Pitch bar self-adjusting clamp

A pitch bar self-adjusting clamp comprising:

• a fixture having a handle and an opposing stationary jaw;
• a co-acting jaw pivoted to the fixture;
• a lever pivoted to the co-acting jaw;
• a guide bar having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end pivotally coupled to the handle proximate the stationary jaw and the proximal end movably coupled to the handle proximate the terminal end;
• a toggle assembly coupled between the lever and the guide bar, the toggle assembly including:
• a locking element disposed on the guide for reciprocal and canting movement;
• a link pivoted to the lever;
• a cam pivoted to the arm and to the locking element and movable between a first condition permitting the locking element to reciprocate along the guide bar and a second condition bearing against the guide bar and canting the locking element into frictional engagement against the guide, the cam including a camming surface characterized by an outward curvature that faces the guide bar and is angularly disposed relative thereto, the angular disposition of the cam surface determining a clamping force of the stationary jaw and the co-acting jaw;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the guide bar to adjust the angular disposition of the camming surface relative the guide bar.