SINGLE-USE SANITARY TRI-CLAMP

Abstract

A clamp having a first arcuate clamp member pivotally connected to a second arcuate clamp member via a first pivot member 16 located at one end of the clamp members, the clamp members being pivotable between an open configuration in which the free ends of the clamp members are displaced from one another facilitating the insertion of the mating pipe flanges to be clamped, and a closed configuration wherein the free ends of the clamp members contact one another and encircle the mating flanged end connections. Associated with the first arcuate clamp member is an arcuate articulated lever which itself is pivotally attached by a third pivot member linking to member, which is itself pivotally attached by second pivot member to the free end of the first clamp member.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A clamp for coupling two mating flanges, the clamp comprising first and second jaw members, the first jaw member being pivotally mounted to the second and having at its free end an articulated lever with a latch, the latch engageable with a catch disposed at the free end of the second jaw member, wherein the clamp has an open configuration in which the free ends of the jaw members are displaced apart and two mating flanges may be received between the jaw members, and a closed configuration in which the free ends of the jaw members are proximal to one another, and wherein said lever is moveable between an unlocked configuration wherein the latch is displaced away from the catch, and a locked configuration wherein the latch is received by and engages with the catch.

13. The clamp as claimed in claim 12, wherein the jaw members are arcuate in shape.

14. The clamp as claimed in claim 13, wherein the jaw members form a closed circular body when in the closed configuration.

15. The clamp as claimed in claim 12, having a predefined internal diameter to join, secure and / or seal mating flanges of a correspondingly sized diameter.

16. The clamp as claimed in claim 12, comprising a channel for receiving compatible flanges disposed at the ends of two pipes to be coupled.

17. The clamp as claimed in claim 12, comprising a 100% polymer-based material construction.

18. The clamp as claimed in claim 12, having an over-centre self-locking operation which joins the two jaw members of the clamp together.

19. The clamp as claimed in claim 12, comprising a safety feature to permanently lock the clamp in the closed configuration by preventing the lever from being displaced away from its locked configuration.

20. The clamp as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a sacrificial security seal which can prevent accidental opening of the clamp and/or also provide evidence of any tampering with the clamp or the mating sanitary seal.

21. The clamp as claimed in claim 12, having a pre-set over-centre locking force.

22. A kit of parts comprising of two or more pipe members and at least one clamp as claimed in claim 12.

Description

[0023] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying images in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a clamp in accordance with the present invention in a closed and locked configuration;

[0025] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 shows the clamp of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0026] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a clamp in accordance with the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 5 shows the clamp of FIGS. 1 to 4 where the latch is engaged with a catch and the clamp is in an intermediate configuration between the open and closed configurations;

[0028] FIG. 6 shows how a mating flange / hose barb connector is fully clamped in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] There is provided a clamp 10 having a first arcuate clamp member 12 pivotally connected to a second arcuate clamp member 14 via a first pivot member 16 located at one end of the clamp members, the clamp members being pivotable between an open configuration in which the free ends 18 & 20 of the clamp members are displaced from one another facilitating the insertion of the mating pipe flanges to be clamped, and a closed configuration wherein the free ends 18 & 20 of the clamp members contact one another and encircle the mating flanged end connections.

[0030] Associated with the first arcuate clamp member is an arcuate articulated lever 30 which itself is pivotally attached by a third pivot member 32 linking to member 34, which is itself pivotally attached by second pivot member 36 to the free end of the first clamp member 12.

[0031] The lever 30 has a recess (40) which accommodates the security pin 150 (in FIG. : 4) disposed proximally to the third pivot member 32 and comprising two cylindrical members 42 & 44 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal plane of the lever and shaped to be received by a catch comprising complementarily shaped arcuate catches 50 & 52 disposed at the free end of the second clamp member.

[0032] Each clamp member has a elongated channel 60 & 62 extending the entire length of the inner surface of each member. The channels 60 & 62, each have a base 64 and two inclined side walls 66 & 68 extending therefrom and sized to accommodate the mating flanges attached at the end of the pipes to be coupled together using the clamp.

[0033] Pivot 16 comprises a flat headed Rivet 80 comprising a circular flat head 82 from which a shaft 84 extends perpendicularly to the plane of the flat head 82. The rivet 80 is received in a complementarily shaped sleeve 86, having a cylindrical body 88 open at one end and sized to receive the rivet shaft 84 of rivet 80. The other end of the sleeve 86 is closed and has a circular flat head 90. The shaft and sleeve body co-operate with apertures located at the ends of the first and second clamp members and extend therethrough to connect the arcuate clamp members and provide a pivot point. The apertures are located in lugs 100 & 102 of the second clamp member and lug 104 of the first clamp member. Lugs 100 and 102 are separated and form a space therebetween to receive the lug 104. When the apertures are aligned, the rivet pin and sleeve may be inserted therethrough and secured to form the pivot.

[0034] Similarly, pivots 32 and 36 (in FIG. : 2) also comprises a rivet pin and sleeve arrangement. The second pivot 36 and the third pivot 32 each comprise a rivet pin 110 & 110′ and a sleeves 112 & 112′ as shown in FIG. : 4

[0035] Rivet pin 110 and sleeve 112 connect one end of the lever 116 (of part 34) to the linking member to the first arcuate member which has a pair of spaced-apart lugs 120 & 122 to receive the one end of the linking member rivet pin 110 and sleeve 112 therethrough, whilst the other end of the linking member 126 is received in a pair of lugs 130 & 132 disposed on the end of lever 30 and secured thereto via the rivet pin 110 and sleeve 112′ passing through complementarily shaped apertures.

[0036] Extending through the latch is an aperture which can be aligned with a complementarily shaped aperture located in the linking member when in the closed configuration. A sacrificial locking pin 150 may be inserted therethrough to secure the clamp in a closed configuration to prevent the clamp from being opened accidentally or from being tampered with.

[0037] When the clamp is to be closed, the lever and first clamp member are displaced such that the latch is received by the catch. Once engaged, the lever is displaced in a direction toward the first pivot member drawing the clamp members together such that - they join and encircle the mating pipe ends to be clamped. The lever is displaced to the locked position when it overlies the first arcuate clamp member.