Clamp device

Abstract

A clamp device 100 for clamping items such as sheets 102 to the frame 104 of a stretcher 106 . The clamp device 100 is made up of a generally elongated body portion 110 , which includes: first 140 and second 160 opposite open ends, a hollow interior 180 disposed between the opposite ends 140 and 160 , and an elongated gap 200 that extends between the first 140 and second 160 opposite open ends, and a first raised portion 120 a and/or a second raised portion 120 b . At least one raised portion 120 a or 120 b is located at opposite ends 140 and 160 , respectively. The clamp device 100 is removable from the stretcher frame 104 by pulling on the first 120 a or second 120 b raised portions. A pivot member such as pivot pin 220 can be attached to one opposite end of the body portion 110.

1 . A clamp device ( 100 ), comprising: 
 a generally elongated body portion ( 110 ), said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) comprising: 
 first ( 140 ) and second ( 160 ) opposite open ends, a hollow interior ( 180 ) disposed between the opposite ends ( 140 ) and ( 160 ), and an elongated gap ( 200 ) that extends between the first ( 140 ) and second ( 160 ) opposite open ends, a first raised portion ( 120   a ), wherein said first raised portion ( 120   a ) is located at opposite end ( 140 ),  
   whereby clamp device ( 100 ) can be used to clamp at least one sheet to a stretcher frame ( 104 ), and whereby said clamp device ( 100 ) is removable from the stretcher frame ( 104 ) by pulling on said first raised portion ( 120   a ).    
     
     
         2 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a pivot pin ( 220 ) is connected to second opposite end ( 160 ).  
     
     
         3 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a pivot pin ( 220 ) is connected to second opposite end ( 160 ) and a section of stretcher frame ( 104 ).  
     
     
         4 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated gap ( 200 ) has edges ( 240 ) and ( 260 ), wherein the edges ( 240 ) and ( 260 ) define the width of the elongated gap ( 200 ).  
     
     
         5 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1  further comprising a second raised portion ( 120   b ) located at the other opposite end ( 160 ), wherein said elongated gap ( 200 ) has edges in the form of lips ( 280 ) and ( 300 ), wherein the lips ( 280 ) and ( 300 ) define the width of the elongated gap ( 200 ).  
     
     
         6 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second raised portion ( 120   b ) located at the other opposite end ( 160 ) of said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ).  
     
     
         7 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) has a circular cross-section.  
     
     
         8 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) has a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         9 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) has a regular polygonal cross-section.  
     
     
         10 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) has an irregular polygonal cross-section.  
     
     
         11 . A clamp device ( 100 ), comprising: 
 a generally elongated body portion ( 110 ), said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) comprising: 
 first ( 140 ) and second ( 160 ) opposite open ends, a hollow interior ( 180 ) disposed between the opposite ends ( 140 ) and ( 160 ), and an elongated gap ( 200 ) that extends between the first ( 140 ) and second ( 160 ) opposite open ends, a second raised portion ( 120   b ), wherein said second raised portion ( 120   b ) is located at opposite end ( 160 ),  
 whereby clamp device ( 100 ) can be used to clamp at least one sheet to a stretcher frame ( 104 ), and whereby said clamp device ( 100 ) is removable from the stretcher frame ( 104 ) by pulling on said first raised portion ( 120   b ).  
   
     
     
         12 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein a pivot pin ( 220 ) is connected to first opposite end ( 140 ).  
     
     
         13 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein a pivot pin ( 220 ) is connected to second opposite end ( 160 ) and a section of stretcher frame ( 104 ).  
     
     
         14 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein said elongated gap ( 200 ) has edges ( 240 ) and ( 260 ), wherein the edges ( 240 ) and ( 260 ) define the width of the elongated gap ( 200 ).  
     
     
         15 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 11  further comprising a first raised portion ( 120   a ) located at the other opposite end ( 140 ), wherein said elongated gap ( 200 ) has edges in the form of lips ( 280 ) and ( 300 ), wherein the lips ( 280 ) and ( 300 ) define the width of the elongated gap ( 200 ).  
     
     
         16 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 11 , further comprising a first raised portion ( 120   a ) located at the other opposite end ( 140 ) of said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ).  
     
     
         17 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) has a circular cross-section.  
     
     
         18 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) has a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         19 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) has a regular polygonal cross-section.  
     
     
         20 . The clamp device ( 100 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein said generally elongated body portion ( 110 ) has an irregular polygonal cross-section.