Adjustable fastening device

An adjustable fastening device for transmitting a force in an essentially linear direction against a workpiece, said device comprising:

• a body section defining an opening surrounded by side walls and a bottom wall;
• a flexible steel clamp member mounted in the opening of the body section, the clamp member having edge portions fixed to the side walls, a portion of the clamp member between said edge portions comprising means for biasing against a workpiece, the clamp member and side walls and bottom wall defining a space with the opening;
• a pressure medium disposed in the space for transmitting a force to the clamp member, wherein the pressure medium comprises a room-temperature vulcanizing silicone elastomer compound, the silicone serving as a hydraulic fluid-replacing pressure medium;
• and
• a pressure-creating member for applying pressure to the silicone, whereby the silicone, by way of its displacement and deformation, imparts a force to the clamp member, which force is, in turn, transmitted to the workpiece and, upon releasing said pressure, the silicone resumes its initial state, assisted by the resiliency of the steel clamp member, releasing the force on the workpiece.

An adjustable fastening device for transmitting a force in a linear direction against a workpiece, said device comprising:

• a body section defining an opening surrounded by side walls and a bottom wall;
• a clamp member having a silicone-facing end having a lip portion proximate to the side walls, the clamp member mounted in the opening of the body section in slidable engagement with the side walls and for pressing against a workpiece, the clamp member and opening defining a space;
• a pressure medium in the space for transmitting a force to the clamp member, wherein the pressure medium comprises a room-temperature vulcanizing silicone elastomer compound, the silicone serving as a hydraulic fluid-replacing pressure medium;
• and
• a pressure-creating member for applying pressure to the silicone, whereby the silicone, by way of its displacement and deformation, imparts a force to the clamp member, which force is, in turn, transmitted to the workpiece and, upon releasing said pressure, the silicone resumes its initial state, releasing the force on the workpiece.

An adjustable fastening device for transmitting a force in a linear direction against a workpiece, said device comprising:

• a body section defining an opening surrounded by side walls and a bottom wall;
• a clamp member mounted in the opening of the body section in slidable engagement with the side walls and for pressing against a workpiece, the clamp member and opening defining a first space;
• a pressure medium in the first space for transmitting a force to the clamp member, wherein the pressure medium comprises a room-temperature vulcanizing silicone elastomer compound, the silicone serving as a hydraulic fluid-replacing pressure medium;
• and
• a pressure-creating member for applying pressure to the silicone, comprising:
• a first piston in communication with the first space;
• a chamber defined by the body section;
• a second piston slidably mounted in the chamber and linked to the first piston;
• a second space defined by the second piston and the chamber, the second space containing silicone;
• and means for applying pressure to the silicone in the second space, whereby the silicone, by way of its displacement and deformation, imparts a force to the clamp member, which force is, in turn, transmitted to the workpiece and, upon releasing said pressure, the silicone resumes its initial state, releasing the force on the workpiece.

An adjustable fastening device for transmitting a force in a linear direction against a workpiece, said device comprising:

• a body section defining an opening surrounded by side walls and a bottom wall;
• a clamp member mounted in the opening of the body section in slidable engagement with the side walls and for pressing against a workpiece, the clamp member and opening defining a space;
• a pressure medium in the space for transmitting a force to the clamp member, wherein the pressure medium comprises a room-temperature vulcanizing silicone elastomer compound, the silicone serving as a hydraulic fluid-replacing pressure medium;
• and
• a pressure-creating member comprising a temperature-controlled heating element for causing thermal expansion of the silicone for applying pressure to the silicone, whereby the silicone, by way of its displacement and deformation, imparts a force to the clamp member, which force is, in turn, transmitted to the workpiece and, upon releasing said pressure, the silicone resumes its initial state, releasing the force on the workpiece.