FR3084604A1 - CLAMP FOR A CLAMP - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamp (1) of a clamp (2) comprising two branches (100, 200) articulated in pivoting around a main pivot axis (A1), each provided with a front part. (110, 210) comprising a passage (170, 270) adapted to receive a strap (21) of the collar (2), a first (100) of the two branches further comprising a ratchet (180) provided with an end of bracing (182) and a return element (184) which tends to position the bracing end in the first passage of the front part of this first branch, this bracing end being adapted to block the strap inserted in this first passage when a pivoting of the two branches (100, 200) causes a movement of separation of their front parts. According to the invention, the second branch being devoid of ratchet, the second passage of the front part of this second branch is provided with a temporary retaining element (272) of the strap, adapted to block the strap (21) inserted in the second passage, when a pivoting of the two branches (100, 200) causes a movement of approximation of their front parts.

Description

Technical field to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to a clamp for a clamp comprising two arms pivotally pivoted about a main pivot axis, each provided with a front part comprising a passage adapted to receive a strap of the collar, a first of two branches further comprising a ratchet provided with a bracing end and a return element which tends to position the bracing end in the first passage of the front part of this first branch, this end of bracing being adapted to block the strap inserted in this first passage when a pivoting of the two branches causes a movement of separation of their front parts.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

The use of cable ties to clamp different elements together, for example a set of electric cables, is known to those skilled in the art.

Most known clamps include a strap with teeth and a head with at least one hooking tooth, located at one end of the strap.

The head of the collar further includes an insertion slot into which the free end of the strap is adapted to be inserted. The collar then forms a loop which can be tightened around the electrical elements. The lanyard teeth cooperate with the retainer with the head attachment tooth to prevent removal of the lanyard from the head of the collar.

In order to prevent the removal of the strap from the head reliably, the cooperation between the strap teeth and each head hooking tooth must prevent any relative movement between the strap and the head once the collar is tightened around the set of electrical cables.

As a result, the friction between the teeth of the strap and the hooking tooth of the head is very high, including in the direction of insertion of the strap into the head. The insertion of the strap into the head of the necklace must overcome this friction and is therefore difficult.

It is thus known to use pliers to pull on the strap so as to limit the forces to be produced for the insertion of the strap into the head.

Such pliers are notably known for pulling the straps of the clamping collar through the head of the collar and possibly cutting the strap once the collar is tightened around the objects to be tightened.

Particularly known from document EP2883802 is a clamp for a clamp as described in the introduction.

When the front parts of the branches of this clamp are separated, the strap is pinched and immobilized by the ratchet of the first branch, which is furthest from the head of the collar. The strap is then pulled through the head of the necklace. This clamp also includes, in its second branch, a second ratchet pivotally mounted and which maintains the strap while the front parts of the branches approach. Thus, this clamp can be used with one hand to tighten the collar.

However, it has a relatively complex structure, with two ratchets pivotally mounted. The forces exerted by each ratchet on the strap must be determined and adjusted so that, on the one hand, the strap is pulled through the second branch when the front parts of the branches move apart and, on the other hand, the strap remains blocked in the second branch when the front parts of these branches approach. This adjustment is delicate and any adjustment can prevent the correct operation of the collet.

Object of the invention

In order to remedy the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention provides a collet having a simplified structure preserving its use with one hand.

More particularly, according to the invention, a clamp is proposed as defined in the introduction, in which the second branch being devoid of ratchet, the second passage of the front part of this second branch is provided with a temporary retaining element of the strap, adapted to block the strap inserted in the second passage, when a pivoting of the two branches causes a movement of approximation of their front parts.

The temporary retainer allows the strap to be retained when the clamp jaws are brought together to allow the clamp to be used with one hand. It presents a simplified implementation compared to the use of a ratchet.

Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the collet according to the invention, taken individually or in any technically possible combination, are the following:

- said ratchet return element applies a return force on its end of bracing so that it slides on the strap in the first passage during the movement of bringing together the front parts of the two branches, and said element temporary retention allows the strap to slide in the second passage when the front parts of the two arms move apart;

- the retaining element exerts on the strap a constant retaining force;

- said temporary retention element is fixed, non-mobile;

- Said temporary retention element comprises a bend in said passage of the front part of the second branch;

- Said elbow is defined by two internal faces of the clamp extending substantially parallel, and being curved around an axis transverse to the direction of insertion of the strap in this passage from the front part of the second branch;

- Said temporary retaining element comprises a relief projecting from an internal face of the clamp delimiting said passage of the front part of the second branch;

- Said temporary retention element comprises a coating with a high coefficient of friction on at least one internal face of the clamp delimiting said passage of the front part of the second branch;

- Said coating is made of rubber or includes friction bristles;

- said temporary retaining element comprises a magnet;

- Said temporary retention element comprises a ball adapted to be pushed into the passage of the front part of the second branch by a dedicated return element;

- There is provided a cutting blade and a connecting rod, the cutting blade and the connecting rod being pivotally mounted around said main pivot axis of the arms of the clamp;

- Said connecting rod is adapted to pivot about a second pivot axis on one of the branches of this clamp, between two stop positions, including a first stop position in which a first bearing surface of the rod is supported on a first reciprocal bearing surface of one of the two arms of the pliers, the cutting blade then having a withdrawal position, and a second abutment position, in which a second bearing surface of the connecting rod is supported on a second reciprocal bearing surface of said branch of the pliers, the cutting blade then having a cutting position;

the branches being articulated against elastic return means which exert a return torque on the connecting rod so as to return it to its first stop position, the latter pivots around said second pivot axis towards its second position stop when the closing torque applied by the user on the branches is greater than the return torque exerted by said elastic return means on the connecting rod;

- There is provided a locking element for the cutting blade in its retracted position, said locking element being movably mounted on one of the arms of the pliers, between a release position in which it allows the tilting of the connecting rod from its first to its second position, and a locking position in which it prohibits this tilting;

- said elastic return means comprise two tension springs each housed in one of said branches of the clamp.

Detailed description of an example of realization

The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view, on one side, in longitudinal section of a clamp according to the invention, the jaws of which are closed,

FIG. 2 is a schematic view in longitudinal section on the side opposite to that shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a schematic view in longitudinal section similar to that of FIG. 1, in which the jaws of the pliers are open, the cutting blade not being locked in its retracted position,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view in longitudinal section similar to that of FIG. 3, in which the cutting blade is locked in its retracted position,

FIG. 5 is a schematic profile view of the clamp of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a schematic view in longitudinal section, on which the cutting blade is in its cutting position,

- Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged schematic views of areas A, B, C and D of Figures 1,3, 4 and 6.

In Figures 1 to 6, a clamp 1 is shown according to the invention.

This clamp 1 is adapted to allow the clamping of a clamping collar 2 around a set 3 of objects to be clamped, for example a set of electric cables.

The collar 2 comprises a head 20 to which is attached a flexible strap 21 (Figure 1).

The strap 21 is in the form of a narrow and thin strip of elongated shape along a longitudinal axis of the collar 1. It is attached to one of its ends to the head 20. More precisely, the strap 21 here comes training with the head 20. It is flexible, so that it can surround the object to be clamped.

The head 20 of the collar 2 includes an insertion slot 23 (FIG. 1) into which the strap 21 is adapted to be inserted.

The inlet of the insertion slot 23 is located on the side of the free end of the head, while the outlet of the insertion slot 23 is located on the side of the end of the head 20 attached to the strap 21.

There is provided, inside the head 20, at least one hooking tooth extending in the insertion slot 23 projecting from one of the faces of the head 20 delimiting this insertion slot (Figures 1 and 7 to 9).

This catching tooth is adapted to cooperate with retention with at least one structure of the collar extending projecting from one face of the strap 21.

In practice, a plurality of hooking teeth are provided on the strap 21.

The clamp 2 is preferably obtained in one piece, by molding a plastic material.

The clamp 1 comprises two branches 100, 200 articulated in pivoting relation to one another about a main pivot axis A1.

Each of these two branches 100, 200 has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis X (FIG. 1) of the clamp 1 and comprises a front part for interaction with the collar 2, hereinafter called jaw 110, 210 and a rear part handle, hereinafter called handle 120, 220, adapted to be entered manually by the user.

The two branches 100, 200 of the clamp 1 are movable relative to one another between two positions:

a closed position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the jaws 110, 210 of the clamp 1 are pressed against each other and the handles 120, 220 are separated by a maximum angle and

- An open position, shown in Figures 3 to 9, in which the jaws 110, 210 of the clamp 1 are spaced from one another and the handles 120, 220 are brought closer to each other .

The branches 100, 200 of the clamp 1 pivot around the main pivot axis A1 between these two closed and open positions of the jaws 110, 210.

They also pivot against recall means.

Clamp 1 return means bring the branches 100, 200 to their closed position: the closed position (Figures 1 and 2) is the rest position of the clamp 1, while the open position is reached when the user squeezes the handles 120, 220 in his hand against the return means.

A first 100 of the two branches 100, 200, which is adapted to pull the strap 21 of the collar 20 through the second branch 200 is called in the following tension branch 100 while the second branch is called in advance branch 200.

The jaw 110 and the handle 120 of the tension branch 100 are called in the following tension jaw 110 and tension handle 120.

The jaw 210 and the handle 220 of the feed branch 200 are called in the following feed jaw 210 and feed handle 220.

Each branch 100, 200 externally comprises an envelope 130, 230 which houses the internal elements of the clamp 1 (Figures 1 to 6).

Each envelope 130, 230 has a U-shaped cross section. Each envelope 130, 230 in fact comprises two opposite substantially parallel side walls 133, 134, 233, 234 connected by a bottom 135, 235 (FIGS. 1 to 5). The free edges of these side walls 133, 134, 233, 234 delimit, on the side of each envelope 130, 230 opposite the bottom 135, 235, a longitudinal opening. The term “cross section” is understood to mean a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X1, X2 (FIG. 1) of each branch 100, 200 of the clamp 1.

The two envelopes 130, 230 are oriented relative to each other so that their longitudinal openings face each other (Figures 1 to 5). The envelope 130 of the tension branch 100 is slightly wider than the envelope 230 of the feed branch 200: the side walls 133, 134 of the tension branch 100 are slightly more apart than the side walls 233, 234 of the advance branch 200. Thus, the free edges of the side walls 233, 234 of the advance branch 200 can be partially housed inside the side walls 133, 134 of the envelope of the tension branch 100 during the relative movement of the two jaws 110,210.

The two envelopes 130, 230 internally house a connecting rod 250 pivotally mounted on each of the two branches 100, 200 of the clamp 1.

More specifically, the connecting rod 250 is pivotally mounted on a central shaft 140 fixed to the side walls 133, 134 of the casing 130 of the tension branch 100, this central shaft 140 extending along the main pivot axis A1. The rod 250 is also pivotally mounted on a secondary shaft 240 fixed to the side walls 233, 234 of the casing 230 of the advance branch 200, which extends along a secondary pivot axis A2 parallel to the main pivot axis A1. The central 140 and secondary 240 shafts are here riveted on the side walls 133, 134, 233, 234 of the corresponding casing 130, 230.

The longitudinal axis X of the clamp 1 intersects the main pivot axis A1, perpendicular thereto. It generally extends along the bisector of the angle formed between the two branches 100, 200 when the clamp 1 is closed, at rest (Figure 1).

As shown in particular in Figures 7 to 10, the rod 250 is generally in the form of a flattened plate having a central portion 253 of generally triangular shape, oriented so that a base of the triangle extends along the bottom 235 of the envelope 230 of the jaw in advance

210. It is preferably made of metallic material, for example zamak.

The central shaft 140 then crosses the connecting rod at the top of this triangle opposite its base (Figures 7 to 10).

The secondary shaft 240 crosses the connecting rod 250 in a rear region of this triangular central part 253, near its base.

The central shaft 140 and the secondary shaft 240 pass through the side walls 133, 134, 233, 234 of the casing 130, 230 respectively of the tension jaw 110 and of the advance jaw 210 near the free edges of these side walls 133, 134, 233, 234 (Figures 1 to 5).

The kinematics of the assembly of the two envelopes 130, 230 and the connecting rod 250 will be explained below.

The two envelopes 130, 230 also house said return means against which the branches 100, 200 are brought together.

These return means here comprise two tension springs 160, 260 which are each housed in one of the envelopes 130, 230 of the jaws 110, 210, in the handle 120, 220 of the clamp 1 (Figures 1 to 6).

Each tension spring 160, 260 is hooked at one of its ends to the connecting rod 250 and, at the other of its ends, to the casing 130, 230 of the corresponding branch.

More specifically, each tension spring 160, 260 comprises, at one of its ends, a loop 161, 261 which hooks onto a hook 251, 252 of the connecting rod 250 (Figures 1 and 2).

The hooks 251, 252 extend from the connecting rod 250, in the direction of the handle of the corresponding branch. They extend generally from a region of the connecting rod 250 close to the top of the triangular central part 253 of this connecting rod 250.

The attachment of the loops 161, 261 of the tension springs 160, 260 on the connecting rod 250 is particularly clearly visible in FIG. 2.

Here, the tension spring 160 housed in the tension branch 100 also comprises, at its other end, another loop 162 which is hooked on a hook 132 of the casing 130 of this tension branch 100 (FIG. 1).

The hook 132 here comes from formation with the envelope 130 of the tension branch 100, and is located on the side of the rear end of the envelope 130. It projects here from the bottom 135 of the envelope 130 (FIGS. 1 , 2).

The tension spring 260 housed in the advance branch 200 comprises, at its other end, another loop 262 hooked to the end of an adjustment screw 510 of the tension of the tension spring 260 (FIG. 2) . The body of the adjustment screw 510 is housed in the casing 230 of the jaw 210 in advance and passes through the rear longitudinal end wall of the casing 230. The adjustment screw 510 extends along the same direction as the tension spring 160, along the advance branch 200, along its longitudinal axis X2.

The head 520 of the adjustment screw 510, which extends outside the casing 230, is housed in a thumb wheel 500 disposed at the longitudinal end of the casing 230. The tension spring 260 of the advance branch 200 is therefore hooked indirectly to the casing 230 of the handle 220.

Thus, the torque exerted by the tension spring 260 connected to the adjustment screw 510 can be adjusted by means of the wheel 500: by turning it, the user acts on the adjustment screw 510 of the tension of the tension spring 260.

This adjustment is made by the user as a function of the type of collar used and / or as a function of the intensity desired for tightening the collar. For example, for some type of collar which is particularly difficult to tighten, the tension of the tension spring 260 can be increased by turning the knurl 500 in one direction. If the user wants a weak tightening, for example only to group power cables without performing a particular maintenance, the tension of the tension spring 260 can be reduced by turning the thumb wheel 500 in the other direction.

As a variant, said return means can also comprise a single tension spring, a torsion spring or a leaf spring.

In the case of a single tension spring (not shown), one can for example envisage that this spring is housed in the envelope of the advance branch, hooked to the adjustment screw at one of its ends . The other end of the spring is then extended by a rod which forms an elbow so as to come to hang and cooperate with the connecting rod. This rod extends after the bend in a straight line through the envelope of the tension branch to come to hang on a hook provided projecting inside the envelope of the tension branch, for example near from the back end of this envelope.

Each envelope 130, 230 preferably has, at the handle 120, 220, an ergonomic shape facilitating the grip of the clamp 1.

These envelopes 130, 230 are made of metal or plastic. They are for example made in Zamak. They may have ribs 131, 231 on their internal surface to reinforce their mechanical strength (FIG. 4).

At the front of the clamp 1, oriented towards the set of objects to be clamped when using the clamp, each jaw 110, 210 is provided with a passage 170, 270 adapted to receive the strap 21 of the collar 2. When the clamp 1 is closed (FIGS. 1 and 7), the two passages 170, 270 extend in line with one another so as to form an insertion passage for the strap 21 of the collar 2 The two passages 170, 270 then communicate to authorize the insertion of the strap 21 of the collar 2 through the two jaws of the clamp 1.

Each passage 170, 270 has the form of a slot whose internal dimensions are adapted to accommodate said strap 21 with little play.

Each passage 170, 270 extends in an overall direction substantially perpendicular to the main pivot axis A1 of the clamp 1 and to the longitudinal axis X of the clamp 1 (Figure 7).

Each passage 170, 270 opens at one of its ends on a through opening 171, 271 of the corresponding envelope 130, 230, so that the strap 21 of the collar 2 is adapted to penetrate inside the jaw in advance. 210 at the level of the through opening 271 opening into the passage 270 of the casing 230 of the feed jaw 210 and coming out of the tension jaw 110 at the level of the through opening 171 onto which the passage 170 of the casing 130 of the tension jaw 110 (FIG. 7).

Each passage 170, 270 is delimited internally, at the front, by a front wall 137, 237 of each envelope 130, 230 (FIGS. 7 to 10).

The tension jaw 110 further comprises a ratchet 180 pivotally mounted on the casing 130 of the tension jaw 110, about a pivot axis A3 parallel to the main pivot axes A1 and secondary A2 (Figures 1 to 4 and 6 to 10).

The passage 170 of the tension jaw 110 is delimited internally, at the rear, by this ratchet 180 (FIGS. 7 to 10).

This ratchet 180 comprises a body 181 having the shape of a rider. This body 181 comprises two lateral wings 181A which extend parallel to the lateral wings 133, 134 of the casing 130 of the tensioning jaw 110 and are connected by a central interaction part 181B.

It is a face of this central part 181B of the ratchet 180 which delimits at the rear, the passage 170 of the tension jaw 110.

The ratchet 180 is pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft 183 fixed on the side walls 133, 134 of the casing 130. This pivot shaft 183 here passes through the side walls 181A of the body 181 of the ratchet 180 and the side walls 133, 134 of the casing 130. It is for example riveted on the side walls 133, 134 of the casing 130. It extends along the pivot axis A3 of the ratchet 180.

The central portion 181B of the ratchet 180 is provided with an arch edge 182. The bracing edge 182 is located at the end of a portion of the central portion 181B of the body 181 of the ratchet 180 which is cut out. and folded towards the inside of the passage 170 of the tension jaw 110.

The ratchet 180 also comprises a return element which tends to position the end of the bracing 182 in the passage 170 of this tension jaw 110. This return element is here a torsion spring of the wire spring 184 type wound around the pivot shaft 183.

This wire spring 184 comprises two straight ends, one of which is fixed to the envelope of the tension branch 100 and the other is in abutment against the central part 181B of the ratchet 180 (FIGS. 7 to 10).

Alternatively, it may also be a leaf spring or a compression spring.

The body 181 of the ratchet 180 is here pivotally movable between a deployed position (FIGS. 4 and 8) in which its bracing edge 182 extends across the passage 170 delimited between the central part 181B of the body 181 of the ratchet 180 and the front wall 137 of the envelope 130 of the tensioning jaw 110, and a retracted position (FIGS. 1 and 7) in which this end of bracing 182 gives free access to the passage 170.

The body 181 of the ratchet 180 is permanently returned to its deployed position by the action of said return element.

More precisely, when the two jaws 110, 210 are spaced from one another, the return element, here the wire spring 184, pushes the arcboutement edge 182 in the passage 170. The force exerted by the spring wire 184 on the bracing edge 182 is such that this bracing edge 182 blocks the strap 21 against the front wall 137 of the casing 130.

Here, in addition, the bracing edge 182 of the ratchet 180 has a shape making it capable of cooperating with retention with the structures of the strap 21 which allow it to be hooked in the head 23 of the collar 20. It is generally hooking teeth.

The bracing edge 182 is here oriented so that it strongly opposes a backward movement of the strap 21 which would tend to bring it out of the brush.

The strap 21 is then immobilized in the passage 170, and is pulled out as the tension jaw 110 moves away from the advance jaw 210. The strap 21 then slides through the head 23 of the collar 20 and through the advance jaw 210 so as to be tightened around the assembly 3 of the objects to be clamped.

When the two jaws 110, 120 are brought together, the tension of the wire spring 184 is adjusted so that the bracing edge 182 slides over the attachment structures, for example the attachment teeth , from strap 21.

The hooking teeth of the strap 21 preferably have an asymmetrical triangular profile: they have for example a face inclined at an angle close for example to 90 ° relative to the mean plane of the strap 21 against which the arc edge -boutement 182 is adapted to bear to block the strap 21 and an inclined face for example at an angle less than or equal to 45 ° relative to this mean plane, over which the bracing edge 182 is adapted to slide .

However, other forms can be envisaged.

In the case of the feed jaw 210, the passage 270 is delimited at the rear by an internal wall element 280 (FIGS. 7 to 10). This internal wall element 280 is fixedly mounted on the casing 230 of the feed branch 200. It is here crimped in the casing 230 in an irreversible, irremovable and non-movable manner. It can also be fixed in another way, for example by stamping or screwing ... or come from training with this envelope 230.

Remarkably, the advance jaw 210 is devoid of a ratchet, and the passage 270 of this advance jaw 210 is provided with a temporary strap retaining element 21, adapted to block the strap in the passage 270 of the advance jaw 210 when the jaws 110, 210 approach each other.

To this end, the temporary retaining element exerts on the strap 21 a constant retaining force. This retaining force is applied at all times to the strap inserted in the jaw 210. The temporary retaining element thus exerts on the strap 21 a constant retaining force when the strap 21 slides in the passage 270 of the feed jaw 210. This retaining force is then the same as the tension and feed jaws move away, move towards each other or remain stationary.

This temporary retention element is here fixed, that is to say not mobile.

Here, the interaction of the temporary retaining element with the strap 21 takes place throughout the duration of the presence of the strap in the passage 270 of the advance jaw 210. However, the retaining effect of the temporary retention element takes place only during certain phases of the operation of the clamp, as explained below. This restraint is therefore temporary.

Furthermore, the interaction of the temporary retaining element with the strap does not produce any permanent deformation of the latter.

The strap 21 can therefore be removed intact from the feed jaw 210 after application of this retaining force by the temporary retaining element.

Here, the temporary retaining element comprises an elbow 272 of said passage 270 of the feed jaw 210 (Figures 7 to 10).

This bend 272 gives a baffle shape to the passage 270 of the jaw 210.

It is delimited by the internal face of the front wall 237 of the casing 230 of the advance branch 200 and one 281 of the faces of the internal wall element 280 which extends opposite this front wall 237 .

The internal face 237A of the front wall 237 and the corresponding face 281 of the internal wall element 280 are here curved around an axis of curvature Y perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the strap 21 in this passage 270 of the feed jaw 210. This axis of curvature Y extends parallel to the main pivot axis A1 of the branches 100, 200 of the clamp (FIGS. 7 to 10).

The curved face 281 of the internal wall element 280 is concave while at least part of the internal face of the front wall 237 is here convex.

The shape and position of the elbow 272 in the passage 270 of the advance jaw 210 are determined so that the elbow is adapted to lock the strap 21 of the collar 2 in the passage 270 of the advance jaw 210 when the jaws 110, 210 approach.

Alternatively, the temporary retaining element includes a relief (not shown) projecting from an internal face of the clamp delimiting said passage of the jaw in advance. This relief is adapted to cooperate with retention with the strap of the collar. The advance jaw passage can then be straight or curved.

According to another variant (not shown), the temporary retaining element comprises a coating with a high coefficient of friction on at least one internal face of the clamp delimiting said passage of the advance jaw.

Said coating is for example made of rubber or comprises friction bristles.

According to yet another variant (not shown), the temporary retaining element comprises a magnet, in the case where the strap of the collar is ferromagnetic.

According to yet another variant (not shown), the temporary retaining element comprises a ball, which is constantly pushed, by the action of a spring, against the strap, in the passage of the jaw in advance. The ball and the spring are housed in the envelope of the feed branch. The spring is supported on an internal wall of the envelope of the advance branch.

Alternatively, the temporary retainer includes a combination of the temporary retainers described above.

The internal wall element 280 here has a shape close to that of a triangular prism (Figures 7 to 10). The bases of this prism extend laterally and are crimped into the side walls 233, 234 of the casing 230 of the advance jaw 210. On one of its three other faces, the internal wall element 280 comprises a bearing surface 283 which extends parallel to the edge of the side walls 233, 234 of the envelope 230, very slightly above this edge, that is to say outside of the envelope 230 .

This support surface 283 is adapted to cooperate with the body 181 of the ratchet 180 of the tension jaw 110 when the clamp 1 is in its closed position (FIG. 7).

In this closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, the bearing surface 283 of the internal wall element 280 pushes the body 181 of the ratchet and makes it pivot towards the rear of the clamp 1, against the return means, here the wire spring 184, so as to free access to the passage 170 of the tension jaw 110.

When the user squeezes the handles 120, 220 of the clamp 1 against each other, the jaws 110, 210 of the clamp 1 move apart, and the bearing surface 283 moves away from the ratchet 180. From that the contact between the bearing surface 283 and the ratchet 182 is broken, the return means of the ratchet 180, here the torsion spring 184, brings the body 181 of the ratchet 180 forward and the arcboutement edge 182 of the ratchet 180 is pushed towards the inside of the passage 170 of the tension jaw 110 (FIGS. 3 and 8).

In addition, the clamp 1 comprises a cutting blade 300.

This cutting blade 300 is pivotally mounted around the main pivot axis A1 of the clamp 1, on the connecting rod 250.

It is adapted to pivot with the rod 250, when the latter pivots around the secondary pivot axis A2.

The cutting blade 300 is movable between a withdrawal position in which the cutting blade 300 does not protrude in the passage 270 of the feed jaw 210 (FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7, 8), and a cutting position in which the cutting blade 300 projects into the passage 270 of the feed jaw 210 (Figures 6 and 9).

The cutting blade 300 is in the form of a rider comprising two side walls 310 which extend parallel to the side walls 133, 134, 233, 234 of the envelopes 130, 230 of the branches 100, 200 of the clamp 1 (figures 7 to 10). These side walls 310 of the cutting blade 300 frame the connecting rod 250.

They are traversed by the central shaft 140 so that the cutting blade 300 is pivotally movable around this central shaft 140.

The side walls 310 of the cutting blade 300 support between them a rectangular knife 320 which extends along a plane parallel to the main pivot axis A1 of the clamp 1, with an oblique direction relative to the longitudinal axis X of the clamp 1. This knife 320 has an elongated shape. One of its longitudinal ends is connected to the side walls 310 of the cutting blade 300, while its free end 321 is cutting (Figures 7 to 10).

The free end 321 of the knife 320 is guided in sliding between a convex part 238 of the internal face 235A of the bottom 235 of the casing 230 of the advance branch 200 and the third face 285 of the internal wall element 280 previously described (Figures 7 to 9).

The rod 250 is adapted to pivot about the secondary pivot axis A2, between a first stop position in which the cutting blade 300 has its retracted position (FIGS. 7 to 9), and a second stop position, in which the cutting blade 300 has its cutting position (Figure 10).

The internal face 235A of the bottom 235 of the casing 230 of the advancing branch 200 for this purpose comprises two abutment surfaces 235B, 235C defining the two abutment positions of the connecting rod 250 (FIGS. 7 to 10).

In the first abutment position of the connecting rod 250, a first bearing surface 254 of the connecting rod 250, located at the rear of the latter, bears on a first 235B of the abutment surfaces of the advancing branch 200 (Figures 7 to 9) and in the second stop position, a second bearing surface 255 of the connecting rod 250, located at the front thereof, bears on a second 235C of the abutment surfaces of said branch d 'advance 200 (Figure 10).

The first and second bearing surfaces 254, 255 of the connecting rod 250 are located on its edge, along the base of the triangle formed by the central part 253 of the connecting rod 250, at each end of this base (FIGS. 7 to 10 ).

In practice, in a first part of the clamping movement of the clamp 1, the torque exerted by the user on the handles 120, 220 is less than the torque exerted by the tension springs 160, 260 on the connecting rod 250.

This is retained by the tension springs 160, 260 and therefore cannot tilt forwards. The connecting rod 250 is blocked by the action of the tension springs 160, 260 in its first stop position, in which the cutting blade 300 is in the withdrawn position. The connecting rod 250 and the advance branch 200 remain integral, no relative movement of these two parts taking place. The tension branch 100 pivots relative to the connecting rod 250 and the advancing branch 200 around the main pivot axis A1 (Figures 3 and 8).

In a second part of the clamping movement of the clamp 1, the torque exerted by the user on the handles 120, 220 becomes greater than the torque exerted by the tension springs 160, 260 on the connecting rod 250.

Consequently, the connecting rod 250 can tilt forward around the secondary pivot axis A2 towards its second stop position, in which the cutting blade 300 has its cutting position (FIG. 10).

The clamp 1 also comprises a member for locking the cutting blade 300 in its withdrawn position.

Said locking element is movably mounted on the advance branch 200 of the clamp 1, between a release position in which it allows the tilting of the rod 250 from its first to its second stop position (Figures 7, 8 and 10 ), and a locking position in which it prohibits this tilting (Figure 9).

The locking element here comprises a pin 400 mounted so as to slide between the lateral walls 233, 234 of the casing 230, against the internal face 235A of the bottom 235 of this casing 230. This peg 400 further comprises two lateral studs 410 which project from a body 420 of the pin 400 (Figures 7 to 10).

The body 420 of the pin 400 is housed between the internal faces of the side walls 233, 234 of the casing 230 of the advance branch 200, in the advance jaw 210.

The side walls 233, 234 of the casing 230 each have a window 236 of elongated shape (FIG. 5). Windows 236 open opposite each other, and each house one of the nipples 410 of the pin 400.

At least one of the pins 410 of the pin 400 is accessible to the user through the window 236 of the envelope 230 of the advance branch 200 (FIG. 5).

When the pin 400 slides, the pins 410 slide in the two windows 236 of the side walls 233, 234 of the envelope 230 and a lower face of the body 420 of the pin 400 slides on the bottom 235 of the envelope 230. The windows 236 guide the sliding of the pin 400. They extend substantially parallel to the bottom 235 of the casing 230.

The longitudinal ends of each window 236 form two abutment surfaces for the corresponding stud 410 which define two abutment positions for the pin 400 (FIG. 5).

When the pin 400 is slid towards the front of the clamp 1 (FIGS. 1, 3, 7, 8), a first bearing surface 411 of the stud 410 of the pin 400 (FIG. 5) is supported on a front wall 236A of the window 236 of the envelope 230. It is then in its release position (FIG. 7). When it is pushed towards the rear of the clamp (Figures 4, 5 and 9), a second bearing surface 412 of the pin 400 is supported on a rear wall 236B of the window 236 of the casing 230 (Figure 5 ). It is then in its locked position.

In its release position (Figures 1,3, 7, 8), the pin 400 does not hinder the tilting of the rod 250 from its first to its second stop position. On the other hand, in its locking position (FIGS. 4, 5 and 9), a rear part 423 of the pin 400 is interposed between the second bearing surface 255 of the connecting rod 250 and the second abutment surface 235C of the bottom 235 of the envelope 230. The second bearing surface 255 of the connecting rod 250 is retained against a complementary bearing surface of the rear part 423 of the pin 400 and the connecting rod cannot therefore tilt towards its second stop position. Consequently, the passage of the cutting blade 300 towards its cutting position is prevented (FIG. 8).

In practice, before using the clamp 1 to tighten the collar 2, the user places the locking pin 400 in its release or locking position by sliding the pin 400 forward (Figures 1,3 , 7, 8) or the back of the clamp 1 (Figures 4, 5 and 9). To this end, the user acts on one of the pins 410 of the pin 400 accessible through the window 236 of the envelope 230 of the clamp 1.

In doing so, the user chooses an operating mode of the clamp 1 from among its two possible operating modes: either an operating mode with automatic cutting of the strap 21 at the end of tightening, or an operating mode without cutting the strap 21.

The user can also, if desired, adjust the tension of the tension spring 260 by acting on the thumb wheel 500.

If he wishes to implement the operating mode without automatic cutting of the strap 21 at the end of tightening, the user places the locking pin 400 in its locking position in which the tilting of the connecting rod 250 is prevented (FIGS. 4 and 9).

Then, when the user wants to tighten a collar 2 using the clamp 1, he begins by inserting the strap 21 into the jaws of the clamp by passing it through the passages 270, 170 of the jaws 110, 210 of the clamp 1.

The strap 21 is inserted through the opening 271 of the passage 270 into the casing 230 of the feed branch 200. The user pushes the strap 21 which passes the elbow 272 of the passage 270 and is introduced into the passage 170 of the tension jaw 110.

During this insertion, the user does not tighten the handles 120, 220 of the clamp 1 towards each other in his hand. The clamp 1 is in its closed position in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. Consequently, the internal wall element 280 of the advance jaw 210 presses on the ratchet 180 so as to push it backwards, against the action of the wire spring 184. The passage 170 of the tension jaw 110 is free and the strap 21 passes through it to come out of the clamp 1 through the opening 171 of the casing 130 of the tension branch 100.

The temporary retaining element of the strap, here the elbow 272, exerting a retaining force on the strap 21 constant, the force applied by the user to pull the strap 21 is therefore greater than this retaining force. Ratchet 180 does not apply any holding force to the strap.

When the user has pulled the strap 21 through the clamp 1 and the advance jaw 210 is in contact with the head 23 of the collar 2, he brings the handles 120, 220 closer to the clamp 1 by tightening them with a hand (Figures 3 and 8).

The rod 250 is retained by the tension springs 160, 260 and therefore cannot tilt forwards. It is locked in its first stop position, in which the cutting blade 300 is in the withdrawn position. The connecting rod 250 and the feed jaw 210 remain integral and the tension branch 100 pivots relative to the connecting rod 250 and the feed branch 200 around the main pivot axis A1. In doing so, the jaws 110, 210 of the clamp 1 move apart.

The ratchet 180 no longer being pushed backwards by pressing on the internal wall element 280 of the advance jaw 210, the latter pivots forward around its pivot axis A3 under the effect of the return means which is here the wire spring 184.

The bracing edge 182 of the ratchet 180 is thus pushed across the passage 170 of the tension jaw 110 (Figures 3 and 8).

As soon as the two jaws 110, 210 start to move apart, the bracing edge 182 presses on the strap 21 so that the latter is blocked in the passage 170 and remains integral with the tension jaw 110.

The bracing edge 182 here also cooperates with the structures initially provided on the surface of the strap 21 for the attachment of the latter in the head 23 of the collar 2.

The retaining force exerted by the elbow 272 of the passage 270 of the advance jaw 210 on the strap 21 is then insufficient to retain the strap 21.

The advance jaw 210 remaining in contact with the head 23 of the collar 2, this advance jaw 210 pushes the head 23 of the collar 2 back onto the strap 21 when the jaws of the clamp 1 move apart.

The strap 21 is pulled by the tension jaw 110 through the head of the collar 2 and through the feed jaw 210 (Figures 3 and 8) and the collar 2 is partially tightened around the set of objects to be tightened .

It is generally necessary to repeat this step in order to fully tighten the collar 2 around the set 3 of objects to be tightened.

To this end, when the jaws 110, 210 are moved apart as much as possible, in their open position, the user releases the pressure exerted by his hand on the handles 120, 220 of the pliers.

These are brought back to their initial closed position by the action of the return elements that are the tension springs 160, 260. In doing so, the jaws 110, 210 of the branches 100, 200 come closer.

When the jaws 110, 210 of the branches 100, 200 move together, the ratchet 180 slides on the strap 21.

The retaining force exerted by the elbow 272 of the passage 270 of the feed jaw 210 on the strap 21 prevents any backward movement of the strap 21. The strap 21 then remains locked in the feed jaw 210, integral with that -this, and the tension jaw 110 slides on the strap 21 to join the jaw in advance 210. The temporary retention of the strap 21 by the temporary clamp retaining element therefore takes place during this phase of the operation of the clamp.

Thus, the spacing and approximation of the jaws 110, 210 of the clamp 1, that is to say the passage from the closed position to the open position of the clamp and vice versa, can be achieved in a only one hand by the user.

The user repeats these steps of tightening and releasing the handles 120, 220 of the clamp 1, with one hand, to tighten the collar 2 around the set 3 of objects to be tightened.

The tilting of the connecting rod 250, and therefore the activation of the cutting blade 300 being prohibited by the locking pin 400 placed in its locking position, any cutting of the strap 21 is avoided (Figures 4 and 9).

At the end of the tightening process, the user allows the jaws 110, 210 of the clamp 1 to close in order to release the strap 21 from the support exerted by the ratchet 180 and exits the strap 21 from the clamp 1 by exerting on the strap a force greater than the retaining force of the temporary retaining element of the advance jaw 210.

The strap 21 emerges intact from the clamp 1. The tightening of the collar 2 is completed.

If the user wishes to cut the strap 21 using the cutting blade 300 at the end of tightening, he places the locking pin 400 in its release position by sliding one of the pins 410 in the corresponding window 236 of the envelope 230 of the clamp 1 (FIGS. 8 and 10), for example before the engagement of the strap 21 through the jaws 110, 210 of the clamp, or just after.

Then, the use of the pliers is identical to that described above. The user tightens and loosens the handles 120, 220 in his hand.

As long as the torque exerted by the user on the branches 100, 200 of the clamp 1 remains less than the torque exerted by the return elements which are here the tension springs 160, 260 on the connecting rod 250, the latter remains retained in its first stop position. The tightening / loosening of the branches 100, 200 of the clamp 1 continues.

When the torque exerted by the user on the handles 120, 220 of the branches 100, 200 of the clamp 1 becomes greater than the torque exerted by the tension springs 160, 260 on the connecting rod 250, the latter swings forward in pivoting around the secondary pivot axis A2 and passes from its first stop position to its second stop position (Figures 6 and 10).

In doing so, the cutting blade 300 is pushed forward, and slides between the convex part 238 of the internal face 235A of the bottom 235 of the casing 230 and the third face 285 of the internal wall element 280 described above. (Figures 7 to 9).

It advances in projection in the passage 270 of the jaw 10 210 and then cuts the strap 21.

The user releases the clamp 1. The branches 100, 200 of the clamp are brought back to the closed position of the jaws 110, 210 by the action of the return elements 160, 260.

The tightening of the collar 2 is completed and the strap 21 is cut.

15 The user only has to remove the severed end of the strap 21 from the clamp.

Claims (16)

1. Clamp (1) of a clamping collar (2) comprising two branches (100, 200) articulated in pivoting around a main pivot axis (A1), each provided with a front part (110, 210) comprising a passage (170, 270) adapted to receive a strap (21) of the collar (2), a first (100) of the two branches additionally comprising a ratchet (180) provided with an arch end (182 ) and a return element (184) which tends to position the end of the bracing (182) in the first passage (170) of the front part (110) of this first branch (100), this end bracing (182) being adapted to block the strap (21) inserted in this first passage (170) when a pivoting of the two branches (100, 200) causes a movement of separation of their front parts (110, 210), characterized in that the second branch (200) being devoid of ratchet, the second passage (270) of the front part (210) of this he second branch (200) is provided with a temporary retaining element (272) of the strap (21), adapted to block the strap (21) inserted in the second passage (270), when a pivoting of the two branches ( 100, 200) brings about a movement of approximation of their front parts (110, 210). 2. Clamp (1) according to claim 1, in which said return element (184) of the ratchet (180) applies a return force on its bracing end (182) so that it slides. on the strap (21) in the first passage (170) during the movement of approximation of the front parts (110, 210) of the two branches (100, 200), and in which said temporary retaining element (272) allows the sliding of the strap (21) in the second passage (270) during the movement of separation of the front parts (110, 210) of the two branches (100, 200). 3. Clamp (1) according to claim 2, wherein the retaining element (272) exerts on the strap a constant retaining force. 4. Clamp (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said temporary retaining element (272) is fixed, non-mobile. 5. Clamp (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said temporary retaining element (272) comprises an elbow (272) of said passage (270) of the front part (210) of the second branch (200). 6. Clamp (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said elbow (272) is defined by two internal faces of the clamp (1) extending substantially parallel, and being curved around a transverse axis (Y) to the direction of insertion of the strap (21) in this passage (270) of the front part (210) of the second branch (200). 7. Clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said temporary retaining element (272) comprises a relief projecting from an internal face of the clamp (1) delimiting said passage (270 ) of the front part (210) of the second branch (200). 8. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which said temporary retaining element comprises a coating with a high coefficient of friction on at least one internal face of the clamp delimiting said passage of the front part of the second branch. 9. Clamp according to the preceding claim, wherein said coating is made of rubber or comprises friction bristles. 10. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said temporary retaining element comprises a magnet. 11. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said temporary retaining element comprises a ball adapted to be pushed into the passage of the front part of the second branch by a dedicated return element. 12. Clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which there is provided a cutting blade (300) and a connecting rod (250), the cutting blade (300) and the connecting rod (250) being mounted pivoting around said main axis (A1) of pivoting of the arms of the clamp. 13. Clamp (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said connecting rod is adapted to pivot about a second pivot axis (A2) on one of the branches (200) of this clamp (1), between two stop positions, including a first stop position in which a first bearing surface (254) of the connecting rod (250) is supported on a first reciprocal bearing surface (235B) of one of the two branches (200) of the pliers (1), the cutting blade (300) then having a withdrawal position, and a second stop position, in which a second bearing surface (255) of the connecting rod (250) is supported on a second reciprocal bearing surface (235C) of said branch (200) of the pliers (1), the cutting blade (300) then having a cutting position. 14. Clamp (1) according to one of claims 12 and 13, in which the branches (100, 200) being articulated against elastic return means (160, 260) which exert a return torque on the connecting rod (250) so as to return it to its first stop position, the latter pivots about said second pivot axis (A2) to its second stop position when the closing torque applied by the user to the branches ( 100, 200) is greater than the return torque exerted by said elastic return means (160, 260) on the connecting rod (250). 15. Clamp (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein there is provided a locking element (400) of the cutting blade (300) in its withdrawn position, said locking element (400 ) being movably mounted on one of the legs (100, 200) of the clamp, between a release position in which it allows the tilting of the connecting rod (250) from its first to its second position, and a locking position in which it prohibits this tilting. 16. Clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which said elastic return means (160, 260) comprise two tension springs each housed in one of said branches (100, 200) of the clamp ( 1).