Abstract:
A device for holding a clamp is provided including a housing and a first clamp holding mechanism positioned in the housing. A second clamp holding mechanism is also positioned in the housing and is orthogonal to the first clamp holding mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/827,303, entitled “CLAMP BENCH BLOCKS” filed Sep. 28, 2006, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Clamps are used in a variety of applications for holding work pieces. Two such clamps include bar clamps and pipe clamps. Current bar and pipe clamps include a beam (which can be a bar or a pipe) and first and second jaws positioned on the beam. One or both of the jaws can be adjustably positioned along a length of the beam. In some situations, for example, when assembling doors or frames, multiple clamps can be used to apply pressure at multiple angles with respect to the work piece. Holding and working with multiple clamps in an application can be difficult and cumbersome. 
         [0003]    The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A device for holding a clamp is disclosed that includes a housing with a first clamp holding mechanism positioned in the housing. A second clamp holding mechanism is also positioned in the housing and is orthogonal to the first clamp holding mechanism. 
         [0005]    A method of holding first and second pipe clamps is also disclosed. The method includes providing a housing and first and second clamp holding mechanisms in the housing. The second clamp holding mechanism is positioned orthogonal to the housing. 
         [0006]    An assembly is also disclosed that includes a bench block with a housing positioned on a surface. First and second clamp holding mechanisms are positioned in the housing. A first clamp is positioned in the first clamp holding mechanism and a second clamp is positioned in the second clamp holding mechanism. The second clamp is orthogonal to the first clamp. 
         [0007]    This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a bench block. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a clamp holding mechanism. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a bench block holding two pipe clamps that are positioned orthogonal with respect to one another. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of four bench blocks and four pipe clamps positioned within the four bench blocks and having a work piece disposed therebetween. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of a bench block. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of a bench block. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a bench block. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a bench block. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a bench block. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a bench block. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a bench block  10  having a housing  12 . Housing  12  includes a base portion  14  adapted to set flush with respect to a bench or work surface. Base portion  14  includes a plurality of mounting holes  16  adapted to receive fasteners (e.g. screws, bolts, nails) that can mount bench block  10  to a bench of a work surface. Housing  12  further includes a first clamp holding mechanism  18  and a second clamp holding mechanism  20 .  FIGS. 5-10  illustrate various views of a bench block. As illustrated, bench block  10  includes an opening ( FIG. 6 ) to receive similarly configured bench blocks to stack the bench blocks for storage and/or shipping. 
         [0019]    First clamp holding mechanism  18  and second clamp holding mechanism  20  are positioned such that respective beam receiving portions are positioned orthogonal with respect to one another. Additionally, first clamp holding mechanism  18  and second clamp holding mechanism  20  are positioned at different heights with respect to base portion  14 . In one embodiment, a height of second clamp holding mechanism  20  can be chosen such that a bottom surface of feet of a corresponding clamp held therein is co-planar with a bottom surface of base  14 . A difference in height between first clamp holding mechanism  18  and second clamp holding mechanism  20  can be sufficient enough to allow for clearance of beams held by mechanism  18  and  20 . 
         [0020]    Clamp receiving mechanism  18  includes a receiving portion  22  and a set of clips  24  positioned on either side of receiving portion  22 . Receiving portion  22  is round to receive a round pipe of a pipe clamp, although other shapes can be used as desired. Clips  24  can be formed integrally with housing  12  and can actuate toward and away from each other in order to grip a beam positioned therebetween. The clips  24  can tightly grip the beam to prevent rotation of the beam with respect to bench block  10 . 
         [0021]    As further schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2 , clips  24  include arms  26  and opposed tabs  28  that face each other. Arms  26  include a portion  26   a  that is secured to housing  12  and a portion  26   b  that is spaced apart from the portion  26   a  to allow deflection thereof. In operation, a beam is positioned between clamps and urges portions  26   b  toward portions  26   a . The resiliency of portions  26   b  can hold the beam in place while tabs  28  rest on top of the beam. Alternatively, one of the clips  24  can be stationary with respect to housing  12 . If desired, clips  24  can include a surface to frictionally engage a beam. In one example, clips  24  can include a resilient surface such as rubber to aid in gripping a beam of a clamp. Similarly, clamp receiving mechanism  20  includes a receiving portion  30  and opposed clips  32 . 
         [0022]    Bench block  10  can be made of a fiber glass reinforced plastic. Additionally, bench block  10  can be hollow such that additional bench blocks can be stacked with respect to one another for storage and/or convenient shipping. The bench blocks can be grouped in sets of four to provide a set for assembly of doors or frames. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates bench block  10 , holding clamps  50  and  52  on a work surface  53 . Clamp  50  includes a jaw  54  and pipe  56 . Similarly, clamp  52  includes a jaw  58  and a pipe  60 . Pipe  56  and pipe  60  are positioned in clamp holding mechanism  18  and clamp holding mechanism  20 , respectively. Since clamp holding mechanism  18  and clamp holding mechanism  20  are oriented orthogonal to one another, pipes  56  and  60  are oriented orthogonal to one another. More particularly, jaw  54  includes a face  54   a  that is perpendicular to a face  58   a  of jaw  58 . Thus, a workpiece such as a door or frame can be positioned to abut faces  54   a  and  58   a  so the workpiece is held in place. Clamp holding mechanism  18  is positioned at a height such that jaw  58  rests on work surface  53 . Additionally, clamp holding mechanism  20  is positioned at a height above clamp holding mechanism  18  to allow clearance for pipe  56 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates four bench blocks in a rectangular arrangement in a rectangular arrangement holding four clamps having a workpiece disposed therebetween. Each bench block supports two clamps positioned orthogonal to each other. The workpiece is thus held at all four of its corners, which can make it easy to work with, such as to sand, cut, glue, etc. 
         [0025]    Although the subject matter has be described in language specific to various features and/or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts describe above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.