US20070262223A1

US20070262223A1 - Clamping device

Info

Publication number: US20070262223A1
Application number: US11/433,437
Authority: US
Inventors: Leland Wang; Chun-Chen Lin; Fu-Ching Wang
Original assignee: Northstar Systems Corp
Current assignee: Northstar Systems Corp
Priority date: 2006-05-15
Filing date: 2006-05-15
Publication date: 2007-11-15

Abstract

A clamping device includes a seat body, two clamping elements, at least one spring, a gear, a turning wheel, an impeding element, and a release button. The seat body has a front casing and a rear casing. Each clamping element has a clamping body with a rack. The spring is disposed between the seat body and one of the two clamping elements. The gear and the turning wheel are pivoted in the seat body together. The gear is engaged with the two racks, and the turning wheel has a contact surface formed therearound. The impeding element is pivoted in the seat body, wherein the impeding element has an impeding surface that contacts the contact surface. The release button is movably disposed on the seat body and connected with the impeding element. Hence the clamping device's whole structure is simple, and the cost of the clamping device is reduced.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clamping device, and particularly relates to a clamping device adapted for clamping electronic devices, such as a GPS, a PDA or a cell phone, inside a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices, such as a GPS, a PDA, or a cell phone can be installed in a vehicle via a clamping device. Referring to FIG. 1, a known clamping seat 9 includes two seat bodies 91, 92, a fixed seat 93, and two clamping bodies 94 disposed on both sides of the two seat bodies 91, 92. The two clamping bodies 94 can be two support bodies for adjusting an electronic device's position and fixing the electronic device. The fixed seat 93 is disposed on a bottom side of the seat body 92, and is inserted into a cigarette-lighter's socket of a vehicle or fixed in the vehicle. Two compression springs 95 are disposed between two seat bodies 91, 92. The clamping body 94 is slid along a sliding groove 921, and each clamping body 94 has a lateral clamping portion 941 protected outside the corresponding seat body 91 or 92. Moreover, each clamping body 94 has a one-way ratchet wheel 942 formed on a front and a rear side thereof. A flexible retained seat 96 contacts the ratchet wheel 942, and the flexible retained seat 96 has a stop body 961 projected therefrom for being inserted into the ratchet wheel 942 of the clamping body 94. Hence the clamping body 94 can only be moved inwardly and then positioned. Furthermore, the flexible retained seat 96 has an oblique edge groove 962 formed on a rear side thereof. A pressing rod 97 is inserted into the oblique edge groove 962, and has an oblique concave groove 971 for pushing the flexible retained seat 96 to move inwardly and outwardly.
The stop body 961 is inserted into the ratchet wheel 942 of the clamping body 94. Hence the two clamping bodies 94 can only be moved inwardly until both clamping bodies 94 clamp the electronic device. Moreover, a user can press the pressing rod 97 to spring out the two clamping bodies 94 via two compression springs 3 for releasing the electronic device. However, both ratchet wheels 942 need to be formed on the two sides of every clamping body 94. Moreover, the ratchet wheel 942 needs to be formed on the displacement distance of the clamping body 94. Hence, the known clamping seat's whole structure is complex, and the cost of manufacturing the clamping device is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a clamping device. The clamping device provides a gear and a turning wheel that are coaxial. Hence, when both clamping elements are moved outwardly and inwardly to drive the gear, the turning wheel can be driven to rotate synchronously. Moreover, an impeding element limits both clamping elements from moving inward only for clamping an electronic device. Furthermore, when a release button is pressed, both clamping elements can be sprung out for releasing the electronic device. In addition, the present invention does not require two one-way ratchet wheels on both sides of the clamping elements. Hence, the entire structure of the clamping device's of the present invention is simple, and its manufacturing cost considerably less than that of the prior art.
One aspect of the invention is a clamping device comprising a seat body, two clamping elements, at least one spring, a gear, a turning wheel, an impeding element, and a release button. The seat body has a front casing and a rear casing. Each clamping element has a clamping body and a lateral clamping element connected with the clamping body. Each clamping body has a rack, and the two clamping bodies of the two clamping elements are disposed between the front casing and the rear casing. The at least one spring is disposed between the seat body and one of the two clamping elements. The gear and the turning wheel are pivoted in the seat body together, wherein the gear is engaged with the two racks of the two clamping bodies, and the turning wheel has a contact surface formed therearound. The impeding element is pivoted in the seat body, wherein the impeding element has an impeding surface that contacts the contact surface of the turning wheel. The release button is movably disposed on the seat body and connected with the impeding element.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective, exposed view of a clamping device according to a prior art;
FIG. 2 is a perspective, exposed view of a clamping device according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is one perspective, assembled view of a clamping device according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is another perspective, assembled view of a clamping device according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a clamping device according to the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective, assembled view of a clamping device in use according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the present invention provides a clamping device, comprising: a seat body 1, two clamping elements 2, two springs 3, a gear 4, a turning wheel 5, an impeding element 6 and a release button 7. The seat body 1 has a front casing 11 and a rear casing 12. The front casing 11 and the rear casing 12 are locked or retained together via screws 13 to form a hollow casing. The rear casing 12 has a plurality of circular through holes 121 formed thereon and rectangular holes 122, both of the rectangular holes 122 communicate with both sides of each through hole 121, and the rectangular hole 122 has a width smaller than that of the through hole 121 for retaining a support board 14. The support board 14 of the seat body 1 has a plurality of protrusions 141 projected from one surface thereof and corresponding to the through holes 121. Each of protrusions 141 has two retaining portions 142 projected from both sides thereof, and there is a predetermined distance from a surface of each retained portion 142 to a surface of the support board 14. The protrusions 141 of the support board 14 can be inserted into the corresponding through holes 121 of the rear casing 12, and the protrusions 141 are moved toward the corresponding rectangular holes 122 for retaining the retaining portions 142 on an inner face of the rear casing 12. Hence the support board 14 can be retained on a rear side of the seat body 1. Moreover, an opposite surface of the support board 14 is jointed with a sucker device 8 via a connecting rod 81 of the sucker device 8 (as shown in FIG. 6). Hence the clamping device can be positioned on any place by the sucker device 8. The seat body further comprises two support elements 15 retained on one side of the front casing 11 for supporting a bottom edge of an electronic device.
Both of the two clamping elements 2 have a clamping body 21 and a lateral clamping element 22 connected with the clamping body 21 via a retaining or adhesive method. Each clamping element 2 has a flexible spacer 23 attached on an inner face of each lateral clamping element 22. Each clamping body 21 has a rectangular hole 211 and a rack 212 disposed on one side of the rectangular hole 211. Hence the two racks 212 are respectively disposed on a top side of one of the rectangular holes 211 and a bottom side of the other rectangular hole 211 for engaging with the gear 4 to form an impeding mechanism. The two clamping bodies 21 of the two clamping elements 2 are disposed between the front casing 11 and the rear casing 12. Furthermore, one of the clamping bodies 21 has a receiving space 213 formed thereover, and the other clamping body 21 is received in the receiving space 213 for stacking both clamping bodies 21. The two clamping bodies 21 can be moved oppositely each other. Hence the two clamping bodies 21 can moved inwardly for clamping the electronic device, or outwardly for releasing the electronic device.
The two springs 3 are compression springs. One spring 3 contacts against between the seat body 1 and one projected piece 214 of the clamping body 21. The other spring 3 contacts against between the seat body 1 and the other projected piece 214 of the clamping body 21. Hence the two springs 3 are disposed between the seat body 1 and one of the two clamping elements 2. Hence, the two springs 2 provide force to the two clamping elements 2 for making the two clamping elements 2 move outwardly.
The gear 4 and the turning wheel 5 are pivoted in the seat body 1 together by a pivoting element 41 (such as a screw) that passes through the gear 4 and the turning wheel 5. The gear 4 is engaged with the two racks 212 of the two clamping bodies 21. The gear 4 mates with the two racks 212 to form an impeding mechanism. Hence, the two racks 212 can be moved together, either inward or outward, at the same time. The turning wheel 5 is a circular wheel body and has a contact surface 51 formed therearound for contacting the impeding element 6.
The impeding element 6 has a pivoting portion 61 formed on one side thereof, and a pivot 62 for pivoting the pivoting portion 61 of the impeding element 6 in the front casing 11 of the seat body 1. Hence the impeding element 6 can be swung via the pivot 62 as an axle center. The impeding element 6 has an impeding surface 63 with a cambered surface. The impeding surface 63 contacts the contact surface 51 of the turning wheel 5. The impeding surface 63 has a first side 631 and a second side 632, one distance between the first side 631 and an axle center of the impeding element 6 is longer than an other distance between the second side 632 and the axle center of the impeding element 6. The impeding surface 63 further comprises a plurality of one-way teeth 633 formed between the first side 631 and the second side 632. Hence, the impeding surface 63 has a one-way moving function. For example, referring to FIG. 5, when the turning wheel 5 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the impeding surface 63 stops the movement. When the turning wheel 5 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the impeding surface 63 allows the movement. Hence, the two clamping elements 2 can only be moved inwardly for driving the turning wheel 5 to rotate in a clockwise direction and locking the electronic device. The impeding element 6 has an impeding post 64 projected from one face thereof.
The release button 7 is movably disposed in a sliding groove 111 of the front casing 11. The release button 7 has a button portion 71 and an impeding arm 72 connected to one side of the button portion 71. The button portion 71 is projected outside the seat body 1 for pressing the button portion 71. The impeding arm 72 has an impeding hole 721, and the impeding post 64 of the impeding element 6 is inserted into the impeding hole 721 of the impeding arm 72 for connecting the release button 7 with the impeding element 6. When the release button 7 is pressed, the impeding element 6 can be rotated anti-clockwise for the impeding surface 63 of the impeding element 6 to separate from the contact surface 51 of the turning wheel 5. At the same time the impeding element 6 loses its impeding function. Hence the two clamping elements 2 can be sprung out via the two springs 3 for releasing the electronic device.
In conclusion, the present invention providing the gear 4 and the turning wheel 5 are coaxial. Hence, when the two clamping elements 2 are moved outwardly and inwardly to drive the gear 4, the turning wheel 5 can be driven to synchronously rotate. Moreover, the impeding element 6 limits the two clamping elements 2 to move inwardly only for clamping the electronic device. Furthermore, when the release button 7 is pressed, the two clamping elements 2 are sprung out for releasing the electronic device.
Moreover, the two clamping elements 2 can be moved outwardly and inwardly for clamping different electronic devices of different size. For example, when the two clamping elements 2 are moved outwardly to a larger distance, the two clamping elements 2 can clamp a larger electronic device. Hence the present invention's clamping device is very convenient for users.
Furthermore, the present invention does not need to have two one-way ratchet wheels formed on both sides of the clamping elements 2. Hence, in the present invention the clamping device's whole structure is simple, and the manufacturing cost for the clamping device is reduced. In addition, each of protrusions 141 has two retaining portions 142 projected from both sides thereof for providing a retaining effect. Hence, between the support board 14 and the seat body 1 there is a good, firm joint formed, and users do not have to worry about the clamping device losing its grip and sliding off.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clamping device, comprising:

a seat body having a front casing and a rear casing;

two clamping elements, wherein each clamping element has a clamping body and a lateral clamping element connected with the clamping body, each clamping body has a rack, and the two clamping bodies of the two clamping elements are disposed between the front casing and the rear casing;

at least one spring disposed between the seat body and one of the two clamping elements;

a gear and a turning wheel pivoted in the seat body together, wherein the gear is engaged with the two racks of the two clamping bodies, and the turning wheel has a contact surface formed therearound;

an impeding element pivoted in the seat body, wherein the impeding element has an impeding surface contacting the contact surface of the turning wheel; and

a release button movably disposed on the seat body and connected with the impeding element.

2. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear casing has a plurality of through holes and rectangular holes, each two of the rectangular holes communicated with two sides of each through hole, and the rectangular hole has a smaller width than that of the through hole; wherein the seat body further comprises a support board that has a plurality of protrusions projected from one surface thereof, each of the protrusions has two retaining portions projected from two sides thereof, the protrusions of the support board are inserted into the corresponding through holes of the rear casing, and the protrusions are moved toward the corresponding rectangular holes for retaining the retaining portions on an inner face of the rear casing; wherein an opposite surface of the support board is jointed with a sucker device via a connecting rod of the sucker device.

3. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each clamping element has a flexible spacer attached on an inner face of each lateral clamping element.

4. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each clamping body has a rectangular hole, and the two racks are respectively disposed on a top side of one of the rectangular hole and a bottom side of the other rectangular hole.

5. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the clamping bodies has a receiving space formed thereover, and the other clamping body is received in the receiving space for stacking the two clamping bodies.

6. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring is a compression spring.

7. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring contacts against the seat body and a projected piece of one of the clamping elements.

8. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear and the turning wheel are pivoted in the seat body together by a pivoting element passing through the gear and the turning wheel.

9. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeding element has a pivoting portion formed on one side thereof, and a pivot for pivoting the pivoting portion of the impeding element in the seat body.

10. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeding surface of the impeding element is a cambered surface.

11. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeding surface has a first side and a second side, one distance between the first side and an axle center of the impeding element is longer than an other distance between the second side and the axle center of the impeding element, and the impeding surface further comprises a plurality of one-way teeth formed between the first side and the second side.

12. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeding element has an impeding post projected from one face thereof, the release button has an impeding arm and the impeding arm has an impeding hole, and the impeding post of the impeding element is inserted into the impeding hole of the impeding arm.

13. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the release button is movably disposed in a sliding groove of the front casing.

14. The clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the release button has a button portion projected outside the seat body.