Clamps for panels

Abstract

There is provided a clamp securable to a panel at an edge thereof said clamp comprising: a first clamping means comprising a first clamping surface; a second clamping means comprising a second clamping surface; and a locating component, wherein said first and second clamping means and said locating component in use interlock with each other so that said first clamping surface and said second clamping surface are positioned to press respectively against opposing faces of a panel positioned therebetween.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A clamp securable to a panel at an edge thereof said clamp comprising:
 a first clamping means comprising a first clamping surface;   a second clamping means comprising a second clamping surface; and   a locating component,   wherein   (a) said first and second clamping means in use of said clamp are positioned so that said first and second clamping surfaces press respectively against opposing faces of a panel positioned therebetween so as to clamp said panel; and   (b) said locating component is shaped and in use so positioned relative to said first and second clamping means as to prevent relative movement of said first and second clamping means in which said first and second clamping surfaces move apart thus releasing said panel.   
     
     
         29 . The clamp of  claim 28  wherein said locating component comprises an elongate formation that in use extends through openings comprised in said first and second clamping means. 
     
     
         30 . The clamp of  claim 29  wherein a said clamping means comprises a plurality of said openings spaced apart longitudinally of said elongate formation. 
     
     
         31 . The clamp of  claim 29  wherein said elongate formation is oriented to extend in a direction at least approximately parallel to an edge of said panel where and on which said clamp is positioned. 
     
     
         32 . The clamp of  claim 31  wherein the locating component tapers lengthwise. 
     
     
         33 . The clamp of  claim 31  wherein an endmost said opening is accessible externally of said clamp whereby said clamp is able to be assembled by firstly positioning said first and second clamping means approximately in their working relative positions and secondly by moving said locating component through said endmost opening and subsequently through other said openings. 
     
     
         34 . The clamp of  claim 31  wherein said first and second clamping surfaces lie on a first side of said elongate formation and on an opposite second side of said elongate formation said first and second clamping means abut at least one of (a) each other and (b) a part held between said first and second clamping means. 
     
     
         35 . The clamp of  claim 29  wherein said elongate formation is oriented to extend in a direction at least approximately perpendicular to an edge of said panel where and on which said clamp is positioned. 
     
     
         36 . The clamp of  claim 35  wherein an endmost said opening is accessible externally of said clamp whereby said clamp is able to be assembled by firstly positioning said first and second clamping means approximately in their working relative positions and secondly moving said locating component toward said panel through said endmost opening and subsequently through other said openings. 
     
     
         37 . The clamp of  claim 35  wherein a said clamping means comprises a portion from which formations extend and each of said openings of that clamping means is formed in a said formation. 
     
     
         38 . The clamp of  claim 37  wherein said portion comprises an extrusion from which material has been removed including to leave said formations. 
     
     
         39 . The clamp of  claim 28  wherein each of said first and second clamping means comprises one member of a pair of mutually facing surfaces that in use of said clamp are arranged to move towards each other as said clamping surfaces move apart and wherein the locating component is interposed between said mutually facing surfaces so that said clamping surfaces are prevented by said locating component from moving apart and releasing said panel. 
     
     
         40 . The clamp of  claim 39  wherein a said facing surface of a clamping means is formed on a generally hook-like formation comprised in that clamping means that passes to one side of and partway around said locating component. 
     
     
         41 . The clamp of  claim 39  wherein said locating component comprises an elongate formation that in use is oriented to extend in a direction at least approximately perpendicular to an edge of said panel where and on which said clamp is positioned. 
     
     
         42 . The clamp of  claim 41  wherein said locating component is able to be moved into position between said mutually facing surfaces from outside said first and second clamping means so as to assemble said clamp for use. 
     
     
         43 . The clamp of  claim 40  wherein said clamping means comprise a portion formed as an extrusion including said hook-like formations. 
     
     
         44 . The clamp of  claim 39  wherein said first and second clamping surfaces lie on a first side of said mutually facing surfaces and on an opposite second side of said mutually facing surfaces said first and second clamping means abut at least one of (a) each other and (b) said locating component. 
     
     
         45 . The clamp of  claim 40  wherein said locating component comprises a longitudinally tapered portion that in use is interposed between said mutually facing surfaces and wherein said mutually facing surfaces are tapered in the same longitudinal direction as said locating component. 
     
     
         46 . The clamp of  claim 45  wherein said locating component comprises a threaded portion that threadingly engages a nut held non-rotatingly in a space defined between said first and second clamping means whereby said locating component is movable longitudinally into a position where said tapered portion is interposed between said mutually facing surfaces. 
     
     
         47 . The clamp of  claim 46  wherein a section of said locating component protrudes outside said first and second clamping means so as to be rotatable by a user during assembly and use of said clamp. 
     
     
         48 . The clamp of  claim 40  wherein said first and second clamping means are substantially identical to each other. 
     
     
         49 . The clamp of  claim 39  wherein when a panel is clamped in said clamp surfaces of said first clamping means bear against surfaces of said second clamping means so as to set a lower limit on a distance between said first and second clamping surfaces. 
     
     
         50 . The clamp of  claim 40  wherein when a panel is clamped in said clamp a surface of said hook-like formation of one of said first and second clamping means bears against a surface of the other of said first and second clamping means so as to set a lower limit on a distance between said first and second clamping surfaces. 
     
     
         51 . The clamp of  claim 40  wherein when a panel is clamped in said clamp cooperating surfaces of said first and second clamping means bear against each other so as to set a lower on a distance between said first and second clamping surfaces and wherein said hook-like formation of each said clamping means remains clear of the other said clamping means. 
     
     
         52 . The clamp of  claim 51  wherein said cooperating surfaces include surfaces extending along sides of each of said first and second clamping means. 
     
     
         53 . The clamp of  claim 45  wherein said tapered portion of said locating component is movable longitudinally between said mutually facing surfaces so as to urge apart said mutually facing surfaces and thereby to urge together said first and second clamping surfaces.