Parallel clamp and accessories therefor

An apparatus for securing a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongated member;
• first and second clamping jaw members which are connected to the elongated member with at least one of the clamping jaw members capable of shifting between workpiece engaging and workpiece releasing positions, said first clamping jaw member being fixed in position relative to said elongated member;
• a stop at a predetermined position on said elongated member;
• and
• a mating structure connected to the apparatus for securing the apparatus to a work surface, the mating structure comprising a plurality of bench dogs having projections for inserting into a corresponding plurality of mating recesses located in a work surface to secure the apparatus thereto, one of said bench dogs extending from said first clamping jaw member and another of said bench dogs extending from said stop,
• said second clamping jaw member being movable between workpiece engaging and workpiece releasing positions without moving the stop.

A bar clamp, comprising:

• a transportable elongated bar;
• first and second clamping members connected to the elongated bar with at least one of the clamping members being shiftable along the elongated bar between workpiece clamping and releasing configurations;
• and
• a mating structure of the bar clamp having a protrusion for mating with a corresponding recess of a work surface to couple the clamp to the work surface, wherein the mating structure extends from one of the clamping members, the mating structure including a cylindrical peg having a substantially smooth outer surface extending substantially perpendicularly from a work surface engaging surface.

A parallel clamp, comprising:

• a transportable elongated bar;
• first and second jaw members disposed on the elongated bar, each jaw member having a clamping surface with at least one of the jaw members shiftable along the elongated bar between workpiece clamping and releasing configurations, wherein the at least one jaw member includes at least one guide member operably connected thereto and disposed adjacent the elongated bar for keeping the clamping surface of the at least one jaw member substantially parallel to the clamping surface of the other jaw member, such that the workpiece is subject to substantially uniform pressure by the clamping surfaces with the jaw members in the clamping configuration;
• and
• a mating structure of the parallel clamp having an elongated portion operably connected to the clamp for mating with a corresponding recess of a work surface to connect the clamp to the work surface, said mating structure including two substantially cylindrical projections, said two substantially cylindrical projections being stationary relative to said transportable elongated bar as said first and second jaw members are moved relative to one another.

A parallel bar clamp for securing a workpiece, comprising:

• an elongated member;
• first and second clamping jaw members which are connected to the elongated member with at least one of the clamping jaw members capable of shifting between workpiece engaging and workpiece releasing positions, the first and second clamping jaw members having first and second abutment surfaces, respectively, which remain parallel to one another while at least one of the clamping jaw members is shifted between the workpiece engaging and workpiece releasing positions;
• and
• a brake mechanism connected to one of the first and second clamping jaw members and having a brake handle shiftable between a brake engaging position wherein the brake mechanism locks the connected clamping jaw member in a position on the elongated member and a brake releasing position wherein the connected clamping jaw member is freely movable about the elongated member, said brake mechanism including a spring member selectively engaging said elongated member in a locking engagement and being selectively released from the locking engagement.

A parallel bar clamp for securing a workpiece, comprising:

• an elongated member;
• first and second clamping jaw members which are connected to the elongated member with at least one of the clamping jaw members capable of shifting between workpiece engaging and workpiece releasing positions, the first and second clamping jaw members having first and second abutment surfaces, respectively, which remain parallel to one another while at least one of the clamping jaw members is shifted between the workpiece engaging and workpiece releasing positions;
• and
• at least one of the clamping jaw members includes a pressure application member having a threaded shaft and a pivoting handle capable of being adjusted among a plurality of angular positions relative to said threaded shaft.

A parallel bar clamp for securing a workpiece, comprising:

• an elongated member;
• first and second clamping jaw members which are connected to the elongated member with at least one of the clamping jaw members capable of shifting between workpiece engaging and workpiece releasing positions, the first and second clamping jaw members having first and second abutment surfaces, respectively, which remain parallel to one another while at least one of the clamping jaw members is shifted between the workpiece engaging and workpiece releasing positions;
• and
• at least one of the clamping jaw members includes a pressure application member having a pivoting handle capable of being adjusted among a plurality of positions,
• wherein the pressure application member handle is pivotally mounted to a shaft and one of the shaft and handle has a projection and the other has a mating recess for receiving the projection to releasably lock the pivoting handle in a predetermined position,
• wherein the projection and mating recess form a ball and detent configuration.

A system including an accessory for attaching to an apparatus for securing a workpiece, comprising:

• an apparatus for securing a workpiece;
• an accessory removably attached to said apparatus, said accessory including:
• a body defining a receptacle, said receptacle including a recess of a shape and size to receive a base portion of the apparatus for securing a workpiece, said body having a mounting surface opposite said recess;
• and
• a projection extending from the mounting surface of the body for inserting into a mating recess located in a work surface, the mounting surface of the body resting on the work surface when the projection is inserted into the mating recess, the apparatus for securing a workpiece being held in position relative to the work surface when the base of the apparatus is received in the recess and when the projection is received in the mating recess of the work surface.