an elastomeric gripping element is supported and mounted by a housing and is configured to have an interference fit under normal conditions with the surface of the object to be gripped . the housing and the surface to be gripped are separated by a gap . for gripping mating with the surface , the elastomeric gripping element is initially stretched by operative means in the housing element in an axial direction parallel to the generating element of the comating surface to be gripped , with an attendant reduction in its cross - sectional thickness perpendicular to the direction of stretch . in this manner , the gripping element interference with the comating surface of the object to be gripped is minimized or eliminated for installation . when positioning for the installation mating is accomplished , the gripping element tension is selectively released , permitting the gripping element to attempt to return to an unstretched position and thereby to assume a preloaded position against the comating surface . release of the gripped object is accomplished by retensioning the elastomeric gripping element . the gripping element may be repeatably disengaged and reengaged by selectably restretching the gripping element and then selectably releasing it upon completion of repositioning .