US 4,746,127 A · Adjustable clamping band for gaskets and method for using same

Abstract

A clamping band for clamping a resilient gasket against an opening within a wall to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The clamping band is generally circular-shaped and has an elongated slot extending inwardly from one free end of the clamping band and cooperates with an elongated projection of reduced cross section as compared with the nominal cross section of the clamping band and which is provided at the opposite end of the band. The projection is inserted into the slot, the clamping band is placed against the gasket arranged within the aforesaid opening and the gasket is expanded a predetermined amount by an hydraulic expander to exert the desired clamping pressure upon the resilient gasket. One surface of the projection is provided with a series of teeth. An opening communicating with said slot receives a wedge fitted into said opening and having several teeth along one surface thereof, which teeth conform to the teeth of said projection. Insertion of the wedge inter-engages the teeth of the projection and the wedge locking the clamping band in the desired position with the requisite amount of the clamping pressure. The wedge is preferably tapped into the locking position and is also removable for whatever purpose and is reusable. The teeth may be replaced with openings in opposite sidewalls of the slot and in the projection. The insert is replaced by drive pins inserted into cooperating openings in the projection and sidewalls.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A clamping apparatus including a clamping band for clamping a gasket against an opening in a sidewall so as to form a fluid-tight seal between said gasket and said sidewall, said clamping band comprising:

a substantially annular-shaped member having a discontinuity so as to define first and second ends thereof;
one of said ends having a reduced cross section relative to the nominal cross section of said clamping band;
said opposite end having an elongated slot for slidably receiving said projection;
first locking means provided along at least one surface of said projection;
an opening provided in said clamping band and communicating with said elongated slot;
second locking means insertable through said opening and cooperating with said first locking means when positioned in said opening to lock said projection in said slot to prevent displacement of said clamping band from its annular dimension.

3 more elements

A method for installing a gasket assembly within an opening of a sidewall, said gasket assembly comprising a gasket having a flange and a clamping band whose free ends respectively comprise a projection having a cross section of reduced size as compared with the nominal cross section of said clamping band and an elongated slot for freely slidably receiving said projection and having an opening communicating with said slot, said projection having locking means along at least one surface thereof, said method comprising the steps of:

placing said flange against the surface of said opening so that the outer periphery of said flange is adapted to engage the surface of said opening;
placing said clamping band projection into said slot;
arranging said clamping band so that its outer periphery engages the inner periphery of the gasket flange positioned within said opening;
expanding the circumference of said clamping band by the application of force to the inner periphery thereof until the flange of the resilient gasket is compressed to a desired amount;
providing a second locking means having a locking surface which inter-engages with a locking surface of said first locking means and inserting said second locking means into said opening to place the surfaces of said first and second locking means into engagement with one another whereby the gasket is maintained under the desired compression between said sidewall opening and said clamping band;
and
relieving the expansion pressure from said clamping band.

4 more elements

placing said flange against the surface of said opening so that the outer periphery of said flange is adapted to engage the surface of said opening;
placing said clamping band projection into said slot;
arranging said clamping band so that its outer periphery engages the inner periphery of the gasket flange positioned within said opening;
expanding the circumference of said clamping band by the application of force to the inner periphery thereof until the flange of the resilient gasket is compressed to a desired amount;
providing a second locking means and inserting said second locking means through said opening and said first mentioned locking means whereby the gasket is maintained under the desired compression between said sidewall opening and said clamping band;
and
relieving the expansion pressure from said clamping band.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable clamping band for gaskets and method for using same

Life of this patent

Adjustable clamping band for gaskets and method for using same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24