Omnidirectional Gripping Surface for Sheet Materials

• US 20140373316A1
• Filed: 06/25/2013
• Published: 12/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geary W. Wilson
• Original Assignee: Geary W. Wilson
• Inventors: Wilson, Geary W., Wilson, Geary W. II
• Granted Patent: US 9,174,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/459
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/104 Fastening means for tarpaulins
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 17/02 Awnings , including rigid weather protection structures, e.g. sunroofs; Tarpaulins; Accessories for awnings or tarpaulins
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/10 using pivoting jaws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44034 Dissociable gripping members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A clamping device for attaching or holding a sheet material has an upper clamping surface on an upper jaw with a series of protuberances formed with at least a curved shape about a center of a sheet material clamp, and a lower clamping surface on a lower jaw member having a series of protuberances which mate with the upper clamping surface protuberances in a nesting manner, such that closing of the sheet material clamp brings the upper clamping surface and the lower clamping surfaces into a nesting juxtapositioned position, thereby capturing a sheet material between the surfaces using compression or crimping. The pattern of protuberances may be concentric circular protuberances, other closed geometric protuberances, or semi-circular with rounded or tapered ends to avoid presentation of a sharp edge to a clamped sheet material.

Claims

1. A clamping device for attaching or holding a sheet material in a clamp comprising:

a first clamping surface on a first jaw member having a convex shape; and

a second clamping surface on a second jaw member having a concave shape wherein closing of first and second jaws brings the first clamping surface and the second clamping surfaces into a nesting juxtapositioned position, thereby capturing a sheet material between the surfaces using compression or crimping.

2. The clamping device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

one or more protuberances disposed on at least one of the clamping surfaces; and

one or more recesses formed in at least one of the clamping surfaces wherein one or more of the recesses mate with one or more of the protuberances in a nesting manner upon closing of the first and second jaws.

3. The clamping device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the protuberance and recess are circular.

4. The clamping device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the protuberance and recess are closed geometric shapes.

5. The clamping device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the protuberance and recess are semi-circular.

6. The clamping device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a hinge between the first jaw and the second jaw and a closing actuator for bringing the first clamping surface into clamping position relative to the second clamping surface such that a portion of the clamping surfaces farthest from the hinge clamps prior to a portion closest to the hinge clamps.

7. A method for manufacturing a clamping device for attaching or holding a sheet material in a clamp comprising:

forming a first clamping surface on a first jaw member having a convex shape; and

forming a second clamping surface on a second jaw member having a concave shape wherein closing of the first and second jaws brings the first clamping surface and the second clamping surfaces into a nesting juxtapositioned position, thereby capturing a sheet material between the surfaces using compression or crimping.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 further comprising:

disposing one or more protuberances on at least one of the clamping surfaces; and

forming one or more recesses in at least one of the clamping surfaces wherein one or more of the recesses mate with one or more of the protuberances in a nesting manner upon closing of the first and second jaws.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the protuberance and recess are disposed and formed in a circular shape.

10. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the protuberance and recess are disposed and formed in one or more closed geometric shapes.

11. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the protuberance and recess are disposed and formed in a semi-circular shape.

12. The method as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a hinge between the first jaw and the second jaw and a closing actuator for bringing the first clamping surface into clamping position relative to the second clamping surface such that a portion of the clamping surfaces farthest from the hinge clamps prior to a portion closest to the hinge clamps.