JOINT CLAMP

Abstract

Clamping collar comprising a ring (10) with two annular portions (12, 13), each having a first end (12A, 13A) provided with a clamping lug (14, 15), and a second end (12B, 13B) provided with a connecting element (16, 17), the connecting elements being suitable for cooperating with one another to releasably connect the second ends, the clamping lugs each having a bore (14A, 15A), and the clamping collar further comprising a screw (18) whose shank (18A) passes through said bores and which is held relative to the clamping lugs to cause their relative movement by screwing in order to tighten the clamping collar while the second ends are connected, characterized in that it comprises a bridge (324') arranged between the clamping lugs (14, 15), which bridge has a separate element and comprises two fastening tabs (325', 325''),which are arranged between the clamping tabs, wherein the fastening tabs (325', 325'') are arranged on the inside of the clamping tabs (14, 15) between their side cheeks on the inside of the clamping tabs, wherein the fastening tabs (325', 325'') are each provided with a bore (325'A, 325''A) through which the shaft (18A) of the screw also passes, wherein the bridge (324') is deformable under the effect of the force of tightening the clamp when the clamping tabs move towards each other.

Description

[0001] Concerning European Patent 3 026 316 (DE 60 2011 040 538) the 7th Senate (Nullity Senate) of the Federal Patent Court has, based on the oral hearing of 11 May 2022 found to be right: I. European Patent 3 026 316 is hereby partially revoked with effect for the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany by amending claim 1 as follows: "1. Clamping collar comprising a ring (10) with two ring portions (12, 13), each having a first end (12A, 13A) provided with a clamping lug (14, 15), and a second end (12B, 13B) provided with a connecting element (16, 17), the connecting elements being suitable for cooperating with one another to releasably connect the second ends, the clamping lugs each having a bore (14A, 15A), and the clamping collar further comprising a screw (18) whose shank (18A) passes through said bores and which is held with respect to the clamping lugs to cause their relative movement by screwing in order to tighten the clamping collar while the second ends are connected, characterized in that it comprises a bridge (324') arranged between the clamping lugs (14, 15) which has a ring sections and comprises two fastening tabs (325', 325"),which are arranged between the clamping lugs, wherein the fastening lugs (325', 325") are arranged on the inside of the clamping lugs (14, 15) between their side cheeks on the inside of the clamping lugs, wherein the fastening lugs (325', 325'') are each provided with a bore (325'A, 325''A) through which the shaft (18A) of the screw also passes, wherein the bridge (324') is deformable under the effect of the force of tightening the clamp when the clamping lugs move towards each other.'', and patent claims 2 to 8 refer back to the amended version of patent claim 1, with the wording unchanged from that as granted.

Claims

[1] A clamp comprising a ring (10) with two ring portions (12, 13), each having a first end (12A, 13A) provided with a clamping lug (14, 15), and a second end (12B, 13B) provided with a connecting element (16, 17), the connecting elements being adapted to cooperate with one another to releasably connect the second ends, the clamping lugs each having a bore (14A, 15A), and the clamp further comprising a screw (18) whose shank (18A) passes through these bores and which is held relative to the clamping lugs to cause their relative movement by screwing in order to tighten the clamp while the second ends are connected, characterized byin that it comprises a bridge (324') arranged between the clamping lugs (14, 15), which forms an element separate from the annular sections and comprises two fastening lugs (325', 325'') arranged between the clamping lugs, wherein the fastening lugs (325', 325'') are arranged on the inside of the clamping lugs (14, 15) between their side cheeks on the inside of the clamping lugs, wherein the fastening lugs (325', 325'') are each provided with a bore (325'A, 325''A) through which the shank (18A) of the screw also passes, wherein the bridge (324') is deformable under the effect of the force of tightening the clamp when the clamping lugs move towards one another. [2] Clamp according to claim 1, characterized by that the connecting elements (16, 17) interact with each other by hooking. [3] Clamp according to claim 2, characterized byin that the connecting element of the second end of one of the ring sections (12, 13) comprises a radially outwardly projecting first wing (17) having an inwardly bent free end (17A) to form a hook, while the connecting element of the second end of the other ring section comprises a radially outwardly projecting second wing (16) suitable for cooperating with the hook. [4] Clamp according to claim 2, characterized by that the connecting element (116) of the second end (12B) of one of the ring sections (12) is formed on an extension (116A) of the second end which is offset radially outwards. [5] Clamp according to claim 4, characterized bythat the extension (116A) has an inner hooking edge (116', 116''), and that the connecting element (117) of the second end of the other ring portion comprises a hooking edge suitable for hooking onto the inner hooking edge on the inside of the extension. [6] Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the bore (14A, 15A) of at least one of the clamping tabs (14, 15) is elongated. [7] Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the bore of one of the clamping tabs (14, 15) has an internally threaded collar (14B) in order to screwably cooperate with the shaft (18) of the screw. [8] Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the bridge (324') has a V-shape.