Patent Publication Number: US-2007120021-A1

Title: Hanging clamp for different size rods

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a hanging clamp for different size rods which can expand the clamping size range of the hanging clamp for different size rods by using the changeable distance of double pivotal axis.  
      2. Description of the Prior Arts  
      Conventionally, small-size rods, such as hand tools, are easy to be put away by the users due to their specific storage holders designed; however, large-size rods, such as cleaning tools, garden tools, construction tools and the like, are not easy to be put away because of their large sizes. To improve this problem a hanging clamp for putting away large-size rods is disclosed in the Taiwan Serial No. 85204972 of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in which, a hanging clamp for different size rods comprises a body  10  having a predetermined length and a predetermined width, an axial portion  11  disposed at one end of body  10 , a retaining portion  12  arranged in response to said axial portion  11 , wherein the retaining portion  12  is defined with a retaining wall opposite to the axial portion  11 . In addition, a clamping member  20  capable of rotating at a predetermined angle is pivoted at the axial portion  11 , an arc-shaped clamping surface  21  corresponding to the retaining wall  121  is projectedly formed on the clamping member  20 , wherein the distance between the clamping surface  21  and the axial portion  11  extends gradually. After the hanging clamp are assembled by using a plurality of slide members  13  respectively at each side of body  10 , the hanging clamp assembly can be located in a base  22  having a plurality of recesses  23 , further, the base  22  can locate a plurality of hanging clamp assemblies for putting away a plurality of different size rods. As shown in  FIG. 3 , because the distance between the clamping surface  21  and the axial portion  11  extends gradually, when the clamping member  20  rotates around the axial portion  11 , the distance between the clamping surface  21  and the retaining wall  121  will be changeable in such a manner that the clamping member  20  can clamp different size rods. For example, while the clamping member  20  rotates around the axial portion  11  to extend the distance between the clamping surface  21  and the retaining wall  11  up to the maximum, a first clamping point  211  will therefore occur, the distance length A from the first clamping point  211  to the retaining wall  121  can be used as the maximum clamping range of hanging clamp for different size rods. In other words, if the diameter of a rod is more than the distance length A, the rod can not be clamped by the hanging clamp. In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 4 , while the clamping member  20  rotates around the axial portion  11  to shorten the distance between the clamping surface  21  and the retaining wall  121  down to the minimum, a second clamping point  212  will therefore occur, the distance length B from the second clamping point  212  to the retaining wall  121  can be used as the minimum clamping range of hanging clamp for different size rods. In other words, if the diameter of a rod is less than the distance length B, the rod can not be clamped by the hanging clamp. However, this Taiwan Patent Application still has the following disadvantages:  
      1. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , if the diameter of a rod is between the distance length A and B, the rod will be efficiently clamped by the hanging clamp, while if the diameter of a rod is more than the distance length A or less than the distance length B, the rod will not be clamped by the hanging clamp. Accordingly, the clamping size range of hanging clamp will be limited.  
      2. Further, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , if the user intends to clamp a plurality of rods, he needs to combine a plurality of hanging clamps together by using a plurality of slide members  13  respectively at each side of body  10  and a plurality of recesses  23  formed on the base  22 . Hence, the manufacturing cost of respective hanging clamps will enhance in view of an additional base  22  produced.  
      The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a hanging clamp for different size rods, which comprises a rotatory piece capable of rotating at a predetermined angle pivoted at a proper position of body by using a first pivotal axis, a clamping member also capable of rotating at a predetermined angle pivoted at one end of rotatory piece by using a second pivotal axis in such a manner that while the rotatory piece rotates around the first pivotal axis, the clamping member will be turned to clamp a rod, wherein the clamping member can clamp different size rods by using the changeable distance between the clamping member and a base, also, said changeable distance can be adjusted again by using the rotation of clamping member around the second pivotal axis. As a result, the clamping size range of hanging clamp for different size rods can be expanded by using the changeable distance of double pivotal axis.  
      The secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a hanging clamp for different size rods, which comprises a retaining recess formed at one end of the body of base, a retaining projection arranged at another end of body in such a manner that a plurality of hanging clamps can be assembled together to clamp a plurality of rods without manufacturing additional coupling elements. Hence, the manufacturing cost of the respective hanging clamps will be diminished.  
      The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the hanging clamp of the Taiwan Serial No. 85204972;  
       FIG. 2  is an assembly view of the hanging clamp of the Taiwan Serial No. 85204972;  
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the maximum clamping range of the hanging clamp of the Taiwan Serial No. 85204972;  
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the minimum clamping range of the hanging clamp of the Taiwan Serial No. 85204972;  
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is an assembly view of the hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional assembly view of the hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is an operational view of the hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is another operational view of the hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  is another operational view of the hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of the maximum clamping range of the hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 12  shows another perspective view of the maximum clamping range of the hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the minimum clamping range of the hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 14  shows another perspective view of the minimum clamping range of the hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 15  shows an assembly view of a plurality of hanging clamps for different size rods in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5-7  a hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention is shown and comprises a L-shaped base  30 , a rotatory piece  40  as well as a clamping member  50 , wherein a body  31  is formed on the base  30 , an outwardly projected retaining portion  32  is arranged at one end of body  31 , a plurality of through holes  311  for fixing the body  31  to the wall by means of a plurality of bolts  33  are respectively defined on said body  31 . Moreover, a first pivotal axis  312  is mounted at a proper position of body  31 , an arc-shaped slot  313  having a predetermined angle is formed on the body  31  by using said first pivotal axis  312  as its center, at one end of body  31  is provided with a retaining recess  314 , while at another end of body  31  is defined with a retaining projection  315 , at the retaining portion  32  in response to the first pivotal axis  312  is arranged a retaining wall  321 . One end of the rotatory piece  40  for rotating around the first pivotal axis  312  is pivoted at aforesaid first pivotal axis  312  of body  31 ; a fitting slot  501  for coupling to another end of rotatory piece  40  is formed at one end of clamping member  50 , by using the second pivotal axis  51 , the clamping member  50  can pivotally coupled to the rotatory piece  40 , so as to the clamping member  50  can rotate around the first pivotal axis  312  by using the rotatory piece  40  and can also rotate around the second pivotal axis  51  in such a manner that the rotation of double pivotal axis will form. At one end of clamping member  50  in response to the retaining wall  321  is formed an arc-shaped clamping surface  502  having a concentric circle, and the center of circle of said clamping surface  502  is not at the first pivotal axis  312 , an elastic pad  503  having a plurality of soft and anti-slip strips thereon is affixed to the clamping surface  502 , so as to enhance the clamping strength of clamping surface  502 . On the other hand, at the bottom of clamping member  50  in response to an arc-shaped slot  313  having a predetermined angle is defined with a pivotal projection  504  for being located and moving in the slot  313 . By using the predetermined angle of slot  313 , the rotation of rotatory piece  40  at the predetermined angle can be confined. As to the clamping member  50  rotates around the second pivotal axis  51 , when it rotates at the top position, one wall of a fitting slot  501  will abut against the top side of rotatory piece  40 , so the clamping member  50  will be stopped rotating upwardly, while said clamping member  50  rotates at the bottom position, another wall of fitting slot  501  will abut against the bottom side of rotatory piece  40 , so the clamping member  50  will be stopped rotating downwardly in such a manner that the rotatory piece  40  can rotate around the first pivotal axis  312  at a predetermined angle, and the clamping member  50  can rotate around the second pivotal axis  51  at a predetermined angle.  
      Referring to  FIG. 8 , a hanging clamp for different size rods in accordance with the present invention is vertically fixed to the wall. Because of the gravity downward, when the rotatory piece  40  and the clamping member  50  don&#39;t clamp a rod, they both rotate downward to the bottom position. When the user intends to clamp a rod  60 , he will push the rod  60  upward to the clamping surface  502  of clamping member  50 , so the rotatory piece  40  and the clamping member  50  will rotate upwardly.  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 , because the center of circle of the clamping surface  502  is not at the first pivotal axis  312 , when the rotatory piece  40  as well as the clamping member  50  rotate upwardly, the distance between the clamping surface  502  of clamping member  50  and the retaining wall  312  of base  30  will increase gradually, so as to the rod  60  can pass through and then be positioned between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 10 , when the user releases the rod  60  with hands in view of the gravity downward, the gravities of rod  60 , rotatory piece  40  and clamping member  50  will pull the rotatory piece  40  and the clamping member  50  to rotate downward, whereby the distance between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321  will decrease gradually, so as to the rod  60  can be clamped securely. When the gravity increases, the clamping strength of clamping surface  502  will accordingly enhance, hence, the rod  60  can be securely retained on the hanging clamp.  
      Referring to  FIG. 11 , if the clamping member  50  is not pivoted at the second pivotal axis  51 , such as the clamping member  50  is integral with the rotatory piece  40 , the clamping member  50  can only rotate around the first pivotal axis  312 . In this situation, when the clamping member  50  rotates around the first pivotal axis  312  upward to the top position of a predetermined angle, the distance length A between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321  can be the maximum hanging range of hanging clamp for different size rods. In other words, if the diameter of a rod is more than the distance length A, the rod will not be clamped by the hanging clamp.  
      Referring to  FIG. 12 , if the clamping member  50  is pivoted at one end of rotatory piece  40  by using the second pivotal axis  51 , when said rotatory piece  40  rotates around the first pivotal axis  312  upward to the top position of a predetermined angle, the distance length A between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321  will form, then the clamping member  50  can further rotates around the second pivotal axis  51  downward to a predetermined angle; accordingly, the distance length A+C between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321  will form, aforesaid additional distance length C will make the clamping surface  502  clamp a rod having a wider diameter, so as to expand the maximum hanging range of hanging clamp for different size rods. In other words, by using the changeable distance of double pivotal axis, the distance length between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321  can be further extended.  
      Referring to  FIG. 13 , if the clamping member  50  is not pivoted at the second pivotal axis  51 , such as the clamping member  50  is integral with the rotatory piece  40 , the clamping member  50  can only rotate around the first pivotal axis  312 . In this situation, when the clamping member  50  rotates around the first pivotal axis  312  downward to the bottom position of a predetermined angle, the distance length B between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321  can be the minimum hanging range of hanging clamp for different size rods. In other words, if the diameter of a rod is less than the distance length B, the rod will not be clamped by the hanging clamp.  
      Referring to  FIG. 14 , if the clamping member  50  is pivoted at one end of rotatory piece  40  by using the second pivotal axis  51 , when said rotatory piece  40  rotates around the first pivotal axis  312  downward to the bottom position of a predetermined angle, the distance length B between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321  will form, then the clamping member  50  can further rotates around the second pivotal axis  51  downward to a predetermined angle; accordingly, the distance length B-D between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321  will form, aforesaid reduced distance length D will make the clamping surface  502  clamp a rod having a smaller diameter, so as to improve the hanging range of hanging clamp for different size rods. In other words, by using the changeable distance of double pivotal axis, the distance length between the clamping surface  502  and the retaining wall  321  can be further shrunk.  
      Referring to  FIG. 15 , by using a plurality of retaining recesses  314  and a plurality of retaining projections  315 , a plurality of hanging clamps for different size rods can be assemble together, and then said hanging clamp assembly for concurrently clamping a plurality of rods can be fixed to the wall. Hence, the manufacturing cost of the respective hanging clamps will be diminished.  
      While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.