US 6,712,542 B2 · Apparatus and method for altering the tension of a clampband

Abstract

A releasable clampband apparatus and an associated method gently alter clampband tension, such that clampband tension may be reduced after the need for high clampband tension is no longer present, but before clampband separation. Thus, equipment or electronics contained in elements joined by the clampband are protected from excessive shock upon clampband separation. The releaseable clampband apparatus includes a discontinuous clampband having at least one opening. A connector is fixed to one side of the clampband opening and extends across the opening. A housing is fixed to the other side of the clampband opening and has a cavity surrounding at least a portion of the connector. A moveable positioning assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing cavity and is connected to the connector such that movement of the assembly with respect to the housing alters the clampband tension by varying the size of the opening.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A releasable clampband apparatus, comprising:

a discontinuous clampband having at least one opening defined between a first end and a second end of said clampband;
a connector extending across the opening of said clampband, wherein said connector is fixedly attached to one of the first end and second end of said clampband and moveably attached to the other one of the first end and second end of said clampband;
a housing surrounding a portion of said connector, wherein said housing defines a cavity and is attached to the other one of the first end and second end of said clampband;
and
a moveable positioning assembly at least partially disposed within the cavity defined by said housing, said moveable positioning assembly connected to said connector such that relative movement of said moveable positioning assembly with respect to said housing alters the tension to which said clampband is subjected,
wherein said moveable positioning assembly comprises a first piston body and a second piston body, wherein the first piston body and second piston body are sized and shaped such that at least a portion of one of the first and second piston bodies fits within at least a portion of the other one of the first and second piston bodies.

3 more elements

An apparatus for altering the tension of a discontinuous clampband having at least one opening defined between a first end and a second end of the clampband, comprising:

a connector extending across the opening of the clampband, wherein said connector is fixedly attached to one of the first end and second end of the clampband and moveably attached to the other one of the first end and second end of said clampband;
a housing surrounding a portion of said connector, wherein said housing defines a cavity and is attached to the other one of the first end and second end of the clampband;
and
a moveable positioning assembly at least partially disposed within the cavity defined by said housing, said moveable positioning assembly connected to said connector such that relative movement of said moveable positioning assembly with respect to said housing alters the tension to which the clampband is subjected,
wherein said moveable positioning assembly comprises a first piston body and a second piston body, wherein the first piston body and second piston body are sized and shaped such that at least a portion of one of the first and second piston bodies fits within at least a portion of the other one of the first and second piston bodies.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for altering the tension of a clampband

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for altering the tension of a clampband

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21