[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement of a clamping holder, intended for
retaining a light fitting, e.g. at the edge of a table or shelf, where the holder
includes two legs which are kept together by a flexible connecting portion and which
have their free ends forming a gripping portion for clamping to a shelf edge or the
like, the legs being openable against the spring bias of the connecting portion by
urging together the outer free ends of the legs, these ends being formed with a finger
grip.
[0002] Clamps or clips of this type, which are used for attaching a light fitting to a table
or shelf edge, can come loose if sufficient clamping force can not be maintained.
If the fitting then falls to the floor it can be broken, and if it falls onto a chair
or the bedclothes on a bed a fire can be caused.
[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of a clamping holder
of the kind mentioned in the introduction, where the disadvantages mentioned above
have been eliminated. The features characterizing the invention are disclosed in the
accompanying claims.
[0004] Due to the invention there has now been provided a clamping holder that does not
loosen after being attached to a shelf edge or the like, but remains securely in place,
even after the resilience in the marterial it is made from begins to deteriorate.
[0005] The invention will now be described in more detail below and with reference to the
accompanying drawing, where
Fig. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a clamping holder in accordance
with the present invention, and
Fig. 2 is a view from above of the holder shown in Fig. 1.
[0006] A preferred embodiment example of a clamping holder 1 in accordance with the present
invention is illustrated on the drawing. The holder 1, preferably intended for attaching
a light fitting to a table or shelf edge, includes two legs 3 and 4, which are kept
together by a flexible connecting portion 2. At one free end the legs form a gripping
portion 5 for clamping the holder 1 to such as a table edge. The gripping portion
5 is openable against the spring bias of the connecting portion 2, by urging together
the other free ends of the legs 3,4, these ends forming a rear end 6 with a finger
grip.
[0007] In the region from the attachment of the connecting portion 2 to the legs 3,4 and
to the free rear end 6 thereof, one leg 3 is provided with a tongue formation 7, which
projects out in a direction towards the other leg 4. The tongue 7 is adapted for coaction
with, and to be optionally locked to, a latch means 8 formed on the other leg 4, such
that, after fastening the holder 1 to a shelf or the like with the gripping portion
5, the rear end 6 of the legs 3,4 may be further urged apart and fixed in this position
with the aid of the tongue 7 and latch means 8, thus obtaining an increased clamping
effect at the gripping portion 5.
[0008] The tongue 7 is provided with a plurality of transverse latching teeth 9 which, when
the legs 3,4 are urged apart at the rear end 6, are automatically latchable in complementarily
formed teeth 10 on the latch means 8. When the clamping holder 1 is to be removed
from the shelf or the like and the clamping effect released in the gripping portion
5, all that is required is to urge the tongue 7 forwards and towards the gripping
portion 5 in the illustrated example.
[0009] In an alternative embodiment, the latch means 8 may solely consist a suitably formed
opening in the other leg 4, through which an extended version of the tongue 7 can
be moved and latched in a desired position by the latching teeth 9.
[0010] As will be seen from the drawing, the upper leg 3 may be provided with a snap-on
means 11 for a light fitting. In addition, the legs 3,4 may be reinforced by stiffening
flanges 12,13. The lower leg 4 may include a loop 14 for a finger, and the leg 3 may
be provided with a force application member 15, e.g. for the thumb or fingers.
1. Arrangement of a clamping holder, preferably intended for retaining a light fitting,
e.g. at the end of a table or shelf, said holder (1) including two legs (3,4) kept
together by a fixable connecting portion (2), said legs having their one free end
forming a gripping portion for clamping to a shelf or the like, said legs being openable
against the spring bias of the connecting portion (2) by urging together said legs
at their other free end (6), which is formed with a finger grip, characterized in that in the region from the attachment of the connecting portion (2) to the legs
(3,4) and to the free rear end (6) thereof, one leg (3) is provided with at least
one tongue formation (7) projecting towards the other leg (4), said tongue formation
(7) being adapted for coaction with, and to be optionally locked to, a latch means
(8) formed on the other leg (4) for enabling latching the legs (3,4) in the region
of the rear end (16) of the clamping holder (1) in a position where the legs are urged
apart, as well as for achieving an increased clamping effect at the gripping portion
(5) after it has been fastened to a shelf or the like.
2. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the tongue formation (7) on the leg (3) is provided with a plurality of transverse
latching teeth (9) for latching coaction with the latch means (8) on the other leg
(4), said latching being releasable by moving the tongue formation (7) in a direction
towards the forward or rear free end of the holder (1).
3. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the latch means (8) comprises
a portion projecting out a short distance from the other leg (4) towards the tongue
formation (7) and which has at least one latching tooth (10) for latchable coaction
with the tongue formation (7).
4. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the latch means (8) comprises
the edge portion of an opening in the other leg (4), through which the tongue formation
(7) is movable and which is formed such that said tongue formation is latchable thereto
in a desired position.
