CAM LEVER CLAMP FOR SANITARY FITTINGS

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a cam-type sanitary clamp for releasably coupling two flanged ends of a sanitary fitting, such as a tri-clover fitting. The clamp has an upper clamp ring component hinged to a lower clamp ring component, with a threaded shaft component that is pivotally connected to the lower clamp ring component, a cylindrical pivot component, and a cam-type lever component. The lever is pivotally connected to the pivot component and has a plurality of protrusions, such as lobes, that are each configured to be compressed against the slotted opening of the upper clamp ring section when the cam-type lever component is manually rotated from an open position to a closed position to secure the clamp about the flanges of a sanitary fitting.

Claims

1. A cam-type sanitary clamp for releasably coupling two sanitary fittings, comprising: an upper clamp ring component having a slotted opening; a lower clamp ring component attached to the upper clamp ring component at a hinged joint and rotatable thereabout such that the upper clamp ring and lower clamp ring are configurable to surround flanged ends of a sanitary fitting; a shaft component having a distal end pivotally connected to the lower clamp ring component, a mid-section which is receivable into the slotted opening in the upper clamp ring component, and a proximal end extending above the slotted opening when the mid-section is inserted within the slotted opening; a pivot component in rotatable connection to the proximal end of the shaft component; and a cam-type lever component pivotally connected to the pivot component and comprising at least one protrusion configured to be compressed against at least one ledge formed by the slotted opening of the upper clamp ring section when the cam-type lever component is manually rotated about the pivot component to a closed position to secure the clamp around a sanitary fitting.

2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the shaft component is a threaded bolt, and the pivot component has a threaded cylindrical opening that is threaded onto the shaft component.

3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one protrusion has at least one rounded surface.

4. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the pivot component is substantially cylindrical.

5. The clamp of claim 1, further comprising a gasket configured to be placed between two sanitary fittings before coupling thereby creating a fluid tight seal upon the clamp being closed about the sanitary fitting.

6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein: the upper clamp ring component including a front and back surface; the cam-type lever component further comprising at least two surfaces each parallel to the front and back surfaces of the upper clamp ring component; and the at least two surfaces are configured to be substantially flush with the outer surface of the upper clamp ring component when the cam-type lever component is in the closed position.

7. The clamp of claim 6, wherein the cam-type lever component further comprising an extrusion configured to provide a leverage space, wherein the leverage space allows access for manual release of the cam-type lever component from the closed position to an open position such that the clamp is released from the sanitary fitting.

8. The clamp of claim 2, further comprising a set screw configured to set the position of the hinge component on the shaft component.

9. The clamp of claim 1, further including a means for temporarily securing the cam-type lever component in the closed position.

10. The clamp of claim 9, wherein the means for temporarily securing the cam-type lever component in the closed position comprises a latch connected to the outer surface of the upper clamp ring component.

11. The clamp of claim 9, wherein the means for temporarily securing the cam-type lever component in the closed position comprises a magnetic attraction between at least a portion of the upper clamp ring component and at least a portion of the cam-type lever component.

12. A clamping means for releasably coupling two sanitary fittings, comprising: a hinge means for attaching a lower clamp ring component to an upper clamp ring component, thereby allowing the upper clamp ring component and the lower clamp ring component to rotate about the hinge means to surround the flanged ends of sanitary fittings; a first pivot means for pivotally connecting a distal end of a shaft component to the lower clamp ring component, wherein the shaft component comprises a mid-section which is receivable into a slotted opening in the upper clamp ring component and a proximal end extending above the slotted opening when the mid-section is inserted in the slotted opening; a connection means for connecting a pivot component to the proximal end of the shaft component; and a second pivot means for pivotally connecting a cam-type lever means to the pivot component; and a cam-type lever means for selectively moved from an open position to a closed position, the lever means including at least one protrusion configured to be compressed against at least one ledge formed by the slotted opening of the upper clamp ring section when the cam-type lever component is moved to a closed position.

13. The clamping means of claim 12, wherein the shaft component is a threaded bolt; and the pivot component has a threaded cylindrical opening and is threaded onto the shaft component.

14. The clamping means of claim 12, wherein the cam-type lever component further comprises: at least two surfaces each parallel to the front and back surfaces of the upper clamp ring component; and means for configuring the at least two surfaces to be substantially flush with the outer surface of the upper clamp ring component when the cam-type lever component is in the closed position.

15. The clamping means of claim 14, the cam-type lever component further comprising: a means for allowing access for manual release of the cam-type lever component from closed position to open position.

16. The clamping means of claim 13, further comprising a means for securing the position of the hinge component on the shaft component.

17. The clamping means of claim 12, further comprising a means for temporarily securing the cam-type lever component in the closed position.

18. The clamping means of claim 17, wherein the means for temporarily securing the cam-type lever component in the closed position comprises a latch connected to the outer surface of the upper clamp ring component.

19. The clamping means of claim 17, wherein the means for temporarily securing the cam-type lever component in the closed position comprises a magnetic means for magnetically attracting at least a portion of the upper clamp ring component to at least a portion of the cam-type lever component.

20. A cam-type sanitary clamp for releasably coupling a tri-clover fitting, comprising: an upper clamp ring component including a front and back surface thereof; a lower clamp ring component attached to the upper clamp ring component at a hinged joint, thereby allowing the upper clamp ring component and the lower clamp ring component to rotate about the hinged joint and to surround the flanged ends of a tri-clover fitting; a shaft component having a distal end pivotally connected to the lower clamp ring component, a mid-section which is receivable into a slotted opening in the upper clamp ring component, and a proximal end extending above the slotted opening when the mid-section is inserted in the slotted opening; a cylindrical pivot component having a threaded cylindrical opening by which the pivot component is threaded onto to the proximal end of the shaft component; a set screw configured to set the position of the hinge component on the shaft component; a cam-type lever component pivotally connected to the pivot component and comprising a plurality of protrusions each configured to be compressed against at least one ledge formed by the slotted opening of the upper clamp ring section when the cam-type lever component is manually hinged from an open position to a closed position to hold the clamp about a tri-clover fitting in a fluid tight relationship; the cam-type lever component further comprising: an extrusion configured to provide a leverage space, wherein the leverage space allows access for manual release of the cam-type lever component from closed position to open position; at least two surfaces each parallel to the front and back surfaces of the upper clamp ring component; and the at least two surfaces are configured to be substantially flush with the outer surface of the upper clamp ring component when the cam-type lever component is in the closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary cam-type sanitary clamp with cam-type lever component in closed position, coupling a pair sanitary pipe fittings.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a reverse perspective view of an exemplary cam-type sanitary clamp with a cam-type lever component in closed position, coupling a pair of sanitary pipe fittings.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary cam-type sanitary clamp with a cam-type lever component in closed position, coupling a pair of sanitary pipe fittings.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary cam-type sanitary clamp with a cam-type lever component in open position.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary cam-type lever component.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a reverse perspective view of an exemplary cam-type lever component, featuring its rounded protrusions.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary cam-type lever component, featuring its rounded protrusions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIGS. 1 through 3 depict a perspective view, a reverse-perspective view, and profile view, respectively, of an exemplary cam-type sanitary clamp 100 with a cam-type lever component 102 in closed position, coupling sanitary pipe fittings 104 and 106. Closed position may refer to the configuration in which a cam-type lever component 102 has been pushed down to tighten the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 around the sanitary pipe fittings 104 and 106.

[0026] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary cam-type sanitary clamp 100 with a cam-type lever component 102 in an open position. An open position may be any configuration of the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 when the cam-type lever is component 102 is not substantially in a closed position.

[0027] In some embodiments, the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 may include an upper clamp ring component 108 and a lower clamp ring component 110 attached to the upper clamp ring component 108 at a hinged joint 112. The hinged joint 112 may allow the upper clamp ring component 108 and the lower clamp ring component 110 to rotate about the hinged joint 112 and to surround the flanged ends of sanitary fittings 104 and 106, such as in a tri-clover fitting.

[0028] The cam-type sanitary clamp 100 may further include a shaft component 114, which may have a distal end pivotally connected to the lower clamp ring component 110; a mid-section that is receivable into a slotted opening in the upper clamp ring component 108; and a proximal end extending above the slotted opening when the mid-section is inserted in the slotted opening. In some embodiments, the shaft component 114 may include threaded bolt.

[0029] Additionally, the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 may include a pivot component 116 attached to the shaft component 114. In some embodiments, the pivot component 116 may have a threaded cylindrical opening by which the pivot component 116 is threaded onto to the proximal end of the threaded bolt of the shaft component 114.

[0030] In some embodiments, the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 may further include a set screw configured to set the position of the pivot component 116 upon the shaft component 114. Accordingly, a user may screw the pivot component 116 to a position such that the clamp securely locks and tightens when the cam-type lever component 102 is manually pushed down to fit around the cam-type sanitary clamp 100, i.e., when the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 has been closed with the cam-type lever component into closed position.

[0031] FIGS. 5 through 7 depict a perspective view, a reverse perspective view, and a profile view, respectively, of an exemplary cam-type lever component 102.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cam-type lever component 102 may comprise a plurality of protrusions 302 and 604, such as a lobe. Each protrusion is configured to be compressed against at least one ledge formed by the slotted opening of the upper clamp ring section when the cam-type lever component 102 is manually rotated from an open position to a closed position. In various embodiments, at least one protrusion may at least partially include a rounded surface, such as a semi-spherical lobe or other planar offset that creates pressure with the pivoting of the lever.

[0033] The cam-type lever component 102 may be a made of metal, and may be cast, milled, lobed, and/or chamfered such that, when it is in closed position, the cam-type lever component 102 fits around the clamp component while allowing a user to grasp the cam-type lever component in order to manually unfasten the clamp.

[0034] Accordingly, the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 may be configured to retain the flanged ends of the sanitary fittings 104 and 106 in a fluid tight relationship when the cam-type lever component 102 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, a gasket may be placed between the two sanitary fittings to enhance the efficacy of the fluid tight relationship.

[0035] In some embodiments, the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 may include a means for temporarily securing the cam-type lever component 102 in the closed position, such as a mechanism for protecting against unintended unfastening of the cam-type lever component 102. For example, the cam-type lever component 102 include at least two surfaces each parallel to the front and back surfaces of the upper clamp ring component 108. The aforementioned surfaces of the cam-type lever component 102 may be configured to be substantially flush with the outer surface of the upper clamp ring component 108 when the cam-type lever component 102 is in the closed position. Additionally, the cam-type lever component 102 may include an extrusion configured to provide a leverage space, wherein the leverage space may allow access for manual release of the cam-type lever component 102 from closed position to open position. A leverage space may be a divot, dimple, or other crevice shaped to accommodate the tip of a nail or finger so that a user may gain leverage. Alternatively or concurrently, the cam-type lever component 102 may allow for a user to easily grip and unfasten the clamp, such as by including at least one of the following: a divot, a beveled undercut, a handle shape, a rough texture, or an easily graspable material such as rubber.

[0036] Alternatively or concurrently, a means for temporarily securing the cam-type lever component 102 in the closed position may include a latch connected to the outer surface of the upper clamp ring component 108. Alternatively, the cam-type lever component 102 and upper clamp ring component 108 may be configured with magnets to be magnetically attracted to one another.

[0037] A user may operate a cam-type sanitary clamp 100 to securely connect both components of a sanitary fitting pair to each other. Specifically, after starting from an open position of the cam-type sanitary clamp 100, the user may manually fasten the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 around the sanitary pipe fittings 104 and 106 and swing into place the shaft component 114, onto which the cam-type lever component 102 has been connected by the pivot component 116. Finally, the user may bring the cam-type sanitary clamp 100 into closed position by rotating the cam-type lever component 102 to tighten and fasten the cam-type sanitary clamp 100, thereby securing the connection between the sanitary pipe fittings 104 and 106.

[0038] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.