Patent Publication Number: US-7909315-B2

Title: Clamping apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a non-power operated clamping apparatus that can be used to clamp a plurality of wood pieces using two perpendicular compressive forces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wood panels can be constructed by gluing a number of boards, edge-to-edge, to form a flat panel. Pipe clamps or other types of clamps are typically used to squeeze the boards together. The clamps are placed on both sides of the boards to reduce bowing. Even then, there is a high probability that the boards will be bowed after the clamping process which makes them difficult to use in subsequent operations and in many cases, they must be scrapped. A wood panel made with boards glued edge-to-edge needs to be flat for subsequent operations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a clamping apparatus that clamps boards to make a flat panel. It is a non-power operated clamping apparatus which is made up of a top section, middle section, and bottom section. There are first direction clamps located on the left side and right side of the middle section. The bottom section fits within the first direction clamps and the front and back sides of the middle section. There are crosswalls between the front side and back side of the bottom section which are parallel to the left and right sides of the bottom section. There are second direction clamps between the bottom section and the middle section that clamp the bottom section to the middle section in a second direction about perpendicular to the first direction compressive force. This creates a flat bed formed by the top of the sides of the middle section and the top of the sides and crosswalls of the bottom section. 
     The workpiece, composed of individual pieces of wood that are glued edge-to-edge, is placed on the above flat bed in the first direction clamps. The first direction clamps compress the workpiece in a first direction. Spacer bars are placed adjacent to the workpiece to insure that the headpiece of the first direction clamp is outside and not in contact with the front side of the middle section to be able to compress the workpiece. The top section is placed on top of the workpiece and middle section. There are crosswalls between the front side and back side of the top section which are parallel to the left and right sides of the top section. There are second direction clamps between the middle section and the top section that compress the workpiece in a second direction about perpendicular to the first direction compressive force. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of the top section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the top section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the top section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the bottom section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the bottom section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the bottom section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the middle section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the middle section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the middle section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the middle section and bottom section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the middle section and bottom section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the middle section and bottom section of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the bottom section, middle section, and top section of the present invention with second direction clamps. 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the bottom section, middle section, and top section of the present invention with no second direction clamps (for clarity purposes) between the top section and middle section. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the bottom section, middle section, and top section of the present invention with no second direction clamps (for clarity purposes) between the bottom section and middle section. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the bottom section, middle section, and top section of the present invention with no second direction clamps (for clarity purposes). 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the bottom section, middle section, and top section of the present invention with second direction clamps. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several figures of the clamping apparatus.  FIG. 1  is a top view of the top section  52  which is rectangular in shape. It has a front side  54 , a back side  56 , a left side  58 , a right side  60 , and crosswalls  62  that extend from the front side  54  to the back side  56  and are substantially parallel to the left side  58  and the right side  60 . There is a clamping bar  134  on the left side  58  and a clamping bar  136  on the right side  60 . There is a clamping bar  138  attached to the front side  54  and a clamping bar  140  attached to the back side  56  of the top section  52 .  FIG. 2  is a front view of the top section  52  with the clamping bar  134  on the left side  58  and the clamping bar  136  on the right side  60  and the clamping bar  138  on the frontside  54 . The front side  54  is rectangular in shape. The bottom edge of the crosswalls  62  and the bottom edge of the front side  54 , backside  56 , left side  58 , and right side  60  of the top section  52  form a substantially flat bed surface.  FIG. 3  is a side view of the top section  52  and the right side  60  is rectangular in shape. It shows the clamping bar  136  on the right side  60  and the clamping bar  138  on the front side  54  and the clamping bar  140  on the back side  56 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the bottom section  64  with a front side  66 , a back side  68 , a left side  70 , a right side  72 , and crosswalls  74  that extend from the front side  66  to the back side  68  and are substantially parallel to the left side  70  and the right side  72 . There is a clamping bar  118  attached to the bottom of the front side  66  and a clamping bar  119  attached to the bottom of the back side  68 . The bottom section  64  is rectangular in shape.  FIG. 5  is a front view of the bottom section  64  and it shows the clamping bar  118  attached to the bottom of the front side  66 . The front side  66  is rectangular in shape. The top edge of the crosswalls  74  and the top edge of the front side  66 , backside  68 , left side  70 , and right side  72  form a substantially flat bed surface.  FIG. 6  is a side view of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  118  attached to the bottom of the front side  66  and the clamping bar  119  attached to the bottom of the back side  68  and it shows the right side  72  is rectangular in shape. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the middle section  76  which has a rectangular shape. The middle section  76  has a front side  78 , a back side  80 , a left side  82 , and a right side  84 . The top edge of the front side  78 , back side  80 , left side  82 , and right side  84  form a bed having a substantially flat bed surface. There is a clamping bar  102  attached to the left side  82  and a clamping bar  104  attached to the right side  84 . There is a clamping bar  106  attached to the front side  78  and a clamping bar  108  attached to the back side  80 . There is at least one first direction clamp  86  adjacent to the left side  82  and at least one first direction clamp  86  adjacent to the right side  84  which cause a first direction compressive force on a workpiece  124 , comprising members of wood glued edge-to-edge, and the members of wood are substantially parallel to the front side  78  of the middle section  76 .  FIG. 8  is a front view of the middle section  76  and it shows the holes  98  in the front side  78  that first direction clamps  86  are passed through. It shows the clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  and the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  and the clamping bar  106  on the front side  78 .  FIG. 9  is a side view of the middle section  76 . It shows the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  and the clamping bar  106  on the front side  78  and the clamping bar  108  on the back side  80 . 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the bottom section  64  positioned between the first direction clamps  86  of the middle section  76  and the front side  78  and back side  80  of the middle section  76 . The first direction clamps  86  are next to the left side  82  and right side  84  of the middle section  76 . The body  88  of the first direction clamp  86  is passed through a hole  98  (not shown) in the front side  78  of the middle section  76  and passed through a hole  98  (not shown) in the back side  80  of the middle section  76 . The first direction clamps  86  are substantially perpendicular to the front side  78  of the middle section  76  and substantially perpendicular to the back side  80  of the middle section  76 . The front side  66  of the bottom section  64  is adjacent and inside the front side  78  of the middle section  76 , the back side  68  of the bottom section  64  is adjacent and inside the back side  80  of the middle section  76 , the left side  70  of the bottom section  64  is adjacent and inside the first direction clamp  86  next to the left side  82  of the middle section  76 , and the right side  72  of the bottom section  64  is adjacent and inside the first direction clamp  86  next to the right side  84  of the middle section  76 . In another embodiment, there is a reinforcing plate (not shown) for the holes  98  on the front side  78  and back side  80  of the middle section  76  and the reinforcing plate (not shown) is located on the inside of the front side  78  and inside of the back side  80  of the middle section  76 . The reinforcing plate (not shown) has a hole the same diameter as the hole  98  in the front side  78  and back side  80  of the middle section  76 . The dimensions and position of the reinforcing plate cannot interfere with the bottom section  64 . The reinforcing plate (not shown) is rectangular in shape and the height is equal or less than the height of the front side  78  of the middle section  76 , it does not project any higher than the top edge or lower than the bottom edge of the front side or back side, and the length is equal or less than the distance from the outside of the left side  70  of the bottom section  64  and the inside of the left side  82  of the middle section  76 . 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of the bottom section  64  and the middle section  76  and the first direction clamps  86 . The clamping bar  118  is attached to the bottom of the front side  66  of the bottom section  64 . It shows the clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  of the middle section  76  and the clamping bar  106  on the front side  78  of the middle section  76 .  FIG. 12  is a side view of the bottom section  64  and the middle section  76  and the first direction clamp  86 . It shows the clamping bar  104  attached to the right side  84  of the middle section  76 . It shows the clamping bar  118  attached to the bottom of the front side  66  and the clamping bar  119  attached to the bottom of the back side  68  of the bottom section  64 . 
     In  FIG. 13  through  FIG. 17 , the distance between the outside of the back side  80  of the middle section  76  to the outside of the front side  78  of the middle section  76  is 26″. The workpiece  124  comprises six members of wood and the total width of the six members of wood is 20½″. There is a 2″ wide spacer bar  126  against the flat inner face  92  of the footpiece  90  of the first direction clamp  86  and the workpiece is against the 2″ wide spacer bar  126  and a 1″ wide spacer bar  126  and a 3″ wide spacer bar  126  are between the workpiece  124  and the flat face  96  of the headpiece  94  of the first direction clamp  86 . The outermost spacer bar  126  projects ½″ outside of the front side  78  of the middle section  76 . 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of the clamping apparatus and it shows the first direction clamps  86  and second direction clamps. The workpiece  124  is placed on top of the bed formed by the top edge of the front side  66 , back side  68 , left side  70 , right side  72 , and crosswalls  74  of the bottom section  64  and the top edge of the front side  78 , back side  80 , left side  82 , and right side  84  of the middle section  76 . The flat inner face  92  of the footpiece  90  is outside of the back side  80  of the middle section  76  and in contact with the back side  80  of the middle section  76 . Part of the flat inner face  92  of the footpiece  90  of the first direction clamp  86  extends above the back side  80  of the middle section  76 . The headpiece  94  of the first direction clamp  86  is outside and not in contact with the front side  78  of the middle section  76  because it must be able to exert a compressive force on the workpiece  124  in a first direction. In one embodiment, the headpiece  94  of the first direction clamp  86  is about 1/16″ to about 5″ outside of the front side  78  of the middle section  76 . In another embodiment, the flat face  96  of the headpiece  94  of the first direction clamp  86  is about ⅛″ to about 2″ outside of the front side  78  of the middle section  76 . Part of the flat face  96  of the headpiece  94  of the first direction clamp  86  extends above the front side  78  of the middle section  76 . 
     The top section  52  is positioned above the middle section  76  and the front side  54  of the top section  52  is above the front side  78  of the middle section  76  and the length of the front side  54  of the top section  52  is about the same length as the front side  78  of the middle section  76 , the back side  56  of the top section  52  is above the back side  80  of the middle section  76  and the length of the back side  56  of the top section  52  is about the same length as the back side  80  of the middle section  76 , the left side  58  of the top section  52  is above the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and the length of the left side  58  of the top section  52  is about the same length as the left side  82  of the middle section  76 , and the right side  60  of the top section is above the right side  84  of the middle section  76  and the length of the right side  60  of the top section  52  is about the same length as the right side  84  of the middle section  76 . 
     The workpiece  124  is subjected to a compressive force in the first direction from the first direction clamps  86  and a compressive force in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction force from the second direction clamps  128  between the top section  52  and middle section  76 . The second direction clamps  130  between the bottom section  64  and middle section  76  raise the bottom section  64  within the middle section  76  and positions the top edge of the left side  70 , right side  72 , front side  66 , back side  68 , and crosswalls  74  of the bottom section  64  and the top edge of the left side  82 , right side  84 , front side  78 , and back side  80  of the middle section  76  in a substantially flat bed surface. In one embodiment, the height of the front side  66 , back side  68 , left side  70 , right side  72 , and crosswalls  74  of the bottom section  64  and the height of the front side  78 , back side  80 , left side  82 , and right side  84  of the middle section  76  are the same height. The workpiece  124  is placed on the flat bed surface. The top edge of the crosswalls  74  in the bottom section  64  is the edge in contact with the bottom of the workpiece  124 . The bottom edge of the crosswalls  62  in the top section  52  is the edge in contact with the top of the workpiece  124 . 
       FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  are front views of the clamping apparatus with some clamps not shown in each drawing to better understand the drawing.  FIG. 14  does not show the second direction clamps  128  between the middle section  76  and top section  52 .  FIG. 15  does not show the second direction clamps  130  between the middle section  76  and bottom section  64 .  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  are side views of the clamping apparatus with no second direction clamps shown in  FIG. 16  to better understand the drawing.  FIG. 17  shows all of the second direction clamps which include the second direction clamps  130  between the bottom section  64  and middle section  76  and the second direction clamps  128  between the top section  52  and middle section  76 . 
     In one embodiment, there is one first direction clamp  86  adjacent to the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and one first direction clamp  86  adjacent to the right side  84  of the middle section  76 . The first direction clamp  86  comprises at least one clamp from the following group: pipe clamp, bar clamp, parallel clamp, and a threaded rod with one or more fasteners. The second direction clamps comprise at least one clamp from the following group: C-clamp, adjustable hand screw clamp, spring clamp, pipe clamp, bar clamp, parallel clamp, F style clamp, and a threaded rod with one or more fasteners. In one embodiment, the fastener for the threaded rod is a nut. 
     In one embodiment, there are one or more second direction clamps  130  between the clamping bar  118  attached to the bottom of the front side  66  of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  102  attached to the left side  82  of the middle section  76 , one or more second direction clamps  130  between the clamping bar  118  attached to the bottom of the front side  66  of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  104  attached to the right side  84  of the middle section  76 , one or more second direction clamps  130  between the clamping bar  119  attached to the bottom of the back side  66  of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  102  attached to the left side  82  of the middle section  76 , and one or more second direction clamps  130  between the clamping bar  119  attached to the bottom of the back side  66  of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  104  attached to the right side  84  of the middle section  76 . 
     In another embodiment, one second direction clamp  130  is between the clamping bar  118  attached to the bottom of the front side  66  of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  102  attached to the left side  82  of the middle section  76 , one second direction clamp  130  is between the clamping bar  118  attached to the bottom of the front side  66  of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  104  attached to the right side  84  of the middle section  76 , one second direction clamp  130  is between the clamping bar  119  attached to the bottom of the back side  68  of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  102  attached to the left side  82  of the middle section  76 , and one second direction clamp  130  is between the clamping bar  119  attached to the bottom of the back side  68  of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  104  attached to the right side  84  of the middle section  76 . 
     There are one or more second direction clamps  128  between the clamping bar attached to the top section  52  and the clamping bar directly below it that is attached to the middle section  76 . The second direction clamps  128  can be positioned between the clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and the clamping bar  134  on the left side  58  of the top section  52 , the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  of the middle section  76  and the clamping bar  136  on the right side  60  of the top section  52 , the clamping bar  106  on the front side  78  of the middle section  76  and the clamping bar  138  on the front side  54  of the top section  52 , and the clamping bar  108  on the back side  80  of the middle section  76  and the clamping bar  140  on the back side  56  of the top section  52 . They cause a compression of the top section  52  and middle section  76  in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction compressive force. This applies a compressive force against the workpiece  124  in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction compressive force. 
     Each of the first direction clamps  86  and the second direction clamps  130  between the bottom section  64  and middle section  76  and second direction clamps  128  between the top section  52  and middle section  76  is independently operable. The second direction clamps  130  between the bottom section  64  and the middle section  76  can be tightened or loosened and removed without affecting the first direction clamps  86  and the second direction clamps  128  between the top section  52  and middle section  76  and the position of the top section  52 . The bottom section  64  can be removed and the workpiece  124  continues to be compressed by the first direction clamps  86  and continues to be against the top section  52 . The second direction clamps  128  between the top section  52  and middle section  76  can be tightened or loosened and removed without affecting the first direction clamps  86  and the second direction clamps  130  between the bottom section  64  and middle section  76  and the position of the bottom section  64 . The top section  52  can be removed and the workpiece  124  continues to be compressed by the first direction clamps  86  and continues to be against the bottom section  64 . Holes or a suitable fixture can be located in parts of the top section  52  and bottom section  64  to hold the top section  52  and bottom section  64  after it has been removed. 
     The clamping bar is rectangular in shape and can vary in width. In one embodiment, the width of the clamping bar is about ½″ to about 3″. In another embodiment, the width of the clamping bar is about ¾″ to about 1½″. In one embodiment, at least one clamping bar and the side of the section are manufactured as a single, integral part and the clamping bar is not a separate part that is attached to the side of the section because the side and the clamping bar are manufactured as one integral part. The side and clamping bar are one piece that is molded or folded to create a side and clamping bar. 
     The clamping bar  118  attached to the bottom of the front side  66  of the bottom section  64  and the clamping bar  119  attached to the bottom of the back side  68  of the bottom section  64  extend from the outside edge of the clamping bar  102  attached to the left side  82  of the middle section  76  to the outside edge of the clamping bar  104  attached to the right side  84  of the middle section  76 . The clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  of the middle section  76  extend from the outside edge of the front side  78  to the outside edge of the back side  80  of the middle section  76 . The clamping bar  134  on the left side  58  of the top section  52  and the clamping bar  136  on the right side  60  of the top section  52  extend from the outside edge of the front side  54  to the outside edge of the back side  56  of the top section  52 . The clamping bar  106  on the front side  78  of the middle section  76  extends between the first direction clamps  86  and the clamping bar  108  on the back side  80  of the middle section  76  extends between the first direction clamps  86 . The clamping bar  138  attached to the front side  54  of the top section  52  is about the same length and directly above the clamping bar  106  attached to the front side  78  of the middle section  76 . The clamping bar  140  attached to the back side  56  of the top section  52  is about the same length and directly above the clamping bar  108  attached to the back side  80  of the middle section  76 . 
     In one embodiment, the bottom edge of the clamping bar  102  attached to the left side  82  of the middle section  76  is about ½″ from the bottom edge of the left side  82  of the middle section  76 . The bottom of the clamping bar  104  attached to the right side  84  of the middle section  76  is about ½″ from the bottom edge of the right side  84  of the middle section  76 . This will prevent any substance used to adhere the clamping bars such as weld to project lower than the bottom edge of the left side  82  and right side  84  of the middle section  76 . It will also increase the distance between the top edge of the clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and the bottom edge of the clamping bar  134  on the left side  58  of the top section  52  and the distance between the top edge of the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  of the middle section  76  and the bottom edge of the clamping bar  136  on the right side  60  of the top section  52 . Increasing this distance will prevent the footpiece  150  of the second direction clamps  130  between the bottom section  64  and middle section  76  from contacting the clamping bar  134  on the left side  58  of the top section  52  and the clamping bar  136  on the right side  60  of the top section  52 . Increasing this distance is also achieved when the top edge of the clamping bar  134  attached to the left side  58  of the top section  52  is about ½″ from the top edge of the left side  58  of the top section  52  and the top edge of the clamping bar  136  attached to the right side  60  of the top section  52  is about ½″ from the top edge of the right side  60  of the top section  52 . 
     The clamping bar  106  attached to the front side  78  of the middle section  76  must be at least ½″ from the top of the front side  78  of the middle section  76  to prevent any substance used to adhere the clamping bar such as weld to project higher than the top of the front side  78  of the middle section  76 . The clamping bar  108  attached to the back side  80  of the middle section  76  must be at least ½″ from the top of the back side  80  of the middle section  76  to prevent any substance used to adhere the clamping bar such as weld to project higher than the top of the back side  80  of the middle section  76 . The clamping bar  138  attached to the front side  54  of the top section  52  must be at least ½″ from the bottom of the front side  54  of the top section  52  to prevent any substance used to adhere the clamping bar  138  such as weld to project lower than the bottom of the front side  54  of the top section  52 . The clamping bar  140  attached to the back side  56  of the top section  52  must be at least ½″ from the bottom of the back side  56  of the top section  52  to prevent any substance used to adhere the clamping bar  140  such as weld to project lower than the bottom of the back side  56  of the top section  52 . 
     In one embodiment, there is no clamping bar  106  on the front side  78  of the middle section  76  and no clamping bar  108  on the back side  80  of the middle section  76  and no clamping bar  138  on the front side  54  of the top section  52  and no clamping bar  140  on the back side  56  of the top section  52 . The only clamping bars attached to the middle section  76  and the top section  52  are the clamping bar  102  attached to the left side  82  of the middle section  76 , clamping bar  104  attached to the right side  84  of the middle section  76 , clamping bar  134  attached to the left side  58  of the top section  52 , and clamping bar  136  attached to the right side  60  of the top section  52 . 
     One or more spacer bars  126  can be used adjacent to the workpiece  124  to fill the space between the flat inner face  92  of the footpiece  90  of the first direction clamp  86  and the flat face  96  of the headpiece  94  of the first direction clamp  86 . The spacer bars  126  are rectangular in shape and are positioned substantially parallel to the front side  78  of the middle section  76  and have about the same length as the front side  78  of the middle section  76 . The height of the spacer bars  126  must be equal or less than the height of the workpiece  124 . The height of the spacer bars  126  cannot be substantially less than the height of the workpiece  124  or there will less pressure at the top edge than the bottom edge of the workpiece  124 . In one embodiment, the height of the spacer bars is about 1/64″ to about ¼″ less than the height of the workpiece  124 . In another embodiment, the height of the spacer bar is about 1/64″ to about ⅛″ less than the height of the workpiece  124 . The width of the spacer bars  126  can vary. In one embodiment, the width of the spacer bars  126  is about ¼″ to about 10″. In another embodiment, the width of the spacer bars  126  is about 1″ to about 5″. 
     The spacer bars  126  can be placed in three different locations relative to the workpiece  124  between the flat inner face  92  of the footpiece  90  and the flat face  96  of the headpiece  94  of the first direction clamp  86 : (1) one or more spacer bars  126  are positioned against the flat inner face  92  of the footpiece  90  and the workpiece  124  is positioned between the spacer bar  126  closest to the front side  78  of the middle section  76  and the flat face  96  of the headpiece  94 , (2) the workpiece  124  is positioned against the flat inner face  92  of the footpiece  90  and one or more spacer bars  126  are positioned between the workpiece  124  and the flat face  96  of the headpiece  94 , and (3) one or more spacer bars  126  are positioned against the flat inner face  92  of the footpiece  90  and the workpiece  124  is positioned against the spacer bar  126  closest to the front side  78  of the middle section  76  and one or more spacer bars  126  are positioned between the workpiece  124  and the flat face  96  of the headpiece  94 . 
     In one embodiment, the end opposite the headpiece of at least one second direction clamp has a threaded end on the body of the second direction clamp. A circular hole is placed in the clamping bar and the threaded end can be passed through the hole in the clamping bar. The threaded end can be secured to the clamping bar with one or more fasteners. In one embodiment, the fastener is a nut. The composition of the top section  52 , middle section  76 , bottom section  64 , clamping bars, and spacer bars  126  is made of at least one material from the following materials: steel, steel alloy, aluminum, plastic, polyolefin, resin, fiberglass, ABS, monomer, polymer, wood, and stainless steel. In one embodiment, at least part of the top section  52 , middle section  76 , bottom section  64 , clamping bars, and spacer bars  126  is coated with a material that does not readily adhere to wood glue. The components for the top section  52 , middle section  76 , bottom section  64 , and clamping bars are attached to each other using at least one of the following materials: adhesive, weld, and mechanical fastener. In one embodiment, one or more sides of the top section, crosswalls of the top section, sides of the middle section, sides of the bottom section, crosswalls of the bottom section, clamping bars, and spacer bars have a rectangular shape with a solid core with a wall thickness of about 1/32″ to about 3/16″. In another embodiment, one or more sides of the top section, crosswalls of the top section, sides of the middle section, sides of the bottom section, crosswalls of the bottom section, clamping bars, and spacer bars have a rectangular shape with a hollow core with a wall thickness of about 1/32″ to about 3/16″. The height of the sides can vary. In one embodiment, the height of the sides of the middle section  76 , bottom section  64 , and top section  52  is about 1½″ to about 5″. In another embodiment, the height of the sides of the middle section  76 , bottom section  64 , and top section  52  is about 2″ to about 4″. 
     The number of crosswalls  62  and the distance between the crosswalls  62  can vary in the top section  52  and the number of crosswalls  74  and the distance between the crosswalls  74  can vary in the bottom section  64 . In one embodiment, the bottom section  64  has the same number of crosswalls  74  as the number of crosswalls  62  in the top section  52 . In one embodiment, the spacing of the crosswalls  62  in the top section  52  is uniform. In one embodiment, the spacing of the crosswalls  74  in the bottom section  64  is uniform. In another embodiment, the bottom section  64  has the same number of crosswalls  74  as the top section  52  and the crosswalls  74  in the bottom section  64  are directly below the crosswalls  62  in the top section  52 . 
     In one embodiment, the top section  52  has no bracing pieces between the crosswalls  62  and between the left side  58  and the adjacent crosswall  62  and the right side  60  and the adjacent crosswall  62 . In another embodiment, the top section  52  has one or more bracing pieces (not shown) between the crosswalls  62  and between the left side  58  and the adjacent crosswall  62  and the right side  60  and the adjacent crosswall  62 . The bracing pieces (not shown) in the top section  52  do not extend below the bottom edge of the crosswalls  62  in the top section  52 . In one embodiment, the bottom section  64  has no bracing pieces between the crosswalls  74  and between the left side  70  and the adjacent crosswall  74  and the right side  72  and the adjacent crosswall  74 . In another embodiment, the bottom section  64  has one or more bracing pieces (not shown) between the crosswalls  74  and between the left side  70  and the adjacent crosswall  74  and the right side  72  and the adjacent crosswall  74 . The bracing pieces (not shown) in the bottom section  64  do not extend above the top edge of the crosswalls  74  in the bottom section  64 . 
     The length and width of the clamped apparatus can vary. In one embodiment, the width of the middle section  76  from the outside of the front side  78  to the outside of the back side  80  is about 12″ to about 36″ and the length of the middle section  76  from the outside of the left side  82  to the outside of the right side  84  is about 24″ to about 72″. In another embodiment, the width of the middle section  76  from the outside of the front side  78  to the outside of the back side  80  is about 28″ to about 36″ and the length of the middle section  76  from the outside of the left side  82  to the outside of the right side  84  is about 56″ to about 72″. In another embodiment, the width of the middle section  76  from the outside of the front side  78  to the outside of the back side  80  is about 20″ to about 28″ and the length of the middle section  76  from the outside of the left side  82  to the outside of the right side  84  is about 36″ to about 56″. In another embodiment, the width of the middle section  76  from the outside of the front side  78  to the outside of the back side  80  is about 12″ to about 20″ and the length of the middle section  76  from the outside of the left side  82  to the outside of the right side  84  is about 24″ to about 42″. 
     The clamping apparatus can rotate around beams (not shown) attached in a fixed position to the middle section  76 . In one embodiment, the beams are cylindrical along the total length. In another embodiment, the beams are rectangular on the end attached and fixed to the middle section  76  and cylindrical at the other end that is free to rotate. In one embodiment, the end that is free to rotate is placed in a hole of one or more suitable fixtures. In another embodiment, the end that is free to rotate is placed in one or more bearing blocks that are located on a suitable fixture. In one company, Gopher Bearing Co., that sells bearing blocks, they call them “standard duty pillow blocks”. In another embodiment, the end that is free to rotate is placed around another cylinder which has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the end that is free to rotate. In still another embodiment, the end that is free to rotate is placed inside another cylinder which has an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the end that is free to rotate. 
     There are many embodiments of how the beam (not shown) is attached to the middle section  76 . In one embodiment, one end of a beam (not shown) is attached to the center of the left side  82  of the middle section  76  in a fixed position and a beam is attached to the center of the right side  84  of the middle section  76  in a fixed position. In another embodiment, a beam (not shown) is attached to a suitable fixture (not shown) in a fixed position which is attached to the center of the left side  82  of the middle section  76  in a fixed position and a beam (not shown) is attached to a suitable fixture (not shown) in a fixed position which is attached to the center of the right side  84  of the middle section  76  in a fixed position. The beam (not shown) is attached to a suitable fixture (not shown) with one or more of the following methods: weld, adhesive, one or more suitable fasteners, and the beam (not shown) can be screwed into the suitable fixture (not shown). The suitable fixture (not shown) is attached to the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and right side  84  of the middle section  76  with one or more of the following methods: weld, adhesive, and one or more fasteners. In still another embodiment, a beam (not shown) is passed through a hole in the center of the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and held in a fixed position with one or more suitable fasteners and a beam (not shown) is passed through a hole in the center of the right side  84  of the middle section  76  and held in a fixed position with one or more suitable fasteners. 
     In one embodiment, the clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  of the middle section  76  is continuous and the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  of the middle section  76  is continuous. In another embodiment, the clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  of the middle section  76  is discontinuous and there is a space in the center of the clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  of the middle section  76  is discontinuous and there is a space in the center of the clamping bar  104 . In another embodiment, the clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  of the middle section  76  is discontinuous and there is about 1″ to about 10″ space in the center of the clamping bar  102  on the left side  82  of the middle section  76  and the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  of the middle section  76  is discontinuous and there is about 1″ to about 10″ space in the center of the clamping bar  104  on the right side  84  of the middle section  76 .