Clamping device and clamp

Abstract

Aspects of the invention relate to a gripping device (100) and a clamp (200). The clamp (200) is used for fixing an elongated article (1), such as a barbed wire, in a clamping device (100). The clamp (200) includes an elongate clamp body (202) having opposite ends (208, 210). The clamp (200) includes a clamping surface (206) on a clamp body (202). The clamp (200) includes a sliding surface (212) on a clamp body (202). The clamping surface (206) is substantially parallel to the sliding surface (212).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a clamping device and a clamp. In particular, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present invention relate to a barbed wire clamping device and a barbed wire clamp. Background Art

[0002] Some wires include twisted (helically wound) strands. The twisted strands define a minor diameter and a larger major diameter. When viewed from the side, the wire will present a scalloped / wavy surface that includes a plurality of troughs (minor diameter) separated by peaks (major diameter). Barbed wire is one such example.

[0003] When installing wire fencing, such as barbed wire fencing, it is desirable to efficiently connect the ends of the barbed wire together to form a continuous length. A connector may be provided for this purpose. It is desirable that such a connector provide a high tensile load capacity while being easy and quick to install / release, and that the connector is not too large or inefficient to manufacture. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clamp for fixing a long article in a clamping device, the clamp comprising:

[0005] an elongated clamp body having opposed ends;

[0006] a clamping surface on the clamp body; and

[0007] A sliding surface on the clamp body, wherein the clamping surface is substantially parallel to the sliding surface.

[0008] The advantage is improved bite force, also known as joining efficiency. This is because the gripping surface can slide into the small diameter troughs / valleys that define the twisted long item, such as barbed wire. Joining efficiency is better than that of a wedge-type clamp of the same size because the wedge-type clamp rests on the large diameter crests of the long item. By allowing the clamp to rest in the small diameter troughs of the double helix wire, the clamp can lock itself in place and prevent slipping on the wire. This also adds a greater benefit because the clamp can "bite" on both strands of the barbed wire, something that roller-type clamps are not always able to do. In addition, a typical wedge-type clamp would need to be two to three times longer to grip the full double helix, which results in a bulkier product.

[0009] The term "substantially parallel" has a tolerance associated with it. The tolerance may be 5 degrees, or the tolerance may be 1 degree.

[0010] The clamping surfaces may be "substantially parallel" in the sense that a plane defined by the clamping surfaces is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the sliding surface. The clamping surface and the sliding surface may be substantially planar surfaces.

[0011] The opposite ends of the clamp body may be opposite first and second ends. In use, the clamp may be pushed into engagement with an elongated article in a direction in which the first end is located in front of the second end. The opposite ends may be a leading end and a trailing end.

[0012] The rear end of the clamp body may include a generally flat rear surface connecting the sliding surface to the clamping surface. The rear surface is sufficiently flat to allow the spring to sit against the rear end of the clamp body. In use, the spring causes the clamp to slide toward the side of the elongated article.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the trailing end may include a protruding spring seat.The spring seat may protrude in a rearward direction.

[0014] The tail end of the clamp body can be at an obtuse angle relative to the sliding surface of the clamp. The obtuse angle can be selected from a range of greater than 90 degrees to less than 110 degrees to help seat the spring onto the clamp and resist buckling.

[0015] The clamp body may be shaped so that the front end of the clamp body is located in front of the front end of the clamping surface. The clamp body may also include an inwardly tapered portion that is separated from the substantially parallel sliding surface and the clamping surface. The inwardly tapered portion may be wedge-shaped. The inwardly tapered portion may extend from the leading edge of the clamping surface to the front end of the clamp body. The inwardly tapered portion may include a tapered surface connected to the leading edge of the clamping surface. The tapered surface may converge toward the sliding surface. The tapered surface may be smoother than the clamping surface.

[0016] The inwardly tapering portion has the advantage that the elongated article can be fed more easily through the clamping device in the feed direction.

[0017] The inwardly tapered portion may extend from a first serration (front serration) defining the front end of the clamping surface to the front end of the clamp body. The taper of the inwardly tapered portion may include a curvature towards the front end of the clamp body. Alternatively, a straight taper may also be used.

[0018] The internal angle between the inwardly tapering portion of the clamp and the plane defined by the clamping surface of the clamp, measured at the leading edge of the clamping surface, may be an obtuse angle. This V-shaped internal angle roughly matches the V-shape of the small diameter trough (V-shaped when the elongated article 1 is viewed from the side). This defines the taper or starting taper of the inwardly tapering portion. The obtuse angle may be a value of at least 310 degrees (130 degree internal angle). The obtuse angle may be a value of less than about 350 degrees (170 degree internal angle).

[0019] This has the advantage of enabling the leading edge of the gripping surface to fully embed into the small diameter valleys of the sides of most types of barbed wire.

[0020] The clamping surface of the clamp may be provided with serrations. The clamping surface may include a plurality of serrations, each serration for engaging an elongated article. The plurality of serrations may be a plurality of parallel serrations, such as more than five parallel serrations.

[0021] The serrations may be serrated to prevent the elongated article from sliding in a given direction.

[0022] The depth of the serrations may vary along the clamping surface. The serrations towards the rear end of the clamp body may be deeper than the serrations towards the front end of the clamp body. The advantage is improved joining efficiency. This is because it has been found that overly aggressive front serrations can produce less uniform breaks in long articles. The front serrations may be configured to cause breaks in the long article upon overload, wherein if the front serrations are deeper, the break can occur at a lower load. The deeper rear serrations at the rear end of the clamp also help to lock the clamp into small diameter troughs and pull the clamp into the wire.

[0023] The length of the clamping surface may be greater than 2 mm and on the order of 10^0 mm. The width of the clamping surface may be greater than 2 mm and on the order of 10^0 mm. This dimensioning is suitable for most barbed wires and enables the clamping device to be small enough to fit between adjacent spaced apart barbs of the barbed wire.

[0024] The clamp body may include a slide arrangement configured to be constrained in use by a track arrangement of a housing of the clamping device to constrain one or more translational degrees of freedom of the clamp as the clamp slides towards and away from the elongate article at an oblique angle. The slide arrangement may be substantially parallel to the sliding surface and the clamping surface.

[0025] This has the advantage that the clamp is held in a stable orientation, which makes it easier to release the clamp.

[0026] The advantage of the track arrangement and the slide arrangement is that the clamp can be reliably moved away from the channel during the release of the long object. This reduces the resistance to removing the long object and avoids wear of the clamping surface of the clamp when the long object is pulled through the channel.

[0027] The slideway arrangement of the clamp body may include a step located on the left side of the clamp body. Additionally or alternatively, the slideway arrangement of the clamp body may include a step located on the right side of the clamp body. One or more steps may cause the clamping surface to be narrower than the sliding surface. One or more steps are configured to engage with a track arrangement of a housing of the clamping device.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clamping device, the clamping device comprising:

[0029] a housing including an aperture to allow the elongated article to extend through a passage within the space in the housing of the clamping device; and

[0030] A clamp as described in any one or more of the preceding statements.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clamping device, the clamping device comprising:

[0032] a housing including an aperture to allow the elongated article to extend through a passage within the space in the housing of the clamping device; and

[0033] a clamp comprising an elongated clamp body having opposite ends and a clamping surface on the clamp body,

[0034] The housing of the clamping device comprises a first clamping structure, and the clamp is configured to clamp the elongated article against the first clamping structure.

[0035] The clamp can be moved to a clamping position in the housing, in which the clamp wedges the elongated object against the first clamping structure of the housing of the clamping device at a certain angle, at which the clamping surface of the clamp body is inclined relative to the first clamping structure of the housing.

[0036] This enables the clamp to be embedded in the small diameter troughs in the side of the stranded elongate article.The clamp may be as described in any one or more of the preceding statements.Alternatively, the clamp may have a different shape.

[0037] The first clamping structure may be a first clamping wall, which may extend along the channel. The first clamping structure may be a substantially flat wall. According to experiments, the advantages of a flat wall over a grooved wall are that long objects are easier to load and the connection efficiency is improved.

[0038] The housing of the clamping device may include a second clamping wall for applying a clamping force to the clamp. Thus, the clamp and the elongated article may be clamped between the first clamping wall and the second clamping wall. The second clamping wall may be a second clamping wall.

[0039] The first clamping wall and the second clamping wall may converge towards each other. A narrowing gap may be provided between the first clamping wall and the second clamping wall. The first clamping wall and the second clamping wall may taper inwardly.

[0040] The clamping surface of the clamp body may be substantially parallel to the second clamping wall.

[0041] The clamp body of the clamp may include a sliding surface. The sliding surface may be substantially parallel to the second clamping wall. The sliding surface of the clamp body may be configured to slide along the second clamping wall. The sliding surface may be as described in one or more of the preceding statements. The sliding surface may be substantially parallel to the clamping surface of the clamp body.

[0042] The second clamping wall may include a plurality of parallel running ribs along which the sliding surface of the clamp body can slide, and / or the sliding surface of the clamp body may include a plurality of parallel running ribs configured to act as sliding guides. In either case, the effect is to reduce the engagement area between the clamp and the second clamping wall. The advantage is that the clamp can slide more easily and with less risk of friction build-up which could affect the bite force.

[0043] The housing may include a track arrangement to guide movement of the clamp relative to the channel. The track arrangement may be as described in any of the preceding statements. The track arrangement may be inclined towards the channel at an inclined angle.

[0044] The tilt angle may be a value selected from the range of 7 degrees to less than 30 degrees. A smaller value of the tilt angle results in a greater clamping force, while a larger tilt angle makes it easier to insert the long object along the feed direction. The optimal sub-range is from about 10 degrees to less than 20 degrees.

[0045] In one particular example, the track arrangement may include side ledges to engage with the previously described step portion of the clamp body and seat the clamp body within the track arrangement. As the clamp moves, the step portion of the clamp body may slide along the side ledges.

[0046] The narrower clamping surface of the clamp may protrude beyond the track arrangement towards the channel. This prevents the serrations on the clamping surface from binding on the housing.

[0047] The track arrangement may be parallel to the second clamping wall. The sliding surface may be configured to slide along the second clamping wall as the clamp slides along the track arrangement. The sliding surface of the clamp body may remain substantially parallel to the second clamping wall regardless of the position of the clamp along the track arrangement. Thus, the clamping surface of the clamp body may remain substantially parallel (within three degrees) to the second clamping wall regardless of the position of the clamp along the track arrangement.

[0048] The clamping device may include a spring for urging the clamp. The spring may be as described in any of the preceding statements. The spring may urge the clamp into clamping engagement with the elongated article. The spring may include a helical spring. The spring may be a compression spring. However, it should be understood that the spring can be any other suitable urging member.

[0049] The spring may urge the clamp towards an entry aperture in an aperture of a housing of the clamping device. The spring may urge the clamp into a narrowed gap between the first clamping wall and the second clamping wall. The direction of the spring may be substantially parallel to the second clamping wall. The direction of the spring may be substantially parallel to the track arrangement. Thus, the spring enables the clamp to slide along the track arrangement in a clamping direction towards the channel.

[0050] The clamping device may include a spring seat for applying a reaction force to the spring. The spring seat may extend partially across one end of the passage. The spring seat may extend partially across the outlet end of the space. The spring seat may be located beside the outlet aperture in the aperture of the housing of the clamping device.

[0051] The apertures of the housing of the clamping device may be opposed apertures. The passage may be a substantially straight linear passage between the opposed apertures. The first clamping wall may be a substantially straight linear wall located between the opposed apertures.

[0052] To slide the clamp away from the channel, the user can push the clamp and release the long item by inserting a thin object through the entry aperture. Alternatively, a dedicated release aperture or release button can be provided near the entry aperture.

[0053] The housing of the clamping device may include a second of each of the above-mentioned clamping related features (opposite second apertures, second passages, second spaces, second track arrangements, second clamps, etc.) to enable clamping of another elongated article portion. They may function in the same manner as described above. The second clamp may apply a clamping force in the opposite direction to the first clamp. The space may be partitioned, with each side of the partition representing a first clamping wall of the corresponding passage.

[0054] This has the advantage that, for example, the clamping device can secure two wires end to end. Thus, when installing a barbed wire fence, the clamping device can be used at spaced intervals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In order to better understand various examples of embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0056] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary clamping device;

[0057] Figure 2 shows a side cross-section of a clamping device;

[0058] Figure 3 An end cross section of a clamping device is shown;

[0059] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary clamp; and

[0060] Figure 5 A side cross-sectional view of a clamping device and barbed wire is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Figure 1 A device for clamping a long object 1 ( Figure 1 The elongated article 1 may be in the form of a twisted wire (e.g., barbed wire). Figure 5 As shown, the barbed wire includes a first strand 1A and a second strand 1B, the first strand and the second strand being twisted to define a plurality of small diameter troughs 1C (twists).

[0062] As shown, the clamping device 100 comprises a housing 101 having apertures 102, 104 and internal components within the housing 101. The internal components comprise one or more clamps 200. Each clamp 200 is an actuator for engaging with the elongated article 1.

[0063] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, each clamp 200 is composed of an elongated clamp body 202. The clamp 200 ( / clamp body 202) is movable within the clamping device 100. The clamp 200 is not limited to the specific shape and configuration shown.

[0064] The clamp 200 has a front end 210 and an opposite rear end 208. In use, the clamp 200 can be pushed into engagement with the elongated article 1 in a direction in which the front end 210 is located in front of the rear end 208. The clamp 200 includes an elongated clamping surface 206 extending therebetween. The clamping surface 206 has a plurality of parallel serrations 218 to provide a tight engagement with the elongated article 1. As shown, the serrations 218 can extend perpendicular to the axis of the elongated article 1.

[0065] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A plurality of serrations 218 are shown, including a first serration (front serration 218A) located near the leading end 210 and a last serration (rear serration 218B) located near the trailing end 208. As an example, the illustrated clamp 200 includes ten parallel serrations 218. The apex of the front serration 218A may define a front edge 222 of the clamping surface 206.

[0066] from Figure 5 As can be seen, the depth of the serrations may vary along the clamping surface. The serrations toward the trailing end 208 of the clamp 200 are deeper than the serrations toward the leading end 210 of the clamp 200. The front serrations 218A are shallower than the rear serrations 218B.

[0067] The opposing surface of the clamp 200 opposite the clamping surface 206 is an elongated sliding surface 212 for sliding against the inner wall 114 of the clamping device 100. The clamp 200 has left and right side surfaces 214, 216 (side surfaces) interconnecting the clamping surface 206 and the sliding surface 212.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the gripping surface 206 is between 5 mm and 10 mm and is defined as the distance from the apex of the leading serration 218A to the apex of the trailing serration 218B. The gripping surface 206 has a width in the range of 2 mm to 7 mm. This size setting is suitable for most barbed wires.

[0069] Regarding materials, the fixture 200 may be formed of ceramic or metal materials. The housing 101 may be formed of metal materials. It is understood that other materials may also be used.

[0070] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the clamping surface 206 and the sliding surface 212 can be substantially parallel to each other. For example, the apex of the serrations 218 can define a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of the smoother, planar clamping surface 206.

[0071] like Figure 2 As shown, the spring 116 wedges the clamp 200 into a small area of ​​the interior space 108 within the clamping device 100 so that the clamping surface 206 of the clamp 200 is biased into the small diameter valley 1C between the spiral strands 1A, 1B of the inserted elongated article 1.

[0072] In order to insert the long article 1, the long article 1 can be fed through the clamping device 100 in a predetermined feeding direction. This is not blocked by the clamp 200. However, the clamp 200 prevents the long article 1 from sliding in the opposite direction.

[0073] By feeding the elongated article 1 along its axis in the feeding direction through a suitable opening arrangement 102, 104 of the clamping device 100, the elongated article 1 can be inserted through an inner passage 106 connecting the openings 102, 104 of the opening arrangement. In the example shown, the opening arrangement comprises an inlet aperture 102 and an outlet aperture 104 opposite the inlet aperture 102. The elongated article 1 cannot be easily inserted through the outlet aperture 104, because this would be blocked by the clamp 200.

[0074] The shape of the inner space 108 of the clamping device 100 serves to enable the clamp 200 to apply force to the elongated object 1. Figure 2-3As shown, the space 108 is defined by first and second clamping structures in the form of a first clamping wall 112 and a second clamping wall 114, and is further defined by a side wall 124 ( Figure 3 ) definition.

[0075] like Figure 2 As shown, the first clamping wall 112 may extend from the inlet aperture 102 to the outlet aperture 104. The first clamping wall 112 shown may be a flat surface against which the sides of the elongated article 1 may be compressed. Experiments have found that the flat surface provides slightly higher strength and less resistance to feeding the stranded wire than a grooved first clamping wall 112 (which includes small diameter troughs along which the barbed wire extends).

[0076] The second clamping wall 114 is a surface against which the clamp 200 can slide, as shown. The second clamping wall 114 tapers toward the first clamping wall 112 as it gets closer to the inlet aperture 102. Thus, the second clamping wall 114 acts as a ramp for the clamp 200.

[0077] The space 108 has a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases toward the entrance aperture 102 because the second clamping wall 114 tapers toward the first clamping wall 112. The spring 116 slides the clamp 200 along the second clamping wall 114 toward the entrance aperture 102, thereby wedging the clamp 200 into the gradually narrowing gap between the first and second clamping walls 112, 114. This forces the clamping surface 206 of the clamp 200 against the side of the elongated article 1. The clamp 200 is wedged between the second clamping wall 114 and the side of the elongated article 1 by the spring 116. The elongated article 1 is wedged between the clamping surface 206 of the clamp 200 and the first clamping wall 112 of the clamping device 100.

[0078] In use, if the elongated article 1 is pulled in the feed direction opposite to the direction of the urging force (restoring force) of the spring 116, the clamp 200 is pushed away from the channel 106 against the urging force of the compression spring 116. This enlarges the channel 106 along which the elongated article 1 can be drawn and allows the elongated article 1 to exit through the exit aperture 104. The clamp 200 provides limited resistance to pulling the elongated article 1 in the feed direction.

[0079] When the elongated article 1 has been received by the clamping device 100 , the clamping surfaces 206 of the clamps 200 engage with the sides of the elongated article 1 in the channel 106 .

[0080] If the long object 1 is pulled in the reverse direction opposite to the feeding direction, this will pull the clamp 200 and the long object 1 together into the narrowed gap between the first and second clamping walls 112, 114, thereby tightly clamping the long object 1 and the clamp 200 between the first and second clamping walls 112, 114.

[0081] The clamping force is affected by the taper angle of the tapered wall and the same convergence angle at which the clamp 200 is offset / movable relative to the channel 106 along which the elongated article 1 extends. The taper angle and the convergence angle have an inclined value. The angle of inclination can be a value in the range of 7 to 30 degrees, or more preferably a value from about 10 degrees to less than 20 degrees. It has been found experimentally that values ​​above 20 degrees have lower connection efficiency, while values ​​below 10 degrees require higher insertion forces when inserting the elongated article. In one embodiment, the subrange is 10-15 degrees.

[0082] from Figure 5 It can be seen that the serrations 218 on the clamp 200 may be serrated. The asymmetry (handedness) of the serrated serrations makes the sliding resistance of the long article 1 in the reverse direction greater than the sliding resistance in the feeding direction.

[0083] If it is desired to be able to extract the elongated article 1 from the clamping device 100 in the reverse direction, the user can insert a long object through the entry aperture 102 to push the clamp 200 and release the elongated article 1. Alternatively, a separate release aperture or button may be provided near the entry aperture 102.

[0084] refer to Figures 4 to 5 , the clamp 200 may include an inwardly tapered portion 220 located in front of the clamping surface 206. The inwardly tapered portion 220 is wedge-shaped. The inwardly tapered portion 220 extends from the front edge 222 of the clamping surface 206 to the front end 210 of the clamp 200. Figure 4-5 In the embodiment, the leading edge 222 of the clamping surface 206 is defined as the apex of the front serration 218A. This creates a toothed edge that can be embedded in the small diameter valley 1C of the elongated article 1.

[0085] The inwardly tapered portion 220 includes a tapered surface 224 connected to a leading edge 222 of the clamping surface 206. The tapered surface 224 converges toward the sliding surface 212 as it becomes farther away from the leading edge 222 of the clamping surface 206, and is connected to the leading end 210 of the clamp 200. Therefore, the front portion of the clamp 200 is wedge-shaped, and its leading end 210 is smaller than the trailing end 208.

[0086] The tapered surface 224 is non-serrated and is therefore smoother than the clamping surface 206. The tapered surface 224 makes it easier to feed the elongated article 1 through the clamping device 100.

[0087] As the elongated article 1 is drawn through the clamping device 100 in the feed direction, a sliding contact is established between the elongated article 1 and the tapered surface 224 of the clamp 200. The sliding contact pushes the clamp 200 back against the spring 116. This enables the elongated article 1 to be drawn in the feed direction with minimal resistance. However, if the elongated article 1 slides in the reverse direction, the clamp 200 is pulled to the side of the elongated article 1 (and pushed by the spring 116), causing the clamp 200 to "wedge" between the elongated article 1 and the first clamping wall 112 of the housing 101 of the clamping device 100. This causes the clamping surface 206 to generate a bite force, which is greater the harder the elongated article 1 is pulled in the reverse direction.

[0088] The inwardly tapered portion 220 is shown having a varying taper in the form of a curvature. The curved tapered surface 206 facilitates the insertion of the elongate article 1 by helping to guide the elongate article 1 along the tapered surface 206. Alternatively, a straight taper may also be used.

[0089] The internal angle α (in degrees) between the tapered surface 224 of the clamp 200 and the plane defined by the clamp surface 206, measured at the leading edge 222 of the clamp surface 206. Figure 5 α is an obtuse angle selected from the range of 310 to 350 degrees (130 to 170 degrees obtuse internal angle). It can be said that the leading edge 222 of the clamping surface 206 is V-shaped. Lower α values ​​within this range provide higher joining efficiency, but values ​​below 10 degrees may result in the leading edge 222 not being fully embedded in the small diameter valley 1C of the long article 1.

[0090] like Figure 5 As shown, the clamping device 100 holds the clamp 200 at an inclined angle relative to the long article 1, so that the V-shaped leading edge 222 of the clamping surface fits into the V-shaped small diameter valley of the long article 1. The inclined angle facilitates the contact between the clamping surface 206 and one of the strands 1B at a first side of the V-shaped small diameter valley 1C, while facilitating the contact between the tapered surface 224 and one of the strands 1A at the other side of the V-shaped small diameter valley 1C.

[0091] In order to stably hold the clamp 200 at an inclined angle relative to the long article 1 and to facilitate a smooth sliding / gliding motion to engage and release the clamp 200, the clamping device 100 includes a track arrangement 110. The clamp 200 includes a slide arrangement 204 to engage with the track arrangement 110. The track arrangement 110 and the slide arrangement 204 ensure that the clamp 200 can only slide back and forth in the desired direction.

[0092] The track arrangement 110 and the slide arrangement 204 limit the translational freedom of the clamp 200 to a single translational freedom. Therefore, the clamp 200 can only move in a straight line. The track arrangement 110 can form a straight path parallel to the axis of the spring 116. The path can also be parallel to the second clamping wall 114. The path has a desired inclination angle relative to the long article 1.

[0093] like Figure 3 As shown, the illustrated track arrangement 110 may include a pair of tracks 110 , while the slide arrangement 204 may include a pair of slides 204 .

[0094] Figure 3 The rails 110 are shown at each side wall 124 of the space 108 , and the slideways 204 are shown at each side surface 214 , 216 of the fixture 200 .

[0095] More specifically, Figure 3 Each track 110 is shown as a side ledge in the corresponding side wall 124 of the housing 101 of the clamping device 100, and each slideway 204 is a step in the corresponding side surface 214, 216 of the clamp 200. The side ledge (track 110) rises to a constant height from the second clamping wall 114, and thus extends toward the channel 106 at the previously described inclined angle. The clamp 200 is captured / caught between the second clamping wall 114 and the track 110. The clamp 200 is too wide to slide through the gap between the side ledges (tracks 110).

[0096] Nevertheless, the clamp 200 can still slide along the rail 110 , that is, the step portions in the side surfaces 214 , 216 of the clamp 200 can slide along the side wall shelves in the side wall 124 of the interior space 108 of the housing 101 .

[0097] The narrower clamping surface 206 of the clamp 200 may protrude beyond the track 110 and may therefore be closer to the channel 106 than the track 110 and the slideway 204. This protrusion of the clamping surface 206 prevents the serrations 218 on the clamping surface 206 of the clamp 200 from binding on the housing 101 of the clamp device 100.

[0098] The slideway 204 and track 110 are shown parallel to each other and extend in a generally straight line. Therefore, the orientation of the clamp 200 does not change as it moves along the track 110. It can be said that the clamp 200 has zero degrees of rotational freedom.

[0099] The shapes of both the track 110 and the slideway 204 are not limited to the shapes shown. For example, the plug can slide along the socket. In further examples, more or different degrees of freedom can be provided.

[0100] As the clamp 200 slides along the track arrangement 110, the sliding surface 212 of the clamp 200 can slide along the second clamping wall 114. As the clamp 200 slides along the track arrangement 110, the sliding surface 212 of the clamp 200 maintains continuous contact with the second clamping wall 114. Regardless of the position of the clamp 200 along the track arrangement 110, the sliding surface 212 of the clamp 200 can maintain continuous contact with the second clamping wall 114.

[0101] Regardless of the position of the clamp 200 along the track arrangement 110, the clamping surface 206 of the clamp 200 remains substantially parallel to the second clamping wall 114 and at an oblique angle relative to the first clamping wall 112 and the elongated article 1. Regardless of the position of the clamp 200 along the track arrangement 110, the sliding surface 212 of the clamp 200 remains substantially parallel to the second clamping wall 114.

[0102] Figure 3 The second clamping wall 114 is shown to have a pair of parallel running ribs 115, so that the sliding surface 212 of the clamp 200 is in sliding contact only with the running ribs 115. This results in a small contact area. This enables the clamp 200 to be released more easily than when the contact area is larger. In other examples, the sliding surface 212 may include the running ribs 115. In other examples, the second clamping wall 114 may not have the running ribs 114, but may be narrower than the sliding surface 212 of the clamp 200 to reduce the contact area.

[0103] In an alternative embodiment, there is no contact between the sliding surface 212 and the second clamping wall 114, and the clamp 200 is "suspended" on the track arrangement 110 over at least a portion of its range of motion. In such an embodiment, the appropriate name for the surface 212 would be "second surface" rather than sliding surface.

[0104] Reference is now made to the spring 116, which is shown as a coil spring. The coil spring is arranged as a compression spring which is compressed as the clamp 200 slides along the track arrangement 110 away from the channel 106 for the elongated article 1. It will be appreciated that the spring 116 can be replaced by any other suitable type of spring.

[0105] The clamping device 100 includes a spring seat 118 on which the base end of the spring 116 is seated. One end of the spring 116 contacts the rear end 208 of the movable clamp 200, and the other end (base end) of the spring 116 contacts the spring seat 118. Therefore, as the clamp 200 moves along the track arrangement 110 toward the spring seat 118, the spring 116 is compressed between the clamp 200 and the spring seat 118. As the spring 116 is compressed, the spring seat 118 applies a reaction force.

[0106] The spring seat 118 of the housing 101 is shown partially extending across one end of the passage 106. The spring seat 118 may be a separate component that is fixed to a spring seat opening in the housing 101 of the clamping device 100 after the spring 116 and the clamp 200 have been inserted through the spring seat opening. The spring seat 118 does not completely close the spring seat opening, so that an aperture remains beside the spring seat 118, which aperture is the exit aperture 104 for the elongated article 1.

[0107] The tail end 208 of the clamp 200 is an approximately flat rear surface that connects the sliding surface to the clamping surface. The tail end 208 (the tail end surface) is flat enough to allow the spring 116 to sit against the tail end 208 of the clamp 200. Figure 5 The tail end 208 is shown at approximately a 95 degree angle relative to the sliding surface 212 so that the force from the spring 116 is slightly off-center to help seat the spring 116 on the clamp 200 and prevent buckling.

[0108] The rear end 208 of the clamp 200 may also include an opposing second spring seat 226 for the same spring 116 . Figure 4 and Figure 5 A clamp 200 is shown with a protruding spring seat 226 that protrudes rearwardly from the rear end 208 of the clamp 200 toward the opposing spring seat 118 of the housing 101. The spring seat 226 is located at the rear corner between the rear end 208 and the clamping surface 206 and protrudes rearwardly. This optional spring seat 226 reduces the chance of the spring 116 slipping off the rear end 208 of the clamp 200.

[0109] like Figure 2 As shown, the clamping device 100 may have two clamps 200. The second opening arrangement with a separate inlet aperture 102 and a separate outlet aperture 104 enables a different elongated article 1 (or another part of the same elongated article 1) to be clamped by a separate second clamp 200 in a separate separated interior space 108 of the housing 101 of the clamping device 100. This enables the clamping device 100 to secure two elongated articles end to end, such as two lengths of barbed wire.

[0110] The elongated partition 126 partitioning the space 108 may define the first clamping wall 112 for the first clamp 200 on one side thereof and define the first clamping wall 112 for the second clamp 200 on the opposite side thereof. The partition 126 may be linear.

[0111] Optionally, the feeding direction associated with the second fixture 200 may be opposite to the feeding direction associated with the first fixture 200. Figure 2The inlet aperture 102 of the second opening arrangement is shown adjacent to the outlet aperture 104 of the first opening arrangement. Likewise, the outlet aperture 104 of the second opening arrangement is adjacent to the inlet aperture 102 of the first opening arrangement.

[0112] In other embodiments, the clamping device 100 may include only one clamp 200, or may include more than two clamps. As shown, the second clamp 200 may operate using the same principles as the first clamp 200, but does not necessarily have to be implemented in the same manner as the first clamp 200. In other alternative embodiments, the second clamp 200 can have a different operating principle, for example, the second clamp can be a crimp connector or other permanent / user-releasable connector.

[0113] Although the preceding paragraphs have described embodiments of the present invention with reference to various examples, it should be understood that modifications may be made to the examples given without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, rather than having the clamping surface 206 parallel to the sliding surface 212, the clamping device 100 may be configured to slide and / or rotate a differently shaped clamp 200 to embed a portion of the clamp into a small diameter valley 1C of the elongated article 1.

[0114] In one other alternative example, the elongated article 1 is another type of twisted wire than barbed wire.

[0115] Features described in the preceding description may also be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

[0116] Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

[0117] Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

[0118] While efforts have been made in the foregoing description to draw attention to those features of the present invention which are considered to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection for any patentable feature or combination of features mentioned above and / or shown in the accompanying drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been given thereto.

Claims

1. A clamp for fixing an elongated article in a clamping device, the clamp comprising: an elongated clamp body having opposite ends; a clamping surface on the clamp body; as well as A sliding surface on the clamp body, wherein the clamping surface is substantially parallel to the sliding surface.

2. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein: The clamping surface and the sliding surface are substantially flat surfaces.

3. The clamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The opposed ends of the clamp body are opposed first and second ends, wherein, in use, the clamp is urged into engagement with the elongate article in a direction in which the first end is forward of the second end.

4. A clamp according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: The opposing ends are leading and trailing ends, wherein the clamp body is shaped such that the leading end of the clamp body is located forward of a leading edge of the clamping surface of the clamp body.

5. The clamp according to claim 4, wherein: The clamp body further includes an inwardly tapered portion separated from the substantially parallel sliding surface and the clamping surface, and wherein the inwardly tapered portion extends from the leading edge of the clamping surface to the front end of the clamp body.

6. The clamp according to claim 5, wherein: The inwardly tapered portion extends from a first serration defining the leading edge of the clamping surface to the front end of the clamp body.

7. The clamp according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: An internal angle between the inwardly tapered portion of the clamp and a plane defined by the clamping surface of the clamp, measured at the leading edge of the clamping surface, is an obtuse angle.

8. A clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The clamping surface of the clamp is provided with serrations.

9. The clamp according to claim 8, wherein: The serrations are serrated to prevent the elongated article from slipping in a given direction.

10. The clamp according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The depth of the serrations varies along the clamping surface.

11. A clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The elongate article is barbed wire and the gripping surface is slidable into a trough defining a minor diameter of the barbed wire.

12. A clamping device, comprising: a housing including an aperture to allow the elongated article to extend through a passage within a space in the housing of the holding device; as well as A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim.

13. The clamping device according to claim 12, wherein: The housing of the clamping device comprises a first clamping structure, and the clamp is configured to clamp the elongated article against the first clamping structure, wherein the clamp is movable in the housing to a clamping position, in which the clamp wedges the elongated article against the first clamping structure of the housing of the clamping device at an angle, at which the clamping surface of the clamp body is at an inclined angle relative to the first clamping structure of the housing.

14. The clamping device according to claim 13, wherein: The first clamping structure is a first clamping wall, wherein the housing of the clamping device includes a second clamping wall for applying a clamping force to the clamp so that the clamp and the elongated article are clamped between the first clamping wall and the second clamping wall, wherein the first clamping wall and the second clamping wall converge toward each other, and wherein the first clamping wall and the second clamping wall provide a narrowing gap therebetween.

15. The clamping device according to claim 14, wherein: The clamping surface of the clamp body is generally parallel to the second clamping wall.

16. The clamping device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: The sliding surface of the clamp body is substantially parallel to the second clamping wall, and wherein the sliding surface of the clamp body is configured to slide along the second clamping wall.

17. The clamping device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein: The inclination angle is a value selected from the range of 7 degrees to less than 30 degrees.

18. The clamping device according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein: The clamping device includes a spring for urging the clamp into clamping engagement with the elongated article.

19. The clamping device according to claim 18, wherein: The spring urges the clamp towards an inlet aperture in an aperture of a housing of the clamping device.

20. The clamping device according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein: The apertures of the housing of the clamping device are opposing apertures.

21. The clamping device according to claim 20, wherein: The passage is a substantially straight linear passage between the opposing orifices.

22. A clamping device according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein: The shell includes an independent aperture to allow a different elongated article or another portion of the elongated article to extend through a second passage in a second space in the shell of the clamping device so as to be clamped by a second clamp in the clamp, wherein the shell includes another first clamping structure, and the second clamp is configured to clamp the different elongated article or a different portion of the elongated article against the another first clamping structure, wherein the second clamp is movable in the shell to a clamping position in the shell, in which the second clamp wedges the different elongated article or a different portion of the elongated article against the another first clamping structure of the shell of the clamping device at an angle at which a clamping surface of a clamp body of the second clamp is at an inclined angle relative to the another first clamping structure of the shell.

23. The clamping device according to claim 22, wherein: The second clamp applies a clamping force in a direction opposite to the first clamp.

24. The clamping device according to claim 22 or 23, wherein: The space and the second space are spaced apart, each side of the spacer representing a first clamping wall of a corresponding channel.

25. A clamping device, comprising: a housing including an aperture to allow an elongated article to extend through a passage within a space in the housing of the clamping device; as well as a clamp comprising an elongated clamp body having opposite ends and a clamping surface located on the clamp body, The housing of the clamping device comprises a first clamping structure, and the clamp is configured to clamp the elongated article against the first clamping structure. Wherein, the clamp is capable of moving to a clamping position in the shell, in which the clamp wedges the elongated article against the first clamping structure of the shell of the clamping device at an angle, at which the clamping surface of the clamp body is inclined relative to the first clamping structure of the shell.

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