WO2013117906A1

WO2013117906A1 - Clamping apparatus and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2013117906A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcus Nicholson; Robert Firth
Original assignee: 7Rdd Limited
Priority date: 2012-02-06
Filing date: 2013-01-28
Publication date: 2013-08-15
Also published as: CN104245240A; GB201201978D0

Abstract

Clamping apparatus including at least first and second clamping means, at least one of said first and second clamping means movably mounted on guide means to allow the relative distance between the at least first and second clamping means to be adjustable in use, and wherein at least one of the first and second clamping means includes a clamping element that is detachably attached to support means for location in one of at least two different positions on said support means, the support means movably mounted on said guide means.

Description

Clamping Apparatus and Method of Use Thereof

This invention relates to clamping apparatus and to a method of use thereof.

It is known to provide clamping apparatus including a pair of clamping jaws, at least one clamping jaw being movable relative to the other clamping jaw, to allow a workpiece or obj ect to be securely located between or removed from the clamping jaws in use.

A known example of clamping apparatus is described in US5524872. In this example, a portable workbench is provided including a support structure comprising an elongate portion defining a track for slidably receiving one or more clamping jaws. Two support legs are provided at the front of the support structure and one support leg is provided at the rear of the support structure. The legs are pivotably mounted to the support structure to allow the legs to be moved between an erect in-use po sition and a folded storage position as required. A pivoted lever structure, such as a foot operated lever, is provided for moving one of the jaws relative to the other jaw.

Clamping apparatus, of a similar type to that described above, typically can be located in two different working positions; a first working po sition provides the j aws with a relatively small clamping range, such as for example between 0-400mm; and a second working position provides the jaws with an extended clamping range, such as for example between 950- 1250mm. In order to provide the different working positions, two different sets of jaws can be provided, thereby increasing the number of components associated with the apparatus. The clamping jaw that provides the extended clamping position is typically elongate in form and thus takes up a large amount of space relative to the clamping jaw that provides the more limited clamping range. In an attempt to overcome this problem, it is known to provide an extended range clamping jaw that is pivotably mounted to a support plate movably located on the track. The pivotably mounted clamping jaw allows the jaw to be folded when not in use to reduce the size of the apparatus for storage and transport purposes. Alternatively still, a single movable jaw can be provided that is detachable from the track and which can be replaced on the track in a reverse orientation, thereby providing an increased clamping range. However, the increased clamping range, typically 400-950mm, is not as large as the extended clamping range available on apparatus with two separate sets of jaws, typically 950-1250mm.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide clamping apparatus that provides a full or relatively large clamping range in the two different working positions, whilst providing a compact and easily transportable product when not in use.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide clamping apparatus that provides a more compact and easily transportable product when not in use.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using clamping apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided clamping apparatus, said clamping apparatus including at least first and second clamping means, at least one of said first and second clamping means movably mounted on guide means to allow the relative distance between the at least first and second clamping means to be adjustable in use, and wherein at least one of the first and second clamping means includes a clamping element that is detachably attached to support means for location in one of at least two different po sitions on said support means, the support means movably mounted on said guide means.

Thus, the clamping apparatus of the present invention is arranged such that a clamping element of one of the clamping means or portions can be moved into one of at least two different positions with respect to the support means or support portion. This allows at least two different clamping positions to be provided using the same clamping element and support means. This is in contrast to the prior art wherein the clamping element is fixed relative to the support means and, whilst the support means is movable relative to the guide means, the clamping element will always be in the same position and orientation on the support means. The advantage of the present invention is that the two or more clamping means or portions can be used over or generates a greater extended clamping range than previously possible using only a single clamping means or portion. In addition, since only a single movable clamping means or portion is needed to provide the multi-functionality of the present invention, this greatly reduces the number of components required in the present invention compared to the prior art. Furthermore, the ability to move the clamping element relative to the support means or portion allows the apparatus to be moved to a more compact position for transport, storage and/or for packaging purpo ses, thereby significantly reducing the co st associated with transporting and/or packaging the apparatus.

Preferably the two or more different clamping po sitions provided on or associated with the clamping means are pre- determined clamping positions. Preferably the two or more different clamping positions are typically provided a spaced distance apart on the support means.

Preferably the two or more different clamping po sitions are a spaced distance apart longitudinally of the support means.

In one embodiment a first clamping position is provided wherein the clamping element is provided at or adjacent a first end of the support means.

In one embodiment a second clamping position is provided wherein the clamping element is provided at or adjacent a second or opposite end of the support means. Preferably at least part of the clamping element extends beyond the second or opposite end of the support means in the second clamping position.

Preferably the clamping element is in a first orientation when in the first clamping position and is in a second orientation when in the second clamping position. The second orientation of the clamping element is typically different to or the reverse of the clamping element when in the first orientation.

Preferably attachment means or mechanism is provided to allow the clamping element to be detachably attached to the support means. The attachment means can include any or any combination of one or more protrusions, pins, reces ses, slots, apertures, channels, hooks, clips, ties, screws, nut and bolt, inter-engaging members, friction fit and/or the like.

In one embodiment one of the support means and clamping element is provided with one or more protrusions and/or pins and the other of the support means and clamping element is provided with one or more reces ses, slots and/or apertures into which the protrusions and/or pins engage with in use.

In a preferred embodiment the support means is provided with the one or more protrusions and/ or pins and the clamping element is provided with the one or more reces ses, slots and/or apertures.

In one embodiment locking means or a locking mechanism is provided to lock the clamping element in position on or with the support means in at least one of the at least two or more different clamping positions. The locking means are typically movable between a locked po sition, wherein removal of the clamping element from the support means is substantially prevented, and an unlocked position, wherein the clamping element can be detached from and/or attached to the support means.

Preferably the locking means are rotatably mounted to allow movement between the locked and unlocked positions.

Preferably the locking means is in the form of a rotatable clip.

Preferably one or more of the free ends of the clip overlap with at least a part of the clamping element to prevent removal of the same from the support means when in a locked position.

In one embodiment the support means are movably mounted on the guide means using movement means or a movement mechanism.

Preferably the support means are slidably mounted on the guide means in use. Preferably user actuation means are provided to allow user actuation of the movement means to move the support means relative to the guide means in use.

In one embodiment the user actuation means can be in the form of a lever, a foot pedal and/or the like.

Preferably the guide means are in the form of a track and further preferably an elongate track. The support means are movable along the track to provide different clamping positions and/or working positions in use.

The longitudinal axis of the elongate track is typically arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a body portion of the clamping apparatus.

The support means can be moved relative to the guide means or track between user selected arbitrary positions and/or between two or more different pre-determined positions.

The movement means can include any or any combination of one or more pawls, ratchets, inter-engaging members, protrusions, recesses, apertures, slots, channels, screws, nut and bolt, clips, friction fit and/or the like.

In one embodiment one of the support means and guide means are provided with one or more channels and the other of the support means and guide means are provided with one or more protrusions for location in said channels.

In a preferred embodiment the support means is provided with one or more channels and preferably a channel is provided on or adjacent each side of the support means. The guide means are provided with one or more protrusions which are slidably located in the channels and preferably a protrusion provided on or adjacent each side of the guide means is located in the channels on or adjacent each side of the support means.

Preferably the apparatus, support means and/or clamping element can be moved between at least two different working positions; a first working position which provides the clamping means or jaws with a relatively small clamping range, such as for example between approximately 0-400mm; and a second working position which provides the clamping means or jaws with an extended or relatively large clamping range, such as for example between approximately 400- 1250mm.

The clamping element can be moved to the two or more different clamping positions on the support means when the support means is in either the first working position or the second working position. However, the advantage of providing a greater extended clamping range is achieved when the clamping element is moved relative to the support means when in the second working position.

Preferably the clamping element includes a clamping jaw with at least one arm member protruding therefrom. The arm member is typically detachably attached to the support means in use.

Preferably the longitudinal axis of the arm member is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support means when in an attached position therewith.

Preferably the clamping element includes two arm members protruding from the clamping jaw. The two arm members are preferably substantially parallel to each other and further preferably are provided at or adjacent each side of the clamping jaw. Thus, in one embodiment each arm member is detachably attached to opposite sides of the support means.

Preferably the locking means is provided on or adjacent a top surface of the support means and substantially prevents removable of the one or more clamping element arm members from the support means when in the locked position.

In one embodiment the support means is in the form of a plate or sleeve like member.

The clamping apparatus typically includes a body portion and the guide means or track are typically provided on or as sociated with a top surface of the body portion. The support means is typically slidably movable on the track or guide means on the top surface of the body portion.

Preferably the support means remains in engagement with the guide means or track in both the first and second working positions and/or clamping positions. This is in contrast to the prior art wherein the support means to which a clamping jaw is fixedly attached has to be removed from, rotated through 180 degrees and then re-engaged with the guide means or track to form a different clamping or working position.

Preferably the clamping apparatus includes one or more support feet or legs.

In one embodiment the clamping apparatus includes at least three support feet or legs. Preferably two support feet or legs are provided at or adjacent one end of the clamping apparatus and at least one support foot or leg is provided at or adjacent a second or opposite end of the clamping apparatus. Preferably one or more of the support feet or legs are movable between a substantially erect position and a substantially collapsed position.

In one embodiment one or more of the support feet or legs are pivotably mounted to said body portion to allow the support feet or legs to be moved between a substantially erect position and a substantially collapsed position. With the support feet or legs in the substantially collapsed position, the size of the clamping apparatus is significantly reduced compared to the substantially erect position, thereby making the apparatus easy to transport, store, package and/or the like.

In one embodiment one or more of the support feet or legs are telescopic to allow the same to be moved between the substantially collapsed and erect positions. Preferably said one or more support feet or legs includes a first part that is movably mounted relative to at least a second part.

In one embodiment the first part includes an outer sleeve or outer member with a channel defined therein. The channel is typically arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support foot or leg. The at least second part typically includes an inner sleeve or member that is movably or slidably mounted in said outer sleeve or channel.

Preferably the second support foot or leg part is movable relative to said first support foot or leg part from a substantially extended position, wherein the second support foot or leg part protrudes outwardly from an open end of said first support foot or leg part, to a substantially retracted position, wherein the second support foot or leg part is at least partially recessed or further recessed in said first support foot or leg part relative to said extended position. In one embodiment at least part of one or more of the support feet or legs are at least partially foldable between at least a partially or fully collapsed position and fully extended position.

In a preferred embodiment one or more of the support feet or legs are both pivotably mounted to the body portion of the apparatus and telescopic. This significantly reduces the space taken up by the apparatus when in a folded or collapsed position.

Preferably support leg or foot locking means or mechanism is provided to lock a support leg or foot in a particular position in use. The locking means can be provided on or as sociated with the pivotable means which allow the support foot or leg to be pivotably mounted to the body portion, and/or the locking means can be provided on or associated with the telescopic means which allow at least a part of the support foot or leg to be telescopically mounted with respect to at least a further part of the support foot or leg.

The support leg or foot locking means can include any or any combination of one or more screws, rotatable members, nuts and bolts, inter-engaging members, protrusions, pins, recesses, apertures, slots, channels, and/or the like.

It will be appreciated that the provision of the pivotable and/or telescopic support feet or legs can be provided on clamping apparatus independently of the detachable clamping element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided clamping apparatus, said clamping apparatus including a body portion with at least first and second clamping means associated therewith for allowing an object or workpiece to be clamped between the clamping means in use, said clamping apparatus including one or more support feet or legs and wherein at least one of the support feet or legs is pivotably mounted to said body portion and/or telescopic.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using clamping apparatus, said clamping apparatus including at least first and second clamping means, said method including the step of moving at least one of said first and second clamping means on guide means to allow the relative distance between the at least first and second clamping means to be adjustable in use, at least one of the first and second clamping means including a clamping element that is detachably attached to support means for location in one of at least two different positions on said support means in use, the support means movably mounted on said guide means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figures l a and l b show perspective views of an upper part of clamping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first clamping po sition and a second or extended clamping position respectively;

Figures 2a and 2b show perspective views of the clamping element and support element of figures l a and l b in a first clamping position and a second or extended clamping position respectively;

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the clamping element and the support element in figures 2a and 2b in the first and second clamping positions; Figures 4a-4c show a perspective view of the clamping apparatus with the telescopic support legs in a fully extended po sition, a partially retracted position, and a fully retracted po sition respectively; and

Figures 5a-5c show perspective views of the clamping apparatus with the support legs in figure 4c in a partially collapsed position and a collapsed position respectively, and a side view of the apparatus in a collapsed position.

Referring firstly to the figures, there is illustrated clamping apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clamping apparatus includes a body portion 4 with three support legs 6, 8, 10 supporting the body portion above a ground or floor surface in use. Support legs 6, 8 are provided at a front end 12 of the apparatus adjacent either side of body portion 4. Support leg 10 is provided at a rear end 14 of the apparatus substantially centrally of the body portion 4.

Guide means in the form of a track or rail member 16 is provided on an upper surface 18 of body portion 4. First clamping means in the form of a first clamping jaw 20 is fixedly attached to body portion 4 at the front end 12 thereof and at a first end 22 of rail member 1 6. Second clamping means 24 is movably mounted on rail member 1 6 as will be described in more detail below.

User actuation means in the form of a pivotable lever 19 is provided at front end 12 of the apparatus. Actuation of pivotable lever 1 9 causes second clamping means 24 to move along the track 16 in a reciprocal and/or linear manner as required, thereby allowing the clamping distance between first and second clamping means to be adjusted. The second clamping means 24 comprises a support plate 26 and a clamping element 28 detachably attached thereto. More particularly, clamping element 28 includes a clamping jaw 30 with elongate arm members 32, 34 protruding outwardly from a base surface either side of said clamping jaw 30. Arm members 32, 34 are a spaced distance apart and substantially parallel to each other. Clamping jaw 30 has a front face 36 and a rear face 38. The front and/or rear faces typically provide a clamping surface for a workpiece to engage therewith when in a clamped position in use.

The support plate 26 has channels 40, 42 defined either side thereof adjacent the base. The channels are slidably mounted on the track 16 to allow the support plate, and thus the clamping element 28, to move along the track to provide different clamping distances between the first and second clamping means. A movement mechanism is associated with the support plate 26 and the user actuation lever 1 9 to allow actuation of the lever to move the support plate 26 in a substantially linear and reciprocal manner with respect to track 16.

Attachment means in the form of protruding pins 40, 42, 44, 46, extend outwardly from one of the side walls 48 of the support plate 26 and corresponding pins 40', 42', 44', 46' extend outwardly from the opposite side wall 48'. Pins 40, 40' are provided at a first end 50 of support plate 26. Pins 42, 42' are provided approximately centrally of support plate 26 and pins 44, 46 are provided a short spaced distance apart adjacent second end 52 of support plate 26. Attachment means in the form of apertures 54, 56, 58 are defined in the side walls of arm member 32 of clamping element 28. Corresponding apertures 54', 56', 58' are defined in the side walls of oppo site arm member 34. The apertures are substantially complementary in shape to the pins to allow pins 40-46, 40'-46' to engage in apertures 54-58, 54'-58' in use, thereby allowing the clamping element 28 to be located in one of two different pre-determined clamping positions with respect to support plate 26. In addition, the position of the pins and apertures ensure that it is only possible to fit the clamping element 28 in one of two different positions with respect to the support plate 26 in the illustrated embodiment.

In the first pre-determined clamping position, clamping jaw 30 is located adjacent end 50 of support plate 26, as shown in figures 2a and 3. Pins 40, 40' and 42, 42' on support plate 26 are located in apertures 54, 54' and 58, 58' on arm members 32, 34 respectively. As such, arm members 32, 34 are substantially parallel with and adjacent to the side walls 48, 48' of support plate 26. The first pre-determined clamping position typically corresponds to the clamping apparatus being used in a first working position, wherein the clamping distance between the first and second clamping means is relatively small. For example, the small clamping range could be between 0-400mm. In the first clamping position, the rear surface 38 of clamping jaw 30 typically faces towards clamping jaw 20.

In the second pre-determined clamping position, the free ends of arm members 32, 34 are located adjacent end 52 of support plate 26. The arm members 32, 34 extend outwardly from end 52, as shown in figures 2b and 3. Pins 44, 44' and 46, 46' on support plate 26 are located in apertures 58, 58' and 56, 56' on arm members 32, 34 respectively. As such, the free ends of arm members 32, 34 are adjacent to and substantially parallel to side walls 48, 48 of support plate 26 at end 52 thereof but the majority or rest of arm members 32, 34 extend beyond end 52. The second pre-determined clamping position typically corresponds to the clamping apparatus being used in a second working position, wherein the clamping distance between the first and second clamping is extended. For example, the extended clamping range can be between 400-1250mm. In the second clamping position, front face 36 of jaw 30 typically faces clamping jaw 20.

It can be seen from figure 2b that in providing the clamping element 28 as being detachably attached to support plate 26, this allows the clamping element 28 to be moved to an extended position that was not possible in the prior art apparatus. In particular, by extending the po sition of clamping element beyond the end of support plate 26, an extra 180mm clamping distance can be provided.

Locking means in the form of rotatable clips 60, 62 are provided on a top surface 64 of support plate 26. The rotatable clips 60, 62 are rotated between a locked position, wherein arms 32, 34 are locked in position with respect to support plate 26, and an unlocked position, wherein arms 32, 34 are removable from engagement with the support plate 26. The rotatable clips are o f such a shape and form that in the locked position, the longitudinal axis of a clip is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support plate 26 and the free ends of the clip overlap the top surface of arms 32, 34, thereby preventing removal of the arms from the support plate. In the unlocked position, the longitudinal axis of a clip is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support plate and the free ends o f the clip are a spaced distance apart from the top surface of arms 32, 34, thereby allowing removal of the arms from the support plate.

In the illustration shown, only one clip 60 or 62 is required to lock the clamping element to the support plate in each of the two different clamping po sitions. In particular, clip 60 provided adjacent end 50 is used to lock the clamping element in the first clamping position and clip 62 provided adjacent end 52 is used to lock the clamping element in the second clamping position.

In order for a user to move the clamping element 28 between the first and second clamping positions, a user moves the clips 60, 62 to an unlocked position, removes the clamping element 28 from support plate 26, rotates the element through 1 80 degrees to reverse the orientation of clamping jaw 30, re-engages the appropriate pins of the support plate with the corresponding apertures on the clamping element and moves the clips 60 or 62 to a locked position.

It will be appreciated that with the clamping element 28 located in the first clamping po sition, the overall length of the clamping means is substantially reduced compared to the overall length of the clamping means when in the second extended clamping position. As such, the apparatus can be placed in the first clamping position for the purpo ses of packing, storage and/or transportation. This significantly reduces the size of the apparatus, thereby reducing the costs associated with storing, packaging and transporting the apparatus.

In the illustrated embodiment, support plate 26 remains engaged in track 16 at all times. However, it will be appreciated that the support plate 26 could be detachably attached to track 1 6 if required.

In one embodiment, in order to decrease the size of the apparatus when in an out-of-use position, the legs 6-10 of the apparatus are arranged to be both pivotably mounted to body portion 4 and telescopic. In particular, legs 6-10 have a first end 64 that is pivotably mounted to a base of apparatus body portion 4. Leg locking means in the form of a rotatable screw 66 are provided on each leg to allow the position of the leg to be locked in place. The pivoting means allow the legs 6-10 to be moved from a substantially erect position, as shown in figure 4a to a substantially folded position, as shown in figures 5b-5c. In moving the legs 6-10 from the erect position to the folded position, legs 6- 10 are moved towards body portion 4. In the folded position, the longitudinal axes of legs 6-10 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of body portion 4 and the legs 6-10 are adjacent the base of body portion 4. In the erect position, the free ends of legs 6-10 are moved apart from each other and away from the base o f body portion 4 to form a splayed position, wherein the legs support the body portion 4 above a floor or ground surface in use.

The length of legs 6- 10 is further reduced in the folded position by making the legs telescopic. This also allows a user to adjust the height of the body portion above a floor surface in use. Each leg 6-10 includes an outer portion 6', 8' 10' which is pivotably attached to the base of body portion 4 and a inner portion 6", 8", 10" that is slidably movable in outer portion 6', 8', 10'. In particular, inner portion 6", 8", 10" are movable from a collapsed position, wherein the inner portion is substantially retracted in outer portion 6', 8', 10', to an extended position, wherein inner portion 6", 8", 10" protrudes outwardly from outer portion 6', 8', 10' in a more extended position relative to the retracted po sition. Leg locking means in the form of a rotatable screw 66 are provided to lock the position of the outer portion and inner portion relative to each other. The legs 6-10 can be extended and retracted between any user selected arbitrary position and/or the legs can be extended and retracted between two or more pre-determined positions as required.

Gripping means, such as foot pads 68 can be provided at the free ends of the legs to increase the friction between the legs and the floor, thereby preventing slippage of the apparatus in use.

Although the pivotable and telescopic arrangement of the legs can be provided independently of the clamping means arrangement and each provide a reduction of the size of the apparatus when in a storage, transport or out-of-use position, the combination of the features provides an even greater reduction in size of the apparatus. For example, the size of the clamping apparatus of the present invention has been reduced by approximately 40%, thereby allowing almo st a 100% increase in the number of apparatus that can be located on a pallet for transportation purposes. It will be appreciated that this significantly reduces the costs associated with both packaging the apparatus and transporting the apparatus.

Claims

1. Clamping apparatus, said clamping apparatus including at least first and second clamping means, at least one of said first and second clamping means movably mounted on guide means to allow the relative distance between the at least first and second clamping means to be adjustable in use, and wherein at least one of the first and second clamping means includes a clamping element that is detachably attached to support means for location in one of at least two different positions on said support means, the support means movably mounted on said guide means.

2. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least two different positions as sociated with the clamping means are pre-determined clamping positions.

3. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least two different positions are provided a spaced distance apart on the support means.

4. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a first clamping position is provided and the clamping element is provided at or adjacent a first end of the support means in said first clamping position.

5. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a second clamping position is provided and the clamping element is provided at or adjacent a second or opposite end of the support means.

6. Clamping apparatus according to claim 5 wherein at least part of the clamping element extends beyond the second or opposite end of the support means in the second clamping position.

7. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamping element is in a first orientation when in a first clamping position and is in a second orientation in a second clamping position.

8. Clamping apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the second orientation of the clamping element is different to or the reverse of the clamping element when in the first orientation.

9. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein attachment means are provided to allow the clamping element to be detachably attached to the support means.

10. Clamping apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the attachment means includes any or any combination of one or more protrusions, pins, recesses, slots, apertures, channels, hooks, clips, ties, screws nut and bolt, inter- engaging members or friction fit.

1 1. Clamping apparatus according to claim 10 wherein one of the support means and clamping element is provided with one or more protrusions and/or pins and the other of the support means and clamping element is provided with one or more reces ses, slots and/or apertures into which the protrusions and/or pins engage with in use.

12. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein locking means are provided to lock the clamping element in position on the support means in at least one of the at least two or more different clamping positions.

13. Clamping apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the locking means are rotatably mounted to allow movement between a locked po sition and an unlocked position.

14. Clamping apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the locking means is in the form of a rotatable clip.

15. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support means are movably mounted on the guide means using movement means.

16. Clamping apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the support means are slidably mounted on the guide means in use.

17. Clamping apparatus according to claim 15 wherein user actuation means are provided to allow user actuation of the movement means to move the support means relative to the guide means.

18. Clamping apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the user actuation means are in the form of a lever and/or foot pedal.

19. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the guide means are in the form of a track or elongate track.

20. Clamping apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the movement means includes any or any combination of one or more pawls, ratchets, inter-engaging members, protrusions, reces ses, apertures, slots, channels, screws, nut and bolt, clips or friction fit.

21. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of the support means and guide means are provided with one or more channels and the other of the support means and guide means are provided with one or more protrusions for location in said channels.

22. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus, support means and/or clamping element can be moved between at least two different working po sitions; a first working position which provides the clamping means with a relatively small clamping range; and a second working position which provides the clamping means with an extended or relatively large clamping range.

23. Clamping apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the clamping element can be moved to the two or more different clamping positions on the support means when the support means is in either the first working position or the second working position.

24. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamping element includes a clamping jaw with at least one arm member protruding therefrom.

25. Clamping apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the at least one arm member is detachably attachable to the support means.

26. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support means is in form of a plate or sleeve like member.

27. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support means remains in engagement with the guide means in both first and at least second working positions and/or in first and at least second clamping positions.

28. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes one or more support feet or legs.

29. Clamping apparatus according to claim 28 wherein one or more of the support feet or legs are pivotably mounted to a body portion of the apparatus, are telescopic and/or are at least partially foldable.

30. Clamping apparatus according to claim 28 wherein one or more of the support feet or legs are movable between a substantially erect position and a substantially collapsed position.

31. Clamping apparatus according to claim 28 wherein support leg or foot locking means are provided to lock a support leg or foot in a particular position in use.

32. A method of using clamping apparatus, said clamping apparatus including at least first and second clamping means, said method including the step of moving at least one of said first and second clamping means on guide means to allow the relative distance between the at least first and second clamping means to be adjustable in use, at least one of the first and second clamping means including a clamping element that is detachably attached to support means for location in one of at least two different positions on said support means in use, the support means movably mounted on said guide means.