FR2792975A1 - Articulated clamping ring for cylindrical tubes or pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

The clamping ring has a fixed part (10) that is bolted to a support, and a hinged part (12) that is opened to allow the tube to be fitted, then closed over the tube and locked with a bolt (14). The articulation is provided by a slot (16) in the fixed part. A transverse ridge (20) on either side of the slot accepts the 'T'-shaped termination (18B) of the hinged part to provide the hinge.

Description

The present invention relates to a retaining collar for elements

  cylindrical comprising an armature having a first and a second part which each comprise a substantially semi-cylindrical part, the first end of the first part having a slot, while the first end of the second part has a hook capable of cooperating with this slot to make an articulated connection between said first and second parts, the second

  ends of these parts having means for closing the collar.

  US Patent 3,964,773 discloses a collar in two parts articulated io with respect to each other, serving to make the connection between two cylindrical elements. In this collar, the slot is made in an extension of the first part which is arranged in strong radial projection, while the

  hook substantially forms a folded T, inserted in this slot.

  The fact that the means allowing the attachment between the two parts are strongly projecting from the outside of the collar causes a cantilever which is bulky and weakens the collar. In addition, these attachment means have free edges forming sharp edges which may prove to be troublesome for handling objects located at the

neighborhood of the collar.

  US Patent 2,396,837 shows another articulated collar, of the type commonly used in environments stressed by vibrations, in particular in automobile or aeronautical vehicles. Collars of this type are provided with a lining which at least partially surrounds the frame of the collar and are fixed to the walls of the machine to hold cylindrical elements such as pipes,

  electrical wiring or the like.

  This US Pat. No. 2,396,837 shows a collar using attachment means of the aforementioned type. However, in this case also, these attachment means form a radial projection on the side outside the collar, this projection being bulky and can be troublesome. It should also be noted that the presence of this projection makes it necessary to

  interruption of the interior trim of the collar.

  This patent also shows an embodiment in which the attachment means do not have sharp edges, but these attachment means also form a strong radial projection and require

  also an interruption of the collar trim.

  The object of the invention is to provide an articulated collar of the aforementioned type, in which the attachment means between the first ends of the two parts which form the frame of the collar are simple to produce and to use, and are free of disadvantages mentioned above, in particular insofar as they do not form a strong radial projection. This object is achieved by the fact that the first end of the first part has a first transverse corrugation whose concavity is turned towards the inside of the collar, said slot being formed, at least in part, in this first corrugation, while the hook io comprises a trunk and a head arranged substantially in a T, the trunk having a second transverse undulation whose concavity is turned towards the inside of the collar and the fact that, in the hooked position of the two parts, the head of the hook is engaged under the first ripple while the free edge of the first end of the first piece is

  1is engaged under the second undulation.

  When the two parts are hooked by their respective first end, only the first and second undulations project radially outward from the collar at these first ends. These undulations somehow protect the attachment means vis-à-vis the external environment, and no element has sharp edges

protruding radially.

  Preferably, the corrugations are formed so that their respective concave internal face forms housings, respectively for the head of the hook and for the free edge of the slot, allowing this head and this free edge to be in continuity of the circle defined by the semi-cylindrical parts of the two parts. In other words, the depth of the recesses formed on the internal face of the collar by the undulations is capable of accommodating the thickness, respectively.

  radial of the hook head and that of the free edge of the slot.

  Thanks to the invention, the inner surface of the collar has a continuity of support on the object to be maintained or tightened, even in the region of the connection between the first ends of the two parts which form this collar. It follows that the element to be maintained, possibly by means of a gasket, is subjected to the same pressure from the collar in the region of this connection as in all of the regions

semi-cylindrical of the collar.

  Advantageously, the substantially semi-cylindrical parts of the first and second parts are formed by flat strips which have

  substantially the same thickness and which are wound on themselves.

  In this case, according to a particularly advantageous arrangement, the first and the second undulation have substantially the same amplitude measured radially in the direction going towards the outside of the collar and this amplitude is substantially equal to the thickness of said strips.

flat metal.

  These provisions constitute a simple way of making the corrugations with a minimum radial bulk, while allowing continuity of the inner reach of the collar. The two pieces of

  the reinforcement are generally made from the same strip.

  According to one embodiment, the collar comprises a sheath disposed around the substantially semi-cylindrical parts of the first and second pieces. In this case, the sheath is advantageously constituted by a continuous sleeve which covers even the first ends of the

first and second pieces.

  Thanks to the invention, it is possible to use, for the lining of the frame, a sheath forming a single piece constituted by a continuous sleeve, threaded on the semi-cylindrical parts of the two pieces of the frame, both free ends of this sleeve being respectively located in the vicinity of the second ends of the first and second

parts forming this frame.

  Due to the small radial size of the articulated connection between the first ends of these parts, this sleeve can even cover said first ends. This results in ease of manufacture and assembly since it is not necessary to arrange the sheath so that it has any opening in an intermediate zone between these two ends. This also results in a much better connection between the object to be maintained or tightened and the sheath, since this connection is also ensured even in the region of the attachment means between the first ends of the two parts which form the frame of the collar. . This further protects the connection

  hooking between said first ends vis-à-vis the outside.

  The invention will be well understood and its advantages will appear better

  on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment

  shown by way of nonlimiting example. The description refers to

  attached drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collar according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a view along arrow II of Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a side view of FIG. 2, - FIG. 4 is a partial view from above, along arrow IV of FIG. 2, - FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the same collar fitted with a lining sheath, and 0o - Figure 6 is a view of the sheath before its installation on the frame

of the necklace.

  The frame of the collar shown in Figure 1 comprises a first part 10 which has a part 11 having a semi-cylindrical shape. In this case, this part 11 extends over practically two thirds of a circle from the first end 10A of the part 10, to one end 1 1A of the part 11. Beyond this end 1 1A, the second end of the part 10 has tabs 10B, 10'B which

  allow its attachment to a support such as the wall of a machine.

  This frame also has a second part 12 which also includes a substantially semi-cylindrical part 13. In this case, this part 13 extends over approximately a semicircle between the first end 12A of the second part 12 and one end 13A, beyond which the part 12 has an end 12B, forming a

  substantially straight tab provided with a hole.

  Between the fixing lugs 1OB and 10'B, the first part 10 has a bridge 10 'also provided with a hole, which allows the collar to be closed using a bolt, the screw stem of which is engaged in the holes in the tab 12B and the bridge 10 '. In the figures, only the head of the screw 14 of this bolt is seen, as well as a spring 15 disposed

  between the head of the screw and the tab 12B.

  As best seen in Figures 1 and 3, the semi-cylindrical parts 11 and 13 define a circle when the collar is closed. Their respective first ends, 10OA and 12A, are in mutual overlap in the direction of the circumference of this circle. More specifically, the first end 10A of the first part 10 has a slot 16 with which a hook 18 cooperates which equips the first

  end 12A of the second part 12.

  This hook has a substantially T-shaped slot, with a trunk 18A, by which it is connected to the current part of the part 12 and a head

  s 18B which is arranged on the free edge of the end 12A.

  The slot 16, at least for its part 16A, is formed in a first corrugation 20 which has the first end 10A of the first part 10. This corrugation projects slightly radially outwards relative to the circle circumscribed on the outer face current 0o of parts 12 and 13 of the collar. Its concavity is turned inwards, so that the corrugation 20 forms a housing receiving the head 18B of the hook 18 in the hooked and closed position of the collar. In other words, the head 18B of the hook is engaged, through the slot 16, under the corrugation 20. In the direction towards the free edge of the first end 10A of the first part 10, the corrugation 20 is followed by an edge portion 21 whose external face is substantially located on the circle circumscribed to

  common portions of the external faces of parts 11 and 13.

  The trunk 18A of the hook forms a second transverse undulation whose concavity is turned towards the inside of the collar. Thus, 2o in the closed and hooked position of the collar, as best seen in FIG. 3, the free edge 21 of the first end 10A of the first part 10 is engaged under this trunk 18A in undulation. The head 18B of the hook is in turn brought back towards the inside of the collar so that its external peripheral face is located substantially on the circle circumscribed on the external faces of the parts 11 and 13 for their current portions. In the example shown, the undulation of the trunk 18A of the hook extends over the entire length (measured in the circumferential direction

of the necklace) of this trunk.

  This provision is not, however, mandatory and it could be conceived that the trunk has a length less than that of the undulation which would also extend behind this trunk. It is however advantageous insofar as it allows a clear setting in abutment between the edge 21A of the free edge 21 and the edge 13 'formed by the edges

  free of the cuts on either side of the trunk 18A of the hook.

  Likewise, the first part 16A extends, by way of example, over any

  the length of the corrugation 20, which facilitates the positioning of the hook.

  It can be seen that in the advantageous example shown, the substantially semi-cylindrical parts 11 and 13 of the first and second parts 10 and 12 are formed by flat strips which have substantially the same thickness and which are wound on themselves. The corrugations 20 and 18A house, in the recesses formed on their respective internal faces, the head 18B of the hook and the free edge 21 whose radial size corresponds to the thickness E of said flat strips. Thus, these undulations have substantially the same amplitude A, which is substantially equal to this thickness E. Thus, the means for hooking the first ends of the two parts 10 and 12 protrude radially beyond the circle circumscribed to the current portions of the external faces parts 11 and 13 of a height substantially equal to the thickness E. The amplitude A of the corrugations is for example measured as being the radial distance between a circle circumscribed at the bottom of the recesses formed on the internal faces of the corrugations 20 and 18A and the circle

  circumscribed on the internal faces of the common portions of parts 11 and 13.

  Thanks to the invention, the head 18B of the hook and the free edge 21 are 2o respectively "housed" in the corrugations 20 and 18A. Neither this head nor this

  free edge protrudes from the inside of the collar.

  The space requirement in terms of thickness of the attachment means is extremely small. This size is equal to the difference between the radius of a circle circumscribed at the vertices of the corrugations 18A and 20, and the radius of the circle circumscribed at the internal faces of the current portions of the strip portions 11 and 13 (this circle also carrying the internal faces of the hook head 18B and of the free edge 21). If the two undulations have the same amplitude A, itself substantially equal to the thickness E, this

  footprint is only substantially equal to 2E.

  We consider that the direction going towards the outside of the necklace is that which

  goes away from the geometric center of this circle.

  As best seen in Figure 4, the slot 16 has a first portion 16A, which formed in the first corrugation 20 and whose edge 16'A adjacent to the free edge 21 of the first end 10A of the first part 10 is suitable to cooperate with the hook 18 (with its head 18B) to maintain the parts 10 and 12 in the hooked position. This slot 16 also includes a second portion 16B which is intended to allow the introduction of the head 18B of the hook into the slot in view

  the attachment of parts 10 and 12.

  The first portion 16A of the slot has a width L1 measured transversely to the direction of the circumference of the collar, which is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width Il of the trunk 18A

  hook 18 measured in the same direction.

  According to a first variant not shown, provision could be made for the width of the second portion 16B of the slot to be greater than the 0o width L1 to be equal to the width of the head 18B of the hook. In this case, the attachment of the two parts would be done very simply by inserting the head 18B of the hook in this second portion 16B by a slight tilting movement and by exerting traction on the second part 12 so as to bring the head of the hook in the first portion

  16A of the slot from which it cannot exit radially.

  However, according to the variant shown in Figure 4, the width L2

  of the second portion 16B of the slot 16 is less than the width L1.

  In this case, the first and second portions 16A and 16B have, considered together, longitudinal dimensions capable of allowing the introduction of the head 16B of the hook into the slot 16 in a position in which the two parts of the collar are held substantially at angle

right to each other.

  Overall, the greatest length L of the slot 16, measured in the direction of the circumference of the collar, is substantially equal to the width 12 of the head of the hook. This length L may however be slightly less than this width 12. In fact, the hook head can be put into place in the slot by a rocking movement, a first end of the head being first inserted, the trunk of the hook then being brought closer to one of the longitudinal end edges of the slot 16, and the part 12 being slightly tilted to insert the rest of the

hook in this slot.

  The variant shown has the advantage of avoiding any untimely separation of the two parts 10 and 12, even when the closure means comprising the screw 14 are completely open, without however making it difficult to hook these two parts to their first ends. . In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 4, it makes it possible to have a trunk 18A for the relatively wide hook and a head of this hook whose width is substantially equal to the current width of the

  strip in which the parts 11 and 13 of the collar are made.

  Seen from above, the slot 16 has substantially the shape of a T. In the example shown, the second portion 16B of the slot extends from the side of the first portion 16A which is opposite the free edge 21

  from the first end of the first part 10.

  Thanks to the conformation of the attachment means of the invention, the tensioning forces which are exerted in the region of the first ends of the two parts 10 and 12 are generally oriented in the direction of the circumference of the semi-cylindrical parts 11 and 13. If these parts are shaped from strips cut from a strip, the tension forces are exerted in the axis of this strip. As a result, the risks of deformation due to the stresses exerted in this region are extremely low. In addition, the attachment link is not cantilevered with respect to the rest of the collar, since the zones in which the slot 16 and the hook 18 cooperate are located at a radial distance from the geometric center of the necklace which is

  substantially equal to the current radius of this necklace.

  It can also be seen in FIG. 3 that the head 18B of the hook and the free edge 21 can practically cover the entire interior face of the corrugations 20 and 18A. As a result, the support of the collar on the object to be held or tightened is practically continuous, even in the

  attachment zone between the first ends of parts 10 and 12.

  Advantageously, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the collar has an interior trim. More specifically, this lining comprises a sheath 30 which is disposed around the parts which are substantially

  semi-cylindrical 11 and 13 of the first and second parts 10 and 12.

  This sheath can be made of flexible material, for example rubber or the like, and is used to provide a support cushion for the elements held in place with the collar so as to avoid that, when external stresses such as vibrations are exerted , these

  elements cannot be injured by the frame of the collar.

  The inner face 30A of the sheath can be provided with teeth or

  analogs that make it even more flexible.

  On the collar of the invention, the sheath 30 is constituted by a continuous sleeve which is completely closed between its first and its second end, 31 and 32, and which even covers the first ends of the first and second parts 10 and 12, c that is to say that it even covers the region 33 where the hooking means are located

between these first ends.

  We see in Figure 6 that the sleeve 30 has an inner channel 34 whose section is at least substantially equal to that of the substantially cylindrical parts 11 and 13 of the collar. To install the sheath io 30, it is threaded from the tab 12B before the installation of the screw 14, by its end 31, until this end 31 reaches the vicinity of the end 11A of part 11 and that the second end 32 of the sheath reaches the vicinity of end 13A of the

part 13.

  1 5 The sleeve 30 being of flexible material and therefore slightly deformable, even the slight local thicknesses of the collar can pass through the channel 34, in particular the corrugations 18A and 20A or a

  stiffening rib 17 presented by part 11.

  The fact that the attachment means of the first ends 10A and 12A of the two parts 10 and 12 are entirely contained in the sheath is made possible by the small radial size of these attachment means. Thus, the inner face of the sheath is continuous, even in the region of these attachment means, which is obviously favorable for holding objects using the collar. In addition, the outer face of the sheath is also continuous and covers the hooking means on the outside of the collar, which protects the latter. The manufacture of the sheathed collar is also simplified, since it is obviously simpler to install a sheath in a single part than a sheath in two parts. In addition, with the invention, it is not necessary to provide any covering on the outside.

sheath.

I0

Claims (7)

  1. Retaining collar for cylindrical elements comprising a frame having a first and a second part (10,12) which each comprise a substantially semi-cylindrical part (11,13), the first end (10A) of the first part having a slot (16), while the first end (12A) of the second part has a hook (18) able to cooperate with this slot to produce an articulated connection between said first and second parts, the second ends (12B, 10 ') of these parts having means for closing the collar, characterized in that the first end (10A) of the first part (10) has a first transverse corrugation (20) whose concavity is turned towards the inside of the collar, said slot (16) being formed, at least in part (16A), in this first undulation, while the hook (18) comprises a trunk (18A) and a head (18B) arranged substantially in T, the tro nc having a second transverse corrugation (18A) whose concavity is turned towards the inside of the collar and in that, in the hooked position of the two parts, the head (18B) of the hook (18) is engaged under the first corrugation (20 ) while the free edge (21) of the first end (10A) of the first part is   engaged under the second ripple (18A).   2. Collar according to claim 1, in which the substantially semi-cylindrical parts (11, 13) of the first and second parts (10, 12) are formed by flat strips which have substantially the same thickness (E) and which are wound on themselves, characterized in that the first and second corrugations (20, 18A) have substantially the same amplitude (A) measured radially in the direction towards the outside of the collar and in that said amplitude (A) is   substantially equal to the thickness (E) of said flat metal strips.   3. Necklace according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a sheath (30) disposed around the parts substantially   semi-cylindrical (11, 13) of the first and second parts (10, 12).   4. Collar according to claim 3, characterized in that the sheath is constituted by a continuous sleeve (30) which even covers the first ends (10A, 12A) of the first and second parts (10, 12).   5. Necklace according to any one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that the slot (16) has a first portion (16A), which is formed in the first corrugation (20) and whose edge (16'A) adjacent to the free edge (21) of the first end (10A) of the first part (10) is able to cooperate with the hook (18) to hold the two parts (10, 12) in the hooked position, as well as a second portion (16B) which is intended to allow the introduction of the head (18B) of io hook (18) in the slot (16).   6. Collar according to claim 5, characterized in that the second portion (16B) of the slot (16) has a width (L2), measured transversely to the direction of the circumference of the collar, which is less than the width (L1) first portion (16A) of this slot 1is measured in the same direction, said first and second portions (16A, 16B) having, considered together, longitudinal dimensions (L) capable of allowing the introduction of the head (18B) of the hook (18) in the slot in a position in which the two parts (10, 12) of the collar are held substantially at right angles to each other o20 to the next.   7. Collar according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the second portion (16B) of the slot (16) extends from the side of the first portion (16A) of said slot which is opposite to the free edge (21) of the   first end (10A) of the first part (10).