Flange cover

Abstract

Flange cover (1) made of thin-walled plastic or fibrous material, comprising a cover element (2) configured to cover an opening and / or a sealing and / or fastening surface of a flange (14), and thimble-shaped fastening elements (3) formed integrally with the cover element (2) and extending transversely thereto to engage in respective through-holes (16) of the flange (14), characterized in that at least one fastening element (3) has a lateral cam (6) in a section (4) adjacent to its distal end (5), which engages behind the respective through-hole (16) of the flange (14), wherein the width (18) of the section (4) with the cam (6) is less than or equal to the diameter (19) of the through-hole (16).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a flange cover according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] US 3856050 A discloses a flange cover for attachment to a machined surface of a flange provided at the end of a pipe, valve, or the like. The flange cover comprises a plate and a plurality of fasteners integrally formed with the plate and extending transversely to engage through-holes in the flange. The fasteners include a beaded head which, due to the elastic material of the flange cover and a cavity extending into the head, is compressible so that the fasteners clamp in the holes and / or engage through them, thus locking into place.

[0003] US 4014368 A shows a thin-walled plastic flange cover with thimble-shaped protrusions as fasteners that frictionally engage in the holes of the flange and are dimensioned so that the closed end is accessible for finger pressure to push the fasteners out of the holes when the cover is to be removed from the flange.

[0004] To ensure these flange covers are easy to handle and securely attach to the flanges, their fastening elements must correspond as closely as possible to the bores in the flanges in terms of position and dimensions. Tolerances that can occur in both the flanges and the plastic covers necessitate a complex coordination process during the design of the molds and the definition of the various parameters in the manufacturing process of the flange covers.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a tolerance-robust flange cover that can be designed with thin walls and manufactured in large series.

[0006] This problem is solved in a flange cover according to the preamble of claim 1 according to the invention in that at least one fastening element has a lateral cam in a section adjoining its distal end, which engages behind the respective through-hole of the flange, wherein the width of the section with the cam is less than or equal to the diameter of the through-hole. The distal end of the hollow fastening element is widened by the laterally projecting cam. With a width less than or equal to the bore diameter, it can be easily guided through the respective through-hole of the flange without deforming the section with the cam. The width of the section with the cam is defined by a circumscribed circle that encloses this section.In order for the cam to lock into the through-hole in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner, the at least one fastening element in the flange cover is positioned such that, when the flange cover is arranged on the flange as intended, the circumscribed circle is not completely inside the through-hole, but is outside the cam by approximately its height.

[0007] The hollow fastening element has a significantly smaller width below the cam section than the diameter of the through-hole. The fastening element itself has a preferably circular cylindrical shape.

[0008] The at least one fastening element flexes resiliently to the side as the section with the cam passes through it. It returns to its original position when the cam exits the through-hole on the back of the flange, with the fastening element engaging the cam in a positive and / or non-positive locking manner in the through-hole. The bending occurs essentially in the area where the hollow fastening element is integrally formed with the cover element.

[0009] Preferably, the width of the section with the cam is only a few tenths to a few millimeters smaller than the diameter of the through-hole. This allows for the creation of stable fastening elements. Furthermore, after the fastening elements are inserted into the through-holes, the flange cover is moved into its final position covering the flange with virtually no play.

[0010] Due to its elastic properties and the aforementioned smaller width, the at least one fastening element that has the cam can compensate for tolerances that occur in the diameter and / or in the position of the through hole in the flange and in it itself.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the cam extends over a maximum of 180°, preferably a maximum of 135°, and more preferably a maximum of 90° of the circumference of the fastening element. The cam is not circumferential but rather projects from one side of the fastening element.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the cam has an insertion ramp on the side facing the closed distal end of the fastening element. This makes it easier to insert the fastening element into the through-hole. The insertion ramp bends the fastening element to the side as it is inserted.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the closed distal end of the fastening elements has a rounded edge and / or a circumferential chamfer to facilitate insertion into a through-hole. Preferably, the rounded edge and / or chamfer merges into the insertion ramp of the cam.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the flange cover is formed from a thin plastic film or fiber web. Thermoforming enables cost-effective production of the flange cover in high volumes and is particularly material-efficient compared to solid bodies.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, a conically flared foot is provided, to which the at least one fastening element is connected to the cover element. The foot has a maximum diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the through-hole. The foot, which is preferably flared eccentrically to the dimensions of the through-hole and is only a few millimeters high, ensures a play-free fit of the flange cover when the cam engages behind the back of the through-hole. This restricts the initial elasticity of the fastening element, requiring increased force to detach the flange cover from the flange. The flange cover is thus securely fastened. The required detachment force can be adjusted by the penetration depth of the flared foot into the through-hole. The conical shape facilitates insertion of the foot into the through-hole.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, a circumferential, channel-shaped recess is formed in the cover element around the base of the at least one fastening element, thereby improving the elastic bending at the connection between the fastening element and the cover element. The relief-like transition to the cover element allows the cover element to rest flush on the flange.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, at least two fastening elements have a cam, the cams being substantially directed towards each other. With two or an even number of fastening elements, the fastening elements are arranged in pairs with respect to a center point of the cover element, with their cams facing each other. The bending forces that occur during the assembly of the flange cover cancel each other out accordingly. With three or an odd number greater than one fastening elements, the cams are preferably directed towards a center point of the cover element.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, a gripping dome is provided, which is formed essentially centrally in the cover element and opposite the fastening elements. The gripping dome, which is easy to grip and can be manufactured by thermoforming, facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the flange cover. Preferably, the gripping dome includes at least one stacking lug. Identical flange covers can be stacked on top of each other to save space, thus simplifying automated removal and assembly of the flange covers. The height of the stacking lugs is adapted to the height of the lugs on the fastening elements, which therefore also serve for stacking.

[0019] Further advantages and details of the invention can be found in the following description of the figures. Individual technical features of the embodiment described below can also be combined with previously described features.

[0020] Exemplary embodiments and the features of the independent claims and any further claims are combined to form the subject matter of the invention. Where appropriate, functionally equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals. They show Fig. 1. A flange cover in perspective view from above; Fig. 2. The flange cover in perspective view from below; Fig. 2 A sectional view of the flange cover mounted on a flange.

[0021] The in Fig. 1 and Fig. The flange cover 1 shown in Figure 2, thermoformed from a thin plastic film, has a cover element 2 and two fastening elements 3. The cover element 2, bounded by a downwardly offset edge 13, serves to cover a mounting surface, an opening, and a sealing ring 17 embedded in the mounting surface of a flange 14, which is provided at the end of a pipe 15 (see Figure 2). Fig. 3) The thimble-shaped fastening elements 3 are formed integrally with the cover element 2 and extend transversely to it. They engage in respective through-holes 16 of the flange 14.

[0022] According to the invention, the fastening elements 3 have a lateral cam 6 in a section 4 adjacent to their closed distal end 5, which engages behind the respective through-hole 16 of the flange 14. The width 18 of the section 4 with the cam 6 is slightly smaller than the diameter 19 of the through-hole 16, so that the fastening elements 3 can be pushed through the through-holes 16 without deformation when the flange cover 1 is mounted on the flange 14.

[0023] For easier insertion, the fastening elements 3 have a chamfer 8 at their distal end 5, which transitions into an insertion ramp 7 of the cam 6, so that the fastening elements 3 bend elastically to the side when the section 4 is inserted along with the cam 6. This is because the fastening elements 3 are not arranged coaxially with respect to their circumscribed circle enclosing the width 18 in relation to the through-holes 16 in the flange cover 1, but are offset by approximately the height of the cam 6.

[0024] The elastic bending occurs primarily in the area where the hollow fastening elements 3 are connected to the cover element 2. A circumferential, channel-shaped recess 10 at the transition to the cover element 2 improves the elastic properties of the bending point. The relief-like transition allows the cover element 2 to sit flush against the flange 14.

[0025] The elastically deflected fastening elements 3 return to their original position when their cams 6 emerge from the through-holes 16 on the rear side of the flange 14, with the respective fastening element 3 engaging the through-hole 16 with the cam 6 in a positive and non-positive locking manner. In the exemplary embodiment, the cams 6 extend over approximately 90° of the circumference of the generally circular cylindrical fastening elements 3, with the cams 6 facing each other. The bending forces that occur during the assembly of the flange cover 1 cancel each other out accordingly.

[0026] The fasteners 3 have an eccentrically conically flared foot 9. It has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter 19 of the through-hole 16 and extends a few millimeters from the point where the fasteners 3 are integrally formed on the cover element 2 towards the distal end 5. The foot 9 engages in the through-hole 16 when the cam 6 engages behind the rear face of the through-hole 16. This restricts the initial flexibility of the fasteners 3, requiring increased force to detach the flange cover 1 from the flange 14.

[0027] The flange cover 1 has a gripping dome 11, which is formed essentially in the center of the cover element 2 and is opposite the fastening elements 3. The flange cover 1 can thus be easily gripped, enabling quick assembly and disassembly of the flange cover.

[0028] Stacking cams 12 are formed on all four sides of the cubic gripping dome 11. Their height, which determines the stacking distance of stacked flange covers 1, is adapted to the height of the cams 6 on the fastening elements 3, so that the cams 6 also serve to stack the flange covers 1. Reference symbol list 1 Flange cover 2 Cover element 3 Fastening element Section 4 5 Distal End 6 cams 7. Lead-in ramp 8th phase 9 feet 10 gully 11 Griffin Cathedral 12 stacking cams 13 Rand 14 flange 15 pipe 16 through holes 17 Sealing ring 18 width 19 diameter QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 3856050 A

[0002] US 4014368 A

[0003]

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