Patent ID: 7377472
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: F16L,H02G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A clamp assembly for releasably securing an elongate member having a longitudinal axis to a structural support, the assembly comprising: a clamp base having a pair of ratchet arms extending outward from the base, each arm having a plurality of ratchet teeth formed along at least one surface thereof and the arms being generally parallel, the clamp base having a first support for the elongate member that includes at least two inclined surfaces forming a generally V-shaped notch that opens in the same direction the arms extend, each of these inclined surfaces having an exterior side; a clamping block having openings each of which is sized and located to receive one of the ratchet arms, the clamping block having a pawl located in each opening, the pawl having at least one pawl tooth with the pawl located and configured to releasably engage the ratchet teeth when the ratchet arm extends into the opening a distance sufficient to engage at least one pawl tooth, the clamping block having a second support for the elongate member that includes at least two inclined surfaces forming a generally V-shaped notch that opens toward the clamp base when the ratchet arms are inserted into the openings each of these inclined surfaces having an exterior side; and at least one cap sized and configured to be placed over the two inclined surfaces forming one of the V-shaped notches, the cap extending over that notch and over a portion of the exterior side of the corresponding inclined surface forming the notch and being interposed between the inclined surfaces and the elongate member during use of the clamp assembly.