Ratchet clamp for pipe coupling

A pipe coupling comprising:

• a coupling band and an elastomeric seal disposed inside said coupling band;
• ratchet depressions formed on a portion of said coupling band;
• and
• a ratchet rod assembly mounted on another portion of said coupling band, said ratchet rod assembly comprising a ratchet rod formed with ratchet teeth that interface with said ratchet depressions, such that rotation of said ratchet rod causes said ratchet teeth to progressively advance from one set of said ratchet depressions to another set of said ratchet depressions, which reduces an inner diameter of said elastomeric seal in said coupling band;
• wherein a gear arrangement is located at a portion of said ratchet rod distanced from opposite ends of said ratchet rod, and rotation of gear arrangement causes rotation of said ratchet rod to cause said ratchet teeth to progressively advance from one set of said ratchet depressions to another set of said ratchet depressions, which reduces an inner diameter of said elastomeric seal in said coupling band;
• and
• wherein said ratchet teeth are formed on one or more sleeves that fit over a drive rod of said ratchet rod assembly, and wherein said year arrangement comprises a housing through which said drive rod is journaled, and a spur gear is mounted on said drive rod and a worm gear rod is journaled in said housing and meshes with said spur gear, said worm gear rod comprising at least one end shaped to interface with a tightening tool configured to cause rotation of said ratchet rod.