: Hi. I'm not clear on what I'm seeing. What are the clips doing? It looks as
: if the rubber bands underneath them are applying all of the pressure, and
: the clips are merely pressing the tops of the rubber bands into the
: strips. I must be missing something. (Wouldn't be the first time; won't be
: the last.)

the clamps pinch the ends (and middles) of the rubber bands -- which are wound around the strips -- and keep them from unwinding.

The rubber bands pull the strips together, the clamps keep the rubber bands n place.

PGJ