Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clamping apparatus that is designed to be modular to facilitate use in numerous applications. In particular the modularity is fast and easy to manually perform without the need of tools. This modularity is facilitated by elongated elements which are configured to resist undesired removal, but facilitate desired removal. The modularity of the clamping apparatus is facilitated with the use of many interchangeable shoes and a variety of structural jaws. The clamping apparatus may be operated with the option of using a power tool, hand tool, or handle elongated element and may be configured to facilitate single hand operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clamping apparatus that includes an upper jaw structure having a hinge end and a clamp end, a lower jaw structure having a hinge end and a clamp end, and a hinge located at the hinge ends of the upper and lower jaw structures, the hinge providing for rotation of upper jaw structure with respect to the lower jaw structure. The clamping apparatus includes an elongated element threadably attached to the first and second upper jaw structures between the hinge end and the clamp end of each of the first and second upper jaw structures, wherein rotation of the elongated element in a first direction causes the clamp end of the upper jaw structure to move closer to the clamp end of the lower jaw structure. The elongated element includes an end configured to receive a tool configured to facilitate the rotation of the elongated element.