Adjustable clamp

Claim 1

An adjustable clamp comprising: a generally elongate base portion for supporting said clamp adjacent a given surface, said base portion having a first end, a second end, an exterior mounting surface, and an at least partially enclosed strap receiving chamber therewithin, said chamber extending generally lengthwise between said first and said second ends within said base portion generally parallel to said exterior mounting surface and communicating with said first end of said base portion to provide an entrance end thereat, said chamber being at least partially defined by an upper interior surface, a lower interior surface, and at least one sidewall; a series of teeth selectively disposed within said strap receiving chamber on one of said upper and said lower interior surfaces; a flexible strap portion having a first end and a second end, said strap portion first end being coupled to said base portion directly adjacent said entrance end of said strap receiving chamber, said strap portion second end terminating in a pawl means arranged for selective releasable engagement with said base portion teeth within said strap receiving chamber; and means to permit the attachment of said base portion to a surface; said flexible strap portion being selectively preformed into a loop with said pawl means positioned generally adjacent said entrance end of said strap receiving chamber, said flexible strap portion thus substantially fully encircling an article inserted within said loop prior to closure and restraining the movement of such article upon the engagement of said strap portion pawl means with said base portion teeth, said strap portion being formed integrally with said base portion, said pawl means being hingedly coupled to said strap portion second end for pivotal movement thereat, said clamp being a molded assembly of unitary construction, said pawl means being joined to said strap portion second end by a connecting portion having a reduced cross section to provide increased flexibility thereat, said pawl means further including a heel portion, said heel portion being joined to said pawl means at the junction between said pawl means and said strap portion second end and extending away from said pawl means along a common plane and in a direction opposite to said pawl means and arranged to abut one of said interior surfaces of said base portion chamber remote from said interior surfaces on which said teeth are disposed to increase the locking engagement between said pawl means and said teeth.