Clamp connection and release device

Abstract

A release bracket for an inline releasable plug and socket type connection comprises a collar having a forward end, a rear end and defining an opening having an axis. An inline plug or socket component is slidably accommodated in the opening of the collar, the plug or socket component having a forward end and a rear end. A handle having a first end is pivotally connected to the collar for rotation about the pivotal connection, and a bracket is pivotally connected at one of its ends to the plug or socket component and pivotally connected at an opposing end thereof to the handle. When the handle is rotated about its pivotal connection to the collar, the collar and the plug or socket component move relative to each other between a first position where the forward end of the plug or socket component is a distance from the forward end of the collar and a second position where the plug or socket component is a greater distance from the forward end of the collar.

1 . A clamp for an inline connector having a male and a female component, the clamp comprising: 
 a first sleeve member having a peripheral portion defining an opening for receiving and holding the male or female component;    a second sleeve member adjacent the first sleeve member, the second sleeve member having an opening therein which is adjacent the opening in the first sleeve member;    a handle having a first end pivotally connected to the first sleeve member for rotation about the pivotal connection;    a bracket member pivotally connected to the second sleeve member at one end thereof and pivotally connected to the handle at another end thereof;    wherein rotation of the handle about its pivotal connection to the first sleeve member moves the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member relative to each other between a first position where the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member are closer to each other and a second position where the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member are further apart from each other.    
   
   
       2 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first sleeve member is a ring member and defines a circular opening for receiving and holding the male or female component.  
   
   
       3 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the second sleeve member is of a cylindrical shape and defines a circular opening adjacent the circular opening of the ring member.  
   
   
       4 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 1  wherein first sleeve member has a recess therein for centering the male or female component within the opening.  
   
   
       5 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 1  wherein second sleeve member has a cut out portion therein for centering the male or female component within the opening.  
   
   
       6 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the handle comprises a pair of parallel end portions each of which connect at one end thereof pivotally to the first sleeve member, a pair of tapering portions extending from the end portions, and a pair of parallel handle portions extending from the tapering portions, the handle portions being connected to each other at ends thereof remote from the tapering portions by a U-shaped member.  
   
   
       7 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 6  wherein each end portion has an aperture therein, the first sleeve member has a pair of threaded bores therein each of which registers with one of the apertures, and a bolt connects the end portion to the first sleeve member by passing through the aperture of the end portion and threadedly engaging the threaded bore in the first sleeve member.  
   
   
       8 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the tapering portions are downwardly angled with respect to the handle portions, and the end portions are downwardly angled with respect to the tapering portions.  
   
   
       9 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the handle portion includes an aperture therein for use in establishing the pivotal connection between the handle and the bracket member.  
   
   
       10 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the bracket member comprises a pair of parallel first end portions each of which connect at one end thereof pivotally to the second sleeve member, a pair of tapering portions extending from the end portions, and a pair of parallel second end portions extending from the tapering portions.  
   
   
       11 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 10  wherein each first end portion of the bracket member has an aperture therein, the second sleeve member has a pair of threaded bores therein each of which registers with one of the apertures, and a bolt connects the first end portion to the second sleeve member by passing through the aperture of the first end portion and threadedly engaging the threaded bore in the second sleeve member.  
   
   
       12 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 1  wherein-the tapering portions are downwardly angled with respect to the second end portions, and the first end portions are linear with respect to the tapering portions.  
   
   
       13 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each of the second end portions include an aperture therein for use in establishing the pivotal connection between the handle and the bracket member.  
   
   
       14 . A clamp as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the second sleeve member has a leading edge which is configured so as to engage with a body accommodating the female or male component.  
   
   
       15 . A clamp comprising: 
 a housing member defining an opening for receiving and holding a component;    an abutment member adjacent the housing member;    a handle having a first end pivotally connected to the housing member;    a bracket member pivotally connected to the abutment member at one portion thereof and pivotally connected to the handle at another portion thereof;    wherein rotation of the handle about its pivotal connection to the housing member moves the housing member and the abutment member relative to each other between a first position and a second position where the housing member and the abutment member are further apart from each other than in the first position.    
   
   
       16 . A method for connecting and disconnecting an inline coupling having a male and female component, the method comprising: 
 locating a first sleeve member, having a peripheral portion defining an opening for receiving and holding the male or female component, adjacent a second sleeve member, the second sleeve member having an opening therein adjacent the opening in the first sleeve member;    pivotally connecting a handle having a first end to the first sleeve member for rotation about the pivotal connection;    pivotally connecting a bracket member to the second sleeve member at one end thereof and to the handle at another end thereof; and    rotating the handle about its pivotal connection to the first sleeve member to move the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member relative to each other between a first position where the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member are closer to each other and a second position where the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member are further apart from each other.    
   
   
       17 . A release bracket for an inline releasable plug and socket type connection, the release bracket comprising: 
 a collar having a forward end, a rear end and defining an opening having an axis;    an inline plug or socket component which is slidably accommodated in the opening of the collar, the plug or socket component having a forward end and a rear end;    a handle having a first end pivotally connected to the collar for rotation about the pivotal connection;    a bracket member pivotally connected at one end thereof to the plug or socket component and pivotally connected at an opposing end thereof to the handle;    wherein rotation of the handle about its pivotal connection to the collar moves the collar and the plug or socket component relative to each other between a first position where the forward end of the plug or socket component is a distance from the forward end of the collar and a second position where the plug or socket component is a greater distance from the forward end of the collar.    
   
   
       18 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the collar is a ring member and defines a circular opening for receiving and holding the plug or socket.  
   
   
       19 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the plug or socket is of a cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       20 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 17  wherein collar has a recess therein for centering the plug or socket within the opening.  
   
   
       21 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 17  wherein plug or socket has a cut out portion therein for centering the plug or socket within the opening.  
   
   
       22 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the handle comprises a pair of parallel end portions each of which connect at one end thereof pivotally to the collar, a pair of tapering portions extending from the end portions, and a pair of parallel handle portions extending from the tapering portions, the handle portions being connected to each other at ends thereof remote from the tapering portions by a U-shaped member.  
   
   
       23 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 22  wherein each end portion has an aperture therein, the collar has a pair of threaded bores therein each of which registers with one of the apertures, and a bolt connects the end portion to the collar by passing through the aperture of the end portion and threadedly engaging the threaded bore in the collar.  
   
   
       24 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the tapering portions are downwardly angled with respect to the handle portions, and the end portions are downwardly angled with respect to the tapering portions.  
   
   
       25 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the handle portion includes an aperture therein for use in establishing the pivotal connection between the handle and the bracket member.  
   
   
       26 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the bracket member comprises a pair of parallel first end portions each of which connect at one end thereof pivotally to the plug or socket, a pair of tapering portions extending from the end portions, and a pair of parallel second end portions extending from the tapering portions.  
   
   
       27 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 26  wherein each first end portion of the bracket member has an aperture therein, the plug or socket has a pair of threaded bores therein each of which registers with one of the apertures, and a bolt connects the first end portion to the plug or socket by passing through the aperture of the first end portion and threadedly engaging the threaded bore in the plug or socket.  
   
   
       28 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the tapering portions are downwardly angled with respect to the second end portions, and the first end portions are linear with respect to the tapering portions.  
   
   
       29 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 28  wherein each of the second end portions include an aperture therein for use in establishing the pivotal connection between the handle and the bracket member.  
   
   
       30 . A release bracket as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the plug or socket has a leading edge which is configured so as to engage with a socket or plug.