Clamping apparatus and method of use thereof

{
  "publication_number": "US11168601B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Clamping apparatus and method of use thereof",
  "abstract": "Clamping apparatus is provided including clamp means for clamping two or more items together in use. The clamping means are arranged to move between a clamped and an unclamped position in use. Attachment means are provided on or associated with the clamping means for attaching one or more components to said clamping means in use. The components consist of any or any combination of one or more sensor means, one or more dispensing means or one or more electronic components. The clamping means includes at least one band member. The at least one band member forms an outer band and the attachment means are provided on or associated with at least an additional band member in the form of an inner band or segment that is provided with or associated with the outer band.",
  "claims": [
    "1. Clamping apparatus, said clamping apparatus including clamping means for clamping two or more items together in use, said clamping means including at least one outer or outermost band or strap member that is annular or substantially annular in form; and at least, one additional inner or innermost band or strap member, or band or strap segment, that is arranged to be in overlapping relationship with the at least one outer or outermost band or strap member in use; the outer or outermost band or strap member arranged to move between a clamped position and an unclamped position in use, and wherein attachment means are provided on or associated with the clamping means for attaching one or more components to said clamping means in use, said components, consisting of any or any combination of one or more sensor means, one or more dispensing means or one or more electronic components, the attachment means are provided on or associated with at least one additional band or strap member, or band or strap segment, and said attachment means includes component location means, socket or sleeve member that protrudes outwardly from an outer or outwardly facing surface of the at least one additional inner or innermost band or strap member, or band or strap segment in use.",
    "2. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one outer or outermost band member and/or additional inner or innermost band or strap member, or band or strap segment is profiled, has one or more angled surfaces when viewed in cross section, is V-shaped or substantially V-shaped in cross section or is U-shaped or substantially U-shaped in cross section.",
    "3. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the additional inner r innermost band or strap member is continuous or substantially continuous inform.",
    "4. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein attachment means are also provided on or associated with the at least one outer or outermost band or strap member.",
    "5. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the location and/or removal of the one or more components with the clamping apparatus can be undertaken independently of clamping of the clamping apparatus with the two or more items in use, and/or wherein the at least one additional inner or innermost band or strap member, or hand or strap segment, is arranged so as to be located with the two items being clamped independently of or separately to the at least one outer or outermost band or strap member.",
    "6. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means are provided on or associated with the additional, inner or innermost band member, the band or strap segment and/or the at least one outer or outermost band member a spaced distance apart from one or more peripheral or side edges, or all peripheral or side edges, thereof, and/or a spaced distance from one or more ends or opposing ends of the same.",
    "7. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means includes first attachment means for attaching the component location member to the at least one additional inner or innermost band or strap member, the band or strap segment and/or the at least one outer or outermost band member; and second attachment means for attaching the one or more components to the component location member.",
    "8. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the socket or sleeve member has a channel defined therein or therethrough, and wherein an interior surface of the socket or sleeve member channel is provided with screw threads for engaging with complementary screw threads provided on an external surface of the component and/or second attachment means.",
    "9. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the component location member, socket or sleeve member has a first part or end that is larger in dimensions than a second part or end, thereby allowing the second part or end to pass through an aperture defined in the at least one additional inner or innermost band or strap member, band or strap segment and/or at least one outer or outermost band member in use but prevent the first part or end from passing through the aperture in use.",
    "10. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein securing means are provided on or associated with the at least one outer or outermost band or strap member for maintaining the same in the clamped and/or unclamped positions in use and/or adjusting the clamping force applied by the same in use.",
    "11. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein sealing means are provided on or associated with the clamping apparatus for forming a seal between the one or more components, the at least one outer or outermost band or strap member, the at least one additional inner or innermost band or strap member, or band, or strap segment and/or the one or more items in use.",
    "12. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more sensors means includes any or any combination of one or more pressure sensors, temperature sensors, nitrogen oxide sensors, oxygen sensors, lambda sensors or diesel particulate sensors; the dispensing means includes an injection device or urea injection device; and/or the one or more electronic components include one or more heating devices or heating elements.",
    "13. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more items being joined together by the clamping means include any or any combination of one or more conduits, flared end conduits, flat end conduits, pipes, hoses, filter sections, exhaust gas pipe sections or cans.",
    "14. Clamping apparatus according to claim 1 wherein closure means are provided to close an opening associated with the attachment means when the attachment means are not in use.",
    "15. A method of using clamping apparatus, said clamping apparatus including clamping means, said clamping means including at least one outer or outermost band or strap member that is annular or substantially annular in form; and at least one additional inner or innermost band or strap member, or band or strap segment, that is arranged to be in overlapping relationship with the at least one outer or outermost band or strap member in use; and said method including the steps of locating said clamp means around two or more items that need to be clamped together, moving said at least one outer or outermost band or strap member from an unclamped position to a clamped position, attaching one or more components to said clamping means using attachment means, wherein said components consist of any or any combination of one or more sensor means, one or more dispensing means or one or more electronic components, wherein the attachment means are provided on or associated with at least an additional band or strap member, or band or strap segment, and said attachment means includes component location means, socket or sleeve member that protrudes outwardly from an outer or outwardly facing surface of the at least one additional inner or innermost band or strap member, or band or strap segment in use."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to clamping apparatus and to a method of use thereof. Although the following description refers almost exclusively to clamping apparatus in the form of a V-clamp for clamping together the ends of two conduits or cans for use in an exhaust system, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the clamping apparatus of the present invention could be used for any application. A conventional exhaust ATS (after treatment system) typically comprises a plurality of filter sections to filter exhaust gases being released from a combustion engine. An example of the filter sections that might be present in an exhaust ATS include a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) filter section, a diesel particulate filter (DPF) section, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) filter section and/or the like. These filter sections are designed to remove particulate matter from the exhaust gas, convert exhaust pollutants such as carbon monoxide, gas phase hydrocarbons and/or the like into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water, convert nitrogen oxides into nitrogen gas and water, and/or the like.\n\nThe filter sections are each typically surrounded by a steel can, and the steel cans are clamped together in a suitable end to end arrangement using clamping apparatus. Each filter sections is typically independently arranged within the exhaust system such that each section can be independently serviced, replaced and/or repaired. Within or between each filter section, it is known to include sensors to monitor the exhaust ATS.",
  "cpc": [
    "F01N 13/008",
    "F01N 13/009",
    "F01N 13/02",
    "F01N 13/18",
    "F01N 13/1805",
    "F01N 13/1811",
    "F01N 13/1827",
    "F01N 13/1838",
    "F01N 13/1844",
    "F01N 13/1855",
    "F01N 2450/16",
    "F01N 2450/18",
    "F01N 2450/20",
    "F01N 2560/00",
    "F01N 2610/00",
    "F01N 2610/1453",
    "F01N 2610/148",
    "F16B 2/065",
    "F16B 2/08",
    "F16B 37/061",
    "F16L 23/08",
    "F16L 41/008"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F01N 13/00",
    "F01N 13/18",
    "F16L 23/08",
    "F16L 41/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "TECONNEX LTD"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "BEAN DARREN"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-03-21",
  "publication_date": "2021-11-09",
  "grant_date": "2021-11-09",
  "priority_date": "2017-03-22",
  "application_number": "US-201816495899-A",
  "family_id": "58688363",
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    "EP2700862A1",
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    "US2006067860A1",
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    "US2008136117A1",
    "US2010126127A1",
    "US2011023452A1",
    "US2012018999A1",
    "US2012210982A1",
    "US2015300233A1",
    "US2016053663A1",
    "US2016061090A1",
    "US2016076430A1",
    "US2017009638A1"
  ]
}