The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 28, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 03, 2003
Mark R. Vaughn, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Everett S. Hafenrichter, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Agapito C. Chapa, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Steven M. Harris, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Marcus J. Martinez, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Roy S. Baty, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Mark R. Vaughn, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Everett S. Hafenrichter, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Agapito C. Chapa, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Steven M. Harris, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Marcus J. Martinez, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Roy S. Baty, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Sandia Corporation, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Abstract
A system for clamping two tubular members together in an end-to-end relationship uses a split ring with a V-shaped outer rim that can engage a clamping surface on each member. The split ring has a relaxed closed state where the ends of the ring are adjacent and the outside diameter of the split ring is less than the minimum inside diameter of the members at their ends. The members are clamped when the split ring is spread into an elastically stretched position where the ring rim is pressed tightly against the interior surfaces of the members. Mechanisms are provided for removing the spreader so the split ring will return to the relaxed state, releasing the clamped members.