Clamp Fastener

The invention relates to a clamp fastener for achieving secure mechanical and electrical contact between two plates included in a common structure.

Modern electronics, e.g. computers and their peripheral equipment, operate more and more quickly. As a result signals with very high frequencies are processed and transported between and within equipment. The more rapid the sequences of the operations, the more accentuated is the electromagnetic radiation from incorporated components and wiring. In order to avoid determenental effects of radiation and potential fronts it is necessary to surround the circuits and wiring with grounded metal casing.

In grounding metal casings or cabinets surrounding circuits emitting electromagnetic radiation, it is known that poor electrical contact between two individually grounded plates results in radiation from the joints between the plates. In rigid joints, the problem can be avoided e.g. by welding the plates together. Screwed connections are often used for dismantlable fastenings. For improving the electrical contact it is known to arrange sealing strips between the plates, e.g. of electrically conductive rubber. Known methods of guaranteeing good electrical contact between dismantable plates in metal cabinets are either laborious (screws) or expensive (electrically conductive rubber strip).

The present invention seeks to an effective and practical means for providing a substantially uniform pressure between two plates along their entire length of contact, thereby achieving good mechanical and electrical contact between the plates.

According to the invention there is provided a clamp fastener for clamping together at least two plates, comprising comprising an elongated member having a U-shaped cross section whose legs coverge towards each other and are intended to extend over the plates which are to be connnected to each other, and a rod intended to engage, under pressure, against one of the plates and one leg of the member by a pressure means arranged in the member to displace the rod transversely such that the plates are clamped between the rod and the other leg of the member.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, the sole FIGURE of which shows in cross section a joint between two plates, utilizing the clamp fastener of the invention.

The drawing illustrates an embodiment of a fastener in accordance with the invention. Two plates 4 and 5 are surrounded along their common length by a U-shaped member 1.

As shown in the drawing, the U-shaped member includes a base 6 with a leg 7 extending perpendicularly from the base and a leg 8 extending from the base at an angle to converge with leg 7 towards the longitudinal opening of the member. Due to the legs of the member 1 converging towards the longitudinal opening of the member, the distance between a round rod 2, disposed in the member along its length, and the legs of the member will vary with the distance of the rod 2 from the longitudinal opening of the member. With the aid of screws 3 disposed at suitable spacing along the member, the rod 2 can be displaced in its transverse direction, thereby to clamp the plates 4 and 5 with a wedge action. The pressure obtained in this way between the plates 4 and 5 has been found to result in an excellent electrical "sealing" of metal cabinets while a good mechanical joint is obtained at the same time.