Clamping device

A clamping device comprising:

• at least one resilient member between two adjacent articles, so that said resilient member and said articles collectively form a first chamber;
• one of said articles having a recess with a pair of side faces to receive the resilient member therebetween and an inner surface portion;
• the resilient member being movable in the recess to form a second chamber between the resilient member and said inner surface portion;
• said first chamber operable to receive a vacuum supply to establish a reduced pressure in said first chamber, while said second chamber is operable to receive a pressure supply to establish an increased pressure in said second chamber and sufficient to force said resilient member against said adjacent articles.

A method for establishing a seal between a pair of articles comprising the steps of:

• locating a first resilient member between said articles, so that said first resilient member and said articles collectively form a first chamber;
• providing a pair of complementary mating surfaces on said articles and positioning said first resilient member between said mating surfaces;
• forming a recess on one of said mating surfaces, wherein said recess has an inner surface portion,
• positioning said first resilient member in said recess, so that the first resilient member has an exposed surface which is exposed to said inner surface portion and said first resilient member is movable in said recess to cause said exposed surface to be spaced from said inner surface portion to form a second chamber therebetween,
• applying a vacuum in said first chamber;
• and
• applying a positive pressure to said first resilient member to force said first resilient member against said articles, while maintaining a seal between said first resilient member and said recess.

A method of clamping a plurality of adjacent articles, comprising the steps of:

• locating at least one resilient member between two of said articles, so that said resilient member and said articles collectively form a first chamber;
• providing on one of said articles, a recess having a pair of side faces to receive the resilient member therebetween and an inner surface portion;
• arranging the resilient member to be movable in the recess to form a second chamber between the resilient member and said inner surface portion;
• applying a vacuum in said first chamber;
• and
• applying a positive pressure to said second chamber, sufficient to force said first resilient member against the side faces and the other article.

A device for establishing a seal between a pair of articles comprising a first resilient member arranged to be positioned between said articles, so that said first resilient member and said articles collectively form a first chamber;

• said articles have complementary mating surfaces, said first resilient member being located therebetween
• one of said articles includes a recess formed in the corresponding mating surface, said recess having an inner surface portion, said first resilient member being positioned in said recess and having an exposed surface which is exposed to said inner surface portion, said first resilient member being movable in said recess to cause said exposed surface to be spaced from said inner surface portion to form a second chamber therebetween;
• a vacuum supply for supplying a vacuum to said first chamber;
• and
• a pressure supply for applying a pressure to said first resilient member to force said first resilient member against both of said articles.