GB2486538A - A clamp for connecting a pair of flanged connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A clamp for connecting a pair of flanged connectors comprises a pair of semi­circular members, each having an inwards facing tapered groove for drawing a pair of flanged connectors into sealing engagement. The members are hinged together at one end, and have outwards facing projections at the other end, which are connected together using a ratchet mechanism. The mechanism may be incorporated into the projections, with the ratchet being incorporated into one of the projections, and the teeth extending from the other projection. Alternatively, the projections can be connected using a cable tie, either fitting within a channel around the projections, or through apertures in the projections.

Description

cifflp The present invention relates to a clamp for a pair of flanged connectors, particularly for use in the bio-teclmology, pharmaceutical and food industries.

For disposable batch production systems connections are typically made by flanged connectors on the ends of flexible tubing. A clamp is required to connect pairs of flanged connectors. The clamp must be capable to withstanding a sterilisation process using an autoclave andlor irradiation, but also must be reliable, straight forward to connect, and low cost.

Many clamps designed for this purpose including a nut and seat arrangement for securing the ends of the clamping members. This is not a low cost arrangement and also presents questions of how to reliably determine whether the nut if fully engaged onto the seat without overtightening.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved clamp.

According to the invention there is provided a clamp comprising a pair of semi-circular members, each having an inwards facing tapered groove for drawing two flanged connectors into sealing engagement the members being hinged together at one end, and having outward facing projections at the other end, securable together using a ratchet closure.

In some embodiments the ratchet closure may be in the form of a ratchet within one outward facing projection, and a series of teeth in extending towards the ratchet from the other projection.

In other embodiments the ratchet closure may be a cable tie, which may be moulded onto the clamp, or may be separate therefrom.

Advantageously, the projections may be connected by wrapping a cable tie therearound. In such embodiments the projections may include formations to define a channel in which the cable tie can be positioned. Alternatively, apertures may be provided in the projections through which the cable tie may be passed to secure the projections together.

The projections may be provided with mating small projections to prevent over tightening of the clamp.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the clamp of Figure 1 closed; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a clamp according to a second aspect of the invention; Figure 4 is a side view of the clamp of Figure 3 closed Figure 5 is a side view of a clamp a ccording to a second aspect of the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the clamp of Figure 5, partially closed; and Figure 7 is a front view of the clamp of Figure 5, closed.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the clamp comprises a pair of semi-circular members 2, 4, each having an inwards facing tapered groove 6. The groove is designed to fit over a pair of flanged connectors to hold the same in sealing engagement. One end of each of the members is connected together by a hinge 8.

At the other end of each member 2, 4 is an outward facing projection 10, 12.

These are designed to meet when the clamp is positioned around the flanged ----------connectors, -and-are -used-to-hold -the -clamp members in posit-ion-------------------As shown in Figure 2, these projections are held together by a cable tie 14.

The projections include formations 16, 18 to define a channel 20, in to which the cable tie 14 fits.

The cable tie can be tightened to the correct length of tightness, using a cable tie tool, not shown in the drawings and not part of this invention.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the formations include a portion 22 that forms a bridge over the projections, through which the cable tie passes. This element 22 is useful in connecting a cable tie to the clamp prior to use, but is not essential to the invention.

Now turning to Figures 3 and 4, the clamp thereshown also comprises a pair of semi-circular members 102, 104, each having an inwards facing tapering groove 106 designed in use to fit over a pair of flanged connectors to draw the same together and create a seal therebetween. One end of each of the members 102, 104 is connected together by a hinge 108.

As before, at the other end of each member 102, 104 is an outward facing projection 110, 112, designed to meet when the clamp is in the closed position.

These projections 110, 112, each have an aperture 120 therethrough sized to fit a cable tie 114. As can be seen in Figure 4, the projections are held together with a cable tie, which as before can be tightened to a specific length or tightness.

Now referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, the clamp thereshown also comprises a pair of semi-circular members 202, 204, each having an inwards facing tapered groove 205 designed in use to fit over a pair of flanged connectors to draw the same together creating a seal therebetween. One end of each of the members 202, 204 is connected together by a hinge 208 At the other end of each member 202, 204 is an outward facing projection 210, --212. One ofthe member&2 1 0,incorporates a ratchet-214,-tica1l-y a-head-of a cable ---------tie. This is positioned through the projection, facing the other projection 212. The other projection 212 is provided with an upwards facing toothed member 216, typically part of a length of a cable tie. This is positioned to face the ratchet 214 in the first projection. To hold the clamping members 202, 204 together, the toothed member is fed through the ratchet, tightening it to a predetermined degree.

The lower projection 212 is also provided with projections 218 to prevent overtightening of the closure, as this can prevent sealing of the flanged connectors held between the clamping members.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above-described embodiment. For instance, while the cable tie will be a standard cable tie, separate from the clamp as such, in some embodiments, the cable tie element made be integrally moulded with one of the clamp members.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A clamp comprising a pair of semi-circular members, each having an inwards facing tapered groove for drawing two flanged connectors into sealing engagement the members being hinged together at one end, and * having outward facing projections at the other end, securable together using a ratchet closure.
2. 2. A clamp as claimed in claim I, wherein the ratchet closure is in the form of a ratchet within one outward facing projection, and a series of teeth in extending towards the ratchet from the other projection.
3. 3. A clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratchet closure is a cable tie,
4. 4. A clamp as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cable tie is moulded into the clamp.
5. 5. A clamp as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cable tie is separate from the clamp.
6. 6. A clamp as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the projections incorporate formations to define a channel in which the cable tie is positioned.
7. 7. A clamp as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the projections are provided with apertures through which the cable tie can be passed to secure the projections together.
8. 8. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the projects are provided with small mating projections to prevent over-tightening.