Clamping device

A radially deformable clamping device comprising

• a substantially cylindrical clamping bushing having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central bore;
• means defining first and second pairs of annular grooves in said bushing,
• one groove of each pair extending radially inwardly from said outer surface and the other groove of each pair extending radially outwardly from said inner surface,
• said grooves of each pair being axially spaced apart to define first and second bridge portions therebetween, the radial limits of said grooves forming flexible zones to render said bushing axially elastic, and
• said pairs of grooves being axially spaced apart to define a central annular portion having an axial dimension at least as great as the axial dimensions of said grooves and said bridge portions;
• means defining a plurality of bores extending axially into said bushing and through said central portion, said bores being disposed concentrically with respect to the central axis of said bushing and being equally circularly spaced apart;
• and
• means defining a plurality of axially extending slot-like openings in said central portion, each of said slot-like openings being associated with one of said plurality of bores and extending radially between its associated bore and one of said surfaces,
• said annular groove of each pair which is closest to said slot-like openings extending radially from the same one of said surfaces to which said slot-like openings extend whereby, upon axial compression of said bushing, said central annular portion radially deforms.