PROFILE CLAMP

Abstract

The invention relates to a profiled clamp having a first profiled clamp half and a second profiled clamp half, by means of which two flange parts can be connected to each other while applying an axial force, wherein a first tightening head is formed at an end of the first clamp half and a second tightening head is formed at an end of the second clamp half in order to form a tightening device, wherein the ends of the clamp halves, which are located opposite the tightening heads, are connected to one another by means of an articulated connection. The articulated connection is formed from a flat strip section which has been machined mechanically or by using forming techniques. As a result, the flat strip section has an increased flexibility and / or a defined flexibility adapted to the intended application and can thus be mounted in a simpler manner.

Description

[0001] Profile clamp

[0002] The invention relates to a profile clamp with a first profiled clamp section and with a second profiled clamp section and optionally with at least one further profiled clamp section, with which two flange parts can be connected to one another by applying an axial force, wherein a first clamping head is formed at one end of the first clamp section and a second clamping head is formed at one end of the second clamp section to form a clamping device, wherein the ends of the clamp sections opposite the clamping heads are connected to one another or to at least one further clamp section by means of an articulated connection.

[0003] Profile clamps are reliable and well-known connecting elements for use in industry and automotive construction. Profile clamps are designed, for example, for the fluid-tight connection of two axially adjacent pipe or hose ends, which usually have radially outward-facing connecting flanges. The profile clamp is then placed on the corresponding flanges, whereby radial and axial holding forces are introduced by tightening the profile clamp. WO 2008 / 102116 A2 discloses a profile clamp having two profiled clamp halves. The profiling of the clamp halves is designed such that a triangular, roof prism, or trapezoidal shape is used to connect two flange parts. When a circumferential force is applied to the clamp halves, the two flange parts are connected to one another, generating an axial force.The profile clamp has a clamping device consisting of a first clamping head and a second clamping head, each of which is located at the end of one of the clamp halves. The two clamping heads are connected to each other with a screw element, so that the profile clamp is clamped by tightening the screw element.

[0004] The two clamp halves are connected diametrically opposite the clamping device with a connecting element, often made of spring steel. The connecting element is welded to the respective ends of the clamp halves. The spring properties of the connecting element create a flexible connection between the two clamp halves, allowing them to be opened and closed during clamp assembly and ensuring they are permanently connected.

[0005] DE 102016 103 988 A1 describes a further example from the prior art, which is also shown in Figure 1. The first clamp half 10 and the second clamp half 11 are connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of an articulated connection 14 in the form of a flat band section 15. The flat band section 15 is made of the same material and merges into the respective clamp halves 10 and 11 in one piece. A hole 26 is located in the center of the flat band section 15. The flat band section 15 is flexible so that the two clamp halves 10 and 11 can be moved towards and away from one another without damaging the flat band section 15 or requiring excessive force. When the nut 20 is tightened on the screw element 18, the two pressure lugs 19 come into contact with one another.

[0006] The object of the invention is to further develop a profile clamp for connecting two flange parts while applying the highest possible axial force. Furthermore, the profile clamp is to be simplified in design so that the profile clamp can be manufactured more easily and consists of fewer individual parts.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a profile clamp according to claim 1. Further embodiments are the subject of the subclaims or described below.

[0008] The profile clamp according to the invention has a first profiled clamp section, a second profiled clamp section, and optionally at least one further profiled clamp section, with which two flange parts can be connected to one another by applying an axial force. The profile clamp according to the invention preferably has two or three profiled clamp sections. A first clamping head is formed at one end of the first clamp section, and a second clamping head is formed at one end of the second clamp section to form a clamping device. The ends of the clamp sections opposite the clamping heads are connected to one another by means of an articulated connection, or the ends of the clamp sections opposite the clamping heads are connected to another clamp section by means of articulated connections.The articulated connection is formed by means of a mechanically or forming-technically processed flat band section, which is integrally connected to the clamp sections and has a defined flexibility.

[0009] In a first embodiment, the profile clamp according to the invention has two profiled clamp sections and has a first profiled clamp half and a second profiled clamp half, with which two flange parts can be connected to one another by applying an axial force. A first clamping head is formed at one end of the first clamp half and a second clamping head is formed at one end of the second clamp half to form a clamping device, wherein the ends of the clamp halves opposite the clamping heads are connected to one another by means of an articulated connection. The articulated connection is formed by means of a mechanically or forming-technically processed flat strip section which is connected in one piece to the clamp halves and has a defined flexibility, wherein the mechanical or forming processing increases the flexibility compared to an unmachined flat strip section.

[0010] In an alternative second embodiment, the profile clamp according to the invention has three profiled clamp sections. The first profiled clamp section is connected to a first end of a third profiled clamp section by means of a first articulated connection at the end of the first clamp section opposite the clamping head, and the second profiled clamp section is connected to a second end of a third profiled clamp section by means of a second articulated connection at the end of the second clamp section opposite the clamping head.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the profile clamp according to the invention can also be designed with four or more clamp sections, wherein the clamp sections, except for the first and second clamp sections, are connected at both ends to the adjacent clamp sections by means of an articulated connection. The material of the flat band section merges into the material of the clamp halves in one piece, i.e., in a single piece and uniformly, so that both clamp halves are connected to one another in one piece. In one embodiment, the profile clamp according to the invention, including the clamping head, consists of a single piece of band material.

[0012] Mechanical or forming processing of the flat strip section leads to increased flexibility in the area of ​​the articulated connection. Suitable methods for mechanical or forming processing include bending, embossing, hammering, rolling, and machining processes, preferably milling, bending, rolling, or grinding. The material thinning during machining processes or the geometric change during bending can achieve a defined rigidity and increase flexibility compared to the unprocessed flat strip section. This allows the profile clamp according to the invention to be installed, preferably by hand, without mechanical aids.

[0013] In one variant, the flexibility is increased by thinning the material, for example by embossing, hammering, rolling or machining processes, in particular milling or grinding. In this embodiment, the machined flat strip section has a reduced material thickness in the sheet thickness direction, transverse to the circumferential direction, compared to the clamp halves. The flat strip section preferably has an embossing or milling by which the reduced material thickness was created. The flat strip section has the reduced material thickness at least in a partial area in the circumferential direction of the clamp band, preferably centered, or over the entire length of the flat strip section. For example, the flat strip section has a reduced material thickness over its entire length. In one variant, the material thinning is achieved by lengthening the material, e.g. by rolling or embossing the flat strip section.In this case, the flat strip section is not only thinned but also longer than the unprocessed, not yet thinned material section. Alternatively, the flat strip section has one or more notches to thin the material. The notches preferably have a V-shaped or a U-shaped cross-section. Both cross-sectional shapes can also be combined. The notches each extend transversely to the circumferential direction of the clamp across the entire material width of the flat strip section. The notches do not penetrate the sheet thickness, but remove material from the top side of the flat strip section, thereby thinning it. The underside of the flat strip section remains unchanged in this embodiment and has no notches.

[0014] In another variant, the increased flexibility is achieved by geometrically modifying the flat strip section, for example, by bending it. In this variant, the mechanically or forming-processed flat strip section has a radially outward or axially inward curved shape, with the curved shape having an I-shaped or V-shaped cross-section.

[0015] According to the invention, both variants can also be combined, so that the flat strip section has a material thinning and a geometric change of the flat strip section. The material thinning can also be formed in the form of a U- or V-shaped cross-section and not extend over the entire length of the flat strip section. The specific material thinning can be introduced either towards the radially inward or radially outward side of the flat strip section.

[0016] According to the invention, "inside" is understood to be directed toward the center of the profile clamp. According to the invention, "outside" is understood to be directed outward from the profile clamp, away from the center. "Axial" means aligned along the longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axis running through the circular center of the profile clamp in the direction of the pipes to be connected.

[0017] The clamp sections or clamp halves are designed as inwardly open hollow profiles and preferably have a trapezoidal, triangular, or roof structure. The total surface of the clamp sections or clamp halves results when the trapezoidal, triangular, or roof structure of the clamp halves is unfolded into a flat structure. The total surface thus formed has a greater width than the width of the flat strip section. If the edges of the flat total surface are bent towards the clamp sections or clamp halves to create the triangular, trapezoidal, or roof edge shape, the taper of the flat strip section can be dimensioned such that a consistent width of the profile clamp results between the clamp sections and the flat strip section - in the radially projected view, even though the flat strip section has no profiling.

[0018] The articulated connection is formed from a flat band section with a shape that is bent axially outwards or axially inwards; the shape has either a U-shaped or a V-shaped profile. The flat band section has no profiling and is flat transversely to the circumferential direction of the clamp sections. The bend of the flat band section occurs around the axis of the transverse direction of the flat band section. The long sides of the flat band section do not bend towards each other, which is why it is referred to as flat in the axial direction. The flat band section is a section with an extension in the circumferential direction. In one variant of the profile clamp according to the invention, the flat band section has a taper formed by lateral edge incisions compared to the total surface of the profiled clamp halves.

[0019] In one embodiment of the flat strip section with a geometric change, the flat strip section has a radially outwardly curved shape. The radially outwardly curved shape has a U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section. Radially outwardly curved means that the flat strip section has a greater distance from the longitudinal axis in the area of ​​the shape than in the non-curved area.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the flat strip section with a geometric change, the flat strip section has a radially inwardly curved shape. The radially inwardly curved shape has a U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section. Radially inwardly curved means that the flat strip section has a smaller distance from the longitudinal axis in the area of ​​the shape than in the non-curved area.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the flat band section with a geometric change, the curved formation has a U-shaped cross-section, preferably in the form of a symmetrical U-profile. In one variant, the flat band section can be formed from three sections. The flat band section then has a first flat section, a second flat section, and a U-shaped curved formation, with the U-shaped formation connecting the two flat sections. The two flat sections are each integrally formed on one of the two clamp halves.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the flat band section with a geometric change, the curved formation has a V-shaped cross-section, preferably in the form of a symmetrical V-profile. In one variant, the flat band section can be formed from three sections. The flat band section then has a first flat section, a second flat section, and a V-shaped curved formation, with the V-shaped formation connecting the two flat sections. The two flat sections are each integrally formed on one of the two clamp halves.

[0023] In a three-section design, the flat band section is preferably designed as follows: A first flat section is integrally formed with a first clamp half. At the end opposite the first clamp half, the first flat section transitions into a U-shaped or V-shaped formation that extends inward or outward along the longitudinal axis of the profile clamp. At the end opposite the first flat section, the curved formation transitions into a second flat section. The second flat section is integrally formed with the second clamp half at its opposite end.

[0024] The flat band section can be pre-tensioned so that the clamp halves are essentially closed to each other, so that the two clamping heads face each other. This simplifies assembly, as the two clamping heads can be easily gripped, for example, to close the clamping device with a screw element.

[0025] The two clamping heads are connected with a screw element, so that the profile clamp is tensioned by tightening the screw element. Clamping is achieved, for example, with a nut, preferably a self-locking nut, on a screw element. When the nut is tightened, the two pressure lugs come into contact with each other in the version with a clamping lug. The clamping force in the final state is defined quite precisely by the dimensions of the clamp. Errors due to excessive or insufficient clamping force cannot occur with a correct clamp design.

[0026] In one embodiment of the profile clamp according to the invention, the first clamping head has a rectangular passage through which a screw element with a complementary rectangular shoulder can be inserted. This prevents the screw element from twisting when inserted into the first clamping head. The screw element can be screwed to the rear of the second clamping head with a screw nut, whereby the screw nut is screwed onto the screw element to close the clamping device. The screw element is preferably screwed with a self-locking screw nut.

[0027] To apply a high closing force using the clamping device, pressure lugs are optionally provided on the end faces of the clamping heads. These lugs can be brought into contact with each other when a screw element is tightened. This prevents, in particular, bending of the clamping heads at the transition to the clamp sections and ensures that the clamping heads remain parallel to each other, resulting in better clamping of the clamping heads. The clamping force that can be applied by the clamping device can thus be increased, with an increased closing force leading to a greater circumferential force in the clamping heads, which is transmitted through the inventive articulated connection via the flat band section.

[0028] The flange parts can optionally have an indentation. This indentation allows the profile clamp to be positioned on the flange in the direction of rotation, as a curved recess on the profile clamp engages with the indentation on the flange. This prevents the profile clamp from rotating in the circumferential direction when tightening the connecting element of the two clamping heads, for example, when tightening a screw element. Because the curved recess engages with the indentation on the flange, movement of the profile clamp relative to the flange is prevented.

[0029] In one embodiment, a hole is made in the flat strip section. The hole is preferably made in a flat strip section with a thinned material. The hole can be round, square or oval. The hole can be used to define the positioning of the profile clamp on the flange in the direction of rotation by means of a projection on the flange assigned to the hole engaging in the hole. If the hole is elongated in the circumferential direction, for example oval, the hole in conjunction with the projection offers a certain range of rotation, for example for adjusting the profile clamp. An additional advantage is achieved that the profile clamp cannot rotate on the flange in the circumferential direction, or can only rotate to a very limited extent, when tightening the connecting element of the two clamping heads, for example when tightening a screw element.

[0030] The hole is particularly designed such that it has a dimension of, for example, 3 mm to 8 mm in a main direction, while a secondary direction perpendicular to the main direction is smaller and has a dimension of, for example, 2 mm to 4 mm. A corresponding projection on the flange, in particular on one of the two flange parts to be connected, can be adapted to the dimensions of the hole.

[0031] The flat band section is designed to be flexible, allowing the two clamp halves or adjacent clamp sections to be moved toward and away from each other. Designing the articulated connection as a flat band section with a U-shaped or V-shaped configuration results in reduced flexural rigidity, allowing the clamp halves or clamp sections to be bent toward each other, preferably without plastic deformation, by means of a preferably elastic deformation of the flat band section, without damaging the flat band section. The curved configuration gives the flat band section increased flexibility, or a defined flexibility adapted to the intended application, and is therefore easier to install.

[0032] Compared to previously used connecting elements, such as a ring-shaped connection with hooked ends of the clamp halves, a one-piece articulated connection with a U-shaped or V-shaped configuration or defined thinning allows very large circumferential forces to be applied to the clamp sections, allowing the flange parts to be connected with a higher axial force. Furthermore, the production of the profile clamp is simplified because the clamp sections, the clamping heads, and the articulated connection can be manufactured from a single component, starting from a flat strip material, without the need for additional joining steps.This flat strip material is manufactured through appropriate punching and bending operations into the two clamp halves with the intermediate flat strip section and the U / V-shaped shape or thinning to form the articulated connection, or into the three clamp sections with the intermediate flat strip sections and the U / V-shaped shape or thinning to form the articulated connections. The profile clamp according to the invention offers simple and quick assembly and is designed for high clamping forces.

[0033] The profile clamp according to the invention can be used for various applications. The profile clamp according to the invention is preferably used in the field of motor vehicle turbochargers. For example, a connection between a turbine housing and a central housing of the turbocharger can be secured with the profile clamp according to the invention.

[0034] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0035] Fig. 1 a profile clamp according to the prior art,

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in one embodiment,

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment,

[0038] Fig. 4 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment with flange parts,

[0039] Fig. 5 a section through one clamp half,

[0040] Fig. 6 a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment,

[0041] Fig. 7 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment and Fig. 8 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment.

[0042] In Fig. 1, a profile clamp 1 according to the prior art is shown, as described above.

[0043] Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of a profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. The profile clamp 1 has a first clamp half 10 and a second clamp half 11. The clamp halves 10 and 11 are connected to one another in an articulated manner by an articulated connection 14. Clamping heads 12 and 13 are integrally formed on the clamp halves 10 and 11. The clamping heads 12 and 13 are integrally formed on the clamp halves 10 and 11 opposite the articulated connection 14. Through holes are provided in the clamping heads 12 and 13, with a passage 17 being formed in the first clamping head 12 and a passage 25 being formed in the second clamping head 13. A pressure lug 19 is located at the free ends of the first and second clamping heads 12 and 13.The two pressure lugs 19 can be brought into contact with each other by tightening a nut on a screw element (both not shown) in order to achieve an improved clamping situation of the clamp halves 10 and 11 to each other.

[0044] The articulated connection 14 is designed as a flat band section 15 with a protrusion 16. The protrusion 16 is directed axially outward and has a U-shaped cross-section. Fig. 2b shows an enlarged section of the profile clamp from Fig. 2a in the area of ​​the articulated connection 14. The flat band section 15 is integrally formed with a first flat section 30 on the second clamp half 11. At the end opposite the first clamp half 10

[0045] 27, the first flat section 30 transitions into a U-shaped recess 31, which extends outward in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the profile clamp 1. At the end 28 opposite the first flat section 30, the U-shaped recess 31 transitions into a second flat section 32. The second flat section 32 is integrally formed at its opposite end onto the first clamp half 10. Fig. 2c schematically shows the shape of the articulated connection 14 from Fig. 2b.

[0046] Fig. 3a shows a perspective view of a profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment. The articulated connection 14 is designed as a flat band section 15 with a formation 16 which is directed radially outwards and has a V-shaped cross-section. Fig. 3b shows an enlarged section of the profile clamp from Fig. 3a in the area of ​​the articulated connection 14. The flat band section 15 is formed onto the second clamp half 11 with a first flat section 30. At the end 27 opposite the first clamp half 10, the first flat section 30 merges into a V-shaped formation 33 which extends radially outwards. At the end opposite the first flat section 30

[0047] 28, the V-shaped formation 33 merges into a second flat section 32. The second flat section 32 is integrally formed at its opposite end onto the first clamp half 10.

[0048] Fig. 4a shows a perspective view of a profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a third embodiment. The articulated connection 14 is designed as a flat band section 15 with a formation 16 that is directed radially inward and has a V-shaped cross-section. Arranged inside the profile clamp 1 are two flange parts 29 of two pipes to be connected, which are enclosed by the clamp halves 10, 11. In the area of ​​the articulated connection 14, the flange has an indentation 35. The indentation 35 is designed as a recess in the flange 29, into which the V-shaped formation 16 engages and thus prevents movement of the profile clamp in the circumferential direction relative to the flange. Fig. 4b shows an enlarged section of the profile clamp from Fig. 4a in the area of ​​the articulated connection 14. The flat band section 15 is formed onto the first clamp half 10 with a first flat section 30.At the end 27 opposite the first clamp half 10, the first flat section 30 transitions into a V-shaped recess 34 that extends radially inward. At the end 28 opposite the first flat section 30, the V-shaped recess 33 transitions into a second flat section 32. The second flat section 32 is integrally formed on the second clamp half 11 at its opposite end.

[0049] Fig. 5 shows a section through the first clamp half 10 along line AA' in Fig. 2a. It can be seen that the clamp half has a trapezoidal profile. The trapezoidal profile is formed by the legs 40 and 42 and the base section 41. The base section 41 connects the two legs 40 and 42 to each other.

[0050] Fig. 6a shows a perspective view of a profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment. The articulated connection 14 is designed as a flat band section 15 with a thinned material portion 21. Fig. 6b shows an enlarged section of the profile clamp from Fig. 6a in the area of ​​the articulated connection 14. The flat band section 15 has a lower material thickness than the clamp halves. The dashed line 22 indicates the material thickness of the clamp half and serves only to illustrate the thinned material portion 21. The thinned material portion extends, in the form shown, over the entire length of the flat band section 15. Alternatively, the thinned material portion can also be designed in the form of a U- or V-shaped cross-section and not extend over the entire length of the flat band section.The specific material thinning can be introduced either toward the radially inward or radially outward side of the flat band section. Fig. 6c shows an alternative embodiment of the flat band section 15 with material thinning. The flat band section in Fig. 6c has two adjacent material thinnings: a notch 22 with a V-shaped cross-section and a notch 23 with a U-shaped cross-section. The notches are each designed as transverse grooves transverse to the circumferential direction of the clamp across the entire material width of the flat band section.

[0051] Fig. 7a shows a perspective view of a profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment. The articulated connection 14 is, as in the profile clamp shown in Fig. 6, also designed as a flat band section 15 with a thinned material section 21. Fig. 7b shows an enlarged section of the profile clamp from Fig. 7a in the area of ​​the articulated connection 14. The flat band section 15 has a smaller material thickness than the clamp halves in the form of a thinned material section 21. The dashed line 2T illustrates the material thickness of the clamp half and serves only to illustrate the thinned material section 21. Due to the material thinning with rollers, the length L of the flat band section 15 has also been extended. The material band section 15 in Figs. 7a and 7b is therefore longer than the thinned material band section in Figs. 6a and 6b.

[0052] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment with three clamp sections. The profile clamp 1 has a first profiled clamp section 10, a second profiled clamp section 11, and a third profiled clamp section 50. The first clamp section 10 is pivotally connected to the third clamp section 50 at its first end 51 by a first pivotal connection 14a. The second clamp section 11 is pivotally connected to the third clamp section 50 at its second end 52 by a second pivotal connection 14b. The clamping heads 12 and 13 are integrally formed on the clamp sections 10 and 11 opposite the third clamp section 50. Through holes are provided in the clamping heads 12 and 13, with a passage 17 being formed in the first clamping head 12 and a passage 25 being formed in the second clamping head 13.A pressure lug 19 is located at each of the free ends of the first and second clamping heads 12 and 13. The two pressure lugs 19 can be brought into contact with each other by tightening a nut 20 on a screw element 18 to achieve improved clamping of the clamp sections 11 and 12. The two articulated connections 14a, 14b are designed as a flat band section 15 with a material taper 21.

[0053] The invention is not limited to one of the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in a variety of ways. All features and advantages apparent from the claims, the description, and the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. Reference symbols

[0054] Profile clamp first clamp half second clamp half first clamping head second clamping head articulated connection

[0055] Flat belt section

[0056] Forming

[0057] passage

[0058] screw element

[0059] Pressure lug self-locking screw nut

[0060] Material thinning

[0061] V-shaped notch

[0062] Notch, U-shaped

[0063] Bottom edge

[0064] passage

[0065] End of the first flat section

[0066] End of the second flat section

[0067] Flange part first flat section

[0068] U-shaped shape second flat section

[0069] V-shaped shape

[0070] U-shaped design

[0071] indentation

[0072] leg

[0073] Base section

[0074] Leg third clamp section first end of the clamp section second end of the clamp section

Claims

Claims Profile clamp (1) with a first profiled clamp section (10) and with a second profiled clamp section (11) and optionally with at least one further profiled clamp section (50), with which two flange parts can be connected to each other by applying an axial force, wherein a first clamping head (12) is formed at one end of the first clamp section (10) and a second clamping head (13) is formed at one end of the second clamp section (11) to form a clamping device, wherein the ends of the clamp sections (10, 13) opposite the clamping heads (12, 13) 11) are connected to each other or to at least one further clamp section (50) by means of a hinged connection (14), characterized in that the hinged connection (14) is formed by means of a mechanically or forming-processed flat strip section (15) which is integrally connected to the clamp halves and has a defined flexibility. Profile clamp (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the profile clamp has two profiled clamp sections as profiled clamp halves and the first profiled clamp section (10) is a first profiled clamp half (10) and the second profiled clamp section (11) is a second profiled clamp half (11) and the ends of the clamp halves (10, 11) opposite the clamping heads (12, 13) are connected to each other by means of a hinged connection (14).Profile clamp (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the profile clamp has three profiled clamp sections and the first profiled clamp section (10) is connected at the end of the clamp section (10) opposite the clamping head (12) by means of a first hinged connection (14) to a first end of a third profiled clamp section (50), and the second profiled clamp section (11) is connected at the end of the clamp section (11) opposite the clamping head (13) by means of a second hinged connection (14) to a second end of a third profiled clamp section (50). Profile clamp (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flat strip section (15) has a reduced material thickness in the sheet thickness direction compared to the clamp sections.Profile clamp (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the flat strip section (15) has an embossing (21) or milling (21) or rolling process by which the reduced material thickness was produced.

6. Profile clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat strip section (15) has at least one notch (22,23) with a U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section through which the reduced material thickness was created.

7. Profile clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat band section (15) has a radially outwardly or radially inwardly bent shape (16) and the bent shape (16) has a U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section.

8. Profile clamp (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the flat band section (15) has a radially outwardly curved shape (16).

9. Profile clamp (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the flat band section (15) has a radially inwardly curved shape.

10. Profile clamp (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the curved shape (16) has a U-shaped cross-section.

11. Profile clamp (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the flat band section (15) has a first flat section (30), a second flat section (32) and a U-shaped projection (31, 34), wherein the U-shaped projection (31) connects the two flat sections (30, 32) together, wherein the flat sections are each formed on one of the two clamp halves (10, 11).

12. Profile clamp (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the curved shape (16) has a V-shaped cross-section.

13. Profile clamp (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the flat band section (15) has a first flat section (30), a second flat section (32) and a V-shaped projection (33), wherein the V-shaped projection (31) connects the two flat sections (30, 32) together, wherein the flat sections are each formed on one of the two clamp halves (10, 11).

14. Profile clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that pressure tabs (19) are formed on the end sides of the clamping heads (12, 13) which come into contact with each other when a screw element (18) is tightened.

15. Profile clamp (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the screw element (18) is screwed to a self-locking screw nut (20). - 16 - Profile clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first clamping head (12) has a rectangular passage (17) through which a screw element (18) with a complementary rectangular shoulder can be inserted.