Unusual c-clamps

[ed4banger]

Trying to determine exactly what these are, or what they were used for. Picked up about a dozen of these the other day. The notches must have been there fore some purpose. The indicia indicates a patent date of 1882. Thanks.

 

[a40lover]

Ive never seen one like it, so no info. Cool tho !

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Appear to be handle grips

 

[davethorik]

No help on the clamps but I've seen a lot of vintage tools notched like that. Not sure if it was to add grip or some sort of personal identification.

 

[drivesitfar]

Ed: i'd second the hand grips for the notches. can't say i've seen any like that and you said you found several? I think we need more pictures?

your clamps already had my attention with the butterfly grips on the ends of the screws, but the handle (if that's what it is) really makes it unique.

nice finds!!

here's the link for the clamp thread I started a year or so ago if you'd like to add it to there with maybe some of your other clamps and the way you store them.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293054&highlight=clamps+101

 

[ed4banger]

Ed: i'd second the hand grips for the notches. can't say i've seen any like that and you said you found several? I think we need more pictures?

your clamps already had my attention with the butterfly grips on the ends of the screws, but the handle (if that's what it is) really makes it unique.

nice finds!!

here's the link for the clamp thread I started a year or so ago if you'd like to add it to there with maybe some of your other clamps and the way you store them.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293054&highlight=clamps+101

Thanks. I've got 14, 10 of the size pictured, and 4 of a smaller size.

 

[larry_g]

In my minds eye I see those notches for holding something like a rod that would provide a depth stop, something like a modern 3 way clamp. Or they might be clamped onto a fixture or frame with the notches for location. I do not see those as finger notches, to small and to sharp and no need for both sides.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ed4banger]

In my minds eye I see those notches for holding something like a rod that would provide a depth stop, something like a modern 3 way clamp. Or they might be clamped onto a fixture or frame with the notches for location. I do not see those as finger notches, to small and to sharp and no need for both sides.

lg
no neat sig line

I agree. This clamp supported some other "thing", or its possible the notches could have functioned as a rudimentary alignment guide when a plurality of such vises were fastened along a beam for example.

 

[Jazz1]

Possibly a board was slid through "handle"...never seen any but i'll keep an eye out.

 

[jeffer949]

could you look up the pat. number?

 

[ed4banger]

could you look up the pat. number?

I could, but no Patent # provided, only a date. I should say, I'm a retired patent examiner (34 years), and wish for the first time after retiring that I had access to the search tools of an examiner. I could figure this out. Oh well.....

 

[Lee Celtic]

I'm sure if the 'teeth' were for grip they would be on both sides..

In my head (strange place don't stay too long) I can see them clamped on their side to an upright with the teeth along the top, then a metal dowel or ring sitting in the teeth bridging the gap with a plumb line suspended from the dowel/ring then the line position can be moved without moving the clamp..

Or you could thread timber through a few and make a coat hanger for the man cave..

told you it was a strange place..

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What's the date? It's hard to read. I see "PAT. JAN. 24. ? AU??2." I saw you cite 1882 in your first post, but would you please transcribe the entire marking, verbatim.

 

[Provincial]

The wing on the screw was common on clamps used for quilting. Combined with the wide clamping surface and the unusual shape of the "hand grip" I would research quilting clamps.

 

[ed4banger]

What's the date? It's hard to read. I see "PAT. JAN. 24. ? AU??2." I saw you cite 1882 in your first post, but would you please transcribe the entire marking, verbatim.

Big ones as best as I can tell: "PAT.JAN.24 ? AUG.882"

Small ones: "PAT.JAN.24.82"

 

[Private Lugnutz]

January 24, 1882 is a Tuesday (as you know, typical issue day), so that makes sense. No patents for clamps listed in DATAMP, though. Not sure what's going on with the other marking. Re-issue? Renewal?

 

[ed4banger]

January 24, 1882 is a Tuesday (as you know, typical issue day), so that makes sense. No patents for clamps listed in DATAMP, though. Not sure what's going on with the other marking. Re-issue? Renewal?

Yes its a Tuesday, but that date may be the filing date not the Patent date. I have looked at every single patent issued on that day, and there is no slimier clamp.

 

[ed4banger]

Well, I've spent a lot of time trying to identify these clamps, and I give up. Cleaned them up a little, and next stop is eBay auction starting tonight. Anyone wanting to make an offer on these before then is welcome.