Patent ID: 7284746

Claim:
An apparatus for use in clamping a structure at the edge of the structure, said structure having opposed surfaces, said apparatus comprising: a stanchion; a first clamping assembly attached to said stanchion; and a second clamping assembly selectively, slidably moveable longitudinally along said stanchion, said second clamping assembly including a first collar slidably moveable on said stanchion, said collar including a first frame attached to said first collar, said second clamping assembly including a support plate extending laterally outward in a direction away from said stanchion, said second clamping assembly further comprising a force imparting assembly attached to said first frame and a bearing plate spaced from and connected to said support plate, said second clamping assembly further including a second collar slidably moveable, relative to said first collar, on said stanchion, said second collar being positioned between said first collar and said first clamping assembly, and a second frame attached to said second collar, said second collar being rotatably positioned on said second frame, said second frame comprising said support plate and said bearing plate, said bearing plate having an arcuate bearing surface, said support plate being positioned closely adjacent one of said opposed surfaces of said structure when said structure is clamped between said first and second clamping assemblies, said force imparting assembly acting on said bearing plate to compressively urge said support plate into operative, compressive engagement with said one of said opposed surfaces of said structure.