Patent Application
20210023679
The present disclosure relates generally to work holders and more particularly to utility clamp accessories.
There are many types of clamps, pliers, wrenches and vices that have two jaws and are designed to bring the two jaws into clamping contact to one another. Typically, in a clamp for example, the concept is to enable the user to have considerable mechanical advantage, generally through use of a threaded shaft and a crank, to compress the jaws together with a great deal of force, perhaps several hundred pounds even with simple home shop clamps.
A C-clamp or is a type of clamp device typically used to hold a wood or metal work piece, and often used in, but are not limited to, carpentry and welding. Often believed that these clamps are called “C” clamps because of their C-shaped frame, or also often called G-clamps or G-cramps because including the screw part they are shaped like an uppercase letter G, but in fact they were originally called a carriage makers clamp, or Carriage Clamp.
C-clamps or G-clamps are typically made of steel or cast iron, though smaller clamps may be made of pot metal. At the top of the “C” is usually a small flat edge. At the bottom is a threaded hole through which a large threaded screw protrudes. One end of this screw contains a flat edge of similar size to the one at the top of the frame, and the other end usually a small metal bar, perpendicular to the screw itself, which is used to gain leverage when tightening the clamp. When the clamp is completely closed, the flat end of the screw is in contact with the flat end on the frame. When the clamp is actually used, it is very rare that this occurs. Generally some other object or objects will be contained between the top and bottom flat edges.
There are many varieties of C-clamps sold on the market today. Some tradesmen elect to attach their preferred C-clamp to a workbench of choice for repeated usage in specialized positions. However, arrangements such as these often require a user to create a specialized assembly or even apply specialized welds in order to hold the clamp in place. This may ruin the C-clamp or require the user to purchase additional C-clamps for other uses. A suitable solution is required.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. All terms in the plural shall also be taken as singular and vice-versa. Further, any reference to he shall also be applicable to she and vice-versa.
The object of this disclosure generally includes an apparatus for use with a clamp. The apparatus may include an attachment that allows a user to couple an existing clamp of choice to a stationary object or surface without welding. The apparatus may be especially suited for use with clamps that include a threaded hole and sliding arm. A user may pull the sliding arm off and turn it around approximately 180 degrees. The user may then flip the clamp upside down and slide the head into the apparatus and then attach a bolt or other fastener. The apparatus may then be screwed into place on a wood table or welded down on a metal table, while leaving the clamp free to be used elsewhere at a later time.
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The upright member 180 may also be located on the upper surface 170 of the elongate body 100. The upright member 180 may be configured to house the second portion 30 (see
As discussed above, the apparatus 100 may include a plurality of openings 190. The openings 190 may be located on the upper surface 170 of the elongate body 100. In a preferred embodiment, the exact number of openings 190 may equal 4 (four). Each of the plurality of openings 190 may be located on one of a plurality of protrusions 300 on the upper surface 170 of the elongate body 110. Each of the openings 190 is configured to receive a fastening element. The fastening element used may be selected from a wide range of common hardware elements including screws, bolts, brads, rivets, and the like.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
