Patent ID: 7566038
Filing Date: 2009-07-28
Classification: A61G,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A clamp for attaching a device to a mount structure, comprising: a clamp mechanism including a first clamp member connected to a second clamp member, the first and second clamp members being movable relative to one another between a first clamp-mechanism position and a second clamp-mechanism position, wherein the first clamp-mechanism position provides adequate clearance for the mount structure to be inserted between the clamp members, and wherein the second clamp-mechanism position leaves inadequate room for the mount structure between the clamp members; and an actuation mechanism including a handle that is movable between a first handle position and an extreme second handle position, and also including a first bias member; wherein with the handle in its first position, the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the clamp mechanism to the first clamp-mechanism position; wherein with the handle in its extreme, second position, the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the clamp mechanism to the second clamp-mechanism position; wherein with the handle in its extreme, second position, the first bias member is configured to resiliently bias the clamp members toward their respective second clamp-mechanism positions; and wherein the actuation mechanism further includes a lock member and a second bias member, the lock member being movable relative to the clamp mechanism between a first lock-member position and a second lock-member position, and the second bias member being configured to bias the lock member toward its second position; the handle is configured to actuate the lock member to its first position when the handle is actuated to its first position; the clamp mechanism defines a lock-engagement surface configured such that, as the clamp mechanism moves through a range of clamp-mechanism positions toward the second clamp-mechanism position, the lock member can engage the lock-engagement surface in a range of lock-member positions progressing toward the second lock-member position; and through the range of clamp-mechanism positions, the lock member in its respective engaged positions blocks the clamp mechanism from moving back toward the first clamp-mechanism position.