Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A clamp which comprises a metal band adapted to be wrapped around a pipe over a suitable gasket. The longitudinal edges of the band are secured to lug bars, one having fingers secured to it and the other having threaded bolts secured to it. The free ends of the bolts are each provided with a nut and washer soldered together to form a nut/washer combination. Each finger is generally U-shaped including a base portion and two leg portions. The bottom edges of the legs adjacent their free ends are welded to a lug bar. The legs converge over a part of their length from a first spacing in the region of the base portion sufficient to accommodate a nut/washer to a second spacing in the region of the lug bar sufficient to accommodate a bolt but not a nut/washer. The top edges of the converging parts of the legs slope outwardly with respect to the bottom edges. The legs have flat ends to accommodate a nut/washer and tabs adjacent the top edges restrain the nut/washer against outward movement while the nut is tightened. During initial closing of the clamp, the legs guide the nut/washer to keep the bolt properly aligned. After the nuts are tightened to a predetermined torque, the solder joints between the nuts and washers break and the nuts are then tightened to a higher torque with the solder acting as a low friction antigall surface between the nuts and washers.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim