GB2238262A

GB2238262A - Clamping device

Info

Publication number: GB2238262A
Application number: GB8926356A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derick Peter John Riley; Anthony Bell Hick
Original assignee: British Nuclear Fuels PLC
Current assignee: Sellafield Ltd
Priority date: 1989-11-22
Filing date: 1989-11-22
Publication date: 1991-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-22
Also published as: GB8926356D0; GB2238262B

Abstract

The device comprises a magazine 3 in the form of a rotatable disc having a plurality of different substantially semi-circular grooves or notches 6 in its periphery to receive pipes of different diameters. The magazine is locked in a selected position and a pipe is securely clamped in the groove or notch at the selected position by means of a chain 13 which is tightened about the pipe by a screw device 9, 10, 11, 12. <IMAGE>

Description

An improved clamping device The present invention concerns a clamping device for pipes and the like.

According to the present invention a clamping device for pipes and the like comprises a rotatable magazine having a plurality of peripheral substantially semi-circular notches or grooves to receive pipes of different diameters, means to releasably lock the magazine in a selected position and means for releasably clamping a pipe in the notch or groove at the selected position.

Conveniently the clamping means comprises a flexible, inextensible member such as a chain.

Tightening means draw the chain about the pipe to hold the pipe in the groove or notch in the magazine.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure 1 is a schematic elevation of a clamp device; and Figure 2 is a selection on A-A in Figure 1.

A clamping device comprises a support plate 1 carrying a post 2 on which a magazine 3 is mounted for rotation. The magazine is retained in position on the post by a nut 4 which engages screw thread 5 at the free end of the post 2.

The magazine 3 is in the form of a disc having a plurality of substantially semi-circular notches or recesses 6 spaced around the periphery of the disc. The notches or recesses 6 are each different in size whereby to cater for pipes of different diameters. A plurality of through bores 7 are also provided in the disc. The bores cooperate individually with a peg or dowel 8 on the support plate 1 to secure the disc against rotation on the post 2.

A screw threaded spindle 9 having a knurled operating head 10 at one end engages a correspondingly screw threaded aperture in a block 11 fixedly secured to the plate 1. The other end of the spindle 9 carries on further block 12 to which is secured an end of a flexible, inextensible member 13. A suitable member is a chain, such as a bicycle chain.

In use, the magazine is mounted on the post and rotated into position to bring the notch 6 to receive pipe 14 into a position shown in Figure 1 opposite the block 12. The magazine disc is displaced axially such that the peg or dowel 8 engages in the appropriate aperture 7 in the disc. This fixes the disc against rotation. The disc is then secured on the post by means of the nut 4.

With the pipe positioned in the notch or groove the chain 13 is passed over the pipe and is engaged by a pawl or hook-like member 15 on the block 12. The knurled head 10 is then rotated to axially displace the threaded spindle 9 and with it the block 12. Consequently the chain 13 is tightened and clamps the pipe securely in the groove or notch 7.

The plate 1 can be secured to a welding head for example and the centre line of the device, being the axis of the post 2 is the same for all the notches 7 and hence for all the corresponding pipe diameters.

Claims

1. A clamping device for pipes and the like comprising a rotatable magazine having a plurality of peripheral substantially semi-circular notches or grooves to receive pipes of different diameters, means to releasably lock the magazine in a selected position and means for releasably clamping a pipe in the groove or notch at the selected position.

2. A clamping device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the clamping means comprises a flexible unextensible member and tightening means for drawing the member tightly about the pipe.

3. A clamping device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the member comprises a chain.

4. A clamping device as claimed in claim 3 in which the tightening means comprises a block displaceable relative to the magazine and operable on the chain.

5. A clamping device for pipes and the like substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.