GB2261701A

GB2261701A - A clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2261701A
Application number: GB9224110A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lionel Calmettes; Pascal Detable
Original assignee: Etablissements Caillau SAS
Current assignee: Caillau SAS
Priority date: 1991-11-20
Filing date: 1992-11-17
Publication date: 1993-05-26
Also published as: JPH05215276A; GB9224110D0; FR2683884A1; DE4239008A1

Abstract

A clamp for fastening elongated articles, such as for example pipes, comprising two partly cylindrical elements (1, 2), called shells. optionally articulated together by two longitudinal edges (1a, 2a), in the manner of a hinge. Resilient pads (4, 5) are fixed on the inner face of each one of the shells (1, 2) in such a way as to bear against the article to be fixed. Each resilient pad (4, 5) is constituted by a metal strip wound or bent over itself so as to form a tubular element, which is split longitudinally, has a bean-shaped cross-section and longitudinal edges which may be fixed on the inner face of the shell (4, 5) by way of a hook-shaped member (4e, 4f) engaged in an orifice (1e) of complementary shape. <IMAGE>

Description

1 A Clamp The present invention relates to a clamp.

Clamps are already known, particularly from U.S. Patent No. 2,396,837 and from French Patent No. 2,640,349, which clamps are articulated and intended principally for the aeronautics industry, for the elastic fastening of elongated articles, such as pipes or bundles of cables or other similar articles.

Such clamps are essentially constituted by two partly cylindrical elements, generally in metal. Two longitudinal edges of said elements are often articulated one on the other, in a manner similar to a hinge, while each element comprises, on a longitudinal edge, such as if necessary on the edge opposite to the articulation, means for fixing the clamp on a support. Given the fact that such clamps are frequently intended for fastening pipes conveying fluids often at high temperatures, each cylindrical element is generally provided with resilient pads which are fixed on their inner face. Said pads considerably dampen the transmission of any vibrations between the fixed article and its support; they also constitute an efficient obstacle against any transmission of heat between said two members, without any risk of being themselves damaged by high temperatures.

The two aforesaid patents have proposed solutions for producing the resilient pads, but said solutions present drawbacks, both as regards manufacturing costs and as regards resistance to high temperatures.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a clamp of the aforesaid type, which eliminates the drawbacks of the known clamps and, on the other hand, which presents various advantages.

According to the inventien, a resilient pad is constituted by a metal plate bent so as to form a tubular element 2 which is split longitudinally and has a bean-shaped cross-section, and of which the free longitudinal edges are situated on the inner face of the cylindrical element of the clamp to which it is fixed.

L The invention will be more readily understood on reading the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp according to the invention in open position, - Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp according to Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2, according to a variant, with the clamp being fixed on its support.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, these show a clamp constituted of two semi-cylindrical shells 1 and 2, generally in metal, of which the longitudinal edges la and 2a are hinged together. To this effect, each shell comprises, beyond its longitudinal edge, extensions 1b and 2b, which are suitably cut and bent so as to form a hinge by being wound around a pin 3. Also, the extensions 1b and 2b can be spot-welded an the outer surface of the shell to which they belong.

Beyond its longitudinal edge lc or 2c opposite the hinge, each shell is provided with a tab 1d or 2d, of width, for example, equal to the axial length of the shell. Said tabs 1d and 2d are provided with a hole situated close to their free end, to allow the passage of a screw for fixing it to a support, not shown.

Inside each shell 1, 2 there is provided a resilient pad 4, 5 constituted by a metal strip or sheet, for example in spring steel, wound or bent over itself to form a split tubular element. Its cross-section is bean-shaped, meaning that it has two circular portions 4a-5a; 4b,4b' - 5b, W having the same concavity, connected by two substantially circular portions 4c-5c; d-d of reverse concay-ty to the previous one. Preferably, and as illustrated in the drawings, the outer circular portion of a pad v 3 comprises two halfportions of which the free longitudinal edges are situated in facing relationship to the inner face of the corresponding shell.

The pads 4 and 5 are respectively fixed on the shells 1 and 2 by any suitable means. However, the means which have been illustrated in the drawings are particularly simple ones.

Indeed, the shell 1 has a longitudinal slit le, for example of rectangular cross-section, for inserting hooks 4e, 4f, constituted by at least one bent part of an extension of each of the half-portions 4b, 4b', beyond the slit separating them. It is obvious that the axial dimension of the extensions correspond to the length of the slit le, which is itself smaller than that of the shell 1.

The pad 5 is also equipped with members similar to those just described, for fastening it in the slit 2e of the shell 2.

The clamp is used as follows. The clamp being in open position, as shown for example in Figure 2, the article to be fixed A (diagrammatically illustrated in dotted line) is introduced between portions 4a and 5a of the pads 4 and 5. The tabs 1d and 2d are then brought nearer together until the tab 1d reaches the position shown in dotted line, so that the pads 4 and 5 tightly grip the article A while readily and resiliently adapting to its diameter, the initial arrow x of one pad being able to reduce to x' (dotted line). Finally, a screw is introduced into the hole in tabs Id-2d and is screwed into a support, not shown.

Thanks to their bean-like shape, the pads are capable of undergoing considerable elastic deformations caused by a variation of the diameter of the gripped article under the effect of temperature, as well as by the vibrations to which said article can be subjected, without this affecting their grip on the article A.

Moreover, the constitution of said pads and more generally of the clamp enables them to withstand without damages, important and sometimes cyclic variatior- in their temperature. In addition, the clamp and its various members are easily made 1 4 corrosion-resistant, by judiciously choosing the materials constituting them.

Finally, because of its simple design, the clamp is low-priced and its weight is small compared with the known clamps.

Referring now to Figure 3, this shows a variant embodiment, in which the elements already described have been given the same reference numerals increased by 10.

This clamp is essentially different in that the two shells (11-12) are not hinged toogether, which is an advantage in certain cases. On the other hand, the shells have noticeably different dimensions although they have retained the partly cylindrical parts. The pads 14 and 15 are themselves adapted to the dimensions of the shells, and will preferably be resting one against the other in the area facing their longitudinal edges 11a-12a to define an opening through which the article to be fixed can be introduced.

k 1

Claims

CLAIMS the 1. A clamp for fastening elongated articles, such asfor example

pipes, comprising two partly cylindrical elements, called shells, optionally articulated together by two lateral edges, in manner of a hinge, with resilient pads being fixed on the inner face of each one of the shells in such a way as to bear against the article to be fixed, clamp wherein a resilient pad is constituted by a metal strip wound or bent over itself so as to form a tubular element, which is split longitudinally, has a bean-shaped cross-section and longitudinal edges which are situated on the inner face of the shell to which it is fixed.
2. A clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the free longitudinal edges of a resilient pad has a hook-shaped member engaged in an orifice of complementary shape, provided in the corresponding shell.
3. A clamp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.