Patent ID: 7165789

Claim:
A clamp assembly for connecting the end of a first pipe to the end of an axially aligned second pipe, the clamp assembly comprising: a first semi-circular clamp arm having a first end portion and a second end portion; a second semi-circular clamp arm having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion of said second clamp arm pivotably attached to said first end portion of said first clamp arm; a gasket, said first clamp arm defines a groove for seating said gasket, said second clamp arm defines a groove for seating said gasket, said second end portion of said first clamp arm defines a first pocket extending radially outwardly from said groove, a portion of said gasket is positioned in said first pocket to secure said gasket to said second end portion of said first clamp arm, said second end portion of said second clamp arm defines a second pocket extending radially outwardly from said groove, a portion of said gasket is positioned in said second pocket to secure said gasket to said second end portion of said second clamp arm; and wherein said gasket is secured to at least one of said second end portion of said first clamp arm and said second end portion of said second clamp arm upon said clamp assembly in an opened position, said gasket is unsecured to at least one of said first end portion of said first clamp arm and said first end portion of said second clamp arm upon said clamp assembly in the opened position.