Patent ID: 6837522

Claim:
Apparatus for installing a repair clamp on a pipe, said repair clamp including a generally cylindrical body having first and second opposed edge flanges, a slot extending the length thereof for receiving the pipe and positioning said repair clamp about an outer circumference of the pipe, and plural nut and bolt combinations inserted through first apertures in said edge flanges for drawing the repair clamp tightly about the pipe, said apparatus comprising: a linear body portion having first and second opposed ends; an arm having a first end pivotally coupled to said body portion intermediate the first and second opposed ends thereof, said arm further including a second opposed end adapted for insertion in a second aperture in the first edge flange of the repair clamp; and a clasp pivotally coupled to said body portion toward its first end and adapted to engage an outer edge of the repair clamp's second edge flange when said body portion is in a first position relative to said arm and clasp and the repair clamp is loosely disposed about the pipe, wherein pivoting displacement of said body portion about said arm and clasp to a second position draws the repair clamp's edge flanges together for securely maintaining the repair clamp on and in engagement with the pipe and allowing the nut and bolt combinations to be tightened for securing the repair clamp to the pipe in a sealed manner, and wherein said arm and said clasp are coupled to said body in linear alignment with the first and second opposed ends of said body.