Patent ID: 6357960
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
A non-protrusive expandable clamping device for securely joining a first body and a second body together such that no part of said device protrudes from the joined bodies, the first body having a first side with a first mortise and the second body having a second side having a second mortise, said sides being suitable for being affixed to each other, thereby joining the two bodies together, said expandable clamping device being insertable between said sides parallel with said sides and comprising: a housing constructed to fit into said mortises, said housing having a cavity longitudinally therethrough, said cavity having opposing ends and a center; a first wedge having a smooth hole longitudinally therethrough; a second wedge having a threaded hole longitudinally partially therethrough, said wedges being adapted for insertion into said opposing ends of said cavity; and a bolt having a bolthead affixed thereto, said bolthead being suitable for rotating, said bolt being threaded for passing through said smooth hole and threading through said threaded hole to bring said wedges toward said center of said cavity and cause said housing, in response, to expand outwardly to exert clamping forces on said mortised sides, thereby clamping the first body and second body together.