Abstract: A plate lifting clamp may include a body with a slot sized to receive the plate. A contact member may be positioned at a first side of the slot, and a cam may be attached to the body and positioned at the slot across from the contact member. The cam may include a contact section that extends along a first peripheral edge that faces towards the contact member and contacts against the plate when the cam is in a first rotational position. The cam may also include a second peripheral edge that includes teeth that each includes a first face and a second face. A pawl may be pivotally attached to the body to contact the teeth on the cam. The teeth and the pawl may be configured to control rotation of the cam.