Patent Abstract:
A clamp is disclosed for coupling an accessory to a tube. The clamp includes a base configured to receive an accessory, and first and second arms rotatably coupled to the base by way of flexible members. Another flexible member adjoins ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clamping surface for receiving the tube. The clamping surface has a size substantially identical to an outer diameter of the tube. A locking system is configured to restrict rotational and lateral movement of the first and second arms relative to each other.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an accessory mounting structure for mounting accessories to an ATV, or other like vehicles. 
     Current accessory latching systems require bolting the accessory to a rack or other portion of an ATV, a process that can require a significant amount of time and effort. Generally this requires taking a plate, such as a flat steel plate, and placing it on the bottom side of an ATV rack, such as a steel tube rack or a composite rack, and then sandwiching the rack with another plate on top of the rack and fastening the two plates together with U-bolts or some other type of fastener. An accessory can then be mounted to the rack above or to the top plate. This system is expensive and the mounting process is very laborious and time consuming. Further, the inaccessibility to the bottom side of the rack plus the amount of time it takes putting the plate on the bottom and running bolts up through the bottom plate make this system undesirable. 
     Other latching or clamping systems are known as “P-clamps” which are in the shape of the letter “P”. Typically, the clamp is metallic and forms a continuous shape where a circular opening is formed to loop around a pipe or tube. 
     Attaching accessories or any other item to an ATV needs to be cost effective and simple. These latching systems must also be able to handle the rigor and generally “dirty” environment that an ATV is designed for. The capability to quickly attach and remove an item from the rack or other portion of an ATV will significantly improve the quality and functionality of the accessories. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a clamp is provided for coupling an accessory to a tube, the clamp comprising a base configured to receive the accessory; a first arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end and a second end; a second arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end, a second end, and a length approximately equal to a length of the first arm; at least one flexible member adjoining the second ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clamping surface for receiving the tube, the clamping surface having a size substantially identical to an outer diameter of the tube; and a locking system configured to restrict rotational and lateral movement of the first and second arms relative to each other. 
     In another embodiment, a clamp is provided for coupling an accessory to a tube, the clamp comprising a base configured to receive the accessory; a first arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end and a second end; a second arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end and a second end; at least one flexible member adjoining the second ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clamping surface for receiving the tube; and a latching system coupled to the first ends of the first and second arms, the latching system including a first set of complementary interfering surfaces and a second set of complementary interfering surfaces, wherein the first set maintains the first and second arms in a rotationally-closed position, and the second set maintains the first and second arms in a laterally-aligned position. 
     In another embodiment, a clamp is provided for coupling an accessory to a tube, the clamp comprising a base configured to receive the accessory; a first arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end and a second end; a second arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end and a second end; at least one flexible member adjoining the second ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clamping surface for receiving the tube; and a closure member coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm and cooperating with a latch to close the clamp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of the clamp; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of the clamp; 
         FIG. 3  shows an enlarged view of one portion of the latching assembly; 
         FIG. 4  shows the corresponding latching member for the latching assembly; 
         FIG. 5  shows one portion of a lateral alignment assembly; 
         FIG. 6  shows the counterpart portion of the lateral alignment assembly; 
         FIG. 7  shows a prospective view of the inner-clamping surfaces; 
         FIG. 8  shows an underside perspective view of the clamp with a tube being received in the clamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows the clamp of  FIG. 8  with the tube in a clamped condition; and 
         FIG. 10  shows an upper perspective view of the clamp in the fully locked position on the tube. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With respect first to  FIG. 1 , clamp  2  is generally comprised of a clamp base  4  having support arms  6 , clamp arms  8 ,  10 , and latching elements  12 ,  14 . With reference still to  FIG. 1 , base  4  includes mounting surface  20  which includes mounting apertures  22  ( FIG. 9 ) which communicate with threaded inserts  24 , located in pockets  26 . It should be appreciated that a fastener such as a bolt  28  can be threadably received through apertures  22  and into threaded inserts  24  for attachment of clamp  2  to a surface. Further fastening elements such as washers  30  can also be used as known in the art. As shown best in  FIG. 1 , base  4  includes an upper arcuate surface at  32  which defines a receiving space  34 , intermediate base  4  and clamp arms  8 ,  10 . Finally, base  4  is defined with flexible members at  36  (also referred to as living hinges), which couples clamp arms  8  and  10  to base  4 . 
     With respect now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , clamp arms  8  and  10  will be described in greater detail. It should be understood that clamp arms  8  and  10  are rotatably movable about flexible members  36  and are connected to each other about a third flexible member  40 . Said differently, clamp arm  8  is movable in a clockwise position towards clamp arm  10 , while clamp arm  10  is movable in a counter-clockwise position towards clamp arm  8 , as referenced from the positions of clamp arms  8  and  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Clamp arms  8  and  10  are constructed of a generally arcuate shape with clamp arm  8  having an inner arcuate surface  48  and an outer arcuate surface  50 ; while clamp arm  10  includes an inner arcuate surface  52  and an outer arcuate surface  54 . In the embodiment described, the base  4 , support arms  6  and clamp arms  8 ,  10  are molded from an impact modified UV stable RTP nylon. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , each inner arcuate surface  48  and  52  includes an over-molded resiliently grippable member  60 . In the embodiment shown, the gripping member  60  is comprised of a Tekbond® elastomer material available from Teknor Apex Thermoplastic Elastomer Division. As also shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , each of the over-molded resilient gripping members  60  includes circumferential strips  62  and radial strips  64 . As shown, each of the radial strips is molded to a height higher than the adjacent inner surfaces  48 ,  52 , respectively, which resultantly reduces the inner diameter between the clamp arms. 
     With respect now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , latching element  14  is provided at an outer end of clamp arm  10  on the inner surface  52  of clamp arm  10 . As shown, latch element  14  is provided with a latching surface  70  and a recessed surface  72 . As shown best in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , latch element  12  is defined by a ramped surface  76  and a latching surface  78 . It should be appreciated that ramped surface  76  is receivable against surface  72  and surfaces  70 ,  78  engagably latch together to retain the clamp in a closed position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a lateral alignment assembly is shown comprised of a circumferentially extending raised bar  80  which extends from a position behind latch surface  78  extending radially away from surface  88 . Latch arm  10  includes a recess  86  ( FIG. 6 ) positioned forward of latch surface  70  and profiled to receive raised bar  80 , as described herein. Alignment of raised bar  80  with recess  86  prevents lateral movement of clamp arms  8 ,  10  relative to each other. This prevents the latch arms  8 ,  10  from sliding laterally and keeps the latching surfaces  70 ,  78  aligned and engaged. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1 ,  8 - 10 , the operation of clamp  2  will be described in greater detail. With reference first to  FIG. 1 , it should be appreciated that the clamp provides an opening between the ends of clamp arms  8  and  10 . With reference to  FIG. 8 , the clamp arms  8  are receivable around a tube  110 , to a position where tube contacts flexible member  40 . Continued movement of clamp  2  causes a rotation of the clamp arms towards each other (as shown by arrows A, B) and causes flexible member  40  to extend downwardly into receiving area  34  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Flexible member  40  flattens out to the position of  FIG. 9 , having moved in the direction of Arrow C in  FIG. 8 . At this point, gripping members  100 ,  104  can be gripped by placing fingers against the gripping surfaces  102 ,  106  and closing the clamp into a closed position as shown in  FIG. 10 , by a force in the direction of Arrows D, E. Disconnection of the latch  2  is accomplished by an upward force against tongue  120  ( FIG. 10 ) releasing the latching assembly. 
     Thus this clamp allows for easy connection and disconnection of accessory components to round tubes. For example, in the case of a utility vehicle having an overhead canopy provided by a plurality of round tubes, items could include but not be limited to windshields, roofs, rear panels, rear view mirrors, dome lights, cup holders, GPS, cameras, cell phone mounts and/or headrests can easily be attached to the round tubes and carried on the vehicle. It should also be understand that the fasteners  28 ,  30  need not be used but rather a Velcro® strap could be positioned through slot  130  to retain such items to the clamp  2 . For example, items that are frequently removed, shovels, fishing poles, etc. could be held by the Velcro® straps. Button type straps could also be used. 
     Through the use of three living hinges  36 ,  36 , and  40 , the clamp  2  remains open prior to installation against tube  100 . When the clamp is set on the tube, the flattening of the flexible member  40  causes the rotation of the clamp arms  8 ,  10  towards the closed position. Positive locking is made by way of the latching assembly which prevents movement of the arms  8 ,  10  either circumferentially or laterally. The addition of the Tekbond® rubber overmold allows the clamp to grip the tube and prevent it from rotation about the tube. 
     It should be understood that while the application is discussed for use in the powersports industry, other applications are also possible. For example, and not to be limiting, the clamp  2  could also be used in motorcycle, bicycle and marine applications.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1