Flexible clamp for support of handles and the like in vertical position

Abstract: It is made up of a continuous flexible band (8), which is fitted in arched position, leaving an open passage to allow the insertion between its ends (6) of the handle to be retained, said continuous flexible band (8) being linked at its ends (6); by means of vertical joints, to corresponding supports (1a) which allow the possibility of temporarily forcing the gap between their frontal ends, when the handle to be retained is inserted within the arch formed by the band (8); closing again afterwards and causing the inner side of the continuous band (8) of flexible material to contact, over its entire useful surface, with an equivalent zone of the outer periphery of the handle, thus giving rise to close fit between flexible clamp and retained handle, which is continuous over the entire useful area of the inner side of the band (8) forming the clamp.

Description: The present invention refers to a flexible clamp for support of cylindrical handles in vertical position, such as the handles of brooms, sweeping implements, mops, tools and the like. Known in the art are diverse variants of supports for handles of implements destined to cleaning and other uses, basically formed by a pressure clamp at the ends of which, open to penetration of the handle, are usually fitted corresponding turnable rollers, which partially obstruct the entry mouth of the clamp, but which nevertheless facilitate such penetration. To the front side of the back, the clamp can be provided with a projecting element of curved concave surface. The handle of the implement to be supported thus penetrates by pressure between the turnable rollers, which then compress it against the projecting element described, retaining the handle in suspended position by means of three isolated points of contact formed by the two rollers at the ends of the clamp and the projecting element at the back. (see e.g. DE-U-8.803.274) These known clamps are relatively costly to manufacture and assemble, as they are composed of several pieces which must then be assembled. The known clamps have the further disadvantage of not efficiently securing the handle housed within them, so that the latter can easily slip down from the clamp. US-A-4,094,483 discloses a device for removably mounting articles which is provided with two spaced legs connected at one end thereof by means of a cross element. WO-A-8 500 132 describes a clamp having the features of the preamble of claim 1. The clamp object of the invention is designed to overcome the disadvantages presented by known clamps destined to hold handles of cleaning implements and the like in vertical position. The most notable features of the invention lies in its practically complete and continuous adaptation to the outer perimeter of the handle to be secured, while the configuration thereof is remarkably simpler. The new clamp in question is of flexible material and is sustained at its ends by the leading points of two pressure arms or jaws which open on penetration of the handle and then provide pressure to retain same. On the basis of this conventional support base, the clamp object of the invention differs from all known models in that it is made up of a continuous band of flexible material (rubber, plastic or any similar material), of substantially vertical inner wall, whose total length is somewhat less than the total perimeter of the handle to be held and which always adopts an arched position, in readiness to clamp and encircle any handle which is made to penetrate between the ends of same held by the support and pressure arms which form the entry passage for said handle. This entry passage may or may not be provided with freely turnable rollers or other elements which facilitate insertion, and with other accessory details. In a preferred embodiment, the continuous elastic strip which is to clamp the handle to be retained is provided with broader end sections which form a single element with same. For a better understanding of all that has been set forth, some drawings are attached, in which, by ways of example only, is shown the practical form of this preferred embodiment of the flexible clamp of the invention. In said drawings, figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp; figure 2 is a view similar to that of figure 1, showing the assembled clamp; figure 3 is a cross-section of the clamp at rest position, with a handle spaced from it; figure 4 is a view similar to that of figure 3, but with the handle retained inside the clamp. The clamp in question comprises a base piece of general reference -1-, provided with a central section -2-, with eventual orifices -3- for insertion of screws or other retaining elements for securing to any vertical surface. It may also be provided with fixing devices of another nature, such as adhesive-type systems or ones for fitting into a base which may or may not be provided with a protective housing, etc. Independently of the material of which it is formed and of its shape, the section -1- has as a characteristic that its arms or supports -1a- have a tendency to close elastically, whether owing to the characteristics of the material of which the piece -1- is formed, or by incorporation of a spring or the like which pushes the arms -1a- towards each other, all this according to techniques known in the art. The ends of these arms -1a- are provided with corresponding pairs of tabs -4- facing each other, provided with projecting or inset fits -5-. Between each one of these pairs of tabs -4-, the corresponding thicker sections -6- at the ends of the flexible clamp -8- are fitted by direct fitting. The thicker sections -6- are provided with axial fits -7- which are projecting or inset for fitting into the corresponding fits -5- of the tabs -4- between which they are retained, said thicker sections -6- being capable of axial turning (figure 1). The fits -5- of the tabs -4- are provided with inward projecting flanges -5a-, in order to engage the fits -7- of the thicker sections -6-. In the example, the thicker sections -6-situated at the ends of the flexible clamp -8- form a single piece with said clamp. This clamp in the form of a band of a certain thickness which may be made up of a single strip or several strips, or by a braid or fabric or any other material of suitable composition, is fitted between the arms -1a- of the piece -1- and adopts an arched shape towards the inside of the device (figures 2 and 3). As emerges from all that has been set forth and from observation of the drawings, the gap between the thicker sections -6- once fitted between the tabs -4- of the arms -1a- is smaller than the diameter of the handle -9- of an implement to be retained therein, such as the handle of a broom or any other implement. In order for a handle -9- to be retained, it has simply to be inserted by pressure inside the clamp, thus making the support arms -1a- open out to allow penetration. Once the handle -9- has been inserted, it is trapped as a result of the adjustment or encircling of most of its perimeter by the flexible band of the clamp -8-, with a contact which is continuous and extense if the relation between clamp and diameter of the handle or implement to be held is suitable, so that there exists no risk of the retained handle sliding down vertically, as often occurs with clamps which are provided only with isolated and non-perimetral points of retention. Apart from this different and more effective retention system, in the example of embodiment used for this description the clamp in question is made up of only two pieces, since the flexible band -8- and its terminal thicker sections -6- form a single piece which can be obtained directly by moulding, this flexible clamp being incorporated directly onto the support section -1- by simple fitting between the pairs of tabs -4-, without any need for pins or transversal spindles, or rivets or other accessories of any type, or subsequent manipulation, so that the overall composition of the device is simplified to the utmost, and so are the assembly operations. Independent of the object of the invention shall be the materials used in manufacturing of the components of the clamp, shapes and dimensions of same and all accessory details which might be presented, as long as they do not affect its essential nature. The flexible band may also be hinged to the support arms without the provision of thicker sections or cylinders at its ends; the walls of the band may be smooth or rough, or provided with projections intended to improve the gripping action.

Claims: Flexible clamp for supporting handles and the like in vertical position, comprising a continuous band (8), which is fitted in arched position, leaving a gap between its ends (6) to allow the insertion of a handle (9) to be retained, said continuous band (8) being linked at its ends (6) by means of vertical joints to corresponding supports (1a), said continuous band being made of flexible material, characterised in that said gap between the ends (6) of the band (8) being smaller than the diameter of the handle (9) to be retained, and in that said supports (1a) are resilient and allow the possibility of temporarily forcing said gap when the handle (9) to be retained is inserted within the arch formed by the band (8), closing again afterwards and causing the inner side of the continuous band (8) of flexible material to contact, over its entire useful surface, with an equivalent zone of the outer periphery of the handle (9), thus giving rise to close fit between flexible clamp and retained handle. Flexible clamp as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said flexible band (8) has thicker sections (6) at its terminal ends which are provided with appropriate retention fits (7) for engagement with complementary fits (4) of the two ends of the support arms (1a) to which said terminal thicker sections (6) of the band (8) are attached, the support arms (1a) being part of a single unitary piece (1) provided with the appropriate means (3) for fixing of the device to the corresponding vertical installation surface.

Inventors: SANGENIS LINAN ALBERTO, SANGENIS LINAN, ALBERTO
Applicants: SAINT GENIS SA, SAINT GENIS, S.A.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A47L13
IPC codes: F16B2, A47L13