Quick-connect clamp and method for using the same

Abstract

This invention provides a load bearing quick-base that is applied directly to the adjustable-height slot structure of a modular frame upright that is also used ubiquitously to support adjustable-height accessory brackets. By employing a set of upper (or “first”) tabs and a set of spaced-apart, lower (or “second”) tabs, the clamp can be firmly secured to the upright's front, slot-containing face as needed at any desired height in the same manner as a shelf bracket. The clamping system provides a clamp frame adapted to support a load, such as a swing arm support, that depends therefrom. The clamp frame has a first (or “upper”) tab structure with a first tab assembly including a first tab shoulder sized and arranged to engage an interior face of the base member (such as a slotted upright) adjacent to a first slot structure on the base member. There is also provided a movable (or “lower”) tab structure that is pivotally and slidably mounted with respect to the clamp frame. This second movable tab structure includes a second tab assembly having a second tab shoulder sized and arranged to engage an interior face of the base member adjacent to a second slot structure on the base member. The second tab structure is served by a locking member, which can be a spring-loaded, rotating bale, which selectively locks the movable tab structure against movement relative to the frame so as to retain the second tab shoulder and the first tab shoulder in a fixed relationship.

1 . A clamping system for engaging a base member having a plurality of slots arranged in a line comprising: 
 a clamp frame adapted to support a load that depends therefrom;    a first tab assembly including a first tab shoulder sized and arranged to engage an interior face of the base member adjacent to a first slot structure on the base member;    a movable tab structure pivotally and slidably mounted with respect to the clamp frame including a second tab assembly including a second tab shoulder sized and arranged to engage an interior face of the base member adjacent to a second slot structure on the base member; and    a locking member selectively locking the movable tab structure against movement relative to the frame so as to retain the second tab shoulder and the first tab shoulder in a fixed relationship, each engaging the interior face of the base member respectively adjacent to the first slot structure and the second slot structure, and for unlocking the movable tab structure so as to allow the second tab structure to be removed from engagement with the interior face of the base member for removal of the clamp frame from the base member.    
   
   
       2 . The clamping system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the locking member comprises a wire bale having a pair of ends, each of the ends rotating within and passing through holes formed in the clamp frame and being axially movable to selectively engage, to thereby lock, and disengage, to thereby unlock, holes formed in the movable tab structure.  
   
   
       3 . The clamping system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the clamp frame includes spreader wings that allow the bale to be springingly spread to disengage from the holes formed in the movable tab structure when the bale is rotated thereonto.  
   
   
       4 . The clamping system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of slots of the base member are arranged in at least two side-by-side lines of slots and wherein the first tab structure comprises at least two first tabs on the clamp structure and wherein the second tab assembly includes at least two second tabs for respectively engaging each of at least two side-by-side first slots in the first slot structure and at least two side-by-side second slots in the second slot structure.  
   
   
       5 . The clamping system as set forth in  claim 4  wherein each of the first tabs and each of the second tabs includes an angled tab end that allows the tab to enter a respective of the first slots and the second slots at a predetermined angle free of interference.  
   
   
       6 . The clamping system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein each of the angled tab ends is bent so as to firmly engage a width of the respective of the first slots and the second slots.  
   
   
       7 . The clamping system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the clamp base includes a support for a load bearing unit extending therefrom.  
   
   
       8 . The clamping system as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the support comprises a clevis and pin assembly that supports a swinging arm.  
   
   
       9 . The clamping system as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the clevis and pin assembly comprises a pair of clamp clevis members formed on ends of the base member and having holes for receiving a pin that, in turn, engages base clevis members formed on the swinging arm.  
   
   
       10 . The clamping assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the clamp frame defines a U-shaped interior, the first tab comprises a first tab member fixedly attached to the interior and the movable tab member includes a pin that passes into a slot on each of opposing sides of the clamp frame so as to allow the movable tab member to rotate with respect to the slot about the pin and to slide along a predetermined length of the clamp frame between opposing limit ends of the slot.  
   
   
       11 . A method for quick connect and disconnect of a load-bearing clamping base with respect to a base member having a line of slot structures comprising the steps of: 
 locating a first slot structure at a desired location on the base member from a plurality of slot structures in the line;    inserting a first tab assembly located on a clamp frame through the first slot structure and moving the tab assembly so that a first tab shoulder overlies an interior face of the base member adjacent to the slot structure;    rotating the clamp frame to bring a movable tab structure having a second tab assembly into contact with a second slot structure at a predetermined spacing from the first slot structure;    inserting the second tab assembly through the second slot structure and slidably and rotatably moving the movable tab structure relative to the clamp frame so that a second tab shoulder overlies the interior of the base member adjacent to the second slot structure;    rotating the clamp base into a confronting relationship with the base member and thereby slidably and rotatably moving the movable tab structure into a lockable orientation; and    moving a locking mechanism to retain the movable tab structure against rotatable and slidable movement with respect to the clamp frame.    
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the step of moving the locking mechanism comprises axially moving ends of a bale that pass through holes in the clamp frame into aligned holes of the movable tab structure.  
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the step of axially moving includes rotating the bale off of spreader wings so as to cause the ends to springingly move axially into the aligned holes.  
   
   
       14 . A quick-connect clamp having tabs adapted to be received by first slots and second slots, spaced apart from the first slots, on an upright comprising: 
 a clamp frame that supports a first pair of side-by-side tabs each with respective first tab shoulders adapted to engage an interior of the upright and that extend outwardly from the clamp frame in a first direction and a second pair of side-by-side tabs each with respective second tab shoulders that extend outwardly from the clamp frame in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second pair of side-by-side tabs being movable to allow the second tab shoulders to selectively either (1) overlie or (2) be positioned remote from an interior face of the upright, when the second pair of side-by-side tabs is positioned in the second slots, while the first pair of side-by-side tabs is positioned in the first slots with the first tab shoulders overlying the interior face of the upright.    
   
   
       15 . The quick-connect clamp as set forth in  claim 14  further comprising a locking mechanism that selectively locks the second pair of side-by-side tabs against being movable out of the position in which the second tab shoulders overlie the interior face of the upright.  
   
   
       16 . The quick-connect clamp as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the locking mechanism comprises a movable end that selectively engages and disengages a structure side supporting at least one tab of the second pair of side-by-side tabs.  
   
   
       17 . The quick-connect clamp as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the end is operatively connected to a sprung bale that moves between a spread orientation and an unspread orientation.  
   
   
       18 . The quick-connect clamp as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the structure side supports a pin that slides and rotates in a slot defined in the clamp frame.