US3724818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve clamp for elastically deformable tubes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-10
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A clamp for use with an elastically deformable tube to provide a valve therefor operative to selectively meter or stop the flow of fluid therethrough. The clamp includes an elongated hollow housing having openings in its opposite end walls defining a passageway through which such tube extends. An elongated leaf spring defining a valve element extends longitudinally within the housing along one side of the passageway and is normally biased outwardly therefrom toward a completely open position in which it does not appreciably deform or crimp the tube. A slide forming a control element is mounted within the housing for reciprocable longitudinal displacement generally along the spring through a path of movement which is angularly disposed with respect to the passageway and converges therewith in one direction. Movement of the slide in the direction toward the passageway forces the spring into engagement with any tube therein and causes the same to deform and thereby progressively restrict the fluid flow therethrough until complete stoppage occurs in the fully closed position of the spring.
Inventors
- 👤 A Roger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/22; A61M39/28; A61M39/286; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/39; Y10T24/3936; Y10T24/3956
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A clamp for selectively metering and stopping fluid flow through a compressible tube or the like, said clamp comprising: an elongated hollow housing having a passageway extending longitudinally completely therethrough for reception of an elastically deformable portion of a tube at a selectable location therealong at which it is desired to be able to meter or stop flow therethrough, an elongated leaf spring constituting a valve element supported within said housing along one side of said passageway from movement between open and closed positions and normally being biased toward the open position thereof and substantially outwardly of said passageway, a control element slidably mounted within said housing and being constrained therewithin for reciprocable displacements along an inclined path extending both longitudinally and laterally into said passageway for flexing said valve element into said passageway resiliently against the wall of a tube therein to deform the same and thereby restrict fluid flow therethrough, the area of contact between said tube and said valve element in the closed position thereof being substantially the greater length of the portion of said tube within said housing, and actuating means secured to said control element and extending outwardly from said housing to a location at which it is readily accessible for manipulation to displace said control element to the extent desired.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A clamp for selectively metering and stopping fluid flow through a compressible tube or the like, said clamp comprising: an elongated hollow housing having a passageway extending longitudinally completely therethrough for reception of an elastically deformable portion of a tube at a selectable location therealong at which it is desired to be able to meter or stop flow therethrough, an elongated leaf spring constituting a valve element supported within said housing along one side of said passageway from movement between open and closed positions and normally being biased toward the open position thereof and substantially outwardly of said passageway, a control element slidably mounted within said housing and being constrained therewithin for reciprocable displacements along an inclined path extending both longitudinally and laterally into said passageway for flexing said valve element into said passageway resiliently against the wall of a tube therein to deform the same and thereby restrict fluid flow therethrough, the area of contact between said tube and said valve element in the closed position thereof being substantially the greater length of the portion of said tube within said housing, and actuating means secured to said control element and extending outwardly from said housing to a location at which it is readily accessible for manipulation to displace said control element to the extent desired.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The clamp of claim 1 wherein said slidable control element extends within said housing between opposite side walls therof, and said side walls having tracks on the inner side thereof, the opposite side edges of said control element being received within said tracks which provide said constraint for movement only along said path, said tracks being respectively defined by spaced and generally parallel ledges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The clamp of claim 2 wherein said leaf spring extends longitudinally within said housing sUbstantially the length of said tracks and is held at a fixed location against substantial longitudinal movement whereby displacements of said control element causes the lateral tube-deforming movement of said spring to be greater than the corresponding lateral movement of said control element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The clamp of claim 2 wherein a fixed projection from said wall extends into said passageway from the wall of said housing on the side of said passageway opposite the side thereof at which said spring is located and is positioned therealong directly opposite the location at which said spring engages said tube, whereby said projection cooperates with said spring in providing the deformation of said tube for restricting the same when said spring is moved toward its closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |