U.S. patent number RE45,825 [Application Number 13/661,831] was granted by the patent office on 2015-12-22 for fast beam clamp.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Thomas & Betts International LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Xueming Cai, Joey D. Magno, Jr.. Invention is credited to Xueming Cai, Joey D. Magno, Jr..
United States Patent |
RE45,825 |
Magno, Jr. , et al. |
December 22, 2015 |
Fast beam clamp
Abstract
A beam clamp includes a clamp base and a rotational portion. The
base includes an interior cavity and an external surface. The base
and the rotational portion are pivotably connected by a mateable
device. The rotational portion extends into the interior cavity of
the base and the rotational portion includes a torsion spring.
Inventors: |
Magno, Jr.; Joey D. (Cordova,
TN), Cai; Xueming (Collierville, TN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Magno, Jr.; Joey D.
Cai; Xueming |
Cordova
Collierville |
TN
TN |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Thomas & Betts International
LLC (Wilmington, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
40673802 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/661,831 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
12277363 |
Nov 25, 2008 |
8038106 |
Oct 18, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G
3/32 (20130101); F16B 2/10 (20130101); F16B
2/065 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
3/24 (20060101); F16B 2/10 (20060101); H02G
3/32 (20060101); F16B 2/06 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;248/65,72,73,228.1,74.5,74.1,317,327,228.4,230.4,231.51,229.23,229.13
;269/166,249,143,257,276 ;294/101,104 ;52/127.9 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2012873 |
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May 2000 |
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CA |
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2308917 |
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Nov 2001 |
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CA |
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2085397 |
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Mar 2002 |
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CA |
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2365761 |
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Aug 2002 |
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CA |
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2370420 |
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Apr 2003 |
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CA |
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106089 |
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May 2005 |
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CA |
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2205215 |
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Jul 2005 |
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CA |
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2628647 |
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Oct 2008 |
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CA |
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2675812 |
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Feb 2010 |
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CA |
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WO 2006/118456 |
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Nov 2006 |
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WO |
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WO 2008/069665 |
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Jun 2008 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Smith; Nkeisha
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A beam clamp comprising: a body including a base, a rotational
portion and a mateable device pivotably connecting said base to
said rotational portion, said base having a C-shaped geometry, said
C-shaped geometry defining an interior cavity, said base includes
two parallel outer plates having said C-shaped geometry connected
by a recessed portion, said base including a row of teeth .Iadd.on
an upper portion of said C-shaped geometry .Iaddend.extending into
said interior cavity, .[.wherein said base includes a curling
bracket therein,.]. said rotational portion extending into said
interior cavity, said rotational portion .Iadd.being mounted
between the two parallel outer plates at a lower portion of said
C-shaped geometry and .Iaddend.including a series of protruding
teeth at one end, said series of protruding teeth extend into said
interior cavity.Iadd.; the body further including a threaded hole
extending through said base to provide for attachment of a threaded
rod, wherein said mateable device includes a pin extending through
said base and said rotational portion, and wherein said pin
includes a torsion spring thereabout to resist deflection of said
rotational portion into said interior cavity of said
base.Iaddend..
.[.2. The beam clamp of claim 1, wherein said mateable device
includes a pin extending through said base and said rotational
portion..].
.[.3. The beam clamp of claim 2, wherein said pin includes a
torsion spring thereabout to limit the movement of said rotational
portion within said interior cavity of said base..].
4. The beam clamp of claim 1, .[.wherein said body.]. further
.[.includes.]. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.a .[.bolt.].
.Iadd.threaded rod .Iaddend.extending through said .Iadd.threaded
hole in the .Iaddend.body and engaging with said rotational
portion.
5. The beam clamp of claim 1, wherein said rotational portion
includes a protruding arch portion perpendicularly extending into
said interior cavity of said base.
.[.6. The beam clamp of claim 1, further including a threaded
receiver extending through said base to provide for attachment of a
threaded rod..].
7. The beam clamp of claim 1.Iadd., .Iaddend.wherein said
.Iadd.base includes a .Iaddend.curling bracket .[.includes.].
.Iadd.having .Iaddend.sloped slots for accepting .[.a.]. .Iadd.said
.Iaddend.mateable .[.portion.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.therein.
8. The beam clamp of claim 1, wherein said recessed portion
extending perpendicularly between said plates.
.[.9. The clamp beam of claim 1, wherein said curling bracket
includes a rounded end, each rounded end includes said opening
therethrough for accepting said mateable device therein, said
rounded end includes inwardly facing extension stop which extends
into said interior cavity..].
10. A beam clamp comprising: a body including a clamp base, a
rotational portion and a mateable device pivotably attaching said
clamp base to said rotational portion, said clamp base including
two parallel C-shaped planar plates attached together by a recessed
portion .[.and a threaded receiver portion.]. .Iadd.provided on at
least an upper portion of an interior cavity of the clamp
base.Iaddend., each plate including a row of teeth .Iadd.on an
upper portion thereof .Iaddend.and .[.an opening.]. .Iadd.openings
.Iaddend.through .[.one end.]. .Iadd.a bottom portion .Iaddend.of
each plate, .[.said recessed portion.]. .Iadd.a bottom of said
clamp base .Iaddend.includes .[.a hole therethrough for a bolt to
extend therethough, said threaded receiver portion including.]. a
threaded hole to accept a threaded rod therein; said rotational
portion includes a hole therethrough for accepting .[.a.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.mateable device therein; and said mateable
device extends through said openings .[.through.]. .Iadd.in
.Iaddend.said .Iadd.bottom portion of each .Iaddend.plate
.[.ends.]. and said hole through said rotational .[.end.].
.Iadd.portion, the rotational portion being positioned between the
two C-shaped plates, wherein said mateable device is a pin, and
wherein said mateable device further includes a spring, said spring
being coiled around said pin and said spring being sandwiched
between one of said plates and said rotational
portion.Iaddend..
.[.11. The clamp beam of claim 10, wherein each plate includes a
rounded end, each rounded end includes said opening therethrough
for accepting said mateable device therein, said rounded end
includes inwardly facing extension stop which extends into said
interior cavity..].
.[.12. The beam clamp of claim 10, said mateable device is a
pin..].
.[.13. The beam clamp of claim 12, said mateable device further
includes a spring, said spring is coiled around said pin and said
spring is sandwiched between one of said plates and said rotational
portion..].
.[.14. The beam clamp of claim 13, said plates, said recessed
portion and said threaded receiver portion define an interior
cavity of said base, said rotational portion seats within said
interior cavity of said base..].
15. The beam clamp of claim 10, .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend.one end of
said rotational portion includes a series of teeth extending
outwardly from said end.
16. A beam clamp comprising: a body including a base, a rotational
portion, a mateable device, and a threaded receiver, said base
includes an interior cavity and an external surface, said base and
said rotational portion are pivotably connected by said mateable
device, said rotational portion extends into said interior cavity,
said rotational portion including a rounded surface with teeth
covering said rounded surface, said rotational portion includes a
torsion spring, said threaded receiver extends from said base, said
base includes teeth extending toward the rotational portion, said
rotational portion includes teeth extending toward the base, said
mateable device includes a pair of pins and a pair of slots, said
pins extend from said rotational portion and said pair of slots is
integral with said base, said pair of pins being received by said
pair of slots and pivotable therein; and a threaded rod attached to
said body by mating with said threaded receiver.
17. The beam clamp of claim 16, wherein said rotational portion
includes a rounded wedge portion having said rounded surface
thereon and a triangular portion integrally extending from said
rounded wedge portion.
18. The beam clamp of claim 17, wherein said triangular portion
contacts said rod, said rod forcing said rotational portion out
from said interior cavity of said base.
.Iadd.19. The beam clamp of claim 1, wherein the C-shaped geometry
is connected by the recessed portion provided on at least a portion
of the interior cavity of the base. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The beam clamp of claim 19, wherein the recessed portion
is provided on an upper portion of the base. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. A beam clamp comprising: a body including a base, a
rotational member and a means for pivotably connecting said
rotational member to said base, said base having a C-shaped
geometry, said C-shaped geometry defining an interior cavity, said
base includes two C-shaped parallel outer plates connected by a
recessed portion, said base including a plurality of teeth on an
upper portion of the C-shaped geometry of said base, said teeth and
said rotational member extending into said interior cavity, said
rotational member including a series of protruding teeth extending
into said interior cavity, a bottom portion of said base including
a threaded hole for receiving a threaded rod therein, wherein said
means for pivotally connecting said rotational member to said base
includes a pin extending through said parallel outer plates forming
a lower portion of the C-shaped geometry of said base, the pin
further including a torsion spring thereabout to resist deflection
of said rotational member into said interior cavity of said base,
the rotational member further including a portion which protrudes
into the interior cavity of said base whereby upon rotation of the
threaded rod, an upper end of the threaded rod contacts the
rotational member protruding portion to press the rotational member
teeth and base teeth against a beam inserted therebetween to secure
the clamp to the beam. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The beam clamp of claim 21, wherein the plurality of
teeth on the upper portion of the C-shaped geometry of said base
are provided on said parallel outer plates to form two rows of
teeth. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. A beam clamp comprising: a body including a base, a
rotational portion and a mateable device pivotably connecting said
base to said rotational portion, said base having a C-shaped
geometry, said C-shaped geometry defining an interior cavity, said
base includes two parallel outer plates having said C-shaped
geometry connected by a recessed portion, said base including a row
of teeth on an upper portion of each of said two parallel outer
plates having said C-shaped geometry extending into said interior
cavity, said rotational portion extending into said interior
cavity, said rotational portion being mounted between the two
parallel outer plates at a lower portion of said C-shaped geometry
and including a series of protruding teeth at an upper portion
thereof, said series of protruding teeth extending into said
interior cavity, wherein said mateable device includes a pin
extending through said base and said rotational portion, and
further wherein said pin includes a torsion spring thereabout to
resist deflection of said rotational portion into said interior
cavity of said base. .Iaddend.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/004,739 filed on Nov. 29, 2007, all of
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an adjustable clamp.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a clamp for
securement to a beam to support various attachments therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Beam clamps are temporarily and/or permanently mount to a wide
range of tapered or flat beams. For example, beam clamps are
attached to the flange of the support beam and include a threaded
member to allow for a way to secure various attachments to the
support beam. For example, in an industrial setting, a conduit
channel, lighting, equipment or piping can be attached to a support
beam using a variety of clamping devices.
Some prior art clamps are limited in their design, for example,
some clamping devices are designed to attach to a specific surface
and size beam. Additionally, some clamping devices are designed to
only allow for attachment of a member which runs parallel to the
beam, while other clamping devices are designed for attachment of
items running only perpendicular to the beam. Additionally, some
prior art clamping devices include various parts to assemble. For
example, a set screw is often used to lock the clamping device into
place and a rod is attached to the clamping device to provide a
site for attachment of various members. The additional step of
placing the clamping device in place, holding it in place while one
tightens the set screw to allow for securement of the clamping
device to the beam is difficult and time consuming because of the
numerous steps and parts. Further, the rod must then be attached to
provide for a site of attachment for other structures.
It is therefore desirable to provide a clamping device, which can
be mounted on a support beam of various sizes without the
complexity, or cost of prior art designs, has a more compact design
and less additional parts, provides greater securement to the beam
and provides for easy installation and removal of the clamp without
extra effort or steps on the part of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a clamp, which can be attached to a
flat or tapered surface such as a flange of a beam which may be of
various sizes. In accordance with the present invention, the
foregoing disadvantages of the prior art are addressed. In
accordance with one aspect of the invention, a beam clamp includes
a body and a threaded rod. The body includes a base, a rotational
portion, a mateable device, and a threaded receiver. The base
includes an interior cavity and an external surface. The base and
the rotational portion are pivotably connected by the mateable
device. The rotational portion extends into the interior cavity and
the rotational portion includes a torsion spring. The threaded
receiver extends from the base and is matable with the threaded
rod.
Further, the base includes teeth extending toward the rotational
portion. The rotational portion includes teeth extending toward the
base. The mateable device includes a pair of pins and a pair of
slots. The pins extend from the rotational portion and the pair of
slots is integral with the base. The pair of pins is received by
the pair of slots and pivotable therein. The pair of slots are
opposed the teeth of the base. The rotational portion includes a
rounded wedge portion and a triangular portion integrally extending
from the wedge portion. The teeth extend from the rounded portion
of the wedge. The triangular portion contacts the spring, and the
spring forces the rotational portion out from the interior cavity
of the base.
Furthermore, the present invention provides for a beam clamp
including a base, a rotational portion and a mateable device
pivotably connecting the base to the rotational portion. The base
has a C-shaped geometry, and the C-shaped geometry defines an
interior cavity. The base includes a row of teeth extending into
the interior cavity. The rotational portion extends into the
interior cavity and the rotational portion includes a series of
protruding teeth at one end.
Additionally, the present invention provides for a beam clamp
including a clamp base, a rotational portion and a mateable device
pivotably attaching the clamp base to the rotational portion. The
clamp base includes two parallel C-shaped planar plates attached
together by a recessed portion and a threaded receiver portion.
Each plate includes a row of teeth and an opening through one end
of each plate. The recessed portion includes a hole therethrough
for a bolt to extend therethough. The threaded receiver portion
includes a threaded hole to accept a threaded rod therein. The
rotational portion includes a hole therethrough for accepting a
mateable device therein. The mateable device extends through the
openings through the plate ends and the hole through the rotational
end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp according to the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a clamp according to
the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a clamp according to
the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clamp including the threaded rod
according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 1 attached to a
flange of a support beam.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 4 attached to a
flange of a support beam and an attachment at one end.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a clamp body
according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a clamp base of the clamp body of
FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rotational portion of the clamp
body of FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 7.
FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a perspective view of the
clamping device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows
clamp body 10 having a clamp base 12 and a rotational portion 14.
The clamp base 12 has a U or C shaped geometry with an interior
cavity 17 for accepting a planar surface, such as a flange 58 of a
support beam 56. FIG. 2 shows the clamp body 10 including an
exterior surface 16 and an interior surface 18. The clamp base 12
may be a solid structure or an exoskeleton structure. The clamp
base 12 is ideally an integrally formed rigid member, preferably
formed from a metallic material. FIG. 2 shows an exoskeleton
structure 20 which includes two parallel outer plates 22 connected
together by a recessed bridge 24, and an optional inner supporting
ridge 26 protruding from the bridge 24. The supporting ridge 26
between the plates 22 is preferably parallel to the plates 22. The
exoskeleton design of FIG. 2 provides for a lighter weight clamping
device while plates 22 and the ridge 26 provide additional
structural support. Other designs of base 12 are also possible
whether base 12 is a unitary member or an assembly of individual
components. The interior surface 18 includes a row of teeth 28
which contact and grip the top of beam flange 58, as shown in FIG.
5. Opposite the teeth 28 are inwardly curling brackets 30. The
brackets 30 include sloped slots 32 for accepting the rotational
portion 14 therein. One end of the clamp base 12 includes a
threaded receiver 34 for receiving a threaded rod therein. The
threaded receiver 34 is positioned at the opposite end of the clamp
base 12 from the teeth 28. The threaded receiver 34 is a hole which
extends from the exterior surface 16 through to the interior
surface 18. Threads are disposed along at least a portion of the
inner diameter of the threaded receiver 34. The clamp base 12 is
preferably one molded structure to provide for strength and
rigidity.
The rotational portion 14 is removably attached to the clamp base
12. FIG. 3 shows the rotational portion 14 which includes a rounded
wedge portion 36, a protruding triangular portion 38 and two pins
40 protruding therefrom. The wedge portion 36 includes a series of
rows of teeth 42 for gripping and securing to the beam flange 58,
as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The teeth 42 cover the rounded surface
of the wedge 36 to allow for some of teeth 42 to remain
perpendicular or nearly perpendicular with respect to the contacted
surface of the flange 58 for better securement thereto. The
triangular portion 38 extends from the side of the wedge 36. The
pins 40 in this embodiment protrude from opposite sides of the
triangular portion 38. The pins 40 extend along the same linear
axis in opposite directions. All these parts of the rotational
portion 14 are connected by material continuity and preferably
molded as a single piece.
The pins 40 are designed to mate with the slots 32 of the clamp
base 12 defining the mateable device 44. The pins 40 allow for the
rotational portion 14 to pivot about a pivot point within the slots
32. When the pins 40 are placed into slots 32 then the rotational
portion 14 can seat in the interior cavity 17 of the base 12, and
it can pivot about the slots preferably at least 180 degrees but
less then 360 degrees. The pivoting rotational portion 14 allows
the teeth 42 to generally perpendicularly come into contact with
the bottom portion of the flange 58 which, along with teeth 28
engaging the top portion of flange 58, provides for securement of
the clamp body 10 to the beam 56.
The rotational portion 14 further includes a torsion spring 46.
Torsion spring 46 mounts to pin 40 and includes an extension arm 48
that extends outward from the pin. In a different direction,
torsion spring 46 includes a portion that engages the triangular
portion 38. When the rotational portion 14 is attached to the base
12, via the slot 32 and pins 40, the extension arm 48 comes into
contact with the interior surface 18 of the base 12. This causes
the rotational portion 14 to be biased with respect to the interior
cavity 17 and prevents the rotational portion 14 from seating
completely within the base 12 without counteracting the force of
the torsion spring 46. Further, when the beam flange 58 is
introduced to the interior of the base 12, the torsion spring 46
provides resistance against the flange 58 of the beam 56 as it
forces the rotational portion 14 to push upwardly against the beam
flange 58 and out from the interior cavity 17 of the base 12. The
resistance between the flange 58 and the clamp body 10 provides for
temporary securement of the clamp body 10 to the beam 56, without
the need for additional screws to adjust the clamp body to fit the
beam and secure it thereto.
Threaded rod 50 protrudes from the bottom of clamp body 10 and can
be screwed into clamp body 10 contacting the triangular portion 38.
FIG. 4 shows threaded rod 50 screwed into threaded receiver 34.
Thread receiver 34 is internally threaded to accommodate the
extending, externally threaded rod 50. As the threaded rod 50 is
tightened upwardly, it pushes against the triangular portion 38
which allows for the teeth 42 of the triangular portion to press
against the beam 56 permanently securing the clamp body 10 to the
beam flange 58. The free end 52 of the rod is available for
attachment of various devices 54. Thus, the threaded rod 50 serves
two purposes, i.e. to permanently secure the clamp body 10 to the
beam 56 and to allow for attachment of various devices.
Referring to FIGS. 7-12, there is shown another embodiment of the
clamping device according to the present invention. The clamping
device of FIGS. 7-12 is similar to the clamping device of FIGS.
1-6. FIG. 7 shows clamp body 110 having a clamp base 112 and a
rotational portion 114. The clamp base 112 has a U or C shaped
geometry with an upper portion 112A, a lower portion 112B and a
side portion 112C connecting the upper portion 112A and lower
portion 112B by material continuity. The upper and lower portions
112A and B are wider then the side portion 112C. FIG. 8 shows the
clamp body 110 including an exterior surface 116, an interior
surface 118 and an interior cavity 117. The clamp base 112 is
preferably a unitary solid structure formed from a metallic
material. FIG. 8 shows clamp base 112 includes two C-shaped
parallel outer plates 122 connected together by a recessed or
concaved portion 124 extending between the plates 122. The concaved
portion 124 extends from the upper portion 112A to the side portion
112C on the exterior surface 116 of the clamp base 112. The
concaved portion 124 is interrupted by a raised cylindrical flange
126 which extends from the concaved portion 124 to meet the outer
plates 122. The cylindrical flange 126 includes a threaded opening
120 therethrough for a threaded bolt 144 to extend through the
clamp base 112 from the exterior surface 116 to the interior
surface 118. The bolt 144 is threaded into the opening 120 and
biases against the rotational portion 114 thereby pressing the
rotational portion against the flange of a beam with greater
force.
The interior surface 118 of the upper portion 112A includes a row
of teeth 128 which contact and grip the beam flange placed therein
during use. As shown in FIG. 10, teeth 128 are on each plate 122
but other configurations are possible. The interior surface 118 of
the lower portion 112B of each plate 122 includes an upwardly
protruding rounded tip 130. The tips 130 are the widest part of the
plates 122 and extend from the lower portion 112B toward the upper
portion 112A. Each tip 130 includes an opening 132 therethrough for
a pin 140 to extend through each opening 132 and extend from one
plate 122 to the other plate 122, as shown in FIG. 8. The tip 130
includes inwardly facing wedges or stops 131 which protrude from
the outer edge of the tip 130 toward each plate 122. The stop 131
limits the placement of the rotational portion 114 within the
interior cavity of the base. The stop 131 also positions the
rotational portion against the flange of a beam. One of the stops
131 includes a channel 133 to allow for a spring 146 of a pin 140
to seat.
The lower portion 112B of the clamp base 112 also includes a
threaded receiver base 134 for receiving a threaded rod therein.
The threaded receiver base 134 can be round, hexagonal or
rectangular and extends perpendicular to the plates 122. The
threaded receiver base 134 is connected to the end of the concaved
portion 124 by the lower portion 112B. The threaded receiver base
134 includes a hole 136 which extends from the exterior surface 116
through to the interior surface 118. Threads are disposed along at
least a portion of the inner diameter of the hole 136 of the
threaded receiver base 134. The threaded receiver base 134 includes
a flange extension 135 which extends about the hole 136 on the
exterior surface 116 of the lower portion 112B.
As shown in FIG. 7, the rotational portion 114 is removably
attached within the clamp base 112 via pin 140. FIG. 9 shows the
rotational portion 114 which has an oblong shape with rounded ends.
One rounded end 137 includes a series of rows of teeth 142 for
gripping and securing to a beam flange. The teeth 142 cover the
rounded surface of the rounded end 137 to allow for some of teeth
142 to remain generally perpendicular with respect to the contacted
surface of the flange for better securement thereto. The other
rounded end includes a hole 150 therethrough for allowing pin 140
to facilitate attachment to the clamp base 112, as shown in FIGS. 8
and 10. One side of the rotational portion 114 includes a
protruding arch portion 138. The arch portion 138 is generally
shorter in length and shorter in width then the side of the
rotational portion 114. The arch portion 138 engages with a bolt
144 to rotate the teeth 142 of the rotational portion 114 toward
the teeth 128 of the upper portion 112A as shown in FIG. 11 to
tighten the grip and attach the clamp device 110 to a beam flange.
All these parts of the rotational portion 114 are connected by
material continuity and preferably molded as a single piece.
The rotational portion 114 is attached to the clamp base 112 via
mateable device 152, as shown in FIGS. 9-11. The mateable device
includes pin 140, openings 132 and hole 150. The pin 140 extends
through one opening 132 of the plate 122, through the hole 150 of
the rotational portion 114, and through the other opening 132 of
the plate.
Torsion spring 146 is coiled around pin 140 and sandwiched between
the rotational portion 114 and a plate 122. The torsion spring
includes an extension arm 148. The extension arm 148 seats in the
channel 133 of the base 112 and the extension arm 148 comes into
contact with the interior surface 118 of the base 112. The
extension arm 148 pushes against stop 131 in channel 133 and limits
or biases the movement of the rotational portion 114 away from the
interior surface 118 of the clamp base 112. Thus, as the beam
flange is introduced to the interior of the base 112, the torsion
spring 146 provides resistance against the flange of the beam as it
forces the rotational portion 114 to push upwardly against the beam
flange and out from the interior cavity of the base 112. Thus,
pulling the beam flange out from the clamp body 110 is hindered
because as the flange is pulled out, the spring 146 pushes the
rotational portion 114 outward against the flange. The teeth 142
dig into the flange further. Thus, the spring creates a one-way
easy entry into the interior cavity of the clamp body 110, but
prevents easy removal or slipping out of the beam flange. The
resistance between the flange and the clamp body 110 provides for
temporary securement of the clamp body 110 to the beam, without the
need for additional screws to adjust the clamp body to fit the beam
and secure it thereto.
Bolt 144 extends through opening 120 of the clamp base 112 to
engage with the arch portion 138 of the rotational portion 114. As
the bolt 144 is pushed against the arch portion 138, the rotational
portion 114 is pushed upward toward teeth 128 of the clamp base
112. The space between the teeth 128 and teeth 142 is narrowed and
the flange introduced between the teeth is secured
therebetween.
A threaded rod (not shown) extends into the threader receiver 134
at the bottom of clamp body 110 and can be screwed into clamp body
110, as similarly discussed above with regards to the clamp body 10
of FIGS. 1-6. As the threaded rod is tightened upwardly, it pushes
against the arch portion 138 which allows for teeth 142 of the
rotational portion 114 to press against the beam permanently
securing the clamp body 110 to the beam flange. The free end of the
rod is available for attachment of various devices. Thus, the
threaded rod serves two purposes, i.e. to permanently secure the
clamp body 110 to the beam and to allow for attachment of various
devices.
Having described the preferred embodiments herein, it should now be
appreciated that variations may be made thereto without departing
from the contemplated scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
preferred embodiments described herein are deemed illustrative
rather than limiting, the true scope of the invention being set
forth in the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *