Hose clamp

Abstract

Provided is a hose clamp that can keep a plate spring body from slanting with respect to the axial direction of a hose when the plate spring body is provided to the outer circumference of the hose in an expanded-diameter state. This hose clamp 10 has a plate spring body 20 and a pair of tab parts 50, 60. The plate spring body 20 has a base part 21, a first arm part 23, and a second arm part 25. Overlap parts are provided on tip end sides in the extension direction of the first arm part 23 and the second arm part 25, and crimp parts 30, 30 that are to be crimped onto the outer circumference of a hose are formed on base end sides in the extension direction of the first arm part 23 and the second arm part 25. Protrusions 35, 37 respectively protrude from another side edge in the axial direction of the crimp part 30 of the first arm part 23 and one side edge in the axial direction of the crimp part 30 of the second arm part 25.

Description

hose clamp

[0001] The present invention relates to a hose clamp used, for example, to connect pipes in an automobile using hoses.

[0002] Conventionally, when connecting pipes in an automobile using hoses, a widely used method is to secure the hose to the pipes by covering the outer periphery of the end of the pipe-shaped pipe with a flexible hose and then tightening the outer periphery of the hose with a hose clamp.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes a hose clamp that includes a clamp body formed by bending a strip-shaped leaf spring material into a circular ring shape and a pair of operating parts that stand up radially from both ends of the clamp body, and that allows the hose to be tightened by reducing the diameter due to the elastic restoring force of the clamp body, and that expands the diameter of the clamp body by utilizing elastic deformation when the pair of operating parts are brought closer to each other.

[0004] In addition, a locking portion is formed on one operating portion side of the clamp body, and an engaging portion that engages the locking portion in a detachable manner is formed on the other operating portion side of the clamp body, and the clamp body is maintained in an expanded diameter state by the engagement of the locking portion with the engaging portion, and when the clamp body is to be reduced in diameter from the expanded diameter state, the engagement of one operating portion with the other operating portion is made to approach the other operating portion and move it in the opposite direction in the axial direction of the clamp body, thereby releasing the engagement of the locking portion with the engaging portion.

[0005] Patent No. 5715162

[0006] In the hose clamp of Patent Document 1, the clamp body is expanded by engaging the locking portion with the engaging portion, and this expanded clamp body is placed around the outer periphery of a hose that is placed over one end of a pipe, tube, or other piping. At this time, the clamp body is sometimes placed at an angle relative to the axial direction of the hose.

[0007] In this case, when the locking portion is disengaged from the engaging portion to reduce the diameter of the clamp body and tighten and secure the hose, the pressing force from the clamp body against the outer circumference of the hose is likely to be uneven, which can raise concerns about the sealing ability between the hose and the piping.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a hose clamp that can prevent the leaf spring body from tilting obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the hose when the expanded leaf spring body is placed around the outer periphery of the hose.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the hose clamp of the present invention comprises a leaf spring body curved into an annular shape and attached so as to surround the outer periphery of a hose, and a pair of knob portions provided at both circumferential ends of the leaf spring body, the leaf spring body being configured to have a reduced diameter when the pair of knob portions are spaced apart and to have an increased diameter when the pair of knob portions are brought close to each other, and a locking means is provided between the pair of knob portions for locking the pair of knob portions together when the pair of knob portions are brought close to each other, thereby causing the leaf spring body to be in an expanded diameter state, and the leaf spring body comprises a base portion extending a predetermined length along the circumferential direction of the hose, a first arm portion extending from one end side of the base in the circumferential direction, and a second arm portion extending from the circumferential end side of the base in the circumferential direction. and a second arm portion extending from the other end side of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, and overlapping portions are provided at the tip ends in the extension direction of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, which overlap in the circumferential direction of the leaf spring body when the leaf spring body is in a contracted diameter state, and which are arranged so as not to overlap in the axial direction of the leaf spring body when the leaf spring body is viewed from the radial direction, and crimping portions are formed at the base ends in the extension direction of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, which are crimped onto the outer periphery of the hose when the leaf spring body is in a contracted diameter state, and protrusions are respectively provided on the other axial side edge of the crimping portion of the first arm portion and on one axial side edge of the crimping portion of the second arm portion.

[0010] According to the hose clamp of the present invention, protrusions are respectively provided on the other axial side edge of the crimping portion of the first arm portion and on one axial side edge of the crimping portion of the second arm portion. Therefore, when the pair of knob portions are brought closer together to expand the leaf spring body from a state in which the pair of knob portions are separated and the leaf spring body is reduced in diameter, and the expanded state is then maintained by the locking means, when the leaf spring body is placed around the outer periphery of the hose, it is possible to prevent the leaf spring body from being placed at an angle to the axial direction of the hose, and the hose clamp can be placed in a stable position.

[0011] 11 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a hose clamp according to the present invention, showing the leaf spring body in a contracted state; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the hose clamp in a state in which the leaf spring body is expanded; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hose clamp clamped and fixed to a hose; FIG. 14 is a development view of the hose clamp; FIG. 15 is a plan view of the hose clamp in a state in which the leaf spring body is contracted; FIG. 16 is a side view of the hose clamp in a state in which the leaf spring body is contracted; FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows A-A in FIG. 6; FIG. 18 is a plan view of the hose clamp in a state in which the pair of knobs are brought closer to each other in the circumferential direction from the state shown in FIG. 5, thereby expanding the leaf spring body; FIG. 19 is a front view of FIG. 20, which is a plan view of the hose clamp in a state in which the pair of knobs are brought closer to each other in the axial direction from the state shown in FIG. 8, thereby maintaining the leaf spring body in an expanded state; FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the hose clamp in a state in which the entire hose clamp is slightly tilted from the state shown in FIG. 22; FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows B-B in FIG. 23; FIG. 24 is a side view of the hose clamp according to the present invention, showing the hose clamp in a state in which the leaf spring body is contracted from the state shown in FIG. 22, thereby clamping and fixing the hose;

[0012] (One Embodiment of Hose Clamp) Hereinafter, one embodiment of a hose clamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] For example, various types of piping are arranged inside automobiles, etc., and flexible hoses made of rubber or other materials are used to connect these piping. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a hose clamp 10 of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "clamp 10") is placed around the outer periphery of a hose 1 that is placed over one end of a piping such as a pipe or tube (not shown), and is used to tighten the outer periphery of the hose 1 and secure the hose 1 to the piping (not shown).

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, clamp 10 in this embodiment is formed by punching and bending a strip-shaped metal plate as shown in Figure 4 into a predetermined shape, and has a leaf spring body 20 that is curved into an annular shape and attached so as to surround the outer periphery of hose 5, and a pair of knobs 50, 60 provided at both circumferential ends of leaf spring body 20.

[0015] The leaf spring body 20 is configured to have a reduced diameter when the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are spaced apart (see FIG. 1), and to have an increased diameter when the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are brought closer together (see FIG. 2). Note that FIG. 3 shows a state in which the hose 1 is fastened and fixed with the clamp 10, in which the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and the leaf spring body 20 is in a state in which its diameter is slightly reduced from its maximum expanded state.

[0016] In this embodiment, a first knob portion 50 is provided at one end of the leaf spring body 20 in the circumferential direction D (see FIG. 4, etc.), and a second knob portion 60 is provided at the other end of the leaf spring body 20 in the circumferential direction D. The leaf spring body 20 and the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are integrally formed from a metal material such as stainless steel or spring steel.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the leaf spring body 20 has a base 21 extending a predetermined length along the circumferential direction of the hose 1, a first arm 23 extending from one end side of the base 21 in the circumferential direction D, and a second arm 25 extending from the other end side of the base 21 in the circumferential direction D.

[0018] In this embodiment, the first arm 23 extends from one end of the base 21 in the circumferential direction D and one side E1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "axial direction E1 side") in the axial direction E (see FIG. 4), and the second arm 25 extends from the other end of the base 21 in the circumferential direction D and the other side E2 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "axial direction E2 side") in the axial direction E. As shown in FIG. 4, the first arm 23 and the second arm 25 are slightly narrower than the length from the side edge 21a of the base 21 to the center line L (a line that is the center of the leaf spring body 20 in the axial direction E and is parallel to the circumferential direction D), and extend with a constant width.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the first arm portion 23 and the second arm portion 25 are provided at positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to the center C1 of the base portion 21 (the center in the circumferential direction D and the center in the axial direction E).

[0020] In the following description, the term "circumferential direction" refers to the direction along the circumferential direction of the hose 1, but also includes the direction along a tangent to the outer periphery of the hose 1 (described as "D"). Similarly, in the following description, the term "axial direction" refers to the same direction as the direction along the axis of the hose 1 fastened and fixed by the clamp 10, which can also be referred to as the width direction (described as "E").

[0021] The circumferential direction D and the axial direction E have the same meanings for the pair of knob portions 50, 60, and the protrusions 35, 37, which will be described later, in addition to the base portion 21.

[0022] The leaf spring body 20 is configured to be in a free state with a reduced diameter when the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are spaced apart (see FIGS. 1, 5 to 7, and 14), and to expand in diameter against elastic force when the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are brought closer together (see FIGS. 2, 9 to 13). In addition, a locking means is provided between the pair of knob portions 50, 60, which locks the pair of knob portions 50, 60 together when the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are brought closer together, thereby putting the leaf spring body 20 in an expanded diameter state.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first knob portion 50 has a base portion 51 that is bent from the tip of the first arm portion 23 in the extension direction (here, the tip of the first overlap portion 27 of the first arm portion 23 described later) toward the outer diameter direction of the leaf spring main body 20, and a tip portion 53 that is bent from the tip of the base portion 51 toward the inner diameter direction of the leaf spring main body 20 and extends a predetermined length toward the axial direction E2.

[0024] On the other hand, the second knob portion 60 has a base portion 61 bent from the tip of the second arm portion 25 in the extension direction (here, the tip of the second overlap portion 29 of the second arm portion 25 described later) toward the outer diameter direction of the leaf spring main body 20, and a tip portion 63 bent from the tip of the base portion 61 toward the inner diameter direction of the leaf spring main body 20.

[0025] 7, a substantially rectangular recess 55 of a predetermined depth is formed on the inner surface (the surface facing the hose 1) of the base 51 of the first knob 50, and a locking pawl 57 is provided on the axial direction E2 side of the recess 55. Furthermore, a substantially rectangular recess 65 of a predetermined depth is formed on the inner surface of the base 61 of the second knob 60, and a locking pawl 67 is provided on the axial direction E1 side of the recess 65.

[0026] In addition, a guide portion 69 is provided on one side of the second knob portion 60 on the axial direction E1 side, between the base portion 61 and the tip portion 63, which slopes diagonally outward so as to gradually expand the second knob portion 60 from the base portion 61 toward the tip portion 63.

[0027] When the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are brought close to each other and brought close to each other in the axial direction E, as shown in Figure 13, the locking claw 57 of the first knob portion 50 engages with the recess 65 of the second knob portion 60, and the locking claw 67 of the second knob portion 60 engages with the recess 55 of the first knob portion 50, thereby holding (maintaining) the leaf spring body 20 in an expanded diameter state.

[0028] That is, in this embodiment, the recesses 55, 65 and the locking claws 57, 67 of the knobs 50, 60 form the "locking means" of the present invention.

[0029] 4, the first arm 23 and the second arm 25 extend with a constant width from both ends of the base 21 in the circumferential direction D. Both arms 23, 25 have the same width. One side edge 23a of the first arm 23 on the axial direction E1 side and the other side edge 25a of the second arm 25 on the axial direction E2 side are linearly continuous (flush) with the one side edge 21a and the other side edge 21b of the base 21 without any steps or notches.

[0030] In addition, in this clamp 10, overlap portions 27, 29 are provided at the tip ends of the extension direction of the first arm portion 23 and the second arm portion 25, respectively, which overlap in the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20 when the leaf spring body 20 is in a contracted diameter state (when the leaf spring body 20 is in a contracted, free state), and are arranged so as not to overlap in the axial direction E of the leaf spring body 20 when the leaf spring body 20 is viewed from the radial direction (see Figures 1 and 5).

[0031] In this embodiment, a first overlap portion 27 is provided at the tip side of the first arm portion 23 in the extension direction, and a second overlap portion 29 is provided at the tip side of the second arm portion 25 in the extension direction.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 , when the leaf spring body 20 is in a free state with its diameter reduced, the first overlap portion 27 and the second overlap portion 29 overlap in the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20 when viewed from the axial direction, but do not overlap in the axial direction E of the leaf spring body 20 when viewed from the radial direction.

[0033] The term "outer diameter direction" refers to the direction from the axial center of the clamp 10 (which coincides with the radial center C2 (see FIG. 10) of the leaf spring body 20) toward the outer diameter side. Also, "viewed from the outer diameter direction" refers to viewing the clamp 10 in the direction from the outer diameter side toward the axial center.

[0034] In addition, in this clamp 10, crimping portions 30, 30 are formed at the base end sides of the extension direction of the first arm portion 23 and the second arm portion 25, respectively, which are crimped onto the outer periphery of the hose 1 when the leaf spring main body 20 is in a contracted diameter state.

[0035] Here, when the leaf spring body 20 expands in diameter and is held in this expanded state by the locking means (see Figure 2), and then the locking state by the locking means is released and the leaf spring body 20 contracts in diameter as shown in Figure 3, the crimping portion 30 on the first arm 23 side and the crimping portion 30 on the second arm 25 side are each crimped onto the outer periphery of the hose 1.

[0036] In this clamp 10, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, protrusions 35, 37 are respectively protruded from the other side edge in the axial direction E of the crimping portion 30 in the first arm portion 23 (the other side edge on the axial direction E2 side) and one side edge in the axial direction E of the crimping portion 30 in the second arm portion 25 (one side edge on the axial direction E1 side).

[0037] In addition, a gradually changing portion (first gradually changing portion 31) is provided on the base end side of the crimping portion 30 in the extension direction, on the other side edge in the axial direction E (the other side edge on the axial direction E2 side), which gradually narrows the axial width (axial length) of the first arm portion 23 toward the tip in the extension direction.

[0038] 4, the first gradually changing portion 31 in this embodiment comprises a base portion 31a on its base end side, which is formed at a predetermined angle θ1 with respect to a line segment parallel to the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20, and an extension portion 31b which extends from the tip of the base portion 31a at a predetermined angle θ2 with respect to a line segment parallel to the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20. The angle θ1 on the side of the base portion 31a is larger than the angle θ2 on the side of the extension portion 31b (θ1>θ2).

[0039] In addition, a gradual change section (second gradual change section 33) is provided on one side edge in the axial direction E (one side edge on the axial direction E1 side) of the crimping section 30 of the second arm section 25 at the base end side in the extension direction, which gradually narrows the axial width of the second arm section 25 toward the tip in the extension direction.

[0040] 4, the second gradually changing portion 33 in this embodiment comprises a base portion 33a on its base end side formed at a predetermined angle θ1 with respect to a line segment parallel to the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20, and an extension portion 33b extending from the tip of the base portion 33a at a predetermined angle θ2 with respect to a line segment parallel to the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20. The angle θ1 on the side of the base portion 33a is larger than the angle θ2 on the side of the extension portion 33b (θ1>θ2).

[0041] Protrusions 35 and 37 protrude from the gradually changing portions 31 and 33 of the arms 23 and 25, respectively.

[0042] In this embodiment, the protrusions 35 and 37 protrude from the tip ends of the gradually changing portions 31 and 33, respectively.

[0043] More specifically, a first protrusion 35 protrudes from the other side edge on the axial direction E2 side at the tip (tip in the extending direction) of an extension portion 31b constituting the first gradually changing portion 31 provided on the crimping portion 30 on the first arm portion 23 side. Also, a second protrusion 37 protrudes from one side edge on the axial direction E1 side at the tip (tip in the extending direction) of an extension portion 33b constituting the second gradually changing portion 33 provided on the crimping portion 30 on the second arm portion 25 side.

[0044] Furthermore, each of the protrusions 35, 37 has the following shape and layout: That is, as shown in Fig. 6, when the pair of knobs 50, 60 are separated and the leaf spring body 20 is in a reduced diameter state, one side 39 of each of the protrusions 35, 37 extends in the axial direction E from the base end to the tip, and the other side 40 of each of the protrusions 35, 37 is inclined so that the protrusions 35, 37 taper from the base end to the tip.

[0045] More specifically, the first protrusion 35 comprises an apex 38 that protrudes most toward the axial direction E2 from the other side edge on the axial direction E2 side of the tip of the extension portion 31b of the first gradually changing portion 31, one side edge 39 that is a side edge close to the first knob portion 50 and extends approximately along the axial direction E (extends approximately parallel to the axial direction E) when the leaf spring main body 20 is contracted, and the other side edge 40 that is a side edge away from the first knob portion 50 and is inclined with respect to the axial direction E so that the first protrusion 35 gradually narrows (tapers) from the base end to the tip end when the leaf spring main body 20 is contracted (see Figures 3 and 6).

[0046] The second protrusion 37 comprises an apex 38 that protrudes most toward the axial direction E1 from one side edge on the axial direction E1 side of the tip of the extension portion 33b of the second gradually changing portion 33, one side edge 39 that is close to the second knob portion 60 and extends approximately along the axial direction E (extends approximately parallel to the axial direction E) when the leaf spring body 20 is contracted, and the other side edge 40 that is away from the second knob portion 60 and is inclined with respect to the axial direction E so that the second protrusion 37 gradually narrows (tapers) from the base end to the tip end when the leaf spring body 20 is contracted (see Figure 3).

[0047] In addition, both side portions 38a, 38a of the top 38 of each protrusion 35, 37, the base end portion 39a of one side edge 39, and the base end portion 40a of the other side edge 40 are each curved R-shaped portions, which are intended to alleviate stress concentration.

[0048] Furthermore, in this clamp 10, as shown in Figure 10, when the leaf spring body 20 is expanded in diameter by the locking means, the first protrusion 35 on the first arm 23 side and the second protrusion 37 on the second arm 25 side are arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20 so as to overlap with a straight line L2 passing through the radial center C2 of the leaf spring body 20.

[0049] In this embodiment, the locking claw 57 of the first knob portion 50 locks into the recess 65 of the second knob portion 60, and the locking claw 67 of the second knob portion 60 locks into the recess 55 of the first knob portion 50 (see Figure 13), and when the leaf spring body 20 is in an expanded diameter state as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the first protrusion 35 on the first arm portion 23 side and the second protrusion 37 on the second arm portion 25 side are arranged opposite to each other in the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20 so that at least a portion of them overlap (wrap) with respect to a straight line L2 passing through the radial center C2 of the leaf spring body 20 (which can also be said to be a straight line that divides the leaf spring body 20 in the expanded diameter state equally in the circumferential direction D).

[0050] In FIG. 10, the protrusions 35 and 37 are shown with dotted hatching to make the layout of the protrusions 35 and 37 easier to understand.

[0051] In addition, it can also be said that the protrusions 35 and 37 in this embodiment are arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20 so as to be positioned approximately halfway around the leaf spring body 20 in the circumferential direction.

[0052] (Variant Example) The shapes, structures, layouts, etc. of the parts constituting the leaf spring body (base, first arm, second arm, locking means, protrusion, etc.) of the first knob, second knob, etc. of the hose clamp of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0053] The shape of the pair of knobs is not limited to the above-mentioned shape, and any shape or structure may be used as long as it can be gripped by a tool such as pliers or pincers.

[0054] Furthermore, as the locking means, in addition to the recesses and locking claws provided in each knob portion, for example, one knob portion may be made hook-shaped and the other knob portion may be provided with a recess or an engagement hole, and the hook may be locked into the recess or engagement hole. Any locking means may be used as long as the pair of knob portions are able to lock together and maintain the leaf spring body in an expanded diameter state when they approach each other in the circumferential and axial directions.

[0055] The protrusions 35, 37 may also be disposed on the base end side of the gradually changing portions 31, 33 or between the tip and base end of the gradually changing portions 31, 33. Furthermore, the shape of the protrusions is not particularly limited, and one side and the other side may both be inclined, may be parallel to each other along the axial direction, or may have one side inclined and the other side parallel to the axial direction.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the leaf spring body 20 is in an expanded diameter state, both protrusions 35, 37 are arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20 so as to overlap with a straight line L2 passing through the radial center C2 of the leaf spring body 20 (see Figure 10), but the both protrusions 35, 37 may be arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20 at a position closer to the knob portions 50, 60 than the straight line L2, or may be arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20 at a position farther away from the knob portions 50, 60 than the straight line L2.

[0057] (Operation and Effect) Next, a procedure for fastening and fixing the flexible hose 1 made of a material such as rubber to a piping such as a pipe using the clamp 10 configured as described above will be described.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, when the clamp 10 having the above configuration is in a state in which the leaf spring body 20 is contracted and the leaf spring body 20 is viewed from the outer diameter direction, the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction D, the overlap portions 27, 29 overlap in the circumferential direction D, the locking claw 57 on the first arm portion 23 side is spaced apart in the circumferential direction D and the axial direction E from the recess 65 on the second arm portion 25 side, and the locking claw 67 on the second arm portion 25 side is spaced apart in the circumferential direction D and the axial direction E from the recess 55 on the first arm portion 23 side.

[0059] From the state shown in Figure 5, using a tool such as pliers or pincers (not shown), the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are pinched and brought closer to each other in the circumferential direction D, as shown by arrow F1 in Figure 5, and the diameter of the base portion 21 of the leaf spring body 20 is expanded so that the amount of overlap of the overlap portions 27, 29 gradually decreases.

[0060] Then, as shown in Figure 8, the locking claw 57 on the first arm 23 side is aligned in the circumferential direction D with the recess 65 on the second arm 25 side, and the base 21 of the leaf spring body 20 is flexibly deformed until the locking claw 67 on the second arm 25 side is aligned in the circumferential direction D with the recess 55 on the first arm 23 side.

[0061] Then, from the state shown in Figure 8, as shown by arrow F2 in Figure 8, the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are pinched and brought close to each other in the axial direction E (displaced in the axial direction E), and the locking claw 57 of the first knob portion 50 is locked into the recess 65 of the second knob portion 60, and the locking claw 67 of the second knob portion 60 is locked into the recess 55 of the first knob portion 50 (see Figure 13), thereby maintaining the leaf spring body 20 in an expanded diameter state as shown in Figures 9 to 11.

[0062] In this state, the pair of arms 23, 25 are flexed and deformed in the axial direction E via the pair of knobs 50, 60, and accordingly the leaf spring body 20 is also flexed and deformed slightly in the axial direction E around the portion close to the arms 23, 25 (see Figure 12).

[0063] Then, the expanded leaf spring body 20 is placed on the outer periphery of the hose 1 that is placed over one end of the pipe, as shown in Fig. 12. After that, as shown by the arrow F3 in Fig. 9, the pair of knobs 50, 60 are pinched with a tool and brought closer to each other in the circumferential direction D.

[0064] Then, the other side edge of the first knob portion 50 on the axial direction E2 side is guided by the guide portion 69 of the second knob portion 60, and the pair of knob portions 50, 60 move in a direction separating them in the axial direction E, and the locking claw 57 on the first arm portion 23 side comes out of the recess 65 on the second arm portion 25 side, and the locking claw 67 on the second arm portion 25 side comes out of the recess 55 on the first arm portion 23 side, thereby releasing the locking state between the first knob portion 50 and the second knob portion 60.

[0065] As described above, when the locked state of the two knob portions 50, 60 is released, the two knob portions move apart in the circumferential direction D and also in the axial direction E, the pair of arms 23, 25 elastically return, the overlap portions 27, 29 move in the circumferential direction D in a direction that increases the amount of overlap, and the leaf spring body 20 also elastically returns to a contracted diameter. As a result, the hose 1 can be clamped by the clamp 10, and the hose 1 can be fixed to a pipe (not shown) via the clamp 10 (see FIGS. 3 and 14).

[0066] In this clamp 10, protrusions 35, 37 protrude from the other side edge in the axial direction E of the crimping portion 30 in the first arm portion 23 (the other side edge on the axial direction E2 side) and one side edge in the axial direction E of the crimping portion 30 in the second arm portion 25 (one side edge on the axial direction E1 side) (see Figures 1 to 4).

[0067] Therefore, when the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are moved apart and the leaf spring body 20 is reduced in diameter, the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are brought closer together to expand the leaf spring body 20, and the expanded state is maintained by the locking means.After that, when the leaf spring body 20 is placed on the outer periphery of the hose 1, it is possible to prevent the leaf spring body 20 from being placed at an angle with respect to the axial direction E of the hose 1, and the clamp 10 can be placed in a stable position at a predetermined location on the outer periphery of the hose 1.

[0068] In other words, by having the first protrusion 35 and the second protrusion 37 of the above-mentioned configuration, the contact area of ​​the arms 23, 25 with the outer periphery of the hose 1, particularly the contact area in the axial direction E, can be increased, thereby preventing the leaf spring body 20 from being positioned at an angle with respect to the axial direction E of the hose 1.

[0069] Furthermore, this clamp 10 can be positioned in a stable position around the outer periphery of the hose by using the protrusions 35, 37 to prevent the leaf spring body 20 from being positioned at an angle with respect to the axial direction E of the hose 1, so that when the locking state of the locking means is released and the pair of knob portions 50, 60 move apart in the circumferential direction D and the axial direction E, causing the leaf spring body 20 to contract in diameter and tighten and fix the outer periphery of the hose, the pressing force acting from the leaf spring body 20 on the outer periphery of the hose tends to be uniform, thereby improving the sealing between the hose 1 and the piping (not shown).

[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, a first gradually changing portion 31 is provided on the base end side in the extension direction of the crimping portion 30 of the first arm portion 23 and on the other side edge in the axial direction E, which gradually narrows the axial width of the first arm portion 23 toward the tip in the extension direction, and a second gradually changing portion 33 is provided on the base end side in the extension direction of the crimping portion 30 of the second arm portion 25 and on one side edge in the axial direction E, which gradually narrows the axial width of the second arm portion 25 toward the tip in the extension direction, and protrusions 35, 37 are respectively protruded from each gradually changing portion 31, 33.

[0071] According to the above aspect, the contact area of ​​the leaf spring main body 20 with the outer periphery of the hose 1 is ensured by the gradual change portions 31, 33 provided on the crimping portions 30, 30 of the first arm portion 23 and the second arm portion 25, while the protrusions 35, 37 protruding from the gradual change portions 31, 33 can further prevent the leaf spring main body 20 from being positioned at an angle with respect to the axial direction E of the hose 1.

[0072] Furthermore, by providing the protrusions 35, 37 on each of the gradually changing portions 31, 33 of the first arm portion 23 and the second arm portion 25, the axial length of one side edge 39, 39 of the protrusions 35, 37 that is close to the knob portion 50, 60 can be made longer than the axial length of the other side edge 40, 40 that is away from the knob portion 50, 60, making it even easier to suppress the tilt of the leaf spring main body 20.

[0073] Furthermore, since the protrusions 35, 37 protrude from the gradually changing portions 31, 33, respectively, rather than from the overlapping portions 27, 29 of each arm portion 23, 25, when the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are brought close to each other and the leaf spring body 20 is expanded in diameter by the locking means, and then the pair of knob portions 50, 60 are separated in the circumferential direction D and the axial direction E to reduce the diameter of the leaf spring body 20, it is possible to prevent the protrusion of one arm portion from interfering with the overlapping portion of the other arm portion, and the leaf spring body 20 can be reliably reduced in diameter to the predetermined reduced diameter state.

[0074] In this embodiment, the protrusions 35 and 37 protrude from the tip ends of the gradually changing portions 31 and 33, respectively.

[0075] According to the above aspect, the protrusions 35, 37 protrude from the tip ends of the gradually changing portions 31, 33 provided on the crimping portions 30, 30 of the first arm portion 23 and the second arm portion 25, respectively, so that the axial length of the protrusions 35, 37 can be made longer than, for example, when the protrusions 35, 37 protrude from the base ends of the gradually changing portions 31, 31. Therefore, the contact area of ​​the protrusions 35, 37 with the outer periphery of the hose 1 in the axial direction E is increased, and the leaf spring body 20 can be further prevented from being disposed at an angle with respect to the axial direction E of the hose 1.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, when the leaf spring body 20 is expanded in diameter by the locking means, the first protrusion 35 on the first arm 23 side and the second protrusion 37 on the second arm 25 side are arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction D of the leaf spring body 20 so as to overlap with a straight line L2 passing through the radial center C2 of the leaf spring body 20.

[0077] According to the above aspect, when the leaf spring body 20 is expanded in diameter by the locking means, the first protrusion 35 on the first arm 23 side and the second protrusion 37 on the second arm 25 side are arranged as described above, which more reliably prevents the leaf spring body 20 from being positioned at an angle with respect to the axial direction E of the hose 1.

[0078] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the leaf spring body 20 is in a contracted diameter state, one side edge 39 of each of the protrusions 35, 37 extends in the axial direction E from the base end to the tip, and the other side edge 40 of each of the protrusions 35, 37 is inclined so that the protrusions 35, 37 taper from the base end to the tip.

[0079] According to the above aspect, when the leaf spring body 20 is in a contracted state, the protrusions 35, 37 have the above-described configuration, so that when the leaf spring body 20 is in a contracted state and the hose is fastened, the contact area of ​​the protrusions 35, 37 with the outer periphery of the hose 1 can be more easily ensured, thereby improving the sealing performance between the hose 1 and the piping. Furthermore, because the protrusions 35, 37 have the above-described shape, the rigidity of the base end side of the protrusions 35, 37 can be increased and stress concentration can be alleviated (because the base end side of the protrusion, where stress is likely to concentrate, is wider).

[0080] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0081] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 hose 10 hose clamp (clamp) 20 leaf spring body 21 base 23 first arm 25 second arm 27 first overlapping portion 29 second overlapping portion 30 crimping portion 31 first gradually changing portion 33 second gradually changing portion 35 first protrusion 37 second protrusion 50 first knob portion 60 second knob portion

Claims

1. A leaf spring comprising a leaf spring body curved into an annular shape and attached to surround the outer periphery of a hose, and a pair of knob portions provided at both circumferential ends of the leaf spring body, the leaf spring body being configured to reduce in diameter when the pair of knob portions are spaced apart and to expand in diameter when the pair of knob portions are brought close to each other, and a locking means is provided between the pair of knob portions for locking with each other when the pair of knob portions are brought close to each other to bring the leaf spring body into an expanded diameter state, the leaf spring body having a base portion extending a predetermined length along the circumferential direction of the hose, a first arm portion extending from one circumferential end side of the base portion, and a second arm portion extending from the other circumferential end side of the base portion, A hose clamp characterized in that: at the tip sides in the extension direction of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, there are provided overlapping portions which overlap in the circumferential direction of the leaf spring body when the leaf spring body is in a contracted diameter state, and which are arranged so as not to overlap in the axial direction of the leaf spring body when viewed from the radial direction; at the base ends in the extension direction of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, there are formed crimping portions which are crimped onto the outer periphery of the hose when the leaf spring body is in a contracted diameter state; and a protrusion is respectively provided on the other axial side edge of the crimping portion of the first arm portion and on one axial side edge of the crimping portion of the second arm portion in the extension direction.

2. A hose clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first arm has a gradual change section on the base end side in the extension direction of the crimping portion and on the other axial side edge thereof, which gradually narrows the axial width of the first arm towards the extension tip, and the second arm has a gradual change section on the base end side in the extension direction of the crimping portion and on one axial side edge thereof, which gradually narrows the axial width of the second arm towards the extension tip, and wherein each of the protrusions protrudes from each gradual change section.

3. A hose clamp according to claim 2, wherein said projections are each provided to project from a tip end side of said gradually changing portion.

4. A hose clamp as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the leaf spring body is expanded in diameter by the locking means, the protrusion on the first arm side and the protrusion on the second arm side are arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction of the leaf spring body so as to overlap a straight line passing through the centre of the leaf spring body.

5. A hose clamp as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein, when the leaf spring body is in a contracted diameter state, one side edge of each protrusion extends in the axial direction from the base end to the tip, and the other side edge of each protrusion is inclined so that the protrusion tapers from the base end to the tip.

Images