Expansion type clamping band characterized by simplified design and ease of use

An expansion type clamping assembly, comprising:

• an annular band having first and second ends;
• each of said ends having an elongated guide slot extending substantially in a circumferential direction;
• said first and second ends overlapping one another in a lateral direction causing a side of one of said ends to engage an adjacent side of the other of said ends;
• the engaging sides being diagonally aligned to form first and second skewed sliding surfaces slidably engaging one another;
• an elongated threaded member extending through said guide openings;
• and
• a threaded nut threadedly engaging said elongated threaded member whereby, when said nut is tightened, the ends of said band are compressed using said ends to slide relative to one another thereby increasing the circumference of said clamping band.

In combination, a cast member, a gasket and an expansion type clamping assembly;

• said cast member having an opening;
• said gasket comprising an annular-shaped, resilient compressible member having a first portion extending into the opening in said cast member;
• said clamping band assembly being positioned against an inner periphery of said first portion;
• said clamping band assembly comprising;
• an annular-shaped band having first and second ends;
• said first and second ends each being bent over inward portions of the band and joined at given locations therealong respectively forming first and second elongated guide openings;
• said first and second bent over ends each having guide surfaces on respective sides thereof which are skewed relative to side surfaces of said band adjacent said skewed surfaces;
• said band being arranged so that the end portions thereof containing said guide openings overlap one another in a lateral direction to arrange the first and second skewed surfaces slidable to be in engagement with one another;
• an elongated threaded member extending through said guide openings having a portion thereof resting against one of said side surfaces, said threaded member extending beyond the remaining side surface;
• and
• a threaded nut engaging the elongated threaded member which, when tightened causes the first and second engaging skewed surfaces to slide along one another thereby reducing a total width of the overlapping ends while expanding an outer circumference of said band against the first portion of said gasket to compress said gasket between said clamping band assembly and the opening in said cast member whereby the compressed gasket exerts a force upon the clamping band assembly including engaging surfaces of the ends of the band having the skewed surfaces to prevent the clamping band, nut and threaded member from loosening due to vibration or other similar external influences.

An expansion clamping assembly, comprising:

• an annular shaped expansion band having first and second ends;
• said first and second ends each having guide surfaces on respective sides thereof which are skewed relative to side surfaces of said band adjacent said skewed surfaces;
• said band being arranged so that the end portions thereof overlap one another in a lateral direction to arrange the first and second skewed surfaces in slidable engagement with one another;
• and
• a compression assembly engaging side surfaces of opposite ends of said band and including threaded means for moving said band ends toward one another whereby said skewed surfaces slide along one another to expand said band outwardly.