Patent ID: 8157186

Claim:
A friction clamp for attachment to a flange of a railroad track rail, comprising: a continuous U-shaped body having an upper member, a lower member and a closed end, wherein a bottom surface of the upper member and a top surface of the lower member are disposed in a spaced and opposing relationship sized to receive a flange of a railroad track rail; the upper member including: a body portion that is generally defined by first and second spaced lateral free edges that respectively define first and second spaced lateral boundary lines; a first tooth extending laterally outward from the first lateral free edge and beyond the first lateral boundary line, wherein the first tooth has a base integrally formed with the body portion, and wherein the first tooth extends laterally away from the base to a gripping tip; a second tooth extending laterally outward from the second lateral free edge and beyond that second lateral boundary line, wherein the second tooth has a base integrally formed with the body portion, and wherein the second tooth extends laterally away from the base to a gripping tip, wherein the gripping tips of the first and second teeth extend below the bottom surface of the upper member; the lower member including: at least a first lower tooth having a base integrally formed with the lower member and extending away from the base to a gripping tip, wherein the gripping tip of the lower tooth extends above the top surface of the lower member; and an engagement structure connected to one of the upper member and the lower member for engaging the clamp with a railroad structure or component.