US 5,029,907 A · Band for effecting a seal

Abstract

A band assembly for effecting a seal particularly adapted for use in establishing a joint between a sewer pipe and a reinforced concrete manhole riser. The seal is affected by a tapered elastomeric tubular connector boot and a clamping band member that expands one end of the boot into the surface of the riser wall. The band assembly comprises a clamping band and a separate toggle expander. The clamping band includes separated end sections that capture the ends of the toggle expander. When the toggle expander is forced into an expanded position, the clamping band forces the connector boot into contact with the manhole riser. The clamping band includes stiffening lips and the toggle expander also incudes stiffening lips to provide a rigid structure. In one embodiment a tab overlies the end sections in the space of the clamping band and the space therebetween to further improve the evenness of the sealing force applied to the connector boot.

Claims18

Dependent claims

In a clamping system including a circular clamping member with first and second end sections, including stop means and having a first separation therebetween, toggle expander means for increasing the separation between the first and second end sections thereby to force the clamping member into a clamping position, said toggle expander means comprising, as a one-piece member:

A. first and second toggle end means for nesting in and being movable over a limited circumferential distance relative to the first and second end sections of the clamping member respectively, and
B. central expander means positioned between and parallel to said first and second toggle end means transverse axes, defining a central transverse axis, said material of said toggle expander means being bendable about said axes in response to a substantially transverse force against said central expander means at said central axis thereby to move said first and second toggle end means into abutment with the stop means and thereafter to increase the separation between the first and second end sections of the clamping band.

A clamping system for sealing a flexible sealing member in a circular configuration against a circular sealing surface surrounding the sealing member, said system comprising:

A. a flexible circular clamping band means for disposition inside the sealing member having first and second separated, juxtaposed receiving end sections, each of said receiving end section having stop means formed therein, and
B. one-piece toggle expander means including:
i. first and second toggle end sections for nesting in said first and second clamping means receiving end sections respectively, and being movable over a limited circumferential distance relative to said end sections, and
ii. expansible means between said first and second toggle end sections for separating said toggle end sections a predetermined distance, said expansible means being deformable to increase the separation between said toggle end sections thereby initially to move said toggle end sections into said stop means and thereafter to increase the separation between said receiving end sections to force said clamping band against the sealing member and to effect a seal between the sealing member and the sealing surface.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Band for effecting a seal

Life of this patent

Band for effecting a seal

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18