Accessory clamp having a rod clamp and an accessory interface
An accessory clamp for use with a rod includes an accessory interface and a corresponding rod clamp. The accessory interface includes at least one of at least one accessory hook and at least one accessory T-slot. By one approach, at least one of the accessory hooks comprises a pivoting accessory hook. By one approach the rod clamp can comprise a universal rod clamp. As one example in these regards, the universal rod clamp can include a selectively variable gripping surface to accommodate a variety of rod diameters. By one approach the accessory interface and the corresponding rod clamp can pivot with respect to one another.
1. An accessory clamp for use with a rod, comprising:
an accessory interface having:
at least one pivoting accessory hook having a pivoting range of at least 90° but no more than 300°;
at least one accessory T-slot; and
a bracket; and
a universal rod clamp that is operably coupled to the accessory interface and having:
a pair of gripping arms that pivot with respect to one another about a pin that connects to the bracket, wherein each of the gripping arms includes at least a first and second rod-receiving recess wherein each of the rod-receiving recesses comprises a rounded, concave indentation formed in an interior face of the corresponding gripping arm and wherein the first and second rod-receiving recesses are sized differently from one another to thereby accommodate a variety of rod diameters;
an adjustable latch that is configured to lock the gripping arms in place on the rod.
2. An accessory clamp for use with a rod, comprising:
an accessory interface that includes a bracket;
a universal rod clamp that is operably coupled to the accessory interface and having:
a pair of gripping arms that pivot with respect to one another about a pin that connects to the bracket, wherein each of the gripping arms includes at least a first and second rod-receiving recess and wherein the first and second rod-receiving recesses are sized differently from one another to thereby accommodate a variety of rod diameters;
an adjustable latch that is configured to lock the gripping arms in place on the rod.
3. The accessory clamp of claim 2 wherein the accessory interface includes at least one of:
at least one accessory hook; and
at least one accessory T-slot.
4. The accessory clamp of claim 3 wherein the accessory interface includes at least both of:
the at least one accessory hook; and
the at least one accessory T-slot.
5. The accessory clamp of claim 4 wherein the accessory interface includes at least two of the at least one accessory hook.
6. The accessory clamp of claim 5 wherein at least one of the accessory hooks comprises a pivoting accessory hook.
7. The accessory clamp of claim 5 wherein the at least two of the accessory hooks each comprise a pivoting accessory hook.
8. The accessory clamp of claim 7 wherein the pivoting accessory hooks each have a pivoting range of at least 90° but no more than 300°.