Abstract:
A hose clamp for temporarily clamping bellows hoses or the like to stop liquid flow during repair or maintenance work include first and second jaws hingedly connected, and a locking cam for securing the jaws into a closed position or for unlocking to enable opening of the jaws for installation or release from a hose being clamped.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to clamps, and more particularly to a hose clamp for temporarily pinching a hose to a closed position. 
         [0002]    It is sometimes desirable to clamp a hose shut, such as in a repair situation, in order to prevent fluid or the like from flowing through the hose while repairs are being made on a piece of machinery. 
         [0003]    In a particular example, in washing machine repair and maintenance, it is desirable to clamp closed a bellows configuration hose that connects the washing machine basin to the drain pump, to enable the pump to be removed for maintenance while keeping the water remaining in the hose from running out onto the floor around the washing machine. 
         [0004]    In the past, a repair person would use a radiator hose clamp to tighten the walls of the bellows type hose. While effective, such a clamp takes a substantial amount of time to install and tighten to a sufficient extent to clamp the bellows hose shut to prevent or minimize leakage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with the invention, a pinch off hose clamp is provided that has a pair of hinged jaws and a quick release lock mechanism for enabling the clamp to be quickly installed and locked onto a hose for clamping the hose shut. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved clamp for hoses. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved clamp adapted for use on bellows type hoses. 
         [0008]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved clamp for hoses that is and quickly and easily installed and uninstalled. 
         [0009]    The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the pinch off clamp in accordance with the invention, shown in a closed position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the clamp of  FIG. 1 , looking in the direction of arrow  2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  an end view of the clamp of  FIG. 1 , looking in the direction of arrow  3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an opposite side view of the pinch off clamp in an open position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a first connection member of the clamp; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a second connection member of the clamp; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the clamp as installed and clamped on a bellows style hose; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the clamp as installed and clamped on an accordion style hose, looking in the direction of arrow  8  in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a clamp member that quickly fits around and clamps shut a hose. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , opposite side views of the clamp in a closed and open position, the clamp  10  comprises first and second elongate clamp jaw arms  12 ,  14 , which are hingedly attached at a first end by connection member  16 , suitably connected to the jaw arms  12 ,  14  by pins  18 ,  20  to enable rotational movement of the jaw arms about the pins. At the end of jaw arm  12  that is distal from pin  20 , a pin  24  rotationally mounts a first end of an elongate latch arm  22  to arm  12 , the second end of clamp arm  22  having a latching cam  28  rotationally mounted thereto by pin  26 . Arms  12 ,  14  have slots defined in the ends thereof to receive member  16  and latch arm  22  therein, the slots being somewhat wider than the thickness of member  16  and arm  22 , to enable the rotation about the pins. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5 and 6  illustrate exemplary shapes of connection member  16  and latch arm  22 , with the respective placement of holes  18 ′,  20 ′,  24 ′ and  26 ′ for receiving the pins  18 ,  20 ,  24  and  26  therethrough. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are opposite end views of the clamp to illustrate the appearance thereof in direction of arrow  2  and  3  of  FIG. 1 . Note that locking cam  28  has been removed for ease of illustration in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0022]    In operation, the clamp arms  12 ,  14 ,  22  and cam  28  are free to rotate about the axes defined pins  18 ,  20 ,  24  and  26  as indicated by arrows  30 ,  30 ′,  30 ″ and  30 ′″. Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  7  and  8 , to clamp closed a bellows hose  32 , assuming the clamp is initially in the configuration of  FIG. 1 , the clamp  10  is opened to the approximate configuration of  FIG. 4  (or as wide as necessary for the particular hose) by rotation of cam  28  in the direction of arrow  34  of  FIG. 1 , which enables arm  22  to rotate in the direction of arrow  36  about pin  24  and arms  12 ,  14  to rotate around pins  20  and  18  as indicated by arrows  38 ,  40 , enabling the clamp to open to the configuration of  FIG. 4 , or wider as needed. Referring to  FIG. 7 and 8 , the clamp is positions such that bellows hose  32  is positioned between the interior surfaces  12 ′,  14 ′ of the clamp arms. The clamp arms are then rotated in the opposite directions of those of arrows  38 ,  40 , to close the clamp around the bellows hose  32 . Arm  22  is then swung around in the opposite direction of arrow  36 , to bring the cam  28  up into position next to arm  14 . The cam is then rotated in the opposition direction of arrow  34 , resulting in the clamp being closed about the hose as shown in  FIG. 8 , with the hose being thereby clamped shut at central portion  46 , which would otherwise form an open passage for liquid or the like to pass therethrough in absence of clamping. The hose will bias the clamp toward the direction of arrow  42 , causing the gap  44  shown in  FIG. 8  to be closed up so that cam  28  is flush against arm  14 . ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0023]    Cam portion  28  and its attachment to member  22  provide a suitable locking and unlocking of the clamp, for keeping it in a closed state when clamped onto a hose until such time as the user desires to release the clamp. 
         [0024]    The spacing of the mounting holes on members  16 ,  22  is such that when fully closed, a small gap  48  will exist between the mating faces of members  12 ,  14 , to provide sufficient space for the sidewalls of the hose to deform into. 
         [0025]    In a particular embodiment, the portions  12 ,  14  and  28  are formed of metal, e.g. aluminum bar stock, but this is not a requirement, as other suitable materials may be employed, such as other metals, wood, plastic or other synthetics or composite materials. Members  16  and  22  are also suitably of metal in the particular embodiment, but can also be made of other materials. 
         [0026]    Thus, in accordance with the invention, a clamp that is quickly attachable and releasable is provided that may be used to quickly clamp and unclamp a hose, such as a bellows type hose in a washing machine, for example, for quicker repair operations. 
         [0027]    While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.