Pipe clamp

Abstract

Pipe clamp for connecting paired flanges of two pipe ends to be coupled together, comprising at least two clamp sections (1, 2) encompassing the flanges, wherein the clamp sections (1, 2) are connected to one another in an articulated manner at a respective first clamp end (1a, 1b?), a first of the two clamp sections (1, 2) is assigned a locking bolt (3), which is pivotally articulated with its proximal bolt end (3a) to a second clamp end (2a, 2b?) opposite the first clamp end (1a, 1b), and two bolt receiving jaws (6, 6') are arranged on the second clamp end (2a, 2b?) of the second clamp section (2) opposite the first clamp end, which form a bolt receiving recess (7), wherein the bolt receiving jaws (6, 6') are arranged at a distance from one another which is greater than the width of the Bolt receiving notch of the pivotable part of the locking bolt (3),and a closure means movable at least in sections along the closure bolt (3), characterized in that the bolt receiving jaws (6, 6') each have a guide groove (11, 11') in which bolt wings (10, 10') formed on the closure bolt (3) are guided when the pipeline clamp is closed as intended.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pipeline clamp for connecting paired flanges of two pipeline ends to be coupled to one another, comprising at least two clamp sections encompassing the flanges, wherein the clamp sections are connected to one another in an articulated manner at a respective first clamp end, a first of the two clamp sections is assigned a locking bolt which is pivotally connected with its proximal bolt end to a second clamp end opposite the first clamp end, and two bolt receiving jaws are arranged on the second clamp end of the second clamp section opposite the first clamp end, which form a bolt receiving notch, wherein the bolt receiving jaws are arranged at a distance from one another which is greater than the width of the locking bolt which can be pivoted into the bolt receiving notch, and a closure means which can be moved at least in sections along the locking bolt.

[0002] A generic connecting device is known from DE 20 2008 008 545 U1, according to which two clamping ring legs are to be secured to each other by means of a locking means movable on a bolt, encompassing two flanges. The locking means has a greater width than two cut edges of a notch into which the bolt is to be pivoted. The locking means thus fixes the bolt in the notch, closing the clamping ring formed by the clamping ring legs. The bolt is thus secured in the notch solely by the locking means.

[0003] The object of the invention is to further develop such a connecting device in such a way that the locking bolt is guided in the incision with greater reliability and thus an optimized connection of the clamp sections is achieved.

[0004] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Further developments and advantageous embodiments are specified in the subordinate claims.

[0005] The pipeline clamp for connecting paired flanges of two pipeline ends to be coupled together, comprising at least two clamp sections encompassing the flanges, wherein the clamp sections are hingedly connected to one another at a respective first clamp end, a first of the two clamp sections is assigned a locking bolt, which is pivotally connected with its proximal bolt end to a second clamp end opposite the first clamp end, and two bolt receiving jaws are arranged on the second clamp end of the second clamp section opposite the first clamp end, which form a bolt receiving recess, wherein the bolt receiving jaws are arranged at a distance from one another that is greater than the width of the locking bolt that can be pivoted into the bolt receiving recess, and a closure means that is movable at least in sections along the locking bolt,is characterized according to the invention in that the bolt receiving jaws each have a guide groove in which bolt wings formed on the locking bolt are guided when the pipe clamp is closed as intended.

[0006] The bolt wings guide the locking bolt into the bolt receiving jaws as the pipe clamp is closed, allowing the locking device to be easily secured. This minimizes forces, such as tension, that could impede closing.

[0007] This is achieved in a further embodiment by arranging the bolt wings opposite one another on the locking bolt, with the locking bolt having a greater width in the area of ​​the bolt wings than the distance between the bolt receiving jaws forming the bolt receiving notch. The connection between the groove and the bolt wings thus forms an undercut that prevents the locking bolt held in the guide grooves from accidentally pivoting out.

[0008] To facilitate insertion of the bolt wings into the guide grooves, they have a rounded shape in a further embodiment; in particular, the bolt wings are formed by semicircular disc segments. The semicircular disc segments advantageously have a central axis aligned perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the locking bolt. When the clamp sections are joined, the bolt wings then abut the bolt receiving jaws with their rounded surfaces and slide with less resistance toward the respective guide groove.

[0009] The guide grooves can be widened at their ends for easier assembly, particularly with a tapered design. Spherical segment-shaped recesses on the bolt receiving jaws and other widened shapes are also possible, facilitating the threading of the bolt wings when closing the pipe clamp.

[0010] According to a further development, the closure means of the pipeline clamp is movable only along a distal section of the locking bolt. As a result, the bolt receiving jaws can be pressed by the closure means toward the proximal bolt end and thus toward the other clamp section when the pipeline clamp is closed.

[0011] For this purpose, the distal section with the closure means has an external thread in a further embodiment, which corresponds to an internal thread of the closure means. Since the closure means is formed by a wing nut in a further embodiment, it can be easily tightened by hand. However, hexagon nuts are also suitable as an alternative to a wing nut.

[0012] According to a further development, the distal section with the closure means extends to the bolt wings arranged proximally from the distal section with the closure means. The closure bolt can thus be pivoted into the bolt section with its thread-free section, particularly the proximal section, thereby counteracting possible damage to the thread.

[0013] By designing the guide grooves in the bolt receiving jaws in a sack-shaped manner, a further development also ensures that the bolt receiving jaws can be made as stable as possible and breakage points are avoided, and on the other hand the pipe clamp can no longer be easily lost after the bolt wings have been inserted into the guide grooves.

[0014] In a further embodiment, when the pipe clamp is closed as intended, the guide grooves extend from the side of the bolt receiving jaws facing away from the second clamp end of the first clamp section toward the proximal bolt end hinged to the first clamp section. The bolt wings inserted into the guide grooves then abut the bag-shaped end of the guide grooves when the pipe clamp opens, preventing the pipe clamp from opening completely. This can also ensure that the flange connection is completely released, preventing any hazardous substances from escaping.

[0015] An embodiment of the invention, from which further essential features of the invention may emerge, is illustrated in the drawing. Identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals throughout the figures of the drawing. They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of the pipe clamp according to the invention; Fig. 2: a longitudinal section through a locking bolt of the pipe clamp according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3: a top view of the locking bolt according to Fig. 2 in the direction of its longitudinal axis; Fig. 4: a longitudinal section through the locking bolt of an alternative embodiment to the pipe clamp according to Fig. 2; and Fig. 5: a perspective detailed view of the pipe clamp according to the invention.

[0016] Fig. 1 discloses a pipeline clamp with two semi-circular clamp sections 1, 2, which are pivotally connected to each other at a respective first clamp end 1a, 2a. Both clamp sections 1, 2 have a U-shaped profile open toward a clamp center, which can be used to engage around the flange ends of two pipeline ends to be coupled together.

[0017] A locking bolt 3 is pivotally connected with its proximal bolt end 3a to a second clamp end 1b of the first clamp section 1, opposite the first clamp end 1a. For this purpose, the clamp section 1 has two bolt holding jaws 4, 4' on its outer circumference at the second clamp end 1b, with the locking bolt 3 being received with its proximal bolt end 3a between the bolt holding jaws 4, 4'. The bolt holding jaws 4, 4' each have a bore in which a pin 5 is held. The pin 5, displaced parallel to a clamp center axis, forms a bolt pivot axis about which the locking bolt 3 can be pivoted relative to the clamp section 1, in particular can be pivoted by at least 180°.

[0018] The clamp section 2 has two bolt receiving jaws 6, 6' at its second clamp end 2b, opposite the first clamp end 2a. The bolt receiving jaws 6, 6' form a bolt receiving recess 7, into which the locking bolt 3 can be pivoted when the clamp sections 1, 2 are folded together as intended.

[0019] How the locking bolt 3 is positioned and secured in the bolt receiving recess 7 is shown in the further Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 can be seen.

[0020] From the longitudinal section according to Fig. 2 that the locking bolt 3 has a distal section 8 which has an external thread 9. The distal section 8 with the external thread 9 extends from a distal bolt end to bolt wings 10, 10' arranged on the locking bolt 3 and thus approximately over half the total length of the locking bolt 3. The bolt wings 10, 10' are formed on opposite sides of the locking bolt 3 and represent widenings thereof, wherein the locking bolt 3 has a greater width in the region of the bolt wings 10, 10' than the bolt receiving notch 7 formed by the distance between the bolt receiving jaws 6, 6'. The bolt wings 10, 10' are guided in guide grooves 11, 11' which secure the locking bolt 3 to the bolt receiving jaws 6, 6'.

[0021] The width of the bolt receiving recess 7 formed by the distance between the bolt receiving jaws 6, 6' is determined in particular from Fig. 3. The bolt receiving jaws 6, 6' have mutually parallel notch surfaces 12, 12' in the area of ​​the bolt receiving notch 7, which are interrupted at least in sections by the guide grooves 11, 11'. Only the bolt wings 10, 10' protrude into the guide grooves 11, 11', while the remaining locking bolt 3 has a width smaller than the distance between the mutually parallel notch surfaces 12, 12'.

[0022] In Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the guide grooves 13, 13', which, unlike the guide grooves 11, 11', do not extend over the entire length of the bolt receiving jaws 14, 14' and terminate in a sack-like manner in the bolt receiving jaws 14, 14'. Starting from the side of the bolt receiving jaws 14, 14' facing away from the second clamp end 1b of the clamp section 1, the guide grooves 13, 13' extend only in the direction of the second clamp end 1b of the clamp section 1 with the hinged locking bolt 3.

[0023] Out of Fig.Figure 5 shows a further detail of the guide grooves 11, 11', which are widened at their end regions facing away from the second clamp end 1b of the first clamp section 1 to facilitate threading of the bolt wings 10, 10' into the guide grooves 11, 11'. For this purpose, the bolt receiving jaws 14, 14' have spherical segment-shaped recesses 15, 15' at the respective end regions. Correspondingly modified end regions of the guide grooves 11, 11' can also be readily provided for the guide grooves 13, 13'. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 20 2008 008 545 U1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Pipe clamp for connecting paired flanges of two pipe ends to be coupled together, comprising at least two clamp sections (1, 2) encompassing the flanges, wherein the clamp sections (1, 2) are connected to one another in an articulated manner at a respective first clamp end (1a, 1b), a first of the two clamp sections (1, 2) is assigned a locking bolt (3) which is pivotally articulated with its proximal bolt end (3a) to a second clamp end (2a, 2b) opposite the first clamp end (1a, 1b), and two bolt receiving jaws (6, 6') are arranged on the second clamp end (2a, 2b) of the second clamp section (2) opposite the first clamp end, which form a bolt receiving recess (7), wherein the bolt receiving jaws (6, 6') are arranged at a distance from one another which is greater than the width of the the bolt receiving notch of the pivotable part of the locking bolt (3),and a closure means movable at least in sections along the closure bolt (3), characterized by that the bolt receiving jaws (6, 6') each have a guide groove (11, 11') in which bolt wings (10, 10') formed on the locking bolt (3) are guided when the pipeline clamp is closed as intended. [2] Pipe clamp according to claim 1, characterized by that the bolt wings (10, 10') are arranged opposite one another on the locking bolt (3), wherein the locking bolt (3) has a greater width in the region of the bolt wings (10, 10') than the distance between the bolt receiving jaws (6, 6') forming the bolt receiving notch (7). [3] Pipe clamp according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the guide grooves (11, 11') are widened at their end regions facing away from the second clamp end (1b) of the first clamp section (1) when the pipe clamp is closed. [4] Pipe clamp according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the closure means of the pipeline clamp is movable along a distal portion (8) of the closure bolt (3). [5] Pipe clamp according to claim 4, characterized by that the distal section (8) with the closure means (3) has an external thread (9) which corresponds to an internal thread of the closure means. [6] Pipe clamp according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the locking means is formed by a wing nut. [7] Pipe clamp according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by that the distal section (8) with the closure means extends up to the bolt wings (10, 10') arranged proximally from the distal section (8) with the closure means. [8] Pipe clamp according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the guide grooves (11, 11') in the bolt receiving jaws (6, 6') are sack-shaped. [9] Pipe clamp according to claim 8, characterized by that the guide grooves (11, 11') extend, when the pipeline clamp is to be closed as intended, from the side of the bolt receiving jaws facing away from the second clamp end (2a, 2b) of the first clamp section (1, 2) in the direction of the proximal bolt end (3a) hinged to the first clamp section (1, 2).

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