Patent ID: 7017238

Claim:
A clamp comprising: a clamp body comprising: a spring arm extending generally in an arc having a first end and a second end connected by an angular extent, wherein the angular extent being less than 360 degrees of arc; a protrusion projecting from said spring arm proximate said second end thereof; and a deflection arm connected at a first end thereof to said first end of said spring arm and having a second end disposed in spaced relation with respect to said protrusion, said deflection arm being constructed and arranged such that relative movement of said protrusion and said second end of said deflection arm away from each other effects a corresponding circumferential contraction of said spring arm and relative movement of said protrusion and said second end of said deflection arm toward each other effects a corresponding circumferential expansion of said spring arm; and an actuating device engaged with said protrusion and said deflection arm and constructed and arranged to, upon manipulation thereof, effect relative movement of said protrusion and said second end of said deflection arm with respect to each other to thereby cause a corresponding circumferential contraction or expansion of said spring arm.