Patent ID: 7320485
Filing Date: 2008-01-22
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A band clamp for coupling a pair of conduits having peripheral end flanges joined together, said clamp comprising: an annular band having a first end portion and a second end portion and defining an inner surface and an outer surface; a latch assembly attached to said outer surface of said first end portion and said second end portion, wherein said latch assembly is adapted to releasably couple said first end portion to said second end portion of said band; and a plurality of insert segments attached to said inner surface of said band, wherein each said segment comprises two spaced side walls attached to a bottom wall, each segment having a first end and a second end and defining a channel therein, wherein the channel is adapted to receive and hold together the joined end flanges of the pair of conduits, said first end and said second end of said segment each having a thickness and a contour edge with a taper that gradually decreases the thickness of said segment toward respective first and second ends, wherein said contour edge is present on at least said side walls and said bottom wall thereby preventing damage to the end flanges of the pair of conduits during installation of the joined end flanges into the channel of each segment of the band clamp.