Patent ID: 7441311
Filing Date: 2008-10-28
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A T-bolt clamp, comprising: a band having first and second loop ends and a roundish body portion that extends circumferentially between said first and second loop ends; a fastening assembly connected to said loop ends and including a T-bolt fastener and trunnion, wherein said T-bolt fastener includes a T-bolt having a head portion that connects to said first loop end and an at least partially threaded shank portion that extends from said head portion to said second loop end, said trunnion being connected to said second loop end with said shank extending through said trunnion, and wherein said T-bolt fastener further includes a nut that threads onto said shank and engages said trunnion, whereby said loop ends can be drawn towards each other to tighten said clamp by further threading said nut onto said shank after it engages said trunnion to thereby draw said trunnion towards said head portion of said T-bolt; said first loop end including a slot that permits said head portion of said T-bolt to be inserted into and removed from said first loop end without removal of said nut from said shank portion, wherein said slot defines first and second bearing loops in said first loop end, with said head portion of said T-bolt being retained in said first loop end by said bearing loops during tightening of said clamp; and a latch insert located within said first loop end and defining a cavity sized to receive said head portion of said T-bolt, said latch insert having an opening aligned with said slot of said first loop end such that said head portion can be inserted into said cavity via said slot and said opening; wherein said latch insert comprises a pair of spaced legs each of which extends along an inner surface of one of said bearing loops, whereby, when said head portion of said T-bolt is seated within said cavity, said head portion engages said legs during tightening of said clamp to thereby transfer tightening forces from said head portion to said first loop end via said legs; and wherein said head portion of said T-bolt comprises an elongated portion that extends axially when said head portion is seated in said cavity, said legs each including a first portion having first width and a second portion having a second width that is less than said first width, wherein said first portion defines a space between said legs that is sized to receive said shank portion of said T-bolt and said second portion defines a space between said legs that is sized to permit said head portion to be inserted and removed from said cavity while oriented axially; and wherein said shank portion of said T-bolt includes a segment extending from said head portion that has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, wherein the width of said space between said first portions of said legs is less than a diagonal of said cross-sectional shape, whereby said first portions of said legs prevent said T-bolt from rotating when said head portion is seated in said cavity with said shank portion extending out of said first loop end through said space between said first portions of said legs.