Clamp

Abstract

The clamp includes a band and a tensioner. The tensioner includes a fixed mount connected to the band, a screw housing that engages with the fixed mount, and a screw received in the screw housing. Between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the screw housing and the screw can move relative to the fixed mount. When a portion of the band that includes a plurality of slots is positioned between the fixed mount and the screw housing, the threads of the screw are received in the plurality of slots when the screw housing and the screw are in the engaged position, but are separated from the plurality of slots when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengaged position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clamp including a band and a tensioner. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a clamp having a tensioner including a screw that rotates to tighten or loosen the band.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0002] According to one aspect, the clamp may include a band and a tensioner. The band may include a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of slots between the first end and the second end and spaced apart from each other. The tensioner may include a fixed mount including (i) a base panel connected to the first end of the band and including opposing first and second side surfaces, (ii) a first flange connected to the first side surface of the base panel and formed to include a first guide passage, and (iii) a second flange connected to the second side surface of the base panel and formed to include a second guide passage. The tensioner may further include a screw housing disposed above the base panel and between the first and second flanges of the fixed mount and including a first wing received in the first guide passage and a second wing received in the second guide passage. The tensioner may further include a screw received in the screw housing. The screw threads may be (i) receivable in the plurality of slots when the screw housing and the screw are in the engaged position where the first wing is located at the lower end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the lower end of the second guide passage, and (ii) separable from the plurality of slots when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengaged position where the first wing is located at the upper end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the upper end of the second guide passage. The screw housing and the screw are movable relative to the fixed mount. When a portion of the band including the plurality of slots is located between the fixed mount and the screw housing,

[0003] In some embodiments, the screw is rotatable about the screw axis within the screw housing, and when the screw housing and the screw are in the engaged position, rotation of the screw about the screw axis is required for movement of the portion of the band located between the fixed mount and the screw housing, and when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengaged position, rotation of the screw about the screw axis is not required for movement of the portion of the band located between the fixed mount and the screw housing.

[0004] In some embodiments, when the screw housing and the screw are in the engaged position, the screw axis is parallel to the bottom plate.

[0005] In some embodiments, when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengaged position, the screw axis is parallel to the bottom plate.

[0006] In some embodiments, each of the first guide passage and the second guide passage is linear and is disposed at an angle with respect to the base panel. In some embodiments, the angle is an acute angle. In some embodiments, the angle is between 10 and 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle is between 25 and 35 degrees. In some embodiments, each of the first guide passage and the second guide passage has a length between its lower end and its upper end that is greater than a value obtained by dividing the depth of the thread of the screw by the sine of the angle.

[0007] In some embodiments, each of the lower ends of the first guide passage and the second guide passage is spaced from the base panel by a first distance, and each of the upper ends of the first guide passage and the second guide passage is spaced from the base panel by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

[0008] According to another aspect, the clamp may include a band and a tensioner. The band may include a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of slots between the first end and the second end and spaced apart from each other. The tensioner may include a fixed mount including (i) a base panel connected to the first end of the band and including opposing first and second side surfaces, (ii) a first flange connected to the first side surface of the base panel and formed to include a first guide passage, and (iii) a second flange connected to the second side surface of the base panel and formed to include a second guide passage. The tensioner may further include a screw housing disposed between the first and second flanges of the fixed mount above the base panel and including a first wing received in the first guide passage and a second wing received in the second guide passage. The tensioner may further include a screw rotatable about a screw axis within the screw housing. The screw housing and the screw can move relative to the fixed mount between (i) an engaged position where the first wing is located at the lower end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the lower end of the second guide passage, and (ii) a disengaged position where the first wing is located at the upper end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the upper end of the second guide passage. When a portion of the band including the plurality of slots is located between the fixed mount and the screw housing, movement of the portion of the band located between the fixed mount and the screw housing requires (i) rotating the screw about the screw axis when the screw housing and the screw are in the engaged position, and (ii) no rotation of the screw about the screw axis when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengaged position.

[0009] In some embodiments, when the screw housing and the screw are in the engaged position, the screw axis is parallel to the bottom plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengaged position, the screw axis is parallel to the bottom plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, each of the first guide passage and the second guide passage is linear and disposed at an acute angle with respect to the base panel. In some embodiments, each of the first guide passage and the second guide passage has a length greater than a value obtained by dividing the depth of the thread of the screw by the sine of the acute angle between its lower end and its upper end. In some embodiments, the angle is between 25 and 35 degrees.

[0012] According to another aspect, the clamp may include a band and a tensioner. The band may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The tensioner may include (i) a fixed mount coupled to an end of the band, (ii) a screw housing engageable with the fixed mount such that it can move relative to the fixed mount between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and (iii) a screw rotatable about a screw axis within the screw housing. When a portion of the band including the plurality of slots is positioned between the fixed mount and the screw housing, the threads of the screw are (i) received in the plurality of slots when the screw housing is in the engaged position, and rotation of the screw about the screw axis is required for movement of the portion of the band, and (ii) disengaged from the plurality of slots when the screw housing is in the disengaged position, and rotation of the screw about the screw axis is not required for movement of the portion of the band.

[0013] In some embodiments, the screw axis is parallel to the portion of the band positioned between the fixed mount and the screw housing both when the screw housing is in the engaged position and when the screw housing is in the disengaged position.

[0014] In some embodiments, the fixed mount includes: (i) a base panel that includes opposing first and second side surfaces and is coupled to an end of the band; (ii) a first flange that is coupled to the first side surface of the base panel and is formed to include a first guide passage; and (iii) a second flange that is coupled to the second side surface of the base panel and is formed to include a second guide passage. The screw housing may be disposed between the first and second flanges of the fixed mount above the base panel. The screw housing may further include a first wing received in the first guide passage and a second wing received in the second guide passage. When the screw housing is in the engaged position, the first wing may be located at the lower end of the first guide passage and the second wing may be located at the lower end of the second guide passage. When the screw housing is in the disengaged position, the first wing may be located at the upper end of the first guide passage and the second wing may be located at the upper end of the second guide passage.

[0015] Upon consideration of the illustrative embodiments that exemplify the best mode of carrying out the presently recognized disclosure, additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0016] The concepts described in this disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying figures by way of example and not as limitations. Where considered appropriate, the same reference numerals or similar reference numerals (e.g., reference numerals ending with the same two digits) are repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The detailed description refers in detail to the following accompanying figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The concepts of the present disclosure allow for various modifications and alternative forms. Specific exemplary embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it is not intended to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the specific forms disclosed. On the contrary, it is to be understood that the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0019] To provide a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, numerous specific details, such as the types of components and their interrelationships, etc., will be described in the following explanation. On the other hand, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced without such specific details. In order not to obscure the present invention, in some cases, various components are not shown in detail (or not explicitly shown in all cases). Those skilled in the art will be able to implement appropriate functions without unnecessary experimentation with the included explanations.

[0020] References to "an embodiment", "one embodiment", "certain illustrative embodiments", etc. in this specification indicate that at least one embodiment being described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not all embodiments necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, such expressions do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when describing a particular feature, structure, or characteristic with respect to one embodiment, it is contemplated that such feature, structure, or characteristic can be implemented with respect to other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described, within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0021] In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the clamp 10 includes a band 12 configured to be placed around a conduit 14 such as a hose. The clamp 10 also includes a tensioner 16 configured to tighten the band 12 on the conduit 14 to join the conduit 14, for example, to a fixture, a coupler, or another conduit. The tensioner 16 includes a screw 30 having threads 80 that are received in a slot 24 formed in the band 12 and that tighten or loosen the band 12 as the screw 30 rotates about a screw axis of rotation 38. On the other hand, the tensioner 16 also provides a quick-tightening function when an end 20 of the band 12 is pulled in a tightening direction 100 through the tensioner 16 without rotation of the screw 30. Subsequently, the tensioner 16 prevents the band 12 from moving in a loosening direction 102 opposite the tightening direction 100 when the band 12 is under tension.

[0022] Band 12 is made from a strip of metallic material as illustrated and includes two end portions 18, 20 on opposite sides. The band 12 can be bent to extend annularly around a central axis 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The band 12 is formed to include a plurality of slots 24 spaced apart from each other between the end portions 18, 20. The tensioner 16 is configured to interact with the plurality of slots 24, hold the band 12 in its annular shape as shown in FIG. 1, and also tighten or loosen the band 12 by at least one of rotating the screw 30 and pushing or pulling the end portion 20 relative to the tensioner 16. Although the band 12 is illustratively shown as surrounding a round conduit 14, it should be recognized that it may be bent around conduits and structures having other shapes.

[0023] As best seen in FIGS. 2-9, the tensioner 16 includes a fixed mount 26 coupled to the band 12, a screw housing 28 engaged with the fixed mount 26, and a screw 30 received in the screw housing 28. The fixed mount 26 is formed to include one or more retaining tabs 32, 34 that extend through one or more holes 33 formed in or near the end portion 18 of the band 12 to firmly connect the fixed mount 26 to the band 12. To dispose the screw 30 between the fixed mount 26 and the band 12, the screw housing 28 defines a screw receiving space 36 that receives a portion of the screw 30. The screw 30 can move with the screw housing 28 and rotate about a screw rotation axis 38 relative to the screw housing 28. The end portion 20 of the band 12 is inserted between the screw 30 and the fixed mount 26, and the plurality of slots 24 can connect and interact with the threads 80 of the screw 30.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the fixed mount 26 includes a base panel 40 connected to the end 18 of the band 12, a flange 42 connected to one side of the base panel 40, and a flange 44 connected to the other opposite side of the base panel 40. The base panel 40 interconnects the lower ends of the flanges 42, 44 and is attached to the end 18 of the band 12, holding the tensioner 16 to the band 12. The screw housing 28 is disposed between the flanges 42, 44 above the base panel 40. The flanges 42, 44 extend upward away from the base panel 40, supporting the screw housing 28 and the screw 30 relative to the band 12.

[0025] As best seen in FIGS. 4, 8, and 9, the screw housing 28 includes a dome 46, a wing 48 connected to one side of the dome 46, and a wing 50 connected to the other opposite side of the dome 46. The dome 46 defines a screw receiving space 36 for receiving a portion of the screw 30. The dome 46 is formed to include a front screw support hole 52 and a rear screw support hole 54, and portions of the screw shaft 78 of the screw 30 fit into these screw support holes 52, 54. The wings 48, 50 extend laterally outward away from the dome 46 and engage a corresponding one of the flanges 42, 44, holding the screw housing 28 and the screw 30 to the fixed mount 26.

[0026] As best seen in FIGS. 4, 8, and 9, flange 42 is formed to include a guide passage 56, and flange 44 is formed to include a guide passage 58. While wing 48 is received in guide passage 56, wing 50 is received in guide passage 58. Guide passages 56, 58 guide screw housing 28 (and thus screw 30) to move relative to fixed mount 26 between the engagement positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 and the disengagement positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. In the engagement position, wings 48, 50 are located at the lower ends 60, 62 of guide passages 56, 58, and the threads 80 of screw 30 are received in at least one of the plurality of slots 24 formed in band 12. In the disengagement position, wings 48, 50 are located at the upper ends 64, 66 of guide passages 56, 58, and the threads 80 of screw 30 are disengaged from the plurality of slots 24 formed in band 12. In the disengagement position, the threads 80 of screw 30 are separated from band 12 to provide a gap 68 therebetween, allowing band 12 to move past screw 30 so that band 12 can be tightened or loosened without twisting screw 30 about screw axis 38. Gap 68 may be greater than zero or approximately equal to zero.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, in an exemplary embodiment, guide passages 56, 58 are defined by the linear surfaces of flanges 42, 44 that are non-parallel to the construction of fixed mount 40 and non-parallel to a portion of band 12 located between screw housing 28 and fixed mount 40. As such, in the exemplary embodiment, guide passages 56, 58 are generally linear between lower ends 60, 62 and upper ends 64, 66, and screw housing 28 and screw 30 are movable only in a linear direction between lower ends 60, 62 and upper ends 64, 66. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the guide passages may have a non-linear shape (e.g., curved) or may be partially linear and partially non-linear.

[0028] Returning to the exemplary embodiment, the guide passages 56, 58 extend along a plane 74 that is disposed at an angle 70 with respect to the base panel 40. In the exemplary embodiment, the guide passages 56, 58 extend only along the plane 74. The angle 70 is an acute angle with respect to the base panel 40. In some embodiments, the angle 70 is in the range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle 70 is in the range of 25 degrees to 35 degrees. In the exemplary embodiment, the angle 70 is 30 degrees. The guide passages 56, 58 are also disposed at an acute angle 76 with respect to the screw rotation axis 38. The screw rotation axis 38 may be substantially parallel to the plane 72 such that the angles 70, 76 are approximately equal to each other. In the exemplary embodiment, since the guide passages 56, 58 are linear, the angles 70, 76 do not change as the screw housing 28 and the screw 30 move between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the screw 30 includes a screw shaft 78 and a thread 80 that extends outwardly from the screw shaft 78 with respect to the screw rotation axis 38. The screw 30 may further include a screw head 82 and a screw base 84 that are located at opposite ends of the screw shaft. In the exemplary embodiment, the screw head 82 is formed to have a hexagonal shape and include a slot so that a tool can be used to fit into the screw head 82 to enable the screw 30 to be rotated around the screw rotation axis 38. Accordingly, the screw head 82 is disposed outside of the screw receiving space 36 at the end of the screw housing 28 that faces the tightening direction 100. The screw base 84 is disposed outside of the screw receiving space 36 at the end of the screw housing 28 that faces the loosening direction 102. Both the screw head 82 and the screw base 84 have an outer dimension that is larger than the front hole 52 and the rear hole 54 formed in the screw housing 28 and communicating with the screw receiving space 36, preventing the thread 80 of the screw from coming out of the screw receiving space 36.

[0030] Each of the lower ends 60, 62 of the guide passages 56, 58 is separated from the base panel 40 by a distance 90, and each of the upper ends 64, 66 of the guide passages 56, 58 is separated from the base panel 40 by a distance 92 that is greater than the distance 90. In an illustrative embodiment, the guide passages 56, 58 are linear and have a length and slope sufficient to disengage the threads 80 from the plurality of slots 24 when the wings 48, 50 reach the upper ends 64, 66 of the guide passages 56, 58. As illustrated, each of the guide passages 56, 58 has a linear length 94 that is greater than the value obtained by dividing the depth 80D of the threads 80 by the sine of the angle 70. Thus, the vertical rise provided by the slopes of the guide passages 56, 58 is sufficient to disengage the threads 80 from the slots 24 when the screw housing 28 and the screw 30 reach the disengaged position. In one example, the depth 80D is greater than or equal to the thickness of the band 12.

[0031] In use, the end 20 of the band 12 is configured to be fed between the base panel 40 and the screw 30 in the tightening direction 100. As the end 20 of the band 12 moves in this way, as the end 20 of the band 12 is moved in the tightening direction 100, the screw housing 28 and the screw 30 can move towards the disengaged position, and the band 12 can be tightened without rotating the screw 30 around the screw rotation axis 38. When the band 12 is released, the screw housing 28 and the screw 30 can move towards an engaged position where the thread 80 of the screw 30 engages at least one slot 24 and the movement of the band in the loosening direction 102 is blocked. In this way, while the band 12 moves in the tightening direction 100, by the tensioner 16, the thread 80 of the screw 30 can not only provide a quick initial tightening function (e.g., by hand) away from the plurality of slots 24, but also lock the unwanted movement of the band 12 in the loosening direction 102. Thereafter, the screw 30 may be rotated clockwise around the screw rotation axis 36 to further tighten the band 12. When loosening the band 12, once sufficient tension is removed from the band 12 by rotating the screw 30 counterclockwise around the screw rotation axis 36, the screw housing 28 and the screw 30 can move to the disengaged position, and the band 12 can be quickly released from the tensioner 16 (without the need to further rotate the screw 30).

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the flanges 42, 44 is substantially the same as the other. Each flange 42, 44 includes a flange base 96 connected to the base panel 40, a wing support 98 spaced from the flange base 96, and a pair of links 104, 106 interconnecting the flange base 96 and the wing support 98. The flange base 96 and the wing support 98 vertically define guide passages 56, 58 therebetween. The links 104, 106 are disposed at the front end and the lead end of the fixed mount 26 and horizontally define guide passages 56, 58 therebetween.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, links 104, 106 include a vertically extending lower strip 108 and a curved upper strip 110. The vertically extending lower strip 108 is connected to flange base 96 and extends upward therefrom. The curved upper strip 110 is connected to the distal end of the vertically extending lower strip 108 and extends toward each other and toward dome 46. Each wing support 98 is offset inwardly from flange base 96 and is closer to dome 46 than to flange base 96.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 9, in an exemplary embodiment, wings 48, 50 each have a length 112 that is approximately half of the length 94 of guide passages 56, 58. Wing 50 projects laterally outwardly from dome 46 more than wing 48. Wing 50 also includes a locator tab 114 that extends rearwardly in the loosening direction 102 of band 12. Locator tab 114 engages fixed mount 26 at the engagement position and prevents screw housing 28 and screw 30 from rotating about an axis 116 that is perpendicular to screw rotation axis 38 while turning screw 30 to tighten band 12. In particular, locator tab 114 engages the outer surface of link 106 near the rear end of fixed mount 26. In some embodiments, wing 48 may also enclose a locator tab.

[0035] Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description should be considered exemplary and not restrictive in nature. It is to be understood that only exemplary embodiments are shown and described, and that all changes and modifications falling within the spirit of the present disclosure are desired to be protected. There are multiple advantages of the present disclosure arising from the various features of the apparatus, system, and method described herein. Alternative embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described, but it should be noted that even then, benefits can be obtained from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those skilled in the art could readily devise implementations of the apparatus, system, and method that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clamp comprising: a band including a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a plurality of slots between the first end portion and the second end portion and spaced apart from each other; a tensioner; wherein the tensioner includes a fixed mount including (i) a base panel connected to the first end portion of the band and including opposing first and second side surfaces, (ii) a first flange connected to the first side surface of the base panel and formed to include a first guide passage, and (iii) a second flange connected to the second side surface of the base panel and formed to include a second guide passage; a screw housing disposed between the first flange and the second flange of the fixed mount above the base panel and including a first wing received in the first guide passage and a second wing received in the second guide passage; a screw received in the screw housing; wherein the screw housing and the screw are movable relative to the fixed mount between (i) an engaged position where the first wing is located at the lower end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the lower end of the second guide passage, and (ii) a disengaged position where the first wing is located at the upper end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the upper end of the second guide passage; when a portion of the band including the plurality of slots is located between the fixed mount and the screw housing, the threads of the screw are (i) received in the plurality of slots when the screw housing and the screw are in the engaged position, and (ii) disengaged from the plurality of slots when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengaged position; a clamp.

2. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein the screw is rotatable about a screw axis within the screw housing, and when the screw housing and the screw are in the engaged position, rotation of the screw about the screw axis is required for movement of the portion of the band located between the fixed mount and the screw housing, and when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengaged position, rotation of the screw about the screw axis is not required for movement of the portion of the band located between the fixed mount and the screw housing.

3. The clamp according to claim 2, Clamp, wherein when the screw housing and the screw are in the engagement position, the screw axis is parallel to the bottom plate.

4. The clamp according to claim 3, Clamp, wherein when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengagement position, the screw axis is parallel to the bottom plate.

5. The clamp according to claim 1, Clamp, wherein each of the first guide passage and the second guide passage is linear and arranged at an angle with respect to the base panel.

6. The clamp according to claim 5, Clamp, wherein the angle is an acute angle.

7. The clamp according to claim 5, Clamp, wherein the angle is between 10 and 45 degrees.

8. The clamp according to claim 5, Clamp, wherein the angle is between 25 and 35 degrees.

9. The clamp according to claim 5, Clamp, wherein each of the first guide passage and the second guide passage has a length greater than a value obtained by dividing the depth of the thread of the screw by the sine of the angle, between its lower end and its upper end.

10. The clamp according to claim 1, Clamp, wherein each of the lower ends of the first guide passage and the second guide passage is separated from the base panel by a first distance, and each of the upper ends of the first guide passage and the second guide passage is separated from the base panel by a second distance greater than the first distance.

11. A clamp, comprising a band including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of slots between the first end and the second end and spaced apart from each other, a tensioner, and comprising, wherein the tensioner (i) a base panel connected to the first end of the band and including opposing first and second side faces, (ii) a first flange connected to the first side face of the base panel and formed to include a first guide passage, and (iii) a second flange connected to the second side face of the base panel and formed to include a second guide passage, a fixed mount, a screw housing disposed above the base panel and between the first flange and the second flange of the fixed mount, and including a first wing received in the first guide passage and a second wing received in the second guide passage, a screw rotatable about a screw axis within the screw housing, and comprising. (i) An engagement position where the first wing is located at the lower end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the lower end of the second guide passage; and (ii) A disengagement position where the first wing is located at the upper end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the upper end of the second guide passage. Between these positions, the screw housing and the screw can move relative to the fixed mount. When a part of the band including the plurality of slots is located between the fixed mount and the screw housing, the movement of the part of the band located between the fixed mount and the screw housing requires (i) rotating the screw around the screw axis when the screw housing and the screw are in the engagement position, and (ii) no need to rotate the screw around the screw axis when the screw housing and the screw are in the disengagement position. Clamp.

12. The clamp according to claim 11, When the screw housing and the screw are in the engagement position, the screw axis is parallel to the bottom plate. Clamp.

13. The clamp according to claim 12, When the screw housing and the screw are in the disengagement position, the screw axis is parallel to the bottom plate. Clamp.

14. The clamp according to claim 11, Each of the first guide passage and the second guide passage is linear and arranged at an acute angle to the base panel. Clamp.

15. The clamp according to claim 14, Each of the first guide passage and the second guide passage has a length greater than the value obtained by dividing the depth of the thread of the screw by the sine of the acute angle between its lower end and upper end. Clamp.

16. The clamp according to claim 15, The angle is between 25 and 35 degrees. Clamp.

17. A clamp, A band formed with a plurality of slots, A tensioner including (i) a fixed mount connected to an end of the band, (ii) a screw housing engageable with the fixed mount so as to be movable relative to the fixed mount between an engagement position and a disengagement position, and (iii) a screw rotatable around a screw axis within the screw housing. The tensioner, including When a portion of the band including the plurality of slots is located between the fixed mount and the screw housing, the thread of the screw is (i) received in the plurality of slots when the screw housing is in the engaged position, and it is necessary to rotate the screw around the screw axis for the movement of the portion of the band, and (ii) when the screw housing is in the disengaged position, it is separated from the plurality of slots, and it is not necessary to rotate the screw around the screw axis for the movement of the portion of the band, a clamp.

18. The clamp according to claim 17, wherein the screw axis is parallel to the portion of the band located between the fixed mount and the screw housing both when the screw housing is in the engaged position and when the screw housing is in the disengaged position, a clamp.

19. The clamp according to claim 17, wherein the fixed mount includes (i) a base panel including opposing first and second side surfaces and connected to the end of the band, (ii) a first flange connected to the first side surface of the base panel and formed to include a first guide passage, and (iii) a second flange connected to the second side surface of the base panel and formed to include a second guide passage, wherein the screw housing is disposed between the first flange and the second flange of the fixed mount above the base panel and includes a first wing received in the first guide passage and a second wing received in the second guide passage, a clamp.

20. The clamp according to claim 19, wherein when the screw housing is in the engaged position, the first wing is located at the lower end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the lower end of the second guide passage, and when the screw housing is in the disengaged position, the first wing is located at the upper end of the first guide passage and the second wing is located at the upper end of the second guide passage, a clamp.

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