Clamp

A clamp for clamping a first member to a second member, the clamp comprising:

• a plunger;
• and
• a lever that is rotatably coupled to the first member, the lever comprising a handle and a cam that rotate together about a rotational axis;
• a pivot sleeve extending along the rotational axis further comprising and a resilient member disposed between the pivot sleeve and the cam cylinder;
• and
• a cam cylinder in the cam;
• wherein rotation of the lever along a path of travel about the rotational axis in a first direction continuously cams the plunger towards the second member to couple the first and second members together and wherein rotation of the lever about the rotational axis in a second, opposite direction about the path of travel continuously cams the plunger away from the second member to uncouple the first and second members from each other;
• wherein the cam comprises at least a first pair of cam surface that cams the plunger towards the second member when the lever is rotated in the first direction and at least a second cam surface that cams the plunger away from the second member when the lever is rotated in the second direction;
• wherein the first cam surface and second cam surface are radially eccentric with respect to the rotational axis and are shaped so that an amount of torque necessary to rotate the lever about the rotational axis is greatest at an over-center rotational position, past which the lever does not freely rotate;
• wherein the plunger comprises at least a first plunger surface that is cammingly engaged by the first cam surface when the lever is rotated in the first direction, to thereby move the plunger towards the second member, and at least a second plunger surface that is cammingly engaged by the second cam surface when the lever is rotated in the second direction, to thereby move the plunger away from the second member;
• wherein the second cam surface is disposed on the cam cylinder;
• wherein the plunger comprises a retaining ring disposed about the rotational axis, and wherein second plunger surface is disposed along a radially inner surface of the retaining ring;
• wherein the first plunger surface is one of a pair of plunger surfaces that are disposed on opposite sides of the second plunger surface with respect to the rotational axis;
• wherein the cam comprises a pair of hubs through which the rotational axis extends, the pair of hubs being disposed on opposite sides of the retaining ring, and wherein the first cam surface is one of a pair of first cam surfaces disposed on the pair of hubs;
• wherein the second cam surface is disposed in between the pair of first cam surfaces along the rotational axis;
• wherein the second cam surface is disposed between a pair of outer hub surfaces of the cam cylinder that abut the pair of hubs;
• and
• wherein the cam cylinder and the cam are rotationally fixed with respect to each other.

A clamp for clamping a first member to a second member, the clamp comprising:

• a plunger;
• and
• a lever that is rotatably coupled to the first member, the lever comprising a handle and a cam that rotate together about a rotational axis;
• a lock rotationally locking the lever with respect to the rotational axis;
• wherein rotation of the lever along a path of travel about the rotational axis in a first direction continuously cams the plunger towards the second member to couple the first and second members together and wherein rotation of the lever about the rotational axis in a second, opposite direction about the path of travel continuously cams the plunger away from the second member to uncouple the first and second members from each other;
• wherein the cam comprises at least a first cam surfaces that cams the plunger towards the second member when the lever is rotated in the first direction and at least a second cam surface that cams the plunger away from the second member when the lever is rotated in the second direction;
• wherein the first cam surface and second cam surface are radially eccentric with respect to the rotational axis and are shaped so that an amount of torque necessary to rotate the lever about the rotational axis is greatest at an over-center rotational position, past which the lever does not freely rotate;
• wherein the plunger comprises at least a first plunger surface that is cammingly engaged by the first cam surface when the lever is rotated in the first direction, to thereby move the plunger towards the second member, and at least a second plunger surface that is cammingly engaged by the second cam surface when the lever is rotated in the second direction, to thereby move the plunger away from the second member;
• wherein the lock comprises a pivotable tongue having a first end and a second end and a pivot joint located there between and being pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
• and
• wherein the first end of the pivotable tongue has an engagement finger for engaging a recess on the first member when the pivotable tongue is in the locked position.