Clamp for exhaust system

{
  "publication_number": "US4558891A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Clamp for exhaust system",
  "abstract": "The specification discloses an improved clamp (20) for securing overlapping telescoped ends of adjacent tubes in an exhaust system, or the like, to form a substantially leakproof joint. The clamp (20) includes a circular band (26) and a bolt (32) having a curved end (34) secured thereto over a predetermined circumferential distance adjacent one end of the band, and a straight threaded end extending through an extension (40) secured adjacent to the opposite end of the band. A nut (44) is provided on the straight bolt end (38) for tightening against the extension (40) to draw the ends (28 and 30) of the band (26) together in near abutting relationship to engage the lap joint over a substantially continuous circumferential area in a second embodiment (60). The extension (62) can bridge the gap to serve as a guide for the other end of the band, or it can be an integral portion (72 and 74) of the band in a third embodiment (70).",
  "claims": [
    "1. In combination with an exhaust treatment device having an outer tube adapted for receiving the end of an inner tube, a heavy-duty clamp for securing the overlapped ends of the tubes to form a lap joint, comprising: a split generally cylindrical band having inside and outside circumferential surfaces, opposite circular edges, and opposite adjacent spaced apart longitudinal ends defining a gap therebetween; an extension secured to the outside surface of said band adjacent one end thereof, said extension including a generally tangential opening therethrough; a bolt positioned over the gap about midway between the edges of said band, said bolt having a curved end and an opposite straight threaded end; the curved end of said bolt being circumferentially engaged with the outside surface of said band on opposite sides of the gap but secured to said band only adjacent the other band end, with the straight threaded end slideably extending through the opening in said extension; and a nut secured to the threaded end of said bolt, the curved end of said bolt and said extension being respectively secured to said band adjacent its respective ends over predetermined circumferential arc distances so that the effective closing force line exerted upon said split band by tightening said nut against said extension passes across said band substantially tangential to said gap.",
    "2. A heavy-duty clamp, which comprises: a split generally cylindrical band having inside and outside surfaces, opposite circular edges, and opposite adjacent circumferentially spaced apart longitudinal ends defining a gap therebetween; means defining an extension secured to the outside surface adjacent one end of said band; a bolt positioned over the gap about midway between the edges of said band, said bolt having a curved end and an opposite straight threaded end; the curved end of said bolt being circumferentially engaged with the outside surface of said band on opposite sides of the gap but secured to said band only over a predetermined circumferential distance adjacent to the other end of said band, with the straight threaded end of said bolt slideably extending through said extension means; and a nut secured to the threaded end of said bolt for drawing said bolt and said extension, and the ends of said band, together to tighten the clamp.",
    "3. The clamp of claim 2, wherein said band and said bolt are formed of metal and the curved end of said bolt is secured to said band by welding.",
    "4. The clamp of claim 2, wherein a portion of said extension bridges the gap in said band and slideably engages the other end of said band.",
    "5. The clamp of claim 2, wherein said extension means comprises an elongated member of inverted substantially U-shaped cross section secured by welding to said band.",
    "6. The clamp of claim 2, wherein said nut is a flanged nut.",
    "7. A heavy-duty clamp for securing the telescoped ends of two adjacent sections of tubing to form a lap joint, comprising: a split generally cylindrical band having inside and outside circumferential surfaces, opposite circular edges, and opposite adjacent spaced apart longitudinal ends defining a gap therebetween; an extension secured to the outside surface of said band adjacent one end thereof, said extension including a generally tangential opening therethrough; a bolt positioned over the gap about midway between the edges of said band, said bolt having a curved end and an opposite straight threaded end; the curved end of said bolt being circumferentially engaged with the outside surface of said band on opposite sides of the gap but secured to said band only adjacent the other band end, with the straight threaded end of said bolt slideably extending through the opening in said extension; and a nut secured to the threaded end of said bolt, the curved end of said bolt and said extension being respectively secured to said band adjacent its respective ends over predetermined circumferential arc distances so that the effective closing force line exerted upon said split band by tightening said nut against said extension passes across said band near said gap.",
    "8. The clamp of claim 7, wherein said band and said bolt are formed of metal and the curved end of said bolt is secured to said band by welding.",
    "9. A heavy-duty clamp for securing the telescoped ends of two adjacent sections of tubing to form a substantially leak-proof lap joint, comprising: a split band having inside and outside surfaces, opposite edges, and opposite adjacent spaced apart ends defining a gap therebetween; an extension of inverted generally U-shaped cross section secured to the outside surface of said band adjacent one end thereof, said extension including a generally tangential opening therethrough; a rigid elongate member positioned over the gap between the edges of said band, said member having a curved end and an opposite straight threaded end; the curved end of said member being circumferentially engaged about the outside surface of said band on opposite sides of the gap but secured to said band only adjacent the other band end, with the straight threaded end slideably extending through the opening in said extension; and a nut secured to the threaded end of said member, the curved end of said member and said extension being respectively secured to said band adjacent its respective ends over predetermined circumferential arc distances so that the effective force line exerted upon said split band by tightening said nut against said extension passes across said band near said gap.",
    "10. The clamp of claim 9, wherein said band, extension, elongate member, and nut are all formed from metal.",
    "11. The clamp according to claim 10, wherein the curved end of said elongate member and said extension are secured to said band by welding.",
    "12. The clamp of claim 9, wherein said extension extends across the gap for engaging and guiding the said other band end, but is secured only adjacent the said one end of said band."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to circumferential connectors, and more particularly to an improved clamp for securing lap joints formed at the telescoping ends adjacent lengths of tubing like that utilized in exhaust systems.\n\nAutomotive and truck exhaust systems comprise a conduit for directing exhaust gas from the engine to a remote location. Such exhaust systems typically include a muffler, catalytic converter, resonator, or combination thereof for treating the exhaust gas before discharge to the atmosphere. Such exhaust systems must also be designed to fit around and otherwise be compatible with various drive trains, chassis sizes, body styles and the like. The exhaust gas conduit is therefore usually comprised of several exhaust tubes or pipes of various shapes and lengths which are connected together to form a path for the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas conduits in tractors and construction vehicles are typically shorter in length with the muffler often being secured directly to the exhaust manifold.\n\nThe most common way of joining pipes to construct an exhaust conduit is to utilize lap joints wherein tubes of a given end diameter are inserted into adjacent tubes of different end diameter, and then clamped in the region where the pipes overlap. Clamping means which encircle the outer tube are tightened down so as to clamp the outer tube onto the inner tube in the overlapping region of the tube ends.",
  "cpc": [
    "F01N 13/1805",
    "F16L 25/04",
    "Y10T 24/1435",
    "Y10T 24/1441"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F01N 13/18",
    "F16L 25/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Donaldson Co Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Wayne M. Wagner",
    "Steven D. Schmeichel",
    "Timothy A. Bethke"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1983-07-14",
  "publication_date": "1985-12-17",
  "grant_date": "1985-12-17",
  "priority_date": "1983-07-14",
  "application_number": "US-51392083-A",
  "family_id": "24045116",
  "cited_by_count": 34,
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}