Cam wedge power clamp

Claim 1

A clamp comprising a body section comprising a pair of reversibly interchangeable substantially identical abutting body members, each of which has a pair of vertically aligned pivot holes for pivotably mounting a clamping arm between opposed body members, said pivot holes of opposed body members being axially aligned, said body members defining a longitudinal bore, there being formed upon the interior of said body members a pair of enclosed inwardly opening body groove tracks communicating with said bore, means for mounting said body members on a support structure, a clevis mounted for reciprocating motion in said bore and having spaced legs, means for reciprocating said clevis, an axle transversely connecting said legs and provided with guide blocks on the outer ends thereof slidable in said body groove tracks, a clamping arm having a pivot bore and a follower slot offset and inclined from the axis of said longitudinal bore, mounted for pivotal movement between opposed portions of the body, said axle being confined within said slot or said pivot bore, and, wherein, said axle extends through said pivot bore, a pin extends through an opposed pair of said pivot holes and said follower slot, and a cam roller is situated within said follower slot and around said pin; whereby reciprocation of said clevis causes said clamping arm to simultaneously pivot and linearly extend or retract along the axis of said bore.