Granted Patent B2

US 8,087,699 · App. 12/105,541 · Granted Jan 3, 2012

Abstract

Claims (27)

1. A cover bracket for holding a clamp having a screw housing in place on a hose without contaminating the screw housing with adhesive comprising:

a cover portion configured to receive a screw housing;

a first runner and a second runner connected to one another by the cover portion, each of the first and the second runners including a hose contacting surface;

wherein the first runner includes a channel in the hose contacting surface, the channel having an aperture extending through the first runner to an exterior of the first runner.

2. The cover bracket of claim 1 wherein the aperture extends to an exterior surface of the first runner opposite the hose contacting surface.

3. The cover bracket of claim 1 wherein the aperture is tapered.

4. The cover bracket of claim 1 wherein the aperture is larger at the exterior surface than where the aperture enters the channel.

5. The cover bracket of claim 1 wherein the channel runs the full length of the first runner.

6. The cover bracket of claim 5 wherein the ends of the channel are open to the exterior of the first runner.

7. The cover bracket of claim 1 wherein the channel is positioned within the hose contacting surface such that hose contacting surface surrounds the channel.

8. The cover bracket of claim 1 wherein the hose contacting surface is angled such that when the hose contacting surface is pressed against a hose the adhesive is forced outward away from the screw and screw housing.

9. The cover bracket of claim 1 wherein the hose contacting surface is curved to fit against the curvature of a hose.

10. A method for attaching a cover bracket to a hose and clamp assembly comprising the steps of:

a) providing a hose with a clamp having a band and a screw housing positioned thereon;

b) providing a cover bracket comprising:

a cover portion configured to receive the screw housing;

a first runner and an opposing second runner connected to one another by the cover portion;

wherein the first runner includes a hose contacting surface and a channel in the hose contacting surface, the channel having an aperture extending through the first runner to an exterior of the first runner;

c) placing the cover bracket over the screw housing so that the hose contacting surfaces of the first and second runners are in contact with the hose; and

d) feeding an adhesive through the aperture so that the adhesive fills the channel.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of holding the cover bracket against the hose until the adhesive sets to adhere the cover bracket to the hose.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the aperture is tapered for feeding the adhesive into the channel.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the aperture is larger at the exterior surface than where the aperture enters the channel.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of feeding the adhesive through the aperture is performed before the step of placing the cover bracket over the screw housing.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the channel is positioned within the hose contacting surface such that the hose contacting surface surrounds the channel.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the hose contacting surface is angled such that the adhesive is forced outward away from the screw and screw housing when placing the cover bracket over the screw housing.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the hose contacting surface is curved to fit against the curvature of a hose.

Assignments (11)