Self adjusting toggle clamp

A self adjusting toggle clamp comprising:

• a mounting body;
• mounting apparatus carried by the mounting body;
• a clamping link movably attached to the mounting body and a pressure foot movably engaged on the clamping link;
• an actuating lever having a link element pivotally coupled to the clamping link and movably coupled to the mounting body by a self adjusting toggle mechanism, the self adjusting toggle mechanism comprising:
• a guide carried by the mounting body;
• a locking element carried by the guide for reciprocal and canting movement;
• an element pivotally coupled to the link element;
• and
• a cam element pivotally coupled to the element and pivotally coupled to the locking element, the cam element movable between a first condition permitting the locking element to reciprocate along the guide and a second condition bearing against the guide and canting the locking element into frictional engagement with the guide;
• and
• wherein the actuating lever is movable between a clamping position in which the locking element is in frictional engagement with the guide and an unclamping position in which the locking element is movable along the guide.