Multi-purpose utility clamp

A multi-purpose utility clamp, comprising:

• a component engagement member including a clamp head, a handle and a gear mechanism disposed between and connected to the clamp head and handle, and the handle is configured to move the gear mechanism;
• a guide arm having a first end operatively connected to the gear mechanism for relative movement between the guide arm and the gear mechanism;
• a first post operatively connected to a second end of the guide arm to move linearly relative to the guide arm;
• a second post at an end of the first post and disposed generally perpendicular to the second post and parallel to the guide arm and having a first end connected to the first post and a second end, distal the first end, and the second end is disposed opposite the clamping head extending toward the clamping head;
• wherein the second post includes a first side surface and a second side surface, a front surface facing the clamp head and a back surface opposite and generally parallel to the front surface wherein the back surface is wider than the front surface forming a cross-section trapezoid shape along a length of the second post;
• and,
• wherein the cross-section trapezoid shape of the second post corresponds to a cross-section shape of a channel cut by a router bit having an outside diameter dimension and a taper dimension.

A multi-purpose utility clamp in combination with an auxiliary component configured to be clamped to a woodworking apparatus, comprising:

• a component engagement member including a clamp head and a handle;
• a guide arm operatively connected to the component engagement member at a first end of the guide arm;
• a first post operatively connected to a second end of the guide arm to move linearly relative to the guide arm;
• a second post at an end of the first post and disposed generally perpendicular to the first post and parallel to the guide arm and having a first end connected to the first post and a second end, distal the first end, and the second end is disposed opposite the clamping head;
• and,
• wherein the second post has a cross-section trapezoid shape along a length thereof between the first end and the second end, and the second post is configured to be inserted into a channel having a corresponding trapezoidal shape and formed in an auxiliary component to be clamped to another component;
• wherein the cross-section trapezoid shape corresponds to a cross-section shape of the channel cut by a router bit having an outside diameter dimension and a taper dimension;
• and,
• wherein the auxiliary component includes at least one channel formed therein, and the at least one channel has a cross-section trapezoid shape corresponding to the trapezoid shape of the second post.