Clamps
US5967477A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B7/1409
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A clamp comprises a tubular support having a number of axially spaced sets of angularly spaced apertures for receiving spheres engageable with the exterior of a pipe and with tapered surfaces on a clamp body. A spring urges the support down in relation to the body to cause the spheres to grip the pipe. Rams can raise the support to release the clamp, whereupon the spheres can enter recesses in the body. The apertures may be axially elongated to accommodate a degree of pipe ovality and have diverging walls for the same purpose. A form of the clamp for gripping a pipe interior is also described. The clamp may have one or more seals for sealing against the pipe and two oppositely acting clamps may form a connector for two pipes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.