JP3491799B2 - Band clamp - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a band clamp, which is laterally parallel to each other on a surface defined by a pair of side edges extending along its length and generally parallel to one another at regular intervals. A long and narrow band portion having a large number of ridges provided and a buckle portion having a through hole formed at one end of the band portion and having locking claws provided therein are formed into a bundle. The other end of the band part wound with a wire is inserted into the through hole and a tensile force is applied, and at the position where the tensile force is released, the projecting ridge and the locking claw are engaged with each other. The present invention relates to a band clamp of a type that holds a bundle of wire rods in a tightened state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional band clamp will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a band clamp having an extremely general structure, and FIG. 8 shows a belt portion in a longitudinal direction. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a conventional band clamp provided with ridges arranged in two rows along which a pitch H, that is, a distance between the ridges P before and after engaging with the locking claw R is shifted by left and right halves. The band portion B is provided with protrusions on the front and back sides in a similar arrangement. Therefore, the through hole A of the buckle portion C has a pair of upper and lower engaging claws R, R protruding. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view showing a usage state of these conventional band clamps, in which a wire rod S is held in a tightened state in a band portion B connected in an annular shape. Since this wire rod tightening state is substantially the same as the use state of the band clamp 1 according to the present invention, it will be incorporated in the description of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0003] These conventional band clamps provide a large number of types in which the length of the band portion B and the size of the buckle portion C are different, assuming that a relatively large number of wire rods as shown in Fig. 9 are held. It has been. However, in order to reduce the manufacturing cost, standardization of parts is a demand of the times from the viewpoint of rationalization in terms of manufacturing. Especially, it is often used in the manufacturing process of electric parts or products that require parts of various sizes. The common use of such band clamps is no exception, and the appearance of band clamps having a certain degree of mechanical strength capable of bundling and holding a small number of wires has also been demanded.

In the general band clamp shown in FIG. 7, each of the ridges P is provided with a side surface at a right angle or an acute angle with respect to the surface of the band portion in a sectional shape, and the locking claw R has a band portion B. The elastic force of the elastic member so that it can elastically contact and pass the ridge against the pulling movement of the band, and at the same time when the pulling force is released, the band portion is stopped at the release position by contacting the acting side surface. It forms a directional ratchet mechanism.

In order to securely tighten and hold the small-diameter wire rods in a bundled state by using such a band clamp, firstly, the band itself needs to have a large bendability, which results in the thickness of the band. At the same time, it is desirable that the pitch H at which the engaging claw R engages is made as small as possible due to the problem of mechanical strength at the time of tightening, especially tensile strength. In order to make the pitch small, it is necessary to make the height of the ridge P small, that is, low. However, by reducing the pitch, the engagement area between the ridge and the locking claw becomes small, so that the ridge easily comes off the locking claw or the ridge easily buckles. There is a problem in that sufficient tensile strength in the radial direction and the circumferential direction cannot be obtained when used in.

Further, the band clamp shown in FIG. 8 has been provided in order to solve such contradictory problems of flexibility and strength. That is, the two rows of the ridges P are arranged along the length direction of the band portion B while being shifted by half a pitch.
Similarly, the heights of the ridges themselves, which are said to shift 1 and P2 by half pitches and engage with the locking claws R1 and R2 that are projectingly arranged in the through hole A of the buckle portion C in two rows, It has been devised that it can be locked as a 1/2 pitch step as a whole without damaging it.

However, in such a structure, the widths of the protrusions P1 and P2 and the locking claws R1 and R2 are halved, resulting in inferior locking strength. At the same time, a large number of wire rods S having a large diameter are used. In the case of tightly tightening the binding, the locking force that opposes the large tensile force in the circumferential direction generated in the band portion B is also insufficient. In particular, such a band clamp is often integrally molded from an inexpensive material such as polypropylene having relatively flexibility, and when tightly binding and tightening a large-diameter wire rod, the band portion may extend, There is a risk of damage such as buckling of the ridges, which causes a problem that mechanical strength is insufficient.

[0008]

As described above, when binding with a large diameter, there is sufficient flexibility even when binding with a small diameter without impairing the locking and tensile strength when binding with a large diameter, and the required locking force is exerted. The advent of band clamps has been desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, an object of the present invention is to provide a band clamp having a wide range of adaptability and a simple structure that exhibits sufficient locking and tensile strength corresponding to the diameters of all wire bundles to be bundled. It is a thing.

[0009]

The above object of the present invention is to provide a large protrusion near the other end in a small pitch region where the height and pitch of the protrusions formed on the surface of the band portion are close to the buckle portion. This is achieved by providing a band clamp characterized by being formed lower and smaller than the pitch area.

With such a construction, since the pitch is small and the height of the ridge is small for a small-diameter binding target material, sufficient flexibility can be obtained and the number of locking points is increased, so that the material can be securely held tightly. It is possible. In addition, with such a configuration, the desired locking force can be obtained even when molded with a relatively flexible material such as inexpensive polypropylene.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the above object relating to the present invention is such that the height and the pitch of the ridges approach the buckle portion at least in a small pitch region close to the buckle portion. It gradually and continuously becomes low and small. By doing so, the flexibility gradually and continuously increases with respect to the material to be bound with various small diameters, and the number of ridges also increases. Therefore, the optimum locked state is always achieved.

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the above object is such that the height and pitch of the ridges are at least in a small pitch region close to the buckle portion.
The height is gradually and gradually lowered toward the buckle portion and becomes smaller. With such a configuration, it is possible to apply to a plurality of types of materials to be bound having a standardized diameter to some extent.

In order to solve the above-mentioned object according to the present invention, according to another embodiment, the ridges are provided on both surfaces of the band portion, and the ridges engage with the ridges. Locking claws are formed on the facing surface of the through hole.
As a result, the surface of the band part is locked from both the front and back sides within the through hole of the buckle part, so that a larger locking force can be obtained and the bundled material such as the wire can be more securely held. It will be possible. Furthermore, according to this embodiment,
The band portion can be wound in both left and right directions and locked in the buckle portion, so that the band portion can be used properly according to the usage situation.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing one embodiment of a band clamp 1 according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a front view of the band clamp 1. In addition,
In use, since the band portion 2 must always position the protrusion 7 on the outer surface, the material to be bound is wound counterclockwise and pulled out from the back side of the through hole 6 of the buckle portion 3 to the front side. FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line XX in FIG. 2, and shows a state in which the band portion 2 in the region PS near the buckle portion 3 is locked to the buckle portion 3. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an engagement state between the protrusion 7 and the locking claw 4 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, and shows a state in which the band portion 2 in the region PL near the other end 11 apart from the buckle portion 3 is locked to the buckle portion. Figure 6
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an engagement state between the protrusion 7 and the locking claw 4 in FIG. 5.

1 to 6, a band clamp 1 according to the present invention is transverse to a surface defined by a pair of side edges 9 extending along its length and generally parallel to one another at regular intervals. A plurality of ridges 7 provided in parallel to each other are formed alternately with the elongated groove other end 11 which is formed by sandwiching the groove 8 and the band 2 having the free end, and the one end 10 of the band 2. The buckle portion 3 has a through hole 6 formed along the length direction of the band portion. Inside the through hole 6, an L having a lateral portion that is hung from the upper wall portion along the length direction and is capable of bending and moving vertically
A letter-shaped or hook-shaped locking piece 5 extends. On the lower surface of this lateral portion, a downwardly projecting locking claw 4 is projected until it comes into contact with the lower wall portion of the through hole.

The sectional shape of the locking claw 4 is a ridge formed on the surface of the band portion 2 inclining at a vertical or acute angle with respect to the direction in which the other end 11 of the band portion enters the through hole 6. 7
Has a working surface that meshes with the inclined side surface of the and has a substantially inclined triangular shape. Therefore, the band portion 2
Although there is some elastic resistance due to the flexibility of the locking piece 5 with respect to the entry into the through hole, it does not cause any trouble because the apex portion simply makes contact and passes, but returns in the opposite direction. With respect to the movement, this acting surface meshes with the side surface of the ridge to completely stop the movement, and functions as a so-called "one-way ratchet mechanism". The ratchet mechanism is substantially the same as that used in the conventional general band clamp shown in FIG. 7, and the bent thin piece made of a steel plate is hung from the upper wall by insert molding. It is also possible to replace with.

On the other hand, the band portion 2 has a large number of elongated surfaces defined by the pair of side edges 9 as described above, with the ridges 7 being slightly spaced in the direction transverse to the extending direction thereof. Although they are arranged, the upper surface thereof is flush with the original surface of the band portion 2, and both side edges 9 along the extension direction are left as they are with the original thickness. It secures the tensile strength and improves the durability for reuse. Therefore, in actuality, each ridge 7 is defined by piercing parallel groove grooves 8 parallel to each other at a predetermined interval.

To perform the tightening operation as shown in FIG.
The other end 1 of the band portion 2 formed by winding a large number of bundled wires S
When 1 is inserted into the through hole 6 and the pulling force continues to act on the other end side toward the front side in FIG. 2 and the pulling force is released when a predetermined tightened state is obtained, the band at that position is released. The portion 2 is completely retained by the mutual engagement of the protrusion 7 and the locking claw 4, that is, by the ratchet action, and holds the bundle of wire rods in the tightened state.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 and 4,
In order to hold a small number of wire rods in a tightened state, it is necessary to bend the band part to a smaller diameter to form an annular body, but a ring with a large diameter for tightening a larger number of wire rods that requires high tension. Considering the versatility of its use as a body, it would be impossible to cover it with a single component as has been done conventionally.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the height h of the ridges 7 formed on the surface of the band portion and the pitch H, which is the distance between the adjacent ridges, are set differently at least in the region PS close to the buckle portion 3. The problem is solved by forming the region PL closer to the end so as to increase the number of engageable ridges and the number of grooves per unit length. Further, the substantial thickness of the band portion 2 is reduced to improve the flexibility, and at the same time, the locking piece 4 is disengaged from one groove 8 to smoothly and quickly move to the next groove and securely engage with it. The height h of the ridge 7 is set low.

By adopting such a structure, the band portion 2 can be easily bent and deformed into an annular body having a small diameter, and the ridges 7 are provided in small increments, so that fine adjustment can be performed during tightening. It is possible to reliably hold the material to be bound without sagging. Further, even when the entire band clamp is molded with a relatively flexible material such as inexpensive polypropylene, the spacing between the protrusions is small pitch region PS close to the buckle portion 3.
5 and 6, as is apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, in the large pitch region PL near the other end, the height h and the pitch H of the projection 7 are locked in the same manner as a general band clamp. The same height and size as No. 4 are set. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a reliable tightening and holding state by a large locking force, which is exactly the same as that of the conventional binding band.

In order to ensure such versatility,
The height h and the pitch H of the ridges 7 of the band portion 2 are gradually and continuously made low and small in the small pitch region PS near the buckle portion 3 as they approach the buckle portion. Therefore, the flexibility of the belt part increases gradually as it approaches the buckle part even for materials with various small diameters to be bound, so it is possible to easily follow a small binding diameter, and at the same time the number of ridges increases in small increments. As a result, a locking force that does not depend on the size of the binding diameter can be obtained in a stepless manner, so that reliable tightening and holding can always be performed.

As one variant, the height h and the pitch H of the ridges 7 are gradually and gradually lowered and become smaller in the small pitch region PS closer to the buckle portion 3 as they approach the buckle portion. It is suggested to do. With such a configuration, it is possible to apply to a plurality of types of materials to be bound having a standardized diameter to some extent. Note that such a continuous or stepwise reduction state of the pitch and height of the ridges does not have to be limited to the small pitch region PS in particular, and may start from the large pitch region PL near the other end. It goes without saying that can be changed as appropriate according to the purpose of use.

Further, as another modification, as seen in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the protrusions 7 are provided on both surfaces of the band portion 2 and the locking claws 4 engaging with these protrusions 4 are provided.
Can be formed on the upper and lower facing surfaces of the through hole 6.
With such a configuration, the surface of the band portion is locked from both the inside and outside of the through hole of the buckle portion, a larger locking force is obtained, and it is possible to more securely hold the material to be bound such as a wire rod. Becomes Further, the band portion can be wound around the material to be bound from both left and right directions and locked in the buckle portion, so that it can be used properly according to the usage situation.

[0026]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The band clamp according to the present invention has a sufficient locking and tightening strength for each diameter of wire bundles to be bundled in spite of the simple structure as mentioned above. It has the versatility that it can be obtained. Furthermore, even when molded with a relatively flexible material such as polypropylene, which can be obtained at low cost, the desired locking force can be obtained without tearing or loosening of the band part or damage such as ridges or buckling of locking claws. Therefore, as compared with the conventional binding band, a great advantage can be obtained not only in manufacturing but also in economics.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing one embodiment of a band clamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the band clamp shown in FIG.

3 is an arrow view showing a fitted state of a small pitch region of the band in the XX cross section of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an engagement state between a protrusion and a locking claw in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the fitted state of the large pitch region of the band.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an engagement state between a protrusion and a locking claw in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a band clamp having a conventional very general configuration.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another conventional band clamp.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view showing a usage state of a conventional band clamp.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 band clamp 2 band section 3 Buckle part 4 locking claws 6 through holes 7 ridges 9 side edges 10 end (one end) 11 end (other end) S wire rod h Height of ridge H ridge pitch PS Small pitch area PL Large pitch area

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An elongate strip having a plurality of ridges laterally parallel to each other defined on a surface defined by a pair of lateral edges extending along the length direction at substantially regular intervals parallel to each other. And a buckle part having a through hole that is connected to one end of the band part and has locking pawls provided therein, and the other band part in which a large number of bundled wires are wound. A type in which the end is inserted into the through hole and a tensile force is applied, and at the position where the tensile force is released, the protrusion is engaged with the locking claw to hold the bundle of wire rods in a tightened state. In the band clamp, the height and pitch of the protrusions formed on the surface of the band portion are formed to be lower and smaller than the large pitch region near the other end in the small pitch region near the buckle portion. Characterized by Dokuranpu. 2. The height and pitch of the ridges are gradually and continuously lowered and reduced toward the buckle portion, at least in a small pitch region near the buckle portion. The band clamp according to claim 1. 3. The height and pitch of the ridges are gradually and gradually lowered and reduced toward the buckle portion, at least in a small pitch region near the buckle portion. The band clamp according to claim 1. 4. The ridges are provided on both surfaces of the band portion, and the locking claws that engage with the ridges are:
The band clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the band clamp is formed on an opposite surface of the through hole.