Clamping article and method

A system for clamping a plurality of objects together, including:

• an article for clamping a plurality of objects together, including a body portion, comprised of spring wire, formed in a generally C-shape, comprising a pair of side portions, an intermediate portion, extending between and interconnecting the pair of side portions, and a pair of opposed free end portions, extending from the pair of side portions and opposite the intermediate portion, and forming a gap therebetween, wherein the pair of opposed free end portions are resiliently biased toward a position proximate each other and spaced apart to the extent of the gap therebetween, and are adapted to be expanded away from each other upon the exertion of expansion pressure on the pair of side portions, so as to extend about the plurality of objects to be clamped between the pair of opposed free end portions, and to resiliently compress towards each other and return to the resiliently biased position thereof to exert pressure on and clamp the plurality of objects between the pair of opposed free end portions, upon the release of the expansion pressure and compression of the pair of side portions responsive thereof;
• and
• an expansion-enabling element adapted to engage and exert pressure on the pair of side portions of the clamping article for expansion of the clamping article, which includes a pair of handles, a pair of arms extending from the pair of handles, each including an end portion, a pivot interconnecting the pair of arms, and a spring interconnecting and biasing the pair of arms, such that the pair of arms expand upon pressing the pair of handles towards each other, wherein the end portions of the pair of arms are curved generally outwardly relative to each other, and each end portion includes a top stepped and indented surface.

A method of clamping a plurality of objects together, in an article which includes a body portion, comprised of spring wire, formed in a generally C-shape, and which comprises a pair of side portions, an intermediate portion, extending between and interconnecting the pair of side portions, and a pair of opposed free end portions, extending from the pair of side portions and opposite the intermediate portion, and forming a gap therebetween, wherein the pair of opposed free end portions are resiliently biased toward a position proximate each other and spaced apart to the extent of the gap therebetween, and are adapted to be expanded away from each other upon the exertion of expansion pressure on the pair of side portions, so as to extend about the plurality of objects to be clamped between the pair of opposed free end portions, and to resiliently compress towards each other and return to the resiliently biased position thereof to exert pressure on and clamp the plurality of objects between the pair of opposed free end portions, upon the release of the expansion pressure and compression of the pair of side portions responsive thereto, wherein the method comprises:

• exerting pressure so as to engage and expand the pair of side portions, correspondingly expanding the pair of opposed free end portions;
• extending the pair of opposed free end portions about the plurality of objects to be clamped therebetween;
• and
• releasing the expansion pressure on the pair of side portions such that the pair of opposed free ends resiliently compress towards each other and return to the resiliently biased position thereof to exert pressure on and clamp the plurality of objects between the pair of opposed free end portions.