Abstract:
A multi-function clamping system composed of a few interacting and interoperative clamping components. It is based around a J-bar to which other clamping components such as X-axis, Y-axis, extender blocks, L-links, bench rests, joint V-blocks, and V-pad clamping components can be threadably or slidably assembled into a wide variety of configurations. The multi-function clamping system that can be configured for expansive or compressive clamping, simultaneous or sequentially clamping along one or several axes, clamping of one or more workpieces, clamping of two or more workpieces in various positions relative to one another, clamping of workpieces in various crafts such as, for example, welding, woodworking, machining, mechanical repair, and the like.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/623,618, filed Oct. 28, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates in general to methods and devices for a multifunctional workpiece clamping system and, more particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a single clamping system including a plurality of components, which, when taken together, expand the functionality of the system into areas where a plurality of different clamping systems had previously been required.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Complex single purpose clamping fixtures had been widely used in manufacturing for many years. Such fixtures were assembled in one fixed configuration for a single purpose, and had no other capabilities. Many prior multi-purpose clamping devices had also been proposed. They include, for example, C-clamps with Y-axis clamping capabilities, and various links and pivoting blocks to accommodate different shaped workpieces. See, for example, Romine 2,610,661, Hewat 2,642,905, Yang 4,962,918, Gurule 5,697,601, Pinkous 5,893,553. Clamping devices that clamp in expansion as well as compression had been proposed. See, for example, Driscoll 3,934,316. Clamping expedients in which a clamping plate or shaped bracket is threadably mounted to a jaw of a C-clamp opposed to a clamping screw had been proposed. See, for example, Penny 5,135,209. Bench rests for C-clamps had been proposed. See, for example, McCarty 4,363,475. Adjustable V-pads had been proposed. See, for example, Stanley 4,134,578. Various expedients for clamping workpieces of various shapes in angular relationships to one another had been proposed. See, for example, Howe 5,992,836, Hall 5,718,419, and Kutzleb 5,482,263. Many proposed prior expedients were particularly suited for one craft, such as, for example, welding, woodworking, or the like. The proposed prior art multi-purpose expedients were not without their shortcomings. A major shortcoming of typical prior art expedients is the limited functionality of any one clamping device. The accomplishment of a variety of functions required a variety of clamping devices. That is, a given prior art expedient could not be first configured to perform one set of functions and then reconfigured to perform an entirely different set of functions. It was generally necessary to provide a wide variety of clamping systems to accomplish a variety of functions. This multiplied the cost and the storage requirements for different clamping systems.  
         [0006]     These and other difficulties of the prior art have been overcome according to the present invention.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention has been developed in response to the current state of the art, and in particular, in response to these and other problems and needs that have not been fully or completely solved by currently available. Thus, it is an overall object of the present invention to effectively resolve at least the problems and shortcomings identified herein. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-function clamping system composed of a few interacting and interoperative clamping components. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a multi-function clamping system that is based around a J-bar to which other clamping components are threadably or slidably assembled into a wide variety of configurations. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-function clamping system that can be configured for expansive or compressive clamping, simultaneous or sequentially clamping along one or several axes, clamping of one or more workpieces, clamping of two or more workpieces in various positions relative to one another, and clamping of workpieces in various crafts such as, for example, welding, woodworking, machining, mechanical repair, and the like.  
         [0008]     The tooling components of the present system can be assembled in many different ways to provide clamping force on workpieces from two or more directions for purposes of facilitating the performance of various operations on or with such objects. The components are releasably assembled to one another and to various other objects so that they are readily available for reuse. The versatility of the system is considerably enhanced by providing for the releasable assembly of the components. The satisfactory performance of the desired clamping purposes requires that the components function together to provide secure clamping. Providing such secure clamping throughout a wide variety of configurations requires that the components of the system be carefully selected and designed to function as intended throughout such configurations. Providing the flexibility to create a wide variety of configurations from a minimum number of components substantially enhances the utility of the system beyond that provided by the various components considered one by one. For purposes of illustration a few of the many possible configurations are shown in this application. These will serve to suggest to those skilled in the art many other configurations into which the clamping components of the present kit invention can be assembled.  
         [0009]     To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, a preferred embodiment of a multifunctional workpiece clamping system that illustrates a best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiments are described in detail without attempting to show all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments shown and described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, can be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification or drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     As those skilled in the art will recognize, the basic system taught herein can be readily adapted to many uses. This specification and the claims appended hereto should be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed.  
         [0011]     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of illustrating the invention and its presently understood best mode only and not limitation:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing a multiplicity of clamp components for use in a clamping system wherein most of the clamp components are in an unassembled configuration. The backbone of the system is provided by a J-bar component. The J-bar is shown assembled in a basic adjustable C-clamp configuration with an X-axis clamp screw mounted to the rail arm of the J-bar component through a sliding clamp arm.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  diagrammatically depicts one embodiment of a Y-axis clamp component for use in accordance with the teachings of the present invention  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of an angle bracket clamp component according to the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a straight bracket clamp component according to the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a short L-link clamp component according to the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a closed bench rest clamp component according to the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of an open bench rest clamp component according to the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a long L-link clamp component according to the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a V-pad clamp component according to the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of an extender block clamp component according to the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a clamping fixture using components of a clamping system according to the present invention wherein a J-bar is assembled in a basic adjustable C-clamp configuration in operable relationship with an extender block mounted to the pad on the end of the foot of the J-bar to accommodate the clamping of a workpiece or the like that has a concave configuration.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a clamping fixture using components of a clamping system according to the present invention wherein two J-bars are deployed in C-clamp configurations with extension blocks and a long L-link clamping component joining the two J-bars together.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a clamping fixture using components of a clamping system according to the present invention wherein one J-bar component is configured in an expansion C-clamp configuration with an extension block.  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a clamping fixture using components of a clamping system according to the present invention wherein one J-bar, in a C-clamp compression configuration, is mounted in an open bench rest with an extension block positioned to rest on the surface of a bench to which the open bench rest component is mounted.  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a clamping fixture using components of a clamping system according to the present invention wherein one J-bar, in a C-clamp configuration, is used in a compression assembly with the rail arm of the J-bar slidably mounted in two closed bench rests. An X-axis clamp screw bears clampingly against a cylindrical workpiece or the like through a V-pad.  
         [0027]      FIG. 16  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a clamping fixture using components of a clamping system according to the present invention wherein two J-bars, in C-clamp compression configurations, are joined at right angles by a long L-link component to position two workpieces or the like in precise angular relationship to one another. A V-pad is employed in association with the pad on the end of the foot on one of the J-bars to accommodate a round workpiece or the like.  
         [0028]      FIG. 17  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of a clamping fixture using components of a clamping system according to the present invention wherein two J-bars are deployed in compression C-clamp configurations and are joined together through an angle bracket component. Aligned V-panels on the angle bracket component hold generally cylindrical workpieces or the like at the angle to one another that is defined by the angle bracket component.  
         [0029]      FIG. 18  diagrammatically depicts various details of an embodiment of the present invention wherein two clamping assemblies with both X and Y axis clamping capabilities are used separately to clamp a single workpiece or the like.  
         [0030]      FIG. 19  diagrammatically depicts a detent assembly that is adapted to releasably retain slidably mounted clamping components on the rail arm of the J-bar. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of various embodiments of the invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way. The use of words and phrases herein with reference to specific embodiments is not intended to limit the meanings of such words and phrases to those specific embodiments. Words and phrases herein are intended to have their ordinary meanings, unless a specific definition is set forth at length herein. As used herein, the term “workpiece” is intended to include all objects whether, raw materials that are under fabrication, clamp components, tools, substrates, measuring instruments, or other objects.  
         [0032]     Referring particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated generally at  10  ( FIG. 1 ) a J-bar clamping component including a rail arm  162 , an extended foot  164 . A pad  176  having a fastener mounting element in the form of threaded bore  177  extending therethrough is located at the distal end of extended foot  164 . The longitudinal axis of threaded bore  177  is preferably generally axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of rail arm  162 . A detent  210  is provided at the distal end of rail arm  162 . Detent  210  serves to releasably retain other clamping components that are slidably mounted on rail arm  162  in assembled configuration with J-bar  10 . J-bar  10  serves as a backbone for the multifunctional workpiece clamping system of the present invention. The other components of the system are generally either mounted by means of a threaded fastener through threaded hole  177 , or slidably mounted on rail arm  164 . The use of multiple J-bars greatly increases the functionality of the system. See, for example,  FIGS. 16, 17 , and  18 .  
         [0033]     A sliding clamp arm component, indicated generally at  12 , together with an X-axis clamp screw component, indicated generally at  14 , provides adjustable C-clamp functionality when combined with J-bar  10  ( FIG. 1 ). The rail arm  162  has a generally rectangular cross-section, and the components that are adapted to be slidably mounted on rail arm  162  have mating passageways. The mating cross-sections serve to prevent the components from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the rail arm  162  while permitting them to slide longitudinally of the rail arm  162 . Other rotation preventing cross-sections can be used, if desired. For example, a rail arm having a round cross section with radially extending key ways or radially projecting ribs, or an egg-shaped cross-section, or the like could be employed provided the mating cross-section in the associated component matches so as to permit the component to slide longitudinally of the rail arm. Generally, the rail arm  162  is approximately straight. Generally, the application of clamping force causes a slidably mounted component to bind on the rail arm so as to lock the component in a fixed longitudinal location along the rail arm  162 . Additional releasable position fixing elements can be provided, if desired. For example, a thumb screw, or the like can be employed.  
         [0034]     An X-axis clamping component, indicated generally at  14  ( FIG. 1 ), slidably and removably mounts on rail arm  162  through a sliding clamp arm component indicated generally at  12 . This X-axis component functions to apply clamping pressure at an angle, typically approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail arm  162 . An X-axis clamping component can, for example, be mounted to apply pressure at other angles that occur generally within a cone extending from the X-axis component generally towards the region of the pad  176 . Typically, clamping pressure is applied by means of a manually actuated screw although other mechanisms such as, for example, hydraulic cylinders can be employed as the source of the clamping force, and the X-axis component can be adjusted or actuated by electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic motors, or the like, if desired.  
         [0035]     A Y-axis clamping component, indicated generally at  16  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), is adapted to being removably and slidably mounted to rail arm  162 . Typically, Y-axis clamping component  16  acts to apply clamping pressure at an angle which is typically approximately normal to the longitudinal axis of the rail arm  162 . See, for example,  FIG. 18 . A Y-axis clamping component can, for example, be mounted to apply pressure at other angles that occur generally within a cone extending from the Y-axis component towards the longitudinal axis of threaded hole  177 . Typically, adjustments are made and clamping pressure is applied by means of one or more manually actuated screws, although other mechanisms such as, for example, hydraulic cylinders or the like can be employed as the source of the clamping force, and the Y-axis component can be adjusted or actuated by electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic motors, or the like, if desired.  
         [0036]     Joint V-block clamp components function to receive, for example, two generally cylindrical workpieces and hold them at predetermined angles to one another for the purpose of facilitating the formation of a joint between them. Straight joint V-block component  18  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) is adapted to being mounted by a screw to one or more J-bars, or to a bench or other substrate or component. Angled joint V-block component  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) is adapted to being mounted by a screw to one or more J-bars, or to a bench or other substrate or component ( FIG. 17 ). A joint V-block typically includes two V-block pads. One pad holds one workpiece while a second V-block pad holds a second workpiece. In general, the objective is to hold the two workpieces at some predetermined angle relative to one another. The V-block pads can be mounted in the joint V-block clamp component so as to define either fixed or variable angles between the workpieces.  
         [0037]     L-link components are provided in various lengths for the purpose of, for example, mounting 2 or more J-bars at predetermined angles relative to one another. Short L-link  22  and long L-link  32  ( FIGS. 1, 5  and  8 ) are adapted, through attachment by screws in threaded holes  177 , to mounting two J-bars at right angle to one another ( FIGS. 12 and 16 ). L-links  22  and  32  are also adapted to mount a J-bar at a right angle to a bench, some other supporting surface, another tooling component, or the like. L-links can be provided with arms extending at other than about 90 degrees to one another, if desired.  
         [0038]     Bench rests generally serve to mount a J-bar to a bench or other supporting surface so as to provide a fixed work station involving one or more workpiece clamping functions. Closed bench rest  24  and open bench rest  26  ( FIGS. 1, 6  and  7 ) are adapted to being attached to a bench or other substrate, and to retainingly receive rail arm  162  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ). Open bench rest  26  permits rail arm  162  to be dropped into its open channel and locked there, for example, by a thumbscrew. The closed bench rest  26  requires that the rail arm  162  be threaded through a closed passageway. The open bench rest is particularly, although not exclusively, suited to situations where the clamping system is clampingly applied to a workpiece at one location, and then moved to a bench where the workpiece-clamp assembly is mounted to the open bench rest for the performance of further operations. The closed bench rest is more suited to situations where the workpiece-clamp assembly is formed while the J-bar is mounted to the bench through the closed bench rest.  
         [0039]     An extender block component, indicated generally at  28  ( FIGS. 1 and 10 ), is adapted to being threadably attached to J-bar  10 , other components, or the like, for example, by way of threaded hole  177 . Extender block  28  can be mounted on either side of pad  176 . See, for example,  FIGS. 11 and 13 . Extender block  28  typically includes a threaded bore on one end, which is axially aligned with a threaded stud on the other end. Extender block  28  is typically used to facilitate the clamping of a workpiece where the shape of the workpiece is such that part of the clamp system would otherwise contact the workpiece and interfere with the clamping function. Extender block  28  serves as both a spacer ( FIG. 12 ) and a mounting element ( FIG. 14 ). A J-bar can be supported on a bench or other substrate through an extender block  28  ( FIG. 14 ). If more distance is required, extender blocks  28  can be threadably stacked together.  
         [0040]     A V-pad component, indicated generally at  30  ( FIGS. 1 and 9 ), is adapted to being threadably mounted to other clamp components ( FIG. 16 ) or some other substrate. The nature of V-pad  30  is such that in some configurations it does not require anything more than clamping pressure to hold it in assembly with a clamped workpiece ( FIG. 15 ). The workpiece contacting pads of V-pad  30  are pivotally mounted so that they can automatically adjust under clamping pressure to generally conform to the shape of a workpiece, from concave, through flat, to convex or compound. As illustrated, the workp;iece pads only pivot about a single axis. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, if desired, the pads can be mounted to swivel about a single point so as to provide omni-directional positioning.  
         [0041]     Sliding clamp arm component  12 , in the embodiment chosen for illustration, generally includes an arm  168  that extends between a proximal rail receiving end  172 , and a distal screw mounting end  170  ( FIG. 11 ). This component is typically assembled to a J-bar by slidable attachment. X-axis clamping component  14  includes a conventional swiveling foot pad  174  mounted to the end of a clamping screw. The X-axis clamping screw is threadably mounted in distal end  170  of sliding clamp arm  12 . Coarse adjustments in the distance between foot pad  174  and a workpiece are generally accomplished by sliding proximal end  172  of clamp arm  12  along rail arm  162  until foot pad  174  makes contact with the workpiece. Fine adjustments are made and clamping force is applied by manual rotation of the X-axis clamping screw in distal end  170  of arm  168 . The clamping force generated by the threadable actuation of the X-axis screw, acting through the length of arm  168 , causes the rail passageway in proximal end  172  to jam against rail arm  162 . This locks the arm  168  in place on rail arm  162 . Releasing the clamping force on the workpiece also releases the arm  168  to slide relative to the rail arm  162 .  
         [0042]     The Y-axis clamping component  16  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), in the embodiment chosen for illustration, includes first rail  34 , second rail  36 , rail mounting block  38 , captive nut  44 , clamp screw nut  46 , and Y-axis clamping screw  48 . This component is typically assembled to a J-bar by slidable attachment. Captive nut  44  is welded to the distal ends of rails  34  and  36 . A screw-actuator handle assembly  43  is threadably mounted to captive nut  44 . Assembly  43  is attached to rail mounting block  38  so that threadable movement of assembly  43  in captive nut  44  causes rail mounting block  38  to move slidably between rails  34  and  36  between the proximal and distal ends of these rails. Y-axis clamping screw  48  is threadably mounted in clamp screw nut  46  for axial movement along the longitudinal axis of Y-axis clamping component  16 . Thumb screw  42  is threadably received in a threaded hole (not shown) in rail mounting block  38  so that it moves with the rail mounting block between the proximal and distal ends of the respective rails. Thumb screw  42  moves within adjustment slot  40  in first rail  34 . A jam nut is provided on thumb screw  42  so that it and rail mounting block  38  can be locked in place, if desired. Y-axis clamping screw can be threadably adjusted to bring the pad on the end of this screw into contact with a workpiece. Clamping pressure on the workpiece can be applied or relieved by threadably actuating assembly  43 . Rail arm  162  projects slidably through the passageway in rail mounting block  38 . In the embodiment chosen for illustration, the Y-axis clamping component applies clamping pressure generally normal to the longitudinal axis of rail arm  162 .  
         [0043]     The joint V-block components  18  and  20 , respectively, in the embodiments chosen for illustration ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), are adapted to being mounted through fastening members to other clamping components, workpieces, other substrates, and the like. Typically, joint V-block components are employed to clamp workpieces while a joint is formed between them. These joint V-block components are not limited to just joint forming operations. Angled joint V-block  20  includes a base element  50  to which a first V-block  54  and a second V-block  56  are mounted. In this embodiment the V-blocks  54  and  56  are permanently mounted at about mounting holes  57  and  59  to the base element  50  in a fixed angular relationship of about 90 degrees to one another. One or both of the V-blocks can be pivotally mounted, if desired. Base element  50  includes a support flange  52  that is adapted to bear against a supporting surface and to be attached thereto through support mounting hole  53  and  55 . Mounting holes  57  and  59  likewise serve to mount Joint V-block component  20  to a support. Typically, mounting holes  57  and  59  serve to mount this component through a threaded fastener, directly or indirectly, to a J-bar ( FIG. 17 ), while support mounting holes  53  and  55  are typically used to mount this component to a bench or other substrate. Holes  53 ,  55 ,  57 , and  59  are shown as round holes, but they can be elongated for purposes of adjustment. See, for example, the mounting holes in  FIG. 4 . First V-panel  58  is formed with a V-shaped notch in the top edge. This notch serves to engage and center a worpiece, particularly a round workpiece, in the V-panel. Second V-panel  60  is provided on the opposed edge of V-block  54  with a V-notch in its upper edge. V-panels  58  and  60  together serve to engage and center a workpiece both laterally and longitudinally. The V-panels on second V-block  56  function similarly. Straight joint V-block  18  is formed similarly to angled V-block  20  and serves substantially the same function except that it is adapted to hold workpieces in longitudinal axial alignment with one another. Mounting flange  64  depends from base element  62  and is adapted to being mounted to a substrate through fasteners engaged in holes of which  61  is typical. First V-block  68  and second V-block  70  function to support workpieces. First V-panel  72  and second V-panel  74  are disposed on opposed edges of first V-block  68 , and function as the corresponding V-panels in  FIG. 3 . Second V-block  70  functions similarly to first V-block  68 .  
         [0044]     The L-link components  22  and  32 , respectively, in the embodiments chosen for illustration ( FIGS. 5 and 8 ), are adapted to serving as links between clamping components, one another, substrates, tools, workpieces, and the like ( FIGS. 12 and 16 ). This component is typically assembled to other components through at least one releasable fastener element. In these embodiments, the long legs,  78  and  120 , respectively, are joined at about a right angle to short legs  76  and  122 , respectively. Mounting holes  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 , and  132  serve to mount these L-links through suitable fasteners to whatever they are attached to. These L-link components are particularly well suited to being attached, directly or indirectly, to J-bars so as to provide right angle functionality for other clamping components.  
         [0045]     The closed J-bar mounting bench rest component  24 , in the embodiment chosen for illustration ( FIG. 6 ), is particularly adapted, for example, to mounting a J-bar at a fixed work station on a bench or other substrate, or the like ( FIG. 15 ). This component is typically assembled to a J-bar by slidable attachment. Closed bench rest component  24  includes a rail mounting block  90  with a rail receiving port  96  therethrough. A thumb screw  98  is threadably mounted in the wall of rail mounting block  90  so as to threadably bear against rail arm  162 . When tightened down, this locks the rail arm  162  in the rail receiving port  96 . The thumb screw can be locked in place by means of tightening lock nut  100 . This holds the J-Bar in generally fixed relationship to whatever substrate the closed bench mount is attached to. Attachment to substrates, other tooling components, tool, or the like is generally accomplished by inserting fasteners such as screws, rivets, or the like through mounting holes  92  and  94  in mounting legs  86  and  88 , respectively.  
         [0046]     The open J-bar mounting bench rest component  26 , in the embodiment chosen for illustration ( FIG. 7 ), is particularly adapted, for example, to mounting a J-bar at a fixed work station on a bench or other substrate, or the like ( FIG. 15 ). This component is typically assembled to a J-bar by the rail arm of the J-bar being dropped into the channel  114 . Thus, the open bench mount  26  remains fixed to a bench, other tooling component, tool, or the like, and the J-bar can be quickly attached and deattached as desired. The open bench mount  26  is conveniently attached to a bench or the like by means of a fastener element projected through holes  110  and  112  in legs  102  and  104 , respectively, into engagement with the bench ( FIG. 14 ). A thumb screw  116  and associated lock or jam nut  118  are provided to secure a J-bar in the open bench rest  26 .  
         [0047]     The extender block component  28 , in the embodiment chosen for illustration ( FIG. 10 ), is adapted to being used as a spacer or extender, and is adapted to being threadably mounted to threaded hole  177  by means of threaded stud  156  or a threaded fastener engaged in a threaded bore (not shown) on the opposed end of extender block  28  from the face  154  from which threaded stud  156  projects. The threaded bore is generally axially aligned with threaded stud  156 . The face  154  is adapted to bear against J-bar pad  176  or any other surface to which it is mounted. Body  152  is preferably cylindrical for ease of manufacturing as well as to provide a mounting location for objects with cylindrical through bores, if desired. Flange  160  serves to step the body  152  out so as to provide collar  158 . Collar  158  provides a convenient way of grasping component  28  for threadably applying it to a J-bar, other tooling component, substrate, or the like. The outer perimeter of collar  158  can be knurled for ease of grasping, if desired.  
         [0048]     The V-pad component  30 , in the embodiment chosen for illustration ( FIG. 9 ), is particularly adapted to being releasably mounted directly or indirectly to a clamping component or other object through a suitable fastening element such as a screw, rivet, or the like. These components, as well as many other components of this system, can be held in an assembled configuration by clamping force alone. This clamping force assembly procedure for various components may be preferred where a quick one-time use configuration is intended. The adaptability of this system is such that many such configurations with various components are possible. Mounting is accomplished, for example, by use of mounting hole  138  and mounting slot  136  in yoke  134 . Pivoting V-pads  142  and  150  are pivotally mounted to yoke  148  through pivot pins  144  and  146 . The pivoting V-pads  142  and  150  are mounted through mounting brackets of which  148  and  140  are typical. These V-pads pivot independently of one another.  
         [0049]     The detent component  210 , in the embodiment chosen for illustration ( FIG. 19 ), is formed in the distal end of rail arm  162 . It includes a spring biased tongue that is pivotally mounted to pivot pin  216  for pivotal movement in guide slot  214 . A coiled compression spring  218  retained by spring retainer  220  serves to bias tongue  212  toward the retaining configuration. Depressing the tongue  212  against the force of spring  218  serves to move the tongue into slot  214  below the level where it engages a component that is slidably mounted on rail arm  162 . When a component is slidably mounted on rail arm  162  so that it is moving from the distal end towards the proximal end of rail arm  162 , the component itself contacts the back of the tongue, thus causing the tongue to deflect out of engagement with the component. It is necessary to manually depress the tongue to release a component that is sliding towards the distal end of the rail arm. Slideable disengagement of the component thus requires the affirmative intervention of the operator to release the component while slideable engagement does not.  
         [0050]     With particular reference to  FIG. 11 , there is illustrated a configuration of the components of the present system wherein two workpieces are clamped together using a configuration of the present system wherein the concave nature of workpiec  180  is accommodated by mounting extender block  28  to J-bar pad  176 . Workpiece  178  is clamped to workpiece  180  by the action of X-axis clamp component. Any small taper in the thickness of the workpieces is automatically accommodated by swivel pad  174 .  
         [0051]     With particular reference to  FIG. 12 , there is illustrated a configuration of the components of the present system wherein two J-bar components are employed. The J-bars are linked together through a long L-link component  32 , and the workpiece  182  is spaced from the components of the system except where a clamping action is desired by the use of two extended blocks  28 . The extended blocks are mounted to threaded holes  177  in J-bar pads  176  by way of threaded studs  156 . The L-link component  32  is mounted to the threaded axially extending bores (not shown) in extender blocks  28  by way of threaded fastener elements of which  181  is typical. The use of two linked J-bars provides a very solid clamping arrangement so that vigorous operations can be performed on or with work piece  182  without concern for dislodging it.  
         [0052]     With particular reference to  FIG. 13 , there is illustrated a configuration of the components of the present system wherein the components are assembled into an expansion clamping configuration where diagonals  186  and  188  are forced in opposite directions into the frame  184 .  
         [0053]     With particular reference to  FIG. 14 , there is illustrated a configuration of the components of the present system wherein two workpieces are clamped together similarly to  FIG. 11  except that the system is configured so that the extender block  28  serves as a support for the system, and the foot  164  of J-bar  10  is received within the channel of an open bench mount  26 . With this configuration the workpieces  190  and  192  can be clamped at some remote location, and the clamp-workpiece assembly brought to a predefined work station where open bench rest  26  is mounted, for example, to a bench. Some one or more operations can then be performed on the clamped workpieces at the predefined work station when the foot  164  is secured in the bench rest.  
         [0054]     With particular reference to  FIG. 15 , there is illustrated a configuration of the components of the present system wherein The rail arm  162  of a J-bar  10  is slidably mounted in closed bench rests  24  and secured there by the actuation of thumb screws  98 . This provides a fixed work station. Workpiece  194  is brought to this workstation and clamped there. Because of the cylindrical configuration of the workpiece a V-pad  30  is used. V-pad  30  is simply clamped between the swivel foot pad  174  and the workpiece.  
         [0055]     With particular reference to  FIG. 16 , there is illustrated a configuration of the components of the present system wherein two workpieces  198  and  200  are clamped in position so that one can be joined to the other. Two J-bars are employed. They are linked together through an L-link. The L-link is attached to the threaded mounting holes  177  through threaded fasteners. A V-pad  30  is attached to one of the J-bars by the same threaded fastener that mounts the L-link.  
         [0056]     With particular reference to  FIG. 17 , there is illustrated a configuration of the components of the present system wherein an angled joint V-block is employed with two J-bars  10 . The J-bars are secured by suitable fastening elements to the respective V-blocks. Workpieces  202  and  204  are clamped at about right angles to one another and held securely in that relationship.  
         [0057]     With particular reference to  FIG. 18 , there is illustrated a configuration of the components of the present system wherein two J-bars  10  are employed, each with a Y-axis attachment  16  to applying clamping force along the Y-axis of the system. The clamping force causes workpiece  208  to conform to the edge of workpiece  201 .  
         [0058]     What have been described are preferred embodiments in which modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. Clearly, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.