Buckling prevention of ear clips

Abstract

The invention relates to a belt clip comprising a clamping belt (10) having an outer belt section (12) and an inner belt section (14), the outer belt section (12) comprising at least one opening (16a-16c) and an ear-like fastening structure (18) having two radially outwardly extending legs (30, 32) and a web (34) interconnecting the outer ends of the legs (30, 32), and a tongue groove (20) wherein the web (34) comprises a recess (36) to prevent buckling of the inner belt section (14), the recess (36) includes at least one hook (22a-22c) and a tongue portion (28), where, in a pre-assembled configuration of the band clip, the hook (22) engages in an opening (16a-16c) in an end of the outer clamping band (10) and an end of the tongue (28) engages in the tongue groove (20), and the tongue (28) is configured to move into the tongue groove when the clip is fastened by narrowing the ear-like fastening structure (18). In order to reduce the risk of buckling, it is proposed that the inner belt section (14) comprises a longitudinal rib (24) configured to be arranged under the recess (36) of the web (34) in a pre-assembled configuration wherein at least an end portion (24a) of said rib (24) has a continuously decreasing height towards the tongue (28) and / or a point (26) protruding towards the outer belt section (12) is provided at a shoulder portion of the inner belt section (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a belt clamp according to the preamble of claim 1 Background Art

[0002] Document US 10036499 B2 discloses an ear clamp configured to correspond to a tube by being dimensioned to seal the tube against an object inserted into the tube, wherein the ear clamp comprises a clamping band including an ear-shaped fastening structure.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 3,235,925A and U.S. Patent No. 4,222,155A disclose additional ear clips.

[0004] Belt clips of the type claimed have the risk of exhibiting so-called buckling, in which the portion of the inner belt arranged under the ear-like fastening structure buckles instead of sliding under the outer belt portion when the clip is tightened. In order to solve this problem, it is known to provide a recess in the web portion of the ear-like fastening structure, so that the convex inner back surface of the recess holds the belt portion downward when the belt is tightened.

[0005] However, while the dent reduces the risk of buckling, it does not completely eliminate the risk. This applies in particular to medical grade clamps, which are degreased so that the surface exhibits a greater coefficient of friction, which increases the force pushing the band to buckle and therefore increases the risk of buckling. Therefore, the known solutions are not always satisfactory. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention seeks to further reduce the risk of buckling of a belt clamp having ear-like fastening structures.

[0007] This problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention relates to a band clamp comprising a clamping band having an outer band section and an inner band section, the outer band section comprising at least one opening and an ear-shaped fastening structure having two radially outwardly extending legs and a web interconnecting the outer ends of the legs and a tongue groove, wherein the web comprises a recess for preventing bending of the inner band section, the inner band section comprising at least one hook and a tongue, wherein in a pre-assembled configuration of the band clamp, the hook engages in the opening in the outer clamping band section, the end of the tongue engages in the tongue groove, and the tongue is configured to be moved into the tongue groove when the clamp is tightened by narrowing the ear-shaped fastening structure.

[0009] It is proposed that the inner belt segment comprises a longitudinal rib configured to be arranged under the depression of the web in the pre-assembled configuration, wherein at least the end portion of the rib has a height that decreases continuously towards the tongue. Although the rib has a dual effect of reinforcing the portion of the inner belt with the rib and reducing the friction of the outer belt during the tightening movement of the clamp, the starting point of the rib risks creating a collision point and thus buckling when the lower knee portion of one of the legs of the ear-shaped tightening structure moves beyond this point. The continuous height reduction creates a slope that helps the leg to slide smoothly onto the rib.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of the end portion of the rib decreases linearly over a length corresponding to at least twice the width of the rib. More preferably, the height of the end portion of the rib decreases linearly over a length corresponding to at least one-third of the ear-shaped fastening structure in an unfastened configuration.

[0011] It is also proposed that the inner belt end comprises a shoulder at which the width of the belt is reduced from the full belt width to the reduced width of the tongue, wherein a point is provided at the shoulder protruding toward the outer belt end, wherein the position of the center of the point in the longitudinal direction of the belt is provided at a portion where the width of the belt is greater than the reduced width of the tongue. The point creates a gap between the inner and outer belt segments at the entrance portion of the tongue groove. This reduces friction and, while the point further strengthens the root portion of the tongue, reduces the risk of buckling.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a longitudinal end of the rib opposite to the end portion of the rib having a reduced height is configured to be arranged under one of the legs of the ear-like fastening structure in the unfastened configuration.

[0013] It is further proposed that the clamping band is degreased. It has surprisingly been found that the problem of buckling can be avoided by the modification proposed by the inventors even if the band is degreased, as a result of which the coefficient of friction encountered when closing the clamp increases.

[0014] Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The entire specification, claims and drawings disclose the features of the invention in specific embodiments and combinations. A person skilled in the art will also consider the features individually and combine them into further combinations or sub-combinations to adapt the invention as defined in the claims to their needs or specific fields of application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings show the following:

[0016] Figure 1 is a belt clip according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a pre-assembled, non-fastened configuration;

[0017] Figure 2 is based on Figure 1 A detailed view of the ear-shaped fastening structure of the belt clip;

[0018] Figure 3a It is based on a point Figure 1 and Figure 2 A top view of the inner belt end of the fixture, and

[0019] Figure 3b is based on Figure 1 and Figure 2 Side view of the inner band segment of the fixture.

[0020] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A belt clip according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The band clamp is a defatted medical grade clamp and includes a clamping band 10 having an outer band end 12, an inner band end 14, and a band body portion disposed between the outer band end 12 and the inner band end 14. The following structures are provided in order from the outer band segment 12 to the inner band segment 14. The outer band segment 12 includes three openings 16a, 16b, 16c, an ear-shaped fastening structure 18, and a tongue groove 20. The inner band end 14 includes three hooks 22a, 22b, 22c, a rib 24, a point 26, and a tongue 28.

[0022] In such Figure 1 In the pre-assembled configuration of the band clamp shown, the hooks 22a-22c engage in the openings 16a-16c in the end of the outer clamping band 10, and the end of the tongue 28 engages in the tongue groove 20, and the tongue 28 is configured to move into the tongue groove 20 when the clamp is tightened by narrowing the ear-shaped fastening structure 18, for example using a pliers-like tool.

[0023] The ear-like fastening structure 18 includes two legs 30 , 32 extending radially outwardly and a web 34 interconnecting the outer ends of the legs 30 , 32 , wherein the web 34 includes a recess 36 to prevent buckling.

[0024] The tongue groove 20 may be stamped into the inner surface of the outer band segment 12, or formed by a longitudinal slit (not shown) separating two lateral strips from a middle portion, wherein a step 38 in the lateral strips defines an entry point of the tongue groove 20, and a step 40 in the middle portion defines an end of the tongue groove 20. The length of the tongue groove 20 (i.e., the distance between the step 38 at the entry point and the step 40 in the middle portion) substantially corresponds to the length of the tongue 28.

[0025] According to the invention, the inner belt end 14 comprises a longitudinal rib 24 configured to be arranged under the recess 36 of the web 34 in the pre-assembled configuration, wherein the end portion 24a of said rib 24 has a height that decreases continuously from a maximum height to zero towards the tongue 28 .

[0026] More specifically, the end portion 24a of the rib 24 decreases linearly over a length corresponding to more than twice the width of the rib 24, more specifically, over a length corresponding to between one-third and one-half the width of the ear-like fastening structure 18 in the unfastened configuration, wherein the width is measured from the inner surface of the legs 30, 32 and corresponds to the closing stroke of the band clamp.

[0027] The inner belt end 14 includes a shoulder portion 42 defining a root of the tongue 28 at which the width of the belt is reduced from the full belt width to the reduced width of the tongue 28. A point 26 protruding toward the outer belt end 12 is provided at the shoulder portion, wherein the position of the center of the point 26 in the longitudinal direction of the belt is provided at a portion where the width of the belt is greater than the reduced width of the tongue 28, such as at Figure 3a and 3b is shown in more detail in a top view.

[0028] exist Figure 1 In the unfastened configuration of the rib 24, the longitudinal end of the rib 24 opposite the end portion 24a of the rib 24 with reduced height is arranged below the knee of the leg 30 of the ear-shaped fastening structure 18, which is arranged on the side of the opening 16a-16c. On the other side of the ear-shaped fastening structure 18, the point 26 is arranged below the knee of the other leg 32. Both the rib 24 and the point 26 create a small gap between the outer band segment 12 and the inner band segment 14 on both sides of the ear-shaped fastening structure 18. During the closing movement, the gap reduces the friction, in particular at the shoulder portion of the tongue 28. The reduced friction prevents buckling of the band, in particular of the portion of the inner band arranged between the legs 30, 32 of the ear-shaped fastening structure 18. The effect of preventing buckling is further strengthened by the reinforcing effect of the rib 24 provided in this portion and further by the inclined bevel at its end portion 24a.

[0029] When the clamp is tightened, the tongue 28 moves in the tongue groove 20 and the knee portion of the leg 32 arranged on the side of the tongue 28 slides over the slope with increasing height on the end portion 24a of the rib 24. The recess 36 on the web 34 of the ear-shaped fastening structure 18 can come into contact with the rib 24 and prevent the portion of the belt under the ear-shaped fastening structure 18 from buckling in the event of such buckling, despite the additional measures mentioned above for reducing friction.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be applied to other types of clamps, such as clamps with longer closing strokes having two depressions 36 on the web 34 of the ear-shaped fastening structure 18, or to clamps. In addition, two ribs 24 and / or two points 26 adjacent to each other in the width direction of the belt can be provided. The uneven height structure of the depressions 36 can be combined with the uneven height profile of the ribs 24, wherein the deeper portion of the depressions 36 can be paired with the shallower portion of the ribs 24. Another embodiment of the present invention includes only the point 26 at the root portion of the tongue 28, and there is no rib 24 under the ear-shaped fastening structure 18.

[0031] Reference numerals list

[0032] 10 Clamping belt

[0033] 12 Takeaway

[0034] 14 Inner band end

[0035] 16 Opening

[0036] 18-ear fastening structure

[0037] 20 Tongue and Groove

[0038] 22 hooks

[0039] 24 ribs

[0040] 24a End portion

[0041] 26 points

[0042] 28 Tongue

[0043] 30 Legs

[0044] 32 Legs

[0045] 34 belly plate

[0046] 36 Depression

[0047] 38 steps

[0048] 40 steps

[0049] 42 Shoulder section

Claims

1. A band clamp comprising a clamping band (10) having an outer band section (12) and an inner band section (14), the outer band section (12) comprising at least one opening (16a-16c) and an ear-shaped fastening structure (18), the ear-shaped fastening structure (18) having two radially outwardly extending legs (30, 32) and a web (34) interconnecting the outer ends of the legs (30, 32) and a tongue and groove (20), wherein: The web (34) includes a recess (36) to prevent buckling of the inner band section (14), the recess (36) including at least one hook (22a-22c) and a tongue (28), wherein, in a pre-assembled configuration of the band clamp, the at least one hook (22a-22c) engages in the at least one opening (16a-16c) in the end of the outer clamping band (10), and the tip of the tongue (28) engages in the tongue groove (20), and the tongue (28) is configured to be moved into the tongue groove when the clamp is tightened by narrowing the ear-shaped fastening structure (18), It is characterized in that The inner belt end (14) comprises a longitudinal rib (24) which is configured to be arranged below the recess (36) of the web (34) in the pre-assembled configuration, wherein at least an end portion (24a) of the rib (24) has a height which continuously decreases towards the tongue (28).

2. The belt clip according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The height of the end portion (24a) of the rib (24) decreases linearly over a length corresponding to at least twice the width of the rib (24).

3. A belt clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The height of the end portion (24a) of the rib (24) decreases linearly over a length corresponding to at least one third of the ear-like fastening structure (18) in an unfastened configuration.

4. A belt clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The inner belt end (14) includes a shoulder portion at which the width of the belt is reduced from the entire belt width to the reduced width of the tongue (28), wherein a point (26) protruding toward the outer belt end (12) is provided at the shoulder portion, wherein the center of the point (26) is located at a portion where the width of the belt is greater than the reduced width of the tongue (28).

5. A belt clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A longitudinal end of the rib (24) opposite the end portion (24a) of the rib (24) having a reduced height is configured to be disposed below one of the legs (30, 32) of the ear-like fastening structure (18) in an unfastened configuration.

6. A belt clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The clamping belt (10) is degreased.

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