Exhaust system connector seal

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 in which the members are of slightly different diameters.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 in which one of the members is telescopically received within the other.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 in which one of the tubular members is a flexible metallic hose, and the circumferential forces are sufficient to perceptibly mold the band into the hose configuration.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 with the further step of retaining said band in a stressed condition past the elastic limit of a metal.

Claim 7

In combination: a pair of substantially incompressible tubular members of generally the same outside diameter to be joined in end to end relation; a band ductile metal initially of strip form having end portions and bent to circular shape whereby the end portions confront one another, said band surrounding the joint between said members, the width of said band being generally the same as the diameters of said members, and a substantial portion of the width of said band engaging each of said members in direct contact therewith; and means circumferentially stressing said band beyond its elastic limit, whereby to draw the band into intimate sealing engagement with the outer surfaces of said members, and maintaining said engagement when achieved, the ductile metal band being such that it yields before the material of said members.

Claim 8

In combination: a pair of substantially incompressible tubular members of generally the same outside diameter to be joined in end to end relation; a band ductile metal initially of strip form having end portions and bent to circular shape whereby the end portions confront one another, said band surrounding the joint between said members, the width of said band being generally the same as the diameters of said members, and a substantial portion of the width of said band engaging each of said members in direct contact therewith; and means circumferentially stressing said band beyond its elastic limit, whereby to draw the band into intimate sealing engagement with the outer surfaces of said members, and maintaining said engagement when achieved, the ductile metal band being such that it yields before the material of said members.

Claim 9

The structure of claim 6 in which the last named means includes a pair of reinforced flat ribs integral in part with said band and forming dihedral angles therewith, and clamping means mechanically drawing said ribs into mutual flat contact in a plane containing the axes of said members, whereby to produce the circumferential stress in said band, the length of said band between said ribs being less than the circumferences of said members, so that when the clamping means are tightened said band is stressed beyond its elastic limit and deforms into intimate superficial engagement with the member.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 7 in which each of said ribs includes a bar secured to an end of said band and provided with bores adapted to be brought into alignment for receiving said clamping member.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said bar and said band are joined by spot welding along a line between the dihedral angle and said bores.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the apices of said dihedral angles are oblique with respect to the center line of said band.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 8 in which at least one of said bars includes transverse slots between said bores to permit deformation of said bar to accommodate tubular members of somewhat different diameters.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 9 in which at least one end of said band is doubled on itself prior to the formation of the dihedral angle, and in which the weld spots traverse both thicknesses of said band and extend along a line outside said bores.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the end of said band after doubling is welded to the body of the band.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 8 in which one of said bars includes a pair of lateral extensions through which said bores pass to prevent cocking of said bar with respect to said clamping means, said bores in said one bar being of the same diameter as said clamping means, and said bores in the other bar being larger than said clamping means.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 8 in which at least one end of said band is wrapped around the associated bar for traversal by said clamp means, of both layers of said wrap, both of said layers being spot welded to the bar along a line between the dihedral angle and said bores.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 7 in which one of said tubular members is of somewhat larger diameter than the other, and approximately one-third the width of said band overlies the larger of said members.