# US 5,706,862 A · Pipe repair device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,862 A - Document ID: US5706862A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/741,651 - Filed: 1996-10-31 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-10-31 - Inventors: Wesley C. Meinerding, Sr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706862A ## CPC - F16L 33/08: in which a worm coacts with a part of the hose-encircling member that is toothed like a worm-wheel - F16L 33/02: Hose-clips - F16L 55/17: by means of rings, bands or sleeves pressed against the outside surface of the pipe or hose - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A pipe repair device (10) includes a slotted strap (18) having a first end (20) and a second end (22). The second end (22) of the strap (18) is connected to an adjusting mechanism (24) that is operable to engage the slots in the strap (18) to increase or decrease the diameter of the loop formed when the first end (20) of the strap (18) engages the adjusting mechanism (24). A sealing member (14) having a pair of spaced, substantially parallel slots (50) is slidably carried by the strap (18) through the engagement of the strap (18) with both slots (50). A body portion (52) of the sealing member (14) that is disposed between both slots (50) is disposed radially inward of the strap (18). A backing plate (60) is carried by the sealing member (14) between the sealing member (14) and the strap (18). The backing plate (60) has two tabs (64) that are inserted in the slots (50) causing the backing plate (60) to be retentively carried by the sealing member (14). The tabs (64) are separated from the main body (62) of the plate (60) by pairs of aligned notches (66). The pairs of aligned notches (66) are connected to the main body (62) by neck portions (68) that are slightly less wide than the length of the slots (50). The engagement of the tabs (64) with the slots (50) allows the sealing member (14) and the backing plate (60) to be rotated as a unit about the circumference of the loop to be positioned over a fault in a pipe (12). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pipe repair device for repairing a leak in a pipe comprising, a strap, a sealing member slidingly carried by said strap, passing through said sealing member to support it and a backing plate carried by said sealing member and interposed between said strap and said sealing member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A pipe repair device according to claim 1, wherein said sealing member has a pair of slots, said strap passing through both of said slots. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A pipe repair device according to claim 2, wherein said slots are spaced and substantially parallel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A pipe repair device according to claim 2, wherein said backing plate has a pair of tabs, said backing plate being carried by said sealing member through the engagement of said tabs with said slots. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A pipe repair device according to claim 1, wherein said strap is wrapped about the pipe to position a substantial portion of said sealing member between the pipe and said strap. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A pipe repair device according to claim 5, wherein a substantial portion of said backing plate is disposed between said sealing member and said strap. ### Claim 7 A pipe repair device comprising, a strap; a backing plate having two tabs and a body portion, each of said tabs being separated from said body portion by a neck; a sealing member having two spaced, substantially parallel slots; said sealing member having a central body portion disposed between said slots; said strap passing through both of said slots such that said central body portion is disposed radially inward of said strap when said strap is wrapped around the pipe; each tab of said backing plate engaging one of said slots in said sealing member such that said body portion of said backing plate is disposed between said strap and said sealing member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A pipe repair device according to claim 7, wherein each of said slots in said sealing member has a length and each of said necks has a width, said width of said necks being slightly less than said length of said slots. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A pipe repair device according to claim 7, wherein the pipe has a longitudinal axis and each of said slots in said sealing member has a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis of each of said slots in said sealing member being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of the pipe. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A pipe repair device according to claim 7 further comprising, an adjusting mechanism attached to one end of said strap, said adjusting mechanism adapted to receive an other end of said strap to form a loop and to selectively adjust the diameter of said loop. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A pipe repair device according to claim 10, wherein said adjusting mechanism comprises a worm gear rotatably mounted in a housing, said strap having a plurality of slots sequentially engaging said worm gear to adjust the diameter of said loop. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) A pipe repair device according to claim 7, wherein said sealing member and said backing plate are circumferentially adjustable about said strap. ### Claim 13 A pipe repair device, comprising an adjustable strap having a first end and a second end, said strap further having a plurality of slots disposed therein; an adjusting connector disposed on said second end of said strap and adapted to accept said first end of said strap to form a loop for encompassing a pipe within the range set by said plurality of slots; a rotating worm gear fastener attached to said adjusting connector, said rotating worm gear fastener engaging said slots in said strap so that when said rotating worm gear fastener is rotated, the loop varies in diameter so as to adjustably encompass various diameter pipes; a backing plate; and a sealing member slidably disposed on said strap and carrying said backing plate, said strap passing through said member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A pipe repair device according to claim 13, wherein said backing plate has a width and a length, said sealing member also having a width and a length, said width of said backing plate being substantially equal to said width of said sealing member. ### Claim 15 A pipe repair device for use with a pipe clamp having a strap, the pipe repair device comprising a sealing member having two spaced, substantially parallel slots; and a backing plate having two tabs, each of said tabs engaging a slot in said sealing member to connect said backing plate to said sealing member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A pipe repair device according to claim 15, wherein said sealing member has a central body portion, said central body portion being disposed radially inward of said strap when the strap is passed through said slots. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A pipe repair device according to claim 16, wherein said backing plate has a body portion, said body portion of said backing plate being disposed between the strap and said central body portion of said sealing member when the strap is passed through said slots.