Releasable Clamp

Abstract

A novel releasable clamp is disclosed. The releasable clamp has a common member at a first end thereof. A first jaw is coupled with the common member at the first end and extending to a second end away from the common member. A second jaw is coupled with the common member at the first end and opposite the first jaw and extending to the second end away from the common member. A mouth is formed between the first and second jaws at the second end. Pluralities of protrusions are formed along an inner surface of the first jaw facing the second jaw and an inner surface of the second jaw facing the first jaw. These jaws are either flexibly coupled with the common member or a track is formed within the common member for permitting of sliding one of the jaws with respect to the other.

1 . A releasable clamp comprising: 
 a common member at a first end thereof;    a first jaw coupled with the common member at the first end and extending to a second end away from the common member;    a second jaw coupled with the common member at the first end and opposite the first jaw and extending to the second end away from the common member;    a mouth formed between the first and second jaws at the second end;    a first plurality of protrusions formed along an inner surface of the first jaw facing the second jaw; and,    a second plurality of protrusions formed along an inner surface of the second jaw facing the first jaw.    
   
   
       2 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first plurality of protrusions and second plurality of protrusions are formed from a material that comprises a rubbery substance.  
   
   
       3 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw are flexibly coupled to the common member for permitting of flexing of the first jaw with respect to the second jaw for varying an opening of the mouth.  
   
   
       4 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 1  wherein the common member comprises a track and at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw comprise a protrusion for engaging the track and for permitting sliding therebetween, and wherein one of the first jaw and the second jaw are fixedly coupled with the track.  
   
   
       5 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 4  wherein the protrusion and the track comprise a frictional engagement mechanism for releasably locking at least one of the first and second jaws in order to approximately maintain a fixed opening of the mouth.  
   
   
       6 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 5  wherein the frictional engagement mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism for facilitating decreasing an opening of the mouth and for other than facilitating increasing an opening of the mouth.  
   
   
       7 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 1  comprising a roller assembly, wherein at least one of the second jaw and the common member comprise a plurality of apertures for receiving of a portion of the roller assembly for releasably fixing the roller assembly to the releasable clamp.  
   
   
       8 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 7  wherein the roller assembly comprises a wheel for one of being pivotally mounted and other than pivotally mounted to the at least one of the second jaw and the common member.  
   
   
       9 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 7  wherein the common member comprises a bumper disposed about at least a whole amount of the common member.  
   
   
       10 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 9  wherein the bumper comprises a soft material and the common member comprises a harder material.  
   
   
       11 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 1  wherein the releasable clamp comprises an outer surface material that covers at least a portion of the common member and the first and second jaws, wherein the outer surface material comprises a heat resistant material.  
   
   
       12 . A releasable clamp according to  claim 1  wherein the releasable clamp comprises: 
 a first handle extending from the common member opposite the first jaw and coupled with the first jaw; and,    a second handle extending from the common member opposite the second jaw and coupled with the second jaw,    wherein the first and second handles are flexibly coupled to the common member and approximately other than flexibly coupled with each of the first and second jaws, respectively.    
   
   
       13 . A method comprising: 
 providing a common member at a first end thereof;    providing a first jaw flexibly coupled with the common member at the first end and extending to a second end away from the common member;    providing a second jaw coupled with the common member at the first end and opposite the first jaw and extending to the second end away from the common member;    providing a mouth formed between the first and second jaws at the second end;    inserting at least a portion of an article into the mouth between the first and second jaws;    increasing a separation between the first and second jaws; and,    frictionally engaging the at least a portion of the article between the first and second jaws.    
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the second jaw is flexibly coupled to the common member and comprising flexing of the second jaw with respect to the first jaw for frictionally engaging the at least a portion of the article.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 13  comprising: 
 providing a first plurality of protrusions formed along an inner surface of the first jaw facing the second jaw; and,    providing a second plurality of protrusions formed along an inner surface of the second jaw facing the first jaw.    
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the first and second pluralities of protrusions are formed from a rubbery material for facilitating frictional engagement of outer surfaces of the at least a portion of the article.  
   
   
       17 . A method comprising: 
 providing a common member at a first end thereof;    providing a first jaw fixedly coupled with the common member at the first end and extending to a second end away from the common member;    providing a track formed within the common member;    providing a second jaw having a protrusion for engaging the track formed within the common member;    providing a mouth formed between the first and second jaws at the second end;    increasing a separation between the first and second jaws;    inserting at least a portion of an article into the mouth between the first and second jaws;    decreasing the separation between the first and second jaws; and,    frictionally engaging the at least a portion of the article between the first and second jaws.    
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17  comprising providing a frictional engagement mechanism disposed between the track and the protrusion for facilitating decreasing a separation between the first and second jaws and for other than facilitating increasing a separation between the first and second jaws.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the first and second jaws are other than flexibly coupled with the common member.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 17  comprising: 
 providing a first plurality of protrusions formed along an inner surface of the first jaw facing the second jaw; and,    providing a second plurality of protrusions formed along an inner surface of the second jaw facing the first jaw.    
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 17  comprising: 
 providing a roller assembly; and,    releasably coupling the roller assembly to one of the second jaw and the common member.