Quick locking clamp with restraining T-shaped bolt

Abstract

A T-shaped bolt hoop comprises hoop bodies extending in the circumferential direction and a fastening assembly, and according to the fastening assembly, a T-shaped bolt is adopted to fasten the hoop by pulling the ring ends of the hoop bodies towards each other by rotating a nut. One of the ring ends includes a slotted opening that allows the head of the T-bolt to be inserted and removed without removing the nut from the T-bolt. The fastening assembly is configured to constrain the first and second carrier rings of the slotted ring ends against movement away from each other during tightening of the hoop. A projection on the head of the T-bolt may be used to perform a restraint function by engaging a slot in the carrier ring.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 435,682, filed on December 28, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to pipe clamps and, more particularly, to T-bolt clamps for mechanically fastening objects. Background Art

[0004] T-bolt clamps can be used as hoop-type clamps to secure tubular components in a sleeved or overlapped manner. Alternatively, they can be used as pipe connectors, such as V-clamp clamps, to connect flanged ends of pipes or other tubular components together in a butt-jointed configuration. These clamps use threaded T-bolts and nuts to pull the opposite ends of the hoop body toward each other, thereby tightening the clamp to connect the outer periphery of the tubular components to be joined. These clamps are used in a wide range of applications, including automotive, aerospace, marine, industrial and infrastructure, among many other fields.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 7,441,311 (Lovgren et al.) discloses a quick-lock clamp that allows a T-bolt to be disengaged from the ring end of the clamp body without removing the nut, which requires omitting the clamp body material at the ring end, resulting in a weakened ring end. Lovgren et al. designed an insert that is placed in the weakened ring end and the T-bolt is tightened against it when the clamp is installed. The insert distributes some of the clamp load away from the weakened hoop body material. Although undoubtedly advanced at the time, this insert increased cost and manufacturing complexity. Other proposed solutions, such as thickening the ring end or strengthening the ring end extension, also require additional components and manufacturing processes. Summary of the invention

[0006] In an embodiment, a T-bolt clamp may include a clamp body and a fastening assembly. The clamp body may have a first ring end and a second ring end and a body extending circumferentially between the first ring end and the second ring end. The fastening assembly may be connected to the ring ends and include a T-bolt fastener, a trunnion, and a nut. The T-bolt fastener may include a T-bolt having a head and a threaded rod. The head may engage with the first ring end, and the threaded rod may extend from the head to the second ring end. The trunnion may be connected to the second ring end, the rod extends through the trunnion, and the nut may be threadedly connected to the rod and engaged with the trunnion. When the nut is further threadedly connected to the rod to pull the trunnion toward the head of the T-bolt, the ring ends are pulled toward each other to tighten the clamp. The first ring end may include a slot opening that allows the head of the T-bolt to be inserted into the first ring end and removed from the first ring end without removing the nut from the threaded rod, and the slot opening may define a first load ring and a second load ring in the first ring end, which keeps the head of the T-bolt in the first ring end during the tightening of the clamp. The head of the T-bolt may include a protrusion accommodated by a slot in one of the load rings.

[0007] In another embodiment, a T-bolt clamp may include a clamp body and a fastening assembly. The clamp body may have a first ring end and a second ring end and a body extending circumferentially between the first ring end and the second ring end. The fastening assembly may be connected to the ring end and include a T-bolt fastener, a trunnion, and a nut. The T-bolt fastener may include a T-bolt having a head and a threaded rod. The head may engage with the first ring end, and the threaded rod may extend from the head to the second ring end. The trunnion may be connected to the second ring end, the rod extends through the trunnion, and the nut may be threadedly connected to the rod and engaged with the trunnion. When the nut is further threadedly connected to the rod to pull the trunnion toward the head of the T-bolt, the ring ends are pulled toward each other to tighten the clamp. The first ring end may include a slot opening that allows the head of the T-bolt to be inserted into the first ring end and removed from the first ring end without removing the nut from the threaded rod, and the slot opening may define a first load ring and a second load ring in the first ring end, which keeps the head of the T-bolt in the first ring end during the tightening of the clamp. The fastening assembly may be configured to constrain the first and second load rings from moving away from each other during tightening of the clamp. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a T-bolt clamp;

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a hoop body of a T-bolt clamp;

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A top view of a hoop body;

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a T-bolt of a clamp;

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of a clamp portion of the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the T-bolt is disengaged from the ring end of the clamp body;

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A side cross-sectional view of a T-bolt partially inserted into a ring end;

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figures 5 - 6 A side cross-sectional view of the T-bolt further inserted into the ring end;

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figures 5 - 7 A side cross-sectional view of the T-bolt engaging the ring end;

[0017] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a clamp portion;

[0018] Figure 10 yes Figure 4 Magnified view of the T-bolt head;

[0019] Figure 11 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of the ring end of the hoop body;

[0020] Figure 12 yes Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of a portion of the device in which the T-bolt engages with the ring end;

[0021] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a T-bolt clamp portion having an open slot;

[0022] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 An end view of the T-bolt portion of the

[0023] Figure 15 is a graph comparing T-bolts with and without the disclosed engagement features;

[0024] Figure 16 is a schematic top view showing simulated plastic deformation of a ring end with a standard T-bolt;

[0025] Figure 17 is a schematic top view showing simulated plastic deformation of the same ring end with a raised T-bolt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1is a perspective view of an embodiment of a T-bolt clamp 10, including a fastener assembly 12 connected to a flexible flat metal ferrule body 14 having an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 18. The ferrule body 14 is Figure 2 1 and 2. The clamp 10 shown separately in FIG. 1 has a main body portion 15 extending circumferentially between a first ring end 20 and a second ring end 22, suitable for mechanically connecting a pair of tubular bodies at their ends. The clamp 10 in the figure includes a segmented inner ring for connecting the flange ends of the tubular body in a butt-jointed manner. The ring ends 20, 22 are formed by bending the ends of the clamp body 14 backward and fixing them to the outer surface 18 of the clamp body by spot welding or other suitable means. A slot opening 24 is formed through the first ring end 20 to define a first load ring 26 and a second load ring 28 spaced apart in the axial (z) direction of the clamp 10. Similarly, a slot opening 30 is formed through the second ring end 22 to define another pair of axially spaced load rings 32.

[0027] Reference again Figure 1 , the fastening assembly 12 includes a T-bolt 34, a trunnion 36, and a nut 38. The T-bolt 34 has a head 40 and a stem 42 extending from the head. The head 40 is pivotally received within the load rings 26, 28 of the first ring end 20 of the hoop body 14. The trunnion 36 is pivotally received within the load ring 32 of the second ring end 22 of the hoop body 14. The stem 42 of the T-bolt 34 is at least partially threaded (not shown) and extends through the passage of the trunnion 36. The nut 38 is received on the threaded portion of the stem 42.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown in the top view of the middle hoop body 14, the slot opening 24 includes a widened portion 44 that allows the head 40 of the bolt 34 to be inserted into and removed from the space within the first ring end 20. The axial (z) dimension of the widened portion 44 is greater than the longest dimension of the bolt head 40. The slot opening 24 also includes a narrowed portion 46 defined by the load rings 26, 28 on opposite axial sides. The axial (z) dimension of the narrowed portion 46 is greater than the diameter of the bolt shank 42, but less than the longest dimension of the bolt head 40. This structure provides a quick locking function for the clamp 10 by allowing the head 40 of the T-bolt 34 to be inserted into the first ring end 20 through the slot opening 24 while the nut 38 is threaded onto the shank 42, and the clamp can be installed without removing the nut 38, allowing the clamp 10 to be quickly installed around the object being connected. When tightening the clamp, the nut 38 is rotated to engage the trunnion 36. As the nut 38 continues to rotate, the ring ends 20 , 22 are pulled toward each other due to the engagement of the bolt head 40 with the carrier rings 26 , 28 and the trunnion 36 with the carrier ring 32 .

[0029] As previously discussed, omitting hoop body material to provide slot openings 24, 30 in ring ends 20, 22 locally weakens the strength of hoop body 14. In particular, the remaining hoop body material width at the widened portion 44 of slot opening 24 in first ring end 20 becomes the weakest portion of hoop body 14. During tightening of clamp 10, head 40 of T-bolt 34 applies increasing loads to the inner surfaces of load rings 26, 28 along bolt axis A. Without a relief feature, as the load on bolt 40 continues to increase (such as when clamp 10 is over-tightened), load rings 26, 28 tend to separate in the axial Z direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 shown.

[0030] The fastening assembly 12 of the illustrated T-bolt clamp 10 is configured to constrain the first load ring 26 and the second load ring 28 from moving away from each other during tightening of the clamp 10. Specifically, the clamp 10 includes complementary engagement features 48, 50 to provide such restraint. The illustrated engagement features include one or more protrusions 48 ( Figure 4 ) and one or more grooves 50 ( Figure 2 and 3 ). Here, the T-bolt 34 includes a protrusion 48 and the ferrule body 14 includes an associated groove 50. More specifically, the head 40 of the T-bolt 34 includes the protrusion 48 and the load rings 26, 28 of the first ring end 20 of the ferrule body 14 include the groove 50. It is contemplated that the engagement features 48, 50 may be interchangeable and / or exist in other forms to constrain the load rings from separating from each other during the tightening of the clamp, such as complementary grooves.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the projections 48 may be located on opposite sides of the stem 42 and / or longitudinally opposite ends of the head 40 of the T-bolt 34 and extend in the direction of the axis A of the T-bolt, i.e., in the same direction as the stem 42 extends from the head 40 of the bolt. Each slot 50 may be formed at least partially through one of the corresponding load rings 26, 28. In this example, each slot 50 is a through slot formed completely through the thickness of the hoop body material and extending circumferentially of the ring end 20, having an axial (z) width relative to the annular axis B. Each slot 50 is sized to receive the distal end of one of the projections 48, such that each projection at least partially passes through the thickness of the corresponding load ring 26, 28.

[0032] Figure 5 –8 Yes Figure 1 1 is an enlarged sequential side cross-sectional view of a portion of the clamp 10, taken through a radial (xy) plane of the clamp 10, bisecting the groove 50 of the carrier rings 26, 28, illustrating the quick tightening process of the clamp.

[0033] exist Figure 5In the embodiment, the T-bolt 34 is disengaged from the first ring end 20 of the hoop body 14, so that the clamp 10 can be circumferentially expanded at the gap between the first ring end 20 and the second ring end 22 to be installed around the tubular body. Figure 5 The proximal end 52 of the shank 42 of the T-bolt partially passes through the narrowed portion 46 of the slot opening 24 .

[0034] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the T-bolt 34 is rotated about the axis of the trunnion 36 and the second ring end 22 and further enters the slot opening 24. The portion of the rod 42 that passes through the narrowed portion 46 of the slot opening 24 is more than Figure 5 , the head 40 of the T-bolt 34 begins to enter the widened portion 44 of the slot opening.

[0035] exist Figure 7 , the T-bolt 34 is further rotated about the axis of the trunnion 36 and the second ring end 22 and further enters the slot opening 24. The head 40 of the T-bolt 34 is now located in the widened portion 44 of the slot opening 24, and the rod 42 passes through the narrowed portion 46 of the slot opening.

[0036] exist Figure 8 In the embodiment, the head 40 of the T-bolt 34 is engaged with the load rings 26, 28 of the first ring end 20 by further threading the installed nut 38 (not shown) to the bolt shank 42 to pull the bolt head 40 toward the inner surface of the ring end 20. The bolt head 40 passes through the slot opening 24 so that the head is located within the ring end 20 and engages with the load rings 26, 28 at the narrowed portion 46 of the slot opening 24, and the bolt head 40 is too large to pass through the narrowed portion 46.

[0037] When the bolt head 40 is engaged with the interior of the ring end 20, the groove 50 formed by the carrier rings 26, 28 receives the projection 48 of the bolt head 40, such as Figure 8 The projection 48 engages the inner surface 54 of the groove 50 such that upon continued tightening of the clamp 10 via further rotation of the nut 38 , the carrier rings 26 , 28 are prevented or at least restrained from separating from one another.

[0038] Figure 9 is with Figures 5 - 8 A perspective view of the same portion of clamp 10 is shown, with the section taken through the same radial plane, with the head 40 of T-bolt 34 engaging the carrier rings 26, 28 and the projection 48 of the T-bolt received in the groove 50 to restrain the carrier rings from moving apart upon further tightening of the clamp.

[0039] Figure 104 is an enlarged perspective view of the head 40 of the T-bolt 34 showing some details of the restraining feature 48. The head 40 of the T-bolt 34 includes a head body 56 extending between opposite ends 58, 60. In this example, the head body 56 is semi-cylindrical along the head axis C, which helps to minimize the length L ( Figure 7 ). Each projection 48 extends from a base or proximal end 62 at the head body 56 to a distal end 64. Each projection 48 also has an outer surface 66 and an inner surface 68. Here, the outer surface 66 is a plane that is coplanar with the axial end surface of the head body 56 and faces away from each other. The inner surfaces 68 face the shank 42 of the bolt 34 and are opposite to each other. Each projection 48 tapers in two directions from the proximal end 62 to the distal end 64 so that the projection acts as a self-locating feature relative to the groove 50 of the hoop body 14. The projection 48 can be formed on the bolt head 40 by an upsetting or upset operation, wherein the axial end portion of the body 56 is mushroom-shaped.

[0040] Figure 11 It is taken from Figure 2 An enlarged view of the first ring end 20 of the hoop body 14, Figure 12 It is taken from Figure 8 As previously described, each groove 50 is formed in the first ring end 20, specifically, in the corresponding carrier ring 26, 28. Each groove 50 extends circumferentially along the annular axis B and is formed by parallel and opposite inner and outer surfaces 54 and 70 ( Figure 12 The inner surface 54 and the outer surface 70 of each groove 50 are connected by the opposite end surfaces 72, 74 of the corresponding groove ( Figure 12 Each slot 50 is located at a portion of the first ring end 20 closest to the second ring end 22 and is centered on the axis A of the T-bolt 34 in use.

[0041] When the T-bolt 34 is engaged with the ring end 20, as shown in FIG. Figure 12 As shown, the body of the bolt head 40 contacts the inner surface 76 of each load ring 26, 28, and / or each protrusion 48 contacts the edge of the opposite end surface of each groove 50. During the tightening or over-tightening process of the clamp 10, when the head 40 of the T-bolt 34 applies an incremental load to the load rings 26, 28, the load rings are restrained by the protrusions 48 via the reaction force at the interface between the protrusions and the inner surface 54 of each groove 50, thereby relieving the tendency of the load rings to separate along the annular axis B.

[0042] Various embodiments include different sizes and relative sizes of the engagement features 48, 50. For example, while the illustrated slots 50 are through slots formed through the entire thickness of the ferrule material, they may also be formed only partially through the thickness of the ferrule material from the inner surface 76. The illustrated slots 50 have a width that is approximately one-third of the width of the carrier rings 26, 28 in which the slots 50 are formed.

[0043] exist Figure 13 Perspective drawing and Figure 14 In the modified example shown in the end view of FIG. 1 , the opposite end surfaces 72, 74 of each groove 50' extend axially outwardly in the direction (z) of the annular axis B, so that each groove 50' is an open groove, opening at the axial outer edge 78 of the ring end 20, effectively eliminating the extended outer surface 70 ( Figure 11 ), which surface is not a constraining surface of the groove. The open groove 50' can be called a cutout.

[0044] In the illustrated example, each projection 48 extends into the corresponding groove 50 for approximately the entire thickness of the hoop body material and fully enters the groove 50 such that the distal end 64 of each projection is substantially flush with the radially outer surface of the ring end 20. In other embodiments, the projection 48 extends into the associated groove 50 to at least half the depth, or the projection extends from the body of the head 40 of the T-bolt 34 to at least half the thickness of the bearing ring 26, 28 defining the groove. Although the amount of extension of each projection 48 is not particularly limited, there are some practical limitations. For example, if the projection 48 is too short, it may not be able to fully perform its restraining function; if the projection 48 is too long, the convenience of the quick lock function may be reduced because the initial position of the nut 38 on the rod 42 must be away from the bolt head 40 to allow the bolt head with the projection to pass through the groove opening 24.

[0045] Figure 15 3 is a proof of concept graph of bolt force as a function of translation for a comparative example of a T-bolt 34 with a protrusion and a T-bolt without a protrusion according to the above description. Both T-bolts are placed in engagement with a ring end 20 configured as a quick-lock attachment T-bolt - i.e., having a slot opening 24 formed therethrough through the ring end through which the T-bolt engages the inner surface of the ring end. For the T-bolt with protrusion 48, the material used for the ring end 20 is the same as the material of the main body portion 15 of the hoop body 14, which is a 0.040 inch (1.016 mm) strip material to simulate a hoop body 14 of integral construction - i.e., the ring ends 20, 22 are made of the same thickness of material, formed by bending the ends of the hoop body material back and welding or otherwise attaching them to the surface of the hoop body material. For the T-bolt without a protrusion, the material of the ring end is a 0.060 inch (1.52 mm) strip material, which is 50% thicker than the material used for the T-bolt with a protrusion. The thicker material simulates a hoop that is made of multiple parts - ie the ring end that engages the T-bolt head is a different, thicker piece of material than the main body of the hoop.

[0046] Each engaged ring end and T-bolt head is subjected to tension along the T-bolt axis and the tension is measured as a function of the translation distance in the tensile direction. Each ring end is tested to failure, simulating an over-tightening mode. Figure 15As shown, the maximum tensile force achieved by both configurations is approximately the same. However, the peak load of the T-bolt with the protrusion occurs at a translation that is approximately 1 mm greater than that of the T-bolt without the protrusion. More notably, the T-bolt with the protrusion did not slip out of the axial gap between the load rings throughout the 7.5 mm test, while the head of the standard T-bolt eventually pulled out of the ring end. In addition, the T-bolt with the protrusion maintained a higher tensile force level during the plastic deformation of the ring end. It is worth noting that the T-bolt / ring end pair with the mating protrusion and groove performs quite well in terms of maximum load - and performs better in terms of elongation than the T-bolt / ring end pair with 50% thicker material.

[0047] Figure 16 and 17 Schematically shows the Figure 13 The simulated shape of the plastic deformation of the first ring end 20 after the tensile test. In the case where there is no protrusion on the head 40 of the T-bolt 34, the load rings 26 and 28 of the first ring end 20 of the hoop body 14 are separated from each other, and the bolt head 40 passes through the slot opening 24 and slides out of the ring end 20 between the load rings 26 and 28, as shown in FIG. Figure 14 As shown. Under the same relative translation, the T-bolt 34 equipped with the projections still remains engaged with the ring end 20 and the carrier rings 26, 28 due to the constraints provided by the projections and the complementary grooves. The projections effectively clamp the carrier rings 26, 28 via the grooves to maintain engagement.

[0048] Thus, the described configuration improves clamp performance without using the separately formed components described by Lovgren, while reducing cost and complexity. The head 40 of the T-bolt 43 directly engages the first and second load rings 26, 28 without the need for a separately formed component to be inserted in the first ring end 20 between the first and second load rings. The described configuration also improves clamp performance without requiring the ring end 20 to be formed of a thicker or stronger material than the rest of the clamp body 14.

[0049] As used herein, the terms "usually," "generally," "approximately," and "substantially" are intended to account for the inherent variance and imprecision normally attributed to and typically accompanying any design and manufacturing process, including engineering tolerances, and to not detract from the relevant functions and results such that mathematical precision and accuracy is not implied and, in some cases, is not possible. In other cases, the terms "usually," "generally," "approximately," and "substantially" are intended to indicate the inherent degree of uncertainty normally attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, and measurement calculation or other representation.

[0050] It should be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but is limited only by the following claims. In addition, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to specific embodiments and should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present invention or the definitions of the terms used in the claims, unless the terms or phrases are clearly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments, variations and appended claims.

[0051] As used in this specification and claims, the terms "for example," "such as," and "such as," and the verbs "comprise," "have," "include," and other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a list of one or more components or other items, should each be interpreted as open-ended, meaning that the list should not be viewed as excluding other additional components or items. Other terms should be interpreted using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.

Claims

1. A T-bolt clamp, include: A hoop body, the hoop body having a first ring end and a second ring end and a main body extending circumferentially between the first ring end and the second ring end; and a fastening assembly connected to the ring end and comprising a T-bolt fastener, a trunnion and a nut, The T-bolt fastener includes a T-bolt having a head and a threaded shank, wherein the head engages the first ring end and the threaded shank extends from the head to the second ring end, The trunnion is connected to the second ring end, the rod extends through the trunnion, and the nut being threadedly connected to the rod and engaging the trunnion, wherein when the nut is further threadedly connected to the rod to draw the trunnion toward the head of the T-bolt, the ring ends are drawn toward each other to tighten the clamp; wherein the first ring end includes a slotted opening that allows the head of the T-bolt to be inserted into and removed from the first ring end without removing the nut from the threaded rod, the slotted opening defining a first load ring and a second load ring in the first ring end that retain the head of the T-bolt within the first ring end during tightening of the clamp, and The head of the T-bolt includes a protrusion that is received by a groove in one of the carrier rings.

2. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 1, in, The protrusion is one of a pair of protrusions on opposite sides of the rod, and the groove is one of a pair of grooves that accommodate the pair of protrusions, one of the grooves is formed in the first carrying ring, and the other of the grooves is formed in the second carrying ring.

3. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 1, in, The protrusion extends in a radial direction relative to a head of the T-bolt.

4. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion extends in an axial direction of the threaded rod.

5. The T-bolt clamp of claim 1, wherein the slot opening is a through slot.

6. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 1, in, The projection extends into the groove to at least half the depth of the groove.

7. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 1, in, The projection extends from the body of the head of the T-bolt by an amount equal to at least half the thickness of the carrier ring having the groove.

8. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 1, in, The protrusion is formed on an axial end portion of the head of the T-bolt.

9. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 1, in, The projection extends from a main body of the head of the T-bolt and tapers in an axial direction of the threaded shank.

10. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 1, in, The hoop body is an integral structure, and the first ring end, the second ring end and the main body are made of a single strip material with uniform thickness.

11. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 1, in, The heads of the T-bolts directly engage the first and second load rings without separately formed parts interposed in the first ring end between the heads of the T-bolts and the first or second load rings.

12. The T-bolt of claim 11, wherein the T-bolt remains engaged with the first ring end over a greater distance of movement of the nut relative to the shank of the T-bolt than would be the case without the projection.

13. The T-bolt of claim 1, wherein the slot is an open slot.

14. A T-bolt clamp, include: A hoop body having a first ring end and a second ring end and a main body extending circumferentially between the first ring end and the second ring end; as well as a fastening assembly connected to the ring end and comprising a T-bolt fastener, a trunnion and a nut, The T-bolt fastener includes a T-bolt having a head and a threaded shank, wherein the head engages the first ring end and the threaded shank extends from the head to the second ring end, The trunnion is connected to the second ring end, the rod extends through the trunnion, and the nut being threadedly connected to the rod and engaging the trunnion, wherein when the nut is further threadedly connected to the rod to draw the trunnion toward the head of the T-bolt, the ring ends are drawn toward each other to tighten the clamp; wherein the first ring end includes a slotted opening that allows the head of the T-bolt to be inserted into and removed from the first ring end without removing the nut from the threaded rod, the slotted opening defining a first load ring and a second load ring in the first ring end that retain the head of the T-bolt within the first ring end during tightening of the clamp, and The fastening assembly is configured to constrain the first load ring and the second load ring from moving away from each other during tightening of the clamp.

15. The T-bolt clamp of claim 14, further comprising a projection and a groove engaging one another at an interface of the T-bolt and the first ring end to constrain the movement of the carrier ring.

16. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 15, in, The groove is an open groove.

17. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 15, in, The T-bolt includes the protrusion, and the hoop body includes the groove.

18. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 17, in, The head of the T-bolt includes the protrusion, and the first ring includes the groove.

19. The T-bolt clamp according to claim 18, in, One of the carrier rings includes the groove.

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