Clamp and method of making same

Claim 2

A one piece plastic clamp formable from extruded stock comprising a pair of longitudinally extending lever arms of finite width merged toward one end through an integral bight portion to form a generally U-shaped member, the longitudinal axes of said lever arms in the free state thereof converging outwardly in a direction away from said free ends, complementary connecting means formed integrally with and disposed intermediate the ends of said lever arms, each of said connecting means extending the full width of its lever arm and facing in the direction of said other lever arm, each of said complementary means being formed on axes which, in the free state of said lever arms, converge and intersect inwardly of said lever arms.

Claim 3

The clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said integral bight portion comprises a resilient, curvilinear element bowed convexly in the direction of the free ends of said lever arms.

Claim 4

The clamp as defined in claim 2, wherein said curvilinear element comprises means defining a rest for a clamp supporting structural member.

Claim 5

The clamp as defined as claim 2, wherein said bight portion further comprises a second resilient, curvilinear element bowed convexly in the direction away form the free ends of said lever arms, said curvilinear elements complementing each other in forming a bight portion of generally orbicular configuration.

Claim 6

The clamp as defined in claim 1, further comprising means operative to releasably lock said opposed gripping surfaces against a parting force when said complementary connecting means are in registry with each other.

Claim 7

The clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein the merged end of one of said lever arms extends beyond said bight portion and means are provided on said extension for supporting said clamp with respect to a support member.

Claim 8

The clamp as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for releasably locking said lever arms against pivotal movement.

Claim 9

The clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said integral bight portion comprises a resilient, curvilinear element bowed concavely in the direction of the free ends of said lever arms.

Claim 10

The clamp as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one pair of cantilever leaf springs extending inwardly from the merged ends of said lever arms, the free ends of said leaf springs engaging each other when said complementary connecting meaNs are in locking registry.

Claim 11

A one piece clamp comprising a pair of cooperating arms having facing surfaces, said arms interconnecting at one end and terminating in opposed gripping surfaces at their other ends, pivot means formed integrally with said facing surfaces and disposed intermediate the ends of the said arms, said pivot means being operative to translate a bending force applied to said arms, between it and the interconnected ends of said arms, into relative movement between said gripping surfaces, the cross section of said clamp through every plane perpendicular to the plane of said facing surfaces being identical in every essential respect, and means for releasably locking said arms against pivotal movement.

Claim 12

A one piece clamp comprising a pair of cooperating arms having facing surfaces, said arms interconnecting at one end and terminating in opposed gripping surfaces at their other ends, pivot means formed integrally with said facing surfaces and disposed intermediate the ends of the said arms, said pivot means being operative to translate a bending force applied to said arms, between it and the interconnected ends of said arms, into relative movement between said gripping surfaces, the cross section of said clamp through every plane perpendicular to the plane of said facing surfaces being identical in every essential respect, and means for releasably locking said arms against pivotal movement.

Claim 13

A one piece clamp comprising a pair of cooperating arms having facing surfaces, said arms interconnecting at one end and terminating in opposed gripping surfaces at their other ends, pivot means formed integrally with said facing surfaces and disposed intermediate the ends of said arms, said pivot means being operative to translate a bending force applied to said arms, between it and the interconnected ends of said arms, into relative movement between said gripping surfaces, the cross section of said clamp through every plane perpendicular to the plane of said facing surfaces being identical in every essential respect, and at least one pair of cantilever leaf springs extending inwardly from the interconnected ends of said arms.

Claim 14

A one piece clamp comprising a pair of cooperating arms having facing surfaces, said arms interconnecting at one end and terminating in opposed gripping surfaces at their other ends, pivot means formed integrally with said facing surfaces and disposed intermediate the ends of said arms, said pivot means being operative to translate a bending force applied to said arms, between it and the interconnected ends of said arms, into relative movement between said gripping surfaces, the cross section of said clamp through every plane perpendicular to the plane of said facing surfaces being identical in every essential respect, and at least one pair of cantilever leaf springs extending inwardly from the interconnected ends of said arms.