Quick release coupling device
AssigneeNiigata Engineering Co., Ltd.
InventorSusumu Takahashi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick release coupling device for securing end flanges of two adjacent pipes includes a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly has a plurality of clamping members disposed to straddle the two end flanges therearound so as to generally circumscribes the two end flanges. Each clamping member either has a spring or is of spring nature for resiliently urging the clamping member radially outwardly of the end flanges. The clamp assembly also has a plurality of connecting members for connecting respective adjacent pairs of clamping members so as to form an annulus provided a gap between two end clamping members. Coupling means is disposed in the gap for releasably connecting one end clamping member and the other end clamping member against the bias of the clamping members so as to complete the annulus.
Claims12
A quick release coupling device for securing end flanges of two adjacent pipes together comprising:
- a clamp assembly including
- (i) a plurality of clamping members disposed to straddle said two end flanges therearound in circumferentially distributed relation so as to generally circumscribe said two end flanges, each clamping member resiliently urged radially outwardly of said end flanges, and
- (ii) a plurality of connecting members for connecting respective adjacent pairs of clamping members together so as to form an annulus provided with a gap between first and second end clamping members;
- and
- (iii) coupling means disposed in said gap for releasably connecting said first and second end clamping members together against the resilient urging of said clamping members so as to complete said annulus and to hold said clamp assembly securely on said end flanges, each of said clamping members includes an arcuate spring plate which has an arcuate inner surface of radius of curvature larger than a radius of said end flanges in released condition, in which said first and second end clamping members are disconnected, and is flexed to circumscribe said end flanges in a coupled condition in which said first and second end clamping members are coupled by said coupling means, and each of said connecting members comprising a connecting fitting attached to each adjacent pair of clamping members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.