Patent ID: 8734028

Claim:
A clamping mechanism having a top and bottom orientation, comprising: an inner component having a platform defining a fiber channel and a clamping member disposed over said fiber channel, said clamping member being connected to said inner component such that said clamping member moves radially independently from the rest of said inner component, said inner component defining a cavity above said clamping member to receive a rotating member; an outer casing containing said inner component, said outer casing defining a slot; and an actuator comprising said rotating member disposed in said cavity and restrained therein from moving radially, said rotating member being configured to rotate along an axis parallel to said fiber channel, said rotating member configured to interact with said clamping member such that rotating said rotating member causes said clamping member to move toward said fiber channel such that any fiber disposed therein is clamped between said clamping member and said platform, said actuator also comprising a lever connected to said rotating member and protruding from said outer casing through said slot.