Clamping ear clamp

Abstract

The clamp (10) comprises a belt (12) having a geometric winding axis (A) and carrying two clamping lugs (20A, 20B) capable of being moved relative to each other using a clamping member (14) to tighten the belt, at least one of the clamping lugs called "triangular lug" having, seen along the winding axis (A), a triangular shape having a base (21A, 21B) which extends substantially along the circumference of the belt and an external apex located radially outside the belt, the external apex being connected to the base by a front wall (22A, 22B) and a rear wall (23A, 23B), these walls forming with the base the three sides of the triangle. [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: Clamping ear clamp Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clamp for clamping objects, for example for connecting tubular objects together, or for fixing an object to a support. In the latter case, for example, the clamp is itself fixed to the support, and grips the object so as to ensure its fixing to the support. This support may for example be a part of a vehicle, for example the chassis of a motor vehicle, and the object may be a part of a tank, for example a hydrogen tank.

[0002] In particular, the clamp comprises a belt wound around a winding axis and carrying two clamping ears capable of being moved relative to each other using a clamping member to tighten the belt. The ears are portions that are raised relative to the belt, to provide gripping surfaces for the clamping member. For example, the ears may be drilled and the clamping member may comprise a clamping screw that passes through the drillings of the ears and is retained behind them. Prior art

[0003] Clamping collars of this type are known, for example from documents WO2006 / 109001, WO2010 / 004233 or EP3825594. The clamping lugs are subjected to high clamping forces, in particular tensile forces, which they must be able to withstand to ensure the required clamping quality.

[0004] Conventionally, the clamping belts are formed from relatively thick metal strips, and the ears are formed in one piece with the belt, being radially straightened and work hardened.

[0005] However, there is an increasing desire to save material, and in particular, there is an attempt to use thin metal strips to form the belt. Indeed, the clamping forces are exerted in the belt, in the circumferential direction and can be supported by thin strips. However, the clamping forces are exerted on the lugs in the direction of application of the clamping by the clamping member, which is generally inclined relative to the lugs. The lugs are therefore more sensitive than the belt to the clamping forces. Thus, conventional clamping lugs, such as those just described, may not withstand the clamping forces when the belt is thin.

[0006] To address this problem, we thought of making the ears in portions of thick strips, added to the belt, as in US2003 / 0015872 or US2014 / 0306449. This solution is satisfactory but still requires a relatively large quantity of material to form the thick strip portions and, in some cases, complicates the manufacturing process.

[0007] Also known, for example from document WO2008024310, are trunnion collars, in which the clamping ears are formed by transversely open loops, in which rigid trunnions are arranged. For example, one of the trunnions can form the head of the screw while the other forms a nut for the threaded part of the screw. This system is satisfactory in terms of mechanical strength, but it requires additional parts and uses a significant amount of material. Statement of the invention

[0008] The invention aims to remedy at least substantially the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0009] Thus, the invention relates to a clamp comprising a belt having a geometric winding axis and carrying two tightening lugs capable of being moved relative to each other using a tightening member to tighten the belt, at least one of the tightening lugs called "triangular lug" having, seen along the winding axis, a triangle shape having a base which extends substantially along the circumference of the belt and an external apex located radially outside the belt, the external apex being connected to the base by a front wall and a rear wall, these walls forming with the base the three sides of the triangle.

[0010] The triangular clamping lug may be made of an inherently weak material, for example a thin metal strip, but the inventors have found that its triangular shape gives it the desired mechanical strength. In particular, due to their inclination and the support they provide each other, the front and rear walls are capable of withstanding significant clamping forces, especially when they are connected by the base of the triangle.

[0011] The triangular lug may be formed in one piece with the belt, or on the contrary be an attached lug. It should be noted that, in this case, the attached lug may however be formed with a quantity of material significantly less than that which is necessary with the aforementioned thick strip portions or be made of a different material. The triangular lug has a simple shape, which makes its manufacture particularly easy, for example in the continuity of the belt manufacturing process.

[0012] Optionally, the triangle has two circumferential vertices, located substantially in the circumference of the belt.

[0013] Optionally, the base extends against an outer face of the belt.

[0014] Optionally, the front wall and the rear wall have a pierced area configured to allow the passage of the clamping member through the front wall and the rear wall.

[0015] Optionally, at least one of the front and rear walls, in particular the front wall, has an oblong pierced area so as to allow movement of the clamping member passing through the front and rear walls.

[0016] Optionally, the rear wall has, on its rear face, a boss projecting rearwardly around at least a portion of the pierced area present in the rear wall, the boss being optionally located between slots in the rear wall.

[0017] Optionally, at least one of the front and rear walls, in particular the rear wall, has at least one stiffening relief, in particular a rib and / or raised or lowered edges.

[0018] Optionally, the rear wall is straightened relative to the portion of the belt which carries it, forming with this portion of belt an angle external to the triangle of 80° to 120°, optionally of 100° to 110°.

[0019] Optionally, the front wall forms with the base an internal angle to the triangle of 40° to 70°, optionally from 50° to 60°.

[0020] Optionally, at least one of the elements comprising the base, the front wall and the rear wall is fixed, optionally by welding or clinching, to a portion of the belt, called the fixing support, by at least one fixing zone integral with said at least one element, which is arranged against the fixing support.

[0021] Optionally, the attachment area is located in the base, the attachment bracket optionally forming a part of the base.

[0022] Optionally, the fixing zone is located in an extension of the rear wall, the front wall or the base, which extends substantially along the circumference of the belt, said extension being optionally located on the external side of the belt.

[0023] Optionally, the belt is formed, at least in part, in a band and the triangular ear is formed integrally with the band, in an end portion of the band which is folded to define the triangular shape.

[0024] Optionally, the terminal portion of the strip is folded back against itself to present a double thickness, at least in part of the triangle.

[0025] Optionally, the two clamping ears are triangular ears.

[0026] Optionally, the clamping member comprises a clamping screw retained relative to the clamping ears by retaining members, at least one of the retaining members comprising a nut.

[0027] Optionally, the clamping screw has a retaining head and the drilled area communicates with a passage opening configured to allow the positioning of the retaining head at the rear of the rear wall by a rocking movement of the clamping screw in a plane substantially perpendicular to the geometric winding axis.

[0028] Optionally, the passage opening is configured to be traversed by the retaining head and is optionally located in the region of the junction between the base and the rear wall, in particular in an extension of the base which extends to the rear of the rear wall. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the subject of the present disclosure will emerge from the following description of embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures.

[0030] [Fig.lA] is a perspective view of a clamp according to the invention.

[0031] [Fig.lB] is an enlarged view of area IA of [Fig.lA].

[0032] [Fig.2] is a view similar to [Fig.lB], showing a variant.

[0033] [Fig.3] is a view similar to [Fig.1B], showing a variant.

[0034] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.1B], showing a variant.

[0035] [Fig.5] is a view similar to [Fig.1B], showing a variant.

[0036] [Fig.6A] is a view similar to [Fig.1B], showing a variant.

[0037] [Fig.6B] shows in perspective view from behind, a triangular ear of the variant of [Fig.6A].

[0038] [Fig.6C] shows in perspective view from the inside, the triangular ear of the variant of [Fig.6B].

[0039] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a collar according to the invention, for an application providing a spring effect.

[0040] [Fig.6B] shows in perspective view from behind, a triangular ear of the variant of [Fig.6A].

[0041] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of a triangular ear according to a variant, taken from the back.

[0042] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of a triangular ear according to a variant, taken from the back.

[0043] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of a triangular ear according to a variant, taken from the rear. Detailed description

[0044] [Fig.1A] shows a clamp 10 which comprises a belt 12 wound around a geometric winding axis A. Here, the belt is made in a single part, covering the entire circumference of the clamp by itself. The belt may however be formed from belt portions, connected together or to a support. The axis A is defined as being that of the cylinder defined by the cylindrical contour of the belt or on which the portions of cylindrical contours of the belt are substantially inscribed.

[0045] The ends 12A and 12B of the belt 12 carry tightening ears, respectively 20A and 20B.

[0046] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the inward direction is the direction toward axis A. Thus, the inner face of the belt 12 is the one that faces toward axis A. The outward direction is of course the opposite direction. In the case of an ear, the forward direction is the one in which it moves when the belt is tightened. Thus, in the example shown, the front wall of one ear is the one that faces toward the front wall of the other ear. Conversely, the rear wall of one ear is the one that is opposite its front wall and, therefore, opposite the other ear. The axial direction is the one defined by axis A.

[0047] Even if, according to the invention, at least one of the tightening lugs is triangular, the two lugs 20A and 20B are here triangular lugs. It can be seen that these lugs are pierced and are crossed by a tightening member 14 which, in this case, comprises a tightening rod 14A, in particular a tightening screw which, by its tightening, brings the lugs closer together, so as to tighten the belt of the collar. Here, the tightening screw 14A is retained behind the lugs, respectively by its screw head 14B retained behind the lug 20A, and a nut retained behind the lug 20B. The tightening screw is oriented substantially tangentially to the belt 12.

[0048] The clamping lug 20A has a triangular shape, with a base 21A which runs along the circumference of the belt 12, an external vertex 20'A located radially outside the belt and, in this case, defining the greatest radial height of the lug, a front wall 22A and a rear wall 23A.

[0049] Similarly, the clamping lug 20B has a triangular shape, with a base 21B which extends along the circumference of the belt 12, an external vertex 20'B located radially outside the belt and, in this case, defining the greatest radial height of the lug, a front wall 22B and a rear wall 23B.

[0050] Considering that the base 21A, respectively 21B, has a slight curvature, it is assimilated to a plane shape and this base forms, with the front and rear walls 22A and 23A, respectively 22B and 23B, the three sides of a triangle.

[0051] It can be seen that the triangle formed by the ear 20A has two circumferential vertices, 20” A and 20”'A. The vertex 20” A is at the junction between the front wall 22A and the base 21 A, while the vertex 20”'A is at the junction between the rear wall 23A and the base 21A.

[0052] The same applies to ear 20B, with circumferential peaks, 20”B and 20”'B of his triangle.

[0053] The base 21A thus extends from one circumferential vertex to the other and the forces it undergoes are oriented in the circumferential direction.

[0054] We see here that the ears are formed directly from the belt, in one piece with it, by successive folds of its ends.

[0055] Thus, the base 21A of the ear 20A forms a terminal portion of the belt, the circumference of which it locally defines. It is noted here that the belt is formed in a flat strip, that is to say that its section in a radial plane parallel to the axis A is flat. The invention also applies to collars whose belt has a recess delimited by flanks, as in the document EP3825594. In this case, it is considered that the circumference of the belt is defined by the top of the recess, that is to say, for example, the portion of the cylinder of revolution from which the flanks directed towards the geometric winding axis extend.

[0056] In particular, the belt is formed by winding a strip, in particular a metal strip. The portion of strip in which the lug 20A is formed is folded outwards to form the circumferential apex 20”A and straightened to form the front wall 22A, then folded inwards to form the apex 20'A and folded down to form the rear wall 23A, until it reaches the circumference of the belt and is then folded back to form the apex 20”'A and then brought back against the outer face of the belt, forming a flap 24A, 24'A. In this case, this flap is brought back against the outer face of the belt, at the rear of the rear wall 23A. It could just as easily be provided for it to be brought back against this outer face at the front of the rear wall, that is to say against the outer face of the base.

[0057] The flap here forms a fixing zone integral with the rear wall (immediately carried by the rear wall) which is fixed to a support portion 12'A of the belt, for example by welding or clinching. As indicated, this support portion is here located behind the ear, but it could alternatively be formed by all or part of the base of the triangle formed by the ear.

[0058] In this case, the flap has a portion 24A located immediately after the apex 20'” A, then a portion 24'A, which extends from the portion 24A to the free end of the flap. It can be seen that these two portions are flat or have a slight curvature, less than that of the belt, and are slightly inclined relative to the circumference of the belt, forming at their junction, a zone very slightly raised relative to the belt. Seen along the axis A, these two portions form the branches of a V, the apex of which is directed outwards and the angle between the branches of which is obtuse, for example greater than 150°. For example, it can be provided that the two portions 24A and 24'A are fixed to the support portion 12'A, in two separate zones. This makes it possible to adapt the shape of the flap and the curvature of the belt to the shape of the flap. its attachment to the belt, without needing to ensure that the bib has the same curvature as the belt.

[0059] The preceding description applies to the ear 20B, with its flap 24B, 24'B fixed to the support portion 12'B.

[0060] The front and rear walls of each of the lugs 20A and 20B have a drilled area allowing the passage of the clamping screw 14A. In this case, for each lug, the front wall and the rear wall each have a drilling. [Fig. 1B] shows the drilling 25B of the front wall 22B of the lug 20B, the drilling 25'B of its rear wall 23B, and the drilling 25A of the front wall 22A of the lug 20A. These drillings are aligned.

[0061] It can be seen that the holes 25A and 25B of the respective front walls 22A and 22B of the lugs 20A and 20B are oblong. When tightening the belt, the lugs tend to move closer to the axis A of the belt and the tightening screw may undergo deflections relative to the lugs. The oblong shape is elongated in the radial direction and makes it possible to avoid hindering these deflections. The holes in the rear walls may also be slightly oblong.

[0062] It can be seen here that the rear wall 23A of the lug 20A is straightened relative to the portion of the belt which carries it, forming with this portion of belt an angle α external to the triangle formed by the lug 20A. This angle is therefore measured between the rear face of the rear wall and the external face of the belt, at the rear of the rear wall. This angle α is from 80° to 120°, optionally from 100° to 110°. The rear wall of the lug is thus clearly straightened relative to the circumference of the belt and offers the tightening member (here: the head of the screw 14A) a large and well-oriented gripping surface, allowing optimal contact between the rear wall of the lug and the head of the screw or the nut, the surfaces of which facing the rear wall of the lug are then practically parallel to the opposite face of this rear wall.

[0063] The same angle a is observed between the rear wall 23B of the ear 20B and the portion of belt which carries it.

[0064] It can be seen that the front wall 22A of the lug 20A forms with the base 21A an internal angle [3 to the triangle formed by the lug. This angle is from 40° to 70°, optionally from 50° to 60°. This angle of inclination allows the front wall to resist the tendency of the lug to fold inwards under the effect of the tightening forces. The front wall forms a sort of flying buttress which supports the rear wall against these forces, without being too bulky, by minimizing the space between the two lugs and by preventing the length of the base which is in a sort of cantilevered forward from the rear wall on which the tightening force is exerted, from being too great, which could harm the intensity of the radial support force of the base on the object tightened by the belt.

[0065] We will now describe [Fig. 2], in which elements similar to those of figures 1A and 1B are designated by the same references, increased by 50.

[0066] The two ears 70A and 70B are also triangular and are also formed in a single piece with the belt 62, by successive folding of the strip in which the belt is formed.

[0067] In this case, these folds are such that the thickness of the strip is doubled in the region of the ears. It is understood that the ear 70A is formed in part like the ear 20A, with an outward fold at the top 70”A, then an inward fold at the top 70'A and a rearward fold at the top 70”'A. A fold 76A is thus formed at the rear of the ear 70A, over a small distance, and this fold is folded back on itself at its rear end and the strip is brought back against the internal face of the rear wall 73A, the internal face of the front wall 72A and the external face of the base 71A until a flap 76'A is formed, which is fixed to the area 62'A forming a support for fixing the belt. The fold 76A is itself fixed to the flap 76'A. For the rest, the conformation of the ear corresponds to that which was previously described. Here, the base 71A extends against the external face of the belt 62.

[0068] Ear 70B is analogous to ear 70A and also has double the thickness.

[0069] We will now describe [Fig. 3], in which elements similar to those of figures 1A and 1B are designated by the same references, increased by 100.

[0070] The two ears 120A and 120B are also triangular, but they are formed by separate pieces, attached to the belt 112.

[0071] In this case, the front wall 122A of the ear 120A has an end which is folded backwards, in the triangle, to form a flap 122'A forming a fixing zone, fixed to the belt 112 in the zone 112'A of this belt which forms a fixing support. Similarly, the rear wall 123A has an end folded backwards to form a flap 124A, 124'A similar to the flap 24A, 24'A previously described. This flap 124A, 124'A extends against the external face of the belt, in this case at the back of the ear, knowing that it could on the contrary extend forwards, under the ear. The bib 124A, 124'A is attached to the belt 112 in the area 112' ' A of this belt which forms a fixing support.

[0072] As indicated previously in relation to the flaps 24A and 24'A of [Fig. 1B], the V-shaped conformation of the flap 124A, 124'A allows it to be adapted to the curvature of the belt and the two portions, respectively 124A and 124'A of the flap can each be fixed to the belt in two separate zones. Thus, the same lug 120A or 122A can be fixed to belts of different diameters, which is particularly advantageous when the lug forms a separate part of the belt as in this case because it is then not necessary to have a reference ear for each belt reference.

[0073] The flaps 122'A and 124A, 124'A are fixed to the belt by any suitable means, in particular by welding or clinching. It should be noted that they do not necessarily have significant lengths. For example, the length of the flap 122'A, measured along the circumference of the belt, may be of the order of 0.1 to 0.5 times the width of the belt, measured along the geometric winding axis A. The length of the flap 124A, 124'A, measured along the circumference of the belt, may be of the order of 0.5 to 1.2 times the width of the belt, measured along the geometric winding axis A.

[0074] The base 121A of the triangle formed by the ear 120A is formed by the portion of the belt which is located radially under the front and rear walls 122A and 123A. The triangle formed by the ear is a stable geometric entity, the length of its base being fixed by the fixings of the front and rear walls according to the aforementioned flaps.

[0075] The ear 120B is here formed like the ear 120A and its front and rear walls 122B and 123B, its base 121B, the flap 122'B for fixing the front wall and the flap 124B, 124'B for fixing the rear wall are recognized.

[0076] We will now describe [Fig. 4], in which elements similar to those of figures 1A and 1B are designated by the same references, increased by 150.

[0077] This variant is similar to that of figures 1A and 1B. It differs only in that the ears 170A and 170B have stiffening ribs. These are ribs which extend parallel to the direction of the length of the belt 162. Thus, the ear 170A has two ribs 177A and 177'A which extend on the front wall 172A and on the rear wall 173A. In this case, these ribs even extend onto the flap 174A, 174'A which is fixed to the belt in its zone 162'A forming a fixing support. Here, the ribs are not interrupted in the areas of the 170'A and 170'”A peaks, but one could instead choose to have them interrupted at these peaks. Here, from the front, the 177A and 177'A ribs start just above the 170”A peak, that is, radially outside this peak but close to it.It might be expected that, towards the rear, the ribs would stop just before the apex 170'”A, that is, radially outside this apex.

[0078] In this case, two parallel ribs 177A and 177'A are provided. They are here configured so that the axial distance between them (measured in the direction of the geometric winding axis) corresponds to an axial width of the head 164A of the screw 164A of the clamping member 164, this width being for example measured between two flats of the edges of this head. Thus, in addition to their effect of stiffening the ear, the ribs 177A and 177'A produce a rotational wedging effect on the head of the screw.

[0079] The lug 170B is similar to the lug 170A and also has ribs, 177B and 177'B which, in this case, also extend over the front wall 172B, the rear wall 173B and the flap 174B, 174'B. Here, a washer 164B can be interposed between the rear wall of the lug 170B and the nut (not shown) of the clamping member so that the ribs 177B and 177'B do not hinder the rotation of this nut.

[0080] Two stiffening ribs are shown here for each ear and these ribs project outwards. Of course, a different number of ribs could be used, for example a single rib, and the rib(s) could be projecting inwards and therefore hollow on the external faces of the walls of the ear. If the ribs are continuous here, they could be interrupted. They could also extend only over one of the front and rear walls, in particular the rear wall. Other types of stiffening reliefs could be provided, for example bosses or localized work-hardening zones.

[0081] [Fig.5] also shows other types of stiffening reliefs.

[0082] In this figure, the same references as in [Fig.4] increased by 50 or the same references as in [Fig.1B] increased by 200 are used to designate similar elements.

[0083] Here, the stiffening reliefs of the ear 220A are formed by raised edges 228A, 228'A which extend over its front and rear walls 222A and 223A, and over its flap 224A, 224'A. Like ribs 177A and 177'A, the raised edges also extend into apexes 220'A and 220”'A, but they could be interrupted in these apexes. They may also be continuous, as shown, or not. At the base of raised edges 228A and 228'A close to the belt, on front wall 222A, the edges of the latter have incisions such as incision 229'A referenced in [Fig. 5], to facilitate the shaping of the raised edge. Ear 220B has similar raised edges, 228B and 228'B.

[0084] The raised edges are formed on the edges of the ear, spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. They are deformed to be raised radially. Instead, they could be deformed by lowering them towards the axis A, even if this means interrupting them in the regions of the vertices of the triangle formed by the ear.

[0085] Although, in Figures 4 and 5, the stiffening reliefs have been shown on single-thickness lugs, that is to say lugs having a single thickness of band, it is of course possible to produce such reliefs on double-thickness lugs like that of [Fig.2]. Furthermore, although Figures 4 and 5 show these reliefs on lugs made in one piece with the belt, they can be produced on lugs forming separate pieces, like those of [Fig.3].

[0086] Figures 6A to 6C are now described, in which the same references are used as in [Fig. 1B], increased by 250.

[0087] This variant is distinguished from those which have just been described by the fact that the clamping screw 264A is disengageable. Indeed, the shank of the screw can be separated from the ear 270A without having to be extracted by a translational movement along its length and without having to be separated from the ear 270B. More precisely, the head 264B of this screw can be released from the ear 270A without extracting the screw from the pierced areas of the ears by a translational movement carried out along the axis of the screw.

[0088] On the contrary, it is here possible for the clamping screw 264A to remain engaged in the drilled area 275B, 275'B of the lug 270B while being extracted from the drilled area 275A, 275'A of the lug 270A. For this, the drilled area 275'A of the lug 270A communicates with a passage opening 279A that the head 264B of the screw can pass through. The axial dimensions (along the winding axis) and longitudinal dimensions (along the length of the belt 262) are obviously chosen to be adapted to those of the head of the screw.

[0089] Here, the pierced area of ​​the ear 270A comprises not only a bore 275A formed in the front wall 272A and a bore 275'A formed in the rear wall 273A as in the previous figures, but also a bore 275'”A formed in the base 271A, these three bores communicating with each other, to form a continuous slot which extends inward from a portion of the front wall 272A close to the top 270'A, extends into the base 271A over the entire length of the latter and continues in the rear wall 273A up to a portion close to the top 270'A. At the rear of the rear wall 273A of the ear 270A, this slot also continues to form the passage opening 279A which is here formed in the fold 276A and the flap 276'A, the fold and bib being superimposed at this point.It is understood that this continuous slot allows, by a tilting movement of the screw 264A in the direction of the arrow F, in a plane perpendicular to the winding axis, while the part of the screw remote from its head 264B remains in place in the holes 275B and 275B' of the ear 270B, to pass the head of the screw into the passage opening 279A. The screw is extracted from the ear 270A by rotating around the ear 270B in the plane perpendicular to the winding axis.

[0090] Thus, when the collar is not yet around the object that it is going to tighten, or when the collar is around this object but without being tightened and leaving sufficient space between the belt and this object, the screw can thus be released from the ear 270A or on the contrary be engaged there.

[0091] The ear 270B is in this case identical to the ear 70B of [Fig. 2]. The base 271 B, the front wall 272B, the rear wall 273B and the holes 275B and 275B' have been identified. The oblong shape of the hole 275B is chosen to allow the screw to tilt over a sufficient amplitude for its engagement or disengagement with respect to the ear 270A.

[0092] It should be emphasized that, although the passage opening 279A is here shown for a double-thickness lug, the same opening can obviously be produced for the lugs of the type shown in the variants of figures 1A to 5, whether it is a single-thickness lug coming in one piece with the belt, or an attached lug, fixed to the belt.

[0093] It is noted that the presence of a passage opening of the type of opening 279A can be produced behind a conventional clamping lug, not necessarily in a triangle, for example a clamping lug of the type shown in documents WO2006 / 109001 and WO2010 / 004233. Thus, it is possible to provide a clamping collar comprising a belt having a geometric winding axis and clamping tabs straightened relative to the belt and capable of being moved relative to each other using a clamping screw to tighten the belt. For this, one of the clamping tabs has a bore through which the barrel of the screw passes, and the screw has a head resting behind this clamping tab. To allow the screw to be released by a rocking movement, the bore of this tab communicates with a passage opening provided in the belt behind the lug, this opening being configured to be able to be crossed by the head of the screw.The drilling of the tab and the passage opening form a continuous slot which allows the screw to be released, without having to extract it by a translation along its length, and while allowing its barrel to remain engaged with respect to the other clamping tab. This conformation makes it possible to separate the screw from the clamping tab or on the contrary to put it back in place by positioning its head behind this tab, when the collar is not yet around the object which it will tighten, or when the collar is around this object but without being tightened and leaving sufficient space between the belt and this object.

[0094] We will now describe [Fig.7] which uses the same references as in figures 1A and 1B increased by 300 to designate similar elements.

[0095] In this figure, the belt 312 of the collar is formed of belt portions 313A and 313B, which carry the ears 320A and 320B, respectively, and a belt portion 313C formed on a support 313D. In this case, the belt portions 313A and 313B are articulated at the ends of the belt portion 313C. The ears 320A and 320B may be similar to the ears according to the different variants which have just been described. In this case, they are attached ears, fixed to the belt by flaps, such as the flaps 322'A and 324A visible for the ear 320A. In this case, the collar 310 may be used to hold an object that may undergo significant expansions relative to the support. For example, this object could be a hydrogen tank on board a vehicle.

[0096] In this case, as in the non-prepublished patent application FR2306425, one of the ears can cooperate with the clamping member 314 via a spring.

[0097] In this case, this is the ear 320B at the rear of which is mounted a connecting piece 326 forming a cage inside which is mounted a helical spring 326'. In this case, this cage has a U shape, with a rear wall distant from the ear 320B and retained relative to the ear by the wings of the U.

[0098] The nut 314C of the clamping member 314 is retained behind the rear wall of the connecting piece. The screw passes through the spring and the connecting piece. It is understood that tightening the nut 314C on the screw 314A compresses the spring. The spring can compress further to accompany the expansions of the object clamped by the collar or, on the contrary, relax if the object contracts. This makes it possible to maintain the clamping force at the desired level.

[0099] [Fig.8] shows an alternative embodiment of a triangular clamping lug. Here, an lug 370A is shown, formed by a piece separate from the belt, and intended to be fixed to it by a flap 372'A extending its front wall 372A while being folded against the belt, and a flap 374A, 374'A extending its rear wall 373A and folded against the belt.

[0100] However, this variant can be adopted on the different types of ears described above.

[0101] The particularity of this variant is that the rear wall 373A has, on its rear face, a boss 383A projecting rearwardly around the bore 375'A of this rear wall. In general, the boss extends around at least a portion of the pierced area of ​​the lug. In this case, the pierced area comprises the bore 375'A of the rear wall 373A and the bore 375A of the front wall 372A, these two bores having closed contours, and the boss extends around the bore 375'A. This boss can in particular define an external surface in the shape of a portion of a sphere or in any case of regular curvature, which promotes the correct positioning of the clamping member. In particular if this member comprises a screw, the head of the screw can rest against the surface of the boss, which contributes to the correct positioning of the screw in the bore 375'A.

[0102] [Fig.9] shows a variant of [Fig.8], with another form of boss, also compatible with the different variants of figures 1A to 7.

[0103] Here, the boss 433A of the rear face of the rear wall 423A of the ear 420A is located between two slots 434A and 434'A of the rear wall. These slots are in this case oriented in the longitudinal direction of the belt and, due to the inclination of the rear wall, are generally oriented radially.

[0104] The boss in this case has the shape of a portion of a cylinder of revolution with an axis parallel to the winding axis of the belt. It extends around the bore 425'A and helps to ensure the correct positioning of the head of the screw relative to this bore.

[0105] We will now describe [Fig. 10], in which the same references are used as in [Fig. 1B], increased by 450. As in the variant of FIGS. 6A to 6C, the screw is here disengageable, that is to say that the ear 470A is made in such a way that the rod of the screw can be separated from this ear without having to be extracted by a translational movement along its length and without having to be separated from the other ear.

[0106] Thus, as in the variant of figures 6A to 6C, the screw can be separated from the ear by a rocking movement in a plane substantially perpendicular to the geometric winding axis.

[0107] Here, the tilting movement occurs outwards. For this, the drilling 475A of the front wall 472A and the drilling 475'A of the rear wall 473A meet at the top 470'A of the lug, in a zone 475”A which forms a passage opening for the screw. The drillings 475A, 475'A and the zone 475”A together form a continuous drilled zone, open on the top 470'A of the lug and thus allowing the screw to be released from the top.

[0108] Of course, this variant is compatible with single-thickness or double-thickness ears, in one piece with the belt, or, on the contrary, attached and fixed to the belt.

Claims

Claims

1. A clamp (10) comprising a belt (12, 62, 112, 162, 212, 262, 312) having a geometric winding axis (A) and carrying two clamping lugs (20A, 20B, 70A, 70B, 120A, 120B, 170A, 170B, 220A, 220B, 270A, 270B, 320A, 320B, 370A, 420A, 470A) capable of being moved relative to each other using a clamping member (14, 64, 164, 264) for tightening the belt, at least one of the clamping lugs, called a "triangular lug", having, seen along the winding axis (A), a triangular shape having a base (21A, 21B) which extends substantially along the circumference of the belt and an external vertex located radially outside the belt, the external vertex being connected to the base by a front wall (22A, 22B) and a rear wall (23A, 23B), these walls forming with the base the three sides of the triangle.

2. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the triangle has two circumferential vertices (20”A, 20'”A; 20”B, 20”'B), located substantially in the circumference of the belt (12).

3. A clamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (71 A, 271 A) extends against an outer face of the belt (62, 262).

4. A clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the front wall (22A, 22B, 72A, 122A, 172A, 222A, 272A, 372A, 472A) and the rear wall (23A, 73A, 123A, 173A, 223A, 273A, 373A, 473A) have a pierced area (25A, 25B, 25'B, 275A, 275'A, 375'A, 425'A, 475A, 475'A) configured to allow passage of the clamping member (14, 14A) through the front wall and the rear wall.

5. A clamp according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the front and rear walls, in particular the front wall (22A, 22B, 72A, 122A, 172A, 222A, 272A, 372A, 472A), has an oblong pierced area (25A, 25B, 275A, 475A), so as to allow movement of the clamping member (14A) passing through the front and rear walls.

6. A clamp according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the rear wall (373A, 433A) has, on its rear face, a boss (383A, 433A) projecting rearwardly around at least a portion of the pierced area (375'A, 425'A) present in the rear wall, the boss being optionally located between slots (434A, 434'A) of the rear wall.

7. A clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in wherein at least one of the front and rear walls (172A, 173A, 172B, 173B, 222A, 223A, 222B, 223B), in particular the rear wall, has at least one stiffening relief, in particular a rib (117A, 177'A, 177B, 177'B) and / or raised or lowered edges (228A, 228'A, 228B, 228'B).

8. Clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the rear wall (23A, 23B) is straightened relative to the portion of the belt which carries it, forming with this portion of belt an angle (a) external to the triangle of 80° to 120°, optionally of 100° to 110°.

9. A clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the front wall (22A, 22B) forms with the base (21A, 21B) an angle (|3 ) internal to the triangle of 40° to 70°, optionally of 50° to 60°.

10. A clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the elements comprising the base, the front wall and the rear wall is fixed, optionally by welding or clinching, to a portion of the belt, called the fixing support (12'A, 12'B, 112'A, 112”A, 62'A, 112'A, 112”A, 162'A) by at least one fixing zone (24A, 24'A, 24B, 24'B integral with said at least one element, which is arranged against the fixing support.

11. A clamp according to claim 10, wherein the attachment area (122'A) is located in the base (121A), the attachment bracket (112'A) optionally forming a part of the base.

12. A clamp according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the fixing zone (24A, 24'A, 76A, 76'A, 124A, 124'A174A, 174'A224A, 224'A, 374A, 374'A276A, 276'A; 122'A, 372'A) is located in an extension of the rear wall, the front wall or the base, which extends substantially along the circumference of the belt, said extension being optionally located on the external side of the belt.

13. A clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the belt (12, 62, 162, 212, 262, 312) is formed, at least in part, in a band and the triangular ear (20A, 20A, 70A, 70B, 170A, 170B, 220A, 220B, 270A, 270B) is formed integrally with the band, in an end portion of the band which is folded to define the triangular shape.

14. A clamp according to claim 13, wherein the end portion of the strip is folded back against itself to have a double thickness, at least in a portion of the triangle.

15. A clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the two clamping ears (20A, 20B, 70A, 70B, 120A, 120B, 170A, 170B, 220A, 220B, 270A, 270B, 320A, 320B) are triangular ears.

16. A clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the clamping member (14, 64, 164, 264) comprises a clamping screw (14A, 164A, 264A) retained relative to the clamping lugs (20A, 20B, 70A, 70B, 120A, 120B, 170A, 170B, 220A, 220B, 270A, 270B) by retaining members, at least one of the retaining members comprising a nut (14C).

17. A clamp according to claims 4 and 16, wherein the clamping screw (14A, 164A, 264A) has a retaining head (14B, 164B, 264B) and the pierced area (275A, 275'A; 475A, 475'A) communicates with a passage opening (279A; 475”A) configured to allow the positioning of the retaining head at the rear of the rear wall (273A) by a rocking movement in a plane substantially perpendicular to the geometric winding axis (A).

18. A clamp according to claim 17, wherein the passage opening (279A) is configured to be traversed by the retaining head (264B) and is optionally located in the region of the junction between the base and the rear wall, in particular in an extension of the base which extends to the rear of the rear wall.

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