A clamp is a holding device composed of two parallel jaws and a force-generating mechanism that draws them together to secure objects in place. The mechanism varies by type — a screw clamp uses threaded rotation, a spring clamp uses elastic tension, a toggle clamp uses mechanical advantage, and a C-clamp combines a C-shaped frame with a lead screw. The jaws may be flat, curved, or padded depending on the application. Clamps persist as physical artifacts shaped by manufacturing processes (casting, machining, molding) and their form is maintained through material integrity. [formal: clampa | substrate: matter | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.12]
Accepted ontology entry
clamp
A clamp is a holding device composed of two parallel jaws and a force-generating mechanism that draws them together to secure objects in place. The mechanism varies by type — a screw clamp uses threaded rotation, a spring clamp uses elasti…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made holding device consisting of two jaws and a mechanism to draw them together under pressure, used to secure objects in place during work or storage. Built from rigid materials (metal, wood, plastic) with a tightening mechanism (screw, lever, spring, or toggle) to generate and maintain clamping force.
Names and aliases
- clampen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmsohg3w401m7jlss7ci3a9mbINSTANCE_OF →
A clamp IS a specific kind of fastener — a device that holds objects together by pressure. Per Law 9: specific→general. Files against nearest kind, since fastener is more specific than tool. Dir test: clamp is a kind of fastener, not the reverse.
- cmsomvxcm0267jlssa3kqk407DEPENDS_ON →
A clamp's function is to apply and maintain pressure on an object. Remove pressure from the concept and the clamp loses its entire mechanism — it stops operating. Law 8: present-tense removal test. A clamp that does not apply pressure is not a clamp.
Relations to this entry
- desk-clamp← INSTANCE_OF
A desk-clamp is a specific kind of clamp: a holding device with two jaws drawn together by a screw or cam mechanism to secure objects to a desk edge. Competent speaker would call a desk-clamp 'a clamp' used for desk mounting. Nearest kind is clamp, not fastener directly, per Law 11e. Specific→general.
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 11, 2026, 7:48 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 43117f4ea81306edbd41628567203b92b86f7a4abe26ba041b14e6e6916bd3bb