The present invention is directed to a clamping device, system, and method for clamping a workpiece. The clamping device comprises a slide bar having a fixed jaw and a selectively movable member slidingly coupled to the slide bar. The movable member comprises a housing having a cylinder coupled thereto, wherein an inlet port associated with the with a first end cap of the cylinder is in selective fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source. The pressurized fluid source is operable to linearly translate a piston within the cylinder, therein selectively translating a rod and movable jaw to selectively clamp the workpiece between the fixed jaw and the movable jaw based upon an application of fluid pressure to the inlet port. A locking mechanism operable to selectively engage the slide bar is further coupled to the housing, therein selectively preventing a movement of the housing away from the fixed jaw.
A bar clamp (10) comprising a bar (16), a first clamping jaw (12) mounted on the bar, a second clamping jaw (14) sliding mounted on the bar, at least one of the clamping jaws (12,14) comprising a double-faced clamping jaw (12A, 12B, 14A, 14B) comprising one face facing one end of the bar and another face facing an opposite end of the bar, wherein centers of both faces of the double-faced clamping jaw are positioned at substantially equal heights from the bar, and a jaw advancing mechanism (20) coupled to the second clamping jaw (14) and adapted to move the second clamping jaw (14) selectively towards or away from the first clamping jaw (12).
