Patent ID: 7789379

Claim:
A solid surface clamp, comprising: a top jaw constructed to exert a clamping force on an elongated stiffening member; a bottom jaw having a first surface configured to contact a solid surface slab; a bolt attached to the bottom jaw and slideably received through the top jaw, a threaded portion of the bolt extending from the top jaw; a nut threaded onto the threaded portion of the bolt, the nut and threaded portion constructed to transition the solid surface clamp from a fully open position to a clamping position; a shroud shielding the nut and the entire threaded portion of the bolt that extends from the top jaw, the shroud constructed to continuously shield the nut and the entire threaded portion that extends from the top jaw i) when the solid surface clamp is the fully open position; in when the solid surface clamp transitions from the fully open position to the clamping position; and iii) when the solid surface clamp is in the clamping position; the elongated stiffening member attached to the top jaw and having a second surface configured to contact the solid surface slab; wherein the second surface is longer than the first surface and both surfaces are substantially parallel to each other.