Patent ID: 7284731
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A clamp assembly for a sanitary fitting, comprising: an elongate, flexible cable tie; a first semicircular clamp part; said first semicircular clamp part having an interior, concave side and an exterior, convex side; a first exterior channel formed in said exterior, convex side of said first semicircular clamp part; a first inner channel formed in said interior, concave side of said first semicircular clamp part; said first inner channel extending from a first end of said first semicircular clamp part to a second end of said first semicircular clamp part; a second semicircular clamp part; said second semicircular clamp part having an interior, concave side and an exterior, convex side; a second exterior channel formed in said exterior, convex side of said second semicircular clamp part; a second inner channel formed in said interior, concave side of said second semicircular clamp part; said second inner channel extending from a first end of said second semicircular clamp part to a second end of said second semicircular clamp part; said first and second inner channels adapted to accommodate a flange of a sanitary fitting when said first and second semicircular parts are disposed in confronting relation to one another; said elongate, flexible cable tie having a length sufficient to circumscribe said first and second semicircular parts when said first and second semicircular parts are disposed in confronting relation to one another; said elongate, flexible cable tie having a cable tie catch at a proximal end thereof and a free end at a distal end thereof; said cable tie catch adapted to slidingly receive said free end when said elongate, flexible cable tie is disposed in circumscribing relation to said confronting first and second semicircular parts; a first distance mark formed on said flexible cable tie at a predetermined location thereon near said distal free end; a second distance mark formed on said clamp assembly at a predetermined location; said first distance mark being in a predetermined registration with said second distance mark when said elongate, flexible cable tie is under a predetermined amount of tension; said elongate, flexible cable tie received within said first and second exterior channels when said flexible cable tie is disposed in said circumscribing relation to said first and second semicircular parts; a first belt loon formed in said first exterior channel; and a first belt loop formed in said second exterior channel; whereby the same amount of tension is consistently applied to said elongate, flexible cable tie by tightening said cable tie until said first and second distance marks are in said registration with one another.