US 11,530,767 B2 · Tool-less joiner clamp

Abstract

A tool-less joiner clamp includes a hinged circular body having a forward mating flange and an aft mating flange configured to selectively attach to a forward section flange and an aft section flange of an underwater vehicle, respectively. The forward mating flange has a threaded inner diameter configured to integrate with a threaded outer diameter of the forward section flange, such that rotating the joiner clamp about the forward section flange causes the clamp to move in an axial direction. Also included is a cam lock for selectively closing and tightening the tool-less joiner clamp onto the forward and aft section flanges of the vehicle and may include a quick release mechanism for opening the cam lock. The clamp may also include collapsible handles, and multiple buttons configured to press against a flat surface of the aft mating flange when the joiner clamp is rotated about the forward section flange.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A joiner clamp for joining two sections of an underwater vehicle, the joiner clamp comprising:

a clamp body comprising:
two semi-circular components, each having a first end and a second end and being attached to one another at corresponding first ends with a hinge pin;
a first mating flange configured to attach to a first section flange of the underwater vehicle;
and
a second mating flange having a threaded inner diameter configured to integrate with a threaded outer diameter of a second section flange of the underwater vehicle, such that rotating the joiner clamp about the second section flange operates to move the joiner clamp towards the second section flange in an axial direction;
and
a cam lock configured to selectively secure the corresponding second ends of the two semi-circular components of the clamp body, the cam lock comprising an adjustable locking mechanism, a cam lever configured to selectively close the locking mechanism, and a quick release lever configured to release the cam lever when actuated.

4 more elements

A method of joining a first section and a second section of an underwater vehicle, the method comprising:

selectively attaching a joiner clamp to a first section flange on the first section and a second section flange on a second section, by closing a circular body of the joiner clamp formed by two semi-circular parts that are joined by a hinge, the hinge being operable to open the joiner clamp, such that the first section flange engages with a first mating flange on the joiner clamp and the second section flange mates with a second mating flange on the joiner clamp, the second mating flange having a threaded inner diameter, and the second section flange having a threaded outer diameter configured to integrate with the threaded inner diameter of the second mating flange of the joiner clamp;
and
rotating the joiner clamp about the second section flange, in a first direction, to move the joiner clamp towards the second section flange in an axial direction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tool-less joiner clamp

Life of this patent

Tool-less joiner clamp

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19