Patent Publication Number: US-2023143498-A1

Title: Sliding clamp

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure relates generally to clamps. In particular aspects, the disclosure relates to a sliding clamp that constrains a workpiece to a clamping plane while permitting translation of the workpiece within the clamping plane. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Clamps are often used to lock relative movement between two workpieces. In particular, clamps typically lock relative movement in all directions. 
     In certain applications, it may be desirable to lock relative movement in one direction while allowing relative movement in other directions. For example, in a welding fixture (e.g., for body in white (BIW) stage in vehicle manufacture), a workpiece may need to move after being clamped to assured a desired geometry with another workpiece before proceeding with welding. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the disclosure, a sliding clamp includes a first arm, a first jaw attached to the first arm, a second arm, and a second jaw attached to the second arm. The first jaw includes at least one first clamping ball freely rotatable relative to the first arm. The second jaw includes at least one second clamping ball freely rotatable relative to the second arm. The second arm is configured to move relative to the first arm to adjust a jaw opening between the at least one second clamping ball of the second jaw and the at least one first clamping ball of the first jaw. 
     In certain embodiments, in a clamped orientation, the sliding clamp is configured to constrain translation of a workpiece in one translational direction by clamping pressure applied to the workpiece by the at least one first clamping ball and the at least one second clamping ball, and permit translation of the workpiece in two translational directions by rotation of the at least one first clamping ball and the at least one second clamping ball. 
     In certain embodiments, the at least one first clamping ball is configured to freely rotate about three mutually perpendicular axes. 
     In certain embodiments, the at least one first clamping ball includes a plurality of first clamping balls. 
     In certain embodiments, the first jaw includes a first set of ball bearings positioned between the first arm and the at least one first clamping ball. 
     In certain embodiments, the first jaw is removably attached to the first arm. 
     In certain embodiments, the first jaw includes a first shell attached to the first arm, the at least one first clamping ball positioned in the first shell. 
     In certain embodiments, the first shell includes a first base and a first endcap attached to the first base. 
     In certain embodiments, the first base is attached to the first arm by at least one of adhesion, threading, or rivets. 
     In certain embodiments, the first end cap defines a first aperture having a width of less than a diameter of the clamping ball. At least a portion of the at least one first clamping ball protrudes through the first aperture. 
     In certain embodiments, the first jaw includes a first set of ball bearings positioned within the first shell. 
     In certain embodiments, the first arm includes a first concave surface defining a first cavity, at least a portion of the at least one first clamping ball positioned in the first cavity. 
     In certain embodiments, the sliding clamp includes at least one of a c-clamp, f-clamp, or spring clamp. 
     In certain embodiments, the first arm is connected to the second arm by at least one of a hinge, a thread, or a slide. 
     In certain embodiments, the sliding clamp further includes a spring to bias the second jaw toward the first jaw. 
     In certain embodiments, the sliding clamp further includes a lock to selectively prevent relative movement of the second jaw relative to the first jaw. 
     According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of making a sliding clamp includes attaching a first jaw to a first arm, the first jaw including at least one first clamping ball freely rotatable relative to the first arm. The method further includes attaching a second jaw at a second arm, the second jaw including at least one second clamping ball freely rotatable relative to the second arm. The method further includes attaching the first arm to the second arm such that the second arm is moveable relative to the first arm to adjust a jaw opening between the at least one second clamping ball of the second jaw and the at least one first clamping ball of the first jaw. 
     In certain embodiments, in a clamped orientation, the sliding clamp is configured to constrain translation of a workpiece in one translational direction by clamping pressure applied to the workpiece by the at least one first clamping ball and the at least one second clamping ball, and permit translation of the workpiece in two translational directions by rotation of the at least one first clamping ball and the at least one second clamping ball. 
     In certain embodiments, the first jaw is removably attached to the first arm. 
     In certain embodiments, the sliding clamp further includes forming the first jaw by positioning the at least one first clamping ball within a first shell. 
     In certain embodiments, the sliding clamp further includes forming the first jaw by positioning the at least one first clamping ball and a first set of ball bearings within the first shell. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent from that description to those skilled in the art or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claims. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view of a sliding clamp of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a cross-sectional side view of the sliding clamp of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  1 C  is a close up perspective view of a first jaw and a second jaw of the sliding clamp of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  1 D  is a close up cross-sectional side view of the first jaw and the second jaw of the sliding clamp of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a cross-sectional side view of the sliding clamp of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  with a first arm and a second arm in an unclamped orientation and a workpiece positioned therebetween; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a cross-sectional side view of the sliding clamp of  FIG.  2 A  with the first arm and the second arm in a clamped orientation and the workpiece in an initial clamped position; 
         FIG.  2 C  is a cross-sectional side view of the sliding clamp of  FIG.  2 A  with the first arm and the second arm in a clamped orientation and the workpiece in a translated clamped position; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a perspective view of a plurality of sliding clamps of  FIGS.  1 A- 2 C  in a clamped orientation with a workpiece in an initial clamped position in a first direction and a second direction; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a perspective view of the plurality of sliding clamps of  FIG.  3 A  in a clamped orientation with the workpiece in a translated clamped position in the first direction and the initial clamped position in the second direction; 
         FIG.  3 C  is a perspective view of the plurality of sliding clamps of  FIG.  3 A  in a clamped orientation with the workpiece in the translated clamped position in the first direction and the second direction; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a sliding C-clamp; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a sliding F-clamp; and 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart illustrating a method of making a sliding clamp of  FIGS.  1 A- 5   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  are views of a sliding clamp  100  including a first arm  102 A, a first jaw  104 A attached to the first arm  102 A, a second arm  102 B movably attached to the first arm  102 A, and a second jaw  104 B attached to the second arm  102 B. The first jaw  104 A includes at least one first clamping ball  106 A freely rotatable relative to the first arm  102 A, and the second jaw  104 B includes at least one second clamping ball  106 B freely rotatable relative to the second arm  102 B. The second arm  102 B is configured to move relative to the first arm  102 A to adjust a jaw opening  108  between the at least one second clamping ball  106 B of the second jaw  104 B and the at least one first clamping ball  106 A of the first jaw  104 A. The sliding clamp  100  is configured to constrain a workpiece to a clamping plane while permitting translation of the workpiece within the clamping plane. In other words, the sliding clamp  100  is configured to constrain translation of a workpiece in one translational direction along a first perpendicular axis (e.g., z axis) by clamping pressure applied to the workpiece by the at least one first clamping ball  106 A and the at least one second clamping ball  106 B. The sliding clamp  100  is further configured, in a clamped orientation, to permit translation of the workpiece in two translational directions along a second perpendicular axis (e.g., x axis) and/or a third perpendicular axis (e.g., y axis) by rotation of the at least one first clamping ball  106 A and the at least one second clamping ball  106 B, the first perpendicular axis, the second perpendicular axis, and the third perpendicular axis being mutually perpendicular axes. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , in the illustrated embodiment, the first arm  102 A includes a coupling end  110 A (may also be referred to as a first coupling end, etc.) and a clamping end  112 A (may also be referred to as a first clamping end, etc.) opposite the coupling end  110 A. The first arm  102 A is arcuately shaped (i.e., curved) with the first jaw  104 A at the clamping end  112 A of the first arm  102 A. Similarly, the second arm  102 B includes a coupling end  110 B (may also be referred to as a second coupling end, etc.) and a clamping end  112 B (may also be referred to as a second clamping end, etc.) opposite the coupling end  110 B. The second arm  102 B is arcuately shaped (i.e., curved) with the second jaw  104 B at the clamping end  112 B of the second arm  102 B. Although the first arm  102 A and the second arm  102 B are illustrated as arcuately shaped, other shapes may be used. 
     The coupling end  110 A of the first arm  102 A is mechanically and movably coupled to the coupling end  110 B of the second arm  102 B to allow relative movement between the first jaw  104 A at the clamping end  112 A and the second jaw  104 B at the clamping end  112 B, such as by pivoting, sliding, rotating, etc. The second arm  104 B is configured to move relative to the first arm  104 A to adjust a jaw opening  108  (e.g., increase or decrease) between the at least one second clamping ball  106 B of the second jaw  104 B and the at least one first clamping ball  106 A of the first jaw  104 A. 
     In this embodiment, the first arm  102 A is hingedly connected to the second arm  102 B at a hinge connection  114 . Although a hinge connection  114  is shown, other types of connections could be used, such as a threaded connection, a slide connection, etc. The sliding clamp  100  includes a locking mechanism  115  (see  FIG.  1 A ) and/or biasing mechanism  117  (see  FIG.  1 B ). For example, in certain embodiments, the sliding clamp  100  is a spring clamp and the biasing mechanism  117  includes a spring (e.g., within the hinge connection) to bias the second jaw  104 B toward the first jaw  104 A. In certain embodiments, the sliding clamp  100  is a locking clamp and the locking mechanism  115  includes a friction lock (e.g., within the hinge connection) to selectively prevent (e.g., lock and unlock) relative to movement of the second jaw  104 B to the first jaw  104 A. For example, turning the friction lock in one direction increases the pressure between the first arm  102 A and the second arm  102 B to inhibit relative motion therebetween, while turning the friction lock in the other direction decreases the pressure between the first arm  102 A and the second arm  102 B. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 B , the first jaw  104 A includes at least one first clamping ball  106 A freely rotatable relative to the first arm  102 A to thereby permit translation of a workpiece. The first arm  102 A includes a first concave surface  116 A defining a first cavity  118 A with at least a portion of the first clamping ball  106 A positioned in the first cavity  118 A. More particularly, the first jaw  104 A includes a first shell  120 A attached to the first arm  102 A. The at least one first clamping ball  106 A is positioned in the first shell  120 A and the at least one first clamping ball  106 A is configured to freely rotate within the first shell  120 A about three mutually perpendicular axes (e.g., x axis, y axis, and z axis) to constrain the workpiece to a clamping plane and permit translation of the workpiece within the clamping plane. 
     Similarly, the second jaw  104 B includes at least one second clamping ball  106 B freely rotatable relative to the second arm  102 B to thereby permit translation of the workpiece. The second arm  102 B includes a second concave surface  116 B defining a second cavity  118 B with at least a portion of the second clamping ball  106 B positioned in the second cavity  118 B. More particularly, the second jaw  104 B includes a second shell  120 B attached to the second arm  102 B. The at least one second clamping ball  106 B is positioned in the second shell  120 B and the at least one second clamping ball  106 B is configured to freely rotate within the second shell  120 B about three mutually perpendicular axes (e.g., x axis, y axis, and z axis) to constrain the workpiece to the clamping plane and permit translation of the workpiece within the clamping plane. 
     In certain embodiments, different jaws  104 A,  104 B may be needed for different applications. For example, certain applications and/or workpieces may require clamping balls  106 A,  106 B of a differing size and/or hardness, etc. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the first jaw  104 A is removably attached to the first arm  102 A and the second jaw  104 B is removably attached to the second arm  102 B. Exemplary removable attachments include threading, rivets, magnets, etc. In this way, the sliding clamp  100  includes a plurality of different types of jaws  104 A,  104 B with different types of clamping balls  106 A,  106 B that are interchangeable depending on the application. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 C and  1 D , in certain embodiments, the first shell  120 A of the first jaw  104 A includes a first base  122 A and a first endcap  124 A attached to the first base  122 A such as by bending and/or wrapping a portion of the first endcap  124 A around a portion of the first base  122 A. The first base  122 A is attached (e.g., removably attached or permanently attached) to the first arm  102 A, such as by adhesion, welding, threading, and/or rivets. The first base  122 A and the first endcap  124 A define a first interior  126 A therebetween with the first clamping ball  106 A positioned in and freely movable within the first interior  126 A. In particular, in certain embodiments, the at least one first jaw  104 A includes a first set of ball bearings  128 A positioned within the first shell  120 A and/or between the first arm  102 A and the at least one first clamping ball  106 A. The first set of ball bearings  128 A minimizes frictional forces applied to the first clamping ball  106 A, particularly in a clamped orientation. This reduces the force necessary to translate a clamped workpiece when the sliding clamp  100  is in a clamped orientation. The first set of ball bearings  128 A is retained within the first shell  120 A between the first clamping ball  106 A and the first base  122 A (and the first arm  102 A) by an endcap shoulder  130 A. 
     The first end cap  124 A defines a first aperture  132 A so that at least a portion of the first clamping ball  106 A protrudes through the first aperture  132 A to contact the workpiece. The first aperture  132 A has a width W of less than a diameter D of the first clamping ball  106 A to retain the first clamping ball  106 A within the first shell  120 A while allowing first the clamping ball  106 A to contact the workpiece. 
     In certain embodiments, the second shell  120 B of the second jaw  104 B includes a second base  122 B and a second endcap  124 B attached to the second base  122 B such as by bending and/or wrapping a portion of the second endcap  124 B around a portion of the second base  122 B. The second base  122 B is attached to the second arm  102 B, such as by adhesion, welding, threading, and/or rivets. The second base  122 B and the second endcap  124 B define a second interior  126 B therebetween with the second clamping ball  106 B positioned in and freely movable within the second interior  126 B. In particular, in certain embodiments, the at least one second jaw  104 B includes a second set of ball bearings  128 B positioned within the second shell  120 B and/or between the second arm  102 B and the at least one second clamping ball  106 B. The second set of ball bearings  128 B minimizes frictional forces applied to the second clamping ball  106 B, particularly in a clamped orientation. This reduces the force necessary to translate a clamped workpiece when the sliding clamp  100  is in a clamped orientation. The second set of ball bearings  128 B is retained within the second shell  120 B between the second clamping ball  106 B and the second base  122 B (and the second arm  102 B) by an endcap shoulder  130 B. 
     The second end cap  124 B defines a second aperture  132 B so that at least a portion of the second clamping ball  106 B protrudes through the second aperture  132 B to contact the workpiece. The second aperture  132 B has a width W of less than a diameter D of the second clamping ball  106 B to retain the second clamping ball  106 B within the second shell  120 B while allowing the second clamping ball  106 B to contact the workpiece. 
     The first jaw  104 A and the second jaw  104 B each include single clamping balls  106 A,  106 B which is advantageous for minimizing the contact area of the clamping balls  106 A,  106 B with the workpiece, thereby allowing greater precision. However, in certain embodiments, the at least one first clamping ball  106 A includes a plurality of first clamping balls and/or the first endcap  124 A includes a plurality of apertures. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the at least one second clamping ball  106 B includes a plurality of second clamping balls and/or the second endcap  124 B includes a plurality of apertures. Doing so may distribute the pressure and/or compressive force applied to the workpiece. 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  are views of the sliding clamp  100  in an unclamped orientation and a clamped orientation. In particular,  FIG.  2 A  is a cross-sectional side view of the sliding clamp  100  with a first arm  102 A and a second arm  102 B in an unclamped orientation and a workpiece  200  positioned therebetween. The workpiece  200  includes a first surface  202 A and a second surface  202 B opposite thereto. Although one workpiece  200  is shown and described, it is noted that the sliding clamp  100  could be used to clamp and constrain two workpieces  200  relative to each other. The jaw opening  108  is wider than a thickness t of the workpiece  200  with the workpiece  200  positioned in the jaw opening  108  between the first clamping ball  106 A of the first jaw  104 A and the second clamping ball  106 B of the second jaw  104 B. The first clamping ball  106 A and the second clamping ball  106 B do not contact the workpiece  200  in  FIG.  2 A . 
       FIG.  2 B  is a cross-sectional side view of the sliding clamp  100  of  FIG.  2 A  with the first arm  102 A and the second arm  102 B in a clamped orientation and the workpiece  200  in an initial clamped position (may also be referred to as first translational position). The jaw opening  108  is the same (or substantially the same) as the thickness t of the workpiece  200  with the workpiece  200  positioned in the jaw opening  108  between the first clamping ball  106 A of the first jaw  104 A and the second clamping ball  106 B of the second jaw  104 B. The first clamping ball  106 A contacts the first surface  202 A of the workpiece  200  and the second clamping ball  106 B contacts the second surface  202 B of the workpiece  200 . In a clamped orientation, the sliding clamp  100  constrains translation of the workpiece  200  in the z direction by clamping pressure applied to the workpiece  200  by the first clamping ball  106 A and the second clamping ball  106 B. 
       FIG.  2 C  is a cross-sectional side view of the sliding clamp of  FIG.  2 A  with the first arm  102 A and the second arm  102 B in a clamped orientation and the workpiece  200  in a translated clamped position (may also be referred to as a second translational position). The sliding clamp  100  permits translation of the workpiece  200  in two translational directions (e.g., x direction and y direction) by rotation of the at least one first clamping ball  106 A (and associated first set of ball bearings  128 A) and the at least one second clamping ball  106 B (and associated second set of ball bearings  128 B). In particular, for example, the workpiece  200  translates along the x axis by rotation of the first clamping ball  106 A (and associated first set of ball bearings  128 A) and the second clamping ball  106 B (and associated second set of ball bearings  128 B). In this way, the first clamping ball  106 A and second clamping ball  106 B rotate in opposite directions. The workpiece  200  is thus able to translate to a translated clamped position. 
       FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  are views of a plurality of sliding clamps  100 ( 1 )- 100 ( 3 ) in a clamped orientation with a workpiece  300  in an initial clamped position and a translated clamped position. Referring to  FIG.  3 A , the plurality of sliding clamps  100 ( 1 )- 100 ( 3 ) clamp the workpiece  300  in an initial position, thereby constraining the workpiece  300  within a clamping plane (e.g., x-y plane) in a z direction. Referring to  FIG.  3 B , while the workpiece  300  is clamped, the workpiece  300  is translated within the clamping plane (e.g., x-y plane) in a y direction to a first translated clamped position. Referring to  FIG.  3 C , while the workpiece  300  is clamped, the workpiece  300  is translated within the clamping plane (e.g., x-y plane) in an x direction to a second translated clamped position. Translation of the workpiece  300  while clamped is made possible by the first clamping ball  106 A and the second clamping ball  106 B. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 3 C  illustrate one type of clamp, however, other types of clamps may be used. For example,  FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a sliding C-clamp  400 . The sliding C-clamp  400  works and operates similarly to the sliding clamp  100  of  FIGS.  1 A- 3 C  except where otherwise noted. The sliding C-clamp  400  includes a first arm  402 A, a first jaw  404 A attached to the first arm  402 A, a second arm  402 B movably attached to the first arm  402 A, and a second jaw  404 B attached to the second arm  402 B. The first jaw  404 A includes at least one first clamping ball  406 A freely rotatable relative to the first arm  402 A, and the second jaw  404 B includes at least one second clamping ball  406 B freely rotatable relative to the second arm  402 B. A distance between the first clamping ball  406 A and the second clamping ball  406 B defines a jaw opening  408 . The first arm  402 A is threadably coupled to the second arm  402 B such that rotation of the second arm  402 B adjusts the size of the jaw opening  408 . 
     As another example,  FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a sliding F-clamp  500 . The sliding F-clamp  500  works and operates similarly to the sliding clamp  100  of  FIGS.  1 A- 3 C  except where otherwise noted. The sliding F-clamp  500  includes a first arm  502 A, a first jaw  504 A attached to the first arm  502 A, a second arm  502 B movably attached to the first arm  502 A, and a second jaw  504 B attached to the second arm  502 B. The first jaw  504 A includes at least one first clamping ball  506 A freely rotatable relative to the first arm  502 A, and the second jaw  504 B includes at least one second clamping ball  506 B freely rotatable relative to the second arm  502 B. A distance between the first clamping ball  506 A and the second clamping ball  506 B defining a jaw opening  508 . The sliding F-clamp  500  further includes an intermediate arm  510 . The intermediate arm  510  is slidably attached to the first arm  502 A and threadably attached to the second arm  502 B. Sliding movement of the intermediate arm  510  relative to the first arm  502 A and/or rotation of the second arm  502 B relative to the intermediate arm  510  adjusts the size of the jaw opening  508 . 
       FIG.  6    is a flowchart  600  illustrating a method of making a sliding clamp  100 ,  400 ,  500  of  FIGS.  1 A- 5   . Step  602  includes attaching a first jaw  104 A,  404 A,  504 A to a first arm  102 A,  402 A,  502 A. The first jaw  104 A,  404 A,  504 A includes at least one first clamping ball  106 A,  406 A,  506 A freely rotatable relative to the first arm  102 A,  402 A,  502 A. Step  604  includes attaching a second jaw  104 B,  404 B,  504 B at a second arm  102 B,  402 B,  502 B. The second jaw  104 B,  404 B,  504 B includes at least one second clamping ball  106 B,  406 B,  506 B freely rotatable relative to the second arm  102 B,  402 B,  502 B. Step  606  includes attaching the first arm  102 A,  402 A,  502 A to the second arm  102 B,  402 B,  502 B such that the second arm  102 B,  402 B,  502 B is moveable relative to the first arm  102 A,  402 A,  502 A to adjust a jaw opening  108 ,  408 ,  508  between the at least one second clamping ball  106 B,  406 B,  506 B of the second jaw  104 B,  404 B,  504 B and the at least one first clamping ball  106 A,  406 A,  506 A of the first jaw  104 A,  404 A,  504 A. 
     In certain embodiments, in a clamped orientation, the sliding clamp  100 ,  400 ,  500  is configured to constrain translation of a workpiece in one translational direction by clamping pressure applied to the workpiece by the at least one first clamping ball  106 A,  406 A,  506 A and the at least one second clamping ball  106 B,  406 B,  506 B, and permit translation of the workpiece in two translational directions by rotation of the at least one first clamping ball  106 A,  406 A,  506 A and the at least one second clamping ball  106 B,  406 B,  506 B. In certain embodiments, the first jaw  104 A,  404 A,  504 A is removably attached to the first arm  102 A,  402 A,  502 A and/or the second jaw  104 B,  404 B,  504 B is removably attached to the second arm  102 B,  402 B,  502 B. 
     In certain embodiments, the method further includes forming the first jaw  104 A,  404 A,  504 A by positioning the at least one first clamping ball  106 A,  406 A,  506 A within a first shell  120 A. In certain embodiments, the method further includes forming the first jaw  104 A,  404 A,  504 A by positioning the at least one first clamping ball  106 A,  406 A,  506 A and a first set of ball bearings  128 A within a first shell  120 A. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the method further includes forming the second jaw  104 B,  404 B,  504 B by positioning the at least one second clamping ball  106 B,  406 B,  506 B within a second shell  120 B. In certain embodiments, the method further includes forming the second jaw  104 B,  404 B,  504 B by positioning the at least one second clamping ball  106 B,  406 B,  506 B and a second set of ball bearings  128 B within a second shell  120 B. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.