Abstract:
Universal clamps, devices, apparatus and methods having slidable clamp portions over U shaped legs on a holder, for clamping drink holders, rod holders, utility holders, a caddy or a shelf, on any vertical, angled, and horizontal pipes, tubes, shafts, and the like. The clamp portions and holders can be formed from marine grade UV(ultraviolet) resistant polymer material. Fasteners, such as screws with threaded posts lock the clamp portions into the legs of the holder wherein the threaded posts remain protected and fully covered within the legs and the clamp member when the clamp member is locked to the holder. The holders can include a single loop, two side by side loops or a loop pivotally attachable to a base member that supports the U shaped legs.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/943,049 filed Feb. 21, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to clamps for drink holders and fishing rods, and in particular to novel universal clamps, devices, apparatus and methods having slidable clamp portions over U shaped legs on a holder, for clamping drink holders, rod holders, utility holders, a caddy or a shelf, on any vertical, angled, and horizontal pipes, tubes, shafts, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Clamps used for supporting objects such as drinks and fishing rods, can cause damage to the surface of the structure being mounted, especially when the clamps are rotated about the structure. 
     Additionally, most clamps cannot be used as a universal holder for mounting around any vertical, horizontal, or angled pipes having the diameter range of ¾ inch to 2¼ inch outside diameter pipes, tubes, shafts, etc. 
     The inventors are not aware of any clamp that will fit ¾ inch OD (outer diameter) to 2 inch OD (outer diameter), and would be able to accommodate any angle of vertical, horizontal or angled pipe, tube, shaft, and the like. 
     Most clamps also require plural breakable parts, and are not UV (ultra violet) protected, which can fail under outdoor conditions over time. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide novel universal clamps, devices, apparatus and methods having slidable clamp portions over U shaped legs on a holder, for clamping drink holders, rod holders, utility holders, a caddy or a shelf, on any vertical, angled, and horizontal pipes, tubes, shafts, and the like. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide novel universal clamps, devices, apparatus and methods versatile enough to accommodate the many different size pipes, tubes, shafts, and the like, that range from ¾ inch outside diameter to 2¼ inch outside diameter pipes, tubes, shafts, and the like, and accommodate any vertical, horizontal, angled pipe, tube, shaft, and the like. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide novel universal clamps, devices, apparatus and methods that are made of UV (ultra violet) protected marine grade polymer. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide novel universal clamps, devices, apparatus and methods that does not use breakable parts. 
     A universal clamp according to the invention can include a holder having a first end with a pair of elongated shaped legs with a space therebetween extending from a single base member, and a holding end extending from an opposite side the base member, a slidable clamp member having two parallel longitudinal through-holes, and a pair of fasteners with threaded posts, wherein the through-holes allow for the clamp member to slide over the pair of tubular shaped legs of the holder, with the fasteners locking the clamp member to the holder to a support structure passing through the space between the legs and the clamp member, and wherein the threaded posts remain protected within the legs and the clamp member when the clamp member is locked to the holder. 
     The holder and the slidable clamp member can each be formed from a single UV (ultra violet) resistant material. The UV (ultra violet) resistant material can be High-density polyethylene (HDPE). 
     The fasteners can include Allen head screws. The fasteners can include Philips head screws. The fasteners can include regular head screws. 
     Each of the through-holes in the clamp member can include an enlarged diameter opening adjacent to a rear end of the clamp member, and a narrower diameter opening adjacent to a front end of the clamp member, wherein the portion between the enlarged diameter opening and the narrower diameter opening forms a stop for preventing heads of the fastener from passing through the through-holes in the clamp member. The heads of the fastener can fit into a counter-bore. 
     The front end of the clamp member and a portion of the holder between the parallel legs can each form opposite facing V shaped indentations. 
     The parallel legs and the base member can be formed from a single UV(ultraviolet) resistant polymer material, and the clamp member is formed from another piece of UV(ultraviolet) resistant polymer material. 
     The universal clamp can include a swivel fastener for attaching the holding end to the base member, so that the holding end is pivotable about the base member. 
     The holding end can include a single loop for allowing for an object to be supported therein. 
     The parallel legs, the base member and the holding end can be formed from a single piece of UV(ultraviolet) resistant polymer material. 
     The holding end can include a pair of side by side loops for allowing for objects to be supported therein. 
     The parallel legs, the base member and the side by side loops can be formed from a single piece of UV(ultraviolet) resistant polymer material. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is an upper rear right exploded perspective view of the universal clamp. 
         FIG. 2  is an upper front right exploded perspective view of the universal clamp. 
         FIG. 3A  is an upper view of the slidable clamp portion of the universal clamp of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the slidable clamp portion of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4A  is an upper view of the slidable clamp portion about to be slid over the U shaped legs of the holder of the universal clamp of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the components of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is an upper view of the clamp portion being slid on the U shaped legs of the holder of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the components of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6A  is an upper view of the clamp portion assembled on the U shaped legs of the holder of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the components of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the assembled universal clamp on a support post. 
         FIG. 8  is an upper view of the assembled universal clamp of the preceding figures for attachment to a small diameter support. 
         FIG. 9  is an upper view of the assembled universal clamp of the preceding figures for attachment to a large diameter support. 
         FIG. 10  is a lower perspective view of another universal clamp embodiment of the preceding figures with a double holding end. 
         FIG. 11  is an upper perspective view of clamp with the double holding end of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a swivel holder version of the universal clamp of the preceding figures. 
         FIG. 13  is another exploded perspective view of swivel holder embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an assembled swivel holder of  FIGS. 12-13 . 
         FIG. 15  is another perspective view of an assembled swivel holder of  FIGS. 12-13 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
     A list of components will now be described.
           1  universal clamp     10  slidable clamp member     12  rear end with rounded edges     13  angled surfaces of rear end     14  enlarged rear portion of through-hole(s)     15  stop portion with narrow diameter of through-hole (s)     16  enlarged front portion of through-hole(s)     17  sides     18  front end with flat ends     19  V shaped portion     20  holder     22  first elongated leg     23  opening in end of leg     24  second elongated leg     25  opening in end of leg     30  base member     32  V shape between legs     35  slot in base member     40  holding end(loop)     50  fasteners     52  head     54  threaded shaft/post     60  support pipes/tubes/shafts     100  universal clamp with double holding ends(loops)     130  base member     140 A first holding end     140 B second holding end     200  universal clamp with swivel base     222  first leg     224  second leg     230  base member     232  fastening slot     235  v shape     238  upper end of base member     240  swivel attached holding end     242  bottom of holding end     245  through-hole in bottom of hooking end     250  holding end fastener     252  holding end nut       

       FIG. 1  is an upper rear right exploded perspective view of the universal clamp  1 .  FIG. 2  is an upper front right exploded perspective view of the universal clamp  1 .  FIG. 3A  is an upper view of the slidable clamp portion  10  of the universal clamp of  FIGS. 1-2 .  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the slidable clamp portion  10  of  FIG. 3A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3B , the universal clamp  1  can include a slidable clamp member  10  with a holder  20  that can each be formed from UV(ultraviolet) resistant polymer material, such as but not limited to High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD) polymer. The material can be a polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum such as marine STARBOARD® by King Plastic Corporation of Florida. 
     The slidable clamp member  10  can include a rear end  12  with rounded edges, an angled surfaces  13  on each side of the rear end  12 , side  17  and a front end  18  with a V shaped portion  19  between the front portions  16  of the through-holes. The clamp member can include a pair of parallel through-holes passing from end of rear end of the slidable clamp member to the front end. Each of the through-holes can include an enlarged rear portion  14  with a stop portion  15  with narrow diameter and an enlarged front portion  16 . 
     The holder  20  can include a first leg  22  with an opening  23  in an outer end, and a second leg  24  with an opening  25  in an outer end, the second leg  24  being parallel to the first leg  22 . The elongated legs  22 , 24  can have generally rectangular cross-sectional shapes and outer curved sides. The legs  22 ,  24  connect to a base member  30  with a V shape  32  between the legs  22 ,  24 . While the figures show leg shapes, the legs  22 ,  24  can have different cross-sectional shapes, such as but not limited to being rectangular, tubular, triangular and any other geometrical shape. 
     In the middle of the base member  30  can be a utility slot  35  of different sizes and dimensions that can hold items, such as but not limited to pliers, any other tools, knife, knife sheath, or other objects and the like. The utility slot  35  can be rectangular, circular, oblong, or any other geometrical shape. While one slot is shown, two or more slots of different sizes can be used. 
     On the opposite side of the base member  30  can be a holding end  40 , such as a loop, and the like, which can support beverages (such as but not limited to bottles, cans, insulated containers), fishing rods, and the like, therein. 
     A pair of fasteners  50 , each having an enlarged head end  52 , and threaded shaft/post  54 . The fasteners  50  can be selected from Allen head screws, Philip head screws, regular headed screws, and the like, and can be formed from stainless steel, galvanized metal, as well as plastics, polymers, and the like. 
       FIG. 4A  is an upper view of the slidable clamp portion  10  about to be slid over the U shaped legs  22 ,  24  of the holder  20  of the universal clamp  1  of  FIGS. 1-2 .  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the components of  FIG. 4A . 
     The ends of the threaded shafts/posts  54  of the fasteners  50  are positioned to pass into the enlarged openings  14  of the rear portion of the through-holes, while the enlarged front openings  16  of the through-holes are positioned to pass about each of the outer ends of the legs  22 ,  24 . The inner diameter of the openings  16  can be sized to mateably receive the outer surfaces of each of the legs  22 ,  24 . 
       FIG. 5A  is an upper view of the clamp portion  10  being slid on the U shaped legs  22 ,  24  of the holder  40  of  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the components of  FIG. 5A . 
     The clamp portion  10  is slid over the legs  22 ,  24 , while the threaded shafts/posts  54  of the fasteners  50  pass into the rear openings  14  and into the narrow openings  15  in the stop portion. 
       FIG. 6A  is an upper view of the clamp portion  10  assembled on the U shaped legs  22 ,  24  of the holder  20  of  FIG. 5A .  FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the components of  FIG. 6A . 
     Here, the head portions  52  of the fasteners  50  are fit into the outer openings  14  to abut against the stop portion having the narrow opening  15  with the threaded shafts/posts  54  screwing into the openings  23 ,  25  in the legs  22 ,  24 . The stop portion  15  also stops the outer ends of the legs  22 ,  24  from passing through all of the through-holes so that triangle portions  19 ,  32  remain spaced apart from one another. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the assembled universal clamp  1  on a support post  60  where the triangular portions  19 ,  32  allow for a universal fit about different diameter support posts  60 , which can include support pipes/tubes/shafts and posts as well as railings so that the loop  40  can support objects, such as but not limited to drinks, fishing rods, and the like. The holding end  40  can support a drink holder, a utility holder, a caddy, a fishing rod, and any other type of object. For assembly, the installer can position the legs  22 ,  24  about a support, and slide the clamp member  10 , where the fasteners  50  lock the clamp member  10  to the base member  20 . 
     An Allen wrench can be used if the fasteners are Allen head screws, a screw driver can be used for other types of screws, and power screw drivers, and the like with adapters can also be used as needed. 
     The invention can further include gripping tape as needed to be wrapped about the support, such as pipe in order to keep the clamp  1  from spinning about the support, such as the pipe. Tape can be used when desired to keep the clamp end from spinning relative to the underlying support. 
       FIG. 8  is an upper view of the assembled universal clamp  1  of the preceding figures for attachment to a small diameter support, such as any vertical, angled, and horizontal pipes, tubes, shafts, and the like. Dimensions in inches are shown for the novel universal clamp  1 , where the width of slidable clamp member  10  between outer sides  17  can be approximately 2.39 inches with the spacing between fastener heads  52  attached to respective legs  22 ,  24  can be approximately 1.75 inches, the length between a center point of hooking end(loop)  40  and the rear end  12  can be approximately 4.70 inches. 
       FIG. 9  is an upper view of the assembled universal clamp  1  of the preceding figures for attachment to a large diameter support, such as any vertical, angled, and horizontal pipes, tubes, shafts, and the like. Dimensions in inches are shown for the novel universal clamp  1 , where the width of slidable clamp member  10  between outer sides  17  can be approximately 3.00 inches with the spacing between fastener heads  52  attached to respective legs  22 ,  24  can be approximately 2.30 inches, the length between a center point of hooking end(loop)  40  and the rear end  12  can be approximately 5.57 inches. 
       FIG. 10  is a lower perspective view of another universal clamp  100  embodiment of the preceding figures with a double holding end.  FIG. 11  is an upper perspective view of clamp  100  with the double holding end of  FIG. 10 . The universal clamp  100  is similar to the preceding embodiment with the exception of having a larger base member  130  that attaches to two side by side holding ends  140 A,  140 B 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a swivel swivel holder  220  version of the universal clamp  200  of the preceding figures.  FIG. 13  is another exploded perspective view of swivel holder  200  embodiment of  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an assembled swivel holder  200  of  FIGS. 12-13 .  FIG. 15  is another perspective view of an assembled swivel holder  200  of  FIGS. 12-13 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-15 , the swivel clamp  200  can include similar functioning fasteners  50 , and similar functioning slidable clamp member  10  to those in the previous embodiments. The swivel holder  220  portion includes similar legs  222  and v shape groove  235  as those in the previous embodiments. Here, the base member  230  includes a fastening slot  232  which runs from the v groove  235  to the upper end  238  of the base member  230 . The holding end  240  can include a bottom  242  with a through-hole  245  therethrough, where a fastener  250  can be screwed into the through-hole  245  and through slot  232  with a threaded end held in place by a nut  252  positioned in the v shaped groove  235 . The fastener can be a Allen head, Philips head, or regular head fastener. 
     When assembled, the holding end  240  can swivel relative to the base member  230  as shown. Here, the universal clamp can be positioned on angled supports and the holding end  240  rotated to a horizontal position or any other position. 
     The polymer plastic material that can be used in the invention allows for the clamps  1 ,  100 ,  200  to be rotatable 360 degrees about various supports without causing any damage to the supports, such as such as any vertical, angled, and horizontal pipes, tubes, shafts, and the like, where the supports can range from approximately ¾ inch to approximately 2¼ inches. 
     A method of making the clamps  1 ,  100 ,  200  can include the steps of taking a rectangular piece of UV(ultraviolet) resistant polymer material, such as but not limited to High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD) polymer. The material can be a polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum such as marine STARBOARD® by King Plastic Corporation of Florida. Next, the user would cut out a hole to create a holding end to accommodate a cup holder, rod holder, utility holder, etc. Then the user would cut 4 universal “v” clamps, 2 sets of two “v” clamps. One set fits pipes, tubes, or shafts, etc. that fit 1¼ inch outside diameter and cinch down to ¾ inch outside diameter. The universal v clamps screwed and attached to working side of holder that mount around pipes, tubes, shaft etc. can have prongs that go within second half of v clamp so screws are hidden and clamp can be cinched down around smaller pipes, tubes, shafts, etc. The second set of v clamps can fit pipes, tubes, or shafts, etc. that fit 2 inch outside diameter and cinch down to approximately 1½ inch outside diameter. The universal clamps screwed and attached to working side of holder that mount around pipes, tubes, shaft etc. can have prongs that go within second half of v clamp so screws are hidden and clamp can be cinched down around smaller than 2 inch outside diameter pipes, tubes, shafts, and the like. 
     While polymer plastic is described, the invention can be formed from other materials, such as but not limited to other types of hard plastic, that can be cut, or molded, other types of polymers, as well as using metals, such as but not limited to stainless steel, treated aluminum, galvanized steel, and the like. A nonmetal spacer, separator can be used inside the clamping end to protect a metal version of the universal clamp from damage and electrolysis, and the like. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.