US20070262223A1 - Clamping device - Google Patents

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 toFIG. 1, a known clamping seat9 includes twoseat bodies91,92, a fixedseat93, and twoclamping bodies94 disposed on both sides of the twoseat bodies91,92. The twoclamping bodies94 can be two support bodies for adjusting an electronic device's position and fixing the electronic device. The fixedseat93 is disposed on a bottom side of theseat body92, and is inserted into a cigarette-lighter's socket of a vehicle or fixed in the vehicle. Twocompression springs95 are disposed between twoseat bodies91,92. Theclamping body94 is slid along a slidinggroove921, and eachclamping body94 has alateral clamping portion941 protected outside thecorresponding seat body91 or92. Moreover, each clampingbody94 has a one-way ratchet wheel942 formed on a front and a rear side thereof. A flexible retainedseat96 contacts theratchet wheel942, and the flexible retainedseat96 has astop body961 projected therefrom for being inserted into theratchet wheel942 of theclamping body94. Hence the clampingbody94 can only be moved inwardly and then positioned. Furthermore, the flexible retainedseat96 has anoblique edge groove962 formed on a rear side thereof. Apressing rod97 is inserted into theoblique edge groove962, and has an obliqueconcave groove971 for pushing the flexible retainedseat96 to move inwardly and outwardly.
• Thestop body961 is inserted into theratchet wheel942 of theclamping body94. Hence the twoclamping bodies94 can only be moved inwardly until bothclamping bodies94 clamp the electronic device. Moreover, a user can press thepressing rod97 to spring out the twoclamping bodies94 via twocompression springs3 for releasing the electronic device. However, bothratchet wheels942 need to be formed on the two sides of every clampingbody94. Moreover, theratchet wheel942 needs to be formed on the displacement distance of theclamping body94. 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 toFIGS. 2-5, the present invention provides a clamping device, comprising: aseat body1, twoclamping elements2, twosprings3, agear4, a turningwheel5, an impedingelement6 and arelease button7. Theseat body1 has afront casing11 and arear casing12. Thefront casing11 and therear casing12 are locked or retained together viascrews13 to form a hollow casing. Therear casing12 has a plurality of circular throughholes121 formed thereon andrectangular holes122, both of therectangular holes122 communicate with both sides of each throughhole121, and therectangular hole122 has a width smaller than that of the throughhole121 for retaining asupport board14. Thesupport board14 of theseat body1 has a plurality ofprotrusions141 projected from one surface thereof and corresponding to the throughholes121. Each ofprotrusions141 has tworetaining portions142 projected from both sides thereof, and there is a predetermined distance from a surface of each retainedportion142 to a surface of thesupport board14. Theprotrusions141 of thesupport board14 can be inserted into the corresponding throughholes121 of therear casing12, and theprotrusions141 are moved toward the correspondingrectangular holes122 for retaining theretaining portions142 on an inner face of therear casing12. Hence thesupport board14 can be retained on a rear side of theseat body1. Moreover, an opposite surface of thesupport board14 is jointed with asucker device8 via a connectingrod81 of the sucker device8 (as shown inFIG. 6). Hence the clamping device can be positioned on any place by thesucker device8. The seat body further comprises twosupport elements15 retained on one side of thefront casing11 for supporting a bottom edge of an electronic device.
• Both of the twoclamping elements2 have a clampingbody21 and alateral clamping element22 connected with the clampingbody21 via a retaining or adhesive method. Eachclamping element2 has aflexible spacer23 attached on an inner face of eachlateral clamping element22. Eachclamping body21 has arectangular hole211 and arack212 disposed on one side of therectangular hole211. Hence the tworacks212 are respectively disposed on a top side of one of therectangular holes211 and a bottom side of the otherrectangular hole211 for engaging with thegear4 to form an impeding mechanism. The two clampingbodies21 of the twoclamping elements2 are disposed between thefront casing11 and therear casing12. Furthermore, one of the clampingbodies21 has a receivingspace213 formed thereover, and the other clampingbody21 is received in the receivingspace213 for stacking both clampingbodies21. The two clampingbodies21 can be moved oppositely each other. Hence the two clampingbodies21 can moved inwardly for clamping the electronic device, or outwardly for releasing the electronic device.
• The twosprings3 are compression springs. Onespring3 contacts against between theseat body1 and one projectedpiece214 of the clampingbody21. Theother spring3 contacts against between theseat body1 and the other projectedpiece214 of the clampingbody21. Hence the twosprings3 are disposed between theseat body1 and one of the twoclamping elements2. Hence, the twosprings2 provide force to the twoclamping elements2 for making the twoclamping elements2 move outwardly.
• Thegear4 and theturning wheel5 are pivoted in theseat body1 together by a pivoting element41 (such as a screw) that passes through thegear4 and theturning wheel5. Thegear4 is engaged with the tworacks212 of the two clampingbodies21. Thegear4 mates with the tworacks212 to form an impeding mechanism. Hence, the tworacks212 can be moved together, either inward or outward, at the same time. Theturning wheel5 is a circular wheel body and has acontact surface51 formed therearound for contacting the impedingelement6.
• The impedingelement6 has a pivotingportion61 formed on one side thereof, and apivot62 for pivoting the pivotingportion61 of the impedingelement6 in thefront casing11 of theseat body1. Hence the impedingelement6 can be swung via thepivot62 as an axle center. The impedingelement6 has an impedingsurface63 with a cambered surface. The impedingsurface63 contacts thecontact surface51 of theturning wheel5. The impedingsurface63 has afirst side631 and asecond side632, one distance between thefirst side631 and an axle center of the impedingelement6 is longer than an other distance between thesecond side632 and the axle center of the impedingelement6. The impedingsurface63 further comprises a plurality of one-way teeth633 formed between thefirst side631 and thesecond side632. Hence, the impedingsurface63 has a one-way moving function. For example, referring toFIG. 5, when theturning wheel5 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the impedingsurface63 stops the movement. When theturning wheel5 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the impedingsurface63 allows the movement. Hence, the twoclamping elements2 can only be moved inwardly for driving theturning wheel5 to rotate in a clockwise direction and locking the electronic device. The impedingelement6 has an impedingpost64 projected from one face thereof.
• Therelease button7 is movably disposed in a slidinggroove111 of thefront casing11. Therelease button7 has abutton portion71 and an impedingarm72 connected to one side of thebutton portion71. Thebutton portion71 is projected outside theseat body1 for pressing thebutton portion71. The impedingarm72 has an impedinghole721, and the impedingpost64 of the impedingelement6 is inserted into the impedinghole721 of the impedingarm72 for connecting therelease button7 with the impedingelement6. When therelease button7 is pressed, the impedingelement6 can be rotated anti-clockwise for the impedingsurface63 of the impedingelement6 to separate from thecontact surface51 of theturning wheel5. At the same time the impedingelement6 loses its impeding function. Hence the twoclamping elements2 can be sprung out via the twosprings3 for releasing the electronic device.
• In conclusion, the present invention providing thegear4 and theturning wheel5 are coaxial. Hence, when the twoclamping elements2 are moved outwardly and inwardly to drive thegear4, theturning wheel5 can be driven to synchronously rotate. Moreover, the impedingelement6 limits the twoclamping elements2 to move inwardly only for clamping the electronic device. Furthermore, when therelease button7 is pressed, the twoclamping elements2 are sprung out for releasing the electronic device.
• Moreover, the twoclamping elements2 can be moved outwardly and inwardly for clamping different electronic devices of different size. For example, when the twoclamping elements2 are moved outwardly to a larger distance, the twoclamping elements2 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 theclamping elements2. 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 ofprotrusions141 has two retainingportions142 projected from both sides thereof for providing a retaining effect. Hence, between thesupport board14 and theseat body1 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 (14)

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 inclaim 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 inclaim 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 inclaim 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 inclaim 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 inclaim 1, wherein the spring is a compression spring.

7. The clamping device as claimed inclaim 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 inclaim 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 inclaim 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 inclaim 1, wherein the impeding surface of the impeding element is a cambered surface.

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

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

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