Patent 1,021,343 · Tingley's Locking Clamp · Page 2

on said disk 23, the disk serves as the pintle on which the two jaws can turn relatively to each other in opening and closing. As said disk has a continuous smooth end surface, it will be referred to as the cap disk to distinguish it from the cam disk.     The inner face of the cap disk is recessed as at 26, has a central socket to receive the end of a key 27, and the face of the disk around the recess 26 is formed with a circular series of radial teeth 28.     The teeth 20 and 28 have abrupt sides and inclined sides as indicated on the enlarged scale in Fig. 7, and face in opposite directions so that they will slip past each in one relative direction of rotation, but interlock in the other direction. As the springs 18 permit the cam disk 17 to yield away from the cap disk 23, the slip of the teeth past each other will be automatic. The direction in which the teeth face is such that this slip occurs when the jaws of the device are being closed, and the teeth will then automatically interlock at whatever point the closing action stops according to the thickness of material that is grasped between the jaws. And since the haw 10 can not rotate on disk 17 and jaw 11 cannot rotate on disk 23, said jaws will be locked in their closed position. To release the jaws, a suitable key 27 is inserted in the hole provided therefor, and turned so that, as it rides up cam surface 22, it withdraws disk 17 toward the bottom of the cup, against the pressure of springs 18, and so separates the two series of teeth from each other and unlocks the device, the jaws being then pulled apart to release whatever is grasped thereby.     When the parts are assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the pins or screws 25 inserted in place, they are held so because the ring 16 of jaw 11 is between cup 13 and ring 24 of jaw 10, and the disk 23 holds them in the manner of the pintle of a hinge. Upon inserting a key of the proper shape and turning it, the wing 29 thereof acts on cam 22 to press the disk 17 away from disk 23, thus separating their teeth. The jaws may then be opened as widely as desired and the key removed. Supposing a robe a, or a garment, is hung over a rod or bar b, which may be the usual robe rail, or even a foot rail, the device is applied as indicated in Fig. 4 and the jaws pressed firmly against the fabric, binding it to the rod. The teeth 20, 28 ride over each other and interlock, owing to the springs 18. After this, the robe can only be removed after having first inserted the key and turned it, and after the jaws have been pulled apart as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. It will now be understood that the two disks, with their circular series of teeth, one being movable to and from the other, said disk being

connected to a jaw so that the two disks relatively move rotatively in unison with the jaws, constitute a ratchet mechanism which permits the jaws to close and become locked against spreading at any point according to the amount or thickness of material grasped by the jaws; and that from such point the jaws can only be opened by means of a key used to spread the disks apart to disconnect their teeth so that said ratchet mechanism becomes inoperative.     It is to be understood that by the word "key" in the specification and claims I mean any instrument or mechanism by which the lock may be operated.     Since the device illustrated, or any obvious modifications thereof, may be employed to clamp other articles than robes, and whether or not the articles are hung on a rod or bar, I do not limit myself to any special use of the device.     I claim:     1. A device of the character described comprising jaws pivoted together, and locking mechanism for holding them against spreading from either one of a plurality of positions, said locking mechanism being adapted to be released by the action of a key.     2. A clamp comprising a pair of jaws, a hub pivotally connecting them, and locking mechanism for holding the jaws against spreading from either one of a plurality of positions, said hub constituting a portion of the locking mechanism, the device being provided with means to permit the operation of a key to release the locking mechanism.     3. A clamp comprising jaws pivoted together, ratchet mechanism for permitting the jaws to close while preventing them from spreading, and a key for rendering said ratchet mechanism inoperative.     4. A clamp comprising jaws pivoted together, ratchet mechanism for permitting the jaws to close while preventing them from spreading, and a key for rendering said ratchet mechanism inoperative, said ratchet mechanism comprising a disk having a circular series of teeth and connected to a jaw to oscillate therewith, one of said disks being yieldingly mounted to permit the teeth to be disengaged by said key.     5. A clamp comprising a pair of jaws having cylindrical bearing portions in axial alinement, a pair of disks each having a circular series of teeth, each disk being secured non-rotatively in one of said cylindrical portions, one disk being movable toward and from the other, and means whereby said movable disk may be disengaged from the other by a key.     6. A robe clamp comprising a pair of jaws having cylindrical bearing portions in axial alinement, a pair of disks each having