EP0061825A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Clamping means for a strap
Assignee: SMR Automotive Mirrors UK Ltd
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Filing: 1982-02-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-02-03
Abstract
Abstract Clamping means for a strap (36) consists of a pair of parallel spaced rungs (10, 12) which are mounted for simultaneous angular and translational movement. The strap (36) is led round one of the rungs (12) so that tension therein causes the carrier to rotate to wrap the strap firmly round both rungs (10, 12).
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas James Cunningham
- 👤 John Edward Mack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/18; B60R22/185; B60R22/1855
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
1 . Clamping means for a strap characterised by a pair of parallel spaced rungs (10, 12) secured to a carrier (14, 16) which is mounted on bearing means (18, 24) for angular and translational movement, the bearing means (18, 24) being so arranged that translational movement of the carrier (14, 16) caused by tension applied to a strap (36) passing between the rungs (10, 12) causes angular movement of the carrier (14, 16) from a first position to a second position in which the proportion of the rungs (10, 12) which is in frictional engagement with the strap (36) is increased, the resulting increase in path length of the strap (36) around the rungs (10, 12) being less than the movement of the rungs (10, 12) in the direction of the applied tension due to the translational movement of the carrier (14, 16).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
1 . Clamping means for a strap characterised by a pair of parallel spaced rungs (10, 12) secured to a carrier (14, 16) which is mounted on bearing means (18, 24) for angular and translational movement, the bearing means (18, 24) being so arranged that translational movement of the carrier (14, 16) caused by tension applied to a strap (36) passing between the rungs (10, 12) causes angular movement of the carrier (14, 16) from a first position to a second position in which the proportion of the rungs (10, 12) which is in frictional engagement with the strap (36) is increased, the resulting increase in path length of the strap (36) around the rungs (10, 12) being less than the movement of the rungs (10, 12) in the direction of the applied tension due to the translational movement of the carrier (14, 16).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
2 . Clamping means according to claim 1, characterised in that the angular movement of the carrier (14, 16) into its second position is arranged to be sufficient to bring the part of the strap (36) leading from one of the rungs (12) to the location at which the tension is applied, into frictional engagement with the exposed surface of the part of the strap which is wrapped around the other rung (10).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
3 . Clamping means according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by spring means (26) for biasing the carrier (14, 16) into its first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
Clamping means according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the carrier (10, 12) comprises a pair of side members (14, 16) held parallel to one another by the.rungs (10, 12) which extend therebetween, each side member (14, 16) having an arcuate slot (18) following a spiral path relative to the rungs, and the bearing means comprises pivot means (24) engaging in each arcuate slot (18) to support the carrier (14, 16), whereby the carrier (14, 16) pivots on the pivot means (24) which remain at one end of the slot (18) during the first phase of movement from the first position of the carrier and which move along the slot (18) during a second phase of movement to the second position of the carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
5 . Clamping means according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the carrier (50) comprises gear segments (56) and the bearing means comprises a stationary rack (48) together with means for maintaining the gear segments (56) in engagement with the rack ( 4 8).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
6 . Clamping means according to claim 5, characterised in that the distance of the gear teeth (56) from the mid-point between the rungs (52, 54) is greater in a direction parallel to a line through said rungs (52, 54) than in a direction perpendicular to said line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
7 . Clamping means according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the means for maintaining the gear segments (56) in engagement with the rack (48) comprises guide pins (54) projecting from the carrier (50) into slots (58) in side members (42) coupled to-the rack (48).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
Clamping means according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the carrier comprises a pair of side plates (80, 82) held parallel to one another by the rungs (76, 78) which extend therebetween, at least part of the periphery of each plate (80, 82) comprising an arcuate drum surface for receiving a respective flexible coupling element (84, 86) one end of which is connected to the corresponding plate (80, 82) and the other end of which is connected to the bearing means (72, 74) the plates (80, 82) rolling on the bearing means (72, 74) during movement of the carrier between its first and second positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Clamping means according to claim 8, characterised by spring strip means (88, 90) associated with each flexible coupling element (84, 86) and arranged to bias such coupling element (84, 86) into a position wrapped around said drum surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
Clamping means according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the carrier comprises a pair of side plates (122, 124) held parallel to one another by rungs (126, 128) which extend therebetween and the bearing means comprises a pair of links (112, 114) each having one end pivotally connected to a respective side plate (122, 124) and the other end pivotally connected to a support member (108, 110), a line joining the pivotal connections (116, 118) at each end of the links (112, 114) forming an acute angle with a line joining the rungs (126, 128) when the carrier is in its first position, said angle increasing as the carrier moves towards its second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
Clamping means according to claim 10, characterised in that spring means (132-138) are provided in the pivotal connections at both ends of each link (122, 124) to bias the carrier into its first position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
Clamping means according to claim 10 or 11, characterised by a roller (130) mounted on the pivotal connection (116) between the links (112, 114) and the support member (108, 110), the strap (140) engaging with the roller (130) when the carrier is in its first position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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