US3867055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circular clamp for tubes
Assignee: Brookside Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-12
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-11-12
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a one-piece, circularly formed resilient band having overlapping end portions. The band grips a tubular member, such as hose or fan hub, and locks the tubular member on a concentric member extending into the tubular member. The overlapping end portions of the band each has an aperture, the apertures being in register over a portion of their area and interfitting abutment surfaces are provided on the band to permit the band to be sprung or skewed into a released position by inserting and twisting a screwdriver tip in the registering band apertures. A plastic fan hub is herein disclosed as the tubular member and the fan drive shaft is the concentric member. The clamp could also be utilized as a hose clamp, on plastic blower wheel hubs and similar applications.
Inventors
- 👤 John A Wooden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:41
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D1/00; F16D1/06; F16D1/08; F16B; F16B2/00; F16B2/02; F16B2/06; F16B2/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/14; Y10T24/1457; Y10T24/1484; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44573; Y10T24/44607; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7062; Y10T403/7075; Y10T403/7077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A circular clamp adapted to join a tubular member and a concentric central member extending into the tubular member, said clamp comprising a one-piece, circularly formed resilient band having overlapping end portions, said band having a free inside diameter somewhat less than the outside diameter of the tubular member so that when in place on the tubular member the band exerts a compressive force thereon locking it to the central member, said overlapping band end portions each having apertures therethrough which are in register over a portion only of their area, and interfitting abutment surfaces on said overlapping band end portions, said interfitting abutments comprising a central notch cut in the tip of one of said overlapping band end portions and an upwardly directed tab fitting within the notch and struck from the surface of the other of said overlapping band portions, said registering portion of said apertures being adapted to accomodate a tool which when twisted in one direction enlarges said registering aperture portion to disengage said interfitting abutment surfaces and release a substantial portion of said compressive force on the tubular member, said overlapping band end portions being skewed in relation to each other by the twisting motion of the tool thereby removing said abutment surfaces from interfitting engagement and permitting said overlapping band end portions to bear against each other to prop said band in coompressive force releasing position, twisting of the tool in reverse direction permitting the overlapping band end portions to return from their skewed relation to locking position on the central member with said interfitting abutment surfaces again engaged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A circular clamp adapted to join a tubular member and a concentric central member extending into the tubular member, said clamp comprising a one-piece, circularly formed resilient band having overlapping end portions, said band having a free inside diameter somewhat less than the outside diameter of the tubular member so that when in place on the tubular member the band exerts a compressive force thereon locking it to the central member, said overlapping band end portions each having apertures therethrough which are in register over a portion only of their area, and interfitting abutment surfaces on said overlapping band end portions, said interfitting abutments comprising a central notch cut in the tip of one of said overlapping band end portions and an upwardly directed tab fitting within the notch and struck from the surface of the other of said overlapping band portions, said registering portion of said apertures being adapted to accomodate a tool which when twisted in one direction enlarges said registering aperture portion to disengage said interfitting abutment surfaces and release a substantial portion of said compressive force on the tubular member, said overlapping band end portions being skewed in relation to each other by the twisting motion of the tool thereby removing said abutment surfaces from interfitting engagement and permitting said overlapping band end portions to bear against each other to prop said band in coompressive force releasing position, twisting of the tool in reverse direction permitting the overlapping band end portions to return from their skewed relation to locking position on the central member with said interfitting abutment surfaces again engaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
118 words
A clamp as claimed in claim 1 in which said interfitting abutment surfaces are formed by a tab extending from one of said overlapping band end portions and a central notch having stepped sidewalls cut in the tip of the other of said overlapping band end portions, the side wall step on said notch being adapted to engage said tab when said band end portions are moderately skewed to relieve a portion of said compressive force on the tubular member, said tip of the other overlapping band end portion adjacent said stepped notch engaging said tab when said band end portions are more sharply skewed to relieve a larger portion of said compressive force on the tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A clamp as claimed in claim 2 in which the tabengaging portion of said stepped notch sidewall and the tab-engaging tip of said other overlapping band end portion are inclined with relation to a line normal to the band edges to provide maximum contact area with said tab when said overlapping band end portions are skewed with relation to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A clamp as claimed in claim 1 in which said intefitting abutments comprIse a central notch (33b) cut in the tip of the underlying one of said overlapping band end portions and a tab (36) formed on said band adjacent said overlapping band end portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
228 words
In combination, a fan hub clamp and a tubular fan hub of the type adapted to accommodate a fan drive shaft, said clamp comprising a one-piece, circularly formed resilient band having overlapping end portions with one overlapping end portion overlying the other, said band having a free inside diameter somewhat less than the outside diameter of said hub so that when in place on the hub the band exerts a compressive force of the hub locking it to a fan drive shaft, said overlapping band end portions each having apertures therethrough which are in register over a portion only of their area, and interfitting abutment surfaces on said overlapping band end portions, said registering portion of said apertures being adapted to closely accommodate a tool which when twisted in one direction enlarges said registering aperture portion to disengage said interfitting abutment surfaces and release a substantial portion of said compression force on the hub, said overlapping band end portions being skewed by the twisting motion of the tool thereby removing said abutment surfaces from intefitting engagement and permitting said overlapping end portions to bear against each other to prop said band in compressive force releasing position, twisting of the tool in reverse direction permitting the overlapping band end portions to return from their skewed relation to locking position on said hub with said interfitting abutment surfaces being engaged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
228 words
In combination, a fan hub clamp and a tubular fan hub of the type adapted to accommodate a fan drive shaft, said clamp comprising a one-piece, circularly formed resilient band having overlapping end portions with one overlapping end portion overlying the other, said band having a free inside diameter somewhat less than the outside diameter of said hub so that when in place on the hub the band exerts a compressive force of the hub locking it to a fan drive shaft, said overlapping band end portions each having apertures therethrough which are in register over a portion only of their area, and interfitting abutment surfaces on said overlapping band end portions, said registering portion of said apertures being adapted to closely accommodate a tool which when twisted in one direction enlarges said registering aperture portion to disengage said interfitting abutment surfaces and release a substantial portion of said compression force on the hub, said overlapping band end portions being skewed by the twisting motion of the tool thereby removing said abutment surfaces from intefitting engagement and permitting said overlapping end portions to bear against each other to prop said band in compressive force releasing position, twisting of the tool in reverse direction permitting the overlapping band end portions to return from their skewed relation to locking position on said hub with said interfitting abutment surfaces being engaged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination claimed in claim 5 in which said interfitting abutments comprise a central notch cut in the tip of one of said overlapping band end portions and an upwardly directed tab fitting within the notch and struck from the surface of the other of said overlapping band end portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination claimed in claim 5 in which said hub has longitudinal slots therein and said band is provided with two diametrically opposed tabs, one of which is spaced from said overlapping band end portions, said opposed tabs being adapted to extend into said hub slots for positively locating said clamp on the hub.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
The combination claimed in claim 5 in which said interfitting abutment surfaces are formed by a tab extending from one of said overlapping band end portions and a central notch having stepped sidewalls cut in the tip of the other of said overlapping band end portions, the side wall step on said notch being adapted to engage said tab when said band end portions are moderately skewed to relieve a portion of said compressive force on the hub, said tip of the other overlapping band end portion adjacent said stepped notch engaging said tab when said band end portions are more sharply skewed to relieve a larger portion of said compressive force on the hub.
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) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |