Patent ID: 8407867

Claim:
A clamp assembly for an elongated tube style lamp, comprising: a first clamp comprising: a housing having a bottom portion, and first and second holding ends, said first holding end extending along a first axis and said second holding end extending along a second axis, and where both said first axis and said second axis extend in a direction perpendicular to said bottom portion, and said first and second holding ends forming sidewalls of the housing, said housing having a first holding portion in the first holding end, said first holding portion forming a notch which has at least three surfaces including first and second and third holding surfaces, that forms a fixed pocket which is sized to fit a corresponding first notch on a held lamp element; and said housing also having a second holding portion in the second holding end, said housing located spaced a distance from said first holding portion, said distance defined by said bottom portion, said second holding portion including a fixed bottom portion, and a hinged top portion which hinges on a hinge point that is spaced from and distant from said second holding portion, said top portion hinging on said point between a closed position where said top portion includes a pressing surface holds against a second notch of the held lamp element and hinges to an open position where said pressing surface no longer faces said bottom portion and does not hold said second notch of the held lamp element; and said second housing end including a hinge portion including a fastener that extends along said second axis to tighten and loosen in a way such that a second clamp can be located next to said first clamp, and is tightened to hold said pressing surface against said second notch, and where said second notch cannot be released from said pressing surface without loosening said fastener.