Clamp Device and Packaging Box Assembly Incorporating Said Clamp Device

Abstract

A clamp device clamps together two panels having aligned receiving holes, and includes a tubular wall adapted to be inserted into the aligned receiving holes and having a through hole, first and second abutment plates connected hingedly and oppositely to the tubular wall within the through hole, first and second clamping plates projecting transversely and respectively from the first and second abutment plates, two resilient arms projecting from the second abutment plate and respectively having engaging ends, and a locker having two groove sidewalls formed on the first abutment plate and confining a groove therebetween. The clamping plates move away from each other to a clamping position when the abutment plates abut against the tubular wall. The groove receives and locks the engaging ends when the abutment plates abut against the tubular wall, thereby locking the clamping plates in the clamping position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a clamp device for clamping together a base and a cover of a packaging box and to a packaging box assembly incorporating said clamp device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional packaging box assembly for a computer monitor 100 is shown to include a base 91 to support the computer monitor 100, a cover 92 covering the base 91, and a plurality of clamp devices 90 to clamp together the cover 92 and the base 91. The base 91 has a surrounding wall 911, and a plurality of spaced-apart receiving holes 912 provided in the surrounding wall 911. The cover 92 has a surrounding wall 921, and a plurality of spaced-apart receiving holes 922 provided in the surrounding wall 921 and aligned respectively with the receiving holes 912. Each clamp device 90 includes a hollow seat 94, two movable clamping seats 95, and a positioning seat 961. The hollow seat 94 includes a four-sided tubular wall 942 inserted into the corresponding aligned receiving holes 922, 912 and having a through hole 943, and a flange 941 that projects outwardly and transversely from an end periphery of the tubular wall 942, that surrounds the through hole 943, and that abuts against an outer surface of the surrounding wall 921 which defines the corresponding receiving hole 922. The movable clamping seats 95 have L-shaped configurations, and respectively include abutment plates 951 connected hingedly and respectively to two opposite sides of the tubular wall 942 within the through hole 943, and clamping plates 952 connected transversely and respectively to the abutment plates 951. The positioning seat 961 is to be inserted fittingly into the through hole 943, and has a pull ring 962 projecting outwardly therefrom. When the positioning seat 961 is inserted into the through hole 943, it pushes the abutment plates 951 to abut against the tubular wall 942, so that the clamping plates 952 are moved simultaneously to abut against an inner surface of the surrounding wall 911 that defines the corresponding receiving hole 912. Hence, the cover 92 and the base 91 are clamped together by the flange 941 and the clamping plates 952. To separate the cover 92 from the base 91, the user simply hooks a finger into the pull ring 962 and pulls it outwardly so as to remove the positioning seat 961 from the through hole 943. Subsequently, the hollow seat 94 together with the clamp seats 95 can be pulled out of the corresponding aligned receiving holes 912, 922.

Although the conventional packaging box assembly can achieve its intended purpose, since the clamp devices 90 are not connected fixedly either to the base 91 or to the cover 92, the clamp devices 90 are easily misplaced or lost when the base 91 and the cover 92 are separated from each other. Hence, the conventional packaging box assembly is inconvenient to use. Further, to connect stably the base 91 and the cover 92, aside from the hollow seat 94 and the two movable clamping seats 95, the positioning seat 961 is needed to maintain the clamping seats 95 in a clamping position. This results in a complicated structure for each clamp device 90 so that the overall cost thereof is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a clamp device and a packaging box assembly incorporating said clamp device that are capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

According to one aspect of this invention, a packaging box assembly comprises a base including a first panel having a first receiving hole, a cover including a second panel adjacent to the first panel and having a second receiving hole aligned with the first receiving hole, and a clamp device to clamp together the first and second panels. The clamp device includes a hollow seat, a movable clamp unit, a pair of resilient arms, and a locker. The hollow seat includes a tubular wall that is inserted into the aligned first and second receiving holes and that has a through hole, and a flange projecting outwardly and transversely from the tubular wall and surrounding the through hole. The movable clamp unit includes a first abutment plate connected hingedly to the tubular wall within the through hole, a first clamping plate projecting transversely from the first abutment plate, a second abutment plate connected hingedly to the tubular wall within the through hole and opposite to the first abutment plate, and a second clamping plate projecting transversely from the second abutment plate. The first and second clamping plates move toward each other when the first and second abutment plates move away from the tubular wall. The first and second clamping plates move away from each other to a clamping position when the first and second abutment plates abut against the tubular wall. The first and second clamping plates project outwardly and transversely from the tubular wall, and are substantially parallel to the flange in the clamping position. The resilient arms project from the second abutment plate in a direction opposite to the second clamping plate, and respectively have engaging ends. The resilient arms extend across the through hole when the first and second abutment plates abut against the tubular wall. The locker has two groove sidewalls formed on the first abutment plate and confining a groove therebetween to receive and lock the engaging ends when the first and second abutment plates abut against the tubular wall, thereby locking the first and second clamping plates in the clamping position.

According to another aspect of this invention, a clamp device for clamping together at least two panels having aligned receiving holes comprises a hollow seat, a movable clamp unit, a pair of resilient arms, and a locker. The hollow seat includes a tubular wall that is adapted to be inserted into the aligned receiving holes and that has a through hole, and a flange projecting outwardly and transversely from the tubular wall and surrounding the through hole. The movable clamp unit includes a first abutment plate connected hingedly to the tubular wall within the through hole, a first clamping plate projecting transversely from the first abutment plate, a second abutment plate connected hingedly to the tubular wall within the through hole and opposite to the first abutment plate, and a second clamping plate projecting transversely from the second abutment plate. The first and second clamping plates move toward each other when the first and second abutment plates move away from the tubular wall. The first and second clamping plates move away from each other to a clamping position when the first and second abutment plates abut against the tubular wall. The first and second clamping plates project outwardly and transversely from the tubular wall, and are substantially parallel to the flange in the clamping position. The resilient arms project from the second abutment plate in a direction opposite to the second clamping plate, and respectively have engaging ends. The resilient arms extend across the through hole when the first and second abutment plates abut against the tubular wall. The locker has two groove sidewalls formed on the first abutment plate and confining a groove therebetween to receive and lock the engaging ends when the first and second abutment plates abut against the tubular wall, thereby locking the first and second clamping plates in the clamping position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly exploded perspective view of a conventional packaging box assembly incorporating a plurality of conventional clamp devices;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged assembled sectional view of the conventional packaging box assembly;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary partly exploded perspective view of a packaging box assembly according to the preferred embodiment of this invention incorporating clamp devices of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating a clamp device in a non-clamping position prior to insertion into aligned receiving holes in a base and a cover of the packaging box assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamp device in the non-clamping position and a retaining unit of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary assembled sectional view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the clamp device in a non-clamping position;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the retaining unit and the clamp device in the non-clamping position;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but with the clamp device in a clamping position; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary assembled perspective view of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 9, the preferred embodiment of a packaging box assembly 1 according to the present invention is shown to comprise a base 11, a cover 12, a plurality of clamp devices 3, and a plurality of retaining units 2.

Each of the base 11 and the cover 12 is rectangular, and is made by cutting, folding, and bending cardboard. The base 11 is adapted to support a product, such as a computer monitor 100, and includes four first panels 111, and a plurality of first receiving holes 112 formed in the first panels 111. The cover 12 is sleeved on the base 11, and cooperates with the base 11 to pack the computer monitor 100 therebetween. The cover 12 includes four second panels 121 adjacent respectively to the first panels 111, and a plurality of second receiving holes 122 formed in the second panels 121 and aligned with the first receiving holes 112, respectively.

Each of the retaining units 2 includes a cord 21 and a fixing element 22. The fixing element 22 is connected fixedly to the second panel 121 in proximity to the respective second receiving hole 122. The cord 21 has two opposite ends connected fixedly to the fixing element 22 so as to form a loop 211.

Each of the clamp devices 3 is a single-piece component made of plastic, and clamps together one of the first panels 111 and one of the second panels 121. Since the structure of each clamp device 3 is similar, only one of the clamp devices 3 will be described hereinafter.

The clamp device 3 includes a hollow seat 31, a movable clamp unit, a pair of resilient arms 334, and a locker 324. The hollow seat 31 includes a four-sided tubular wall 313 that is inserted into the aligned first and second receiving holes 112, 122 and that defines a rectangular central through hole 312, and a flange 311 projecting outwardly, transversely, and integrally from an end periphery of the tubular wall 313 and surrounding the through hole 312. The tubular wall 313 has two opposite long sides 316, and two opposite short sides 316′ connected between the long sides 316. A tab 314 extends outwardly from one side of the flange 311 that is proximate to one of the short sides 316′ of the tubular wall 313, and has a cord-looping neck 318 projecting outwardly from the tab 314, and an enlarged cord-limiting head 319 connected to the cord-looping neck 318. The loop 211 of the cord 21 is looped detachably around the cord-looping neck 318, and is limited thereto through the cord-limiting head 319.

The movable clamp unit includes first and second abutment plates 321, 331 respectively having ends 325, 335 connected hingedly and respectively to the opposite long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313 within the through hole 312 in proximity to the flange 311, a first clamping plate 323 projecting transversely from the opposite end 322 of the first abutment plate 321, and a second clamping plate 333 projecting transversely from the opposite end 332 of the second abutment plate 331. The first and second clamping plates 323, 333 move toward each other so that they are in their non-clamping positions when the first and second abutment plates 321, 331 move away from the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313 (as best shown in FIG. 6). The first and second clamping plates 323, 333 move away from each other to a clamping position when the first and second abutment plates 321, 331 abut against the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313 (as best shown in FIG. 8).

The pair of resilient arms 334 project from the second abutment plate 331 in a direction opposite to the second clamping plate 333, and respectively have engaging ends 337 (as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). The resilient arms 334 extend across the through hole 312 when the first and second abutment plates 321, 331 abut against the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313 (as best shown in FIG. 8). A support plate 341 projects transversely from the end 332 of the second abutment plate 331 oppositely of the second clamping plate 333, and is fixed to the resilient arms 334. Therefore, the resilient arms 334 extend transversely of the support plate 341 while projecting transversely from the second abutment plate 331 (as best shown in FIG. 5). The engaging ends 337 of the resilient arms 334 extend beyond the support plate 341. Two ribs 339 are respectively provided on the resilient arms 334 opposite to the support plate 341 to facilitate handling of the resilient arms 334.

The locker 324 has a limit plate 320 projecting transversely from the end 322 of the first abutment plate 321 in a direction opposite to the first clamping plate 323, and two groove sidewalls 326 formed on and projecting transversely from the first abutment plate 321 and fixed to and projecting transversely from the limit plate 320. The groove sidewalls 326 confine a groove 329 therebetween, and have ends defining an access opening 328 therebetween opposite to the limit plate 320 to permit the engaging ends 337 of the resilient arms 334 to extend into the groove 329. The groove 329 receives and locks the engaging ends 337 of the resilient arms 334 when the first and second abutment plates 321, 331 abut against the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313, thereby locking the first and second clamping plates 323, 333 in the clamping position. Preferably, the ends of the groove sidewalls 326, which define the access opening 328, are bent inwardly and oppositely to form corners 327 at two sides of the access opening 328. The resilient arms 334 are compressible to move the engaging ends 337 toward one another and to permit the engaging ends 337 to disengage respectively from the corners 327. Two spaced-apart guide surfaces 3292 project from the first abutment plate 321 at the bottom of the groove 329 and extend from the limit plate 320 to the access opening 328 adjacent respectively to the groove sidewalls 326. The guide surfaces 3292 are inclined in such a manner that the thickness of each guide surface 3292 gradually diminishes from the limit plate 320 to the access opening 328 (as best shown in FIG. 6).

With reference to FIGS. 3, 6, 7, and 8, to use the packaging box assembly of the present invention, the computer monitor 100 is first mounted on the base 11, and the cover 12 is then sleeved over the base 11 to cover the computer monitor 100, after which the loop 211 of the cord 21 of each retaining unit 2 is looped around the cord-looping neck 318 of the respective clamp device 3 (see FIG. 7) so as to retain the clamp device 3. At this time, the first and second receiving holes 112, 122 are aligned respectively to each other. The clamp devices 3 are then inserted into the respective aligned first and second receiving holes 112, 122. For the sake of brevity, only one clamp device 3 will be described hereinafter.

The tubular wall 313 is inserted into the aligned first and second receiving holes 112, 122 with the flange 311 abutting against an outer wall surface of the second panel 121. In this state, the first and second clamping plates 323, 333 are in their non-clamping positions and extend beyond an inner wall surface of the first panel 111. The support plate 341 and the resilient arms 334 extend beyond the outer wall surface of the second panel 121 (see FIG. 6). When the resilient arms 334 are pressed inwardly, the support plate 341 presses the first and second abutment plates 321, 331 to move respectively to the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313 (see FIG. 8), and the engaging ends 337 extend into the groove 329 through the access opening 328 and slide respectively along the guide surfaces 3292. When the engaging ends 337 reach the limit plate 320, the engaging ends 337 respectively engage the corners 327 and abut against the respective groove sidewalls 326. The limit plate 320 limits the engaging ends 337 from moving out of the groove 329 in a direction opposite to the access opening 328. Consequently, the first and second abutment plates 321, 331 abut respectively against the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313, and the first and second clamping plates 323, 333 move to the clamping position. In the clamping position, the first and second clamping plates 323, 333 project outwardly and transversely from the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313, abut against the inner wall surface of the first panel 111, and are substantially parallel to the flange 311. The flange 311 and the first and second clamping plates 323, 333 cooperatively clamp therebetween the first and second panels 111, 121.

To remove the clamp device 3 from clamping the first and second panels 111, 121, the resilient arms 334 may be simply pressed toward each other so as to disengage the engaging ends 337 from the respective corners 327 of the groove sidewalls 326, after which the resilient arms 334 are pulled away from the groove sidewalls 326 bringing along the support plate 341. As such, the first and second abutment plates 321, 331 are permitted to move away from the long sides 316 of the tubular wall 313, and the first and second clamping plates 323, 333 are permitted to move toward each other. At this time, the cover 12 can be lifted upwardly so as to be separated from the base 11, and the product or the computer monitor 100 is revealed.

Since the clamp device 3 is connected to the respective retaining unit 2, the problem of misplacing or losing the clamp device 3 after separating the cover 12 from the base 11 as encountered in the conventional packaging box assembly is thereby resolved. Further, since the clamp device 3 of the present invention makes use of the engagement between the engaging ends 327 of the resilient arms 334 and the groove 329 to lock the base 11 and the cover 12, the structure of the clamp device 3 is simplified as compared to the clamp device 90 of the conventional packaging box assembly, so that the material costs of the clamp device 3 are reduced.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A packaging box assembly comprising: a base including a first panel having a first receiving hole;a cover including a second panel adjacent to said first panel and having a second receiving hole aligned with said first receiving hole; anda clamp device to clamp together said first and second panels, and including a hollow seat including a tubular wall that is inserted into said aligned first and second receiving holes and that has a through hole, and a flange projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and surrounding said through hole,a movable clamp unit including a first abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole, a first clamping plate projecting transversely from said first abutment plate, a second abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole and opposite to said first abutment plate, and a second clamping plate projecting transversely from said second abutment plate, said first and second clamping plates moving toward each other when said first and second abutment plates move away from said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates moving away from each other to a clamping position when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and being substantially parallel to said flange in said clamping position,a pair of resilient arms projecting from said second abutment plate in a direction opposite to said second clamping plate and respectively having engaging ends, said resilient arms extending across said through hole when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, anda locker having two groove sidewalls formed on said first abutment plate and confining a groove therebetween to receive and lock said engaging ends when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, thereby locking said first and second clamping plates in said clamping position.

2. The packaging box assembly of claim 1, further comprising a retaining unit fixed to said second panel in proximity to said aligned first and second receiving holes and having a cord, said hollow seat further including a tab extending outwardly from said flange and having a cord-looping neck, said cord being looped around said cord-looping neck.

3. The packaging box assembly of claim 2, further comprising a support plate projecting transversely from said second abutment plate oppositely of said second clamping plate and fixed to said resilient arms, said resilient arms extending transversely of said support plate while projecting transversely from said second abutment plate.

4. The packaging box assembly of claim 3, wherein said locker further has a limit plate projecting transversely from said first abutment plate in a direction opposite to said first clamping plate, said groove sidewalls being fixed to and projecting transversely from said limit plate and said first abutment plate, said groove sidewalls having ends defining an access opening therebetween opposite to said limit plate to permit said engaging ends of said resilient arms to extend into said groove, said limit plate limiting said engaging ends from moving out of said groove in a direction opposite to said access opening.

5. The packaging box assembly of claim 4, wherein said ends of said groove sidewalls are bent inwardly and oppositely to form corners at two sides of said access opening, said engaging ends of said resilient arms respectively engaging said corners and abutting against said groove sidewalls after extending into said groove, said resilient arms being compressible to move said engaging ends thereof toward each other and to disengage respectively from said corners.

6. A clamp device for clamping together at least two panels having aligned receiving holes comprising: a hollow seat including a tubular wall that is adapted to be inserted into the aligned receiving holes and that has a through hole, and a flange projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and surrounding said through hole;a movable clamp unit including a first abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole, a first clamping plate projecting transversely from said first abutment plate, a second abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole and opposite to said first abutment plate, and a second clamping plate projecting transversely from said second abutment plate, said first and second clamping plates moving toward each other when said first and second abutment plates move away from said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates moving away from each other to a clamping position when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and being substantially parallel to said flange in said clamping position;a pair of resilient arms projecting from said second abutment plate in a direction opposite to said second clamping plate and respectively having engaging ends, said resilient arms extending across said through hole when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall; anda locker having two groove sidewalls formed on said first abutment plate and confining a groove therebetween to receive and lock said engaging ends when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, thereby locking said first and second clamping plates in said clamping position.

7. The clamp device of claim 6, further comprising a support plate projecting transversely from said second abutment plate oppositely of said second clamping plate and fixed to said resilient arms, said resilient arms extending transversely of said support plate while projecting transversely from said second abutment plate.

8. The clamp device of claim 7, wherein said locker further has a limit plate projecting transversely from said first abutment plate in a direction opposite to said first clamping plate, said groove sidewalls being fixed to and projecting transversely from said limit plate and said first abutment plate, said groove sidewalls having ends defining an access opening therebetween opposite to said limit plate to permit said engaging ends of said resilient arms to extend into said groove, said limit plate limiting said engaging ends from moving out of said groove in a direction opposite to said access opening.

9. The clamp device of claim 8, wherein said ends of said groove sidewalls are bent inwardly and oppositely to form corners at two sides of said access opening, said engaging ends of said resilient arms respectively engaging said corners and abutting against said groove sidewalls after extending into said groove, said resilient arms being compressible to move said engaging ends thereof toward each other and to disengage respectively from said corners.

10. The clamp device of claim 9, further comprising a retaining unit adapted to be fixed to one of the panels in proximity to the aligned receiving holes and having a cord, said hollow seat further including a tab extending outwardly from said flange and having a cord-looping neck to permit said cord to loop around said cord-looping neck.