Safety latch

A circumferential safety latch clamp for releasably connecting aligned, flange conduit ends with respect to one another, said clamp operable by an over-center lever actuator pivotable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conduit members being clamped, including a contractible band adapted to encircle the flange ends of the conduit members being clamped, first and second ends defined upon the band disposed adjacent to and displaceable toward each other, a lever pivotally mounted upon the first end positionable between a latch position and an open position, as anchor mounted upon the second end, the lever and anchor having portions releasably engageable with each other being adapted to be operatively associated, the pivoting lever drawing the ends toward each other and limiting displacement of the ends away from each other, the improvement comprising restricting means defined on the clamp lever permitting limited movement of the lever in the opening direction to a partially open safety release position, said restricting means comprising a retainer mounted on the lever for movement with the lever, a retainer seat mounted on the band, said retainer engaging with said seat upon pivoting of the lever to a predetermined partially open position preventing further pivoting of the lever in the opening direction.