Pipe Clamp Keeper Mechanism Prevents Bolt Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clamp assemblies face issues where tightening elements can become loosened and fall out during the tightening process, requiring additional assistance and prolonging the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A pipe clamp assembly with a keeper mechanism that secures the tightening elements, featuring a cover portion with straddling legs and bent tabs to prevent them from falling out of their mounting openings, allowing for easier and quicker tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tightening elements are installed in open holes during clamping, then the clamping operation can be performed, but the tightening elements can become loosened and fall out during tightening, requiring additional assistance and prolonging the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper is pre-installed on the holder before the tightening element is inserted. This preliminary action creates a retaining structure that prevents the tightening element from falling out during the tightening operation, eliminating the need for additional assistance and reducing the overall procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The keeper acts as an intermediary component between the holder and the tightening element. It provides a retaining structure that holds the tightening element in place during operation, solving the problem of bolts falling out without requiring additional personnel or complex mechanisms.
2Productivity
If tightening elements are installed in open holes during clamping, then the clamping operation can be performed, but additional personnel are required to hold bolts in place
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper structure provides self-retaining functionality for the tightening element. The bent tabs extend into the holder aperture to automatically hold the tightening element in place without requiring external assistance, making the system self-sufficient and improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The keeper serves as an intermediary retaining mechanism that eliminates the need for additional personnel. By inserting the bent tabs into the holder aperture, it creates a self-contained system where the tightening element is automatically retained during the clamping operation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~3
AI summary
A pipe clamp assembly (10) including a band (12) having an inner annular seal element (14) wrappable around a pipe, opposing clamp members (16) extending from the band (12), tightening elements (20) for clamping together the clamp members (16), the tightening elements (20) passing through holders (24) located at ends of the clamp members (16), and a keeper (30) fastened to one of the holders (24) at a first end (22) of at least one of the tightening elements (20), the keeper (30) having a cover portion (32) that lies over the first end (22).