Abstract:
A clamping assembly comprising two shoes, each shoe having a base from which depend spaced-apart ears, the ears cooperating with the base to form tapered recesses, each shoe further having a flange on the opposite side of the base from the ears, each flange having an aperture therethrough for receipt of a bolt, the two shoes being able to be cooperatively positioned such that the flanges are proximate to one another and tightening of a nut on the bolt decreases the space between the flanges, each shoe being formed from a single piece of metal. In one embodiment the flange of the clamping assembly further includes a hold-down edge, the axis of which is transverse to the axis of the bolt when the shoes are cooperatively positioned with the flanges proximate to one another but not necessarily in contact with one another. In another embodiment the clamping assembly further comprises a utility article mounted to one shoe. Such utility article may be a support, such as a pipe support which can be mounted to the shoe by means of welding. Methods of using the clamping assembly are also disclosed wherein the shoes are cooperatively positioned on a clampable fixed object such as an I-beam and substantially planar surfaces of objects desired to be clamped are abutted and held in place thereby. The unique configuration of the assembly provides for easy fabrication and unexpected stability and performance under high loadings, as well as ease of application and removal.