Bar clamp extension fixture

An extension fixture for combining the clamping capacity of a first and a second bar clamp, the first and second bar clamps each having a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, and a primary bar, each movable jaw having a clamping means configured to provide a clamping force in the direction of the fixed jaw, each primary bar having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first distal end, a second distal end, and an I-beam cross sectional shape, each fixed jaw being affixed to the primary bar at the first distal end, the primary bar having a hole passing thru the primary bar proximate to the second distal end, the primary bar cross sectional shape having a first concave portion between the upper edge and the lower edge on the first side of the primary bar, and an opposing second concave portion between the upper edge and the lower edge on the second side of the primary bar, wherein the movable jaw is removed from the first bar clamp, and the movable jaw orientation on the second bar clamp is reversed so that the clamping means is then configured to provide a clamping force away from the second fixed jaw, the extension fixture comprising:

• a fixture body having a first end, a second end, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, and a second side;
• the fixture body further comprising a channel in the upper surface thereof, the channel extending from the fixture first end to the fixture second end, the channel also having a complimentary cross sectional shape having a complimentary first convex portion, and an opposing complimentary second convex portion, for receiving a first and a second primary bar cross section therein;
• the channel in the fixture body having a first interior side surface, a second interior side surface, and a bottom surface;
• the complimentary cross sectional shape of the fixture body having at least one hinge portion proximate to the channel bottom surface;
• a first hole passing through the fixture body proximate to the fixture body first end, the first hole extending from the channel to at least one of the fixture body first side or the fixture body second side;
• a second hole passing through the fixture body proximate to the fixture body second end, the second hole extending from the channel to at least one of the fixture body first side or the fixture body second side;
• wherein the first and second primary bars are inserted into the fixture body;
• a first threaded connector passing through the first hole in the fixture body and through the hole in the first primary bar and tightened to pin and clamp the first primary bar in the fixture body;
• a second threaded connector passing through the second hole in the fixture body and through the hole in the second primary bar, and tightened to pin and clamp the second primary bar in the fixture body;
• and wherein as the first and second threaded connectors are tightened, the first convex portion of the fixture body is received in the first concave portion of each primary bar, the second convex portion of the fixture body is received in the second concave portion of each primary bar, the first primary bar, the second primary bar, and the extension fixture are then pinned to support the clamping force between the fixed jaw of the first bar clamp and the movable jaw of the second bar clamp, and the first primary bar, the second primary bar, and the extension fixture are clamped in substantially parallel alignment.