The present invention relates generally to clamps and grip rings for pipes, and particularly to a clamp assembly with a resilient band formed with notches.
Many kinds of removable band-type couplings or clamps for pipes exist in the art. It is noted that throughout the specification and claims, the term “pipe” encompasses any kind of generally cylindrical object.
One kind of clamp has a resilient band that wraps around the pipe and is sealingly tightened on the pipe with bolts or screws. The resilient band is typically made of sheet metal.
An example of such a prior art resilient band 6 is shown in
The present invention seeks to provide an improved clamp assembly that solves the problem of the prior art, as is described more in detail hereinbelow.
There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a clamp assembly including a curved resilient band terminating in a radial direction in two clamp members and in an axial direction in two end faces that are bent radially inwards, the resilient band being adapted to receive therein an elastomeric seal that contacts an outer contour of a pipe, wherein the end faces are formed with a plurality of notches, each of the notches having an open end facing radially inwards and a closed end opposite to the open end, the closed end being wider than the open end.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the notch has a stepped increase in width at the closed end.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention the notch gradually increases in width from the open end to the closed end.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the closed end includes a circular terminus extending from and wider than the rest of the notch.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the notches are radially equally spaced from one another.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention the notches are radially unequally spaced from one another.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an elastomeric seal is disposed in the resilient band.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a fastener, including a shank, operative to fasten the clamp members towards each other in a direction along the shank so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on the elastomeric seal that contacts the pipe so that the clamp assembly clamps the pipe.
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:
Reference is now made to
Clamp assembly 10 includes a curved resilient band 12 terminating in a radial direction in two clamp members 14 and 16, and in an axial direction in two end faces 18 and 20 that are bent radially inwards. Resilient band 12 is adapted to receive therein an elastomeric seal 22 (shown partially in broken lines) that contacts an outer contour of a pipe 13. A fastener 23, such as a bolt or screw that has a shank, fastens the clamp members 14 and 16 towards each other in a direction along the shank so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on the elastomeric seal 22 that contacts the pipe so that the clamp assembly clamps the pipe.
The end faces 18 and 20 are formed with a plurality of notches 24. Each notch 24 has an open end 26 facing radially inwards and a closed end 28 opposite to the open end 26. The closed end 28 is wider than the open end 26, and this structure has been found to reduce and even eliminate stresses in the vicinity of the notches 24 to solve the problem of the prior art.
In the illustrated embodiment of
Alternatively, as shown in
The scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1830782 | Burnish et al. | Nov 1931 | A |
2403449 | Meyer et al. | Jul 1946 | A |
2773710 | Smith | Dec 1956 | A |
2893097 | Hill et al. | Jul 1959 | A |
3235293 | Condon | Feb 1966 | A |
3861723 | Kunz et al. | Jan 1975 | A |
4128921 | Heinze et al. | Dec 1978 | A |
4468842 | Perry et al. | Sep 1984 | A |
4715626 | Gehring et al. | Dec 1987 | A |
5280970 | Straub | Jan 1994 | A |
5700043 | Rohard et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5851038 | Robinson et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
6293556 | Krausz | Sep 2001 | B1 |
7055223 | Cassel et al. | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7320485 | Amendolea et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7341287 | Gibb et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7425023 | Hartig et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7533910 | Ma et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
7571940 | Krausz | Aug 2009 | B2 |
20040104576 | Krausz et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040108713 | Krausz et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20070273151 | Krausz et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20110095520 | Krausz | Apr 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
8804348 | Oct 1988 | DE |
19514940 | Oct 1996 | DE |
0286561 | Oct 1988 | EP |
0550813 | Jul 1993 | EP |
Entry |
---|
PCT Search Report PCT/US2015/039261, Sep. 24, 2012. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20120299295 A1 | Nov 2012 | US |