Universal clamping system

Abstract

A universal clamping system connectible in various different configurations permitting a workman to improvise to perform a plurality of holding functions where a work piece is supported between at least two opposing faces by a force applied to the work piece at one of the faces toward the other face. The system includes junction blocks having non-intersecting smooth walled holes extending through the blocks in at least two different directions, threaded connecting rods insertable through the holes in the junction blocks, and nuts for securing the junction blocks on the rods when the rods are disposed through the blocks. One form of the invention also includes a pressure foot for applying the force to a work piece. The pressure foot has a leg portion having a smooth walled blind hole for slidable mounting on a threaded rod, and a transverse slot intersecting the holes to receive a flexible member for holding the pressure foot on the rod. The most simple configuration of the universal clamping system disclosed is a surface clamp including a single junction block, a single threaded rod disposed through one of the holes in the junction block, and a single pressure foot supported on an end of the rod for applying a force to a work piece to hold the work piece at a desired position on a work surface. In other forms of the invention disclosed a plurality of the various components are employed in various configurations to function as a hold-down clamp, a bridge clamp, a bar clamp, and a four-corner clamp. Various shapes of junction blocks are used in the different configurations of the universal clamping system disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.