US4343066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube clamp
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
•
Filing: 1980-09-29
•
Granted: 1982-08-10
•
Expires: 2000-09-29
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates particularly to clamps for closing the weasands of slaughtered animals such as sheep and cattle and consisting of a base member and a strap member for clamping the weasand against the base member, the base member having an intermediate or middle part which is of arcuate shape in transverse cross-section--that is to say, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the weasand to be closed--and tapering or inclined forwardly in that longitudinal direction, and the strap member having means for securing its outer or free end to the base so as to grip a weasand tightly against the arcuately shaped middle part of the base and thereby inhibit the flow of ingesta. By reason of the tapered or inclined shape of the arcuately shaped middle part of the base the clamp, once it has been secured to the weasand, may be slid forwardly along the weasand to a position close to the stomach of the slaughtered animal but will strongly resist any return movement due to internal pressure in the stomach and/or weasand. It is preferred that the two parts be made as a unitary moulding of a suitable plastic material.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Lance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B2/00; F16B2/02; F16B2/06; F16B2/08; A; A22; A22B; A22B5/00; A22B5/14; F16K; F16K7/00; F16K7/02; F16K7/04; F16K7/06; F16K7/063; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44641; Y10T24/44744; Y10T24/44752
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A clamp, for closing a flexible tube, comprising a base and a strap, said base having a projecting generally arcuate surface inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction of the tube to be closed, said strap adapted for clamping the tube against said inclined surface, and means for securing the strap in its clamping position relative to the inclined surface wherein said strap generally conforms to said arcuate surface when said strap is secured in the clamping position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A clamp, for closing a flexible tube, comprising a base and a strap, said base having a projecting generally arcuate surface inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction of the tube to be closed, said strap adapted for clamping the tube against said inclined surface, and means for securing the strap in its clamping position relative to the inclined surface wherein said strap generally conforms to said arcuate surface when said strap is secured in the clamping position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A clamp as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inclined surface is substantially the shape of a truncated conical segment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A clamp as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inclined surface has at one side an extension having means for engagement by the outer end of the strap to hold said strap in its clamping position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A clamp as claimed in claim 3 wherein the strap extends from the side of the inclined surface opposite said side extension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A clamp as claimed in claim 3 wherein the outer end of the strap has a detent engageable in a slot in said extension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
A unitary clamping device for closing a flexible tube comprising a base and a strap, said base having a first side extension and a second side extension and a projecting generally arcuate clamping surface, said strap having a hinged side extension attached to said first side extension and a distal end, said distal end and said second side extension each having means adapted to cooperate for securing said distal end of, said strap relative to said base, whereby when said distal end is secured said strap is secured relative to said base and generally conforms to said generally arcuate clamping surface thereby closing a flexible tube positioned between said clamping surface and said strap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
A unitary clamping device for closing a flexible tube comprising a base and a strap, said base having a first side extension and a second side extension and a projecting generally arcuate clamping surface, said strap having a hinged side extension attached to said first side extension and a distal end, said distal end and said second side extension each having means adapted to cooperate for securing said distal end of, said strap relative to said base, whereby when said distal end is secured said strap is secured relative to said base and generally conforms to said generally arcuate clamping surface thereby closing a flexible tube positioned between said clamping surface and said strap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A clamping device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second side extension has a slot and the outer end of the strap has a detent engageable in said slot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A clamping device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the outer end of the strap has a housing with at least one inwardly extending leaf and said other side extension has an upstanding projection with at least one barb, the projection being engageable in the housing in such a manner that the at least one barb will be engaged by the at least one leaf to hold the housing in position relative to the projection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A clamping device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the strap has several openings in its length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A clamping device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the clamping surface has the shape of a truncated conical segment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A clamping device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said truncated conical segment is a flexible skirt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A clamping device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said truncated conical segment is supported along one edge by a substantially semi-circular wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A clamping device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said device is molded of a plastic material and said hinged end and said first side extension are connected by an area of reduced thickness thereby creating a living hinge due to the inherent flexibility and resiliency of the plastic material.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-09 | 1986-02-08 | 1986-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-09 | 1990-02-08 | 1990-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-09 | 1994-02-08 | 1994-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |