초록 ▼

A clamp is disclosed for coupling an accessory to a tube. The clamp includes a base configured to receive an accessory, and first and second arms rotatably coupled to the base by way of flexible members. Another flexible member adjoins ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clampin

A clamp is disclosed for coupling an accessory to a tube. The clamp includes a base configured to receive an accessory, and first and second arms rotatably coupled to the base by way of flexible members. Another flexible member adjoins ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clamping surface for receiving the tube. The clamping surface has a size substantially identical to an outer diameter of the tube. A locking system is configured to restrict rotational and lateral movement of the first and second arms relative to each other.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A clamp for coupling an accessory to a tube, the clamp comprising: a base configured to receive the accessory;a first arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end and a second end;a second arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end, a second end, and a length approximate

1. A clamp for coupling an accessory to a tube, the clamp comprising: a base configured to receive the accessory;a first arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end and a second end;a second arm rotatably coupled to the base and having a first end, a second end, and a length approximately equal to a length of the first arm;a first flexible member adjoining the second ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clamping surface for receiving the tube, the clamping surface having a size substantially identical to an outer diameter of the tube;a second flexible member coupling the first arm to the base;a third flexible member coupling the second arm to the base; anda locking system configured to restrict rotational and lateral movement of the first and second arms relative to each other, the locking system is coupled to the first ends of the first and second arms, the locking system includes a first set of complementary interfering surfaces and a second set of complementary interfering surfaces, wherein the first set restricts the rotational movement of the first and second arms, and the second set restricts the lateral movement of the first and second arms, and the first set of complementary interfering surfaces is circumferentially adjacent the second set of complementary interfering surfaces. 2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the second set is comprised of a circumferentially raised bar and complementary recess. 3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein one of the first or the second arm is comprised of a raised gripping surface. 4. The clamp of claim 3, wherein the raised gripping surface is comprised of an overmolded gripping member. 5. The clamp of claim 1, further comprising a closure member coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm and cooperating with the locking system to close the clamp, the closure member is positioned radially outward of the locking system. 6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first flexible member is looped upward into an opening between the first and second arms, and wherein the first, second and third flexible members maintain the first and second arms in an open position when in an unattached condition and cause the arms to close when in an attached condition. 7. A clamp for coupling an accessory to a tube, the clamp comprising: a base configured to receive the accessory;a first arm rotatably coupled to the base and having an inner surface facing the base and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and facing away from the base, the first arm extending between a first end and a second end;a second arm rotatably coupled to the base and having an inner surface facing the base and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and facing away from the base, the second arm extending between a first end and a second end;at least one flexible member adjoining the second ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clamping surface for receiving the tube; anda latching system coupled to the first ends of the first and second arms, the latching system including a first set of complementary interfering surfaces and a second set of complementary interfering surfaces, wherein the first set maintains the first and second arms in a rotationally-closed position, and the second set maintains the first and second arms in a laterally-aligned position, the second set being comprised of a circumferentially raised bar on one of the first and second arms and a complementary recess on the other of the first and second arms, and the inner surface of one of the first and second arms is configured to contact the outer surface of the other of the first and second arms when in the rotationally-closed position and the laterally-aligned position, wherein the raised bar is located on the outer surface of one of the first and second arms and the recess is located on the inner surface of the other of the first and second arms. 8. The clamp of claim 7, wherein the first arm includes a length that is substantially equal to a length of the second arm, and the clamping surface has a size substantially identical to an outer diameter of the tube. 9. The clamp of claim 7, further comprising a closure member coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm and cooperating with the latching system to close the clamp, the closure member is positioned radially outward of the latching system. 10. The clamp of claim 7, wherein one of the first or the second arm is comprised of a raised gripping surface. 11. The clamp of claim 10, wherein the raised gripping surface is comprised of an overmolded gripping member. 12. The clamp of claim 7, further comprising a second flexible member coupling the first arm to the base and a third flexible member coupling the second arm to the base. 13. The clamp of claim 12, wherein the first flexible member is looped upward into an opening between the first and second arms, and wherein the first, second and third flexible members maintain the first and second arms in an open position when in an unattached condition and cause the arms to close when in an attached condition. 14. The clamp of claim 7, wherein the raised bar is integral with a recessed portion of the first end of one of the first and second arms. 15. A clamp for coupling an accessory to a tube, the clamp comprising: a base configured to receive the accessory;a first arm rotatably coupled to the base and having an inner surface facing the base and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and facing away from the base, the first arm extending between a first end and a second end;a second arm rotatably coupled to the base and having an inner surface facing the base and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and facing away from the base, the second arm extending between a first end and a second end;at least one flexible member adjoining the second ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clamping surface for receiving the tube; anda closure member coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm and cooperating with a latch to close the clamp, the latch including a first set of complementary interfering surfaces to maintain the first and second arms in a laterally-aligned position, and the first set of complementary interfering surfaces comprises a circumferentially-raised bar defined on the inner surface of one of the first and second arms and a complementary recess configured to receive the circumferentially-raised bar and defined on the outer surface of the other of the first and second arms, wherein the raised bar is located on the outer surface of one of the first and second arms and the recess is located on the inner surface of the other of the first and second arms. 16. The clamp of claim 15, wherein the first arm includes a length that is substantially equal to a length of the second arm. 17. The clamp of claim 15, wherein the latch includes a second set of complementary interfering surfaces, wherein the second set maintains the first and second arms in a rotationally-closed position, and the second set maintains the first and second arms in a laterally-aligned position. 18. The clamp of claim 15, further comprising a second flexible member coupling the first arm to the base and a third flexible member coupling the second arm to the base. 19. The clamp of claim 18, wherein the first flexible member is looped upward into an opening between the first and second arms, and wherein the first, second and third flexible members maintain the first and second arms in an open position when in an unattached condition and cause the arms to close when in an attached condition.