Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
  • F16L3/08—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
  • F16L3/10—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing
  • F16L3/1083—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing with two members, the two members being hooked in on one side and fastened together on the other side
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
  • F16L3/08—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
  • F16L3/10—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing
  • F16L3/1008—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing with two members engaging the pipe, cable or tubing, both being made of thin band material completely surrounding the pipe
  • F16L3/1025—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing with two members engaging the pipe, cable or tubing, both being made of thin band material completely surrounding the pipe the members being joined by quick-acting means
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
  • Y10T24/14—Bale and package ties, hose clamps
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
  • Y10T24/44—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof
  • Y10T24/44017—Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof with specific mounting means for attaching to rigid or semirigid supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T29/00—Metal working
  • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
  • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to retaining mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a side-locking clamping apparatus and method.
• clamping devices that exist for retaining wires and the like for many different applications. They include cushioned and uncushioned loop clamps, hose clamps and snapper type clamps, among others.
• the loop clamp is common in the aircraft and automotive industries, for both original equipment manufacturing as well as aftermarket sectors. These clamps are often used to attach pods and splitters to the airframe.
• the cushioned clamps are sometimes used to dampen vibration.
• clamps may not be reused include pressure lines of hydraulic systems, aircraft engine pylons and wings.
• Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a side-locking clamping apparatus and method.
• a side-locking clamp that includes a lower band and an upper band.
• the lower band includes an arcuate body with a hinge portion disposed at a proximal end, and an extension with a mounting hole and a locking tab disposed at a distal end.
• the upper band includes an arcuate body with a hinge portion, disposed at a proximal end, to engage the lower band hinge portion and form a hinge about which the upper band rotates from an open position to a closed position, and an extension with a mounting hole and a locking tab, disposed at a distal end, to slidingly engage the lower band locking tab and lock the clamp when the upper band is disposed in the closed position.
• a method for mounting an object to a support using a side-locking clamp that includes a lower band, with a mounting hole and a locking tab, that is rotatably coupled to an upper band with a mounting hole and a cooperating locking tab, is
• the method includes disposing the side-locking clamp in an open position such that the upper band and the lower band substantially surround the object, rotating the upper band toward the lower band, as the upper band approaches the lower band, translating the upper band laterally, in an unlocking direction, so that the upper band locking tab clears the lower band locking tab, translating the upper band laterally, in a locking direction, so that the upper band locking tab slidingly engages the lower band locking tab, and mounting the side-locking clamp to a support.
• Figure 1 presents a perspective view of a slide-locking clamp in a closed and locked position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 presents a perspective view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 1, without the cushion.
• Figure 3 presents a perspective view of a slide-locking clamp in a closed and locked position and without a cushion, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 presents a perspective view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 3 in an open and unlocked position.
• Figure 5 presents a left- side view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 3.
• Figure 6 presents a right-side view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 3.
• Figure 7 presents a top view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 3.
• Figure 8 presents a bottom view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 3.
• Figure 9 presents a rear view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 3.
• Figure 10 presents a front view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 3.
• Figure 11 presents a perspective view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 3 in a closed an unlocked position.
• Figure 12 presents a front view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 3 in a closed and unlocked position.
• Figure 13 presents a top view of a slide-locking clamp in a closed and locked position without a cushion, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 14 presents a front view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 13.
• Figure 15 presents a perspective view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 13 in a closed and unlocked position.
• Figure 16 presents a perspective view of the slide-locking clamp of Figure 13 in a closed and locked position.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide a side-locking clamping apparatus and method.
• the side-locking feature advantageously requires less force than known clamps, for example, since one is not working against the clamp cushion thickness and/or clamp stiffness.
• multiple thickness combinations are not necessarily required, which results in weight savings.
• Figures 1 to 16 provide several views of a side-locking clamp, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
• FIGS 1 and 2 present perspective views of a slide-locking clamp in a closed and locked position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
• Clamp 10 includes an upper band 20, a lower band 30, and an optional cushion 40, for example, formed from rubber or a similar material.
• the upper and lower bands 20, 30 are made from metal; other materials are also contemplated by the present invention.
• Upper band 20 includes an arcuate body 21 with a hinge portion, e.g., slot 53, disposed at a proximal end, and an extension 23 with a locking tab 22' disposed at a distal end.
• Lower band 30 includes a complementary arcuate body 31 with a hinge portion, e.g., arcuate tab 51, disposed at a proximal end, and an extension 33 with a complementary locking tab 32' disposed at a distal end.
• Locking tabs 22' and 32' are angled, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2, to slidingly engage and abut one another when clamp 10 is disposed in a closed and locked position (as shown).
• Hinge 50 formed from respective portions of the upper and lower bands 20, 30, e.g., arcuate tab 51 and slot 53, rotatably couples upper band 20 to lower band 30.
• arcuate body 21 and arcuate body 31 define a cylindrical cavity in which wires, cables, tubing, etc., may be captured.
• Figures 3 to 12 present various views of a slide-locking clamp, with optional cushion 40 removed for clarity, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figures 3 and 5 to 10 depict this embodiment in a closed and locked position
• Figure 4 depicts this embodiment in an open and unlocked position
• Figures 11 and 12 depict this embodiment in a closed and unlocked position.
• clamp 10 includes an upper band 20, a lower band 30, and a cushion 40, formed, for example, from rubber or a similar material.
• the lower and upper bands 20, 30 are made from metal; other materials are also contemplated by the present invention.
• Upper band 20 includes an arcuate body 21 with a hinge portion, e.g., slot 53, disposed at a proximal end, and an extension 23 with a locking tab 22 disposed at a distal end.
• Lower band 30 includes a complementary arcuate body 31 with a hinge portion, e.g., arcuate tab 51, disposed at a proximal end, and an extension 33 with a complementary locking tab 32 disposed at a distal end.
• Locking tabs 22 and 32 are angled to slidingly engage and abut one another when clamp 10 is disposed in a closed and locked position (as shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 10).
• Hinge 50 formed from respective portions of the upper and lower bands 20, 30, e.g., arcuate tab 51 and slot 53, rotatably couples upper band 20 to lower band 30.
• arcuate body 21 and arcuate body 31 define a cylindrical cavity in which wires, cables, etc., may be captured.
• Mounting holes 24, 34 are provided in the upper and lower bands 20, 30, respectively, and, in one embodiment, lightening holes 26, 36 may be provided in the upper and lower bands 20, 30, respectively.
• Mounting holes 24, 34 may be the same shape, e.g., circular, oval, etc., or different shapes, e.g., a circular upper hole 24 and an oval lower hole 34.
• the lightening holes 26, 36 may also provide ease of fastener installation when there is a misalignment of the upper and lower bands 20, 30.
• Figures 11 and 12 depict the relative movement between the upper and lower bands 20, 30 during operation.
• the upper band 20 is rotated downward toward the lower band 30, i.e., from an open position to a closed position, and translated slightly in the
• unlocking direction so that locking tab 22 clears locking tab 32.
• the upper band 20 is then translated in the locking direction so that locking tabs 22, 32 are engaged. This process may be assisted by an optional cushion 40 (not shown for clarity), since cushion 40 tends to re-align the upper and lower bands 20, 30.
• the clamp 10 is maintained in place by the clamp's payload, for example, such as wires, cables, tubing, etc., as well as the optional cushion 40.
• the upper and lower bands 20, 30 rotate with respect to one another via the hinge 50.
• the reverse process is followed to unlock the clamp 10. In this embodiment, the unlocking direction is clockwise with respect to hinge 50.
• clamp 10 is first disposed in the open position such that upper band 20 and lower band 30 substantially surround the object to be clamped. Upper band 20 is then rotated toward lower band 30, and, as upper band 20 approaches lower band 30, upper band 20 is translated laterally, in the unlocking direction, so that upper band locking tab 22 clears lower band locking tab 32. Upper band 20 is then translated laterally, in the locking direction, such that upper band locking tab 22 slidingly engages lower band locking tab 32. Clamp 10 is then mounted to a support (not shown) using a bolt, screw, etc., inserted through mounting holes 24, 34.
• the upper band 20 has the same thickness as the lower band 30, which provides enhanced clamp stackability, i.e., multiple clamps 10 may be vertically stacked and aligned via mounting holes 24, 34. In one embodiment, one or more groups of four clamps 10 may be arranged in a clover-leaf fashion.
• the elongated, oblong hole 34 also provides an easy fit for the mounting hardware, e.g., screw, bolt, etc., thus reducing installation time and allowing for one- hand operation. Many of these inventive features advantageously combine to reduce the weight of the clamp 10.
• Figures 13 to 16 present various views of a slide-locking clamp, with optional cushion 40 removed for clarity, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present
• Figures 13, 14 and 16 depict this embodiment in a closed and locked position, while Figure 15 depicts this embodiment in a closed and unlocked position.
• clamp 100 includes an upper band 120, a lower band 130, and an optional cushion 40 (not shown for clarity), formed, for example, from rubber or a similar material.
• the lower and upper bands 120, 130 are made from metal; other materials are also contemplated by the present invention.
• Upper band 120 includes an arcuate body 121 with a hinge portion, e.g., slot 153, disposed at a proximal end, and an extension 123 with a locking tab 122 disposed at a distal end.
• Lower band 130 includes a complementary arcuate body 131 with a hinge portion, e.g., arcuate tab 151, disposed at a proximal end, and an extension 133 with a complementary locking tab 132 disposed at a distal end.
• Locking tabs 122 and 132 are angled to slidingly engage and abut one another when clamp 100 is disposed in a closed and locked position (as shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 10).
• Hinge 150 formed from respective portions of the upper and lower bands 120, 130, e.g., arcuate tab 151 and slot 153, rotatably couples upper band 120 to lower band 130.
• arcuate body 121 and arcuate body 131 define a cylindrical cavity in which wires, cables, etc., may be captured.
• Mounting holes 124, 134 are provided in the upper and lower bands 120, 130, respectively, and, in one embodiment, lightening holes 126, 136 may be provided in the upper and lower bands 120, 130, respectively.
• Mounting holes 124, 134 may be the same shape, e.g., circular, oval, etc., or different shapes, e.g., a circular upper hole 124 and an oval lower hole 134.
• the lightening holes 126, 127, 136, 137 may also provide ease of fastener installation when there is a misalignment of the upper and lower bands 120, 130.
• Figures 15 and 16 depict the relative movement between the upper and lower bands 120, 130 during operation.
• the upper band 120 is rotated downward toward the lower band 130, i.e., from an open position to a closed position, and laterally translated in the unlocking direction so that locking tab 122 clears locking tab 132.
• the upper band 120 is then laterally translated in the locking direction so that locking tabs 122, 132 are
• the clamp 100 is maintained in place by the clamp's payload, for example, such as wires, cables, tubing, etc., as well as the optional cushion 40.
• the upper and lower bands 120, 130 rotate with respect to one another via the hinge 150.
• the reverse process is followed to unlock the clamp 100. In this embodiment, the unlocking direction is counter-clockwise with respect to hinge 150.
• clamp 100 is first disposed in the open position such that upper band 120 and lower band 130 substantially surround the object to be clamped. Upper band 120 is then rotated toward lower band 130, and, as upper band 120 approaches lower band 130, upper band 120 is translated laterally, in the unlocking direction, so that upper band locking tab 122 clears lower band locking tab 132. Upper band 120 is then translated laterally, in the locking direction, such that upper band locking tab 122 slidingly engages lower band locking tab 132. Clamp 100 is then mounted to a support (not shown) using a bolt, screw, etc., inserted through mounting holes 124, 134.
• the upper band 120 has the same thickness as the lower band 130, which provides enhanced clamp stackability, i.e., multiple clamps 100 may be vertically stacked and aligned via mounting holes 124, 134.
• one or more groups of four clamps 100 may be arranged in a clover-leaf fashion.
• the elongated, oblong hole 134 also provides an easy fit for the mounting hardware, e.g., screw, bolt, etc., thus reducing installation time and allowing for one -hand operation. Many of these inventive features advantageously combine to reduce the weight of the clamp 10.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Clamps And Clips (AREA)
• Supports For Pipes And Cables (AREA)
• Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=43050496

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (14)

Citations (5)

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• 2010
  • 2010-05-07 US US12/775,623 patent/US8282048B2/en active Active
  • 2010-05-07 WO PCT/US2010/034038 patent/WO2010129867A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2010-05-07 EP EP10772882.6A patent/EP2427681B1/en active Active
  • 2010-05-07 JP JP2012510010A patent/JP5519002B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2011
  • 2011-11-07 IL IL216178A patent/IL216178A/en not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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