GB2361029A

GB2361029A - Clamps for cables, pipes

Info

Publication number: GB2361029A
Application number: GB0108353A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher John Calvert
Original assignee: Walkern Victoria Ind Ltd
Current assignee: Walkern Victoria Ind Ltd
Priority date: 2000-04-06
Filing date: 2001-04-03
Publication date: 2001-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-03
Also published as: GB0108353D0; GB0008528D0; GB2361029B

Abstract

In a clamp (1) comprising a band of material for encircling one or more cables (12) or the like, the thickness of the material forming the side portions (3) of the clamp (1) is such that the side portions (3) can conform at least approximately to the outline of the encircled cables (12). The said material may be steel, 0.5mm to 1.25mm thick. In flanges (4) of the clamp (1) adjacent to each end of the band there are respective apertures (4a) for receiving bolts (7) for securing the band about the cables (12), the flanges (4) being made thicker than the side portions (3) of the clamp (4), preferably by folding back on itself the material forming the said band so as to form two overlapping layers of the said material through which the apertures (4a) are formed. Respective reinforcing plates (6) are preferably provided at each-flange (4), the apertures (4a) being formed through the reinforcing plates (6), which are desirably spot welded to the flanges (4).

Description

2361029 CLAMPS is This invention relates to clamps, or cleats, for

encircling one or more bodies, such as cables and pipes, and is applicable particularly but not exclusively to clamps, cleats or straps for clamping or strapping cables, pipes and the like in a trefoil arrangement or singly.

The present applicants have previously proposed a clamp, disclosed in W098/49484, which has first and second sections of strip-form material which have end regions by which the first and second sections are pivotally joined. Such a hinged clamp can be opened and c losed relatively easily, but it is desirable to provide a clamp which is less expensive to manufacture.

According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a clamp comprising a band of material for encircling one or more bodies, the band being shaped so as to have a mounting portion, whereby the clamp may be mounted at-a desired location prior to encircling the said one or more bodies, and side portions located between respective ends of the band and the said mounting portion, there being at each end of the band respective reinforced flanges each having an aperture for receiving means for securing the band about the said one or more bodies, wherein when the clamp is not in use the said side portions are straight and the thickness of the material forming the side portions is such that those portions can conform at least approximately to the outline of the encircled body or bodies. Preferably the said material is steel, the steel at the said part of the band desirably being O.Smm to 1.25mm thick and desirably comprising a single layer.

Such a clamp is flexible enough to allow the band to be bent around the body or bodies (i. e. cables, is pipes or the like) so that it is moulded to suit the size and shape of the body or bodies. Moreover the clamp can be opened and closed by hand simply by flexing the band, avoiding the need for a hinge. Since the material used to make the clamp is thinner than in the prior art clamp, and the clamp does not require a hinge, it is much cheaper to manufacture.

The said side portions of a clamp embodying the present invention are preferably sheathed at least partially in a flexible liner.

Desirably, the material forming the said band may be folded back on itself at the said flanges so as to form two overlapping layers of the said material through which the apertures are formed. Preferably, respective reinforcing plates are provided at each flange, said apertures being formed through said reinforcing plates. Such reinforcing plates may be attached, for example by spot welding, to the said portions.

Although cheaper to manufacture, such a clamp still provides some of the strength of the prior art clamp plus improved flexibility.

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a clamp embodying the present invention when in use; Figure 2 shows a side view of the clamp of Figure 1 when not in use; Figure 3 shows an underneath view of the clamp shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a first perspective view of the clamp shown in Figure 2; and Figure 5 shows a second perspective view of the clamp shown in Figure 2.

As shown in the Figures, a clamp 1 embodying the present invention comprises a band of material shaped so as to have a mounting portion 2 between two side portions 3, the ends of the band forming respective flanges 4. The side portions 3 are straight when the clamp is not in use. The mounting portion 2 is provided with apertures. 2a (see Figure 3) for receiving respective bolts whereby the clamp may be mounted on an appropriate surface.

The clamp 1 is shown in Figure 1 as it looks when holding three cables 12. The clamp 1 may be made, for example, of lmm thick steel. This allows the side portions 3 of the clamp 1 to be flexible so that the clamp 1 can be opened and closed by hand, avoiding the need for a hinge. Moreover, the side portions 3 can be bent around the cables 12 within the clamp 1 so that the clamp 1 is moulded to suit the size and shape of the cables 12.

Inner faces of the side portions 3 are sheathed in respective flexible liners 5 made of plastics or polymeric material.

The flanges 4 are formed adjacent to the side portions 3 by bending back the material forming the clamp 1 so as to have two overlapping layers. The flanges 4 are further strengthened by the provision of respective reinforcing plates 6 bonded, preferably by spot welding, to the outer faces of the f langes 4. The clamp 1 is kept closed by means of a nut and bolt assembly, comprising a bolt 7, nut 8 and washer 9, the bolt 7 passing through respective apertures 4a formed through the flanges 4 and reinforcing plates 6.

The clamp 1 can accommodate several cables 12, one of the polymeric pads 10 or 11 being used for range take if required to support the cables 12 within the clamp 1 depending on their size, shape and number.

The invention has been described above with reference to an embodiment in which the entire clamp 1 is made of material of the same thickness. However, in some circumstances it may be desirable to make only the portions which are to be flexible, i.e. the side portions 3, of thinner material.

-5

Claims

CLAIMS:

is 1. A clamp comprising a band of material for encircling one or more bodies, the band being shaped so as to have a mounting portion, whereby the clamp may be mounted at a desired location prior to encircling the said one or more bodies, and side portions located between respective ends of the band and the said mounting portion, there being at each end of the band respective reinforced flanges each having an aperture for receiving means for securing the band about the said one or more bodies, wherein when the clamp is not in use the said side portions are straight and the thickness of the material forming the side portions is such that those portions can conform at least approximately to the outline of the encircled body or bodies.
2. A clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said material is steel.
3. A clamp as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thickness of the steel at the said part of the band is in the range from 0.5mm to 1.25mm.
4. A clamp as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the said part comprises a single layer of such material.
5. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the said side portions are sheathed at least partially in a flexible liner.
6. A clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the material forming the said band is folded back on itself at the said flanges so as to form two overlapping layers of the said material through which the apertures are formed.
7. A clamp as claimed in claim 6, wherein respective reinforcing plates are provided at each flange, said apertures being formed through said reinforcing plates.
8. A clamp as claimed in claim 7, wherein the said reinforcing plated are spot welded to the said portions.
9. A clamp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying i drawings.