Clamp with hinge with limited opening angle

Abstract

The invention relates to a clip comprising a clip band (10), a tensioning element (12) for tensioning the clip band (10), and a hinge (14) arranged at a position opposite the tensioning element (12), in which the hinge (14) pivotably connects the ends of two substantially semicircular halves (10a, 10b) of the clip band (10), in which the hinge (14) comprises a trunnion (16) arranged in the axial direction of the clip. According to the invention, the ends of the two substantially semi-circular halves (10a, 10b) of the clamp are formed to each comprise at least one flat belt ring (14a-14c), the inner surface of which bears on the cylindrical outer surface (24g) of the trunnion (16).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamp, which includes a clamping strap, a tensioning element for tensioning the clamping strap, and a hinge. Background Art

[0002] Document FR587221A discloses a belt clip having a tensioning element and a hinge. The trunnion or pin of the hinge engages with an axial hole in a tab that projects radially from the outer surface of the belt. Thus, the clamping force is transmitted via the narrow inner circumference of the hole in the tab. A similar hinge element is disclosed in CA 2705188A1.

[0003] The hinge elements disclosed in FR587221A or CA 2705188A1 are at risk of deformation when a large tensioning force is applied. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention attempts to solve the problem of providing a belt clip with a hinge, in which the transmission of the tensioning force via the hinge is improved. Other aspects of the present invention relate to devices for facilitating the installation of the clamp.

[0005] The present invention proposes to solve the above problems by providing a clamp according to claim 1. Other advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] The present invention relates to a clamp, including a clamping strap, a tensioning element for tensioning the clamping strap, and a hinge provided at a position opposite to the tensioning element, wherein the hinge pivotally connects the ends of two substantially semi-circular halves of the clamping strap, and wherein the hinge includes a trunnion provided in the axial direction of the clamp.

[0007] The present invention proposes that the ends of the two substantially semi-circular halves of the clamp are formed to respectively include at least one flat belt loop, wherein the inner surface of the flat belt loop supports on the cylindrical outer surface of the trunnion. The force transmission via the flat belt loop is more reliable, and the hinge element is less likely to deform than the prior art even when a large tensioning force is applied.

[0008] The belt in the sense of this specification is a strip, especially a rolled sheet metal strip, which has a substantially rectangular profile, the width of which is greater than the thickness, especially the aspect ratio is greater than 3, preferably greater than 5. The flat belt loop can be a loop formed from the belt by folding the wider side of the belt back onto itself, i.e., such that the shape of the belt remains flat in the width direction, or in an alternative embodiment, is a loop made of a separate belt and welded or otherwise fixed to the main body of the belt.

[0009] The trunnion can be a solid body, a hollow body such as a tubular element, or can be integrally formed as part of one of the belt halves.

[0010] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamp includes at least one section provided with an insert having a substantially V-shaped cross-section, the insert being configured to interact with flanges formed at the facing ends of two pipes to be interconnected. The insert can relieve local pressure peaks caused by the trunnions of the hinge and the final trunnions of the tensioning elements. Furthermore, the advantages of the present invention can be fully exploited in this application, since clamps with V-shaped inserts are generally used in applications with high tension. The insert can be divided into multiple sections, in particular one section for each of the two halves of the band, preferably two sections for each half of the band, i.e., a total of four sections of the insert have a V-shaped cross-section.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge includes a limiting means for limiting the pivoting angle to less than 180°, more preferably limiting the pivoting angle to less than 120°, and even more preferably limiting the pivoting angle to 100° or less. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the limiting angle can be adjusted by adjusting an element of the hinge or by selecting a suitable trunnion, as will be explained in further detail below.

[0012] Those skilled in the art will understand that the limiting means according to the present invention is not necessarily a hard stop. To avoid accidental free swinging of the movable half of the clamp during assembly, it is sufficient to provide a soft stop that can be overcome by applying a certain threshold force, which should be greater than the typical gravitational and acceleration forces acting on the hinge during normal assembly.

[0013] It is further proposed that the limiting means consists of at least one protrusion on the inner surface of a flat band loop, the protrusion engaging with a recess on the cylindrical outer surface of the trunnion, wherein the circumferential length of the recess is configured to limit the pivoting angle. The protrusion can be easily formed by embossing the band, and the circumferential length is easily adapted to set the pivoting angle.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each flat band loop includes a protrusion engaging with a corresponding recess on the cylindrical outer surface of the trunnion.

[0015] Reliable and balanced force transmission can be achieved if the first half of the semi-circular half of the clamp includes two flat band loops with a gap therebetween, and the second half of the semi-circular half of the clamp includes at least one flat band loop that engages in the gap between the two flat band loops of the first semi-circular half of the clamp. This fork-shaped design of the flat band trunnion hinge has proven reliable in other applications of the hinge.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the limiting means consists of the webs of two flat belt loops of the first half of the semi-circular half of the connecting clamp, wherein the flat belt loop of the second half of the semi-circular half of the clamp abuts against the web when the limiting value of the pivoting angle is reached. Arranging the web is a simple way to limit the opening angle.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the shape and / or position of the web is adjustable so as to adjust the limit value of the pivoting angle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a belt clip according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2A shows the pivoting movement for closing a belt clip with a hinge according to the prior art;

[0021] Figure 2B shows the limited pivoting angle of the belt clip according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3A shows a typical assembly of a general belt clip with a hinge;

[0023] Figure 3B shows the assembly of FIG. 2a when using the belt clip according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 is a detailed view of the hinge of the belt clip according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 is according to Figure 1 and the trunnion of the belt clip of FIG. 3;

[0026] Figure 6 is a belt clip with a displaceable web according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 is a belt clip with a fixed web according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge of the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the limit angle of the hinge of the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 10A belt clip according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, having a fixed web with a limiting means formed by the rear edge of a gap, wherein the rear edge of the gap is positioned to abut at least one flat belt loop (14c) of the second half (10b) in the semi-circular halves to form the limiting means. Detailed Description

[0031] Figure 1 A belt clip according to a first embodiment of the present invention, comprising a clamping belt 10, a tensioning element 12 for tensioning the clamping belt 10, and a hinge 14 provided at a position opposite to the tensioning element 12. The hinge 14 pivotally connects the ends of two substantially semi-circular halves 10a, 10b of the clamping belt 10, wherein the hinge 14 includes a trunnion 16 provided in the axial direction of the clamp.

[0032] The tensioning element 12 is formed by two belt loops 12a, 12b, each belt loop receiving trunnions 12c, 12d having slits for passing and operating a tensioning screw that engages the internal thread of a hole in one of the trunnions 12c, 12d. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, other types of tensioning elements may be used, such as a tensioning element having a worm or a tensioning rod.

[0033] The clamp is formed as a V-shaped clamp and includes four sections, each section being provided with an insert 18a - 18d having a substantially V-shaped cross-section. The inserts are radially provided inside the main outer clamping belt 10. The V-shaped profiles of the inserts 18a - 18d are configured to interact with the flanges formed at the mutually facing ends of two pipes 20 ( Figure 3A , Figure 3B ) to be interconnected. The inserts 18a - 18d are welded, brazed or riveted to the clamping belt 10, giving the semi-circular halves 10a, 10b of the clamping belt 10 a considerable rigidity.

[0034] According to the present invention, the ends of the two substantially semi-circular halves 10a, 10b of the clamping belt 10 are formed to include one flat belt loop 14c or two lateral flat belt loops 14a, 14b, wherein the inner surfaces of the lateral flat belt loops 14a, 14b rest on the cylindrical outer surface of the trunnion 16. The first half 10a of the semi-circular halves of the clamping belt 10 includes two flat belt loops 14a, 14b with a gap therebetween, and the second half 110b of the semi-circular halves of the clamping belt 10 includes one flat belt loop 14c that engages in the gap between the two flat belt loops of the first semi-circular half of the clamping belt 10. This mutually engaging arrangement of the belt loops 14a - 14c ensures that the tension force acts on the trunnion 16 symmetrically with respect to the circumferential center line of the clamping belt 10, such that the trunnion 16 does not tilt due to the tension force.

[0035] Each of the rings 12a, 12b, 14a - 14c is formed by stamping out a ring portion at the end of the strap 10, folding the ring portion back onto the strap, and riveting the respective ends of the ring portion to the main part of the strap, as is commonly known in the art. The bifurcated ring portions 14a, 14b at one of the strap ends are formed as webs that grip a longitudinal slit, i.e., are connected at their end portions by a strap portion 30 of full width, i.e., in a portion 30 where the strap end is riveted to the main part of the strap 10.

[0036] Figure 2A Shows the pivotal movement for closing a strap clamp having a hinge 14 according to the prior art. The maximum pivotal angle of the clamp having the hinge 14 is typically limited by the abutting state where the outer surfaces or semi - circular halves 10a, 10b abut against each other, i.e., approximately 180°. The pivotal angle can be measured and / or defined by the angle between the tangents at the end portions of the two idealized semi - circles of the strap 10 in the closed and fully open configurations of the strap clamp.

[0037] Figure 2B Shows the limited pivotal angle of a strap clamp according to the present invention, wherein the hinge 14 of the strap clamp is provided with a limiting device for limiting the pivotal angle to less than 180°, and in Figure 2B the case is limited to approximately 90°.

[0038] Figure 3A Shows a typical assembly of a general strap clamp having a hinge 14. The use of the hinge allows the V - shaped clamp to be opened over a very wide range. Such opening may make the assembly difficult in an environment with limited assembly space, for example, in the case where an obstacle 22 is arranged within the pivotal range of the clamp. Such conditions may exist in engine exhaust systems and compressed gas systems where V - shaped clamps are applied.

[0039] In a first step, the first half 10a of the semi - circular halves contacts the flange of the pipe 20 to be connected. To close the clamp, the second half 10b of the semi - circular halves must pivot 180°, as shown by the arrow in Figure 2a. The space required for such a pivotal movement may not be available in some target applications because of the presence of an obstacle 22 such as another pipe. Then, the second half of the halves 10a, 10b must be screwed into the space between the pipe 20 and the obstacle 22 while attaching the first half 10a of the semi - circular halves to the flange. This is onerous and requires the use of two hands 26, which may not be available in some cases, such as when the worker is standing on a ladder or holding a tool.

[0040] According to one aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by providing the hinge 14 with a limiting device 24 for limiting the pivoting angle to less than 180°, in particular to 120° or less.

[0041] Figure 3B Shows the assembly when using a clamp band including the limiting device 24 according to the present invention Figure 2A The second half 10b in the halves can be screwed into the space between the pipe 20 and the obstacle 22 due to the limiting device 24, while at the same time attaching the first half 10a in the semi-circular halves to the flange in a simple manner and with only one hand 26. The hinge 14 with the limiting device 24 combines the advantage of improving the transmission of the tension force via the hinge 14, while facilitating the installation of the clamp.

[0042] Figure 4 Is a detailed view of the hinge 14 of the clamp band according to the present invention. Figure 5 Is a detailed view of the trunnion 16 of the clamp band according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the limiting device 24 is formed by protrusions 24a, 24b, 24c on the inner surfaces of the laterally flat belt loops 14a, 14b, and the protrusions 24a, 24b, 24c engage with recesses 24d, 24e, 24f on the cylindrical outer surface 24g of the trunnion 16 respectively, wherein the circumferential length of the recesses 24d - 24f is configured to limit the pivoting angle.

[0043] Specifically, the axial outer edges of the two laterally flat belt loops 14a, 14b of the first half 10a in the semi-circular halves are provided with embossed first protrusions 24a, 24b, and the first protrusions 24a, 24b engage with the first recesses 24d, 24e on the axial edges of the trunnion 16. The first protrusions 24a, 24b engaging with the first recesses 24d, 24e serve as "trunnion retainers", that is, they prevent the trunnion 16 from slipping axially out of the laterally flat belt loops 14a, 14b. The first protrusions 24a, 24b can have the same length or shorter in the circumferential direction as the first recesses 24d, 24e. In the latter case, when the hinge 14 pivots a certain angle until the first protrusions 24a, 24b respectively abut against one end of the first recesses 24d, 24e in the longitudinal direction of the first recesses 24d, 24e, the first protrusions 24a, 24b can slide within the first recesses 24d, 24e.

[0044] The slit-shaped second recess 24f ( Figure 5 ) is provided at the axial center of the cylindrical outer surface 24g of the trunnion 16 and is oriented in the circumferential direction of the substantially cylindrical body of the trunnion 16. The corresponding embossed second protrusion 24c engaging with the slit-shaped second recess 24f (in Figure 4is disposed on the inner surface of the central flat belt loop 14c at the end of the second half 10b located in the semi-circular half and is only visible from the back of the belt. When the hinge 14 pivots by a certain angle until the second protrusion 24c abuts against one end of the slit-shaped second recess 24f in the longitudinal direction of the second recess 24f, the second protrusion 24c slides within the slit-shaped second recess 24f. The sum of the maximum sliding angles of the first recesses 24d, 24e and the second recess 24f defines the maximum pivot angle of the hinge 14.

[0045] Figure 6 is a belt clip according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the limiting device 24 is constituted by the webs 24h of the two lateral flat belt loops 14a, 14b of the first half 10a in the semi-circular half of the connecting clip. The central flat belt loop 14c of the second half 10b in the semi-circular half of the clip abuts against the web 24h when the pivot angle reaches the limit value.

[0046] Each of the two lateral flat belt loops 14a, 14b of the first half in the semi-circular halves 10a, 10b of the clip is provided with a series of drilled holes 24k, and the web 24h is configured as a clamping member with legs that can be inserted into one of the drilled holes 24k respectively. By selecting the pairs or groups of holes 24k into which the web 24h can be installed, the position of the web 24h is adjustable, thereby adjusting the limit value of the pivot angle.

[0047] Figure 7 is a belt clip according to the third embodiment of the present invention, which has a fixed web 24i, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge 14 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Although the web 24h of the second embodiment is an additional element fixed to the belt loops 14a, 14b, the web 24i is formed by cutting and folding the bridging member between the belt loops 14a and 14b, maintaining the same design principle as the web.

[0049] The web 24i is stamped and pressed from the metal strip of the belt so as to protrude above the main horizontal plane of the lateral flat belt loops 14a, 14b by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the central flat belt loop 14c. Curved indentations 28a - 28d are formed on the inner side edges of the lateral flat belt loops 14a, 14b on both sides of the ends of the web 28i, and the portion of the web 24i sandwiched between a pair of indentations 28a, 28b; 28c, 28d is inclined such that the height of the web 24i is constant across the width of the central flat belt loop 14c.

[0050] Web 24i functions as a stopper for abutting against the central flat band loop 14c, where the position of the web 24i along the locus of the outer surface of the central flat band loop 14c defines the maximum opening angle. During the manufacturing process, by adjusting the points 30a, 30b where the band portion 30 is riveted to the main part of the band 10, this position can be easily changed, thereby changing the maximum opening angle. By moving the points 30a, 30b in the direction of arrow A, the web 24i will move in the same direction, and the maximum opening angle will increase. Therefore, by simply setting the riveting points 30a, 30b in an appropriate manner, it is possible to manufacture band clips with different maximum opening angles using the same stamping tool and the same blank.

[0051] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the limit angle of the hinge of the third embodiment of the present invention. Although the following considerations regarding the limit angle are described for the third embodiment, with the necessary modifications, the same considerations apply to the second and fourth embodiments of the present invention. The opening angle is defined as: the angle between the line Y passing through the midpoint of the line connecting the center points of the hinge 14 and the trunnions 12c, 12d connected by screws in the assembled state and the same line (referred to as Y') in the Figure 9 open state.

[0052] The Y-axis of the coordinate system is defined based on the line passing through the center point of the hinge and the midpoint of the line connecting the center points of the trunnions 12c, 12d in the assembled state. The X-axis is perpendicular to the Y-axis and passes through the center point of the hinge.

[0053] In Figure 9 the band loop angle is the angle between the X-axis and the line of the central band loop 14c.

[0054] To ensure the required opening angle, an element that blocks the possibility of further opening must be provided. The position of the block depends on the geometry and the desired opening angle. The approximate equation of the curve where the web 24h or 24i must be fixed is as follows:

[0055] y = tan(band loop angle [°] - 90 [°] - opening angle [°]) · x

[0056] In the case of a specific geometry with a known outer diameter of the band loop, equations can be used to determine the coordinates:

[0057]

[0058] The above equations can be solved for X and Y to find the appropriate positions X, Y of the webs 24h, 24i for any given opening angle.

[0059] Figure 10A clip according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which has a fixed web, and the fixed web has a limiting device formed by a rear edge 24j of a slit-shaped gap between flat belt loops 14a and 14b, wherein the rear edge 24j of the gap is positioned to abut at least one flat belt loop 14c of the second half 10b in the semi-circular halves in the fully open configuration to form a limiting device. It should be noted that the rear edge 24j of the gap is formed by the front end of the belt portion 30. Similarly, the limit opening angle can be set by appropriately selecting the rivet points 30a and 30b.

[0060] Reference numeral

[0061] 10 Clip

[0062] 10a First half

[0063] 10b Second half

[0064] 12 Tensioning element

[0065] 12a Belt loop

[0066] 12b Belt loop

[0067] 12c Trunnion

[0068] 12d Trunnion

[0069] 14 Hinge

[0070] 14a, 14b, 14c Belt loop

[0071] 16 Trunnion

[0072] 18a - 18d Insert

[0073] 20 Pipe

[0074] 22 Obstacle

[0075] 24 Limiting device

[0076] 24a Protrusion

[0077] 24b Protrusion

[0078] 24c Protrusion

[0079] 24d Recess

[0080] 24e Recess

[0081] 24f Recess

[0082] 24g Cylindrical outer surface

[0083] 24h Web

[0084] 24i Web

[0085] 26 hands

[0086] 28a - 28i

[0087] 30 belt part

Claims

1. A fixture, comprising a clamping strap (10), a tensioning element (12) for tensioning the clamping strap (10), and a hinge (14) provided at a position opposite to the tensioning element (12), wherein the hinge (14) pivotally connects the ends of two substantially semi-circular halves (10a, 10b) of the clamping strap (10), and wherein the hinge (14) includes a trunnion (16) provided in the axial direction of the fixture; Characterized in that, The ends of the two substantially semi-circular halves (10a, 10b) of the clamp are formed to respectively include at least one flat belt loop (14a, 14b, 14c), wherein the inner surface of the flat belt loop (14a, 14b, 14c) is supported on the cylindrical outer surface (24g) of the trunnion (16).

2. The fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, Comprising at least one section provided with inserts (18a - 18d) having a substantially V-shaped cross-section, the inserts (18a - 18d) being configured to interact with flanges formed at the mutually facing ends of two pipes (20) to be interconnected.

3. The fixture according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The hinge (14) includes limiting means (24) for limiting the pivot angle to less than 180°.

4. The fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that, The limiting means (24) is configured to limit the pivot angle to less than 120°.

5. The fixture according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The limiting means (24) is configured to limit the pivot angle to 100° or less.

6. The fixture according to any one of claims 3-5, Characterized in that, The limiting means (24) is constituted by at least one protrusion (24a - 24c) on the inner surface of the flat belt loop (14a - 14c), the protrusion (24a - 24c) engaging with recesses (24d - 24f) on the cylindrical outer surface (24g) of the trunnion (16), wherein the circumferential length of the recesses (24d - 24f) is configured to limit the pivot angle.

7. The fixture according to claim 6, Characterized in that, Each of the flat belt loops (14a - 14c) includes a protrusion (24a - 24c) that engages with a corresponding recess (24d - 24f) on the cylindrical outer surface (24g) of the trunnion (16).

8. The fixture according to any one of the preceding claims, Characterized in that, The first half (10a) of the semi-circular halves of the clamp includes two lateral flat belt loops (14a - 14b) with a gap therebetween, and the second half (10b) of the semi-circular halves of the clamp includes at least one central flat belt loop (14c), the central flat belt loop being engaged in the gap between the two flat belt loops (14a, 14b) of the first semi-circular half (10a) of the clamp.

9. The fixture according to claim 8, Characterized in that, The two flat belt loops (14a - 14b) are connected by a belt portion forming the rear edge (24j) of the gap, wherein the rear edge (24j) of the gap is positioned to abut the at least one central flat belt loop (14c) of the second half (10b) of the semi-circular half to form the limiting means (24).

10. The fixture according to claim 9, Characterized in that, Each of the two flat belt loops (14a - 14b) includes a contact portion that contacts the outer surface of the trunnion and is shaped as an arc with an angular length of 180° + α1 and a radius of r, and a straight upper portion that folds backward and connects to the main portion of the first half (10a) of the semi-circular half, wherein the rear edge (24j) is positioned at a distance d from the transition point between the contact portion and the straight upper portion, and the distance d is less than r / tan(α1), preferably less than 0.8*r / tan(α1).

11. The fixture according to one of claims 3-5 and claim 8, Characterized in that, The limiting device (24) is formed by the webs (24h) of the two lateral flat belt loops (14a, 14b) of the first half (10a) of the semi-circular halves of the connecting clamp, wherein the central flat belt loop (14c) of the second half (10b) of the semi-circular halves of the clamp abuts against the web (24h) when the limit value of the pivot angle is reached.

12. The fixture according to claim 6, Characterized in that, The shape and / or position of the web (24h) is adjustable so as to adjust the limit value of the pivot angle.

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