TITLE
Strapping device and its use
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a strapping device intended to be used as a hose clip, a bundling band for electrical cables or the similar. The present invention also refers to a special preferred use of the strapping device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is previously known a number of types of hose clips, which are intended to be to stretched firmly around a hose which has been thread on the end of a tube to stabily hold the hose firmly on the end of the tube, and further to ensure a liquid tight connection between the hose and the tube.
Important fields of applications for hose clips exists for instance in cooling systems and climate systems of engine vehicles, where the hose clips are used for fasten rubber and plastic hoses onto related hose connections. In a conventional engine vehicle, such as a passenger car, there is often more than about ten different types of hose clips needed.
The so far used hose clips are made of metal and can have a number of different principles. Among the earlier known designs shell clips, clips with screw and nut, ear clips and thread clips may be mentioned .
So called bundling bands are also previously known, which are used for a number of different purposes, such as to bundle plastic pipes and different electrical cables or wires. Such bundling bands are often made of plastic materials, and has also been used for bundling of rope tufts which are included in the electrical system of engine vehicles.
The Swedish Patent Application SE-C2-503 217 describes a bundling band which comprises a band section of some length, with larger width than thickness. The bundling band further comprises a longitudinal insertion section associated with the end of the band section, which section has lesser width than the band section, and a locking head associated with the second end of the band section, with on one hand a throughgoing and essentially along the band section adjacent the locking heading extending opening for receiving a part of the band section, on the
other hand one a slot extending from the opening to the outside of the locking head in the longitudinal direction of the opening for inserting a part of the insertion section in the through opening through as a preparation for drawing the band section into this opening. The bundling band described in SE-C2-503 217 further comprises interacting blocking teeth of the band section and in the throughgoing opening. Further the locking head of the bundling band has a throughgoing hole in the longitudinal direction of the opening, and on a side of the opening being opposite to the slot, whereby a bridge formed between the hole and the opening is resiliently associated with opposed longsides of the locking head. The bundling band described in the SE- C2-503 217 is stated to be prepared in an injection moulding tool of simplified construction, i.e. in a tool for opening in a direction without any separate backing movements to release the injection moulded piece.
The Patent Publication SE 341 160 further describes a device for bonding cables by means a band, which in an end is fixedly associated with a locking device intended to receive and secure the other end of the band end, wherein the band on the flat side therof is provided with a cogging, which in the locking device interacts with a wedge bolt having the corresponding cogging, which wedge is arranged between a guiding passage intended for the band and an inclined surface of the locking device. According to SE 341 160 the wedge and the locking device are provided with interacting elastic compliant guiding means, which force the wedge to be brought out of its inclined surface of the locking device and into the guiding passage of the band. The device described in SE 341 160 is said to ensure that the wedge is in contact with the band also in released condition and securely grips this thanks to the steerings.
The earlier known types of metal hose clips may seem to be afflicted with certain problems, in particular when used in engine vehicles. The earlier known hose clips must eventually be so choosen that the dimension of the hose clip is proportionally close to the dimension of the hose which shall be clamped onto a hose connection, which leads to that a large amount of different dimensions of hose clips is required for one and the same engine vehicle. When it comes to earlier known hose clips, which are clamped by screwing at the mounting, and also a possible dismounting, may be experienced as to time consuming. Further several of the previously known types of hose clips require that the clip is thread onto the hose before it is thread onto its tube end, something that can be unpractical in the aspect of dismounting. The previously known hose
clips are not generally suited for use in bundling electrical cables or wires, and have moreover in several cases a complicated construction with several components included.
The previously known bundling bands of polymeric material have often a simple construction, can be mounted rapidly and are adjustable to different dimensions. Such bundling bands are, however, generally unappropriate for use as hose clips on account of their proportionally elastic nature, which makes it difficult to obtain a sufficient contact pressure on a hose of rubber or polymeric material to be able to ensure a liquid tight connection between the hose and the tube onto which the hose and the clip are thread. Previously known bundling bands of polymeric materials can on account of their inherent material attributes and insufficient refractoriness also be less appropriate for use in applications where very high temperatures appear. Further the previously known bundling bands may be difficult to release at dismounting without use of a sharp tool, which may lead to a risk that the insulation of for example bundled electrical cables is damaged.
Disclosure of the invention Thus the present invention has as its first object to provide a strapping device with a very simple and inexpensive construction, which facilitates a very rapid dismounting, and which within wide temperatures and dimensional ranges, provides a safe locking of applied tension and therefor is appropriate for both use as a hose clip and as bundling band for cables.
This first object is achieved, according to claim 1, by means of the fact that the strapping device comprises a longitudinal band and a locking head, whereby the band has a width, a first end which is more narrow than the width, and a second end at which the locking head is provided.
Thereby the locking head has a partially surrounding form adjusted to be able to accommodate the width of the band and is provided with at least a first locking device, while the band comprises a longitudinally extending locking section with several more locking means, whereby the first and second locking means are shaped for interaction with each other and to permit an insertion of the first end, and a following feeding into of at least a part of the locking section, at the plane of the band in the locking head. According to the invention the band and the locking head are shaped in one single piece of metal or metal alloy, whereby the dimensions of the partially surrounded form of the locking head and the first end are adjusted to permit that the
insertion of the first end occurs essentially perpendicular to the plane of the band at the second end. Thereby either the first or the second locking means comprise at least a tongue which points in an inclined direction for the feeding and are intended to at and upon the feeding, by means of a spring action interact with a line of edges formed by least one of the locking section or the locking head to make the feeding in reversible.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a strapping device, which besides said advantages above permits a unusually high contact pressure, and a very safe locking upon tension.
This second object is accomplished, according to claim 4, by the fact that opposed edges of the locking section of the strapping device have several third locking means, in the form of protruding teeth in the plane of the width, and that the locking head has several fourth locking means in form of shaped holes arranged in an angle to the plane of the width. The third and fourth locking means are thereby arranged to interact with each other at the irreversible feeding, under resilience of the partially surrounding form of the locking head, and to provide a reciprocal locking between the locking head and the locking section upon the feeding.
A third object of the present invention is to indicate a partcularly preferred use of the strapping device according to the invention.
The third object is accomplished, according to claim 8, by the fact that the strapping device according to the invention is used as a hose clip and/or a bundling band for electrical cables in mounting of a vehicle or a craft provided with an engine.
Further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the subsequent description, while the characteristics which enable that these further purposes is accomplished, are indicated in the enclosed subordinated claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will in the following be described in greater detail with reference to the enclosed figures, wherein
Fig. 1A shows a schematic view from above of a strapping device according to a first embodiment of the invention, upon punching but before bending to the final form,
Fig. IB shows a schematic view of the strapping device in fig. 1A upon bending to its final form,
Fig. 1C shows a cut view through the locking head of the strapping device shown in fig. IB,
Fig. ID showss a view seen from the end of the locking head of the showed strapping device in fig. IB and lC.
Fig. 2A shows a schematic view from above of a strapping device according to a second specially preferred embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 2B shows a schematic side view of the strapping device in fig. 2A,
Fig. 2C shows a schematic cross-section through the in fig. 2B strapping device shown,
Fig. 2D shows, seen from the end of the locking head, a cross-section through the locking head at the strapping device shown in the figures 2A and 2B,
Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the shown in the figures 2A-2D strapping device according to the invention.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of first preferred use of a strapping device according to the invention, wherein the strapping device is used as a bundling band;
Fig 5 shows a schematic perspective view of second preferred use of a strapping device according to the invention, wherein the strapping device is used as a bundling band for electrical cables;
Fig. 6A shows a schematic plain view of a strapping device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, before bending to its final form, and
Fig. 6B presents a schematic side view of the strapping device in fig. 6A.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the enclosed figures a first embodiment of the invention will be described in the following.
The strapping device 101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601 comprises a longitudinal band 102; 202 and a locking head 103; 203; 603. Thereby the band 102; 202 has a width 104; 204, a first end 105; 205 which is more narrow than the width 104; 204, and a second end 106; 206 at which the locking head 103; 203; 603 is formed. The locking head 103; 203; 603 has a partially surrounding form
adapted to be able to accommodate the width 104; 204 of the band and is provided with at least a first locking means 107, 107', 108, 108', 207, 207', 208, 208'; 607, 607', 608, 608', while the band 102; 202 comprises a longitudinal locking section 109; 209 with a number of other locking means 110, 100', 111, 111 '; 210, 210', 211, 211'; 610, 610', 611, 611'. The first and the second of the locking means are designed to interact with each other and to permit an insertion of the first end 105; 205 and a following feeding of at least a part of the locking sections 109; 209, into the locking head 103; 203; 603.
According to the invention the band 102; 202 and the locking head 103; 203; 603 are shaped in a single piece of metal or metal alloy, wherein the dimensions of the partially surrounding form of the locking head 103; 203; 603 and the first end 105; 205 are adjusted to permit the insertion of the first end 105; 205 takes place essentially perpendicular to the plane of the band 102; 202 at the second end 106; 206. This characteristic permits that the insertion of the band can be started very rapidly, as the thin, drawn out first end can easily reach the bottom of the locking head through the interruption in the partially surrounding form, after which feeding and subsequent tension can be started. It can also be possible with embodiments where the insertion in stead occurs by the first end is thread through the partially surrounding form from the other end in a direction essentially parallel to the plan of the band.
Further according to the invention the first or the second locking means comprises at least a tongue 107, 107', 108, 108'; 207, 207', 208; 607, 607', 608, 608'which points inclined in the direction of the feeding and is intended to at and upon the feeding interact by means resilience with at least one line of edges formed of the locking section or of the locking head 110, 100', 111, 111'; 210, 210', 211, 211'; 610, 610', 611', 611 'to make the feeding irreversible. According to the invention the tongues can thus be shaped either in the locking head or in the locking section, and vice versa is valid for the edges.
Herein the term "irreversible feeding " shall be understood to mean that the locking devices interact in such a way that the locking section can only be feed into the locking head and not be pulled out again, as long as the partially surrounding form of the locking head is intact.
As the band and the locking head of the strapping device according to the invention are shaped in one single piece of metal or metal alloy a very simple and reliable construction is acchieved at a
low cost. Thereby the metal or metal alloy can in be of any appropriate type with sufficient strength and flexibility, but are preferably a metal alloy with appropriate resilience characteristics and high heat-and-cold-resistance . The manufacturing of the strapping device can take place with known metal working methods and comprise cloth cutting by laser, punching, bending, etc.
In the first embodiment two parallel lines of tongues are pressed out of the locking head 103; 203 to provide the first locking means 107, 107', 108, 108'; 207, 207', 208, 208' while the edges are formed in association to two parallel lines of holes of the locking section 109; 209 to provide the other locking means 110, 110, 111, 111 ', 210, 210', 211, 211 '. Embodiments are also possible having only one line of holes, with several more lines of holes than two, or where the edges are shaped in association with indentations in the locking section, instead of in association with holes.
In the described embodiment the tongues pressed out in the locking head interacts with the edges of the open holes of the locking section, and enable a high degree of tension and a secure locking when using the strapping device. As the locking devices of the locking section of the band, in the first embodiment are holes, and not projecting tongues, such as in the locking head, the advantage obtained is that the band can be freely bended without any risk that the tongues hook into each other. In applications permiting this it is possible, as evident from above, to imagine embodiments where the locking means switch places, i.e. that the band is provided with tongues and the locking head with holes.
In a second particularly preferred embodiment, as showm in the figures 2A-D, two opposed edges of the locking section 209 have several third locking means 212, 212', 213, 213' in the form of protruding teeth in the plane of the width, while the locking head 203 has several forth locking means 214, 214' in form of shaped holes in an angle to the plane of the width. The third 212, 212', 213, 213 'and fourth 214, 214'locking means therein are arranged to interact with each other at the irreversible feeding , under resilience of the partially surrounding form of the locking head, and to provide a reciprocally locking between the locking head 203 and the locking section 209 upon the feeding. Thanks to the interaction that arises in the second embodiment between the first and second, and between the third and the fourth locking means, a unusual high degree of tension may be obtained with a strapping device according to this embodiment. The lock function is further enhanced in this embodiment by the partially surrounding form at the insertion of the band
resiliences outwards until the interacting locking means comes in reciprocally locations, which permits the surrounded form to reciliense back to its essential tension free output form again, i.e.when the tongues of the locking head threads into their intended holes in the band, while the teeth at the opposed edges of the band threads in in their intended holes in the locking head. In the embodiment shown in the figures 2A-D, this resilience of the locking head is enhanced as the base piece of the locking head has been provided with an indentation by bending. It must be understood that it is of course possible having embodiments according to the invention, where the strapping device comprises more than two lines of lock tongues of the locking head interacting with corresponding lines of holes in the band, or where the locking head has another resilient shape.
In the second special preferred embodiment of the strapping device according to the invention the locking head provided is further with means for guiding 215, 215 'to further facilitate the feeding , and whenever applicable also the insertion. In the embodiment described the means for guiding 215, 215' are constituted of sections in the locking head 203, which sections pointed inclined outwards opposed to the direction of the feeding. This assures a rapid and secure feeding into the locking head, which can be of big importance to embodiments where the time consumption is critical. There are other possible embodiments of the strapping device, where the means for guiding has another appropriate form, or where no special means for guiding exists.
In the second embodiment the first end 205 is further provided with tension means to interact 216 at tension with a tension tool (not shown), which preferably can be of a type which permits draw up/tension with an appropriate force, of similar type as a dynamometric wrench, but with an end adjusted for grip the tension means 216, which, in the embodiment described consists of three shaped holes at the first end 205 . It is also possible with embodiments with only a hole as tension means, or where the tension device has another suitable form, i.e. an indentation or an elevation which is able to interact with a tension means intended therefor.
In the second special preferred embodiment of the strapping device 201 according to the invention the locking head 203 is further provided with opening means 217, 217' intended to interact with an opening tool upon tension to enable opening of the partially surrounding form of the locking head 203, whereby the locking section 209 can be removed out of the locking head 203. This permits the strapping device to be dismounted in a simple, rapid and secure way, if desired, without any risk that e.g. bundled electrical cables are damaged. In the described embodiment the locking devices
217, 217' consists of a pair of protruding teeth with holes/indentations of the surrounded form of the locking head, whereby the opening tool used preferably is formed as an inverted tong with two hooks which by dismounting the sfrapping device grips into the ears of holes/indentations to enable the surrounding form of the locking head to be pressed out into opening position so that the strapping device can be removed. It is also possible having embodiments according to the invention where the locking devices, or the locking tool, has another appropriate shape.
In an alternative embodiment of the sfrapping device thus the opening means comprises a tapped hole in one ear and a boring in the other ear, wherein a tapped bolt is screwed through the tapped hole and rotary fixed at its end of the boring. This embodiment permits the locking head of the strapping device, by screwing the bolt with an appropriate tool, to be opened sufficiently to permit the band to be drawn out of the locking head, and the sfrapping device to be dismounted. After the bolt has been re-screwed firmly the sfrapping device according to this embodiment is ready for a renewed use. In this embodiment it is also possible to lead in a coil spring which surrounds the bolt to obtain a locking which prevents the bolt to vibrate apart.
In the following, with reference to the enclosed figures 4 and 5, a preferred embodiment of the strapping device according to the invention will be described.
In the preferred use the strapping device 401; 501 is used as a hose clip 401 and/or a bundling band 501 for electrical cables at the mounting of a vehicle or a craft with an engine. Thereby advantages are obtained such as a single and rapid mounting, preferred degree of tension and secure locking even at high temperatures.
In a special preferred embodiment of the invention structurally identical sfrapping devices 401; 501 are used as both hose clips and bundling bands. On account of a lesser number of clips types are needed this embodiment gives economical advantages.
According to another economical particularly preferred, embodiment the number of different types and dimensions of strapping devices 401 ; 501 used at mounting are less than five.
In a further preferable use the engine belongs to a passenger car, a truck, another land based vehicle, or a power plant. This embodiment gives great advantages, i.a. in the form of time savings, in particularly at the mounting of large series of engine vehicles or complex power plants.
In another preferred use the engine is associated with an aeroplane, a helicopter, a space vehicle, a boat or a ship. In this embodiment particularly the high heat and fire resistance of the strapping device will come to its right.
The present invention should not be seen as restricted to what has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, or what has been shown in the enclosed drawings, but the scope of the invention is defined within the the accompanying claims.
Thus according to an alternative embodiment of the sfrapping device 601, shown in the figures 6 A and 6B, one or several lines of said tongues above are pressed out in the locking head 603 to provide the first locking devices 607, 607', 608, 608', whereby the said edges above are formed by one or several lines of elevations of the locking section to provide the other locking means 610, 610', 611, 611'.
Further it can be emphasized that the sfrapping device according to the invention is particularly preferred used in applications where the time of mounting is critical to production economy. An example of such an application is the final mounting of engine vehicles. Other particularly preferred applications are, as evident from above, such where unusual high tension pressures are required, or where high working temperatures rule.