Clamp and method for its use
AssigneeMetagen, LLC
InventorWesley D. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamp is provided for fastening to an article that has a fastenable portion of a predetermined shape and size. The clamp body is formed at least in part of superelastic alloy, and has an opening within it slightly smaller than the fastenable portion. The clamp body includes attachment member, which may be in the form of small holes, to which may be applied an external stretching force in a direction and magnitude sufficient to cause the opening to expand elastically to receive the fastenable portion of the article. As the stretching force is released, the opening elastically contracts toward its initial size to clamp upon the fastenable portion. Disclosed also is an instrument attachable to the clamp body for imparting the stretching force to the body.
Claims12
A clamp for rigidly but releasably fastening to an article having a fastenable portion of a predetermined shape and size, the clamp comprising an elastic body having an opening extending within the body, the opening being sized slightly smaller than the fastenable portion, the clamp including attachment means to which may be applied an external stretching force in a direction and magnitude to cause said opening to expand elastically sufficiently to receive said fastenable portion, whereupon, as said stretching force is released, said opening elastically contracts toward its initial size to clamp upon said fastenable portion.
A clamp for rigidly but releasably fastening to an elongated band, a length of the band having a predetermined cross-sectional size and configuration, the clamp comprising a body formed at least in part of superelastic alloy and having an opening extending through the body, the opening being sized slightly smaller than said cross-sectional size of the band, the clamp including attachment means to which may be applied an external stretching force in a direction and magnitude to cause said opening to expand elastically sufficiently to receive said band length, whereupon, as said stretching force is released, said opening elastically contracts toward its initial size to clamp upon said band.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.