Clamping device for work pieces of irregular shape

Apparatus for supporting or clamping bodies or irregular shape, (e.g. cast or forged blanks or other workpieces) comprising one or more clamping jaws, each in the form of a box with a multiplicity of individual axially moveable plungers extending from at least one side wall of said box, which box is partially filled with a solid medium which acts to support the plungers in different axial positions determined by contact with the irregular surface of said body, characterised in that the box is mainly closed and the solid medium comprises a multiplicity of hard balls, in that the plungers are biassed towards extended positions through apertures in at least the work face of said box, in that each plunger has arranged along at least part of its length ball-receiving cavities;

• and in that the force for locking the plungers is provided by the application of a pressure to the balls separate from that exerted by inward movement of the plungers in use, this pressure being transmitted via the balls and their receiving cavities to said plungers.