Clamping apparatus

Claim 1

Clamping apparatus for clamping a plurality of longitudinally extending members in a predetermined spaced apart relationship, comprising: a pair of clamping members, each of said clamping members provided with at least two groups of inwardly directed parallel, arcuate, ridge-like members, and a centrally positioned spacer means, and upon the assembly of said clamping members in a predetermined opposed relationship, said groups of ridge-like members formed in each clamping member being placed opposite the groups of ridge-like members formed in the other clamping member with said spacer means engaging each other whereby said groups of ridge-like members cooperatively provide two partially closed, longitudinally extending interrupted apertures having parallel longitudinal axes, said apertures for receiving said longitudinally extending members and said ridgelike members for engaging said longitudinally extending members; said clamping members, including said ridge-like members, being of a predetermined resilient material for dampening vibrations and shocks and for absorbing noise; each of said clamping members having an aperture formed centrally thereof, in a direction perpendicular to the said longitudinal axes of said longitudinally extending apertures, and upon said assembly of said clamping members, said apertures being aligned and receiving a threaded fastener; at least one of said clamping members having a counterbore formed centrally thereof coincident with said aperture formed centrally thereof, said counter-bore being formed in said one clamping member generally opposite said two groups of ridgelike members formed therein; a metal welding plate having a boss formed centrally on one surface thereof and having a threaded aperture formed centrally thereof and through said boss, said welding plate permitting the welding of said clamping apparatus to a metal support surface; said metal welding plate for engaging said clamping member having said counter-bore formed centrally thereof and having its boss received within said counter-bore and having its threaded aperture aligned with said aperture formed centrally of said clamping member; a threaded fastener having a bolt head formed on one end thereof and the other end thereof having threads formed thereon; a clamping plate having an aperture formed centrally thereof for receiving said threaded fastener, said clamping plate being of a material more rigid than said predetermined resilient material of said clamping members, said clamping plate engaging the other of said clamping members and having its aperture aligned with said aperture formed centrally of said other clamping member; Upon said clamping members being assembled as said and said longitudinally extending members being received within said apertures formed by said ridge-like members, and upon said welding plate and cover plate being in engagement with said clamping members as said, said threaded fastener being received within said centrally formed apertures with said bolt head engaging said cover plate and said threads being placed in threaded engagement with said threads formed in said welding plate whereby said resilient clamping members are compressed together by said clamping plate and said welding plate to cause said ridge-like members to resiliently engage said longitudinally extending members and clamp said longitudinally extending members in said predetermined spaced apart relationship.