Patent ID: 7210201

Claim:
A clamp coupling for the pair-wise coupling of pipes, the pipes having substantially radially projecting coupling flanges at the ends facing each other, the clamp coupling comprising: two clamp shells ( 16 , 18 ) which, in the coupled state, define a circular opening ( 14 ) for the passage-through of the pipes, said shells pivotable relative to each other about a linkage axis ( 22 ) parallel to the opening ( 14 ) via an external linkage ( 20 ), wherein the first clamp shell ( 16 ) is provided on the end opposite the linkage ( 20 ) with a radially projecting latch pin ( 24 ) and the second clamp shell ( 18 ) is provided on the end opposite the linkage ( 20 ) with a locking mechanism ( 26 ) which cooperates with said latch pin ( 24 ), wherein the locking mechanism ( 26 ) comprises a locking hook ( 30 ) which, in the closed state, positively engages and pulls the clamp shells ( 16 , 18 ) towards each other at their point of separation ( 28 ) opposite the linkage ( 20 ), which locking hook ( 30 ) can be lifted from the latch pin ( 24 ) during the opening process and be pivoted out of its engaged position about a lever pivoting axis ( 32 ), wherein the locking mechanism ( 26 ) comprises a clamping lever ( 36 ) which can be pivoted relative to the coupling clamp about a lever axis ( 34 ) perpendicular to the linkage axis ( 22 ), wherein in the clamped position the locking hook 30 lies against the latch pin ( 24 ) and which in the released position of the locking hook ( 30 ) with freeing of it's pivot pat is lifted from the latch pin ( 24 ), and wherein the clamping lever ( 36 ) is an eccentric lever, pivotable about said lever axis ( 34 ) associated wit the second clamp shell ( 18 ) and perpendicular to the linkage axis ( 22 ), and which includes an eccentric shalt ( 40 ) eccentric to the lever axis ( 34 ) and engaging in a mounting bore ( 38 ) concentric with the lever pivot axis ( 32 ).