Patent ID: 8708629

Claim:
A thread clamping device comprising: a) a top end housing and a bottom end housing surrounding a plurality of movable nut segments wherein each of said movable nut segments has a threaded inner surface suited for engaging a threaded rod; and, wherein a substantially planar outer segment surface of each of said movable nut segments engages a substantially planar inner bearing surface of said bottom end housing making planar contact therewith; and, wherein a substantially planar inner sloping surface of each of said movable nut segments engages a substantially planar top housing ramp making planar contact therewith; and, wherein said substantially planar inner sloping surface is substantially parallel to said inner bearing surface; and b) at least one spring circumferentially disposed around said nut segments, flexibly directing said nut segments against said threaded rod; and, wherein said thread clamping device moves axially along said threaded rod in a first direction without rotation and does not so move in a second opposite direction without rotation.