Clamp for stopping gas leaks

Abstract

A clamp attachable to a vehicle for remotely stopping gas leaks in a gas line is provided. The clamp includes a first boom having a first end, a second end and a pipe engaging portion adjacent the second end. The first boom is provided with a mounting portion adjacent the first end operable to couple the clamp to a mounting structure for manipulating the clamp. The clamp also includes a second boom having a first end, a second end and a pipe engaging portion adjacent the second end. The first and second booms are coupled such that the pipe engaging portions of the first and second booms are positioned to cooperate about a leak portion of a pipe. The clamp has an actuator to selectively engage the first and second pipe engaging portions about the leak portion of the pipe.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A clamp for stopping a leak in a gas line, the clamp comprising: 
 a first boom having a first end, a second end, and a pipe engaging portion adjacent the second end; and    a second boom having a first end, a second end and a pipe engaging portion adjacent the second end, wherein 
 the first and second booms are coupled such that the pipe engaging portions of the first and second booms are positioned to cooperate about a leak portion of a pipe, and  
 the first end of the first boom can be moved apart from the first end of the second boom, thereby allowing selective engagement of the first and second pipe engaging portions about the leak portion of the pipe.  
   
     
     
         2 . The clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp comprises: 
 a vehicle operable for manipulating the clamp and wherein a portion of the first boom is coupled to a portion of the vehicle.    
     
     
         3 . The clamp of  claim 2 , where the clamp further comprises: 
 a controller remotely located from the clamp and operably coupled to control manipulation of the clamp.    
     
     
         4 . The clamp of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an actuator operable to move the first end of the first boom apart from the first end of the second boom, thereby allowing the selective engagement of the first and second pipe engaging portions about the leak portion of the pipe.    
     
     
         5 . The clamp of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator is coupled to at least one of the first and second booms.  
     
     
         6 . The clamp of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator is coupled to both the first and second booms.  
     
     
         7 . The clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling between the first and second booms is a hingeable coupling.  
     
     
         8 . The clamp of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a hingeable coupling between the first and second booms.    
     
     
         9 . A clamp for stopping a leak in a gas line, the clamp comprising: 
 a first boom having a first end, a second end, and a pipe engaging portion adjacent the second end;    and    a second boom having a first end, a second end and a pipe engaging portion adjacent the second end, wherein 
 the first and second booms are hingeably coupled such that the pipe engaging portions of the first and second booms are positioned to cooperate about a leak portion of a pipe, and  
 the hingeable coupling is adjacent the pipe engaging portions of the first and second booms.  
   
     
     
         10 . The clamp of  claim 9 , wherein the hingeable coupling allows the first end of the first boom to be moved apart from the first end of the second boom, thereby allowing selective engagement of the first and second pipe engaging portions about the leak portion of the pipe.  
     
     
         11 . The clamp of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 an actuator operable to move the first end of the first boom apart from the first end of the second boom.    
     
     
         12 . The clamp of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 an actuator operable to allow a selective engagement of the first and second pipe engaging portions about the leak portion of the pipe.    
     
     
         13 . The clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator is coupled to at least one of the booms.  
     
     
         14 . The clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator is coupled to the first and second booms.  
     
     
         15 . The clamp of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a vehicle operable for manipulating the clamp and wherein a portion of the first boom is coupled to a portion of the vehicle.    
     
     
         16 . The clamp of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a controller remotely located from the clamp and operably coupled to control manipulation of the clamp.    
     
     
         17 . A clamp for stopping a leak in a gas line, the clamp comprising: 
 a first boom having a first end, a second end and a pipe engaging portion adjacent the second end;    a first coupling portion provided between the first and second ends of the first boom;    a second boom having a first end, a second end and a pipe engaging portion adjacent the second end, the first and second booms coupled such that the pipe engaging portions of the first and second booms are positioned to cooperate about a leak portion of a pipe;    a second coupling portion provided between the first and second ends of the second boom, the second coupling portion of the second boom coupled to the first coupling portion of the first boom; and    an actuator operably coupled to at least one of the first and second booms to selectively engage the first and second pipe engaging portions about the leak portion of the pipe, the actuator coupled to at least one of the first and second booms between the first ends of the first and second booms and the coupling of the first coupling portion of the first boom to the second coupling portion of the second boom.    
     
     
         18 . The clamp of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling of the first coupling portion of the first boom to the second coupling portion of the second boom is a hingeable coupling.  
     
     
         19 . The clamp of  claim 17 , wherein the hingeable coupling allows the first end of the first boom to be moved apart from the first end of the second boom, thereby allowing selective engagement of the first and second pipe engaging portions about the leak portion of the pipe.  
     
     
         20 . The clamp of  claim 17 , wherein the actuator is coupled to the first and second booms.