Integrally-molded unitary supporting member for wood clamp

Claim 1

In a clamp including an elongated bar having a substantially uniform cross-section, wherein the clamp is adapted to engage and exert pressure against the respective outer portions of a plurality of workpieces, and wherein the workpeices have respective inner portions abutting one another, the improvement comprising at least one unitary supporting member integrally molded from a plastic material and adapted to be lodged between the bar and one of the workpieces, the supporting member having a central recess provided with a plan outline corresponding substantially to the cross-section of the bar, such that the supporting member is substantially infinitely slidably adjustable along the length of the elongated bar, the supporting member gripping the bar and being carried thereon, the supporting member being relatively flexible for easy mounting and demounting on the bar, and the supporting member having a substantially flat portion adapted to engage the surface of the one workpiece, wherein the supporting member provides a substantially soft, flexible cushion between the bar and the workpiece and substantially prevents the bar from touching the workpiece, thereby preventing the bar from marring the workpiece, and wherein the supporting member tends to preclude bowing of the workpieces, further including a slot formed in the supporting member opposite to the flat edge and communicating with the central recess therein, thereby forming a pair of bifurcated resilient legs in the supporting member, wherein the legs may be spread apart to mount the member on the bar, whereby the member has inherent resiliency, so that the legs spring back to grip the bar.