EP0912852A1

EP0912852A1 - Clamp for pipes, hoses or the like

Info

Publication number: EP0912852A1
Application number: EP97937489A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Knut Menshen
Original assignee: Walter Stauffenberg GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Walter Stauffenberg GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1996-07-17
Filing date: 1997-07-16
Publication date: 1999-05-06
Also published as: DE19628689C2; AU4010497A; TW384366B; ZA976303B; WO1998003813A1; DE19628689A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a clamp (1) for pipes (5), hoses and the like. The clamp (1) comprises two halves (11, 12) which between them have a mounting for the pipe (5) or the like. This mounting comprises a spherical element (20) which is held rigidly but rotatably and in turn comprises a passage for the pipe (5), hose or the like.

Description

Clamp for pipes, hoses or the like

The invention relates to a clamp for pipes, hoses or the like, with two shell halves, which form a receptacle for the pipe, hose or the like between them.

Clamps for pipes are known in many designs. Pipes, hoses or similar elements are essentially held or supported with pipe clamps; an example of this are pipes which are to be guided along a wall at a predetermined height or spaced apart and are to be held there in position.

Certain problems can arise here.

DE-PS 196 709, for example, proposes a pipe clamp which is in one piece and has a depression with pressed-in bearing balls at the point of the jacket which is used for carrying. In this way, the pipes held in this way are supposed to be held but remain longitudinally displaceable, which can be interesting for heating pipes.

FR-PS 1 239854 proposes a pivotable tear-off holder for agricultural trailers in particular. In these, hose connections should be able to be inserted into a holder from both sides and, if necessary, separate from them by tearing them off. For this purpose, ball joints are provided in a carrier, into which precisely adapted connectors can be inserted separately from each side. Such a construction is unsuitable for pipe and hose clamps, however, since the pipes and hoses to be assembled with the clamp can generally not be inserted into the clamp from one end, but their position is predetermined.

DE 33 25 092 A1 proposes a clamp for hoses, pipes or the like, which has two clamp bodies between which the pipe runs. A ball or cylindrical roller bearing or another whose slidable insert is created so that the pipe held therein can be moved in the axial direction in the event of thermal expansion.

However, the problem also arises that due to assembly inaccuracies in known pipe clamps there is tension between the pipe and the clamp. A length compensation option is usually of no use for this.

In contrast, the object of the invention is to propose a clamp in which such tensions are reduced as much as possible.

This object is achieved with a clamp of the generic type in that the receptacle has a spherical element which is held in a stationary but rotatable manner and has a passage for the tube, the hose or the like, and in that the spherical element consists of at least two spherical parts, in particular two spherical half-shells, consists.

With this retrospectively very elegant and simple construction, the problem is completely solved. A clamp with angle compensation is created.

A spherical element is provided between the two common halves of the pipe clamp. This spherical element (consisting of several spherical parts) is preferably axially pierced. This axial through-hole is exactly suitable for the pipe to be accommodated (or the hose or the other element to be fixed with the clamp).

This ball element can now be rotated back and forth in its position, but does not leave this position, since the ball is held geometrically between the two halves of the clamp.

The rotatability is naturally somewhat restricted by the fact that the pipe protrudes through the through-hole, that is to say the rotational movement is finite. However, this does not disturb the intended use in any way, since the angle compensation does not have to take place in any direction of rotation, but only for Exercise mounting inaccuracies and therefore only needs to be a few degrees.

The spherical element is in several parts, it consists in particular of two spherical halves. This enables the pipe or hose to be inserted or, in the case of a pipe that has already been held in place or installed, the clamp to be placed around the pipe or hose.

This creates a ball joint that can be rotated in all directions within the clamp up to a certain angle. After inserting the tube and before tightening it, the ball element can align itself freely with the tube. This is irrespective of whether the clamp is already firmly attached or is itself still loosely around the pipe.

After tightening the provided screws, the spherical body or the spherical element is simultaneously fixed in the clamp and on the pipe.

The entire clamp then fulfills the same function as known designs, but avoiding the buckling or bending stresses from the prior art.

There are other advantages. Not only can the assembly inaccuracies be taken into account without problems, it is also possible to carry out an assembly for pipes that do not run horizontally without an additional angle piece. So the clamp with its usually provided one flat side can be mounted unchanged on a flat surface and still hold or support a pipe that does not run horizontally (ie slightly obliquely). It is also possible to compensate for uneven or even inclined surfaces with the clamp.

Known, sometimes quite complicated, clamps for special purposes can also be largely reused with the invention or the majority of their parts can be reused: only the two clamp halves, not the screws or outer support elements are designed differently according to the invention.

The invention can be used with different substances for all purposes, there are no obstacles to a version made of aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, elastomer or rubber.

Another, initially very surprising, advantage also arises: a certain type of pipe clamp is conventionally only suitable for a single pipe shape or a single pipe diameter; at least the two halves of the clamp must be placed exactly on this pipe diameter.

In the conception according to the invention, however, all clamp halves can be made completely identical for all pipe diameters up to a certain maximum size. The different pipe diameters are then formed solely by the diameter of the axial bore in the ball element.

The spherical body can, for example, also serve to meet other requirements, for example to provide a fin support or a tight support for the tube or the hoses or other elements.

In the case of a design consisting of exactly two ball halves or spherical half-shells, there are also opportunities to meet special practical requirements in special embodiments.

Thus, in one embodiment it can be provided that after the screws have been tightened there is still a remaining distance between the two half-shells, which provides a so-called pretension. As a result, the entire screw force is transferred to the clamped element, i.e. the pipe or the hose.

In a second embodiment, the half-shells are designed so that when the screws are tightened, the force is first applied to the tube or the hose. From a certain torque of the screws the remaining distance is reduced more and more until the two spherical shells support each other. As a result, a certain proportion of the screw force is transmitted through the ball half-shells and only a defined proportion of the force is transmitted to the pipe or the hose. This version is particularly suitable for elastic pipes and hoses.

In a third embodiment, the spherical half-shells support one another after the screws have been tightened, the tube or the hose simultaneously having play with the inside diameter of the spherical half-shells. This embodiment is particularly suitable for directionally adjustable floating bearings.

So there are different ways to vary the preload or air or the ^* tight seating of the respective parts, i.e. of clamp halves, spherical parts, the pipe or the hose. The key words are:

a) Clamp halves sit on top of each other, ball parts sit on top of each other or have a remaining distance, which means that tube or hose have clearance or are clamped in a defined manner b) Clamp halves have remaining gap, ball halves sit on top of each other, therefore tube or hose has clearance or are clamped c) Clamp halves and ball parts have a remaining distance pipe or hose is clamped

In further embodiments, additional inserts are introduced into the ball element, for example for reductions or elastomer inserts.

It is also possible to connect the spherical parts of the spherical element to one another via movable connections. This leads to easier handling, the ball parts still being able to be folded apart due to the movable connections. In such embodiments, such constructions are particularly preferred in which two spherical half-shells are connected to one another by film hinges and thus enable simplified handling during assembly. In spite of this, the two spherical half-shells behave like two se ready ball parts. However, the user does not have to work with two loose parts, but they hold together due to the film hinge. In such cases, the production process does not involve injection of two individual halves, but rather two spherical half-shells that are connected to one another via the film hinge. The injection mold is designed accordingly. The film hinge is very thin and flexible, so that the other spherical half shell can be easily placed on the first spherical half shell.

The clamps according to the invention can also be fastened on so-called C-rails, for example using adapters, which are described in DE-41 28 157 C1.

However, it is also possible to design the clamp halves of the pipe clamp from the outset in such a way that the lower part engages in the C-rail without an additional adapter and the fixation is thereby achieved. The invention can also be realized with such clamps, in that a ball element is again provided which is held by the two clamp halves which are of a slightly different design in this embodiment and has a passage for the tube, the hose or the like.

In this version, too, the identical clamp can be used by simply changing the ball element, in order to create a movable passage for different hose or pipe diameters.

Geometric ball joints are known per se, but not in connection with pipe clamps. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the clamp according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a section through the clamp according to the invention from FIG. 1, viewed perpendicular to FIG. 1; 3 shows a section through the clamp from FIG. 2, perpendicularly in the middle through it;

4 shows a section perpendicular to FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 shows an illustration similar to FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows the representation from FIG. 4 after slight angulation;

FIG. 7 shows the illustration from FIG. 5 after slight angulation;

FIG. 8 shows the representation from FIG. 4 after another angling;

FIG. 9 shows the representation from FIG. 5 after another angling;

Figure 10 is a view of another embodiment from the axial direction of the

Rohres, the ball element is omitted;

Figure 1 1 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a section through the spherical element parallel to the axis;

FIG. 13 shows a section through the spherical element from FIG. 12 perpendicular to

Axis direction; FIG. 14 shows a view of the embodiment from FIG. 10 with a spherical element; FIG. 15 shows a section through FIG. 14; FIG. 16 shows the embodiment from FIG. 14 with another spherical element; and FIG. 17 shows a section through FIG. 16.

The clamp 1 according to the invention serves to support or fix a pipe 5, which is only shown schematically below, in a specific position. For this purpose, the clamp 1 has two clamp halves 11 and 12, which fit one another and through the surface of which the tube 5 lies against one another (which can also be a hose or similar element) can be passed.

To the outside, the two clamp halves 11 and 12 are closed or delimited by two border plates 13 and 14. These bezel plates 13 and 14 are connected to one another via one or more screw / nut connections 15 and 16. These screws 15, 16 extend through the clamp halves 11, 12; if they are tightened, they press the bezel plates 13, 14 together and thus the clamp halves 1 1, 12 against each other.

The two clamp halves 11, 12 now have a spherical cavity between them in accordance with the invention and in contrast to the prior art after assembly. Each of the two halves of the clamp thus has a hemispherical recess.

A spherical element 20 can be inserted into this recess. The ball element 20 is thus rotatable per se in this recess between the two clamp halves 11 and 12. The ball element 20 itself can consist of several ball halves or parts, for example two ball parts 21, 22 which can be connected or plugged together or loosely assembled, as in FIG Fig. 2 can be seen. This division of the spherical elements 20 into spherical parts 21, 22 need not result in a division into two hemispheres, as can be seen.

The ball element 20 can be smooth on the outside in order to allow a very precise adjustment. However, it can also be designed with a rough or differently shaped surface in order to better fix an angle once it has been tightened after the screws have been tightened.

The spherical element 20 - a spherical body - does not have to be a complete sphere around its outer circumference; certain spherical sections 23, 24 can also remain empty, for example to improve the adjustability 8 "/" 0.3 "-8-, 13,

or to save material or to enable tightening and defined fixing.

The ball element 20 itself, however, has in particular an axial passage 25. This axial passage 25 is suitable for receiving the tube 5 (or the hose etc.).

The axial passage 25 through the ball element 20 can be smooth or can be provided with ribs or other shaped interrupted and / or perforated surface. It can be a through-hole with a circular cross-section, but also square, oval, etc., depending on the intended use.

The reference numerals are omitted in FIGS. 5 following to clarify the concept. The representation in these figures corresponds to FIGS. 1 to 4 marked herewith.

The tube 5 can now be pushed loosely into the through bore 25 through the ball element 20, as can be seen particularly well in FIG. 4. Of course, with a fixed pipe, the clamp can also be pushed over the pipe or - if this is not possible - the clamp and ball element can be taken apart and passed over the pipe from both sides and then assembled. The ball element 20 is initially aligned with the tube; he can still turn within the two clamp halves 11, 12. Only then are the screws 15, 16 tightened and, at the same time, the spherical body is fixed in the clamp 1 and also on the tube 5.

Disassembly can be done just as easily.

Figures 10 to 17 relate to another embodiment of the clamp according to the invention. However, the basic principles of the invention are the same, so that reference is made to the above description of the figures. The two clamp halves 1 1 and 12 are in each case designed so that they are asymmetrical and one end allows the entire assembled clamp to be fixed in a C-rail (not shown).

The ball element 20 is provided between the two clamp halves 11 and 12. 13 that it is in two parts and consists of two spherical parts 21 and 22, indicated here by the different hatching. The two parts are placed one on top of the other, forming the main part of a complete sphere with two cut end caps. The hose or tube 5 runs between the two spherical parts 21 and 22.

14 to 17 show that with identical clamp halves 11 and 12, by inserting another ball element 20, a clamp for holding a hose or tube 5 with a completely different diameter is possible. Of course, this reduces the costs and inventory of the corresponding elements. Conversely, it is of course also possible to use the spherical parts 21 and 22 of the spherical element 20 from this embodiment again in the clamps according to FIGS. 1 to 9, so that the variability and possible application of the invention also increase as a result.

15 and 17 show how the ball element 20 behaves within the clamp halves 1 1 and 12 when the hose or tube 5 is not exactly axially but at a small angle of 6 ° or 10 ° to the axis .

reference numeral

1 clamp

pipe

11 half clamps

12 clamp halves

13 edging plate

14 edging plate

15 screw / nut connection 6 screw / nut connection 0 ball element 1 ball part 2 ball part 3 ball section 4 ball section 5 axial passage through 20

Claims

Patent claims

1. clamp for pipes (5), hoses or the like, with two clamp halves (11, 12) which form a receptacle for the tube (5), the hose or the like between them, characterized in that the receptacle is a ball element (20 ), which is stationary but rotatable and has a passage for the tube (5), the hose or the like, and that the ball element (20) consists of at least two spherical parts (21, 22), in particular two spherical half-shells.

2. Clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the ball element (20) has a smooth surface.

3. Clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the ball element (20) has a rough, friction-increasing or interrupted surface.

4. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball element (20) is a spherical body with an axial passage (25).

5. Clamp according to claim 4, characterized in that the axial passage (25) has a ribbed surface.

6. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball element (20) is interchangeable with another ball element with different passage sizes, geometries and materials.

7. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball parts (21, 22) have a residual distance from one another in the tightened state of the clamp.

8. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball parts (21, 22) have a play to the tube (5) or the like in the tightened state of the clamp.

9. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball parts (21, 22) have a remaining distance which is reduced during tightening until they lie one on top of the other.

10. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball parts (21, 22) of the ball element (20) are connected to one another via movable connections.

11. Clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that the movable connection of the ball parts (21, 22) is formed by means of a film hinge.

12. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball element (20) has inserts.

13. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp halves (11, 12) are designed such that they allow the clamp to be mounted in a C-rail.