Profile clamp

Abstract

The invention relates to a profile clamp having a first profile clamp half and a second profile clamp half, by means of which two flange parts can be connected to each other by applying an axial force, characterized in that a first clamping head is formed at one end of the first clamp half and a second clamping head is formed at one end of the second clamp half, and the ends of each clamp half located opposite each clamping head are connected to each other by an articulated connection to form a clamping device. The articulated connection is formed by a mechanically worked or formed flat strip part, as a result of which the flat strip part has an increased and / or defined flexibility adapted to the intended application and can therefore be more easily installed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a profile clamp, which has a first profile clamping part and a second profile clamping part and optionally at least one further profile clamping part, by means of which two flange parts can be connected to each other by applying an axial force, wherein to form a clamping device a first clamping head is formed at one end of the first clamping part and a second clamping head is formed at one end of the second clamping part, the ends of each clamping part located opposite each clamping head being connected to each other or to the at least one further clamping part by an articulated connection.

[0002] Profile clamps are known and reliable connecting elements used in industry and automotive engineering. They are provided, for example, for the liquid-tight connection of two axially adjacent tube or hose ends and usually have a radially outwardly directed connection flange. The clamp is placed onto the corresponding flange and radial and axial holding forces are generated by tightening the clamp. [Background technology]

[0003] WO 2008 / 102116 discloses a profile clamp with two clamp halves. The profile machining of the clamp halves is designed such that a triangular, roof-shaped or trapezoidal shape is used to connect the two flange parts to each other. When a circumferential force is applied to the clamp halves, the two flange parts are connected to each other and an axial force is generated. The profile clamp has a clamping device formed by a first clamping head and a second clamping head, each of which is formed at one end of the clamp half. The two clamping heads are connected to each other by a screw element, so that the profile clamp is tightened by tightening the screw element.

[0004] The two clamp halves are connected to each other on diametrically opposite sides of the clamping device by a connecting element, often made of spring steel, which is welded to the end face of each of the clamp halves. The elasticity of the connecting element creates a connection between the two clamp halves, allowing the clamp halves to be moved when the clamp is installed, while ensuring that they are permanently connected to each other.

[0005] A further embodiment in the prior art is described in German patent application no. 10 2016 103988, which is also shown in FIG. 1. The first clamp half 10 and the second clamp half 11 are articulated to one another by an articulation connection 14 in the form of a flat strip section 15. The flat strip section 15 merges into the respective clamp half 10 and 11 in an integral and materially homogeneous manner. The flat strip section 15 is provided with a central hole 26. The flat strip section 15 is of flexible design, which allows the two clamp halves 10 and 11 to be moved towards and away from one another without damaging the flat strip section 15 or requiring excessive force. When the detent nut 20 is tightened onto the screw element 18, the two pressure projections 19 come into contact with one another. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the invention is to develop a profile clamp for connecting two flange parts with the highest possible axial force, and further to simplify the design of the profile clamp, so that in particular the profile clamp can be manufactured in a simpler way and can consist of a small number of individual parts.

[0007] According to the invention, that object is achieved by a profile clamp as claimed in claim 1. Further embodiments form the subject matter of the dependent claims or are described below.

[0008] The profile clamp according to the invention has a first profile clamping part, a second profile clamping part and optionally at least one further profile clamping part, by means of which the two flange parts can be connected to one another by applying an axial force. The profile clamp according to the invention preferably has two or three profile clamping parts. To form a clamping device, a first clamping head is formed at one end of the first clamping part and a second clamping head is formed at one end of the second clamping part. The ends of the clamping parts located opposite each clamping head are connected to one another by an articulated connection or the ends of the clamping parts located opposite each clamping head are connected to the further clamping part by an articulated connection. The articulated connection is formed by a mechanically worked or formed flat strip part which is integrally connected to the clamping parts and has a certain flexibility.

[0009] In a first embodiment, the profile clamp according to the invention has two profile clamping parts, a first profile clamp half and a second profile clamp half, by means of which an axial force can be applied to connect the two flange parts to one another. A clamping device, characterized in that a first clamping head is formed at one end of the first clamp half and a second clamping head is formed at one end of the second clamp half, the ends of the clamp halves located opposite each clamping head being connected to one another by an articulated connection, the articulated connection being formed by a mechanically machined or formed flat strip part which is integrally connected to the clamp halves and has a certain flexibility, which flexibility is increased by machining or forming in comparison to a non-machined flat strip part.

[0010] In a second alternative embodiment, the profile clamp according to the invention has three profile clamping parts: a first profile clamping part is connected at its end opposite the clamping head to a first end of a third profile clamping part by a first articulated connection and a second profile clamping part is connected at its end opposite the clamping head to a second end of the third profile clamping part by a second articulated connection.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the profile clamp according to the present invention may further comprise four or more clamping parts, each of which, except for the first clamping part and the second clamping part, is connected at both ends to an adjacent clamping part by an articulated connection.

[0012] The material of the flat strip is integrally, i.e. homogeneously, fused to the material of the clamp halves, so that both clamp halves are integrally or integrally connected to each other. In one embodiment, the profile clamp according to the invention including the clamping head consists of one piece of strip material.

[0013] Machining or forming the flat strip section leads to increased flexibility in the area of ​​the articulation. Suitable processing methods for machining or forming are, for example, bending, stamping, hammering, rolling and cutting methods, preferably milling, bending, rolling or grinding. Due to the thinning of the material involved in the cutting method or the geometrical changes involved in the bending process, it is possible to achieve a certain stiffness and an increased flexibility compared to the unprocessed flat strip section. This allows the installation of the profile clamp according to the invention to be carried out by hand, preferably without mechanical assistance.

[0014] In one variant, the increased flexibility is achieved by a material thinning, for example by stamping, hammering, rolling or cutting, in particular by milling or grinding. In this embodiment, the processed flat strip portion has a reduced material thickness in the sheet thickness direction, transverse to the circumferential direction, compared to the clamping halves. The flat strip portion preferably has stamped or milled features, which produce a reduced material thickness. The flat strip portion has a reduced material thickness at least in some areas in the circumferential direction of the clamping strip, preferably in the center or over the entire length of the flat strip portion. For example, the flat strip portion has a reduced material thickness over its entire length. In one variant, the material thinning is achieved by material elongation, for example by rolling or stamping the flat strip portion. In this case, the flat strip portion is not only thinned but also elongated compared to the unprocessed material portion that is not thinned. Alternatively, the flat strip portion is provided with one or more notches as material thinning. The notches preferably have a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section. It is also possible to combine both cross-sectional shapes. Each notch extends across the entire material width of the flat strip section, transverse to the circumferential direction of the clamp. The notches do not penetrate the sheet thickness, but rather reduce the material from the upper side of the flat strip section. In this embodiment, the lower surface of the flat strip section is unchanged and does not have a notch.

[0015] In another variation, increased flexibility is achieved by changing the shape of the flat strip, for example by bending the flat strip, in which a mechanically machined or formed flat strip has a radially outward or axially inward bent feature, the bent feature having a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section.

[0016] According to the invention, it is also possible to combine both variants, whereby the flat strip section undergoes a material thinning and a geometrical change. The material thinning can also be in the form of a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section and does not have to extend over the entire length of the flat strip section. A particular material thinning can be introduced both in the direction of the radially inward or outward faces of the flat strip section.

[0017] According to the invention, "inward" is understood to mean directed towards the centre of the profile clamp. According to the invention, "outward" is understood to mean towards the outside of the profile clamp, away from the centre. "Axial" means aligned along the longitudinal axis, which extends through the circular centre of the profile clamp in the direction of the tube to be connected.

[0018] The clamping parts or halves are designed as hollow shapes that are open to the inside and preferably have a trapezoidal, triangular or roof structure. The total area of ​​the clamping parts or halves is obtained when each clamping half is unfolded from a trapezoidal, triangular or roof structure to a flat structure. The total area thus formed has a width greater than the width of the flat strip part. If the ends of the entire flat area are folded to form the clamping parts or clamping halves to create a triangular, trapezoidal or roof shape, in a radial view the flat strip part has no profile, but the tapered part of the flat strip part can be dimensioned such that a constant width of the profile clamp is obtained between the clamping part and the flat strip part.

[0019] The articulation section is formed from a flat strip section with an axially outward or axially inward bent profile, which has either a U-shape or a V-shape. The flat strip section is not profiled and is flat transversely to the circumferential direction of the clamping section. The bending of the flat strip section is performed around the transverse axis of the flat strip section. The longitudinal sides of the flat strip section are not bent relative to each other, for this reason the latter are referred to as axially flat.

[0020] The flat strip is a section having a circumferentially extending area. In one variant of the profile clamp according to the invention, the flat strip has a tapered section formed by a transverse edge cutout relative to the total area of ​​the profile clamp half.

[0021] In one embodiment of the flat strip section with geometric variation, the flat strip section has a radially outward bent profile, the radially outward bent profile having a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section, the radially outward bent profile meaning that the flat strip section is located farther away from the longitudinal axis in the region of the bent profile than in the non-bent region.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the flat strip section with a geometrical change, the flat strip section has a radially inwardly bent profile, which has a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section. A radially inwardly bent profile means that the flat strip section is located less away from the longitudinal axis in the region of the bent profile than in the non-bent region.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the flat strip with geometrical change, the bent profile has a U-shaped cross section, preferably a profile with a symmetrical U-shaped cross section. In one variant, the flat strip can be formed from three parts. In that case, the flat strip comprises a first flat part, a second flat part and a U-shaped bent profile, the U-shaped profile connecting the two flat parts to each other. The two flat parts are each integrally formed in one of the two clamp halves.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the flat strip with geometrical variation, the bent profile has a V-shaped cross section, preferably a symmetrical V-shaped cross section. In one variant, the flat strip can be formed from three parts, and the flat strip comprises a first flat part, a second flat part and a V-shaped bent profile, the V-shaped profile connecting the two flat parts to each other. The two flat parts are each integrally formed in one of the two clamp halves.

[0025] In the case of an embodiment with three parts, the flat strip is preferably designed as follows: a first flat part is integrally formed in the first clamp half; at the opposite end of the first clamp half, the first flat part merges into a U-shaped or V-shaped part running inwards or outwards of the longitudinal axis of the profile clamp; at the opposite end of the first flat part, the bent part merges into a second flat part, at the opposite end of which the second flat part is integrally formed in the second clamp half.

[0026] The flat strip can be prestressed so that the clamp halves substantially close against each other, so that the two clamping heads face each other, which facilitates installation, since the two clamping heads can be gripped in a simple manner when closing the clamping device, for example with a screw element.

[0027] The two clamping heads are connected to each other by a screw element, so that the profile clamp is clamped by tightening the screw element. Clamping is achieved, for example, by a nut on the screw element, preferably a detent nut. In the case of designs with pressure lugs, when the nut is tightened, the two pressure lugs come into contact with each other. The clamping force in the final state is determined quite accurately by the dimensions of the clamp. If the clamp is designed correctly, errors due to too low or too high clamping force will not occur.

[0028] In one embodiment of the profile clamp according to the invention, the first clamping head has a rectangular opening through which a screw element with a rectangular shoulder of complementary design can be inserted. This prevents the screw element from rotating when it is inserted into the first clamping head. The screw element can be screwed into a nut on the rear side of the second clamping head, and the clamping device can be closed by screwing the nut onto the screw element. The screw element is preferably fastened to a detent nut.

[0029] In order to apply high clamping forces by means of the clamping device, pressure projections are optionally formed on the end sides of the clamping heads, which projections can come into contact with one another when the screw element is tightened. As a result, bending of the clamping heads, particularly at the transition to the clamping part, is avoided and the clamping heads remain parallel to one another, which improves the clamping of the clamping heads. This allows the clamping force that can be applied by the clamping device to be increased, which leads to a greater circumferential force at the clamping heads, which is transmitted by the articulated connection according to the invention by means of the flat strip.

[0030] The flange part can optionally have a recess. The recess allows the profile clamp to be positioned on the flange in the rotational direction in that the bending profile of the profile clamp engages in the recess on the flange. The profile clamp therefore cannot rotate in the circumferential direction on the flange or can only rotate to a very limited extent when the connecting elements of the two clamping heads are tightened, i.e. when the screw elements are tightened, for example. Movement of the profile clamp relative to the flange is prevented, since the bending profile engages in the recess on the flange.

[0031] In one embodiment, holes are drilled in the flat strip. Preferably, the holes are made in the flat strip where the material is thinned. The holes may be circular, angular or elliptical. By means of the holes the positioning of the profile clamp on the flange in the rotational direction can be defined, with the projections on the flange assigned to the holes engaging in the holes. If the holes are circumferentially elongated, for example elliptical, they together with the projections provide, for example, a certain torsion range for adjusting the position of the profile clamp. Furthermore, the advantage is obtained that the profile clamp cannot rotate in the circumferential direction on the flange, or can only rotate to a very limited extent, when the connecting elements of the two clamping heads are tightened, i.e., for example, when the screw elements are tightened.

[0032] In particular, the hole is configured to have a dimension in the main direction, for example 3 mm to 8 mm, and is designed to have a smaller dimension in the secondary direction perpendicular to the main direction, for example 2 mm to 4 mm. The corresponding projection on the flange, in particular on one of the two flange parts to be connected, can be adapted to the dimensions of the hole.

[0033] The flat strip is flexible, which allows the two clamp halves or adjacent clamp parts to be moved towards and away from each other. As a result of the embodiment of the articulation as a flat strip with a U- or V-shaped profile, the bending stiffness is reduced and therefore the clamp halves or clamp parts can be opened and closed relative to each other, without plastic deformation, by preferably elastic deformation of the flat strip, without damaging the flat strip. Due to the effect of the bending profile, the flat strip has an increased and / or defined flexibility adapted to the intended application and can therefore be fitted more easily.

[0034] In comparison with previously used connecting elements, for example in the form of rings with hooked ends of the clamping halves, the integrally formed articulation section with a U- or V-shaped profile or a defined thinning allows a very high circumferential force to be applied to the clamping section, and therefore allows the flange sections to be connected to one another with a high axial force. Furthermore, the manufacture of the profile clamp is simplified, since the clamping section, the clamping head and the articulation section can be manufactured from a single piece of flat strip material without the need for further connecting steps. This flat strip material is manufactured by a punch bending operation corresponding to two clamping halves with an intermediate flat strip section and a U / V-shaped profile or thinning to form an articulation section, or three clamping sections with an intermediate flat strip section and a U / V-shaped profile or thinning to form an articulation section. The profile clamp according to the invention provides a simple and fast installation and is designed for high clamping forces.

[0035] The profile clamp according to the invention can be used in various applications. It is preferably used in the field of automotive turbochargers. For example, the connection between the turbine housing and the central housing of the turbocharger can be fixed with the profile clamp according to the invention.

[0036] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 shows a profile clamp according to the prior art; [Diagram 2] 1 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in one embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment with a flange portion. [Diagram 5] A cross section through the clamp halves is shown. [Figure 6] 4 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 shows a profile clamp according to the invention in a further embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a profile clamp 1 according to the prior art mentioned above.

[0039] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. The profile clamp 1 has a first clamp half 10 and a second clamp half 11, which are articulated to one another by an articulation connection 14. The clamping heads 12 and 13 are integrally formed in the clamp halves 10 and 11. The clamping heads 12 and 13 are integrally formed in the clamp halves 10 and 11 on the side opposite the articulation connection 14. The clamping heads 12 and 13 are formed with a through hole, the first clamping head 12 is formed with an opening 17 and the second clamping head 13 is formed with an opening 25. Each of the free ends of the first and second clamping heads 12, 13 is provided with a pressure projection 19. To achieve an improved clamping situation of the clamp halves 10 and 11 relative to one another, the two pressure projections 19 can be brought into contact with one another by tightening a nut (neither shown) on the screw element.

[0040] The articulation 14 is designed as a flat strip section 15 with a bent profile 16, which is directed axially outwards and has a U-shaped cross section. FIG. 2b shows an enlarged detail of the profile clamp of FIG. 2a in the region of the articulation 14. The flat strip section 15 is integrally formed in the second clamp half 11 by a first flat section 30. At the end 27 located opposite the first clamp half 10, the first flat section 30 merges into a U-shaped profile 31, which runs outwards in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the profile clamp 1. At the end 28 located opposite the first flat section 30, the U-shaped profile 31 merges into a second flat section 32, which at the opposite end is integrally formed in the first clamp half 10. FIG. 2c shows the shape of the articulation 14 of FIG. 2b in a schematic way.

[0041] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment. The articulation 14 is designed as a flat strip 15 with a bent profile 16 directed radially outward and having a V-shaped cross section. FIG. 3b shows an enlarged detail of the profile clamp of FIG. 3a in the region of the articulation 14. The flat strip 15 is integrally formed in the second clamp half 11 by a first flat 30. At the end 27 located opposite the first clamp half 10, the first flat 30 merges into a V-shaped profile 33 extending radially outward. At the end 28 located opposite the first flat 30, the V-shaped profile 33 merges into a second flat 32. At the opposite end, the second flat 32 is integrally formed in the first clamp half 10.

[0042] FIG. 4a shows a perspective view of the profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a third embodiment. The articulation section 14 is designed as a flat strip section 15 with a bent profile 16 directed radially inwards and with a V-shaped cross section. Arranged inside the profile clamp 1 are the flange sections 29 of the two tubes to be connected, which are surrounded by the clamp halves 10, 11. In the region of the articulation section 14, the flanges have a recess 35. This recess 35 is configured as a recess in the flange section 29, into which the V-shaped profile 16 engages and thus prevents a movement of the profile clamp in the circumferential direction relative to the flange sections. FIG. 4b shows an enlarged detail of the profile clamp of FIG. 4a in the region of the articulation section 14. The flat strip section 15 is integrally formed in the first clamp half 10 by a first flat section 30. At the end 27 opposite the first clamp half 10, the first flat 30 merges into a radially inwardly extending V-shaped feature 34. At the end 28 opposite the first flat 30, the V-shaped feature 33 merges into a second flat 32. At the opposite end, the second flat 32 is integrally formed with the second clamp half 11.

[0043] Figure 5 shows a cross section through the first clamp half 10 along the line AA' in figure 2a. It can be seen that the clamp half has a trapezoidal profile. The trapezoidal profile is formed by the legs 40 and 42 and the base 41, where the base 41 connects the two legs 40, 42 to each other.

[0044] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment. The articulation 14 is designed as a flat strip 15 with a thinned material 21. FIG. 6b shows an enlarged detail of the profile clamp of FIG. 6a in the region of the articulation 14. The flat strip 15 has a reduced material thickness with respect to the clamp halves. The dashed lines 22 indicate the material thickness of the clamp halves and are only for the illustration of the thinned material 21. In the illustrated form, the thinned material extends over the entire length of the flat strip 15. Alternatively, the thinned material may not extend over the entire length of the flat strip, in the form of a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section. A certain thinned material can be introduced both in the radially inward or radially outward direction of the flat strip. FIG. 6c shows an alternative embodiment of a flat strip 15 with a thinned material. The flat strip of Fig. 6c has two thinned material sections arranged next to each other, a notch with a V-shaped cross section 22 and a notch with a U-shaped cross section 23. The notches are each embodied as a groove transverse to the circumferential direction of the clamp over the entire material width of the flat strip.

[0045] FIG. 7a is a perspective view of a profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment. In the case of the profile clamp shown in FIG. 6, the articulation 14 is likewise designed as a flat strip 15 with a thinned material 21. FIG. 7b shows an enlarged detail of the profile clamp of FIG. 7a in the region of the articulation 14. The flat strip 15 is provided in the form of a thinned material 21, which has a smaller material thickness than the clamp halves. The dashed line 21' indicates the material thickness of the clamp halves and is only intended to illustrate the thinned material 21. The length L of the flat strip 15 is also extended by the thinning of the material by the roller. The material of the flat strip 15 of FIGS. 7a and 7b is therefore longer than the strip of thinned material of FIGS. 6a and 6b.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the profile clamp 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment with three clamping parts. The profile clamp 1 has a first profile clamping part 10, a second profile clamping part 11 and a third profile clamping part 50. The first clamping part 10 is articulated to the third clamping part 50 at a first end 51 of the third clamping part 50 by a first articulation connection 14a. The second clamping part 11 is articulated to the third clamping part 50 at a second end 52 of the third clamping part 50 by a second articulation connection 14b. The clamping heads 12 and 13 are integrally formed on the clamp halves 10, 11 located opposite the third clamping part 50. The clamping heads 12 and 13 are formed with through holes, the first clamping head 12 is formed with an opening 17 and the second clamping head 13 is formed with an opening 25. At the free ends of the first and second clamping heads 12, 13, a pressure projection 19 is provided respectively. The two pressure lugs 19 can be brought into contact with each other by tightening a detent nut 20 on the screw element 18 in order to achieve an improved clamping situation of the clamp halves 10 and 11 relative to each other. The two articulation parts 14a, 14b are designed as flat strips 15 of material with a tapered section 21.

[0047] The present invention is not limited to one of the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in various ways. All features and advantages that emerge from the claims, the description and the drawings, including the design details, the spatial arrangement and the method steps, can be essential to the invention, either by themselves or in various combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Profile clamp 10 First clamp half 11 Second clamp half 12 First tightening head 13 Second tightening head 14 Joint Connection 15 Flat strip section 16 Bent section 17 Opening 18 Screw elements 19 Pressure protrusion 20 Lock nut 21 Thinning materials 22 notch, V-shaped 23 notches, U-shaped 24 Edge, bottom 25 Opening 27 End of first flat section 28 End of second flat section 29 Flange 30 1st flat part 31 U-shaped section 32 2nd flat part 33 V-shaped section 34 U-shaped section 35 Hollow 40 legs 41 Base 42 legs 50 Profile clamp part (clamp part) 51 First end 52 Second end

Claims

1. a first profile clamping part (10), a second profile clamping part (11) and optionally at least one further profile clamping part (50), by means of which two flange parts can be connected to each other by applying an axial force, a first clamping head (12) being formed at one end of said first profile clamping part (10) and a second clamping head (13) being formed at one end of said second profile clamping part (11), an end of said first profile clamping part (10) located opposite said first clamping head (12) and an end of said second profile clamping part (11) located opposite said second clamping head (13) being connected to each other or to the at least one further profile clamping part (50) by an articulated connection (14), the articulated connection (14) is formed by a mechanically worked or formed flat strip (15) which is integrally connected to the first profile clamping part (10) and to the second profile clamping part (11) and has a certain flexibility, the flat strip portion (15) has a reduced material thickness in the sheet thickness direction compared to the first profile clamping portion (10) and the second profile clamping portion (11), The profile clamp (1), wherein the flat strip portion (15) has at least one notch (22, 23) having a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section, thereby producing a reduced material thickness of the flat strip portion (15).

2. 2. A profile clamp (1) according to claim 1, comprising two profile clamp parts as a profile clamp half, the first profile clamp part (10) being a first profile clamp half (10) and the second profile clamp part (11) being a second profile clamp half (11), the end of the first profile clamp half (10) lying opposite the first clamping head (12) and the end of the second profile clamp half (11) lying opposite the second clamping head (13) being connected to each other by an articulated connection (14).

3. 2. A profile clamp (1) according to claim 1, comprising three profile clamping parts, the first profile clamping part (10) being connected at its end opposite the first clamping head (12) to a first end of a third profile clamping part (50) by a first articulated connection (14) and the second profile clamping part (11) being connected at its end opposite the second clamping head (13) to a second end of the third profile clamping part (50) by a second articulated connection (14).

4. 2. A profile clamp (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flat strip portion (15) has stamped, machined or rolled features for producing the reduced material thickness.

5. 5. A profile clamp (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flat strip portion (15) has a radially outward or radially inward bent portion (16), the bent portion (16) having a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section.

6. 6. A profile clamp (1) according to claim 5, wherein the flat strip portion (15) has a radially outwardly bent shape (16).

7. 6. A profile clamp (1) according to claim 5, wherein the flat strip portion (15) has a radially inwardly bent profile.

8. A profile clamp (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the bent profile (16) has a U-shaped cross section.

9. 3. A profile clamp (1) according to claim 2, wherein the flat strip portion (15) comprises a first flat portion (30), a second flat portion (32) and a U-shaped portion (31, 34), the U-shaped portion (31) connecting the first flat portion (30) and the second flat portion (32) to each other, the first flat portion (30) and the second flat portion (32) being integrally formed in one of the first profile clamp half (10) and the second profile clamp half (11), respectively.

10. The profile clamp (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the bent profile (16) has a V-shaped cross section.

11. 3. A profile clamp (1) according to claim 2, wherein the flat strip portion (15) comprises a first flat portion (30), a second flat portion (32) and a V-shaped portion (33), the V-shaped portion (33) connecting the first flat portion (30) and the second flat portion (32) to each other, the first flat portion (30) and the second flat portion (32) being integrally formed in one of the first profile clamp half (10) and the second profile clamp half (11), respectively.

12. 12. A profile clamp (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein pressure protrusions (19) are formed on the end side of the first clamping head (12) and on the end side of the second clamping head (13), the pressure protrusions (19) coming into contact with each other when the screw element (18) is tightened.

13. 13. Profile clamp (1) according to claim 12, wherein the threaded element (18) is fastened to a detent nut (20).

14. 14. A profile clamp (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first clamping head (12) has a rectangular opening (17) through which a screw element (18) having a rectangular shoulder of complementary design can be inserted.

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