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US 9,486,897 B2Granted
Foldable clamp for a mounting system
OwnerKevin Trotskyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foldable clamp suitable for use in a mounting system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the foldable clamp comprises a base member, a first jaw, and a second jaw. The first jaw is connected to the base member using a first hinge. The second jaw is connected to the base member using a second hinge and a ratchet. A mount for selective interconnection is provided on either the first jaw, the second jaw, or the third jaw.
Claims20
A clamp, comprising:
- a rack having a plurality of spaced outer teeth and a plurality of spaced inner teeth;
- an upper jaw interconnected to said rack;
- a carrier operatively interconnected to said rack;
- a lower jaw interconnected to said carrier and spaced from said upper jaw;
- a spring-biased pawl rotatably interconnected to said carrier, said pawl having a first portion rotatably interconnected to said carrier and a second portion that is adapted to selectively engage a space between adjacent teeth of said plurality of spaced outer teeth;
- a pawl release associated with said spring-biased pawl, actuation of said pawl release removes said second portion from said plurality of spaced outer teeth;
- and
- a spring-biased crank rotatably interconnected to said carrier and positioned on a side of said rack opposite said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said crank having an end that that is adapted to selectively engage a space between adjacent teeth of said plurality of spaced inner teeth, said crank being spring-biased such that release of said crank removes said second portion from said plurality of spaced inner teeth, wherein rotation of said crank moves said lower jaw incrementally towards said upper jaw while said end of said crank remains in contact with said plurality of spaced inner teeth, and wherein the distance between said upper jaw and said lower jaw is maintained by said spring-biased pawl that is moved along said outer teeth in a direction towards said upper jaw when said crank is rotated.
5 more elements
A clamp, comprising:
- a ratchet rack;
- an upper jaw interconnected to said rack;
- a carrier operatively interconnected to said rack;
- a lower jaw interconnected to said carrier and spaced from said rack;
- a pawl rotatably interconnected to said carrier, said pawl having an end that selectively engages said rack in a ratcheting manner;
- a pawl release associated with said pawl, actuation of said pawl release removes said pawl from said rack;
- a crank rotatably interconnected to said carrier and positioned on a side of said rack opposite said upper jaw and said lower jaw, said crank associated with a cog adapted to selectively engage said ratchet rack to move said lower jaw incrementally towards said upper jaw;
- and
- wherein rotation of said crank moves said lower jaw incrementally towards said upper jaw while said cog remains in contact with said ratchet rack.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.