Pipe clamp

Abstract

"Pipe clamp" The present invention refers, according to one example, to a pipe clamp comprising a base portion extending in a linear direction. The base portion comprises a channel in which the pipe is positioned when inserted into the pipe clamp. The pipe clamp further includes two wall portions extending from the longitudinal edges of the base portion. The pipe clamp also comprises a curved flexible support element. The flexible support element includes a fixed end and a movable end. The fixed end is rigidly attached to the inner surface of the wall portions. The flexible element is made such that it extends in a curved manner, initially extending outward from the inner surface of the wall portion, and eventually curving inward toward the wall portion into the recess.

Description

1 / 10 PIPE CLAMP FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to cylindrical tubes or conduits that can be used for the transfer and transport of gaseous or liquid substances from one point to another. Such conduits can be routed through a flat area or, in certain cases, can also be routed through various architectural structures. In either case, these conduits can be attached to a rigid surface by means of clamps. These clamps ensure that the conduit is secured and supported. Such clamps can initially be attached or fixed to a surface that will provide support, and then the conduit can be inserted or installed inside the clamp.

[002] Such conduits may be repaired in the event of any defects or may be subjected to routine maintenance. In other cases, the conduits may be routed through a different conduit path, whereby the clamps and conduits may be removed from their original path and then subsequently installed according to a desired path. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[003] A detailed description is provided below with reference to the attached figures, in which:

[004] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and a perspective view of a pipe clamp according to an implementation of the matter of the present invention;

[005] Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the pipe clamp according to an implementation of the matter of the present invention; and

[006] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a pipe clamp with a pipe at different stages of insertion according to an implementation of the matter of the present invention. Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, page 8 / 35 2 / 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[007] Conduits or pipes can be used for the transfer of gaseous or liquid substances from one location to another. In specific circumstances, these conduits (otherwise also referred to as pipes) may also be used to house electrical wires. Pipes may be supported by, or attached to, rigid structures by means of clamps. In certain cases, pipes may be replaced or reinstalled for repair or maintenance, or in situations where the pipe has to be routed through a different pipe path. In these cases, the pipe may be extracted or removed from the clamps. Extraction of the pipe almost always makes it susceptible to damage. For example, forced removal of the pipe may cause punctures in the pipe, which will render it unusable. In other situations, the pipe may be removed by disassembling or breaking the clamp.As a result, a new clamp will need to be installed, which will prolong the repair or maintenance procedure.

[008] Furthermore, considerable effort may be required during the installation and securing of the pipe in the pipe clamp. For example, substantial insertion forces may be applied to force the pipe into the pipe clamp. These large insertion forces will also tend to have an adverse impact on the structural integrity of the pipes to be installed. The application of high insertion forces to the pipes may result in damage that may become apparent during pipe operation. In addition, certain clamps may be suitable for solid or rigid pipes, while other types of clamps may be required for flexible pipes, such as hoses or Bundy tubes, and cannot be used interchangeably.

[009] Examples of a pipe clamp are described below. For installation purposes, the pipe is inserted into the pipe clamp. In one example, the clamp Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, page 9 / 35 3 / 10 of the pipe comprises a base portion extending in a linear direction. The base portion, in turn, further comprises a channel in which the pipe is positioned when inserted into the pipe clamp. The channel is made in such a way that it extends along the length of the base portion. The pipe clamp further includes two wall portions. The wall portions extend from the longitudinal edges of the base portion. The wall portion extends in a direction perpendicular to an imaginary plane in which the base portion is present. The wall portions together with the base portion define an insertion space. During installation, the pipe is inserted through the insertion space and positioned within the channel. In one example, the wall portion further includes a recess. The pipe clamp further comprises a curved flexible support element. The flexible support element includes a fixed end and a movable end.The fixed end is rigidly attached to the inner surface of the wall portions. The flexible element is made in such a way that it extends in a curved and concave manner, initially extending outward from the inner surface of the wall portion, and eventually curving inward toward the wall portion into the recess. In one example, the pipe clamp is made of a material, for example, nylon or polyoxymethylene. It should be noted that other materials may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. In yet another example, the pipe clamp may also include features that will allow the pipe clamp to be rigidly attached to a surface. Examples of such features include, but are not limited to, a pin, a rod, or an edge locking device.Other examples could also be included, without departing from the scope of application of the subject matter of the present invention.

[010] As will be described and explained in the following paragraphs, installing pipes inside the pipe clamp requires a small amount of force. Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, p. 10 / 35 4 / 10 section. Furthermore, the curved surface of the flexible support element is unlikely to cause damage to the pipes installed in the pipe clamp. According to one example, the pipe clamp can be used for installing and routing pipes under the body of an automobile. These and other aspects are described in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the examples as described are merely illustrative and in no way intended to limit the scope of application of the present invention.

[011] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and a perspective view, respectively, of an exemplary pipe clamp 100. The pipe clamp 100 comprises wall portions 102, 104. The wall portions 102, 104 are supported by a base portion 106. Both the wall portions 102, 104 and the base portion 106 extend in a linear direction. The wall portions 102, 104 are made such that they extend perpendicularly with respect to an imaginary plane on which the base portion 106 rests. The base portion 106 is further provided with a channel 108. The channel 108 extends along the length of the base portion 106. The channel 108 is adapted and therefore configured in such a way that it can accommodate a tube that must be inserted into the tube clamp 100.According to one example, channel 108 may be of a semi-cylindrical shape and may have dimensions that conform to the dimensions of the tube that will eventually be positioned inside the tube clamp 100. It can also be noted that channel 108 may have any shape, without thereby deviating from the scope of application of the subject matter of the present invention. Each of the wall portions 102, 104 further includes the end surfaces 110, 112 (indistinctly referred to as surfaces 110, 112). The tube clamp 100 may further include recesses 114, 116 in the wall portions 102, 104, respectively. The recesses 114, 116, in turn, include the locking elements 118, 120, respectively. Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, p. 11 / 35 5 / 10

[012] The pipe clamp 100 also includes the flexible support elements 122, 124. The flexible support elements 122, 124 are provided on the wall portions 102, 104, respectively. According to one example, a greater number of flexible support elements, such as flexible support elements 122, 124, may be provided along the lengths of wall portions 102, 104. In the present example, flexible support elements 122, 124 are positioned on their respective wall portions 102, 104, such that the position of one of the flexible support elements, for example, flexible support element 122, on wall portion 102 corresponds to the position of the other flexible support element 124 on wall portion 104. For example, flexible support element 122 and flexible support element 124 are therefore positioned so that they are equidistant from surfaces 110, 112, respectively.

[013] A more detailed description and explanation will be provided below with respect to the flexible support element 122. Since the flexible support elements 122, 124 are positioned identically on the inner surfaces of the wall portions 102, 104, the description applicable to the flexible support element 122 may also be considered pertinent to the flexible support element 124. In the present example, the flexible support element 122 comprises a fixed end 126, which is fully and rigidly coupled to the surface 110, and also comprises a movable end 128. The flexible support element 122, in this case, further extends along a concave and curved path and terminates at the movable end 128 which rests in the recess 114.In a similar manner, the flexible support element 124 also extends from its respective wall portion 104, with its length following a curved path and ending in a movable end 130, within the recess 116. The wall portions 102, 104 and the base portion. Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, page 12 / 35 6 / 10 106 define an insertion space 132 within the pipe clamp 100, through which the pipe is inserted. It should be noted that when a pipe is not inserted into the pipe clamp 100, the movable end 128 engages with the locking element 118. When a pipe is inserted into the pipe clamp 100, the pipe is propelled against the flexible support elements 122, 124. As the pipe moves further through the insertion space 132, it flexes or deforms the flexible support elements 122, 124, thus providing a suitable passage for the pipe. According to one example, the pipe clamp is made of a material such as nylon or polyoxymethylene. It should be noted that other materials may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[014] Although only two flexible support elements 122, 124 are illustrated, according to an example, a larger number of flexible support elements may also be present, without this representing a deviation from the scope of application of the subject matter of the present invention. For example, Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a pipe clamp 100. In the example as illustrated, the pipe clamp 200 may include the flexible support elements 122, 124, 202. In the example as illustrated, the flexible support elements 122, 202 are both positioned on the inner surface of the wall portion 102. According to an example, the flexible support elements 122, 202 may be positioned in such a way that they are aligned with respect to a geometric axis parallel to the base portion 106.Although not visible in the figure, the pipe clamp 200 may also include another flexible support element in a position opposite to the flexible support element 202 and positioned on the inner surface of the wall portion 104. Although the present example illustrates two pairs of flexible support elements, it should be noted that the pipe clamp 200 may include other flexible support elements along its length. Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, page 13 / 35 7 / 10 ment, without thereby deviating from the scope of the subject matter of the present invention. According to another example, the pipe clamp may also include features that will allow the pipe clamp to be rigidly fixed to a predetermined surface. Examples of such features include, but are not limited to, a pin, a rod, or an edge locking device. Other examples may also be included without thereby deviating from the scope of the subject matter of the present invention.

[015] Figure 3 provides an enlarged view of the movable end 128 of a pipe clamp, such as the pipe clamp 100, according to an example of the material of the present invention. As illustrated, the flexible support element 122 of the pipe clamp 100 extends and terminates at the movable end 128. The movable end 128 may further include a fitting element 302. The fitting element 302 may be made such that it remains in contact and engaged with the locking element 118. According to one example, the fitting element 302 may be formed as a triangular protrusion. It should be noted that the fitting element 302 may be of a variety of shapes, without thereby departing from the scope of application of the material of the present invention.As will be explained in the sections that follow, the locking element 118 can also define the manner in which the flexible support element 122 extends when a tube is inserted into the tube clamp 100. According to one example, the locking element 118 is manipulable using a tool, for example, a screwdriver, in order to disengage the locking element 118 and the fitting element 302. The operation and workings of the tube clamp 100 will be described in more detail, along with Figures 3 and 4.

[016] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a pipe clamp, such as a pipe clamp 100, in various stages of operation as a pipe, for example, pipe 402, is inserted into the pipe clamp 100. It should be noted that the Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, p. 14 / 35 Figures 8 / 10 illustrate a portion of the 402 tube. The length of the 402 tube may vary depending on the application for which the 402 tube is intended. Therefore, various pipe clamps, such as the 100 pipe clamp, may be used to secure the 402 tube.

[017] Again with reference to Figures 4A and 4B, the tube 402 to be inserted may be placed in close proximity to the tube clamp 100. The tube 402 may initially come into contact with the flexible support element 122 and with the flexible support element 124 (illustrated in Figure 4A). At this stage, it should be noted that the flexible support element 122 and the flexible support element 124 are in their non-flexed position, with the movable end 128 remaining fitted into the locking element 118. As the tube 402 continues to move into the insertion space 132, it comes into contact with the flexible support element 122 and the flexible support element 124. As the tube 402 is pushed against the flexible support element 122 and the flexible support element 124, the shape of the flexible support element 122 and the flexible support element 124 will flex.As the flexible support elements 122, 124 flex, they will move from their initial positions (illustrated by dashed lines) to their stretched positions. The stretching of the flexible support elements 122, 124 will result in an opening to the size that conforms to the size of the tube 402. In Figure 4B, the position of the tube 402 as it is pushed against the flexible support elements 122, 124 is also illustrated as a dashed line.

[018] The flexible support elements 122, 124, as they flex, will move into recesses 114, 116, respectively. For example, the movable end 128 of the flexible support element 122 moves into recess 114. At this stage, the movable end 128 moves laterally into and towards recess 114. Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, page 15 / 35 9 / 10 base 106. As the flexible support element 122 flexes, it disengages from the locking element 118. According to an example, the locking element 302 (not shown in Figure 4B) disengages from the locking element 118. Although the flexible support element 122 flexes, its length continues to remain in contact with the locking element 118. Similarly, the flexible support element 124 and its movable end 130 also move into the recess 116. Once the tube 402 passes through both the flexible support element 122 and the flexible support element 124, the tube 402 is accommodated within the channel 108. With the flexible support elements 122, 124 no longer in contact, the flexible support elements 122, 124 will assume their initial positions, as illustrated by the lines. dotted lines.

[019] As will be understood, the flexible support elements 122, 124 move and provide an opening when the tube 402 has to be inserted. This flexibility will allow the tube 402 to be inserted into the insertion space 132 with lower insertion forces. Despite this lower insertion force required to insert the tube 402, the flexible support element 122 of the tube clamp 100 will maintain the grip of the tube 402 when it is inserted. This may also be the case when the tube 402 has to be extracted from the tube clamp 100. In these cases, the extraction forces required will be greater than the insertion forces for inserting the tube 402 into the tube clamp 100. These greater extraction forces are the result of the action of the flexible support element 122. For example, extraction should involve dragging the tube 402 out of the tube clamp 100.As soon as this drag begins, tube 402 will press against the portions of the flexible support element 122 that are closest to the base portion 106. The pressing of tube 402 causes the flexible support elements 122, 124 to move outward from the base portion. However, due to the interlocking of the locking element 118 with the fitting element provided at the end... Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, page 16 / 35 10 / 10 mobile unit 128, the flexible support elements 122, 124 will not flex and, consequently, will not provide a suitable opening through which the tube 402 can pass. As a result, removing the tube 402 from the tube clamp 100 may require a greater extraction force than the force required to insert the tube 402 into the tube clamp 100.

[020] Since the required insertion force is lower, the 402 tube will be less susceptible to deformation forces and, consequently, less likely to be damaged during an installation process. Furthermore, due to the greater amount of extraction force required to remove the 402 tube from the 100 tube clamp, the 402 tube will be much more secure against any movement that may occur. According to an example, the locking element 118 is manipulable using a tool to disengage the locking element 118 and the fitting element 302. Once the locking element 118 is disengaged, the flexible support element 122 can be loosened to allow the 402 tube to be removed from the 100 tube clamp.

[021] Although aspects beyond examples have been described in specific language with respect to the structural features and / or methods of the present invention, the subject matter described is not necessarily limited to such aspects and / or methods as presented. Instead, the specific aspects are presented only as examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope of application of the subject matter described in the present invention. Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, p. 17 / 35

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Pipe clamp (100), CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a base portion (106) extending in a linear direction; a channel (108) provided over the base portion (106), wherein the channel (108) extends along a length of the base portion (106), with the channel (108) being adapted so as to receive a pipe (402); a wall portion (102) and another wall portion (104), each comprising an inner surface with a recess (114, 116), wherein the wall portion (102) and the other wall portion (104) extend from both ends of the base portion (106) in a direction which is perpendicular to a plane in which the base portion (106) is present, with the wall portion (102), the other wall portion (104) and the base portion (106) defining an insertion space (132);and a curved flexible support element (122, 124) with a fixed end (126) and a movable end (128), wherein the fixed end (126) is fixed to one wall portion (102) and to the other wall portion (104), and with the length of the curved flexible support element (122, 124) extending from the fixed end (126) into the insertion space (132) with the flexible support element (122, 124) curving in a concave path, with the movable end (130) being present in the recess (116).

2. Pipe clamp (100), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the recess (114, 116) houses a locking element (188, 120).

3. Pipe clamp (100), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the material of the pipe clamp (100) is one of nylon or polyoxymethylene. Petition 870260071118, dated 07 / 17 / 2026, page 18 / 35 2 / 3 4. Pipe clamp (100), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the inner surface of one wall portion (102) is opposite and faces the inner surface of the other wall portion (104), and in that the wall portion (102) and the other wall portion (104) are provided with a flexible support element (122) and another flexible support element (124), with one position of the flexible support element (122) on the wall portion (102) corresponding to one position of the other flexible support element (124) provided on the other wall portion (104).

5. Pipe clamp (100), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the channel (108) is of a semi-cylindrical shape with dimensions based on the dimensions of the pipe (402) to be accommodated in the pipe clamp (100).

6. Pipe clamp (100), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the pipe clamp (100) is further provided with a fastening means in order to rigidly fix the pipe clamp (100) to a predetermined surface.

7. Tube clamp (100), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the movable end (128) of the flexible support element (122, 124) undergoes lateral movement inward and towards the base portion (106), and in that the movement occurs after a tube (402) is inserted into the insertion space (132), abutting against the flexible support element (122, 124).

8. Pipe clamp (100), according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the movable end (128) of the flexible support element (122, 124) further comprises a fitting element (302), wherein the fitting element (302) is adapted so as to fit and lock into the locking element (118, 120) so as to limit the movement of the flexible support element (122, 124) into the insertion space (132).

9. Pipe clamp (100), according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the movement of the flexible support element (122, 124) is limited so as to prevent the movement of the flexible support element (122, 124) into the insertion space (132) by the fitting element (302) and the locking element (118, 120).

10. Pipe clamp (100), according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the locking element (118, 120) is manipulable by means of a tool so as to disengage the locking element (118, 120) and the fitting element (302), in order to allow the extraction of the pipe (402) from the pipe clamp (100). Petition 870260071118, dated 17 / 07 / 2026, p. 20 / 35

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