Adaptive system for securing rectangular materials

An adaptive clamping system useful for securing rectangular members of varying thicknesses, the system comprising:

• (1) a clamp comprising:
• (a) a front surface, a rear surface, and a top surface connecting the front and rear surfaces, wherein the longitudinal length of the front and rear surfaces varies, with the longitudinal length of the front surface being less than the longitudinal length of the rear surface;
• wherein the distance between the internal faces of the front and the rear surfaces generally correspond to a first thickness associated with rectangular members to be secured by the system;
• (b) a connecting element in the form of a length of material that defines an opening suitable for receiving a connecting component;
• (c) a first screw opening extending through the top surface;
• (d) a plurality of clamp engagement members extending from one or both of the front and/or rear surfaces;
• and
• (2) generally U-shaped adapter that includes a first side portion of a first thickness;
• a second side portion of a second thickness, a bottom portion connecting the first and side portions, and an upwardly open space bounded on three sides by inner surfaces of the first portion, a plurality of adapter engagement members extending from one or both of the first and/or second side portions of the adapter and an adapter screw openings extending through both the first and the second side positions of the adapter;
• wherein the adapter is positioned such that one of the front or the rear surfaces of the clamp is received in the upwardly open space of the adapter and such that the plurality of adapter engagement members engage the plurality of clamp engagement members to retain the adaptor in a stable position with respect to the clamp.

A clamp system useful for securing a plurality of rectangular members to a wall, the clamp system comprising:

• (a) a clamp comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a top surface connecting the front and rear surfaces;
• a connecting element in the form of a length of material that defines an opening suitable for receiving a connecting component, the connecting element extending from a point at, or near the junction of the top surface and the rear surface;
• and a first screw opening extending through the top surface;
• and
• (b) a connecting component, wherein at least a portion of the connecting component passes through the opening defined by the clamp connecting element.