Patent ID: 6435565
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: F01N,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A band clamp for connecting a first pair of axially aligned cylindrical pipes having adjoining pipe ends to make a first sealed joint therebetween and for connecting a second pair of cylindrical axially aligned pipes having adjoining pipe ends to make a second sealed joint therebetween, said first and second pairs of pipes being disposed in side-by-side, closely spaced, axially parallel relation with a lateral gap therebetween, said band clamp comprising:a clamp band comprising a closed loop encircling both said first and second pairs of pipes, said clamp band being wide enough to overlap a portion of said adjoining ends of said first and second pairs of pipes, said closed loop having first and second oppositely disposed concave lobe portions spanning the gap between said first and second pairs of pipes, clamping mechanism for tightening the clamp band around the periphery of said pipes, said clamping mechanism comprising first and second wedge-shaped spacers disposed respectively in said first and second lobe portions of said clamp band, each of said spacers having an apex pointed inwardly of said gap between the pipes, and a threaded fastener extending through said spacers and the opposite sides of said clamp band and operatively connected with said spacers whereby tightening of said threaded fastener stretches said clamp band around the periphery of said first and second pairs of pipes to provide a mechanical connection and sealed joint between the adjoining pipe ends of the first pair of pipes and a mechanical connection and a sealed joint between the adjoining pipe ends of the second pair of pipes.