a mounting device for mounting an accessory onto a strapping band and an assembly of such a device and a strapping band

Abstract

The mounting device (12) for mounting an accessory (14) onto a strapping band (10) comprises a support band (22) including a fastening area (24) for an accessory, a sliding system (28A, 28B, 30A) for retaining the support band relative to the strapping band while allowing the support band to slide along the strapping band, and a locking system (40) for locking this sliding in a given position of the support band relative to the strapping band. [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: a mounting device for mounting an accessory onto a strapping band and an assembly of such a device and a strapping band technical field

[0001] The description relates to a mounting device for mounting an accessory on a strapping band.

[0002] The strapping band is in particular arranged around an object such as a tube or a portion of an enclosure. In particular, the enclosure may be a tank storing a fluid, especially a tank containing a gas such as hydrogen. The accessory may be a functional element designed to cooperate with the object around which the strapping band is arranged, and / or the accessory may be or include a sensor for detecting physicochemical parameters in the object's environment or on the object itself. For example, this sensor may be a temperature or pressure sensor. It may also be a leak sensor, used to detect a local pressure variation or to detect the presence of a chemical agent, especially a gas, in the object's environment. Description of the invention

[0003] The exposition aims to enable the use of the strapping band to carry the accessory by placing it in the immediate vicinity of the object.

[0004] Thus, according to a first object, the invention relates to a mounting device for mounting an accessory on a strapping band, the device comprising a support band including a fixing area for an accessory, a sliding system for retaining the support band relative to the strapping band while allowing the support band to slide along the strapping band and a locking system for blocking this sliding in a given position of the support band relative to the strapping band.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, the support band can be moved along the strapping band until it reaches a given position, in which it can be held locked. The given position can be a single, predetermined position on the strapping band. The given position can also be a position in which the support band is to be placed relative to the strapping band, depending on the desired positioning of the accessory. Alternatively, the strapping band can be provided with several target zones in which the support band can be locked, and the given position can be defined by one of these target zones, chosen according to the context. This context may, in particular, refer to the ease of mounting the accessory, its accessibility, or its positioning in a specific area of ​​the object on which the strapping band is placed, for example near an area at risk from the point of view of leaks, pressure variation or temperature variation. The strapping band can be placed on the object while it already has the support band attached, or the support band can be attached to the strapping band while it is already in place on the object. In either case, once the strapping band is positioned on the object, the support band can be moved to the desired position to ensure the accessory is correctly positioned.

[0006] Optionally, the slide system includes at least one pair of sliding tabs, which includes two sliding tabs carried by a sliding area of ​​the support strip, these sliding tabs being spaced apart in a width direction and having ends folded under the support strip, leaving a space between them and the inner face of the support strip, the slide system optionally including two pairs of sliding tabs respectively arranged on either side of the fixing area.

[0007] Optionally, the fixing zone is radially projecting outwards relative to the sliding zone by optionally being formed in a portion of the support strip which is radially deformed outwards.

[0008] Optionally, the fixing area includes at least one fixing hole, in particular a screw hole, in particular a hole having a threaded collar or a hole in register with the threaded hole of a nut.

[0009] Optionally, the support strip includes a locking portion which has a first locking member, the first locking member comprising in particular an opening, a cup, a boss or a locking tab.

[0010] Optionally, the first locking member is continuously stressed in a locking configuration.

[0011] Optionally, the blocking portion is configured to be moved elastically, in particular to be deformed elastically, to unlock the first locking member so as to unlock the sliding.

[0012] Optionally, the support strip includes a release tab, configured to be manipulated so as to unlock the locking system to release the sliding.

[0013] Optionally, the unlocking tab is raised radially relative to the locking portion.

[0014] According to a second object, the invention relates to a fastening assembly comprising a strapping band and a mounting device as defined according to the first object of the invention. The strapping band is optionally a clamping band for a hose clamp.

[0015] Optionally, the edges of the strapping band are inserted into the space provided between the folded ends of the sliding tabs and the inner face of the support band.

[0016] Optionally, the strapping band has a plurality of second locking members to cooperate with the first locking member, the second locking members being distributed over at least a part of the length of the strapping band, the first and second locking members being in particular conjugate male / female members.

[0017] Optionally, the strapping band has a groove on each of its longitudinal edges.

[0018] Optionally, the strapping band has raised edges on its longitudinal edges under which the grooves are formed.

[0019] Optionally, the strapping band comprises an inner band and an outer band, the outer band extending laterally beyond the inner band so as to form the groove on each of the longitudinal edges of the strapping band. In this case, optionally, the outer band is metallic, while the inner band is made of polymer.

[0020] The strapping band may have the sole function of supporting the accessory via the support band. However, it may also have another function, such as locally stiffening or reinforcing the object it encircles, or enabling the object to be fixed to a support such as, for example, a vehicle chassis. It may be a clamping band designed not only to encircle the object, but also to exert clamping forces on it, for example, for mounting and holding it in position on a support or for connecting it to another object. The object encircled by the strapping band may have, in the region around which the strapping band is arranged, the shape of a cylinder of revolution, or another shape, for example, a parallelepiped shape or, more generally, a shape defining a closed contour, with or without flats. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The exposition will be better understood and its advantages will become clearer upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments shown by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings on which:

[0022] [Fig. 1] is a general side view of the assembly comprising a strapping band and a mounting device according to the invention.

[0023] [Fig.2] is an enlarged perspective view, showing the mounting device, mounted on the strapping band, of which only a portion is shown.

[0024] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the mounting device support strip according to an example, this strip being viewed from the outside.

[0025] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the support strip of [Fig.3], seen from the interior.

[0026] [Fig. 5] shows the support strip according to one variant, in a side view, that is- that is to say a view in which the direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure is the transverse direction.

[0027] [Fig.6] is a partial cut-off perspective view, showing the strapping band and its cooperation with the support band.

[0028] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of the strapping band, showing its cooperation, with the support band.

[0029] [Fig.8] is a view analogous to [Fig.7], for an alternative embodiment.

[0030] [Fig.9] is a perspective view showing, according to one variant, a part of the strapping band and support band which, for clarity of the figure, is shown not mounted on the strapping band.

[0031] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view showing, according to another variant, part of the strapping band and the support band. Description of the implementation methods

[0032] Figure 1 shows a hose clamp 1 comprising a strapping band 10 and a mounting device 12 for mounting an accessory 14. The accessory is represented by a dashed line and schematically by a block. In this case, it is attached to the mounting device 12 by a threaded rod 16 screwed into the mounting device.

[0033] For the purposes of this description, the longitudinal direction is the direction along the length of the strapping band, considered when traversing this band from one of its ends 10A and 10B to the other end. The width direction or transverse direction T is the direction perpendicular to this longitudinal direction, measured in a straight line from one longitudinal edge of the strapping band to the other.

[0034] The support band 22 is elongated globally in the same direction as the strapping band 10, so that its longitudinal and transverse directions are the same as those of the strapping band and are observed when the support band is mounted on the strapping band.

[0035] For the purposes of this description, the inward direction is that which is directed towards the inside of the strapping band; that is to say, when the strapping band is placed around an object, this inward direction is from the strapping band towards the object it encircles. Similarly, the inward direction with regard to the band Support is observed when this band is mounted on the strapping band. The outward direction is the opposite direction.

[0036] For the purposes of this exposition, the radial direction is that which, assuming that the strapping band would define a circle, is globally oriented radially with respect to this circle.

[0037] The clamp 1 is in this case a screw clamp, the strapping band 10 having two ends 10A and 10B cooperating with a tightening screw 18. In this case, the ends 10A and 10B form upright lugs, the screw 18 being screwed into the end 10B, which is provided for this purpose with a nut, while being held relative to the end 10B, in this case by a spring 20 which allows the strapping band to tighten around the object it encircles, while adapting to variations in the dimensions of this object. For example, the object in question may be a hydrogen tank whose contour may deform according to variations in temperature or pressure within the tank. The spring 20 is in this case a helical spring disposed between the head 18A of the screw and the end 10A of the clamp.

[0038] Of course, other methods of tightening the collar could be considered, for example, tightening by hooking the ends of the collar together, one end having a hooking protrusion and the other a hook that catches on this protrusion. Alternatively, the collar could have a closed contour and be tightened by contracting a deformable portion such as a radially protruding lug. Generally speaking, any type of tightening is possible, in particular tightening by screwing, crimping, snap-fitting, hooking, or even plastic deformation.

[0039] Furthermore, as indicated at the beginning of this description, the strapping band may belong to a hose clamp, or to any type of strapping device. It serves to encircle the object around which it is placed, possibly but not necessarily applying a clamping force to that object.

[0040] Figure 2 shows the mounting device 12 in more detail. It can be seen that it comprises a support strip 22 which itself includes a mounting area 24 for the accessory 14. In this case, this area 24 includes a mounting hole 26 which has a threaded hole for screwing the threaded rod 16 of the accessory into this threaded hole, which has a matching thread. Of course, this method of mounting is only one example of an embodiment. The accessory could also be mounted in another way, for example, using several screws, a fastening system, for example, with hooks that cooperate with the longitudinal edges 24A and 24B of the mounting area 24, by clipping, or even by welding or clinching. However, a removable fixing will be preferred, in particular a screw as shown, or a hook or a clip.

[0041] The mounting device 12 includes a sliding system for retaining the support band 22 relative to the strapping band 10. In this case, as can be seen more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, the support band has sliding tabs. In this case, two pairs of sliding tabs, respectively 28A, 28B and 30A, 30B, are provided, each in a sliding zone of the support band, respectively 28 and 30. These pairs are analogous. If we take an example of the pair of sliding tabs 28A, 28B, we see that it comprises two tabs carried by the sliding area 28 of the support strip 22, these tabs being spaced apart from each other in a direction T of width and having ends 28'A, 28'B folded under the support strip 22 while leaving between them and the inner face of the support strip a space E.More specifically, space E is provided between the folded ends 28'A, 28'B and areas of the inner face of the support strip located opposite these folded ends.

[0042] The two sliding tabs 28A and 28B are spaced apart in the width direction T. Thus, these two tabs come to be positioned on either side of the two longitudinal edges 11A and 1 IB of the strapping band 10. The space E provided between the folded ends 28'A and 28'B of the sliding tabs and the inner face of the support band 22 serves to receive the edges 11A and 1 IB of the strapping band.

[0043] The radial height of the space E is at least equal to the thickness of the edges 11 A, 1 IB of the strapping band, this thickness being measured radially. The radial height of the space E may be slightly greater than this thickness, so as to accommodate the curvature of the strapping band.

[0044] In this case, as shown, the slider system has two pairs of sliding tabs. Thus, when the support band is mounted on the strapping band, the sliding tabs of these two pairs engage with the edges of the strapping band in two longitudinally spaced areas. The two pairs of sliding tabs are arranged relative to each other, taking into account the curvature of the strapping band to facilitate easy sliding. For example, the support band 22 can follow the curvature of the strapping band 10, which means here that the sliding areas 28 and 30 are arranged relative to each other along this curvature. The pairs 28A, 28B on the one hand and 30A, 30B on the other are arranged on either side of the fastening area 24.

[0045] The mounting device 12 also includes a locking system to prevent the support band from sliding relative to the strapping band. In this case, this locking system includes an opening 40 formed in the support band, an opening into which pins 42 projecting from the outer face of the strapping band 10 can enter. For the purposes of this description, the opening 40 forms a first locking element, and the pins 42 form a second locking element. It is understood that when the support band 22 is moved slidably along the strapping band 10, it can be locked in the chosen position when one of the pins 42 is positioned in the opening 40.

[0046] Generally, according to one aspect of the invention, the first locking member can be formed in a locking portion 39 of the support band 22. In this case, this locking portion 39 is an area of ​​the support band 22 that is naturally pressed against the outer face of the strapping band 10. Thus, a pin 42 naturally inserts itself into the opening 40 when the latter reaches the position of this pin. In this sense, the first locking member is constantly held in a locking configuration in which locking occurs naturally as soon as the first and second locking members reach the desired relative position. However, the locking portion 39 can be elastically displaced to allow the first locking member to disengage from locking with the second locking member.In this case, the locking zone 39 can be slightly raised radially outwards to allow unlocking or prevent locking. This elastic displacement can take the form of elastic deformation. According to one aspect of the invention, the support band 22 includes a locking tab 44 formed at one end of the support band adjacent to the locking portion 39 and raised outwards. The operator can thus act on this tab to raise the locking portion 39 relative to the outer face of the strapping band 10. In one aspect, the locking portion includes a slot 46 located on the side opposite the unlocking tab 44. This slot 46 forms a relief of material that can promote the elastic deformation of the locking portion 39. In this case, the slot 46 is formed near the junction between the locking portion 39 and the fastening zone 24 of the support band 22.In this case, this slot is also formed between the two sliding tabs of one of the pairs of sliding tabs. This slot prevents excessive rigidity of the support strip 22 in the region of these sliding tabs, thus preventing unwanted jamming of the sliding action and allowing the two tabs of the pair to move slightly relative to each other to avoid jamming. This slot 46 also forms a receiving area for the pin 42 under the support strip 22 (on its inner side) in a region where this strip is close to the outer face of the strapping band 10, to prevent jamming of the sliding action when, during sliding, the pin passes through this area. Thus, in this case, the slot 46 is located in the sliding area 30.

[0047] It can be seen that a light or slot 48 is also located in the first sliding zone 28, between the sliding lugs 28A and 28B, also to allow the two lugs of this pair to move slightly relative to each other to prevent the sliding mechanism from jamming. Furthermore, like the light 46, this light or slot 48 also forms a receiving zone for the pin 42, allowing it to pass under the support strip without jamming the sliding mechanism.

[0048] With reference in particular to figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the fixing zone 24 of the support band 22 is formed in radial projection outwards relative to the sliding zones 28 and 30. Thus, a hollow zone 50 is provided between the inner face of the fixing zone 24 and the outer face opposite the strapping band 10. In this case, viewed from one side of the strapping band, the fixing zone has an overall U-shape, the two legs of which are turned inwards and in this case, they spread out slightly from each other as one moves away from the base of the U, the base in which the fixing member itself is provided, this fixing member being here formed by the fixing orifice 26.We can also see that the lights 46 and 48 extend partly into these legs (at their ends opposite the base of the U) to accommodate the height of the pin 42 so as to avoid jamming of the sliding of the support band 22 on the strapping band 10. .

[0049] As can be seen in particular in Figures 2 to 4, this fixing hole 26 has in this case the form of a threaded collar, the edges of this hole being brought radially to form a cylindrical sleeve which is threaded to cooperate with the fixing screw of the accessory. In this case, this sleeve is directed inwards and extends into the aforementioned hollow space 50.

[0050] As shown in [Fig. 5], a nut 52 with a threaded hole 54 in alignment with the mounting hole 26 can be placed in the hollow space 50. The nut can be welded or otherwise fixed to the inner or outer face of the mounting area 24. It may be preferable, as in the example shown, to place it on the inner face of the mounting area 24, in the aforementioned space 50, in which case the mounting area 24 itself may be sandwiched between this nut and the accessory 14. In this case, the nut may not be pre-fixed to the mounting area 24, or it may be fixed there pending the attachment of the accessory, without this fixing being particularly strong. Nut 52 can also serve as a spacer substantially filling the radial height of space 50 to prevent excessive deformation of the fixing area 24.

[0051] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, it can be seen that the strapping band 10 has a groove, respectively ll'A and ll'B, on each of its longitudinal edges 11A, 11B. The folded ends of the sliding tabs 28A, 28B, 30A, 30B can therefore to fit into these grooves. Thus, the sliding does not interfere with the interactions of the strapping band with the object that is strapped or clamped by this band.

[0052] In this case, the strapping band comprises an inner band 13 and an outer band 15, the outer band 15 extending laterally beyond the inner band 13, such that grooves 1l'A and 1l'B are formed by these extensions. For example, the outer band may be a metallic band, for example, stainless steel or austenitic steel, while the inner band may be made of polymer material, attached to the inside of the outer band, for example, by bonding. In this case, the metallic band provides the rigidity of the strapping, while the polymer band, which may optionally be thicker and have longitudinal grooves 13' that may give it some flexibility, is the one that interacts with the outer periphery of the strapped object. Thus, the contact between the strapping band and the object it encircles does not damage the object and can adapt to slight irregularities on the object's outer surface.

[0053] Fig. 8, on which elements analogous to those of figures 1 to 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, increased by 100. Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment in which the strapping band 110 can be made in one piece, but its longitudinal edges 11A and 11B can have raised edges so as to form, seen in cross-section, steps under which are formed the grooves 11A and 11B into which the folded ends 128A and 128B of the sliding tabs 128A and 128B can penetrate.

[0054] On its outer face, the strapping band 110 can thus have a central portion that is recessed relative to these raised edges. As shown in [Fig. 8], the support band 122 can, in the sliding areas where the sliding tabs are formed, have a central portion that is radially recessed inwards relative to the outer surfaces of the sliding tabs 128A and 128B, so as to be positioned in the recessed area of ​​the outer face of the strapping band. It could, however, be provided that, in this region, the support band has a straight cross-section, leaving a gap between it and the outer face of the recessed portion of the strapping band. Otherwise, the support band 122 can be analogous to the support band 22 described previously, and the fastening portion 124 and the opening 126 are particularly recognizable.

[0055] In what has just been described with reference to Figures 1 to 8, the first locking member comprises an opening 40 into which a pin 42 of the strap engages. Obviously, the opening can be replaced by a boss whose interior forms a recess receiving the pin 42. Naturally, the term "pin" covers any type of radial projection, for example, a cut and straightened tab.

[0056] Conversely, it is also possible to provide that the pins 42 forming the second locking members are replaced by openings or recesses formed on the outer face of the strapping band, into which the first locking member, itself projecting from the inner face of the locking portion 39 of the support band, would engage. This first locking member can then be formed by one or more bosses projecting from the inner face of the locking portion, forming a recess on the outer face of this locking portion.

[0057] Alternatively, the second locking members may be formed by recessed notches in the transverse direction on the edges of the strapping band, and the first locking member may comprise one or more tabs formed on the edges of the locking portion, projecting radially inwards to engage in these indentations. In this case, the longitudinal length of the sliding tabs may be greater than the length of the notches on the longitudinal edges, measured in the same direction, so as not to enter these notches when the support band slides on the strapping band.

[0058] This is schematically shown in [Fig. 9], in which elements analogous to those in Figures 1 to 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, plus 200. In this figure, a portion of the strapping band 210 is shown, on the edges 21 IA and 21 IB of which notches 242A and 242B are formed, which constitute the second locking members. In [Fig. 9], a portion of the support band 222 is also shown, which has first locking members 240A and 240B formed by tabs projecting inwards so as to be able to engage in the notches 242A and 242B. The sliding tabs 228A and 228B protrude laterally more than the locking tabs 240A and 240B and are larger in the longitudinal direction L, so as not to penetrate the notches 242A and 242B. Otherwise, the strapping band and the support band can be similar to those of the other examples.We can notably identify the blocking section 239 and the light 246.

[0059] In [Fig. 10], elements analogous to those in Figures 1 to 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, augmented by 300. The support band 322 with its sliding tabs 328A, 328B, 330A, and 330B is thus recognizable. This figure shows another variant for the locking members. In this case, the second locking members 342 formed on the strapping band 310 comprise slots, i.e., tabs whose free ends are partially cut into the strapping band 310 and which are radially deformed outwards. The support strip 322, for its part, has a first opening 340 and a second opening 346 which together form the first locking element, the opening 340 being between the opening 346 and the tab 344. Two engaged tabs 342 are visible. respectively in each of these openings so as to lock the band 322 in its locking position. The free ends of these tabs form edges that allow locking by jamming against the edges of the openings 340 and 346. The opening 346 can be analogous to the opening 46 in Figures 1 to 7 and, in addition to forming part of the first locking element, also serves to prevent the support band 322 from jamming when, during its sliding on the strapping band 310, the locking zone 339 in which it is located passes over the tabs 342. Thus, only the locking edges of these tabs prevent sliding when they abut against the opposite portions of the openings 340 and 346.

[0060] Furthermore, the variant in [Fig. 10] also differs from those in the preceding figures in that the fastening portion 324 has several fastening holes 326, in this case three fastening holes to ensure attachment to the accessory. These holes can each be similar to the hole 26 described previously and, in particular, have threaded collars or be aligned with the screw holes of an added nut.

Claims

Demands

1. A mounting device (12) for mounting an accessory (14) onto a strapping band (10, 110, 210, 310), the device comprising a support band (22, 122, 222, 322) including a fastening area (24, 324) for an accessory (14) and a sliding system (28A, 28B, 30A, 30B, 228A, 228B) for retaining the support band relative to the strapping band while allowing the support band to slide along the strapping band, characterized in that it further comprises a locking system (40, 240A, 240B, 340) for blocking the sliding of the support band along the strapping band in a given position of the support band relative to the strapping band, and in that an area hollow (50) is provided between the inner face of the fixation area (24, 324) and the outer face opposite the strapping band (10).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the slide system comprises at least one pair of slide lugs, which includes two slide lugs (28A, 28B, 228A, 228B) carried by a slide zone (28) of the support strip (22, 122, 222, 322), these slide lugs being spaced apart in a width direction (T) and having ends (28'A, 28'B, 128'A, 128'B) folded under the support strip, leaving a space (E) between them and the inner face of the support strip, the slide system optionally comprising two pairs of slide lugs (28A, 28B, 30A, 30B) respectively arranged on either side of the fixing zone.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing zone (24, 324) is radially projecting outwards relative to the sliding zone (28, 30) by optionally being formed in a portion of the support strip which is radially deformed outwards.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fixing area (24, 324) comprises at least one fixing hole (26, 326), in particular a screw hole, in particular a hole having a threaded collar or a hole in register with the threaded hole (54) of a nut (52).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support strip (22, 122, 222, 322) comprises a locking portion (39, 239)) which has a first locking member (40, 240A, 240B), the first locking member being in particular an opening, a cup, a boss or a locking tab.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the first locking member (40, 240A, 240B) is permanently stressed in a locking configuration.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the locking portion (39) is configured to be moved elastically, in particular to be deformed elastically, to unlock the first locking member so as to unlock the sliding.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the support strip (22, 122, 222, 322) includes a release tab (44), configured to be manipulated so as to unlock the locking system to release the sliding.

9. Device according to claim 8, taken in combination with claim 5, wherein the unlocking tab (44) is raised radially relative to the locking portion (39, 239).

10. A fastening assembly comprising a strapping band (10, 110, 210, 310) and a mounting device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the strapping band optionally being a clamping band for a hose clamp (1).

11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein the mounting device (12) is according to claim 2, and wherein the edges (11A, 11B, 11A, 11B) of the strapping band are inserted into the space provided between the folded ends of the sliding tabs (28A, 28B, 228A, 228B) and the inner face of the support band.

12. Assembly according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the mounting device is according to claim 5, and wherein the strapping band 10, 110, 210, 310) has a plurality of second locking members (42, 242A, 242B, 342) to cooperate with the first locking member, the second locking members being distributed over at least a portion of the length of the strapping band, the first and second locking members being in particular conjugate male / female members.

13. Assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the mounting device (12) is according to claim 6, and wherein the locking portion (39, 239) is pressed against the outer face of the strapping band.

14. Assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the strapping band (10, 110, 310) has a groove (ll'A, ll'B, 11 l'A, 11 l'B) on each of its longitudinal edges.

15. Assembly according to claim 14, wherein the strapping band (110) has, on its longitudinal edges (11A, 11 IB), raised edges under which the grooves are formed.

16. Assembly according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the strapping band (10, 210, 310) comprises an inner band (13) and an outer band (15), the outer band extending laterally beyond the inner band so as to form the groove on each of the longitudinal edges of the strapping band, and wherein, optionally, the outer band is metallic, while the inner band is made of polymer.

Images