FR2707352A1 - Clamping collar - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a clamping collar of the sort including, on the one hand, a flexible strap (11) which, on a main face (12) is provided with teeth (13) and, on the other hand, a closure head (14) which has at least one passage (15, 15') into which the flexible strap (11) engages and on which there is articulated at least one lug (dog) (18) bearing at least one tooth (19) for interacting with the teeth (13) of the flexible strap (11). According to the invention, the lug (18) is articulated to the closure head (14) about an axis (A) which overall is perpendicular to the main faces (12) of the flexible strap (11), and it is associated therewith at least by one locking means (V1) for immobilising it parallel to its main faces (12). Application to clamping collars.

Description

"Clamp"
The present invention relates generally to clamps of the type comprising, in practice in one piece, on the one hand, a flexible strap, which, over at least part of its length, comprises transversely, on the 'at least one of its main faces, notches, and, on the other hand, a closing head, which, for the engagement of the flexible strap after folding in a loop thereof, comprises at least one passage formed in practice with a trigger guard, and on which is articulated, at a distance from this passage, at least one cleat carrying at least one tooth for cooperation with the notches of the flexible strap.

Clamps of this kind, which are in practice made of synthetic material, are for example described in the French patent filed on June 19, 1973 under No 73 22203 and published under No 2 234 803 and in the certificate of French utility filed on August 9, 1976 under the
No 76 24294 and published under No 2 361 563.

 Depending on the orientation of the passage which it comprises, the closure head extends either substantially in continuity with the flexible strap, and this is the case in French utility certificate No 76 24294, or substantially perpendicular to this flexible strap, and this is the case in French patent No 73 22203.

 In all cases, the cleat is articulated to the closing head along an axis generally parallel to the main faces of the flexible strap and, therefore, parallel to the notches with which it must cooperate, so that, taking into account the inherent elasticity at its articulation, it benefits by itself from a restoring force which solicits it permanently in the direction of these notches.

 This provision is generally satisfactory.

 However, it has drawbacks, which are as follows.

 First of all, for its locking in engagement with the notches of the flexible strap during a tightening, the cleat only benefits from the restoring force due to its articulation.

 I1 follows that, to prevent its teeth from escaping from these notches, it is necessary to give the assembly a significant height, to the detriment of the amount of material used, and therefore costs.

 It also results from this that the latching force to be developed when tightening for crossing a notch of the flexible strap is usually relatively large.

 Furthermore, the teeth of the cleat extend continuously parallel to the notches of the flexible strap.

 I1 results, when tightening, for the user, a more or less unpleasant ratchet effect.

 Indeed, the crossing of each additional notch of the flexible strap by the cleat momentarily results in a relaxation of the tensile force to be exerted on this flexible strap, and, jointly, it is inevitably generating noise.

 The present invention generally relates to a provision making it possible to minimize these drawbacks.

 More specifically, it relates to a clamp of the kind comprising, on the one hand, a flexible strap, which, over at least part of its length, comprises, transversely, on at least one of its faces main, notches, and, on the other hand, a closing head, which, for the engagement of the flexible strap after folding in a loop thereof, comprises at least one passage formed by means of a trigger guard, and on which is articulated, at a distance from this passage, at least one cleat carrying at least one tooth for cooperation with the notches of the flexible strap, this clamping collar being generally characterized in that the cleat is articulated to the closure head along an axis generally perpendicular to the main faces of the flexible strap, and in that it is associated with at least one locking means for locking it parallel to these main faces when tightened.

 For example, the locking means thus implemented is a wedging means, this locking means resulting from an engagement of the cleat under a clamping shoulder, this shoulder belonging for example to the trigger guard, to another member of the head. closure, or another cleat.

 As a variant, and also according to various possible embodiments, the locking means is a bracing means, this locking means resulting from a support of the cleat on another member, such as another cleat, a rib of the flexible strap, or the trigger guard of the closing head, when tightening.

 Anyway, thanks to or to the locking means thus implemented, the height of the cleat teeth and / or that of the notches of the flexible strap can advantageously be reduced.

 Indeed, whatever these heights, the locking means or means used guarantee that these teeth are held in contact with the notches when tightened.

 Due to the reduction in height guaranteed, the snap-on force to be exerted for crossing a notch of the flexible strap is jointly reduced by the same amount.

 Overall, the implementation of the clamp according to the invention is thus easier.

 Preferably, the teeth of the cleat of this collar extend obliquely with respect to the notches of the flexible strap at rest, and the projection of their length on the direction of elongation of the flexible strap is greater than the pitch of the notches of the latter. this, and, therefore, at their own pace.

 Thus, when tightening, the cleat teeth advantageously bear permanently on the crest of two successive notches of the flexible strap, without engaging between these notches.

 Any ratcheting effect is then advantageously eliminated, both with regard to the variation in the tensile force and with regard to noise.

Certainly in the French utility certificate
No. 76 24294, there are provided, in addition to the cleat which cooperates with the notches of one of the main faces of the flexible strap, cleats which, cooperating with notches provided for them on edges of this flexible strap, are articulated with the closure head along axes generally perpendicular to the main faces thereof.

 However, these cleats, which, moreover, having regard to their short range, only intervene on an ancillary basis, there is no associated locking means.

 The reason is that, by the mere fact of their articulation, they usually benefit from a sufficient return force towards the notches with which they cooperate.

 Indeed, as for the main cleat, their axes of articulation are parallel to these notches.

 I1 is not the same in the clamp according to the invention.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which
Figure 1 is a partial plan view of a clamp according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a partial view in longitudinal section along the line II-II of Figure 1
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of its closure head, taken along line III-III of Figure 2
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of its flexible strap, along line IV-IV of Figure 2
Figure 5 is a partial view from below of its closure head, according to arrow V in Figure 2
Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, are partial perspective views - longitudinal section illustrating various successive phases of implementation of the clamp according to the invention;
Figure 7 is a partial plan view which, derived from that of Figure 1, corresponds to the final phase of this implementation
Figures 8 and 9 are partial plan views which, similar to that of Figure 7, each relate respectively to two alternative embodiments
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of Figure 9, along line XX of this Figure 9
Figures 11 to 17 are partial plan views which, similar to that of Figure 7, each relate respectively to other alternative embodiments
Figures 18 and 19 are partial plan views of another alternative embodiment, before and after implementation;
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view along the line XX-XX of Figure 18
Figures 21, 22 are partial plan views which, analogously, each respectively, to those of Figures 18, 19, relate to another alternative embodiment;
FIGS. 23A and 23B are, on a larger scale, and with local cutaway views, partial perspective views of this variant embodiment, before and after implementation
Figures 24 and 25 are partial plan views which, each corresponding respectively to those of Figures 5 and 7, relate to another alternative embodiment
Figure 26 is, on a different scale, a partial plan view which, derived from that of Figure 1, illustrates a particular preferred aspect of the invention.

 As illustrated in these figures, and in a manner known per se, the clamp 10 according to the invention comprises, on the one hand, a flexible strap 11, which, over at least part of its length, comprises, transversely , on at least one of its main faces 12, notches 13, and, on the other hand, a closure head 14, which, for the engagement of the flexible strap 11 after folding in a loop thereof following methods described in more detail later, comprises at least one passage 15 formed by means of a trigger guard 16, and on which is articulated, at a distance from passage 15, at least one cleat 18 carrying at least one tooth 19 for cooperation with the notches 13 of the flexible strap 11.

 In practice, the flexible strap 11 and the closure head 14 are in one piece, the assembly being for example produced by molding any synthetic material.

 The notches 13 of the flexible strap 11 are established at a regular pitch P, and they are notches of asymmetrical profile, with a straight front on the side of the closure head 14 and an inclined front on the side opposite the latter.

 In its embodiment shown, the flexible strap 11 has notches 13 only on one of its main faces 12, and, to facilitate its introduction into the passage 15 of the closure head 14, it extends, on the opposite side thereof, by a tapered gripping tab 20.

 In addition, in this embodiment, the notches 13 of the flexible strap 11 extend between two ribs 22 running longitudinally along its edges.

 The height of these ribs 22 is in practice slightly greater than that of the notches 13.

 The crest line of the notches 13 is therefore set back from them.

 In the embodiment shown, the closure head 14 extends substantially in the extension of the flexible strap 11, and it comprises, in addition to a sole 23, which, overall, and according to embodiments described later, is substantially in continuity with the flexible strap 11, two flanges 24, which, perpendicular to the sole 23, and parallel to each other, are established at a distance L2 from each other slightly greater than the width L1 of the flexible strap 11, and that connects the trigger guard 16 at a distance from the sole 23.

 The passage 15 is therefore formed between the sole 23, the flanges 24, and the trigger guard 16.

 In practice, in the embodiment shown, two bridges 16, 16 ′ are provided at a distance from one another, and substantially in alignment with each other, above the sole 23, and the closure head 14 thus has two passages 15, 15 '.

 The passage 15 and the trigger guard 16 are those furthest from the flexible strap 11.

 The cleat 18 extends between the bridges 16, 16 '.

 I1 is for example at a distance L3 from the trigger guard 16.

 For reasons of ease of molding, the sole 23 is largely perforated in line with the bridges 16, 16 ′ and the cleat 18.

 It is reduced in practice to two crosspieces 25, 25 'connecting transversely to one another the flanges 24 at the ends thereof.

 The cross-member 25 is the farthest from the flexible strap 11.

 The cross 25 'is in continuity with it.

 According to the invention, the cleat 18 is articulated to the closure head 14 along an axis A generally perpendicular to the main faces 12 of the flexible strap 11, and, according to methods described in more detail later, it is associated with at least one locking means V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 for its locking parallel to these main faces 12.

 The axis of articulation A of the cleat 18 is shown in broken lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, and it is shown diagrammatically by its trace in FIGS. 1 and 5.

 In practice, the cleat 18 extends from one of the flanges 24 of the closure head 14, by connecting to it by a tongue 26, of reduced width and thickness, which, by its own flexibility, materializes its axis of articulation A.

 Also in practice, the cleat 18 extends flat, generally parallel to the main faces 12 of the flexible strap 11.

 In the embodiment more particularly shown in Figures 1 to 6, there are thus, side by side, in the same plane parallel to the main faces 12 of the flexible strap 11, two tabs 18, which, arranged symmetrically apart and on the other side of the plane of symmetry S of the assembly materialized in broken lines by its trace in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, are articulated to the closing head 14 in opposite directions with respect to each other .

 Each of them has, in plan, a trapezoidal contour, with the small and the large bases parallel to the flanges 24 of the closure head 14, a side perpendicular to these flanges 24, and an oblique side with respect thereto.

 The base of this trapezoidal contour closest to the flanges 24 is the small base and the tongue 26 extends over only part of its length.

 In the embodiment shown, each of the cleats 18 has several teeth 19.

 These teeth 19 are established at the same pitch P as the notches 13 of the flexible strap 11, and, as for these, but in a complementary manner, their profile is asymmetrical.

 In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, the teeth 19 of the tabs 18 are parallel to the notches 13 of the flexible strap 11 at rest.

 The axis of articulation A of the cleats 18 is perpendicular to the crest line of their teeth 19, as it is perpendicular to the crest line of the notches 13 of the flexible strap 11.

 Of course, the teeth 19 of the cleats 18 extend on the face of these turned towards the inside of the closure head 14, that is to say towards the sole 23 thereof.

 During implementation, the flexible strap 11 initially extends flat, FIG. 6A.

 After a loop folding which, shown diagrammatically by a broken line B in FIG. 6B, leads it to bypass the object, not shown, to be clamped, leaving its notches 13 outside, the flexible strap 11 is successively engaged in the passages 15, 15 ′ of the closing head 14, and, beyond the latter, a traction is exerted on it, according to the arrow F1 in FIG. 6B.

 When the flexible strap 11 passes, the tabs 18 are elastically erased perpendicularly to the latter, as shown diagrammatically by an arrow F2 for one of them in FIG. 6B.

 When its tension is sufficient, the flexible strap 11 is released.

 It then tends to retract, following a retrograde movement relative to its previous engagement movement, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow F'1 in FIG. 6C.

 But, on the one hand, due to the elastic return of the lugs 18 in the direction of it, and, on the other hand, the asymmetrical profile complementary to its notches 13 and the teeth 19 of these lugs 18, the flexible strap 11 then tends to carry with it these tabs 18, by pivoting about their axis of articulation A, as shown diagrammatically by an arrow F3 for one of them in FIG. 6C.

 The cleats 18 therefore engage under the trigger guard 16, and get stuck there, FIGS. 6C and 7.

 Jointly, they come laterally to bear one on the other by their edge opposite their axis of articulation A, at the end of this edge furthest from the trigger guard 16, FIG. 7.

 Thus locked in position parallel to the main faces 12 of the flexible strap 11, the cleats 18 firmly ensure the retention of the latter.

 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, two locking means V1, V2 therefore intervene concurrently with the tightening to ensure the locking of the cleats 18.

 The locking means V1 is the wedging means resulting from the engagement of these tabs 18 under a shoulder 28, which, in this case, belongs to the trigger guard 16, being formed by the lower surface thereof.

 The locking means V2 is the bracing means resulting from their support one on the other.

 To favor the wedging means constituting the locking means V1, the shoulder 28 extends at least partially obliquely, approaching the sole 23 of the closure head 14 as it goes moves away from the cleats 18.

 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the lower surface of the bridge 16 forming this shoulder 28 extends entirely obliquely relative to the sole 23.

 As a variant, or in addition according to an embodiment not shown, the upper surface 29 of the cleats 18, that is to say their surface facing outwards from the closure head 14, and, therefore, that opposite the sole 23 thereof, also extends at least partially obliquely.

 In the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 8, only a locking means V1 intervenes.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 9, only intervenes on the contrary a locking means
V2; the trigger guard 16 can in this case be omitted, the only remaining then, as shown, the trigger guard 16 '.

 Preferably, and as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 10, the distance L4 separating diagonally in a transverse plane the tongue 26 of the cleats 18 materializing their axis of articulation A of their point of contact closest to the flexible strap 11 is then greater at the distance L5 separating in a straight line this tab 26 from their contact line.

 When the locking means is a bracing means, the lugs 18 can be supported on other members.

 For example, and as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 11 to 13 for the corresponding locking means V3, the lugs 18 are supported on at least one of the ribs 22 of the flexible strap 11.

 In the embodiments shown, it is done only on one of these ribs 22, and it is in practice that intervening on the side of their axis of articulation A, that is to say on the side of the tongue 26 which connects them to the corresponding flange 24 of the closure head 14.

 The support of the cleats 18 results, in practice, for the ribs 22 of the flexible strap 11, a local deformation which causes them to be applied against the flanges 24 of the closure head 14.

 These flanges 24 then buttress these ribs 22, and, through them, the cleats 18.

 In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the locking means V3 intervenes in isolation.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, it operates concurrently with a locking means
V2, and, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, it operates concurrently with a locking means
V1.

 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the locking means V4 associated with the cleats 18 is a bracing means resulting from a front support of these cleats 18 against the trigger guard 16.

 As before, this locking means V4 can intervene concurrently with another locking means, and, for example, with a locking means V1.

 In the above, two tabs 18 are provided.

 As a variant, FIGS. 15 to 20, only a cleat 18 intervenes.

 In FIG. 15, the locking means associated with it is a locking means V1.

In FIG. 16, it is a locking means
V3 involving a lateral support of the cleat 18 on the rib 22 of the flexible strap 11 acting on the side of its articulation axis A, that is to say on the side of the tongue 26 which connects it to a flange 24 of the closing head 14.

 In FIG. 17, it is a locking means V5 involving its support on the rib 22 of the flexible strap 11 acting on the side opposite to this tongue 26.

 As before, at least two locking means can intervene concurrently.

 This is the case in FIGS. 18 to 20: when tightening, FIG. 19, a locking means V1 and a locking means V6 intervene.

 In the embodiment shown, the shoulder 28 of the locking means V1 belongs to one of the flanges 24 of the closure head 14, in this case the one disposed on the side opposite the tongue 26 of the cleat 18, it that is to say on the side opposite its axis of articulation A, this flange 24 having recessed on its internal face a clearance 30 whose shoulder 28 forms the roof on the side opposite to the sole 23, and therefore to the strap flexible 11, and in which the cleat 18 engages in tightening.

 The locking means V6 is corollarily a bracing means involving the support of the cleat 18 on at least one of the flanges 24, and, more precisely, in this case, on the bottom 31 of the clearance 30 of that of these flanges 24 which includes such a clearance 30.

 In an alternative embodiment not shown, the locking means V3, V5 intervene concurrently, the cleat 18 then coming to bear laterally on one and the other of the ribs 22 of the flexible strap 11, by being arched in some way between them.

 In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, which uses two cleats 18, they intervene, concurrently with the tightening, a locking means V1 and a locking means V2, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7.

 However, as regards the locking means V1, the shoulder 28 belongs, as before, to a flange 24 of the closing head 14 for one of the cleats 18, this cleat 18 comprising, laterally, in door-to-door position. false, on the side opposite to its tongue 26, an extension 32 by which it overhangs at least locally, by cantilever, the other cleat 18 at clamping, and by which it can thus engage in a clearance 30 of this flange 24, while, for the other cleat 18, the shoulder 28 belongs to the previous cleat 18, and, more precisely, to the lower surface of the extension 32 thereof.

 In the embodiment shown, the extension 32 extends in superstructure for the cleat 18 which carries it and it has a square outline in plan.

 In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, which, by way of example, also uses two cleats 18, the teeth 19 of these cleats 18 are, at rest, oblique with respect to the notches 13 of the flexible strap 11, moving closer to this flexible strap 11 as they move away from the corresponding hinge axis A.

 Thus, when tightening, these teeth 19 are on the contrary parallel to the notches 13 of the flexible strap 11, and they can therefore be engaged with these notches 13 over their entire length.

 For example, the angle of inclination C of the teeth 19 of the tabs 18 relative to the notches 13 of the flexible strap 11 at rest is between 0 and 10 ".

 Of course, this provision can also apply to the case where a single cleat 18 is provided.

 Preferably, and as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 26, the projection H of the length L3 of at least one of the teeth 19 of a cleat 18 on the direction of elongation D of the flexible strap 11 is greater than the pitch P of notches 13 of this flexible strap 11.

 Thus, when the flexible strap 11 is engaged in the passages 15, 15 ′ of the closing head 14, the tabs 18 permanently bear on the crest line of at least two successive notches 13 of the flexible strap 11 , which eliminates any ratcheting effect.

 In FIGS. 1 and 5, the direction of elongation D of the flexible strap 11 merges with the trace of the plane of symmetry S of the assembly.

 Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant and / or combination of their various elements.

Claims (21)

 1. A clamp of the kind comprising, on the one hand, a flexible strap (11), which, over at least part of its length, comprises transversely, on at least one of its main faces (12), notches (13), and, on the other hand, a closing head (14), which comprises at least one passage (15, 15 ') formed by means of a trigger guard (16, 16') for the engagement of the flexible strap (11) after folding it in a loop, and on which is articulated, at a distance from said passage (15, 15 '), at least one cleat (18) carrying at least one tooth (19 ) for cooperation with the notches (13) of the flexible strap (11), characterized in that, the cleat (18) is articulated to the closing head (14) along an axis (A) generally perpendicular to the main faces (12 ) of the flexible strap (11) and it is associated with at least one locking means (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6) for its locking parallel to these main faces (12).  2. Clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleat (18) extends flat generally parallel to the main faces (12) of the flexible strap (11).  3. Clamp according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that, the closure head (14) comprising two flanges (24) which connects the trigger guard (16, 16 '), the cleat ( 18) extends from one of said flanges (24).  4. Clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking means (V1) is a wedging means, said locking means (V1) resulting from an engagement of the cleat (18) under a clamping shoulder.  5. Clamp according to claim 4, characterized in that the shoulder (28) belongs to a trigger guard (16, 16 ').  6. Clamp according to claim 4, characterized in that, the closing head (14) comprising two flanges (24) which the bridge (16, 16 ') connects to each other, the shoulder (28) belongs to the 'one of said flanges (24).  7. Clamp according to claim 4, characterized in that the shoulder (28) belongs to another cleat (18).  8. Clamp according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the shoulder (28) extends at least partly obliquely.  9. Clamp according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the upper surface (29) of the cleat (18) extends at least partially obliquely.  10. Clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the locking means (V2, V3, V4, V5, V6) is a bracing means, said locking means (V2 , V3, V4, V5, V6) resulting from pressing the cleat (18) when tightening.  11. Clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that the support of the cleat (18) for clamping is done on another cleat (18).  12. Clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that, the notches (13) of the flexible strap (11) extending between two ribs (22), the support of the cleat (18) for tightening is done on at least one of said ribs (22).  13. Clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that the support of the cleat (18) for clamping is done on the trigger guard (16, 16 ').  14. Hose clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that, the closing head (14) comprising two flanges (24) which connects the trigger guard (16, 16 '), the support of the cleat (18) at tightening is done on at least one of said flanges (24).  15. Clamp according to any one of  Claims 4 to 14, characterized in that at least two locking means (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6) intervene concurrently with the tightening.  16. Clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, at rest, the tooth or teeth (19) of the cleat (18) are parallel to the notches (13) of the flexible strap (11) .  17. Clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, at rest, the tooth or teeth (19) of the cleat (18) are oblique with respect to the notches (13) of the flexible strap ( 11).  18. Clamp according to claim 17, characterized in that the angle of inclination (C) of the teeth (19) of the cleat (18) relative to the notches (13) of the flexible strap (11) at rest, is between 0 and 10.  19. Clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the projection (H) of the length (L3) of the tooth (s) (19) of the cleat (18) on the direction of elongation (D) of the flexible strap (11) is greater than the pitch (P) of the notches (13) of the flexible strap (11).  20. Clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that there are side by side in the same plane two tabs (18) articulated to the closure head (14) in opposite directions. one over the other.  21. Clamp according to claim 20, characterized in that one of the cleats (18) has a cantilever extension (32) by which it overhangs at least locally the other cleat (18) when clamping .