Clamping Unit

Abstract

A clamping unit comprising a base having a first jaw and a spike and the spike extends from the first jaw, and the first jaw has a first jaw spring recess. There is a second jaw having a second jaw spring recess. A torsion spring positioned in the first and second jaw spring recesses and attached to the first jaw and the second jaw, such that the torsion spring is disposed internal to the clamping unit. The first jaw has a crest and the second jaw has a trough and the crest of the first jaw is receivable in the trough of the second jaw and the torsion spring is for forcing the first and second jaws into a closed position.

1 . A clamping unit comprising:
 a base having a first jaw and a spike and wherein the spike extends from the first jaw and the first jaw has a first jaw spring recess;   a second jaw having a second jaw spring recess;   a torsion spring positioned in the first and second jaw spring recesses and attached to the first jaw and the second jaw; and   and wherein the first jaw has a crest and the second jaw has a trough and the crest of the first jaw is receivable in the trough of the second jaw and the torsion spring is for forcing the first and second jaws into a closed position.   
   
   
       2 . The clamping unit according to  claim 1  wherein the first jaw has a first gripping portion and the second jaw has a second gripping portion such that when the first and second gripping portions are compressed the second jaw rotates on the torsion spring a direction away from the first jaw to open the clamping unit. 
   
   
       3 . The clamping unit according to  claim 1  wherein the first jaw has a gripping end and a clamping end and the second jaw has a gripping end and a clamping end and wherein the torsion spring is positioned a spring distance from the gripping ends of the first and second jaws and the spring distance is for maximizing the clamping force applied at the clamping ends of the first and second jaws. 
   
   
       4 . The clamping device according to  claim 1  wherein the spike has fins that are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
   
   
       5 . The clamping unit according to  claim 1  wherein the spike and the first jaw are one piece. 
   
   
       6 . The clamping unit according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the crest and trough of the first jaw has a textured surface for enhancing the engagement made between the clamping unit and an article clamped. 
   
   
       7 . The clamping unit according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the crest and trough of the second jaw has a textured surface for enhancing the engagement made between the clamping unit and an article clamped. 
   
   
       8 . The clamping unit according to  claim 1  wherein the torsion spring has a coiled portion with opposed first and second ends and a first leg extends from the first end and a second leg extends from the second end, and the first leg has an first leg extension and the second leg has a second leg extension and wherein the first leg extension of the first leg is positioned in an opening in the first jaw, and the second leg extension of the second leg is positioned in an opening in the second jaw such that the first and second jaws are connected to one another. 
   
   
       9 . The clamping unit according to  claim 8  wherein the first jaw has opposed clamping and gripping ends and the second jaw has opposed second jaw clamping and gripping ends and the torsion spring for forcing the clamping ends together. 
   
   
       10 . A method of making a clamping unit comprising:
 providing a base having a first jaw and a spike and extending the spike from the first jaw, and defining a first jaw spring recess in the first jaw;   providing a second jaw and defining a second jaw spring recess in the second jaw;   providing a torsion spring and positioning the torsion spring in the first and second jaw spring recesses and attaching the first jaw and the second jaw with the torsion spring; and   providing the first jaw with a crest and the second jaw with a trough and positioning the crest of the first jaw in the trough of the second jaw and using the torsion spring for forcing the first and second jaws into a closed position.   
   
   
       11 . The method of making a clamping unit according to  claim 10  further including providing the first jaw with a first gripping portion and providing the second jaw with a second gripping portion such that when the first and second gripping portions are compressed the second jaw rotates on the torsion spring in a direction away from the first jaw to open the clamping unit. 
   
   
       12 . The method of making a clamping unit according to  claim 10  further including providing the first jaw with a gripping end and a clamping end and providing the second jaw with a gripping end and a clamping end and positioning the torsion spring a spring distance from the gripping ends of the first and second jaws and the spring distance is for maximizing the clamping force applied at the clamping ends of the first and second jaws. 
   
   
       13 . The method of making a clamping unit according to  claim 10  further including providing the torsion spring with a coiled portion having opposed first and second ends and extending a first leg from the first end and extending a second leg from the second end, and providing the first leg with a first leg extension and providing the second leg with a second leg extension and positioning the first leg extension of the first leg in an opening in the first jaw, and positioning the second leg extension of the second leg in an opening in the second jaw such that the first and second jaws are connected to one another. 
   
   
       14 . The method of making a clamping unit according to  claim 13  further including providing the first jaw with opposed clamping and gripping ends and providing the second jaw with opposed second jaw clamping and gripping ends and using the torsion spring for forcing the clamping ends together. 
   
   
       15 . The method of making a clamping unit according to  claim 10  wherein further including providing at least one of the crest and trough of the first jaw with a textured surface for enhancing the engagement made between the clamping unit and an article clamped. 
   
   
       16 . The method of making a clamping unit according to  claim 10  further including providing at least one of the crest and trough of the second jaw with a textured surface for enhancing the engagement made between the clamping unit and an article clamped.