Quick release clamp for bonnet and flange of gate valves
First Claim
1. In combination, a first member having a non-circular, outward-extending upper edge comprising opposed semi-circular first member ends and opposed first member sides having first member centers said first member sides interconnecting said first member ends, a second member having an external outline substantially congruent with an external outline of said first member comprising opposed semi-circular second member ends and opposed second member sides having second member centers interconnecting said second member ends, said first member having a first top surface and a first bottom surface, said first top surface being formed with a circumferential first bevel, said second member having a second top and a second bottom surface, said second bottom surface being formed with a circumferential second bevel, said first bottom surface overlying said second top surface, said first bevel being substantially thinner at said first member centers than at said first member sides, said second bevel being substantially thinner at said second member centers than at said second member sides, and a clamp having a first arm formed with a third bevel substantially complementary to said first bevel, a second arm formed with a fourth bevel substantially complementary to said second bevel and a base connecting the outer edges of said first and second arms, said clamp fitting around and partially overlapping said upper edges of said first member ends and sides and partially overlapping the lower edges of said second member ends and sides, said clamp comprising a plurality of sections hinged together and connecting means for connecting said sections together, whereby said first and second members are clamped together.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A clamp for quick release of a generally rectangular bonnet to the flange of valve body is disclosed. The upper side of the edge of the rectangular bonnet is formed with a bevel of about 20 degrees and the lower side of the edge of the body flange is formed with a similar bevel. The clamp consists of semi-circular ends and straight sides hinged together. One side is split and connected by a toggle latch. In cross-section, each clamp section is generally C-shaped, with the top and bottom arms of the C being beveled so that as the clamp sections are drawn inward the bevels wedge the bonnet against the flange. Locating pins fitting into holes in the plate and flange locate the parts and resist implosion when the valve body is subjected to vacuum. To maintain uniform clamping force around the circumference of the bonnet the bevels at the middles of the sides may be less wide than at the ends.
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Citations
26 Claims
- 1. In combination, a first member having a non-circular, outward-extending upper edge comprising opposed semi-circular first member ends and opposed first member sides having first member centers said first member sides interconnecting said first member ends, a second member having an external outline substantially congruent with an external outline of said first member comprising opposed semi-circular second member ends and opposed second member sides having second member centers interconnecting said second member ends, said first member having a first top surface and a first bottom surface, said first top surface being formed with a circumferential first bevel, said second member having a second top and a second bottom surface, said second bottom surface being formed with a circumferential second bevel, said first bottom surface overlying said second top surface, said first bevel being substantially thinner at said first member centers than at said first member sides, said second bevel being substantially thinner at said second member centers than at said second member sides, and a clamp having a first arm formed with a third bevel substantially complementary to said first bevel, a second arm formed with a fourth bevel substantially complementary to said second bevel and a base connecting the outer edges of said first and second arms, said clamp fitting around and partially overlapping said upper edges of said first member ends and sides and partially overlapping the lower edges of said second member ends and sides, said clamp comprising a plurality of sections hinged together and connecting means for connecting said sections together, whereby said first and second members are clamped together.
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14. A clamp for use with a first member having a non-circular, outward-extending upper edge comprising opposed semi-circular first member ends and opposed first member sides interconnecting the first member ends and a second member having an external outline substantially congruent with an external outline of the first member comprising opposed semi-circular second member ends and opposed second member sides interconnecting the second member ends, the first member having a first top and a first bottom surface, the first and second sides having first and second centers, respectively, the first top surface being formed with a circumferential first bevel, the second member having a second top and a second bottom surface, the second bottom surface being formed with a circumferential second bevel, the first bottom surface overlying the second top surface, the first bevel being substantially thinner at the first member centers than at the first member sides, the second member centers being substantially thinner at the second member centers than at the second member sides,
said clamp comprising a first arm formed with a third bevel substantially complementary to the first bevel, a second arm formed with a fourth bevel substantially complementary to the second bevel and a base connecting the outer edges of said first and second arms, said clamp shaped and dimensioned to fit around and partially overlap the top surface of the first member ends and sides and partially overlapping the lower edges of the second member ends and sides, said clamp comprising a plurality of sections hinged together and means for drawing said sections together.
- 23. In combination, a first member having a non-circular, outward-extending upper edge comprising opposed semi-circular first member ends and opposed first member sides interconnecting said first member ends, a second member having an external outline substantially congruent with an external outline of said first member comprising opposed semi-circular second member ends and opposed second member sides interconnecting said second member ends, said first member having a first top surface and a first bottom surface, said first top surface being formed with a circumferential first bevel, said second member having a second top and a second bottom surface, said second bottom surface being formed with a circumferential second bevel, said first bottom surface overlying said second top surface, and a clamp having a first arm formed with a third bevel substantially complementary to said first bevel, a second arm formed with a fourth bevel substantially complementary to said second bevel and a base connecting the outer edges of said first and second arms, said clamp fitting around and partially overlapping said upper edges of said first member ends and sides and partially overlapping the lower edges of said second member ends and sides, said clamp comprising a plurality of sections hinged together and connecting means for connecting said sections together, whereby said first and second members are clamped together, and a plurality of pins passing through aligned holes in said first and second members, said clamp being formed with notches to provide clearance for said pins.
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26. A clamp for use with a first member having a non-circular, outward-extending upper edge comprising opposed semi-circular first member ends and opposed first member sides interconnecting said first member and a second member having an external outline substantially congruent with an external outline of said first member comprising opposed semi-circular circular second member ends and opposed second member sides interconnecting said second member sides, ends, said first member having a first top and a first bottom surface, said first top surface being formed with a circumferential first bevel, said second member having a second top and a second bottom surface, said second bottom surface being formed with a circumferential second bevel, said first bottom surface overlying said second top surface,
said clamp comprising a first arm formed with a third bevel substantially complementary to said first bevel, a second arm formed with a fourth bevel substantially complementary to said second bevel and a base connecting the outer edges of said first and second arms, said clamp adapted to fit around and partially overlap said upper edge of said first member ends and sides and partially overlapping the lower edges of said second member ends and sides, said clamp comprising a plurality of sections hinged together and means for drawing said sections together.
Specification