Clamping ring for fastening pipe

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping ring (1, 101) for fastening a pipe (2). The clamping ring (1, 101) comprises a first portion (3, 103) for fastening the clamping ring (1, 101) to the mount. The clamping ring (1, 101) further comprises a second portion (4, 104) pivotable relative to the first portion (3, 103) to selectively enclose the tube (2) between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion (3, 103) and the second portion (4, 104) each comprise respective engagement members (30, 40, 130, 140) connected in spaced apart relationship to the first and second portions by a plurality of flexible joints (31, 41, 131, 141) such that the engagement members (30, 40) are capable of resiliently engaging the tube (2) enclosed between the first portion (3, 103) and the second portion (4, 104).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamp ring for securing rigid pipe or tubing, for example metal or plastic, but can also be applied to flexible pipe or tubing, such as a hose. BACKGROUND

[0002] A number of clamp rings are already available as pipe fasteners, in particular for use in the automotive industry. One example is the solution described in patent document US 4591119. SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a clamp ring that is able to absorb vibrations while being easier to manufacture.

[0004] The present invention relates to a clamp ring, for example for securing a pipe, comprising an outer structure and an inner structure connected to the outer structure by a plurality of flexible joints to enable the inner structure to resiliently engage the pipe.

[0005] The presence of the flexible joints connecting the inner structure to the outer structure enables the clamp ring to be moulded in one piece while providing the flexibility required to resiliently engage the pipe, whereby vibrations can be absorbed. This flexibility also enables dimensional tolerances of the pipe to be absorbed. This arrangement also enables the pipe retaining portion to be uncoupled from the outer portion.

[0006] The inner structure can comprise an inner "pipe retaining" portion. The outer structure can comprise a "frame" portion. The flexible joints can act as dampers between the two portions. For example, the clamp ring comprises flexible joints 31, 41 in the form of tabs.

[0007] The clamp ring or outer structure can comprise a first portion, for example for fastening the clamp ring to a mounting. The clamp ring or outer structure can comprise a second portion. The second portion can be pivotal relative to the first portion, for example to selectively enclose a pipe between the two portions.

[0008] The first and second portions can each comprise respective engagement members connected to the first and second portions in spaced apart relation, for example by a plurality of flexible joints. The flexible joints can enable the engagement members to resiliently engage a pipe enclosed between the first and second portions.

[0009] The invention also relates to a clamp ring for securing a pipe, the clamp ring comprising: a first part for securing the clamp ring to a mounting, and a second part pivotable relative to the first part to selectively enclose a pipe between the two parts; wherein the first part and the second part each comprise a respective engagement member, the engagement members being connected to the first part and the second part in spaced apart relation by a plurality of flexible joints to enable the engagement members to resiliently engage a pipe enclosed between the first part and the second part.

[0010] The second part can be hingedly connected to the first part by a living and / or flexible hinge or living and / or flexible joint hinge. The term "living hinge" refers to a hinge or joint made of the same material as or integral with the first part and the second part. For example, the hinge is created by a local thinning of the material between the first part and the second part.

[0011] The engagement members can comprise a first engagement member which can be connected to the first part, for example in spaced apart relation. The first engagement member can be connected to the first part by at least three flexible joints.

[0012] The engagement members can comprise a second engagement member which can be connected to the second part, for example in spaced apart relation. The second engagement member can be connected to the second part by at least three flexible joints.

[0013] More specifically, the engagement members can comprise a first engagement member connected to the first part in spaced apart relation by at least three flexible joints and a second engagement member connected to the second part in spaced apart relation by at least three flexible joints.

[0014] The flexible joints connecting the first engagement member to the first part can be angled in a radial direction.

[0015] The flexible joints connecting the second engagement member to the second part can be angled in a radial direction. The flexible joints connecting the second engagement member to the second part can be angled in a direction opposite to the flexible joints connecting the first engagement member to the first part.

[0016] More specifically, the flexible joints connecting the second engagement member to the second part can be angled in a radial direction in a direction opposite to the flexible joints connecting the first engagement member to the first part.

[0017] The joints can be symmetrical relative to a plane separating the first part and the second part.

[0018] The first part can be in the shape of a half ring. The second part can be in the shape of a half ring. At least one (e.g. two) of the engagement members can be in the shape of a half ring.

[0019] More specifically, the first part, the second part, and their connecting members can be in the shape of a semi-circle.

[0020] The clamping ring may include a first fastening device, which may be disposed on a first portion. The clamping ring may include a second fastening device, which may be disposed on a second portion. The fastening devices may be used to secure the clamping ring around the pipe.

[0021] More specifically, the clamping ring may include a first fastening device and a second fastening device, which are respectively disposed on a first part and a second part for fastening the clamping ring around the pipe.

[0022] For example, a clamping ring includes a fastening device in the form of a pair of opposing hooks that engage with each other.

[0023] Each fastening device may include a fastening device or an attachment.

[0024] The first part may include a connector for connecting the clamping ring to the mounting base.

[0025] The clamping ring can be made from a single molded part. The clamping ring can also be molded from a single material.

[0026] For example, the clamping ring is a one-piece molded part made of a thermoplastic material. Thermoplastic materials may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0027] To avoid any doubt, all features described herein also apply to any aspect of the invention.

[0028] To avoid any ambiguity, the terms “may,” “and / or,” “for example,” and any other similar terms used in this document shall be interpreted as non-restrictive, such that any feature so described does not necessarily need to exist. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which will be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] [ Figure 1 This image shows a perspective view of a clamping ring in an open configuration, based on an example.

[0031] [ Figure 2 [Shown] Figure 1 Side view of the clamping ring in the middle;

[0032] [ Figure 3 It showed something similar toFigure 1 a side view of the clamping ring shown in a clamped configuration;

[0033] [ Figure 4 ] illustrates Figure 3 a side view of the clamping ring shown in a clamped configuration; and

[0034] [ Figure 5 ] illustrates a side view of a clamping ring according to another example shown in a clamped configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Reference is now made to Figures 1 to 4 The clamping ring 1 for fastening the pipe 2 to a mounting can be seen. The pipe can be a pipe fitting, a plastic hose, an aluminium hose or an EPDM hose. The clamping ring 1 comprises a first part 3 and a second part 4 which can be pivoted relative to the first part 3 to selectively enclose the pipe 2 between the first and second parts.

[0036] The first part 3 is designed to be fastened to the mounting, for example with an adhesive or by pushing a fastening element through a central portion of the first part 3. In this regard, the first part 3 can comprise holes (not shown) in its thickness to accommodate the fastening element.

[0037] The first part 3 and the second part 4 are in the shape of a half ring and the second part 4 is joined to the first part 3 by a flexible hinge 10. The first part 3 and the second part 4 each comprise respective engagement members 30, 40 which are also in the shape of a half ring connected to the parts in spaced apart relation by a plurality of flexible joints 31, 41.

[0038] More specifically, the engagement members 30, 40 comprise a first engagement member 30 and a second engagement member 40. The first engagement member 30 is connected to the first part 3 in spaced apart relation by a plurality of flexible joints 31. The second engagement member 40 is connected to the second part 4 in spaced apart relation by a plurality of flexible joints 41.

[0039] The flexible joints 31, 41 enable the engagement members 30, 40 to elastically engage the pipe 2 enclosed between the first part 3 and the second part 4. In this example, the flexible joints 31, 41 are tabs, but they can be in any other form.

[0040] The flexible joints 31, 41 are angled in a radial direction. Thus, when the engagement members 30, 40 are clamped on the pipe 2, the outward radial force applied to the engagement members causes the flexible joints 31, 41 to bend towards a tangential orientation. This configuration provides elasticity which can be adjusted by varying the angle, width, thickness, shape and number of the flexible joints 31, 41. These features also enable the degree of damping to be varied.

[0041] In this example, the flexible joint 41 connecting the second engagement member 40 to the second portion 4 is angled in the opposite direction to the flexible joint 31 connecting the first engagement member 30 to the first portion 3. If the pipe 2 is twisted relative to the clamp ring 1 or the clamp ring is twisted relative to the pipe, this opposite orientation of the flexible joints 31, 41 maintains the pressure exerted on the pipe 2 by the engagement members 30, 40. This also improves the ability of the clamp ring 1 to absorb torsional vibrations of the pipe 2.

[0042] The clamp ring 1 also comprises first and second fastening means 32, 42 for fastening the clamp ring 1 around the pipe 2. The first fastening means 32 are provided on the first portion 3 and the second fastening means 32 are provided on the second portion 4. The fastening means 32, 42 are in the form of a pair of opposing hooks which engage one another.

[0043] In this example, the clamp ring 1 is made from one unitary moulding. However, the skilled person will appreciate that other configurations are possible.

[0044] Figure 5 A clamp ring 101 according to a further example is shown, which is similar to the clamp ring 1 in Figures 1 to 4 , where like features are indicated with like reference numerals plus 100. The clamp ring 101 according to this example differs from the clamp ring in Figures 1 to 4 in that the first portion 103 comprises a connector 105 for connecting the clamp ring 101 to a mounting.

[0045] The skilled person will appreciate that the above-described embodiments can be varied in a number of ways, so long as they are consistent with the present invention.

[0046] List of reference numerals

[0047] 1 clamp ring

[0048] 10 flexible hinge

[0049] 2 pipe

[0050] 3 first portion

[0051] 30 engagement member

[0052] 31 flexible joint

[0053] 32 first fastening means

[0054] 4 second portion

[0055] 40 engagement member

[0056] 41 flexible joint

[0057] 42 second fastening means

[0058] 101 clamping ring

[0059] 110 flexible hinge

[0060] 102 tube

[0061] 103 first portion

[0062] 130 engagement member

[0063] 131 flexible joint

[0064] 132 first fastening means

[0065] 104 second portion

[0066] 140 engagement member

[0067] 141 flexible joint

[0068] 142 second fastening means

[0069] 105 connector

Claims

1. A clamping ring (1, 101) for fastening a tube (2), said clamping ring (1, 101) comprising: The first part (3, 103), the first part being used to fasten the clamping ring (1, 101) to the mounting base, and The second part (4, 104) is pivotable relative to the first part (3, 103) to selectively enclose the tube (2) between the first part and the second part; The first part (3, 103) and the second part (4, 104) each include corresponding connecting members (30, 40, 130, 140), which are connected to the first part and the second part in a spaced-out relationship by a plurality of flexible joints (31, 41, 131, 141) so that the connecting members (30, 40) can elastically engage the pipe (2) enclosed between the first part (3, 103) and the second part (4, 104).

2. The clamping ring (1, 101) according to claim 1, wherein, The joining members (30, 40, 130, 140) include a first joining member (30, 130) and a second joining member (40, 140), the first joining member being connected to the first part (3, 103) in a spaced-apart relationship via at least three flexible joints (31, 131), and the second joining member being connected to the second part (4, 104) in a spaced-apart relationship via at least three flexible joints (41, 141).

3. The clamping ring (1, 101) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The flexible joint (31, 131) that connects the first joining member (30, 130) to the first part (3, 103) is angled in the radial direction.

4. The clamping ring (1, 101) according to claim 3, wherein, The flexible joint (41, 141) that connects the second joining member (40, 140) to the second part (4, 104) is able to be angled in the radial direction in the opposite direction to the flexible joint (31, 131) that connects the first joining member (30, 130) to the first part (3, 103).

5. The clamping ring (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first part (3, 103), the second part (4, 104), and their connecting members (30, 40, 130, 140) are in the shape of a semi-circle.

6. The clamping ring (1, 101) according to claim 5, wherein, The second part (4) is connected to the first part (3) via a movable and / or flexible hinge (10).

7. The clamping ring (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims includes a first fastening device (32, 132) and a second fastening device (42, 142), the first fastening device and the second fastening device being respectively disposed on the first part (3, 103) and the second part (4, 104) for fastening the clamping ring (1, 101) around the tube (2).

8. The clamping ring (1, 101) according to claim 7, wherein, The fastening devices (32, 42) are in the form of a pair of opposing hooks that engage with each other.

9. The clamping ring (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first part (103) includes a connector (105) for connecting the clamping ring (101) to the mounting base.

10. The clamping ring (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The clamping ring (1, 101) is made from a single molded part.

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