Clamp for elongate objects

A method for clamping an elongate object having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:

• placing the elongate object into a receiving portion of a first clamp half of a clamp, wherein the first clamp half includes a first portion of a clamp retention mechanism, wherein the first portion of the clamp retention mechanism includes a first primary portion and a first secondary portion positioned on respective opposed first primary end and first secondary end of the first clamp half, wherein the first primary portion includes a first primary landing pad and a first primary lever, and wherein the first secondary portion includes a first secondary landing pad and a first secondary lever;
• moving a second clamp half of the clamp to the first clamp half of the clamp in a snap direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate object to fasten the second clamp half to the first clamp half via the clamp retention mechanism configured to fasten with a snap-fit engagement, wherein the second clamp half includes a second portion of the clamp retention mechanism, wherein the second portion of the clamp retention mechanism includes a second primary portion and a second secondary portion positioned on respective second opposed second primary end and second secondary end of the second clamp half, wherein the second primary portion includes a second primary landing pad and a second primary lever, and wherein the second secondary portion includes a second secondary landing pad and a second secondary lever;
• sliding the second clamp half of the clamp away from the first clamp half of the clamp in opposite slide directions that are orthogonal to the snap direction and are along the longitudinal axis of the elongate object to release the clamp retention mechanism configured to fasten with the snap-fit engagement;
• repositioning the elongate object in the receiving portion;
• fastening the second clamp half of the clamp to the first clamp half of the clamp via the clamp retention mechanism configured to fasten with the snap-fit engagement;
• and
• securing the first clamp half of the clamp to the second clamp half of the clamp by engaging a tool-based mechanical fastener with a securing tool.

A clamp for retaining an elongate object having a longitudinal axis, the clamp comprising:

• a first clamp half comprising a first elongate object receiving portion and a first portion of a clamp retention mechanism, wherein the first portion of the clamp retention mechanism includes a first primary portion and a first secondary portion positioned on respective opposed first primary end and first secondary end of the first clamp half, wherein the first primary portion includes a first primary landing pad and a first primary lever, and wherein the first secondary portion includes a first secondary landing pad and a first secondary lever;
• and
• a second clamp half comprising a second elongate object receiving portion and a second portion of the clamp retention mechanism, wherein the second portion of the clamp retention mechanism includes a second primary portion and a second secondary portion positioned on respective second opposed second primary end and second secondary end of the second clamp half, wherein the second primary portion includes a second primary landing pad and a second primary lever, and wherein the second secondary portion includes a second secondary landing pad and a second secondary lever;
• wherein the first elongate object receiving portion and the second elongate object receiving portion are sized and shaped to cooperatively hold the elongate object at a desired position when the first clamp half and the second clamp half are fastened together;
• wherein the first portion of the clamp retention mechanism and the second portion of the clamp retention mechanism are sized and shaped to engage each other when the first clamp half and the second clamp half are moved towards each other in a snap direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate object to fasten the first clamp half and the second clamp half together to achieve a first fastened clamp state;
• and
• wherein the first portion of the clamp retention mechanism and the second portion of the clamp retention mechanism are further sized and shaped to engage each other when the first clamp half and the second clamp half are moved toward each other in opposite slide directions that are orthogonal to the snap direction to fasten the first clamp half to the second clamp half to achieve a second fastened clamp state, such that the clamp is configured to permit fastening from either of two orthogonal directions.

A cable clamp kit for retaining an elongate object having a longitudinal axis, the clamp kit comprising:

• a first clamp half comprising a first elongate object receiving portion, a first portion of a clamp retention mechanism, and a first portion of a clamp securing mechanism that comprises an aperture that is sized and shaped to non-rotationally retain a holding member, wherein the first portion of the clamp retention mechanism includes a first primary portion and a first secondary portion positioned on respective opposed first primary end and first secondary end of the first clamp half, wherein the first primary portion includes a first primary landing pad and a first primary lever, and wherein the first secondary portion includes a first secondary landing pad and a first secondary lever;
• a second clamp half comprising a second elongate object receiving portion, a second portion of the clamp retention mechanism, and a second portion of the clamp securing mechanism, wherein the second portion of the clamp retention mechanism includes a second primary portion and a second secondary portion positioned on respective second opposed second primary end and second secondary end of the second clamp half, wherein the second primary portion includes a second primary landing pad and a second primary lever, and wherein the second secondary portion includes a second secondary landing pad and a second secondary lever, wherein the first elongate object receiving portion and the second elongate object receiving portion are sized and shaped to cooperatively hold the elongate object at a desired position when the first clamp half and the second clamp half are fastened together, wherein the first portion of the clamp retention mechanism and the second portion of the clamp retention mechanism are sized and shaped to engage each other when the first clamp half and the second clamp half are moved towards each other in a snap direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate object to fasten the first clamp half and the second clamp half together to engage the clamp retention mechanism, and wherein the first portion of the clamp retention mechanism and the second portion of the clamp retention mechanism are further sized and shaped to disengage from each other when the first clamp half and the second clamp half are slid away from each other in opposite slide directions that are orthogonal to the snap direction to unfasten the first clamp half from the second clamp half to disengage the clamp retention mechanism;
• a set of half grommets, each having an inner grommet surface and an outer grommet surface that is configured to fit within the first elongate object receiving portion and the second elongate object receiving portion, wherein the set of half grommets include first half grommets having a first thickness between the inner grommet surface and the outer grommet surface, wherein the set of half grommets include second half grommets having a second thickness between the inner grommet surface and the outer grommet surface, and wherein the first grommet thickness and the second grommet thickness are different;
• a first holding member that comprises a plug that is sized and shaped to pass through the first portion of the clamp securing mechanism to facilitate fastening the first clamp half to a structure without use of an affixing tool;
• and
• a tool-based mechanical fastener sized and shaped to engage the clamp securing mechanism and to secure the first clamp half and the second clamp half together requiring use of a securing tool to engage the mechanical fastener with the clamp securing mechanism.