Connector clamp

Claim 2

A connector of the class described comprising a coupling member, said coupling member having an annular radially projecting rib on at least one end, said rib defining an inverted seal-ring-receiving channel, a seal ring in said channel, a tubular member, one end of said tubular member extending in said coupling member with the surface of the end of the tubular member in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal ring, whereby said tubular member can flex slightly with respect to said coupling member to accommodate vibration without leaking gas, an annular clamp ring releasably embracing said tubular member, said clamp ring having a plurality of longitudinally extending claws, said claws channel shaped in cross section and extending over said radially projecting ribs to prevent separation between said coupling member and said tubular member when tension exists between the coupling member and the tubular member, and formations integrally formed on said tubular member to position said clamping rings a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member so that in assembled relation a predetermined length of the end of the tubular member extends inside the coupling member to prevent leakage of gas or separation between the coupling member and the tubular member, said formations constructed to permit said coupling member to slip over them so that the coupling member can move over the formations on the tubular member a distance sufficient to permit access to the interior of the coupling member.

Claim 3

The connector described in claim 1 wherein said means for positioning said clamping ring on said tubular member comprises spaced annular radially projecting ribs on said tubular member, the space between said ribs substantially equal to the width of the clamp ring whereby in assembled relation the clamp ring embraces said tubular member with its edge portions bearing against said ribs whereby said clamping ring cannot be easily moved longitudinally over the surface of said tubular member, said annular ribs treated so they are flexible enough both to hold the clamping ring in position on said tubular member and to permit the said coupling member to be forced over the ribs so the coupling member and tubular member can move relative to each other for maintenance purposes.

Claim 4

The connector described in claim 1 wherein said means for positioning said clamping ring on said tubular member comprises a plurality of protuberances formed on the surface of said tubular member in angularly spaced relationship, said protuberances positioned so in assembled relation when the clamp ring embraces said tubular member and an edge of the clamp ring bears against said protuberances, the end portion of the tubular member extends a sufficient distance inside said coupling member to prevent leakage of gasses or separation between the coupling member and the tubular member, said protuberances treated so they are flexible enough to permit couplIng member to be forced over them and over the surface of the tubular member for maintenance purposes.

Claim 5

The connector described in claim 1 wherein said means for positioning said clamping member on said tubular member comprises an annular recess positioned on said tubular member at a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member, the width of said annular recess substantially equal to the width of said annular clamp ring so that in assembled relation the clamp ring fits in said recess when it embraces said tubular member and the opposed edges of said clamp ring bear against the sides of the recess to prevent said clamp ring from moving longitudinally on said tubular member, whereby the end portion of the tubular member extends inside the coupling member a sufficient distance to prevent leakage of gasses or separation between the coupling member and the tubular member.

Claim 6

A connector of the class described comprising a coupling member, said coupling member having an annular radially projecting rib on at least one end, said rib defining an inverted seal-ring-receiving channel, a seal ring in said channel, a tubular member, one end of said tubular member extending in said coupling member with the surface of the end of the tubular member in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal ring, whereby said tubular member can flex slightly with respect to said coupling member to accommodate vibration without leaking gas, an annular clamp ring releasably embracing said tubular member, said clamp ring having a plurality of longitudinally extending claws, said claws channel shaped in cross section and extending over said radially projecting ribs to prevent separation between said coupling member and said tubular member when tension exists between the coupling member and the tubular member, and means on said tubular member to position said clamping ring a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member so that in assembled relation a predetermined length of the tubular member extends inside the coupling member to prevent leakage of gas or separation between the coupling member and the tubular member, said means for positioning said clamping member on said tubular member comprising holes formed on at least one annular circle around the periphery of the tubular member, a resilient support attached to the end portion of said tubular member, protuberances mounted on said support, said support positioned so said protuberances extend through said holes in sealing engagement therewith, so in assembled relation when the clamp ring embraces the tubular member with at least one edge of the clamp ring bearing against said resiliently mounted protuberances the clamp ring is at least prevented from moving longitudinally on the surface of the tubular member beyond a predetermined distance from the end of the tubular member, while the end portion of the tubular member extends a sufficient distance inside said coupling member to prevent leakage of gasses or separation between the coupling member and the tubular member.

Claim 7

A connector of the class described comprising a coupling member, said coupling member having an annular radially projecting rib on at least one end, said rib defining an inverted seal-ring-receiving channel, a seal ring in said channel, a tubular member, one end of said tubular member extending in said coupling member with the surface of the end of the tubular member in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal ring, whereby said tubular member can flex slightly with respect to said coupling member to accommodate vibration without leaking gas, an annular clamp ring releasably embracing said tubular member, said clamp ring having a plurality of longitudinally extending claws, said claws channel shaped in cross section and extending over said radially projecting ribs to prevent separation between said coupling member and said tubular member when tension exists between the coupling member and the tubular member, and means on said tubular member to position said clamping ring a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member so that in assembled relation a predetermined length of the tubular member extends inside the coupling member to prevent leakage of gas or separation between the coupling member and the tubular member, said means for positioning said clamping member on said tubular member comprising holes formed on at least one annular circle around the periphery of the tubular member, a resilient support attached to the end portion of said tubular member, protuberances mounted on said support, said support positioned so said protuberances extend through said holes in sealing engagement therewith, so in assembled relation when the clamp ring embraces the tubular member with at least one edge of the clamp ring bearing against said resiliently mounted protuberances the clamp ring is at least prevented from moving longitudinally on the surface of the tubular member beyond a predetermined distance from the end of the tubular member, while the end portion of the tubular member extends a sufficient distance inside said coupling member to prevent leakage of gasses or separation between the coupling member and the tubular member.

Claim 8

A connector of the class described comprising a coupling member, said coupling member tapered toward at least one end, an annular radially projecting rib on at least one end, said rib defining an inverted seal-ring-receiving channel, a seal ring in said channel, the thickness of said seal ring greater than the depth of said channel, a tubular member, one end of said tubular member extending in said coupling member with the surface of said end of the tubular member in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal ring whereby said tubular member can flex slightly with respect to said coupling member to accommodate vibration without leaking gas, an annular clamp ring releasably embracing said tubular member, said clamp ring having a plurality of longitudinally extending claws, said claws channel shaped in cross section and extending over said radially projecting rib to prevent separation between said coupling member and said tubular member whEn tension exists between the coupling member and tubular member, and positioning means integrally formed on said tubular member to position said clamping ring a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member so that in assembled relation a predetermined length of the tubular member extends inside said coupling member, said integrally formed positioning means formed to permit said coupling member to move over said positioning means so that access may be had to the interior of the coupling member for maintenance purposes.

Claim 9

A connector of the class described comprising a coupling member, said coupling member tapered toward at least one end, an annular radially projecting rib on at least one end, said rib defining an inverted seal-ring-receiving channel, a seal ring in said channel, the thickness of said seal ring greater than the depth of said channel, a tubular member, one end of said tubular member extending in said coupling member with the surface of said end of the tubular member in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal ring whereby said tubular member can flex slightly with respect to said coupling member to accommodate vibration without leaking gas, an annular clamp ring releasably embracing said tubular member, said clamp ring having a plurality of longitudinally extending claws, said claws channel shaped in cross section and extending over said radially projecting rib to prevent separation between said coupling member and said tubular member whEn tension exists between the coupling member and tubular member, and positioning means integrally formed on said tubular member to position said clamping ring a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member so that in assembled relation a predetermined length of the tubular member extends inside said coupling member, said integrally formed positioning means formed to permit said coupling member to move over said positioning means so that access may be had to the interior of the coupling member for maintenance purposes.

Claim 10

The connector described in claim 6 wherein said positioning means comprises an annular recess formed on the surface of said tubular member at a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member, the width of said recess substantially equal to the width of said annular clamp ring so that in assembled relation the clamp ring fits in said recess while the clamp ring embraces said tubular member and the opposed edges of said clamp ring bear against the sides of said recess whereby the clamp ring is prevented from moving longitudinally on said tubular member, and the free end of the tubular member extends inside said coupling member a distance sufficient to prevent leakage of gasses and so the coupling member can be slid over the recess back on said tubular member when maintenance work requires access to the interior of the coupling member.

Claim 11

A connector of the class described comprising a coupling member, said coupling member tapered toward at least one end, an annular radially projecting rib on at least one end, said rib defining an inverted seal-ring-receiving channel, a seal ring in said channel, the thickness of said seal ring greater than the depth of said channel, a tubular member, one end of said tubular member extending in said coupling member with the surface of said end of the tubular member in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal ring whereby said tubular member can flex slightly with respect to said coupling member to accommodate vibration without leaking gas, an annular clamp ring releasably embracing said tubular member, said clamp ring having a plurality of longitudinally extending claws, said claws channel shaped in cross section and extending over said radially projecting rib to prevent separation between said coupling member and said tubular member when tension exists between the coupling member and tubular member, and means on said tubular member to position said clamping ring a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member so that in assembled relation a predetermined length of the tubular member extends inside said coupling member, said positioning means formed to permit said coupling member to slide over the positioning means so that access may be had to the interior of the coupling member for maintenance purposes, said positioning means comprises holes formed along at least one annular circle around the periphery of the tubular member, a resilient support attached to the end portion of said tubular member, protuberances mounted on said support, said support positioned so said protuberances extend through said holes so in assembled relation when the clamp ring embraces said tubular member and an edge of the clamp ring bears against said protuberances the tubular member extends a sufficient distance inside the coupling member to prevent leakage of gas or separation of the coupling member and the tubular member and so the coupling member can be slid over the resiliently mounted protuberances back on said tubular member when maintenance work requires access to the interior of the coupling member or tubular member.

Claim 12

A connector of the class described comprising a coupling member, said coupling member tapered toward at least one end, an annular radially projecting rib on at least one end, said rib defining an inverted seal-ring-receiving channel, a seal ring in said channel, the thickness of said seal ring greater than the depth of said channel, a tubular member, one end of said tubular member extending in said coupling member with the surface of said end of the tubular member in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal ring whereby said tubular member can flex slightly with respect to said coupling member to accommodate vibration without leaking gas, an annular clamp ring releasably embracing said tubular member, said clamp ring having a plurality of longitudinally extending claws, said claws channel shaped in cross section and extending over said radially projecting rib to prevent separation between said coupling member and said tubular member when tension exists between the coupling member and tubular member, and means on said tubular member to position said clamping ring a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member so that in assembled relation a predetermined length of the tubular member extends inside said coupling member, said positioning means formed to permit said coupling member to slide over the positioning means so that access may be had to the interior of the coupling member for maintenance purposes, said positioning means comprises holes formed along at least one annular circle around the periphery of the tubular member, a resilient support attached to the end portion of said tubular member, protuberances mounted on said support, said support positioned so said protuberances extend through said holes so in assembled relation when the clamp ring embraces said tubular member and an edge of the clamp ring bears against said protuberances the tubular member extends a sufficient distance inside the coupling member to prevent leakage of gas or separation of the coupling member and the tubular member and so the coupling member can be slid over the resiliently mounted protuberances back on said tubular member when maintenance work requires access to the interior of the coupling member or tubular member.

Claim 13

A connector of the class described comprising a coupling member, said coupling member having an annular radially projecting rib on each end, each rib defining an inverted seal-receiving channel, a seal ring in said channel, a tubular member for each end of said coupling member, each tubular member connected at one end to fluid lines with the opposite end extending in Each end of said coupling member with the surface of the said opposite end of each tubular member in sealing and pivoting engagement with the seal rings in the ends of the coupling member, whereby said tubular members can flex slightly with respect to said coupling member to accommodate vibrations without leaking fluid, an annular clamp ring releasably embracing each tubular member, said clamp rings having at least one longitudinally extending claw, said claw extending over said radially projecting ribs at each end of said coupling member to prevent separation between said coupling member and said tubular members when tension exists between said coupling member and the tubular members, and formations integrally formed on each tubular member to position said clamping rings a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member so that in assembled relation a predetermined length of the tubular members extends inside each end of the coupling member to prevent leakage of fluid or separation between the coupling member and the tubular member, said formations constructed to permit said coupling member to be moved over them so that the coupling member can move over the surface of either of the tubular members a distance sufficient to expose an end of the coupling member to permit access to the interior of the coupling member for maintenance purposes without disconnecting the tubular members from any fluid lines.

Claim 14

A connector of the class described comprising a coupling member, said coupling member having an annular radially projecting rib on each end, each rib defining an inverted seal-receiving channel, a seal ring in said channel, a tubular member for each end of said coupling member, each tubular member connected at one end to fluid lines with the opposite end extending in Each end of said coupling member with the surface of the said opposite end of each tubular member in sealing and pivoting engagement with the seal rings in the ends of the coupling member, whereby said tubular members can flex slightly with respect to said coupling member to accommodate vibrations without leaking fluid, an annular clamp ring releasably embracing each tubular member, said clamp rings having at least one longitudinally extending claw, said claw extending over said radially projecting ribs at each end of said coupling member to prevent separation between said coupling member and said tubular members when tension exists between said coupling member and the tubular members, and formations integrally formed on each tubular member to position said clamping rings a predetermined distance from the end of said tubular member so that in assembled relation a predetermined length of the tubular members extends inside each end of the coupling member to prevent leakage of fluid or separation between the coupling member and the tubular member, said formations constructed to permit said coupling member to be moved over them so that the coupling member can move over the surface of either of the tubular members a distance sufficient to expose an end of the coupling member to permit access to the interior of the coupling member for maintenance purposes without disconnecting the tubular members from any fluid lines.