Clamp for an elongated lamp

Abstract

A clamp for an elongated tube style white such as a versa tube. The clamp has one fixed side that holds the versa tube's mounting structure therein. The other side of the clamp is movable, and pivots between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the lamp is held into place, and in the open position the lamp can be removed. A single screw that holds the clamp into the open or closed position is knurled and hence the device can be removed without any tools. The two sides of the clamp occupy different longitudinal positions so that they can be placed directly next to each other, and one opened without moving or disturbing the other since the two sides are in different longitudinal positions.

1 . A clamp for an elongated tube style lamp, comprising:
 a first holding portion, forming a notch which has at least three surfaces including first and second holding surfaces, that form an un-movable pocket which is sized to fit a corresponding first notch on a held lamp; and   a second portion, located spaced a distance from said first portion, said second portion including an un-movable bottom portion, and a movable top portion, where said movable top portion is hinged to pivot relative to said unmovable bottom portion, and said movable top portion has at least one pressing surface which can be pressed into place to hold a second notch of the held element.   
   
   
       2 . A clamp as in  claim 1 , wherein said second portion also includes a hinge between said bottom portion and said top portion, and said pressing surface moves relative to said hinged portion. 
   
   
       3 . A clamp as in  claim 2 , further comprising a spring, pressing said hinged portion toward an upper and unpressed position. 
   
   
       4 . A clamp as in  claim 3 , further comprising a screw with a knurled exterior, capable of being tightened to press the second holding surface into a downward position against a force of said spring. 
   
   
       5 . A clamp as in  claim 1 , further comprising a screw with a knurled exterior, capable of being tightened to press the pressing surface into a downward position against a force of said spring. 
   
   
       6 . A clamp as in  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom housing portion, extending between said first portion and said second portion. 
   
   
       7 . A clamp as in  claim 6 , wherein said first portion and said second portion are adjacent to different parts on the housing portion. 
   
   
       8 . A clamp as in claim six, further comprising an alignment line, formed on said bottom housing portion, at a location that enables aligning an object therewith. 
   
   
       9 . A method, comprising:
 clamping a first elongated lamp into a first clamp that holds nubs on the lamp;   clamping a second elongated lamp directly next to said first elongated lamp, where said second elongated lamp is also held by nubs on the lamp; and   allowing either said first elongated lamp or said second elongated lamp to be removed without removing the other elongated lamp.   
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 9 , wherein said clamping comprises holding one side of the lamp into an un-movable portion, and holding the other side of the lamp using a movable portion. 
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein said unmovable portion and said movable portion are formed in longitudinally-non-adjacent areas of the clamp. 
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 9 , wherein said clamping comprises aligning relative to a machined line on a bottom portion of the housing of the clamp. 
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 9 , wherein said allowing comprises allowing removal by unscrewing a single screw, without any tools being necessary for the unscrewing. 
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein said screw holds a pressing surface against a spring force. 
   
   
       15 . A clamp, comprising:
 a housing portion;   a first side clamping portion, coupled to one side of said housing portion, and positioned for clamping a first side of the lamp, at only plural separated locations on the lamp;   a second side clamping portion, coupled to the other side of said housing portion, and clamping a second side of the lamp, at least at one location on the lamp,
 wherein said at least one location on the lamp is non longitudinally adjacent to said plural locations on the lamp. 
   
   
   
       16 . A clamp as in  claim 15 , wherein said second side clamping portion comprises a portion which pivots relative to an axis between a first location which holds against the nubs on the lamp, and a second position which allows the lamp to be removed. 
   
   
       17 . A clamp as in  claim 16 , wherein said second side clamping portion is held by a single screw which has a knurled outer surface. 
   
   
       18 . A clamp as in  claim 15 , wherein said first clamping portion is fixed and said second clamping portion is openable and closeable. 
   
   
       19 . A clamp as in  claim 15 , further comprising a bottom housing portion, extending between said first and second clamping portions. 
   
   
       20 . A clamp as in  claim 19 , wherein said bottom housing portion includes an alignment line thereon. 
   
   
       21 . A clamp as in  claim 19 , wherein said bottom housing portion includes at least one screw hole therein.