US 8,870,136 B2 · Clamp

Abstract

The subject invention is a clamp that has two halves of an annular ring hingedly connected at one end and capable of being securely fastened to each other at the opposite end. The annular ring is sized to fit tightly around a vertical support post. An upper surface of the annular ring has an upper annular channel, while the lower surface of the annular ring has a lower annular channel. When the clamp is fixed to the vertical support post, a horizontal support adaptor may fit into both the upper and lower annular channels. A resilient engagement strip or button on the adaptor is placed into contact with the lower annular channel in this position and frictionally engages the lower annular channel to prevent lateral movement of the adaptor on the annular ring until such time as the adaptor may be securely attached to the annular ring.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A clamp assembly for use in supporting a playground equipment component on a post comprising:

a ring mounted fixedly to a post at a desired height and rotational position;
said ring having upper and lower horizontal channels;
said upper horizontal channel comprising a ridge spaced from said post;
said lower horizontal channel comprising a groove spaced from said post, said groove having a groove wall, said groove wall spaced from said post;
and
a one piece support adaptor engageable with said mounted ring so as to prevent movement of said support adaptor on said ring;
said support adaptor having a hook for engagement with said upper horizontal channel;
said support adaptor having a set screw for engagement with said groove whereby said hook engages with said upper horizontal channel and said set screw seats in and bears against said groove wall and directly engages with said groove to fixedly secure the support adaptor to said clamp assembly for the support of said playground equipment component;
and
said support adaptor having a lower supporting arm with an upper surface, and a resilient engagement material secured on said upper surface for engagement with said ring.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Clamp

Life of this patent

Clamp

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13