Patent ID: 9085856
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: E01B

Abstract:
1. A clamping mechanism for securing an object to a rail having a rail foot, a rail web coupled to the rail foot, and a rail head coupled to the rail web, the clamping mechanism comprising an upper linkage arm, a bottom linkage arm spaced apart from the upper linkage arm, a support linkage arm pivotally interconnected to the upper linkage arm and pivotally interconnected to the bottom linkage arm, and a sliding linkage arm having a first end coupled to the upper linkage arm and a second end positioned to engage and slide along the bottom linkage arm, the upper, bottom, support, and sliding linkage arms defining a quadrangle, wherein the sliding linkage arm is movable between a first position where the clamping mechanism is disengaged from the rail and a second position where the clamping mechanism is engaged with the rail such that the sliding linkage arm forces the upper linkage arm against the rail head and forces the bottom linkage arm against the rail foot to secure the clamping mechanism to the rail.