GB2121135A

GB2121135A - A connection element

Info

Publication number: GB2121135A
Application number: GB08314728A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Brehse; Otto Knauer; Hugo Frei
Original assignee: Balzers AG
Current assignee: OC Oerlikon Balzers AG
Priority date: 1982-06-03
Filing date: 1983-05-27
Publication date: 1983-12-14
Also published as: DE3317186A1; GB8314728D0; CH656199A5; FR2528130B3; FR2528130A1; GB2121135B; DE8313965U1

Abstract

A connection element for flanges has two clamping jaws (13, 14) pivotally connected to each other and clamping means (17) having a control lever (21) for pressing the flanges against each other the control lever is connected (21), to a clamping jaw (13) by means of a spring element (19). The invention may be used particularly for pipes provided with small flanges as used in vacuum technology. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A connection element The invention relates to a connection element for the joining of two flanges, comprising two clamping jaws which are pivotally connected to each other and define between them a substantially circular opening, and clamping means having a control lever pivotally connected to one of the jaws.

A known connection element for small flanges has two clamping jaws pivotally connected to each other, clamping means with a control lever and a spring yoke, the control lever and the spring yoke being attached to the respective one of the two clamping jaws. This known connection element has the disadvantage that after the two jaws have been positioned about the small flanges to be connected and pressed together with one hand, the spring yoke must first be engaged with the other hand into a groove in the control lever before the latter may be actuated and thereby the connection closed.Particularly when used where there is narrow space - e.g. when it is not possible to reach with the second hand around the place of connection - the manipulation with the known connection element is difficult and often the assistance of a further person is needed.

It is the aim of the invention to provide a connection element which can be used more easily and enable faster establishment of the flange connection with only one hand.

This is, according to the invention, achieved in the connection element of the above-mentioned kind, in that the control lever is connected to a spring element which, in turn, is pivotally connected to one of the clamping jaws. Because according to the invention it is not necessary to insert first a spring yoke into a recess of the control lever before the latter may be brought into a closing position, this significantly simplifies manipulation, particularly in cases when the place of connection is accessible with difficulty or when e.g. the two flanges must be connected together in an unusual position, so that when using the known device it would be necessary to hold the spring yoke inserted into the recess - so that it would not fall out - until the moment the control lever is at least pretensioned.

It is advantageous to form on the control lever a surface parallel to the fulcrum axis in such a way that it has a continuously increasing distance from said axis, whereby an action similar to that of an eccentric lever is obtained and the pressing of the clamping jaws against each other can be achieved with smaller force. It is useful to give to the part of the control lever which is used as a handle a shape which is adapted to the shape of the clamping jaw so that the connection element, when closed, is positioned about the flange as a compact ring which does not waste space.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing. In the drawing: Figure 1 a is a plan of the connection element showing the element in a non-clamping (open) state, Figure 1 b is a plan showing the connection element in a clamped (closed) state, and Figure 2 is a section through a connection of two pipes provided with small flanges with the use of a connection element acccrding to Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows that the connection element is formed substantially of two semi-circular clamping jaws 13 and 14 which are pivotally connected to each other by a bracket 15. The associated clamping means 17 has a spring element 19 which is pivotally connected on the one hand to the clamping jaw 14 and on the other hand to the control lever 21 by pivots 23 and 24, about which the spring element 19 and control lever 21 can respectively pivot. The spring element may consist of a leaf spring 25 and its role is to take up the tolerances of the flange connection and also the tolerances of the connection element.

At the end of the control lever 21, which is pivotally connected to the spring element 19, is formed a surface 33 which has a continuously increasing distance from the fulcrum axis 31 of the lever and on which is formed a lug 35 which, when the connection is being closed, engages the edge 36 of the clamping 13, and the control lever, when the connection is being closed, may be pivoted about the edge 36 as an axis of rotation with small force.

The shape of the clamping jaw 13, illustrated in Figure 1, has also the advantage that on further pivoting of the control lever 21 (anticlockwise in Figure 1) first an interim position is achieved in which both the flanges to be connected are substantially fixed as regards their position but, if needed, fine adjustment can still be made. The final position and therefore the clamping force needed for sealing are achieved only during further stressing of the control lever.

Figure 2 shows, as an example, the use of a connection element according to the invention with a vacuum connection. On the two pipes 43 and 44 are small flanges 45 and 46 between which are inserted a centring ring 47 and a sealing ring 49 of an elastomer. As is apparent from the drawing, the small flanges have conical outer surfaces and are by means of the connection element according to Figure 1 in closed state simultaneously centred and sealingly pressed against each other.

1. A connection element for the joining of two flanges, comprising two semi-circular clamping jaws which are pivotally connected to each other and define between them a substantially circular opening, and clamping means having a control lever pivotally connected to one of the jaws, wherein the control lever is connected to a spring element which, in turn, is pivotally connected to one of the clamping jaws.

2. A connection element according to Claim 1,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A connection element The invention relates to a connection element for the joining of two flanges, comprising two clamping jaws which are pivotally connected to each other and define between them a substantially circular opening, and clamping means having a control lever pivotally connected to one of the jaws. A known connection element for small flanges has two clamping jaws pivotally connected to each other, clamping means with a control lever and a spring yoke, the control lever and the spring yoke being attached to the respective one of the two clamping jaws. This known connection element has the disadvantage that after the two jaws have been positioned about the small flanges to be connected and pressed together with one hand, the spring yoke must first be engaged with the other hand into a groove in the control lever before the latter may be actuated and thereby the connection closed.Particularly when used where there is narrow space - e.g. when it is not possible to reach with the second hand around the place of connection - the manipulation with the known connection element is difficult and often the assistance of a further person is needed. It is the aim of the invention to provide a connection element which can be used more easily and enable faster establishment of the flange connection with only one hand. This is, according to the invention, achieved in the connection element of the above-mentioned kind, in that the control lever is connected to a spring element which, in turn, is pivotally connected to one of the clamping jaws. Because according to the invention it is not necessary to insert first a spring yoke into a recess of the control lever before the latter may be brought into a closing position, this significantly simplifies manipulation, particularly in cases when the place of connection is accessible with difficulty or when e.g. the two flanges must be connected together in an unusual position, so that when using the known device it would be necessary to hold the spring yoke inserted into the recess - so that it would not fall out - until the moment the control lever is at least pretensioned. It is advantageous to form on the control lever a surface parallel to the fulcrum axis in such a way that it has a continuously increasing distance from said axis, whereby an action similar to that of an eccentric lever is obtained and the pressing of the clamping jaws against each other can be achieved with smaller force. It is useful to give to the part of the control lever which is used as a handle a shape which is adapted to the shape of the clamping jaw so that the connection element, when closed, is positioned about the flange as a compact ring which does not waste space. One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing. In the drawing: Figure 1 a is a plan of the connection element showing the element in a non-clamping (open) state, Figure 1 b is a plan showing the connection element in a clamped (closed) state, and Figure 2 is a section through a connection of two pipes provided with small flanges with the use of a connection element acccrding to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows that the connection element is formed substantially of two semi-circular clamping jaws 13 and 14 which are pivotally connected to each other by a bracket 15. The associated clamping means 17 has a spring element 19 which is pivotally connected on the one hand to the clamping jaw 14 and on the other hand to the control lever 21 by pivots 23 and 24, about which the spring element 19 and control lever 21 can respectively pivot. The spring element may consist of a leaf spring 25 and its role is to take up the tolerances of the flange connection and also the tolerances of the connection element. At the end of the control lever 21, which is pivotally connected to the spring element 19, is formed a surface 33 which has a continuously increasing distance from the fulcrum axis 31 of the lever and on which is formed a lug 35 which, when the connection is being closed, engages the edge 36 of the clamping 13, and the control lever, when the connection is being closed, may be pivoted about the edge 36 as an axis of rotation with small force. The shape of the clamping jaw 13, illustrated in Figure 1, has also the advantage that on further pivoting of the control lever 21 (anticlockwise in Figure 1) first an interim position is achieved in which both the flanges to be connected are substantially fixed as regards their position but, if needed, fine adjustment can still be made. The final position and therefore the clamping force needed for sealing are achieved only during further stressing of the control lever. Figure 2 shows, as an example, the use of a connection element according to the invention with a vacuum connection. On the two pipes 43 and 44 are small flanges 45 and 46 between which are inserted a centring ring 47 and a sealing ring 49 of an elastomer. As is apparent from the drawing, the small flanges have conical outer surfaces and are by means of the connection element according to Figure 1 in closed state simultaneously centred and sealingly pressed against each other. CLAIMS

2. A connection element according to Claim 1, wherein the spring element is formed by a leaf spring.

3. A connection element according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the control lever is pivotal about a pivot and has a surface which is parallel to the fulcrum axis of the lever and the distance of which from the fulcrum axis continuously increases,

4. A connection element according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the shape of the control lever is adapted to the shape of the clamping jaws.

5. A connection element according to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the control lever is provided with a lug.

6. A connection element for the joining of two flanges, constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawing.

7. A device incorporating a connection element according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.