Cantilever tension clamp and bracket

Abstract

A clamp in which two clamping arms are disposed on a extending member to hold the arms apart from each other, with a tension element that draws the clamping arms against the objects to be held by the clamp. The tension element and the extending member may then operate as a bracket for attaching or mounting other objects to or on that which is held by the clamp.

1 . A clamp and bracket comprising:
 (a) two clamping arms disposed on at least one extending member apart from each other;   (b) at least one tension element connected to at least one of said clamping arms; and   (c) at least one tensioner disposed to induce tension in that tension element,   
     so that the clamping arms are drawn against one or more of the objects to be held by the clamping arms. 
   
   
       2 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the tension element is connected to both clamping arms. 
   
   
       3 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping arms are integrated with the extending member. 
   
   
       4 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one tension element is a rod or a cable. 
   
   
       5 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one tension element is at least partially threaded. 
   
   
       6 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioner is a threaded nut. 
   
   
       7 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioner is a racheting tensioner. 
   
   
       8 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one tension element is connected to only one of said clamping arms. 
   
   
       9 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the tension element connected to one of said clamping arms is also connected to a tension stop operably associated with the clamping arm. 
   
   
       10 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the tension element connected to one of said clamping arms is also connected to a tension stop located in the direction from which tension draws the clamping arm against said one or more of the objects to be held by the clamping arms. 
   
   
       11 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein cushion pads are attached to one or more of the clamping arms where it is in contact with said one or more of the objects to be held in the clamping arms. 
   
   
       12 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 1 , wherein one or more supports for one or more objects to be attached to the object to be held by the clamp and bracket are disposed in position on either the tension elements or the extending member. 
   
   
       13 . A clamp and bracket comprising:
 (a) two clamping arms disposed on at least one extending member apart from each other;   (b) a tension element connected to at least one of said clamping arms;   (c) a tensioner disposed to induce tension in the tension element so that one or more of said clamping arms are drawn against one or more of the objects to be held by the clamping arms; and   (d) one or more supports disposed in position on either the tension elements or the extending member for attaching one or more objects to said one or more objects to be held by the clamping arms.   
   
   
       14 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 13 , wherein the tension element is connected to both clamping arms. 
   
   
       15 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 13 , wherein the clamping arms are integrated with the extending member. 
   
   
       16 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one tension element is connected to only one of said clamping arms. 
   
   
       17 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 13 , wherein the tension element connected to one of said clamping arms is also connected to a tension stop operably associated with the clamping arm. 
   
   
       18 . A clamp and bracket comprising:
 (a) two clamping arms disposed on at least one extending member apart from each other;   (b) at least one tension element connected to at least one of said clamping arms;   (c) a tensioner disposed on at least one of said tension elements to draw one or more of said clamping arms against one or more of the objects to be held by the clamping arms;   
   
   
       19 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 18 , wherein at least one tension element connected to one of said clamping arms is also connected to a tension stop operably associated with the clamping arm. 
   
   
       20 . The clamp and bracket of  claim 18 , wherein at least one tension element connected to one of said clamping arms is also connected to a tension stop in the direction of which tension draws the clamping arm against said one or more of the objects to be held by the clamping arms.