Quick-release clamp for detachably attaching an instrument, especially a percussion instrument, to a holder

Abstract

Quick-release clamp (1) for detachably fastening an instrument, in particular a percussion instrument, to a holder, in particular for fastening to a rod-shaped holder with a smooth or at least partially structured surface, wherein the quick-release clamp (1) has a passage (14) for the holder, at least one movable clamping jaw (12) for changing the cross-section of the passage (14), at least one operating element (13) for influencing the position of the clamping jaw (12), and a housing (11), and the clamping jaw (12) is adjustable between a released position and a rest position, wherein a spring element (15) is arranged between the housing (11) and the operating element (13) for holding the operating element (13) in a position,by which the clamping jaw (12) can be brought into the rest position and / or locked, and no force is applied directly from the spring element (15) to the clamping jaw (12), and the operating element (13) is movable relative to the housing (11) and the clamping jaw (12) for breaking the positive locking connection between the clamping jaw (12), the operating element (13) and the housing (11), and for enabling the movement of the clamping jaw (12) into the released position, characterized in that , - at least two clamping jaws (12) are present; and - a positive locking connection exists in the rest position between the operating element (13), the housing (11) and at least two of the clamping jaws (12) via a single operating element (13); and - the clamping jaws (12) are rotatable about a common axis (122) parallel to the feedthrough (14).

Description

Area:

[0001] The invention relates to a quick-release clamp for detachably attaching an instrument, in particular a percussion instrument, to a holder. State of the art:

[0002] When a musician uses different instruments simultaneously, especially percussion instruments, it can be helpful if these are mounted on a stand or holder. For flexibility in setting up the percussion instruments, these mounts are usually detachable. In concert technology, care is also taken to ensure that attaching and detaching an instrument from a holder is quick and easy, as this reduces setup and teardown time.

[0003] Various suitable clamps or fastening devices are disclosed in the prior art. For example, US patent 6,884,015 B1 discloses a clamp in which two clamping wings are attached to a base body. These clamping wings are pivotable relative to the base body and can be locked by a horizontal movement of the pivot axis. A disadvantage of this design is that one-handed operation is either impossible or very difficult, and more than one movement is required to attach the clamp to the bracket.

[0004] Another terminal design is known from US Patent 7,629,526 B1. This terminal has two clamping elements that are held against the terminal housing by springs. These clamping elements also serve as the operating elements. By actuating the operating surfaces on the outside of the terminal, the surfaces are separated, thereby increasing the cross-section of the feedthrough and releasing the connection.

[0005] The patent application US 2014 / 0227021 A1 discloses a number of racks configured to accommodate a number of different devices. In some embodiments, the racks are used with a range of medical devices. The devices can be attached to a single rack by clamps. The racks may also include a number of ports that provide power and / or network connectivity for the attached devices. The racks may include a clamp that allows the racks to attach a device to a supporting structure, such as a support arm.

[0006] US Patent 10,415,618 B2 discloses a quick-release mechanism for mounting a tabletop to table legs, comprising a lower ring, a cap, two locking wings, and two springs. The lower ring includes a central hole and two release pins. The cap includes a circumferential rim and two pins. The locking wings include an axial hole, a hole for receiving a tension screw, and an inclined side. The springs and locking wings are designed to mount onto the spring wing pins. The tension screws are designed to be screwed into the holes for receiving the tension screw, and the springs push the locking wings toward the center of the mechanism so that the locking wings cover part of the central hole. When the cap is rotated relative to the lower ring, the spring wing pins exert a force on the locking wings, pushing them back.

[0007] A disadvantage of the embodiment disclosed here is that the support is provided by springs. This means that the clamping forces depend on the respective spring force of the springs used. Particularly under heavy loads or oscillating loads, the clamping connection can loosen if the spring force is exceeded. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown here, two operating surfaces must be actuated to release a clamping connection. Purpose of the invention:

[0008] The object of the invention is therefore to further develop known clamp designs in such a way that the operation of the quick clamp is simplified without reducing clamping safety. Invention:

[0009] The object of the invention is achieved by a quick-release clamp with the features of claim 1. In the rest position of the clamping jaw, there is a positive-locking connection between the clamping jaw, the operating element, and the housing. This prevents movement of the clamping jaw relative to the opening in the housing and thus avoids unintentional cross-sectional expansion and loosening of the connection between the clamp and the holder.

[0010] A spring element is positioned between the housing and the operating element. This spring element holds the operating element in a position that allows the clamping jaw to be moved into its rest position and / or locked in place. No force from the spring element acts directly on the clamping jaw. The spring element's ability to maintain the operating element's position is sufficient to prevent unintentional loosening of the connection.

[0011] The operating element is movable relative to the housing and the clamping jaw. This makes it possible to release the positive locking connection between the clamping jaw, the operating element, and the housing, and also to allow the clamping jaw to move into a released position. Because the spring now only acts directly on the operating element, and the positive locking connection is only released when the operating element is moved, the clamping security of the connection is increased.

[0012] At least two clamping jaws are present, and a single operating element creates the positive locking connection in the rest position between the operating element, the housing, and at least two clamping jaws. This simplifies the handling of the quick clamp, as one operating element acts on two clamping jaws simultaneously, and two clamping jaws can easily create a secure cross-sectional reduction for connection to a holder.

[0013] A clamping jaw is pivotally mounted around a common axis parallel to the feedthrough. This design simplifies the construction and the absorption of holding forces by the clamping jaws, as forces can be transferred into the housing at two points: the pivot bearing and the operating element.

[0014] Further preferred embodiments of the quick-release clamp are described in dependent claims 2 to 11. It is preferred that the positive and / or force-fit in the rest position of the clamping jaw can be achieved by the spring element without the application of a spring force. This offers the advantage that the holding forces, i.e., the maximum transmissible clamping forces, can be set independently of the spring force required to position the operating element.

[0015] The positive-locking connection between the clamping jaw, the operating element, and the housing is preferably suitable for transferring a force from the surface of the clamping jaw to the housing. Ideally, the surfaces should be as flat and parallel as possible, as this does not restrict relative movement between the components.

[0016] The operating element preferably has a first area for establishing the force-fit and / or positive locking connection and a second area whereby, when the operating element is moved, the clamping jaws are movable relative to the housing, thereby changing the cross-section of the passage between the clamping jaws. This offers the advantage that the position of the clamping jaw can be influenced by an operating element or a movement of the operating element, and a corresponding positive-fit and / or force-fit connection can be established.

[0017] In the rest position, the cross-section between the clamping jaws is preferably minimal. This simplifies operation for the user and improves operational safety, because a positive and / or force-fit position is always present in the initial position.

[0018] The possible directions of movement of the operating element and the clamping jaw during a change in cross-section are preferably not parallel to each other. This non-parallel direction of movement of the different components increases the connection reliability because forces or movements causing cross-sectional changes by the clamping jaws do not align with the possible directions of movement of the operating element. As a result, an unintentional movement or force applied to one clamping jaw will not be transmitted to the operating element, or only insufficient movement to release the quick-release clamp.

[0019] In the rest position of the clamping jaws and the associated control element, the spring force between the control element and the housing preferably acts perpendicular to the feedthrough and not in possible directions of movement of the clamping jaws. This increases the locking effect of the spring, which holds the control element in the rest position, because different directions of movement and force exist between the clamping jaws and the control element.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferred if the at least one clamping jaw has a clamping surface with a structured surface. According to the invention, the structured surface can be incorporated into the clamping jaw body itself or applied by means of a further layer. "Structured" in the sense of the invention here means that a clearly perceptible haptical structure is present on the surface, which preferably makes movement of the clamp relative to the holder more difficult and / or increases the friction between the two.

[0021] The structured surface preferably has notches perpendicular to the feedthrough. Perpendicular notches in the sense of the invention can, for example, be rectangular, triangular, or circular milled recesses or applied protrusions with respect to the surface. These can be created, for example, by an adhesively applied rubber-like layer. A hard surface structuring is preferred if the holder also has a hard surface structuring.

[0022] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a system comprising a quick-release clamp and a holder with the features of claim 12. The quick-release clamp is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and the clamping surface of at least one clamping jaw and a portion of the surface of a holder have a complementary structure. The complementary surface profile allows the surfaces to interlock, thereby increasing the clamp's secure attachment to the holder.

[0023] The following three figures are attached to the description. Fig. 1: External view of the quick clamp Fig. 2: Horizontal section through the quick clamp in rest position Fig. 3: Horizontal section through the quick-release clamp in the released position

[0024] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the figures mentioned, in the form of exemplary embodiments. In all figures, identical technical elements are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows an external view of a quick-release clamp 1 according to the invention. Visible are the round outer housing 11, the feedthrough 14 for a holder 2, and the operating element 13 in its rest position. A portion of a clamping jaw 12 is visible in the feedthrough 14, reducing the cross-section of the feedthrough 14 in the quick-release clamp 1.

[0026] Fig.Figure 2 shows a horizontal section through a quick-release clamp 1 according to the invention. The quick-release clamp 1, or the operating element 13, is shown in its rest position. A spring element 15 in the form of a coil spring is arranged between the housing 11 and the operating element 13 and presses the operating element 13 outwards against the wall of the housing 11. The two clamping jaws 12 grip the feedthrough 14 and have an additional structured layer on their respective clamping surfaces 121. The clamping jaws 12 themselves are both pivotably mounted about an axis 122 parallel to the feedthrough 14.

[0027] In the rest position shown here, the cross-section of the passage 14 is reduced by the two clamping jaws 12, and a positive fit exists between the clamping jaw 12, the operating element 13, and the housing 11. When the operating element is moved in the direction B of the passage 14 within the housing 11, the area of ​​the operating element 13 that creates the positive fit shifts relative to the clamping jaw 12 and the housing 11, thus releasing the positive fit. The clamping jaw 12 can then rotate about the pivot axis 122, thereby increasing the cross-section and potentially allowing connection to a holder.

[0028] Fig.Figure 3 shows a quick-release clamp 1 with the operating element 13 in the released position. Due to the corresponding features of the operating element 13, both clamping jaws 12 can be moved simultaneously when the operating element 13 is moved B. The movement K of the clamping jaws 12 about the bearing or axis 122 of the clamping jaws 12 is only possible when the corresponding positive locking mechanism is released. The operating element 13 then pushes both clamping jaws 12 outwards, thus increasing the cross-section in the opening 14. This releases any connection to a holder. Table 1: Labels in illustrations number Description 1 Quick clamp 11 Housing 12 Clamping jaw 121 Clamping surface 122 Rotation axis of the clamping jaws with bearing 13 Control element 131 Form-fit area 132 Solution area 14 implementation 15 spring element B Direction of movement control element K Direction of movement of the clamping jaw F F Spring force F H Holding forces

Claims

Quick-release clamp (1) for detachably fastening an instrument, in particular a percussion instrument, to a holder, in particular for fastening to a rod-shaped holder with a smooth or at least partially structured surface, wherein the quick-release clamp (1) has a passage (14) for the holder, at least one movable clamping jaw (12) for changing the cross-section of the passage (14), at least one operating element (13) for influencing the position of the clamping jaw (12), and a housing (11), and the clamping jaw (12) is adjustable between a released position and a rest position, wherein a spring element (15) is arranged between the housing (11) and the operating element (13) for holding the operating element (13) in a position,by which the clamping jaw (12) can be brought into the rest position and / or locked, and no force is applied directly from the spring element (15) to the clamping jaw (12), and the operating element (13) is movable relative to the housing (11) and the clamping jaw (12) for breaking the positive locking connection between the clamping jaw (12), the operating element (13), and the housing (11), and for allowing the clamping jaw (12) to move into the released position, characterized in that: - at least two clamping jaws (12) are provided; and - a single operating element (13) provides the positive locking connection in the rest position between the operating element (13), the housing (11), and at least two of the clamping jaws (12); and - the clamping jaws (12) are rotatable about a common axis (122) parallel to the passage (14). Quick clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the form and / or force closure in the rest position of the clamping jaw (12) can be effected without the action of a spring force (FF) by the spring element (15). Quick clamp according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the positive locking connection between the clamping jaw (12), the operating element (13) and the housing (11) is suitable to transmit a holding force (FH) from the surface of the clamping jaw (12) to the housing (11). Quick clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the operating element (13) has a first area for establishing the force or form closure (131); and - the operating element (13) has a second area (132) wherein, when the operating element (13) is moved, the clamping jaws (12) are movable relative to the housing (11) and the cross-section of the passage (14) between the clamping jaws (12) can be changed. Quick clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the rest position the cross-section between the clamping jaws (12) is minimal. Quick clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the possible movements, in particular directions of movement (B, K), of the operating element (13) and the clamping jaws (12) cannot be carried out parallel to each other in the event of a change in cross-section. Quick clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the rest position the spring force (FF) between housing (11) and operating element (13) is perpendicular to the holding force (FH) that can be transferred to the housing by the force-locking and / or form-locking connection. Quick clamp according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the clamping jaw (12) has a clamping surface (121), preferably as an additional layer, with a structured surface. Quick clamp according to claim 8, characterized in that the structured surface has notches perpendicular to the passage (14). System comprising a quick-release clamp (1) and a holder for an instrument, characterized in that - the quick-release clamp (1) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 11; and - the clamping surface (121) of at least one clamping jaw (12) and a part of the surface of a holder have a mutually complementary structure.

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