Patent Publication Number: US-11034000-B2

Title: Frame block clamp

Description:
This Utility patent application is based on Provisional Patent Application No. 62/578,013 filed on Oct. 27, 2017. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a frame block clamp to secure a portion of a frame (generally, a cylindrically configured member of the frame such as a tube) in one or more receiving apertures extending through the clamp. The frame block clamp with the tubular frame member secured in the clamp is ultimately secured in a vise, workbench or similar workpiece holding structure to allow a person to service or otherwise perform work on the tube. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     A myriad of clamp sizes and configurations are commercially available. These clamps address a multitude of applications for personal use. However, most clamps are dimensionally adjustable so that the clamps can be used for multiple projects. There are prior art clamps that secure a tubular member in a vice; however, such prior art clamps are difficult to use because they must be manually held closed about the tubular member while the combination of the clamp and tubular member are aligned with and secured in a vise, thereby enabling a person to perform work upon a tubular member. 
     In addition, prior art clamps are made from wooden cubes intended to hold a single tube size. The relatively “short” dimensions of the cube make it difficult to secure the combined wooden cube and tube member in a vise, risking damage to the tube member if the tube member engages the vise jaws or if the tube member slides relative to the clamp portions engaging the tube member. 
     slides. 
     There is a need for a rectangular configured block clamp having relatively larger longitudinal dimension that allows two or more axially parallel apertures to be machined in the rectangular configured block clamp to receive two or more tube members varying in diameter. Further, the larger longitudinal dimension promotes the insertion of the clamp-tube member assembly into a vise. 
     There is a need for a frame block clamp that substantially engages the periphery of a tube member or similar structure to secure the structure to the clamp without damaging the structure; a clamp that engages and is secured to the structure via a biasing member such as a spring; a clamp that is operated by one hand of a user squeezing together predetermined portions of the clamp while the other hand of the user holds and positions the structure such that portions of the clamp ultimately engages substantially all of the corresponding periphery of the structure; and a clamp that enables the user to insert a predetermined side portion of the clamp in a vise to allow the user to perform work upon the structure without the user having to hold the structure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome many of the disadvantages associated with prior art frame block clamps. A principal object of the present invention is to provide a frame block clamp for securing a structure to a vise to allow a user to perform work upon the structure. A feature of the clamp is two block portions having substantially similar configurations and dimensions, each block portion having at least one groove (and preferably two grooves) machined into inner portions of each block. An advantage of the clamp is that when the two block portions are joined together, one or more structure receiving apertures are formed that snugly receive a peripheral portion of the structure such that the clamp is able to secure the structure to the clamp, thereby maintaining the position of the structure when a side portion of the clamp is inserted and secured in a vise to allow a user to perform work on the structure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a frame block clamp that can be manually operated by one hand of a user. A feature of the clamp is a retaining spring having opposite ends secured to respective top and bottom portions of the two block portions of the clamp. Another feature of the clamp is a recess in each of the side portions of the clamp. An advantage of the clamp is that with one hand, a user can squeeze together cooperating portions of either side portion of the clamp to separate the two block portions at an opposite side portion of the clamp, thereby allowing a structure held by the user&#39;s opposite hand to be inserted into a cooperating receiving aperture that snugly and peripherally receives a predetermined portion of the structure requiring manual labor. Another advantage of the clamp is that the retaining spring, which forcibly secures the two block portions of the clamp together, is sufficiently biased such that when a user releases a squeezed side portion of the clamp, the retaining spring urges the two block portions together until the two block portions peripherally seize the structure. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a frame block clamp having a relatively large longitudinal dimension, when compared to the remaining dimensions of the clamp, the longitudinal dimension promoting the insertion of the clamp holding a tube into a vise without damaging the tube. A feature of the clamp is a fulcrum disposed adjacent to each recess in each side portion of the clamp. An advantage of the clamp&#39;s longitudinal dimension is that either side portion of the clamp can be inserted into a vise such that the vise engages top and bottom walls of the clamp at portions longitudinally proximate to a respective fulcrum, thereby lineally aligning each “jaw” of the vise with the respective fulcrum and avoiding damage to the tube or similar structure “held” by the clamp. Another advantage of the clamp is that the engaged top and bottom wall portions of the clamp by the vise jaws allows the vise to grasp the clamp such that the corresponding side portion of the clamp cannot pivot or otherwise move, thereby maintaining the position of the clamp and the structure secured to the clamp when the jaws of the vise engage the clamp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing invention and its advantages may be readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front-top perspective view of a frame block clamp in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the frame block clamp of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side-top perspective view of the frame block clamp of  FIG. 1 , but with the frame block clamp vertically orientated for insertion into a vise, and a tube inserted in a selected aperture through the frame block clamp in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is the frame block clamp of  FIG. 3  secured in a vise. 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the frame block clamp of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5A  is the front elevation view of  FIG. 5 , but with a tube member retained in a left aperture. 
         FIG. 6  is a back elevation view of the frame block clamp of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a left side elevation view of the frame block clamp of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a right side elevation view of the frame block clamp of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top elevation view of the frame block clamp of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom elevation view of the frame block clamp of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is the front-top perspective view of  FIG. 1 , but with the first and second block portions pivoted via a first fulcrum to allow a tube to be inserted into a second tube receiving aperture in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the figures, a frame block clamp in accordance with the present invention is denoted as numeral  10 . The clamp  10  can be fabricated from a myriad of materials, but the preferred material of construction is a hardwood such as oak or maple to prevent the scratching or marring of the outer wall of a tube  6  or other cylindrically configured object or structure  6  forcibly held by the clamp  10  before and after the clamp  10  is forcibly secured in a vise  8  or similar holding devise. 
     The clamp  10  includes two identical first and second block portions  12  and  14  dimensioned and configured such that when the block portions  12  and  14  are cooperatively joined, the resulting clamp  10  configuration includes a front wall  16 , back wall  18 , top wall  20 , bottom wall  22  first side wall  24  and second side wall  26  with all walls being substantially planar. The clamp  10  further includes a retaining spring  28  inserted through a first spring aperture  30  in the first block portion  12  and through an axially aligned second spring aperture  31  in the second block portion  14 , thereby allowing the retaining spring  28  to extend from the top wall  20  of the first block portion  12  to the bottom wall  22  of the second block portion  14 . The position of the retaining spring  28  relative to the first and second block portions  12  is maintained via first and second spring retaining rods  32  and  34  inserted through respective first and second retaining loop portions  36  and  38  of the retaining spring  28 . 
     After inserting the spring retaining rods  32  and  34  through the first and second retaining loop portions  36  and  38 , the retaining rods  32  and  34  are snugly inserted into first and second rod receiving recesses  40  and  42  disposed in respective first and second bottom annular walls  44  and  46  formed by cylindrical top and bottom recesses  48  and  50  in respective top and bottom walls  20  and  22 , such that the top and bottom recesses  48  and  50  are circumferentially disposed about respective first and second spring apertures  30  and  31 . The depth of the bottom annular walls  44  and  46 , and the first and second spring apertures  30  and  31  below respective top and bottom walls  20  and  22 , together with the axial length of the retaining spring  28  determines the biasing force generated by retaining spring  28  when forcibly extended via the first and second retaining loop portions  36  and  38 . 
     The retaining spring  28  is a tension spring of a type that is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The retaining spring  28  includes a free length that causes the spring  28  to exert sufficient pressure on the first and second block portions  12  and  14  to hold the block portions together. This tension is transferred to the first and second block portions  12  and  14  by the retaining loop portions  26  and  38  of the retaining spring  28  interacting with the spring retaining rods  32  and  34 . Since the first and second block portions  12  and  14  are held together only by the retaining spring  28 , the holding bias generated by the retaining spring  28  upon the first and second block portions  12  and  14  can be increased or decreased by selecting a spring of a different stiffness or free length. The holding bias generated by the retaining spring  28  urges the first and second block portions  12  and  14  together to grasp a preselected tube and maintain the position of the preselected tube relative to the first and second block portions  12  and  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 11 , the clamp  10  further includes first and second tube receiving apertures  52  and  54  having different diameters and extending from the front wall  16  to the back wall  18 ; a first “V” configured recess  53  in the first side wall  32 ; and a second “V” configured recess  55  in the second side wall  34 . Although V configured recesses  53  and  55  are preferred, alternative configurations including but not limited to a “U” configuration can be used. The first and second tube receiving apertures  52  and  54  are formed by machining two respective semi-circle grooves  57  and  59  in first and second inner portions  56  and  58  of respective first and second block portions  12  and  14 , such that identically configured semi-circles congruently align when first and second inner planar walls  60  and  62  of respective first and second block portions  12  and  14  are congruently engaged. The first V configured recess  53  and the first tube receiving aperture  52  cooperate to form a first fulcrum  63  for promoting the separation of the first and second inner planar walls  60  and  62  at the second tube receiving aperture  54  when top and bottom walls  20  and  22  at a first side portion  70  of the clamp  10  are manually squeezed such that the obtuse angle  66  formed by first inclined side walls  68  is reduced. The second V configured recess  55  and the second tube receiving aperture  54  cooperate to form a second fulcrum  65  for promoting the separation of the first and second inner planar walls  60  and  62  at the first tube  6  receiving aperture  52  when top and bottom walls  20  and  22  at a second side portion  72  of the clamp  10  are manually squeezed such that the obtuse angle  71  formed by second inclined side walls  69  is reduced. 
     The clamp  10  ultimately inserts into a vise  8  such that a tube or other structure  6  that is secured to the clamp  10  remains stationary and is not damaged by the vise  8 . The fulcrums  63  and  65  are disposed adjacent to a respective recess  53  and  55  in a respective side wall  24  and  26  of the clamp  10 . Either side wall  24  and  26  of the clamp  10  can be inserted into a vise  8  such that the vise  8  engages top and bottom walls  20  and  22  of the clamp  10  at portions longitudinally proximate to a respective fulcrum  63  and  65 , thereby lineally aligning each “jaw”  80  of the vise  8  with the respective fulcrum  63  and  65 . The top and bottom walls  20  and  22  portions of the clamp  10  engaged by the vise jaws  80  allow the vise  8  to grasp the clamp  10  such that the corresponding side portion  24  and  26  of the clamp  10  cannot pivot or otherwise move, thereby maintaining the position of the clamp  10  and the structure  6  secured to the clamp  10  when the jaws  80  of the vise  8  engage the clamp  10 . 
     The first and second tube receiving apertures  52  and  54  are each sized to snugly receive respective tubes with predetermined outer diameters. The radius of curvature of each groove  57  and  59  in the first and second block portions  12  and  14  is the same as the outer radius of tubes  6  to be inserted in a respective receiving aperture  52  and  54  formed by the grooves  57  and  59 , except that the “depth” (illustrated by arrows  17  in  FIG. 5A ) of each of the grooves  57  and  59  is slightly less than one-half of the outer diameters of tubes  6  selected to insert into an aperture  52  and  54 . The dimensional relationship between the grooves  57  and  59 , and tubes  6  to be inserted in the grooves, allows each aperture  52  and  54  to engage a predetermined portion of the periphery of the tube  6 , the engaged peripheral portion of the tube  6  corresponding to the depth of each groove  57  and  59 ; allows a portion of the tube  6  to completely engage a respective groove  57  and  59 ; and separates first and second inner planar walls  60  and  62  of the first and second block portions  12  and  14 , thereby forming a gap  15  (see  FIG. 5A ) adjacent to the tube  6  in the second aperture  54  when one tube  6  is secured in the clamp  10 , resulting in the first and second block portions  12  and  14  substantially encasing the circumferential periphery of tube  6  inserted in the aperture  54  and forcibly squeezing (via the retaining spring  28 ) the tube  6  between the first and second block portions  12  and  14 . 
     When one tube  6  is secured via the second aperture  54 , the first and second inner planar walls  60  and  62  engage at the first fulcrum  63  adjacent to the first V configured recess  53 . The encasing of the tubes  6  via the first and second block portions  12  and  14  coupled with the biasing force generated by the retaining spring  28  urging the block portions  12  and  14  together, forcibly “squeeze” the tube  6  between the blocks  12  and  14  with sufficient force to maintain the tubes within the apertures  52  and  54  without damaging the tube  6 , and without allowing the tube to slide or rotate peripherally relative to the clamp  10 . 
     Maintaining a tube  6  between the block portions  12  and  14  promotes the insertion of one of the side portions  70  and  72  of the clamp  10  most distal to the secured tube into a vise  8  while the user holds the clamp  10  or the secured tubular structure with one hand and operates the vise  8  with his or her opposite hand to ultimately secure the clamp  10  in the vise  8 . The slight separation of the two clamp portions  12  and  14  that exists with a tube placed in one aperture creates a gap  15  having a slight clearance most prominent near the aperture  52  and  54 , and side  24  and  26  holding the tube  6 . The gap  15  allows the clamping force of the vise  8  to ultimately transfer to the tube  6 . Although the configuration of the clamp  10  can include only one aperture or more than two apertures, the preferred configuration of the clamp  10  is to include two apertures that cooperate to allow a side portion  70  and  72  of the clamp  10  to be secured in a vise  8  while the clamp  10  holds one tube or conduit in one of two aperture  52  and  54  most distant to the side portion  70  and  72  inserted in the vise. 
     The tube or other cylindrical object  6  is ultimately positioned to allow a person to paint or otherwise impart manually labor upon the tube without manually supporting the tube  6 , which is held in place by the vise  8 . Although the preferred embodiment of the clamp  10  is to provide two cylindrical tube apertures  52  and  54  having different diameters, the clamp  10  could include three or more apertures having a myriad of configurations, including but not limited to square, rectangular, triangular or arucate. Use of triangular grooves  57  and  59  for forming a diamond configured apertures  52  and  54  would accommodate tubes of various thickness including tapered tubes  6 . 
     The first and second “V” configured recesses  53  and  55  are formed by removing portions of side walls  24  and  26  of the first and second block portions  12  and  14 , such that the same obtuse angle  66  and  71  is formed between respective first and second inclined side wall  68  and  69  of each block portion  12  and  14 . The V configured recesses  53  and  55  enable a user of the frame block clamp  10  to grasp with one hand the top and bottom walls  20  and  22  at one side wall (for example, the first side wall  24 ) of the clamp  10  that is opposite a preselected tube receiving aperture (for example, the second tube receiving aperture  54 ) and manually squeeze cooperating inclined side walls  68  together at a first side portion  70  of the clamp  10  until there is sufficient separation of the first and second inner planar walls  60  and  62  at a second side portion  72  at the selected aperture  54  to enable the user to position a tube in the aperture  54  with the user&#39;s opposite hand; whereupon, the user releases the first side portion  70  of the clamp  10  being squeezed and the retaining spring  28  urges the first and second block portions  12  and  14  together about the tube, resulting in the maintaining of the position of the tube relative to the first and second block portions  12  and  14  to promote the insertion of the first side portion  70  of the clamp  10  into a vise  8 . The same procedure would be used by a user grasping the top and bottom walls  20  and  22  at the second side wall  26  of the clamp  10  that is opposite the first tube receiving aperture  52  of the clamp  10  when a user inserts a tube  6  into the first tube receiving aperture  52 . 
     The foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of protection accorded this invention. The scope of protection is to be measured by the following claims, which should be interpreted as broadly as the inventive contribution permits.