WO2001000919A1

WO2001000919A1 - Clamping system

Info

Publication number: WO2001000919A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/002454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Robert Alfred Wybrow
Original assignee: Brian Robert Alfred Wybrow
Priority date: 1999-06-28
Filing date: 2000-06-26
Publication date: 2001-01-04
Also published as: EP1175526A1; GB0015442D0; GB9914988D0; GB2352269A; AU5553100A

Abstract

A clamping system giving rise to a range of different clamping arrangements which possess inherent resilience and which can be constructed either in one piece, or from two similar pieces which can be manufactured from the same injection mould. The various combinations of resilient elements give rise to a wide range of single and double ended clamping arrangements offering a range of advantages over conventional clamping arrangements e.g. clothes pegs in the handling of clothing and the like, and offering a wide range of applications in electrical, electronic, automotive, aircraft, medical, gardening, office, domestic, and industrial, environments. The need for metal springs is entirely eliminated but some variants of the system can utilise metal springs in new ways. Variants of the basic clamping arrangements can be adapted for attachment to other objects, or to one another to build frameworks.

Description

CLAMPING SYSTEM

This invention relates to clamping arrangements.

In co-pending patent application, GB 9826020.1, new double-ended, and single-ended, clamping systems were introduced, and these systems demonstrated means for establishing the gripping force at the jaws of various clamping arrangements. The present application is concerned with improvements to the invention described in the co-pending application.

According to the present invention, single-ended, and double-ended, clamping arrangements, possess design characteristics which are custom-suited to particular applications.

A distinct advantage offered by the clamping arrangements to be described, is that the enclosing nature of the shape of the spring or springs, allows the clothes line, and or clothing, etc., to be gripped by, or enclosed within the confines of, that shape, so that the actual line grippers (the parts of the clamping arrangement which are generally circular in shape when the clamp is in its standby configuration) which form part of the basic design, can be dispensed with in certain applications, thereby providing a more compact product. The use of the region enclosed by the spring elements of the design, to enclose clothing or other objects, also reduces the extent of the action of opening of the jaws both with respect to distance and duration. This can be important when plastics are used for construction of the clamp, because plastics undergo greater deformation than metals under the same loading conditions and because of the significance of the phenomenon known as creep, which is very important for plastics. The region enclosed by the spring elements also allows objects such as cables or rods, or the like, to be held loosely, but in a way such that they will not slip out via the jaws, and without any pressure being applied to such objects.

It is therefore pointed out that, in one basic arrangement, either the line grippers, or the region inside that part of the clamp which constitutes the spring, or both together, can be used to locate the clamping arrangement and/or the clothing, or the like, on a supporting clothes line or rod, or the like. These observations also apply to the gripping of objects, etc., which are held at the other end of a double-ended arrangement and to the gripping of objects, etc., which are held by a single-ended clamping arrangement, which may, or may not, possess line grippers.

It is pointed out, with reference to the following description, that protrusions and depressions can be formed in the interconnecting parts of each of the sections which, together, make the double-ended clamp, in order to provide lateral stability when the two parts are in intimate contact with one another.

It is also pointed out, with reference to the following description, that the design of the single-ended, and double-ended, clamps, is such that the direction of the line of drawing apart of the parts of an injection moulding tool, utilised in their manufacture, allows features to be incorporated into the design which either, cannot be incorporated into the design of conventional clamps e.g. conventional, torsion-spring-based clothes pegs, or can only be incorporated at considerable expense possibly by the use of multi part tooling. Injection moulding tools utilised for the manufacture of such conventional clothes pegs have a direction of drawing apart of the tool parts which is rotated 90 degrees with respect to that for the tool utilised for the manufacture of the double-, and single-, ended clamps referred to in this patent specification.

In order to describe the invention in more detail, reference will now be made to the accompanying diagrams in which:

Figure 1 shows, in side elevation, a double-ended clamp of one-piece construction.

Figure 2 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp of one-piece construction.

Figure 3 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp of one-piece construction. Figure 4 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp of one-piece construction, with one of its pair of jaws in its opened configuration.

Figure 5 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp of one-piece construction clamped to an object by one pair of jaws and thereby demonstrating the effect of this on the clamping force at the other pair of jaws.

Figure 6 shows, in side elevation, a double-ended clamp of two-piece construction in a loose configuration.

Figure 7 shows, in side elevation, a double-ended clamp of two-piece construction, with elements of the two parts closer to one another.

Figure 8 shows, in three-dimensional form, double-ended clamp of two-piece construction, with elements of the two parts closer to one another.

Figure 9 shows, in side elevation, a double-ended clamp of two-piece construction containing elements which can be brought together in order to create clamping forces at the jaws.

Figure 10 shows, in side elevation, a close up view of a variant of the double-ended clamp.

Figure 11 shows, in side elevation, an enlarged view of part of a double-ended clamp, which has separately, interlockable spring loop elements.

Figure 12 shows, in side elevation, a double-ended clamp, which has separately, interlockable spring loop elements.

Figure 13 shows, in three-dimensional form, a close-up view of part of a variant of the double-ended clamp. Figure 14 shows, in three-dimensional form, part of a double-ended clamp, which has separately, interlockable spring loop elements.

Figure 15 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp which has separately, interlockable spring loop elements.

Figure 16 shows, in three-dimensional form, double-ended clamps in use around instrumentation.

Figure 17 shows, in three-dimensional form, double-ended clamps being used for creating a framework involving rods.

Figure 18 shows, in front elevation, double-ended clamps being used for supporting clothing, etc., on a washing line.

Figure 19A shows, in front elevation, conventional clothes pegs being used for supporting articles on a washing line.

Figure 19B shows, in front elevation, conventional clothes pegs being used for supporting articles on a washing line but with double-ended clamps being used to spread out the articles.

Figure 20 shows, in front elevation, the use of a combination of conventional and double-ended clamps to hold articles on a washing line.

Figure 21 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp being used to hold an object on a supporting rod.

Figure 22 shows, in front elevation, an arrangement involving two supporting lines and double-ended clamps ready to be clamped to an article. Figure 23 shows, in front elevation, an arrangement involving two supporting lines and double-ended clamps, but with the upper supporting line and double-ended clamps, pulled down so that the article is clamped to the lower line.

Figure 24 A shows a side elevation and three-dimensional view, of a design of double- ended clamp, which is of two-piece construction

Figure 24B shows a side elevation and three-dimensional view, of a design of double- ended clamp, which is of one-piece construction.

Figure 24C shows a side elevation and three-dimensional view, of a design of double- ended clamp which is of one-piece construction, and which has flat, and angled, extensions of its spring loop sections.

Figure 25 shows a side elevation, and three-dimensional view, of a double-ended clamp of one-piece construction, having spacing between the flat extensions of its spring loop sections so that it can hold thick objects.

Figure 26 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp in use holding two objects together.

Figure 27 shows a side elevation and three-dimensional view, of a double-ended clamp having various designs of clamping jaws at each end.

Figure 28 shows a side elevation, and three-dimensional view, of a double-ended clamp having various designs of clamping jaws at each end.

Figure 29A shows, in side elevation, a double-ended clamp of one-piece construction, having three line grippers at each end and also handles which can be used to operate the clamp by means of the finger and thumb. Figure 29B is a three-dimensional representation a double-ended clamp of one-piece construction, having three line grippers at each end and also handles which can be used to operate the clamp by means of the finger and thumb.

Figure 30 shows in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp of two-piece construction, having three line grippers at each end and also handles which can be used to operate the clamp by means of the finger and thumb.

Figure 31 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp, having three line grippers at each end but with open U shaped regions at the ends of the operating arms which can be gripped by the finger and thumb.

Figure 32 shows, in three-dimensional form, a clamping arrangement of two-piece construction having handles, which can be gripped by means of the finger and thumb and jaws which are flat in shape.

Figure 33 A shows, in side elevation, a clamp of two-piece construction in which elements can be brought together in order to create the desired clamping force at the jaws.

Figure 33B shows, in three-dimensional form a clamp of two-piece construction in which elements can be brought together in order to create the desired clamping force at the jaws.

Figure 34 shows, in three-dimensional form, a clamp of one-piece construction.

Figure 35 A shows, in side elevation, a clamp of two-piece construction, which has handles which can be gripped by the finger and thumb.

Figure 35B shows a three-dimensional view of a clamp of two-piece construction, which has handles which can be gripped by the finger and thumb. Figure 36 A shows, in side elevation, a clamp of one-piece construction, which has handles which can be gripped by the finger and thumb. Figure 36B is a three-dimensional representation of a clamp of one-piece construction, which has handles which can be gripped by the finger and thumb.

Figure 37 shows a side elevation and three-dimensional view, of a double-ended clamp of two-piece construction.

Figure 38 shows a side elevation and three-dimensional view, of a clamp of one-piece construction.

Figure 39 shows, in side elevation variants of a clamp of one-piece construction.

Figure 40 shows, in three-dimensional form, a variant of a design of clamp, which can be attached to a clipboard or other object.

Figure 41 shows, in three-dimensional form, a variant of a design of clamp, which can be attached to a clipboard or other object.

Figure 42 shows, in three-dimensional form, a variant of a design of clamp, which can be attached to a clipboard or other object.

Figure 43 shows, in side elevation and three-dimensional form, a variant of a design of clamp which can be attached to a clip board or other object by means of its own self contained spring clip.

Figure 44 shows, in side elevation and three-dimensional form, a single ended clamp of one-piece construction, having one fulcrum.

Figure 45 shows, in side elevation and three-dimensional form, a single ended clamp of one-piece construction, having provision for two fulcrums.

Figure 46 shows, in side elevation and three-dimensional form, a single ended clamp of one-piece construction, having provision for two fulcrums and showing the use of a lockable device which creates a fulcrum in one chosen location. Figure 47 shows, in side elevation and three-dimensional form, a single ended clamp of one-piece construction, having provision for two fulcrums and showing how the inner fulcrum is created by means of a supporting rod or line.

Figure 48 shows, in side elevation and three-dimensional form, a single ended clamp of one-piece construction, having provision for two fulcrums and showing how the outer fulcrum is created by means of a supporting rod or line.

Figure 49 shows, in three-dimensional form, single ended clamps in use with the clamps in a vertical orientation.

Figure 50 shows side elevations and three-dimensional views, of various single ended clamps.

Figure 51 shows, side elevations and three-dimensional views, of devices, which allow double-ended clamps to be interconnected with one another and also designs of double-ended clamp containing only one main spring loop. The Figure also shows a side elevation of a design of double-ended clamp whose jaws can be opened by squeezing at the centre.

Figure 52 shows, in side elevation, variants of a design of single ended clamp.

Figure 53 shows, in three-dimensional form and in side elevation, a conventional clothes peg.

Figure 54 shows, in three-dimensional form and in side elevation, a single ended clamp containing a spring loop and separate spring.

Figure 55 shows side elevations and three-dimensional views of designs of double- ended clamp, which are intended to be used on appliances such as television sets, or in packaging applications, and the like. Figure 56A shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp of two-piece construction having a snap-fit assembly on each piece which allows the two pieces to be clamped together to produce the clamping force at each pair of jaws.

Figure 56B shows, in three-dimensional form, alternative views of a double-ended clamp of two piece construction, and a view of the assembled clamp.

Figure 57 shows, in three-dimensional form, more detailed views of a double-ended clamp having a snap-fit assembly on each piece which allows the two pieces to be clamped together to produce the clamping force at each pair of jaws.

Figure 58 A shows, in side elevation, a single ended clamp having elements which can be brought together to create a desired clamping force at the jaws.

Figure 58B shows, in side elevation, parts of a single ended clamp having elements which can be brought together to create a single ended, but double jawed, clamp.

Figure 59 shows side elevations and three-dimensional views, of a single ended clamp of one-piece construction, whose operating arms can be brought together in order to put the design into a configuration which creates a clamping force at its jaws.

Figure 60 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp having flat jaws.

Figure 61 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp having operating arms, which are specially shaped to provide operational advantages.

Figure 62 shows, in three-dimensional form, a double-ended clamp having operating arms which are specially shaped to provide operational advantages and which allow the double-ended clamp to represent a dolphin or the like. Figure 63 shows, in three-dimensional form, various designs of double-ended clamp having interconnecting means formed on them to allow the clamps to be connected to one another or to other objects. Figure 64 shows, in three-dimensional form, various designs of double-ended clamp having interconnecting means formed on them to allow the clamps to be connected to one another or to other objects.

With reference to Figure 1, which represents a side-elevation, a double-ended clamp, 1, of one-piece construction, has fulcrums formed by the points of contact, 2 (left) and 3 (right) respectively, of the inner ends of operating arms, 4, 5 (left) and 6, 7, (right) respectively. For ease of interpretation, the arms 4, 5, 6, and 7, are assumed to be in a roughly horizontal orientation.

A spring loop, 8 (left) has a central, curved, approximately vertically orientated, section, which joins two spring arms, 8AU (upper left) and 8AL (lower left) whose outer ends come together at the points of contact of the inner extremities of pairs of clothes line grippers, 10 and 11 (left). Similarly, a spring loop, 9 (right) has a central, curved, approximately vertically orientated section, which joins two spring arms, 9AU (upper right) and 9AL (lower right) whose outer ends come together at the points of contact of the inner extremities of pairs of clothes line grippers, 12 and 13 (right). ). It is to be noted that the approximately vertically oriented sections of the spring loops, 8 and 9, can be curved and that the most appropriate shape for the intended application will be found by experimentation.

The spring arms, 8AU (upper) and 8AL (lower) are joined to the inner extremities of the left pair of operating arms 4 (upper) and 5 (lower) respectively, by means of a pair of clothes line grippers, 10 (upper) and 11 (lower). Similarly, spring arms, 9AU (upper) and 9AL (lower) respectively, are joined to the inner extremities of the right pair of operating arms 6 (upper) and 7 (lower) respectively, by means of the pair of clothes line grippers, 12 (upper) and 13 (lower).

The upper operating arms, 4 (left) and 6 (right) are joined by central section, 14, and the lower operating arms, 5 (left) and 7 (right) are joined by central section, 15 It can thus be seen that either pair of jaws, each formed by a pair of clothes line grippers, can be opened by applying opposing forces at either of the pairs of operating arms at the end of the double-ended clamp which is opposite to the jaws.

Thus, by applying forces FUR, and FLR, respectively, at arms 6 and 7, respectively, as shown in Figure 1, arms 4 and 5, respectively, can be opened, and, similarly, forces can be applied at arms 4 and 5, respectively, in order to open arms 6 and 7, respectively.

Pairs of clothes-line grippers 10, 11 (left) and 12, 13 (right) where each part of the pair is roughly semi-circular in cross-section (but which can be of any desired shape) and where each pair forms a roughly circular loop, serve to allow the double-ended clamp to grip objects of roughly circular cross-section, e.g. a clothes line.

It is pointed out that variants of the double-ended clamp can contain clothes line grippers which have a shallower, curved cross-section, e.g. that of an ellipse, so that clothing, and other items, of various shapes and thicknesses, can be gripped by the double-ended clamp. For the purpose of gripping objects in general, other designs of double-ended clamp can have a whole range of differently shaped line grippers or they can either have no line grippers at all, or have them at one end of the double-ended clamp only. Where line grippers are absent, the jaws of the double-ended clamp can have flat, or round, contours, appropriate parts of which, act as fulcrums whilst also allowing flat objects such as paper or card, or other such objects and/or materials which have parallel, or roughly parallel, faces, to be gripped. In these forms, the double-ended clamp can serve as a very effective office clip or clamp, and in these forms and applications, the devices are better referred to as double-ended clips.

It is important to note that the fulcrums at point, 3, formed by contact between the right hand extremities of clothes line grippers, 12 and 13, must make contact at the same time as, or before, contact takes place between the left-hand extremities of these clothes line grippers. If such contact is not made as stated, effort will be wasted when forces FUR and FLR are applied as already described. The same reasoning is applied to the application of similar forces at the opposite end of the double-ended clamp, at arms, 4, and 5.

Taking the case of forces acting in the right hand section of double-ended clamp, 1, shown in Figure 1, and in particular, the upper right-hand section, it can be seen that when arm, 6, is pushed downwards by force, FUR, with point, 3, acting as a fulcrum, arm, 4, at the opposite end of the double-ended clamp, moves upwards. For this to occur without hindrance, either, or both, of the curves existing to the left and right of the upper part, 12, of the right hand line gripper, pair, must be flexible. Since the desired functional action of the double-ended clamp is to provide double-endedness, it is important that the flexibility of these curves is not so great that they bend, and therefore do not allow the arm, 6, to pull the whole of the line gripper, 12, upwards, together with the upper arm, 9AU, of the right-hand spring loop, 9 when arm, 4, is pushed towards the horizontal centre-line of the double-ended clamp, 1, with point, 2, acting as a fulcrum.

However, some flexibility in the loop to the left side of the line gripper, 12, and/or in the loop to the right of it, is desired when arm, 6, is pushed towards the horizontal centre-line of the double-ended clamp, 1 (e.g. by means of force FUR) in order to cause arm, 4, to move away from the horizontal centre-line, when point, 3, acts as a fulcrum.

Taking the case for operation of the double-ended clamp by applying opposing forces at the right hand side of the double-ended clamp, 1, shown in Figure 1, it can be seen that the application of forces FUR, and FLR, respectively, to the operating arms, 6 and 7, respectively, will cause the jaws, 4 and 5, respectively, at the left hand side of the double-ended clamp, to open against the restraining force offered by the spring loop, 8. This reasoning also applies to all of the other line grippers, shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2, shows a three-dimensional representation of the double-ended clamp, 1, shown in Figure 1. With reference to Figure 3, which represents a perspective view, a double-ended clamp, 16, is similar to double-ended clamp, 1, shown in Figures 1 and 2, but has the spring loops, 8 and 9, closer together, thereby reducing the overall length of the double-ended clamp. The function of the double-ended clamp, 16, will be the same as that of double-ended clamp, 1.

Thus, the foregoing description referring to Figures land 2, has shown how a double- ended clamp of one-piece construction operates. However, the double-ended clamp as described, will have limited gripping power because it has to be removed from the mould, or otherwise cut from suitable material, or otherwise made, in the shape shown in the Figures 1 and 2, and there will therefore be limited gripping force at the jaws, with only a resistance to opening when an object is placed between them. It is, of course, possible to create a gripping force by inserting "shoes" over the jaws, or by coating the made-product, with paint, or plastic, or other suitable material, or even by applying localised heating and/or cooling at particular parts of the double-ended clamp during the moulding process.

It is also true to say, that when the double-ended clamp is, for example, placed on a clothes line or clothes drying frame, whether over clothing or not, provided that either the clothes line itself or the frame itself, or the clothing and line, or the clothing and frame, provides sufficient expansion of the jaws at that end of the double-ended clamp, the jaws at the opposite, and hence unused, end of the double-ended clamp, will be pushed together. This gives rise to considerable pressure at the unused jaws. This pressure can also be created by placing e.g. a cylindrically shaped spacer between the pair of jaws at one end of the double-ended clamp, and this principle will be shown later, also to be useful in designs of single-ended clamp. A threaded spacer, which is tapered, and which has a section of constant diameter, could be used to open the jaws at one end systematically. A single, "thread biting" lip, on one side of the clamp at the line gripper, or a continuous thread formed throughout the inner surface of each line gripper pair, would facilitate the use of the threaded spacer.

Thus, with reference to Figure 4, which represents a perspective view, the operating arms, 6 and 7, on the right hand side of double-ended clamp, 16, have been pushed inwards, causing operating arms 4 and 5, at the opposite end of the double-ended clamp, 16, to open, ready to receive the cylindrically shaped object, 17, which, for example, can be assumed to represent the cross-section of a clothes line.

With reference to Figure 5, represents a perspective view, the part of a clothes line, or cylindrically shaped object, 17, is seen in place between the pair of jaws at the left hand side of the double-ended clamp, 16.

However, notwithstanding all of these methods, it is expedient to show how the gripping force at the jaws of the double-ended clamp can be achieved in other ways:

In these other solutions, the double-ended clamp is either made from two similar pieces, where each piece is held in contact with the other by means of a strap and/or clamp and/or by means of interlocking joints in each part, or, alternatively, the double- ended clamp is made in just one piece, which may involve the interlocking of flexible sub-parts of the construction, with one another.

Where the double-ended clamp is constructed from two similar but separate, pieces, the gripping force existing at the jaws of the double-ended clamp, is attained by designing each part so that fulcrums on either side of a mating central flange, are at a different horizontal level from that of the central flange itself. This ensures that when the two parts are in contact at their fulcrums, ready to be clamped or interlocked, the action of clamping, or interlocking, which has to be carried out against restraining forces offered by the spring arms of the loops which make up the double-ended clamp, gives rise to gripping forces at the jaws of the double-ended clamp. Spring tension can therefore be accurately controlled and internally adjusted, by design and/or by the incorporation of spacers, in special designs of double-ended clamp.

Where the double-ended clamp is made in one piece, the fulcrums which are on either side of the central interlocking region, are moulded, or manufactured, so that they are in touching contact, but with an air gap between them, whilst the central flanges, which will eventually be in close proximity, are then at a prescribed distance from one- another, but loosely connected by means of flexible material. When one central interlocking region is pressed towards the other central interlocking region by the application of opposing forces at the outer surfaces of the two regions, the two central pieces are ultimately locked into one another against the restraining forces applied by the spring arms of the loops which make up the double-ended clamp. This therefore gives rise to the desired gripping force at each pair of jaws, which can then be accurately controlled and adjusted, by design and/or by use of spacers. The method of achieving gripping, or clamping, strength, itself offers further advantages in that, by careful design of the two pieces, it is possible to adjust the clamping strength to different values in the working product, as desired.

Where the double-ended clamp is manufactured by joining two separate pieces to one- another, a whole range of different fastening devices in a wide range of materials and fastening methods, is available. These can merely clamp one piece to the other by gripping both pieces externally, or they can interlock them by utilising pre-formed holes or indentations in the surface of each part. Alternatively, by designing the two similar pieces so that they possess dovetail joints at the mating faces of their central flanges, it will be possible to slide one piece into the other. A yet further alternative, based on the interlocking of two different pieces, is to design one piece so that it has a male section which locks into a female section on the other, ideally in the region of the central flange of each. One of the crudest, but nevertheless still effective, methods, which has been used in early prototypes, is to use a "nut, bolt, and washers", arrangement, where the bolt passes through a hole in the central flange of both pieces with one part held firmly against the other, by means of a locking nut and washers. The two pieces could also be joined together by means of riveting techniques, by screwing one specially designed piece into another, or by locally heating the central flanges of both pieces so that they melt into one-another, and then cooling them; a particularly well established method of achieving this, is to use ultra-sound welding techniques. They could also be joined together by means of so-called, snap-fit mechanisms, of which there are many alternatives.

It is important to note that most of the designs, already described and to be described, attempt to make manufacture by injection moulding easier and hence quicker and less costly, by allowing the two halves of the injection moulding tool to move apart at right angles, thereby avoiding the need for multi-part tools.

However, it is also pointed out that where there is an advantage in manufacturing designs which do require the use of multi-part injection moulding tools or more complicated tools in general, because the designs themselves involve hinges, or the like, this might be a preferred route to manufacture. Other designs of double-ended clamp can incorporate a male, threaded stud, on one piece, which screws into a female threaded stud-hole, on the other, where provision for final locking up, can also be made by incorporating ridges and channels into the design.

With reference to Figure 6, which represents a side elevation, it can be seen that the original design of double-ended clamp, 1, shown in Figures 1 and 2, is now shown as double-ended clamp, 18, which is in two pieces, an upper piece, 18U, and a lower piece, 18L. The spring arms 8AU (left) and 9AU (right) are now joined by means of an upper central section, 18UC, whilst the spring arms 8AL (left) and 9AL (right) are joined by means of a lower central section, 18LC; other parts retain the identifying alphanumerics used in Figures 1 and 2, e.g. 10, 11, 12 and 13. Thus, in order to aid interpretation, this procedure will be used for elements which have the same function in the various diagrams used in this account.

With reference to Figure 7, which represents a side elevation, it can be seen that the central sections, 18UC and 18LC, have now been brought towards one another, and that in this configuration, provided that these central sections can be held together, their new positions will give rise to compressive forces at the jaws formed by their pairs of line grippers, 10, 11 (left) and 12, 13 (right).

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the double-ended clamp, 18, shown in Figure 7.

As already described, a whole range of methods is available for holding these central sections together, including the use of straps, dovetail joints, toothed interlocking joints, adhesive, snap-fit mechanisms, and ultra-sound welding. Such mechanisms can be arranged to be permanent or releasable. It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that whilst the designs illustrated, explain the basic concepts and principles of operation of the double-ended clamp, the designs may change somewhat in order to cater for the use of particular plastics or other materials. Thus whilst the general shapes of the spring loops and arms, adequately demonstrate a working shape, subtle changes such as appropriate curvature, and thickness, for relieving or eliminating strain at joints, and/or other specific designs, may be necessary in the definitive working articles. For instance, with reference to Figure 7, when operating arm, 6 is pushed downwards, whereupon arm, 4, moves upwards, the stress at the inner bend where spring arm, 8AU, meets the vertical part of central section, 18UC, will be greater than that at points within arm, 8AU, with a corresponding reduction in the stress towards upper line gripper 10. For this reason, leaving aside other factors, arm, 8AU, might need to be thicker towards the central section, 18UC. Also, right-angled sections would generally be replaced by curved ones, in order to reduce stress.

It will also be necessary to utilise durable materials for construction of the double- ended clamps, which allow them to be used under a wide range of operating conditions, thus, for example, double-ended clothes clamps need to withstand the weather conditions which are common for conventional clothes pegs. Thus the materials of construction should be able to withstand extremes of temperature and rain, ice, snow, and the effects of ultra-violet light and other sources of radiation.

It is also pointed out that considerable savings in plastic or other material of manufacture, in general, are achievable by reducing the thickness of the double-ended clamps in appropriate regions, whilst retaining operating strength in the same way that girders of, say, "H" or "I", section, retain strength through their particular construction. A certain amount of so called, "coring out" can therefore be implemented, to advantage.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the designs recently introduced, will operate without the use of the metal spring which is a characteristic component of conventional clothes pegs. This means that means for gripping and/or clamping, are achievable without having any metal present, and this could offer distinct advantages in some applications, e.g. where magnetic fields might be generated, or interfered with, e.g. in bomb disposal or other delicate electrical/electronic work. Moreover, where needles need to be detected in clothing in order to prevent injury to users, or for any other reason, metal detectors could be set off by clothing holders which contain metal springs, whereas, the use of all-plastic clothes holders, will prevent this from happening.

Furthermore, the all-plastic, double-ended clamp, can be manufactured at a lower cost, because the conventional metal spring is eliminated, thereby reducing materials costs and assembly costs. Moreover, there is greater scope offered for variation in design in order to achieve desired results, e.g. the gripping strength obtained via the spring arms of the double-ended clamp can be controlled by the shape and the thickness of component parts, and spacers can also be used, and special designs of double-ended clamp could provide for adjustable gripping force. For instance, interlocking teeth in each piece of a two-piece double-ended clamp could be arranged to be lockable at any desired distance of separation between the two pieces, thereby providing means for adjusting the clamping force at the jaws. It is pointed, out with reference to the clamps described in this patent specification, that working prototypes demonstrating the principles of the invention have been manufactured from Hostaform, Acetal thermoplastic copolymer (Poly Oxy Methylene, POM) supplied by Ticona UK Ltd. Where there is a particular need to have flame retardancy in the product (for example where the clamp is to be used to hold cables, or the like, carrying electric current) Ticona's Celanex thermoplastic polyester (Poly Butylene Terephthalate, PBT) has been used.

The implementation of the principles of the invention by the joining together of two parts, allows different colours of plastic to be utilised and consequently, combinations of different colours yield double-, and single-, ended clamps, which aid identification. Furthermore, it is possible to mark the clamps described in this patent specification using laser-marking techniques and this aids identification of articles held by the clamps. This is particularly useful in packaging and cable handling applications, and especially in the medical field. Notwithstanding the observations about the use of metal springs, it is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing and following description, that, in order to overcome possible limitations found with plastics springs which are incorporated into the design of a single-ended or double-ended clamp, auxiliary plastics springs made from more resilient and enduring plastic(s), or from metal or any other suitable material, could be fixed onto, around, or over, existing parts of these clamps. This is particularly relevant where the cost of a plastic or other material, which exhibits desired characteristics, makes the associated product less competitive. In this case a cheaper plastic e.g. that used for the manufacture of conventional clothes pegs, could be used for the general construction and a flexible plastic could be used for the construction of an auxiliary spring which can be slid over a part or parts of the structure and locked in place, or otherwise used in conjunction with other parts of the structure. The use of metal instead of plastic could offer advantages by exhibiting superior flexibility, thereby ensuring that a wide range of apertures is available in clamps based on the designs described in the foregoing and following account.

It is also possible for clamps based upon the designs given in the foregoing and following account, to be implemented entirely in metal.

With reference to Figure 9, which represents a side-elevation, the front face of a double-ended clamp, 19, which is similar to double-ended clamp, 18, already described with reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8, but which has a redesigned central section, has upper piece, 20, containing central section, 19UC, and lower piece, 21, containing central section, 19LC, where lower piece, 21, is similar to upper piece, 20, as can be seen by rotating upper piece, 20, through 180 degrees, in the plane of the paper, about its geometric centre and displacing it vertically to the position of piece, 21, shown in the diagram. The upper and lower, central sections, 19UC and 19LC, respectively, are each provided with interlocking teeth which are formed on the inner contact faces of interlockable channels, 19IUC (upper) and 19ILC (lower). It is pointed out that these interlockable channels could be implemented in the form of snap-fit joints, which are explained in more detail, later. With reference to Figure 10, which represents an enlarged view of the part of Figure 9 which is enclosed by the circle, 22, the upper central section, 19UC, of part, 20, is provided with a channel, 19IUC, one side of which is toothed and the other side of which is plane-sided. A similar arrangement exists for the central section, 19ILC, of lower piece, 21. It can thus be seen that these two sections can be pushed into one another creating an interlocked arrangement. The plane-sided part of each upper, and lower, central section, is flexible so that it can move sideways whilst the teeth engage with one another. This flexibility needs to be controlled so that it is sufficient to allow interlocking but not so flexible that the teeth do not remain interlocked. Movement of either piece in a direction at right angles with the plane of the paper, is prevented by reversing the location of each toothed channel, half way into each upper, and lower, piece, 20 and 21, respectively. As seen from say, the front, the central and side channels, change over, half-way through the double-ended clamp, 19, as a consequence of the existence of stepped rectangular channels which reverse, laterally, half-way into the double-ended clamp, in each upper and lower piece.

The foregoing description of the method of interlocking the two pieces of the double- ended clamp, 19, by means of interlocking teeth, has been applied to the joining together of upper and lower pairs of left and right springs, which are themselves part of upper and lower parts 20 and 21 respectively. However, these principles can also be applied to the left and right spring loops, of double-ended clamp, 16, which have already been described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, and which are identified in those Figures as loops, 8 and 9, of double-ended clamp, 16, individually.

Thus, with reference to Figure 11, which represents a side elevation, it can be seen that the single pair of interlocking teeth enclosed within the circle, 22, shown in Figure 10, has been replaced by two pairs of interlocking teeth, 24 and 25, shown enclosed within circle, 26. Figure 12, which represents a side elevation, also shows these two pairs of interlocking teeth, 24 and 25, which form part of the structure of double-ended clamp, 27, and it can be seen that Figure 11 represents an enlarged view of the central section of a double-ended clamp, 27, which comprises upper piece, 28 and lower piece, 29. Figure 13, represents a perspective view of the region enclosed within each of the circled parts of Figures 11 and 12.

With reference to Figure 14, which represents a perspective view, the central section of double-ended clamp, 27, is shown again but with the addition of studs, 30, 31, 32 and 33, which will allow a suitably tapered tool to be inserted between pair, 30, and 31, or between pair, 32 and 33, in order to push the flexible side parts of the structure away from one-another, so that the clamping force at the jaws can be controlled by adjustment of the relative positions of the two toothed parts, or so that the upper and lower sections of the spring loops can be separated from one-another, completely.

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of double-ended clamp, 27, shown in Figure 12.

With reference to Figure 16, which represents a perspective view, an electronic instrument, 34, has plugs, 35, 36, 37 and 38, connected to its rear panel, 34RP. Pairs of leads 39, 40, and 41, 42, respectively, are held in double-ended clamps, 43 and 44, respectively, thereby ensuring that the leads are maintained in an orderly arrangement. Double-ended clamp, 45, which is fixed to the side panel, 34SP, of instrument, 34 (by means of nuts and bolts or clips or adhesive or other suitable means) holds cable, 46.

With reference to Figure 17, which represents a perspective view, an arrangement of double-ended clamps, 47, 48 and 49, is shown holding together rods, 50, 51, 52, and 53, in a vertical orientation, thereby demonstrating the use of double-ended clamps in supporting a framework of rods. The displayed configuration also demonstrates the use of double-ended clamps in tidying cables, rods, tubes, etc., and it can be assumed that these can be in any desired or existing, configuration. Specially designed double- ended clamps can be used together with such rods, or the like, to create easily assembled and disassembled packaging arrangements. Moreover, the space between the outer, non-contacting, surfaces of the line grippers, and the inner surfaces of the cross-pieces joining the operating arms of the double-ended clamp, can be utilised to hold such rods, or the like. Special shaping of parts of the double-, and single-, ended, clamp, will facilitate the implementation of these applications. With reference to Figure 18, which represents a front elevation, an arrangement, 54, of materials on a washing line, 55, between posts, 56 and 57, is displayed. Assuming that the arrangement consists of towels, 58, 59, a tea cloth, 60, a pillow case, 61, and a sock, 62 (not exactly to scale) it can be seen that the towels, 58 and 59, are held directly on the washing line, 55, by means of conventional clothes pegs, 63, 64, 65 and 66, and that these clamp the towels over the line, in a fold-over configuration such that the overlap is shown by the dotted lines, 58F and 59F. This thus demonstrates the conventional manner in which articles are held on a washing line.

With further reference to Figure 18, it can be seen that tea cloth, 60, pillow case, 61, and sock, 62, are supported by means of double-ended clamps 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71, which are each clamped to the article suspended immediately above them. It is pointed out that these double-ended clamps can be any of those already described in the foregoing and following description.

With reference to Figure 19 A, which represents a front elevation, an arrangement, 72A, of articles being dried on a washing line, consists of posts, 73 and 74, which support a washing line, 75. Articles, 80 and 81, are held on the line, 75, by means of clamps, 76, 77, 78 and 79, in the conventional way, and the usual overlap is shown by means of the dotted lines, 8OF and 8 IF.

It is clear, from the diagram, that the edges, 82, 83, and 84, 85, respectively, of articles 80 and 81, respectively, are not completely vertical, and that the usual folds encountered in such articles whilst drying on a washing line (here represented just as curved lines) will reduce drying efficiency, especially if tangling occurs.

With reference to Figure 19B, which represents a front elevation, the configuration shown in Figure 19 A, is shown again but with the addition of double-ended clamps, 86, 87, 88 and 89. Double-ended clamps 86 and 89, respectively, can be seen to pull the articles, 80 and 81, respectively, to the left and right, at their left and right extremities, respectively, whilst double-ended clamps, 87 and 88 serve to pull the inner extremities of articles 80 and 81, towards the centre of the arrangement. It can thus be seen how the use of double-ended clamps in this way will increase drying efficiency because a greater area of each article is presented to the surrounding air. Also, articles such as sheets or the like, will be in a more presentable state when dried, ready for immediate use or for folding, and ironing.

It is pointed out that double-ended clamps, 86 and 89, need to have one half which is larger than the other, and would generally be larger than double-ended clamps, 87 and 88, and also that double-ended clamps, 86 and 89, could be attached to loops of rope, wire, etc., which are themselves attached to the posts, 74 and 73. The diameter of these posts dictates the dimensions of clamps, 86 and 89.

It is also pointed out that, if desired, all of the clamps shown in Figures 19A and 19B, can be double-ended clamps.

With reference to Figure 20, which represents a front elevation, and which resembles Figure 19B, an arrangement, 90, of articles being dried on a washing line, consists of posts, 73 and 74, which support a washing line, 75. Double-ended clamp, 91 (which could be a conventional peg) and conventional clamp, 92, clamp a towel, 80 onto the line, and double-ended clamps, 87 and 88, clamp towel, 80, to adjacent towel, 81, which is itself supported on line, 75, by means of double-ended clamps, 93 and 94, by suspension. Double-ended clamp, 89, clamps the right hand edge of towel, 81, to the support post, 73, whilst double-ended clamp, 86, clamps the left-hand edge of towel, 80, to the support post, 74.

It is pointed out, with reference to the single-, and double-, ended clamps described in this patent specification, that the clamps facilitate use by disabled, or elderly, persons, having limited gripping ability, and that they also provide means for use in physiotherapy by allowing the user to exercise the fingers due to the facility for controlling, by design, the force required to operate the clamps. A further use for the "soft feel" to such clamps, is for holding artists drawings or paintings without incurring damage due to over pressure on the paper. With reference to Figure 21, which represents a perspective view, a double-ended clamp, 95, clamped, via its upper set of jaws, to a supporting rod, or rail, 96, holds an object, 97. This object can, for instance, be a negative film being processed, or a photographic print (which objects benefit from the use of "soft clamping") or anything which can conveniently be inserted into, and then removed from, the clamping arrangement. Particular objects would dictate the exact shape of the jaws at one end of the double-ended clamp and particular supporting rods or rails, would dictate the shape of the jaws at the other end of the double-ended clamp. It is pointed out that the supporting rod, 96, could be in any suitable orientation and that rod, 96, could itself be attached to a supporting object such as the arm of a lamp and that it could then contain paper from which information was to be copied into e.g. a computer.

With reference to Figure 22, which represents a perspective view, an article, 98, is shown ready to be clamped to washing line, 99, which is supported by means of posts, 100 and 101. Another line, 102, which, in one variant is flexible, has double-ended clamps, 103 and 104, clamped to it and is also supported by means of posts, 100 and 101.

With reference to Figure 23, which represents a front elevation, the arrangement shown in Figure 22, is shown again but with flexible line, 102, pulled down towards line 99, and with double-ended clamps, 103 and 104, clamping article, 98, to line, 99.

Additionally, line 102, can be provided with sliding, cylindrically shaped, "runners", which can be slid along the line, and over which, the double-ended clamps 103 and 104, can be clamped. Other variants of this concept can involve a whole range of alternative means for allowing line, 102, to move up or down in order to allow the double-ended clamps 103 and 104, to be used to clamp articles on line, 99.

With further reference to the use of double-ended clamps in the above mentioned way, it is pointed out that combinations of two or more double-ended clamps could be clamped to a short length of line or rod, etc., so that the collection of double-ended clamps can be brought to the washing line together, and used, conveniently, by removing them one-at-a-time from the short length of line or rod, etc. The line or rod itself, could be clamped to the main line, e.g. over an article, or one of the set could be used to clamp the set to the main line or to an article. Alternatively, the length of line or rod containing the collection of double-ended clamps, could be used as line, 102, and arranged to be removably fixed to posts, 100 and 101.

With reference to Figure 24A, which shows a side elevation and a perspective view, double-ended clamp, 105, possesses the general characteristics of double-ended clamps already described, e.g. double-ended clamp, 18, shown in Figure 6, but has a short, upper central section, 105UC, and a similar, lower central section, 105LC. An important characteristic of these double-ended clamps is the absence of line grippers, which simplifies the design, whilst retaining the clamping features of designs of double-ended clamps already described. It is to be assumed that the upper and lower parts will be brought together and clamped to one another as described with reference to double-ended clamp, 18, shown in Figure 7. The enclosed loops at one end of the double-ended clamp thus serve to enclose the clothes-line or other supporting structure, with or without an article also clamped in it, whilst the loop at the other end serves to hold an object which is to be clamped, such that the contacting fulcrums at each end of the double-ended clamp serve to grip the supporting structure and the object to be clamped.

With reference to Figure 24B, which shows a side elevation and a perspective view, double-ended clamp, 106, resembles double-ended clamp, 105, but has no central sections, and the spring loops are not connected with one another. This double-ended clamp thus resembles double-ended clamp, 16, shown in Figure 3.

With reference to Figure 24C, which shows a side elevation and a perspective view, double-ended clamp, 107, resembles double-ended clamp, 106, shown in Figure 24B, but has elements, 108, 109 (left) and 110, 111 (right) which are inclined as shown, so that when the jaws are opened at either end, the pairs of grippers at either end, become more parallel with one another, and until parallel, serve to pull the gripped object into the inner loop, rather than to push it outwards. It is pointed out that this design serves to demonstrate how the degree of opening of the jaws of the double-ended clamp can be minimised because of the existence of adequate space inside the spring loops. This serves to reduce the effect of the phenomenon known as creep, which characterises plastics. Other variants have the shape of this region specially designed to ensure adequate gripping of the article to be clamped. It can also be readily seen how quantities of paper etc., can be gripped between the flat shaped jaws. Roughening of the surface of each jaw will also limit the tendency for objects, which are gripped, to slip out.

With reference to Figure 25, which shows a side elevation and a perspective view, a variant, 112, of the double-ended clamp, 107, shown in Figure 24C, has the jaws constructed so that the flat extensions, 113, 114 (left) and 115, 116 (right) of the spring loops, are already spaced sufficiently apart so that they can accommodate a greater thickness of material to be gripped, e.g. a shelf. This application is shown in Figure 26, where double-ended clamp, 112, is shown connecting two representations of shelf units, 117 (left) and 118 (right). This therefore demonstrates the use of the principles of the double-ended clamp for creating structures, and also for clamping objects to other structures such as shelves.

With reference to Figure 27, which shows a side elevation and perspective view, a double-ended clamp, 119, has upper left, line gripper, 120, upper left, straight element, 121, upper central interlocking region, 122 (resembling region 19UC shown in Figure 9) upper inner right, line gripper, 123, upper middle right, line gripper, 124, and outer right, elliptical line gripper, 125. It can also be seen that the left-hand spring loops have a shape, which is different from that of the right hand spring loops. The lower section and other parts of double-ended clamp, 119 have not been described since they are similar.

With reference to Figure 28, which shows a side elevation and perspective view, a double-ended clamp, 126, resembles double-ended clamp, 119, shown in Figure 27, but has the left hand pair of operating arms, designed so that parts, 127, upper, and 128, lower, slope in the direction shown, in order to prevent objects which are to be gripped, from being forced outwards. This is similar to the design principle operating for double-ended clamp, 107, shown in Figure 24C, where elements, 108 and 109, have a function which is similar to that of elements, 127 and 128. With reference to Figure 29 A, a double-ended clamp, 129, having the line gripping properties of double-ended clamps, 47, 48 and 49, shown in Figure 17, but having separate spring loops, has finger and thumb holes, 130, 131, 132 and 134, at its ends, which allow the double-ended clamp to be held and operated with the fingers and thumb.

Figure 29B shows a perspective view of double-ended clamp, 129, shown in Figure 29A.

Figure 30 shows a perspective view of a double-ended clamp, 135, resembling double- ended clamp, 129, but constructed in two halves which can be brought together at their central regions in the same manner as already described with reference to double- ended clamp, 18, shown in Figure 6.

Figure 31 shows a perspective view of a double-ended clamp, 136, resembling double- ended clamp, 135, but having semi-circular, finger and thumb grips, 137, 138, 139 and 140.

With reference to Figure 32, which represents a perspective view, a clamp, 141, resembles double-ended clamp, 135, shown in Figure 30, but is single-ended, having a right-hand pair of finger and thumb grips, 144 and 145, but with the left hand pair of finger and thumb grips, replaced by upper and lower, flange-shaped grips, 142 and 143.

With reference to Figure 33 A, which represents a side elevation, a clamping arrangement, 146, resembles, clamp, 141, shown in Figure 32, but has curved elements, 147 and 148, and flat elements, 149 and 150, and finger and thumb holes, 151 and 152. The flat elements represent regions, which can be brought together and clamped to one another in order to pull the jaws of the clamping arrangement together in order to create the desired clamping force at the jaws. The curved elements, 147 and 148, serve as fulcrums when the finger and thumb grips 151 and 152, are brought together. This arrangement allows the points of contact of curved elements, 147 and 148, to slide and roll over one another as the finger and thumb grips are pressed together against the restraining action of the spring loops of double-ended clamp, 146, and there is consequently no other restraining force operating.

Figure 33B shows a perspective view of double-ended clamp, 146, shown in Figure 33A.

Figure 34 shows a three-dimensional representation of a clamping arrangement, 153, resembling arrangement, 146, shown in Figure 33B, but which has a closed spring loop, 154.

Figures 35A and 35B, respectively, show a side-elevation and a perspective view, respectively, of a clamping arrangement, 155, having a tapered nose and having central regions, which can be brought together and clamped to one another to create clamping pressure at the tapered nose jaws.

Figures 36 A and 36B, respectively, show a side-elevation and a perspective view, respectively, of a clamping arrangement, 156, which resembles arrangement, 155, shown in Figures 35 A and 35B, but which has independent spring loops.

Figures 37, 38 and 39, show side elevations and perspective views, of clamps, 157, 158, 159, 160 and 161, which contain elements of clamping arrangements described in the foregoing and which serve mainly, to allow the principles of the invention to be implemented via a more light-weight structure.

With reference to Figure 40, which represents a perspective view, a clamp, 162, has a base section, 163, which can be glued, or otherwise fixed, to an object, and an operating arm, 164, which when pressed downwards, causes support section, 162D, to bend at fulcrum 162F, thereby allowing clamping arm, 165, to rise so that either an object can be secured under it, or so that a cable, etc., can be secured inside the spring loop, 162SL.

With reference to Figure 41, which represents a perspective view, a clamp, 166, resembles clamp, 162, shown in Figure 40, but has a base section, 167, operating arm, 168, spring loop, 166SL, and clamp arm, 169. It can also be seen that support section, 166D, is not connected to base section, 167, and that it is free to slide and role, in contact with the base section, along fulcrum-line, 166F.

With reference to Figure 42, which represents a perspective view, a clamp, 170, has a base section, 171, operating arm, 172, and clamp arm, 173. Support section, 170D, and fulcrum line, 170F, respectively, resemble elements, 166D and 166F, respectively, shown in Figure 41.

With reference to Figure 43, which shows a side elevation, and perspective view, clamp, 174, is similar to clamp, 170, shown in Figure 42, and has a base section, 175, operating arm, 176, support section, 174D, fulcrum line, 174F, and clamp arm, 177, but has an additional element, 178, which allows the whole clamp to be attached to a clipboard, or other object, so that the unit, 174, serves as a versatile clip, Thus papers, etc., can be held in place between clamp arm, 177 and base section, 175, whilst the whole unit is clamped by means of element, 178, to another object. It is pointed out that the clamping means, 178, can, if desired, be replaced by more elaborate designs based upon the principles of the double-ended or single ended clamps, described in this patent specification.

With reference to Figure 44, which contains a side elevation and a perspective view, a single ended clamp, 179, has operating arms, 180 and 181, which have curved depressions, 179RU (upper) and 179RL (lower). The curved depressions can either contain a cylindrically shaped fulcrum, 182, or otherwise be placed around a clothes line or similar object which serves as a fulcrum, so that when the arms, 180 and 181 are pressed towards one another, the jaws, 183 and 184, move apart against the restoring force offered by the tension in the spring loop, 185.

An object, e.g. an article of clothing, can thus be clamped in the jaws, 183 and 184, inside space, 186, under the clamping action of the spring loop, 185. The perspective view does not contain the fulcrum, so that the curved shape of the depressions, 179RU and 179RL, can be seen. With reference to Figure 45, which contains a side elevation and a perspective view, a single-ended clamp, 187, has operating arms, 188 and 189, and two alternative pairs of depressions, which give rise to fulcrum voids, defined as 190 and 191. Jaws, 192 and 193, clamp objects within space, 194, under the clamping action of spring loop, 195. The different sizes of fulcrum voids, 190 and 191, allow the single-ended clamp to be used on different thicknesses of clothes line or other supporting object. It is to be noted that single-ended clamp, 187, is shown with the operating arms, 188 and 189, closer together than they would be when supported on a clothes line and that the line serves to push them apart whilst, at the same time, forcing the jaws, 192 and 193, together.

With reference to Figure 46, which contains a side elevation and a perspective view, single-ended clamp, 187, is shown again but in a more opened configuration and with a dumbbell shaped fulcrum, 196, having side cheeks, located at fulcrum void, 190, in the perspective view shown in the right hand diagram.

With reference to Figure 47, which contains a side elevation and a perspective view, single-ended clamp, 187, is shown again, but with the single-ended clamp mounted on a clothesline, 197, using fulcrum void, 190.

With reference to Figure 48, which contains a side elevation and a perspective view, single-ended clamp, 187, is shown yet again, but with the single-ended clamp mounted on a thicker clothesline, 198, using fulcrum void, 191.

With reference to Figure 49, which contains perspective views, the single-ended clamps shown in Figures 47 and 48, are shown again, but in a vertical orientation, thus exemplifying a method of use in which the rod-shaped fulcrum also acts as a point of suspension for objects, e.g. negative film or photographic prints, to be clamped and suspended during drying or other processing. A variant of the invention can have the fulcrum rod designed so that it sits in a supporting cradle, and another, can have at least two single-ended clamps, mounted on the fulcrum rod at a suitable separation, so that the assembly can be carried to a conventional clothes line or clothes management system and used accordingly. A quantity of clamps can thus be brought collectively, to the clothes line and then used for clamping clothing, etc.

With reference to Figure 50, which contains side elevations and perspective views, single-ended clamps, 199 and 200, are variants of the designs of single-ended clamp already described with reference to Figures 45 to 49, inclusive, whilst single-ended clamps, 201 and 202, respectively, are variants having similar characteristics, but with curved fulcrums which meet along lines, 20 IF and 202F, respectively, such that the fulcrums make smooth contact with one another, with no socket for a rod-shaped fulcrum. Similarly, single-ended clamp, 203, resembles single-ended clamps, 201 and 202, and has fulcrums which meet at line 203F, but has interlocking central regions, 203 CU (upper) and 203 CL (lower) which allow the gripping force between the jaws to be increased by interlocking them with one another, and which resemble the central regions of double-ended clamp, 19, already described with reference to Figure 9.

With reference to the upper part of Figure 51, which represents three-dimensional views, a double-ended clamp, DEI, is shown ready to be connected to another, similar double-ended clamp, DE2, by means of a joining piece, JP1, which has cylindrically shaped ends having cross-sections which match the cross-section of the line gripper spaces of the clamps. Immediately below the described arrangement, clamps, DEI and DE2, can be seen to have been clamped to one another via joining piece, JP1. It can thus be readily seen how structures/frameworks, can be built using double ended clamps and joining pieces such as JPl. Other variants of this concept can involve having the ends of the operating arms of the double-ended clamps formed with cylindrical shaped ends (see later) so that the clamps can be interconnected with one another.

With reference to the lower part of Figure 51, which contains side elevations and perspective views, a clamp, 204, resembles single-ended clamp, 199, already described with reference to Figure 50, but has an additional pair of operating arms, 205 (upper) and 206 (lower) which, when pushed towards one another, with line 204FL, acting as fulcrum, cause arms 207 (upper) and 208 (lower) to move apart against the restoring force resulting from the resilience in the left-hand extremities, 209 and 210, of spring loop, 211, and of other parts of the structure, thereby allowing voids, 212 and 213, which can also serve as line grippers, to release anything clamped inside the partially enclosed region which they define. When operating arms, 207 and 208, are moved towards one another, with line, 204FR, acting as a fulcrum, arms, 205 and 206, move apart against the restoring force offered by the resilience of the spring loop, 211, thereby allowing void, 214, to release anything clamped inside the partially enclosed region which it defines.

It can also be readily seen that clamp, 204, can also be used in the way that single- ended clamp, 199, already described with reference to Figure 50, does, because regions, 212 and 213, can each contain a fulcrum rod or clothes line, etc.

With further reference to Figure 51, a variant, 215, of the design of clamp, 204, already described, contains similar basic elements, such as left-hand operating arms, 216 and 217, right-hand operating arms, 218 and 219, spring loop, 220, and elements, 221, 222, respectively, which latter, correspond with elements 209 and 210, respectively, of clamp, 204. Void, 215V, corresponds with void, 214, void, 223, corresponds with void, 212, and void, 224, corresponds with void, 213, but has flattened, curved edges. Fulcrum line, 215FR, corresponds with fulcrum line, 204FR, of clamp, 204.

Clamp, 215, like clamp, 204, can thus serve as a double-ended or single-ended clamp, whilst containing only one main spring loop.

With reference to the extreme lower part of Figure 51, which represents a side elevation, a double-ended clamp, DECA, has jaws, OAl, OA2, OA3 and OA4, which are opened by squeezing in the direction of, and rough locations indicated by, arrows, DECF1 and DECF2. It can thus be seen that the so called "operating arms" of clamp, DECA, have almost disappeared, being much shorter than those found on other double-ended clamps described in this patent specification. This variant exemplifies a totally different method of opening the clamp but it is pointed out that, with longer operating arms existing in this variant, duality of application can be achieved; the arms in clamp, DECA, are shorter, in order to show how much shorter a double-ended clamp utilising the "squeezing" principle of operation, can be. Such "squeezable" clamps, will be useful in confined spaces and where a clamp might be anchored to a base unit. If desired, force can be applied in one of the said directions only.

With reference to Figure 52, which contains side elevations, single-ended clamps, 225, 226 and 227, respectively, contain spring loops, 225 S, 226S and 227S, respectively, operating arms, 225OAU, 225OAL, 226OAU, 226OAL, and 227OAU, 227OAL, and line gripper regions, 225LG, 226LG and 227LG. Single-ended clamp, 226, contains regions, 226SU and 226SL, which serve to relieve stresses in the regions where operating arms, 226OAU and 226OAL, meet spring loop 226S, and similarly, single- ended clamp, 227, contains regions, 227SU and 227SL, which serve to relieve stress in the regions where operating arms, 2270 AU and 2270 AL, meet spring loop, 227S.

With reference to Figure 53, which contains a perspective view and a side elevation, a conventional clothes peg, 228, consists of an upper part, 228U and a lower part, 228L, and has jaws, 229, 230, operating arms, 231 and 232, and a torsion spring, 233. The observable side of the spring, 233, has an arm, 234, which has a right-angled extension (not shown) which fits into a groove, 235, formed in the lower part, 228L, of the peg, and the concealed part of spring, 233, has an arm (not shown) with a right-angled extension, 236, which fits into a groove, 237, formed in the upper part, 228U, of the peg. This description serves to exemplify the way in which the spring of a conventional clothes peg is incorporated into the design of the peg and it is now expedient to show how variants of the new designs of clamp already described, also allow the use of a torsion spring whilst offering additional advantages.

With reference to Figure 54, which contains a side elevation and a perspective view, a clamp, 238, consists of an upper part, 238U and a lower part, 238L, and has jaws, 239 and 240, operating arms, 241 and 242, and torsion spring, 243, which sits inside a cylindrically shaped void, 244. The visible arm, 245, of spring, 243, has a right angled extension, which engages with a cylindrically shaped void, 246, formed in the front side of upper part, 238U, and an arm, 247, at the other end of the coiled spring, 243, shown in outline, engages with a similar cylindrically shaped void, 248, formed in the rear side of lower part, 238L. Spring loop, 249, serves to hold the whole clamp together, and since spring, 243, provides the desired clamping force, whilst also serving to hold the clamp together, spring, 243, need only be thick enough to assist in holding the whole unit together, whilst allowing the part without the spring, 243, to be moulded as one object.

It can thus be seen that the torsion spring, 243, does not need to be so large as the spring, 233, used in the conventional peg, 228, already described with reference to Figure 53, and that, whilst this reduces the overall weight of the clamp and the cost of materials and manufacture, it means that the spring is also less conspicuous. Moreover, other variants can have the arms, 245 and 247, respectively, of the spring, 243, sunk into grooves in the sides of the upper and lower parts, 238U and 238L, respectively, of the clamp, 238, and this allows for an even less conspicuous and less costly spring to be used. The spring can also be located in the same way that conventional torsion spring is located on conventional clothes peg, 228.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that it is the fact that the injection moulding tool to be used for manufacture of the new design of clamp, can have its two main elements drawn apart in a direction which is at right angles with the plane of the paper on which the side elevation is drawn, which allows grooves, protrusions and loops, and the like, and holes, to be so easily formed. Thus, for example, any or all of the operating arms, 4, 5, 6, or 7, of the double-ended clamp, 16, shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, can be formed as open or closed loops (see for example, clamp, 129, shown in Figure 29B) thereby allowing the clamp to be suspended from a picture rail or clothesline or the like or from a protrusion. In contrast, the conventional clothes peg is made by drawing the parts of the corresponding injection moulding tool apart in a direction, which is parallel with the plane of the paper on which the side elevation of the peg is drawn. It is also pointed out that considerable amounts of material can be removed from the new designs of clamp shown, whilst retaining strength, thereby reducing the volume of plastic or other material required for construction. The facility for using a conventional torsion spring in the new design of clamp allows the use of a general purpose, "non engineering", type of plastic, which will be cheaper.

The double-ended clamps described in the foregoing, have been separate transportable devices but it is also possible to implement the principles of the invention in clamps which are attached to, or attachable to, or otherwise incorporated as part of the design of, other objects, e.g. appliances such as lawn mowers, power tools, or television sets, etc. Such clamps can also be designed and adapted to be used as toothbrush, or tool, holders or in packaging or transportation systems.

Thus, with reference to Figure 55, which contains side elevations and perspective views, a clamping system, 250, consists of a lower, base part, 251, which can be mounted, by means of adhesive or screws, etc., onto an object, and an upper flexible part, 252, whose operating arms, 253 (left) and 254 (right) can be used to clamp, and independently release, cables or other objects, within pairs of line grippers, 255, 256 (left) and 257, 258 (right) in the same manner as has already been described for earlier clamps.

As for the double-ended clamp, 19, already described with reference to Figure 9, the clamping force at the line grippers, 255, 256, 257 and 258, can be created by arranging for the central section, 250CU, of upper part, 252, to be made so that it has to be brought towards central section 250CL, of lower part, 251, against the restraining force offered by half-spring loops, 259 and 260. As already described with reference to earlier diagrams, the central section can be held together in a number of different ways, e.g. by use of snap-fit joints created in the central regions, 250CU and 250CL. It is pointed out that the central regions of the clamp, 250, are shown in their contact state so that it is to be assumed that the clamping force mentioned, is operating.

It can thus be seen that objects can be clamped within, and released from, the jaws created by pairs of grippers, 255, 256, or 257, 258, respectively, by pressing and releasing arms, 254 or 253, respectively.

As already pointed out, it is suggested that Poly Oxy Methylene, a common engineering plastic with excellent resilience, could used for manufacture of the variants described in the foregoing, but it is pointed out that this might not adhere to many common adhesives, and that, if used for making the upper part, 252, it will necessitate that the lower part is made from a plastic which it is contact-compatible with common adhesives, and which does have good adhesion properties. Alternatively, both the upper part, 252, and the lower part, 251, can be made from Poly Oxy Methylene, and an additional part to which these parts can be attached, can be made from another plastic which does have good adhesion properties. This variant is described next.

Thus, with further reference to Figure 55, a clamping system, 260, is similar to clamping system, 250, already described, with the exception of the altered shape of the base part, 261, which corresponds with part, 251, in clamping system, 250. Base part, 261, has a male, dovetail shape to its base, which is designed to slide into a female, dovetail shaped socket, on a part, 262, which is either a self-contained unit which can be fixed to an appliance or other object, e.g. a television set, or which is moulded as an integral part of that object. It is suggested that the male/female joint be suitably tight to prevent slippage or that other means for ensuring that the engaged parts stay in place, be utilised, e.g. releasable snap-fit methods, etc.

With yet further reference to Figure 55, another variant, 263 A, has an upper part, 264, which has a central, dovetail shaped, male part, 263AU, which slides into a female dovetail shaped part, 265. Line grippers, 263ALG and 263ARG, and spring arms, 263 ASL and 263 ASR, perform the functions already described with reference to earlier Figures.

With still yet further reference to Figure 55, a double-ended clamp, 263B, resembling clamp, 263A, already described, has central section, 263BU, resembling section, 263 AU, but the spring arms, 263BSL and 263BSR, are longer, thereby allowing rods, or other objects, to be supported under the line grippers at different distances from the central section, 263BU, and hence, one another. The use of different designs of the parts containing the spring arms, i.e. part, 263 A or 263B, allows objects of varying dimensions to be held on the supporting rods, because these can be positioned at different distances from one another. This facility is particularly useful in packaging and transportation applications. There is also a particular need for cabling and the like, to be held at constant, and in some cases, alterable, distances from one another, in aircraft. It is pointed out, with respect to the foregoing, that a combination, consisting of a double-ended clamp mounted on a flexible or rigid rod, which latter rod, is itself adjustably fixed, by means of its own clamp, e.g. in an approximately vertical orientation, to an adjustable support, e.g. the arm of a lamp, can conveniently be used to hold a sheet of paper containing information which is to be transferred by sight- reading into a computer. If one of the two pairs of jaws is of the correct shape, the clamp can be mounted directly on the arm of the lamp by means of one pair of its jaws, whilst allowing the other pair of jaws to be used to hold the sheet of paper. Collections of double-ended clamps can be fixed at different heights on a rod, as already described, so that each clamp holds a different piece of paper or the like, with each clamp staggered with respect to the other, like the steps of a spiral staircase. This feature will allow a collection of papers or the like, to be arranged in a readily alterable configuration, with, for instance, papers of highest priority placed at the front of the set.

With reference to Figure 56A, which represents a perspective view, a double-ended clamp, 266, consists of two similar parts, 267 (upper) and 268 (lower) where the lower part, 268, can be assumed to represent part, 267, after it has been rotated through 180 degrees about an axis parallel with the long axis of the clamp, which is itself assumed to be horizontal. The two parts can thus be interlocked with one another, in order to produce a double-ended clamping arrangement. The resulting arrangement gives rise to compressive forces at the jaws in the same way as already described with reference to double-ended clamp, 19, shown in Figure 9.

Thus, with further reference to Figure 56A, operating arms, 269, 270, are joined by means of horizontal crosspiece, 266U, and arms, 271, 272, are joined by similar cross- piece, 266L. Upper part, 267, has spring loops, 273 and 274 and lower part, 268, has spring loops, 275 and 276. When the two parts are clamped together, line grippers, 277 and 278, respectively, of upper part, 267, make contact with line grippers, 279 and 280, respectively, of lower part, 268. Central interlocking regions, 267C and 268C, each contain barbed legs which engage with stepped regions in the respective parts of each other, thereby preventing movement of the two parts in relation to one another along the Z- axis, as defined by the Cartesian system of Rectangular Coordinates, and, further design features, based on the use of keyed channels, ensure that the upper part, 267, cannot move along either the X- or the Y- axis, in relation to lower part, 268, when the two parts are interlocked with one-another.

With reference to Figure 56B, which represents a collection of perspective views, a view, which can be taken to represent that of the underside of either part 267, or 268, is shown, and below this, double-ended clamp, 266, is shown again but in an orientation different from that shown in Figure 56A, and with the two parts, 267 and 268, shown closer together, about to be snap-fitted together via their interlocking snap-fit joints. Below this representation, and shown as a smaller view, double-ended clamp, 266, is shown in its fully interlocked, working, configuration, with cored out regions, CO, shown.

With reference to Figure 57, which contains perspective views, double-ended clamp, 266, already described with reference to Figures 56A and 56B, is shown with its central interlocking region enlarged and it can be readily seen how barb, 281, interlocks with recessed section, 282 and how barb, 284, interlocks with recessed section, 283. The lower part of the diagram shows double-ended clamp, 266, rotated into an alternative orientation, so that the whole diagram demonstrates how the two parts will be prevented from moving apart once they are interlocked with one another.

It is pointed out, with reference to Figures 9 through to Figure 15 inclusive, that the toothed joints referred to with reference to these Figures could be replaced with snap- fit joints described with reference to Figures 56A through to Figure 57, inclusive.

With reference to Figure 58 A, which represents a side elevation, a clamp, 285, resembling clamp, 159 already described with reference to Figure 39, has additional central elements, 285CU and 285CL, which when brought together and clamped to one another, as already described with reference to earlier diagrams, give rise to a clamping force at the jaws. Curved elements meet along fulcrum line, 285CF, and resemble elements, 147 and 148, of clamp, 146, already described with reference to Figure 33 A. With reference to Figure 58B, which contains side elevations, a clamp, 286, resembling clamp, 170, shown in Figure 42, has base element, 287, and a similar clamp, 288, has base element, 289. These two clamps can be joined by various means, e.g. adhesive, double-sided tape, etc., to form combined unit, 290, shown in the lower part of the diagram, or alternatively, the whole unit can, of course, also be manufactured in one piece by making base elements 287 and 289 an integral part of the structure. Clamp, 290, thus allows two separate objects to be held in place between the clamp arms, 291 and 292, and the central element, 293, or the clamp itself can be clamped to a clipboard, etc., via clamp arm, 291, or clamp arm 292, and element, 293, whilst other objects, e.g. paper, etc., can be clamped between one of the clamp arms, and the central element, 293.

With reference to Figure 59, which contains side elevations and perspective views, a clamp, 291, has clamp arms, 292 and 293, operating arms, 294 and 295, and curved elements, 296, 297, which make contact in the clamped unit (see later) along fulcrum lines, 291FU and 291FL. Spring loops, 291SLU, and 291SLL, are joined by central section, 291 SC, and the arrangement is such that when arms, 294 and 295 are pressed towards one another, elements, 296 and 297, respectively, flip past the ends of elements, 298 and 299, respectively, and lock behind them, thereby ensuring that contact is retained along the fulcrum lines, 291FU and 291FL, whilst clamping pressure is retained at the jaws, 292 and 293. The dimensions of the curved elements, 296 and 297, and of the central section, 291 SC, and of other relevant parts, can be adjusted so that there is adequate room for movement when the arrangement is "flipped" into the "derived clamping pressure" configuration.

With reference to Figure 60, which represents a three-dimensional view, a double- ended clamp, 300, resembles those already described earlier in the patent specification but has flat contoured jaws, e.g. 301 and 302, at the left hand end of the clamp, 300, which facilitate clamping of generally flat and thin objects such as paper. The jaws at the right hand end can be similar, or of any desired shape. The upper and lower jaws of the set at each end of a double-ended clamp having two pairs of flat jaws, as shown, are inclined at an angle with respect to one another such that the separation between the flat jaws at one end, increases towards the centre of the clamp. This ensures that objects held within the jaws until the jaws are inclined in the opposite direction, are forced into the centre of the clamp and not outwards, which latter would be unsuitable.

With reference to Figure 61, which represents a three-dimensional view, a double- ended clamp, 303, resembles those already described in the foregoing, but has additional features which facilitate certain types of application. Thus, one of the operating arms has a curved element, 304, and a continuation, 305, of the general shape of the adjacent operating arm. This allows the clamp, 303, to be attached to rod, 306. Arm, 305, allows the jaws at the opposite end of the clamp to be opened by squeezing it towards the adjacent arm. One of the operating arms, 307, at the other end of the clamp, 303, is also curved, but has no straight element. It can thus be readily seen how the clamp, 303, can be suspended from rods, cables, or the like, or from a picture rail. The provision of the parts of a double-ended clamp in the form of half-pieces, provides for implementation of a range of different double-ended clamps through different combinations of half-pieces.

With reference to Figure 62, which represents a three-dimensional view, a double- ended clamp, 308, is similar to those already described in the foregoing, but has operating arms, 308CE, at one end, whose ends are cylindrical in shape. This allows such clamps to be attached to one another or to other clamps, by inserting the cylindrical ends, 308CE, into the line grippers of the clamps. Such cylindrical ends also provide better grip for the user. This modification to the operating arms has been mentioned earlier, with reference to Figure 51.

The operating arms, 308RE, at the other end of clamp, 308, are rounded and the cored out elements, 308E, together with the general curved shapes of the arms, give the clamp the appearance of a dolphin. It can thus be seen how the design of the single-, and double-, ended clamp, can be arranged to represent many alternative, real-life or even imaginary, objects. Another alternative design is to create a representation of a crocodile, interestingly, giving the option of creating a "crocodile" clip.

With reference to Figure 63, which represents three-dimensional views, a range of alternative double-ended clamps having various means for interconnection are shown. Thus clamp, 309, has cylindrically shaped sockets, 310 and 311, formed on the cross- pieces which join its operating arms, and adjacent clamp, 312, has cylindrically shaped protrusions, 313 and 314, formed in similar locations. Another clamp, 315 has one cylindrically shaped socket, 316, and one cylindrically shaped protrusion, 317, formed similarly, and adjacent clamp, 318, has hollow, cylindrically shaped protrusions, 319 and 320, on each cross-piece.

The remainder of the diagram shows how two clamps, 315, can be interconnected with one another to form a clamp, 316, having four pairs of jaws, each independently operable. It can thus be readily seen how a framework of multi-jawed clamps can be constructed using the clamps already described. Furthermore, the facility for joining half-pieces, once again offers an advantage in that flat-bottomed halves can be joined with others, so that any arrangement can always be terminated with a flat-bottomed half-piece, which can be placed on flat surface or adjacent to one. Other variants can have interconnecting elements formed in any desired orientation so that, individual double-ended clamps can be staggered at any desired angle with respect to adjacent clamps. Furthermore, the provision of appropriately designed socketing, or protrusions, on other, specially designed parts, e.g. those designed around packaging or television applications, will allow frameworks to be accommodated by such parts. It is pointed out that, in place of the connecting means just described, double-sided adhesive tape or other adhesive could be used to join the double-ended clamps.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the methods of interconnection already described, can be applied to single-ended clamps as well.

With reference to Figure 64, which shows side elevations and three-dimensional views, a double-ended clamp, 321, resembling those already described in the foregoing, has snap-fitting protrusions, 323 and 324, formed on the cross-pieces which join its operating arms. These can be utilised for interconnecting clamps with one another, as already described with reference to Figure 63. Whilst the diagrams show a one-piece construction, it can be assumed that the incorporation of the snap-fitting arrangement described with reference to Figures 56A, 56B and 57, will allow interconnection of half-pieces so that they cannot move in any direction in relation to one another once they are clamped together. It can be readily seen that the same reasoning which was applied with reference to Figure 63, where various combinations of pieces could be clamped together, is possible with this alternative means of interconnection.

It is pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that whilst permanent means for interconnection of the two half-pieces of a double-ended clamp have been suggested, specially designed arrangements can allow the half-pieces to be disconnected from one another.

It is also pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that in order to relieve stress in various parts of any of the single-, and double-, ended clamps described, certain parts of the construction can be deliberately made to have dimensions which cause them to suffer flexure. This has been applied in the manufacture of the double-ended clamp described with reference to Figure 56 A, where the cross-pieces, 266U and 266L, have approximately the same wall thickness as that of the spring loops, 273, 274, 275, and 276, and that of the line grippers, 277, 278, 279, and 280. Furthermore, operating arms, 269, 270, 271, and 272, have a hollowed-out design, referred to in engineering terms as a "cored out" design, with a central wall, thereby retaining strength but ensuring that the weight of the clamp is minimised. These "cored out" regions are shown as item, CO, in the lower part of Figure 56B and as item, 308E, in Figure 62.

It is further pointed out, with respect to the foregoing, that another variant of double- endedness can involve two pairs of jaws which are opened by sliding the respective pair of jaws of the two available pairs, over an object which is to be clamped to another object. When an object is thus pushed into one pair of jaws, or when one pair of jaws is slid over an object, the flat surface on the underside of each operating arm acts like an inclined plane, giving a resultant mechanical advantage. In applications where objects can be held without the need to operate the arms by external pressure on them, the arms need only be long enough to guide the object into the jaws.

It is still further pointed out, with reference to the foregoing, that the option of containing objects loosely within the confines of the spring element of the single or double-ended clamp, or within the jaws themselves, provides for variation in the gripping force which is applied to "held" objects. Moreover, the larger cross- sectional area of the region defined by the spring elements, allows plants or the like, which are held by the single or double-ended clamp, to be contained without damage and with room for growth, and the fact that the region between the line grippers can be increased in size, against the "controllable by design" restraining force offered by the spring loops or arms, also allows plants room for growth.

It is still yet further pointed out, with respect to the foregoing, that when the single-, and double-, ended clamps referred to, are made from appropriate plastic having the required electrical insulation properties, they can be used to hold cables or other objects which may or may not all be carrying electric current. The same reasoning can be applied to the use of the clamps for holding objects which are hot, where the plastic or other material utilised for manufacture of the clamps, is heat resisting. Conversely, the use of conducting plastics or other material e.g. metal, for manufacture of the clamps, will allow them to be used for conducting electric current or heat, between objects, thereby, for instance, offering the facility of a single-, or double-, ended, crocodile clip.

Applications:

The following applications are suggested for the various clamps already described in the foregoing and for variants which are custom designed for the particular application:

For training/guiding, plants and the like, and holding plants to one-another or to supporting structures. In this connection, it is pointed out that the design of the single- , and double-, ended clamps, is such that the plant is free to grow without constraint, if placed within the spring loop of the clamp, and free to grow in cross-section, under the "design controllable" constraint of the spring arms themselves, if placed between the line grippers, which can, themselves, be designed in any desired shape and size.

For holding lighting cable(s) to a support stand which holds a number of individual cables. For clipping flags together in order to improve/maintain the desired display area, and for clipping flags to a supporting structure or line. This also applies to use for advertising or general display purposes.

To assist in the hanging of festive decorations e.g. festoon/carabina lighting.

For holding together flowers, whether dried, artificial or live.

For holding plants or flowers or any growing thing, to a support pole, rod, line, or to other growing things. For repairing topiary.

For use in floral arrangements of any kind, e.g. Christmas wreaths.

For camping purposes, where a range of objects used by campers can be usefully clamped in various locations and in various ways and similarly for climbing purposes.

In the medical field, in the form of surgical instruments which, for instance, could be made from steel because of the advantage of sterilisation by heating or otherwise and because the phenomenon of creep is less pronounced.

For the purpose of clipping together thick and thin pieces of paper or cardboard, etc.

For attaching pens, pencils, notes or other items, to clip boards or other objects.

In catering, for hanging up orders or recipes in commercial or other kitchens. For labelling beer kegs.

As a toothbrush holder.

For attaching clothing or other objects to a coat hanger, where the double-ended clamp provides a simple means of attachment of one end of the clamp to the coat hanger whilst the other end of the double-ended clamp is attached to the clothing or object to be gripped and where the clamping strength at the "object clamping end" can be attained, in a one-piece variant, as a consequence of the opening of the double-ended clamp at the coat hanger end due to the diameter of the supporting rod of the hanger.

For the clamping of objects to pipes, tubes, etc., and, in one particular variant with specially constructed operating arms at one end, for clamping objects to a pipe which is against a wall or in a corner. Here, the arms at the "clamped to pipe" end of the double-ended clamp are brought backwards towards the other end of the double-ended clamp in order to allow these arms to be pressed towards the pipe to open the jaws at the other end. Other methods of hanging can involve suspending the clamp via one of its hooked ends, from a picture rail or the like.

For holding paint brushes used by an artist or by someone carrying out general painting.

For assembling temporary lighting, e.g. in office refurbishment or on building sights.

For use on hand power tools, lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners, etc., for clipping cabling to locations on the tooling or elsewhere.

For tidying cabling on appliances such as television sets, computers, HI-FI systems etc.

For use in fishing applications, for example, for holding lighting means to a rod.

For use on board games, whether for creating game pieces from cards or other objects inserted into the jaws or for clipping objects e.g. money in a game involving imitation money, to the edge of the game board.

For holding decorations/objects on Christmas trees and the like.

For holding Christmas or birthday cards or photographs. Double-ended clamps can be clipped or stuck together to form collections which form a stable base into which card/cards, photographs, rods, tubes, or the like, can be inserted utilising the various permanently enclosed spaces, within the clamps or those created by the jaws. For use in holding currency notes in banking or the like.

For use in holding telephone cabling or the like.

For use in holding curtains together or for attaching objects to curtains or the like.

For use in holding parts of clothing or other material based, objects/articles, to one another, or for holding objects/articles, on clothing or other material based objects/articles.

Claims

1. An arrangement including gripping means in which the structure of the arrangement is such as to inherently establish a resiliency which offers an inherent resistance to the opening of the gripping means.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrangement contains at least one gripping means in which at least one resilient structural element thereof, is adapted for movement in relation to at least one other element thereof, when the initial configuration of the arrangement is altered by means of an external force and wherein the said movable structural element is arranged to undergo a change in its shape or orientation during the process of moving in relation to the said other element.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said structural element which undergoes the said change in shape or orientation, is arranged to be capable of making at least a contribution to a reactive force which causes the arrangement to return to the said initial configuration when the said external force is removed.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said gripping means constitutes at least one movable jaw, which can hold an object against a part of the said arrangement.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one operating arm is arranged to function as a lever by rolling over or sliding over or pivoting in relation to, at least one part of the said arrangement which acts as a fulcrum, and wherein the said operating arm is arranged to cause the said jaw to move in relation to a part of the arrangement.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the profile of the said structural element which is arranged to establish the inherent resiliency which offers the said reactive force, is that of a smooth curve as viewed in a direction at right angles with the direction in which the said structural element offers the said reactive force.

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein, when formed by an injection moulding operation, a front section of the said profile is wider than a rear section of the said profile whereby the product can be easily extracted from its mould following the moulding operation.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein there are two resilient curved structural elements which can have the same, or different, dimensions, and which are connected towards the centre of the arrangement, and wherein there are two independently operable said arms at opposite ends of the arrangement which, via the action at a said fulcrum of two fulcrums, can each be adapted to cause one of the said jaws at the opposite end of the arrangement to move away from a said part of the arrangement when a said external force is applied in opposition to the said reactive force offered by the said resilient structural element, so that an object can be placed between either said jaw and said part of the arrangement and subsequently gripped between the said jaw and said part, when the said external force is removed.

9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein there are two said operating arms which can each be adapted to make sliding and rolling contact with one another at a fulcrum and which each serve to pull open a jaw against the said reactive force offered by a said resilient structural element and wherein each said structural element forms part of the same curved structural element.

10. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein there are two said operating arms which can each be adapted to make sliding and rolling contact, either directly with one another at a fulcrum, or which can each be supported on at least one insertable fulcrum, which fits into specially shaped recesses in each said arm, and which can serve to push together each jaw of a pair of jaws to create a gripping force, and wherein each of the said operating arms can be adapted to pull open one of the said jaws, against the said reactive force offered by a said resilient structural element and wherein each said structural element forms part of the same curved structural element.

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the arrangement contains a custom designed fulcrum, which is adapted to stay in place on the arrangement.

12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the arrangement is adapted for use as a gripping device having one pair of gripping jaws.

13. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the arrangement is adapted to utilise the gripping strength of an auxiliary torsion spring having a coiled section which is placed between the said recesses in the said operating arms of the said arrangement, and wherein the said coiled section serves as a fulcrum and wherein the arrangement is adapted to allow the ends of the said torsion spring to be located either in recesses, or in holes, formed in the body of the said operating arms.

14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the arrangement possess two pairs of independently operable jaws which are connected with one another by means of external and internal structural elements of the arrangement and wherein the external structural elements are adapted to allow transmission, to the pair of jaws at the opposite end of the arrangement, of external forces which can be applied to either pair of operating arms, and wherein the opening of either of the said pair of jaws by the application of the said external forces, is opposed by the reactive forces resulting from the resiliency of internal said resilient structural elements, and wherein one pair of either pair of jaws can be opened by squeezing together the operating arms at the end of the arrangement which is located opposite to that pair of jaws.

15. An arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the internal resilient elements have a central profile, as viewed in a direction at 90 degrees with respect to the direction in which their said reactive forces are offered, which resembles that of a letter x, but wherein the pair of terminators thereof, on the right hand side of the said letter x, come together at one of the said fulcrums of the said arrangement as a consequence of downward curvature in the upper, and upward curvature in the lower, right hand arms of the said letter x, and wherein the same reasoning applies to the left hand pair of terminators and to the upper and lower left hand arms and wherein the arrangement has the appearance of two loops placed back to back.

16. An arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the said internal structural resilient elements comprise one spring loop, and wherein the said external structural elements comprise an external spring loop and wherein there are two said operating arms which can each be adapted to make sliding and rolling contact, either directly with one another at a fulcrum, or which can each be supported on at least one insertable fulcrum, which fits into specially shaped recesses in each said arm, and which can serve to push together each jaw of a pair of jaws to create a gripping force, and wherein each of the said operating arms can be adapted to pull open one of the said jaws, against the said reactive force offered by a said resilient structural element and wherein each said structural element forms part of the same curved structural element.

17. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the arrangement contains two pairs of jaws, thereof, and wherein each jaw can be moved independently in relation to other parts of the arrangement, and wherein each of the jaws at either end of the arrangement whose gripping faces are at the same horizontal level, can be moved away from the jaw with which it makes contact in the said initial configuration, by applying an external force midway between the two said jaws which can be moved, and wherein the jaws which comprise each pair of jaws at an end of the arrangement can be opened by applying two said external forces at the said midway points, simultaneously, in opposite directions.

18. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the arrangement is adapted to contain two gripping arrangements, which are connected to one another either permanently or releasably and wherein there are two independently or simultaneously openable gripping means.

19. An arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the arrangement is adapted to allow the gripping force at the two pairs of said jaws to be created by adjusting the configuration of the arrangement.

20. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the contacting jaws of the arrangement have flat surfaces and are adapted to be at increasing separation inwardly so that objects to be contained within the jaws are pushed inwards.

21. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the gripping jaws are adapted to grip particular shapes of object.

22. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the operating arms and/or other parts of the arrangement are adapted to possess features which allow the arrangement to be supported on, or attached to, other objects or structures.

23. An arrangement which is adapted to allow any of the arrangements described in any of claims 1 to 22, to be connected to one another via the jaws of the said arrangements.

24. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the arrangement can be adapted to allow the said arrangements to be connected to one another via the said jaws of the said arrangements.

25. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the arrangement is adapted to allow the gripping force at the said jaws of the said arrangement to be adjusted by adjusting the configuration of the arrangement.

26. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the said arrangement is adapted to allow interconnection of the arrangements with one another, and wherein such interconnection gives rise to structures or frameworks which can be permanent or which can be dismantled.

27. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the arrangement is formed by interconnecting two parts which are similar in the region of interconnection and wherein the design of the said interconnection region, is such that it possesses a plane of symmetry which allows two parts made from the same injection moulding tool to be permanently connected to one another, whether they are in one connectable orientation or in another which is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the other and wherein the said arrangement provides means for adjusting the gripping force at the said jaws of the said arrangement as a consequence of joining one said part to the other said part.

28. An arrangement as claimed in claim 27, wherein the said parts are of different colour and/or have jaws, which have mixtures of different shapes.

29. An arrangement as claimed in claim 28, wherein the arrangement is adapted to simulate a dolphin or any object or being or thing.

30. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the arrangement can be formed by use of an injection moulding tool, and wherein the direction of drawing apart of the two parts of the said injection moulding tool is at 90 degrees with respect to that for the drawing apart of the parts of the injection moulding tool utilised for the manufacture of a conventional clothes peg, and wherein the said arrangement can easily be made to contain features such as protrusions, hooks, and the like, whereas the method of manufacture, by injection moulding, of the said conventional clothes pegs, does not easily allow such features to be incorporated without the use of deep, and multi-part, tooling which is expensive and will necessarily involve a longer manufacturing-cycle time.

31. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the arrangement can be adapted for use in holding cables, rods, tubes, or the like, and wherein such applications can involve arrangements which can be adapted to contain multiple sets of gripping elements in each pair of jaws.

32. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the arrangement can be adapted to hold, and/or guide or train, plants and the like along predetermined paths, and wherein the plant or the like can grow and hence increase in size, whilst being retained under acceptable limits of restraining force.

33. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein an object can be loosely held within the resilient structural elements of the arrangement or more tightly held by means of the gripping means of the arrangement.

34. An arrangement as claimed in claim 27, wherein the arrangement can be adapted to allow the gripping force resulting from the said interconnection of the said parts to be adjusted, and wherein the arrangement can be adapted so that the said parts can be separated from one another.

35. An arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the arrangement is made from a material which does not cause metal detectors to be set off, and wherein the arrangement can be adapted for use in holding clothing which could contain pins or other sharp objects which must be detected so as to prevent injury during handling of such clothing.

36. An arrangement as claimed claim 14, wherein the arrangement is made from a material which is suitable for use in bomb disposal work, and wherein the arrangement can be used for holding objects, or the like, during such work.