Clamp expander

Claim 2

An expander for an annular clamp with first and second ends, which includes: (a) first and second jaws each having: (1) inner and outer faces; (2) a plurality of teeth arranged in an annular ring and projecting outwardly from said jaw inner face; (3) a socket formed within said teeth; and (4) each said tooth having a base adjacent to said jaw inner face, outwardly-converging edges and an apex positioned inwardly from said jaw inner face; (b) first and second plier section each including: (1) a jaw end fixedly mounting a respective jaw; and (2) a handle end; (c) one of said plier sections mounting a pivot pin extending laterally outwardly therefrom intermediate said jaw and handle ends; (d) the other of said plier sections having an elongated slot extending transversely thereacross between said jaw and handle ends, said elongated slot rotatably and slidably receiving said pivot pin; and (e) each said jaw socket being adapted to receive a respective annular clamp end in a plurality of angular orientations with respect to a respective annular teeth ring, said annular clamp being adapted to rotate with respect to an axis generally concentric with said annular teeth rings and index between relative annular orientations associated with the annular spacing of said teeth.

Claim 3

An expander for an annular clamp with first and second ends, which includes: (a) first and second jaws each having: (1) inner and outer faces; (2) a plurality of teeth arranged in an annular ring and projecting outwardly from said jaw inner face; (3) a socket formed within said teeth; and (4) each said tooth having a base adjacent to said jaw inner face, outwardly-converging edges and an apex positioned inwardly from said jaw inner face; (b) a first arm including: (1) a jaw end fixedly mounting said first jaw; (2) a shaft end; and (3) a smooth-bore bold receiver positioned intermediate said jaw and shaft ends; (c) a second arm including: (1) a jaw end fixedly mounting said second jaw; (2) a shaft end including a shaft receiver; and (3) a threaded bolt receiver with female threading and located between said jaw and shaft ends; (d) a guide shaft with a proximate end mounted on said first arm shaft end and a distal end, said guide shaft being slidably received in said second arm shaft receiver; (e) a draw bolt having a male-threaded shaft and a head, said draw bolt being rotatably received in said first arm bold receiver with said head positioned in proximity to said first arm and said bolt shaft being threadably received in said second arm bolt receiver; (f) a collar fixedly mounted on said bolt in proximity to said bolt head with said first arm positioned between said bolt head and said collar; and (g) each said jaw socket being adapted to receive a respective anular clamp end in a plurality of angular orientations with respect to a respective annular teeth ring, said annular clamp being adapted to rotate with respect to an axis generally concentric with said annular teeth rings and index between relative angular orientations associated with the annular spacing of said teeth.

Claim 4

An expander for an annular clamp with first and second ends, which includes: (a) first and second jaws each having: (1) inner and outer faces; (2) a plurality of teeth arranged in an annular ring and projecting outwardly from said jaw inner face; (3) a socket formed within said teeth; and (4) each said tooth having a base adjacent to said jaw inner face, outwardly-converging edges and an apex positioned inwardly from said jaw inner face; (b) a first arm including: (1) a jaw end fixedly mounting said first jaw; (2) a shaft end; and (3) a smooth-bore bold receiver positioned intermediate said jaw and shaft ends; (c) a second arm including: (1) a jaw end fixedly mounting said second jaw; (2) a shaft end including a shaft receiver; and (3) a threaded bolt receiver with female threading and located between said jaw and shaft ends; (d) a guide shaft with a proximate end mounted on said first arm shaft end and a distal end, said guide shaft being slidably received in said second arm shaft receiver; (e) a draw bolt having a male-threaded shaft and a head, said draw bolt being rotatably received in said first arm bold receiver with said head positioned in proximity to said first arm and said bolt shaft being threadably received in said second arm bolt receiver; (f) a collar fixedly mounted on said bolt in proximity to said bolt head with said first arm positioned between said bolt head and said collar; and (g) each said jaw socket being adapted to receive a respective anular clamp end in a plurality of angular orientations with respect to a respective annular teeth ring, said annular clamp being adapted to rotate with respect to an axis generally concentric with said annular teeth rings and index between relative angular orientations associated with the annular spacing of said teeth.