US Patent 9421673 Helicopter rotor blade clamp

An apparatus comprises frame plates, lever arms, a linkage assembly, bridge arms, upper pad assemblies, and lower pad assemblies. The lever arms are operative to pivot relative to the frame plates. The linkage assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame plates and to the lever arms. The bridge arms are pivotally coupled to the lever arms. The upper pad assemblies are pivotally coupled to the bridge arms. Lastly, the lower pad assemblies are pivotally coupled to the frame plates. Pivoting the lever arms in a first direction translates the upper pad assemblies towards the lower pad assemblies, and pivoting the lever arms in a second direction translates the upper pad assemblies away from the lower pad assemblies. Actuation of the linkage assembly is operative to cause the lever arms to pivot.