US1408834A - Adjustable clamping joint - Google Patents

Description

E. s. SEAVEY'.

ADJUSTABLE CLAMPING JONI. APPLICATION 1FILED JUNE 16, l920l 1,408,8M- Patented Mar. 7, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

,mmv un E. S. SEAVEY.

ADJUSTABLE CLANIPING JOiNT.

APPLICATION F|LED1UNE16,1920.

1,408,834. Patented Mar. 7, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

citizen of the United imli'rlzu STATES PATENT osi-ica ELMER S. SEAVEY, OF JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE CLAMPING- J' OINT.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1920. Serial No. 389,349.,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatl, ELMER S. SEAVEY, a States, and residing in the city of Johnstown, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Clamping Joints; and I do hereby declare the following to be a "full, clear, andexact description of the in- 10 i vention, such as .will enable others skilled in the artto whichit appertains'to make and usefthe same.

-My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in adjustable joint connections, and more especially tojclamp joints whereby two supporting elements such as two bracket arms or rods may be sustained in the desired position and adapted to be easily adjusted and held in theiradjusted position by Ifrictional contact.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a very simple and eifective form of clamp connection between tWo elements, the planes of which intersect, so that the eleported by the clamping joint, the device being so formed that the slackening or tightemng up of this one screw will act to release both 'elements to permit of their longitudinal adjustment or lwill tighten up both elements. j

Still another object of my invention is to provide a joint of this character in which a resillent clamping member is pro-vided for Patented Mar. 7, 1922.

clamping one yof the two elements, the said element passing through the resilient clamping member which has split sides and a 'beveled contact face,- for engaging the ments may be readilypshifted longitudinally relative to each other and as readily clamped i so firmly in their adjusted positions that they can not be accidentally shifted therefrom. n

Another object of my invention is to provide a clamp joi t having means for clamping twoI elements in their longitudinally adjusted position, so constructed as to permit the elements -to be rotated relative to each other s o as to secure any desired angular adjustment of the elements without', however, releasing any of the pressure of the clamp, and without in any way affecting the clamping action.

A further object of my inventionv is toA provide a construction in which two'ele ments may be moved to any desired positionyvertically or horizontally by a .slight push or pull, and so formed that the elements will lremain in their adjusted position until moved again.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction' of 4this character in which the elements may be moved forward or backwardtov shorten or lengthen them relative to the pivotal center of the'elements by sli 'htlyreleasing the clamping pressure.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide a clamping joint in which the gripping or clamping power of ascrew is used to simultaneously clamp bothelements supbeveled face of the otherclamping elements, which may be formed integral with the element or 1t may be a separate clamping member for holding the opposite element but being beveled on one side for engaging the beveled face of the resilient clamping memk ber, and hold it in frictional contact therewith, by means'of a clamping screw.

Having thus given a general description of my invention, I will now, in order to make the same more clear, refer to the accompanying two sheets of drawings in which like characters of reference indicate' like parts Figure 1 is a side .elevation of an electric light bracket illustrating one form of appluitlony for which my invention may be use f Figure 2 is a side elevation of one of the clamping joints drawn on a larger scale.

than in Figure 1, and showing the bracket arms 1n 'cross-section.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional` elevation through the clamping joint taken at right angles to the bracket arms. v

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional elevation through the clamping joint taken at right langles to the section shown in Figure 3.

l Figure 5 1s a transverse sectional elevation i taken on the :line V-v-V of Figure 2.

11 1s a vertical sectional elevation.

-tion through another modified form of joint I may use.

Figurel is a side elevation of the joint shown 1n Figures 13 and 14, and Figures 17 and 18 are still other modifications in which the clamping bolts serve the purpose of the resilient clamping member.

Referring now to the characters of reference on the drawings; and especially to Figures 1 to 5 both inclusive, the numeral 1 indicates the base, of a portable electric lamp bracket which isl adapted to be placed upon ,a table 2, or any other desired position where it may be easily seated. The base 1" has a standard, 3, extending therefrom which is mounted upon the base and rigidly attached thereto and has one of my improved clamping joints 4, adjustably attached thereto by means of a resilient clamping member 5, which is split as at 6 with cylindrical openings therein as at 7, through which the standard passes. This resilient clamping member has an outer beveled face 8 and an angular flanged inwardly profjecting edge 9. Upon the beveled face of the resilient clampi member is mounted a pair of clamping was ers 10 and 11, the inner washer 10 having its lower face beveled inwardly as at 12, for engaging the beveled guter face of the resilient clamping mem- A- clamp-ing bolt4 13, having an enlarged portion 14, intermediate its ends, has an elongatedhole therein as at 15 for the passage of one of the rods to be clamped. The bolt 13, has a head 16, for engaging the angular inwardly projecting flanged edges 9, of the resilient clamping member 5, and a reduced neck portion 17 between the head 16 and enlarged intermediate portion 14 of the bolt, which extends through an open ing 18 in the resilient clamping member 5. The upper end of the bolt 13 is of reduced size in cross-section and is screw-threaded as at 21 to receive a nut 22, which may be of any approved typel` as a hand-wheel, thumb-nut, or wing-nut as desired. The washers 10 and 11, and the enlarged portion 14 of the bolt 13 are keyed together at at 23, so that the washers, bolt andnut willrotate together and will not have a tendency to unscrew the nut when the arms of the bracket are moved or rotated for adjustment.

24 indicates an adjustable bracket arm which is supported in position by the joint 4, mounted on the standard 3. This bracket arm is passed through the elongated hole 15 in the bolt 13 and is clamped between the arc-shaped faces 25 of the washers 10 and 11, when thenut 22 is screwed tight upon the bolt and at the Sametime the beveled faces 8 and 12, of the resilfient clamping member 5' and the washer 10 contact with each other forcing the arc-shaped jaws 26 of the cylindrical openings 7, 'into gripping engagement with the standard 3f, or adjustable bracket arm, as the case may be reversed if desired, the standard4 ,3 being clamped between the washers 10 and 1v1, and the adjustable bracket arm. 24 can be held by the resilient clamping member.

At an intermediate position upon the bracket arm 24 is mounted another adjustable joint 4, for supporting Ian adjustable extension arm or clamping element 27 having attached thereto anelectric light socket, lamp and shade as indicated at 28.

Where the adjustable joint 4 isA mounted upon a bracket arm for supporting an extenslon arm as indicated in Figure v1, I prefer to have Athe extension arms-clamped between the washersof the joint, although it can be held by meansof the resilient clamping member if desired.

Referring to Figures 6 to 10 both inclusive in which I have shown clamping joints of slightly modified forms, but in which the clamping action of the joints is substantially the same as above described, especially the resilient clamping member, and in which the same reference numerals will be used as for Figures 1 to 5..

In Figure 6 theclamping bolt 13 is constructed without the 17, and the washers 10 and 11 are not keyed together, same.

In Figure 7, instead of using clamping washers split as at 30, the remaining portions of the joint being similar with the exception, that the key 23 is omitted. l v

In Figure 8, the clamping washer 10 is made longer and formed with an annular recess 31, for the'reception of the end of a tubular collar or washer 32. In this joint I ,have also omitted the use of a key, as it is not an essential feature in any ofthe joints, for the reason that .when the bracket arm or clamping element is passed through the bolt and vclamped between the washers these parts will all have to rotate together whether the,

key is used or not.- VWhen the key is used however the gripping jaws yof the washers and the elongated hole in thebolt are always held in alignment with each other, even if the bracket arm is removed from the joint.

In yFigures 9 and 10 instead of using the two clamping washers 10 and 11 I have used reduced neck portion T1 otherwise the construction is the 10 vand. 11, I use a single washer 29, I

, article, having a bracket arm 44,

' with relation gles to 'the bolt silient clamping memb a single washer or tubular member 33, split as at 34, with transverse holes in the sides nut 38. The upper part of the enlarged 1n termedate portion of the clamping bolt 1 3 is made conical as at 39, with a slight space as at 40, between the and the upper end of the tubular washer 33, to allow the upper end of the tubular washer 33 to be forced inward when the nut is screwed tight upon the end of the clamping bolt for gripping the sides of the rod or element to be clamped. The clamping bolt also has a keyway formed therein as at 41, for receiving the end of a pin 42, extending into the keyway from the tubular washer 33.

Referring now to the, modifications illustrated in Figures 13 to 18 both inclusive, in Figures 13, 14 and 16 of the drawings, 43 indicates a portion of a spot light or similar rigidly attached thereto, the outer end *of which has an openingtherethrough as at 45, for the passage of a bolt 46, an annular recess 47, for receiving the head 48, of the bolt 46, and an annular beveled face 49, surrounded by a flanged edge 50.

51 indicates the resilient clamping member having a central opening 52, and beveled outer faces 53 and 54, the beveled face 53 engaging the beveled face 49 44, and the beveled face 54, contacting with the beveled edge 55 of the washer 56.

rlhe attaching member of the bracketcomprises a two-part clamp, one of the parts being indicated by the numeral 57 and the other by the numeral 58, and these parts are provided each with a jaw portion indicated by the numeral 59, and the parts are further provided with, openings through which is passed a clamping bolt 60, having a nut 61 threaded thereon.

By reference to Figure 13 of the drawings it will be understood that when the parts 57 and 58 are properly assembled with the jaws' 5 9 thereof engaging opposite sides Aof the frame of a-wind shield or any other part of the vehicle suitable for spot light, the nut 61 may be tightened so as to firmly clamp the parts in place and the attaching member will then be rigidly held to the portion of the vehicle to which it is applied. The member 57 is provided with' a laterally extending be made solid or tubular as desired, the axis of which is preferably at right an-` 60. The cylindrical post 62 is adapted ings 63, having gripping jaws 64;, in the reer 5 1, which is split as at'65 to allow movement for clamping acconical sides of the bolt4 'ber 5 is the same as on the arm.

the support of the.

cylindrical post 62, which may..

i cylindrical post.

'to extend into the operation, and through an elongated opening'66 in the bolt 46, and when clamped in position is prevented from being withdrawn by the flanged edge 50,4 of the arm 44, whichextends into annular the cylindrical post 62.`

The head 48 of the bolt 46, engages the grooves 67, fonmed on recess 47 in the bracket arm 44 and the bodyv of the bolt extendsthrough openings'45, 52 and 68 formed in the bracket arm 44, resilient clamping member 51 and Washer 5 6 respectively. The end( of lthe bolt is screw threaded as at 69 upon which is screwed a wing=nut 70, which is prevented from being easily unscrewed when in a -clamped position by the locking ,washer 71.

In this type of joint when the wing-nut 70 is screwed tight upon 69, of the bolt 46', 53, 54 and 55 are forced into frictional contact with each other,at thef-sametime the jaws 64, on the resilient clamping member 51, are forced into gripping engagement I with thecylindrical post 62, thereby holding clamping member 51 and the washer 56, asl

clearly shown in Figure 16, of the drawings.

ln Figure 15 tle resilient clamping memdrical openings 7, beveled face 8, iianged edge 9, opening 18, and clamping jaws 26.

Upon the beveled face 8 ofthe resilient clamping member 5, is mounted the bracket arm 44, having the opening 45v surrounded by a beveled surface 49 for contacting with the beveled face 8 ofthe resilient clamping member 5.

the threaded endv the beveled surfaces 49,

the resilient that described for Figures 1 to 12, being split as at 6, with cylin- 73 indicates a clamping bolt, having a I head 74 engaging the i'anged edge 9 of the resilient clamping member 5, which extends respectively, and

vclampingmember 5, and4 is held in position 76`is' screwed tight when the clamping-,nut upon the bolt by means of the clamping jaws26 gripping vthesides of the cylindrical ost 62, whichv also has a catch 78\work1ng n a longitudinal groove 79, for preventing the joint from working ofi' the end of the In Figure 17 l have illustrated the bolt 8 0 as serving'thepurpose ing member, belng split a cylindrical opening therein as at 83, for receiving Ithe of a resilient clamplongitudinally as atl81, and havinga head 82 `with through openings 18 and 45 in the clamping atv 75 for receiving the cylindrical post 62. The inner sides of the head 82, of the bolt 80 are beveled as at 84:, for engaging with the beveled side 85 of a washer 86. The body of the bolt is screwt'hreaded throughout its length and has mounted thereon the washer 86, bracket arm 87, which is perforated as at 88, lock washer 89 and wing-nut 90. In this joint the side faces of the bracket arm 87 are flat, the frictional contact being produced by the sides 0f the washer 86, which forces the arcshaped jaws 91 of'the opening 83 in gripping engagement vwith the cylindrical post 62, at the same time the flat sides of the bracket arm 87 are gripped firmly between the lock washer 89 and the washer 86.

In Figure 18 I have shown another modiication in which the bolt .serves the purpose of the resilient clamping member. In the figure 92 indicates the clamping bolt split longitudinally as at 93, with an elongated opening thereinas at 94, beveled head 95 and with a screw-threaded clamping vment betweensaid pair of arms and reduced end 96.

97 indicates the movable bracket arm, having an opening 98 with for frictionally engaging the head 95 of the bolt 92. The clamping washers are indi-l cated as at 100, each having arc-shaped jaws 101 .for engaging the cylindrical post 62, which is clamped between them and is held in position by means of the wing-nut 102 and lock washer 103 as will be' readily understood-by referring to the drawing.

It will be noted in all of the joints above described I have provided for longitudinal and axial Vadjustment by means of a single bolt and nut. v

Although I have shown and described my invention in considerable detail, I do not wish to be limited to the exact and specific details show n 'and described, but may use such substitutions, modifications or equivalents thereof as are embraced within the scope of my invention the claims.'

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In a flexible joint, comprising a pair of arms, a resilient clamping member and a coacting'clamping member mounted thereon, a swivel 'connection betwenthe-clamping'members, and a single means for holding the pair of arms and clamping members in frictional contact vwith each other.

2. Ina flexible joint, comprising a pair of arms, a resilient clamping member and a coacting `clamping member mounted thereon, said clamping members being engaged with each other for rotation on an axis intersingle means for in- -frictional engage-4 clampsectingsaid arms, and a creaslng or decreasing ing members.

3. In a exible joint, comprising aA pair beveled edge 99'v ing members,

'ent clamping member, an arm or -as pointed lout in moese/t a i clamping memmg member, for supporting the other arm,

a swivel connection between the clamping members, and a single means for increasing or decreasing frictional engagement between said pair of'arms and clamping members.

5l In a flexible joint, comprising a pair of supporting arms, a single clamping member engaging one ofthe arms, a clamping member frictionally engaging the single clamping member for supporting the other arm, a swivel connection between the clampand a single means for increasing or decreasing frictional engagement between said pair of arms and. clamping members.

6. In a flexible joint, comprising a palr of supporting arms', a single clamping member engaging and supporting oneof the arms, a clamping device mounted upon andl frictionally -or; decreasing frictional engagement between sald. clampmg members and arms.

7.'In a flexible extending through the resilient clamping. member, an opening, in the side of the resilient clamping. member at right angles to the axis of the arm passing through the resilient clamping member, a bolt having its head retalned in the resilient clamping member and c xtending through an opening in the side of joint, comprising a resilithe resilient clamping member with an outwardly extending threaded end, a clamping member mounted upon the bolt for supporting another arm, and a nut on th'e screw- `threaded endj of the bolt for increasingK or decreasing friction'al engagement between said clamping members and arms;

8. In a iexible joint, comprising a, resilient split cla-mping member, an arm extending through the resilient split clamping member, an opening in the side of the resilient clamping member at right angles to the axis of the arm passing through the resilient split clamping member, an annular b eveled outer face on the resilient split clamping member, a bolt having its head retained in the resilient split clamping member and extending through the opening in the side l the arm passing ber,

of the resilient split clamping member with an outwardly extending threaded end, a pair of clamping members upon the boltor clamping another arm between them, and a nut on the screw-threaded end of the bolt for increasing or decreasing rictional engagement between said clamping members and arms.

9. In a flexible joint, comprising a resilient split clamping member, an arm extending through the vresilient split clamping member, an opening in the'side of the resilient split clamping member at right angles to the axis of the arm passing through the resilient split clamping member, the resilient split clamping member. being formed around its side opening with an inner flanged edge and an outer annular beveled j sihent clampmg member, an arm extending,

surface, a bolt having its head retained by the flanged edge of the resilient split clamping member and extending through the opening in the side `oi the resilientsplit clamping member with an outwardly extending threaded end, clamping means mounted upon the bolt and adapted to clamp another arm, and means on the screw-threaded end of the bolt Jfor simultaneouslyv increasing or decreasing frictional engagement between said clamping members and arms. i

10. ln a flexible joint, comprising a resilient split'clamping member, an arm extending through the resilient split clamping member` jaws on the resilient split clamping member for engaging said arm, an opening in the side of the resilient split clamping member at right angles to the axis of through the resilient split clamping member and being formed around its s ide opening with an inwardly extending flanged edge and an outer annular beveled surface, a bolt having its' head retained by the inwardly extending flanged edge .of the resilient split clamping member and extending through the opening in the side of the resilient split clamping memthe outer end bf said bolt being screwthreaded, a pair of washers mounted upon the bolt and adapted for receiving and holding another arm, and a nut on the screwthreaded end of the bolt for simultaneously increasing or decreasing frictional engagement between Asaid clamping members and arms.

11. In a flexible joint,A comprising a resilient. split clampingmember, an arm extending through the resilient split clampin g member, jaws on the resilient split clamping member for engaging said .arm, an opening in the side of the resilient split clamping member at*right angles to the axis of the arm passing through the resilient split clamping member, lsaidresilient split clamping member being formed around its side opening with an inwardly extending flanged edge and an outer annular beveled surface,

`vient split clamping member,

a boltadapted to have its head retained by the inwardly extending flanged edge of the resilient split clamping member and extending through the opening in the side of the resilient split clamping member, the outer end of said bolt being screw-threaded, a pair of washers provided with arc-shaped gripping jaws mounted upon the bolt and adapted to recelve and hold another arm through theJ resilient split clamping member, jaws on the resilient split clamping member for engaging said arm, an opening in the side of the resilient lsplit clamping member at right arm passing through the resilient split clamping member, the said resilient split clamping member being formed around its side opening with an inwardly extending 'flanged edge and an outer annular beveled bolt, saidgripping jaws on -thewashers vbeing inga-lignment with a perforation in the bolt and adapted to receive and hold another arm between the gripping jaws of the washers, said arm passing through the perforation'inthe bolt, one of the washers having a beveled side face for engaging the-annular beveled surface'around the side opening on the resilient split. clamping member, and a nut on the screw-threaded end of the bolt for simultaneously increasing or decreasing rietional engagement between said clamping members and arms.

13. In a flexible joint, comprising a resilan arm extending through wthe resilient split clamping member, jaws on the resilient split clamping member for engaging said arm, an opening inthe side of the resilient split clamp'. g member at right angles to the axis of he arm passing `through the resilient split clamping member, the said-resilient split clamping. member being formed around its side opening with an inwardly extending edge and an. outer annular beveled surface, a bolt adapted to have its head retained by the inwardly extending flanged edge of the angles to the axis of the resilient split clamping member, the said bolt having a narrow neck portion extending through the opening in the side 'ofthe resilient split clamping member, the outer end of the bo-lt being screw-threaded, a pair Yof washers provided with arc-shaped gripping jaws mounted upon the bolt, said gripping jaws on the washers being in alignment with a perforationA through the bolt and adapted to receive and hold anothera-I'm between the gripping jawsof the washers, said arm passing through the perforation in the bolt, a beveled .side face on one of the washers for enga-ging the annular beveled surface around the side Opening on the resilient split clamping member, a spline between t-he washers and the l on the screw-threaded end of the bolt for fiictional engagement between the clamping members.

14. In a iiexible joint, comprising a resilient clamping member having a cylindrical opening therein, an arm extending into the cylindrical opening, arc-shaped grippingJsurfaces-within the cylindrical opening adapted to engage the arm, a split projection on one side of the resilient clamping member,` an opening in the split side projection, at right angles to the cylindrical opening, the said split projection being formed around the said opening with an inwardly extending anged edge andan outer 'annular beveled surface, a bolt having its head retained by the inwardly extending iianged edge of the split projection, said bolt extending through the opening in the split vprojection and screw-threaded on its outer end, a coacting clamping member having a beveled face mounted-upon the annularbeveled surface ofthe resilient clamping member and retained. in position by the bolt, and a nut on the screw-threaded end of the bolt. for simultaneously increasing 4or decreasing the frictional engagement between the' beveled members.

15. In a ilexble joint, a pair'of adjustable surfaces of the clamping gaging one of the arms, a bolt having its head secured in the resilient clamping member wlth an outwardly extending threaded end, a' coacting clamping member mounted upon the bolt for e gagingthe other arm, said clamping mein ers being engaged with eachother for rotation on an axis intersect-` g ing both vof therewith, and a nut on the screw-threaded said arms andf'in alignment end .of the bolt for increasing or decreasing frictional'engagement between said clamping members.

16. In a' exible joint, comprising a pair of adjustable arms, a resilient clamping member for engaging one of the arms, means bolt, and a nuty increasing or decreasing -b yshaped jaws -engaglng one of the arms, said ing members,

ers mounted onthe bolt, one of having a beveled surface rictionally engagi ,aoeeaa bolt provided with a head adapted to be se-A cured in the resilient clamping member, said bolt having an outwardly extending threaded end, a coacting clamping member mounted upon the bolt for engaging the other arm, a swivel connection between the resilient clamping member and the coacting clamping member, said' clamping members being engaged with each other for rotation on an axis intersecting .both of said arms and in alignment therewith, and a nut on the s crewthreaded end of the bolt for increasing or decreasing frictional engagement between said clamping members. c

17. In a exible joint, comprising a pair of supporting arms, a single clamping memer having a cylindrical opening with arcresilien clamping member being split at its side an having an opening formed therein, the clamping member having a flanged in-` ner surface and an outer beveled face surrounding said opening, a bolt having a head retained by the. flanged inner surface, a. clamping member mounted onthe bolt and having a beveled surface ictionally engaging the single clamping member for supporting the other clampin member and forming a swivel connection etween the clamping members, means for increasing or decreasing frictional engagement between said clampand means for-forcing the arcshaped jaws of the single clamping member at right angles to the bolt into or out of engagement withthe arm.

18. `In a flexible of supporting arms, a single clamping member having a cylindrical opening with arcshaped jaws engaging one of the arms, said resilient clamping side and having an opening formed therein, alianged inner' surface and an outer beveled face surrounding Said opening, a bolt havingaiheadretained by the flan' ed inner surn face, and extending outward with an outer threaded end, clamping washsaid washers ing thebeveled face of the single clamping member for supporting the other clamping arm andv forming a swivel connection between the clamping members, and a nut screwed upon the threaded end of the bolt for increasing or decreasing frictional engagement between said clamping members and arms and for 'forcing the arc-shaped jaws of the single clampingmember at right angles to the bolt -into or out of engagement with the arm. i In witness whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature. l

ELMER S. SEAVEY.,

y therefrom member being split at its

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