Abstract: A pipe clamp with a band and a worm drive mechanism that provides a fluid-tight seal at a joint involving one or more metal pipes. The worm drive mechanism includes a screw and a housing. The housing has an end wall located opposite a head of the screw. The end wall at least partially encloses a terminal end portion of the screw. Surface-to-surface abutment between the terminal end portion and the end wall during tightening precludes deformation of the housing that might otherwise be experienced.

Abstract: A fuel line connector assembly that includes a connector, collar, and insert. The connector has a first interconnector, and the collar has a second interconnector and is constructed for attachment to a conduit of a fuel line assembly. The connector, collar, and insert are connectable together such that the first interconnector of the connector and the second interconnector of the collar engage each other along a generally axial direction and secure the connector and collar together. The insert has a keeper and, upon circumferential rotation of the insert, the keeper interacts with the first and second interconnectors and holds their engagement and maintains securement between the connector and collar. A cover having one or more actuating buttons fits over the collar and insert to enable disengagement of the insert and collar so the insert can be rotated to permit disconnection of the collar from the connector.

Abstract: A hose clamp includes a band and a worm drive mechanism. The band has a set of slots located between a first and second circumferential end of the band. The worm drive mechanism is connected to the band and causes radial contraction of the band to tighten the band. The worm drive mechanism includes a screw that engages the set of slots for radial contraction of the band. A clamping-pressure-restoring construction is provided in order to maintain a seal between the hose clamp and an underlying hose during use of the hose clamp and when the underlying hose experiences size expansion and contraction due to, for example, temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: A hose clamp includes a band and a worm drive mechanism. The band has a set of slots located between a first and second circumferential end of the band. The worm drive mechanism is connected to the band and causes radial contraction of the band to tighten the band. The worm drive mechanism includes a screw that engages the set of slots for radial contraction of the band. A clamping-pressure-restoring construction is provided in order to maintain a seal between the hose clamp and an underlying hose during use of the hose clamp and when the underlying hose experiences size expansion and contraction due to, for example, temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: A v-band clamp having a band extending circumferentially from a first end to a second end, a latch assembly located at the first and second ends of the band, and a plurality of v-insert segments located radially underneath the band when the v-band clamp is tightened on a pair of tubular body end flanges. The latch assembly includes a fastener used to tighten the v-band clamp and the plurality of v-insert segments include a first v-insert segment attached to the band and a second v-insert, wherein, when the v-band clamp is tightened on the pair of end flanges, the band moves circumferentially independently relative to the second v-insert segment.

Abstract: A pipe clamp that includes a band having an inner surface defining a first channel segment located inwardly of first and second axial ends of the band, a tightening mechanism for drawing first and second circumferential ends of the band toward each other to tighten the band, and a bridge abutting the inner surface and circumferentially spanning a break in the first channel segment that is located at the tightening mechanism, The bridge has a second channel segment aligned with the first channel segment such that the first and second channel segments together define a substantially continuous circular channel located at an interior portion of the clamp. The pipe clamp further includes a gasket seated at least partially within the channel. The bridge can be attached to a reaction block used in the tightening mechanism to maintain proper position during tightening of the band.

Abstract: A fuel line connector assembly that includes a connector, collar, and insert. The connector has a first interconnector, and the collar has a second interconnector and is constructed for attachment to a conduit of a fuel line assembly. The connector, collar, and insert are connectable together such that the first interconnector of the connector and the second interconnector of the collar engage each other along a generally axial direction and secure the connector and collar together. The insert has a keeper and, upon circumferential rotation of the insert, the keeper interacts with the first and second interconnectors and holds their engagement and maintains securement between the connector and collar. A cover having one or more actuating buttons fits over the collar and insert to enable disengagement of the insert and collar so the insert can be rotated to permit disconnection of the collar from the connector.

Abstract: A fuel line connector assembly that includes first and second connectors. The first connector includes a ramp having an inner core and an outer skin surrounding at least a part of the inner core. The inner core extends through the ramp at a location adjacent a radially extending retaining surface for at least a portion of the radial extent of the retaining surface. The second connector has a hook wherein, when the first and second connectors are brought together and secured to each other, the hook inhibits separation of the first and second connectors by bearing again the retaining surface. The first connector is made by coinjection molding a connector body having the outer skin and inner core with the inner core extending through the ramp to a sacrificial portion, and then severing the sacrificial portion from the ramp leaving the inner core exposed at an apex of the ramp.

Abstract: A pipe clamp that includes a band, tightening mechanism for the band, a split sleeve within the band, and gasket located inside a circumferential channel in the split sleeve. The split sleeve includes a tongue-and-groove joint in which the tongue has at least one side edge that confronts and engages a side edge of the groove during penetration of the tongue into the groove in response to tightening of the outer band using the fastening mechanism. This provides a metal-to-metal seal at the tongue-and-groove joint. The relative construction of the tongue and groove is such that during penetration of the tongue into the groove, there are areas of spaced separation between the confronting side edges of the tongue and groove. Also, during tightening, the gasket is forced into these areas of spaced separation which provides a second, gasketed seal at the tongue-and-groove joint.

Abstract: A v-band clamp having a band extending circumferentially from a first end to a second end, a latch assembly located at the first and second ends of the band, and a plurality of v-insert segments located radially underneath the band when the v-band clamp is tightened on a pair of tubular body end flanges. The latch assembly includes a fastener used to tighten the v-band clamp and the plurality of v-insert segments include a first v-insert segment attached to the band and a second v-insert, wherein, when the v-band clamp is tightened on the pair of end flanges, the band moves circumferentially independently relative to the second v-insert segment.

Abstract: A band clamp used for forming a pipe lap joint. The band clamp includes a band, tightening mechanism, and gasket. The band extends circumferentially from a first end to a second end and is sized to fit over an outside pipe end. The tightening mechanism is connected to the band at the first and second end. The tightening mechanism includes at least one fastener to bring the first and second ends toward each other to tighten the band over the outside pipe end. The gasket is constructed to fit over an inside pipe end and within the outside pipe end such that the gasket is at least partially sandwiched between said inside and outside pipe ends. The gasket has an embossment extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the gasket and being constructed to be received at least partly within a slot of the outside pipe end.

Abstract: An expandable clamp includes a band and a worm gear mechanism. The band makes an imaginary circumference and has a number of slots spaced apart from one another along the imaginary circumference. The worm gear mechanism is connected to the band and operates to radially expand and contract the imaginary circumference of the band. The worm gear mechanism includes a worm gear that has a threaded shank that engages the slots when the worm gear is rotated which causes the radial expansion and contraction of the imaginary circumference.

Abstract: A pipe clamp that includes a band having an inner surface defining a first channel segment located inwardly of first and second axial ends of the band, a tightening mechanism for drawing first and second circumferential ends of the band toward each other to tighten the band, and a bridge abutting the inner surface and circumferentially spanning a break in the first channel segment that is located at the tightening mechanism, The bridge has a second channel segment aligned with the first channel segment such that the first and second channel segments together define a substantially continuous circular channel located at an interior portion of the clamp. The pipe clamp further includes a gasket seated at least partially within the channel. The bridge can be attached to a reaction block used in the tightening mechanism to maintain proper position during tightening of the band.

Abstract: A band clamp that connects overlapping pipe ends includes a band, a tightening mechanism, and a gasket. The band has a radially protruding rib, a first lateral section that extends from a side of the rib, and a second lateral section that extends from another side of the rib. The tightening mechanism connects to the band and is operable to tighten the band, and the gasket is received in the rib. In one example, an axial width of the lateral sections are within a range relative to an axial width of the rib, and in another example, the lateral sections are angled inwardly with relative to an axis of the band.

Abstract: A pipe clamp that includes a band, tightening mechanism for the band, a split sleeve within the band, and gasket located inside a circumferential channel in the split sleeve. The split sleeve includes a tongue-and-groove joint in which said tongue has at least one side edge that confronts and engages a side edge of the groove during penetration of the tongue into the groove in response to tightening of the outer band using the fastening mechanism. This provides a metal-to-metal seal at the tongue-and-groove join. The relative construction of the tongue and groove is such that during penetration of the tongue into the groove, there are areas of spaced separation between the confronting side edges of the tongue and groove. Also during tightening the gasket is forced into these areas of spaced separation which provides a second, gasketed seal at the tongue-and-groove joint.

Abstract: A band clamp used for forming a pipe lap joint. The band clamp includes a band, tightening mechanism, and gasket. The band extends circumferentially from a first end to a second end and is sized to fit over an outside pipe end. The tightening mechanism is connected to the band at the first and second end. The tightening mechanism includes at least one fastener to bring the first and second ends toward each other to tighten the band over the outside pipe end. The gasket is constructed to fit over an inside pipe end and within the outside pipe end such that the gasket is at least partially sandwiched between said inside and outside pipe ends. The gasket has an embossment extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the gasket and being constructed to be received at least partly within a slot of the outside pipe end.

Abstract: A pipe clamp that enables two pipes to be loosely connected together in a desired axially-aligned and rotationally-aligned configuration prior to tightening of the clamp. The pipe clamp includes a band having a first end and a second end, and a tightening mechanism connected to the band for drawing the ends of the band together. The pipe clamp further includes a latch having a base portion attached to the band and a clip portion that snaps over a button welded to the pipe to temporarily hold the clamp in place on the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe clamp that is used over a ball joint formed between a balled end of a first pipe and a flared end of a second pipe. The pipe clamp has a band and a tightening mechanism. The band extends axially from a first edge to a second edge, and extends circumferentially from a first end to a second end. The band has a step formed circumferentially in a body of the band between the first and second edge. The step accommodates a stepped seam that is produced between the balled end and the flared end when they are overlapped with respect to each other. The tightening mechanism draws the first and second ends of the band toward and away from each other in order to respectively tighten and loosen the pipe clamp.

Abstract: An expandable clamp includes a band and a worm gear mechanism. The band makes an imaginary circumference and has a number of slots spaced apart from one another along the imaginary circumference. The worm gear mechanism is connected to the band and operates to radially expand and contract the imaginary circumference of the band. The worm gear mechanism includes a worm gear that has a threaded shank that engages the slots when the worm gear is rotated which causes the radial expansion and contraction of the imaginary circumference.

Abstract: A band clamp that connects overlapping pipe ends includes a band, a tightening mechanism, and a gasket. The band has a radially protruding rib, a first lateral section that extends from a side of the rib, and a second lateral section that extends from another side of the rib. The tightening mechanism connects to the band and is operable to tighten the band, and the gasket is received in the rib. In one example, an axial width of the lateral sections are within a range relative to an axial width of the rib, and in another example, the lateral sections are angled inwardly with relative to an axis of the band.