Clamp coupler for work lines

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10632594-B2
Application number	US-201715460896-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2017
Priority date	Mar 16, 2017
Publication date	Apr 28, 2020
Grant date	Apr 28, 2020

Abstract

A clamp fastening device is configured to attach a work line to a work machine. The clamp fastening device includes a clamp structure with a line aperture configured to receive the line. The clamp structure is configured to releasably clamp to and retain a segment of the line within the line aperture. The clamp fastening device also includes a mount structure configured to be supported on an area of the work machine. The mount structure is moveably attached to the clamp structure to support movement of the clamp structure relative to the mount structure along at least one direction. The mount structure is configured to support movement of the clamp structure and the segment of the line relative to the area of the work machine along the at least one direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A clamp fastening device configured to attach work lines to a work machine, the clamp fastening device comprising:
a plurality of clamp structures each with a line aperture configured to receive one of the lines and to releasably clamp to and retain a segment of the associated line within the line aperture; and
a mount structure configured to be supported on an area of the work machine, the mount structure defining a plurality of mount apertures arranged in a row with each mount aperture configured to receive one of the clamp structures, the mount structure being an elongated rectangular structure having an external surface with a front face, a back face opposite the front face, opposite first and second side faces and opposite end faces, the mount structure having a first mount piece and a second mount piece each defining a portion of the mount apertures, the front and back faces and the end faces, the first mount piece defining the first side face and the second mount piece defining the second side face, the first mount piece having a first mating face and the second mount piece having a second mating face;
wherein, in a first position of the mount structure in which the first mating face mates with the second mating face, the first and second mount pieces are configured to support movement of the clamp structures relative to the mount structure and, when the clamp structures are clamped onto the segments of the lines, movement of the segments of the lines relative to the work machine;
wherein each mount aperture defines a mount structure axis that passes through the associated mount aperture;
wherein each line aperture defines a clamp structure axis that passes through the associated line aperture; and
wherein the mount structure is configured to support rotational movement of each clamp structure for varying an orientation of each clamp structure axis relative to the associated mount structure axis.

2. The device of claim 1 ,
wherein, in the first position of the mount structure, the mount structure is configured to support linear movement of each clamp structure along the associated axis.

3. The device of claim 1 ,
wherein, in the first position of the mount structure, the mount structure is configured to support rotational movement of each clamp structure about the associated axis.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein each clamp structure includes a plurality of clamp pieces;
wherein, in a first position of each clamp structure, the associated plurality of clamp pieces is configured to cooperatively clamp to and retain the segment of the line; and
wherein, in a second position of the clamp structure, the plurality of clamp pieces is configured to release from the segment of the associated line.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of clamp pieces of each clamp structure, in the first position, are configured to cooperatively enclose the segment of the associated line.

6. The device of claim 4 ,
wherein the plurality of clamp pieces of each clamp structure includes a first clamp piece and a second clamp piece that releasably attach at a first seam and a second seam; and
wherein the first seam and the second seam are disposed on opposite sides of the associated clamp structure axis.

7. The device of claim 4 , wherein, in a second position of the mount structure, the first and second mount pieces are configured to release the clamp structures from the mount structure.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein each clamp structure includes a projection;
wherein the mount structure includes cavities that receive the projections;
wherein the projections and an inner surface of each cavity are configured to abut to limit movement of the associated clamp structure relative to the mount structure.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein each clamp structure includes a clamp abutment surface and the mount structure includes a plurality of mount abutment surfaces;
wherein each clamp abutment surface is configured to abut the associated mount abutment surface to limit movement of the associated clamp structure relative to the mount structure; and
wherein each clamp abutment surface is inversely contoured relative to the associated mount abutment surface.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the mount structure includes a fastener aperture configured to receive a fastener to fixedly attach the mount structure to the area of the work machine.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Short Daniel T

Classifications

• E02F9/2275

  Hoses and supports therefor and protection therefor · CPC title

• F16L3/16

  with special provision allowing movement of the pipe (F16L3/01 takes precedence; supporting pipes or cables inside other pipes or sleeves F16L7/00) · CPC title

• B25B5/14 Primary

  Clamps for work of special profile {(using chains or strips B25B1/205)} · CPC title

• F16L3/1091

  with two members, the two members being fixed to each other with fastening members on each side · CPC title

• F16L3/18

  allowing movement in axial direction · CPC title