Tool-less joiner clamp

• Main Authors: Slocum, Daryl B, Veilleux, II, Douglas L, Charles, David F, Toupin, Corey S
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.12.2022
• Subjects: BLASTING; DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS ORMACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS,CLIPS, WEDGES, JOINTS OR JOINTING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A tool-less joiner clamp includes a hinged circular body having a forward mating flange and an aft mating flange configured to selectively attach to a forward section flange and an aft section flange of an underwater vehicle, respectively. The forward mating flange has a threaded inner diameter configured to integrate with a threaded outer diameter of the forward section flange, such that rotating the joiner clamp about the forward section flange causes the clamp to move in an axial direction. Also included is a cam lock for selectively closing and tightening the tool-less joiner clamp onto the forward and aft section flanges of the vehicle and may include a quick release mechanism for opening the cam lock. The clamp may also include collapsible handles, and multiple buttons configured to press against a flat surface of the aft mating flange when the joiner clamp is rotated about the forward section flange.