Patent ID: 7500661

Claim:
A self-clamping apparatus in the form of an adjustable wrench for clamping against a surface of an object, comprising: a first support surface; a clamping member having a first surface in confronting engagement with said first support surface and slidably movable therealong, said clamping member having a second surface for engaging the surface of the object, said first surface disposed at an angle θ to said second surface, said angle θ defined by: k + tan ⁡ ( θ ) 1 - k ⁢ ⁢ tan ⁡ ( θ ) ≤ μ wherein: μ=the coefficient of friction between said clamping member and an object to be clamped k=the coefficient of friction between said clamping member and said first support surface; wherein said first and second surfaces of said clamping member are substantially smooth; a second support surface opposite said first support surface, said clamping member disposed between said first and second support surfaces; wherein at least one of said first and second support surfaces is movable relative to the other of said first and second support surfaces to increase and decrease a distance therebetween; a handle; a first jaw integral with said handle; and a second jaw selectively adjustably positionable relative to said first jaw; said first support surface associated with one of said first and second jaws; said second support surface associated with the other of said first and second jaws.