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: 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 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 T-bolt pipe clamp of the quick-attach type in which a head portion of the T-bolt can be inserted into or removed from one of the connecting ends of the clamp. The clamp has first and second loop ends that are drawn together during tightening by a T-bolt fastener. The first loop end has a latch insert that accepts the head portion of the T-bolt and provides additional strength to the loop end. The latch insert can include a tab to help guide the T-bolt into the loop end and thereafter prevent it from too easily disengaging the loop end.

Abstract: A pipe coupler for use in connecting a pair of automotive exhaust pipe ends each having a circumferential rib. The pipe coupler includes a ribbed band and internal split sealing sleeve along with a tightening mechanism for clamping the band and sleeve over the pipe ends. The sealing sleeve fits within the band and both the sleeve and band have a pair of ribs positioned to fit over the ribs on the pipe ends. The sleeve extends circumferentially from a first end to a second end, and includes a tongue-and-groove sealing configuration located axially inwardly of the ribs at the first and second ends. Each tongue has a particular construction that accommodates larger clamp opening dimensions required to fit the coupler over the pipe ribs during assembly. The sleeve can include inwardly protruding sealing beads that help prevent leakage of exhaust gases from the pipe junction.

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: A coupler for use in joining two pipes in a butt joint. The coupler includes a band clamp and a split sealing sleeve disposed inside the band clamp for encircling the abutted ends of the pipes. The split sealing sleeve has a tongue-and-groove sealing joint at the confronting free ends of the sleeve. The sealing joint has a member at the mating edges to provide a resilient interference fit of the tongue-and-groove.

Abstract: A band clamp used to connect tubular bodies such as vehicle exhaust system components. The band clamp has a band extending from a first end to a second end and includes a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between the first and second ends. A tightening mechanism is connected to the band and includes two clamp members movable toward and away from each other for tightening and loosening of the band. The band clamp further includes a gasket located on an inner surface of the band between the ribs and extending between the first and second ends. The use of the ribs with the interposed gasket provides a mechanical interlock of the band clamp with the tubular bodies while providing a hermetic seal at the junction between the two bodies.

Abstract: A band clamp having a band and a nut and bolt fastener. The band includes radially-extending opposed flanges each having an aperture for receiving the bolt. The bolt has a shank that includes a neck, a threaded body for receiving the nut, and a tapered transition from the neck to the threaded body. In one embodiment, the tapered transition extends only partially around the shank such that a portion of the neck has a common surface with the body. During tightening, the radially inward facing surface of the aperture in the flange can engage the threaded body and slide along the threaded body across the common surface and onto the neck without having to traverse and ride up over the tapered transition. In another embodiment, the nut has an angled shoulder that engages the tapered transition when the nut is tightened to the desired axial position on the bolt.

Abstract: A band clamp comprising a sleeve and a tightening mechanism that includes at least one fastener, such as a nut and bolt, as well as a reaction member which is constructed of a single piece of sheet metal. The reaction member is disposed between the end flanges of the clamp sleeve and can be shaped such that it is forcibly pressed into engagement with the underlying pipe when the clamp is tightened. The reaction member can be a separate component retained between the flanges by engagement of end portions of the reaction member with retainer ears on the flanges. Alternatively, the end flanges and reaction member can all be unitary portions of the clamp sleeve such that the complete band clamp, except for the bolt and nut, is comprised of a unitary piece of sheet metal.

Abstract: A coupler for use in joining two pipes in a butt joint. The coupler includes a band clamp and a split sealing sleeve disposed inside to band clamp for encircling the abutted ends of the pipes. The split sealing sleeve has a tongue-and-groove sealing joint at the confronting free ends of the sleeve. The sealing joint has a member at the mating edges to provide a resilient interference fit of the tongue-and-groove.

Abstract: A band clamp used to connect tubular bodies such as vehicle exhaust system components. The band clamp has a band extending from a first end to a second end and includes a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between the first and second ends. A tightening mechanism is connected to the band and includes two clamp members movable toward and away from each other for tightening and loosening of the band. The band clamp further includes a gasket located on an inner surface of the band between the ribs and extending between the first and second ends. The use of the ribs with the interposed gasket provides a mechanical interlock of the band clamp with the tubular bodies while providing a hermetic seal at the junction between the two bodies.

Abstract: A band clamp comprising a sleeve and a tightening mechanism that includes at least one fastener, such as a nut and bolt, as well as a reaction member which is constructed of a single piece of sheet metal. The reaction member is disposed between the end flanges of the clamp sleeve and can be shaped such that it is forcibly pressed into engagement with the underlying pipe when the clamp is tightened. The reaction member can be a separate component retained between the flanges by engagement of end portions of the reaction member with retainer ears on the flanges. Alternatively, the end flanges and reaction member can all be unitary portions of the clamp sleeve such that the complete band clamp, except for the bolt and nut, is comprised of a unitary piece of sheet metal.

Abstract: A coupler is disclosed for use in joining two pipes in a butt joint. The coupler includes a band clamp and a split sealing sleeve disposed inside the band clamp for encircling the abutted ends of the pipes. The split sealing sleeve has a tongue-and-groove sealing joint at the confronting free ends of the sleeve. The sealing joint has a member at the mating edges to provide a resilient interference fit of the tongue-and-groove.

Abstract: A coupler for use in joining two pipes in a butt joint. The coupler includes a band clamp and a split sealing sleeve disposed inside the band clamp for encircling the abutted ends of the pipes. The split sealing sleeve has a tongue-and-groove sealing joint at the confronting free ends of the sleeve. The sealing joint has a member at the mating edges to provide a resilient interference fit of the tongue-and-groove.

Abstract: A band clamp for pipe joints is disclosed comprising a band with confronting sidewalls when wrapped around pipes to be coupled. The clamping mechanism includes a pair of force bars outboard of the sidewalls and a spline with concave surfaces on opposite sides, the spline being disposed between the end flanges. A bolt extends through bolt holes and draws the flanges against the spline to stretch the band around the pipes when the bolt is tightened against the force bars. The sidewalls have lateral flanges which overhang the spline to arrest movement of the sidewalls relative to the spline to obtain alignment of the bolt holes when the clamp is tightened. In some embodiments, the band is folded back on itself to form a double thickness which extends from the upper end of each sidewall to a point beyond the lower end of the sidewall and provides an inverted flap sandwiched between the clamp band and the pipe. The inverted flap may be secured to the band by mechanical interlock between the layers.

Abstract: A band clamp used to connect tubular bodies such as vehicle exhaust system components. The band clamp has a band extending from a first end to a second end and includes a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between the first and second ends. A tightening mechanism is connected to the band and includes two clamp members movable toward and away from each other for tightening and loosening of the band. The band clamp further includes a gasket located on an inner surface of the band between the ribs and extending between the first and second ends. The use of the ribs with the interposed gasket provides a mechanical interlock of the band clamp with the tubular bodies while providing a hermetic seal at the junction between the two bodies.

Abstract: A band clamp is provided making a joint in each of two pairs of closely spaced pipes wherein the pipes in each pair are aligned with each other. The clamp has a single closed loop clamp band for connecting adjoining ends of the first pair to make a sealed joint and connecting the adjoining ends of the second pair of pipes to make a sealed joint. The clamp band encircles both pairs of pipes and overlaps a portion of the adjoining ends of both pairs of pipes. The closed loop of the clamp band has oppositely disposed concave lobe portions spanning the gap between the pipes and a clamping mechanism is provided for drawing the lobe portions toward each other for tightening the band around the adjoining ends of the pipes to provide a mechanical connection and a sealed joint in each pair of pipes.

Abstract: A coupler is disclosed for use in joining two pipes in a butt joint. The coupler includes a band clamp and a split sealing sleeve disposed inside the band clamp for encircling the abutted ends of the pipes. The split sealing sleeve has a tongue-and-groove sealing joint at the confronting free ends of the sleeve. The sealing joint has a member at the mating edges to provide a resilient interference fit of the tongue-and-groove.