WO2001042667A1

WO2001042667A1 - Clamping apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001042667A1
Application number: PCT/NL2000/000912
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rogier De La Rive Box
Original assignee: Rive Box Rogier De
Priority date: 1999-12-10
Filing date: 2000-12-11
Publication date: 2001-06-14
Also published as: AU3241901A

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping apparatus for a flexible material, such as a woven fabric, a film or the like, comprising a moulding for clampingly holding the material. The moulding comprises a housing and a housing includes a clamping member, and in that the housing comprises two walls whose ends are inclined towards each other such that they leave an opening for the insertion of the flexible material, which flexible material at least partially surrounds the clamping member in the housing, and which opening is suitable for locking the clamping member.

Description

Clamping apparatus

The invention relates to a clamping apparatus for a flexible material, such as a woven fabric, a film or the like, comprising a moulding for clampingly holding the material .

Such a clamping apparatus is known in practice. Picture frames, for example, have been known from time immemorial . It is the object of the invention to provide a clamping apparatus that with a very few parts provides an effective fastening of the flexible material, such that it can be tensioned, can be removed, and tensioned again, while avoiding damage to the flexible material. With re- gard to the flexible materials that are to be used, these may be woven fabrics, plastic films, and paper. Such flexible materials have considerable advantages compared with known rigid materials. Flexible material is easier to transport, the material may be less fragile, and it can be applied m larger dimensions. Other possibilities are flexible materials having specific qualities, for example, for sun protection or for the reduction of ultraviolet radiation. For all these kinds of applications a flexible and widely applicable system for fastening is needed. The invention is aimed at filling this need.

The clamping apparatus according to the invention is characterized m that the moulding comprises a housing which housing includes a clamping member, and m that the housing comprises two walls whose ends are inclined to- wards each other such that they leave an opening for the insertion of the flexible material, which flexible material at least partially surrounds the clamping member m the housing, and which opening is suitable for locking the clamping member. This provides a very flexible and adjust - able clamping action for clamping the flexible material, by which a superior result may be obtained when tensioning said material .

The simplicity of operating this clamping apparatus according to the invention also makes it especially suitable for the temporary fastening of materials. This is in particular promoted by the embodiment which is characterized in that at least one wall of the housing is adjustable.

A very secure and effective clamping action may be obtained when the clamping member and/or the walls of the housing are provided with a roughened surface. In one particular aspect of the invention the clamping apparatus is characterized in that the housing comprises at least a first portion, and a second portion that is removable from the first portion, wherein the first portion is equipped for fastening to a wall, ceiling, or the like, and the second portion is geared for accommodation in the first portion such as to form the housing. In this way a versatile suspension system for flexible materials may be real- ized, using standard parts which can be fastened either to ceilings or to walls.

To facilitate a simple operation of the clamping apparatus according to the invention it is desirable that the clamping member be provided with a centrally located recess for a turning tool.

Alternatively, the clamping apparatus may be executed such that the clamping member is provided with a squared exterior surface, which is equipped to engage a tensioning member. In this embodiment also, operation may be quite simple.

In a further aspect of the invention the clamping apparatus may be provided with a removable masking strip applied on the housing. Indeed, this provides the additional advantage that this masking strip may be designed such that a first end of said strip abuts to the housing and a second end presses against the flexible material at the opening for the insertion of the material. In this way a very nicely finished tensioning of the flexible material may be achieved.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the clamping apparatus is provided with a removable tensioning member, wherein the tensioning member comprises a lever of which one end can be firmly placed near the housing, and a hook that is coupled with the lever which is equipped for operating the clamping member incorporated in the housing.

To make the tensioning member adequately oper- able, it is desirable that at its side facing the clamping member, the hook be provided with a first rolling member.

Especially innovative is the embodiment in which the lever is rotatably mounted on the hook and possesses a disk shaped like a circle segment, which is equipped to engage a second rolling member mounted on the hook, the hook having a pivoting coupling near the housing.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, which in the Figures 1 to 31 show various aspects of the clamping apparatus ac- cording to the invention.

The basic embodiment according to Figure 1, shows a cross section of a construction basically comprising round element 1, surrounded by a casing 2 whose two inclining walls 4 define an opening that is smaller than the round element 1. The flexible material 3 to be tensioned is guided around the round element 1. Basically this construction is embodied as moulded strip. In all the embodiments described below flexible material 3 is minimally at one side fastened to a construction 5 which with respect to the casing 2 is fixed in such a way that the material 3 can be stretched between said construction 5 and casing 2.

Figure 2 shows a construction with which it is possible to tension flexible material . To this end the round element 1 is provided with preferably an internal recess 6 to allow engagement by means of a tensioning tool. This recess maybe rectangular, triangular or multi- angular. However, the recess is preferably shaped like a regular hexagon adapted to standard tools with a hexagonal cross section.

When a strip of flexible material 3 is fastened to round element 1, this material will turn with the rota- tional movement of round element 1. The rolled-up edge 9 of flexible material 3 forms a roll 7. The internal space in casing 2 is dimensioned such that it can accommodate sufficient rolled up material. Figure 3, shows the situation where the flexible material 3 is wound about round element 1 and it is tensioned in the direction indicated with 8. The round element 1 is thus pulled against the walls 4 of the casing 2 whereby the flexible material 3 becomes clamped.

A comparable method as described above for ten- sionmg may also be applied for slackening the flexible material . The advantage of this method is that the construction of casing 2 may be realized extremely simply and cheaply. Figure 4 shows a spatial illustration of the round element 1 and the tensioning tool 10. As the de- scribed systems are intended to fasten the flexible material over the entire width of the casing 2, the construction is preferably embodied as extrusion moulding. In this way the effect occurs over the full length of the profile. If the shape of the recess 6 is symmetrical, the spanner 10 can in principle be used at both ends of round element 1.

Below a further detail of round element 1 will be described, presenting additional possibilities. The length of round element 1 must be chosen such that the torsional force exerted by the spanner 10 will not result in a harmful degree of torsion in the longitudinal axis of round element 1. This torsion could cause an unevenly distributed tensioning m flexible material 3. By allowing the rotational force to affect not only the ends but also the middle, it is possible to prevent torsion m element 1. Figure 5, shows a further improvement of element 1 by which means said effect may be realized over the entire length of round element 1.

rr to cn TJ cr TJ T rr Hi < TJ CQ cn ΓT cr ts cr Hi 3 rt Φ Hi t-¹ ti Hi CQ μ- cr O T tr . C H 0 0 J _-T 0 H- 0 H- 3 H- μ- ^ Φ Φ t-¹ φ Φ Φ ) Φ C ts ID < Hi

Φ n Φ H- 1 Φ C CQ r ID 3 0 H Φ ts ti Φ Φ Q Hi Φ Hi Q tn Φ 0

X tr t-h Hi H- t? ΓT h-¹ Φ H- φ ti 3 ID rt CQ 3 X Hi 0 ID X Hi μ- Hi <

CQ 0 0 φ 3 rr n 0 rT Φ t⁾ μ- Φ Hi Ω μ- μ- φ μ- φ ts Ω CQ μ- ID ΓT Ω μ-

H- 0 rr Hi φ m s: t-¹- CQ ts ID O Ω cr cn 0 ts cr φ Ω tr cr Ω 0 ID ΓT

? tr 3 ID ti to cn H- ≤ O rt ID H- CQ ts H 0 C rt t-¹ φ Φ 0 Φ O tr φ

(D J n cr rr H- P H- D O 3 0 - cn 3 φ Hi μ- Φ 0 ts cn £ Φ t-¹ t-¹ φ t-¹ ΓT - ^■ SD _J CQ rr 0 ts Hi TJ Hi α H H CQ cn ts ^

0 J rr "< ΓT PJ TJ CQ H _-T 0 ΓT 1 C ΓT 0 Φ H¹ 3 0⁾ CQ 3 ID μ- 3 H H" μ^> φ ≤ H

Hi μ- _3- tr t! TJ _ιr T Hi Φ H- tJ CQ tr Hi Φ μ- ID Ω ID ID rt CQ r μ- ID 0 to Hi ts μ- O

CD ΓT Φ l-fi J d t-' t φ 0J øJ P CQ rr Φ Q rt φ rt t⁾ rt Φ φ ts rt 0 rt rt rr O 0 rr H- rt CQ C Ω H μ- tr Φ 0 P. Φ t5 3 Φ Φ Hi Φ μ- H- tr ΓT tT O t- n Hi tr Φ cr rt rT CQ tr H- f-i 0 tr μ- 0 ts Φ Hi 0 Hi ω φ 'TI Hi P CQ H! tr

CD CD ID φ 3 ≤ 0 cn ; Φ cn Φ Φ O Φ Hi ts rt CQ n μ- Hi μ- μ- t! rt μ- μ- Ω Φ Φ ID μ-

3 ts CD H- 0 3 • TJ 3 ID rr βJ ID t-¹ fu ΓT 0 CQ ID μ- 3 TJ μ- cn

CQ rr rr ? rr 3 cn &J o -J TJ CQ Φ rt ΓT h-¹ Ω H Φ _-^■ Φ C φ C *- Ω cn

C H CO 0⁾ 0 Φ p- H 0⁾ Hi - i μ- t H ϋ⁾ NJ X Q rt Hi μ- ts CQ φ μ- rt φ

Hi H- Φ M p^j 0 SD CQ ID ΓT μ- ts Φ tr ⁾ C μ- ω Hi C Φ Φ UJ ΓT rt tr Hi ID tJ

Hi Ω l-J. O cr > SD 3 P rt H- Φ CQ ^•^ 0 O CQ μ- CQ μ- cr •> 0 Hi P &) Φ rt Ω Hi

ID ID μ- Φ CO H- φ _3 X tr • H Hi cn μ- μ- CQ l-^J Hi Hi CQ σ\ μ- rt H Φ C n CQ H Hj 3 CQ H- 0 CQ Φ ts ts φ Φ Ω ID μ- • cn Φ a 3 CQ rt

(D rr O Φ TJ 0 0 CQ rt cr ≤ c 0 _-^■ Φ Ω CQ OJ ts φ Ω 0 ≤ μ- CQ Hi tr tr

^ φ 1— ' X PJ PJ Hi Φ t CQ t-h Φ X O α ^j 3 CQ Φ 3 Hi cQ TJ μ- ts μ- Φ ID

J^ μ- Φ TJ H α rr 3 • Φ H 3 μ- tJ μ- ID M ID C μ- μ- tr C Hi μ-¹ O H TJ rr 3 Hi ΓT DJ 0 cn SD o ΓT Φ cr cn Hi 0 rt Hi CQ ts μ- μ- O 3 Φ φ Ω

O en Hi cn ID 0⁾ 0 H- H 3 c tr ts rt φ CQ ≤ Φ μ- H¹ CQ CQ C TJ μ- μ- a μ- s C H- P. Φ H- t-¹ H TJ o O su Ω 3 Φ rt Φ Hi Ω rt φ Hi ti Φ φ Φ H Hi 3 Ω Hj

_3- n H- CQ P φ. 3 Φ P rr O P. C rt Φ . μ- Q X 3 rt t— ^■ Hi o φ cQ φ T Ω

CD tr φ c 3 Φ H t-¹ H- rt Φ ts Ω 3 Ω μ- TJ |D φ OJ O Φ rt Ω H| d

P CD ω φ & H- 3 O 3 tr H cn ΓT ID • ID rt 0 rt t-¹ ID Hi ? O ID ID Hi ID rt rt φ 0 3 ω rr ts cn 0 0J CQ H- H- rr tr CQ ΓT μ- ts σ 0 ΓT Φ <_ Hi c rt μ- O a t-h Hi rr tr 0 rr H- n P H- CQ ID H φ μ- Hi Φ O ^ ⁾ CQ Φ cn φ 0 ts Φ O O CQ μ- φ tr rr φ t-h -* t> SD 0⁾ Φ cn ΓT t-¹ C ts O H ti CO φ • O cn c: Ω ts I—¹ ø^j H

CD tr P ΓT O φ Ω φ CQ μ- - CQ ts O rt to ts rt μ- cQ φ Φ φ 0 ω 0 3 Φ rr 3 0 ts € rt Hi ID TJ rr CQ a. 0 tr rt CL μ- ts H φ a rr TJ 0⁾ Hi 0 PJ 0 H- H- φ M (D H Φ ID Hi ti (D tr O > t 3 Ω

CD ii φ H- H H TJ < ΓT 0 3 Ω O tr TJ CQ r tr r H φ Φ ts ID • φ H φ

P 0 ts ≤ Φ 3 cr H- 0J n ΓT tr tJ φ μ- μ- ) < φ Φ Φ 0 rr tr μ- ID a tr cn C H- !J Φ < cr tr tr 0 ts cn μ- Hi 3 H -¹ tr μ- Φ φ Φ ts α CQ S rt μ- 0

H- ts 2 n H- 0 rt 0 ø^j Φ c rr rr μ- rt D, φ O rr ϋ φ ts ts 3 cQ μ- J tr cn H

0 Q, ω H- O Φ t-h s rr ^ H ΓT tr ι-i rt tr Φ cr < tr Hi μ- Φ CQ φ - Hi μ- Φ cn ti M tr rr H- J Ω !D 0 0⁾ H cn ^ Φ Φ O 3 Hi & X SD ts φ t⁾ ts C ω φ

H- Φ ~J o J t-h Φ 3 o n V Ω ΓT C ΓT 0 3 rt CQ Hi μ- φ CQ rt rt Ω cn Hi tr

3 t-¹ (-^■ TJ μ- 0 3 CQ 0 ΓT cn tr Z ti φ ID rt φ ti ID φ Hi Hi Φ tr rt rt CQ Hi ID Φ Q Φ 0 Φ H- H P Φ H- J 3 μ- 0, CQ Φ tl Φ rt TJ φ Φ rt 3 H Φ μ- SD ID TJ 3

3 t-h Ω TJ TJ P H tl ti !D r TJ tr cn ts rr X μ- 0 Ω μ- Φ O Φ μ- Ω φ φ rr φ ω 0 Φ H- 0 φ H- Q CQ tr tr H μ- ω ΓT O s: φ rt O P μ- Φ ti ts α Φ t⁾

0 3 ΓT φ rr K H- n N H- Φ ID O Ω 3 H- 0 ti Φ μ- 3 rt tl cQ cn TJ rr

0 rr tr ω μ- 0 0 0 _3 rr Φ P cn 0 < TJ UJ TJ 0 Hi Φ ~ Hi Q O CQ co ID ΓT Hi

_— ' Φ 3 2 0 Hi ΓT rr Φ Qi CQ 3 μ- Φ cn t-¹ ts D Φ ti 0 CQ rt Φ • CQ Φ t-¹ 0 H φ CQ - H- H- H- ts H μ- φ μ- rt CQ rt cr Hi C tr Φ ts <

_-> n P PJ 3 H cr CΩ rr ΓT ^ CQ ts 3 tr ID tr Φ vo t-¹ Hi Φ o 3 cn μ- μ- o ID PJ rr TJ H 3 CQ t-¹ rr ^ tr Hi cQ 3 CQ φ CQ Φ rt ^ Hi Hi Hi Φ μ- Hi CQ rr en 0 > 0 T φ TJ ID ID 1= ID Φ £ 0 O ID 3 ts O 0 Φ

H- H- H- H- Φ rr H O tJ t t) Ω Φ Hi ID Hi Ω ID rt a H cn cn ts cn ts 3 O CQ Ω 1 ID Φ Ω Φ ΓT 1 Φ 1 1 ts ts Φ ID

pushed inwards, round element 1 will be pushed inwards. Due to the eccentric engagement, the round element 1 will during this operation make a rotating axial movement in the same rotational direction as the tensioning tool 10. When there is a strip of flexible material 3 around element 1, said strip will also turn in the same rotational direction as the round element 1. When furthermore said flexible material is fastened at the opposite side to a point that in relation to casing 2 is fixed, this operation will cause it to become tensioned. Figure 8 shows a method wherein during operation the free edge strip 9 is located between the round element 1 and the hook 13. Due to the fact that the hook 13 presses the edge strip 9 tightly around the round element 1, the flexible material 3 will turn with the rotation of the round element 1. This operation may be repeated by alternately moving the tensioning tool 10 in the direction described and in the opposite direction. By pulling on the edge strip 9, the round element 1 rolls step by step in the direction of the edge strip 9, thereby tensioning the flexible material 3.

The advantage of this method is that the flexible material does not become damaged. The effect of this advantage is especially noticeable when the flexible mate- rial has to be removed and tensioned anew.

A method comparable to the one described above for tensioning may also be applied for releasing the flexible material. Figure 9, shows an implementation of tensioning tool 10 that effectuates the release of the flexible material 3. The hook 13 is positioned such that the force on round element 1 passes through its centre. By pushing the hook 13 of tensioning tool 10 against round element 1, the same will come away from the walls of casing 2. This operation allows the tension on the flexible material 3 to be reduced to such an extent that it can easily be extricated from the casing 2.

Figure 10, shows a more sophisticated tensioning tool 10. For a quick feed-through of a wide strip of the U⁾ UJ t t H

LΠ o LΠ o LΠ o CJ1

Hi

ID

Ω μ- μ- rt

ID rt φ

CQ rt tr

Φ

CQ t-"

ID

Ω

Φ ts μ- a

CQ

0

Hi rr tr

Φ t-h

Φ

X μ- cr

Φ

3

ØJ rr

Φ

H μ- ø

Since the systems described are intended to fix the flexible material over the entire circumference, the construction consisting of round element 1 and casing 2 is preferably executed as extrusion moulding. In this way the effect can take place over the entire length of the moulding and thus over the entire circumference of the flexible material 3. In essence, the tensioning tool 10 may be applied at any position m the longitudinal direction of the casing 2. Hereinbelow a further detail of round element 1 will be described for the improvement of the effect. If round element 1 is made from a rigid material, insertion over an extensive length may be difficult. Any deviation from the straight line will result m a reduced clamping action and will impede the rotation and consequently the tensioning .

The effect of tensioning tool 10 locally induces a tangential force on round element 1, resulting m a tor- sional force. If round element 1 is made from a rigid ma- teπal, said torsional force is distributed over a certain length. This results m an increase m the width over which flexible material 3 is being tensioned. As a consequence, the force required from tensioning tool 10 also increases . If flexible material 3 consists of a rectangular sheet, it may be mounted m a framework formed by the above-described construction of casing 2 and round element 1. During tensioning of the flexible material, it will be stretched slightly m the longitudinal direction of the casing 2. The clamping construction needs to accommodate this stretching m the longitudinal direction of a moulding. If both the round element 1 and the casing 2 are made from rigid material, said stretching cannot be compensated. This may result m the development of creases. A solution to the above-ment oned drawbacks may be found by making the round element 1 from a slightly flexible and elastic material, for example, from rubber. This provides the following advantages. The insertion of round element 1 into casing 2 is easier, especially when large dimensions are involved. The torsional force produced by tensioning tool 10 in the round element 1 when the flexible material 3 is being tensioned, is distributed over a shorter length, thereby facilitating the tensioning of flexible material 3. The adhesion of flexible material 3 between round element 1 and casing 2 is improved, the good clamping action is independent of the straightness of round element 1, and round element 1 is capable of slightly stretching with the flexible material 3 when the same is being stretched in the longitudinal direction of casing 2.

A particular embodiment of the casing 2 is intended to facilitate the insertion of flexible material. To this end casing 2 is embodied such that the opening 7 can the enlarged to insert the round element 1 together with the flexible material. This is especially useful when the flexible material has large dimensions .

One of the inclining sides of casing 2 is then provided with a movable part 20. This may be a sliding part as shown m Figure 12, a pivoting part as shown m Figure 13, a tilting part as shown m Figure 14, or variations on these.

The above-mentioned illustrations depict the closed position, the opened position of the three variations are illustrated m Figure 15, Figure 16, and Figure 17, respectively.

To further promote proper functioning, the round element 1 may be provided with a roughened surface or a cross sectional profile such as illustrated m Figure 18. As further improvement to promote the clamping action, the insides of the side surfaces 4 and 5 of casing 2 may be provided with a profile, as illustrated m Figure 19. As further improvement to promote proper functioning, the casing 2 may be embodied as asymmetrical extrusion profile. The advantages described above may then be combined with functional advantages to be mentioned be- cr Hi cn

Hi μ μ μ J 3 a TJ Q t—¹

UJ φ rr tr μ

Φ > a

Hi cn

3 rt φ

0 Φ Hi

<; H

ØJ μ cr μ 0 ts ts

Φ cn φ 0

TJ Hi

SD rt

Hi μ Hi rt 0 0 ts c to a o ex

ID μ Φ a ω μ^j rr μ Φ

0 3 3

TJ φ rt ts tr Φ φ

3 μ>

TJ ØJ

0 ts SD ω C ts μ ØJ sx rt μ

0 0 tr ts J Φ φ t⁾ Hi Hi

Φ ØJ t-¹

Ω φ

Φ μ X cn 0 μ cn a cr

ØJ

Hi §. φ

^ μ

3

Hi H ' ØJ

0 ΓT

Hi Φ

the clamping action. By means of a raised edge, movable part 20 is locked m this position.

Depending on the application, it may be desirable to position the construction differently m relation to the flexible material. The fastening surface 26 of the fastening moulding 25 is preferably positioned such as to form an angle of 22.5° with the wall mounting face 22. The casing 2 and fastening moulding 25 are preferably coupled by means of a symmetrical hook-like profile. This symmet- rical profile allows the casing 2 to be mounted in two positions m relation to the mounting face 22. This benefits the application possibilities of the construction, as will be explained herembelow.

Figure 27, shows a situation m which the strip construction is mounted outside the visible surface 24.

Such an arrangement may be desirable when the side of the visible surface 24 is not the same side as where the tensioning mechanism is operated. This situation may arise, for example, when the construction is mounted at the m- side of a window. Since the construction is mounted outside the visible surface 24, it is completely and fully visible .

Figure 28 shows a situation m which the construction is mounted between the fastening faces. In the arrangement illustrated the tensioning mechanism is operated at the side of the visible surface 2 . This arrangement is useful, for example, when the flexible material is stretched m front of a wall, between floor and ceiling. Figure 29 also shows a situation m which the construction is mounted between the fastening faces. However, m this arrangement the tensioning mechanism is not operated at the visible side 24. This arrangement is useful, for example, when the flexible material is stretched m front of a window, between floor and ceiling. The ten- sionmg construction is then mounted to the window frame. Further, the construction may be provided with a decorative strip 27, as shown m Figures 30 and 31. The decorative strip does not constitute part of the construe- tion. The advantage of this is that at the visible side any form may be chosen. This is important for bringing the appearance of the construction into harmony with the design's characteristic appearance. As a further elabora- tion, the decorative strip may be hollow for the accommodation of a broad edge strip 9. This possibility may come m useful when the flexible material has to be removed and replaced, for example, in order to replace the lighting at the reverse side. Figure 24, shows a simplified construction m which casing 2 is mounted directly on the wall. In addition, this illustration shows an embodiment in which movable part 20 is removable. A particular feature is that movable part 20 is symmetrical so that incorrect placing is not possible. Th s illustration also shows a finishing strip 19, covering edge strip 9. The finishing strip is embodied such as to exert some degree of clamping action on the flexible material. In this way the finishing strip contributes to a smooth tensioning of the flexible mate- rial.

If the mouldings of casing 2 are combined to a circumferential strip, it may be desirable to couple the parts. A generally known embodiment is the application of corner-joint elements. This achieves that the framework is kept together, which facilitates mounting. For this purpose, casing 2 may be provided with a profile 23 into which corner- oint elements 24 may be fitted, as shown m Figure 25.

Tensioning the flexible material 3 produces a considerable stress on the casing 2. In order to prevent the casing 2 from bending, it is desirable for these moulding strips to be mounted over their full length on a wall or a rigid surface. For this purpose simple Z- sections 25 may be used for fixing, as shown m Figure 26. If casing 2 forms a square or rectangular frame, the four sides also have to be fixed with four such sections 25. In order to make it possible for all four sides of the framework formed by casing 2 to be hooked m the most effective manner behind the fastening sections 25, the corner-joint elements 24 are slidably inserted into the profiles 23 of casing 2. This manner of execution combines the advantage of effective fastening with a conven- ient operability of the framework.

Claims

1. A clamping apparatus for a flexible material, such as a woven fabric, a film or the like, comprising a moulding for clampingly holding the material, characterized in that the moulding comprises a housing, which housing includes a clamping member, and m that the housing comprises two walls whose ends are inclined towards each other such that they leave an opening for the insertion of the flexible material, which flexible material at least partially surrounds the clamping member m the housing, and which opening is suitable for locking the clamping member.

2. A clamping apparatus according to claim 1, characterized m that at least one wall of the housing is adjustable .

3. A clamping apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized m that the clamping member is provided with a centrally located recess for a turning tool.

4. A clamping apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized m that the housing comprises at least a first portion, and a second portion that is removable from the first portion, wherein the first portion is equipped for fastening to a wall, ceiling, or the like, and the second portion is geared for accommodation m the first portion such as to form the housing.

5. A clamping apparatus according to one of the claims 1-4, characterized m that the clamping member and/or the walls of the housing are provided with a roughened surface.

6. A clamping apparatus according to one of the claims 1-4, characterized m that the clamping member is provided with a squared exterior surface, which is equipped to engage a tensioning member.

7. A clamping apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized m that a removable masking strip is provided, applied on the housing.

8. A clamping apparatus according to claim 7, characterized m that the masking strip at a first end abuts to the housing and at a second end presses against the flexible material at the opening for the insertion of the material .

9. A clamping apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the same is provided with a removable tensioning member, wherein the tensioning member comprises a lever of which one end can be firmly placed near the housing, and a hook that is coupled with the lever which is equipped for operating the clamp- ing member incorporated in the housing.

10. A clamping apparatus according to claim 9, characterized m that at its side facing the clamping member, the hook is provided with a first rolling member.

11. A clamping apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized m that the lever is rotatably mounted on the hook and possesses a disk shaped like a circle segment, which is equipped to engage a second rolling member mounted on the hook, the hook having a pivoting coupling near the housing.