Clamping device that develops both axial and circumferential clamping forces in response to a common axial clamping force

A clamping device for holding a workpiece assembly with an axial clamping force and a circumferential clamping force responsive to an axial actuation force acting on the clamping device, said clamping device comprising:

• a) a circumferentially resizable, subdivided clamping shroud defining a circumferentially resizable clamping enclosure, said clamping shroud comprising a plurality of shroud portions that are laterally translatable on demand, wherein the shroud portions are coupled together such that lateral translation of the shroud portions occurs in a coordinated manner through a range of motion comprising an open configuration in which the shroud portions are relatively farther apart relative to each other such that the clamping shroud is circumferentially enlarged relative to the workpiece assembly and a clamping configuration in which the shroud portions are relatively closer together laterally relative to each other such that the clamping shroud is circumferentially closed in a manner effective for the clamping shroud to circumferentially grip and clamp the workpiece assembly, wherein the shroud portions are under a bias to be in the open configuration, wherein the shroud portions are translated to the closed configuration in opposition to said bias responsive to the axial actuation force acting on the clamping device, and wherein at least one of the shroud portions comprises at least one corresponding bearing surface;
• b) a clamping body housed at least partially in the resizable clamping enclosure, said clamping body being axially interposed between the clamping shroud and the workpiece assembly;
• and
• c) an actuating member coupled to the clamping shroud in a manner such that the axial actuation force acting on the clamping device causes the actuating member (i) to engage the at least one corresponding bearing surface of at least one shroud portion in a manner effective to both drive the at least one shroud portion laterally inward to cause the resizable clamping shroud to circumferentially grip and clamp the workpiece assembly, and (ii) to cause the clamping body to axially engage the clamping shroud and cause the clamping shroud to axially press against the clamping body to apply an axial clamping force against the workpiece assembly.