Clamp Device and Packaging Box Assembly Incorporating Said Clamp Device

Abstract

A clamp device clamps together two panels having aligned receiving holes, and includes a tubular wall adapted to be inserted into the aligned receiving holes and having a through hole, first and second abutment plates connected hingedly and oppositely to the tubular wall within the through hole, first and second clamping plates projecting transversely and respectively from the first and second abutment plates, two resilient arms projecting from the second abutment plate and respectively having engaging ends, and a locker having two groove sidewalls formed on the first abutment plate and confining a groove therebetween. The clamping plates move away from each other to a clamping position when the abutment plates abut against the tubular wall. The groove receives and locks the engaging ends when the abutment plates abut against the tubular wall, thereby locking the clamping plates in the clamping position.

1 . A packaging box assembly comprising:
 a base including a first panel having a first receiving hole;   a cover including a second panel adjacent to said first panel and having a second receiving hole aligned with said first receiving hole; and   a clamp device to clamp together said first and second panels, and including
 a hollow seat including a tubular wall that is inserted into said aligned first and second receiving holes and that has a through hole, and a flange projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and surrounding said through hole, 
 a movable clamp unit including a first abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole, a first clamping plate projecting transversely from said first abutment plate, a second abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole and opposite to said first abutment plate, and a second clamping plate projecting transversely from said second abutment plate, said first and second clamping plates moving toward each other when said first and second abutment plates move away from said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates moving away from each other to a clamping position when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and being substantially parallel to said flange in said clamping position, 
 a pair of resilient arms projecting from said second abutment plate in a direction opposite to said second clamping plate and respectively having engaging ends, said resilient arms extending across said through hole when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, and 
 a locker having two groove sidewalls formed on said first abutment plate and confining a groove therebetween to receive and lock said engaging ends when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, thereby locking said first and second clamping plates in said clamping position. 
   
   
   
       2 . The packaging box assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining unit fixed to said second panel in proximity to said aligned first and second receiving holes and having a cord, said hollow seat further including a tab extending outwardly from said flange and having a cord-looping neck, said cord being looped around said cord-looping neck. 
   
   
       3 . The packaging box assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a support plate projecting transversely from said second abutment plate oppositely of said second clamping plate and fixed to said resilient arms, said resilient arms extending transversely of said support plate while projecting transversely from said second abutment plate. 
   
   
       4 . The packaging box assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said locker further has a limit plate projecting transversely from said first abutment plate in a direction opposite to said first clamping plate, said groove sidewalls being fixed to and projecting transversely from said limit plate and said first abutment plate, said groove sidewalls having ends defining an access opening therebetween opposite to said limit plate to permit said engaging ends of said resilient arms to extend into said groove, said limit plate limiting said engaging ends from moving out of said groove in a direction opposite to said access opening. 
   
   
       5 . The packaging box assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said ends of said groove sidewalls are bent inwardly and oppositely to form corners at two sides of said access opening, said engaging ends of said resilient arms respectively engaging said corners and abutting against said groove sidewalls after extending into said groove, said resilient arms being compressible to move said engaging ends thereof toward each other and to disengage respectively from said corners. 
   
   
       6 . A clamp device for clamping together at least two panels having aligned receiving holes comprising:
 a hollow seat including a tubular wall that is adapted to be inserted into the aligned receiving holes and that has a through hole, and a flange projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and surrounding said through hole;   a movable clamp unit including a first abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole, a first clamping plate projecting transversely from said first abutment plate, a second abutment plate connected hingedly to said tubular wall within said through hole and opposite to said first abutment plate, and a second clamping plate projecting transversely from said second abutment plate, said first and second clamping plates moving toward each other when said first and second abutment plates move away from said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates moving away from each other to a clamping position when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, said first and second clamping plates projecting outwardly and transversely from said tubular wall and being substantially parallel to said flange in said clamping position;   a pair of resilient arms projecting from said second abutment plate in a direction opposite to said second clamping plate and respectively having engaging ends, said resilient arms extending across said through hole when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall; and   a locker having two groove sidewalls formed on said first abutment plate and confining a groove therebetween to receive and lock said engaging ends when said first and second abutment plates abut against said tubular wall, thereby locking said first and second clamping plates in said clamping position.   
   
   
       7 . The clamp device of  claim 6 , further comprising a support plate projecting transversely from said second abutment plate oppositely of said second clamping plate and fixed to said resilient arms, said resilient arms extending transversely of said support plate while projecting transversely from said second abutment plate. 
   
   
       8 . The clamp device of  claim 7 , wherein said locker further has a limit plate projecting transversely from said first abutment plate in a direction opposite to said first clamping plate, said groove sidewalls being fixed to and projecting transversely from said limit plate and said first abutment plate, said groove sidewalls having ends defining an access opening therebetween opposite to said limit plate to permit said engaging ends of said resilient arms to extend into said groove, said limit plate limiting said engaging ends from moving out of said groove in a direction opposite to said access opening. 
   
   
       9 . The clamp device of  claim 8 , wherein said ends of said groove sidewalls are bent inwardly and oppositely to form corners at two sides of said access opening, said engaging ends of said resilient arms respectively engaging said corners and abutting against said groove sidewalls after extending into said groove, said resilient arms being compressible to move said engaging ends thereof toward each other and to disengage respectively from said corners. 
   
   
       10 . The clamp device of  claim 9 , further comprising a retaining unit adapted to be fixed to one of the panels in proximity to the aligned receiving holes and having a cord, said hollow seat further including a tab extending outwardly from said flange and having a cord-looping neck to permit said cord to loop around said cord-looping neck.