Sheet material clamp and method for dynamic binding

Abstract

A clamp and method for dynamically binding overlapping sheet materials is disclosed. The clamp includes a female clamp member with opposing corners, a leg extending inwardly from one corner, and an arm extending outwardly. A male clamp member features opposing corners and a leg configured to interact with the female clamp member through an opening. The clamp dynamically generates pinching forces that increase proportionally with forces acting on the sheet materials. Assembly is achieved by mating the clamp members and engaging the corners to pinch the sheet materials, while disassembly is facilitated by torsional forces applied to the arm and male leg. A chamfered interior portion on the female leg allows smooth rotation during assembly and disassembly. The clamp is reusable, easy to assemble and disassemble, and compatible with thin materials such as plastics, fabrics, rubbers, metals, and composites.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.