US5098047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube clamp
Assignee: FLEX RAIL Inc A CORP OF MICHIGAN
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Filing: 1990-10-18
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2010-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A tube clamp assembly (10) for clamping and supporting a rigid coupling (30) or a flexible elastomeric grommet (32). The tube clamp (10) includes a pair of oppositely facing clamping members (12u, 12l) each having a generally U-shaped cross section with at least one clamping seat (26) and an associated clamping hole (28) for mounting one of the coupling (30) and the grommet (32) between the clamping members (12u, 12l). The tube clamp (10) further includes a set of four arcuate flanges (52f, 52b; 54f, 54b) extending into the clamping hole (28) from the clamping seat (26). The flanges (52f, 52b; 54f, 54b) grip an elastomeric grommet (32) upon application of a predetermined clamping force to prevent removal of the grommet (32) from the tube clamp (10) and yield away from a rigid coupling (30) upon application of the predetermined clamping force to allow the rigid coupling (30) to be fully seated against the clamping seat (26).
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Plumley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L3/00; F16L3/22; F16L3/223; F16L3/2235
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A tube clamp assembly (10) of the type for clamping and supporting rigid couplings (30) for fluid lines and flexible elastomeric grommets (32) disposed about a fluid line for reducing shock and vibration, said tube clamp (10) comprising: a pair of oppositely facing clamping members (12u, 12l) each having generally U-shaped cross section defined by a pair of spaced apart side walls (14f, 14b; 16f, 16b) and a connecting wall (18u, 18l) extending therebetween, said side walls (14f, 14b; 16f, 16b) defining at least one clamping seat (26) at distal free ends (22f, 22b; 24f, 24b) of said side walls and a clamping hole (28) for mounting one of the couplings (34) and the grommets (32) between said clamping members (12u, 12l); characterized by including gripping means (50) extending into said clamping hole (28) from only a portion of said clamping seat (26) and leaving a major portion of said clamping seat free of said gripping means for biting into and gripping an elastomeric grommet (32) upon application of a predetermined clamping force to said clamping members (12u, 12l) to prevent sliding movement of the grommet (32) relative to said clamping members (12u, 12l) and for yielding and permanently deforming away from a rigid coupling (30) upon application of the predetermined clamping force to allow the rigid coupling (30) to be seated against said clamping seat (26).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
A tube clamp assembly (10) of the type for clamping and supporting rigid couplings (30) for fluid lines and flexible elastomeric grommets (32) disposed about a fluid line for reducing shock and vibration, said tube clamp (10) comprising: a pair of oppositely facing clamping members (12u, 12l) each having generally U-shaped cross section defined by a pair of spaced apart side walls (14f, 14b; 16f, 16b) and a connecting wall (18u, 18l) extending therebetween, said side walls (14f, 14b; 16f, 16b) defining at least one clamping seat (26) at distal free ends (22f, 22b; 24f, 24b) of said side walls and a clamping hole (28) for mounting one of the couplings (34) and the grommets (32) between said clamping members (12u, 12l); characterized by including gripping means (50) extending into said clamping hole (28) from only a portion of said clamping seat (26) and leaving a major portion of said clamping seat free of said gripping means for biting into and gripping an elastomeric grommet (32) upon application of a predetermined clamping force to said clamping members (12u, 12l) to prevent sliding movement of the grommet (32) relative to said clamping members (12u, 12l) and for yielding and permanently deforming away from a rigid coupling (30) upon application of the predetermined clamping force to allow the rigid coupling (30) to be seated against said clamping seat (26).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said clamping members (12u, 12l) fabricated from an organic polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said gripping means (50) comprising at least one arcuate flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said clamping seat (26) comprising four semicylindrical seating surfaces (34f, 34b; 36f, 36b) formed in said side walls (14f, 14b; 16f, 16b) of said clamping members (12u, 12l).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 4 comprising four arcuate flanges (52f, 52b; 54f, 54b), each of which extends from an associated seating surface (34f, 34b; 36f, 36b) radially into said clamping hole (28).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said side walls (14f, 14b; 16f, 16b) have a predetermined wall thickness defining outer surfaces (57) further characterized by said arcuate flanges (52f, 52b; 54f, 54b) having a thickness relatively less than said thickness of said side walls (14f, 14b; 16f, 16b).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by each of said arcuate flanges (52f, 52b; 54f, 54b) having an outer surface (55) flush with said outer surfaces (57) of said side walls (14f, 14b; 16f, 16b).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said arcuate flanges (52f, 52b; 54f, 54b) being disposed 90 degrees apart from one another along said clamping seat (26).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by said clamping members (12u, 12l) having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart clamping seats (26), each of said clamping seats (26) having associated gripping means (50) and adapted to mount one of the couplings (30) and the grommets (32) between said clamping members (12u, 12l).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by including fastening means (48) for fastening said clamping members (12u, 12l) together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 10 further characterized by said clamping members (12u, 12l) including oppositely aligned pairs of fastener holes (58) formed in said connecting walls (18u, 18l) in longitudinally spaced apart positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said fastening means (48) comprising threaded bolt members (56) extending through said fastener holes (58) and nut members (60) threadably engaged with associated said bolt members (56).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 12 further characterized by said nut members (60) comprising a plurality of spacers (60) extending between said connecting walls (18u, 18l), each of said spacers (60) provided with an internally threaded bore (62) extending completely therethrough and matingly receiving said bolt members (56) associated therewith to secure said clamping members (12u, 12l) together.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 further characterized by said clamping members (12u, 12l) including spacer alignment means (64) formed on said connecting walls (18u, 18l) for positively aligning said threaded bore (62) of each of said spacers (60) with a pair of said oppositely aligned fastener holes (58) formed in said connecting walls (18u, 18l).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 14 further characterized by said spacer alignment means (64) comprising a depression (64) formed about each of said oppositely aligned fastener holes (58) and dimensioned for receiving the ends of said spacers (60) within said depression (64).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |