US 12,078,270 B1
Dual cam lever hose clamp and methods of use thereof
Galen L. Marks, Oxnard, CA (US)
Assigned to The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Jan. 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/098,468.
Application 18/098,468 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/896,365, filed on Jun. 9, 2020, granted, now 11,585,475.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16L 23/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 23/06 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of clamping a hose using a dual cam lever hose clamp, the method comprising the steps:
(1) providing a dual cam lever hose clamp, comprising:
first and second cam lever clamps, each configured to move between a retaining position and a release position; and
upper and lower clamp halves adapted to form a collar when first ends of said upper and lower clamp halves fasten each other via said first cam lever clamp and when second ends of said upper and lower clamp halves fasten each other via said second cam lever clamp;
wherein said first cam lever clamp comprises:
a first linkage pivotally coupled to said first end of said lower clamp half and adapted to traverse through first grooves vertically and serially disposed on said first ends of said upper and lower clamp halves when said first cam lever clamp is in said retaining position, such that said first linkage is received within said first grooves of said upper and lower clamp halves; and
a first cam lever pivotally coupled to said first linkage and adapted to fasten said first ends of said upper and lower clamp halves when a first cam follower cammingly engages a first cam surface of said upper clamp half, said first cam lever having an elongate and substantially curved shape extending beyond a center of said upper clamp half; and
wherein said second cam lever clamp comprises:
a second linkage pivotally coupled to said second end of said lower clamp half and adapted to traverse through second grooves vertically and serially disposed on said second ends of said upper and lower clamp halves when said second cam lever clamp is in said retaining position, such that said second linkage is received within said second grooves of said upper and lower clamp halves; and
a second cam lever pivotally coupled to said second linkage and adapted to fasten said second ends of said upper and lower clamp halves when a second cam follower cammingly engages a second cam surface of said upper clamp half, said second cam lever having an elongate and substantially curved shape extending beyond said center of said upper clamp half, such that said second cam lever is configured to overlap and obstruct said first cam lever when said first and second cam lever clamps are in said retaining position;
(2) positioning a hose end of a hose around a pipe end, such that an upper end portion and a lower end portion of said hose end substantially overlaps said pipe end;
(3) positioning said upper clamp half on said upper end portion of said hose end, such that an inner surface of said upper clamp half contacts said upper end portion of said hose;
(4) positioning said lower clamp half directly beneath said upper clamp half and said lower end portion of said hose, such that an inner surface of said lower clamp half contacts said lower end portion of said hose;
(5) fastening said first ends of said upper and lower clamp halves by transitioning said first cam lever clamp from said release position into said retaining position at said first ends of said upper and lower clamp halves, said transitioning step of said first cam lever clamp comprising the sub-steps of:
a. contacting and aligning said first ends of said upper and lower clamp halves in a serial manner, such that said first grooves are vertically and serially disposed to each other;
b. pivoting said first linkage into said first grooves, such that said first linkage traverses through said first grooves;
c. cammingly engaging said first cam follower against said first cam surface; and
d. pivoting said first cam lever towards said upper clamp half; and
(6) fastening said second ends of said upper and lower clamp halves by transitioning said second cam lever clamp from said release position into said retaining position at said second ends of said upper and lower clamp halves, said transitioning step of said second cam lever clamp, comprising the sub-steps of:
a. contacting and aligning said second ends of said upper and lower clamp halves in a serial manner, such that said second grooves are vertically and serially disposed to each other;
b. pivoting said second linkage into said second grooves, such that said second linkage traverses through said second grooves;
c. cammingly engaging said second cam follower against said second cam surface; and
d. pivoting said second cam lever towards said upper clamp half.