Patent Abstract:
Tubing clamps having a minimum contact area between the tubes and supporting surfaces of clamp support bodies are provided for minimizing the collection and retention of liquids at the supporting surfaces. A minimum spacing is maintained between the tubes supported by the tubing clamps while maintaining sufficient ventilation between the tubes and the clamp support bodies to permit drying of any liquids which contact the tubes and the clamp support bodies at tubing support points. This prevents electrolysis and corrosion which may be caused by liquid retention and by contact between dissimilar metals. The tubing clamps are adapted to secure tubes having differing outer diameters in a single row or in multiple rows, such as in a stacked configuration. The clamps are provided with upper and lower supports, each having matching grooves that have chamfered edges forming the upper and lower tubing contact surfaces. The supports are secured together with fasteners to clamp the tubing therebetween.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/261,928, filed Apr. 25, 2014, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the clamping and supporting of tubing used to transport fluids, chemicals, oils and gases in industries, such as oil and gas drilling; and production and refining, where such tubing is commonly used. Other industries using tubing include shipping, military installations and equipment, food production installations, manufacturing sites, etc. In addition, the present invention is utilizable in corrosive environments, such as marine environments, where minimum contact between tubing, and the clamps that support the tubing, is preferable in order to reduce the accumulation of moisture contacting the tubing at the support area, which contact creates a risk of pitting and corrosion of the tubing. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Clamping systems of the prior art include solutions for solving or reducing the problems associated with electrolysis and corrosion of tubing. However, the greater the contact area between the clamping supports and the tubing, the more the contact area is likely to collect and hold moisture. Vibration isolating and insulating materials are conventionally provided between the contact surfaces of the clamp supports and the tubing. However, such additional insulating materials hold moisture. Further, spacers, such as metallic spacers, are used with conventional clamping systems to space apart a series of tubes in a row. However, all such spacers and other adjuncts constitute additional parts in the manufacture and assembly of the clamps. Accordingly, such configurations are disadvantageous with respect to the economical and efficient implementation of such clamps in clamping systems for supporting tubing of various types of materials and sizes typically found in industrial installations and that exist in potentially corrosive environments. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a clamp or an arrangement of clamps in a clamping system that provides minimum contact between the tubing support surfaces of the clamp and the tubing to allow for ventilation which minimizes electrolysis and corrosion of the tubing while offering a compact clamping system permitting uniform configurations of a variety of tubes with equal or different diameters. 
     The clamps enable a number of tubes to be secured and supported within the same clamping system using one or more grooves of equal or unequal size (when supporting multiple tubes of the same OD) formed in the clamp support bodies in order to enable the tubes to seat properly with tubing engaging surfaces of the clamps and which surfaces have a minimum contact area. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a corrosion reducing minimum contact clamp comprised of cylindrically shaped bodies made from a metallic, composite or plastic material for forming upper and lower clamp support bodies for securing an individual row of tubes or a rectangular array of tubes, including one or more spaced-apart tubing accommodating grooves of a shape having spaced groove inner and outer edges that form conical frustums. The grooves can be of equal or unequal size within the same clamp support bodies in order to enable tubes of different sizes or multiple tubes of the same size to be accommodated and properly seated side by side within the same tubing clamp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of a cylindrical clamp support body according to an embodiment of the present invention and having one groove with spaced inner and outer edges that define chamfered contact areas with the tubing to be supported. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates an end view of the cylindrical clamp support body according to  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a side view of a cylindrical clamp support body according to an embodiment of the present invention and having multiple grooves of the same dimensions with spaced inner and outer edges that form chamfered contact areas supporting tubing of substantially the same outer diameters. 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates an end view of the cylindrical clamp support body according to  FIG. 1C . 
         FIG. 1E  illustrates a side view of a cylindrical clamp support body according to an embodiment of the present invention and having multiple grooves of different dimensions with spaced inner and outer edges that form chamfered contact areas supporting tubing of respectively different outer diameters. 
         FIG. 1F  illustrates an end view of the cylindrical clamp support body according to  FIG. 1E . 
         FIG. 1G  illustrates a side view of a clamp comprised of upper and lower clamp support bodies according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , having a tube clamped between them and being supported by the groove with chamfered surfaces. 
         FIG. 1H  illustrates a side view of a clamp comprised of upper and lower clamp support bodies according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , having tubes clamped between them and being supported by the grooves with chamfered surfaces. 
         FIG. 1I  illustrates a side view of a clamp comprised of upper and lower clamp support bodies according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1E , having tubes of respectively different diameters clamped between them and being supported by the grooves with chamfered surfaces. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are detailed views of the cylindrical clamp support body according to the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1E  showing the base, chamfer angles and depth of grooves of the clamp body. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a side view of a cylindrical clamp support body according to another embodiment of the present invention and having one groove with chamfered surfaces that form contact areas with the tubing to be supported. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates an end view of the cylindrical clamp support body according to  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a side view of a cylindrical clamp support body according to another embodiment of the present invention and having multiple grooves of different dimensions with chamfered surfaces that form contact areas supporting tubing of respectively different outer diameters. 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates an end view of the cylindrical clamp support body according to  FIG. 3C . 
         FIG. 3E  illustrates a side view of a clamp comprised of upper and lower clamp support bodies according to the embodiment of  FIG. 3C  and a middle clamp support body of  FIG. 1E  respectively supporting rows of tubes with mixed outer diameters clamped between the clamp support bodies and supported by the respective grooves with chamfered surfaces, secured by fasteners as part of a clamping assembly or system. 
         FIG. 3F  illustrates a side view of a clamp comprised of upper and lower clamp support bodies according to the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  supporting a tube clamped between the clamp support bodies and supported by the respective grooves with chamfered surfaces and secured by fasteners. 
         FIG. 3G  illustrates a side view of a clamp according to another embodiment of the invention comprised of an upper clamp support body without any grooves and a lower clamp support body of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  having grooves supporting a tube clamped between the upper and lower clamp support bodies, and secured by fasteners. 
         FIG. 4A  is an end view of a cylindrical clamp support body in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side elevation view of the cylindrical clamp support body of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a top plan view of the cylindrical clamp support body of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is an end view of another preferred embodiment of a cylindrical clamp support body in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a side elevation view of the cylindrical clamp support body of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a top plan view of the cylindrical clamp support body of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6A  is an end view of another preferred embodiment of the cylindrical clamp support body in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is a side elevation view of the cylindrical clamp support body of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 6C  is a top plan view of the cylindrical clamp support body of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  is an end view of a clamp utilizing two of the cylindrical clamp support bodies in accordance with  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 7B  is a side elevation view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8A  is an end view of a clamp in accordance with the present invention and utilizing one of the cylindrical clamp support bodies depicted in  FIG. 4A  and a cylindrical clamp rod. 
         FIG. 8B  is a side elevation view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9A  is an end view of a clamp utilizing two the cylindrical clamp support bodies depicted in  FIG. 5A  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10A  is an end view of a clamp in accordance with the present invention and utilizing one of the cylindrical clamp support bodies depicted in  FIG. 5A  and a cylindrical clamp rod. 
         FIG. 10B  is a side elevation view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11A  is an end view of a clamp in accordance with the present invention and utilizing two of the cylindrical clamp support bodies of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 11B  is a side elevation view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 11A . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1A  shows a first preferred embodiment of a clamp support body of right circular cylindrical shape, generally at  1 , and having a single circular groove  2  with features of a wedge and having groove outer edges  3  and groove inner edges  7  which are spaced apart from each other at a radial outer portion of the groove. Each pair of spaced outer and inner groove edges  3 ;  7  cooperate to form one of two mirrored right conical frustums  4 , each such conical frustum  4  having a frustum width “f”. The right conical frustums  4  each formed by the groove edges  3 ;  7  on one of the two sides of the groove  2  each form a wedge and are the contact surfaces for tubing, when clamped. The wedge shape prevents the tubing from shifting to either side. The conical frustums  4 , each formed by one pair of the groove edges  3 ;  7 , are each a truncated conical surface that comes in contact with the tubing, which is typically of circular shape, resulting in a minimal contact area of the clamp and tubing. A groove depth  5  of groove  2  provides a space between a circular groove base  22  of the groove  2  and the tubing. This space is required to allow ventilation for drying any liquids that might be present or which might accumulate as a result of the installation environment. In one embodiment of the present invention, a distance  8  from a longitudinal axis of symmetry “a” of the clamp support body, to the circular groove base  22  of the groove  2 , which groove  2  itself has the depth  5 , as shown in  FIG. 1B , is not less than 0.125 inch. Overall, the length  9  of the clamp support body is not less than 1.25 inches, for example. The outer edge  3  of the right conical frustum  4  is shown having a circumference which is equal to that of the surface of greatest circumference  14  of the clamp and is the outer edge  3  of the groove  2 . In the following description, a tube is used as an exemplary application. However, the present invention may be used with any cylindrical type body, such as a pipe and the like. 
       FIGS. 1C and 1D  show a clamp support body of right circular cylindrical shape  1 ′ that is consistent with the features of the clamp support body  1  shown in  FIG. 1A , except for having multiple spaced-apart grooves  2  for clamping and supporting more than one tube of equal diameter. 
       FIGS. 1E and 1F  show a clamp support body of right circular cylindrical shape  111  having multiple circular grooves  2  of identical size and dimension in each of a first series of grooves  6  and a second series of grooves  60 , which form a multiple series  70  of spaced-apart grooves  2 . All the grooves  70  have inner and outer edges  3 ;  7  defining wedges formed as right conical frustums  4  in an alternating arrangement. In one embodiment of the present invention, the distance  8  from the longitudinal axis of symmetry “a” of the clamp support body to the greatest depth of the second series of grooves  60 , each of which has a depth  5 ′, is shown in the side view and is not less than 0.125 inch. The configuration of grooves shown in  FIGS. 1E and 1F  allows for the clamping of multiple sized tubes in the same row and side by side. The first series of grooves  6  have circular groove base  22 . The second series of grooves  60  have bases  220  which are arcuate in the direction of the longitudinal axis “a”, as in  FIGS. 1E, 2A and 2B , for example. 
       FIG. 1G  illustrates two clamp support bodies, generally at  1  and each with a cylindrical shape having molded shape surfaces and being held together by assembly hardware, generally at  12 , such as bolts  50  and nuts  52 , and clamping a single tube  13  as part of a clamp assembly. 
       FIG. 1H  illustrates two clamp support bodies of right circular cylindrical shape  1   1  held together by assembly hardware, generally at  12 , and consisting of bolts  50  and nuts  52 , and clamping multiple tubes  13  of equal diameter. 
       FIG. 1I  illustrates three clamp support bodies of right circular cylindrical shape  111  held together by assembly hardware, generally at  12 , such as bolts  50  and nuts  52 , and clamping multiple series of tubing  13  of unequal diameter in a same row and in a rectangular array as part of a clamp assembly or clamp system. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1E  in which the greatest width  23  of each groove, measured from its outer edges  3  connecting to the surface  14  with the greatest circumference of the clamp, is not less than 0.177 inch. Proportionate spacing  25  between grooves  2  forms a tightly spaced arrangement that allows for the tubing  13  to be arranged as compactly as possible while providing adequate spacing for ventilation between each tube. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a clamp support body, generally at  111 , of right circular cylindrical shape showing the grooves  2  having circular groove bases  22  which are even and parallel with the axis of symmetry “a” and which are circular in a cross section. The circular groove bases  22  of the grooves  2  provide more space between tubing and clamp surface as well as a stronger base design when required. In  FIG. 2B , the grooves  2  have spaced outer and inner edges  3 ;  7  which define right conical frustums  4  each having a cone angle which may range from 45 degrees to 85 degrees, for example, to accommodate multiple diameters of tubing. The groove bases  220 , which are shown at the right of  FIGS. 1E, 2A and 2B , for example are arcuate in the direction of the longitudinal axis “a”. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a clamp support body of right circular cylindrical shape, generally at  40 , which is bisymmetrically segmented by a single plane  17  oriented in line with the cylinder&#39;s longitudinal axis of symmetry “a”. The plane  17  defines a quadrilateral base support surface  24  with the clamp support body, generally at  40 , having one symmetrical groove  2  defined by spaced outer and inner edges  3 ;  7  forming two right conical frustum sections  4 . 
       FIGS. 3C and 3D  illustrate a clamp support body of right circular cylindrical shape, generally at  42 , and which is segmented by a single plane  17  oriented parallel but offset from the cylinder&#39;s longitudinal axis of symmetry “a” to form a series of base support surfaces  26 . The plane  17  in  FIG. 3C  segments the clamp support body, generally at  42 , into unequal halves unlike the segmentation of the clamp support body, generally at  40  in  FIG. 3A , and leaves the circular groove base  22  of the circular groove  2  with the circumference  20  as circular. The clamp is more rigid as a result. 
     In each of the clamp support bodies shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , the cylindrical segment shape of the clamp enables a more compact clamping system. The circumferential length of the grooves&#39; outer edges  3  and the clamps&#39; greatest circumference  14  are equal. The outer edge  3  of the right conical frustum section  4  has a circumference which is equal to the clamp surface area  14  having the greatest circumference of the clamp  6 . 
       FIG. 3E  illustrates a stack of clamp support bodies of right circular cylindrical shape with the top and bottom support bodies being segmented by a single plane which is oriented parallel to the cylinder&#39;s axis of symmetry, as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , and the middle clamp support body being un-segmented as, for example, shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B . The three clamp support bodies arrange the tubing  13  in a rectangular array with assembly hardware, generally at  12 , bringing them together. The number of tubes  13  clamped in a rectangular array of tubing can be increased by adding one or more clamps on the top or bottom or by increasing the length of the clamp bodies and the number of grooves  1  in those clamp bodies. 
     Optionally, also shown in  FIG. 3E  are top and bottom backing plates  21  engaged by the fasteners, generally at  12 , and providing for added support. Optionally, a middle clamp support body may comprise two of the segmented clamp support bodies each, such as the segmented clamp support body  42  shown in  FIG. 3C , disposed back to back and having a single backing plate  21  therebetween. 
       FIG. 3F  illustrates two clamp support bodies of right circular cylindrical shape  1  and each segmented by a single plane oriented parallel to the cylinder&#39;s longitudinal axis of symmetry “a”, as depicted in  FIG. 3A . These two clamp support bodies are used to clamp and to support a single tube  13 , using the assembly hardware, generally at  12 . 
       FIG. 3G  illustrates a side view of a clamp according to another embodiment of the invention in which an upper cylindrical clamp support body  30  without any grooves and a lower clamp support body  40  segmented by a single plane and having a groove  12 , as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3A , support a tube  13  clamped therebetween. The upper cylindrical clamp support body  30 , without grooves, is a cylindrical rod. The upper backing plate  21  and the lower clamp support body  40  are secured by fasteners, generally at  12 . In this way, a three point support system is provided for supporting the tubing, i.e. using a clamp support body  40  having grooves providing two support points and an upper cylindrical support body  30  providing a third support point. 
     The tubing clamp assemblies of  FIGS. 1G, 1H, 1I and 3E  can also be modified to include an upper or lower cylindrical clamp support body  30  without grooves in place of a clamp support body having grooves, in order to provide the three point contact support shown in  FIG. 3G , with or without the use of additional backing plate(s)  21  as shown in  FIG. 3E . Further, for applications in which there are different sized tubing  13  being accommodated in the three point support configuration, the depth of the grooves  2  may be adjusted on the grooved clamp support body to ensure that the top surface of each of the different OD tubes  13  engages the upper clamp body in a straight line, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry “a”. Alternatively, the upper clamp support body may have a step profile where the stepped part accommodates the tubes  13 , each having a different OD, when tubes  13  of different diameters are accommodated together in a row of a three point clamp configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A , there may be seen, generally at  300 , another preferred embodiment of the cylindrical clamp support body in accordance with the present invention. As were the previously described embodiments, the embodiment of the present invention, as depicted at  300  in  FIG. 4A , has a right circular cylindrical shape, similar to the shape of the clamp support body depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The clamp support body, generally at  300 , is longitudinally segmented by a single plane  302 . The plane  302  defines a quadrilateral base support surface  304 . The cylindrical clamp support body, generally at  300 , is defined by spaced ends  306 ;  308 , a plurality of circular grooves  312 , as seen in  FIGS. 4B  and  4 C and a land  314  which is intermediate the spaced ends  306 ,  308  and which divides the cylindrical clamp support body  300  into left and right cylindrical clamp support body sections  316  and  318 , respectively. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , the left and right cylindrical clamp support sections  316  and  318  are of equal length and the land  314  is equidistant from the left and right cylindrical clamp support body ends  306  and  308 . While that configuration is a preferred one, it will be understood that the lengths of the left and right cylindrical clamp support body sections  316  and  318  are not necessarily equal. One of the sections can be longer or shorter, than the other section. 
     The right circular cylindrical clamp support body depicted generally at  300  in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  includes the plurality of grooves  312 . It will be understood that each of these grooves  312  is generally similar to the grooves depicted and disclosed in the various prior embodiments. Each such groove  312  is defined by a groove outer edge  320  and a groove inner edge  322 . These groove edges  320 ;  322  define between them a right truncated conical surface  324 . That right truncated conical surface  324  provides a support surface of minimum contact area to support a tube, generally at  13 , as was discussed previously, and as will be seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , for example. In the embodiment of the clamp support body depicted generally at  300  in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , the groove base  326  of each of the circular grooves  312  is an annular groove base  326 , generally similar to the annular groove bases  220  depicted at the right of the cylindrical clamp support body  111  depicted in  FIG. 1E . While these groove bases  326  could also be circular groove bases, such as the ones depicted at  22  in  FIG. 1E , it has been found that the arcuate groove bases, such as the ones depicted at  326  in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  provide greater strength for the clamp support body, generally at  300 . 
     The intermediate land, generally at  314  of the cylindrical clamp support body  300  of the embodiment of the present invention depicted at  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , has a land surface  328  of greatest circumference, which circumference is essentially the same as the circumferential surface  14  of the previously described preferred embodiments of the present invention. A fastener receiving hole  330  is formed in the intermediate land, generally at  314 , and is the same in function as the fastener receiving holes depicted at  80  in the previously described embodiments of the present invention. The fastener receiving hole  330  extends from the surface of greatest circumference  328  of the intermediate land  314  to the plane  312  and has a hole axis which is generally perpendicular to the plane  302  which defines the quadrilateral base support surface  304 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , there may be seen, generally at  340 , a clamp for use to support a plurality of tubes, generally at  13 , which clamp  340  is configured using two of the cylindrical clamp support bodies  300  depicted in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C . A top backing plate  342  is placed into engagement with the plane  302  which is now located at an upper portion of the now inverted upper cylindrical clamp support body  300 . A similar bottom backing plate  344  is placed beneath the lower cylindrical clamp support body  300 . Each of these top and bottom backing plates  342 ;  344  is provided with a backing plate fastener receiving hole  346 . These backing plate fastener receiving holes  346  are each formed in their respective backing plate  342 ;  344  to be in alignment with a respective one of the fastener receiving holes  330  which are formed in each intermediate land  314  of each of the two circular clamp support bodies  300 . When the clamp  340  is assembled, as depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , suitable assembly hardware  12 , such as a bolt  50  and a nut  52 , can be utilized to secure the two cylindrical clamp support bodies  300  together to clamp a plurality of tubes  13  therebetween. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 7A and 7B , the primary difference between this embodiment and the previously disclosed and depicted embodiments is the location of the intermediate land  314  intermediate the ends  306  and  308  of each cylindrical clamp support body  300 , and the presence of a fastener receiving hole  330  in each such intermediate land  314 . As compared with the clamps depicted in  FIGS. 3E, 3F and 3G , for example, the use of an intermediate land  314 , with its associated fastener receiving hole  330  for each cylindrical clamp support body  300 , makes the assembly of the clamp depicted at  340  in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  more expeditious than the assembly of a generally similar clamp depicted in  FIGS. 3E, 3F and 3G . While not specifically depicted, it will also be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the cylindrical clamp support body, which is not specifically shown, and which could be provided with fastener receiving holes  80  in one or both ends and which also can be provided with the fastener receiving hole  330  in an intermediate land  314 . Such a cylindrical clamp support body would provide a component of a clamp that would be usable in situations where greater clamping strength than could be provided by either of the clamp embodiments with a fastener hole in an intermediate land, or with fastener holes in one or both of the ends could provide. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  show another embodiment of a clamp, generally at  350 , which is configured utilizing one of the cylindrical clamp support bodies, generally at  300 , in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C . Instead of using two such cylindrical clamp support bodies  300 , as is depicted in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , in the embodiment of the clamp  350 , in accordance with the present invention, as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , one of the components is a cylindrical clamp support body  300 , while the other component is a cylindrical clamp support rod, generally at  352 . In this clamp configuration, the cylindrical clamp support rod  352  has a smooth circumferential outer surface  354 . That smooth circumferential outer surface  354  of the cylindrical clamp support rod  352  is devoid of any grooves, groove edges or chamfered support surfaces. When a tube or tubes  13  are held in this clamp, generally at  350 , they are held using essentially a three point contact, as opposed to the four point contact, as depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The cylindrical clamp support body, generally at  300 , which is the same as each of the cylindrical clamp support bodies depicted in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , provides two points of contact between the clamp support body  300  and a clamped tube  13 . These are the two right truncated conical support surfaces  324  defined by the spaced outer and inner edges  320 ;  322  of each cylindrical groove  312 . The third contact point is provided by the smooth circumferential surface  354  of the cylindrical clamp support rod  352  which forms the second member of the clamp  350  in accordance with the present invention, as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Other than the absence of the spaced cylindrical grooves  312 , the cylindrical clamp support rod  352  of the embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , is essentially the same as the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The clamp  360  of  FIGS. 8A and 8B  is less expensive than the clamp  340  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  since the cylindrical clamp support rod  352  is less expensive to manufacture. 
     A further preferred embodiment of the cylindrical clamp support body, in accordance with the present invention, is depicted generally at  360  in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C . This further preferred embodiment of a cylindrical clamp support body  360  is generally the same as the preferred embodiment depicted at  300  in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C . Similar reference numerals will be utilized to identify corresponding features in both. In the cylindrical clamp support body  360  depicted in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C , the quadrilateral base support surface  304  of the  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  embodiment is modified in the  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C  embodiment. The base support surface, generally at  362  of the cylindrical clamp support body  360  of the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C , instead of being planar, is instead formed with an elongated backing plate receiving channel  364  which extends the length of the cylindrical clamp support body  360 . The cylindrical backing plate receiving channel  364  has a channel width  366  which is less than the overall width  368  of the clamp base surface, generally at  304 . A pair of outer channel flanges  370  are contiguous with the surface of greatest circumference  328  of the cylindrical clamp support body  360  depicted in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C . In all other aspects, the cylindrical clamp support body  360  is the same as the cylindrical clamp support body  300  depicted in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C . While the overall length of the cylindrical clamp support body  360  is greater than an overall length of the clamp support body  300 , this is not a substantial difference. The cylindrical clamp support bodies, in accordance with the present invention, can be provided in various structural lengths. If necessary, a cylindrical clamp support body can be made shorter by severing the clamp support body in a surface of greatest circumference or in a groove, by accomplishing a generally conventional cutting process. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , there may be seen a clamp, generally at  380 , which is comprised of two of the cylindrical clamp support bodies  360  depicted in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C  and each utilizing the backing plate receiving channel, generally at  364 . As seen in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the top and bottom backing plates  344 ;  346  respectively are now received in the cooperatively shaped backing plate receiving channels  364  of the two cylindrical clamp support bodies  360  of this preferred embodiment. Once the two cylindrical clamp support bodies  360  have been positioned to engage a number of tubes  13  to be clamped, the top and bottom backing plates  342 ;  344  are placed in their respective channels  364  and suitable fastening hardware, generally at  12 , is used to clamp the two clamp support bodies  360  in place. The provision of the backing plate receiving channels  364  in each of the cylindrical clamp support bodies  360 , in accordance with this preferred embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C , as well as in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , prevents any shifting or rotation of the backing plates  342 ,  344  during assembly of the two cylindrical clamp support bodies  360  to form the clamp depicted at  380  in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . The seating of the backing plates  342 ,  344 , in the associated backing plate receiving channels  364  overcomes any potential for these backing plates  342 ;  344  to possibly rotate or shift out of position during assembly of the two cylindrical clamp support bodies  360  to form the clamp  380  depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  depict yet another clamp in accordance with the present invention, generally at  390 , which clamp  390  is generally similar to the clamp depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , generally at  350 . In the clamp  390 , which is depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the clamp is configured using one cylindrical clamp support body, such as the one depicted at  360  in  FIG. 5A , and using one of the cylindrical clamp support rods  392 , similar to the one depicted generally at  352  in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . In this clamp embodiment  390 , the cylindrical clamp support rod  392  is provided with a backing plate receiving channel  394  which is the same, in structure and function, as the backing plate receiving channel  364  discussed in connection with the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 9A and 9B . In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , as was the situation with the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the cylindrical clamp support body, generally at  360 , can be positioned either in the upper or top position, as depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , with the cylindrical clamp support rod  392  in the bottom position, or the relative positions of the two components could be reversed. Also, as was discussed above, the overall length of the cylindrical clamp support body  360  and of the cylindrical clamp support rod  392  could be varied in accordance with a number of the tubes  13  that are to be supported and clamped. Also, as was previous discussed, the location of the intermediate land  314  does not have to be centered between the two ends  306 ,  308  of the cylindrical clamp support body. As will be discussed in connection with the next preferred embodiment, which is depicted generally at  400  in  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C , as well as in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , if the sizes of tubes  13  to be clamped on one side of the intermediate land  314  are different from the size of the tubes  13  to be supported on the other side of the intermediate land  314 , the location of that intermediate land may be shifted to balance the load that is imposed on the clamp. 
     A still further embodiment of the cylindrical clamp support body in accordance with the present invention is depicted generally at  400  in  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C . In this embodiment, the cylindrical grooves  402  have a first effective diameter while the cylindrical grooves  404  having a second effective diameter with the cylindrical grooves  404  have a second effective diameter which, in the configuration depicted in  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  is less than the diameters of the first cylindrical grooves  402 . Since the diameters of the second cylindrical grooves  404  are less, the groove depths of these grooves are greater. Bases  406  of the circular grooves with the reduced diameters  404  are further away from the surface of greatest circumference  14  of the cylindrical clamp body  400  than are the groove bases  408  of the plurality of cylindrical grooves  402  having the larger groove diameter. In other respects, the cylindrical clamp support body depicted generally at  400  in  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  is essentially the same as a cylindrical clamp support body depicted generally at  300  in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C . While the number of circular grooves  312  is less in the  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  embodiment than is the number of corresponding circular grooves  402  and  404  in the embodiment of the cylindrical clamp support body depicted generally at  400 , this difference is not significant. In each of these embodiments, the overall length of the cylindrical clamp support body and the number of grooves, generally at  312  or at  402 ;  404  that are formed in that clamp support body is a function of intended usage. As has also been discussed above, the intermediate land  314  does not have to be positioned equidistant between the two ends  306 ,  308  of the cylindrical clamp support body depicted generally at  400  in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C . 
     A clamp which utilizes two of the cylindrical clamp support bodies  400 , depicted in  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C , is shown generally at  410  in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . This clamp, generally at  410 , utilizes two of the cylindrical clamp support bodies  400 , each with cylindrical grooves  402  and  404  of differing diameters. As may be seen in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , tubes  13  of differing diameters can be clamped between the two cylindrical clamp support bodies  400 . In the clamp depicted generally at  410  in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the top backing plate  342  and the bottom backing plate  344  are positioned in contact with a quadrilateral base support surface of each of the cylindrical clamp support bodies, generally similarly to the configuration depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . It will be understood that each of the cylindrical clamp support bodies  400  that are used to form the clamp, generally at  410 , could also be provided with backing plate receiving channels, such as the ones depicted at  364  in connection with  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C . Further, it is to be also understood that the clamp, generally at  410  in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , could be structured using only one cylindrical clamp support body, generally at  400 , and one cylindrical clamp support rod, such as the one depicted at  352  in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , for example. All of these variations are within the scope of the present invention. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the clamp support bodies can be manufactured from metal or plastic cylindrical rods, for example of stainless steel, aluminum or synthetic resin, such as DELRIN™. Teflon or Teflon coatings are also suitable in the manufacture. Using a synthetic resin for the clamp support body prevents dissimilar material contact problems from arising. However, using a material for the clamp support body which matches that of the tubing also prevents dissimilar material contact problems from arising. In some embodiments, the clamp support bodies and the backing plates are manufactured and the holes for accommodating the fasteners, generally at  12 , are drilled in the bodies during assembly of the clamp support bodies. The holes may also be pre-drilled at the time of manufacture of the clamp support bodies. 
     While preferred embodiments of a corrosion reducing minimum contact clamp for supporting and securing tubing, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that changes could be made, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5