Patent ID: 9151420
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A tube or pipe clamp comprising: two clamp members pivotably connected to one another at respective hinge-forming ends thereof; and a locking device including a shaft and a locking element operatively attached to said shaft, said shaft being pivotably attached to one of said clamp members, the other of said clamp members having a pair of prongs defining a slot for receiving said shaft so that said locking element is engageable with said prongs to lock said clamp members to one another at ends thereof opposite said hinge-forming ends, further comprising a hinge pin connected to said clamp members at said hinge-forming ends, said hinge pin including a male pin element and a female pin element, said male pin element having a first shaft and a first head, said first shaft having a stepped outer diameter with a larger diameter section proximate said head, said female pin element having a second shaft and a second head, said second shaft being hollow with a larger inner-diameter section at a free end of said second shaft opposite said second head, said first shaft being inserted into and disposed within said second shaft, said first shaft having exactly two sections of respective outer diameters including said larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section at a free end of said first shaft, said second shaft having exactly two inner diameter segments including said larger inner-diameter section and a smaller inner-diameter segment on a side of said larger inner-diameter section opposite the free end of said second shaft, said first shaft being formed in an external surface with a groove extending longitudinally over a portion of said larger diameter section and across the smaller diameter section to a free end of said first shaft, said groove allowing an air pressure release which facilitates assembly of the first and second shaft; wherein said first shaft and said second shaft are free of threading; and wherein said male pin element and said female pin element are secured to one another only by a friction or interference fit and only at said free end of said first shaft and an end opposite said free end of said first shaft and at said free end of said second shaft and an end opposite said free end of said second shaft.