Scaffolding tube clamps

Abstract

A clamp for securement to a cylindrical body such as scaffold tubing has first and second curved body portions hinged to each other to form a generally circular enclosure. A clasp for coupling the first and second curved body portions has a bolt fixed to one curved body portion and a rotatable housing. The housing has a peripheral groove to slidingly receive the bolt and is coupled to the other curved body portion. The housing has an access opening to receive the bolt into the peripheral groove and the bolt is captured in the peripheral groove when the housing is rotated. The housing is rotatable about a post which is fixed to the other curved body portion and has an opening to receive the post that is eccentric to the geometric center of the housing so that a passage formed between the peripheral groove and the post varies in width about the periphery of the housing. This variable width allows the housing to be tightened gradually on the bolt.

1 . A clamp for securement to at least one cylindrical body, the clamp comprising:
 a first curved body portion,   a second curved body portion hinged to the first curved body portion to form a generally circular enclosure for receiving the cylindrical body, and   a clasp for releasably coupling said first and second curved body portions, the clasp having a bolt fixed to one of said first and second curved body portions, and a rotatable housing defining a peripheral groove for slidingly receiving said bolt coupled to the other of said first and second curved body portions, the housing having an access opening for receiving the bolt into said peripheral groove and being adapted to capture the bolt in said groove upon rotation of the housing thereby securing said first and second curved body portions in frictional engagement with said cylindrical body.   
   
   
       2 . Clamp according to  claim 1  in which the housing is rotatable about a post fixed to the other said first and second curved body portions, the housing having an opening for receiving the post that is eccentric to the geometric centre of the housing so that a passage formed between the peripheral groove and the post varies in width about the periphery of the housing. 
   
   
       3 . A clamp according to  claim 2  in which the post is circular and has a diameter commensurate with the diameter of the opening in the housing. 
   
   
       4 . A clamp according to  claim 3  in which the post has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the opening in the housing, the opening in the housing being eccentric relative to the geometric center of the post. 
   
   
       5 . A clamp according to  claim 1  in which the first and second curved body portions are each formed from a continuous loop forged from mild steel. 
   
   
       6 . A clamp according to  claim 5  in which the first and second curved body portions each have gripping portions shaped from the continuous loop on an interior surface thereof for mating contact with a cylindrical body received in the clamp. 
   
   
       7 . A clamp assembly for coupling first and second cylindrical bodies to each other having a clamp according to  claim 1  and a tube receiving member shaped to receive said second cylindrical body, the tube receiving member being coupled to the first curved body portion of said clamp. 
   
   
       8 . A clamp assembly according to  claim 7  in which the tube receiving member is a second clamp comprising:
 a first curved body portion,   a second curved body portion hinged to the first curved body portion to form a generally circular enclosure for receiving the cylindrical body, and   a clasp for releasably coupling said first and second curved body portions, the clasp having a bolt fixed to one of said first and second curved body portions, and a rotatable housing defining a peripheral groove for slidingly receiving said bolt coupled to the other of said first and second curved body portions, the housing having an access opening for receiving the bolt into said peripheral groove and being adapted to capture the bolt in said groove upon rotation of the housing thereby securing said first and second curved body portions in frictional engagement with said cylindrical body.   
   
   
       9 . A clamp according to  claim 7  in which the tube receiving member is rotatably coupled to the first curved body portion. 
   
   
       10 . A clamp assembly according to  claim 9  in which the tube receiving member is a second clamp comprising:
 a first curved body portion.   a second curved body portion hinged to the first curved body portion to form a generally circular enclosure for receiving the cylindrical body, and   a clasp for releasably coupling said first and second curved body portions, the clasp having a bolt fixed to one of said first and second curved body portions, and a rotatable housing defining a peripheral groove for slidingly receiving said bolt coupled to the other of said first and second curved body portions, the housing having an access opening for receiving the bolt into said peripheral groove and being adapted to capture the bolt in said groove upon rotation of the housing thereby securing said first and second curved body portions in frictional engagement with said cylindrical body.   
   
   
       11 . A clamp assembly according to  claim 7  in which the rotatable housing of the clamp is rotatable about a post fixed to the second curved body portion of the clamp to facilitate replacement of spare parts. 
   
   
       12 . A clamp according to  claim 1  in which the housing has a peripheral wall with a hexagonal external surface to facilitate tightening and release of the housing from the bolt using a conventional wrench. 
   
   
       13 . A clamp according to  claim 1  in which the housing has a peripheral wall with a fluted external surface to facilitate tightening and release of the housing from the bolt using a specialized tool. 
   
   
       14 . A clamp according to  claim 1  in which the housing has a peripheral wall with a scalloped internal surface for step-wise adjustment of the clasp. 
   
   
       15 . A clamp according to  claim 5  having a hinge to couple said first and second curved body portions, the hinge having a C-shaped body with a medial separation spacing said first and second curved body portions with the respective continuous loops received in said C-shaped body so that each said curved body portion may rotate in the C-shaped body independently of the other.