U.S. patent application number 12/163373 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-31 for clamp for a weightlifting bar.
Invention is credited to Hugh Michael Miskel.
Application Number | 20090325769 12/163373 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41448162 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090325769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miskel; Hugh Michael |
December 31, 2009 |
CLAMP FOR A WEIGHTLIFTING BAR
Abstract
A clamp for lockingly and releasably gripping an object,
comprising a first handle having a first jaw including a first
gripping section; a second handle having a second jaw including a
second gripping section; a pin associated with said first handle
and pivotably engaging an aperture in said second handle; and, a
locking mechanism for maintaining said clamp in either in a closed
position while engaging said object or an open position.
Inventors: |
Miskel; Hugh Michael;
(Marietta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG LLP
Suite 1150, 3343 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta
GA
30326-1428
US
|
Family ID: |
41448162 |
Appl. No.: |
12/163373 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0728 20130101;
A63B 21/075 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/107 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06 |
Claims
1. A clamp for lockingly and releasably gripping an object,
comprising: a) a first handle having a first jaw including a first
gripping section; b) a second handle having a second jaw including
a second gripping section; c) a pin associated with said first
handle and pivotably engaging an aperture in said second handle;
and, d) a locking mechanism for maintaining said clamp in either in
a closed position while engaging said object or an open position,
said locking mechanism comprising i) a curved latch associated with
and extending from said first handle and having a notch formed
therein, ii) a locking lever having (1) a first portion having a
curved end, (2) a slot formed in said first portion dimensioned to
slidingly receive said curved latch, and (3) a second portion, iii)
a lever engaging member extending from said second handle for
engaging said curved end of said locking lever, and iv) a resilient
member for biasing said locking lever in a first position while
allowing movement into a second position.
2. The clamp of claim 1, further comprising a retaining member
comprising a pin and a head for maintaining said first handle pin
in a pivotable relationship with said second handle.
3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said resilient member comprises a
spring.
4. The clamp of claim 3, wherein said spring is disposed at least
partially within a recess defined in said second handle.
5. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said
6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said lever engaging member
comprises a post extending from said second handle and a pin
extending from said post.
7. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said first jaw includes a flat
portion at a distal end and said second jaw includes a flat portion
at a distal end, said flat portions being able to grip an
object.
8. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said first and second jaws, when
said clamp is in a closed position, form a generally circular
shape.
9. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said first and second gripping
sections of said first and second jaws, when said clamp is in a
closed position, form a generally square shape.
10. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said first and second gripping
sections of said first and second jaws, when said clamp is in a
closed position, form a generally hexagonal shape.
11. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said first and second gripping
sections of said first and second jaws, when said clamp is in a
closed position, form a generally triangular shape.
12. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said first and second gripping
sections of said first and second jaws, when said clamp is in a
closed position, form a generally polygonal shape.
13. A clamp for lockingly and releasably gripping an object,
comprising: a) a first handle comprising, i) a first grasping
portion, ii) a first jaw, iii) a first insert associated with a
portion of said jaw, iv) a curved latch having a notch formed
therein and extending from said first handle, and, v) a bearing
having an aperture defined therein extending from said first
handle; b) a second handle comprising i) a second grasping portion,
ii) a second jaw, iii) a second insert associated with a portion of
said jaw, iv) an aperture for pivotably receiving said bearing,
and, v) a pintle extending from said second handle; c) a pin having
a shaft and a head, said shaft being dimensioned to be receivable
within said aperture bearing and maintainable therein so as to
maintain said first handle and said second handle in a pivoting
relationship; d) a locking lever having i) a first portion
including a curved end, said curved end dimensioned to be in a
sliding relationship with respect to said pintle during operation,
ii) a slot formed in said first portion dimensioned to slidingly
receive said curved latch and said notch, iii) a second portion
depressible by a user to unlock said latch from said locking lever;
and, e) a spring associated with said second handle and contacting
said locking lever first portion for biasing said locking lever in
a first position while allowing movement into a second
position.
14. The device of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of said
insert comprises a compressible material.
15. The device of claim 8, wherein said insert snap-fits to either
said first handle or said second handle.
16. A clamp for lockingly and releasably gripping an object,
comprising: a) a first handle comprising, i) a first grasping
portion, ii) a first jaw, iii) a bearing having an aperture defined
therein extending from said first handle; b) a second handle
comprising i) a second grasping portion, ii) a second jaw, and iii)
an aperture for pivotably receiving said bearing, and, c) a pin
having a shaft and a head, said shaft being dimensioned to be
receivable within said aperture bearing and maintainable therein so
as to maintain said first handle and said second handle in a
pivoting relationship; d) a locking mechanism comprising i) a
curved latch extending from said first handle and having an
aperture formed therein, ii) a locking lever having (1) a press
plate section, (2) an angled section, (3) a fulcrum section having
a pivot mechanism, and (4) an angled pin section at least a portion
of which can engage said aperture in said curved latch, iii) a base
member having a pivot mechanism which pivotably engages said pivot
mechanism of said fulcrum section, iv) a resilient member for
biasing said locking lever in a first position whereby said locking
lever can pivot so that said angled pin section engages said
aperture in said curved latch so as to maintain said first jaw and
said second jaw in a fixed relationship.
17. The clamp of claim 16, further comprising a first insert
associated with a portion of said first jaw and a second insert
associated with a portion of said second jaw.
18. A clamp for lockingly and releasably gripping an object,
comprising: a) a first handle comprising, i) a first grasping
portion, ii) a first jaw, iii) a bearing having an aperture defined
therein extending from said first handle; b) a second handle
comprising i) a second grasping portion, ii) a second jaw, and iii)
an aperture for pivotably receiving said bearing, and, c) a pin
having a shaft and a head, said shaft being dimensioned to be
receivable within said aperture bearing and maintainable therein so
as to maintain said first handle and said second handle in a
pivoting relationship; d) a locking mechanism for maintaining said
clamp in either in a closed position while engaging said object or
an open position, said locking mechanism comprising i) a curved
latch associated with and extending from said first handle and
having a stud extending from said curved latch, ii) a locking lever
having (1) a first portion having a curved end, (2) a slot formed
in said first portion dimensioned to slidingly receive said curved
latch, and (3) a second portion having a projection, and (4) a
third portion for pivoting said locking lever, iii) a lever
engaging member extending from said second handle for engaging said
curved end of said locking lever, and iv) a resilient member for
biasing said locking lever in a first position while allowing
movement into a second position.
19. The clamp of claim 18, further comprising a first insert
associated with a portion of said first jaw and a second insert
associated with a portion of said second jaw.
20. The clamp of claim 18, wherein said first jaw has a first
gripping section and said second jaw has a second gripping section,
such that, when said clamp is in a closed position, said first and
second gripping sections form a generally polygonal shape.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to clamps for gripping
objects, such as tubular-shaped bars. More particularly, the
present disclosure relates to clamps which can be locked into a
singular fixed position and unlocked for repositioning or
removal.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various forms of clamps exist for gripping different
surfaces or objects. One clamp, sold under the brand name
VICE-GRIP.TM., provides for a locking and unlocking mechanism using
a lever. There are also various types of clamps or gripping devices
used to grasp a bar, such as a weightlifting bar, to prevent
objects slidingly mounted on the bar from moving. Such bar gripping
devices often require the use of two hands to lock, unlock and
reposition the device. During a weightlifting exercise regimen a
lifter frequently needs to add or remove weights to or from the
bar. It would be desirable to have a locking clamp operable using
just one hand.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present disclosure describes several exemplary
embodiments of the present invention.
[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a clamp for
lockingly and releasably gripping an object, comprising a) a first
handle having a first jaw including a first gripping section; b) a
second handle having a second jaw including a second gripping
section; c) a pin associated with said first handle and pivotably
engaging an aperture in said second handle; and, d) a locking
mechanism for maintaining said clamp in either in a closed position
while engaging said object or an open position, said locking
mechanism comprising i) a curved latch associated with and
extending from said first handle and having a notch formed therein,
ii) a locking lever having (1) a first portion having a curved end,
(2) a slot formed in said first portion dimensioned to slidingly
receive said curved latch, and (3) a second portion, iii) a lever
engaging member extending from said second handle for engaging said
curved end of said locking lever, and a resilient member for
biasing said locking lever in a first position while allowing
movement into a second position.
[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a clamp
for lockingly and releasably gripping an object, comprising a) a
first handle comprising, i) a first grasping portion, ii) a first
jaw, iii) a first insert associated with a portion of said jaw, iv)
a curved latch having a notch formed therein and extending from
said first handle, and, v) a bearing having an aperture defined
therein extending from said first handle; b) a second handle
comprising i) a second grasping portion, ii) a second jaw, iii) a
second insert associated with a portion of said jaw, iv) an
aperture for pivotably receiving said bearing, and, v) a pintle
extending from said second handle; c) a pin having a shaft and a
head, said shaft being dimensioned to be receivable within said
aperture bearing and maintainable therein so as to maintain said
first handle and said second handle in a pivoting relationship; d)
a locking lever having i) a first portion including a curved end,
said curved end dimensioned to be in a sliding relationship with
respect to said pintle during operation, ii) a slot formed in said
first portion dimensioned to slidingly receive said curved latch
and said notch, iii) a second portion depressible by a user to
unlock said latch from said locking lever; and, a spring associated
with said second handle and contacting said locking lever first
portion for biasing said locking lever in a first position while
allowing movement into a second position.
[0006] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a clamp
for lockingly and releasably gripping an object, comprising a) a
first handle comprising, i) a first grasping portion, ii) a first
jaw, iii) a bearing having an aperture defined therein extending
from said first handle; b) a second handle comprising i) a second
grasping portion, ii) a second jaw, and iii) an aperture for
pivotably receiving said bearing, and, c) a pin having a shaft and
a head, said shaft being dimensioned to be receivable within said
aperture bearing and maintainable therein so as to maintain said
first handle and said second handle in a pivoting relationship; d)
a locking mechanism comprising i) a curved latch extending from
said first handle and having an aperture formed therein, ii) a
locking lever having (1) a press plate section, (2) an angled
section, (3) a fulcrum section having a pivot mechanism, and (4) an
angled pin section at least a portion of which can engage said
aperture in said curved latch, iii) a base member having a pivot
mechanism which pivotably engages said pivot mechanism of said
fulcrum section, a resilient member for biasing said locking lever
in a first position whereby said locking lever can pivot so that
said angled pin section engages said aperture in said curved latch
so as to maintain said first jaw and said second jaw in a fixed
relationship.
[0007] An additional aspect of the present disclosure provides a
clamp for lockingly and releasably gripping an object, comprising
a) a first handle comprising, i) a first grasping portion, ii) a
first jaw, iii) a bearing having an aperture defined therein
extending from said first handle; b) a second handle comprising i)
a second grasping portion, ii) a second jaw, and iii) an aperture
for pivotably receiving said bearing, and, c) a pin having a shaft
and a head, said shaft being dimensioned to be receivable within
said aperture bearing and maintainable therein so as to maintain
said first handle and said second handle in a pivoting
relationship; d) a locking mechanism for maintaining said clamp in
either in a closed position while engaging said object or an open
position, said locking mechanism comprising i) a curved latch
associated with and extending from said first handle and having a
stud extending from said curved latch, ii) a locking lever having
(1) a first portion having a curved end, (2) a slot formed in said
first portion dimensioned to slidingly receive said curved latch,
and (3) a second portion having a projection, and (4) a third
portion for pivoting said locking lever, iii) a lever engaging
member extending from said second handle for engaging said curved
end of said locking lever, and a resilient member for biasing said
locking lever in a first position while allowing movement into a
second position.
[0008] Other features will become apparent upon reading the
following detailed description of several exemplary embodiments,
when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters
designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a clamp according to a first
exemplary embodiment in the locked position and engaging a
weightlifting bar.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a exploded schematic view of a first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2,
showing the clamp with the jaws open.
[0013] FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2,
showing the clamp with the jaws closed.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a first variation of the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a clamp suitable for
clamping to a bar having a square cross-sectional shape.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second variation of the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a clamp suitable for
clamping to a bar having a hexagonal cross-sectional shape.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a third variation of the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a clamp suitable for
clamping to a bar having a triangular cross-sectional shape.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second exemplary embodiment
of the present invention incorporating a lever locking
mechanism.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the second exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 7 showing a detail of the lever locking
mechanism.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the second exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 7 showing a detail of the lever locking
mechanism.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a third exemplary embodiment
of the present invention incorporating a spring locking mechanism
with a fixed pin.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the third exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 10.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the third exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The clamp as described herein may be used to securely grip a
bar 5, such as a conventional weightlifting bar, which may hold a
number of weights 7, as shown in FIG. 1. Such bars typically have
one of two different diameters (known as regular and Olympic), but,
bars or other shapes of various diameters are able to be gripped by
the clamps of the exemplified embodiments described herein. In one
exemplary embodiment of a clamp, shown in FIGS. 2-4, a clamp 10
generally comprises a first handle 12, a second handle 14, a pin 16
and a locking mechanism 18. The clamp 10 may be made of any
generally rigid, durable material, such as, but not limited to,
plastic, metal, ceramic, alloy, composite, wood, combinations
thereof, and the like.
[0024] The first handle 12 has a hand gripping section 20, a middle
section 22 and a curved clamping section or jaw 24. The clamping
section 24 has a recessed portion 26 which can accommodate an
insert 28 having a gripping surface 27. The insert 28 preferably
has at least one, and, preferably, a plurality of wedge-shaped
protrusions 29 can snap fit into the recessed portion 26. The first
handle 12 also has a finger or latch 30, which is preferably
curved. The finger 30 is shown as having a generally rectangular
cross-section, but, alternatively can have a circular, square,
elliptical or other cross-sectional shape. The finger 30 has a
notch 31. The notch 31 can be an angled cutout or may be curved,
channeled or other shape. A sleeve or bearing 32 extends from the
middle section 22 and has a bore 34. The clamping section 24 has an
interior wall 36 and an exterior wall 38.
[0025] The second handle 14 has a hand gripping section 40, a
middle section 42 and a curved clamping section 44. The clamping
section 44 has a recessed portion 46 which can accommodate an
insert 48 having a gripping surface 47, and having wedge-shaped
protrusion(s) 29 similar to those part of the insert 28. The
clamping section 44 also has an interior wall 50 and an exterior
wall 52.
[0026] The inserts 28 and 48 may be made of or incorporate a
cushioned, compressible, deformable, rubber-like, tacky, roughened
surface or other material which can grip the bar 5. The inserts 24
and 28 may snap-fit into the recessed area of the clamping sections
24, 44, respectively. Alternatively, the inserts 24 and 28 may be
affixed by adhesive into the recessed areas 26 and 46.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, the second handle 14 has a bore 60
passing through the middle section 42 and which accommodates the
sleeve 32. The pin 16 (which could alternatively be a bolt or
screw) has a head 62 and a shaft 64. The sleeve 32 fits in the bore
60 and the pin shaft 62 fits at least partially within the bore,
such as by pressure fit, adhesive, threads, a nut (not shown) or
the like, to maintain the first handle 12 in a pivotable
relationship with the second handle 14. The second handle also has
a tab or pintle 70 extending from the outside portion of the middle
section 42. The tab 70 may have a notch 72 and a lip 74. The tab 70
also may have a pin portion 76. A spring 78 or other resilient
member (e.g., rubber, foam, padding, thin plate, or the like) can
be partially accommodated within a recess 79 in the gripping
section 40. Alternatively, the spring 79 may be attached or
associated with the second handle 14 by fitting over a protrusion
(not shown) extending from the handle 14.
[0028] A locking lever 80 has a first portion 82, a second portion
84, a first end 86 and a second end 88. The second portion 84
includes a slot 90. The slot 90 is show as generally rectangular,
but can alternatively be circular, elliptical, square or other
shape. The slot 90 can slidingly accommodate the finger 30 when
assembled. The notch 31 can engage with the slot 90 to lock the
finger 30 in a fixed position and, accordingly, lock the clamp 10
in a gripping position. It is to be understood that the clamping
sections 24 and 44, which are shown as curved so as to be able to
grip a tubular-shaped bar, can have a different shape to grip other
geometric surfaces. For example, the clamping sections 24 and 44
can have a shape that when in the clamped position form a square,
rectangle, triangle, ellipse, hexagon, or other regular or
irregular shape to accommodate a bar or other structure shape.
Several possible configurations are shown in FIGS. 4-6 where the
clamping sections 24 and 44 have interior walls 36, 50 with
different shapes. FIGS. 4-5 show variations in which the exterior
walls 38, 52 of the clamping sections 24 and 44 have a generally
curved shape. FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which the exterior
walls 36, 50 have the same general shape as the interior walls 36,
50.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B, the clamp may be operated
by positioning the clamping sections 24, 44 around a portion of a
bar or pipe. A user grasps the gripping portions 20, 40 and
squeezes the two portions toward each other. The finger 30 slides
within the slot 90 of the lever 80 until the notch 31 engages the
edge of the slot 90, as shown in FIG. 3B. The spring 78 biases the
lever 80 to remain in position and to continue to engage the notch
31 by having one end of the spring 78 abut the lever 80 and the
other end reside within the recess 79. The second end 88 of the
lever 80 engages the lip 74 and the notch 72 of the tab 70. In this
clamped position the first portion 86 of the lever 80 is biased
away from the second handle 14 gripping portion 40. The clamp 10
may be disengaged from the bar by pressing the lever 80 to urge the
first portion 82 toward the gripping section 40 of the second
handle 14. This causes the lever 80 to pivot and the edge of the
slot 90 to disengage from the notch 31.
[0030] While a bar 5 can be gripped by the clamp 5 as described
hereinabove by the gripping surfaces 27 and 47, the clamp in the
embodiments described in the present disclosure may also or
alternatively grip an object by clamping section tips 92 and 94
(see FIG. 2).
[0031] FIGS. 7-9 show a clamp 100 in a second exemplary embodiment
in which basic components illustrated are as those described
hereinabove are incorporated, but with the finger 30 and locking
mechanism composed as follows.
[0032] The clamp 100 has a finger 102 associated with the first
handle 12. The finger 102 has an aperture 104 (shown in FIG. 8).
The clamping mechanism comprises a second lever 110 having a press
plate section 112, a middle section 114, and a pin section 116. The
middle section 114 has an aperture 118 which accommodates a pivot
pin 120. A base member 122 is attached to the second end 88 of the
lever 80. In this embodiment the lever 80 and tab 70 are may be
eliminated.
[0033] When the clamp 100 is engaged (as shown in FIG. 7) and the
finger 102 is engaged within the slot 90 in the lever 80, the pin
section 116 is urged by the biasing action of a spring 124 or other
resilient member (e.g., rubber, foam, padding, thin plate, or the
like) into the aperture 104 so as to hold the finger 30 in a fixed
relation to the second lever 110 and, accordingly, the handles 12
and 14 in a gripping relationship around the bar. To disengage the
clamp 100 the user presses the press plate section 112, which
causes the second lever 110 to pivot about the pivot pin 120 and to
lift the pin section 116 out of the aperture 104, thereby allowing
the finger 102 to move and the handles 12, 14 to separate.
[0034] FIGS. 10-12 show a clamp 200 in a third exemplary embodiment
in which the same basic components describes hereinabove (with
respect to FIGS. 1-6) are incorporated, but with the finger 30 and
locking mechanism being composed as follows.
[0035] A lever 202 comprises a first portion 204 having a first end
205 and a second portion 206. The second portion 206 has a
protrusion 208 defining a notch or recessed area 210. The second
portion 206 terminates in a second end 212, which is preferably
curved. A finger 214 has an orthogonally projecting pin or stud
220. The stud 220 can be on one side of the finger 214, or,
alternatively, can be on both sides of the finger 214. Similarly,
the protrusion 208 can be on one side or extend across the entire
width of the lever 204. A tab or pintle 70 extends from the second
handle 14. A spring 78 can be partially located within a recess 79
or otherwise associated with the handle 14 as described hereinabove
(see FIG. 1).
[0036] The clamp 200 may be operated as follows. The lever 202 is
initially in the unlocked position, shown in FIG. 10 by the letter
"A". The lever 203 is in the locked position as shown by the lever
noted by the letter "B". In the locked, engaged position the
handles 12, 14 are closed and the second end 212 of the lever 202
engages the tab 70 as described hereinabove with respect to the
first exemplary embodiment. The lever 202 pivots around the pin
220. When the clamp 200 is to be disengaged, the user presses the
first portion 204 of the lever 202 and the second end 212
disengages from the tab 70. Notch 210 disengages from the pin 220
and, simultaneously, the second end 212 pushes against the tab 70
in the opposite direction causing first handle 12 and second handle
14 to separate and open.
[0037] Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been
described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary
embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings
and advantages. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to
be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the
following claims. It should further be noted that any patents,
applications and publications referred to herein are incorporated
by reference in their entirety.
* * * * *