Integral key-clamp for exhaust pipes

Claim 2

A male pipe, female pipe and clamp assembly including, a female pipe having a generally axially directed slot opening through the wall thereof extending from one end thereof, a male pipe having one end telescopically received in said female pipe a first predetermined axial distance, a clamp encircling the female pipe, said clamp including a U-bolt means and a saddle in engagement with said U-bolt means, a key means fixed at one end to said saddle and at its other end to said male pipe, said key means being fixed to said male pipe a second predetermined axial distance inboard of said one end of said male pipe, said key means being slidably received in said slot opening in said female pipe whereby said female pipe is fixed against rotation relative to said male pipe and fastener means associated with said U-bolt means and said saddle for constricting said clamp around said female pipe.

Claim 3

A male pipe, female pipe and clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein said key means supports said saddle radially outward from said male pipe a sufficient distance whereby said female pipe is telescopically received over said male pipe and under said saddle and wherein said first predetermined axial distance is greater than said second predetermined axial distance.

Claim 4

A male pipe, female pipe and clamp assembly including, a female pipe having a slot opening in the wall thereof extending generally axially from one end thereof, a male pipe having one end telescopically received within said one end of said female pipe, a key means fixed at one end to said male pipe on the exterior thereof projecting into said slot opening in said female pipe, of clamp encircling said one end of said female pipe with said male pipe telescoped therein, said clamp including a U-bolt means and a saddle in engagement with said U-bolt means, said saddle including parallel spaced apart side walls each having an arcuate shaped free edge to form a seat for the exterior of said female pipe, said key means being fixed at its opposite end to one of said side walls of said saddle and, fastener means associated with said U-bolt means and said saddle for constricting said clamp around said female pipe.

Claim 5

A male pipe, female pipe and clamp assembly including, a female pipe having a slot opening in the wall thereof extending generally axially from one end thereof, a male pipe having one end telescopically received within said one end of said female pipe, a key means fixed at one end to said male pipe on the exterior thereof projecting into said slot opening in said female pipe, of clamp encircling said one end of said female pipe with said male pipe telescoped therein, said clamp including a U-bolt means and a saddle in engagement with said U-bolt means, said saddle including parallel spaced apart side walls each having an arcuate shaped free edge to form a seat for the exterior of said female pipe, said key means being fixed at its opposite end to one of said side walls of said saddle and, fastener means associated with said U-bolt means and said saddle for constricting said clamp around said female pipe.

Claim 6

An integral key-clamp assembly for securing a male pipe to a female pipe, said female pipe having a generally axially directed slot opening through its wall at one end thereof receiving an end of the male pipe, said integral key-clamp assembly including a U-bolt having threaded extremities, a channeled saddle having a top wall apertured at opposite ends to receive said threaded extremities, said channeled saddle further having spaced apart side walls integral with said top wall and extending downwardly therefrom to define a pair of spaced arcuate seats for peripherally engaging said female pipe with which it is associated, a key means fixed at one end to one of said side walls, the opposite end of said key means being fixed to the exterior of said male pipe, said opposite end extending at right angle from said one of said side walls in spaced radial relation relative to said arcuate seat defined by said one of said side walls a sufficient distance so that with said opposite end of said key means fixed to the exterior of said male pipe the said arcuate seats will be spaced from said male pipe whereby said male pipe can be telescopically received within said female pipe with said female pipe passing over said male pipe and under said channeled saddle and, a clamping nut threadedly connected to each of said threaded extremities above said top wall of said saddle.

Claim 7

An integral key-clamp assembly for securing a male pipe to a female pipe, said female pipe having a generally axially directed slot opening through its wall at one end thereof receiving an end of the male pipe, said integral key-clamp assembly including a U-bolt having threaded extremities, a channeled saddle having a top wall apertured at opposite ends to receive said threaded extremities, said channeled saddle further having spaced apart side walls integral with said top wall and extending downwardly therefrom to define a pair of spaced arcuate seats for peripherally engaging said female pipe with which it is associated, a key means fixed at one end to one of said side walls, the opposite end of said key means being fixed to the exterior of said male pipe, said opposite end extending at right angle from said one of said side walls in spaced radial relation relative to said arcuate seat defined by said one of said side walls a sufficient distance so that with said opposite end of said key means fixed to the exterior of said male pipe the said arcuate seats will be spaced from said male pipe whereby said male pipe can be telescopically received within said female pipe with said female pipe passing over said male pipe and under said channeled saddle and, a clamping nut threadedly connected to each of said threaded extremities above said top wall of said saddle.