V-retainer coupling assembly construction which prevents incorrect installation with reduced width slot

A circumferentially contractible rigid V-retainer coupling assembly for securing a pair of flanged ducts together, comprising:

• a first coupling element having substantially V-shaped cross-section, a first end comprising a first lug and a second end comprising a second lug;
• a second coupling element having a substantially V-shaped cross section, a first end comprising a first lug and a second end comprising a second lug;
• a first means for securing said first lug of said first coupling element to said first lug of said second coupling element;
• and,
• a second means for securing said second lug of said first coupling element to said second lug of said second coupling element, wherein said second means comprises:
• an eyebolt pivotally secured to said first coupling element second lug by a pivot pin, said eyebolt extending through an aperture in said latch base,
• a U-shaped latch including spaced first and second legs and a base wall connecting said legs, each of said legs having a longitudinally extending slot, respective ends of said pivot pin extending through a respective one of said slots so that said latch is pivotally and slidably secured to said second lug of said first coupling element,
• a nut selectively threadable onto a threaded end of said eyebolt, and
• a means for preventing said second lug of said second coupling element from being secured outside said latch, wherein said means for preventing incorrect installation comprises a reduced width slot portion located on at least one leg of said latch, said reduced width slot portion cooperating with a controlled length of said eyebolt to prevent said latch from sliding enough in relation to said eyebolt pivot pin to allow for an incorrect installation to occur.

A circumferentially contractible clamp comprising:

• a band adapted to encircle the object to be clamped;
• first and second ends defined upon said band;
• a pivot pin pivotally mounted on said first end;
• an eyebolt pivotally mounted on said pivot pin;
• a latch slidably and pivotally mounted on said pivot pin;
• a nut selectively threadable onto a threaded end of said eyebolt;
• and,
• a means for preventing an incorrect installation of said second end of said band in relation to said latch, wherein said latch includes a longitudinally extending slot and said means for preventing comprises a reduced width portion of said slot, said reduced width slot portion preventing said latch from sliding far enough in relation to said pivot pin to allow for said band second end to be secured outside said latch.

A method for preventing an incorrect installation of a circumferentially contractible clamp comprising:

• providing a band adapted to encircle an object to be clamped, the band comprising first and second ends, a pivot pin pivotally mounted on the first end, an eyebolt pivotally mounted on the pivot pin, and a latch slidably and pivotally mounted on the pivot pin wherein the pivot pin is slidably mounted in a slot of the latch and wherein a nut is selectively threadable onto a threaded end of the eyebolt;
• limiting a sliding motion of the latch in relation to the pivot pin when manually installing said latch by providing a narrowed portion of the latch slot;
• and,
• preventing the second end of the band from being secured outside the latch.