Abstract: A holding clamp device, for releasably holding a thick planar article over ground, comprising: an elongated main arm member, defining first and second opposite end portions; a pair of first and second tubular bar members, each defining an outer end portion and an opposite inner end portion; a rail member, integral to an intermediate section of the main arm member and slidably engaged by the second bar member inner end portion, wherein the second bar member is maintained by the rail member parallel to the first bar and wherein the second bar member is movable relative to the first bar member while continuously remaining parallel thereto; a first biasing member, continuously biasing the first and second bar members toward one another; and a second biasing member, for discretely biasing the second bar member away from the first bar member, against the continuous bias of the first biasing member.

Abstract: The holding clamp of the invention has a first elongated arm and a second shorter arm both being electrically conducting and interconnected in parallel spaced-apart fashion by a transverse pivotal bracket intermediate their lengths. The first elongated arm is fixedly attached at its upper end to a cathode frame bar and downwardly depends therefrom. A lever pivotally attached to the first arm intermediate the cathode bar and the pivotal bracket engage the upper end of the second arm in clamming fashion to forcibly tilt same between a first limit position, in which the lower ends of the two arms are spaced-apart, and a second limit position, in which the arms lower ends abut one another under the action of coil springs. The lower ends of the arm members form a pair of jaws provided with electrically conducting studs engageable axially to one another, the studs and arms lower ends being otherwise enveloped with a fluid-tight and electrically insulating sleeve, except at the studs outer free ends.

Abstract: A rack or the like intended to be placed in a fluid, such as a rack or the like for use in plating an article or articles, comprising in combination; at least one tubular member of non-electrical conducting material; a bus-bar or the like of electrical conducting material disposed within at least one tubular member; at least one terminal means, including an electrical conducting portion connected to the bus-bar and extending through a portion of the tubular member, the terminal means adapted to engage with an article to be plated; securing means cooperating with the terminal means to positively secure the article to the terminal means and seal means associated with the terminal means for preventing the fluid coming into contact with the bus-bar and the electrical conducting portion of the terminal means. Also disclosed is a novel terminal means and method of securing an article to be plated to a plating rack.