Hose clamp mount

Abstract

Generally disclosed is a hose clamp mounting system, a mounting base for mounting an electronic device to an accessory, and a housing for a screw cage of a house clamp. The hose clamp mounting system comprises a hose clamp and a mounting base. The hose clamp includes a screw cage and a band. The band has a fixed end secured to the screw cage and a free end overlapping the fixed end within the screw cage when the hose clamp is engaged to provide a looped section of the band outside the screw cage. The mounting base includes a screw cage housing defining a cavity arranged to receive the screw cage. The screw cage housing further defines an entry passage and an exit passage for the band to pass through the screw cage housing. The screw cage housing comprises a guide for guiding the free end of the band toward the looped section as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

Description

"Hose Clamp Mount"Reference To Earlier Application

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2024901669, the contents of which are wholly incorporated herein by cross-reference.Technical Field

[0002] Described embodiments relate generally to hose clamps and hose clamp mounts, and more particularly to systems and methods for attaching devices to objects using a hose clamp.Background

[0003] Hose clamps are typically used to attach one hose to another, or in combination with a mount, attach an object to a tubular structure.

[0004] Existing hose clamp mounts suffer from several drawbacks. Hose clamps often have exposed jagged edges that may cause an injury. For example, as a hose clamp is tightened, the free end of the clamp strap can project outward forming a sharp, possibly hazardous, edge. The screw cage of a hose clamp also projects from what is often an otherwise smooth surface.

[0005] Further, while hose clamps are well suited for clamping onto tubular structures, there are often limited solutions available for attaching objects to the hose clamps in turn.

[0006] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more shortcomings or disadvantages associated with prior hose clamp mounts, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

[0007] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0008] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.Summary

[0009] Disclosed herein is a hose clamp mounting system comprising a hose clamp that comprises a screw cage and a band, the band having a fixed end secured to the screw cage and a free end overlapping the fixed end within the screw cage when the hose clamp is engaged; a mounting base comprising a screw cage housing defining a cavity arranged to receive the screw cage, the screw cage housing further defining an entry passage and an exit passage for the band to pass through the screw cage housing; and wherein the screw cage housing comprises a guide for guiding the free end of the band toward the fixed end as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

[0010] According to one aspect there is provided a hose clamp mounting system comprising a hose clamp that comprises a screw cage and a band, the band having a fixed end secured to the screw cage and a free end overlapping the fixed end within the screw cage when the hose clamp is engaged to provide a looped section of the band outside the screw cage; a mounting base comprising a screw cage housing defining a cavity arranged to receive the screw cage, the screw cage housing further defining an entry passage and an exit passage for the band to pass through the screw cage housing; and wherein the screw cage housing comprises a guide for guiding the free end of theband toward the looped section as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

[0011] The looped section of the band outside the screw cage is between the fixed end and the portion of the free end within the screw cage. In the various aspects and embodiments described herein, the looped section may have a generally annular profile. Other profiles may be provided, such as generally elliptical or circuit-shaped profiles. The final profile of the looped section may depend on the profile of the object to which the hose clamp is clamped. In use, the looped section may generally conform to the profile of the object being encircled by the looped section.

[0012] The free end of the band, which may include the leading end and a portion of the band proximal thereto, is often configured with a series of openings to engage with the thread of a screw housed in the screw cage so that rotation of the screw tightens or (in the opposite direction) loosens the band. When the hose clamp is tightened, the screw cage may be urged against the free end overlapping the fixed end of the band such that the free end is secured overlapping the fixed end and the hose clamp is engaged. When the hose clamp is engaged (in an engaged configuration), the overlapping parts of the band are each engaged with the screw cage. In this way, the movement of the free end of the band relative to the fixed end is limited, and in some embodiments, prevented.

[0013] The guide of this aspect, and others disclosed herein, may be configured to deflect part of the band including the free end and emerging from the exit passage towards a conformation closer to the profile of the looped section. That is, rather than projecting away from the looped section, the profile of the free end may be more aligned with the profile of the looped section as the hose clamp is tightened. The guide may guide the free end towards following the contour of the band, particularly the looped section of the band.

[0014] The hose clamp mounting system may further comprise a sleeve, wherein a section of the band outside the screw cage housing is located within the sleeve and theguide guides the free end of the band toward an open end of the sleeve as the hose clamp is tightened. In these embodiments, the section located within the sleeve is typically a part of the band that will form the looped section when the hose clamp is in the engaged configuration. The sleeve can be configured with a length to permit a desired degree of tightening of the band in use. When tightened to a maximum point, the looped portion may be such that all the looped portion is located within the sleeve.

[0015] As the free end emerges from the exit passage, the guide can guide the free end of the band toward a surface of the looped section. In some embodiments, the free end will exit the guide as the hose clamp mounting system is tightened. The part of the free end exiting the guide may first extend around the looped section with a profile that generally close to that of the looped portion. However, as this part of the band becomes longer, the free end may begin to diverge away from the surface of the looped section. Advantageously, the sleeve may be used to retain the part of the band exiting the guide in a conformation that is generally aligned with (or following the contour of) the looped portion. The hose clamp mounting system may be configured so that the guide guides the free end of the band into the sleeve before the free end projects away from a surface of the looped section.

[0016] The mounting base may comprise a support base and a cap removably coupled together to form the mounting base and the screw cage housing. The support base may releasably receive the screw cage and the screw cage may be secured within the screw cage housing when the cap is coupled to the support base.

[0017] The screw cage housing may define a screw opening for accessing a screw within the screw cage. The support base may define the screw opening. The support base may be arranged with the screw opening adjacent to the guide, and with the guide positioned between the screw opening and the exit passage.

[0018] The mounting base may further comprise a spacer arranged between the mounting base and an object the hose clamp is clamped to. The spacer may be removably coupled to the support base. The spacer and the support base may comprisecooperating tongue and groove formations for releasably coupling the spacer and the support base.

[0019] Also disclosed herein is a mounting base for mounting an electronic device accessory to an object using a hose clamp, the mounting base comprising a screw cage housing defining a cavity arranged to receive a screw cage of the hose clamp, the screw cage housing further defining an entry passage and an exit passage for a band of the hose clamp to pass through the screw cage housing; and a guide for guiding a free end of the band toward a fixed end of the band as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

[0020] According to another aspect there is provided, a mounting base for mounting an electronic device accessory to an object using a hose clamp, the mounting base comprising a screw cage housing defining a cavity arranged to receive a screw cage of the hose clamp, the screw cage housing further defining an entry passage and an exit passage for a band of the hose clamp to pass through the screw cage housing; and a guide for guiding a free end of the band toward a looped section of the band outside the screw cage as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

[0021] The mounting base may comprise a support base and a cap removably coupled together to form the screw cage housing. The support base may releasably receive the screw cage and the screw cage may be secured within the screw cage housing when the cap is coupled to the support base.

[0022] The screw cage housing may define a screw opening for accessing a screw within the screw cage. The support base may define the screw opening. The support base may be arranged with the screw opening adjacent to the guide, and with the guide positioned between the screw opening and the exit passage.

[0023] The mounting base may comprise a spacer arranged between the screw cage housing and the object the hose clamp is clamped to. The spacer may be removablycoupled to the support base. The spacer and the support base may comprise cooperating tongue and groove formations for releasably coupling the spacer and the support base.

[0024] Disclosed herein is a housing for a hose clamp screw cage, the housing defining a cavity arranged to receive the screw cage, the housing further defining an entry passage and an exit passage for a band of the hose clamp to pass through the housing, the housing comprising: a guide for guiding a free end of the band toward a fixed end of the band as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

[0025] According to a further aspect there is provided a housing for a hose clamp screw cage, the housing defining a cavity arranged to receive the screw cage, the housing further defining an entry passage and an exit passage for a band of the hose clamp to pass through the housing, the housing comprising: a guide for guiding a free end of the band toward a looped section of the band outside the screw cage as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

[0026] The housing may comprise a base and a cap, wherein the base and the cap are removably coupled to form the housing. The base may releasably receive the screw cage and the screw cage may be secured within the housing when the cap is coupled to the base.

[0027] The housing may define a screw opening for accessing a screw within the screw cage. The base may define the screw opening. The base may be arranged with the screw opening adjacent to the guide, and with the guide positioned between the screw opening and the exit passage.

[0028] The guide may be a spout through which the free end passes. The guide may be a casing which encloses the free end of the band.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] Some embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a front, left perspective view of a hose clamp mounting system, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0031] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the hose clamp mounting system of Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 3 shows a front, right exploded view of the hose clamp mounting system of Figure 1; and

[0033] Figure 4 shows a rear underside perspective view of the hose clamp mounting system of Figure 1.Detailed Description

[0034] Described embodiments relate generally to systems for mounting portable electronic devices to objects by using hose clamps. Some embodiments are directed towards a housing for a hose clamp screw cage.

[0035] In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

[0036] Referring now to the drawings, a hose clamp mounting system is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The hose clamp mounting system 10 comprises a hose clamp 12 for mounting, for example, a mobile electronic device to an object (not shown). The hose clamp 12 comprises a screw cage 14 housing a screw 16 and further comprises a band 18 having a fixed end 20 secured to the screw cage 14 and a free end 22 overlapping the fixed end 20 within the screw cage 14 when the hose clamp 12 is engaged as shown in the drawings.

[0037] The hose clamp mounting system 10 further comprises a mounting base 40, on which electronic devices or accessories can be mounted. The mounting base 40 comprises a screw cage housing 42 for housing the screw cage 14 within a cavity 44. The screw cage housing 42 defines an entry passage 46 and an exit passage 48 for the band 18 of the hose clamp 12 to pass through when the screw cage 14 is located within the cavity 44.

[0038] The screw cage housing 42 comprises a guide 50 for guiding the free end 22 of the band 18 toward the fixed end 20 as the free end 22 passes through the exit passage 48 as the hose clamp is tightened. That is, the guide 50 is for guiding the free end 22 of the band 18 toward the surface of the looped portion 19 of the band outside the screw cage as the free end 22 passes through the exit passage 48 as the hose clamp is tightened. The guide 50 partially covers the free end 22 of the band 18 reducing exposed sharp edges and preventing the free end 22 from protruding by guiding it toward the portion of the band 18 proximal to the fixed end 20.

[0039] For the embodiment shown in the drawings, the hose clamp mounting system 10 comprises a sleeve 60 with a section of the band 18 external to the screw cage housing 42 located within the sleeve 60. The guide 50 is configured to guide the free end 22 of the band 18 into a first open end 62 of the sleeve 60 as the hose clamp 12 is tightened. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide 50 extends from a body of the screw cage housing 42 in the direction of the band 18. The guide 50 also tapers in a transverse direction away from the band 18 towards an opposite (top) end of the mounting base 40.

[0040] The mounting base 40 comprises a support base 70 and a cap 80 removably coupled together to form the mounting base 40 and the screw cage housing 42. The support base 70 releasably receives the screw cage 14 of the hose clamp 12 and the screw cage 14 is secured within the cavity 44 when the cap 80 is coupled to the support base 70. The support base 70 comprises slots 72 and the cap 80 comprises coinciding projections 82 for removably securing the cap 80 to the support base 70.

[0041] The support base 70 of the screw cage housing 42 defines a screw opening 74 to provide access to the screw 16, for example, by means of a screwdriver to loosen and tighten the hose clamp 12. The support base 70 is shaped such that the guide 50 is arranged between the screw opening 74 and the exit passage 48 guiding the free end 22 away from the screw 16. The support base 70 comprises a screw thread 78 to facilitate attachment to the mounting base 40. The cap 80 comprises an interface 84 (e.g. radially extending teeth which may be suitable for defining indexed positions around an axis normal to the plane of the interface) for engaging an accessory (not shown) having a mating interface for engaging the interface 84 of the cap 80. The cap 80 may, for example, be shaped to define a ball mount for mating with a socket.

[0042] The mounting base 40 comprises a spacer 90 arranged between the mounting base 40 and the object the hose clamp 12 is clamped to. The spacer 90 comprises a seat 92 on which the screw cage rests when located within the cavity 44. The spacer 90 is removably coupled to the support base 70 by means of cooperating tongue and groove formations 94 arranged on the support base 70 and the spacer 90. The spacer further comprises a tab 96 that engages with an edge of the support base 70 to locate the spacer 90 on the support base 70. An outer surface of the spacer 90 may be curved to fit the contour of a tubular structure that hose clamp 12 is clamped to.

[0043] The spacer 90 and the sleeve 60 may be of a soft rubber to protect the surface of the object the hose clamp 12 is clamped to. The mounting base 40 and constituent parts may be formed of aluminium and the hose clamp 12 is typically formed from stainless steel.

[0044] In some embodiments, the guide may be spout through which the free end of the band passes before exiting the mounting base. In yet another embodiment the guide may be a casing which encloses the free end of the band.

[0045] To install the hose clamp mounting system 10, while the hose clamp 12 is in an open state, the free end 22 of the hose clamp band 18 is passed through the entry passage 46 of the support base 70, through the cavity 44 and out the exit passage 48. The open hose clamp 12 is passed through until the screw cage 14 is located within the cavity 44 of the support base 70. Once the screw cage 14 is in position within the cavity 44, the cap 80 and the spacer 90 can be attached to the support base 70 to secure the screw cage 14 in place within the cavity 44, with the screw 16 accessible through the screw opening 74.

[0046] When the screw 16 is tightened, the screw cage 14 is urged against the free end 22 overlapping the fixed end 20 of the band 18 such that the free end 22 is secured overlapping the fixed end 20 of the band 18 and the hose clamp is engaged. In this way, the movement of the free end 22 of the band 18 relative to the fixed end 20 is limited, and in some embodiments, prevented.

[0047] To secure the hose clamp mounting system 10 the free end 22 of the band 18 is passed through the sleeve 60 and placed around the object that the hose clamp 12 is to be clamped to. The free end 22 is then passed through the entry passage 46 through the screw cage 14 and out the exit passage 48. As the hose clamp 12 is tightened the guide 50 guides the free end 22 towards the surface of the looped portion of the band 18 to follow the contour of the band 18 into the open end of the sleeve 62 as the free end 22 exits the exit passage 48. This arrangement helps to prevent the free end 22 from projecting upwards or outwards from the hose clamp mounting system.

[0048] Advantageously, by enclosing many of the features of the hose clamp 12 within the mounting base 40, or the sleeve 60 the risk of accidental injury through contact with exposed edges may be reduced. Further, the guide 50 performs some shielding and facilitates movement of the free end of the band into the sleeve 60,thereby promoting the protective aspects of the hose clamp mounting system 10. The guide may be configured to extend along the profile of the band along the object the hose clamp is clamped to guide the free end of the band and prevent the free end from protruding and reduce instances where the free end needs to be cut short, limiting the reusability of the hose clamp. The guide also assists to retain the free end 22 of the band 18 in the sleeve 60 by extending along the profile of the band limiting opportunities for the free end 18 to inadvertently be removed from the sleeve 60.

[0049] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and / or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A hose clamp mounting system comprising: a hose clamp comprising a screw cage and a band, the band having a fixed end secured to the screw cage and a free end overlapping the fixed end within the screw cage when the hose clamp is engaged to provide a looped section of the band outside the screw cage; a mounting base comprising a screw cage housing defining a cavity arranged to receive the screw cage, the screw cage housing further defining an entry passage and an exit passage for the band to pass through the screw cage housing; and wherein the screw cage housing comprises a guide for guiding the free end of the band toward the looped section as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

2. The hose clamp mounting system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sleeve, wherein a section of the band outside the screw cage housing is located within the sleeve and the guide guides the free end of the band toward an open end of the sleeve as the hose clamp is tightened.

3. The hose clamp mounting system as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mounting base comprises a support base and a cap removably coupled together to form the mounting base and the screw cage housing.

4. The hose clamp mounting system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support base releasably receives the screw cage and wherein the screw cage is secured within the screw cage housing when the cap is coupled to the support base.

5. The hose clamp mounting system as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the screw cage housing defines a screw opening for accessing a screw within the screw cage.

6. The hose clamp mounting system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the support base defines the screw opening.

7. The hose clamp mounting system as claimed in claim 6 wherein support base is arranged with the screw opening adjacent to the guide, and with the guide positioned between the screw opening and the exit passage.

8. The hose clamp mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the mounting base further comprises a spacer arranged between the mounting base and an object to which the hose clamp is clamped.

9. The hose clamp mounting system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spacer is removably coupled to the support base.

10. The hose clamp mounting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spacer and the support base comprise cooperating tongue and groove formations for releasably coupling the spacer and the support base.

11. A mounting base for mounting an electronic device accessory to an object using a hose clamp, the mounting base comprising: a screw cage housing defining a cavity arranged to receive a screw cage of the hose clamp, the screw cage housing further defining an entry passage and an exit passage for a band of the hose clamp to pass through the screw cage housing; and a guide for guiding a free end of the band toward a looped section of the band as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

12. The mounting base as claimed in claim 11 comprising a support base and a cap removably coupled together to form the screw cage housing.

13. The mounting base as claimed in claim 12 wherein the support base releasably receives the screw cage and wherein the screw cage is secured within the screw cage housing when the cap is coupled to the support base.

14. The mounting base as claimed in either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the screw cage housing defines a screw opening for accessing a screw within the screw cage.

15. The mounting base as claimed in claim 14, wherein the support base defines the screw opening.

16. The mounting base as claimed in claim 15, wherein support base is arranged with the screw opening adjacent to the guide, and with the guide positioned between the screw opening and the exit passage.

17. The mounting base as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising a spacer arranged between the screw cage housing and the object to which the hose clamp is clamped.

18. The mounting base as claimed in claim 17, wherein the spacer is removably coupled to the support base.

19. The mounting base as claimed in claim 18, wherein the spacer and the support base comprise cooperating tongue and groove formations for releasably coupling the spacer and the support base.

20. A housing for a screw cage of a hose clamp, the housing defining a cavity arranged to receive the screw cage, the housing further defining an entry passage and an exit passage for a band of the hose clamp to pass through the housing, the housing comprising:a guide for guiding a free end of the band toward a looped section of the band as the free end passes through the exit passage when the hose clamp is tightened.

21. The housing as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a base and a cap, wherein the base and the cap are removably coupled to form the housing.

22. The housing as claimed in claim 21, wherein the base releasably receives the screw cage and wherein the screw cage is secured within the housing when the cap is coupled to the base.

23. The housing as claimed in either claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the housing defines a screw opening for accessing a screw within the screw cage.

24. The housing as claimed in claim 23, wherein the base defines the screw opening.

25. The housing as claimed in claim 24, wherein base is arranged with the screw opening adjacent to the guide, and with the guide positioned between the screw opening and the exit passage.

26. The housing as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the guide is a spout through which the free end passes.

27. The housing as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the guide is a casing which encloses the free end.

Images