Device for clamping object comprising belt

Abstract

To provide a clamping device for clamping an object which may experience expansions.SOLUTION: A clamping device comprises a belt (10) with at least first and second clamping ends (11A, 12A), and a clamping member (14) which connects the two clamping ends while being retained relative to them, so that the clamping of the clamping member moves the first and second clamping ends relative to each other as fastening the belt. The clamping member (14) is retained relative to at least the first clamping end (12A) via a spring (24) and a connecting piece (26), so that the clamping of the clamping member (14) tends to move the connecting piece (26) relative to the first clamping end (12A) against elastic return of the spring. The connecting piece (26) is able to occupy, relative to the first clamping end (12A), a waiting position in which it holds the spring (24) with respect to the first clamping end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tightening device comprising a tightening belt for tightening an object.

[0002] It is a clamping device for clamping an object that may undergo expansion during which the clamping must be maintained. In particular, this object may be a hydrogen tank, the clamping device making it possible to clamp and hold this tank and to fix it to a support such as part of the chassis of a vehicle. Hydrogen tanks undergo significant expansion. Indeed, the filling pressure of such tanks conventionally reaches several hundred bar, for example 350-750 bar. Such tanks may be made of various materials, for example composite materials, possibly reinforced with fibres such as carbon fibres. A very high filling pressure causes this tank to expand, while on the other hand, when hydrogen is consumed, the tank retracts as its internal pressure decreases.

[0003] In general, a clamping device according to the present disclosure may be used to clamp other objects that may experience expansion, but where it is important to maintain clamping as the object expands.

[0004] The object in question may in particular be cylindrical or may comprise a clamping part with at least rotational symmetry. The clamping device comprises a belt that is clamped onto the clamping part of the object. The clamped belt must be able to accompany the expansion of the object, i.e. its diametric dimension must be able to increase or decrease while maintaining the clamping force.

[0005] For this purpose, the tightening device may comprise a spring. To tighten the object, the belt must be able to be placed around the tightening portion of the object and tightened in this situation. The forces involved during this placement and tightening may be significant against the tightening force due to the reaction force exerted by the object on the belt and the return force exerted by the spring. It may therefore be difficult to attach and / or position the belt around an object and tighten it while holding the belt and the spring correctly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a tightening device comprising a tightening belt, a tightening member that moves ends of the belt relative to one another to tighten the belt, and a spring that serves to maintain the tightening force exerted by the belt despite possible expansion of an object tightened by the device.

[0007] The present disclosure in particular aims to propose a clamping device whose installation on the object to be clamped and clamping around this object can be carried out in a simple manner, without running the risk of losing the spring or having to carry out complex operations to hold the spring in place before and during clamping. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Thus, according to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a device for clamping an object, comprising a belt having at least first and second clamping ends, and a clamping member that connects the two clamping ends while being held relative to them, whereby tightening of the clamping member moves the first and second clamping ends relative to each other to tighten the belt, the clamping member being held relative to at least the first clamping end via a spring and a connecting part, whereby tightening of the clamping member tends to move the connecting part relative to the first clamping end against the elastic return of the spring, the connecting part being capable of occupying a standby position relative to the first clamping end in which it supports the spring against the first clamping end.

[0009] The belt is tightened by moving the first and second tightening ends relative to one another through tightening of the tightening member, i.e. through activation or actuation of the latter (the tightening member) in the direction of tightening. However, since this tightening member is held against the first end of the belt via a spring and a connecting part, tightening of the tightening member has the effect of moving the connecting part against the elastic return of the spring. More specifically, tightening of the tightening member moves the spring which, when subjected to elastic deformation, drives it to move the first tightening end relative to the second tightening end, and this movement of the spring also causes a movement of the connecting part.

[0010] It is therefore understood that when the tightening member cooperates with the first and second ends to tighten them, it initially tends to move the first end by exerting a force on the spring. If, for example, this spring works in compression, the tightening force is exerted on the connecting part which tends to compress the spring, and when a satisfactory compression level is reached, it causes the movement of the first tightening end relative to the second tightening end. It is therefore understood that the spring makes it possible to maintain the tightening by ensuring the proper positioning of the second tightening end of the belt relative to the first tightening end, depending on its compression level.

[0011] However, before tightening, the connecting part occupies a waiting position in which it supports the spring against the first tightening end. The spring is thus pre-attached to the first end of the belt, correctly supported against the connecting part. The tightening device can thus be placed around the object to be tightened without risking losing the spring or having to manipulate it. Once the tightening device is placed on the object to be tightened, tightening can be carried out by the tightening member.

[0012] Optionally, the device comprises a member for supporting the connecting part in a standby position, in particular a standby clip member.

[0013] Optionally, the connecting part is capable of occupying a clamping threshold position which is reached by tightening of the clamping member.

[0014] Optionally, the device comprises a threshold marking for noting when a fastening threshold position has been reached, the threshold marking in particular comprising a threshold clip member.

[0015] Optionally, the connection parts are configured to occupy a maximum tightening limit position and the device optionally comprises a maximum tightening stop.

[0016] Optionally, the connecting piece forms a cage portion in which the spring is disposed, the connecting piece optionally having a spring centering portion.

[0017] Optionally, the clamping member comprises a clamping rod and the cage portion formed by the connecting parts has a retaining surface against which an element for retaining the clamping rod, such as the head of the rod, is retained, the retaining surface optionally comprising an anti-rotation member for the clamping rod and optionally arranged on an outer surface of the spring centering portion.

[0018] Optionally, the connection piece has a U-shape with two branches, the connection piece being inserted into the first clamping end such that the first clamping end passes between the two branches, and the member for supporting the connection piece in the waiting position comprises at least one support protrusion protruding on an inner surface of at least one of the two branches.

[0019] Optionally, the connecting piece has a U-shape with two branches, the connecting piece being inserted into the first clamping end such that the first clamping end passes between the two branches, and the threshold mark comprises a mark protrusion protruding on an inner surface of at least one of the two branches.

[0020] Optionally, the connection piece has a U-shape with two branches, the connection piece being inserted into the first clamping end such that the first clamping end passes between the two branches, and at least one of the two branches has a maximum clamping stop projection.

[0021] Optionally, the tightening member comprises a tightening rod held against the second tightening end of the belt by a nut.

[0022] Optionally, the belt comprises a first belt portion, the first end of which forms one of the first and second fastening ends, and a second belt portion, the first end of which forms the other of the first and second fastening ends, the second belt portion forming a fastening portion configured to be fastened on a support.

[0023] Optionally, the belt comprises a first belt portion, a first end of which forms one of the first and second fastening ends, and a second belt portion, a first end of which forms the other of the first and second fastening ends, the second ends of the first and second belt portions being connected by a hinge.

[0024] Optionally, the second end of the second belt portion has a retaining area against which the second end of the first belt portion is pivotally retained by a pivot, the retaining area in particular comprising a slot into which the second end of the first belt portion is inserted.

[0025] Optionally, the first belt portion has a twist region that makes the second end of the first belt portion substantially perpendicular to the current portion of the first belt portion, the pivot axis being perpendicular to said second end of the first belt portion, in particular by being engaged in a drilled hole in said second end of the first belt portion, which drilled hole optionally has a flange.

[0026] Optionally, the second end of the first belt portion has a longitudinal fold whereby the two halves of the first belt portion are brought into contact with each other, for example by welding or clinching, optionally by being kept pressed against each other.

[0027] Optionally, the first belt portion has a boss located on an opposite side of the twist region to the second end of the first belt portion.

[0028] Optionally, the second end of the first belt portion has two parallel legs each inserted into a slot in the retention area.

[0029] Optionally, the two legs are separated by a notch and the second end of the first belt portion has a twist region including two twists that make each leg substantially perpendicular to the current portion of the first belt portion.

[0030] The present disclosure also aims to propose a tightening device comprising a belt having two belt portions hinged relative to one another, which then includes proposing a simple hinge that is easy to implement and capable of withstanding significant tension forces, especially when the tightening device is used to apply significant tightening forces, for example of the order of 300-800 dN, especially when the tightening device is used to tighten hydrogen tank type objects.

[0031] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure also relates to an apparatus for clamping an object, comprising a belt comprising a first belt portion, the first end of which forms a first clamping end, and a second belt portion, the first end of which forms a second clamping end, the first ends of the first and second belt portions being movable relative to each other to clamp the belt, the first belt portion having a twist region that brings the second end of the first belt portion substantially perpendicular to the current portion of the first belt portion, and the second end of the second belt portion having a holding region that is pivotally held relative thereto by a pivot axis perpendicular to the second end of the first belt portion, in particular by engaging a drilled hole in the second end of the first belt portion.

[0032] The inner circumference of the belt generally defines a cylindrical surface or a cylindrical fastening surface portion to which the current portion of the belt, in particular the current portion of the first belt portion, is oriented parallel. However, due to the twist of the first belt portion, the second end of this first portion is made perpendicular to this current portion, which allows it to easily cooperate with the holding area of ​​the second end of the second belt portion by holding it against it by a pivot shaft perpendicular to the second end of the first belt portion. The cooperation between the pivot shaft and this first belt portion can withstand significant forces, especially when the shaft engages in a drilled hole in the second end of the first belt portion, while the structure and manufacture of the belt can be particularly simple and require little material.

[0033] Optionally, according to a second aspect, the holding area comprises a slot into which the second end of the first belt portion is inserted, whereby the pivot axis is located on the other side of the slot relative to the current portion of the first belt portion.

[0034] Optionally, according to a second embodiment, the second end of the first belt portion has a longitudinal fold, whereby the two halves of the first belt portion are brought into contact with each other, for example by welding or clinching, optionally by being kept pressed against each other.

[0035] Optionally, according to the second aspect, the first belt portion has a boss located on the other side of the twist region relative to the second end of the first belt portion.

[0036] Optionally, according to the second embodiment, the second end of the first belt portion has two parallel legs each inserted into a slot in the retention area.

[0037] Optionally, according to a second embodiment, the two legs are separated by a notch and the second end of the first belt portion has a twist region with two twists that make each of the two legs substantially perpendicular to the current portion of the first belt portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] The present disclosure will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, represented by way of non-limiting examples, the description making reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fastening device according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing some components or parts of a component of an apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device according to the present disclosure with an enlarged view of the clamping area, with the connecting piece in its standby position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the connection portion. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device showing a close-up of the clamping and hinge areas with the connecting pieces depicted within the clamping threshold position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device with an enlarged view of the clamping area showing the connection parts at the clamping threshold position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device with a close-up of the clamping and hinge areas. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of a tightening device according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a connecting part according to one modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates another variation of the connecting piece. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the configuration of the hinge region. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows the same variant as FIG. 12, but from a different angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] The device shown in Fig. 1 comprises a belt 10, which in this case comprises a first belt portion 11 and a second belt portion 12 connected to one another. The belt has a first fastening end 12A, in this case formed by one end of the second belt portion 12, and a second fastening end 11A, in this case formed by one end of the first belt portion 11. Of course, the first and second fastening ends may also be reversed.

[0041] In the sense of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, an element qualified as inner or internal is one that is disposed on the inside of the belt, i.e., within the annular space bounded by the belt, while an element qualified as outer or external is one that is disposed on the opposite side. Similarly, unless otherwise specified, an element is considered to be qualified as "inner" with respect to another element that is called "outer" when the inner element is closer to the interior of the belt or the axis of the latter than the outer element. Here, the axis of the belt can be defined by the axis of a circle circumscribed by the belt.

[0042] The clamping member 14 connects two clamping ends 11A and 12A. In this case, the belt portions 11 and 12 are connected by a hinge to their respective second ends 11B and 12B. It can be seen that, when assembled, the two belt portions define between them an inner contour capable of receiving an object to be clamped by the device, in particular a clamping portion of such an object, which may be, for example, a hydrogen tank. The device can thus clamp cylindrical portions of revolution, or generally any shape that may be enclosed by the belt.

[0043] Generally, the different components of the device are made of metal. This applies in particular to the belt. However, the clamping contact parts that may come into contact with the object to be clamped by exerting a clamping pressure on the latter may be covered with a material such as an elastomeric material of the EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer) type. It can thus be seen that the present part of the belt part 11 is covered on its inner surface with a sheath 16, and that likewise the second belt part 12 has contact parts with the object to be clamped whose inner surface is also covered with a sheath 16A, 16B. The sheaths provide a contact surface between the device and the clamped object that is not harmful to this object. In addition, they can have anti-slip properties, for example by being raised as in the represented example. These sheaths may locally cover all the surfaces of the belt part concerned, or, as in the shown example, only cover the inner surface while being fixed to the belt by any means, for example by grooves on the sides of the sheaths in which the ends of the belt are clamped.

[0044] In this case, the first belt portion 11, while having a contour in the shape of a cylindrical portion of revolution, forms a strap fastening portion, coming into a state of clamping bearing against the cylindrical surface of the object to be fastened. For its part, the second belt portion in this case forms a fastening portion, adapted to be fixed on a support. In fact, the second belt portion 12 in this case is mounted on a support portion 18, connected by its connecting branches 12' and 12'', for example by means of screws, rivets or welding points 20. This support portion 18 may form a support strip or bracket or the like, fixed by any suitable means, for example by fastening legs or screws 22, to a supporting element, such as a part of a vehicle or a vehicle chassis. In this case, the second belt portion 12 is fixed to the support 18, and for this purpose has side wings 12' and 12'', which are folded in the direction away from the inner circumference of the belt in order to be fixed to the fastening area of ​​the support 18.

[0045] In this case, the second belt portion 12 has a generally V-shape, the branches of which form the bearing portions on the object to be fastened. The sheaths 16A and 16B are placed on these branches.

[0046] As can be seen in particular in Figure 3, the clamping member comprises a clamping rod, e.g. a screw 14, which is held against a first clamping end 12A by a retaining member, such as a head 14A of the screw, and against a second clamping end 11A by a retaining member, such as a nut 14B. The rod 14C of the screw passes through drilled holes in the clamping ends, i.e. drilled hole 12A' in the first clamping end 12A and drilled hole 11A' in the second clamping end 11A (see Figure 3).

[0047] Of course, it may be possible to invert the head 14A and the nut 14B, or to provide that the clamping rod is a threaded rod at its two ends and cooperates with a nut at each of these ends. It is also possible to design different clamping members each cooperating with the two clamping ends and operable to move them relative to one another in order to clamp the collar by other clamping means than threading.

[0048] In particular, in figures 1 and 3, it is seen that the clamping member 14 is held against the first clamping end 12A via a spring 24 and a connecting piece 26. It is seen that, in order to tighten the belt around the object to be clamped, tightening of the clamping member tends to move the connecting piece 26 against the elastic return effect of the spring 24 against the first clamping end 12A. In this case, this is a compression spring that is arranged between the outer surface 12A'' of the first clamping end and the inner surface 26A of the bottom wall 27C of the connecting piece 26 opposite the outer surface 12A''.

[0049] In this case, the connecting piece 26 forms a cage part in which the spring 24 is arranged. In particular, the spring is held between the aforementioned bottom wall 27C and the side walls 27A and 27B of this connecting piece.

[0050] It can also be seen in Fig. 3 that the connecting piece 26 comprises a portion for centering the spring 24. In this case, the spring 24 is a helical spring and the bottom wall 27C of the connecting piece 26 has an advanced central portion 26A' configured to engage the end 24A of the spring to form a portion for centering the spring. A space for accommodating the pivoting of the spring is located between the advanced portion 26A' and the inner surfaces of the side walls 27A and 27B (i.e. facing each other).

[0051] The cage formed by the connecting parts has an outer retaining surface, in this case formed on the outer surface 26A'' of the advancement portion 26A', which is the one opposite the spring 24. The bottom wall 27C has a drilled hole 26' allowing the passage of the barrel 14C of the tightening rod 14. The outer surface of the bottom wall 27C forms, around the drilled hole 26', a means for retaining the head 14A of the rod 14 or of a nut cooperating with this rod.

[0052] The connecting part 26 also comprises an anti-rotation member making it possible to prevent the rotation of the clamping rod 14 relative to this part. In this case, the anti-rotation member is formed by a portion 27C' of the outer retaining surface. In fact, the clamping head 14A may have one or more planes 14A', for example by being hexagonal or square. For its part, the outer retaining surface 26A'' may have an edge 27C' which forms a plane that cooperates with the plane(s) of the head of the clamping rod to prevent the latter from rotating. In this case, the forward section 26A' of the bottom wall 27C has axial wall elements 27C' which extend parallel to the axis of the clamping rod 14 towards the first clamping end 12A. The outer surfaces of these wall elements cooperate with the planes of the head of the clamping rod to lock its rotation. Depending on the dimensions of the spring and of the clamping rod, the advancement portion may have a shape that gives it dimensions in a first direction adapted to the dimensions of the spring, whereby it engages the spring by wedging it laterally, and gives it dimensions in a second direction and on its opposite face adapted to wedging the head of the clamping rod. For example, the advancement portion may be rectangular and have a length, on its face that is turned towards the spring, adapted to the inner lateral dimension of the spring, and a width on its inner face that receives the head of the clamping rod, which locks the rotation of the latter (the clamping rod).

[0053] Alternatively or complementary, it is possible to ensure that the head 14A of the clamping rod is forcefully engaged in the well formed by the advancement portion 26A' opposite the first clamping end 12A, which not only makes it possible to lock it against rotation, but also to position the spring and hold it axially when the connecting piece and the spring are mounted on the first clamping end 12A.

[0054] In general, the connecting piece 26 has a U-shape with two branches forming the aforementioned side walls 27A and 27B in this case, and a bottom forming the bottom wall 27C. This bottom wall itself has an advanced portion 26A', as shown. The width of the connecting piece measured transversely to the axial direction of the tightening rod is smaller in the region of the advanced portion 26A' and in the part of the bottom wall 27C that is not advanced than in the branches 27A and 27B. This allows the advanced portion 26A' to be accommodated inside the turn of the spring 24, while ensuring that the spring is protected laterally over its entire width, or almost its entire width, by the side walls 27A and 27B that form the branches of the U.

[0055] Due to its U-shape, the connecting piece 26 can be inserted into the first clamping end 12A so that the first clamping end passes between the two branches 27A and 27B.

[0056] 4 shows the connection part in a waiting position supporting the spring 24 against the first clamping end 12A before tightening. In this situation, the belt 10 can therefore be placed around the object to be tightened with the tightening rod 14 completely spaced apart from the rest of the device (the assembly formed by the first end 12A of the belt, the connection part 26 and the spring 24 forming a homogeneous whole that remains assembled during the various operations performed). However, this pre-attachment of the spring does not impede the movement of the connection part relative to the first end of the belt during subsequent tightening.

[0057] To support the connecting part 26 in the waiting position, the device may comprise a member for supporting in the waiting position, in particular a waiting clip member. This member allows the connecting part to be clipped or pre-hooked on the first fastening end 12A. In this case, the member for supporting the connecting part in the waiting position is formed on the side walls 27A and 27B of the connecting part. Looking in particular at figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that, opposite the bottom wall 27C, these side walls have an inner hook projection, an inner projection that is supported by one of the walls, for example wall 27A, and projects towards the other wall, for example wall 27B. Here, "inner" means the inner side of the U-shape formed by the connecting parts.

[0058] Thus, the side wall 27A comprises a first inner projection 28A and a second inner projection 29A offset in the axial direction, where the axial direction is the direction of the axis of the spring and the axis of the clamping rod. In this case, the inner projection 28A is closer to the free end 27A' of the side wall facing the bottom 27C than the projection 29A. In this case, these projections are formed by inwardly projecting corrugations of the clamping piece. In this case, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the end parts of the side walls 27A and 27B facing away from the bottom 27C have axial cutouts, between which the legs with the inward corrugations forming the above-mentioned projections 28A and 29A are thus arranged. For example, the free end part of the side wall 27A has two edge legs 30A, between which an intermediate leg 31A is made. This intermediate leg 31A is separated from the edge leg 30A only by the longitudinal cutout 31. The edge legs 30A have inward corrugations forming projections 28A, which at their free ends are curved outward. The intermediate legs 31A also have inward corrugations 29A, which are curved outward between said corrugations and their free ends. The peaks of the corrugations 28A are located on the same transverse line, perpendicular to the direction of the axis of the spring, and are closer to the free end of the side wall 27A than the free ends of the corrugations 29A. It is understood that the construction of the connecting piece 26 is symmetrical, and the other side wall 27B has projections 28B and 2B forming corrugations, similar to the corrugations 28A and 29A, which are formed in the outer legs 30B and have an intermediate leg 31B extending between these outer legs 30B.

[0059] When plugging the connecting piece onto the first clamping end 12A, the corrugations 28A and 28B form hard points that must be overcome to achieve plugging. When these hard points are overcome, the first clamping end 12A, formed here by the band portion, occupies the position P shown in FIG. 5. In this situation, it is understood that the connecting piece 26 is held on this first end 12A against axial movements, i.e. along the axis of the spring 24, through its position between the corrugations 28A and 28B, on the one hand, and between the corrugations 29A and 29B, on the other hand. In this way, a stable waiting position is obtained in which the connecting piece 26 can be supported. In FIG. 5, for ease of visibility, the spring 24 is not represented, but it goes without saying that it is subsequently supported in the connecting piece 26, in particular by abutting, on the other hand, against the outer surface 12A″ (see FIG. 3) of the first clamping end 12A, and, on the other hand, against the inner surface 26A of the bottom wall 27C of the clamping piece 26.

[0060] As shown, the waiting position allows the spring 24 to be supported on the first clamping end 12A. It also allows the clamping device to be manipulated to be placed around the object to be clamped, even before the clamping member is placed in place and, in any case, before it is clamped. During these manipulations, the assembly formed by the connecting piece 26 and the spring 24 remains pre-attached to the first clamping end 12A.

[0061] In this case, the connecting part 26 can also occupy a clamping threshold position that is reached by tightening of the clamping member, so that the connecting part is in its waiting position during installation and closing of the belt around the object to be clamped, and then during tightening, moves from its waiting position to its threshold clamping position under the effect of tightening of the clamping member.

[0062] The device may be provided with a threshold mark for noting that a clamping threshold position has been reached. In this case, this threshold mark is formed by the aforementioned corrugations 29A and 29B, which form hard points during clamping and which must be exceeded in order for effective clamping to be reached. Here, "exceeded" means that during clamping, the connecting part 26 moves on the first clamping end 12A so that this first end reaches with its bottom wall 27C against the corrugations 29A and 29B.

[0063] These corrugations 29A and 29B form a threshold clip member since their overshooting during fastening is similar to fastening or clasping. This threshold mark can be seen by the fact that the middle legs 31A and 31B on which the corrugations 29A and 29B are formed tend to move away from each other as they cross. This constitutes a visual mark for the installer, who can also easily visualize the fact that the first end 12A has actually overshot the corrugations 29A and 29B.

[0064] From the moment the threshold mark is exceeded, tightening can be carried out up to the desired tightening level and by taking into account the stiffness of the spring and its stress level (compression rate of a compression spring as in the example shown). This threshold mark, especially when it takes the form of a visual mark, is a simple and reliable way to ensure that the desired tightening level is reached. It should be noted that although this is an objective mark, relying on this torque can sometimes be inaccurate, since the measurement of the tightening torque reached by the tool used for tightening can be distorted by irrelevant parameters at the actual tightening level obtained, such as the possible friction of the tightening rod against the parts cooperating with it and the friction coefficient of the threading elements (thread of the rod and thread of the nut), etc. The threshold mark can also be arranged in such a way that once it is exceeded, the desired tightening value is considered to have been obtained.

[0065] Once the threshold mark has been exceeded and the clamping device is thus clamped around an object, the device may accompany any expansions of the object it is clamping, as these expansions cause movement of the connecting piece 26 relative to the first clamping end 12A against the elastic return effect of the spring 24. In Figures 6 and 8 the clamping threshold has been exceeded and now the first clamping end occupies the position P' shown in Figure 4.

[0066] For example, if the object is a hydrogen tank, the clamping device may be placed while the tank is empty or substantially empty, and then the tank may be filled to the desired nominal position, which may reach several hundred bar, as previously indicated, where it expands and then stresses the elastic clamping return allowed by the presence of spring 24.

[0067] As a variant, it can be provided that the connecting part 26 is able to occupy a maximum tightening limit position, which avoids stressing the different elements of the tightening device, in particular the spring 24, beyond their elastic limit, i.e. this makes it possible to avoid plastic deformations which would impair the durability of the tightening.

[0068] The variant of Fig. 9 illustrates this possibility. In this figure, it is seen that the connection part 26 comprises, in addition to the different elements or components mentioned above, maximum tightening stops 32A and 32B. In this case, these maximum tightening stops are formed by inward projections of the side walls 27A and 27B. In this case, they are tabs cut into the longitudinal ends of these side walls and folded inwards (inside in this context means the inside of the U-shape formed by the tightening parts). These inner projections do not interfere with the spring 24, since they are formed at the ends of the side walls. On the other hand, they can abut against the outer surface of the first tightening end 12A of the belt in the maximum tightening position.

[0069] FIG. 9 also shows that on the side wall element 27C' of the advancement part 26A' of the connecting piece there is a detent element 27C'' which makes it possible to resist withdrawal of the screw once the head 14A of the tightening rod 14 reaches a position at the bottom of the outer surface of the advancement part. In a way, this detent element 27C'' forms a clipping member which the head of the screw must overcome to reach the position. Naturally, this detent element can be provided in the other figures.

[0070] Returning to the previous figures, in particular to figures 3 and 4, it is seen that the drilled hole 12A' of the first fastening end 12A, through which the fastening rod passes, can be oval in shape so as to allow the displacement of this rod relative to the first fastening end when fastening the fastening device. The different components of the belt can be made from flat metal bands. In particular, the first fastening end 12A, in the area where it cooperates with the connecting piece 26, forms a flat band that constitutes a wall element opposite the bottom wall 27C of this connecting piece once the connecting piece is pre-hung thereon.

[0071] The second fastening end of the belt 11A has a drilled hole 11A', as mentioned above, allowing the passage of a fastening rod. This drilled hole 11A' can also be oval in order to allow the displacement of the rod relative to this second end. In this case, the belt portion 11 is formed in a band, in particular a metal band, and this second fastening end 11A can be locally reinforced. For that purpose, the free end portion of the band of which the belt portion 11 is composed is folded back on itself, so as to give the end 11A a double thickness, in which an opening 11A' is made.

[0072] Moreover, in this region, this end 11A forms a concave lug for receiving the spacer 32, at the rear of which the nut 14B is located. This spacer has a passage 32A through which the clamping rod 14 can pass. The spacer can be formed from a metal band wound on itself and cut locally to form the passage 32A. In this case, the spacer 32 has an outer cradle shape with a convexity that matches the concavity formed on the outer surface of the clamping end 11A. Means can be provided to hold the spacer against this first end and lock it in rotation. In this case, the edges of the passage 32A have legs 34 that are bent towards the outer surface of the clamping end 11A and folded back to project beyond the front surface of the spacer. These legs 34 are thus placed in the openings 11A' so as to cooperate with the ends of this opening and wedge the spacer against them. The spacer 32 can be hollow, although formed from a band wound on itself. In this case, the joining surface of the end of this band is formed on the front surface of the spacer and the legs 34 are made on the ends of this joining surface. The front opening of the passage 32A formed on the front surface of the spacer is thus formed by a notch 33 in the edge of the band on which the spacer is formed, while the rear opening of the passage 32A located on the rear surface of the spacer can be formed by a circular or elliptical notch 33'.

[0073] Reference is now made to Figure 10, which shows a variant of an embodiment of the connecting piece, in which the same reference numbers as in the previous figures, but increased by 100, are used to designate the connecting piece and its different elements.

[0074] The connecting piece 126 also has a U-shape with a bottom wall 127C and two side walls 127A and 127B. Like the connecting piece 26, it forms a cage part for a spring. The connecting piece 126 is distinguished from the connecting piece 26 in two aspects: on the one hand, by a slightly different structure of its bottom wall and, on the other hand, by the presence of a specific visual marking for the marking threshold.

[0075] With respect to the bottom wall 127C, the spring centering portion is formed by an advancement portion 126A' with a drilled hole 126' for the tightening rod. In this case, this advancement portion 126A' is formed in the central part of the bottom wall 127C, while the remaining part of the bottom wall remains all around it. The parts of the bottom wall that are not advanced are therefore not only present between the advancement portion 126A' and the side walls 127A, 127B, as in the example of the previous figures, but also on either side of the advancement portion 126A', by edges 127C'' that extend from one of the side walls 127A, 127B to the other. Here, the advancement portion is separated from these edges 127C'' by cutouts in the bottom wall and is pressed back, for example by stamping, in order to be advanced. The cutouts on the outer surface of advancement portion 126A' or the ends of axial wall elements 127C' may act as anti-rotation members for the clamping rod, especially if these wall ends or elements have flat surfaces, as in the example shown.

[0076] Of course, it is possible to make the advanced part by a stamp part that does not have a notch on its side but has a perforation at its bottom, thereby allowing the passage of the fastening rod. The geometry of this stamp part or its dimensions may thus make it possible to achieve an anti-rotation function for the fastening rod. For example, the outer surface of the stamp part may have one or more planes or may have a locally defined lateral dimension that requires a strong engagement of the head of the fastening rod in the stamp part.

[0077] With regard to the visual markings, the connection piece 126 has at least a line, a notch, etc. present on at least one of the side walls 127A, 127B, and the visual markings are this line, notch, etc. if on that section. Thus, an operator checking the fastening of the belt can check that the first fastening end 12A has reached the level of the visual mark(s). For example, two visual marks 125 can be provided, spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the band thickness of the first fastening end. Of course, such visual marks can be provided on the connection piece 26 described above.

[0078] FIG. 12 shows another variant which relates to the fastening threshold on the one hand and to the visual marking of this threshold on the other hand.

[0079] In Fig. 12, the same reference numbers are used to designate the elements of the connecting piece as in Figs. 1 to 9, but incremented by 200. For simplicity, Fig. 12 shows only one of the side walls 227A of the connecting piece. The two side walls of the connecting piece are similar to each other, and the bottom wall of the latter (the connecting piece) may be similar to the bottom wall of the connecting piece 26 or the bottom wall of the connecting piece 126.

[0080] In the above figure, two inner projections 29A and 29B (in this case formed by corrugations) are provided on the side wall 27A, the connecting piece is held in the waiting position of the first clamping end 12A by the positioning of this first end between these two projections, and then the clamping threshold is reached when the positioning of this first end passes the projections 29A towards the bottom wall of the connecting piece. Thus, here the clamping threshold position is very close to the waiting position.

[0081] It may be necessary to have a larger clamping amplitude from the pre-attached position, which means that the amplitude of movement of the connecting piece relative to the first clamping end is larger. Thus, in FIG. 11, it is the third protrusion 229'A that defines the clamping threshold. The side wall 227A thus has two protrusions 228A and 229A, respectively similar to the protrusions 28A and 29A, and arranged to define the holding position of the connecting piece, and the third protrusion 229'A arranged closer to the bottom (to the holding wall) than the second protrusion 229A, the clamping threshold being reached when the first clamping end 12A passes this third protrusion, due to the movement of the connecting piece under the effect of clamping. Here, the protrusions 228A, 229A and 229'A are formed by the inward corrugation of the connecting piece, similar to the protrusions of the previous example. In this case, these projections are present on separate legs, and two edge legs 230'A, each provided with a corrugation 229'A, two intermediate legs 230A, each with a corrugation 228A, and a central leg 231A provided with a corrugation 229A are represented. However, it can be provided that a different number of legs and, for example, that corrugations 229A and 229'A or corrugations 228A and 229'A are made on the same leg.

[0082] 12 further shows another variation of the visual marking of the clamping threshold, in this case a window 225′ made in the side wall 227A (in this case defined by a passage behind the corrugation 229′A), which allows the operator to check from the outside of the connection piece that the first clamping end 12A has reached the clamping threshold position.

[0083] Of course, the variants just described with reference to FIG. 12 can be implemented for the connecting piece 26 or 126.

[0084] Next, another aspect of the present disclosure will be described regarding the hinge between the two belt portions 11 and 12. The second end 12B of the second belt portion 12 has a retention area 40 to which the second end 11B of the first belt portion is pivotally retained by a pivot 42.

[0085] This is particularly evident in figures 1, 2, 6 and 8. In this case, the retaining area 40 comprises a slot 44 into which the second end 11B of the first belt portion 11 is inserted. In this case, this retaining area also has a fold, thus providing a bearing for the rotation of the pivot 42 on the outer surface of the second belt portion 12. Two parts of the second end of the second belt portion can thus be distinguished on either side of the folded area 12B', these two parts being identified as 112 and 112' respectively in figure 8. In this case, due to the folding in 12B', these two parts are inclined relative to each other by forming an angle between them of a magnitude of 60°. This angle can vary, but is preferably less than 90°, for example of a magnitude between 40° and 70°. The slot 44 extends into these two parts 112 and 112' so as to allow the second end 11B of the first belt portion 11 to pivot freely relative to them. Indeed, depending on the pivot angle, the free end portion 11B' of this first end emerges from the slot either in the portion 112 or in the portion 112'.

[0086] The slot 44 into which the end 11B of the first belt portion 11 is inserted is oriented perpendicular to the general direction of the first belt portion 11 in its current portion (the current portion being the portion that can be brought into clamping contact with the object to be clamped). In fact, the direction of the width of this slot, in which its smallest dimension is shown, is transverse to the general direction of the band portions constituting the first and second belt portions.

[0087] The first belt portion 11 has a twisted region 50 (see FIG. 6) that makes the second end 11B of the first belt portion 11 substantially perpendicular to the current portion of this first belt portion. In other words, the band portions forming the first belt portion are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other on either side of the twisted region 50. The pivot axis 42 is that portion perpendicular to the second end 11B of the first belt portion that is inserted into the slot 44. As can be seen especially in FIG. 6, the pivot axis 42 engages with a drilled hole 43 of the second end 11B of the first belt portion, which drilled hole is made in a free end portion 11B' located on the other side of the twisted region 50 relative to the second end 12B of the second belt portion 12.

[0088] In this case, the second end 11B of the first belt part has a longitudinal fold 51, according to which the two halves of the bands 51A and 51B of the first belt part 11 are brought against each other. This fold 51 extends from the twisted region 50 of the first belt part 11 to the free end of the second end 11B. This end 11B therefore has, in its region inserted in the slot 44, twice the thickness formed by the brought against each other band parts 51A and 51B. The mechanical resistance is therefore locally increased, in particular due to the retention of the shaft 42 in the aforementioned drilled hole 43.

[0089] As can be seen in FIG. 6, these two halves of the bands 51A and 51B can be provided to be kept pressed against each other by a retaining means such as a weld or a clinch. For example, a weld or clinch point 54 is shown in FIG. 6 by extending to either side of the slot 44 once the end portion 11B' has been inserted in this slot 44. To delimit the twisted area 50 and prevent it from propagating to the current portion of the first belt portion 11 under the effect of the tightening tension, the latter can have a boss 56 located on the opposite side of the twisted area 50 to its second end 11B. In a way, this boss 56 forms a stop against twisting. In this case, it extends across the width of the band from one side to the other, from which the first belt portion 11 is formed. However, the boss may be more localized and simply interfere with the end of the fold 51 opposite the free end of the first belt portion. The pivot 42 may be forcefully engaged in the opening 43 so as to remain in place within the opening.

[0090] Naturally, this hinge can be implemented independently of the aspects that have been described for the first ends 11A and 12A of the belt, in particular in relation to the connecting piece 26 and the spring 24. It is noted that a hinge made in this way is particularly mechanically resistant. It is located in an area of ​​the belt that is not intended to be in direct contact with the object fastened by this belt, the contact area in this case being defined by the sheaths 16, 16A and 16B that have been described. The twisted areas therefore do not adversely affect the quality of the fastening, nor do they pose any risk of damaging the fastened object.

[0091] Figures 12 and 13 show a variant of the hinge between the two belt parts 11 and 12, in which the retention area 40 of the second end 12B of the second belt part 12 comprises two slots 144 and 144' extending into the portions 112 and 112' of the folded area 12B', and the second end 11B of the first belt part 11 has two parallel end legs 111B and 111B' respectively inserted into the slots.

[0092] The slots 144 and 144' are parallel to each other and are oriented perpendicular to the general direction of the first belt portion 11 in its present portion.

[0093] The first belt portion 11 has a twisted region 150 and a longitudinal notch 150'. The notch 150' separates the end of the end 11B into two legs 111B and 111B'. This notch 150' extends from the free end of the end 11B to a stop point 150''. This stop point may have a structure intended to avoid the propagation of the notch 150' under the effect of the tightening tension, which structure is, for example, a small circular notch and / or a stamping or local work hardening.

[0094] A twisted region 150 is formed between the stop point 150'' and the free end of the end 11B and includes two twists made in each of the legs 111B and 111B', respectively, making each of these legs substantially perpendicular to the current part of the first belt portion 11. The pivot axis 42 is for that part perpendicular to the ends of the legs 111B and 111B' that engage in the slots 144 and 144' and engage in the drilled holes of these ends.

[0095] It can be seen in Fig. 13 that these drilled holes may have flanges 111' formed by the ends of the drilled holes of legs 111B and 111B' that are pushed back horizontally, i.e. parallel to the pivot axis 42, for example outwards. These flanges locally increase the mechanical resistance to forces.

[0096] A similar flange may also be present on the end of drilled hole 43 in FIG.

[0097] This variant for the hinge can be implemented independently of the aspects described for the first ends 11A and 12A of the belt, in particular those relating to the connecting pieces and the springs.

Claims

1. 1. A device for clamping an object, comprising: a belt (10) having at least first and second clamping ends (11A, 12A); and a clamping member (14) held against and connecting the two clamping ends, whereby tightening of the clamping member moves the first and second clamping ends relative to one another to tighten the belt, the clamping member (14) being held against at least the first clamping end (12A) via a spring (24) and a connecting piece (26), whereby the tightening of the clamping member tends to move the connecting piece relative to the first clamping end against the elastic return of the spring, the connecting piece (26) being capable of occupying a standby position relative to the first clamping end (12A) in which it supports the spring (24) against the first clamping end.

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, comprising a member, in particular a park clip member, for supporting the connecting parts in the park positions (28A, 29A, 28B, 29B).

3. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting piece (26) is configured to occupy a clamping threshold position reached by the tightening of the clamping member.

4. 4. The device according to claim 3, comprising threshold marks (29A, 29B) for noting that the fastening threshold position has been reached, said threshold marks in particular comprising threshold clip members.

5. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting part (26) is capable of occupying a maximum tightening limit position, the device optionally comprising maximum tightening stops (32A, 32B).

6. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece (26) forms a cage portion in which the spring (24) is disposed, the connecting piece optionally having a centering portion (26A') for the spring (24).

7. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the clamping member (14) comprises a clamping rod, the cage portion formed by the connecting piece (26) having a retaining surface (26A'') against which an element for retaining the clamping rod, such as the head (14A) of said rod, is retained, the retaining surface optionally comprising an anti-rotation member (27C') of the clamping rod (14) and optionally arranged on an outer surface of a centering portion (26A') of the spring (24).

8. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting piece (26) has a U-shape with two branches (27A, 27B), the connecting piece is inserted into the first clamping end (12A) so that it passes between the two branches, and the member for supporting the connecting piece in the waiting position (28A, 29A, 28B, 29B) comprises at least one support protrusion protruding on the inner surface of at least one of the two branches.

9. 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the connecting piece (26) has a U-shape with two branches (27A, 27B), the connecting piece is inserted into the first clamping end (12A) so that the first clamping end passes between the two branches, and the threshold mark (29A, 29B) comprises a mark projection protruding on the inner surface of at least one of the two branches.

10. 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the connecting piece (26) has a U-shape with two branches (27A, 27B), the connecting piece is inserted into the first clamping end (12A) so that the first clamping end passes between the two branches, and at least one of the two branches has a maximum clamping stop projection (32A, 32B).

11. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamping member comprises a clamping rod (14) held against the second clamping end (11A) of the belt (10) by a nut (14B).

12. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the belt (10) comprises a first belt portion (11) whose first end (11A) forms one of the first and second fastening ends and a second belt portion (12) whose first end (12A) forms the other of the first and second fastening ends, said second belt portion forming a fixed portion adapted to be fixed on a support (18).

13. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the belt (10) comprises a first belt portion (11) whose first end (11A) forms one of the first and second fastening ends and a second belt portion (12) whose first end (12A) forms the other of the first and second fastening ends, the second ends (11B, 12B) of the first and second belt portions being connected by a hinge.

14. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second end (12B) of the second belt portion (12) has a holding area (40) relative to which the second end (11) of the first partial belt (11) is pivotally held by a pivot (42), said holding area in particular comprising a slot (44; 144, 144') into which the second end (11B) of the first belt portion (11) is inserted.

15. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first belt portion (11) has a twist region (50; 150) that makes the second end (11B) of the first belt portion substantially perpendicular to the current part of the first belt portion, and the pivot axis (42) is perpendicular to the second end (11B) of the first belt portion (11), in particular by engaging in a drilled hole (43) in the second end (11B) of the first belt portion (11), which drilled hole optionally has a flange (111').

16. 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second end of the first belt portion has a longitudinal fold (51) according to which the two halves (51A, 51B) of the first belt portion (11) are brought into contact with each other, optionally by being kept pressed against each other, for example by welding or clinching (54).

17. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first belt portion has a boss located on the other side of the twisted region relative to the second end of the first belt portion.

18. 15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the second end (11B) of the first belt portion (11) has two parallel legs (11B, 11B'), each of which is inserted into a slot (144, 144') in the holding area (40).

19. 19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the two legs (111B, 111B') are separated by a notch (150') and the second end (11B) of the first belt portion (11) has a twist region (150) including two twists that make each of the legs substantially perpendicular to the current portion of the first belt portion.

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