Safety clamping device

Abstract

A safety clamping device is designed to secure ropes of service personnel during their work on warehouse racks. The device features a base plate with a latch and sliding guides, and two clamping plates that move laterally to close around the upright, engaging locking pins into mounting holes on the lateral side of the rack. The latch slides over the pinch portions of both clamping plates to lock the device in place, providing a secure and reliable attachment point for ropes. This design enables efficient and safe securing of service workers during their duties in warehouse environments.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of safety hooks and clamps for securing service personnel during their work on and in a warehouse rack. The invention in particular relates to a heavy-duty shelf safety hook or clamp for application specifically in the area of warehouse management and storage systems. The device is designed for securing ropes to uprights of warehouse racks, indicating its application in the field of material handling and logistics. It may be used in various industries such as warehousing, distribution centres, manufacturing facilities, or other settings where heavy loads are stored or transported.Background of the Invention

[0002] Workers in a warehouse often have to work under hazardous circumstances. A storage rack in a modern automated warehouse may reach heights of multiple floor levels, and may not have safety features such as handrails or appropriate flooring to ensure basic security for the workers. The warehouse racks are mainly optimized towards storage capacity, accessibility for reaching the stored goods and cost.

[0003] Maintenance workers of warehouse racks would therefore likely use securing devices for several reasons, such as safety, compliance with regulations, reduced risk of equipment damage and alike. Securing themselves while performing tasks on or near the rack is crucial to prevent accidents and injuries. A securing device such as a clamp provides a reliable way to attach their safety harnesses to the rack, ensuring the workers are safely secured. By securing themselves to the rack, maintenance workers can prevent accidental falls or drops that could damage expensive equipment or inventory stored on the rack. Moreover, many industries have strict regulations regarding worker safety, and using securing devices can help maintenance workers comply with these standards.

[0004] Different securing devices and methods have been proposed in the past, some of which are more reliable then others. Directly tying knots to connections between beams, bracings or struts, would appear to be a straightforward way, but may be time-consuming and may not provide a secure attachment, especially if the knot comes undone. Moreover could an injudicious choice of the fixation point for the knot apply pressures that could exceed the tolerances of the components and cause the collapse of the rack.

[0005] The use of clips or hooks may at first sight be an improvement over the direct knotting of a rope to the rack, but is also not recommended as these devices could potentially damage the rack or the safety harness, and they may not provide a reliable connection. Workers might use alternative equipment such as ladders, scaffolding, or other temporary structures to access the rack, which could be impractical or unsafe.

[0006] Specifically tailored devices such as clamps are often proposed, providing an easily removable solution for fixing a rope to specific parts of a warehouse rack. However, existing clamps may have limitations such as a limited adjustability or adaptability, insecure attachment, difficult installation or a combination of these.

[0007] The main concern with these devices is however the insecure attachment. Clamp designs may not provide sufficient grip on the upright, leading to accidental disengagement or opening. Moreover may the clamp designs be cumbersome to install and require additional tools or personnel.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a safety clamping device that ensures a reliable fixation of a rope or a clamp to an upright of a warehouse rack, while at the same time providing a user-friendly way to install and remove the device at the clamping location. Overall, it is he object of the invention to provide a more reliable and user-friendly solution for securing ropes to warehouse racks compared to existing clamps in the prior art.Summary of the Invention

[0009] The following is a summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention . The sole purpose of this section is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0010] To this aim, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a safety clamping device having the features of claim 1. The safety clamping device of the invention for securing a rope to an upright of a warehouse rack that comprises multiple mounting holes on its frontal or lateral sides comprises at least a base plate, a set of two clamping plates and a latch to close keep the clamping plates in a closed position.

[0011] The base plate comprises a back side configured to fit a width of a frontal side of the upright, a front side comprising a latch that is hinged at a top side of the base plate and a set of sliding guides, the base plate further comprises a securing loop configured at the bottom end of said base plate for securing said rope, hook or arrest fall lanyard.

[0012] In the context of the invention, the clamping device is configured to attach to a particular design of uprights of a warehouse rack. A warehouse rack is designed to accommodate storage locations which may be of a standardized size, to accommodate standard storage units for, for instance, palletized goods. A single specific type of standardized uprights is typically used for assembling the rack, such that the same type of rack uprights is used to build a particular rack. The use of only one type of safety clamp can therefore accommodate all of the securing needs for the rack.

[0013] An upright has a preferably rectangular profile, but may also be U-shaped. Both configurations are most commonly found in professional warehouses and provide strength and stability to the upright. The design of an upright is determined by its width and depth, but also by the shape, size and distribution of the anchor points. An upright has at least three sides of which the central side, which is further called the frontal side of the profile, determines the width of the profile. The frontal side of the profile is orthogonally connected to the left and right sides, the lateral sides, of the profile, which determine the depth of the profile.

[0014] The back side of the base plate of the safety clamping device of the invention is configured to have ideally the same width as the width of the frontal side of the upright to which it is configured to attach, such that the contact surface between the back side surface of the base plate and the contact portion of the frontal side of the upright is maximized. The back side surface should at least align with a portion of the frontal side of the upright; the back side of the base plate may also have a slightly smaller width compared to the width of the frontal side of the upright. Smaller base plate widths may be considered as long as the base plate can accommodate the other components, such as the sliding guides, the latch and the optional locking pins. Selecting a same width for the back side of the base plate as the frontal side of the upright ensures an optimal contact and stability of the security clamping device when connected to the upright. The base plate advantageously provides a secure attachment point for the safety clamping device to the upright, ensuring proper positioning and stability.

[0015] The sliding guides that are configured on the front side of the base plate allow the clamping plates to move laterally, enabling them to wrap around the upright and secure the clamping device with the locking pins.

[0016] The front side of the base plate features a securing loop at its lower end, preferably in the form of a circular or elliptical recess that is angled away from the front of the upright. While different shapes of this securing loop or attachment point may be considered, rounded designs are recommended to minimize damage to attached ropes or hooks. A rounded design helps prevent rope cuts when the rope moves while secured to the hole. The securing loop advantageously allows a rope, hook or arrest fall lanyard to be tied off securely, preventing accidental dislodging.

[0017] The front side of the base plate also features at least one sliding guide that allows the clamping plates to move laterally in a sliding movement. A sliding guide may be designed to receive and accommodate the slider portions of the clamping plates, enabling them to slide smoothly and precisely into position.

[0018] The sliding guides may take various forms, such as tracks, rails or bushings. Tracks are narrow channels or grooves machined into the base plate that the slider portions of the clamping plates can slide along. Rails would be raised longitudinal surfaces on the base plate that provide a smooth surface for the slider portions to ride against. Bushings are small cylindrical or rectangular inserts moulded into the base plate that allow the slider portions to move freely.

[0019] The purpose of the sliding guides is to ensure precise positioning and alignment of the clamping plates as they close around the upright, while also allowing for easy and smooth movement during installation or adjustment. The sliding guides enable the clamping plates to be wrapped around the upright and secure its position with the locking pins.

[0020] Each clamping plate of the set of two clamping plates of the invention is configured on one end with a jaw comprising at least one locking pin and configured on the other end with a pinch portion. Each clamping plate has a slider portion configured to move laterally along the sliding guide and is configured to slidably attach the clamping plate to the base plate, such that when both pinch portions of the set of clamping plates are pinched together the jaws are closing around the upright while sliding the locking pins into the lateral mounting holes of the upright, and are bringing said safety clamping device into a closed position. The pinch portions may be understood as a slider block (or push-pull block) that consists of a pair of parallel plates, usually rectangular in shape, which are attached to the sliding portion of an object. These blocks can be pinched together by applying pressure, causing the sliding element to move towards the opposing plate. This design allows for smooth and controlled movement.

[0021] In other words, each clamping plate in the set of two consists of a centrally located slider portion which connects a jaw with at least one locking pin on one end of the slider portion with a pinch portion at the opposite end of the slider portion. The profile of a clamping plate has shape like a Z-beam, meaning that the web or middle part of the Z-beam corresponds to the slider portion, while the jaw and the pinch portion correspond to the opposite flanges of the Z-beam. In other words, the jaw and pinch portion are oriented orthogonally with respect to the slider portion, but in opposing directions. This unique Z-beam shape allows for efficient movement of the clamping plates along the base plate while still providing a secure grip around the upright when closed.

[0022] The slider or slider portion of the clamping plate is configured to move or slide laterally along the sliding guide, allowing it to slidably attach to the base plate. When both pinch portions are pressed or pinched together, the jaws close towards the upright, and the locking pins engage with the lateral mounting holes of the upright, securing the safety clamping device in a closed position. When the pinch portions are moved apart from each other, the jaws of the clamping plates will open up and allow the clamping device to be removed effortlessly from the upright. The slider portions of the clamping plates are configured to allow the full retraction of the locking pins from the lateral mounting holes when opening the clamping device.

[0023] The particular design of the clamping plates contribute to an increased security of the clamping device. The clamping plates provide a strong grip on the upright ensuring that the locking pins remain inserted into the lateral mounting holes while the safety clamping device is in a closed position, while the locking pins ensure that the device is cannot move in a vertical direction, preventing it from sliding along the upright. Moreover, the design provides an easy installation of the security clamping device.

[0024] The latch of the invention is configured at the top side of the base plate and comprises a handle to manually operate the latch. The latch preferably is designed as a long flat body. The latch further comprises a slit that is configured to slide over the pinch portions of both clamping plates when these pinch portions are fully pinched together, such that they are in contact with each other. A slit is an opening that is designed to slide over the pinch portions of both clamping plates when the device is in its closed position. When both pinch portions touch each other when squeezed together, the latch may be pivoted down by means of the handle such that the slit of the latch slides over both pinch portions, and effectively keeps the pinch portions close together. The latch therefore keeps the safety clamping device into the closed position.

[0025] The handle may be ergonomically designed for comfortable grip and operation, while the slit might have a smooth inner surface to facilitate easy sliding over the pinch portions. It's also possible that the latch has additional features or components not explicitly mentioned in the description, such as springs, hinges, or other mechanical components that aid in its operation.

[0026] The latch mechanism provides an easy-to-use means for locking the device in a closed position, ensuring that the clamping plates are properly engaged with the upright and that the clamping device is secure. The latch comprises a handle that allows an operator to manually lock the position of the clamping plates into a closed position. The slit is configured to slide over the pinch portions of both clamping plates, effectively locking them together and securing the device in place. This ensures that the upright is firmly held by the clamping plates and cannot be accidentally dislodged or released.

[0027] The latch mechanism makes it simple to lock and unlock the clamping plates in, respectively from, the closed position, reducing the time and effort required for setup and teardown. Overall, the design of the safety clamping device with the clamping plates in combination with the latch mechanism in this safety clamping device provides a reliable and efficient means for securing ropes for securing workers to warehouse rack uprights, enhancing workplace safety and productivity.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the back side of the base plate may comprise at least one locking pin that is configured to engage with a corresponding mounting hole in the frontal side of the upright. The presence of additional locking pins advantageously has two technical effects. A first effect is that the locking pins at the back side of the base plate are inserted into the frontal mounting holes of the upright during the initial positioning of the safety clamp, i.e. before closing the clamping device around the upright. The locking pins therefore already provide stability during the placement or positioning of the clamp onto the upright, before that it is even closed. A second effect is that an increased overall number of locking pins engaging with mounting holes of the upright improves the stability of the clamping device, as the total supported load by the clamping device is distributed over more locking pins.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the safety clamping device comprises a latch with a slit, wherein the width of the slit of the latch at least equals the width of the two pinch portions. The slit is preferably configured as a longitudinal recess along longitudinal direction of the latch, and the slit runs preferably along the length of the latch. The slit has a specific width and shape that preferably matches the dimensions of the pinch portions, ensuring a secure fit.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the baseplate may have a U-shaped profile and comprises recesses in the flanges of the profile for accommodating the slider portions of the clamping plates. This particular design provides the advantage that the slider portion of the clamping plates are at least partially held close to the front side of the base plate by means of these recesses. The slider portions, which are the flat parts that connect the pinch portions at one end with the jaws of the clamping plates at the other end, are also slidably attached to the front side of the base plate by means of the sliding guides. The recesses in the flanges of the U-shaped profile of the baseplate therefore advantageously provide additional strength and stability to the design of the clamping device.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the latch is hinged to the base plate by means of a set of hinge screws that are fixed at the top side of the base plate through a hole in the flanges. This design feature offers the advantage that the design of the latch itself is kept simple, and that the latch can be easily replaced when required.

[0032] According to yet another embodiment, the latch is a sliding latch of which the hinge screws are configured to traverse a slit within the flanges. This enables the slit of the latch to slide and secure behind a locking recess on the pinch portions of the clamping plates. In this configuration, the latch is implemented as a sliding latch, permitting the hinge to travel along a predetermined distance along the length of the base plate. In a preferred embodiment, the hinges or hinge screws situated at the top of the latch move within a recess with a specified length defined by the recess's length. As a result, a portion of the latch above the slit's top surface engages behind the locking recess of the pinch portions on the clamping plates. This engagement advantageously locks the latch into its closed position, thereby preventing accidental dislodging or release of the latch, and subsequently the clamping plates and the entire clamping device.

[0033] According to another embodiment, the handle of the latch forms a securing handle loop to secure said rope. The handle of the latch therefore functions as an alternative to the securing loop at the bottom end of said base plate, and may therefore also accommodate a rope, hook or arrest fall lanyard. When the handle of the latch is configured as a securing handle loop, the weight of the secured load will keep the latch in a closed position, and will prevent that the clamping plates may be opened. This design therefore advantageously ensures a very secure closing of the latch over the pinch portions, making it impossible to open the jaws of the clamping devices when a weight is applied to the securing handle loop.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, the securing handle loop in the handle of the latch aligns with the securing loop configured at the bottom end of the base plate. This configuration even more advantageously holds the latch comprising the securing handle loop in a closed position. When the securing handle loop of the handle of the latch overlaps with or is superimposed non the securing loop of the base plate (which happens when the latch is in a closed position), a rope or hook that would be attached to said combination of both loops would further keep the latch completely shut as the rope would tie both loops firmly together.

[0035] In a further embodiment, does the shape of the first pinch portion not overlap with the shape of the second pinch portion. Both pinch portions therefore are designed such that their pinch surfaces, the surfaces to which pressure is applied when pinched together, are not identical in shape and size and are therefore not overlapping with each other. This design choice means that the surfaces where pressure is applied when the pinch portions are pinched together, known as the pinch surfaces, are not identical in shape and size. As a result, these pinch surfaces do not overlap with each other.

[0036] The benefit of this non-overlapping design is that it allows for easier opening of the jaws of the clamping device. When you want to open the jaws, you can push the pinch portions away from each other, which would be more difficult or even impossible if the pinch surfaces overlapped. By having non-overlapping pinch surfaces, the user can easily spread the pinch portions apart, allowing the jaws to open and releasing their grip on the upright. This design feature enhances the usability and functionality of the safety clamping device by making it simpler to operate and maintain.

[0037] Further advantages and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038] Fig. 1 illustrates a right-frontal view of the clamping the device in an open position, and wherein the latch is oriented upward; Fig. 2 illustrates a left-rear view of the clamping device in an open position, and wherein the latch is oriented upward; Fig. 3 illustrates a right-frontal view of the clamping device in a closed position, and wherein the latch is oriented downward; Fig. 4 illustrates a left-rear view of the clamping device in a closed position, and wherein the latch is oriented downward; Fig. 5 illustrates a single clamping plate; Fig. 6 illustrates a right-frontal view of the base plate of the clamping device; Fig. 7 illustrates a clamping device of the invention that is mounted in a closed position onto an upright of a rack; Fig. 8 illustrates a right-frontal view of another embodiment of the clamping device in an closed position, and wherein the latch is oriented downward; Fig. 9 illustrates the clamping device of Fig. 8 that is mounted in a closed position onto an upright of a rack; Fig. 10 illustrates a right-frontal view of the embodiment of the clamping device of Fig. 8 in an open position, and wherein the latch is oriented upward; Detailed Description of Embodiment(s)

[0039] Figure 1 shows a right-frontal view on a preferred embodiment of a security clamping device 100 according to an aspect of the invention. The clamping device of the invention comprises a latch 102 that is shown in an upward position, such that the clamping device is in an open position. When the clamping device is in an open position, this means that it is in a position wherein it does not clamp to the upright; the jaws of the clamping device can in this open state not attach to the upright. The drawing shows the main parts of the left and right clamping plates; pinch portions 117, the left jaw 106 and the slider portions 116 configured to connect the pinch portion 117 with the jaw 106. The jaw 106 is mounted orthogonally on the slider portion 116 of the clamping plate and is directed towards the back side of the clamping device, while the pinch portion 117 is also mounted orthogonally on the slider portion 116 but is directed towards the front side of the clamping device. In the drawing, both pinch portions 117 of both left and right clamping plates are visible, and are not pinched together, meaning that the surfaces of the pinch portions are separated at a certain distance. Since the pinch portions 117 are not pinched together, the slit 103 in the latch 102 cannot slide or pivot over the pinch portions 117, and therefore cannot keep the pinch portions 117 together at close distance.

[0040] Further indicated in the drawing of Fig. 1 are two sliding guides 115 that are in this particular embodiment fixed to the front side of the base plate 101 by means of a set of screws. The part of the sliding guide 115 that is fixed with the screws makes direct contact with the front side of the base plate 101, the remaining portion of the sliding guide does not make contact with the base plate and forms a track to retain the slider portion 116 of the clamping plate close to the base plate. This design allows the slider portion 116 of the clamping plate to move along this track as it slides laterally inside the sliding guides. The track retains the slider portion close to the base plate, ensuring that it remains aligned and in position as it moves back and forth. This helps maintain stability and prevents any potential misalignment or jamming of the clamping plates.

[0041] Further, a pair of locking pins 107 is mounted inwards on each jaw of the safety clamping device. At the lower part of the device a securing loop 111 is configured under an angle relative to the plane of the base plate and in the direction of the front side of the clamping device. The securing loop 111 slants downward slightly towards the front side of the clamping device. The securing loop 111 has a circular hole or opening, referred to as through hole 110, which allows a rope, hook or arrest fall lanyard to be passed through it for fixation. This hole is designed specifically for securing the rope that needs to be attached to the upright of the warehouse rack. In other words, this securing loop 111 provides a convenient and secure way to pass the rope through the device, allowing it to be fixed in place. The angled configuration might provide additional stability or prevent any unwanted movement of the rope within the loop. By having this securing loop at the lower part of the device, it's easy to imagine that it would be useful for securing the rope to the upright of the rack, especially when the clamping plates are closed around the upright and the locking pins 107 are engaged in the lateral mounting holes 202.

[0042] Figure 2 depicts the left-rear view of the clamping device of an embodiment of the invention and shows a clear view of the back side of the base plate 101. The base plate 101 is in this embodiment fitted with two pairs of locking pins 108. The jaws 106 of the clamping plates are visible, each showing the pair of locking pins 107 that are mounted inwards.

[0043] The latch 102 comprises a longitudinal slit 103 that runs centrally along the length of the latch. The handle 105 of the latch is configured as a bent portion of the latch itself, allowing a comfortable and secure grip for the user. The latch 102 is hinged to the base plate by means of a set of hinge screws 104 that are fixed at the top side of the base plate through a hole in the flanges 119 of the base plate.

[0044] Figure 3 depicts the same embodiment of the safety clamping device of the invention, but the drawing depicts the clamping device in a closed position. When the clamping device is in the closed position, the clamping plates are moved towards each other such that the jaws 106 fit around the upright, and the pinch portions 117 are pinched together such that their surfaces touch each other. The slit 103 of the latch 102 is therefore able to slide over both pinch portions 117, since the slit 103 is slightly wider then the combined thickness of the pinch portions 117.

[0045] Figure 4 depicts a left-rear view of the same embodiment of the safety clamping device of the invention, but the drawing depicts the clamping device in a closed position. Both jaws 106 are clearly visible and each are configured with a pair of lateral locking pins 107 that are configured to slide into the lateral mounting holes 202 of the upright.

[0046] Figure 5 illustrates a detail of a clamping plate that is separated from the safety clamping device of the invention, and shows the slider portions 116 of the clamping plate that connect the jaws 106 with the pinch portions 117. As can be seen, the clamping plate has a Z-shaped profile wherein the jaw 106 and the pinch portion 117 are orthogonally mounted onto the slider portions 116, but their surface planes are oriented in opposite directions with respect to each other. In this embodiment, the top and bottom edges 116' of the slider portions 116 are linear and straight and are configured to slide into the longitudinal recesses 118 that are foreseen along the length of the flanges 119 of the base plate 101. The top and bottom ends of pinch portion 117 both exhibit a recess 123 that engages with an edge of respectively the upper and lower sliding guide 115. The recess 123 ensures that the slider portions 116 of the clamping plate slide along the front side of the base plate 101. This parallel sliding movement of the clamping plates allow for the jaws to open and close around an upright 200 in a linear and stable fashion. The shape of the edges of the sliding guides 115 may limit the parallel sliding movement of the clamping plates both in opening as in closing directions. Moreover does slider portion 116 exhibit a notch 116' at both upper and lower side to engage with the longitudinal recesses 118 of the flanges 119. The clamping plate may be manufactured from a single piece of material and bent in the appropriate shape or may be composed from a number of subcomponents that are for instance welded together. The jaw 106 comprises a pair of holes 107' to insert and fix the locking pins 107.

[0047] Figure 6 shows the base plate 101 that is separated from the safety clamping device of the invention. The base plate 101 mainly has a flat body of which the back side is designed to align with the front side of the upright. In this embodiment, the width of the base plate The base plate 101 comprises two pairs of holes 108' to insert and fix locking pins 108, which may engage with the frontal mounting holes 201 in the front side of the upright. The base plate 101 further comprises two pairs of holes 115" to fix the sliding guide 115 with its screws 115'.

[0048] The drawing shows the front side of the base plate 101 and illustrates the U-shaped profile of the base plate 101. The base plate 101 of this embodiment comprises a pair of lateral flanges 119 that are erected orthogonally on the base plate's surface, and which provide holes 104' to fix the hinge screws 104 of the latch 102. The lateral flanges 119 moreover comprise longitudinal recesses 118 along the length of the flanges 119 for accommodating the slider portions 116 of a clamping plate. The securing loop 111 slants downward slightly towards the front side of the base plate.

[0049] In Figure 7 the safety clamping device 100 of the invention is depicted in combination with an upright 200, or at least a portion of an upright 200. The safety clamping device 100 is in a closed position and is clamped or fixed to the upright 200. In the closed position, the latch 102 is pivoted downwards such that the slit 103 slides over the pinch portions 117. The slit 103 keeps the pinch portions 117 together such that the locking pins 107 on the jaws 106 are inserted into the lateral mounting holes 202 of the upright 200.

[0050] The upright 200 comprises lateral mounting holes 202 in its lateral sides at equally spaced distances, allowing the safety clamping device 100 to be mounted and locked at different heights. The upright 200 also comprises frontal mounting holes 201 at equally spaced distances, allowing the locking pins 108 in the base plate to engage with the frontal mounting holes 201. The spacing of mounting holes 201 and 202 evidently have to correspond to the spacing of the locking pins of the clamping device 100.

[0051] In Figure 8, 9 and 10, another embodiment of the safety clamping device 100 of the invention is depicted which differs from the previous embodiment in that the handle 105 of the latch 102 has a different shape. In this embodiment, the handle 105 has an identical shape as the securing loop 111 onto which it can be pivoted when the clamping device is in a locking position. The shape of the handle 105 therefore matches the shape of the securing loop 111 such that it provides a convenient and secure way to pass the rope,hook or arrest fall lanyard through the device, allowing it to be fixed in place. By having this overlapping design of the securing loop 111 with a correspondingly shaped handle 105 or securing handle loop, the latch 102 is prevented from being opened as long as the rope or hook is passed through the device.

[0052] The embodiment of Figure 8, 9 and 10 further comprises a latch that is a sliding latch of which the hinge screws 104 are configured to traverse a slit 103 within the flanges 119. As the latch moves, a portion above the slit's top surface engages behind the locking recess 122 on the pinch portions 117 of the clamping plates. This engagement locks the latch into its closed position, preventing accidental dislodging or release of the latch. In other words, once the latch is engaged, it becomes secure and won't come undone without intentional action. The hinge screws 104 that attach the latch to the base plate are designed to traverse the slit 103 within the flanges. This allows the latch to slide smoothly along its predetermined distance on the base plate.

[0053] Although the present invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments, and that the present invention may be embodied with various changes and modifications without departing from the scope thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. In other words, it is contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the basic underlying principles and whose essential attributes are claimed in this patent application. It will furthermore be understood by the reader of this patent application that the words "comprising" or "comprise" do not exclude other elements or steps, that the words "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality, and that a single element, such as a computer system, a processor, or another integrated unit may fulfil the functions of several means recited in the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the respective claims concerned. The terms "first", "second", third", "a", "b", "c", and the like, when used in the description or in the claims are introduced to distinguish between similar elements or steps and are not necessarily describing a sequential or chronological order. Similarly, the terms "top", "bottom", "over", "under", and the like are introduced for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to denote relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and embodiments of the invention are capable of operating according to the present invention in other sequences, or in orientations different from the one(s) described or illustrated above.

Claims

1. A safety clamping device (100) for securing a rope to an upright (200) of a warehouse rack that comprises multiple mounting holes (201, 202) on its frontal or lateral sides, the safety clamping device comprising: - a base plate (101) comprising a back side configured to fit a width of a frontal side of said upright, a front side comprising a latch (102) that is hinged at a top side of the base plate (101) and a sliding guide (115), the base plate (101) further comprising a securing loop (111) configured at the bottom end of said base plate (101) for securing said rope, - a set of two clamping plates (121), each clamping plate configured on one end with a jaw (106) comprising at least one locking pin (107) and configured on the other end with a pinch portion (117), each clamping plate (121) having a slider portion (116) configured to slidably attach the clamping plate (121) to the base plate, such that when both pinch portions (117) of the set of clamping plates (121) are pinched together the jaws (106) are closing around the upright (200) while sliding the locking pins (107) into the lateral mounting holes (202) on the lateral side of the upright, and are bringing said safety clamping device into a closed position, - the latch (102) comprising a handle (105) and a slit (103) that is configured to slide over the pinch portions (117) of both clamping plates (121) for locking the safety clamping device (100) into said closed position.

2. The safety clamping device of claim 1, wherein the back side of said base plate (101) comprises at least one locking pin (108) for corresponding to a frontal mounting hole (201) on the frontal side of said upright.

3. The safety clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the slit (103) of the latch (102) equals at least the width of the two pinch portions (117).

4. The safety clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the baseplate has a U-shaped profile and comprises recesses (118) in the flanges (119) of the profile for accommodating the slider portions (116) of the clamping plates (121).

5. The safety clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the latch is hinged to the base plate by means of a set of hinge screws (104) that are fixed at the top side of the base plate (101) through a hole (104') in the flanges (119).

6. The safety clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the latch is a sliding latch of which the hinge screws (104) are configured to slide along a slit (120) in the flanges (119), allowing the slit of the latch to slide behind a locking recess (122) in the pinch portions of the clamping plates.

7. The safety clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle (105) of the latch forms a securing handle loop to secure said rope.

8. The safety clamping device according to claim 8, wherein the securing handle loop in the handle (105) of the latch aligns with the securing loop (111) configured at the bottom end of the base plate.

9. The safety clamping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the first pinch portion does not overlap with the shape of the second pinch portion.

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