Patent Description:
Hand tools refer to small tools that are gripped by hand to act on an object with a human force or with other force controlled by a human being, which are used for manually cutting and aiding in decorating, and are generally provided with handles for easy portability. The pliers are a class of commonly used hand tools for clamping and fastening a machined workpiece or twisting, bending, and cutting a metal wire. The pliers for clamping and fastening the machined workpiece are also known as clamping pliers or clamps.

The clamping pliers or clamps are generally V-shaped, which are usually formed by two pieces of clamping bodies which are symmetrical with each other in structure and configuration and are partially overlapped and fastened by riveting. The clamps can be opened and closed flexibly with their riveting connection point as a supporting point, and the design of which contains lever principle, thereby a small external force (such as a force applied to the clamping arms) can be converted into a larger clamping force at the jaws, so that the clamps can clamp effectively.

Since no mechanism for locking the position of the clamping arms is provided on the artificial clamps in the prior art, the human hand must keep a relatively large force on the clamps until the clamping task is completed when an object is clamped. This is both laborious and time-consuming, and the clamping is not reliable. In this regard, the US patent "Vise-Grip or Expanding Pliers" (Patent Number: <CIT>) provides a technical solution that the position of the clamping arms is locked by means of ratchet tooth, that the components with ratchet tooth are respectively provided on both of the clamping arms, one of the components is not movable relative to the clamping arm to which it is connected, so that one component is rotatable relative to the clamping arm to which it is connected, the ratchet tooth on both components are inter-engaged, and the two sets of inter-engaged ratchet tooth are provided to allow the two clamping arms to move towards each other and impede the two clamping arms to move away from each other; and an actuation component is provided on the outside of one clamping arm (which is remote from one side of the other clamping arm), specifically an automatic reset key: the actuation component is connected, via a locking component, to a component having ratchet tooth which is rotatable relative to the clamping arm to which it is connected, to control whether or not the component having ratchet tooth is engaged with another component having ratchet tooth.

In the use of the clamps, when a user applies a pair of facing forces to the two clamping arms (i.e., the direction of the force received by one clamping arm is directed to the other clamping arm), the locking component holds the two sets of ratchet tooth to be inter-engaged, the two sets of ratchet tooth can move relative to each other, thereby allowing the two clamping arms to move towards each other, then the two portions of the jaw move towards each other to clamp the object to be clamped; when the object is clamped, the user removes the facing forces applied on the two clamping arms, the locking component holds the two sets of ratchet tooth to be inter-engaged, the two sets of ratchet tooth cannot move relative to each other, thereby the jaw keeps a clamping state; when the user presses the actuation component and applies a pair of opposing forces to the two clamping arms (i.e., the direction of the force received by one clamping arm is directed away from the other clamping arm), the locking component is opened, the clamping force is at least partially released, the two sets of ratchet tooth are no longer inter-engaged, thereby allowing the two clamping arms to move in opposite directions to each other, then the two portions of the jaw move in opposite directions to each other to release the clamped object.

However, since the actuation component of the prior art clamps is provided on the outside of one of the clamping arms thereof, the user needs to press the actuation component when releasing the clamped object, and it can be known that the user, when pressing the actuation component, needs to apply a force directed to the other clamping arm to the clamping arm where the actuation component is located, and the direction of the force is opposite to the direction of the force applied to the hand gripping the clamping arm during two actuations thereof, therefore, such an operation is awkward and more laborious. <CIT> discloses pliers which include a first plier member, second plier member, a first pivot a second pivot and a first biasing spring. <CIT> discloses a ratchet clamp comprising first and second clamp arms with a ratchet mechanism provided therebetween.

Therefore, those skilled in the art are committed to developing a self-locking ratchet clamp to allow the user to operate smoothly and effortlessly.

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is the situation that the existing ratchet clamps are awkward and laborious for the user to release.

One aspect of the present invention provides a ratchet clamp according to claim <NUM>.

Another aspect of the invention provides a ratchet clamp according to claim <NUM>.

Further, the connecting shaft is sleeved with a torsion spring, the two ends of the torsion spring abut against the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm, respectively, the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are normally held in an open position by means of elastic force of the torsion spring, the swing assembly is pivotally connected to the second clamping arm via a first shaft through which the swing assembly is braked to move along with the second clamping arm, the ratchet toothed assembly is pivotally connected to the first clamping arm via a second shaft and a third shaft through which the ratchet toothed assembly is braked to move along with the first clamping arm.

Further, the swing assembly includes: a guide groove formed on one side of the swing assembly for the ratchet toothed assembly to slide therein, the ratchet toothed assembly is arcuate strip-shaped, the shape of the guide groove matches the shape of the ratchet toothed assembly, so that the ratchet toothed assembly slides in the guide groove in an arcuate path; a receiving groove formed on the other side of the swing assembly for the control member to be pivotally provided therein, and an opening provided between the guide groove and the receiving groove for the guide groove and the receiving groove to communicate with each other, the plurality of first ratchet teeth and the plurality of second ratchet teeth extend through the opening into the receiving groove when the ratchet toothed assembly is placed into the guide groove, so that the plurality of first ratchet teeth correspond to the first pawls and the plurality of second ratchet teeth correspond to the second pawls.

Further, the ratchet toothed assembly includes: a first rack on which the plurality of first ratchet teeth are provided; and a second rack which is in parallel with the first rack and on which the plurality of second ratchet teeth are provided, the first rack and the second rack are both arcuate strip-shaped, the arc center points of the first rack and the second rack coincide with the circle center of the connecting shaft.

Further, the plurality of first ratchet teeth each have a first ratchet tooth tip end and a first ratchet tooth groove end, and the plurality of second ratchet teeth each have a second ratchet tooth tip end and a second ratchet tooth groove end, each of the first ratchet tooth tip ends and each of the second ratchet tooth groove ends are in parallel with each other, and each of the first ratchet tooth groove ends and each of the second ratchet tooth tip ends are in parallel with each other.

Further, the control assembly includes: a first wrench member; a second wrench member, the first wrench member and the second wrench member are pivotally connected to the swing assembly via a fourth shaft, respectively, and the first wrench member and the second wrench member are respectively driven to be rotationally displaced with the fourth shaft as the center of rotation; a first latch member on which the first pawls are provided; and a second latch member on which the second pawls are provided, the first latch member and the second latch member are pivotally connected to the swing assembly via a fifth shaft, respectively, and the first latch member and the second latch member are respectively driven to be rotationally displaced with the fifth shaft as the center of rotation.

Further, the first wrench member has a first protrusion for being embedded into a first indentation of the first latch member, the second wrench member has a second protrusion for being embedded into a second indentation of the second latch member, the first protrusion toggles the first latch member within the first indentation to be rotationally displaced and the second protrusion toggles the second latch member within the second indentation to be rotationally displaced when the first wrench member and the second wrench member are rotationally displaced.

Further, the first latch member further includes the plurality of first pawls, the second latch member further includes the plurality of second pawls, the first latch member and the second latch member are provided in parallel with each other, so that the plurality of first pawls and the plurality of second pawls are misaligned with each other, the plurality of first pawls each have a first pawl tip end and a first pawl groove end, and the plurality of second pawls each have a second pawl tip end and a second pawl groove end, each of the first pawl tip ends and each of the second pawl groove ends are in parallel with each other, and each of the first pawl groove ends and each of the second pawl tip ends are in parallel with each other.

Further, the ratchet toothed assembly has a first rack, the plurality of first ratchet teeth and the plurality of second ratchet teeth are juxtaposed on the first rack, respectively, and the first rack is arcuate strip-shaped, and the arc center point of the first rack coincides with the circle center of the connecting shaft.

Further, the control assembly includes: a first wrench member which is pivotally connected to the swing assembly via a fourth shaft, the first wrench member and the second wrench member are respectively driven to be rotationally displaced with the fourth shaft as the center of rotation; and a first latch member on which the first pawls and the second pawls are provided, respectively, the first latch member is pivotally connected to the swing assembly via a fifth shaft, and the first latch member is respectively driven to be rotationally displaced with the fifth shaft as the center of rotation, the first wrench member has a first protrusion for being embedded into a first indentation of the first latch member, the first protrusion toggles the first latch member within the first indentation to be rotationally displaced when the first wrench member is rotationally displaced.

Further, the first latch member further includes the plurality of first pawls and the plurality of second pawls, the plurality of first pawls and the plurality of second pawls are misaligned with each other, and the plurality of first pawls each have a first pawl tip end and a first pawl groove end, and the plurality of second pawls each have a second pawl tip end and a second pawl groove end, each of the first pawl tip ends and each of the second pawl groove ends are in parallel with each other, and each of the first pawl groove ends and each of the second pawl tip ends are in parallel with each other.

Further, the control assembly includes: a first wrench member; a trigger member which is juxtaposed at the side of the first wrench member and is smaller than the first wrench member, the first wrench member and the trigger member are pivotally connected to the swing assembly via a fourth shaft, respectively, and the first wrench member and the trigger member are respectively driven to be rotationally displaced with the fourth shaft as the center of rotation; a first latch member on which the first pawls are provided; and a second latch member on which the second pawls are provided, the first latch member and the second latch member are pivotally connected to the swing assembly via a fifth shaft, respectively, and the first latch member and the second latch member are respectively driven to be rotationally displaced with the fifth shaft as the center of rotation.

Further, the first wrench member has a first protrusion for being embedded into a first indentation of the first latch member, the trigger has a trigger protrusion for being embedded into a second indentation of the second latch member, the first protrusion toggles the first latch member within the first indentation to be rotationally displaced and the trigger protrusion toggles the second latch member within the second indentation to be rotationally displaced, when the first wrench member and the trigger member are rotationally displaced.

The ratchet clamp according to the present invention, with the design of two rows of ratchet teeth which are juxtaposed and misaligned with each other, allows the double rows of ratchet teeth to maintain the original structural strength without reducing the tooth profile, and increases the number of the ratchet teeth with the design of the double rows of misaligned ratchet teeth, thereby reducing the tooth spaces when engaged, to increase the overall engagement area, for dispersing the force applied on the ratchet teeth. It is ensured that the ratchet teeth and the pawls are able to tooth skip normally when they reach the default value of the clamping force so as to control the degree of clamping force applied by the accurate clamp mechanism to avoid the problems such as failing to skip smoothly, deviating easily, or breaking tooth due to abrasion when the clamping force reaches the default value.

The technical conception and the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> and <FIG> show that configuration of the first embodiment of the ratchet clamp according to the present invention includes a clamping mechanism and a ratchet mechanism. The clamping mechanism <NUM> is formed of a first clamping arm <NUM> and a second clamping arm <NUM> connected to each other via a connecting shaft <NUM>, and the connecting shaft is sleeved with a torsion spring <NUM>, the two ends of the torsion spring <NUM> abut against the first clamping arm <NUM> and the second clamping arm <NUM>, respectively, and the first clamping arm <NUM> and the second clamping arm <NUM> control opening or closing of a jaw <NUM> with the connecting shaft <NUM> as the center of rotation. Specifically, when the first clamping arm <NUM> and the second clamping arm <NUM> are operated to be moved towards each other, the jaw <NUM> can be gradually reduced and the torsion spring <NUM> is subjected to a force to be elastically deformed and the position of the jaw <NUM> is then fixed by the ratchet mechanism, so that the first clamping arm <NUM> and the second clamping arm <NUM> produce a desired clamping force, thereby clamping an article such as a workpiece. When the first clamping arm <NUM> and the second clamping arm <NUM> are operated to be moved away from each other, the ratchet mechanism needs to be firstly disengaged, and the jaw <NUM> is gradually enlarged by means of elastic reset force of the torsion spring <NUM>, in this way the clamped workpiece is released.

As shown in <FIG>, the ratchet mechanism includes a swing assembly <NUM>, a ratchet toothed assembly <NUM>, and a control assembly <NUM>. The swing assembly <NUM> is pivotally connected to the second clamping arm <NUM> via a first shaft <NUM>, and the swing assembly <NUM> can be braked through the first shaft <NUM> to be displaced along with the second clamping arm <NUM> when the second clamping arm <NUM> reciprocally moves relative to the first clamping arm <NUM>.

The swing assembly <NUM> has a guide groove <NUM>, a receiving groove <NUM>, and an opening <NUM>. The guide groove <NUM> is formed on one side of the swing assembly <NUM> for the ratchet toothed assembly <NUM> to slide therein. The receiving groove <NUM> is formed on the other side of the swing assembly <NUM> for the control assembly <NUM> to be pivotally provided therein. In addition, the opening <NUM> is provided between the guide groove <NUM> and the receiving groove <NUM> for the guide groove <NUM> and the receiving groove <NUM> to communicate with each other.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the ratchet toothed assembly <NUM> has a first rack <NUM> and a second rack <NUM> which are in parallel with each other, and the first rack <NUM> and the second rack <NUM> are both arcuate strip-shaped, the arc center points of the two racks <NUM>, <NUM> coincide with the circle center of the connecting shaft <NUM>, and the guide groove <NUM> of the swing assembly <NUM> also matches the shape of the two arcuate strip-shaped racks <NUM>, <NUM>, so that the guide groove <NUM> is also arc-shaped. In this way, both the first rack <NUM> and the second rack <NUM> can both slide therein along the guide groove <NUM>.

The outer arc surface of the first rack <NUM> has a plurality of first ratchet teeth <NUM> and the second rack <NUM> also has a plurality of second ratchet teeth <NUM> on the outer arc surface thereof. Each of the first ratchet teeth <NUM> and each of the second ratchet teeth <NUM> are misaligned with each other when the first rack <NUM> and the second rack <NUM> are in parallel with each other. Specifically, the plurality of first ratchet teeth <NUM> each have a first ratchet tooth tip end 311a and a first ratchet tooth groove end 311b, and the plurality of second ratchet teeth <NUM> also each have a second ratchet tooth tip end 321a and a second ratchet tooth groove end 321b, and the first ratchet tooth tip ends 311a are juxtaposed with the second ratchet tooth groove ends 321b and the first ratchet tooth groove ends 311b are juxtaposed with the second ratchet tooth tip ends 321a, with the staggered structure design, the ratchet teeth <NUM>, <NUM> of the juxtaposed two racks <NUM>, <NUM> can be misaligned with each other.

The ratchet tooth <NUM>, <NUM> of the two racks <NUM>, <NUM> are exposed in the receiving groove <NUM> through the opening <NUM> when the first rack <NUM> and the second rack <NUM> of the ratchet toothed assembly <NUM> are placed into the guide groove <NUM> together. When the first rack <NUM> and the second rack <NUM> are pivotally connected to the first clamping arm <NUM> via a second shaft <NUM> and a third shaft <NUM>, respectively, the ratchet toothed assembly <NUM> can be braked through the second shaft <NUM> and the third shaft <NUM> to be displaced along with the first clamping arm <NUM> and reciprocally slide in the guide groove <NUM> of the swing assembly <NUM>, so that the ratchet tooth <NUM>, <NUM> of the two racks <NUM>, <NUM> can be reciprocally moved together in the receiving groove <NUM>, respectively.

The control assembly <NUM> has a first wrench member <NUM>, a second wrench member <NUM>, a first latch member <NUM>, and a second latch member <NUM>. The first wrench member <NUM> and the second wrench member <NUM> are respectively located in the receiving groove <NUM> of the swing assembly <NUM>, and the first wrench member <NUM> and the second wrench member <NUM> are pivotally connected to the swing assembly <NUM> via a fourth shaft <NUM>, respectively, and the first wrench member <NUM> and the second wrench member <NUM> are respectively driven to be wrenchingly displaced with the fourth shaft <NUM> as the center of rotation. In addition, a first protrusion <NUM> is provided at the front end of the first wrench member <NUM>, and a second protrusion <NUM> is also provided at the front end of the second wrench member <NUM>.

The first latch member <NUM> and the second latch member <NUM> are respectively located in the receiving groove <NUM> of the swing assembly <NUM>, and the first latch member <NUM> and the second latch member <NUM> are pivotally connected to the swing assembly <NUM> via a fifth shaft <NUM>, respectively, and the first latch member <NUM> and the second latch member <NUM> are respectively driven to rotate with the fifth shaft <NUM> as the center of rotation. The first latch member <NUM> has a first indentation <NUM> and a plurality of first pawls <NUM>, the first indentation <NUM> is used for the first protrusion <NUM> of the first wrench member <NUM> to be embedded therein, and each of the first pawls <NUM> can be correspondingly engaged into each of the first ratchet teeth <NUM> of the first rack <NUM>, respectively.

The second latch member <NUM> also has a second indentation <NUM> and a plurality of second pawls <NUM>, and the second indentation <NUM> is used for the second protrusion <NUM> of the second wrench member <NUM> to be embedded therein, and each of the second pawls <NUM> can be correspondingly engaged into each of the second ratchet teeth <NUM> of the second rack <NUM>, respectively.

It is to be noted that, each of the first pawls <NUM> and each of the second pawls <NUM> are misaligned with each other when the first latch member <NUM> and the second latch member <NUM> are in parallel with each other. Specifically, the plurality of first pawls <NUM> each have a first pawl tip end 432a and a first pawl groove end 432b, and the plurality of second pawls <NUM> also each have a second pawl tip end 442a and a second pawl groove end 442b, and the first pawl tip ends 432a are juxtaposed with the second pawl groove ends 442b,and the first pawl groove ends 432b are juxtaposed with the second pawl tip ends 442a, with the staggered structure design, the plurality of pawls <NUM>, <NUM> of the two juxtaposed latch members <NUM>, <NUM> can be misaligned with each other.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when a user operates the first clamping arm <NUM> and the second clamping arm <NUM> to move towards each other and clamps the clamped article, the torsion spring <NUM> is subjected to press by the two clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> to be elastically deformed, and the first pawls <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> can be gradually skipped and be tightly engaged onto the corresponding first ratchet teeth <NUM> of the first rack <NUM>, similarly, the second pawls <NUM> of the second latch member <NUM> are also gradually skipped and are tightly engaged onto the corresponding second ratchet teeth <NUM> of the second rack <NUM>. Meanwhile, by means of elastic force provided by the elastic component <NUM>, the first protrusion <NUM> of the first wrench member <NUM> is in the first indentation <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM> is toggled to be normally held in the engaged position. And the second protrusion <NUM> of the second wrench member <NUM> is also in the second indentation <NUM>, the second latch member <NUM> is toggled to be normally held in the engaged position. The clamping force of the two clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> can be maintained by the tight engagement between the two racks <NUM>, <NUM> of the two latch members <NUM>, <NUM>.

In order to make the ratchet mechanism more stable and reliable, the first ratchet teeth <NUM> and the second ratchet teeth <NUM> are designed to be misaligned with each other, and complementing with the engagement of misaligned first pawls <NUM> and second pawls <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, only one pair of ratchet tooth and pawl is engaged when engaged, and the other pair is not engaged. Under the premise of the same jaw process, with the misaligned ratchet tooth design, the tooth profile may not be reduced to increase the structural strength. And with the design of the double rows of misaligned ratchet tooth, the number of teeth can be additionally increased in order to reduce the skipping angle, thereby reducing the tooth spaces and increasing the structural strength, so that the overall clamping force is greatly enhanced.

In addition, with the misaligned ratchet tooth design, the pawls <NUM>, <NUM> of the two latch members <NUM>, <NUM> can be reliably engaged onto the ratchet teeth <NUM>, <NUM> of the two racks <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, to ensure that the ratchet teeth <NUM>, <NUM> and the pawls <NUM>, <NUM> are able to skip normally when they reach the default value of the clamping force so as to control the degree of clamping force applied by the accurate clamping mechanism <NUM> to avoid the problems such as failing to skip smoothly, deviating easily, or breaking tooth due to abrasion when the clamping force reaches the default value.

When a user operates the first clamping arm <NUM> and the second clamping arm <NUM> to move away from each other and release the clamped article, the first wrench member <NUM> can be first operated to be rotationally displaced so that the first protrusion <NUM> of the first wrench member <NUM> is in the first indentation <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM> is toggled from the engaged position to the released position so that each of the first pawls <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> is moved away from the corresponding first ratchet tooth <NUM>. Similarly, the second wrench member <NUM> is then operated to be rotationally displaced so that the second protrusion <NUM> of the second wrench member <NUM> is in the second indentation <NUM>, the second latch member <NUM> is toggled from the engaged position to the released position so that each of the second pawls <NUM> of the second latch member <NUM> is moved away from the corresponding second ratchet tooth <NUM>, but not limited to the above-described operation sequence, the user can also first operate the second wrench member <NUM> and then operate the first wrench member <NUM> to disengage so as to gradually release the clamping force, and can also synchronously operate the first wrench member <NUM> and the second wrench member <NUM> to disengage to release the clamping force all at once, and the above-mentioned operation sequences are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. After the two latch members <NUM>, <NUM> are respectively moved to the released position, the two clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> are returned to the open position by means of elastic reset force of the torsion spring <NUM>, and then performs the next clamping operation.

As shown in <FIG>, which are an exploded view and an engagement schematic view of the ratchet toothed assembly and the control assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the specific implementations of which are generally the same as those of the first embodiment described above, only the differences will be explained below, and the same points will not be described again.

In this embodiment, the ratchet toothed assembly <NUM> has a first rack <NUM>, and the first rack <NUM> is also arcuate strip-shaped, and the arc center point of the first rack <NUM> coincides with the circle center of the connecting shaft <NUM>, and the guide groove <NUM> of the swing assembly <NUM> also matches the shape of the arcuate strip-shaped first rack <NUM>, so that the guide groove <NUM> is also arcuate strip-shaped. In this way, the first rack <NUM> can slide therein along the guide groove <NUM>.

The outer arc surface of the first rack <NUM> has a plurality of first ratchet teeth <NUM> and a plurality of second ratchet teeth <NUM> which are in parallel with each other, and each of the first ratchet teeth <NUM> and each of the second ratchet teeth <NUM> are misaligned with each other. Specifically, the plurality of first ratchet teeth <NUM> each have a first ratchet tooth tip end 311a and a first ratchet tooth groove end 311a, and the plurality of second ratchet teeth <NUM> also each have a second ratchet tip end 312a and a second ratchet tooth groove end 312b, and the first ratchet tooth tip ends 311a are juxtaposed with the second ratchet tooth groove ends 312b and the first ratchet tooth groove ends 311a are juxtaposed with the second ratchet tip ends 312a, with the staggered structure design, the juxtaposed two ratchet teeth <NUM>, <NUM> can be misaligned with each other.

The control assembly <NUM> has a first wrench member <NUM> and a first latch member <NUM>. The first wrench member <NUM> is located in the receiving groove <NUM> of the swing assembly <NUM>, and the first wrench member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the swing assembly <NUM> via the fourth shaft <NUM>, the first wrench member <NUM> is driven to be wrenchingly displaced with the fourth shaft <NUM> as the center of rotation. In addition, a first protrusion <NUM> is provided at the front end of the first wrench member <NUM>.

The first latch member <NUM> is located in the receiving groove <NUM> of the swing assembly <NUM>, and the first latch member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the swing assembly <NUM> via the fifth shaft <NUM>, and the first latch member <NUM> is respectively driven to rotate with the fifth shaft <NUM> as the center of rotation. The first latch member <NUM> has a first indentation <NUM>, a plurality of first pawls <NUM> and a plurality of second pawls <NUM>, and the first indentation <NUM> is used for a first protrusion <NUM> of the first wrench member <NUM> to be embedded therein. Each of the first pawls <NUM> can be correspondingly engaged into each of the first ratchet teeth <NUM> on the first rack <NUM>, respectively, and each of the second pawls <NUM> is engaged into each of the second ratchet teeth <NUM> on the second rack <NUM>.

It is to be noted that each of the first pawls <NUM> and each of the second pawls <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> are misaligned with each other. Specifically, the plurality of first pawls <NUM> each have a first pawl tip end 432a and a first pawl groove end 432b, and the plurality of second pawls <NUM> also each have a second pawl tip end 433a and a second pawl groove end 433b, and the first pawl tip ends 432a are juxtaposed with the second pawl groove ends 433b, and the first pawl groove ends 432b are juxtaposed with the second pawl tip ends 433a, with the staggered structure design, the two rows of the plurality of pawls <NUM>, <NUM> of the first latch members <NUM> can be misaligned with each other.

When a user operates the first clamping arm <NUM> and the second clamping arm <NUM> to move towards each other and clamp the clamped article, the torsion spring <NUM> is subjected to press by the two clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> to be elastically deformed, the first pawls <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> can be gradually skipped and be tightly engaged onto the corresponding first ratchet teeth <NUM> of the first rack <NUM>, similarly, the second pawls <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> are also gradually skipped and are tightly engaged onto the corresponding second ratchet teeth <NUM> of the second rack <NUM>. Meanwhile, by means of elastic reset force of the elastic component <NUM>, the first protrusion <NUM> of the first wrench member <NUM> is in the first indentation <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM> is toggled to be normally held in the engaged position, so that the clamping force of the two clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> can be maintained.

When a user operates the first clamping arm <NUM> and the second clamping arm <NUM> to move away from each other and release the clamped article, the first wrench member <NUM> can be first operated to be rotationally displaced so that the first protrusion <NUM> of the first wrench member <NUM> is in the first indentation <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM> is toggled from the engaged position to the released position so that each of the first pawls <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> is moved away from the corresponding first ratchet teeth <NUM>, and each of the second pawls <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> is synchronously moved away from the corresponding second ratchet teeth <NUM>. After the first latch member <NUM> is moved to the released position, the two clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> are returned to the open position by means of elastic reset force of the torsion spring <NUM>, and then performs the next clamping operation.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, which are an exploded view and an engagement schematic view of the ratchet toothed assembly and the control assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the implementations of which are generally the same as those of the first embodiment described above, only the differences will be explained below, and the same points will not be described again. In this embodiment, the control assembly <NUM> has a first wrench member <NUM> and a trigger member <NUM>, and the trigger member <NUM> is juxtaposed at the side of the first wrench member <NUM>. When assembled, the first wrench member <NUM> and the trigger member <NUM> are mounted in the receiving groove <NUM> of the swing assembly <NUM>, respectively, and the first wrench member <NUM> and the trigger member <NUM> are pivotally connected to the swing assembly <NUM> via the fourth shaft <NUM>, respectively, and the first wrench member <NUM> and the trigger member <NUM> are respectively driven to be wrenchingly displaced with the fourth shaft <NUM> as the center of rotation. In addition, a first protrusion <NUM> is provided at the front end of the first wrench member <NUM>, and a trigger protrusion <NUM> is also provided at the front end of the trigger member <NUM>.

With the structure design of the trigger member <NUM>, when a user wants to operate the ratchet mechanism to disengage, the user can first wrench the first wrench member <NUM> to be rotationally displaced so that the first protrusion <NUM> of the first wrench member <NUM> is the first indentation <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM> is toggled from the engaged position to the released position so that each of the first pawls <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> is moved away from the corresponding first ratchet teeth <NUM>. Thereafter, in the actions similar to pulling the trigger, the trigger member <NUM> is pressed by the index finger so that the trigger protrusion <NUM> of the trigger member <NUM> is in the second indentation <NUM>, the second latch member <NUM> is toggled from the engaged position to the released position so that each of the second pawls <NUM> of the second latch member <NUM> is moved away from the corresponding second ratchet teeth <NUM>, thereby gradually releasing the clamping force of the clamping mechanism <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, which are an exploded view and an engagement schematic view of the ratchet toothed assembly and the control assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the specific implementations of which are generally the same as those of the third embodiment described above; only the differences will be explained below, and the same points will not be described again. In this embodiment, the control assembly <NUM> has a first wrench member <NUM> and a trigger member <NUM> and a second trigger member <NUM>, and the trigger member <NUM> and the second trigger member <NUM> are juxtaposed at the side of the first wrench member <NUM>. When assembled, the first wrench member <NUM> and the trigger member <NUM> and the second trigger member <NUM> are mounted in the receiving groove <NUM> of the swing assembly <NUM>, respectively, and the first wrench member <NUM> and the trigger member <NUM> and the second trigger member <NUM> are pivotally connected to the swing assembly <NUM> via the fourth shaft <NUM>, respectively, and the first wrench member <NUM> and the trigger member <NUM> and second trigger member <NUM> are respectively driven to be wrenchingly displaced with the fourth shaft <NUM> as the center of rotation. In addition, a first protrusion <NUM> and a first wrench member trigger end <NUM> having the same shape as the trigger member <NUM> and the second trigger member <NUM> are provided at the front end of the first wrench member <NUM>, and a trigger protrusion <NUM> is also provided at the front end of the trigger member <NUM>.

With the structure design of the trigger member <NUM>, when a user wants to operate the ratchet mechanism to disengage, the user can first wrench the first wrench member to be rotationally displaced so that the first protrusion <NUM> of the first wrench member <NUM> is in the indentation <NUM>, the first latch member <NUM> is toggled from the engaged position to the released position so that each of the first pawls <NUM> of the first latch member <NUM> is moved away from the corresponding first ratchet teeth <NUM>. Thereafter, in the actions similar to pulling the trigger, the trigger member <NUM> is pressed by the index finger so that the trigger protrusion <NUM> of the trigger member <NUM> is in the second indentation <NUM>, the second latch member <NUM> is toggled from the engaged position to the released position so that each of the second pawls <NUM> of the second latch member <NUM> is moved away from the corresponding second ratchet teeth <NUM>, thereby gradually releasing the clamping force of the clamping mechanism <NUM>.

In view of the above, the ratchet clamps disclosed in accordance with all of the embodiments of the present invention described above, with the design of two rows of ratchet teeth which are juxtaposed and are misaligned with each other, allows the double rows of misaligned ratchet teeth to maintain the original structural strength without reducing the tooth profile, and increases the number of the ratchet teeth with the design of double rows of misaligned ratchet teeth, thereby reducing the tooth spaces when engaged, to increase the overall engagement area, for dispersing the force applied on the ratchet tooth. It is ensured that the ratchet tooth and the pawls are able to skip normally when they reach the default value of the clamping force so as to control the degree of clamping force applied by the accurate clamp mechanism to avoid the problems such as failing to skip smoothly, deviating easily, or breaking tooth due to abrasion when the clamping force reaches the default value.

Claim 1:
A ratchet clamp comprising a first clamping arm (<NUM>), a second clamping arm (<NUM>) and a ratchet mechanism, the first clamping arm (<NUM>) and the second clamping arm (<NUM>) are pivotally connected to each other via a connecting shaft (<NUM>) so as to be opened and closed relative to each other, the ratchet mechanism is provided between the first clamping arm (<NUM>) and the second clamping arm (<NUM>), wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises:
a ratchet toothed assembly (<NUM>) provided on the first clamping arm (<NUM>), the ratchet toothed assembly (<NUM>) comprising at least two racks (<NUM>, <NUM>), each of the at least two racks (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a plurality of ratchet teeth (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the ratchet teeth (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) on the different racks are juxtaposed and misaligned with each other;
a swing assembly (<NUM>) provided on the second clamping arm (<NUM>), the first clamping arm (<NUM>) and the second clamping arm (<NUM>) respectively drive the swing assembly (<NUM>) and the ratchet toothed assembly (<NUM>) to move away from or towards each other with the connecting shaft (<NUM>) as the axial center of rotation; and
a control member (<NUM>) having a latch portion and a trigger portion, the latch portion having at least two pawls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), each of the at least two pawls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having at least two ratchet teeth, wherein the ratchet teeth on the different pawls are juxtaposed and misaligned with each other; and the trigger portion is used for toggling the control member (<NUM>), so that the pawls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the latch portion and the racks (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the ratchet toothed assembly (<NUM>) are moved between an engaged position and a released position;
the ratchet teeth on only one of the racks (<NUM>, <NUM>) are engaged with the corresponding ratchet teeth of the pawls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the other racks are not engaged with the corresponding ratchet teeth of the pawls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) when the latch portion is moved to the engaged position, and all of the racks (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the pawls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are simultaneously released when the latch portion is moved to the released position; and
an elastic component (<NUM>) provided between the trigger portion and the second clamping arm (<NUM>) so that the ratchet teeth on at least one of the racks and the ratchet teeth of a corresponding pawl are held in engagement.