Preformed band for use in coupling tubular members

Claim 1

An assemblage of parts useful for coupling first and second tubular members having first and second tubular end portions with nominal diameters which lie within a predetermined diametric range, and having respective actual circumferential extents not less than respective first and second minimum circumferential values, so as to secure the first and second tubular end portions in axially aligned relation with a joint therebetween, said assemblage comprising: (a) a strip of sheet metal with reinforced ends, and (b) progressively adjustable force means for application to said reinforced ends when the strip is wrapped about the joint between said first and second tubular end portions so as to progressively tighten the strip about the joint, wherein the improvement comprises: (c) said strip having a preformed arcuate bend therein intermediate the reinforced ends thereof providing first and second arcuate bend portions at opposite longitudinal sides of the strip and adapted to be placed in wrapping relation to portions of the circumference of said first and second tubular end portions, (d) the strip having first and second longitudinal portions extending longitudinally between the reinforced ends thereof and extending along the first and second arcuate bend portions with the length dimensions of the first and second longitudinal portions being less than the first and second minimum circumferential values, (e) the sheet metal of the strip providing generally oppositely extending end portions extending in generally opposite directions from said arcuate bend portion, and providing reversely curved connecting portions extending between the oppositely extending end portions and the arcuate bend portion with the curvature of the connecting portions being opposite to the curvature of the arcuate bend portion, and (f) the sheet metal of the oppositely extending end portions and of the reversely curved connecting portions being in a ductile hand-deformable condition so that the strip can be wrapped by hand about the first and second tubular end portions, the force means being thereafter applied to the reinforced ends so as to progressively tighten the strip into a stretched conforming relationship to the first and second tubular end portions and with the first and second longitudinal portions of the strip firmly gripping respectively the first and second tubular end portions to secure said tubular end portions in said axially aligned relation, wherein said first tubular end portion of said first tubular member has an inside diameter about equal to the outside diameter of said second tubular end portion of said second tubular member to telescopically fit thereon, said first and second arcuate bend portions of said strip being preformed to have first and second inside radial dimensions respectively, said first inside radial dimension being substantially greater than said second inside radial dimension.