Patent ID: 8434973

Claim:
A clamping mechanism ( 12 ) comprising a male portion ( 14 , 114 , 214 ) and a female portion ( 16 , 116 , 216 ) which are adjustable between an unclamped position and a clamped position relative to one another; the male portion comprising: a first component body ( 28 ) having a first component axis (B) defining a forward to rear direction, and a first component front surface ( 34 ); a locking protrusion ( 36 , 136 , 236 ) extending forwardly relative to the first component front surface ( 34 ), the locking protrusion having a locking protrusion axis (C) and a locking protrusion front surface ( 38 ); and an alignment protrusion ( 40 , 140 , 240 ) extending forwardly relative to the locking protrusion front surface ( 38 ), the alignment protrusion having an alignment protrusion axis (E) and an alignment protrusion front surface ( 42 ); and the female portion comprising: a second component body ( 17 ) having a second component axis (G) defining a forward to rear direction, and a second component rear surface ( 54 , 154 , 254 ); a locking bore ( 52 , 152 , 252 ) extending forwardly relative to the second component rear surface ( 54 , 154 , 254 ) and having a locking bore front end ( 62 ), the locking bore comprising: an insertion bore portion ( 58 ) having an insertion bore axis (K); and a gripping bore portion ( 56 ) having a gripping bore axis (H) which is spaced apart from the insertion bore axis (K) by a non-zero first distance (M), the gripping bore portion merging with the insertion bore portion; and an alignment bore ( 64 , 164 , 264 ) extending forwardly relative to the locking bore front end ( 62 ), the alignment bore having an alignment bore axis (N) which is spaced apart from the gripping bore axis (H) by a non-zero second distance (Q); wherein: in the unclamped position: the alignment protrusion occupies the alignment bore; the locking protrusion occupies the insertion bore portion of the locking bore; and no interference fit is formed between the locking protrusion and the locking bore; and in the clamped position: the alignment protrusion abuts a portion of the alignment bore; the locking protrusion occupies the gripping bore portion of the locking bore; the locking protrusion abuts a gripping surface ( 60 ) of the gripping bore portion; and an interference fit is formed between the locking protrusion and the locking bore.