Clip device

Abstract

A clip device includes a feeding mechanism, a clip and a switch. The feeding mechanism includes a pusher and a guide structure, and the guide structure is adjacent to the pusher. The clip is arranged on the guiding structure and includes a receiving portion and two arm portions. The two arm portions are connected to the receiving portion, and an opening is formed between the two arm portions. The switch is coupled to the pusher and is configured to be activated to drive the pusher to push the clip forward along the guide structure. When the clip moves forward along the guide structure, the two arms are stretched open by the guidance of the guide structure and a flower stem is located in the opening. Then, when the clip continues to move forward and released by the guide structure, the two arms pass over the flower stem and clip a support stick in the opening, so that the support stick and the receiving portion form a closed receiving area for receiving the flower stem, and the diameter of the closed receiving area is greater than the diameter of the support stick.

Description

Clip device The present invention relates to a clamp device, and in particular to a clamp device capable of applying a special clamp for confining a flower stalk in a receiving space. Ornamental orchids are very popular indoor plants because of their often beautiful flowers, which come in a wide variety. These orchids not only beautify a space but also create an elegant atmosphere. To help orchids grow in the optimal direction, a support rod can be inserted into the orchid pot and the orchid stem can be secured to the rod with a clamp or other similar device. It is best to provide a space where the stem can still be moved to facilitate further growth. This process of securing the stem to the rod is usually done manually. Currently, the most widely used clamps in the industry include three types. The first type uses a plastic-coated metal wire segment to wrap around the stem and the rod. However, the stem is bound to the rod, making it difficult to move and limiting its growing space. The second type uses a clamp similar to a shark hair clamp to clamp the stem and rod together. However, if the clamp is too tight, the stem is bound to the rod, making it difficult to move. If the clamp is not tight enough, the clamp will slide on the support rod and cannot be fixed; the third method is to use an S-shaped clamp. The smaller groove at one end of the S-shaped clamp is used to fix it on the support rod, and the larger groove at the other end is used to push the flower stalk into its groove to be accommodated. The disadvantage is that the operation is complicated, labor-intensive and time-consuming. The present invention provides a clip device, which can conveniently and efficiently clamp the clip on a support rod and simultaneously the clip provides a space for accommodating a flower stalk. The clamp device of the present invention includes a feeding mechanism, a clamp and a switch. The feeding mechanism includes a pusher and a guide structure, and the guide structure is adjacent to the pusher. The clamp is used to be arranged in the guide structure and includes a receiving portion and two arms, the two arms are connected to the receiving portion, and an opening portion is formed between the two arms. The switch is coupled to the pusher and is used to be activated to drive the pusher to push the clamp forward along the guide structure. When the clamp advances along the guide structure, the two arms are stretched open by the guidance of the guide structure and a pedicel is located in the opening portion. Then, when the clamp continues to advance and is released by the guide structure, the two arms pass over the pedicel and clamp a support rod in the opening portion, so that the support rod and the receiving portion constitute a closed receiving area for receiving the pedicel, and the diameter of the closed receiving area is larger than the diameter of the support rod. In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned guide structure has two guide grooves, and the distance between the two guide grooves in a front end portion of the guide structure is greater than the distance between the two guide grooves in other portions of the guide structure. The clip further includes two pin portions, which are respectively connected to the two arms and are used to extend into the two guide grooves respectively. When the clip moves along the guide structure to the front end portion, the two arms are stretched open by the two guide grooves guiding the two pin portions. In one embodiment of the present invention, each time the switch is activated, the pusher is driven to push the clip forward a predetermined stroke, and the length of the predetermined stroke is equal to the length of the clip. In one embodiment of the present invention, the clamp device includes a plurality of clamps, wherein the clamps are arranged in sequence along the guide structure, and the pusher is used to push the clamp farthest from the front end portion to drive the clamps forward together. In one embodiment of the present invention, the clip device further comprises a storage tank, wherein the storage tank is connected to the feeding mechanism and is used to store a plurality of clips, and the storage tank is used to sequentially feed the clips into the feeding mechanism. In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned storage tank includes a storage tank body and a storage module. The storage module can be replaceably installed in the storage tank body and used to store these clips. When the clips in the storage module are used up, the storage module can be removed and another storage module can be installed in the storage tank body. In one embodiment of the present invention, the storage tank is connected to an external clip supply device, the clip supply device is used to receive the storage module from the storage tank body, and the clip supply device is used to provide another storage module to the storage tank body. In one embodiment of the present invention, the clamp device further includes a handle, wherein the handle is connected to the feeding mechanism, and the switch is disposed on the handle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the handle is connected to a robotic arm, and the robotic arm is used to activate the switch. Based on the above, the clamp device of the present invention utilizes a propeller to propel the clamp forward along a guide structure, which then expands the clamp, allowing the clamp to pass over the pedicel and then grip the support rod through its opening. While the clamp grips the support rod, the clamp also encloses the pedicel within its closed receiving area. Consequently, the pedicel is confined to the support rod at the clamp, allowing it to grow in a preferred extension direction. Because the clamp device of the present invention automatically grips the support rod and receives the pedicel as described above, simply by activating a switch, it is more convenient and efficient than traditional manual operation. 100, 200: clamp device 110, 210: Feed mechanism 112, 212: thrusters 114, 214: Guidance structure 114a, 214a: front end 1141:Guide groove 1141a: First segment 1141b: Second segment 1141c: The third section 120, 220: Clip 122: Containment Department 124: Arm 124a: opening 126: Sales Department 130, 230: switch 216: Cover 240: Storage tank 242: Storage tank body 244: Storage Module 250:Handle 252:Connection 50: peduncle 60:Support rod 70: Clip supply device 80:Robotic Arm C: Cylinder d1, d2: distance H: Protective cover R: Closed Containment Area S: Extension plane FIG1 is a partial top view of a clamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of some components of the clamp device of FIG. 1 . 3A and 3B illustrate the pusher in FIG. 1 pushing the clip forward. 4 and 5 are three-dimensional views of the clip in FIG. 1 from different viewing angles. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clamp device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of some components of the clamp device of FIG. 6 . FIG. 8 shows the storage module of FIG. 7 being taken out. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the storage tank of FIG. 6 being connected to an external clip supply device. FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the handle of FIG6 connected to the robot arm. FIG1 is a partial top view of a clamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG2 is a schematic diagram of some components of the clamp device of FIG1 . Referring to FIG1 and FIG2 , the clamp device 100 of this embodiment includes a feeding mechanism 110, a clamp 120, and a switch 130. The feeding mechanism 110 includes a pusher 112 and a guide structure 114, wherein the guide structure 114 is adjacent to the pusher 112. The clamp 120 is arranged on the guide structure 114 and includes a receiving portion 122 and two arms 124, wherein the two arms 124 are, for example, arc-shaped and connected to the receiving portion 122, and an opening 124a is formed between the two arms 124. The switch 130 is coupled to the pusher 112 and is used to be activated by manual, pneumatic, electric, or other appropriate means to drive the pusher 112 to push the clamp 120 forward along the guide structure 114. In this embodiment, the clamp device 100 is provided with a propulsion cylinder, for example, and the switch 130 is used to drive the propeller 112 to operate via the propulsion cylinder. Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the pusher 112 of Figure 1 pushing the clip forward. As pusher 112 pushes clip 120 forward along guide structure 114, as shown in Figure 3A , the two arms 124 of clip 120 are guided by guide structure 114 to open, allowing a pedicel 50 to be positioned within opening 124a formed by the two arms 124. Next, as pusher 112 continues to push clip 120 forward, as shown in Figure 3B , and when guide structure 114 releases the pusher 112, the two arms 124 pass over the pedicel 50 and clamp a support rod 60 within opening 124a, so that the support rod 60 and the receiving portion 122 form a closed receiving area R for receiving the pedicel 50. As described above, the clamp device 100 of this embodiment utilizes the propeller 112 to propel the clamp 120 forward along the guide structure 114 and utilizes the guide structure 114 to open the clamp 120, allowing the clamp 120 to pass over the pedicel 50 and then clamp the support rod 60 via its opening 124a. While the clamp 120 clamps the support rod 60, the clamp 120 simultaneously receives the pedicel 50 via its enclosed receiving area R. Consequently, the pedicel 50 is confined to the vicinity of the support rod 60 at the clamp 120, allowing the pedicel 50 to grow in a preferred extension direction. Since the clamp device 100 of this embodiment only requires activating the switch 130 to automatically cause the clamp 120 to clamp the support rod 60 and receive the pedicel 50 as described above, it is more convenient and efficient than traditional manual operation. In this embodiment, the closed receiving area R is, for example, an annular closed area, and the diameter of the closed receiving area R is, for example, larger than the diameter of the support rod 60. Accordingly, the closed receiving area R provides sufficient space to accommodate the peduncle 50, so that the peduncle 50 can grow and move smoothly. Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of the clip of Figure 1 from different perspectives. Specifically, the clip 120 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 , further includes two pins 126. The pins 126 are connected to the two arms 124 and protrude in a direction perpendicular to an extension plane S of the clip 120. As shown in Figure 1 , the guide structure 114 has two guide slots 1141. Each guide structure 114 includes a first section 1141a, a second section 1141b, and a third section 1141c. The two first sections 1141a are parallel to each other. One end of the two second sections 1141b is connected to the two first sections 1141a, and the distance between the two second sections 1141b gradually increases along the forward direction of the clip 120. The two third sections 1141c are connected to the other ends of the two second sections 1141b, so that the distance d1 between the two guide slots 1141 of a front end portion 114a of the guide structure 114 (the distance between the two third sections 1141c) is greater than the distance d2 between the two guide slots 1141 of the other portions of the guide structure 114 (the distance between the two first sections 1141a and the distance between the two second sections 1141b). The two pins 126 of the clip 120 are respectively adapted to extend into the two guide slots 1141. 3B , when the clip 120 advances along the guide structure 114 to the front end portion 114 a , the two arms 124 of the clip 120 are stretched apart by the two guide grooves 1141 guiding the two pins 126 , and can pass over the pedicel 50 as described above. In this embodiment, each time the switch 130 is activated, the pusher 112 is driven to push the clip 120 forward by a predetermined stroke. The length of this predetermined stroke is, for example, equal to the length of one clip 120. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the predetermined stroke length of the pusher 112 pushing the clip 120 may be slightly increased or decreased according to operational requirements. FIG6 is a perspective view of a clamp device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG7 is a partial perspective view of some components of the clamp device of FIG6 . In the clamp device 200 shown in FIG6 and FIG7 , the configuration and operation of the feed mechanism 210, pusher 212, guide structure 214, clamp 220, and switch 230 are the same or similar to the configuration and operation of the feed mechanism 110, pusher 112, guide structure 114, clamp 120, and switch 130 of FIG1 through FIG5 , and are not further described here. The difference between the clamp device 200 and the clamp device 100 is that the clamp device 200 includes a plurality of clamps 220, which are arranged sequentially along the guide structure 214. The pusher 212 is driven by a cylinder C installed in the protective cover H to push the clamp 220 farthest from the front end 214a of the guide structure 214, thereby driving all the clamps 220 forward together. In addition, the feeding mechanism 210 includes a cover 216 . The cover 216 is installed on the guiding structure 214 to cover the clips 220 to prevent the clips 220 from separating upward from the guiding structure 214 . FIG8 illustrates the storage module of FIG7 being removed. As shown in FIG6 to FIG8 , the clip device 200 of this embodiment further includes a storage tank 240, which is vertically connected to the feed mechanism 210 and includes a storage tank body 242 and a storage module 244. The storage module 244 is replaceably mounted on the storage tank body 242 and is used to store a plurality of clips 220. These clips 220 are stacked in the storage module 244 in an up-and-down direction. These clips 220 can be slidably mounted on corresponding structures of the storage module 244, for example, by means of their openings and / or receiving portions, without falling off the storage module 244. The storage tank 240 is used to sequentially feed these clips 220 upward into the feed mechanism 210, ensuring a continuous and uninterrupted supply of clips 220. In this embodiment, for example, the clips 220 in the storage module 244 are pushed upward by the elastic force provided by a spring or other type of elastic member disposed in the storage tank body 242, causing the topmost clip 220 to enter the feed mechanism 210. In other embodiments, the clips 220 in the storage module 244 may be fed into the feed mechanism 210 by other suitable conveying mechanisms, and the present invention is not limited thereto. When the clips 220 in the storage module 244 are exhausted, the storage module 244 can be removed and another storage module 244 filled with clips 220 can be installed in the storage tank body 242. In this embodiment, the clamp device 200 further includes a handle 250. The handle 250 is connected to the feed mechanism 210, and the switch 230 is disposed on the handle 250. Thus, the user can grasp the handle 250 to facilitate moving the front end 214a of the feed mechanism 210 of the clamp device 200 closer to the peduncle, and to facilitate pressing the switch 230 with the hand holding the handle 250. As shown in FIG6 , the rear end of the handle 250 is provided with a connecting portion 252. The connecting portion 252 is connected to the cylinder C through the interior of the handle 250 and is used to connect to the power source of the cylinder C. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the storage tank of Figure 6 connected to an external clip supply device. Referring to Figure 9 , the storage tank 240 of the clip device 200 can be connected to an external clip supply device 70. The clip supply device 70 receives a storage module 244 (shown in Figure 6 ) depleted of clips 220 from the storage tank body 242 (shown in Figure 6 ) and delivers another storage module 244 filled with clips 220 to the storage tank body 242. This allows for an unmanned, continuous supply of clips 220. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the handle 250 of Figure 6 connected to a robotic arm. Referring to Figure 10 , the handle 250 of this embodiment can be connected to a robotic arm 80, which is used to activate the switch 230 (shown in Figure 6) on the handle 250. This allows for unmanned, automatic activation of the switch 230. In summary, the clamp device of the present invention utilizes a propeller to propel the clamp forward along a guide structure, which then expands the clamp, allowing the clamp to pass over the pedicel and then grip the support rod through its opening. While the clamp grips the support rod, the clamp also encloses the pedicel within its closed receiving area. Consequently, the pedicel is confined to the support rod at the clamp, allowing it to grow in a preferred extension direction. Because the clamp device of the present invention automatically grips the support rod and receives the pedicel as described above, simply by activating a switch, it is more convenient and efficient than traditional manual operation. 100: Clip device 110: Feeding mechanism 112:Thruster 114: Guidance structure 114a: front end 1141:Guide groove 1141a: First segment 1141b: Second segment 1141c: The third section 120: Clip 122: Containment Department 124: Arm 124a: opening 50: peduncle 60:Support rod

Claims

1. A clamp device comprising: A feeding mechanism includes a pusher and a guide structure, wherein the guide structure is adjacent to the pusher; a clamp, which is arranged on the guide structure and includes a receiving portion and two arms, wherein the two arms are connected to the receiving portion, and an opening portion is formed between the two arms; and a switch, coupled to the pusher and used to be activated to drive the pusher to push the clamp forward along the guide structure, wherein when the clamp advances along the guide structure, the two arms are stretched open by the guidance of the guide structure and a pedicel is located in the opening portion, and then when the clip continues to advance and is released by the guide structure, the two arms pass over the pedicel and clamp a support rod in the opening portion, so that the support rod and the receiving portion constitute a closed receiving area for accommodating the pedicel, and the diameter of the closed receiving area is larger than the diameter of the support rod.

2. A clamp device as described in claim 1, wherein the guide structure has two guide grooves, the distance between the two guide grooves in a front end portion of the guide structure is greater than the distance between the two guide grooves in other portions of the guide structure, and the clamp further includes two pin portions, which are respectively connected to the two arms and used to extend into the two guide grooves respectively. When the clamp advances along the guide structure to the front end portion, the two arms are stretched apart by the guidance of the two guide grooves to the two pin portions.

3. The clip device according to claim 1, wherein the switch drives the pusher to push the clip forward a predetermined stroke each time the switch is activated, and the length of the predetermined stroke is equal to the length of the clip.

4. The clamp device as described in claim 1 includes a plurality of the clamps, wherein the clamps are arranged in sequence along the guide structure, and the pusher is used to push the clamp farthest from a front end portion of the guide structure to drive the clamps forward together.

5. The clip device according to claim 1 further comprises a storage tank, wherein the storage tank is connected to the feeding mechanism and is used to store a plurality of the clips, and the storage tank is used to sequentially feed the clips into the feeding mechanism.

6. A clip device as described in claim 5, wherein the storage tank includes a storage tank body and a storage module, the storage module can be replaceably installed on the storage tank body and used to store the clips, when the clips in the storage module are used up, the storage module can be removed and another storage module can be installed on the storage tank body.

7. A clip device as described in claim 6, wherein the storage tank is used to be connected to an external clip supply device, the clip supply device is used to receive the storage module from the storage tank body, and the clip supply device is used to provide the other storage module to the storage tank body.

8. The clamp device according to claim 1 further comprises a handle, wherein the handle is connected to the feeding mechanism, and the switch is disposed on the handle.

9. The clamp device of claim 8, wherein the handle is connected to a robotic arm, and the robotic arm is used to activate the switch.

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