Profiled clamp

Abstract

The invention relates to a profiled clamp (10) having a clamp band (12), which extends in a peripheral direction (46) about a longitudinal axis (24) between a first clamping head (14) and a second clamping head (16), the clamp band (12) having a clip element (18). According to the invention, the clip element (18) has a fastening portion (20), which fastens the clip element (18) to the clamp band (12) such that the clip element is stationary at least in the peripheral direction (46), and a protrusion portion (22), which extends away from the clamp band (12) up to a free end piece (44). Thus, a profiled clamp (10) for which rotation is avoided simply and economically in the premounted stated is provided.

Description

[0001] Profile clamp

[0002] The invention relates to a profile clamp with a clamp band which extends in a circumferential direction around a longitudinal axis between a first clamping head and a second clamping head, wherein the clamp band has a clip element.

[0003] Profile clamps are used, for example, to connect fluid lines, where the fluid lines have flanges at their ends. The profile clamp is placed over the flanges of two fluid lines to be connected and then closed. The clamp band has a profile to accommodate the flanges. To close the profile clamps, the clamping heads are used, which are moved toward each other, for example, using a screw, so that the clamp band is tightened around the flanges.

[0004] To facilitate the installation of profile clamps, profile clamps can be pre-assembled to the flanges. In the pre-assembled state, the profile clamps are not yet fully closed, so the profile clamp is arranged so that it can rotate around the flanges. This can complicate final assembly, as the profile clamp must first be aligned before final installation. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a profile clamp in which rotation in the pre-assembled state is avoided with little effort and cost-effectively.

[0005] Main features of the invention are defined in the characterizing part of claim 1. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 8.

[0006] In a profile clamp with a clamp band that extends in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis between a first clamping head and a second clamping head, wherein the clamp band has a clip element, it is provided according to the invention that the clip element has a fastening section that releasably fastens the clip element to the clamp band at least in a fixed position in the circumferential direction, and a web section that extends away from the clamp band to the free end piece.

[0007] This provides a profile clamp with a clip element which can be detachably attached to the profile clamp by means of the fastening section, at least for pre-assembly. The fastening section is designed for detachably fastening the clip element to the profile clamp. The fastening section can create a detachable snap-in connection between the clip element and the clamp band of the profile clamp, whereby the clip element can no longer be moved in the circumferential direction along the clamp band once it has been fastened to the clamp band. It is conceivable for the fastening section to engage around the clamp band, for example from the outside. The clip element is fixedly fastened to the clamp band in the circumferential direction by means of the fastening section. Once the clip element has been fastened to the clamp band, the web section protrudes from the clamp band, preferably in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.Because the web section extends away from the clamp band, the web section can be manually fixed during pre-assembly, for example, by a user until final assembly, or it can be applied circumferentially to a counter-element attached to one of the fluid lines to be connected. The fixed attachment of the clip element, at least in the circumferential direction, prevents rotation of the profile clamp around its longitudinal axis in the circumferential direction. This facilitates pre-assembly and final assembly of the profile clamp. Furthermore, the clip element is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and can be easily attached to the profile clamp.

[0008] According to a further example, the web section and the fastening section can be arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis. This allows for a stable connection between the web section and the fastening section. Furthermore, a complex contour of the clip element is achieved. Furthermore, the fastening of the clip element can then be arranged offset in the circumferential direction relative to the contact position of the web section on a mating element of one of the fluid lines to be fastened. This means that the fastening section is not obscured by the web section and can be subjected to visual inspection, for example, to detect damage or correct fastening.

[0009] Furthermore, for example, a connecting section of the clip element can connect the web section to the fastening section.

[0010] According to this example, the connecting portion may extend in the circumferential direction.

[0011] With the connecting section, the web section can be easily arranged offset in the circumferential direction with respect to the fastening section.

[0012] According to another example, the clamp band may comprise two half-shells, wherein the clip element is arranged on one of the two half-shells.

[0013] The half-shells of the clamp band can be connected to each other via a bridge, which can be positioned diametrically opposite the clamping heads when the profile clamp is assembled. Alternatively, the half-shells can be connected to each other via a detachable articulated coupling. The half-shells have a profile designed to accommodate two flanges placed against each other.

[0014] According to one example, the clamp band may have at least one receptacle for the fastening portion, wherein the fastening portion is arranged in the receptacle.

[0015] The receptacle can, for example, be a recess arranged on an edge portion of the clamp band. The recess can be delimited by edges that extend substantially radially relative to the longitudinal axis. When the fastening portion engages the recess to fasten the clip element to the clamp band, the edges create a positive fit in the circumferential direction. The recess thus provides improved stationary fastening of the clip element in the circumferential direction. According to one example, the web portion can be offset in the circumferential direction by 70° to 110°, preferably 80° to 100°, more preferably 90°, around the longitudinal axis of one of the clamping heads.

[0016] This creates a gap between the clamping heads and the web section, preventing the web section from interfering with the handling of the clamping heads and vice versa.

[0017] According to one example, the fastening section can extend between a first holding element and a second holding element arranged opposite the first holding element, wherein the holding elements fasten the clip element to the clamp band.

[0018] The fastening section can be formed in a band-like manner between the holding elements, wherein the holding elements can form end regions of the fastening section that are opposite one another along the fastening section.

[0019] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0020] Fig. 1a, b a schematic representation of a profile clamp;

[0021] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a clip element;

[0022] Fig. 3a, b a schematic representation of a pipe connection by means of a

[0023] profile clamp;

[0024] Fig. 4a, b a schematic representation of another embodiment of the

[0025] Clip elements; and

[0026] Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the clip element from Figure 4 arranged on a profile clamp.

[0027] The profile clamp is referred to in its entirety below with the reference number 10.

[0028] The profile clamp 10, as shown in Figure 1a, has a clamp band 12 that extends around a longitudinal axis 24 along a circumferential direction 46. In this example, the clamp band 12 has two half-shells 38, 40. The half-shells 38, 40 are connected to each other at one end. This connection can be detachable, whereby one of the half-shells 38, 40 can be hooked into an opening in the other half-shell 38, 40 by means of a hook 52.

[0029] Alternatively, the two half-shells 38, 40 can be connected to each other via a joint or a bridge (not shown).

[0030] The first half-shell 38 has a first clamping head 14 at an end opposite the connection between the half-shells 38, 40. The second half-shell 40 also has a second clamping head 16 at an end opposite the connection between the half-shells 38, 40. The profile clamp 10 can be clamped via the clamping heads 14, 16 using a clamping element 42, in this example, a screw.

[0031] A receptacle 50 can be arranged on the clamp band 12, which can be formed as a recess in one of the half-shells 38, 40. A clip element 18 is fastened in the receptacle 50. For this purpose, the clip element 18 has a fastening section 20 with which the clip element 18 can be releasably snapped into the receptacle 50 or clamp band 12.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1b, which shows a sectional view along line AA of Figure 1a, the fastening section 20 encompasses the clamp band 12 from the outside. The fastening section 20 extends from a first retaining element 26 to a second retaining element 28, each of which engages a receptacle 50 on the clamp band 12. When the clip element 18 is attached to the profile clamp 10, the fastening section 20 is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 24.

[0033] The fastening section 20 fastens the clip element 18 immovably to the clamp band 12 in the circumferential direction 46. The immovable fastening can also be referred to as a fixed fastening to the clamp band 12.

[0034] In the example shown, the engagement of the holding elements 26, 28 of the fastening section 20 in the receptacle 50 causes the radially aligned edges of the receptacle 50 to form a positive connection with the holding elements 26, 28 in the circumferential direction 46. The width of the holding elements 26, 28 in the circumferential direction 46 corresponds to the width of the receptacle 50 in the circumferential direction 46, so that in the circumferential direction 46 the edges of the receptacle 50 rest against the holding elements 26, 28 or the fastening section 20.

[0035] Figure 2 shows the clip element 18 before it is attached to a profile clamp 10.

[0036] A connecting portion 48 extends from the fastening portion 20. The connecting portion 48 can extend in the circumferential direction 46 when the clip element 18 is attached to the profile clamp 10.

[0037] At an end of the connecting portion 48 opposite the fastening portion 20, the clip element 18 has a web portion 22. The web portion 22 extends from the connecting portion 48 to a free end piece 44. If the clip element 18 is fastened to the profile clamp 10, the web portion 22 can extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 24.

[0038] Via the connecting section 48, the fastening section 20 and the web section 22 are arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction 46 when the clip element 18 is fastened to the profile clamp 10. This means that the fastening section 20 and the web section 22 are arranged at different angular positions on the profile clamp 10 in the circumferential direction 46. This prevents the web section 22 from extending directly away from the fastening section 20, so that a stable connection of the web section 22 to the clip element 18 can be provided.

[0039] When the clip element 18 is attached to the profile clamp 10, the web portion 22 can be arranged at a different angular position in the circumferential direction 46 than the clamping heads 14, 16. The web portion 22 can be offset in the circumferential direction 46 by 70° to 110°, preferably 80° to 100°, more preferably 90°, around the longitudinal axis 24 of one of the clamping heads 14, 16.

[0040] This prevents the web section 22 from hindering the handling of the clamping heads 14, 16 when tightening the profile clamp 10.

[0041] The clip element 18 can be one-piece and made of a plastic material or a metal.

[0042] With the fastening section 20, the clip element 18 can be attached to the clamp band 12 with little effort.

[0043] Figures 3a and 3b show different views of a profile clamp 10 in an assembled state.

[0044] The profile clamp 10 connects a first fluid line 30 to a second fluid line 32. For this purpose, the profile clamp 10 is arranged on two flanges 36, each of the interconnected ends of the fluid lines 30, 32 having a flange 36. At least one of the fluid lines 30, 32 has a counter element 34 for the web section 22. The counter element 34 is firmly connected to the corresponding fluid line 30, 32 and can receive the web section 22 and fix it in the circumferential direction 46.

[0045] The web section 22 can be received in the counter element 34 even in a pre-assembled state of the profile clamp 10. In the pre-assembled state, the profile clamp 10 is already arranged around the flanges of the fluid lines 30, 32, although the clamping heads 14, 16 are not yet clamped.

[0046] The counter element 34 can be arranged at a distance from the flange of the corresponding fluid line 30, 32. The web element 22 has a length between the connecting section 48 and the free end piece 44 that matches the distance between the counter element 34 and the flange.

[0047] Figures 4a and 4b show a further embodiment of the clip element 18. Figure 4a shows a schematic perspective view of the clip element 18. Figure 4b shows a side view of the clip element 18.

[0048] In addition to the elements of the embodiment of the preceding Figures 1 to 3, the clip element 18 of this embodiment has a bead 54. The bead 54 extends along the fastening section 20 between the holding elements 26, 28. Furthermore, the bead 54 extends toward the area in which the clamp band 12 can be fastened.

[0049] This is shown in more detail in the sectional view of Figure 5. The bead 54 is arranged between the clamp band 12 and the fastening section 20.

[0050] Due to the bead 54, the clip element 18 rests only tangentially on the outer contour of the clamp band 12. This allows the preload of the clip element 18 to be increased, making the attachment of the clip element 18 to the clamp band 12 more secure for pre-assembly.

[0051] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways.

[0052] Instead of a counter element 34, the web section 22 can also be held in position by a user (not shown). In this case, the user must hold the web section 22 in position until the profile clamp 10 is clamped tightly enough by the clamping heads 14, 16 that it can no longer rotate about the longitudinal axis 24. Furthermore, the counter element 34 can also be attached to a component other than the fluid line 30, 32, if this component is stationary relative to the fluid line 30, 32.

[0053] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations.

[0054] Reference symbol list

[0055] 10 profile clamps

[0056] 12 bell band

[0057] 14 clamping head

[0058] 16 clamping head

[0059] 18 clip element

[0060] 20 fastening section

[0061] 22 footbridge section

[0062] 24 Longitudinal axis

[0063] 26 first holding element

[0064] 28 second holding element

[0065] 30 Fluid line

[0066] 32 Fluid line

[0067] 34 Counter element

[0068] 36 flange

[0069] 38 half shell

[0070] 40 half shell

[0071] 42 clamping element

[0072] 44 free end piece

[0073] 46 Circumferential direction

[0074] 48 connecting section

[0075] 50 recordings

[0076] 52 hooks

[0077] 54 bead

Claims

Patent claims 1. Profile clamp with a clamp band (12) extending in a circumferential direction (46) about a longitudinal axis (24) between a first clamping head (14) and a second clamping head (16), wherein the clamp band (12) has a clip element (18), characterized in that the clip element (18) has a fastening section (20) which fixes the clip element (18) to the clamp band (12) at least in the circumferential direction (46) in a fixed and detachable manner, and a web section (22) which extends from the clamp band (12) to a free end piece (44).

2. Profile clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the web section (22) and the fastening section (20) are arranged offset from each other in the circumferential direction (46) about the longitudinal axis (24).

3. Profile clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a connecting section (48) of the clip element (18) connects the web section (22) with the fastening section (20).

4. Profile clamp according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting section (48) extends in the circumferential direction (46).

5. Profile clamp according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamp band (12) has two half-shells (38, 40), wherein the clip element (18) is arranged on one of the two half-shells (38, 40).

6. Profile clamp according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamp band (12) has at least one receptacle (50) for the fastening section (20), wherein the fastening section (20) is arranged in the receptacle (50).

7. Profile clamp according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the web section (22) is arranged offset in the circumferential direction (46) by 70° to 110°, preferably 80° to 100°, more preferably 90°, about the longitudinal axis (24) of one of the clamping heads (14, 16).

8. Profile clamp according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fastening section (20) extends between a first retaining element (26) and a second retaining element (28) arranged opposite the first retaining element (26), wherein the retaining elements (26, 28) fasten the clip element (18) to the clamp band (12).

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