Patent ID: 7364202

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 coupled to said edge flanges for drawing the repair clamp tightly about the pipe, said apparatus comprising: a 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 an aperture in the first edge flange of the repair clamp; a clasp pivotally coupled to said body portion adjacent the first end thereof 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 said clasp includes a first end engaging the outer edge of the repair clamp's second edge flange and a second opposed end pivotally coupled to said body portion wherein the first end of said clasp includes a recessed slot adapted to receive the outer edge of the repair clamp's second edge flange, 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, wherein said arm and said clasp may be disengaged and removed from the edge flanges and the apparatus removed from the repair clamp following tightening of the nut and bolt combinations; a first pivot pin coupling the second end of said clasp to said body portion; a second pivot pin coupling the first end of said arm to said body portion; an adjustable mechanism disposed in said body portion and coupling said arm to said body portion, wherein said adjustable mechanism includes at least one elongated slot disposed in said body portion and adapted to receive said second pivot pin and having plural engaging members disposed in a spaced manner along the length of said slot for engaging said second pivot pin for permitting spacing between the recessed slot of said clasp and the second end of said arm to be adjusted to accommodate a range of sizes of the repair clamp and diameters of the pipe, wherein each of said engaging members includes a curved recessed portion disposed between adjacent ribs for engaging and maintaining said second pivot pin in fixed position in said elongated slot in a releasable manner.