Clamp system, gripping device therefore and method of using the clamp system

A camp system for a slender object, such as a pile or pipe and the like, said clamp system comprising a frame defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the object and the frame are to be arranged around one another in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the frame is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the object, as well as clamping means for clamping the object with respect to the frame, wherein the clamping means comprise:

• at least one gripping device which is rotatably connected to the frame according to an axis of rotation which is oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the frame, said gripping device having a gripping state for clamping said object with respect to the frame and an idle state, and at least one stop which defines an end position of the gripping device (3), said gripping device in gripping state and positioned in said end position preventing the object from displacing with respect to the frame in a first axial direction along the longitudinal axis of the frame, in which first axial direction the gripping device is held pressed against the stop, and said gripping device allowing the object to displace with respect to the frame in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction,
• and further comprising a wedge type clamp comprising wedge assemblies associated with the frame for providing frictional engagement with said object as a result of a relative displacement of the wedge type clamp with respect to the object according to the longitudinal axis, wherein the gripping device is arranged with respect to the wedge assemblies in such a way that during said relative displacement of the object and the wedge type clamp of said gripping device is transferred from the gripping state, in which the object is held with respect to the frame by the gripping devices, into the idle state so as to establish said frictional engagement between the wedge assemblies and the object.