With Tighteners Patents (Class 24/19)
  • Patent number: 5655265
    Abstract: An apparatus for tightening strap members comprises a buckle member having a first means for attachment to a strap and a second means for attachment to a strap. A plurality of longitudinally spaced apart pin-receiving boreholes are provided on slidably related sections of the buckle member such that the boreholes in one section have a vernier relationship with the boreholes in another section, thus permitting a boreholes to come into alignment as the sections are slid past each other at an adjustment increment which is less than the spacing between the boreholes on either section. A method is also provided for using the assembly to tightening a strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Fluid Containment, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Schneider, E. C. Crosby, Edward B. Cannan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5647614
    Abstract: A band body is covered at a distal end thereof with a cap resulting in safety of a hose fastening band being enhanced. The cap is either molded or mechanically attached to the distal end of the band so the sharp edges are not exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Toyox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sachio Asakura
  • Patent number: 5560087
    Abstract: The laterally secure clamp assembly for use with clamps that cannot be force fit according to the present invention comprises a flexible band containing a cut-out proximate one end, and a series of elongated notches at the opposite end, a worm screw and a housing adapted to be secured to the band. The housing comprises a pair of planar tabs enclosing the band. Each tab comprises at least one abbreviated finger, extending from each tab and oriented at an angle in the direction of the screw. The fingers are oriented prior to assembly so that when the tabs are bent over to secure the band, the angled fingers abut the cut-out, preventing lateral force deformation of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Stant Corporation
    Inventor: A. J. Marques
  • Patent number: 5499430
    Abstract: A hose clamp with supplemental holding fingers comprising: a worm drive clamp of a resilient material positionable in a loop about the free end of a hose to be clamped to an interior cylindrical member, the clamp having one free end with recesses for use with a worm in tightening the clamp; a tightening member having a radially interior end secured to the interior face of the clamp adjacent to the recesses with a hollow tubular member radially outward thereof, the tubular member having internal threads with a threaded rotatable member interior thereof, the rotatable member having a component at one end for rotation thereof whereby the threads of the rotatable member function to cooperate with the recesses of the clamp for movement thereof to tighten or loosen the clamp; and a pair of generally V-shaped fingers each with a flat central section secured to the interior surface of the clamp at diametrically opposed points, each of the fingers extending at obtuse angles from the central section in opposite directi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Andrew A. Strazar
  • Patent number: 5357655
    Abstract: A fixing tie (10) for use in securing the ends of a protective gaiter around a constant velocity joint comprises a flexible plastics strap (11) and an adjustment clip (12). The flexible strap (11) is passed round the end of the gaiter and the free ends pass through an aperture (23) into the clip. One end (27) of the strap (11) is secured in the clip by crimping of integral tabs (17) into contact with the strap. The other end (28) of the strap is received in a split pin (22) which is rotated in a mounting (21) to tighten the strap around the gaiter end. The other end (28) is then secured in position once again by crimping of further integral tabs (18) into contact with the strap and the split pin (22) is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: Philip F. Hayward
  • Patent number: 5339496
    Abstract: An open self-aligning clamp the overlapping inner and outer band portions of which are adapted to be mechanically connected before tightening about the object to be fastened thereby by a plastically deformable so-called "Oetiker" ear; the mechanical connection includes only two outwardly extending hooks in the inner band portion operable to engage in apertures provided in the outer band portion, whereby one of the hooks is a tab-like guide hook pressed out of the clamping band in a transversely extending plane intersecting the clamping band in the transverse direction while the other hook is a cold-deformed support hook, the inner and outer band portions are reliably guided relatively to one another during tightening of the clamp by a tab-like member pressed out of the inner band portion in such a manner that it extends in the longitudinal direction and can slidably extend within a narrow longitudinal slot in the center area of the outer band portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparate-fabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5329673
    Abstract: A self tightening hose clamp is disclosed, having a band for encircling at least a portion of circumference of a hose and a bolt which extends from a left end of the band through the right end of the band and about the remaining portion of the circumference of the hose. A spring circumscribes an outer end of the bolt and applies a biasing force on the bolt and the right end of the band to maintain a clamping force between the band and the hose during contraction of the hose. A sleeve is disposed between the bolt and spring to coaxially center the spring about the bolt during compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: R. G. Ray Corporation
    Inventor: John S. Mason
  • Patent number: 5327618
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hose clamp constituted by a band of material, generally metal, wound on itself, one of the ends of said band presenting relief elements forming a rack, whilst on the other end is fixed a housing which constitutes the support of a screw which is mounted to pivot about its axis, said screw abutting on a stop axially mobile with respect to the housing against the action of a spring. The spring is constituted by a curved blade, for example in the form of a semi-circle, whose concavity faces the inside of the clamp and whose ends are laterally in contact with the sides of the housing. A first end of said blade is axially fixed to the housing and provided with an opening in which the tail of the screw may slide, whilst the second end of the blade surrounds at least partially the shank of the screw in the vicinity of its head and is mounted to slide with respect to the sides of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Etablissements Caillau
    Inventors: Richard Chene, Pierre Dupin, Covello Fabienne
  • Patent number: 5305499
    Abstract: An open clamp structure capable of withstanding very high tightening forces, with a clamping band whose overlapping inner and outer band portions are mechanically locked by a mechanical interconnection including outwardly extending hooks near the free end of the inner band portion adapted to engage with apertures near the free end of the outer band portion; for purposes of tightening the clamp structure upon engagement of at least one hook in the corresponding aperture, a deformable ear with two generally outwardly extending leg portions interconnected by a bridging portion is provided, whereby the bridging portion includes reinforcing means; at least one of the hooks is thereby a cold-deformed hook having force-engaging surface means while another hook is a combined guide and support hook having inclined guide and support surface means formed by its rear edge facing away from the free end of the inner band portion; the reinforcing means is in the form of a generally pan-shaped depression extending over a sub
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparate-fabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5299344
    Abstract: A clamp structure with a clamping band whose ends are drawn together by a screw-type tightening mechanism that includes a first band tightening member secured near one band end, a second band tightening member secured near the other band end and a screw member for drawing together the first and second tightening members; one of the band tightening members is of at least semi-circular shape and is retained in a loop-like pocket formed by an end portion of the clamping band externally bent back upon itself and secured to the underlying band portion while the other tightening member also of at least semi-cylindrical shape is retained in a loop-like pocket formed by a separate clamping band part whereby the two loop-like pockets are spaced from one another defining a gap; a stepless internal configuration of the clamping surfaces of the clamping band is assured by a tongue-like extension at the inner band portion adapted to engage in a channel-like indentation provided in the outer clamping band portion; to relia
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5277458
    Abstract: A chain intended for pipe flange connections comprising successive, cross-sectionally U-shaped chain links 8, which are hinged directly to each other and form a ring sector-like contact area 14, 15, 17 and 18. At the contact point of the chain links 8, following on to the eye ring 9, an interstice 13 is provided. Moreover, an interstice 11 is likewise provided between the two flanks 31, 32 of the U-shaped chain links 8 and the two pipes 1, 2 to be connected. The contact points of the chain links 8 are designed as level annular segmental contact surfaces 17, 18 and rest on the likewise level, chamfered outer surfaces 14, 15 of the pipe flanges 3, 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Edgar Tschann
  • Patent number: 5263230
    Abstract: An improvement in cam operated clamps for clamping heater elements to the nozzles of injection molding equipment. The clamp is adjusted by the rotation of a cam shaft parallel to the nozzle axis. The clamp housing consists of a circular cylinder with a longitudinal slit. Journals for the cam shaft are mounted on one side of the slit and the cam follower is mounted on the opposite side of the slit. Adjustment of the cam shaft increases or decreases the width of the slit providing the clamping action. Attached to the clamp housing is a tab which stops the cam pin rotation at an optimum position just beyond the position of maximum clamping effect. This position provides substantially the maximum clamping effect available from the clamp and effects a torque on the cam pin which holds the cam follower against the stop tab locking the clamp in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: James E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5230246
    Abstract: A balancing arrangement for a rotating member, especially for hollow shaft made from lightweight metal, in which a counterweight of predetermined size and weight is affixed onto the external surfaces of the rotating member in predetermined position by the use of a clamping band made from a material normally devoid of an significant elastic stretchability. A plastically deformable ear structure is provided in the clamp structure for tightening the clamping band which includes two generally outwardly extending leg portions interconnected by a bridging portion that includes downwardly bent tab-like members along the longitudinal sides of the bridging portion to act as ramp surfaces and reinforcing elements for the ear structure. The counterweight is thereby connected with the clamping band in one place by spot-welding, particularly, when both clamping band and counterweight are made of stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5220755
    Abstract: A high pressure water distributor for downpipes. The distributor includes a tube made of a flexible or rigid material having a water tight base and an outlet port. Rain water that is directed into the downpipe is accumulated in the tube and generates a pressure head. As a result of this pressure head the velocity and discharge volume of water from the outlet port increases substantially. The discharged water can be directed through a conventional garden hose, which may be connected to a sprinkler or similar device or the water can simply be conveyed to a remote location from the foundation of the dwelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Rotec Inc.
    Inventor: Clemence Roles
  • Patent number: 5188400
    Abstract: A spring-loaded coupling device for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduits is provided. A pair of symmetrical arcuate coupling halves are pivotally jointed together at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding the conduit ends. A latch is mounted adjacent the opposite end of one of the halves. This latch includes a flange having a slot opening outwardly and an outwardly extending flat spring lock terminating in an end surface. A toggle is provided which has a first end pivotally mounted adjacent the opposite end of the other of the halves, and has a second end extendable longitudinally beyond the opposite end of the first of the halves. The toggle includes a locking pin adjacent the second end of the toggle and engageable with the slot when the coupling halves are closed around the sleeve and has a spring urging the toggle to pivot in a direction to move the locking pin into the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Stanley Aviation Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Riley, Jerome E. Opila
  • Patent number: 5145218
    Abstract: A hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the hose construction comprising a tubular flexible hose having opposite ends, fastening structure, and a clamp fastened to one of the ends of the hose with the fastening structure for substantially circumferentially and radially inwardly clamping the one end onto a member that has been inserted into the one end, the clamp having end projections for being toggled together to circumferentially enlarge the clamp and hold the clamp out of its clamping condition and for being released from each other so as to be circumferentially moved apart from each other as the clamp circumferentially shrinks into its clamping condition by the natural spring force of the clamp, the fastening structure comprising a single spot of adhesive disposed between and against the clamp and the hose at a point on the hose that is located substantially diametrically opposite the point on the hose where the end projections of the clamp are adapted to be toggled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe C. Worley, Dale K. Parker, Manuel Campo, Jerry W. Camden
  • Patent number: 5131698
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for hermetically coupling two smooth tubes of the same diameter disposed end to end, particularly for coupling two elements of the exhaust pipe of an engine, such as those of automobile vehicles. A bush in one piece comprises a longitudinal slot provided with two radial assembly lips and surrounds the opposite ends of the two tubes on which it is clamped by a screw or a bolt traversing the radial lips. The bush presents two frusto-conical ends located on either side of a cylindrical central portion intended to be mounted astride the zone of connection of the two tubes and each lip of the longitudinal slot comprises at least one rigidifying element extending between said lip and each of the corresponding frusto-conical ends of the bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Etablissements Caillau
    Inventors: Lionel Calmettes, Pascal Detable
  • Patent number: 4968247
    Abstract: A clamp housing for cylindrically wound heaters, particularly for an injection molding nozzle heater has a slit that permits changing the effective diameter of the housing and it is actuated by an axially extending cam pin that can be easily adjusted from an exposed end of the heater. The cam pin has a central cam portion formed between two end hubs that are rotatably mounted with respect to one edge of a longitudinal slit in the clamp housing, and a central cam portion that is mounted in a loop formed from the opposite edge of the slit in the housing. As the cam pin is rotated the two edges of the slit in the housing can be forced together because of the cam action and the housing will tighten around a heater held on the interior of the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Olson
  • Patent number: 4930732
    Abstract: A yoke pipe clip for supporting pipes comprises a pair of generally parallel longitudinal plates in side-by-side spaced relationship, a pair of generally transverse plates disposed one at each opposite end of the longitudinal plates, a suspension bracket positioned between the opposite ends of the longitudinal plates, a yoke, and interlocked slot and lug connections for securing the suspension bracket to the longitudinal plates and also for securing the longitudinal and transverse plates to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Lisega GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Herlof Hardtke
  • Patent number: 4875647
    Abstract: A cable tie includes an elongated strap and a buckle connected to one end of the strap and having an aperture for receiving the other end of the strap. Preferably, the strap has adjacent the buckle a connecting portion which has a width less than that of the remaining portion of the strap. In an alternative form of the invention, the strap has a plurality of spaced-apart projections formed on and extending longitudinally on the opposite side surfaces thereof except a connecting portion adjacent the buckle. In a further modification of the invention, the strap has a series of ridges formed on and extending longitudinally on a bundle engaging surface. The ridges are adapted to prevent slipping movements between the strap and the bundle in both longitudinal and circumferential directions of the bundle of wires or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kausha
    Inventors: Akira Takagi, Hirotsugu Oyaizu, Nobuatsu Takahashi, Kiyotaka Kume
  • Patent number: 4843686
    Abstract: A hose clamp for securing a flexible conduit onto a fitting is disclosed. The hose clamp includes a flat elongated metallic strip having a pair of end portions. The strip has a biasing portion integrally formed from the strip between the two end portions. The biasing portion provides the strip with resilient characteristics. Also, a mechanism for securing the two end portions to one another is formed or secured onto the end portions of the metallic strip. Also, an integral mechanism may be formed on the strip for securing the clamp to the flexible conduit prior to assembly onto the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 4733438
    Abstract: A coolant hose clamp, in which an outer ring is provided with an inner cam surface configured for radial displacement of a plurality of arcuately configured clamping shoes, positioned within a retaining ring assembly. Rotation of the cam ring by a simple turning motion through a small angle relative to the retaining ring assembly actuates the clamping shoes radially inwards into clamping engagement with a flexible hose on a rigid fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: JSS Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: John S. Stupakis
  • Patent number: 4714229
    Abstract: Anti-vibratory support device for a pipe whose thickness is small relative to its diameter, comprising a collar (2) formed by at least two rigid annular sectors (2a, 2b, 2c) which are articulated at at least one of their ends to the succeeding sector, to pivot about an axis parallel to the axis of the pipe (1). At least two successive sectors (2b, 2c) are interconnected by an elastic junction means (10, 11, 12) which enables the collar (2) to be closed. Parallelepipedic pads (18) made from knitted stainless steel wire disposed in cases (15) are interposed and put under compression between the collar (2) and the pipe (1). The invention is in particular applicable to pipes conveying liquid sodium of the secondary circuit of fast neutron nuclear reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Novatome
    Inventors: Christian Force, Alain Lescure
  • Patent number: 4701982
    Abstract: A clamp band which includes a strip member having an intermediate portion formed to substantially conform to the outline of an article to be fastened and two ends projected outward from the intermediate portion and a lever member welded to the two ends of the strip member. One of the two ends of the strip member extends approximately tangentially from the intermediate portion and the other extends to make an acute angle. The lever member is welded to the outside of the end located nearer the intermediate portion of the these ends when two ends of the strip member are brought down. The lever member is formed to contact closely an outer peripheral surface of the strip member and has high hardness edge portions extending longitudinally thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Mihama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yutaka Matsuno, Tadanobu Kumagai, Hatsuyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4679755
    Abstract: A support or fixing device for pipework having walls which are thin relative to its diameter and subjected to large temperature variations and to radial forces. The device comprises: (a) support cradles (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) having an internal profile whose radius of curvature is close to that of the pipework; (b) a rigid half-collar (7) disposed around and spaced from the periphery of the pipework, and having some of the cradles fixed thereto; (c) two arms (5A, 5B) hinged at their ends to the half-collar and having others of the cradles fixed thereto; and (d) a flexible arm clamping device (9) resiliently applying the cradles against the pipework, independently of expansions and radial forces applied to the pipework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Stein Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Marsault, Jean-Pierre Peyrelongue, Jean-Claude Semedard, Gerard Vallee
  • Patent number: 4669911
    Abstract: A clamping ring for use e.g. as a support around a jointing sleeve during explosion welding consists substantially of two preferably equal ring halves (1,2) connected to each other over slots (3) limited by flanges (4,5) comprising surfaces (6,7) which form an angle (.alpha.). The surfaces co-operate with opposing surfaces (10,11) on an annular clamping member (9) which enclosed the flanges. Means, e.g. screws (12), are provided for bringing about a wedging action by displacing of the clamping member in relation to the clamping ring, thereby varying the bore circumference of the clamping ring. The force uniting the clamping ring halves is completely taken up by the clamping member (9) and does not stress the screws (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: SKF Nova AB
    Inventors: Bengt Lundgren, Rune Adolfsson
  • Patent number: 4640480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for supporting a pipe (1) which has a low thickness in relation to its diameter and which is subjected to considerable variations in temperature and to a radial traction stress of a known direction. It comprises:(a) support cradles (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) having an internal profile with a curve radius close to that of the pipe;(b) a rigid half-collar (7) arranged around the pipe and separated from its periphery and on which certain of the cradles are fixed;(c) two articulated arms (5A, 5B) on the ends of the half-collar and on which the other cradles are fixed; and(d) a connection device (9A, 9B, 10, 11) formed by two other arms (9A, 9B) which are articulated on the one hand on the above-mentioned arms and on the other hand on pivot pin (10) on which is exerted the radial traction stress applying tightening on the pipe under the force of radial traction (F) applied to the pipe and independently of the expansion of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Stein Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Semedard, Jean-Jacques Marsault, Jean-Pierre Peyrelongue, Gerard Vallee
  • Patent number: 4627133
    Abstract: The assembly includes a pultruded glass fiber reinforced resin strap each end of which is secured between a pair of plates. At each end the plates and the strap are apertured to receive a retaining rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation
    Inventor: David H. Bartlow
  • Patent number: 4622719
    Abstract: A helically convoluted hose clamp has a central portion of rectangular cross-sectional outline, two intermediate portions of rectangular or V-shaped cross-sectional outline, and two radially outwardly extending end portions. The moments of resistance of the intermediate portions exceed the moment of resistance of the median portion, and the overall length of the clamp is in excess of 1.5 convolutions preferably between 2.5 and 2.6 convolutions. The inner diameter of the clamp is normally less than the outer diameter of the hose which is to be clamped on a pipe or the like. The length of the intermediate portions exceeds the length of the end portions, and each such intermediate portion can extend along an arc of approximately 360 degrees. Pronounced moments of resistance of the intermediate portions promote the clamping action and prevent the end portions from yielding and bending when they are acted upon to increase the inner diameter of the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Rasmussen GmbH
    Inventors: Jorgen S. Rasmussen, Heinz Sauer
  • Patent number: 4574434
    Abstract: A banding clip has two oppositely facing band engaging mechanisms for receiving the opposite ends of a looped band. The band has a lower base portion which has transversely extending teeth of rectangular cross section on its upper surface. The clip is open sided to permit the release of the band engaging mechanism. A hinge is located between the band engaging mechanisms so the clip may conform somewhat to the shape of a banded object. A tightening tool is engageable against an external tool face located on the clip between the oppositely facing band engaging mechanisms, and a band outlet is formed in this tool face at a position which is higher than and spaced from the opposite band engaging mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Shupe & March Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Shupe, T. Wayne March
  • Patent number: 4563795
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a conduit clamp utilizing a band circumferentially contractable by a screw substantially parallel to the axis of the conduit being clamped. The clamp components are formed of castings and heavy duty construction techniques whereby high circumferential forces can be produced without damage to the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventor: Paul J. E. Fournier
  • Patent number: 4555830
    Abstract: A device for progressively adjusting the relative positions of two elements, comprising a rack (5), a control knob (4) rotatably mounted on a support (3) above the rack and having its lower face turned toward the latter, a spiral rib (15) centered on the rotational axis (xx') of the control knob and the spiral rib, which axis is inclined with respect to the plane of the rack. The device is applicable to the tightening of ski boots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Roland Petrini, Jean-Louis De Marchi
  • Patent number: 4546524
    Abstract: An improved hose clamp apparatus for alternatively clamping, tightening and/or release of a hose associated with a collar of an engine, motor, pump or the like, in tightly confined or constricted spaces most accessible primarily from a direction substantially parallel to the hose comprising, a rotatable geared shaft engaging and driving corresponding transverse slots formed in a flexible band surrounding the hose being clamped. When a sufficient axial force component is supplied to the shaft so as to defeat the spring biasing force and disengage a shaft member, rotation thereof is possible so as to alter the circumference of the flexible band and correspondingly loosen or tighten the clamp apparatus about the hose fitted upon the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Inventor: Brad W. Kreft
  • Patent number: 4541145
    Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a split heat-shrinkable sleeve placed around the joint between the core conductors of two communication cables which are to be joined or spliced together. The sleeve has two upstanding lugs or flanges on either side of the split in the sleeve. The holding strips are placed against the outer surface of the lugs. Each strip consists of two foldable link assemblies joined to opposite ends of a straight, rigid center portion or line. A connecting rod is initially inserted through sleeves on each strip to keep the strip straight during placement against the lugs. Clamping springs are rotatably mounted on one strip, and, after placement of the strip, the springs are rotated over both strips, thereby forcing the lugs into contact with each other. The rods are then removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitomu Sato, Toshikazu Nakatani, Katsumi Yamashita, Terumi Ogata
  • Patent number: 4510650
    Abstract: A wire bundle or cable clamp primarily adapted for use in the aviation industry is disclosed. The clamp includes a flexible strap having a serrated portion and a strap receiving member to which the strap is mounted onto the strap receiving member and is biased to engage the serrations of the strap. The strap includes an enlarged head at one end and the strap receiving member includes an opening on one side thereof to receive and hold the enlarged head of the strap when it is inserted in a direction perpendicular to a plane formed by the central axis of the strap when the strap extends around a wire bundle or the like so that the enlarged portion of the strap may be looped around the wire bundle and then inserted into the strap receiving member while the other end is secured in the strap receiving member by the pawl. The free end of the strap extending beyond the pawl may then be grasped and pulled to tighten the strap around the wire bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Hollingsead International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cesar Espinoza
  • Patent number: 4507987
    Abstract: An elongated panel member body is provided including opposite end hooks opening toward remote ends of the body and outwardly of a first longitudinal side edge of the body. A longitudinal midportion of the body includes a transverse first finger receiving bore formed therethrough and the opposite end portions of the other longitudinal edge of the body include thumb engageable abutment surfaces facing outwardly of the body and engageable by the thumb of the user. One end of the body extends endwise outwardly beyond the corresponding hook and has one end of an elongated flexible tension member anchored relative thereto, the other end of the tension member being equipped with a hook member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Inventor: Otto E. vonBergen
  • Patent number: 4505465
    Abstract: A wood splitter's aid tool comprising an elongated, elastically stretchable, flexible member comprising a length of metal chain in series with a length of elastic cord, with the cord and a portion of the length of chain protectively surrounded by a preferably precurved length of synthetic hose and having, at one end of the member, a hook adapted to engage a selected link of the chain in order to encircle a block of wood to be split with the member under tension. The encircling band allows the block of wood to be split by an axe and holds it in assembled condition against pieces flying off and against the necessity of a person risking one hand to hold a small remaining piece in place as the other hand wields an axe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Inventor: Frank R. McCrary
  • Patent number: 4480395
    Abstract: A shoe closure intended particularly for ski boots contains two pull straps adapted to be fastened on corresponding parts of the shoe and a rotatable actuating member with two driving members arranged eccentrically with reference to the axis of rotation of the actuating member. The ends of the pull straps which face each other have only half the width of the remainder of the straps and are located adjacent and alongside each other. Each pull strap has a groove which is open toward the other pull strap, the depth of such groove corresponding to the eccentricity of the driving members, and the driving members engage in the groove so that a largely direct and effective and closing is made possible in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignees: Weinmann GmbH & Co. KG, Fahrrad-und Motorrad-Teilefabrik Im Haselbusch
    Inventor: Robert Schoch
  • Patent number: 4442154
    Abstract: A split sleeve of a shrinkable material having closure elements comprising projections and apertures for receiving the projections adjacent each edge characterized by the projections being integral tabs which are cut out from a portion of the sleeve and folded along the line inclined to the edge of the sleeve. To improve the stiffness of the longitudinal edges, reinforcing members may be partially embedded adjacent each edge with the closure elements formed therein or entirely embedded in the material of the sleeve member with the enclosure elements formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Fortsch, Hans-Jurgen Meltsch
  • Patent number: 4442155
    Abstract: A longitudinally divided cable sleeve characterized by a strip-like sleeve member which is composed of a heat-shrinkable material and has two longitudinal edges with reinforcing inserts to form first and second edges with reinforced portions, and coacting closure elements for joining the edges together with the elements on the first edge being bent from strips of material and having a head portion that is received in a slot or opening in the second edge. Preferably, each of the elements bent from a strip of material has a link portion, which is received in a slot of the first edge up to an abutment surface and a projecting closure part which is inserted through the opening of the second edge is provided with a latch element to prevent accidental and unintentional disassembly of the closure elements after the projecting closure part is inserted through the opening of the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Foertsch, Hans-Juergen Meltsch
  • Patent number: 4299012
    Abstract: A clamp structure with a clamping band having open ends adapted to be mechanically interconnected by outwardly extending hooks in an inner band portion operable to engage in corresponding apertures provided in an outer band portion; at least one plastically deformable ear is provided in the clamp structure for tightening the clamping band about an object to be fastened by plastic deformation of the ear; a substantially gap-free transition in the circumferential direction from the inner band portion to the ring-like configuration of the clamp structure defined by the clamping band is obtained by the use of a tongue-like extension at the free end of the inner band portion which is operable to engage into a tongue-receiving aperture or channel provided in the outer band portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 4186468
    Abstract: A ring clamp has a pair of flexible sheet-metal strips formed into a ring with one end of each strip juxtaposed with the one end of the other strip, and the other end of each strip lying intermediate the ends of the other strips. The buckles are each formed of a pair of sheet-metal parts one of which has ends bent over and formed with channels into which fit similar channels of another latch part whose ends are in turn bent over the first part for locking-together of the entire buckle into a rigid unit without the use of welding or rivets. Furthermore each buckle has inwardly directed teeth that can bite into the object being clamped. When the ends of the clamp are drawn together to tighten it around an object the two buckles are tightly pressed against the object and prevent sliding of the two strips relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Inventor: Michel H. Zaniewski
  • Patent number: 4153228
    Abstract: A clamp has a first curved portion with one end connected to a second curved portion which overlaps or surrounds a segment of the first curved portion including the free end thereof. The free end of the second curved portion is connected to an extension, which has an elongated slot adjacent its end and an inclined lower surface adjacent its end. A base extends from one of the first and second curved portions in substantially the same direction as the extension and has an inclined upper surface at its end for cooperation with the inclined lower surface of the extension. The base has an opening extending therethrough to receive a screw, which passes through the slot in the extension prior to passing through the opening in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samuel Delserro, Samuel B. Hsueh
  • Patent number: 4131788
    Abstract: An electrical heater for clamping round a body to be heated comprises a sheet-like elongate heating element, a housing member against which the element is located, and a continuous band of flexible metal strip formed into two closely-spaced elongate sections joined at their ends by rounded sections. The element is sandwiched between the housing member and one of the elongate sections and that section is slidably attached to the housing member. In use, the heater is located round the body with the housing member in contact with the body, and the rounded end sections of the strip are urged together, for example by a screw cooperating with rollers within the rounded sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: Hedin Limited
    Inventor: William J. Fulbrook
  • Patent number: 4128921
    Abstract: A tension strap to be circumferentially positioned about a body to be tenned includes a strap member and a plurality of longitudinally movable tension blocks carried on the inside circumferential surface of the strap member for engaging the body. Means for maintaining each of the tension blocks in a defined predetermined position relative to the strap member is provided and includes at least one pin fixedly carried by either the tension block or the strap member and extending through a guideway in the other, and an elastic member such as a spring or elastomer acting on the pin of each tension block against longitudinal movement to predetermine its position relative to the strap member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Horst Heinze, Gunter Stierle, Ernst D. Sach
  • Patent number: 4123026
    Abstract: A device used for removably attaching a strobe to a camera comprises a clamping band provided with a reinforcing plate and adapted to grasp the pillar-shaped grip of the strobe. The larger open end of a box attached to the camera has edges shaped to engage the pillar. The opposite end of the box is provided with inclined surfaces engageable by cooperating inclined surfaces of an operating lever held in position by a bolt which extends through the lever and the box and threads into the hole of the reinforcing plate. The lever has an operating handle which is permitted a degree of angular movement so that when it is turned in one direction the reinforcing plate is drawn into the open end of the box thereby tightening the band against the pillar of the strobe, and when the operating is lever is turned in the opposite direction the band is loosened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Inventor: Kawazoe Michio
  • Patent number: 4115904
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to locks for bracelets, belts and the like to fasten two ends of the same together. The lock basically includes sliders which are attached to the ends of the bracelet, etc., with the sliders having rack formations which are engaged by a single gear to effect the simultaneous inward and outward movement of these sliders. Associated with the gear is a ratchet wheel and depressable keys are provided for effecting the locking, releasing and rotation of the ratchet wheel and the associated gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Zwyro A.G.
    Inventors: Robert Zwyssig, Bernhard Tesch
  • Patent number: 4103826
    Abstract: A heat exchanger with a tubular body having helical ribs about its periphery constituting expanded interior and exterior conductive heating surfaces. A clamp is captively held to the tubular body for mounting the heat exchanger to the exhaust duct of a freestanding heating unit. Hot gases passing through the exhaust duct conductively heat is the expanded surface of the tubular body and air therein. A thermostatically controlled blower directs the heated air within the tubular body towards a heated surface of the freestanding heating unit for convectively heating the area about the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Inventor: Richard J. Wass
  • Patent number: RE33934
    Abstract: A clamp structure with a clamping band having open ends adapted to be mechanically interconnected by outwardly extending hooks in an inner band portion operable to engage in corresponding apertures provided in an outer band portion; at least one plastically deformable ear is provided in the clamp structure for tightening the clamping band about an object to be fastened by plastic deformation of the ear; a substantially gap-free transition in the circumferential direction from the inner band portion to the ring-like configuration of the clamp structure defined by the clamping band is obtained by the use of a tongue-like extension at the free end of the inner band portion which is operable to engage into a tongue-receiving aperture or channel provided in the outer band portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: RE35253
    Abstract: A hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the hose construction comprising a tubular flexible hose having opposite ends, fastening structure, and a clamp fastened to one of the ends of the hose with the fastening structure for substantially circumferentially and radially inwardly clamping the one end onto a member that has been inserted into the one end, the clamp having end projections for being toggled together to circumferentially enlarge the clamp and hold the clamp out of its clamping condition and for being released from each other so as to be circumferentially moved apart from each other as the clamp circumferentially shrinks into its clamping condition by the natural spring force of the clamp, the fastening structure comprising a single spot of adhesive disposed between and against the clamp and the hose at a point on the hose that is located substantially diametrically opposite the point on the hose where the end projections of the clamp are adapted to be toggled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe C. Worley, Dale K. Parker, Manuel Campo, Jerry W. Camden