Supports – Brackets – Adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-13
2001-03-20
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202968
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a locking gimbal ring assembly including an inner ring for holding an article, an outer clamping element, which can, e.g., be formed as a ring for receiving the inner holding ring and connectable with outside points, and elements for pivotally connecting the inner holding ring with the outer clamping element. The present invention also relates to a ring element forming the outer clamping ring.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Circular gimbal ring assemblies or gimbals are generally used for supporting an article in horizontal, vertical, or arbitrary inclined positions. A conventional gimbal ring assembly includes an inner ring for holding, e.g., a lamp, and an outer clamping ring connected with the inner ring and secured in an outside structure. The inner holding ring is securable in the clamping ring with a possibility of pivotal movement therein and after having been pivoted to a predetermined position, is secured in that position.
A conventional gimbal ring assembly is shown in
FIGS. 1-2
. It includes a one-piece clamping ring securable to outside points, e.g., with two screws and nuts, with the screws extending through diametrically opposite openings formed in the outer clamping ring. Generally, the inner ring is securable to the outer ring with diametrically opposite threaded pins with nuts or screws. When the position of the inner holding ring need be changed, the nuts or screws are released, and the inner holding ring is pivoted to a desired position. Then, the nuts or screws are tightened again.
The above-described conventional gimbal ring assembly has a number of drawbacks. On many occasions, there is little space between the outer clamping ring and the structure, to which the gimbal ring assembly is attached. Therefore, the nuts or screws, with which the outer clamping ring is attached to the inner holding ring, can be accessed only with much difficulties. Further, an operator needs to use both hands for releasing or tightening the nuts or the screws. Still further, it is practically impossible to retain the inner holding ring in a precisely predetermined position during tightening of the nuts or screws. This is because the tightening torque causes shifting of the inner holding ring.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a locking circular gimbal assembly which would insure easy release and tightening of the inner holding ring.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking circular gimbal assembly in which the inner holding ring can be precisely secured in its predetermined position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing a locking gimbal assembly in which the outer clamping element is formed of superimposed top and bottom annular elements having adjacent end surfaces and at least one circular groove provided on each of the adjacent end surfaces of the top and bottom annular elements and complementary to each other. The complementary circular grooves form a clamping socket. The top and bottom annular elements have at least one pair of complementary diametrically opposite holes for connecting the top and bottom annular elements together.
The connecting and securing elements include a pin fixedly connectable with the inner holding ring for joint pivotal movement with the inner ring and receivable in the clamping socket formed by the top and bottom annular elements, and connecting members extending into the complementary holes formed in the top and bottom annular elements for connecting the top and bottom annular elements so that the clamping socket formed by the superimposed top and bottom annular elements applies and adjustable clamping force to the pin.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the annular elements are formed as ring segments, with the circular grooves, which are provided on the adjacent end surfaces of the top and bottom ring segments being formed as blind half-holes. At that, at least the connecting hole, which is formed in the bottom ring segment, can be formed as a threaded hole, with the two ring segments being connected by a screw.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer clamping element is formed of superimposed top and bottom rings having adjacent end surfaces and two diametrically opposite circular grooves provided on the adjacent end surface of each of the top and bottom rings, and complementary with the diametrically opposite circular grooves provided on the adjacent end surface of another of the top and bottom rings. The complementary diametrically opposite circular grooves form two clamping sockets. The top and bottom rings have at least two pairs of complementary diametrically opposite holes for connecting the top and bottom rings together and which are formed in walls of the top and bottom rings. At least the holes formed in the bottom ring are formed as threaded holes.
The connecting and securing elements include pins fixedly connectable with the inner holding ring at diametrically opposite points thereof for joint pivotal movement with the inner ring and receivable in the clamping sockets formed by the top and bottom rings, and screws extending into respective pairs of complementary through-holes formed in side walls of the top and bottom rings for connecting the top and bottom rings so that the clamping sockets formed by the superimposed top and bottom rings apply and adjustable clamping force to the pins.
According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention, two additional clamping sockets are formed by the top and bottom rings. The additional clamping sockets serve for receiving pins which are fixed to the outside points and which connect the gimbal ring assembly to the outside structure. Generally, the additional clamping sockets are spaced from the clamping sockets which receive the pins connecting the outer clamping ring with the inner holding ring, by an angle of 90°.
Further, while two pairs of complimentary holes suffice for an adequate connection of the top and bottom rings, advantageously four pairs of such holes are used, with the holes of the second pair being spaced from the holes of the first pair approximately by 90°.
Generally, the arc of the circular grooves, which form the clamping sockets is smaller than a semicircle, so that a clearance is provided between the top and bottom rings in the assembled condition of the locking gimbal ring assembly. Thereby, it is insured that a clamping force is applied to the pins in a fully clamped condition of the sockets.
The novel features of the present invention, which are considered as characteristic for the invention, are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional advantages and objects thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3861763 (1975-01-01), Perkins
patent: 4733839 (1988-03-01), Gehris
patent: 5353167 (1994-10-01), Kuklo et al.
Brown & Wood LLP
Ramirez Ramon O.
Zumtobel Staff Lighting, Inc.
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