The subject invention is a clamp that has two halves of an annular ring hingedly connected at one end and capable of being securely fastened to each other at the opposite end. The annular ring is sized to fit tightly around a vertical support post. An upper surface of the annular ring has an upper annular channel, while the lower surface of the annular ring has a lower annular channel. When the clamp is fixed to the vertical support post, a horizontal support adaptor may fit into both the upper and lower annular channels. A resilient engagement strip or button on the adaptor is placed into contact with the lower annular channel in this position and frictionally engages the lower annular channel to prevent lateral movement of the adaptor on the annular ring until such time as the adaptor may be securely attached to the annular ring.
1. A clamp assembly for use in supporting a playground equipment component on a post comprising:
a ring mounted fixedly to a post at a desired height and rotational position;
said ring having upper and lower horizontal channels;
said upper horizontal channel comprising a ridge spaced from said post;
said lower horizontal channel comprising a groove spaced from said post, said groove having a groove wall, said groove wall spaced from said post; and
a one piece support adaptor engageable with said mounted ring so as to prevent movement of said support adaptor on said ring; said support adaptor having a hook for engagement with said upper horizontal channel;
said support adaptor having a set screw for engagement with said groove whereby said hook engages with said upper horizontal channel and said set screw seats in and bears against said groove wall and directly engages with said groove to fixedly secure the support adaptor to said clamp assembly for the support of said playground equipment component; and
said support adaptor having a lower supporting arm with an upper surface, and a resilient engagement material secured on said upper surface for engagement with said ring.
2. The clamp assembly of claim 1 wherein said resilient engagement material is a material selected from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, butadiene acrylonitrile, polychloroprene, fluorinated hydrocarbons, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, polyurethane, isobutylene isoprene copolymer, epichlorohydrin, ethylene propylene rubber, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene.
3. In combination:
a playground equipment component;
a support post;
an annular clamp assembly securely mounted to said post at a selected orientation and height;
a support adaptor;
said support adaptor having a lower supporting arm with an upper surface and a resilient engagement material secured on said upper surface for frictionally engaging said annular clamp assembly to inhibit movement of the support adaptor both during and after assembly;
said annular clamp assembly having an upper channel and a lower channel;
said lower channel being spaced from said post and having a channel wall spaced from said post;
a fastener threadedly supported within said support adaptor, seating within said lower channel and bearing against the channel wall for fastening said support adaptor to said annular clamp assembly, said support adaptor hanging from said upper channel and affixed to said lower channel to thereby rigidly secure said support adaptor to said clamp assembly on said post.
4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said upper channel comprises a ridge.
5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said lower channel comprises a groove.
6. The combination of claim 3 wherein said support adaptor is secured to said annular clamp assembly by a set screw.
7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said set screw is threadedly mounted in said lower supporting arm of said support adaptor and bears against said groove.
8. The combination of claim 3 wherein said resilient engagement material is a material selected from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, butadiene acrylonitrile, polychloroprene, fluorinated hydrocarbons, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, polyurethane, isobutylene isoprene copolymer, epichlorohydrin, ethylene propylene rubber, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene.
9. A clamp assembly for supporting a playground equipment component on a pole; comprising
an annular ring capable of being secured to said pole;
a support adaptor having a lower supporting arm with an upper surface and a resilient engagement material secured on said upper surface thereon for frictionally engaging said annular ring to inhibit lateral movement of said support adaptor on said annular ring both during and after assembly;
said annular ring having an upper channel and a lower channel;
said lower channel being spaced from said pole and having a channel wall spaced from said pole;
said support adaptor hanging from said upper channel and affixed to said lower channel by a fastener bearing against said channel wall to thereby rigidly secure said support adaptor to said annular ring on said pole.
10. The clamp assembly of claim 9 wherein said upper channel comprises a ridge.
11. The clamp assembly of claim 9 wherein said lower channel comprises a groove.
12. The clamp assembly of claim 9 wherein said support adaptor is secured to said annular ring by a set screw.
13. The clamp assembly of claim 9 wherein said resilient engagement material is a material selected from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, butadiene acrylonitrile, polychloroprene, fluorinated hydrocarbons, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, polyurethane, isobutylene isoprene copolymer, epichlorohydrin, ethylene propylene rubber, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene.