, Chih-Hung LIU.
Application Number | 20090277131 12/116947 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41265739 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090277131 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUNG; Chien-Hua ; et
al. |
November 12, 2009 |
Clamp Device and Packaging Box Assembly Incorporating Said Clamp
Device
Abstract
A clamp device clamps together two panels having aligned
receiving holes, and includes a tubular wall adapted to be inserted
into the aligned receiving holes and having a through hole, first
and second abutment plates connected hingedly and oppositely to the
tubular wall within the through hole, first and second clamping
plates projecting transversely and respectively from the first and
second abutment plates, two resilient arms projecting from the
second abutment plate and respectively having engaging ends, and a
locker having two groove sidewalls formed on the first abutment
plate and confining a groove therebetween. The clamping plates move
away from each other to a clamping position when the abutment
plates abut against the tubular wall. The groove receives and locks
the engaging ends when the abutment plates abut against the tubular
wall, thereby locking the clamping plates in the clamping
position.
Inventors: |
HUNG; Chien-Hua; (Tainan,
TW) ; CHUANG; Kai-Ting; (Tainan, TW) ; LIU;
Chih-Hung; (Tainan, TW) ; HOU; Yea-Jye;
(Tainan, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Nixon Peabody LLP
200 Page Mill Road, Suite 200
Palo Alto
CA
94306
US
|
Family ID: |
41265739 |
Appl. No.: |
12/116947 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/138.1 ;
220/324 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/68 20130101; B65D
2585/6837 20130101; B65D 45/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/138.1 ;
220/324 |
International
Class: |
B65B 51/04 20060101
B65B051/04; B65D 45/16 20060101 B65D045/16 |
Claims
1. A packaging box assembly comprising: a base including a first
panel having a first receiving hole; a cover including a second
panel adjacent to said first panel and having a second receiving
hole aligned with said first receiving hole; and a clamp device to
clamp together said first and second panels, and including a hollow
seat including a tubular wall that is inserted into said aligned
first and second receiving holes and that has a through hole, and a
flange projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall
and surrounding said through hole, a movable clamp unit including a
first abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within
said through hole, a first clamping plate projecting transversely
from said first abutment plate, a second abutment plate connected
hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole and opposite
to said first abutment plate, and a second clamping plate
projecting transversely from said second abutment plate, said first
and second clamping plates moving toward each other when said first
and second abutment plates move away from said tubular wall, said
first and second clamping plates moving away from each other to a
clamping position when said first and second abutment plates abut
against said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates
projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and
being substantially parallel to said flange in said clamping
position, a pair of resilient arms projecting from said second
abutment plate in a direction opposite to said second clamping
plate and respectively having engaging ends, said resilient arms
extending across said through hole when said first and second
abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, and a locker having
two groove sidewalls formed on said first abutment plate and
confining a groove therebetween to receive and lock said engaging
ends when said first and second abutment plates abut against said
tubular wall, thereby locking said first and second clamping plates
in said clamping position.
2. The packaging box assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
retaining unit fixed to said second panel in proximity to said
aligned first and second receiving holes and having a cord, said
hollow seat further including a tab extending outwardly from said
flange and having a cord-looping neck, said cord being looped
around said cord-looping neck.
3. The packaging box assembly of claim 2, further comprising a
support plate projecting transversely from said second abutment
plate oppositely of said second clamping plate and fixed to said
resilient arms, said resilient arms extending transversely of said
support plate while projecting transversely from said second
abutment plate.
4. The packaging box assembly of claim 3, wherein said locker
further has a limit plate projecting transversely from said first
abutment plate in a direction opposite to said first clamping
plate, said groove sidewalls being fixed to and projecting
transversely from said limit plate and said first abutment plate,
said groove sidewalls having ends defining an access opening
therebetween opposite to said limit plate to permit said engaging
ends of said resilient arms to extend into said groove, said limit
plate limiting said engaging ends from moving out of said groove in
a direction opposite to said access opening.
5. The packaging box assembly of claim 4, wherein said ends of said
groove sidewalls are bent inwardly and oppositely to form corners
at two sides of said access opening, said engaging ends of said
resilient arms respectively engaging said corners and abutting
against said groove sidewalls after extending into said groove,
said resilient arms being compressible to move said engaging ends
thereof toward each other and to disengage respectively from said
corners.
6. A clamp device for clamping together at least two panels having
aligned receiving holes comprising: a hollow seat including a
tubular wall that is adapted to be inserted into the aligned
receiving holes and that has a through hole, and a flange
projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and
surrounding said through hole; a movable clamp unit including a
first abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within
said through hole, a first clamping plate projecting transversely
from said first abutment plate, a second abutment plate connected
hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole and opposite
to said first abutment plate, and a second clamping plate
projecting transversely from said second abutment plate, said first
and second clamping plates moving toward each other when said first
and second abutment plates move away from said tubular wall, said
first and second clamping plates moving away from each other to a
clamping position when said first and second abutment plates abut
against said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates
projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and
being substantially parallel to said flange in said clamping
position; a pair of resilient arms projecting from said second
abutment plate in a direction opposite to said second clamping
plate and respectively having engaging ends, said resilient arms
extending across said through hole when said first and second
abutment plates abut against said tubular wall; and a locker having
two groove sidewalls formed on said first abutment plate and
confining a groove therebetween to receive and lock said engaging
ends when said first and second abutment plates abut against said
tubular wall, thereby locking said first and second clamping plates
in said clamping position.
7. The clamp device of claim 6, further comprising a support plate
projecting transversely from said second abutment plate oppositely
of said second clamping plate and fixed to said resilient arms,
said resilient arms extending transversely of said support plate
while projecting transversely from said second abutment plate.
8. The clamp device of claim 7, wherein said locker further has a
limit plate projecting transversely from said first abutment plate
in a direction opposite to said first clamping plate, said groove
sidewalls being fixed to and projecting transversely from said
limit plate and said first abutment plate, said groove sidewalls
having ends defining an access opening therebetween opposite to
said limit plate to permit said engaging ends of said resilient
arms to extend into said groove, said limit plate limiting said
engaging ends from moving out of said groove in a direction
opposite to said access opening.
9. The clamp device of claim 8, wherein said ends of said groove
sidewalls are bent inwardly and oppositely to form corners at two
sides of said access opening, said engaging ends of said resilient
arms respectively engaging said corners and abutting against said
groove sidewalls after extending into said groove, said resilient
arms being compressible to move said engaging ends thereof toward
each other and to disengage respectively from said corners.
10. The clamp device of claim 9, further comprising a retaining
unit adapted to be fixed to one of the panels in proximity to the
aligned receiving holes and having a cord, said hollow seat further
including a tab extending outwardly from said flange and having a
cord-looping neck to permit said cord to loop around said
cord-looping neck.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a clamp device for clamping
together a base and a cover of a packaging box and to a packaging
box assembly incorporating said clamp device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional packaging box
assembly for a computer monitor 100 is shown to include a base 91
to support the computer monitor 100, a cover 92 covering the base
91, and a plurality of clamp devices 90 to clamp together the cover
92 and the base 91. The base 91 has a surrounding wall 911, and a
plurality of spaced-apart receiving holes 912 provided in the
surrounding wall 911. The cover 92 has a surrounding wall 921, and
a plurality of spaced-apart receiving holes 922 provided in the
surrounding wall 921 and aligned respectively with the receiving
holes 912. Each clamp device 90 includes a hollow seat 94, two
movable clamping seats 95, and a positioning seat 961. The hollow
seat 94 includes a four-sided tubular wall 942 inserted into the
corresponding aligned receiving holes 922, 912 and having a through
hole 943, and a flange 941 that projects outwardly and transversely
from an end periphery of the tubular wall 942, that surrounds the
through hole 943, and that abuts against an outer surface of the
surrounding wall 921 which defines the corresponding receiving hole
922. The movable clamping seats 95 have L-shaped configurations,
and respectively include abutment plates 951 connected hingedly and
respectively to two opposite sides of the tubular wall 942 within
the through hole 943, and clamping plates 952 connected
transversely and respectively to the abutment plates 951. The
positioning seat 961 is to be inserted fittingly into the through
hole 943, and has a pull ring 962 projecting outwardly therefrom.
When the positioning seat 961 is inserted into the through hole
943, it pushes the abutment plates 951 to abut against the tubular
wall 942, so that the clamping plates 952 are moved simultaneously
to abut against an inner surface of the surrounding wall 911 that
defines the corresponding receiving hole 912. Hence, the cover 92
and the base 91 are clamped together by the flange 941 and the
clamping plates 952. To separate the cover 92 from the base 91, the
user simply hooks a finger into the pull ring 962 and pulls it
outwardly so as to remove the positioning seat 961 from the through
hole 943. Subsequently, the hollow seat 94 together with the clamp
seats 95 can be pulled out of the corresponding aligned receiving
holes 912, 922.
[0005] Although the conventional packaging box assembly can achieve
its intended purpose, since the clamp devices 90 are not connected
fixedly either to the base 91 or to the cover 92, the clamp devices
90 are easily misplaced or lost when the base 91 and the cover 92
are separated from each other. Hence, the conventional packaging
box assembly is inconvenient to use. Further, to connect stably the
base 91 and the cover 92, aside from the hollow seat 94 and the two
movable clamping seats 95, the positioning seat 961 is needed to
maintain the clamping seats 95 in a clamping position. This results
in a complicated structure for each clamp device 90 so that the
overall cost thereof is increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
a clamp device and a packaging box assembly incorporating said
clamp device that are capable of overcoming the aforementioned
drawbacks of the prior art.
[0007] According to one aspect of this invention, a packaging box
assembly comprises a base including a first panel having a first
receiving hole, a cover including a second panel adjacent to the
first panel and having a second receiving hole aligned with the
first receiving hole, and a clamp device to clamp together the
first and second panels. The clamp device includes a hollow seat, a
movable clamp unit, a pair of resilient arms, and a locker. The
hollow seat includes a tubular wall that is inserted into the
aligned first and second receiving holes and that has a through
hole, and a flange projecting outwardly and transversely from the
tubular wall and surrounding the through hole. The movable clamp
unit includes a first abutment plate connected hingedly to the
tubular wall within the through hole, a first clamping plate
projecting transversely from the first abutment plate, a second
abutment plate connected hingedly to the tubular wall within the
through hole and opposite to the first abutment plate, and a second
clamping plate projecting transversely from the second abutment
plate. The first and second clamping plates move toward each other
when the first and second abutment plates move away from the
tubular wall. The first and second clamping plates move away from
each other to a clamping position when the first and second
abutment plates abut against the tubular wall. The first and second
clamping plates project outwardly and transversely from the tubular
wall, and are substantially parallel to the flange in the clamping
position. The resilient arms project from the second abutment plate
in a direction opposite to the second clamping plate, and
respectively have engaging ends. The resilient arms extend across
the through hole when the first and second abutment plates abut
against the tubular wall. The locker has two groove sidewalls
formed on the first abutment plate and confining a groove
therebetween to receive and lock the engaging ends when the first
and second abutment plates abut against the tubular wall, thereby
locking the first and second clamping plates in the clamping
position.
[0008] According to another aspect of this invention, a clamp
device for clamping together at least two panels having aligned
receiving holes comprises a hollow seat, a movable clamp unit, a
pair of resilient arms, and a locker. The hollow seat includes a
tubular wall that is adapted to be inserted into the aligned
receiving holes and that has a through hole, and a flange
projecting outwardly and transversely from the tubular wall and
surrounding the through hole. The movable clamp unit includes a
first abutment plate connected hingedly to the tubular wall within
the through hole, a first clamping plate projecting transversely
from the first abutment plate, a second abutment plate connected
hingedly to the tubular wall within the through hole and opposite
to the first abutment plate, and a second clamping plate projecting
transversely from the second abutment plate. The first and second
clamping plates move toward each other when the first and second
abutment plates move away from the tubular wall. The first and
second clamping plates move away from each other to a clamping
position when the first and second abutment plates abut against the
tubular wall. The first and second clamping plates project
outwardly and transversely from the tubular wall, and are
substantially parallel to the flange in the clamping position. The
resilient arms project from the second abutment plate in a
direction opposite to the second clamping plate, and respectively
have engaging ends. The resilient arms extend across the through
hole when the first and second abutment plates abut against the
tubular wall. The locker has two groove sidewalls formed on the
first abutment plate and confining a groove therebetween to receive
and lock the engaging ends when the first and second abutment
plates abut against the tubular wall, thereby locking the first and
second clamping plates in the clamping position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a partly exploded perspective view of a
conventional packaging box assembly incorporating a plurality of
conventional clamp devices;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged assembled sectional view of
the conventional packaging box assembly;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary partly exploded perspective view of
a packaging box assembly according to the preferred embodiment of
this invention incorporating clamp devices of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the
preferred embodiment, illustrating a clamp device in a non-clamping
position prior to insertion into aligned receiving holes in a base
and a cover of the packaging box assembly;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamp device in the
non-clamping position and a retaining unit of the preferred
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary assembled sectional view of the
preferred embodiment, illustrating the clamp device in a
non-clamping position;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the retaining unit and the clamp
device in the non-clamping position;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but with the clamp
device in a clamping position; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary assembled perspective view of the
preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 9, the preferred embodiment of a
packaging box assembly 1 according to the present invention is
shown to comprise a base 11, a cover 12, a plurality of clamp
devices 3, and a plurality of retaining units 2.
[0020] Each of the base 11 and the cover 12 is rectangular, and is
made by cutting, folding, and bending cardboard. The base 11 is
adapted to support a product, such as a computer monitor 100, and
includes four first panels 111, and a plurality of first receiving
holes 112 formed in the first panels 111. The cover 12 is sleeved
on the base 11, and cooperates with the base 11 to pack the
computer monitor 100 therebetween. The cover 12 includes four
second panels 121 adjacent respectively to the first panels 111,
and a plurality of second receiving holes 122 formed in the second
panels 121 and aligned with the first receiving holes 112,
respectively.
[0021] Each of the retaining units 2 includes a cord 21 and a
fixing element 22. The fixing element 22 is connected fixedly to
the second panel 121 in proximity to the respective second
receiving hole 122. The cord 21 has two opposite ends connected
fixedly to the fixing element 22 so as to form a loop 211.
[0022] Each of the clamp devices 3 is a single-piece component made
of plastic, and clamps together one of the first panels 111 and one
of the second panels 121. Since the structure of each clamp device
3 is similar, only one of the clamp devices 3 will be described
hereinafter.
[0023] The clamp device 3 includes a hollow seat 31, a movable
clamp unit, a pair of resilient arms 334, and a locker 324. The
hollow seat 31 includes a four-sided tubular wall 313 that is
inserted into the aligned first and second receiving holes 112, 122
and that defines a rectangular central through hole 312, and a
flange 311 projecting outwardly, transversely, and integrally from
an end periphery of the tubular wall 313 and surrounding the
through hole 312. The tubular wall 313 has two opposite long sides
316, and two opposite short sides 316' connected between the long
sides 316. A tab 314 extends outwardly from one side of the flange
311 that is proximate to one of the short sides 316' of the tubular
wall 313, and has a cord-looping neck 318 projecting outwardly from
the tab 314, and an enlarged cord-limiting head 319 connected to
the cord-looping neck 318. The loop 211 of the cord 21 is looped
detachably around the cord-looping neck 318, and is limited thereto
through the cord-limiting head 319.
[0024] The movable clamp unit includes first and second abutment
plates 321, 331 respectively having ends 325, 335 connected
hingedly and respectively to the opposite long sides 316 of the
tubular wall 313 within the through hole 312 in proximity to the
flange 311, a first clamping plate 323 projecting transversely from
the opposite end 322 of the first abutment plate 321, and a second
clamping plate 333 projecting transversely from the opposite end
332 of the second abutment plate 331. The first and second clamping
plates 323, 333 move toward each other so that they are in their
non-clamping positions when the first and second abutment plates
321, 331 move away from the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313
(as best shown in FIG. 6). The first and second clamping plates
323, 333 move away from each other to a clamping position when the
first and second abutment plates 321, 331 abut against the long
sides 316 of the tubular wall 313 (as best shown in FIG. 8).
[0025] The pair of resilient arms 334 project from the second
abutment plate 331 in a direction opposite to the second clamping
plate 333, and respectively have engaging ends 337 (as best shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6). The resilient arms 334 extend across the through
hole 312 when the first and second abutment plates 321, 331 abut
against the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313 (as best shown
in FIG. 8). A support plate 341 projects transversely from the end
332 of the second abutment plate 331 oppositely of the second
clamping plate 333, and is fixed to the resilient arms 334.
Therefore, the resilient arms 334 extend transversely of the
support plate 341 while projecting transversely from the second
abutment plate 331 (as best shown in FIG. 5). The engaging ends 337
of the resilient arms 334 extend beyond the support plate 341. Two
ribs 339 are respectively provided on the resilient arms 334
opposite to the support plate 341 to facilitate handling of the
resilient arms 334.
[0026] The locker 324 has a limit plate 320 projecting transversely
from the end 322 of the first abutment plate 321 in a direction
opposite to the first clamping plate 323, and two groove sidewalls
326 formed on and projecting transversely from the first abutment
plate 321 and fixed to and projecting transversely from the limit
plate 320. The groove sidewalls 326 confine a groove 329
therebetween, and have ends defining an access opening 328
therebetween opposite to the limit plate 320 to permit the engaging
ends 337 of the resilient arms 334 to extend into the groove 329.
The groove 329 receives and locks the engaging ends 337 of the
resilient arms 334 when the first and second abutment plates 321,
331 abut against the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313,
thereby locking the first and second clamping plates 323, 333 in
the clamping position. Preferably, the ends of the groove sidewalls
326, which define the access opening 328, are bent inwardly and
oppositely to form corners 327 at two sides of the access opening
328. The resilient arms 334 are compressible to move the engaging
ends 337 toward one another and to permit the engaging ends 337 to
disengage respectively from the corners 327. Two spaced-apart guide
surfaces 3292 project from the first abutment plate 321 at the
bottom of the groove 329 and extend from the limit plate 320 to the
access opening 328 adjacent respectively to the groove sidewalls
326. The guide surfaces 3292 are inclined in such a manner that the
thickness of each guide surface 3292 gradually diminishes from the
limit plate 320 to the access opening 328 (as best shown in FIG.
6).
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 3, 6, 7, and 8, to use the packaging
box assembly of the present invention, the computer monitor 100 is
first mounted on the base 11, and the cover 12 is then sleeved over
the base 11 to cover the computer monitor 100, after which the loop
211 of the cord 21 of each retaining unit 2 is looped around the
cord-looping neck 318 of the respective clamp device 3 (see FIG. 7)
so as to retain the clamp device 3. At this time, the first and
second receiving holes 112, 122 are aligned respectively to each
other. The clamp devices 3 are then inserted into the respective
aligned first and second receiving holes 112, 122. For the sake of
brevity, only one clamp device 3 will be described hereinafter.
[0028] The tubular wall 313 is inserted into the aligned first and
second receiving holes 112, 122 with the flange 311 abutting
against an outer wall surface of the second panel 121. In this
state, the first and second clamping plates 323, 333 are in their
non-clamping positions and extend beyond an inner wall surface of
the first panel 111. The support plate 341 and the resilient arms
334 extend beyond the outer wall surface of the second panel 121
(see FIG. 6). When the resilient arms 334 are pressed inwardly, the
support plate 341 presses the first and second abutment plates 321,
331 to move respectively to the long sides 316 of the tubular wall
313 (see FIG. 8), and the engaging ends 337 extend into the groove
329 through the access opening 328 and slide respectively along the
guide surfaces 3292. When the engaging ends 337 reach the limit
plate 320, the engaging ends 337 respectively engage the corners
327 and abut against the respective groove sidewalls 326. The limit
plate 320 limits the engaging ends 337 from moving out of the
groove 329 in a direction opposite to the access opening 328.
Consequently, the first and second abutment plates 321, 331 abut
respectively against the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313,
and the first and second clamping plates 323, 333 move to the
clamping position. In the clamping position, the first and second
clamping plates 323, 333 project outwardly and transversely from
the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313, abut against the inner
wall surface of the first panel 111, and are substantially parallel
to the flange 311. The flange 311 and the first and second clamping
plates 323, 333 cooperatively clamp therebetween the first and
second panels 111, 121.
[0029] To remove the clamp device 3 from clamping the first and
second panels 111, 121, the resilient arms 334 may be simply
pressed toward each other so as to disengage the engaging ends 337
from the respective corners 327 of the groove sidewalls 326, after
which the resilient arms 334 are pulled away from the groove
sidewalls 326 bringing along the support plate 341. As such, the
first and second abutment plates 321, 331 are permitted to move
away from the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313, and the first
and second clamping plates 323, 333 are permitted to move toward
each other. At this time, the cover 12 can be lifted upwardly so as
to be separated from the base 11, and the product or the computer
monitor 100 is revealed.
[0030] Since the clamp device 3 is connected to the respective
retaining unit 2, the problem of misplacing or losing the clamp
device 3 after separating the cover 12 from the base 11 as
encountered in the conventional packaging box assembly is thereby
resolved. Further, since the clamp device 3 of the present
invention makes use of the engagement between the engaging ends 327
of the resilient arms 334 and the groove 329 to lock the base 11
and the cover 12, the structure of the clamp device 3 is simplified
as compared to the clamp device 90 of the conventional packaging
box assembly, so that the material costs of the clamp device 3 are
reduced.
[0031] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretations and equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *