Importance

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Abstract

A clamping apparatus for use in clamping a fitting to a pipe or other fitting. The apparatus may be used without supporting the outer surface of the pipe on the opposite side of the fitting, and in the case of a buried pipe, only a portion of the pipe needs to be excavated. The apparatus comprises a clamping plate for engaging an outer surface of the fitting with an adjusting stem threadingly engaged with the clamping plate. A locking bar is pivotally and rotatably attached to an end of the adjusting stem. A weight differential between long and short ends of said locking bar and a cable are used to pivot the locking bar between a first position thereof wherein the locking bar and a portion of the stem may be inserted through aligned openings in the fitting and pipe and a second position. In the second position, the clamping bar may be clampingly engaged with an inner surface of the pipe by rotation of the adjusting stem which also results in the clamping plate being clampingly engaged with an outer surface of the fitting. A lock nut locks the apparatus in the clamping position. The fitting may then be permanently attached to the pipe, such as by an electrofusion process, after which the apparatus may be unclamped and removed. A method of attaching a fitting to a pipe using the apparatus is also disclosed.

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First Claim