Device for clamping a workpiece to a supporting surface

Claim 1

A clamp device adapted for holding a workpiece on a supporting surface, said device comprising an elongated single-piece clamp body having a top surface, a forward end surface and a bottom surface for engaging the supporting surface, means defining a longitudinally extending slot within said clamp body between said top and bottom surfaces, a threaded fastener extending through said slot for securing said body to the supporting surface, means defining a laterally extending cross slot within said forward end surface of said clamp body, said cross slot being inclined upwardly from said forward end surface and forming an acute angle with said bottom surface, a generally flat workpiece gripping element supported within said cross slot for sliding movement and projecting downwardly from said forward end surface at an acute angle relative to said bottom surface, means defining an inclined threaded hole within said body and extending upwardly from said laterally extending slot in alignment therewith to said top surface of said clamp between said forward end surface and said longitudinally extending slot, an adjusting screw extending within said threaded hole, means connecting said adjusting screw to said gripping element to effect movement of said gripping element within said cross slot in response to rotation of said screw, and means for retaining said gripping element within said cross slot.