Tube Clamp With Projections Preventing Inadvertent Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tube or pipe clamps often experience loosening of wing nuts, leading to unintended opening due to forces like tube expansion, which reduces friction and allows unthreading, causing the clamp to disengage.
Innovation Solution
A tube or pipe clamp design featuring pivotably connected clamp members with a locking device comprising a shaft and nut, and prongs with projections that prevent inadvertent opening by maintaining tension even when the nut partially unthreads, and a hinge pin assembly with a force-lock fit to secure the clamp in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wing nut is used to secure the clamp members, then the clamp can be easily installed and adjusted, but the wing nut may loosen and swing open under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing projections on the clamp members that preemptively prevent the clamp from opening even if the wing nut loosens. These projections act as a preventive measure against the harmful effect of nut loosening, maintaining clamp security without compromising ease of installation.
2Ease of operation
If the clamp members are allowed to pivot freely for installation, then the clamp can be easily positioned, but the clamp may inadvertently open under external forces like tube expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The projections on the clamp members provide preliminary anti-action by preventing inadvertent opening before it can occur. This allows the clamp to pivot freely during installation for ease of positioning, while the projections ensure stability is maintained during operation even under external forces.
3Reliability
If the wing nut is tightened to prevent opening, then clamp security is maintained, but the friction may be reduced under external forces allowing unthreading
Solution Approach 1:
The projections provide preliminary anti-action that prevents the clamp from opening even if the wing nut unthreads due to reduced friction. This decouples the relationship between thread engagement strength and clamp security, allowing the clamp to remain secure through the mechanical interference of the projections rather than relying solely on thread friction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design significantly reduces the chances of clamp opening inadvertently, ensuring secure attachment of tubes by maintaining tension and preventing unthreading of the nut, even under external forces like tube expansion.
Implementation Method 1
loosening may result in part from a limited unthreading of the nut relative to the bolt. In specific scenario, when ferrules are forced together by other forces, such as expansion of the connected tubes, the top and bottom clamp halves can close toward each other, releasing tension on the bolt, regardless of whether it has unthreaded or not. This does then remove friction at the face of the nut, allowing it to also unthread.
Data Source
AI summary
A tube or pipe clamp has two clamp members that are pivotably connected to one another at respective hinge-forming ends thereof. The tube or pipe clamp has a locking device that includes a shaft and a locking element operatively attached to the shaft, the shaft being pivotably attached to one of the clamp members. The other clamp member has a pair of prongs defining a slot for receiving the shaft of the locking device, the locking element being engageable with the prongs to lock the clamp members to one another at ends thereof opposite the hinge-forming ends. The prongs each have at least one projection on a side facing away from the one clamp member. Each of the projections is disposed proximate the free end of the respective prong.