Tube clamp with width bend at flange

Abstract

A pipe clamp (11) comprises an annular clamp body (12) for accommodating a pipe. The annular clamp body (12) has at least one pair of opposing flanges (14) adapted to be pulled together by tightening screws (15) to clamp the pipe clamp (11) around the pipe. The annular clamp body (12) is adapted to accommodate the pipe and has a central axis (x) parallel to a width direction of the clamp body (12). The flanges (14) extend outwardly at an angle relative to a circumferential direction of the annular clamp body (12), thereby forming a transition area (16) with an angular portion between the annular clamp body (12) and the flanges (14). The annular clamp body has a bend (20) in the width direction at the transition area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a pipe clamp comprising an annular clamp body for receiving a pipe, the annular clamp body having at least one pair of opposing flanges adapted to be pulled together by fastening screws to clamp the pipe around the pipe. The annular clamp body is adapted to receive the pipe and has a central axis (x) parallel to the width direction of the clamp body. The flanges extend outward at an angle relative to the circumferential direction of the annular clamp body, thereby forming a transition region with angular portions between the annular clamp body and the flanges. Background Technology

[0002] Such pipe clamps are known, for example, from NL2008229, which shows a basic pipe clamp with a clamp body comprising two main body portions made of metal strips, the main body portions being bent into a semi-circular shape and having flanges at both ends. The two main body portions are connected by two screws extending through opposing flanges of the respective main body portions. The screws should ensure the clamping action of the pipe clamp on the pipe contained within it. To enable this, a gap should exist between the flanges of the two main body portions when it is clamped around the pipe.

[0003] When the screw is tightened while the tube is receiving the semicircular portion and engaging its outer surface, the flanges will move toward each other, and in particular, the bend between the semicircular portion and the flange will deform, which can even be plastic deformation. Once the two opposing flanges begin to contact each other, this can eventually even lead to a loss of clamping force on the tube.

[0004] To prevent such deformation at bends, thicker strips of material are typically used because the combination of the metal's yield strength and the material thickness determines the final resistance of the joint to deformation. However, increasing the material thickness will almost proportionally increase the cost of the fixture. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide an alternative pipe clamp in which deformation at the transition region between the annular clamp body and the flange is prevented or at least significantly reduced.

[0006] This objective is achieved by a pipe clamp comprising an annular clamp body for receiving a pipe, the annular clamp body having at least a pair of opposing flanges adapted to be pulled together by fastening screws to clamp the pipe clamp around the pipe.

[0007] The annular clamp body is adapted to accommodate the tube and has a central axis parallel to the width direction of the clamp body.

[0008] The flange extends outward at an angle relative to the circumferential direction of the annular clamp body, thereby forming a transition region with an angled portion between the annular clamp body and the flange.

[0009] The ring clamp body has a curved portion in the width direction at the transition area.

[0010] The bend in the width direction forms an arc across the width of the clamp body at the transition region. The transition region has a corner portion, and the corner portion and the arc shape in the width direction constitute a hyperbola (in two different directions) at that angle, which increases bending resistance and prevents or at least reduces bending of the flanges toward each other. Due to this increased bending resistance, the clamp body can be made of a thinner material, making it easier, more cost-effective, and more sustainable to manufacture.

[0011] In one embodiment, the curved portion forms an arc in width, the arc having an angle of up to 100°, preferably in the range of 20° and 90°.

[0012] In one embodiment, the transition region has a radius of curvature R that is constant over the width of the clamping body.

[0013] In another embodiment, the clamp body has a width B, wherein the radius of curvature R is in the range of 0.7B to 10B.

[0014] In one embodiment, a chord can be defined in the transition region where the bend in the width direction is located between the two side edges of the clamping body, wherein the maximum chord arc distance is less than 1 / 3R.

[0015] In one embodiment, the clamp is made of strip material, wherein the flange is bent outward relative to the circumferential direction of the annular clamp body with a bending axis x1 that is substantially parallel to the central axis x, wherein the bending portion at the transition region has a radius of curvature r around the bending axis x1, and the strip material has a thickness s, wherein the radius of curvature r is in the range of s≤r≤5s.

[0016] In one embodiment, the bend has a radius of curvature R, wherein the clamp is made of strip material, wherein the flange bends outward relative to the circumferential direction of the annular clamp body with a bending axis x1 substantially parallel to the central axis x, wherein the bend at the transition region has a bending radius r around the bending axis x1, and wherein the radius of curvature R is in the range of 12r ≤ R ≤ 16r. In this embodiment, the transition region has double curvature, for example, having a radius of curvature R and a bending radius r in two different directions. The radius of curvature R is relatively large. The bend in the width direction cooperates with the bend at the transition region to particularly increase the bending resistance of the transition region. In addition, this prevents or at least reduces bending of the flanges toward each other. Due to the increased bending resistance, the clamp body can be made of a thinner material, which makes it easier, more cost-effective, and more sustainable to manufacture. The clamp of the present invention can have these effects even with a relatively large radius of curvature (i.e., wherein the radius of curvature R can be close to flat).

[0017] In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the annular clamp body at the transition region differs from the radius of curvature of the rest of the annular clamp body. The radius of curvature of the rest of the annular clamp body causes it to have a bend in the width direction. The different radii of curvature allow the clamp to be designed such that the bend in the rest of the annular clamp body, for example, facilitates the reception and / or retention of a tube to be received by the clamp, while the double curvature (i.e., curvature in two different directions) at the transition region increases bending resistance and prevents or at least reduces bending of the flanges toward each other. To achieve this, the bend in the width direction of the rest of the annular clamp body can, for example, have a larger radius than the bend in the transition region. For example, the rest of the annular clamp body may not bend in the width direction (R = ∞), or may only be slightly bent.

[0018] The annular clamp body may, for example, have recesses, ribs, or grooves defined thereon, and the recesses, ribs, or grooves themselves may have radii of curvature, for example, much smaller than the radius of curvature R. However, this is not the meaning of the term "radius of curvature" for the annular clamp body in the transition region or the rest of the body.

[0019] The transition from one radius of curvature to a different radius of curvature can be gradual or discontinuous.

[0020] The fact that the ring clamp body has bends at the transition region and in the rest of its body means that the base material (e.g., a blank) used to manufacture the ring clamp body is bent. For example, the blank of the metal strip material used to manufacture the ring clamp body is initially flat and becomes bent due to a deformation process (e.g., a bending process).

[0021] In one embodiment, the annular clamp body includes two semi-annular body portions, each having an end flange at at least one end of the semi-annular body portion, wherein the flanges of the two semi-annular body portions are positioned opposite each other in use and form one pair of the at least one pair of opposing flanges. The semi-annular body portions are preferably semi-circular or substantially semi-circular.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the two semi-annular body portions have end flanges at each end of the semi-annular body portions.

[0023] Preferably, when the annular clamp body is clamped around the pipe in use, the flanges of at least one pair of opposing flanges are spaced apart from each other. The circumferential gap allows the clamp to be well controlled by the tightening force applied by the screws.

[0024] As described above, the ring clamp body can be made of strip material, particularly metal strip. This strip can be cut to a certain length and shaped by bending. The holes in the flange can be formed by cutting.

[0025] However, it is also envisioned that the ring clamp body could be made of metal using other forming processes, such as forging or 3D printing.

[0026] It is also envisioned that the ring clamp body could be made of plastic or composite materials. Plastics and composite materials are constantly being improved and manufactured to be more robust, and the clamp body could be made of sufficiently robust plastics or composite materials. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will be further illustrated in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a deformation of the pipe clamp according to the prior art.

[0029] Figure 2 An isometric view of an embodiment of the pipe clamp according to the present invention is shown.

[0030] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 Isometric view of the semi-circular main body of the pipe clamp.

[0031] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 An isometric view of the details of the main body of the pipe clamp.

[0032] Figure 5 Show Figure 4 A detailed side view, and

[0033] Figure 6 Show Figure 4 A detailed top view. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1 shows a pipe clamp 1 according to the prior art. The pipe clamp 1 includes an annular clamp body 2 for receiving a pipe. The annular clamp body 2 includes two semi-annular body portions, in this case, specifically two semi-circular body portions 3, each semi-circular body portion having an end flange 4 at each end of the semi-circular body portion 3. The annular clamp body 2 is adapted to receive a pipe and has a central axis x parallel to the width direction of the clamp body. As can be seen in Figure 1, the flanges 4 of the two semi-circular body portions 3 are positioned opposite each other in use. The opposing flanges 4 form a pair of opposing flanges. The semi-circular body portions 3 and the flanges 4 are integrally formed from a metal strip. The flanges 4 are bent outward relative to the circumferential direction of the annular clamp body or the semi-circular body portion 3 with a bending axis substantially parallel to the central axis x, thereby forming a bending transition area between the annular clamp body or the semi-circular body portion 3 and the flanges 4. The pair of opposing flanges 4 are adapted to be pulled together by fastening screws 5 to clamp the pipe clamp 1 around a pipe (not shown).

[0035] In order to secure the pipe clamp 1 properly around the pipe, there should be a gap in the circumferential direction between the flanges 4 of the two main body portions 3 when the pipe clamp 1 is clamped around the pipe. This is shown in Figure 1. However, when the screw 5 is tightened while the semicircular portion 3 is engaging the pipe, the flanges 4 will move toward each other, and in particular, the bend or angle between the semicircular portion 3 and the flanges 4 will deform, which can even be plastic deformation. This is shown in Figure 1, where the flanges 4 are visibly tilted toward each other. Once the two opposing flanges 4 begin to contact each other, this will eventually even lead to a loss of clamping on the pipe.

[0036] exist Figure 2-6 An embodiment of the pipe clamp 11 according to the present invention is shown. Similar to the pipe clamp 1 in FIG. 1, the pipe clamp 11 has an annular clamp body 12, which includes two semi-annular body portions 13, in this embodiment, particularly two semi-circular body portions 13, each semi-circular body portion 13 having an end flange 14 at each end of the semi-circular body portion 13. The annular clamp body 12 is adapted to receive a pipe and has a central axis x parallel to the width direction of the clamp body. The flanges 14 of the two semi-circular body portions 13 are positioned opposite each other in use, such as... Figure 2 As can be seen, flange 14 extends substantially along the y-axis, which is perpendicular to the central axis (x-axis). Flange 14 extends in a direction with a significant radial component, but is not typically purely radial.

[0037] exist Figure 2In one embodiment, the semi-annular body portion has a flange 14 at each end. However, within the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable to have a pipe clamp in which the semi-annular body portion is hinged at one end and has a flange only at the other end to clamp the pipe clamp around the pipe. Furthermore, it should be noted that within the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable to have a pipe clamp with only one annular body portion (e.g., a circular body portion) having a flange at the end of the single annular body. Such embodiments of a single body portion have a flexible portion instead of a hinge that can deform to open the pipe clamp to arrange it around the pipe.

[0038] Opposite flanges 14 form a pair of opposing flanges. The semi-circular main body 13 and flanges 14 are integrally formed from metal strips. Figure 3 As shown, flange 14 bends outward relative to the circumferential direction of the annular clamp body or semi-circular body portion 13 with a bending axis x1 that is substantially parallel to the central axis x, thereby forming a bending transition region 16 between the annular clamp body or semi-circular body portion 13 and flange 14. The bending portion between the semi-circular portions defines the angle. Opposite flanges 14 have through holes 17 (see...). Figure 3 The shank of the fastening screw 15 can pass through the through hole 17 (see...). Figure 2 Opposite flanges 14 are pulled together by fastening screws 15 to clamp the pipe clamp 11 around the pipe (not shown).

[0039] The bending transition region 16 is modified relative to the same transition region in the pipe clamp 1 of FIG. 1. According to the invention, the clamp body has a bend 20 in the width direction at the transition region 16 between the semicircular portion 13 and the flange 14. This bend 20... Figure 4 and Figure 6 The best visibility is achieved in the middle, and an arc with a radius of curvature R is formed, which in the middle. Figure 6 As shown in [the image]. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the entire semicircular portion 13 may have a curved portion. However, it is also possible to provide a curved portion 20 in width only for the portion of the semicircular portion 13 at the end where the flange 14 bends and for a limited portion adjacent thereto. Another option is to provide a curved portion 20 in width for the portion of the semicircular portion 13 at the end where the flange 14 bends and for a limited portion adjacent thereto, and to provide additional curved portions in width, different from the curved portion 20, for other portions of the semicircular portion 13 (e.g., the remainder of the semicircular portion 13). The transition from one curved portion to different curved portions may be gradual or discontinuous.

[0040] exist Figure 3In the diagram, shading lines are visible on the side of the first flange 14 inside the semicircular portion 13 and on the side of the other flange 14 outside the semicircular portion 13. These shading lines represent the bends in the transition region and adjacent finite portions that differ in width direction from the bends in the portion of the semicircular portion farther from the transition region.

[0041] Assume that transition region 16 lies in the xy plane (see...) Figure 3 Then the curved portion has at least one characteristic at the transition region 16, similar to... Figure 3 The curved axis shown is parallel to or coincides with the z-axis.

[0042] The bend 20 in the width direction thus forms an arc across the width of the clamp body at the transition region 16. The arc shape in the width direction and the bend or angle of the transition region 16 effectively create a hyperbola in two substantially perpendicular directions, which increases bending resistance and prevents or at least reduces bending of the flanges 14 toward each other. Due to this increased bending resistance, the clamp body can be made from a thinner strip, which saves material and allows for the production of clamps at a lower cost, with less effort, and / or in a more sustainable manner. It should be noted here that... Figure 2 The embodiments can be made from metal strip material through forming processes including cutting and bending. However, it is contemplated that the pipe clamp according to the invention can also be made from other materials through different manufacturing processes. For example, the pipe clamp 11 can be manufactured by forming methods such as molding, forging, casting, or 3D printing. Other materials besides metals can also be used, such as suitable plastics or composite materials with sufficient strength properties to achieve the function of the pipe clamp.

[0043] like Figure 6 As shown, the width of the clamping body is B. In an embodiment according to the invention, the radius of curvature R is preferably in the range of 0.7B to 10B.

[0044] In one embodiment, the curved portion 20 forms an arc in width, the arc having an angle α of up to 100° (see...). Figure 6 The angle α is preferably in the range of 20° to 90°. Within this range, the pipe clamp can still engage a sufficient surface area of ​​the pipe.

[0045] exist Figure 6 In the diagram, a chord 18 of an arc is shown, which is defined at the bend 20 (arc) in the width direction at the transition region between the two side edges 19 of the clamping body, wherein in Figure 6 The maximum chord arc distance A shown is less than 1 / 3R.

[0046] The bent portion at the transition region 16 between the flange 14 and the semi-circular portion 13 has a bending axis x1 and a bending radius r, which in Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in the figure. The radius of curvature R is in the range of 12r ≤ R ≤ 16r. The radius of curvature R is relatively large compared to the bending radius r. The metal strip manufacturing the clamp body has a thickness s. The bending radius r is in the range of s ≤ r ≤ 5s. In a practical embodiment that can be considered "light", the thickness s of the strip material manufacturing the clamp body can be, for example, in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm. In a practical embodiment that can be considered "heavy", the thickness s can be in the range of 2.5 mm to 4 mm, and the width can be in the range of 30 mm to 40 mm.

[0047] The pipe clamp according to the invention can be applied to a wide range of pipe diameters, in practice, for example, but not limited to, a pipe diameter range of 14 mm to 315 mm.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment suitable for clamping around a pipe having a diameter of 114 mm, the thickness s of the strip material can be 2.5 mm, and the width B of the pipe clamp body can be between 20 mm and 25 mm. The strip material forming the pipe clamp can be made of metal (e.g., steel, such as carbon steel or stainless steel), for example having a thickness of 2.5 mm and a width of 25 mm.

Claims

1. A pipe clamp (11) comprising an annular clamp body (12) for receiving a pipe, the annular clamp body (12) having at least one pair of opposing flanges (14) adapted to be pulled together by fastening screws (15) to clamp the pipe clamp (11) around the pipe. The annular clamp body (12) is adapted to accommodate the tube and has a central axis (x) parallel to the width direction of the clamp body (12). The flange (14) extends outward at an angle relative to the circumferential direction of the annular clamp body (12), thereby forming a transition region (16) with a corner portion between the annular clamp body (12) and the flange (14). Its features are, The annular clamp body has a bend (20) in the width direction at the transition region, wherein the bend (20) has a radius of curvature R, wherein the clamp is made of strip material, wherein the flange (14) bends outward relative to the circumferential direction of the annular clamp body (12) with a bending axis (x1) substantially parallel to the central axis (x), wherein the bend at the transition region has a bending radius r around the bending axis (x1), and wherein the radius of curvature R is in the range of 12r ≤ R ≤ 16r.

2. The pipe clamp according to claim 1, wherein the bent portion (20) has a constant radius of curvature R over the width of the clamp body.

3. The pipe clamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the clamp body has a width B, and wherein the radius of curvature R is in the range of 0.7B to 10B.

4. The pipe clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bend (20) in the width direction at the transition region is able to define a chord (18) between the two side edges (19) of the clamp body, wherein the maximum chord arc distance A is less than 1 / 3R.

5. The pipe clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pipe clamp is made of strip material, wherein the flange (14) is bent outward relative to the circumferential direction of the annular clamp body (12) with a bending axis (x1) substantially parallel to the central axis (x), wherein the bending portion at the transition region has a bending radius r around the bending axis (x1) and the strip material has a thickness s, and wherein the bending radius r is in the range of s≤r≤5s.

6. The pipe clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of curvature in the transition region is different from the radius of curvature in the rest of the annular clamp body.

7. The pipe clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular clamp body comprises two semi-annular body portions (13), each semi-annular body portion (13) having an end flange (14) at at least one end of the semi-annular body portion (13), wherein the flanges (14) of the two semi-annular body portions (13) are positioned opposite to each other in use and form one of the at least one pair of opposing flanges.

8. The pipe clamp according to claim 7, wherein the two semi-annular body portions (13) have end flanges (14) at each end of the semi-annular body portion (13).

9. The pipe clamp according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the semi-annular body portion (13) is substantially semi-circular.

10. The pipe clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the annular clamp body (12) is clamped around the pipe in use, the flanges (14) of the at least one pair of opposing flanges are spaced apart from each other.

11. The pipe clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular clamp body (12) is made of a metal strip.

12. The pipe clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the annular clamp body (12) is made of plastic or composite material.

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