Fixing apparatus for fixing tubular members allowing fluid to pass therethrough

Claim 1

A tubular member fixing apparatus for securing a plurality of tubes in fixed relationship to one another, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of tubular members each having an outer peripheral surface provided with an annular projection projecting radially outwardly therefrom, said tubular members being disposed generally parallel to one another with the annular projection of each said tubular member being in abutting relationship with the annular projection of another of said tubular member; and a generally U-shaped clamping member comprising a pair of opposed generally parallel clamp walls, an arcuate connecting wall extending unitarily between the clamp walls and a pair of arcuate end walls extending unitarily from the respective clamp walls toward one another, said clamp member comprising a continuous outwardly extending groove formed therein and extending along the clamp walls, the connecting wall and at least portions of the end walls, said groove conforming to the shape of the annular projections on the tubular members, portions of the groove formed on the clamp walls being in clamping engagement with portions of the annular projections on each side tubular members, portions of the groove on the connecting wall engaging portions of the annular projection on a first tubular members and portions of the groove on the end walls pressurizingly engaging portions of the annular projection on a second of the tubular member for fixedly clamping the annular projections of said tubular members in abutting relationship with one another and for preventing relative longitudinal movement of the tubular members relative to one another and relative to the clamping member.