FI95833B - Band, especially clamping band - Google Patents

Abstract

Band, especially clamping band 10, which is endowed with flexible elasticity by one or more clamping band sections 50, which essentially comprise lateral band parts 52, which converge on one another from both ends of the section. The lateral band parts define a window-like opening, reminiscent of an hourglass, between them. The clamp structure according to the invention has an elasticity varying as a function of temperature and/or pressure. <IMAGE>

Description

1 95833

The present invention relates to a collar having a predetermined width and made of a material which substantially lacks elastic elasticity in the longitudinal direction, in particular a tension collar provided with elastic elasticity in the longitudinal direction.

Such a collar can be used in the earless clamp collars known per se in the prior art. They are used in applications where space conditions do not allow the use of protruding parts, such as so-called "Oetiker" lugs to tighten the tensioner around the object to which it is attached. An earlier U.S. Patent 4,492,004 discloses a stepless, 15 earless clamp collar that has proven to be very successful. However, previous non-replaceable clamp collars have had certain disadvantages compared to clamps equipped with so-called "Oetiker" lugs. This is because clamps equipped with 20 "Oetiker" lugs provide elastic compensation in the clamp, compensating for dimensional differences in hose external dimensions and / or changes in temperature and / or pressure of the fluid flowing through the hose.Inherent elasticity of such clamp collar assemblies is called "Oetiker" lugs. After plastic deformation, their use is an important advantage under changing conditions.

On the contrary, earless clamps of the type described in U.S. Patent 4,492,004, which lack the elastic elongation of the strip material in the longitudinal direction, 30 must be made to precisely defined hose dimensions and thus provide little width to the tightness . In addition, once installed around the hose 35, they do not provide elastic compensation for changes in temperature and / or pressure.

2,95833

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a collar of the type described above which avoids by simple means the above-described shortcomings and disadvantages which existed in the prior art and which provides in-5 elasticity which compensates for changes in pressure and / or temperature.

The above problems have been solved in accordance with the present invention in that the collar includes accessories that provide elastic resilience to at least one portion of the collar 10 and comprise non-linear collar side portions extending in the form of concave arcs on either side of the longitudinal median plane of the collar. when viewed in the transverse direction, the side portions of the collar protrude in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal center plane of the collar from a minimum point of mutual distance, the width of each side portion of the collar being less than 40% of the normal width of the collar material.

Thus, the width of the transverse strip portions si-20 transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tension strip is less than 40% of the total width of the tension strip, and preferably less than 30%. The width can be selected from said elastic extensibility and said ... as a function of the forces expected to be applied to the strip material. In addition, the angles between the window-like openings and each end of their sides are preferably rounded to minimize load peaks.

The tension collar modified in accordance with the present invention surprisingly provides considerable elastic extensibility in the longitudinal direction of the tension collar 30 under tension forces. It in turn follows that the earless clamp made of the collar has an inherent elasticity in the longitudinal direction so as to compensate for changes in the temperature and / or pressure of the medium flowing in the hose.

Il 3 95833

The amount of elastic elongation imparted to the parts in accordance with the present invention may be selected to meet the requirements of said tensioner, depending, inter alia, on the size of the tensioner, the tension strip material, etc. The location of such areas may also be selected as required by the tensioner design requirements. However, since the window-like opening or openings could compress a portion of the hose, the window-like opening or openings are preferably located in a stepless tabless clamp collar of the type described in the aforementioned patent in the outer strip portion of the overlapping ends in the area between the tool engagement surface and the central channel portion. the linguistic protrusion fits. In this way, the window-like opening of the present invention is effectively covered by an overlapping inner strip portion.

The present invention thus provides the inherent resilience of the earless clamp collar to compensate for changes in temperature and / or pressure. In addition, the present invention, i.e., 20, far-reachingly minimizes previous problems due to dimensional changes in the hose, i. it accepts larger dimensional differences in hose diameter in a given tensioner collar configuration. This is because the present invention makes it possible to reduce the exact fit requirement between the inner diameter of the tensioner and the outer diameter of the hose, taking into account the elasticity of the hose material and the joining forces it must withstand. This means that the earless tensioning collar formed from the collar according to the present invention can be used with hoses with larger dia-30 mm dimensional differences than previously possible, especially also in joints with relatively hard hose materials, as currently used, for example, in shaft cover joints in the automotive industry. .

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and appended claims. only showing several embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration 4,95833, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lugless stepless tensioner collar assembly in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of a mechanical plant area of the tabless tensioner-collar assembly of Fig. 1, also showing the elastic extensibility producing portion of the tensioner;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a flat ai-10 ground for a tensioner collar assembly of the type shown in Figure 1 and in accordance with prior U.S. Patent 4,712,278, including modifications of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a flat blank for a tensioner collar assembly of the type shown in Figure 15 and in accordance with prior U.S. Patent 4,712,278, including modifications of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of yet another stepless modified embodiment of a tension collar assembly according to the present invention, similar to Fig. 1, with the tension collar assembly in the installed state;

Fig. 6 is an axial view of the tensioner collar assembly of Fig. 5 prior to installation;

Fig. 7 shows a portion of a tension strap having a plurality of portions of the present invention that provide elastic extensibility to the tensioner; and

Fig. 8 shows a part of the tensioning strap and the shape of its parts if a tensile force is applied to it beyond the elastic limit of the strip material.

30 Referring now to the drawings, in which the same reference- !! in all the different figures to denote similar parts, and in particular to Figures 1 and 2, these figures show a tensioning collar of the type shown in the aforementioned U.S. Patent 4,492,004 in Figures 1-35. 8 Since the same reference numerals are used in this application as the same parts are used to indicate in that

II

In Examination No. 5,958,333, details of the tensioner, which are not detailed here, can be checked from said patent.

Reference numeral 10 generally denotes in Figures 1 and 2 of this application a non-lug, stepless tension collar assembly comprising a tension strap 11, the free ends of which are suitable for mechanical joining when mounting the tension collar around an object to be fastened. The mechanical connection is made by means of an outwardly projecting guide hook 12 and two cold-formed support hooks 13a produced in the inner strip portion 14 and suitable for engaging the openings 15 produced in the outer strip portion 16. The guide and support hooks 12 and 13 may thus be constructed in a prior U.S. patent. No. 4,299,012 15 as disclosed. However, the present invention is equally applicable to any other type of mechanical joint that can withstand the expected forces on the tensioner assembly. For example, instead of the guide hook 12 and the support hooks 13, a simple cold-20 deformed support hook 13 may also be suitable. Alternatively, the mechanical connection may also be constructed as disclosed in prior U.S. Patents 4,622,720 and 4,711,001.

To enable the tensioner to be mounted by tightening it around the object to be fastened, the outer and inner strip portions 16 and 14 are provided with tool coupling supports 24 and 25. The tool coupling supports 24 and 25 are in the form of cold-formed compressed convexes at least approximately semicircular in shape. in cross-section. The compressed tool coupling constraint 24 30 in the outer strip portion 16 is thus approximately semi-cylindrical in shape and has side contact surfaces 24a and 24b by means of which its cylindrical walls are integral with the outer strip portion 16 in the axial direction. The cold-deformed compressed tool engagement 25 of the inner strip portion 14 has only one tool body contact surface 25a and is integral with the inner strip portion 959533 of substantially the remaining contour. The outer strip portion 16 is also provided with an elongate groove or opening 27 between the compressed constraint 24 and the openings 15. The opening 27 is of such a width that the compressed tool contact surface 25 of the inner strip portion 14 can pass therethrough. The inner and outer compressed constraints 25 and 24 are thus compatible in dimensions and shape so that the compressed constraint 25 of the inner strip portion 14 can slide under the compressed constraint 24 of the outer strip portion 16 as the tension collar is tightened using a tensioning tool disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. patent. 4,492,004. A press hook 28 of any suitable shape and construction thus acts as a pre-assembly hook when it engages the transverse end wall 27a of the opening 27 15.

In order to reach the stepless inner surface of the tension collar, the free end of the inner strip part 14 is provided with a tongue-like projection 31 suitable for engaging the tongue receiving channel. The tongue receiving channel 20 is formed by pressing the center portion 35 of the strip after making the longitudinal cuts 34 and 34 'starting at 33 so that the side portions 36 of the strip remain on either side of the cuts 34 and 34'. The details of the tensioner collar assembly described so far correspond to the details of the earlier U.S. Patent 4,299,012.

To impart elastic extensibility to the tensioner collar assembly under tensile forces, the tensioner strap 11 of the present invention comprises a portion of the strap, generally designated 50, constructed 30 and positioned to provide a limited elastic extensibility to the otherwise substantially unstretchable tensioner strap 11. More specifically, this is achieved by stamping or stamping the tension strap portion 11 so as to leave non-linear strip side portions 52. In the embodiment shown in Figures 35 1 and 2, a window-like opening 53 resembling an hourglass is provided. Window-like I! The aperture 53 thus delimits the inner sides 54 of the side portions 52 of the strip, while their outer sides 51 are obtained by cuts by removing a more or less segment-shaped area (Fig. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, the surfaces 54 and 51 thus run approximately parallel to each other so that the width of the side portions of the strip is approximately constant. The more or less flat ends 56 formed by the window-like cuts 53 extend to the side surfaces 54 through rounded portions. The side portions 52 of the strip thus converge from each end 56 of the window-like opening 53 in a manner in which the steepness of the approach gradually decreases, as shown, with the surfaces 51 and 54 of each side portion 52 of the strip being curved, concave in shape, as shown. When the tension collar assembly is subjected to tensile forces 15, for example as temperature or pressure increases, the non-linear strip side portions 52 tend to straighten, thus allowing the tension collar 11 to stretch in the longitudinal direction, causing the strip side portions to resiliently return to their original curved shape.

In a stepless tension collar assembly, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of this application, it is advantageous to place the elastic extensibility portion or portions 50 on the tension collar in an area located between the constraint 24 and the step 33. The window-like opening 53, which could cause the rubber hose 25 to be compressed during operation, is therefore covered by an overlapping inner part 14 of the strip.

Figure 3 illustrates the present invention when used with the "30 type tensioner collar assembly disclosed in Figure 1 of the prior U.S. Patent 4,712,278. Parts λ similar to the corresponding parts of Figures 1 and 2 of this application are denoted by the same reference numerals, while comma-separated reference numerals are used to denote those parts in Figure 3 which differ from the corresponding parts of Figures 1 and 2 of this application.

In contrast to Figures 1 and 2, the constraint of Figures 1 and 2 has been replaced in Figure 3 by two strip-like portions 25 'arranged at least substantially symmetrically with respect to the center of the longitudinal axis of the tension strap 11 so that almost equal strip material remains between the longitudinal sides of the strip. The strip-like portions 25 'are approximately triangular in shape when viewed along the axis of the tensioner collar assembly. However, they may also have any other suitable shape, as long as they satisfy the durability requirements of the clamping forces and facilitate manufacture. The strip-like parts 25 'are arranged so that they can pass through the opening 27. Also, in contrast to the mechanical connection of Figures 1 and 2 of this application comprising teeth 12 and 13 engaging the openings 15, the embodiment of Figure 3 provides a mechanical connection using a small protrusion 15'a located approximately in the center of the transverse end 27a of the opening 27. The small protrusion 15'a is thus effective as a guide and hub in engaging the end of the overlapping strip and as an additional locking device when the cold-20 deformed support hook 13 engages the force engaging surface against the transverse end 27a of the opening 27. Hitherto, the tension collar is similar to the collar disclosed in Figure 1 of the earlier U.S. Patent 4,712,278. In contrast, the tension collar 25 of the present invention shown in Figure 3 comprises a portion generally designated 50, which in the stepless tension collar is preferably positioned between the constraint 24 and the step 33 to provide elastic extensibility to the tension collar. The elastic extensibility portion 50 may thus be constructed in the same manner as the portion 50 in Figures 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention as a clamp collar assembly of the type shown in Fig. 5 of the prior U.S. Patent 4,712,278, which differs from Fig. 3 of the present application in that the constraint 24 of Fig. 3 is replaced by two strip-like portions 24 '. Means for providing elastic extensibility

II

9 95833 assembly comprises two parts, generally indicated by reference numeral 50, constructed similarly to the parts of Figures 1 and 2. The strip portion 58 between the two portions 50, which forms the leaded ends 56 of the window-like openings 53, extends over the entire width of the tension strap 11 and has a width in the longitudinal direction of the tension strip approximately equal to or greater than the width of the strip side portions 52.

Figures 5 and 6 show yet another modified embodiment of a stepless earless clamp according to the present invention, in which the constraint 25 also functions in the pre-assembly of the clamp while the mechanical connection consists of a simple cold-formed support hook 28 compatible with Figure 3 of Figure 3 of this application. 15'a with a corresponding projection (not shown). The devices for imparting elastic extensibility to the tension collar comprise a portion 50 similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, again placed between the constraint 24 and the step 33 from which the tongue receiving terminal 35 begins.

Fig. 7 shows a tension collar provided with a plurality of extensibility members 50 of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of this application, the number of which is selected depending on the amount of elastic extensibility desired for a particular size and tension material made of a particular strip material.

Fig. 8 shows a tension collar provided with three parts 50 stretched over the elastic limit of the tension collar material. However, in actual repeated tests, the elastic elongation of a commercially available stainless steel strip material could be achieved using this invention without a negative elastic effect. Spring effect i.e. the maximum elastic elongation depends on the number of parts 50 35 used in the collar, the greater the number of parts 50, the longer the elastic range. An elastic elongation of 0.4 mm • · „95833 could be achieved with one part 50 and an elastic range of 5 mm with a corresponding amount of bone in such areas, all without fatigue fatigue.

The method of imparting resilient elongation to a Kiris-5 tin collar is both simple and economical because it can be performed with a single stamping or stamping operation. This stamping or stamping operation can be performed simultaneously, such as normal flat billet stamping or stamping to produce the necessary cuts, notches and / or deformations in the tensioner assembly, for example for mechanical joints of overlapping ends, etc. All that is required is to change one or several punches used in such a stamping or punching operation. The window-like opening 53 as well as the parts of the tensioning collar which are removed from the concave outer sides 51 can thus be removed in one and the same operation.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that numerous changes and modifications may be made thereto. The number of elastic extensibility members as well as the detailed shape of the cuts can be varied to match the material of the tension collar and the desired flexibility. In addition, cut-25 seasons i.e. the shape of the window-like opening and the side surfaces of the parts 50 as well as the number in a given tension collar assembly can be selected so as to provide the desired elastic extensibility for a given size tension collar. The shape of the window-like opening 53 as well as the sides 51 can be varied to achieve the desired individual properties. Changes in approach or difference may also vary depending on the material of the particular tensioner assembly and the desired extensibility. In addition, the sides 51 and 54 of the side portions 52 of the strip need not be parallel, but may also be slightly non-parallel to achieve specific results. However, it is better if all the displacements of the inner and / or outer surfaces of the parts 50 are soft and curved to avoid local stress concentrations. In addition, the present invention can be applied to other parts which are inherently non-stretchable in a certain direction and to which elastic stretchability is to be provided.

Thus, although several embodiments of the present invention have been shown, they are not limited thereto, but are intended to cover all such changes and modifications as are known to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of the appended claims.

I 0

Claims (10)

12 95833 A collar having a predetermined width and made of a material which substantially lacks elastic elasticity in the longitudinal direction, in particular a tension collar (11) provided with elastic elasticity in the longitudinal direction, characterized in that the collar comprises accessories (50) which provide elastic resilience for at least one part of the collar, comprising 10 non-linear collar side portions (52) extending in the form of concave arcs on either side of the longitudinal median plane of the collar such that, when viewed transversely to the longitudinal direction, the collar side portions protrude in opposite directions to the median plane from the minimum point of mutual distance, wherein the width of the side portion (52) of each collar is less than 40% of the normal width of the collar material. A collar according to claim 1, characterized in that each part (50) is approximately symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal central plane of the collar. Collar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each part (50) comprises at least one centrally located window (53) in the central region of the clamping pan. A collar according to claim 3, characterized in that the shape of each window (53) at least approximately resembles an hourglass, and in that the sides (51) of the collar are concavely curved in the region 30 of each window (53). A collar according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the collar side surfaces (51) are shaped to follow at least approximately the shape of the sides (54) adjacent to the window (53) and the collar side portions (52) are formed on respective side surfaces (51) and between the respective adjacent sides (54) of the window (53), and in that the two side parts (52) of each part II 95833 are at least approximately standard plates for a substantial part of their length. Collar according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the additional devices are formed by cuts made in the collar, which comprise at least one cut (53) in the central region of the collar as well as cuts (51) on the sides of the collar in the region of the central region (53). under. A collar according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the collar comprises at least two such parts (50) and a transverse collar part (58) between adjacent parts. Collar according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the collar side parts (52) terminate at both ends to the normal full width of the collar. Collar according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the collar consists essentially of such parts (50) over a considerable part of its entire length. Pan according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that all such parts (50) are identical. 95833 Patervtkrav