Patent Publication Number: US-10328552-B2

Title: Wood clamp with lateral support member

Description:
FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to a clamp. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a wood clamp for gripping two perpendicular boards. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Clamps are often used to grip various structures. Many traditional clamps secure a single structure between two gripping jaws. This may limit or prevent the clamp from gripping multiple structures. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a wood clamp that grips two perpendicular boards. 
     In a first aspect, the present disclosure includes a wood clamp. The wood clamp includes a first handle. The wood clamp further includes a second handle configured to pivot relative to the first handle. The wood clamp further includes a plate coupled with the first handle. The wood clamp further includes an angled bracket coupled with the second handle and defining two perpendicular surfaces. The wood clamp further includes an arm extending from the angled bracket and along a direction that is substantially parallel to a plane defined by one of the two perpendicular surfaces of the angled bracket. The wood clamp further includes a projection extending from the arm, opposite the angled bracket, and away from the first and second handles. The plate and the angled bracket may cooperate to define a gripping jaw configured to secure a first board when the wood clamp is in a closed position. The arm may be configured to extend along a surface of a second board that is at least partially positioned between the projection and the first board. 
     A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable in the first aspect and contemplated in light of the present disclosure. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature combination of the first aspect. 
     For example, in an embodiment, the angled bracket may be pivotally coupled with the first and second handles. The wood clamp may further include a biasing member coupled with the angled bracket and the first handle and configured to pivot the angled bracket relative to the plate. The wood clamp may further include a linkage connected to the second handle and releasably engageable with the first handle. The wood clamp may further include a threaded member positioned at least partially within the first handle and configured to engage the linkage such that a position of the angled bracket is locked relative to a position of the plate. The wood clamp may further include a release connected to the second handle and configured to move the linkage relative to the threaded member such that the position of the angled bracket is moveable relative to the position of the plate. 
     In another embodiment, the plate and the angled bracket may exert a localized compression force on the first board when the wood clamp is in the closed position. The second handle may be configured to move the angled bracket away from the elongated plate to define an open position of the wood clamp. The compression force exerted on the first board may cease when the wood clamp is in the open position. 
     According to another embodiment, the projection may be a plate having a planar surface that faces the plate and the angled bracket. The arm may be configured to support the second board between the projection and the first board. A longitudinal direction of the first board may be transverse to a longitudinal direction of the second board. In some cases, the arm may be a cantilever structure that has a surface that is coplanar with the one of the two perpendicular surfaces of the angled bracket. 
     In this regard, a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a wood clamp. The wood clamp includes a pair of gripping elements having planar surfaces extending along a longitudinal direction and offset from one another. The pair of gripping elements may be moveable relative to one another to grip a first board within a gripping jaw defined by the planar surfaces. The wood clamp further includes a spacer positioned within the offset and affixed to one of the pair of gripping elements. The wood clamp further includes a lateral support member extending from the spacer orthogonally from the longitudinal direction and defining a projection. The projection may be configured to prevent sliding of a second board supported by the lateral support member and abutting the first board. The wood clamp may further include a handle assembly coupled with the pair of gripping elements and configured to: (i) manipulate the offset by moving at least one of the pair of gripping elements; and (ii) lock a position of the planar surfaces to maintain the offset using a linkage. 
     A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable in the second aspect and contemplated in light of the present disclosure. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature combination of the second aspect. 
     For example, in an embodiment, the handle assembly may further include a first handle affixed to a first of the pair of gripping elements. The handle assembly may further include a second handle pivotally coupled to a second of the pair of gripping elements. The linkage may be configured to releasably lock a position of the first handle relative to the second handle. The lateral support member may include an arm connected to the spacer. The projection may be positioned on the arm opposite the spacer. In some cases, the projection may extend along a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the pair of gripping elements. 
     In another embodiment, the lateral support member may include a textured surface. The spacer may be a plate. The pair of gripping elements and the plate may have a common width. 
     In this regard, a third aspect of the present disclosure includes a wood clamp. The wood clamp includes a handle assembly comprising a set of moveable handles. The wood clamp further includes a plate affixed to a first of the set of moveable handles. The wood clamp further includes an L-shaped bracket coupled with a second of the set of moveable handles and defining: (i) a first member; and (ii) a second member affixed to the first member and extending perpendicularly from the first member and toward the plate. The wood clamp further includes a support structure cantilevered from a side of the L-shaped bracket. The handle assembly may be configured to press the L-shaped bracket toward the plate such that the wood clamp grips a first board between a planar surface of the L-shaped bracket and a planar surface of the plate. The support member may form a substantially continuous surface with the second member of the L-shaped bracket that is configured to receive a second board. 
     A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable in the third aspect and contemplated in light of the present disclosure. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature combination of the third aspect. 
     For example, in an embodiment, the support structure may include an arm affixed to the side of the second member. The support structure may further include a projection affixed to the arm opposite the side. In some cases, the support structure may be configured to secure the second board between the projection and the first board that is gripped between the planar surface of the L-shaped bracket and the planar surface of the plate. The planar surface of the L-shaped bracket and the planar surface of the plate may grip the first board such that the projection exerts a compression force on the second board to secure the second board within the wood clamp. 
     In another embodiment, the second member may be a plate having a planar surface that is substantially orthogonal to the planar surface of the first member. 
     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements. 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a top perspective view of a wood clamp in an open position; 
         FIG. 1B  depicts a bottom perspective view of the wood clamp of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a top perspective view of the wood clamp of  FIG. 1A  in a closed position; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a wood clamp positioned along two perpendicular boards; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a wood clamp positioned on a board of a rafter assembly; 
         FIG. 5A  depicts a wood clamp positioned along two boards of a square-cut rafter assembly; 
         FIG. 5B  depicts an enlarged view of the wood clamp of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a wood clamp positioned along two boards of a plumb-cut rafter assembly; and 
         FIG. 6B  depicts an enlarged view of the wood clamp of  FIG. 6A . 
     
    
    
     The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description that follows includes sample systems, methods, and apparatuses that embody various elements of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the described disclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in addition to those described herein. 
     When attaching or fixing a wooden member onto a roof or rafter assembly, it tends to fall off. For example, the wooden member may be arranged perpendicular to the rafter assembly and be angled with respect to a slope or grade (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 5B ). To maintain a position of the wooden member while permanently affixing it to the rafter assembly, one or more workers may thus hold the wooden member in place, as typical clamps may not allow the wooden member to be secured in such fashion. For example, typical wood clamps may not include multiple gripping surfaces that cooperate to secure two perpendicularly arranged wood structures. 
     The present disclosure describes systems, devices, and techniques related to a wood clamp configured to secure two perpendicular structures. The wood clamp may be used to temporarily grip, secure, fix, lock, or otherwise restrict movement of a first structure relative to a second structure arranged in a perpendicular configuration. In a particular embodiment, the first and second structures may be separate and distinct wooden boards that are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another. The wood clamp may be configured to grip the first and second boards while in the substantially perpendicular arrangement. This may allow a user to more permanently secure the first and second boards to one another, for example, using nails, glues, staples, or other appropriate techniques and attachment structures. The wood clamp may be subsequently released from the two perpendicularly arranged boards and repositioned relative to other boards and structures as needed. The wood clamp may be used in a variety of applications, described in greater detail below, including roofing, framing, decking, or any other appropriate use in which two structures (e.g., boards) are temporarily secured to one another in a perpendicular fashion. 
     The wood clamp is configured to secure or fix a position of two perpendicularly arranged boards using a set of three gripping elements. Broadly, a first and a second of the gripping elements may define a gripping jaw. The first and second gripping elements may be coupled with a lockable handle assembly that is operative to move the first and second handles to manipulate a configuration of the gripping jaw (e.g., such as to move the jaw between an open or closed configuration). The lockable handle assembly may also be configured to lock a position of the first and second gripping elements such that the gripping jaw remains in a given configuration. A first board may be positioned within the gripping jaw and secured within the wood clamp between the first and second gripping elements (e.g., the first and second gripping elements may exert a compression force on the first board that grips and fixes the position of the first board relative to the wood clamp). 
     A third of the gripping elements may be coupled to the first and second gripping elements by a lateral support member extending from the gripping jaw along a longitudinal axis of the first board gripped by the wood clamp. The third gripping element may be offset from, and having a major surface that is perpendicular to, one or both of a major surface of the first or second gripping elements, as described herein. A second board may be positioned within the wood clamp between the third gripping element and an end surface of the first board. The third gripping element and the end surface of the first board may exert a compression force on the second board, which may grip or fix a position of the second board relative to the first board. 
     In one embodiment, the first gripping element may be a plate and the second gripping element may be an angled bracket. The plate and the angled bracket may be coupled to first and second handles of the lockable handle assembly, respectively, such that the plate and the angled bracket move relative to one another in response to manipulation of the handles. The plate and angled bracket may cooperate to define a gripping jaw that is configured to grip a first board when the wood clamp is in a closed position. For example, the plate and the angled bracket may define planar gripping surfaces separated from one another by an offset. The lockable handle assembly may be configured to manipulate (and lock) the offset between the plate and the angled bracket. As described herein, the angled bracket may be defined by two perpendicular surfaces, one of which extends into the offset between the plate and the gripping surface of the angled bracket. A first board may be placed within the offset such that the plate and the perpendicular surfaces of the angled bracket extend along longitudinal surfaces of the first board. The first and second handles may subsequently be manipulated to move the plate and the angled bracket into the offset, toward the first board. This may cause the plate and the angled bracket to exert a compression force on the first board, thereby securing the first board within the wood clamp. 
     The wood clamp may grip a second board such that a position of the second board is fixed relative to a position of the first board within the wood clamp. In one implementation, the second board may be arranged or positioned perpendicular to the first board within the wood clamp. For example, an end surface of the first board may abut or contact a longitudinal surface of the second board. The third gripping element, described above, may be arranged on a surface of the second board opposite the end of the first board and used to maintain the position of the second board. To illustrate, the third gripping element may be a projection or plate that is affixed to the gripping jaw via an arm or other support member. The arm and projection may be a component of a lateral support member that extends away from the angled bracket and along a longitudinal direction of a first board gripped by the wood clamp. The arm may be a cantilevered structure such that one end of the arm is affixed to the angled bracket and another end of the arm is affixed to the projection. The projection may extend from the arm and along a substantially common direction of the plate and angled bracket. Accordingly, the second board may be gripped within the wood clamp by gripping the first board at a position that causes an end surface of the first board and the projection to contact the second board. 
     The gripping surfaces of the wood clamp may be specifically tailored to grip wooden boards, such as dimensional lumber, which may be longitudinal wooden boards or beams and that may have a nominal or standard thickness. To facilitate the foregoing, the plate, and each of the two perpendicular surfaces defined by the angled bracket, may be substantially planar surfaces. This may allow the plate and the angled bracket to define a gripping jaw that conforms or aligns with a surface of a board being gripped therebetween. In contrast to curved, concave, or otherwise non-linear contours, the substantially planar surfaces of the plate and the angled bracket may allow the wood clamp to apply a uniform or even compression force to the board such that the board does not crack, splinter, or otherwise be damaged while being secured by the wood clamp. The projection may also be a substantially planar plate or other feature that analogously applies an even or uniform distribution of force to the second board. Notwithstanding the planar contour, the surface of the gripped elements may be textured, polished, marked, painted, or otherwise appropriately finished to facilitate positioning of the two boards with the wood clamp. 
     Further, the gripping jaw of the wood clamp may be configured to receive dimensional lumber. For example, the plate and angled bracket (that define the gripping jaw) may define three planar surfaces that conform to or align with the planar surface of a given size of dimensional lumber when the wood clamp is in a closed position. The arm may thus be affixed to the angled bracket outside of the gripping jaw (e.g., such as along an exterior surface of the gripping jaw), rather than extend into, or from, the gripping jaw. This may allow the arm to form a substantially continuous surface with one of the perpendicular surfaces of the angled bracket. This may help maximize a gripping surface of the gripping jaw, for example, by allowing a perpendicular surface of the angled bracket and the arm to be positioned along a common longitudinal surface of a board or other dimensional lumber. 
     The handle assembly, as described herein, may include a set of moveable handles. The set of handles may pivot relative to one another and manipulate a position or configuration of the gripping jaw defined by the plate and the angled bracket. For example, the set of handles may cause the gripping jaw to close (e.g., the plate and the angled bracket may move toward one another) and subsequently exert a compression force on a board or other structure positioned within the gripping jaw. The handle assembly may include any appropriate components to pivot (and lock) a position of the plate and the angled bracket. As one example, the first handle may include a threaded member and the second handle may include a linkage that engages a region of the thread member. This may lock the position of the first and the second handles, and thus lock the gripping jaw in an closed position. The second handle may also include a release that may be manipulated to move the linkage away from the region of the threaded member, and thereby unlock the position of the first and second handles. 
     It will be appreciated that the wood clamp may be used in a variety of applications, including construction and manufacturing applications, in which it may be desirable to temporarily secure two perpendicularly arranged boards. By way of particular example, the wood clamp may be used to secure two perpendicularly arranged boards (such as a rafter board and fascia board) that are used in constructing a roof or other framing application. The rafter board may be a first board secured between the plate and the angled bracket that defines a gripping jaw of the wood clamp. The fascia board may be a second board, arranged perpendicularly with respect to the first board, that is secured within the wood clamp between the projection and an end surface of the rafter board. Because the fascia board is secured using the projection, the wood clamp may be used to secure rafter and fascia boards that are cut or constructed in a square-cut, plumb-cut, or other appropriate arrangement. For example, the projection may prevent the fascia board from falling, sliding, or otherwise detaching from the rafter board while being gripped by the wood clamp. In other cases, other applications are contemplated, including securing floor joists, wall studs, banisters, or substantially any other application, where two perpendicularly arranged boards or other structures are temporarily secured to one another. 
     Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which assist in illustrating various features of the present disclosure. The following description is presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the inventive aspects to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present inventive aspects. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts a wood clamp  100 , such as the wood clamp generally discussed above and described in greater detail below. The wood clamp  100  may be configured to grip two perpendicularly arranged boards. The wood clamp  100  may include three gripping elements or surfaces that restrict movement of each of the perpendicularly arranged boards. 
     In a non-limiting example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the wood clamp  100  may include a plate  102  and an angled bracket  104 . The plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may be or may form first and second gripping elements of the wood clamp  100 . The plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may cooperate to define a gripping jaw  106 . The gripping jaw  106  may be used to grip a first board within the wood clamp  100 . For example, the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may be manipulated relative to one another such that opposing longitudinal surfaces of a first board (e.g., such as first board  150  described with respect to  FIG. 3 ) are contacted by the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104 . This may grip or secure the first board within the wood clamp  100 . In some cases, the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may exert a compression force on the first board, or other structure, positioned within the gripping jaw  106 . 
     The wood clamp  100  may include a lateral support member  108  that extends from the angled bracket  104 . The lateral support member  108  may be used to grip a second board (e.g., such as second board  152  described with respect to  FIG. 3 ) that is positioned perpendicular to the first board  150  secured by the gripping jaw  106 . The lateral support member  108  may include an arm  110  and a projection  112 . The arm  110  may be a cantilevered structure that extends from the angled bracket  104  orthogonally from a longitudinal direction of the gripping jaw  106 . The projection  112  may be a plate, peg, dowel, fence, post, or other structure affixed to the arm  110 , opposite the angled bracket  104  and extend along a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal direction of the gripping jaw  106 . In this regard, as described in greater detail below, the second board  152  may be secured between the projection  112  and the first board  150  that is secured by the gripping jaw  106 . For example, the wood clamp  100  may be manipulated such that opposing longitudinal surfaces of the second board  152  are contacted by the projection  112  and an end surface of the first board  150  secured by the gripping jaw  106 . In some cases, the projection  112  and the first board  150  that is secured by the gripping jaw  106  exert a compression force on the second board  152  or otherwise holds the second board  152  in proximity to an end of the first board. 
     To facilitate the foregoing, the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may define opposing planar gripping surfaces of the gripping jaw  106  that are offset from one another. In one embodiment, the plate  102  may define a substantially planar gripping surface  103  and the angled bracket  104  may define a substantially planar gripping surface  105   a  that are separated by offset  114 . The gripping surfaces  103 ,  105   a  may move toward one another and contact a first board  150  positioned within the gripping jaw  106  in response to manipulation of an interconnected handle assembly, described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the gripping surface  105   a  may be one of two perpendicular surfaces defined by the angled bracket  104 . For example, the angled bracket  104  may include a first member  104   a  that defines the gripping surface  105   a  and a second member  104   b  that defines a spacer surface  105   b . The first and second members  104   a ,  104   b  may be affixed to one another such that the gripping surface  105   a  and the spacer surface  105   b  are substantially perpendicular surfaces. The angled bracket  104  may be positioned relative to the plate  102  such that the second member  104   b  extends toward the plate  102 . The spacer surface  105   b  may also be a substantially planar surface. This may allow the gripping jaw  106 , as described herein, to conform or align with a contour of dimensional lumber or other wooden structure secured by the wood clamp  100 . For example, the gripping surfaces  103 ,  105   a  and the spacer surface  105   b  may each contact a wooden structure positioned within the gripping jaw  106  when the wood clamp  100  is in a closed position. 
     The plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may be separated from one another by an offset  114 . The offset  114  may be manipulated to grip a structure or board within the gripping jaw  106 . In a first mode or configuration, such as an open configuration, the offset  114  may be enlarged or increased (e.g., the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may move away from one another) to accept or allow a structure to be placed within the gripping jaw  106 . In a second mode or configuration, such as a closed configuration, the offset  114  may be diminished or decreased (e.g., the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may more toward one another) to grip a structure within the gripping jaw  106 . When the gripping jaw  106  closes, the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  to exert a compression force on the structured positioned within the gripping jaw  106 . In some cases, the wood clamp  100  may be configured to lock or maintain the offset  114 , which may allow a user to more permanently secure or affix the structure secured within the gripping jaw  106  to other structures or boards secured by the wood clamp  100 , such as the second board, described herein. 
     To facilitate the foregoing, the wood clamp  100  may include a handle assembly  120 . The handle assembly  120  may be coupled with the gripping jaw  106  and configured to manipulate the offset  114 . In particular, the handle assembly  120  may include a first handle  122  and a second handle  124 . The first handle  122  may be coupled with the plate  102  such that movement of the first handle  122  causes corresponding movement of the plate  102 . The second handle  124  may be coupled with the angled bracket  104  such that movement of the second handle  124  causes corresponding movement of the angled bracket  104 . Accordingly, a user may manipulate, grip, or otherwise exert a force on one or both of the first and second handles  122 ,  124  and cause the offset  114  to change. For example, a user may manipulate the first and second handles  122 ,  124  such that the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  move toward one another (reducing the offset  114 ) and exert a compression force on a first board positioned with the gripping jaw  106  such that the board is secured by the wood clamp  100 . 
     The handle assembly  120  may include various components to facilitate the manipulation of the offset  114  and cause the gripping jaw  106  to secure the first board, as described in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 1B and 2 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the handle assembly  120  may include a biasing member  126 , a linkage  128 , a threaded member  130 , and a release  132 . Broadly, the first and second handles  122 ,  124  may pivot relative to one another using the biasing member  126  and the linkage  128 . The threaded member  130  may help lock or maintain a position of the first and second handles  122 ,  124  (and thus lock or maintain the offset  114 ), while the release is used to disengage the first and second handles  122 ,  124  from the locked position. 
     The wood clamp  100  is depicted in  FIG. 1A  in an open configuration. In the open configuration, the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may be separated from one another such that the offset  114  is at a maximum or substantially maximum value. This may allow the gripping jaw  106  to open or widen to accommodate a wooden board or other structure placed within the gripping jaw  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the plate  102  may be separated from the second member  104   b . Further, due in part to the pivoting of the first and second handles  122 ,  124  of the handle assembly  120 , the angled bracket  104  may be angled or offset from the plate  102  in the open position. For example, a free end of the first member  104   a  may be positioned further away from the plate  102  than an end of the first member  104   a  affixed to the second member  104   b . As described above, the lateral support member  108  may be affixed to the angled bracket  104 . In the open configuration the lateral support member  108  may be positioned away from the plate  102  corresponding to the movements of the angled bracket  104 . 
     The wood clamp  100  may be constructed or formed from various materials as may be appropriate for a given application. For example, the plate  102 , angled bracket  104 , and the lateral support member  108  may be partially, or fully, formed from metal, such as steel, including steel alloys, steels having various carbon contents, and tool steel. In other cases, other metals may be used to construct the wood clamp  100 , including aluminum or aluminum alloys. However, it will be appreciated that the wood clamp  100  may be constructed of substantially any suitable material, including composite or synthetic materials. 
       FIG. 1B  depicts a bottom perspective view of the wood clamp  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the wood clamp  100  is an open configuration where the plate  102  is separated from the angled bracket  104 . 
     The lateral support member  108  may extend from the angled bracket  104  to accommodate a wooden board, dimensional lumber, or other structure positioned within the gripping jaw  106 . The lateral support member  108  may extend from the angled bracket  104  such that the arm  110  forms a common, coplanar, or otherwise continuous surface with a surface of the angled bracket  104 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1B , the arm  110  is shown forming a continuous surface with the spacer surface  105   b , however, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the arm  110  may extend from other surfaces of the angled bracket  104 , such as forming a continuous surface with the gripping surface  105   a . In this regard, rather than extend into the gripping jaw  106 , the arm  100  is affixed to the angled bracket  104  such that the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may be positioned along a surface of a wooden board (e.g., the gripping surfaces  103 ,  105   a  and the spacer surface  105   b  may each be planar surfaces that contact surfaces of a given sample of dimensional lumber when the wood clamp  100  is in the closed position). Further, by forming a continuous surface with a surface of the angled bracket  104 , the arm  110  may extend along a surface of a structure positioned within the gripping jaw  106 . This may allow the lateral support member  108  to be used to secure a second, perpendicularly arranged board to the first board positioned within the gripping jaw  106 . 
     To illustrate, the arm  110  may be a cantilever structure that extends along a surface of a first board secured by the gripping jaw  106 . The arm  110  may be affixed to the projection  112  at an end of the arm  110  that is opposite the angled bracket  104 . As described above, the projection  112  may be a plate, peg, dowel, fence, post, or other structure that extends along a longitudinal direction of the gripping jaw  106 . The arm  110  may extend beyond an end surface of the first board positioned within the gripping jaw  106 . In this regard, the projection  112  may be offset from the end surface of the first board by a gap or other spacing that may be modifiable based on a position of the first board within the gripping jaw  106  (e.g., such as gap  490  described with respect to  FIG. 4 ). A second board may thus be positioned between the projection  112  and the end of the first board. The wood clamp  100  may secure the position of the second board relative to the position of the first board by gripping the first board within the gripping jaw  106  such that the end surface of the first board and the projection  112  contact the second board. In some cases, the projection  112  and the first board secured by the gripping jaw  106  may exert a compression force on the second board that grips or secures the second board within the wood clamp  100 . 
     The first and second handles  122 ,  124  of the handle assembly  120  may be configured to cause the gripping jaw  106  to close or lock around a wooden board or other structure. In a particular embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the first and second handles  122 ,  124  may be pivotally coupled via the angled bracket  104 . For example, the angled bracket  104  may define first and second pivot nodes  140 ,  142 . The second handle  124  may pivot or rotate relative to the angled bracket  104  about the first pivot node  140 . The first handle  122  may pivot or rotate relative to the angled bracket  104  about the second pivot node  142 . The first handle  122  is affixed to the plate  102 . Accordingly, as the second handle  124  is moved related to the first handle  122 , the angled bracket  104  may correspondingly move or pivot relative to the plate  102 . The biasing member  126  may be coupled with the angled bracket  104  and the first handle  122 . This may cause the biasing member  126  to exert a force on the angled bracket  104  and the first handle  122  that biases or encourages movement toward one another. 
     The linkage  128  and the threaded member  130  may be coupled with the first and second handles  122 ,  124  to facilitate locking the offset  114 . To facilitate the foregoing, the second handle  124  may include a third pivot node  144 . The linkage  128  may be pivotally coupled to the second handle  124  at the third pivot node  144  and extend towards, and at least partially into, a recess  145  defined by the first handle  122 . The threaded member  130  may extend into the first handle  122  and partially into the recess  145 . The threaded member  130  may define a series of threads or groves that may receive a corresponding series of threads or grooves contained within the recess  145 . As such, the threaded member  130  may be advanced into and out of the first handle  122  by rotating the corresponding series of grooves. 
     The linkage  128  may engage the threaded member  130  within the recess  145  and cause the position of the first and second handles  122 ,  124  to consequently lock or maintain the offset  114  of the gripping jaw  106 . In this regard, the threaded member  130  may include an engagement feature  146 , which may be positioned within the recess  145  when the threaded member  130  is advanced into the first handle  122 . The linkage  128  may define a catch  148  or other hook or similar structure that is configured to latch with the engagement feature  146 . When the catch  148  of the linkage  128  latches with the engagement feature  146  of the threaded member  130 , the first and second handles  122 ,  124  may be prevented from moving relative to one another, and thus prevent or resist variation of the offset  114 . A size or magnitude of the offset  114  may therefore depend at least in part of the position of the engagement feature  146  within the recess  145 . A locking size or magnitude of the offset  114  may thus be modified by advancing the threaded member  130  into and out of the recess  145 . 
     The gripping jaw  106  may be freed from the locked position by operation of the release  132 . The release  132  may be pivotally coupled to a fourth pivot node  149  at the second handle  124 . The release  132  may be rotated about the fourth pivot node  149  in order to decouple the catch  148  from the engagement feature  146  and allow the first and second handles  122 ,  124  to move relative to one another. 
       FIG. 2  depicts the wood clamp  100  in a closed position. In the closed position, the offset  114  between the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  is reduced or diminished from that of the offset  114  depicted in the open position (as described with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the closed position, the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may contact or abut one another. As such, the gripping surface  103  may contact or abut the spacer surface  105   b . Further, the gripping surfaces  103 ,  105   a  may be substantially planar and parallel surfaces when the wood clamp  100  is in the closed position. The spacer surface  105   b  may thus be a perpendicular surface extending between the gripping surfaces  103 ,  105   a . This configuration may allow the gripping jaw  106  to conform to a given size of dimensional lumber. For example, in the closed position, the offset  114  may be 1½ inches, 2 inches, 3 inches, 3¼ inches, or 5½ inches, however, other sizes are contemplated and within the scope of the present disclosure, including sizes less than 1½ inches and sizes greater than 5½ inches. 
       FIGS. 3-6  depict the wood clamp  100  in a variety of applications. As described herein, the wood clamp  100  may be used to grip two perpendicularly arranged boards in a variety of settings, including roofing, framing, decking, or any other appropriate use in which two structures are temporarily secured to one another in a perpendicular fashion. The perpendicularly arranged structures secured by the wood clamp  100  are described below with respect to dimensional lumber, beams, boards, or other wood structures. It will be appreciated that the embodiments described herein are not limited to wood. Rather, the wood clamp  100  may be used to secured a variety of structures including structures constructed from metal, metal alloys, plastics, synthetics, and/or other appropriately sized and shaped material. 
       FIG. 3  depicts the wood clamp  100  positioned along two perpendicular boards. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the wood clamp  100  is positioned along a first board  150  and a second board  152 . In particular, the first board  150  may be positioned within the gripping jaw  106  defined by the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  (e.g., the first board  150  may be positioned within the offset  114  described with respect to  FIGS. 1A-2 ). The second board  152  may be positioned between an end surface of the first board  150  and the projection  112 . 
     As described above, the first and second handles  122 ,  124  of the handle assembly  120  may be manipulated to open or close a position of the gripping jaw  106  (and thus cause the wood clamp  100  to be in an open or closed configuration). In some cases, the first and second handles  122 ,  124  may be manipulated such that the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  cooperate to exert a compression force on the first board  150 . This may fix the position of the first board  150  within the gripping jaw  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the substantially planar surfaces of the plate  102  and the angled bracket  104  may conform to a contour of the first board  150 . This may allow the gripping jaw  106  to exert a substantially uniform force on the first board  150 , which may prevent the wood clamp  100  from cracking, splitting, or otherwise damaging the first board  150 . 
     The first board  150  may be secured at a position within the gripping jaw  106  to facilitate securing the second board  152  within the wood clamp  100 . For example, the first board  150  may be positioned within the gripping jaw  106  such that an end surface  151  of the first board  150  abuts or contacts a longitudinal surface  153  of the second board  152 . The second board  152  may thus be gripped by the wood clamp  100  between the end surface  151  and the projection  112 . Consequently, when the first board  150  is gripped within the gripping jaw  106 , the second board  152  may be restricted from moving (e.g., the end surface  151  and the projection  112  may restrict movement of the second board  152  along a longitudinal direction of the first board  150 ). In some cases, the wood clamp  100  may grip the first board  150  such that the end surface  151  and the projection  112  cooperate to exert a compression force on the second board  152 . This may restrict movement of the second board  152  along a longitudinal direction of the second board  152 . rafter 
       FIG. 4  depicts the wood clamp  100  positioned within rafter assembly  400 . In particular, wood clamp  100  is depicted as having the gripping jaw  106  secured around a first board  450  at position A. At position A, the wood clamp  100  may be secured to the first board  450  to define a gap  490  between an end surface  451  of the first board  450  and the projection  112 . 
     The wood clamp  100  may be moved (e.g., the wood clamp  100  may move laterally along the first board  450 ) to manipulate the gap  490 . For example, as a user moves the gripping jaw  106  laterally away from the end surface  451 , the gap  490  will shrink. Similarly, as the user moves the gripping jaw  106  laterally toward the end surface  451 , the gap  490  will expand. 
     Accordingly, the wood clamp  100  may be used to grip structures of various different sizes to the first board  450 . For example, a second board may be positioned perpendicularly to the first board  450  and within the gap  490 . The wood clamp  100  may be moved laterally along the first board  450  so that the gap  490  conforms to a shape or dimension of the second board. In some cases, the gap  490  may be further reduced such that the end surface  451  and the projection  112  exert a compression force on the second board to restrict movement of the second board relative to the perpendicularly arranged first board  450 . 
       FIG. 5A  depicts the wood clamp  100  positioned with a rafter assembly  500 . The rafters assembly  500  may include a series of wooden members arranged in a “square-cut” configuration. For example, the rafter assembly  500  may include a one or more wooden members, such as first wooden member  550 , and a second wooden member  552 . In one embodiment, the wood clamp  100  may fix the position of the second wooden member  552  relative to a position of the first wooden member  550 . This may allow a user to more permanently secure the second wooden member  552  to the first wooden member  550  within the rafter assembly  500 . 
     By way of particular illustration, the first wooden member  550  may be one of a set of substantially evenly spaced wooden members that that define a support structure for a roof. The first wooden member  550  may extend angularly within the rafter assembly  500  such that an end surface of the wooden member is angled with respect to a slope or grade of a structure over which the roof is formed. The second wooden member  552  may be an elongated structure that extends along a lower edge of the roof. 
     In the square-cut configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5A , the first wooden member  550  may be formed from dimensional lumber and define an end surface that is substantially transverse to both longitudinal surfaces of the rafter (e.g., the end surface is not cut, chamfered, or the like). In this regard, when the second wooden member  552  is positioned along the end surface of the first wooden member  550 , the second wooden member  552  may be angled with respect to the slope or grade of the structure (e.g., due to the first wooden member  550  being angled with the rafter assembly  500 ). This may be beneficial for managing drainage and water runoff from a roofing surface defined above the first wooden member  550 . 
     Notwithstanding the angular orientation of the first wooden member  550  and the second wooden member  552 , the wood clamp  100  may be configured to grip the first wooden member  550  and the second wooden member  552  when positioned in a perpendicular arrangement. For example, the gripping jaw  106  may be positioned around the first wooden member  550 . As described above, the handle assembly  120  may be manipulated such that gripping jaw  106  exerts a compression force on the first wooden member  550 ; this may grip the first wooden member  550  within the wood clamp  100 . The wood clamp  100  may grip the first wooden member  550  such that the arm  110  of the lateral support member  108  extends along a longitudinal surface of the first wooden member  550  and the projection  112  is positioned offset from an end surface of the first wooden member  550 . In this regard, the second wooden member  552  may be positioned between the first wooden member  550  and the projection  112 . This may allow the wood clamp  100  to grip the second wooden member  552  and secure the second wooden member  552  relative to the first rafter  550 . For example, the wood clamp  100  may be affixed to the first wooden member  550  such that the end surface of the first wooden member  550  and the projection  112  exert a compression force on the second wooden member  552 . The projection  112  therefore prevents the second wooden member  552  from falling or sliding relative to the rafter assembly  500 . 
       FIG. 5B  depicts detail  1 - 1  of  FIG. 5A  of the wood clamp  100  positioned within the rafter assembly  500 . 
       FIG. 6A  depicts the wood clamp  100  positioned with a rafter assembly  600 . The rafter assembly  600  may include a series of wooden members arranged in a “plumb-cut” configuration. For example, the rafter assembly  600  may include a one or more wooden members, such as a first wooden member  650 , and a second wooden member  652 . In one embodiment, the wood clamp  100  may fix the position of the second wooden member  652  relative to a position of the first wooden member  650 . This may allow a user to more permanently secure the second wooden member  652  to the first wooden member  650  within the rafter assembly  600 . 
     By way of particular illustration, substantially analogous to the first wooden member  550  and second wooden member  552  described above with respect to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the first wooden member  650  may be one of a set of substantially evenly spaced wooden members that that define a support structure for a roof. The first wooden member  650  may extend angularly within the rafter assembly  600  such that an end surface of the first wooden member  650  is angled with respect to a slope or grade of a structure over which the roof is formed. The second wooden member  652  may be an elongated structure that extends along a lower edge of the roof. 
     In the plumb-cut configuration, as shown in  FIG. 6A , the first wooden member  650  may be formed from dimensional lumber and define an end surface that is trimmed, cut, chambered or the like such that an end surface of the rafter board may be substantially perpendicular with a grade or slope of the structure. In this regard, when the second wooden member  652  is position along the end surface of the first wooden member  650 , the second wooden member  652  may, too, be substantially perpendicular with respect to the slope or grade of the structure. This may be beneficial for aesthetic or other construction considerations. 
     Notwithstanding the angular orientation of the first wooden member  650  and the second wooden member  652 , the wood clamp  100  may be configured to grip the first wooden member  650  and the second wooden member  652  when positioned in a perpendicular arrangement. For example, the gripping jaw  106  may be positioned around the first wooden member  650 . As described above, the handle assembly  120  may be manipulated such that gripping jaw  106  exerts a compression force on the first wooden member  650 ; this may grip the first wooden member  650  within the wood clamp  100 . The wood clamp  100  may grip the first wooden member  650  such that the arm  110  of the lateral support member  108  extends along a longitudinal surface of the first wooden member  650  and the projection  112  is positioned offset from an end surface of the first wooden member  650 . In this regard, the second wooden member  652  may be positioned between the first wooden member  650  and the projection  112 . This may allow the wood clamp  100  to grip the second wooden member  652  relative to the first wooden member  650 . For example, the wood clamp  100  may be affixed to the first wooden member  650  such that the end surface of the first wooden member  650  and the projection  112  exert a compression force on the second wooden member  652 . The projection  112  therefore prevents the second wooden member  652  from falling or sliding relative to the rafter assembly  600 . 
       FIG. 6B  depicts detail  2 - 2  of  FIG. 6A  of the wood clamp  100  positioned within the rafter assembly  600 . 
     Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of” indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Further, the term “exemplary” does not mean that the described example is preferred or better than other examples. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.