HOSE CLAMP

Abstract

The invention relates to a hose clamp (1, 101) for securing a pipe (2). The clamp (1, 101) comprises a first part (3, 103) for attaching the clamp (1, 101) to a support. The clamp (1, 101) also comprises a second part (4, 104) pivoting relative to the first part (3, 103) to selectively grip the pipe (2) between them. The first part (3, 103) and the second part (4, 104) each comprise a respective engagement element (30, 40, 130, 140) connected to them in a spaced relationship by a plurality of flexible links (31, 41, 131, 141) to allow the engagement elements (30, 40) to elastically engage the pipe (2) captured between the first part (3, 103) and the second part (4, 104). Figure for the abbreviation: FIG. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Hose clamp for securing pipe Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping collar intended for fixing rigid tubes or pipes (for example, made of metal or plastic) but can also be applied to flexible tubes or pipes, such as hoses. Technical background

[0002] Many hose clamps are already designed for securing pipes, particularly in the automotive industry. For example, the solution described in US patent document US4591119. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a clamp capable of absorbing vibrations, while being easier to manufacture.

[0004] The invention relates to a hose clamp, for example for fixing a pipe, the clamp comprising: an external structure and an internal structure connected to the external structure by a plurality of flexible links to allow the internal structure to engage elastically with a pipe.

[0005] The presence of flexible links connecting the internal and external structures allows the collar to be formed in a single molding while providing the necessary flexibility to elastically engage the pipe, thus absorbing vibrations. This flexibility also allows for the absorption of dimensional tolerances in the pipe. This arrangement also allows the pipe-holding portion to be decoupled from the external portion.

[0006] The internal structure may include an inner "tube retaining" part. The external structure may include an outer "frame" part. Flexible links may act as shock absorbers between the two parts.

[0007] For example, the clamping collar has flexible links 31, 41 which are in the form of tabs.

[0008] The collar or external structure may include a first part, for example, for fixing the collar to a support. The collar or external structure may include a second part. The second part may pivot relative to the first part, for example, to selectively capture the pipe between them.

[0009] The first part and the second part can each comprise a respective engagement element, for example linked to them in a spaced relationship by a plurality of flexible links. The flexible links can allow the elements engagement to elastically engage the captured pipe between the first part and the second part.

[0010] The invention also relates to a hose clamp for fixing a pipe, the clamp comprising: a first part for fixing the clamp to a support; and a second part pivoting relative to the first part to selectively capture the pipe between them; in which the first part and the second part each comprise a respective engagement element connected to them in a relationship spaced by a plurality of flexible links to allow the engagement elements to elastically engage the pipe captured between the first part and the second part.

[0011] The second part can be articulated to the first part by means of a living hinge and / or flexible, or a living and / or flexible joint. A "living hinge" (also called a "living hinge" in Anglo-Saxon terminology) is understood to be a hinge or joint formed from material or integral with the first and second parts. The hinge is, for example, created by a localized thinning of material between the first and second parts.

[0012] The engagement elements may include a first engagement element, which may be connected to the first part, for example in a spaced relationship. The first engagement element may be connected to the first part by at least three flexible links.

[0013] The engagement elements may include a second engagement element, which may be connected to the second part, for example in a spaced relationship. The second engagement element may be connected to the second part by at least three flexible links.

[0014] More specifically, the engagement elements may include a first engagement element linked to the first party in a relationship spaced by at least three flexible links and a second engagement element linked to the second party in a relationship spaced by at least three flexible links.

[0015] The flexible links connecting the first engagement element to the first part can be inclined with respect to a radial direction.

[0016] The flexible links connecting the second engagement element to the second part can be inclined with respect to a radial direction. The flexible links connecting the second engagement element to the second part can be inclined in a direction opposite to the flexible links connecting the first engagement element to the first part.

[0017] More specifically, the flexible links connecting the second engagement element to the second part can be inclined with respect to the radial direction in a direction opposite to the flexible links connecting the first engagement element to the first part.

[0018] The connections can be symmetrical with respect to a plane separating the first part and the second part.

[0019] The first part may be in the shape of a half-ring. The second part may be in the shape of a half-ring. At least one, for example both, engagement elements may be in the shape of a half-ring.

[0020] More specifically, the first part, the second part and their engagement elements can be in the shape of a half-ring.

[0021] The collar may include a first fastening means, which may be provided on the first part. The collar may include a second fastening means, which may be provided on the second part. The fastening means may be for securing the collar around the pipe.

[0022] More specifically, the collar may include a first fastening means and a second fastening means provided respectively on the first part and the second part for fixing the collar around the pipe.

[0023] For example, the hose clamp includes fastening means which are in the form of a pair of opposing hooks which engage with each other.

[0024] Each fastening means may include a fastening device or a fastener.

[0025] The first part may include a connector for linking the collar to a support.

[0026] The collar can be formed from a single molded piece. The collar can be molded from a single material.

[0027] For example, the hose clamp is formed from a single piece molded entirely from a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0028] To avoid any doubt, all the features described herein also apply to every aspect of the invention.

[0029] To avoid any ambiguity, the terms "may", "and / or", "for example", and any other similar terms used in this document shall be interpreted as non-limiting, so that not every feature so described is necessarily present. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective view of a hose clamp according to an example, represented in an open configuration;

[0032] [Fig.2] illustrates a side view of the collar of the [Fig.1];

[0033] [Fig.3] illustrates a view similar to [Fig.1] showing the collar in a tight configuration;

[0034] [Fig.4] illustrates a side view of the collar of [Fig.3]; and

[0035] [Fig. 5] illustrates a side view of a hose clamp according to another example, shown in a tight configuration. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] Referring now to Figures 1 to 4, a hose clamp 1 can be seen for securing a pipe 2 to a support. The pipe may be a tube, a plastic, aluminum, or EPDM hose. The clamp 1 comprises a first part 3 and a second part 4 pivoting relative to the first part 3 to selectively capture the pipe 2 between them.

[0037] The first part 3 is intended to fix the collar 1 to the support, for example by means of an adhesive or by pushing a fixing element through a central part of the first part 3. In this regard, the first part 3 may have a hole (not shown) in its thickness to receive a fixing element.

[0038] The first part 3 and the second part 4 are in the shape of a half-ring, and the second part 4 is articulated to the first part 3 by a flexible hinge 10. The first part 3 and the second part 4 each comprise a respective engagement element 30, 40, which are also in the shape of a half-ring, connected in a spaced relationship by a plurality of flexible links 31, 4L

[0039] More specifically, the engagement elements 30, 40 comprise a first engagement element 30 and a second engagement element 40. The first engagement element 30 is connected to the first part 3 in a spaced relationship by a plurality of flexible links 31. The second engagement element 40 is connected to the second part 4 in a spaced relationship by a plurality of flexible links 4L.

[0040] The flexible links 31, 41 allow the engagement elements 30, 40 to elastically engage the pipe 2 captured between the first part 3 and the second part 4. In this example, the flexible links 31, 41 are in the form of tabs, but they could take another form.

[0041] The flexible links 31, 41 are inclined with respect to a radial direction. Thus, an outward radial force applied to the engagement elements 30, 40 when they are clamped against the pipe 2 causes the flexible links 31, 41 to bend towards a tangential orientation. This configuration provides resilience that can be adjusted by modifying the inclination, width, thickness, shape, and number of the flexible links 31, 41. These characteristics also allow the degree of damping to be varied.

[0042] In this example, the flexible links 41 connecting the second engagement element 40 to the second part 4 are inclined in a direction opposite to the links Flexible hoses 31 connect the first engagement element 30 to the first part 3. This opposite orientation of the flexible hoses 31, 41 maintains the compressive force exerted by the engagement elements 30, 40 on the pipe 2 if the pipe 2 is twisted relative to the clamp 1 or vice versa. This also improves the ability of the clamp 1 to absorb torsional vibrations of the pipe 2.

[0043] The collar 1 also includes a first fastening means 32 and a second fastening means 42 for fixing the collar 1 around the pipe 2. The first fastening means 32 is provided on the first part 3 and the second fastening means 32 is provided on the second part 4. The fastening means 32, 42 have the form of a pair of opposing hooks which engage with each other.

[0044] In this example, the collar 1 is formed from a single molded piece. However, those skilled in the art will understand that other configurations are also possible.

[0045] Figure 5 shows a hose clamp 101 according to another example similar to the hose clamp 1 of Figures 1 to 4, where similar reference numerals represent similar features, incremented by 100. The hose clamp 101 according to this example differs from that of Figures 1 to 4 in that

[0046] The first part 103 includes a connector 105 for connecting the collar 101 to a support.

[0047] A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above can vary in many ways, provided that they are consistent with the invention.

[0048] List of reference signs

[0049] 1 hose clamp

[0050] 10 flexible hinge

[0051] 2 pipe

[0052] 3 first part

[0053] 30 engagement element

[0054] 31 flexible connections

[0055] 32 first means of attachment

[0056] 4 second part

[0057] 40 engagement element

[0058] 41 flexible connections

[0059] 42 second means of attachment

[0060] 101 hose clamp

[0061] 110 flexible hinge

[0062] 102 pipe

[0063] 103 first part

[0064]

[0065]

[0066]

[0067]

[0068]

[0069]

[0070]

[0071] 130 engagement element 131 flexible links 132 first fastening means 104 second part 140 engagement element 141 flexible links 142 second fastening means 105 connector

Claims

Demands

1. Hose clamp (1, 101) for fixing a pipe (2), the clamp (1, 101) comprising: a first part (3, 103) for fixing the clamp (1, 101) to a support; and a second part (4, 104) pivoting relative to the first part (3, 103) to selectively capture the pipe (2) between them; wherein the first part (3, 103) and the second part (4, 104) each comprise a respective engagement element (30, 40, 130, 140) connected to them in a spaced relationship by a plurality of flexible links (31, 41, 131, 141) to allow the engagement elements (30, 40) to elastically engage the pipe (2) captured between the first part (3, 103) and the second part (4, 104).

2. Clamping collar (1, 101) according to claim 1, wherein the engagement elements (30, 40, 130, 140) comprise a first engagement element (30, 130) connected to the first part (3, 103) in a relationship spaced by at least three flexible links (31, 131) and a second engagement element (40, 140) connected to the second part (4, 104) in a relationship spaced by at least three flexible links (41, 141).

3. Clamping collar (1, 101) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flexible links (31, 131) connecting the first engagement element (30, 130) to the first part (3, 103) are inclined with respect to a radial direction.

4. Clamping collar (1, 101) according to claim 3, wherein the flexible links (41, 141) connecting the second engagement element (40, 140) to the second part (4, 104) are inclined with respect to the radial direction in a direction opposite to the flexible links (31, 131) connecting the first engagement element (30, 130) to the first part (3, 103).

5. Hose clamp (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (3, 103), the second part (4, 104) and their engagement elements (30, 40, 130, 140) are in the form of a half-ring.

6. Clamping collar (1, 101) according to claim 5, wherein the second part (4) is articulated to the first part (3) by a living and / or flexible hinge (10).

7. Hose clamp (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first fastening means (32, 132) and a second fastening means (42, 142) provided respectively on the first part (3, 103) and the second part (4, 104) for fixing the clamp (1, 101) around the pipe (2).

8. Hose clamp (1, 101) according to claim 7, wherein the fastening means (32, 42) have the form of a pair of opposing hooks which engage with each other.

9. Hose clamp (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (103) comprises a connector (105) for connecting the clamp (101) to a support.

10. Hose clamp (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose clamp (1, 101) is formed from a single integrally molded piece.

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