Abstract: A vacuum-type clamping device for releasably holding a ski or other workpiece in a stationary position. The device is attached to a table by a C-clamp having the usual threaded rod. A suction cup is fixedly mounted on the non-clamping end of the rod and a nut carrying a rigid support ring having a pair of diametrically opposed contact portions is threadedly engaged with the rod. A surface of the workpiece is pressed into engagement with the upwardly facing, concave surface of the suction cup. The nut is then advanced on the threaded rod to bring the contact portions of the ring into engagement with the workpiece surface at positions on opposite sides of and spaced outwardly from the peripheral lip of the suction cup. Continued advance of the nut urges the workpiece away from the cup, thereby increasing the clamping force to the desired degree. The nut is rotated in the opposite direction to permit removal of the workpiece.

Abstract: A ski wax applicator for applying melted wax to the running surface of a ski comprises a housing including proximal and distal handle portions for manually manipulating the device over the ski running surfacae. Within the housing a wax container is removably provided into which wax may be deposited and melted via an internal heating element. The melted wax travels from holes in the bottom of the container at a controlled rate through a plurality of linearly spaced, wax permeable wicks positioned colinearly within heat conductive pipes or conduits. These small wicks extend into linearly spaced bores in a large wick which is removably positioned at the bottom of the housing for engagement with the ski surface, extending laterally across the full width of the ski. A pair of spring loaded, rectilinear bars are located, one on each side of and parallel to the large wick. As the device is drawn in one direction along the ski surface, the proximal bar heats the ski surface to increase the porosity thereof.