EP1299667A1

EP1299667A1 - Assembly clamp with a catch plastically deformed after mounting

Info

Publication number: EP1299667A1
Application number: EP01914275A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ingvar Arvidsson; Gunnar Axelsson
Original assignee: ABA of Sweden AB
Current assignee: ABA of Sweden AB
Priority date: 2000-07-03
Filing date: 2001-03-09
Publication date: 2003-04-09
Also published as: AU2001239622A1; WO2002002980A1; SE0002501D0

Abstract

An assembly clamp comprises an elongate main portion (1) which partly surrounds an accommodation space (2) for accommodating the object which is to be assembled. The clamp further has two clamping members which are compressible to an assembly position. Moreover, engagement means are provided which hold the clamp in a fixing position in the proximity of the assembly position. The engagement means comprise a projection and a recess. The projection is in insertible in the recess and is deformed after the insertion. A method for mounting the assembly clamp entails that the main portion is applied around the object which is to be assembled and that the clamping members are moved towards one another. The engagement means are plastically deformed so that the clamp is locked in the fixing position. A tool for mounting the assembly clamp comprises a lower support surface with centring devices for positioning the clamp and a movable pressing device. At least one of the centering devices is also a deformation device for locking the clamp in the fixing position.

Description

Assembly clamp with a catch plastically deformed after mounting . TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an assembly clamp which comprises an elongate head portion which partly surrounds an accommodation space for accommodating the object to be assembled, a first and a second clamping member which are compressible to an assembly position where the accommodation space is substantially closed, engagement means which are disposed to hold the assembly clamp in a fixing position on the object in or in the proximity of the assembly position, the engagement means comprising a projection and a recess in each end region of the assembly clamp.

The present invention further relates to a method for pre-assembling a prefabricated assembly clamp which comprises a curved head portion with clamping members disposed in its end regions, and engagement means, the head portion of the assembly clamp being applied about the object which is to be assembled, and the clamping members being urged towards one another so that a fixing position in the proximity of a final assembly position is attained.

Finally, the present invention relates to a tool for assembling a prefabricated assembly clamp, the tool comprising a support surface which has centring devices for positioning the assembly clamp, and a vertically movable pressing device.

BACKGROUND ART

Assembly clamps of the type described by way of introduction are previously known in numerous different variations and, for example, are employed within, the automotive industry in enormous numbers for assembling electric cables, cable trunks and leads, etc.

In the automotive industry, there is a general striving to reduce assembly times as far as this is at all possible. An assembly clamp according to the prior art technology must first be bent up by the user, i.e. the assembly line worker, in order to be forced over the pipe or cable trunk and then once again be closed before it can be screwed down. In such instance, the assembly clamp has a considerable residual spring force which strives to open the clamp at the same time as it is to be screwed down. This implies that the tightening phase is made considerably more difficult since, first, the assembly clamp must be pressed together, secondly the screw must be homed in place and thirdly the screw must be turned for engagement with a thread.

Within the automotive industry, the current tendency is to outsourcing, i.e. subcontract suppliers are to manufacture entire systems or components. This implies, for example, as far as cable trunks are concerned, that these are entirely finished by the subcontract supplier for assembly at the automobile manufacturer's. In such instance, there is a considerable wish in the art to eliminate the above-considered work phases involving assembling assembly clamps on the finished cable trunk in connection with assembling the cable trunk in the vehicle.

US PS 5 377 940 discloses an assembly clamp which has a bent head portion, a clamping member at each end of the head portion and engagement means close to the clamping portions. In this specification, the engagement means comprise a catch- shaped device which is intended to be passed through an aperture in the other end of the assembly clamp. A considerable drawback inherent in this clamp is that it is difficult to close, since it requires considerable force to move the lower portion, the hook, of the catch past the edge of the opening. In repeated work phases of this type, the risk of repetitive strain injury in, principally, the fingers and hands, is imminent.

Assembly clamps are also previously known from, for example, EP 1 022 503 which may be pre-mounted on a cable trunk or the like with the aid of projections which extend out from at least the one clamping portion on the assembly clamp, i.e. that part which is provided with an aperture for screwing the assembly clamp on a substrate. On pre-mounting, this projection is folded about the second clamping portion at the same time as the clamping portions are pressed against one another. In other alternatives, the projection may be passed into a recess provided for this purpose in the second clamping portion. Assembly clamps of this type have projecting, sharp projections or catches which can injure the assembly line workers. Further, there are projecting edges and flaps in the region around the screw hole of the assembly clamp which may impede the final assembly.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

The present invention has for its object to design the assembly clamp mentioned by way of introduction such that it may be simply pre-mounted or pre-assembled on the object which is to be assembled, for example the cable trunk, in order to remain in place there until such time as the cable trunk is completely assembled in the vehicle. The present invention also has for its object to design the assembly clamp such that it will be simple and economical in manufacture and may be applied simply and reliably on the object which is to be assembled.

The present invention finally has for its object to realise a method for mounting the assembly clamp so that the risk of repetitive strain injuries is minimised.

SOLUTION

The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the assembly clamp intimated by way of introduction is characterised in that the projection is insertible in the recess and that the projection is disposed to be deformed after insertion.

Further advantages will be attained if the assembly clamp is also given one or more of the characterising features as set forth in appended Claims 2 to 6.

Concerning the method, the objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if this is characterised in that the engagement means are plastically deformed so that the assembly clamp is locked in the fixing position. Further advantages will be attained if the method according to the present invention is also given one or more of the characterising features as set forth in appended Claims 8 to 11.

Concerning the tool, the objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if this is characterised in that at least one centring device is also a deformation device for locking the assembly clamp in a fixing position.

Further advantages will be attained if the tool according to the present invention is also given one or more of the characterising features as set forth in appended Claims 13 to 14.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1 shows, by solid lines, a cross section through the assembly clamp in a fixing position, and, by broken lines, the assembly clamp in an unloaded, open state in which it leaves the site of manufacture;

Fig. 2 shows the assembly clamp of Fig. 1 seen straight from beneath;

Fig. 3 shows a clamping member included in the assembly clamp, in the planar, open state; and

Fig. 4 is a partially cut-away view of tool for fixing the clamp.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The assembly clamp according to the present invention comprises an elongate, band- shaped main portion 1 which is produced from a substantially configurationally stable but slightly resilient material, for example a suitable metal such as steel. The main portion 1 is bent so that, in the state it assumes immediately after manufacture, it partly surrounds an accommodation space 2 for the object which is to be assembled or mounted against a substrate with the aid of the assembly clamp. This form of the assembly clamp is shown by broken lines in Fig. 1.

A first and second clamping member 3 and 4, respectively, connect to the opposing first and second end regions 7 and 8 of the main portion 1, and it should be emphasised that both the main portion 1 and both of the clamping members 3 and 4 are manufactured in one single material piece by punching. In this instance, the term "first" refers to a position most proximal the substrate against which the assembly clamp is to be fixed. Both of the clamping members 3 and 4 are spaced apart a considerable distance from one another in the open state of the assembly clamp illustrated in Fig. 1, i.e. the position in which it is manufactured. The opening is so large that the assembly clamp may readily be forced over the object which it is intended to mount in place. Possibly, the assembly clamp may need to be widened somewhat from the position illustrated by broken lines in connection with the application on the object.

The assembly clamp is compressible to an assembly or mounting position where both of the clamping members 3 and 4 are located along one another so that they substantially cover one another and in which the distance between them is zero or at least considerably less than in the manufacturing position, i.e. in the open state.

Both of the clamping members 3 and 4 each have an aperture 5 and 6, respectively, for the passage of a fixing element, for example a screw, which is employed for securing the assembly clamp on a substrate (not shown on the Drawings). The fixing element is naturally also used for closing the assembly clamp and for compressing the two clamping members 3 and 4 against one another.

The edges of the clamping members are smooth and have no projections. Consequently, the risk is minimal that the clamps fasten in each other or in other assembly fittings. In addition, the risk is reduced of injury to the personnel handling the clamps. In its most generic form, the present invention implies that the assembly clamp has locking means which are disposed to retain the assembly clamp in a position which is located between the assembly or mounting position and the open position illustrated by broken lines in Fig. 1. The fixed position is shown by solid lines in Fig. 1 and has been selected in such a manner that the assembly clamp engages with the object which is to be assembled or mounted in place and sits in place on it. This implies that the assembly clamp in the fixed position may be pre-mounted on, for example, a cable trunk without the risk of being dislodged. The final assembly of the cable trunk with adherent assembly clamps may take place simply without any manual compression of the cable clamp and without the risk that this is dislodged. Furthermore, a fixing element may readily be passed through both of the apertures 5 and 6 since these are in register with each other.

The fixed position for the assembly clamp is shown by solid lines in Fig. 1 and lies considerably closer to the assembly or mounting position than the open position and can, in one practical embodiment, entail that the distance between the two clamping members 3 and 4 amounts to a few millimetres. It should also be noted that, in the fixed position, the two apertures 5 and 6 are, as was mentioned above, approximately in register with one another so that the passage of the fixing element does not entail any difficulty.

In the fixed position and in the assembly position, the main portion 1 is arcuately bent, possibly along a circle of an arc of approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn. Substantially straight end regions 7 and 8 connect to the bent portion and are directed along tangents to opposing ends of the bent portion. The straight end regions 7 and 8, respectively, each take up approximately 1/4 to 1/8 of a turn in the circumferential direction, for which reason the main portion 1 will substantially entirely surround the accommodation space 2 in the assembly position.

The above-described design of the main portion 1 implies that the two end regions 7 and 8 will meet at approximately a right angle. In order that the two clamping members 3 and 4 will, in the assembly position, be able to lie along one another, one of the clamping members must be bent outwards from the accommodation space 2 approximately 90° in relation to the longitudinal direction of the adjacent end region, in this case the clamping member 4 and the end region 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement means are placed in the transitional region between the end regions 7 and 8 of the main portion and each respective clamping member 3 and 4. The engagement means include a projection which is provided as a continuation or extension of the second end region 8 of the main portion and whose longitudinal direction is thereby transversely directed in relation to, or approximately at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the first end region 7 and the first clamping member 3. The projection 9 extends, in the fixing position, through an aperture 10 in the first end region 7/the first clamping member 3. ( The aperture 10 is most clearly apparent from Fig. 2). At its free end, the projection 9 has been deformed, in this case given a curl 11, which is bent out from the accommodation space 2 and which grasps behind an edge 12 of the aperture 10, namely the edge of this aperture located most distal from the accommodation space 2. As a result of the inherent resilient force in the main portion 1, it will be ensured that the curl 11 is held pressed against the edge.

In the preferred embodiment, the projection 9 is given a curl 11 only after the projection 9 has been passed through the aperture 10. This is most simply put into effect with the aid of a machine or a tool and one example of such a tool will be described below. Other deformations of the projection 9 are also possible.

The dimensioning and detailed design are selected in such a manner that a transfer of the assembly clamp from the open position illustrated by broken lines to the fixed position may be put into effect in that the second clamping member 4 is pressed against the first clamping member 3 at the same time as the second end region 8 is urged somewhat radially inwards towards the centre of the accommodation space. By such a positive action, the end of the projection 9 will readily pass the edge 12 where_ it is deformed and locked in place under the action of the resilient forces in the main portion 1.

It will be apparent from Fig. 1 that the first clamping member 3 has, in its end located most proximal the first end region 7, an upwardly directed depression 13 in Fig. 1, whose depth is sufficiently great for accommodating a deformed portion 11. A corresponding rigidifying depression 14 is disposed on the opposite side of the aperture 10.

Fig. 3 shows the second clamping member 4 and an adjacent part of the second end region 8 in the opened, planar state. It will be apparent from the Drawing that two through-going grooves 15 and 16 connect to the aperture 6 and have, between them, material forming the projection 9 which is left uncurled when the second clamping member 4 is bent to approximately a right angle in relation to the second end region 8.

According to the present invention, it is not necessary that the angle between the second clamping member 4 and the second end region 8 should be substantially a right angle. At the same time, the first clamping member 3 is arranged as an extension of the first end region. Thus, the angle between the second clamping member 4 and the second end region 8 may be considerably more obtuse and may even approach 180°. Intermediate positions between these two extreme values are also conceivable, where, for example, the longitudinal direction of the space between the two clamping members 3 and 4 would disect the centre 17 in the accommodation space 2.

The assembly clamp according to the present invention has, at least along the major part of the accommodation space 2, a protective portion 18 produced from resilient, possibly plastic material. In the fixed position, the protective portion abuts against the object which is to be assembled, and is, at least along certain parts of its periphery, slightly compressed in order thereby to increase the clamping force of the assembly clamp on the object. On final assembly or mounting of the assembly clamp on the object, the abutment between the protective portion 18 and the periphery of the object is increased. The resilience or elasticity in the material of the protective portion 18 also entails a certain tolerance equilibrium, which is particularly important in the fixed position.

In the preferred embodiment and in the Figures, the projection 9 is straight. The projection 9 and the corresponding aperture 10 are disposed substantially centrally, seen in the width direction, of the clamping members 3 and 4 and the end regions 7 and 8.

As was previously mentioned, the fixing of the assembly clamp on the object which is to be assembled takes place with the aid of a tool. The tool is advantageously powered by compressed air, or a hydraulic cylinder, or is also mounted in an eccentric press or a manually driven lever device.

In Fig. 4, such a tool 19 is shown in the open position. The tool 19 consists substantially of an upper portion 20 and a lower portion 21. The upper portion 20 and the lower portion 21 are movable in relation to one another in accordance with the double-headed arrow A, which implies that the tool 19 may be moved from the open position illustrated in Fig. 4 to a closed position. In the preferred embodiment, the upper portion 20 moves in a sliding guide in the lower portion 21.

The configuration of the upper portion 20 is substantially cuboid with a recess 27 in its front side (the left hand side in Fig. 4). The recess 27 is defined upwardly by a projection 23, and laterally by two side walls. The width of the recess 27 is only slightly greater than the width of the clamping members 3 and 4 of the assembly clamp.

The lower portion 21 serves the function of a support surface or die pad on which the assembly clamp rests during the assembly or mounting cycle. The upper portion 20 serves the function of a stamp which, on its downwardly directed movement towards the die pad 21, moves the upper clamping member 4 of the assembly clamp in Fig. 4 downwards so that the assembly clamp is thereby closed around the object which is to be assembled.

From the lower portion 21, a pin 22 extends upwards, substantially in the centre of the lower portion 21. The pin 22 is a centring pin which tapers upwards. The aperture 5 of the one clamping member 3 may be positioned on the pin 22 so that the projection 23 on the upper portion 20 extends out over the clamping members 3 and 4 of the assembly clamp. In the projection 23, there is a bore 24 which is positioned straight above the pin 22 and which accommodates the pin 22 when the upper portion 20 moves downwards. The recess 27 below the projection 23 is of a width which is so close to the width of the clamping members 3 and 4 that its side walls function as guides for the assembly clamp so that this is reliably held in its intended position in the tool 19.

From the lower portion 21, there also extends an upwardly directed deformation device 25. The aperture 10 is positionable on the deformation device 25. In the preferred embodiment, the deformation device 25 is provided with a sloping surface 26 of a form which wholly or partly corresponds to the desired deformation of the projection 9. The deformation device 25 may be replaceable.

On the fixing of the assembly clamp on the object which is to be assembled, the clamping members 3 and 4 are moved into the recess 27. The clamping member 3 and its associated end region 7 are moved down towards the lower portion 21 and the aperture 5 is moved over the pin 22. At the same time, the deformation device 25 is inserted in the aperture 10. In such instance, the clamping member 3 and the end region 7 will rest on the lower portion 21 of the tool 19. The positioning of the two apertures 5 and 10, together with the guiding from the recess 27, result in the clamp not being dislodged to any appreciable degree when fixing takes place.

When the upper portion 20 of the tool 19 moves downwards in relation to the lower portion 21, the projection 23 will first come into contact with and then entrain downwards the second clamping member 4 so that this will be substantially parallel with the first clamping member 3. The aperture 6 in the clamping member 4 will, in such instance, like the aperture 5 in the clamping member 3, be passed on the pin 22. At the same time, it is ensured that the apertures 5 and 6 will lie in register with one another so that the clamp is readily fixable on a substrate by means of a fixing element such as a screw.

At the same time, the projection 9 and the second end region 8 accompany the second clamping member 4 downwards. As has been described above, the projection 9 is insertible in the aperture 10. When the projection 9 approaches the aperture 10, it first comes into contact with the sloping surface 26 on the deformation device 25. At the same time as the forward end of the projection 9 moves downwards under the action of the tool 19, it is forced to follow the sloping surface 26 on the deformation device 25 and thereby also moves a distance in the horizontal direction to the right in Fig. 4. The edge 12 of the aperture 10 here functions as a shear edge for the projection 9. The deformation, i.e. the curl 11, takes place around the edge 12, while the projection 9 remains substantially straight in the area of the transition to the end region 8. One precondition for the deformation to be as intended is that the clamping member 4 is guided, partly by the edges in the recess 27 and partly by the fact that the pin 22 is accommodated in the aperture 6. The result will be, on the one hand, that the projection 9 is deformed and, on the other hand, that it extends in a distance under the upwardly directed depression 13. The assembly clamp has thereby been moved to its fixing position. On the deformation or curling of the projection 9, it is important that the clamp is fixed in the tool both by the pin 22 being accommodated in the aperture 5 and the deformation device 25 being accommodated in the aperture 10.- Otherwise, there is a risk that the clamp and, at worst, the tool 19 will be destroyed.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The configuration of the projection 9 may be varied considerably. It is, for example, possible to make the projection 9 T-shaped in such a manner that the cross of the T is movable through the aperture 10 in one direction, and that the T is then turned so that the cross of the T assumes a position where it is no longer passable through the aperture 10. Such a deformation locks the assembly clamp in its fixing position.

An alternative in the deformation is, regardless of the configuration of the projection 9, to butt or clinch the end portion of the projection 9 by applying a considerable force in its longitudinal direction so that the shape of the end portion is changed and can no longer pass through the aperture 10.

The present invention may be modified further without departing from the scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An assembly clamp comprising an elongate head portion (1) which partly surrounds an accommodation space (2) for accommodating the object to be assembled, a first and a second clamping member (3, 4) which are compressible to an assembly position where the accommodation space (2) is substantially closed, engagement means (9-12) which are disposed to hold the assembly clamp in a fixing position on the object in or in the proximity of the assembly position, said engagement means comprising a projection (9) and a recess (10) in each end region of the assembly clamp, characterised in that the projection (9) is insertible in the recess (10); and that the projection is disposed to be deformed after the insertion in order thereby to prevent resilient return from the fixing position.

2. The assembly clamp as claimed, in Claim 1, characterised in that the projection (9) is deformable for realising a catch remaining in the recess.

3. The assembly clamp as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the main portion (1) is, in the assembly position, arcuately bent along at least 1/2 of a turn; that the first and second opposing end regions (7 and 8, respectively) of the main portion are substantially straight and connect in tangential directions to the ends of the arcuate portion of the main portion; that a first clamping member (3) is substantially straight and is disposed as an extension of the first end region (7), while the second clamping member (4) is substantially straight and makes approximately a right angle out from the accommodation space (2) in relation to the second end region (8), the projection (9) extending as an extension of the second end region.

4. The assembly clamp as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the clamping members (3, 4) each have their aperture (5, 6, respectively) for accommodating a fixing element for securing the assembly clamp on a substrate and for its clamping together to the assembly position, the apertures lying substantially in register with one another in the fixing position.

5. The assembly clamp as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the main portion (1) has, along the greater part of its extent and at least on its side facing towards the accommodation space (2), a protective portion (18) of elastic or resilient material, said protective portion, in the fixing position at least along a part of extent, being in contact with and urged against the object which is to be assembled.

6. The assembly clamp as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the first clamping member (3) has an inward bight or depression (13) directed towards the second clamping member (4), and which, with an edge turned to face towards the first end region (7), connects to the recess (10) and which is disposed to accommodate a deformed portion of the projection (9).

7. A method for mounting a prefabricated assembly clamp which comprises a curved main portion (1) with clamping members (3, 4) disposed in its end regions, and engagement means (9-12), the main portion (1) of the assembly clamp being applied about the object which is to be assembled, and the clamping members (3, 4) being moved towards one another so that a fixing position, in the proximity of a final assembly position, is attained, characterised in that said engagement means (9-12) are plastically deformed so that the assembly clamp is locked in the fixing position.

8. The method as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that said engagement means (9-12) comprise a projection (9) and an aperture (10), respectively, in each end of the assembly clamp, and that the projection (9) is inserted in the aperture (10) in the fixing position, whereafter the projection (9) is deformed.

9. The method as claimed in Claim 8, characterised in that in the transfer to the deformed state, the projection (9) is bent or curled.

10. The method as claimed in Claim 8, characterised in that in the transfer to the deformed state, the projection (9) is twisted.

11. The method as claimed in Claim 8, characterised in that in the transfer to the deformed state, the projection (9) is butted or clinched.

12. A tool for mounting a prefabricated assembly clamp, the tool comprising a lower support surface which has centring devices (22, 25) for positioning the assembly clamp, and a vertically movable pressing device (20), characterised in that at least one of the centring devices (25) is also a deformation device for locking the assembly clamp in a fixing position.

13. The tool as claimed in Claim 12, characterised in that at least a portion of the assembly clamp is positionable between two guiding walls.

14. The tool as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the tool has a fixed lower portion and an upper portion which is movable in a sliding guide.