Patent ID: 7815178

Claim:
A machine for essentially simultaneously clamping an item releasably with a plurality of clamps, said machine comprising a plurality of clamping means and a means of actuating said clamping means, said machine comprising: (a) a frame supporting a first clamp and a second clamp, said first clamp comprising a first stanchion and a first pincer in cooperating relationship with said first stanchion and affixed atop a first pivot pin downstanding through a first bore defined by the frame and affixed to a first actuation arm having a first leverage point, said second clamp comprising a second stanchion and a second pincer in cooperating relationship with said second stanchion and affixed atop a second pivot pin downstanding through a second bore defined by said frame and affixed to a second actuation arm having a second leverage point; and (b) a coordinated-clamping linkage comprising an actuation lever including a handle end, a fulcrum end and a mid portion, and a first clamping linkage comprising a first pushrod having a first pushrod inward terminus and a first pushrod outer terminus, said first pushrod inward terminus hinge-jointed to the actuation lever intermediate portion, said first pushrod outer terminus having a first pivot joint attachment to the first actuation arm leverage point, the first pushrod further comprising a first yoke flange, and further comprising a second clamping linkage comprising a second pushrod having a second pushrod inward terminus and a second pushrod outer terminus, said second pushrod inward terminus swivel-linked to said first yoke flange, said second pushrod outer terminus having a second pivot joint attachment to the second actuation arm leverage point, wherein movement of the actuation lever handle end from a first position to a second position closes both the first clamp and second clamp essentially simultaneously.