Clamp for securing vessel internals

Abstract

A vessel tray clamp is provided. The vessel tray clamp includes a distal end lying in a first plane and having a first width. The vessel tray clamp also includes a proximate end lying in a second plane that is not the first plane. The proximate end has a second width greater than the first width and has an elongated opening therethrough. An arcuate intermediate portion interconnects the distal end and proximate end. The arcuate intermediate portion has the first width adjacent the distal end and the second width adjacent the proximate end to form a shoulder therebetween.

1 . A vessel tray clamp comprising:
 a distal end lying in a first plane and having a first width;   a proximate end lying in a second plane that is not the first plane, wherein the proximate end has a second width greater than the first width, and wherein the proximate end has an elongated opening therethrough; and   an arcuate intermediate portion interconnecting the distal end and proximate end, wherein the arcuate intermediate portion has the first width adjacent the distal end and the second width adjacent the proximate end and has a shoulder therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 2 , wherein the elongated opening is bounded completely by the proximate end. 
     
     
         3 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 2 , wherein the proximate end terminates at a proximate edge, and wherein the elongated opening is formed by the proximate edge. 
     
     
         4 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 1  wherein the clamp is configured to secure a tray to a support structure in a vessel, wherein the support structure includes a topside and an underside, wherein the tray includes an upper surface and a lower surface for resting on the topside of the support structure, and wherein the distal end of the clamp is configured to be inserted from the upper surface of the tray through the tray for abutment with the underside of the support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 4  wherein the intermediate portion of the clamp is configured to be received in and engage the tray, and wherein engagement with the tray substantially limits movement of the clamp to within a single plane. 
     
     
         6 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 5  wherein the proximate end of the clamp is configured for engagement with the tray by a selectable engagement force; and wherein the clamp is configured to increase compression force on the support structure by the clamp and the tray when the engagement force is increased. 
     
     
         7 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 6  wherein the shoulder is configured to abut the upper surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 7  wherein the clamp has a single orientation for installation between the tray and the support structure. 
     
     
         9 . A clamp for securing a tray to a support structure in a vessel, wherein the support structure includes a topside and an underside, and wherein the tray includes an upper surface and a lower surface for resting on the topside of the support structure, the clamp comprising:
 a distal end configured to be inserted from the upper surface of the tray through the tray for abutment with the underside of the support structure;   an intermediate portion configured to be received in and engage the tray, wherein engagement with the tray substantially limits movement of the clamp to within a single plane; and   a proximate end configured for engagement with the tray by a selectable engagement force;   wherein the clamp is configured to increase compression force on the support structure by the clamp and the tray when the engagement force is increased.   
     
     
         10 . The clamp of  claim 9  wherein the clamp is configured to intersect the tray along an intersecting line, and wherein the single plane is substantially perpendicular to the intersecting line. 
     
     
         11 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 10  wherein the clamp is configured to be pivotable about the intersecting line when the intermediate portion is received in the tray. 
     
     
         12 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 9  wherein the clamp includes a shoulder adjacent the intermediate portion, and wherein the shoulder is configured to abut the upper surface of the support structure when the intermediate portion is received in the tray. 
     
     
         13 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 9  wherein the clamp has a single orientation for installation between the tray and the support structure. 
     
     
         14 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 9  wherein the proximate end is configured to receive a fastener to engage the clamp and the tray and to control the engagement force therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . A clamp for securing a tray to a support structure in a vessel, wherein the support structure includes a topside and an underside, and wherein the tray includes an upper surface and a lower surface for resting on the topside of the support structure, the clamp comprising:
 a distal end configured to be inserted from the upper surface of the tray through the tray for abutment with the underside of the support structure;   an intermediate portion configured to be received in and engage the tray; and   a proximate end configured to receive a fastener to engage the clamp and the tray to control a selectable engagement force therebetween;   wherein the clamp is configured to have a single orientation for installation and to hold a stationary position when the fastener is received during installation.   
     
     
         16 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 15  wherein the clamp is configured to having its movement substantially limited to within a single plane when the intermediate portion is received in the tray. 
     
     
         17 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 16  wherein the clamp is configured to intersect the tray along an intersecting line, and wherein the single plane is substantially perpendicular to the intersecting line. 
     
     
         18 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 17  wherein the clamp is configured to be pivotable about the intersecting line when the intermediate portion is received in the tray. 
     
     
         19 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 18  wherein the clamp includes a shoulder adjacent the intermediate portion, and wherein the shoulder is configured to abut the upper surface of the support structure when the intermediate portion is received in the tray. 
     
     
         20 . The vessel tray clamp of  claim 19  wherein the clamp is configured to increase a compression force on the support structure by the clamp and the tray when the engagement force is increased.