WO2008080914A1

WO2008080914A1 - A clamp

Info

Publication number: WO2008080914A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/064534
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ertugrul Kose; Tansel Kibar
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2006-12-29
Filing date: 2007-12-24
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Also published as: TR200905040T1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clamp (1) that is configured by bending a resilient wire.

Description

Description A CLAMP

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamp for assembling hoses and/or pipes such that leak-proofing is maintained.

[0002] In household appliances, such as particularly the dishwasher, washing machine etc., the hoses are joined together by means of an intermediary element. However, these intermediary elements forming the joints of connection and thus the weakest link of the hoses conveying high pressure fluids are affected by the pressure of the fluids exerted on the walls of the hose. Various types of hose clamps are used for connecting two hoses joined together by means of an intermediary element so as to be least affected by high pressure and to provide leak-proofing.

[0003] In state of the art Great Britain Patent Application No GB2207184 a clip for safely securing flexible tubing is explained. This clip provides to connect cylindrical pipes of certain dimensions by tightening the nuts fitted at both of its ends.

[0004] In state of the art United States of America Patent Application No US20010018783, a wire-clamp is explained that is shaped by bending a resilient wire and locked by attaching the ends to a retaining sheet.

[0005] The intermediary element used for connecting hoses of different diameters comprises tiers being direct proportional with the diameters of the hoses. The intermediary element having tiers at different levels can only be fitted to the hoses by using two different clamps.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a clamp that provides connection in more than one point.

[0007] The clamp realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises spirals of two different diameters.

[0008] Thus the hoses can be fitted to one another by utilizing the intermediary element used for joining hoses of two different diameters by means of only one clamp. This enables both the intermediary element used for joining hoses to be more durable to the flow of high pressure fluids and also enhances leak-proofing.

[0009] The clamp of the present invention provides the hoses of the household appliances, particularly washer/dryers or dishwashers to be connected to each other or to the inlet or outlet pipes on the machine.

[0010] By means of the present invention, the hoses of different diameters can be connected to each other by a single clamp having spirals of two different diameters.

[0011] The clamp realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0012] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a clamp.

[0013] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the clamp from another angle. [0014] Figure 3 - is the side view of the clamp.

[0015] Figure 4 - is the side view of two hoses, the intermediary element and the clamp fitted on the intermediary element. [0016] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Clamp

2. First spiral

3. Second spiral

[0017] The clamp (1) fixes two hoses or pipes (Yl, Y2) assembled together by means of an intermediary element (X), to be fitted on the intermediary element (X) such that leak- proofing is provided.

[0018] The clamp (1) is made by bending a resilient wire, and comprises the two ends of the wire (A and B), the two spirals (2 and 3) disposed between the said two ends (A and B), configured such that the intermediary element (X) is encircled, and a connection passage (C) forming the passage between the two spirals (2 and 3) that maintains the ends (A and B) to lean thereon for securing the clamp (1) on the intermediary element (X) when the clamp (1) is fitted.

[0019] The clamp (1) comprises a second spiral (3) on a plane that is virtually parallel to the plane of the first spiral (2), disposed oppositely so as to be virtually coaxial with the first spiral (2), having a diameter different from the first spiral (2) (for example Rl < R2) (Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3).

[0020] Thus it is possible to fit the intermediary element (X) that connects the two hoses

(Yl and Y2) having different diameters, on the hoses (Yl, Y2) with a single clamp (1) maintaining leak-proofing, without requiring the use of an additional intermediary element or a second clamp (1).

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the clamp (1) by bending the wire is made as follows: The first end (A) is bent preferably clockwise after leaving a distance for locking and the first spiral (2) is configured with a certain diameter. The wire, being the extension of the said spiral (2) is continued to be bent and passes to the other side of the spiral (2) being virtually perpendicular to the plane of the spiral (2). This passage is formed by the connection passage (C). The wire is again bent, this time counterclockwise to configure a second spiral (3) that is bent to be virtually coaxial with the first spiral (2). In this position, the second spiral (3) is disposed on a second plane that is parallel to the plane of the first spiral (2). The second end (B) that is the continuation of the second spiral (3) also extends in the same direction as the first end (A), both of the ends (A and B) remain between the spirals (2 and 3) and the connection passage (C) that forms the passage between the two spirals (2 and 3).

[0022] When two hoses (Yl and Y2) of different diameters are desired to be connected to each other in a leak-proof manner, they are brought end to end such that the ends face each other. The intermediary element (X) entirely surrounds the ends and the region wherein the ends face each other oppositely. In this position, two hoses (Yl and Y2) having different diameters are connected to each other by means of the intermediary element (X). Then the clamp (1) is fitted over the intermediary element (X). A spiral (2) of the clamp (1) is fitted such that the portion of the intermediary element (X) retaining the smaller diameter hose (Yl) is encircled, and the other spiral (3) is fitted such that the portion of the intermediary element (X) retaining the bigger diameter hose (Y2) is encircled. In this position the spirals (2, 3) exert force on the intermediary element (X) and hence the pipes (Yl and Y2) and the pipes (Yl and Y2) are fixed to each other maintaining leak-proofing. When the clamp (1) is thus fitted over the intermediary element (X), both of the ends (A and B) are pressed down towards the connection passage (C) whereby the clamp (1) is locked (Figure 4).

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the clamp (1) is used in a dishwasher.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the clamp (1) is used in a washer/ dryer.

[0025] By means of the present invention, the hoses (Yl and Y2) can be fixed to each other with a single clamp (1) by means of the intermediary element (X) used for connecting the hoses (Yl and Y2) of two different diameters. This results in the intermediary element (X) used for connecting the hoses (Yl and Y2) to be more resistant for passage of high pressure fluid and provides leak-proofing as well.

Claims

[0001] A clamp (1) made by bending a wire, comprising the two ends of the wire (A and

B), the two spirals (2 and 3) disposed between the said two ends of the wire (A and B) and a connection passage (C) forming the passage between the two spirals (2 and 3) that maintains the ends (A and B) to lean thereon for fixing the clamp (1) on the intermediary element (X) when fitted and characterized by a second spiral (3) disposed on a plane that is virtually parallel to the plane of the first spiral (2), disposed oppositely so as to be virtually coaxial with the first spiral (2), having a diameter different from the first spiral (2).

[0002] A dishwasher that is characterized by the clamp (1) as in any one of the above claims.

[0003] A washer/dryer that is characterized by the clamp (1) as in any one of the above claims.