Assembly of clamps for fixing a tubular item onto an external support.

Abstract

This assembly (10) comprises a deformable insert (20) for defining a substantially cylindrical cavity for receiving the tubular article (100) and a metal casing body delimiting a seat substantially within which the insert (20) is wrapped around the article. The insert comprises an external projection (28) extending radially outward from the insert (20) and configured to cooperate with a corresponding orifice formed in the seat of the metal body so as to position the insert inside the body. The projection (28) comprises a base attached to the insert (20) and a head (32) having at its periphery a projecting clipping rim configured to retain the insert (20) inside the metal casing body (22). The insert comprises, at the base of the projection, a through hole extending vertically from the clipping rim. ABBREVIATED FIGURE: 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly of a collar for fixing a tubular article onto an external support. Technical field.

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping and fixing assembly on a support of at least one tubular article, for example a pipe through which a fluid flows, such as a pipe of a fuel system, a braking system, a cooling system or other in a motor vehicle or similar.

[0002] Such fastening or clamping collars are widely used to secure tubular elements, such as pipes, to various structures. A well-known example of use is securing a pipe to an engine or chassis in a vehicle. Typically, a fastening collar assembly comprises, on the one hand, a tubular element, including at least a portion of pipe surrounded by an elastomer sleeve, and on the other hand, a wrap-around body made of a metal band that surrounds and clamps the tubular element around the sleeve.

[0003] The clamping of the tubular element in the support is usually ensured by forming the enveloping metal body with a general curved U-shape so as to create an essentially cylindrical recess located between two emerging arms, and then by inserting the tubular element into the recess, and finally by pressing and securing the arms against each other, with additional fastening means such as a screw, a rivet, a bent tab, a welding wire or the like, so as to firmly clamp the tubular subassembly inside the recess. Previous technique.

[0004] A clamp assembly for mounting tubes, particularly circular tubes, onto a support element is known, particularly from the publication of US patent application 5,806,813. The clamp assembly comprises an annular element, generally C-shaped, forming a clamping body, and a fastening element that is welded to the clamping body. With the use of a C-shaped engagement ring, the support can be adjusted radially and linearly on the tube to ensure proper alignment.

[0005] The function of the fastening element is to maintain tension in the clamping body once the clamping body is positioned around the tube. This assembly has many disadvantages.

[0006] On the one hand, this assembly requires a welding operation to attach the clamping body and the mounting element together. Furthermore, the clamping body offers little Flexibility to adapt to different tube diameters. Finally, the clamp assembly comes in two pieces that must be welded together, so specific precautions and tools are required. This results in increased installation time.

[0007] Another conventional method for mounting a clamping or fastening assembly around a tubular article is described in US patent publication 9,482,369 B2. This method consists of assembling a metal clamp and a sleeve to form a clamping assembly. The metal clamp is formed by a curved shape that defines a cavity and includes a transverse slot.

[0008] The sleeve is received inside the cavity of the collar and includes an oblong projection extending radially outwards from the sleeve. This projection is received through an opening in the metal collar to allow positioning of the sleeve relative to the metal collar. The user bends the metal collar around the sleeve until it reaches a closed position to secure the entire collar assembly around the tube. The closed position of the metal collar is maintained by plastic deformation of the metal collar and without any additional fasteners. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention aims to provide a clamping assembly that does not present the aforementioned drawbacks of prior art documents. The invention proposes a robust clamping assembly that firmly holds the tubular article without any welding, brazing, or other fastening operations.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a clamp assembly for securing at least one tubular article to an external support, of the type comprising a deformable insert for defining a substantially cylindrical cavity configured to receive the tubular article and a metal casing body delimiting a seat substantially inside which the insert is wrapped around the article, the insert comprising an external projection extending radially outwards from the insert and configured to cooperate with a corresponding orifice formed in the seat of the metal body so as to position the insert inside the body, the projection comprising a base attached to the insert and a head connected to the base by a radial extension link portion and provided at the periphery of the head with a projecting clipping rim configured to retain the insert inside the metal casing body, characterized in that the insert comprises,At the base of the projection, a through hole extends vertically along the edge of the clip.

[0011] The through hole is conveniently formed in the insert to allow molding by injecting the protruding rim without requiring injection molds that necessitate complex accessories. One of the prior art problems overcome by the invention is, in particular, enabling the molding of the insert without having to use additional movable slides to form the area located under the clip rim(s).

[0012] Furthermore, the fixing or clamping collar assembly according to the present invention overcomes the problems described above by providing a deformable insert that is easy to produce and easy to pre-assemble with the body of the envelope.

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, the connecting portion radially connects the head along an external profile devoid of any edge or shoulder.

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, the assembly comprises two projecting clipping edges opposite each other and two corresponding through holes formed in said base.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the two lateral through holes are joined into a single through hole extending under the head.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the connecting portion comprises two portions of flexible skirts arranged around the through hole and opposite each other.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, the connecting portion is in the form of a membrane joining the head and the base of the insert. The flexible, membrane-shaped portion can stretch and flex during insertion to allow the flexural edges to hook through the opening or slot provided in the body of the casing.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the head is formed by a hollow body.

[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, the head extends substantially in the radial continuation of the through hole and the connecting part links the head to the base at the periphery of the through hole.

[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, the head is supported at a radial distance from said base by the connecting part and extends substantially over the entire surface of the through hole.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the projection head has a solid shape with four lateral sides, two opposite sides extending laterally by two protruding clipping edges and the other two opposite sides extending laterally by two flexible skirt sections forming the connecting portion.

[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, the insert is elastically deformable between an undeformed open position and a deformed closed position, the insert having in the open position a generally semi-tubular shape with a cross-section in U having a base and side walls, the projection being carried by the base of the insert. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1

[0024] [Fig.1] represents a perspective view of a fixing assembly for a tubular article on a support from a first point of view; Fig. 2

[0025] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the fastening assembly according to a second point of view; Fig.3

[0026] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the fastening assembly in a confi unassembled figure; Fig. 4

[0027] [Fig.4] represents a perspective view of the fastening assembly in a confi pre-assembled configuration according to a first point of view; Fig. 5

[0028] [Fig.5] represents a perspective view of the fastening assembly of the [Fig.4] according to a second point of view; Fig. 6

[0029] [Fig.6] represents a perspective view of the insert of the fixing assembly re presented on [Fig.1]; Fig. 7

[0030] [Fig.7] represents a perspective view of a variant of the insert of [Fig.6]; Fig. 8

[0031] [Fig.8] represents a first step in assembling the device of [Fig.1]; Fig. 9

[0032] [Fig.9] represents a second assembly step of the device of [Fig.1]; Fig. 10

[0033] [Fig. 10] represents a third assembly step of the device of [Fig.1]. Description of the implementation methods

[0034] Fig. 1 is an illustration of a clamp assembly of the invention. The clamp assembly is designated by the general reference 10. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.1], the clamp assembly 10 is used to support a tubular article such as the tube 100, which may be a rigid tube, a flexible hose, or electrical wiring, among other components.

[0035] In other embodiments, the tube 100 can be replaced by any other type of element to be supported. In this example, the clamp assembly 10 is intended to hold a cooling line, a fuel line, or a brake line of an automobile.

[0036] According to the invention, the clamping assembly 10 comprises a clamping area 12 or housing of generally annular shape substantially cylindrical configured to be engaged around the article 100.

[0037] The clamp assembly 10 also includes a mounting bracket 14 arranged to attach the tubular article 100 to an external support (not shown), for example, equipment on a motor vehicle, using various techniques. These techniques for attaching to the support may include, but are not limited to, bonding, brazing, or welding. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamp assembly 10 is attached to the external support, for example, by means of a threaded fastener.

[0038] Preferably, the mounting bracket 14 in this example includes one or more mounting holes 16. For example, this mounting hole 16 allows the entire assembly 10 to be fixed to an external support structure, for example a chassis or an engine block, by means of a fastener such as a screw (not shown).

[0039] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the clamping assembly 10 includes a deformable insert 20 to define the substantially cylindrical clamping zone or cavity 12 intended to receive the tubular element 100. The assembly 10 further includes a peripheral metal body 22 or wrapping body 22 folded to form a generally U-shaped recess inside which the insert 20 is wrapped.

[0040] The insert 20 is dimensioned to be fixed to the sheathing support 22 and to conform to the outside diameter of the tube 100. The insert 20 is, for example, made of a molded elastomer material. The type of elastomer material and its hardness can be chosen according to the requirements of a specific application.

[0041] The insert 20 is molded in an open position illustrated for example in figures 4 to 6 and is elastically deformable between this open position (undeformed state) and a closed position (deformed state).

[0042] In the open position, the insert 20 has a generally semi-tubular shape with a U-shaped cross-section, comprising a bottom 26 and side walls 24. The insert 20 is open along its length. The insert 20 is designed such that when closed, as seen in [Fig. 1] or 2, the insert 20 preferably takes on a generally cylindrical shape having a round cross-section with a circular inner diameter that forms the cylindrical cavity of the clamp assembly 10.

[0043] With reference to [Fig. 6], the insert 20 comprises a radial projection 28 extending ra- radially outwards from the insert 20. The radial projection 28 extends from a median part of the bottom 26 of the insert 20.

[0044] As can be seen in [Fig. 4] or 5, the enclosing body 22 provides a curved or enclosing portion generally shaped like a U in which an orifice 23 is formed. The orifice 23 is dimensioned to receive the radial projection 28 and is configured to cooperate with the projection 28 in order to position the insert 20 relative to the enclosing body 22.

[0045] The projection 28 comprises a base 30 fixed to the insert 20 and a head 32 connected to said base 30 by a radially extending connecting portion 34. The projection 28 is provided, at the periphery of the head 32, with a projecting clipping edge 36 to hold the insert 20 in place relative to the metal casing body 22.

[0046] The radial projection 28 facilitates the retention of the insert 20 inside the casing body 22 in the open position. The radial projection 28 is dimensioned such that the dimension in at least one direction of the head 32 is greater than the width of the slot or opening 23 in the casing body 22. Consequently, during use, the head 32 deforms temporarily to pass through the slot 23, and then the head 32 returns to its original shape to retain the insert 20 on the casing body 24. The projection 28 retains the insert 20 inside the casing body 22, which allows the clamp assembly 10 to be delivered pre-assembled in an open position (FIGS. 4-5).

[0047] The clamp assembly 10 is configured to be closed around the tubular article 100 by a forming tool 200 so as to be bent around the article 100.

[0048] Preferably, the insert 20 comprises, at the base 30 of the radial projection 28, a through hole 38 aligned radially under the protruding clipping edge 36.

[0049] In the example illustrated in the figures, the head 32 of the projection 28 preferably comprises two projecting clip edges 36 opposite each other along the length of the projection 28. Preferably, the insert 20 comprises, at the base 30 of the projection 28, two lateral through holes 38 aligned radially under each of the two projecting clip edges 36. Of course, the insert 20 may comprise one or more through holes 38 as well as one or more projecting clip edges 36 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0050] Preferably, the lateral through holes 38 are joined together and form a single through hole extending under the surface of the head 32. The single through hole in this example has an oblong shape with a longitudinal direction extending along the protruding clipping edges 36.

[0051] The connecting portion 34 radially connects the head 32 along an external profile free of any edge or shoulder. The connecting portion 34 comprises by example two flexible skirt sections 40 arranged around the single through hole 38 and in opposite face-to-face relationship along a head width direction 32.

[0052] The contour of the head 32 is inscribed inside the through hole 38. Preferably, the contour of the through hole 38 substantially follows the contour of the head 32. The head 32 is formed, for example, by a hollow body and extends above the through hole 38 of the insert 20. The head 32 extends above the through hole 38 and the connecting part 34 laterally connects the head 32 to the base 30 at the periphery of the through hole 38.

[0053] The head 32 of the projection 28 preferably has a solid shape with four lateral sides. In the example described, the head 32 comprises two opposite sides extending laterally through the two projecting clip edges 36 and the other two opposite sides extending laterally through the two flexible skirt sections 40 forming the connecting portion 34. The solid shape in the present example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, has a general cube shape. Preferably, at least one clip edge 36 has a generally inclined ramp profile facilitating the gradual insertion of the head 32 through the slot 23.

[0054] Preferably, the flexible connection portion 34 has a membrane shape that can stretch and flex during insertion to allow the flex edges 36 to hook through the orifice 23 provided in the body of the casing 22.

[0055] In the variant illustrated in [Fig.7], the head 32 of the projection 28 may have an overall truncated quadrilateral pyramid shape or may have any other structure or shape enabling the clipping function to be performed.

[0056] Preferably, the insert 20 as a whole is made by injection molding of an elastomeric plastic material into a free molding cavity of a molding matrix (not shown).

[0057] To manufacture such an insert 20, the following procedure is used. A molding die is provided, comprising a mold, for example in two parts, to define at least one free molding cavity into which a molten plastic material can be injected. This free molding cavity is configured to conform the insert to the projection 28.

[0058] The mold is then closed and a molten plastic material is injected into it. This plastic material fills the free cavity of the mold. Once the injection step is complete, the mold is opened to extract the molded insert 20. Thanks to the presence of at least one through hole 38 extending under the protruding edge 36 of the head 32 of the projection 28, the molding process is greatly simplified because mold removal is facilitated by the presence of the through hole 38.

[0059] FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate part of the assembly method of the clamp assembly according to the invention.

[0060] Figure 8 illustrates a first step consisting of placing the clamping support. A 22-shaped forming tool is used in a forming tool 200 which includes a support 204 where the support assembly 10 is positioned. The support 204 includes a shaft or mechanical device that cooperates with the additional hole 16 in the support assembly 10.

[0061] Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig.9], the forming tool 200 includes a U-shaped deformation clamp 202 which includes a deformation surface intended to apply a clamping force on the body of the support envelope 22 leading to its plastic deformation and to the deformation of the elastomer insert 20 of the support assembly 10. Then, the tubular element 100 is placed in the fixing space of the elastomer insert 20 of the support assembly 10.

[0062] Fig. 10 then illustrates a final step consisting of actuating the forming tool 200 to plastically deform the second end of the metal support 22 around the tubing element 100 and to grasp the tubing element 100, the elastomeric insert 20 being simultaneously bent to surround the tubing element 100.

[0063] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Other embodiments within the grasp of a person skilled in the art may also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. In particular, the general shape of the head may be cylindrical, oblong, or have an oval cross-section. The number of protruding edges may be one or more without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A clamp assembly (10) for securing at least one tubular article (100) to an external support, of the type comprising a deformable insert (20) for defining a substantially cylindrical cavity (12) configured to receive the tubular article (100) and a metal casing body (22) delimiting a seat substantially inside which the insert (20) is wrapped around the article (100), the insert (20) comprising an external projection (28) that extends radially outwards from the insert (20) and is configured to cooperate with a corresponding orifice (23) formed in the seat of the metal body so as to position the insert (20) inside the body (22),The projection (28) comprises a base (30) attached to the insert (20) and a head (32) connected to the base (30) by a radially extending connecting portion (34) and provided at the periphery of the head (32) with a projecting clipping edge (36) configured to retain the insert (20) inside the metal casing body (22), characterized in that the insert (20) comprises, at the base (30) of the projection (28), a through hole (38) extending vertically from the clipping edge (36).

2. Assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connecting part (34) radially connects the head (32) along an external profile devoid of any edge or shoulder.

3. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two projecting clipping edges (36) opposite each other and two corresponding through holes (38) formed in said base (30).

4. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two clipping rims (36) opposite each other and two radially aligned lateral through holes (38) under each of the rims (36) which are joined and form a single through hole extending under the surface of the head (32).

5. Assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connecting part (34) comprises two sections of flexible skirts (40) arranged around the single through hole formed by the joining of the two through holes (38) and opposite each other.

6. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting part (34) is in the form of a junction membrane of the head (32) and the base (30) of the insert (20).

7. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head (32) is formed by a hollow body.

8. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head (32) extends substantially in the radial continuation of the through hole (38) and the connecting part (34) connects the head (32) to the base (30) at the periphery of the through hole (38).

9. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head (32) is supported at a radial distance from said base (30) by the connecting part (34) and extends substantially over the entire surface of the through hole (38).

10. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head (32) of the projection (28) has a solid shape with four lateral sides, two opposite sides extending laterally by two projecting clipping edges (36) and the other two opposite sides extending laterally by two flexible skirt sections (40) forming the connecting part (34).

11. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (20) is elastically deformable between an undeformed open position and a deformed closed position, the insert (20) having in the open position a general semi-tubular shape of U-shaped cross-section having a bottom (26) and side walls (24), the projection (28) being carried by the bottom (26) of the insert (20).

12.

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