Pipe clamp with captive bridging member

Claim 1

In a clamp for securing a cylindrical, elastomeric gasket fluid tight about the ends of two generally cylindrical conduits placed substantially end to end, a. a unitary generally cylindrical sleeve of an inner diameter to fit about the outer circumference of the gasket and of a length to clamp the gasket about the ends of the conduits, said sleeve being split longitudinally to provide adjacent free ends thereof, b. said sleeve being circumferentially slit through the free ends and for a substantial distance from the free ends around the circumference thereof, thus to divide the sleeve longitudinally into two arcuate, separately clampable portions, c. an arcuate member of sheet metal interposed between the gasket and the sleeve in the area of the longitudinal split in said sleeve and of a length to bridge over said split, d. said arcuate member having outturned arcuate flanges along the sides thereof lying alongside the ends of said sleeve, thereby to hold the arcuate member captive between the sleeve and gasket prior to assemblying the sleeve and gasket about the conduits, e. the longitudinal central portion of the clamp being of larger diameter than the end portions thereof, f. said arcuate member having a centrally disposed, arcuate portion of enlarged diameter disposed to fit in said larger diameter portion of said clamp, whereby when the clamp is drawn up about the gasket which surrounds the conduits to be coupled the clamping forces are exerted on the gasket adjacent the longitudinal ends thereof, said increased diameter portion of said arcuate member affording room for the material of the gasket to flow into said enlarged diameter section, and g. means associated with said clamping portions of the sleeve for drawing them about the gasket, whereby conduits having different outside diameters may be coupled fluid tight in said end to end relationship and with said arcuate member bridging the gap between the free ends of the sleeve.