초록 ▼

A band clamp used to connect tubular bodies such as vehicle exhaust system components. The band clamp has a band extending from a first end to a second end and includes a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between the first and second ends. A tightening mechanism is connected to the ban

A band clamp used to connect tubular bodies such as vehicle exhaust system components. The band clamp has a band extending from a first end to a second end and includes a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between the first and second ends. A tightening mechanism is connected to the band and includes two clamp members movable toward and away from each other for tightening and loosening of the band. The band clamp further includes a gasket located on an inner surface of the band between the ribs and extending between the first and second ends. The use of the ribs with the interposed gasket provides a mechanical interlock of the band clamp with the tubular bodies while providing a hermetic seal at the junction between the two bodies.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A band clamp for connecting two tubular bodies, comprising:a band extending from a first end to a second end and including a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between said first and second ends; a tightening mechanism connected to said band and including two clamp members movable to

1. A band clamp for connecting two tubular bodies, comprising:a band extending from a first end to a second end and including a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between said first and second ends; a tightening mechanism connected to said band and including two clamp members movable toward and away from each other to draw said first and second ends toward and away from each other for tightening and loosening of said band; and a gasket located on an inner surface of said band between said ribs and extending alone the length at said band between said first and second ends such that said gasket forms a complete loop when said first and second ends are brought together using said tightening mechanism, whereby said band clamp can be disposed over and tightened around abutting ends of the tubular bodies with said gasket inhibiting the escape of fluid through the function formed between the abutting ends of the two tubular bodies; wherein said clamp members comprise confronting portions of a pair of strap sections and wherein each of said strap sections is secured to an outer surface of said band near a different one of said first and second ends, said band being continuous between said first and second ends with said ends being aligned with each other and spaced by a gap having a length that can be varied by tightening or loosening said band using said tightening mechanism. 2. A band clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second ends include complementary mating portions that come into engagement during tightening of said band.3. A band clamp as defined in claim 2, wherein said first end includes at least one set of spring members and said second end includes at least one groove aligned with said spring members, wherein said spring members engage opposing edges of said groove and form an interference fit with said groove when said band is tightened using said tightening mechanism.4. A band clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said strap portions traverses said gap such that said gap is located at a different angular position about the circumference of said band than said clamping members.5. A band clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said gasket comprises a strip of compressible material that extends from said first end to said second end and that terminates at said ends.6. A band clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said gasket extends beyond at least one of said ends such that opposite ends of said gasket overlap when said band is tightened.7. A band clamp for connecting adjacent ends of a pair of axially-aligned tubular bodies, wherein each of the tubular bodies have an integrally formed, substantially non-compressible radially-protruding rib extending circumferentially around the tubular body at its end, and wherein the adjacent ends of the tubular bodies define a junction between an end face of one of the tubular bodies and an end face or other surface portion of the other tubular body, with the ribs being offset axially from each other on each side of the junction, said band clamp comprising:a band extending from a first end to a second end and defining a circumferential loop that can be tightened over the adjacent ends of the axially-aligned tubular bodies, said band having a pair of lateral edges extending between said first and second ends and including a pair of clamping ribs extending circumferentially along at least a portion of said loop between said first and second ends, said clamping ribs being located inwardly of said lateral edges and spaced from each other by a distance that permits mating of each clamping rib with a corresponding rib from one of the two tubular bodies when the band is assembled over the adjacent ends of the tubular bodies, said band including a central portion spanning the distance between said clamping ribs and overlying the junction between the tubular bodies when the band is assembled over the adjacent ends; a tightening mechanism connected to said band and including two clamp members movable toward and away from each other for drawing said first and second ends toward and away from each other to thereby permit tightening and loosening of said band about the adjacent ends of the tubular bodies; and a gasket located at said central portion of said band and extending along the length of said band between said first and second ends, said gasket being compressible during tightening of said band over the tubular bodies to provide a seal at the junction of the tubular bodies for preventing fluids from escaping out of the tubular bodies through the junction. 8. A band clamp as defined in claim 7, wherein said clamp members comprise confronting portions of a pair of strap sections and wherein each of said strap sections is secured to an outer surface of said band near a different one of said first and second ends, said band being continuous between said first and second ends with said ends being aligned with each other and spaced by a gap having a length that can be varied by tightening or loosening said band using said tightening mechanism.9. A band clamp as defined in claim 8, wherein said first and second ends include complementary mating portions that come into engagement during tightening of said band.10. A band clamp as defined in claim 9, wherein said first end includes at least one set of spring members and said second end includes at least one groove aligned with said spring members, wherein said spring members engage opposing edges of said groove and form an interference fit with said groove when said band is tightened using said tightening mechanism.11. A band clamp as defined in claim 8, wherein one of said strap portions traverses said gap such that said gap is located at a different angular position about the circumference of said band than said clamping members.12. A band clamp as defined in claim 8, wherein said gasket comprises a strip of compressible material that extends from said hut end to said second end and that terminates at said ends.13. A band clamp as defined in claims 8, wherein said gasket extends beyond at least one of said ends such that opposite ends of said gasket overlap when said band is tightened.14. A band clamp as defined in claim 7, wherein said gasket comprises a fiberglass gasket.15. A band clamp as defined in claim 14, wherein said fiberglass gasket includes an aluminum inner surface facing radially inwardly.16. A band clamp as defined in claim 7, wherein said gasket is attached over a central portion of said band and partially overlies each of said ribs.17. A band clamp as defined in claim 7, wherein said gasket comprises a graphite gasket.18. A band clamp as defined in claim 7, wherein said gasket comprises a mica gasket.19. A band clamp as defined in claim 7, wherein said clamp members are each located at one of said first and second ends and comprise unitary portions of said band, said band including a pocket located at each of said first and second ends, and wherein said band clamp further comprises a tongue secured to said band within the pocket located at said first end, said tongue extending beyond said first end and into the pocket located at said second end, wherein said tongue provides a seating surface for said gasket at said first and second ends, with said seating surface being substantially continuous with said central portion of said band.20. A band clamp as defined in claim 19, wherein each rib extends circumferentially along said band from one of said pockets to the other of said pockets.21. A band clamp as defined in claim 20, wherein said pockets each have a depth that is greater than the depth of said clamping ribs.22. A band clamp as defined in claim 19, wherein said gasket comprises a strip of compressible material that extends from an edge of one of said pockets to an edge of said tongue that is located adjacent said edge of said one pocket.23. A band clamp as defined in claim 19, wherein said gasket extends beyond said tongue such that opposite ends of said strip overlap when said band is tightened.24. A clamping assembly for connecting first and second tubular bodies, comprising:a first adapter having a first edge flange at one axial end and a second edge flange at a second axial end, said first edge flange being adapted to be secured to an outer surface of the first tubular body and said second edge flange being adapted to be positioned over an outer surface of the second tubular body, said first adapter including a first circumferential rib located at said second edge flange; a second adapter having a second circumferential rib and being capable of being secured to an outer surface of the second tubular body such that said second circumferential rib is adjacent said first circumferential rib of said first adapter with said ribs overlying the second tubular body; and a band clamp comprising: a band extending from a first end to a second end and including a pair of spaced clamping ribs extending at least part way between said first mid second ends, said clamping ribs being spaced from each other by a distance that permits mating of each clamping rib with a corresponding rib from one of the two adapters when the band is assembled over adjacent axial ends of the two adapters, and a tightening mechanism connected with said band and including two clamp members movable toward and away from each other to draw said first and second ends toward and away from each other for tightening and loosening of said band. 25. A clamping assembly as defined in claim 24, further comprising a gasket located on an inner surface of said band between said ribs and extending between said first and second ends.26. A clamping assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein said adjacent axial ends define a junction therebetween and wherein, upon tightening of said band, said gasket seals said junction thereby preventing fluid from escaping through said junction.27. A clamping assembly defined in claim 24, wherein said first adapter comprises a collar having a different axial cross-sectional shape than said second adapter.28. A band clamp for connecting two tubular bodies, comprising:a band extending from a first end to a second end and including a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between said first and second ends; a tightening mechanism connected to said band and including two clamp members movable toward and away from each other to draw said first and second ends toward and away from each other for tightening and loosening of said band; and a gasket located on an inner surface of said band between said ribs and extending between said first and second ends; wherein maid clamp members comprise confronting portions of a pair of strap sections and wherein each of said strap sections is secured to an outer surface of said band near a different one of said first and second ends, said band being continuous between said first and second ends with said ends being aligned with each other and spaced by a gap having a length that can be varied by tightening or loosening said band using said tightening mechanism; wherein said first and second ends include complementary mating portions that come into engagement during tightening of said band; and wherein said mating portions are axially aligned with said ribs. 29. A band clamp for connecting two tubular bodies, comprising:a band extending from a first end to a second end and including a pair of spaced ribs extending at least part way between said first and second ends; a tightening mechanism connected to said band and including two clamp members movable toward and away from each other to draw said first and second ends toward and away from each other for tightening and loosening of said band; and a gasket located on an inner surface of said band between said ribs and extending alone the length of said band between said first and second ends such that said gasket forms a complete loop when said first and second ends are brought together using said tightening mechanism, whereby said band clamp can be disposed over and tightened around abutting ends of the tubular bodies with said gasket inhibiting the escape of fluid through the function formed between the abutting ends of the two tubular bodies; wherein said gasket is made of fiberglass and includes an aluminum inner surface facing radially inwardly. 30. A band clamp for connecting adjacent ends of a pair of axially-aligned tubular bodies, wherein each of the tubular bodies have a radially-protruding rib extending circumferentially around the tubular body at its end, and wherein the adjacent ends of the tubular bodies define a junction between an end face of one of the tubular bodies and an end face or other surface portion of the other tubular body, with the ribs being offset axially from each other on each side of the junction, said band clamp comprising:a band extending from a first end to a second end and defining a circumferential loop that can be tightened over the adjacent ends of the axially-aligned tubular bodies, said band having a pair of lateral edges extending between said first and second ends and including a pair of clumping ribs extending circumferentially along at least a portion of said loop between said first and second ends, said clamping ribs being located inwardly of said lateral edges and spaced from each other by a distance that permits mating of each clamping rib with a corresponding rib from one of the two tubular bodies when the band is assembled over the adjacent ends of the tubular bodies, said band including a central portion spanning the distance between said clamping ribs and overlying the junction between the tubular bodies when the band is assembled over the adjacent ends; a tightening mechanism connected to said band and including two clamp members movable toward and away from each other for drawing said first and second ends toward and away from each other to thereby permit tightening and loosening of said band inborn the adjacent ends of the tubular bodies; a gasket located at said central portion of said band, said gasket being compressible during tightening of said band over the tubular bodies to provide a seal at the junction of the tubular bodies for preventing fluids from escaping out of the tubular bodies through the junction; wherein said clamp members comprise confronting portions of a pair of strap sections and wherein each of said strap sections is secured to an outer surface of said band near a different one of said first and second ends, said band being continuous between said first and second ends with said ends being aligned with each other and spaced by a gap having a length that can be varied by tightening or loosening said band using said tightening mechanism; wherein said first and second ends include complementary mating portions that come into engagement during tightening of said band, and wherein said mating portions are axially aligned with said clamping ribs.