Patent Publication Number: US-2021180344-A1

Title: Clamp for interconnecting components of a shoring apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 62/948,587, filed Dec. 16, 2019, and entitled “Improved Clamp for Interconnecting Components of a Shoring Apparatus,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Disclosed herein are shoring devices used in forming concrete structures and, more specifically, a clamp useful in interconnecting components of such a shoring device which includes a moveable jaw that is moved to and held in a clamping position by a fluted pin. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Concrete forming devices are in wide use in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other concrete structures. The formwork against which the concrete is formed is often held in place by shores, walers, and the like. In creating a shoring apparatus having the desired strength, it is common to interconnect vertical and horizontal components of the shoring apparatus with support structures. Because of the variety in the size and shape of concrete structures formed using the shoring apparatus, it is advantageous to have the ability to interconnect the various components of the shoring apparatus in a wide variety of configurations without unduly multiplying the number of distinct components that are required to assemble the shoring apparatus of the desired diversity. 
     Accordingly, a number of attempts have been made to design clamps or couplings for interconnecting components of a shoring apparatus that are adjustable to fit a wide variety of configurations. One such coupling is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,687. The patent describes a coupling for interconnecting a horizontal panel at any desired position along a pair of vertical shoring posts. The coupling has a mouth formed of a stationary and moveable jaw. The moveable jaw is closed towards the stationary jaw by driving behind the moveable jaw a wedge-shaped tensioning member. The coupling mouth when tensioned by the wedge, engages the vertical shoring post at the desired position. In an alternative embodiment, the wedge includes ribs that run at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wedge and which engage teeth on the moveable jaw to move it between an opened position and a clamped or tensioned position. Another such coupling is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,277, which includes a clamp for interconnecting two components of a support apparatus. A clamp member having angled flutes is received for pivotal movement in the housing of the clamp such that axial movement of the clamp member causes a swing arm of the housing to pivot. 
     There is a need in the art for improved methods and devices for interconnecting components of a shoring apparatus that can resist the significant force required to engage such components. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Discussed herein are various shoring clamp embodiments having a clamp pin having a proximal head such that the pin can be positioned in the clamp body with substantial force without damaging the clamp or the pin or driving the clamp pin out of its desired position. In certain embodiments, the pin is also structured to reduce the amount of focused force applied to the clamp housing. The clamp includes a housing that is secured to a first component of the shoring apparatus. The housing has a fixed jaw which projects laterally of the first component and a moveable jaw that is mounted in the housing for pivotable movement in a direction which will move the moveable jaw toward and away from the fixed jaw. A clamp member comprises a pin that has a proximal cap and a plurality of flutes arranged about its outer periphery and disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal, pivoting axis of the pin and clamp member. Recesses corresponding to the flutes are formed in the housing and the clamp member is received for guided vertical sliding movement inside the housing wherein the flutes of the pin are received inside the corresponding recesses formed in the housing. Movement of the clamped member along its longitudinal axis results in pivotable movement of the clamped member as a result of the engagement of the flutes with the recesses. A pivot or swing arm of the clamp member projects radially of the pin and has an outer end portion that is received within a corresponding socket in the moveable jaw. Accordingly. longitudinal movement of the clamp member will pivot the pivot arm and thereby move or swing the moveable jaw toward and away front the fixed jaw. The pitch of the flutes relative to the longitudinal axis of the clamp member in combination with the permitted longitudinal axis of the clamp member result in the moveable jaw being pivotable between an open position and a clamping position wherein the pair of jaws engage a mating surface on a second component of the shoring apparatus. 
     In Example 1, a clamp for releasably interconnecting a first component and a second component of a support apparatus, the clamp comprising a housing secured to the first component, the housing comprising a clamp pin opening in the housing, having at least one recess formed in the periphery of the opening, a fixed jaw extending from the housing and adapted to engage a first portion of the second component, and a moveable jaw pivotably mounted to the housing opposite from the fixed jaw and adapted to engage a second portion of the second component, a clamp pin comprising a pin body having a pivot axis and received within the clamp pin opening of the housing, a swing arm extended generally radially from the pin body and adapted to engage the moveable jaw, a proximal cap disposed at a proximal end of the pin body, and at least one flute extended generally radially from the pin and disposed at an angle relative to the pivot axis of the pin and received within the recess, whereby movement of the clamp pin along the pivot axis of the pin will pivot the swing arm and thereby the moveable jaw toward the fixed jaw to securely engage the second component between the jaws. 
     Example 2 relates to the clamp of Example 1, wherein the housing comprises a pair of opposite side portions, a pair of aligned openings forming the clamp pin opening, each of which is formed in a corresponding one of the side portions, and the at least one recess formed in the periphery of each of the pair of aligned openings. 
     Example 3 relates to the clamp of Example 2, wherein the pin comprises a distal end portion received within the aligned opening of a first of the side portions of the housing, and a proximal end portion received within the aligned opening of a second of the side portions of the housing, and at least two of the flutes, one of which extends from the first end portion of the pin and is received within the recess of the aligned opening in the first side portion of the housing and the second of which extends from the second end portion of the pin and is received within the recess of the aligned opening in the second side portion of the housing. 
     Example  4  relates to the clamp of Example 2, wherein the housing is generally U-shaped in transverse cross-section comprising a pair of parallel legs sections interconnected by a web, wherein the leg sections comprise the side portions and the fixed jaw extends from the web. 
     Example 5 relates to the clamp of Example 3, wherein the pin further comprises a central portion between the end portions which central portion is free of flutes whereby axial movement of the pin inside one of the pair of aligned openings in the area of the central portion will permit free pivotal movement of the pin unconstrained by the flutes and recesses. 
     Example 6 relates to the clamp of Example 5, wherein the swing arm is extended generally radially from the central portion of the pin. 
     Example 7 relates to the clamp of Example 1, wherein the first and second portions of the second component comprise parallel, opposing channels extended alone the second component and wherein the jaws are adapted to releasably engage the opposing channels at any position along the second component. 
     Example 8 relates to the clamp of Example 2, wherein the clamp member comprises a distal end portion of the pin, a proximal end portion of the pin, and a central portion between the distal and proximal end portions, a distal band comprising a plurality of the flutes arranged in parallel rows about the circumferential periphery of the pin and a proximal band comprising plurality of the flutes arranged in parallel rows about the circumferential periphery of the pin, the at least one recess comprising a plurality of recesses corresponding to the number and angular position of the flutes in the distal and proximal bands of the pin, wherein the plurality of recesses are formed in each of the pair of aligned openings in the side portions of the housing such that axial movement of the pin inside the openings results in pivotal movement of the moveable jaw through the range of motion wherein the flutes are engaged by the recesses, and wherein the swing arm extends from the central portion. 
     Example 9 relates to the clamp of Example 8, wherein the central portion on either side of the swing arm is devoid of flutes to allow pivotal movement of the clamp member within the housing unconstrained by the flute members and recesses when the pin has been axially moved to position a side portion of the housing in the area of the central portion that is devoid of flutes. 
     Example 10 relates to the clamp of Example 1, wherein the proximal cap is a reinforced proximal head configured to receive external force to cause axial movement of the clamp pin. 
     Example 11 relates to the clamp of Example 1, wherein the housing comprises an upper plate comprising a first opening defined within the upper plate, a lower plate comprising a second opening defined within the lower plate, wherein the second opening is aligned with the first opening, and at least one recess formed in the periphery of each of the openings, wherein the first and second openings are sized to receive the clamp pin. 
     Example 12 relates to the clamp of Example 11, wherein a distal surface of the proximal cap is positioned a predetermined distance from a distal surface of the swing arm such that when the distal surface of the swing arm is in contact with a top surface of the lower plate, the distal surface of the proximal cap is in contact with a top surface of the upper plate. 
     In Example 13, a clamping member for securing a first component to a second component of a shoring apparatus, the clamping member comprising a housing, comprising a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portion shaped to engage the first component, and a pin opening, and a pin shaped to be disposed within the pin opening, such that the pin, the first jaw portion, and second jaw portion form a hinge, the pin comprising a pin body, a pin head disposed at one end of the pin body, and at least one flute extending from the pin body, the flute disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the pin, wherein striking of the pin head causes longitudinal movement of the pin when the pin is inserted into the pin opening, and wherein longitudinal movement of the pin causes rotational movement of the first jaw portion relative to the second jaw portion. 
     Example 14 relates to the clamping member of Example 13, wherein the housing comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, a web configured to connect the top plate and the bottom plate, and a throughbore through the top plate and the bottom plate, wherein insertion of an elongate member through the throughbore secures the housing to the second component. 
     Example 15 relates to the clamping member of Example 13, wherein the first jaw portion is configured to engage a first channel of the first component, and wherein the second jaw portion is configured to engage a second channel of the first component. 
     Example 16 relates to the clamping member of Example 13, the pin further comprising a swing arm extending radially from the pin body. 
     Example 17 relates to the clamping member of Example 13, the pin further comprising a proximal band of flutes and a distal band of flutes wherein the flutes of the proximal band are paired with the flutes of the distal band, and wherein each flute has a paired flute on a substantially opposite lateral side of the pin. 
     Example 18 relates to the clamping member of Example 17, wherein each of the proximal band and the distal band comprise four flutes. 
     Example 19 relates to the clamping member of Example 13, wherein a diameter of the pin head is greater than a diameter of the pin opening. 
     In Example 20, a clamp comprising a housing comprising a clamp pin opening in the housing, having at least one recess formed in the periphery of the opening, a fixed jaw extending from the housing, and a moveable jaw pivotably mounted to the housing opposite the fixed jaw, and a clamp pin comprising a pin body having a longitudinal axis and shaped to be received within the clamp pin opening, a swing arm extended generally radially from the pin body and adapted to engage the moveable jaw, a pin head disposed at a proximal end of the pin body, and at least one flute extended generally radially from the pin and disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the pin and received within the recess, whereby movement of the clamp pin along the longitudinal axis causes pivot the swing arm and thereby the rotational movement of the moveable jaw toward the fixed jaw. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments. As will be realized, the various implementations are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a typical shoring apparatus when clamps according to one embodiment are used to interconnect components of the shoring apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged detailed top view showing a clamp according to one embodiment engaged with a shoring post. 
         FIG. 3B  is an enlarged detailed top view showing the clamp of  FIG. 3A  according to one embodiment in which the clamp is partially opened for detachment from the shoring post. 
         FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view of the clamp of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the clamp of  FIG. 3A  attached to a shoring post, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged detail side view of a clamping member, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial view of the flutes corresponding to  FIG. 5 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  are section views taken along the lines A-C of  FIG. 6 , according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various embodiments disclosed or contemplated herein relate to a clamp for releasably securing components of a shoring apparatus. The various clamp embodiments are durable, quickly and easily moveable between a released and a clamped position, and have the requisite strength for their intended use while being economical to manufacture. Further, the clamp implementations have a clamp member that can be urged into its desired position with substantial force (including, for example, with a hammer or similar tool) without damaging the clamp or driving the clamp member out of its desired position. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a shoring apparatus  10  for supporting concrete forms such as the beams  12  and  14 , according to one embodiment. The shoring apparatus  10  includes a plurality of shoring posts  16 , each of which is supported on a bottom jack  18  and has extended from its upper end section a top jack  20 . The shoring posts  16  are of a fixed length but the total height of the shoring apparatus  10  is adjustable by rotation of a plurality of wing nuts  22  that are threaded about the bottom jacks  18  and top jacks  20  and which abut against the ends of the shoring posts  16 . 
     One or more horizontally disposed panels  24  may be interconnected between adjacent shoring posts  16  to provide added strength to the shoring apparatus  10  and also to provide means for supporting a platform or the like upon which workers can stand who assemble the shoring apparatus  10  and the associated concrete forming apparatus, pour the concrete contained by the forms, and strip the forms after the concrete has set. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a common configuration uses four shoring posts  16  that are interconnected by four panels  24 . Because of the need to adapt the various components of the shoring apparatus  10  to assemble shoring systems to support concrete forms in the wide variety of configurations demanded by architects and building contractors, it is desirable to be able to interconnect the shoring apparatus components at adjusted positions and to be able to do so quickly and reliably without a sacrifice in strength. 
     The panels  24  are interconnected with the vertical shoring posts  16  at any desired position along the length of the shoring posts  16  by a plurality of clamping members  26 . The clamping members  26  are secured to the ends of the crossbars of the panels  24  and are adapted to be releasably clamped at adjusted positions on the shoring posts  16 . 
     A detailed view of a clamp  26  in accordance with one implementation is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the clamp  26  includes a housing  28  that is of a generally U-shape in transverse cross section, having a top section (also referred to as a “top plate”)  30 , a bottom section (also referred to as a “bottom plate”)  32 , and an interconnecting web  34 . A throughbore  36  is provided in the top section  30  and bottom section  32  and receives a nut and bolt combination (not shown) or the like to secure the housing  28  to a cross member of a panel  24 . Further, a pin opening  37  is defined in the top section  30  and the bottom section  32  of the housing  28  and further defined in the moveable jaw  39 , which is discussed in detail below. The pin opening  37  is configured to receive the clamp pin  44  that operably and rotatably couples the moveable jaw  39  and the housing  28  as discussed below. The distal end portion of the web  34  is in-turned or angled to form a fixed jaw  38  of the clamp  26 . The configuration of the fixed jaw  38  is adapted to securely engage one side of a pair of opposing channels  40  and  42  that are formed in the extrusion that comprises the shoring post  16 . 
     The housing  28  also includes a moveable jaw  39  that is mounted in the housing  28  for pivotal movement toward and away from the fixed jaw  38  via the pin  44  as discussed in detail below. An in-turned or angled end portion  50  of the moveable jaw  39  is adapted to securely engage the opposite one of the opposing channels  40  and  42  from the fixed jaw  38 . 
       FIGS. 5-7C  depict one embodiment of a clamp pin (also referred to herein as a “clamp member” or “bobber”)  44  that can be positioned within the clamp  26  to operably couple the moveable jaw  39  to the housing  28  as described herein. The pin  44  includes a pin body  46  and a swing arm  48  which extends generally radially from the pin body  46 . As best shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the outer end portion  49  of the swing arm  48  is received in a socket  51  formed in the moveable jaw  39 . 
     The pin body  46  is constructed with radially extending flutes  52  that are arranged in a pair of bands  52 A,  52 B encircling either end portion of the pin body  46 . The distal band  52 A is disposed at or near the distal end, while the proximal band  52 B is disposed at or near the proximal end as shown. The flutes  52  in each pair  52 A,  52 B are arranged in pairs on opposite lateral sides of the pin body  46  so that each of the bands of flutes  52 A,  52 B includes a total of four flutes  52  (as best shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C ). In the preferred embodiment, the flutes  52  are oriented  90  degrees away from the adjacent flutes  52 . The flutes  52  are disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the pin body  46 . The flutes  52 , accordingly, act as threads on the pin body  46  when disposed within the pin opening  37 . 
     In this implementation, the pin  44  also has a cap (also referred to herein as a “head”)  55  disposed at the proximal end of the pin body  46  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . As such, the head  55  is coupled to the proximal band of flutes  52 B such that each flute  52  in the band  52 B is, at one end of the flute  52 , attached to or integral with the head  55  as shown. The head  55  has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the flutes  52 . As such, the head  55  has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the pin opening  37  such that the head  55  cannot pass through the pin opening  37 . As such, as discussed in further detail below, the pin  44  can only be inserted into the pin opening  37  through the top plate  30  as best shown in  FIG. 4  to the point at which the head  55  contacts the top plate  30 . Of course, it is understood that while the plate  30  is referred to herein as the “top” plate  30  for purposes of identification, the clamp  26  can be disposed such that the top plate  30  is either on the top or the bottom of the device during use. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the pin opening  37  defined within the top plate  30  and the bottom plate  32  of the housing  28  has notches (or “recesses”)  54  defined or formed in the edge of the opening  37  that correspond to the flutes  52 , with the recesses  54  of the top plate  30  receiving the flutes  52  in the proximal band  52 B of the clamp member  44  and the recesses  54  in the bottom plate  32  receiving the flutes  52  of the distal band  52 A of the clamp member  44 . The recesses  54  in the top plate  30  are oriented at an angle with respect to the recesses  54  in the bottom plate  32  that corresponds to the relative angular orientation of the flutes  52  of the proximal band  52 B relative to the flutes  52  of the distal band  52 A at the distance separating the top plate  30  and the bottom plate  32 . Accordingly, the recesses  54  act like mating female threads to the male threads that are the flutes  52 . Vertical (or longitudinal) adjustment of the clamp member  44  relative to the housing  28  (that is, distal or proximal movement of the pin  44 ) will thus result in pivotal or rotational movement of the clamp member  44  about the longitudinal axis of the pin body  46 , which causes the swing arm  48  and thereby the movable jaw  39  to swing or pivot toward and away from the fixed jaw  38  (as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). 
     In operation, the panel  24  (as best shown in  FIG. 1 ) is positioned so that the fixed jaw  38  is placed inside the channel  40  of the shoring post  16  at the desired position (as best shown in  FIG. 3B ). The clamp member  44  disposed within the pin opening  37  is then urged distally (or “downwardly”), thereby causing the movable jaw  48  to rotate or pivot toward the shoring post  16  and then into engagement with the opposing channel  42  (as best shown in  FIG. 3A ). The pin  44  is urged distally until the cap makes contact with the top plate  30  such that the pin  44  can advance no further. In some embodiments, a hammer or other tool is used to tap the proximal end of the pin body  46  of the clamp member  44  distally to secure the clamp  26  in its locked position engaging the opposing channels  40  and  42  of the shoring post  16 . The head  55  provides two benefits for the pin body  46 : it provides a larger target striking surface (in comparison to a pin body  46  without a head) for the hammer or other tool, and it ensures appropriate positioning of the pin body  46  within the housing  28 . That is, the hammer or other tool can be used to strike the head  55  until the pin body  46  is advanced distally such that the head  55  is urged into contact with the top plate  30 . According to certain implementations in which the housing  28  and/or the pin  44  have worn as a result of use, the use of a hammer or other tool to forcibly strike the pin  44  can be necessary to ensure sufficient engagement of the clamp  26  with the channels  40 ,  42  of the post  16 . Regardless of whether striking the pin body  46  is necessary or simply beneficial, the diameter of the head  55  prevents the pin body  46  from being urged too far distally into the pin opening  37  as a result of the striking of the body  46  with the tool. 
     Further, in certain embodiments, the pin body  46  is dimensioned such that the swing arm  48  and the head  55  are positioned at a predetermined distance from each other such that when the pin  44  is urged distally into the housing  28  such that the distal surface of the swing arm  48  contacts the surface of the lower plate  32 , the distal surface of the head  55  also contacts the surface of the top plate  30 . This simultaneous contact of two components of the pin  44  with two components of the housing  28  can reduce the amount of focused force applied to the housing  28  (by distributing to two contact surfaces instead of one), thereby reducing the structural damage to the housing  28  during use and thus increasing the longevity of the housing  28 . According to one implementation, the housing  28  is constructed such that the fixed jaw  38  is structurally stronger than the moveable jaw  39 . The stronger fixed jaw  38  ensures that, if damage to the housing  28  does occur as a result of the pin  44  being pounded into the housing  28 , it will typically occur first in the moveable jaw  39 . Given that both the moveable jaw  39  and the pin  44  are easily and quickly replaceable, this further enhances the longevity of the housing  28 . 
     It is understood that the clamping action can easily be reversed as well. That is, the clamp  26  may be quickly and easily released by tapping the distal end of the body  46  proximally with the hammer or other tool. 
     As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the flutes  52  are disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the pin body  46  such that longitudinal or “vertical” movement of the clamp member  44  (that is, distal or proximal movement) will result in the movable jaw pivoting through a predetermined angle as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . In  FIGS. 7A-7C , there is illustrated sections of  FIG. 6  taken at fixed intervals along the length of the body  46  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     To assure that the movable jaw of the clamp member  44  does not interfere with repositioning or removal of the panel  24  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the clamp member  44  may be moved proximally (or “upwardly”) until the flutes  52  of the proximal band  52 B are disposed outside of the pin opening  37  such that the flutes  52  of the proximal band  52 B clear the top plate  30 . In this position, clamp member  44  is free to pivot through the full range of motion unrestricted by engagement of the flutes  52  and the recesses  54 . Moreover, the clamp member  44  may be pivoted to move the swing arm  48  into alignment with an elongated opening  53  in the top of the housing  28  to allow insertion of the clamp member  44  into the housing. In the preferred embodiment, after the insertion of the clamp member  44 , the housing  28  is attached to a rail of the panel  24 . The housing  28  is sized so that the rail will extend into the housing  28  a sufficient distance to allow limited pivotal movement of the clamp member  44  through its required operation range yet prevent it from being pivoted so far as to align the swing arm  48  with the opening  53 , thereby preventing loss of the clamp member  44  in the field. 
     Although the various embodiments have been described with reference to preferred implementations, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.