GB2244110A

GB2244110A - Flanged clamp for attaching a hose to a fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2244110A
Application number: GB9110708A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hannu Kerko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-18
Filing date: 1991-05-17
Publication date: 1991-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2011-05-17
Also published as: NL9100863A; NL194736B; GB9110708D0; DE4115968A1; FI902465A0; FI902465A; FI84653B; NL194736C; FI84653C; DE4115968C2; GB2244110B

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for attaching a hose (6) to a fitting (7) made of an inflexible material. The arrangement comprises a clamp (1) provided with a clamping mechanism and intended to be fitted around the hose, the clamp being arranged to press the end of the hose (6) against the outer surface of the end of the fitting (7). To improve the pressure resistance of the joint, a flange (9) is provided on the outer surface of the end of the fitting (7) so that it extends around the fitting and protrudes from its surface. One edge of the clamp (1) is provided with a collar (10) arranged to be pressed against a surface of the flange (9) facing away from the hose (6) and extending substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the fitting (7) when the clamp (1) is tightened around the end of the hose (6) by means of the clamping mechanism. <IMAGE>

Description

1 1 1 1 Arrangement for attaching a hose to a fitting The invention

relates to an arrangement for attaching a hose to a smooth- walled f itting made of an inflexible material, comprising a clamp provided with a clamping mechanism and intended to be f itted around the hose, the clamp being arranged to press the end of the hose against the outer surf ace of the end of the fitting.

Such arrangements are today well-known in various technical f ields. Examples of the prior art are the solutions described in FI Patent Application 61/64, PCT Application WO-85/02894, SE Patent Specification 68929 and us Patents 4,310,956, 4,176,965 and 4,265,471.

These prior art solutions operate satisfactorily in certain circumstances but their usability is not the best possible in certain demanding applications. Such demanding applications include applications in the food industry, where hoses are used for the transfer of milk, beer and wine, for instance. In such applications the fitting, i. e. a pipe coupling made of a rigid material, to which the hose is attached, is smooth-walled and the applied pressures may be relatively high. When using the prior art solutions, the hose begins to slide off the smooth fitting already at pre.sures as low as about 4 bar, whereby the pressure resistance is not sufficient for all situations.

The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement by means of which the drawbacks of the prior art can be eliminated, that is, to provide an arrangement the pressure resistance and other properties of which fulfill the requirements of the most demanding situations in every respect. This is

2 achieved by means of an arrangement of the invention, which is characterized in that a f lange is provided on the outer surf ace of the end of the f itting so that it extends around the fitting and protrudes from its surf ace, and that one edge of the clamp is provided with a collar arranged to be pressed against a surf ace of the f lange facing away f rom the hose and extending substantially perpendicularly to the outer surf ace of the fitting when the clamp is tightened around the end of the hose by means of the clamping mechanism.

A major advantage of the invention over the prior art arrangements is that the properties of the arrangement of the invention are adequate for pressures as high as 20 bar, so that the invention is suitable even for the most demanding applications. Another advantage of the invention is that the collar acting.as a retaining edge prevents the fabric of the hose from sticking out. This is essential as several hose types, especially suction hoses intended for demanding applications, comprise steel wire reinforcements, which may stick out and cause a safety risk. Still another advantage of the invention is that it is simple, so that the invention can be realized in an advantageous manner.

In the following the invention will be described by means of a preferred embodiment shown in the attached drawing, in which Figure 1 shows a clamp of one embodiment of the invention in the axial direction of the clamp; Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the clamp of Figure 1; Figure 3' is a partial sectional view of the arrangement of the invention in a situation when the final clamping has not yet been carried out; and 4 1 i 1 3 Figure 4 shows a portion of the arrangement of Figure 3 after the clamping step.

Figures 1 and 2 show a clamp 1 of the arrangement of the invention. The clamp 1 comprises a primary clamp member or strap member 2 and a clamping mechanism 3. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the clamping mechanism comprises a screw member 4 and a counterpart 5 cooperating with the screw member 4.

Figures 3 and 4 show the arrangement of the invention in an operational situation, that is when a hose 6 of a flexible material is attached to a fitting 7 made of an inflexible material. The hose 6 may be made e.g. of a stiffened rubber material and the fitting 7 may be made of e.g. stainless steel.

The steel wire acting as a reinforcement in the hose 6 is indicated by means of the reference numeral 8 in Figures 3 and 4.

As appears from Figures 3 and 4, the end of the hose 6 is f itted around the end of the fitting 7 and pressed by means of the clamp 1 against the outer surface of the fitting 7. In the example of the figures, the clamping takes place by rotating the screw members 4.

In the invention, a flange 9 is provided on the outer surface of the end of the f itting 7 so that it extends around the fitting and protrudes from its surface. In addition, a collar 10 is formed in one edge of the strap member 2 of the clamp 1. When the clamp 1 is tightened, the collar 10 is arranged to be pressed against a flange surface which faces away from the hose 6 and is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the outer surface of the fitting 7. The f lange 9 may be formed by a separate ring which is attached to the outer surface of the fitting 7. The attachment may be made by welding, for instance.

4 The invention enables the formation of a joint which resists pressure substantially better than the prior art arrangements.

In the arrangement of the invention, one or more press ribs may be formed in the inner surface of the strap member 2 of the clamp 1, that is, in the surface to be pressed against the outer surface of the hose 6. In the embodiment of the figures, the press ribs 11 are formed by ridges extending around the strap member. The press ribs 11 are positioned also within the area of the screw member 4. At the clamping step, the press ribs 11 are pressed against the outer surface of the hose 6 as shown in Figure 4.

In the embodiment of the figures, the collar 10 is arranged to be pressed against the flange 9 over more than half of the length of the periphery of the flange as seen in the peripheral direction of the flange.- The flange 9 is preferably dimensioned so that the clamp 1 can be installed on the hose 6 and the fitting 7 can be inserted into the hose 6, whereby the collar 10 of the clamp remains behind the flange only after the clamping step and prevents the sliding of the hose and the clamp along the surf ace of the fitting. The pressing of the press ribs 11 against the surface of the hose 6 as a result of the clamping contributes to the formation of a firm joint. The press ribs 11 also act as sealing members.

The embodiment described above is by no means intended to restrict the invention, but the invention can be modified at will within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, it is obvious that the arrangement of the invention or its parts need not necessarily be exactly similar to those shown in the figures but other solutions are possible as well. For ill j _k, i instance, the clamping mechanism need not necessarily comprise two screw members positioned side by side on the same side, as shown in the f igures, but it is also possible to use one screw member, three screw members, etc. The screw members may also be positioned on opposite sides of the strap member. The outer surf ace of the clamp may be smooth as shown in the figures, but it is obvious that this is not necessary. Grooves corresponding to the press ribs may be visible on the outer surface of the clamp. The screw members may be replaced with any members known per se, such as eccentric mechanisms. If required, the flange may be attached to the f itting in some other manner than by welding. In addition, it is possible to make the flange integral with the fitting or a part of it.

Claims

CLAIMS:

is 1. A device for attaching a hose to a smooth-walled fitting made of an inflexible materialr comprising a clamp provided with a clamping mechanism and intended to be fitted around the hose, the clamp being arranged to press the end of the hose against the outer surface of the end of the fitting, in which a flange is provided on the outer surface of the end of the fitting so that it extends around the fitting and protrudes from its surface, and in which one edge of the clamp is provided with a collar arranged to be pressed against a surface of the flange facing away from the hose and extending substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the fitting when the clamp is tightened around the end of the hose by means of the clamping mechanism.

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2. A device according to claim 1, in which at least one press rib is formed in a surface of the clamp pressed against the outer surface of the hose.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a screw member, and the at least one press rib is positioned within the area of the screw member.
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the collar is arranged to be pressed against the flange over more than half of the length of the periphery of the flange as seen in the direction of the periphery of the flange.
5. A device according to claim 1, in which the flange is formed by a separate ring attached to the outer surface of the fitting.
6. A device for attaching a hose to a smoothwalled fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office. Concept House. Cardff Road. Newport. Gwent NP9 IRH. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6, Nine Mile Point Cwmfelinfach, Cross Keys. Newport NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid. -St Maty Cray, Kent.

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