Clamp for internally coupling and decoupling two components

An internal clamp system, comprising:

• two components to be coupled to one another;
• and
• an internal clamp to couple and decouple the two components, the clamp having
• a base configured to fit within an interior of at least one of the two components,
• an engagement member movably supported about the base, and configured to interface with and engage interior portions of the two components when in a coupled position and to be separated from the interior portions of the two components when in a decoupled position,
• a wedge movably supported about the base and operable to facilitate movement of the engagement member between the coupled and the decoupled positions,
• a secure and release mechanism operable with the base and the wedge to alternately secure the wedge to maintain the engagement member in the coupled position and release the wedge to facilitate movement of the engagement member to the decoupled position;
• and
• a dampener associated with the wedge to dampen motion of the wedge after being released by the secure and release mechanism, wherein the wedge moves undampened for a distance and the dampener dampens motion of the wedge only after the wedge has moved the distance to facilitate movement of the engagement member to the decoupled position.

A method for facilitating internal coupling and decoupling of two components, comprising:

• providing a clamp to couple and decouple two components, the clamp having
• a base configured to fit within an interior of at least one of the two components,
• an engagement member movably supported about the base between a coupled position and a decoupled position,
• a wedge movably supported about the base and operable to facilitate movement of the engagement member between the coupled and the decoupled positions,
• a secure and release mechanism operable with the base and the wedge to alternately secure the wedge to maintain the engagement member in the coupled position and release the wedge to facilitate movement of the engagement member to the decoupled position, and
• a dampener associated with the wedge to dampen motion of the wedge after being released by the secure and release mechanism, wherein the wedge moves undampened for a distance and the dampener dampens motion of the wedge only after the wedge has moved the distance to facilitate movement of the engagement member to the decoupled position;
• and
• facilitating interfacing with and engagement of interior portions of the two components by the engagement member when in the coupled position and separation of the engagement member from the interior portions of the two components when in the decoupled position.