Patent ID: 8328458

Claim:
A sanitary clamp for connection to a pair of barb connectors each having one end terminating at a funnel shaped portion, the sanitary clamp comprising: a first member having a first semi-circular center portion disposed between a first end and a second end; and a second member having a second semi-circular center portion disposed between a first end and a second end, said first ends of the first and second members configured to pivotally connect to each other such that said first and second members are pivotable to form an aperture configured to receive the funnel shaped portions of the pair of connectors and maintain the funnel shaped portions in a fluid tight relationship, said second ends of the first and second members including a locking mechanism for selectively locking the second ends of the first and second members in engagement, wherein the locking mechanism includes a pin, a ledge extending from the second end of the first semi-circular portion, and a housing extending from the second end of the second semi-circular portion, and wherein the ledge defines an aperture, wherein the pin passes through the aperture and includes a ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth and a handle operable to urge the ratchet toward the handle, and wherein the housing defines a well configured for receiving and releasably locking the ratchet and includes two opposed walls each having a rocker lock with a first portion, an opposed second portion including an engaging member and a flange therebetween pivotally connecting the rocker lock to its respective wall such that the second portion travels outwardly when the first portion is inwardly depressed, wherein the rocker lock is configured to resiliently position the engaging member in the well to engage the at least one external ratchet tooth and is configured to permit retraction of the engaging member with respect to the well to release the engaging member from engagement with the at least one external ratchet tooth in response to depression of the first portion.