US 12,455,026 B2
Sanitary clamp for diaphragm pump covers
Mark S. Emery, Minneapolis, MN (US); Bradley H. Hines, Andover, MN (US); Benjamin J. Paar, Minneapolis, MN (US); Kyle J. Treiber, Watertown, MN (US); and Alex A. Doerr, Eagan, MN (US)
Assigned to Graco Minnesota Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Appl. No. 18/038,890
Filed by Graco Minnesota Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
PCT Filed Nov. 29, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/060994
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 25, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/115693, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 2, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/119,479, filed on Nov. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0019056 A1, Jan. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. F16L 23/10 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 23/10 (2013.01) 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A clamp for sealing a fluid assembly, the clamp comprising:
a ring, the ring having a circumferential gap separating a first end of the ring and a second end the ring, the ring further including an outer band and a plurality of inner band members disposed on an inner radial side of the outer band, wherein each inner band member of the plurality of outer band members are spaced circumferentially and wherein each inner band member of the plurality of inner band members includes an inner groove;
a bracket assembly mounted to the first end of the ring, the bracket assembly including a first bracket mounted to the first end and including a first aperture through the bracket assembly, wherein a perimeter of the first aperture is closed;
a second bracket mounted on the second end of the ring, the second bracket having an open slot and forming a cradle, the second bracket further including a first finger curved away from the first bracket and a second finger curved away from the bracket, the first finger and the second finger defining the cradle, and wherein the open slot is disposed between the first finger and the second finger; and
an adjustment assembly configured to pull the first end and the second end together to reduce a width of the circumferential gap, the adjustment assembly comprising:
a rod elongate along an adjustment axis, having exterior threading, and extending through the first aperture;
a nut having a threaded bore having interior threading complementary with the exterior threading of the rod such that the rod can move at least partially through the nut by relative rotation between rod and the nut; and
a head attached to the rod, the head wider than the slot of the second bracket so that the head can be secured in the cradle of the second bracket, wherein the head is disposed on an opposite side of the first aperture from the nut;
wherein a rocker is mounted on the first bracket such that the rocker can pivot on a pivot axis disposed orthogonal to the adjustment axis, wherein the first aperture is formed through the rocker such that the rod extends through the rocker;
wherein relative rotation between the nut and the rod tightens and loosens the ring by respectively decreasing and increasing the width of the circumferential gap while the head is disposed in the cradle of the second bracket;
wherein the head can be unsecured from the second bracket by moving the head entirely out of the cradle and pivoting the adjustment assembly to change an orientation of the adjustment axis and such that the rod passes out of the open slot; and
wherein the head, the first bracket, and the second bracket are configured such that the head is movable in a direction that is away from the first bracket to dismount the head over a first end of the first finger and over a second end of the second finger to remove the head from the cradle.