Clamp support system
AssigneeWoodpeckers, LLC
InventorSteven Charles Cross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamp support system including a support rack having a pair of first sides and a pair of second sides that interlockingly engage each other. Slots are defined in each of the first sides and slots in the opposed and parallel first sides are aligned. One or more clamps are supported by the support rack. A bar of each clamp is received in a pair of aligned slots in the first sides. Each clamp includes a first jaw and a second jaw operatively engaged with the bar. A workpiece is positioned so that the first jaw of each clamp contacts a first side of the workpiece and the second jaw of each clamp contacts a second side. The first and second jaws are moved relative to each other to clamp the workpiece therebetween.
Claims23
A support rack comprising:
- a pair of first plates;
- a second plate;
- wherein each plate of the pair of first plates and the second plate includes:
- a front surface, a back surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end, and a second end;
- wherein each plate of the pair of first plates defines one or more slots originating in the top edge, extending downwardly toward the bottom edge, and terminating a distance upwardly from the bottom edge;
- wherein the one or more slots are adapted to receive a guide bar of a clamp therein;
- and
- wherein the second plate is detachably engageable with the pair of first plates.
A clamp support system comprising:
- a support rack having:
- a pair of first plates;
- a pair of second plates;
- wherein the pair of second plates are detachably securable to the pair of first plates;
- one or more slots defined in each plate of the pair of first plates;
- wherein the one or more slots in a first one of the pair of first plates is aligned with the one or more slots in a second one of the pair of first plates;
- and
- a clamp including:
- a bar configured to be removably received in the aligned one or more slots;
- and
- a first jaw and a second jaw operatively engaged with the bar;
- wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are adapted to clamp a workpiece therebetween.
A method of clamping a workpiece comprising:
- providing a support rack comprising a pair of first plates, wherein each plate of the pair of first plates has a front surface, a back surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end, and a second end;
- defining one or more slots in the top edge of each plate of the pair of first plates, wherein each of the one or more slots originates in an opening defined in the top edge, extends downwardly toward the bottom edge of the plate, and terminates a distance upwardly from the bottom edge;
- arranging the pair of first plates parallel to one another;
- inserting a clamp bar of a clamp into the openings of a pair of opposed and aligned slots defined in the pair of support plates of the support rack;
- contacting a first side of the workpiece with a first jaw of the clamp;
- contacting a second side of the workpiece with a second jaw of the clamp;
- moving one of the first jaw and the second jaw toward the other of the first jaw and the second jaw;
- clamping the workpiece between the first and second jaws;
- and
- retaining the clamp and the workpiece a distance vertically off a flat surface using the support rack.
A method of clamping a workpiece comprising:
- inserting a clamp bar of a clamp into a pair of aligned slots defined in a support rack;
- contacting a first side of the workpiece with a first jaw of the clamp;
- contacting a second side of the workpiece with a second jaw of the clamp;
- moving one of the first jaw and the second jaw toward the other of the first jaw and the second jaw;
- clamping the workpiece between the first and second jaws;
- and
- retaining the clamp and the workpiece a distance vertically off a flat surface using the support rack;
- positioning a bottom edge of each of a pair of first plates of the support rack on the flat surface;
- orienting a second plate of the support rack above the pair of first plates and at right angles thereto;
- aligning a slit in a bottom edge of the second plate with a slit in a top edge of each of the pair of first plates;
- pushing the second plate downwardly toward the flat surface;
- and
- interlocking the pair of first plates and the second plate together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.