Ear clamp with cup lock hook system

Abstract

EAR CLAMP WITH CUP LOCK HOOK SYSTEM. The present invention relates to an ear clamp (10) comprising a clamp band (12) and a fastening structure (14), the clamp band (12) comprising an outer clamp band end (12a) and an inner clamp band end (12b), the inner clamp band end (12b) including a first hook (16) which passes through an opening (18) in the outer clamp band end (12a) in the closed position. It is proposed that the opening (18) is slit-shaped in a top view of the band, the length of the opening (18) extending in the transverse direction of the clamp band (12).

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates to an ear clamp for connecting a pipe, particularly a pipe made of a PEX (polyethylene) material commonly used in the piping industry, to an object to be inserted into the pipe, such as a pipe joint.

[0002] International Publication No. 2015 / 022024 discloses a general open ear clamp having a so-called oetika ear type tightening structure. The clamp includes a hook that passes through a window at the outer clamp band end in a closed state. The window is punched out from the band material.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 104918 discloses a band clamp having a plurality of hooks and windows that can engage with each other to close the clamp.

[0004] In existing hook designs, there are large openings in the band material, where the material is punched out, resulting in waste of the material. Depending on the design, the hook alone, the rivet lock, and the fixed hook may engage with the window having these large openings. The openings extend in both the longitudinal and width directions of the band, and the total amount of the band material decreases in the longitudinal region of the band having the window. As a result, the tension applied to the clamp concentrates on the side webs on both sides of each window. This is accompanied by an increase in the elongation of the band in this region because the cross-section of the window / aperture region is reduced. Thereby, the transmission force is reduced and the performance deteriorates.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to improve the performance of a clamp by improving the closing elements for closing the clamp, particularly by improving the structure of the hooks and / or windows that engage with each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This problem is solved by the apparatus having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined by the dependent claims.

[0008] The present invention relates to an ear clamp having a clamp band and a fastening structure, wherein the clamp band comprises an outer clamp band end and an inner clamp band end, and the inner clamp band end includes a first hook that passes through the opening of the outer clamp band end when closed.

[0009] In the top view of the band, the opening is proposed to be slit-shaped. In the context of this invention, "slit-shaped" means longer than the width. To quantify the aspect ratio of the slit shape, it is proposed that the length of the opening in the lateral direction of the clamp band is at least 5 times the opening width in the longitudinal direction of the clamp band. The slit shape prevents waste of material.

[0010] The clamp band, when closed, has an inner surface oriented toward the direction of the hose or pipe and / or toward the inside of the ring formed by the clamp, and an outer surface oriented radially outward. When closed, the inside of the outer clamp band end is in contact with the outside of the inner clamp band end, the inside of the inner band end is in contact with the hose or pipe, and the outside of the outer band end is freely accessible from the outside.

[0011] The clamp band has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the latter being the width direction of the band. The thickness direction of the clamp band is perpendicular to both of these directions. The top view of the band is a view of the band from the outside in the thickness direction.

[0012] A smaller slit-shaped opening means that the length of the band section weakened by the opening is smaller, resulting in less band elongation and, consequently, improved performance.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the band material is domed on the side of the opening facing the fastening structure to form a cup configured to receive the first hook. By creating an opening in the side wall of the first dome, the cup facilitates the engagement of the hook into the opening, even if the opening is linear in the top view.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the width of the cup is greater than the width of the opening and decreases toward the opening. As will be described in more detail later, the side walls of the cup help guide the first hook toward the opening and can also generate a wedge effect that removes the load from the hook.

[0015] Furthermore, it is proposed to form a first hook at the tip of a wedge-shaped projection configured to wedge-connect with the inner side of the dome. The wedge effect and guiding effect may be independent of the hook.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the band material is bent downward on the side of the opening facing away from the fastening structure to form a lower hook configured to wedge with an upper hook. The wedge of the lower and upper hooks pushes the band down. This allows the hook to transmit a greater force from the upper band to the lower band.

[0017] The inventors propose that the opening is arc-shaped with the convex side facing the clamping structure. Therefore, as described above, the convex side can be easily bent to form a lower hook.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opening is formed as a cut without punching out the material from the band, for example by lancing.

[0019] The inventors further propose forming the structure around the opening and / or the first hook by a material deformation process that results in the cold hardening of the material. This further enhances the stability of the band and reduces unintended deformation and band elongation.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention, reinforcing dimples are formed near the opening. This improves the distribution and transmission of forces in the relevant region.

[0021] Preferably, reinforcing dimples are embossed only on the upper side of the clamp band, while the lower side of the clamp band is flat at the location of the reinforcing dimples.

[0022] Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of embodiments and drawings. The entire specification, claims, and drawings disclose features of the present invention in specific embodiments and combinations. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will examine the features individually and combine them into further combinations or subcombinations to adapt the present invention as defined in the claims to their own needs or specific field of application. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] Fig. 1 shows an ear clamp according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a detailed diagram of the closing structure of the ear clamp shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the cup structure at the outer band end of the ear clamp according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a top view of the cup structure of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the inner end of the clamp band having two hook - attached wedge protrusions, Fig. 6 is a detailed view of one of the wedge protrusions of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a top view of the wedge protrusion of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the closing structure of the ear clamp according to the present invention, Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section parallel to the band surface showing the force - transmission region of the closing structure of the ear clamp according to the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Fig. 1 shows an ear clamp 10 according to the present invention.

[0025] The ear clamp 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a clamp band 12 and a tightening structure 14. The clamp band 12 includes an outer clamp band end 12a and an inner clamp band end 12b.

[0026] The tightening structure 14 is a so - called "otic ear", and has two legs 14a, 14b extending radially outward and a web 14c interconnecting the outer ends of the legs 14a, 14b. A depression is stamped on the web 14c of the ear to prevent buckling. The inner clamp band end 12b is extended by a tongue 12c guided by two side walls of a recess formed by press - forming the clamp band 12 and a step protruding inward. In an alternative embodiment, the tongue may be guided by a transverse strap created by a longitudinal cut.

[0027] In use, the ear clamp 10 surrounds the pipe at a position where an object (not shown), such as a fitting, is inserted into the pipe.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the closing structure of the ear clamp 10 shown in Fig. 1. The inner clamp band end 12b includes two first hooks 16 that pass through the corresponding openings 18 of the outer clamp band end 12a when closed. The hooks 16 and the openings 18 are also referred to as the closing structure of the ear clamp 10.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the cup structure of the outer clamp band end 12a of the ear clamp 10 according to Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a top view of the cup structure of Fig. 3. The opening 18 is slit-shaped in the top view of the clamp band 12 (Fig. 4) and is formed as a cut without punching out the material from the clamp band 12, and is also called a lancing. The clamp band 12 further includes an embossed structure, and the cut may be formed by an embossing process or another cutting process. The opening 18 is arc-shaped with the convex side facing the clamping structure 14.

[0030] During the embossing process, the notch is opened in the thickness direction of the band by causing opposite deformations on both sides of the notch, thereby forming an opening 18. On the side of the notch facing the clamping structure 14, the material of the clamp band 12 rises in a dome shape to form a cup 20 configured to receive a projection (Fig. 5) on the inner clamp band end 12a, including the first hook 16. The width of the cup 20 in the lateral direction of the clamp band 12 is greater than the width of the opening 18 and narrows toward the opening 18 to form a wedge shape. The inner wall of the cup 20 is basically upright, i.e., perpendicular to the main plane of the clamp band 12. The opening 18 is formed on the front side of the cup 20 and has a height in the thickness direction of the band that substantially corresponds to the thickness of the band material in order to accommodate the first hook 16.

[0031] Figures 5 to 7 are detailed views of the inner end of the clamp band 12, which has two wedge-shaped projections 24 with hooks 16. The inner end of the clamp band 12 has wedge-shaped projections 24 that are configured to wedge-connect with the inner side surface of the first dome. The first hook 16 is formed at the tip of the wedge-shaped projection 24. Below the first hook 16, a small recess 26 is formed to accommodate the lower hook 22.

[0032] Returning to Fig. 3, note that on the side of the opening 18 facing away from the clamping structure 14, the band material is bent downward to form a tab that moves the lower hook 22, which is configured to wedge with the upper hook 16.

[0033] Both the cup 20 and the wedge projection 24 have a wedge-shaped base portion having side walls and an upper wall, the upper wall of which is embossed with further structure. The upper wall of the cup 20 is provided with a smaller wedge-shaped dome 20a, which is configured to receive the first hook 16. The first hook 16 is formed to protrude over the upper wall of the wedge projection 24. This structure separates the wedge effect of the side walls of the base portion from the upper and lower hooks 16, 22 that press against the inner and outer clamp band ends 12a, 12b.

[0034] Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the closing structure of the ear clamp 10 according to the present invention. To close the clamp 10, the first hook 16 is engaged with the corresponding opening 18 to create a pre-assembled state. Then, the clamp 10 is tightened around the pipe by narrowing the width of the ear of the clamping structure 14, i.e., by pressing the legs 14a, 14b of the clamping structure 14 with, for example, a pliers-type clamping tool, thereby forming a sealed connection between the pipe and the object. The clamping force is not only transmitted through the lower edges of the hook 16 and opening 18, but rather the wedge-shaped projection 24 is drawn into the wedge-shaped inner wall of the cup 20 so that it is distributed between the wall and projection 24 of the cup 20 and the hook 16 and opening 18. Thus, the load on the hook 16 alone is reduced compared to the prior art. At the same time, the upper hook 16 is wedge-coupled with the lower hook 22, pressing the wedge-shaped projection 24 against the wedge-shaped inner wall of the cup 20. This allows the hook 16 and the surrounding wall to transmit a greater force from the outer clamp band end 12a to the inner clamp band end 12b.

[0035] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section showing the state in which the outer wall of the wedge-shaped projection 24 is in contact with the wedge-shaped inner wall of the cup 20 in order to transmit force in the force transmission region 28 indicated by the dashed line.

[0036] The size of the opening 18 used for hooking onto the hook 16 is kept to a minimum. The material is not punched out of the band to form the opening 18; only a notch is formed. The opening 18 extends only in the width direction of the clamp band 12, and is therefore realized in such a way that the longitudinal expansion of the portion with a reduced cross-section is kept to a minimum.

[0037] The structure, including the cup 20 and wedge-shaped projection 24 around the opening 18 and / or the first hook 16, is formed by a material deformation process, particularly embossing, which results in the cold hardening of the material.

[0038] In addition to the latter structure, reinforcing dimples 30 are formed near the opening 18. The reinforcing dimples 30 are embossed only on the upper side of the clamp band 12, while the lower side of the clamp band 12 is flat at the location of the reinforcing dimples 30.

[0039] In the design of the hook 16 and opening 18 according to the present invention, the elongation of the band is minimized by reducing the size of the hook-in opening 18 and reinforcing the area with the small hook 16-in opening 18 with reinforcing dimples 30. This optimization allows for higher breaking force and higher performance of the clamp. This design ensures that the clamp will not open unintentionally. There is no need to add fixing hooks or rivet locks for this purpose. The improved force transmission allows the same force to be transmitted with fewer hooks 16, thereby shortening the overall length of the clamp band 12 and reducing material consumption. The smaller size and the elimination of fixing hooks 16 or rivet locks further save on required material. However, the hook 16 according to the present invention can be supplemented with additional fixing hooks (not shown) having a conventional design.

[0040] The present invention offers various improvements to existing band clamps, namely increasing the force transmission per hook 16, minimizing band elongation in the area of ​​the hook 16, and reducing the amount of material required.

[0041] Because the cup 20 is V-shaped, the force is not transmitted only to the front surface of the hook 16, but rather to the two sides of the hook 16, namely the sides of the base of the wedge-shaped projection 24.

[0042] The inventors conducted an expansion test of the hook 16 and found that the breaking force of the new hook 16 design was 12,000 N (~+12%) higher than that of the hook 16 disclosed in International Publication No. 2015 / 022024 or International Publication No. 2021 / 104918. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 10 Ear Clamps 12 Clamp Bands 12a Outer clamp band end 12b Inner clamp band end 14. Clamping structure 16 hooks 18 Aperture 20 cups 22 Lower hook 24 Cuneiform process 26 recesses 28 Force transmission region 30 Reinforced Dimples

Claims

1. It comprises a clamp band (12) and a fastening structure (14), The clamp band (12) comprises an outer clamp band end (12a) and an inner clamp band end (12b), The inner clamp band end (12b) includes a first hook (16) that passes through the opening (18) of the outer clamp band end (12a) when closed. In the top view of the clamp band (12), the opening (18) is slit-shaped, and the length of the opening (18) extends in the width direction of the clamp band (12). The material of the clamp band is such that the opening (18) on the side facing the tightening structure (14) is dome-shaped, forming a cup (20) having a pair of inner walls configured to receive the first hook (16). The width of the cup (20) in the width direction of the clamp band (12) is, The clamp band is wider than the width of the opening (18), and the pair of inner walls of the cup (20) are wedge-shaped, with the surface of the clamp band decreasing towards the opening (18). An ear clamp characterized by the following features.

2. An ear clamp according to claim 1, The length of the opening (18) in the width direction of the clamp band (12) is at least five times the width of the opening (18) in the longitudinal direction of the clamp band (12). An ear clamp characterized by the following features.

3. An ear clamp according to claim 1, The first hook (16) is formed at the tip of a wedge-shaped projection (24) configured to wedge-connect with a pair of inner walls of the cup. An ear clamp characterized by the following features.

4. An ear clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The material of the clamp band is bent downward on the side of the opening (18) that faces away from the clamping structure (14) to form a lower hook (22) configured to wedge with the first hook (16). An ear clamp characterized by the following features.

5. An ear clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The opening (18) is arc-shaped with the convex side facing the clamping structure (14). An ear clamp characterized by the following features.

6. An ear clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The opening (18) is formed as a cut without punching out the material from the clamp band. An ear clamp characterized by the following features.

7. An ear clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The structure around the opening (18) and / or the first hook (16) is formed by a material deformation process that results in the cold hardening of the material. An ear clamp characterized by the following features.

8. An ear clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A reinforcing dimple (30) is formed near the opening (18). An ear clamp characterized by the following features.

9. An ear clamp according to claim 8, The reinforcing dimples (30) are formed only on the upper side of the clamp band (12) by embossing, and the lower side of the clamp band (12) is flat at the location of the reinforcing dimples (30). An ear clamp characterized by the following features.

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