Patent ID: 8869501

Claim:
A clamping assembly adapted to clamp a component, the assembly comprising: first and second clamping members, the first and second clamping members being movable with respect to one another in a first direction to selectively clamp the component therebetween; first and second bearing members, the first bearing member comprising a first bearing surface, and the second bearing member comprising a second bearing surface; and a bearing element positionable between the component and one of the first and second clamping members, the bearing element being configured to permit relative movement between the component and one of the first and second clamping members in a second direction before a final clamping position is reached, the bearing element being disposed between the first and second bearing members, wherein, in use, the first clamping member, the first bearing member, the bearing element, the second bearing member, the component, and the second clamping member are arranged in sequence and wherein one of the first clamping member and the second bearing member comprises a protruding portion and the other of the first clamping member and the second bearing member comprises a receiving portion, the protruding and receiving portions being arranged to limit the second bearing member from moving with respect to the first clamping member in the first direction and permit movement of the second bearing member with respect to the first clamping member in the second direction.