Reusable Clamps

Abstract

The clamp includes first and second grounding members having first and second mating portions, first and second locking portions, and first and second clamping portions disposed between the mating portions and the locking portions. The first and second mating portions are connected to move the first and second grounding members between an open position and at least one clamping position. The first locking portion is configured to interface with the second locking portion to secure the first and second grounding members in the at least one clamping position. The first and second locking portions further include corresponding first and second user-operable release portions independently operable to disengage one of the first and second locking portions from the other of the first and second locking portions to allow movement of the first and second grounding members to the open position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of all U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 380,992, entitled "Reusable Clamp," filed October 26, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 494,098, entitled "Reusable Clamp," filed April 4, 2023, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to clamps used in connecting together conduit sections and fittings, such as sanitary fittings that transfer fluids in manufacturing processes, and methods of connecting conduit sections using such clamps. [Background technology]

[0003] Maintaining sterility during manufacturing processes is often a concern. In one particular example applied in conventional manufacturing settings, receptacles having outlets provided by sanitary fittings are often required to interconnect with other sanitary fittings. These sanitary fittings are typically connected to lengths of conduit sections, such as fluid-transport tubing, for the purpose of transferring contents (typically fluids) from one receptacle to another. To ensure fluid transfer occurs under sterile conditions, the sanitary fittings at the ends of the fluid-transport tubing are clamped with seals or gaskets to allow fluid to be transferred between sections of tubing without leakage or exposure to the external environment.

[0004] Several types of clamps and clamping mechanisms are known for use with conduit sections and fittings. For example, clamps may be molded from a rigid plastic material and formed as a unitary piece or as two separate pieces connected together by a coupling mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a clamp includes a first gland member having a first joint portion, a first locking portion, and a first clamping portion disposed between the first joint portion and the first locking portion, and a second gland member having a second joint portion, a second locking portion, and a second clamping portion disposed between the second joint portion and the second locking portion. The first and second joint portions are connected to pivotally move the first and second gland members between an open position and at least one clamped position. The first locking portion is configured to interface with the second locking portion to secure the first and second gland members in the at least one clamped position. The first and second locking portions further include corresponding first and second user-operable release portions independently operable to disengage the corresponding one of the first and second locking portions from the other of the first and second locking portions to allow movement of the first and second grounding members to the open position.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a clamp includes a first grounding member having a first hinge portion, a first locking portion, and a first clamping portion disposed between the first hinge portion and the first locking portion, and a second grounding member having a second hinge portion, a second locking portion, and a second clamping portion disposed between the second hinge portion and the second locking portion. The first and second hinge portions are connected to pivotally move the first and second grounding members between an open position and at least one clamped position. The first hinge portion includes a first pin portion disposed on a first lateral side of the clamp and a first socket portion disposed on a second lateral side of the clamp, and the second hinge portion includes a second socket portion disposed on the first lateral side of the clamp and receiving the first pin portion, and a second pin portion disposed on the second lateral side and received in the first socket portion. The locking portion of each of the first and second grounding members is configured to interlock with the locking portion of the other of the first and second grounding members to secure the first and second grounding members in at least one clamped position.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a clamp includes a first grounding member having a first joint portion, a first locking portion, and a first clamping portion extending longitudinally between the first joint portion and the first locking portion, and a second grounding member having a second joint portion, a second locking portion, and a second clamping portion extending longitudinally between the second joint portion and the second locking portion, wherein the first and second joint portions are connected to pivotally move the first and second grounding members between an open position and at least one clamped position. When the first and second gland members are moved to the at least one clamping position, an interlocking feature of the first locking portion interlocks with an interlocking feature of the second locking portion to secure the first and second gland members in the at least one clamping position, and a longitudinally extending protrusion of the first locking portion is slidingly received within a longitudinally extending cavity of the second locking portion to secure the first locking portion against radial movement relative to the second locking portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] Further advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following description and appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a clamp according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in a closed position. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a schematic rear view of the clamp of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1B is a schematic front view of the clamp of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a clamp according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in an open position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 2 shown in a closed or clamped position. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 2 in a closed state. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a side view of the clamp of FIG. 2 in a closed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the ground members of the clamp of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the clamp of FIG. 2 in a closed state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another clamp according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in an open position; [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 8 shown in a closed or clamped position. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 8 in a closed state. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a side view of the clamp of FIG. 8 in a closed state. [Figure 12] FIG. 9 is an enlarged, partial side perspective view of the interlocking locking end of the clamp of FIG. 8 in a closed state. [Figure 13] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 8. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another clamp according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in an open position; [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 14 shown in a closed or clamped position. [Figure 16] FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 14 in a closed state. [Figure 17] FIG. 15 is a side view of the clamp of FIG. 14 in a closed state. [Figure 18] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one of the ground members of the clamp of FIG. 14. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another clamp according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in an open position; [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 19 shown in a closed or clamped position. [Figure 21] FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 19 in a closed state. [Figure 22] FIG. 20 is a side view of the clamp of FIG. 19 in a closed state. [Figure 23]20 is a perspective view of one of the first and second grounding members of the clamp of FIG. 19. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a third gland member of the clamp of FIG. 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] This detailed description merely describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the claimed invention is broader and less limited than the described embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their ordinary meanings in full.

[0011] While various inventive aspects, concepts, and features of the present invention may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and subcombinations. Unless expressly excluded herein, all such combinations and subcombinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, although various alternative embodiments of various aspects, concepts, and features of the present invention may be described herein, including alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, and alternatives in terms of form, fit, and function, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether currently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art will readily be able to adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts, or features of the present invention into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present invention, even if such embodiments are not explicitly disclosed herein. Furthermore, although some features, concepts, or aspects of the present invention may be described herein as preferred arrangements or methods, such descriptions are not intended to imply that such features are required or necessary, unless so expressly stated. Furthermore, while example or representative values ​​and ranges may be included to aid in understanding the present disclosure, such values ​​and ranges should not be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values ​​or ranges only when so expressly stated. Parameters identified as "approximately" or "about" a specified value are intended to include both the specified value and values ​​within 10% of the specified value, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, it should be understood that the drawings accompanying this disclosure may, but are not necessarily, to scale and, therefore, can be understood as teaching various ratios and proportions apparent in the drawings.Moreover, while various aspects, features, and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive; rather, there may be inventive aspects, concepts, and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a particular invention, the invention instead being set forth in the appended claims. Exemplary method or process descriptions are not limited to the inclusion of every step, as necessary in all cases, nor is the order in which the steps are presented construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

[0012] A clamp formed from two or more coupled gland members may include a user-operable (e.g., manually graspable, tool-engageable) release portion that can be depressed or otherwise moved by a user to disengage a locking portion (e.g., a flexible detent portion) of a first gland member from a locking portion (e.g., a substantially rigid mating interlocking portion) of a second gland member. One such exemplary clamp including a flexible detent portion disengageable from a rigid interlocking portion is shown and described in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 10,859,192, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0013] According to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, a clamp may be configured to include first and second gland members each having a user-operable release operable to disengage the locking portion of the corresponding gland member from the locking portion of the other gland member. In some such arrangements, operating only one of the releases may be sufficient to disengage the interlocking portions of the first and second gland members and open the clamp, thereby making operation of the clamp easier. In other arrangements, simultaneous user operation of both releases may be required to disengage the locking portions and move the clamp to an open state, thereby more securely or firmly holding the clamp on the conduit section.

[0014] 1A-1C schematically illustrate an exemplary clamp 5 including first and second gland members 10, 20, each including a joint portion 11, 21, a locking portion 12, 22, and a clamping portion 13, 23 between the joint portion and the locking portion. The clamping portions 13, 23 define inner circumferential recesses for receiving and retaining flanges of the conduit sections joined by the clamp 5. The joint portions 11, 21 of the gland members 10, 20 are connected to allow the gland members to move relative to one another (e.g., pivotally, cam, slide, or some combination of these movements) between an open position and a closed or clamped position. The locking portions 12, 22 of each of the first and second gland members 10, 20 are configured to interlock with the locking portion of the other of the first and second gland members to secure the first and second gland members in the clamped position. The locking portions 12, 22 of each of the first and second grounding members 10, 20 further include user-operable release portions 15, 25 operable to disengage the locking portions 12, 22 to allow pivotal movement of the first and second grounding members to the open position.

[0015] Many different types of locking portions may be utilized, including, for example, locking strap / tie arrangements, screw bolt and clamp nut arrangements, flexible detent arrangements, etc. As an example, the locking portions 12, 22 of the clamp 10 illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1A-1C may include flexible wall portions 17, 27 carrying at least one interlocking feature (e.g., detent) 18, 28 configured to interlock with the locking portion of the other of the first and second gland members to secure the first and second gland members in a clamped position. In such an arrangement, the user-operable release portions 15, 25 may be operable (e.g., by a user grasping / squeezing, by using a secondary tool) to move the corresponding flexible wall portion 17, 27 to deflect and disengage the at least one detent 18, 28 from the locking portion of the other of the first and second gland members to allow pivotal movement of the first and second gland members to an open position.

[0016] Clamps formed from two or more coupled gland members traditionally include separate, structurally distinct gland members having separate, complementary mating and locking portions for connecting, joining, or engaging the mating and locking portions of the mating gland member. The use of structurally distinct, different first and second gland members can result in increased manufacturing and inventory costs associated with having to manufacture and store two different components. According to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a clamp may be configured to include identical or substantially identical first and second gland members, for example, having identical or substantially identical mating, locking, and clamping portions, thereby requiring only one type of gland member to be manufactured and stored for assembly of the clamp.

[0017] In the embodiment shown schematically in Figures 1A-1C, the joints 11, 21 of the first and second grounding members 10, 20 may be formed identically or substantially identically, with a first portion 11a, 21a (Figure 1B) located on a first lateral side of the grounding members 10, 20 and a second portion located on a second lateral side of the grounding members, such that the mating joints have a non-gendered configuration. In this configuration, when the grounding members 10, 20 are assembled with the joints 11, 21, the locking portions 12, 22, and the clamping portions 13, 23 facing each other (i.e., with the first lateral side of the first grounding member aligned with the second lateral side of the second grounding member), the first joint 11a of the first grounding member 10 is laterally aligned and coupled to the second joint 21b of the second grounding member 20, and the second joint 11b of the first grounding member is laterally aligned and pivotally coupled to the first joint 21a of the second grounding member.

[0018] Similarly, the locking portions 12, 22 of the first and second gland members 10, 20 may be formed identically or substantially identically such that the interlocking feature (e.g., detent-bearing flexible wall portion) 17 of the first gland member 10 aligns with the interlocking detent 29 of the second gland member 20 and the interlocking feature (e.g., detent-bearing flexible wall portion) 27 of the second gland member aligns with the interlocking portion of the first gland member, such that when the gland members are assembled in opposing orientations for interlocking engagement of the detents 18, 28, the mating locking portions have a non-male / female configuration.

[0019] The locking configuration of the flexible wall and interlocking detent can take a wide variety of forms. In one exemplary embodiment, the flexible wall may be disposed on a first lateral side of the gland member, with the detent extending laterally toward the second lateral side of the gland member. In some such configurations, when the gland members are assembled in opposing orientations (i.e., with the first lateral side of the first gland member aligned with the second lateral side of the second gland member), the laterally extending detents on the flexible wall interlock with each other when the gland members are pivoted to the closed position.

[0020] 2-7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a clamp 100 used to join two conduit sections C together, such as flanged sanitary fittings (as shown in FIG. 7). The exemplary clamp 100 includes first and second gland members 110, 120 having pivotally connected joint or hinge portions 111, 121, releasably engageable locking portions 112, 122, and intermediate arcuate clamping portions 113, 123 configured to form a circular closure around a circular structure (e.g., the flanged end of a sanitary fitting) when the locking portions 112, 122 are secured together in the closed or clamped state of the clamp 100, e.g., to provide a substantially uniform sealing pressure around the entire circular structure. In other embodiments, the clamp can be used to provide clamping engagement with other fittings or components, including, for example, components having non-circular shapes. Advantageously, the clamp 100 can be reopened and reused with a different set of conduit sections C, if desired by the end user. In the illustrated embodiment, both gland members 110, 120 of clamp 100 include user-operable (e.g., manually graspable, tool-engageable) unlatching arms or levers 115, 125 that may enable simplified disengagement of gland member locking portions 112, 122 and / or more secure interlocking engagement of the gland member locking portions, as described in more detail below. Clamp 100 may be configured such that no additional tools and / or specialized equipment are required to operate the clamp between the open and closed positions, and such that the clamp and conduit section C are not damaged or destroyed in the process of returning the clamp to the open position. In some embodiments, clamp 100 may function as a disposable clamp or as a reusable clamp. Further advantages will be apparent upon detailed discussion of this and other embodiments herein.

[0021] 2 and 3-4, clamp 100 is shown in an open position and a closed position, respectively. In this embodiment, first and second grounding members 110, 120 of clamp 100 are generally arc-shaped between hinge portions 111, 121 at a first end and locking portions 112, 122 at a second end opposite the first end. Corresponding hinge portions 111, 121 of first and second grounding members 110, 120 may be removably joined by, for example, hinge arrangement 101. While many suitable hinge arrangements can be used to pivotally connect the hinge portions 111, 121 of the gland members 110, 120, in the illustrated embodiment, each hinge portion 111, 121 includes a pin portion 111a, 121a and an arcuate receptacle, recess, or socket portion 111b, 121b, with the pin portion of each of the first and second gland members being received in the socket portion of the other of the first and second gland members to pivotally connect the first and second gland members. As illustrated, the first and second gland members 110, 120 may be formed identically or substantially identically with the pin portions 111a, 111b located on the first lateral side of the gland members and the socket portions 111b, 121b located on the second lateral side of the gland members, thereby allowing the mating hinge portions to have a monogamous configuration. In this configuration, when the gland members 110, 120 are assembled with the hinge portions 111, 121, the locking portions 112, 122, and the clamping portions 113, 123 facing each other (i.e., with the first lateral side of the first gland member aligned with the second lateral side of the second gland member), the pin portion 111a of the first gland member is received in laterally aligned relation with the socket portion 121b of the second gland member, and the pin portion 121a of the second gland member is received in laterally aligned relation with the socket portion 111b of the first gland member. The arc- or barrel-shaped socket portions 111b, 121b include open ends having widths slightly less than the diameters of the pin portions 111a, 121a, which can retain the pin portions within the socket portions when the pin portions are pressed through the open ends. The open ends of the socket portions 111b, 121b may also be oriented so as to be misaligned with one another when the clamp is in the closed state, further preventing separation of the hinge portions in this closed state.In other embodiments (not shown), the clamp may utilize other hinge arrangements, including, for example, the apertured hasp and pivot pin hinge arrangement of clamp 200 of Figures 8-13, which is described in more detail below.

[0022] Between the hinge ends 111, 121 and the locking ends 112, 122, the gland members 110, 120 each define a generally semicircular or arc-shaped clamping portion 113, 123 including an outer periphery 113a, 123a and an inner periphery 113b, 123b. Located along the inner periphery 113b, 123b are arc-shaped channels or inner periphery recesses 114, 124 sized to receive the circular flange F of the conduit section C upon insertion of the flange into the clamp 100. As shown, the exemplary inner periphery recesses 114, 124 combine to form a substantially full circumference (e.g., 350 to 360 degrees) around the circular flange F when the conduit section C is positioned within the clamp 100 and the clamp is in a closed or clamped state. The inner periphery recesses 114, 124 may be provided with any suitable shape or contour. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate inner circumferential recesses 114, 124 are configured to wedge the circular flanges F toward each other and toward the gasket G to form a sealing relationship as shown in Figure 5. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the arcuate inner circumferential recesses may include, for example, toothed, notched, or hollow structures to conserve material when molding the first and second gland members 110, 120.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, in the open state of the clamp 100, the arcuate inner circumferential recesses 114, 124 may be exposed. In this regard, the clamp 100 may pivot open at least to an extent that allows the circular flange F of the conduit section C to be placed into or withdrawn from the arcuate inner circumferential recesses 114, 124 of one of the first and second gland members 110, 120. The first and second gland members 110, 120 may then pivot relative to one another about the hinge arrangement 101 to transition to the closed state of the clamp 100 such that the arcuate inner circumferential recesses 114, 124 engage the outer periphery of the circular flange F. This arrangement therefore allows the conduit section C to be securely retained within the clamp 100 in the closed state (FIG. 7).

[0024] The exemplary gland members 110, 120 further include handle portions 116, 126 that project radially outward from the gland member locking portions 112, 122 to provide a user-graspable or grippable portion for moving the gland member between the open and closed positions.

[0025] To securely close the clamp 100 on the conduit section C, a user can grasp and squeeze the first and second handles 116, 126 toward each other and pivot the first and second gland members 110, 120 at the hinge arrangement 101 until the end wall portions 112a, 122a of the locking portions 112, 122 abut (e.g., touch or closely opposing alignment) in the closed state, as shown in Figures 3-5. Once in the closed position, the illustrative first and second handles 116, 126 extend in the same general direction, such that the first and second handles are generally parallel to each other in the closed state of the clamp 100. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, the specific positioning and angling of the first and second handles may differ.

[0026] To securely hold the clamp 100 in a closed state, each of the gland members 110, 120 includes at least one interlocking feature (e.g., detent) 118, 128 disposed on a flexible wall 117, 127 of the gland locking end 112, 122 for releasably interlocking engagement with a locking portion of the other gland member when the clamp is in a closed or clamped state. In various embodiments, the at least one detent can be configured to interlock with various structures on the locking end of the other gland member. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, the at least one detent 118 of the first gland member 110 is positioned for interlocking engagement with at least one detent 128 of the second gland member 120 (e.g., with the flexible wall 127 extending from the base of the second handle 116).

[0027] Extending from each of the flexible walls 117, 127 is a lever portion 115, 125 that can be depressed by a user to deflect and disengage at least one detent 118, 128 from the detent 128, 118 of the other locking portion 122, 112 to allow movement of the first and second gland members 110, 120 to the open position. Depending on the degree of flexibility of the flexible walls 117, 127, in some embodiments, the user need only depress one of the lever portions 115, 125 to disengage the locking portions 112, 122 and move the clamp 100 to the open state, making it easier for the user to remove the clamp. In other embodiments, simultaneous depression by the user on both lever portions 115, 125 may be required to disengage the locking portions 112, 122 and move the clamp 100 to the open state, more securely or firmly holding the clamp 100 on the conduit section C. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever portions 115, 125 are contoured to extend laterally outward (e.g., parallel to the flexible wall portions 117, 127) toward the corresponding clamping portions 113, 123 of the gland members 110, 120, such that a squeezing force applied to the lever portions 115, 125 and corresponding handles 116, 126 deflects the flexible wall portions 117, 127 laterally outward to disengage the detents 118, 128. In other embodiments, the lever portions may be oriented differently (e.g., flush with the flexible wall portions).

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the flexible walls 117, 127 includes three detents 118, 128, for example, to provide multiple attachment points for a stronger interlocking engagement or to provide multiple ratcheting closures. In other embodiments, one or both of the flexible walls may be provided with fewer or more detents.

[0029] Each of the detents 118, 128 may project laterally from the corresponding flexible wall 117, 127 as a stepped ridge or tooth. More specifically, each of the detents 118, 128 includes an angled front surface facing the distal end of the flexible wall and a transverse rear surface facing the proximal end of the flexible wall. These front and rear surfaces enable snap-over or ratcheting engagement of the first and second gland detents 118, 128. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the specific angles of the angled front and transverse rear surfaces may be varied while still enabling interlocking engagement.

[0030] Each of the exemplary gland members 110, 120 is integrally molded or otherwise formed to be a single piece of plastic material, such as nylon. In such an embodiment, the hinge portions 111, 121, locking portions 112, 122, clamping portions 113, 123, handles 116, 126, flexible wall portions 117, 127, and lever portions 115, 125 of each gland 110, 120 are a single piece of material that is flexible enough to allow flexing or pivoting movement of the flexible wall portions 117, 127 relative to the locking portions 112, 122, yet rigid enough to securely hold the circular flange F of the conduit section C in sealing engagement when the clamp 100 is in the closed position. The specific materials and manufacturing methods for the first and second gland members 110, 120 can be varied to suit the needs and preferences of the end user.

[0031] 2-7, the exemplary gland members 110, 120 are molded or formed as identical or substantially identical gland components, e.g., to allow a single mold to be used to form both gland members and to allow for storage of a single type of gland member for manufacturing the clamp 100. As described above, when the gland members are oriented for assembly (with the hinge portions 111, 121 and the locking portions 112, 122 facing each other), the pin portion 111a of the first gland member 110 is aligned and received in the socket portion 121b of the second gland member 120, and the pin portion 121a of the second gland member is aligned and received in the socket portion 111b of the first gland member. Similarly, the detents 118 of the first gland member 110 are laterally aligned with the detents 128 of the second gland member 120, causing the detents 118, 128 to flex into ratcheting engagement when the gland members are pivoted to the closed position of the clamp.

[0032] In use, a user can move the clamp 100 to the closed position by grasping the handle portions 116, 126 and pulling (e.g., pushing, pulling, squeezing) the handle portions toward one another. This movement of the handle portions 116, 126 causes the locking ends 112, 122 of the first and second gland members 110, 120 to move relatively toward one another as a result of the pivotal connection at the hinge arrangement 101. During this pivotal movement, the first gland member detent 118 begins to snap onto the second gland member detent 128. To this end, as the first and second gland members 110, 120 move toward one another from the open position of Figure 2 to the closed, latched position of Figure 3, the first and second locking detents 118, 128 may slide along and past one another until abutting engagement between the end wall portions 112a, 122a of the locking portions 112, 122 or until sufficient clamping force is applied to the flange end F and the gasket G (which may, but need not, correspond to contacting abutment of the end wall portions). This clamping condition may also correspond to when the proximal-most one of the first locking detents 118 on the first flexible wall portion 117 interlocks with the proximal-most one of the second locking detents 128 on the second flexible wall portion 127. This close abutment or contact between the end walls 112 a, 122 a in the closed state may provide substantially full (e.g., 350 to 360 degrees) engagement of the circular flange F. After the first and second handles 116, 126 are squeezed together to abut the end walls 112 a, 122 a of the first and second gland members 110, 120 in the closed position, the first and second locking detents 118, 128 fully interlock with one another, thereby engaging corresponding transverse rear surfaces of the toothed detents to hold the clamp 100 in the closed position.

[0033] To loosen or disassemble the clamp 100 from the conduit section C (e.g., to separate the conduit section or to replace one or more of the conduit section and gasket G), one or both of the lever portions 115, 125 are depressed to deflect and disengage at least one detent 118, 128 from the detent 128, 118 of the other locking portion 122, 112 to allow movement of the first and second gland members 110, 120 to an open position.

[0034] In another exemplary embodiment, the flexible walls may extend laterally across the gland members, with the detents extending radially toward or away from the central portion of the clamp. In some such configurations, when the gland members are assembled in opposing orientations (i.e., with the first lateral side of the first gland member aligned with the second lateral side of the second gland member), the radially extending detents on the laterally extending flexible walls interlock with each other when the gland members are pivoted to the closed position.

[0035] 8-13 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a clamp 200 used to join two conduit sections, such as flanged sanitary fittings, together. The exemplary clamp 200 includes first and second gland members 210, 220 having pivotally connected joint or hinge portions 211, 221, releasably engageable locking portions 212, 222, and intermediate arcuate clamping portions 213, 223 configured to form a circular closure around a circular structure (e.g., the flanged end of a sanitary fitting) when the locking portions 212, 222 are secured together in the closed or clamped state of the clamp 200, e.g., to provide a substantially uniform sealing pressure around the entire circular structure. In other embodiments, the clamp can be used to provide clamping engagement with other fittings or components, including, for example, components having non-circular shapes. Advantageously, the clamp 200 can be reopened and reused with a different set of conduit sections, if desired by the end user. In the illustrated embodiment, both gland members 210, 220 of clamp 200 include user-operable (e.g., manually graspable, tool-engageable) unlatching arms or levers 215, 225, which may enable simplified disengagement of gland member locking portions 212, 222 and / or more secure interlocking engagement of the gland member locking portions, as described in more detail below. Clamp 200 may be configured such that no additional tools and / or specialized equipment are required to operate the clamp between open and closed positions, and the process of returning the clamp to the open position does not damage or destroy the clamp and conduit section. In some embodiments, clamp 200 may function as a disposable clamp or as a reusable clamp. Further advantages will be apparent upon detailed discussion of this and other embodiments herein.

[0036] With particular reference to Figures 8 and 9-12, clamp 200 is shown in an open position and a closed position, respectively. In this embodiment, first and second gland members 210, 220 of clamp 200 are generally arcuate between hinge portions 211, 221 at a first end and locking portions 213, 223 at a second end opposite the first end. Corresponding hinge portions 211, 221 of first and second gland members 210, 220 may be detachably joined by, for example, hinge arrangement 201. While many suitable hinge arrangement structures may be used to pivotally connect hinge portions 211, 221 of gland members 210, 220, in the illustrated embodiment, each hinge portion 211, 221 is formed identically or substantially identically to an open hasp portion 211a, 221a located on a first lateral side of the gland member. In this configuration, when the gland members 210, 220 are assembled with the hinge portions 211, 221, locking portions 212, 222, and clamping portions 213, 223 oriented toward one another (i.e., with the first lateral side of the first gland member aligned with the second lateral side of the second gland member), the open hasp portions 211a, 221a align with one another to receive the pivot pin 230 and secure the hinge portions 211, 221 together as the pivotable hinge arrangement 201. While many suitable pivot pins can be used, the illustrated pivot pin 230 includes resilient fingers 231 that are deformable for inserting the pivot pin through the aligned openings. In other embodiments (not shown), a clamp similar to the clamp 200 of FIGS. 8-13 may instead utilize a hinge arrangement similar to the hinge arrangement 101 of the clamp 100 of FIGS. 2-7.

[0037] Between the hinge ends 211, 221 and the locking ends 212, 222, the gland members 210, 220 each define a generally semicircular or arc-shaped clamping portion 213, 223 including an outer periphery 213a, 223a and an inner periphery 213b, 223b. Located along the inner periphery 213b, 223b are arc-shaped channels or inner periphery recesses 214, 224 sized to receive the circular flange of a conduit section upon insertion of the flange into the clamp 200. As shown, the exemplary inner periphery recesses 214, 224 combine to form a substantially full circumference (e.g., 350 to 360 degrees) around the circular flange when the conduit section is positioned within the clamp 200 and the clamp is in a closed or clamped state. The inner periphery recesses 214, 224 may be provided with any suitable shape or contour. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate inner circumferential recesses 214, 224 are configured to wedge the circular flanges toward each other and toward the gasket to form a sealing relationship, similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 7. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the arcuate inner circumferential recesses may include, for example, toothed, notched, or hollow structures to conserve material when molding the first and second gland members 210, 220.

[0038] The exemplary gland members 210, 220 further include handle portions 216, 226 that project radially outward from the gland member locking portions 212, 222 to provide a user-graspable or grippable portion for moving the gland members between the open and closed positions.

[0039] To securely close the clamp 200 on the conduit section, a user can grasp and squeeze the first and second handles 216, 226 toward each other and pivot the first and second gland members 210, 220 at the hinge arrangement 201 until the end walls 212 a, 222 a of the catches 212, 222 abut (e.g., touch or closely facing alignment) in the closed position, as shown in Figures 9-12. Once in the closed position, the illustrative first and second handles 216, 226 substantially overlap each other, with the L-shaped cross-sectional walls of the handles abutting each other to form a single handle arrangement. However, it will be understood that the specific positioning and angling of the first and second handles may differ in other embodiments.

[0040] To securely hold the clamp 200 in the closed state, each of the gland members 210, 220 includes at least one radially extending interlocking feature (e.g., detent) 218, 228 disposed on a laterally extending flexible wall 217, 227 of the gland locking end 212, 222 for releasably interlocking engagement with a locking portion of the other gland member when the clamp is in the closed or clamped state. In various embodiments, the at least one detent can be configured to interlock with various structures on the locking end of the other gland member. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-13, the at least one detent 218 of the first gland member 210 is positioned for interlocking engagement with the at least one detent 228 of the second gland member 220 (e.g., with the flexible wall 227 extending from the base of the second handle 226). As an example, at least one detent 218 of the first grounding member 210 extends radially outward from the first flexible wall 217, and at least one detent 228 of the second grounding member 220 extends radially inward from the second flexible wall 227, such that in the closed state of the clamp 200, the first flexible wall bends radially inward and the second flexible wall bends radially outward due to the ratcheting interlocking engagement of the opposing detents.

[0041] Extending from each of the flexible walls 217, 227 is a lever portion 215, 225 that can be depressed by a user to deflect and disengage at least one detent 218, 228 from the detent 228, 218 of the other locking portion 222, 212 to allow movement of the first and second grounding members 210, 220 to the open position. Depending on the degree of flexibility of the flexible walls 217, 227, in some embodiments, the user need only depress one of the lever portions 215, 225 to disengage the locking portions 212, 222 and move the clamp 200 to the open state, making it easier for the user to remove the clamp. In other embodiments, simultaneous depression by the user on both lever portions 215, 225 may be required to disengage the locking portions 212, 222 and move the clamp 200 to the open state, more securely or firmly holding the clamp 200 on the conduit section. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever portions 215, 225 extend laterally outward from the flexible walls 217, 227 through the notches 216a, 226a in the handles 216, 226 and may be substantially flush with the flexible walls, as shown. A radial pressure applied to one or both of the lever portions 215, 225 deflects the flexible walls 217, 227 radially away from each other to disengage the detents 218, 228. In other embodiments, the lever portions may be oriented differently.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the flexible walls 217, 227 includes three detents 218, 228, for example, to provide multiple attachment points for a stronger interlocking engagement or to provide multiple ratcheting closures. In other embodiments, one or both of the flexible walls may be provided with fewer or more detents.

[0043] Although the first gland member 210 may include only the radially outwardly extending detents 218 and the second gland member 220 may include only the radially inwardly extending detents 228, in the illustrated embodiment, the first gland member also includes the radially inwardly extending detents 218 from the opposite side of the first flexible wall 217, and the second gland member also includes the radially outwardly extending detents 228 from the opposite side of the second flexible wall 227. Using this arrangement, the gland member engagement portions 212, 222 may also be engaged by bending the first flexible wall 217 radially outward and the second flexible wall 227 radially inward. By providing relatively thin leading edges on the flexible walls 217, 227, any inherent slight radial misalignment of these leading edges during clamp closure can cause one of the flexible walls 217, 227 to bend radially outward and the other of the flexible walls to bend radially inward, depending on the direction of the radial misalignment. In the absence of radial misalignment of the flexible walls 217, 227, a force applied by a user to one of the lever portions 215, 225 can achieve sufficient radial alignment during closure due to the radial bending of the flexible walls and the ratcheting interlocking engagement of the corresponding detents 218, 228.

[0044] Each of the detents 218, 228 may project radially from the corresponding flexible wall 217, 227 as a stepped ridge or tooth. More specifically, each of the illustrated detents 218, 228 includes an angled leading surface facing the distal end of the flexible wall and a transverse trailing surface facing the proximal end of the flexible wall. These leading and trailing surfaces enable snap-over or ratcheting engagement of the first and second gland detents 218, 228. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the specific angles of the angled leading surfaces and the transverse trailing surfaces may be varied while still enabling interlocking engagement.

[0045] Each exemplary gland member 210, 220 is integrally molded or otherwise formed to be a single piece of plastic material, such as nylon. In such an embodiment, the hinge portion 211, 221, locking portion 212, 222, clamping portion 213, 223, handle 216, 226, flexible wall portion 217, 227, and lever portion 215, 225 of each gland 210, 220 are a single piece of material that is flexible enough to allow flexing or pivoting movement of the flexible wall portion 217, 227 relative to the locking portion 212, 222, yet rigid enough to securely hold the circular flange of the conduit section in sealing engagement when the clamp 200 is in the closed position. The specific materials and manufacturing methods for the first and second gland members 210, 220 can be varied to suit the needs and preferences of the end user.

[0046] Additionally, the exemplary gland members 210, 220 may be molded or formed as identical or substantially identical gland components, for example, to allow for a single mold to be used to form both gland members and to allow for storage of a single type of gland member for manufacturing the clamp 200. As described above, when the gland members are oriented for assembly (with the hinge portions 211, 221 and locking portions 212, 222 facing each other), the open hasp portions 211 a, 221 a of the first and second gland members 210, 220 align to receive the pivot pin 230. Similarly, the detent 218 of the first gland member 210 is laterally aligned with the detent 228 of the second gland member 220, deflecting the detents 218, 228 into ratcheting interlocking engagement when the gland members are pivoted to the closed position of the clamp.

[0047] According to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the locking portions of the first and second gland members of the clamp may include reinforcements that engage with each other when the locking portions are abutted in the clamped position of the clamp, for example, to facilitate alignment of interlocking features (e.g., toothed detents) and / or to reinforce the locking portions against damage or accidental disengagement due to dropping or other such impacts. For example, a longitudinally extending protrusion from the locking portion of one of the first and second gland members may be slidably received within a longitudinally extending cavity of the locking portion of the other of the first and second gland members when the first and second gland members are moved to the clamped position. In an exemplary embodiment using identical or substantially identical first and second gland members, each of the first and second gland members may include a longitudinally extending protrusion from the locking portion that is slidably received within a longitudinally extending cavity of the locking portion of the other of the first and second gland members.

[0048] 8-13, as best shown in Figures 8 and 13, the locking portions 212, 222 of each gland member 210, 220 include longitudinally extending mating projection (e.g., pin) portions 212b, 222b engageable with cavity (e.g., socket) portions 222c, 212c of the other gland member to facilitate proper radial alignment of the locking portions, for example, in the closed state of the clamp. Similar reinforcement portions may be provided in the other clamp embodiments shown and described herein.

[0049] In use, a user can move the clamp 200 to the closed position by grasping the handle portions 216, 226 and pulling (e.g., pushing, pulling, squeezing) the handle portions toward one another. This movement of the handle portions 216, 226 causes the locking ends 212, 222 of the first and second gland members 210, 220 to move relatively toward one another as a result of the pivotal connection at the hinge arrangement 201. During this pivotal movement, the reinforcing protrusions 212 b, 222 b of each locking portion 212, 222 are received within the reinforcing cavities 222 c, 212 c of the other locking portion, and the first gland member detent 218 begins to snap over the second gland member detent 228. To this end, as the first and second gland members 210, 220 move toward one another from the open position of Figure 8 to the closed, latched position of Figures 9-12, the first and second locking detents 218, 228 may slide along and past one another until abutting engagement between the end wall portions 212 a, 222 a of the locking portions 212, 222 or until sufficient clamping force is applied to the flange ends and gaskets (which may, but need not, correspond to contacting abutment of the end wall portions). This clamping condition may also correspond to when the proximal-most of the first locking detents 218 on the first flexible wall portion 217 engages with the proximal-most of the second locking detents 228 on the second flexible wall portion 227. This close abutment or contact between the end walls 212 a, 222 a in the closed state may provide substantially full (e.g., 350 to 360 degrees) engagement of the circular flanges. After the first and second handles 216, 226 are squeezed together to abut the end walls 212 a, 222 a of the first and second gland members 210, 220 in the closed position, the first and second locking detents 218, 228 fully interlock with one another, thereby engaging corresponding transverse rear surfaces of the toothed detents to hold the clamp 200 in the closed position.

[0050] To loosen or disassemble the clamp 200 from the conduit sections (e.g., to separate the conduit sections or to replace one or more of the conduit sections and gaskets), one or both of the lever portions 215, 225 are depressed to deflect and disengage at least one interlocking feature (e.g., detent) 218, 228 from the detent 228, 218 of the other locking portion 222, 212 to allow movement of the first and second gland members 210, 220 to an open position.

[0051] In another exemplary embodiment, each gland member may include a flexible wall having a radially extending detent extending laterally across a first lateral side of the gland member and an interlocking wall having an opposing radially extending detent extending laterally across a second lateral side of the gland member. In some such configurations, when the gland members are assembled in opposing orientations (i.e., with the first lateral side of the first gland member aligned with the second lateral side of the second gland member), the radially extending detent on the laterally extending flexible wall of each gland member interlocks with the radially extending detent on the interlocking wall of the other gland member when the gland members are pivoted to the closed position.

[0052] 14-18 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a clamp 300 used to join two conduit sections together, such as flanged sanitary fittings. The exemplary clamp 300 includes first and second gland members 310, 320 having pivotally connected joint or hinge portions 311, 321, releasably engageable locking portions 312, 322, and intermediate arcuate clamping portions 313, 323 configured to form a circular closure around a circular structure (e.g., the flanged end of a sanitary fitting) when the locking portions 312, 322 are secured together in the closed or clamped state of the clamp 300, e.g., to provide a substantially uniform sealing pressure around the entire circular structure. In other embodiments, the clamp can be used to provide clamping engagement with other fittings or components, including, for example, components having non-circular shapes. Advantageously, the clamp 300 can be reopened and reused with a different set of conduit sections, if desired by the end user. In the illustrated embodiment, both gland members 310, 320 of clamp 300 include user-operable (e.g., manually graspable, tool-engageable) unlatching arms or levers 315, 325 that may enable simplified disengagement of gland member locking portions 312, 322 and / or more secure interlocking engagement of the gland member locking portions. Clamp 300 may be configured such that no additional tools and / or specialized equipment are required to operate the clamp between open and closed positions, and the process of returning the clamp to the open position does not damage or destroy the clamp and conduit section. In some embodiments, clamp 300 may function as a disposable clamp or as a reusable clamp. Further advantages will be apparent upon detailed discussion of this and other embodiments herein.

[0053] 14 and 15-17, clamp 300 is shown in an open position and a closed position, respectively. In this embodiment, first and second grounding members 310, 320 of clamp 300 are generally arc-shaped between hinge portions 311, 321 at a first end and locking portions 312, 322 at a second end opposite the first end. Corresponding hinge portions 311, 321 of first and second grounding members 310, 320 may be removably joined by, for example, hinge arrangement 301. While many suitable hinge arrangement structures may be used to pivotally connect the hinge portions 311, 321 of the ground members 310, 320, in the illustrated embodiment, each hinge portion 311, 321 includes a pin portion 311a, 321a and an arcuate receptacle or socket portion 311b, 321b, similar to the hinge arrangement 101 of the clamp 100 of Figures 2-7, described in more detail above. In other embodiments (not shown), the clamp may utilize other hinge arrangements, including, for example, the open hasp and pivot pin hinge arrangement of the clamp 200 of Figures 8-13, described in more detail above.

[0054] In yet other embodiments, the clamp may utilize a third or intermediate grounding member hingedly connected between the hinged portions of the first and second grounding members as a hinge arrangement, which may, for example, allow for the use of shorter arcuate channel segments in the grounding members and may provide better dimensional control and improved manufacturability of these features. Three such exemplary grounding clamps 400 are shown in Figures 19-24 and are described in more detail below.

[0055] Between the hinge ends 311, 321 and the locking ends 312, 322, the gland members 310, 320 each define a generally semicircular or arc-shaped clamping portion 313, 323 including an outer periphery 313a, 323a and an inner periphery 313b, 323b. Located along the inner periphery 313b, 323b are arc-shaped channels or inner circumferential recesses 314, 324 sized to receive the circular flange of a conduit section upon insertion of the flange into the clamp 300. As shown, the exemplary inner circumferential recesses 314, 324 combine to form a substantially full circumference (e.g., 350 to 360 degrees) around the circular flange when the conduit section is positioned within the clamp 300 and the clamp is in a closed or clamped state. The inner circumferential recesses 314, 324 may be provided with any suitable shape or contour. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate inner circumferential recesses 314, 324 are configured to wedge the circular flanges toward each other and toward the gasket to form a sealing relationship, similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 7. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the arcuate inner circumferential recesses may include, for example, toothed, notched, or hollow structures to conserve material when molding the first and second gland members 310, 320.

[0056] The exemplary gland members 310, 320 further include handle portions 316, 326 that project radially outward from the gland member locking portions 312, 322 to provide a user-graspable or grippable portion for moving the gland members between the open and closed positions.

[0057] To securely close the clamp 300 on the conduit section, a user can grasp and squeeze the first and second handles 316, 326 toward each other and pivot the first and second gland members 310, 320 at the hinge arrangement 301 until the end wall portions 312a, 322a of the catches 312, 322 abut (e.g., touch or closely opposing alignment) in the closed state, as shown in Figures 15-17. Once in the closed position, the illustrative first and second handles 316, 326 extend in the same general direction, such that the first and second handles may be generally parallel to each other in the closed state of the clamp 300. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, the specific positioning and angling of the first and second handles may differ.

[0058] To securely hold the clamp 300 in the closed state, each of the gland members 310, 320 includes at least one interlocking feature (e.g., detent) 318, 328 disposed on a flexible wall 317, 327 of the gland locking end 312, 322 for releasably interlocking engagement with a locking portion of the other gland member when the clamp is in the closed or clamped state. In various embodiments, the at least one detent can be configured to interlock with various structures on the locking end of the other gland member. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14-18, the at least one detent 318 of the first gland member 310 is positioned for interlocking engagement with a detent-bearing interlocking wall 329 of the second gland member 320 (e.g., with the flexible wall 317 extending from the base of the first handle 316). Similarly, at least one detent 328 of the first ground member 320 is positioned to interlockingly engage with the detent bearing interlocking wall 319 of the first ground member 310 (e.g., with the flexible wall 327 extending from the base of the second handle 326).

[0059] Extending from each of the flexible walls 317, 327 is a lever portion 315, 325 that can be depressed by the user to deflect and disengage at least one detent 318, 328 of the other gland member 320, 310 from the detent-bearing interlocking wall portion 329, 319 to allow movement of the first and second gland members to the open position. In some embodiments, simultaneous depression by the user on both lever portions 315, 325 may be required to disengage the catches 312, 322 and move the clamp 300 to the open state, more securely or firmly holding the clamp 300 on the conduit section. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever portions 315, 325 are contoured to extend radially outward (e.g., parallel to the flexible wall portions 317, 327) toward the clamping portions 313, 323 of the corresponding gland members 310, 320, such that a squeezing force applied to the lever portions 315, 325 and corresponding handles 316, 326 causes the flexible wall portions 317, 327 to deflect radially outward, disengaging the detents 318, 328 from the corresponding interlocking wall portions 319, 329. In other embodiments, the lever portions may be provided in different orientations (e.g., flush with the flexible wall portions).

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the flexible walls 317, 327 includes two detents 318, 328, for example, to provide multiple attachment points for a stronger interlocking engagement or to provide multiple ratcheting closures. In other embodiments, one or both of the flexible walls may be provided with fewer or more detents.

[0061] Each of the detents 318, 328 may project radially from the corresponding flexible wall portion 317, 327 as a stepped ridge or tooth. More specifically, each of the detents 318, 328 includes an angled front surface facing the distal end of the flexible wall and a transverse rear surface facing the proximal end of the flexible wall. These front and rear surfaces enable snap-over or ratcheting engagement between the first and second gland detents 318, 328 and the corresponding interlocking wall portion, which may include similarly shaped detent portions 319 a, 329 a. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the specific angles of the angled front and transverse rear surfaces may be varied while still enabling interlocking engagement.

[0062] Lever portions 315, 325 may include additional elements that help prevent the lever portions from being accidentally depressed before clamp 300 has been reopened. To this end, lever portions 315, 325 may be provided with tie-receiving loops 315a, 325a (e.g., U-shaped structures as shown) that extend toward one another. When a zip tie or other such tie element is looped through first and second tie-receiving loops 315a, 325a and tightened, lever portions 315, 325 are held in tension against user depression and resulting deflection of flexible wall portions 317, 327, thereby preventing unintended or undesired disengagement of detents 318, 329a, 328, 329a and release of clamp 300. As a result, tie receiving loops 315a, 325a may be employed to further strengthen the retention of clamp 300 in the closed position until it is desired to reopen clamp 300, at which point the zip tie can be cut and lever portions 315, 325 can then be depressed as detailed above. The specific location and shape of first and second tie receiving loops may be varied in other embodiments without departing from the function or scope of clamp 300.

[0063] Each exemplary gland member 310, 320 is integrally molded or otherwise formed to be a single piece of plastic material, such as nylon. In such an embodiment, the hinge portion 311, 321, locking portion 312, 322, clamping portion 313, 323, handle 316, 326, flexible wall portion 317, 327, and lever portion 315, 325 of each gland 310, 320 are a single piece of material that is flexible enough to allow flexing or pivoting movement of the flexible wall portion 317, 327 relative to the locking portion 312, 322, yet rigid enough to securely hold the circular flange of the conduit section in sealing engagement when the clamp 300 is in the closed position. The specific materials and manufacturing methods for the first and second gland members 310, 320 can be varied to suit the needs and preferences of the end user.

[0064] Additionally, the exemplary grounding members 310, 320 may be molded or formed as identical or substantially identical grounding components, for example, to allow for a single mold to be used to form both grounding members and to allow for storage of a single type of grounding member for manufacturing the clamp 300. As described above, when the grounding members are oriented for assembly (with the hinge portions 311, 321 and locking portions 312, 122 facing each other), the pin portion 311a of the first grounding member 310 is aligned and received in the socket portion 321b of the second grounding member 320, and the pin portion 321a of the second grounding member is aligned and received in the socket portion 311b of the first grounding member. Similarly, the detents 318, 328 of each gland member 310, 320 are laterally and radially aligned with the detents 329a, 319a of the interlocking walls 329, 319 of the other gland member, causing the detents 318, 329a, 328, 319a to flex into ratcheting interlocking engagement when the gland members are pivoted to the closed clamp position.

[0065] In use, a user can move the clamp 300 to the closed position by grasping the handle portions 316, 326 and pulling (e.g., pushing, pulling, squeezing) the handle portions toward one another. This movement of the handle portions 316, 326 causes the locking ends 312, 322 of the first and second gland members 310, 320 to move relatively toward one another as a result of the pivotal connection at the hinge arrangement 301. During this pivotal movement, the first gland member flexible wall detent 318 begins to snap onto the second gland member interlocking wall detent 329a, and the second gland member flexible wall detent 328 begins to snap onto the first gland member interlocking wall detent 319a. To this end, as the first and second gland members 310, 320 move toward one another from the open position of FIG. 14 to the closed, latched position of FIG. 15-17, the interlocking detents 318, 329a and 328, 319a may slide along and past one another until abutting engagement between the end wall portions 312a, 322a of the stops 312, 322 or until sufficient clamping force is applied to the flange ends and gaskets (which may, but need not, correspond to contacting end wall abutment). This clamping condition may also correspond to when the proximal-most flexible-wall detents 318, 328 interlock with the proximal-most interlocking detents 329a, 319a. The close abutment or contact between the end wall portions 312a, 322a in this closed condition may provide substantially full-circumference (e.g., 350 to 360 degrees) engagement of the circular flanges. After the first and second handles 316, 326 are squeezed together to abut the end wall portions 312a, 322a of the first and second gland members 110, 120 in the closed position, the flexible wall detents 318, 128 may fully interlock with the interlocking wall detents 329a, 319a, thereby engaging the corresponding transverse rear surfaces of the toothed detents to hold the clamp 300 in the closed position.

[0066] To loosen or disassemble the clamp 300 from the conduit sections (e.g., to separate the conduit sections or to replace one or more of the conduit sections and gaskets), the lever portions 315, 325 are depressed to deflect and disengage the flexible detents 318, 328 from the interlocking wall detents 329a, 319a to allow movement of the first and second gland members 310, 320 to the open position.

[0067] 19-24 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a clamp 400 used to join two conduit sections together, such as, for example, flanged sanitary fittings. The exemplary clamp 400 includes first and second gland members 410, 420 having joint or hinge portions 411, 421 pivotally connected by a third, intermediate gland member 440 (described in more detail below), releasably engageable locking portions 412, 422, and intermediate arcuate clamping portions 413, 423 configured to form (with the third gland member 440) a circular closure around a circular structure (e.g., the flanged end of a sanitary fitting) when the locking portions 412, 422 are secured together in the closed or clamped state of the clamp 400, e.g., to provide a substantially uniform sealing pressure around the entire circular structure. In other embodiments, the clamp can be used to provide clamping engagement with other fittings or components, including, for example, components having non-circular shapes. Advantageously, clamp 400 can be reopened and reused with different sets of conduit sections if desired by the end user. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second gland members 410, 420 of clamp 400 include user-operable (e.g., manually graspable, tool-engageable) unlatching arms or levers 415, 425 that may enable simplified disengagement of gland member locking portions 412, 422 and / or more secure interlocking engagement of the gland member locking portions. Clamp 400 may be configured such that no additional tools and / or specialized equipment are required to operate the clamp between open and closed positions, and the process of returning the clamp to the open position does not damage or destroy the clamp and conduit sections. In some embodiments, clamp 400 may function as a disposable clamp or as a reusable clamp. Further advantages will be apparent upon detailed discussion of this and other embodiments herein.

[0068] 19 and 20-22, clamp 400 is shown in an open position and a closed position, respectively. In this embodiment, first and second grounding members 410, 420 of clamp 400 are generally arcuate between hinge portions 411, 421 at a first end and latch portions 412, 422 at a second end opposite the first end. Corresponding hinge portions 411, 421 of first and second grounding members 410, 420 may be removably joined by a hinge arrangement 401 that includes, for example, a third grounding member 440. While many suitable hinge arrangements can be used to pivotally connect the hinge portions 411, 421 of the first and second gland members 410, 420, in the illustrated embodiment, each hinge portion 411, 421 includes a laterally extending pin portion 411a, 421a that is received in a corresponding arcuate receptacle or socket portion 441a, 442a on the end portion 441, 442 of the third gland member 440. In other embodiments (not shown), the clamp may utilize other hinge arrangements, including, for example, first and second gland members having laterally opposed arcuate receptacles that receive the laterally extending pin portion of the third intermediate gland, or, for example, an open hasp and pivot pin hinge arrangement similar to the open hasp and pivot pin hinge arrangement 201 of the clamp 200 of FIGS. 8-13, described in more detail above.

[0069] Between their ends 411, 412, 421, 422, 441, 442, the first, second, and third gland members 410, 420, 440 define arcuate clamping portions 413, 423, 443, respectively, including outer peripheries 413a, 423a, 443a and inner peripheries 413b, 423b, 443b. Located along the inner peripheries 413b, 423b, 443b are arcuate channels or inner periphery recesses 414, 424, 444 sized to receive the circular flange of a conduit section upon insertion of the flange into the clamp 400. As shown, the exemplary inner periphery recesses 414, 424, 444 combine to form a substantially full circumferential (e.g., 350 to 360 degree) channel around the circular flange when the conduit section is positioned within the clamp 400 and the clamp is in a closed or clamped state. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner circumferential recesses 414, 424, 444 of each of the first, second, and third gland members 410, 420, 440 may each form approximately one-third (e.g., approximately 115 degrees to 120 degrees) of the circumferential channel. In other embodiments, the inner circumferential recess 444 of the third gland member 440 may form more or less than one-third of the circumferential channel, with the inner circumferential recesses 414, 424 of the first and second gland members 410, 420 combining to fill the remaining portion of the circumferential channel.

[0070] The inner circumferential recesses 414, 424, 444 may be provided with any suitable shape or contour. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate inner circumferential recesses 414, 424, 444 are configured to wedge the circular flanges toward each other and toward the gasket to form a sealing relationship, similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 7. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the arcuate inner circumferential recesses may include, for example, toothed, notched, or hollow structures (as evident in Figures 23 and 24) to conserve material when molding the gland members 410, 420, 440.

[0071] The exemplary first and second gland members 410, 420 further include handle portions 416, 426 that project radially outward from the gland member locking portions 412, 422 to provide a user-graspable or grippable portion for moving the gland members between the open and closed positions.

[0072] The ends 441, 442 of the third gland member 440 may include ribs or protrusions 445 that engage the rear edges 413c, 423c of the first and second gland clamping portions 413, 423 to resist movement of the first and second glands 410, 420 to the closed position, for example, to prevent loose pivotal movement of the gland members to the closed position.

[0073] To securely close the clamp 400 on the conduit section, a user can grasp and squeeze the first and second handles 416, 426 toward each other and pivot the first and second gland members 410, 420 at the hinge arrangement 401 until the end wall portions 412a, 422a of the catches 412, 422 abut (e.g., touch or closely opposing alignment) in the closed state, as shown in Figures 20-22. Once in the closed position, the illustrative first and second handles 416, 426 extend in the same general direction, such that the first and second handles are generally parallel to each other in the closed state of the clamp 400. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, the specific positioning and angling of the first and second handles may differ.

[0074] To securely hold the clamp 400 closed, the first and second gland members 410, 420 may utilize various releasable interlocking detent arrangements. In the illustrated embodiment, similar to the embodiment of Figures 14-18 (and as described in more detail above), each gland locking end 412, 422 includes at least one interlocking feature (e.g., detent) 418, 428 disposed on a flexible wall portion 417, 427 for interlocking engagement with a detent bearing interlocking wall portion 429, 419 of the locking end 422, 412 of the other gland member 420, 410, and has a lever portion 415, 425 that can be depressed by a user to deflect and disengage the at least one detent 418, 428 from the detent bearing interlocking wall portion 429, 419. 14-18, the lever portions 415, 425 may include tie-receiving loops 415a, 425a for holding the lever portions in tension to prevent unintended or undesired disengagement of the detents 418, 429a, 428, 429a until the securing tie is removed (e.g., cut) from the loop. In other embodiments (not shown), a three-part clamp otherwise similar to the clamp 400 of FIGS. 19-24 may utilize other interlocking, release, and locking arrangements, such as, for example, the interlocking and release arrangements of the clamps 100, 200 of FIGS. 2-7 and 8-13 described herein.

[0075] Each of the exemplary gland members 410, 420, 440 is integrally molded or otherwise formed as a single piece of plastic material, such as nylon. In such an embodiment, the hinge portions 411, 421, locking portions 412, 422, clamping portions 413, 423, handles 416, 426, flexible wall portions 417, 427, and lever portions 415, 425 of the first and second glands 410, 420 are a single piece of material that is flexible enough to allow flexing or pivoting movement of the flexible wall portions 417, 427 relative to the locking portions 412, 422, respectively, yet rigid enough to securely hold the circular flange of the conduit section in sealing engagement when the clamp 400 is in the closed position. The third gland ends 441, 442 and clamping portion 443 of the third gland are also a single piece of material. The specific materials and manufacturing methods for the gland members 410, 420 can be varied to suit the needs and preferences of the end user.

[0076] Additionally, the exemplary first and second grounding members 410, 420 may be molded or formed as identical or substantially identical gland components, for example, to allow for a single mold to be used to form both the first and second grounding members and to allow for storage of a single type of end gland member for combination with different third glanding members 440 to manufacture the clamp 400. As described above, when the glanding members are oriented for assembly (with the hinge portions 411, 421 facing the ends 441, 442 of the third glanding member 440), the pin portion 411a of the first glanding member 410 is aligned and received in the socket portion 441a of the first end 441 of the third glanding member, and the pin portion 421a of the second glanding member 420 is aligned and received in the socket portion 442a of the second end 442 of the third glanding member. Similarly, the detents 418, 428 of the first and second gland members 410, 420 are laterally and radially aligned with the detents 429a, 419a of the interlocking wall portions 429, 419 of the other gland member, causing the detents 418, 3429a, 428, 419a to flex into ratcheting interlocking engagement when the gland members are pivoted to the closed clamp position.

[0077] According to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the locking portions of the first and second gland members of the clamp may include reinforcements that engage with each other when the locking portions are abutted in the clamped position of the clamp, for example, to facilitate alignment of interlocking features (e.g., toothed detents) and / or to reinforce the locking portions against damage or accidental disengagement due to dropping or other such impacts. For example, a longitudinally extending protrusion from one of the locking portions of the first and second gland members may be slidably received within a longitudinally extending cavity in the other of the locking portions of the first and second gland members when the first and second gland members are moved to the clamped position. Such an arrangement may secure the first locking portion against radial movement relative to the second locking portion, for example, to maintain interlocking engagement of radially engageable interlocking features (e.g., toothed detents). In an exemplary embodiment using identical or substantially identical first and second gland members, each of the first and second gland members may include a longitudinally extending protrusion from a stop that is slidably received within a longitudinally extending cavity in the stop of the other of the first and second gland members.

[0078] 19-24, the locking portions 412, 422 of each gland member 410, 420 include longitudinally extending mating protrusion (e.g., tab) and cavity (e.g., notch) portions 412b, 422b, 412c, 422c engageable with the protrusion and cavity portions of the other gland member to facilitate proper radial alignment of the locking portions, for example, in the closed state of the clamp. As shown, the tabs 412b, 422b and notches 412c, 422c may be longitudinally tapered to facilitate engagement and alignment of the tabs and notches when the gland members are pivoted into the clamped position. Similar reinforcement portions may be provided in the other clamp embodiments shown and described herein.

[0079] In use, a user can move the clamp 400 to the closed position by grasping the handle portions 416, 426 and pulling (e.g., pushing, pulling, squeezing) the handle portions toward one another. This movement of the handle portions 416, 426 causes the locking ends 312, 322 of the first and second gland members 410, 420 to move relatively toward one another as a result of the pivotal connection at the hinge arrangement 401. During this pivotal movement, the reinforcing protrusions 412 b, 422 b of each locking portion 412, 422 are received in the reinforcing cavities 422 c, 412 c of the other locking portion, and the first gland member flexible wall detent 418 begins to snap over the second gland member interlocking wall detent 429 a, and the second gland member flexible wall detent 428 begins to snap over the first gland member interlocking wall detent 419 a. To this end, as the first and second gland members 410, 420 move toward one another from the open position of FIG. 19 to the closed, latched position of FIGS. 20-22, the interlocking detents 418, 429a and 428, 419a may slide along and past one another until abutting engagement between the end wall portions 412a, 422a of the stops 412, 422 or until sufficient clamping force is applied to the flange ends and gaskets (which may, but need not, correspond to contacting end wall portions). This clamping condition may also correspond to when the proximal-most of the flexible wall detents 418, 428 engages the proximal-most of the interlocking wall detents 429a, 419a. The close abutment or contact between the end wall portions 412a, 422a in this closed condition may provide substantially full-circumference (e.g., 350 to 360 degrees) engagement of the circular flanges. After the first and second handles 416, 426 are squeezed together to abut the end wall portions 412a, 422a of the first and second gland members 410, 420 in the closed position, the flexible wall detents 418, 428 may fully interlock with the interlocking wall detents 429a, 419a, thereby engaging the corresponding transverse rear surfaces of the toothed detents to hold the clamp 400 in the closed position.

[0080] To loosen or disassemble the clamp 400 from the conduit sections (e.g., to separate the conduit sections or to replace one or more of the conduit sections and gaskets), the lever portions 415, 425 are depressed to deflect and disengage the flexible wall detents 418, 428 from the interlocking wall detents 429a, 419a to allow movement of the first and second gland members 410, 420 to the open position.

[0081] Aspects of the present invention have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. a first grounding member including a first joining portion, a first locking portion, and a first clamping portion disposed between the first joining portion and the first locking portion; a second grounding member including a second joining portion, a second locking portion, and a second clamping portion disposed between the second joining portion and the second locking portion; A clamp comprising: the first and second joints are connected to move the first and second grounding members between an open position and at least one clamped position; the first latching portion is configured to cooperate with the second latching portion to secure the first and second grounding members in the at least one clamped position; the first and second locking portions further include corresponding first and second user-operable release portions independently operable to disengage one of the first and second locking portions from the other of the first and second locking portions to allow movement of the first and second grounding members to the open position; Clamp.

2. 2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second joining portions, the first and second engaging portions, and the first and second clamping portions of the first and second grounding members are substantially identical.

3. The clamp of claim 1 , wherein the first and second gland members are substantially identical.

4. 4. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second clamping portions define first and second inner circumferential recesses for receiving edges of the outer radial flange when the clamp is assembled with the outer radial flange.

5. The clamp of claim 4 , wherein the first and second inner circumferential recesses are shaped to receive a circular outer radial flange.

6. 6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first joint portion comprises a first hinge portion and the second joint portion comprises a second hinge portion, the first and second hinge portions being connected to pivotally move the first and second grounding members between the open position and the at least one clamped position.

7. The clamp of claim 6 , further comprising a hinge pin assembled with the first and second hinge portions to pivotally connect the first and second grounding members.

8. 7. The clamp of claim 6, wherein the first and second hinge portions each include a pin portion and a socket portion, the pin portion of each of the first and second hinge portions being received in the socket portion of the other of the first and second hinge portions to pivotally connect the first and second ground members.

9. 7. The clamp of claim 6, wherein the first hinge portion includes a first pin portion disposed on a first lateral side of the clamp and a first socket portion disposed on a second lateral side of the clamp, and the second hinge portion includes a second socket portion disposed on the first lateral side of the clamp and receiving the first pin portion, and a second pin portion disposed on the second lateral side of the clamp and received in the first socket portion.

10. 7. The clamp of claim 6, further comprising a third grounding member having a first end hingedly connected to the first hinge portion and a second end hingedly connected to the second hinge portion.

11. The clamp of claim 10 , wherein the third grounding member includes a third clamping portion disposed between the first and second ends.

12. 12. The clamp of claim 11, wherein the first, second, and third clamping portions each define approximately one-third of a circumferential channel.

13. 13. The clamp of claim 10, wherein the first and second ends of the third grounding member each include one of laterally opposed arcuate receptacles and laterally extending pin portions, and the first and second hinge portions each include the other of the laterally opposed arcuate receptacles and laterally extending pin portions, the laterally extending pin portions received in the laterally opposed arcuate receptacles for a hinge connection therebetween.

14. 14. The clamp of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second locking portions includes a flexible wall portion carrying at least one detent configured to interlock with the other of the first and second locking portions to secure the first and second gland members in the at least one clamped position, and wherein each of the first and second release portions is operable to move the corresponding flexible wall portion to deflect and disengage the at least one detent from the locking portion of the other of the first and second gland members to allow movement of the first and second gland members to the open position.

15. The clamp of claim 14 , wherein the at least one detent comprises a plurality of detents.

16. 16. The clamp of claim 14 or 15, wherein the at least one detent comprises a ratcheting detent that allows the first and second gland members to be advanced toward closer abutment of the first and second locking portions in a ratcheting manner without a user actuating the corresponding one of the first and second release portions.

17. A clamp according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the at least one detent comprises tapered teeth.

18. 18. The clamp of claim 14, wherein the at least one detent of each of the first and second grounding members is configured to interface with the flexible wall of the other of the first and second grounding members.

19. 20. The clamp of claim 18, wherein the at least one detent on each of the first and second gland members is configured to interlock with the at least one detent on the other of the first and second gland members.

20. 18. The clamp of claim 14, wherein the at least one detent on each of the first and second grounding members is configured to interlock with a rigid wall of the locking portion of the other of the first and second grounding members.

21. The clamp of any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the at least one detent on each of the first and second gland members projects radially inward.

22. The clamp of any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the at least one detent on each of the first and second gland members protrudes laterally.

23. 21. The clamp of claim 14, wherein the at least one detent of the first gland member projects radially inward and the at least one detent of the second gland member projects radially outward.

24. A clamp according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein the first and second release portions each comprise a lever portion extending from the corresponding flexible wall portion.

25. 25. The clamp of claim 24, wherein the lever portion of each of the first and second gland members projects radially outward.

26. 26. The clamp of claim 24 or 25, wherein the lever portion of each of the first and second gland members projects laterally outward.

27. 27. The clamp of claim 24, wherein the lever portion of the first gland member is depressible radially outward to deflect and disengage the corresponding at least one detent from the locking portion of the second gland member.

28. 28. The clamp of claim 24, wherein the lever portion of the second gland member is depressible radially inward to deflect and disengage the corresponding at least one detent from the locking portion of the first gland member.

29. A clamp as described in any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein the lever portion of each of the first and second grounding members is depressible away from the locking portion of the other of the first and second grounding members to deflect and disengage the corresponding at least one detent from the locking portion of the other of the first and second grounding members.

30. 30. A clamp as described in any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein when the first and second gland members are moved to the at least one clamping position, a longitudinally extending protrusion of the first catch is slidingly received within a longitudinally extending cavity of the second catch to secure the first catch against radial movement relative to the second catch.

31. 31. A clamp as described in any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein when the first and second gland members are moved to the at least one clamping position, a longitudinally extending protrusion of the second catch is slidingly received within a longitudinally extending cavity of the first catch to secure the first catch against radial movement relative to the second catch.

32. 32. The clamp of claim 1, wherein user operation of either of the first and second user-operable releases enables movement of the first and second grounding members from the at least one clamped position to the open position.

33. 32. The clamp of claim 1, wherein user operation of both the first and second user-operable releases is required to enable movement of the first and second grounding members from the at least one clamped position to the open position.

34. a first grounding member including a first hinge portion, a first locking portion, and a first clamping portion disposed between the first hinge portion and the first locking portion; a second grounding member including a second hinge portion, a second locking portion, and a second clamping portion disposed between the second hinge portion and the second locking portion; A clamp comprising: the first and second hinge portions are connected to pivotally move the first and second grounding members between an open position and at least one clamped position, the first hinge portion including a first pin portion disposed on a first lateral side of the clamp and a first socket portion disposed on a second lateral side of the clamp, the second hinge portion including a second socket portion disposed on the first lateral side of the clamp and receiving the first pin portion, and a second pin portion disposed on the second lateral side of the clamp and receiving the first socket portion; the locking portion of each of the first and second grounding members is configured to interlock with the locking portion of the other of the first and second grounding members to secure the first and second grounding members in the at least one clamped position. Clamp.

35. 35. The clamp of claim 34, wherein the first and second hinge portions, the first and second locking portions, and the first and second clamping portions are substantially identical.

36. 35. The clamp of claim 34, wherein the first and second gland members are substantially identical.

37. 37. A clamp according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the first and second clamping portions define first and second inner circumferential recesses for receiving edges of the outer radial flange when the clamp is assembled with the outer radial flange.

38. 38. The clamp of claim 37, wherein the first and second inner circumferential recesses are shaped to receive a circular outer radial flange.

39. 39. The clamp of any one of claims 34 to 38, wherein each of the first and second locking portions includes a user-operable release portion independently operable to disengage the corresponding locking portion from the other of the first and second locking portions to allow movement of the first and second gland members to the open position.

40. 40. The clamp of claim 39, wherein each of the first and second catches includes a flexible wall portion carrying at least one detent configured to interlock with the other of the first and second catches to secure the first and second gland members in the at least one clamped position.

41. 41. The clamp of claim 40, wherein each user-operable release is operable to move the corresponding flexible wall portion to deflect and disengage the at least one detent from the other of the first and second locking portions to allow movement of the first and second grounding members to the open position.

42. 42. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 41, wherein when the first and second gland members are moved to the at least one clamping position, a longitudinally extending protrusion of the first catch is slidingly received within a longitudinally extending cavity of the second catch to secure the first catch against radial movement relative to the second catch.

43. 43. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 42, wherein when the first and second gland members are moved to the at least one clamping position, a longitudinally extending protrusion of the second catch is slidingly received within a longitudinally extending cavity of the first catch to secure the first catch against radial movement relative to the second catch.

44. a first grounding member including a first joining portion, a first locking portion, and a first clamping portion extending longitudinally between the first joining portion and the first locking portion; a second grounding member including a second joining portion, a second locking portion, and a second clamping portion extending longitudinally between the second joining portion and the second locking portion; A clamp comprising: the first and second joints are connected to move the first and second grounding members between an open position and at least one clamped position; When the first and second grounding members are moved to the at least one clamped position, an interlocking feature of the first latch interlocks with an interlocking feature of the second latch to secure the first and second gland members in the at least one clamped position; a longitudinally extending projection of the first catch pivotally received within a longitudinally extending cavity of the second catch to secure the first catch against radial movement relative to the second catch; Clamp.

45. 45. The clamp of claim 44, wherein the first and second joining portions, the first and second locking portions, and the first and second clamping portions of the first and second grounding members are substantially identical.

46. 45. The clamp of claim 44, wherein the first and second gland members are substantially identical.

47. 47. A clamp according to any one of claims 44 to 46, wherein the first and second clamping portions define first and second inner circumferential recesses for receiving edges of the outer radial flange when the clamp is assembled with the outer radial flange.

48. 48. The clamp of claim 47, wherein the first and second inner circumferential recesses are shaped to receive a circular outer radial flange.

49. 49. The clamp of any one of claims 44 to 48, wherein the first joint portion comprises a first hinge portion and the second joint portion comprises a second hinge portion, the first and second hinge portions being connected to pivotally move the first and second grounding members between the open position and the at least one clamped position.

50. 50. The clamp of claim 49, further comprising a hinge pin assembled with the first and second hinge portions to pivotally connect the first and second gland members.

51. 50. The clamp of claim 49, wherein the first and second hinge portions each include a pin portion and a socket portion, the pin portion of each of the first and second hinge portions being received in the socket portion of the other of the first and second hinge portions to pivotally connect the first and second grounding members.

52. 50. The clamp of claim 49, wherein the first hinge portion includes a first pin portion disposed on a first lateral side of the clamp and a first socket portion disposed on a second lateral side of the clamp, and the second hinge portion includes a second socket portion disposed on the first lateral side of the clamp and receiving the first pin portion, and a second pin portion disposed on the second lateral side of the clamp and received in the first socket portion.

53. 50. The clamp of claim 49, further comprising a third grounding member having a first end hingedly connected to the hinge portion of the first grounding member and a second end hingedly connected to the hinge portion of the second grounding member.

54. 54. The clamp of claim 53, wherein the third grounding member includes a third clamping portion disposed between the first and second ends.

55. 55. The clamp of claim 54, wherein the first, second, and third clamping portions each define approximately one-third of a circumferential channel.

56. 56. The clamp of any one of claims 53 to 55, wherein the first and second ends of the third grounding member each include one of laterally opposed arcuate receptacles and laterally extending pin portions, and the first and second hinge portions each include the other of the laterally opposed arcuate receptacles and laterally extending pin portions, the laterally extending pin portions being received in the laterally opposed arcuate receptacles for a hinge connection therebetween.

57. 57. A clamp according to any one of claims 44 to 56, wherein the longitudinally extending projections are longitudinally tapered.

58. 58. A clamp as described in any one of claims 44 to 57, wherein when the first and second grounding members are moved to the at least one clamping position, a longitudinally extending protrusion of the second catch is slidingly received within a longitudinally extending cavity of the first catch to secure the first catch against radial movement relative to the second catch.

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