ZA200100996B - Flexible tube clamp. - Google Patents

Description

( (1) TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Flexible tube clamp (2) BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The coupling of flexible tubes of a fairly stiff substance such as HDPE, of a larger than everyday diameter and that is intended to withstand a substantial pressure requires a strong connection. In addition to rendering a strong connection a further aspect that is often required to be addressed is the rapidity with which such coupling can be made while the simplicity of equipment used contributes to its ease of use. It is an object of this invention to provide a clamp that is robust and easy to use while resulting in a strong coupling once operatively fitted. . (3) FIELD OF THE INVENTION .

This invention relates to a clamp for securing at least one flexible tube of firm but yieldable material to a socket member used for desirable further connection of such tube. (4) PRIOR ART DESCRIPTION

Pipe couplings for coupling pipes of large diameter are known in the art. According to one arrangement a collar of plastic or rubber enbedding electric current conducting elements is fitted to the ends of the tubes to be joined and a current passed though the collar. This results in the collar being melted to the ends of the tubes to be joined. This process is known in the trade as the Fusomatic method. Although this method performs a proper function external equipment in the form of current generating equipment is required for its use. It is often impractical to have such equipment available.

& (5) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a clamp for securing at least one flexible tube of firm but yieldable material to a socket member used for desirable further connection of such tube. (6) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings

Figure 1 shows a clamp, according to the invention, as formed into to a hoop force exerting formation, in side elevation, Lon

Figure 2 shows the clamp as viewed in the direction of arrow A in figure 1,

Figure 3 shows the clamp as viewed in the direction of arrow B in figure 1,

Figure 4 shows the clamp according to section line C-C in figures 2 and 3,

Figure 5 shows the one of the members of the clamp of which a plurality of four are end on inter-secured into forming the clamp as shown in figures 1 to 4 however differing slightly from the figures 1 to 4 embodiment in the form of the end lips,

Figure 6 shows the member of figure 5 in side elevation,

Figure 7 shows the member in direction D in figures 5 and 6,

Figure 8 shows the clamp in sectioned side elevation as operatively fitted into securing tubes of flexible material via a socket member to one another, and

3 3

Figure 9 shows the clamp in sectioned side elevation as operatively fitted into securing a tube to a socket connection arranged for suitable futher connection. (7) DETAIL ED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to figure 1 to 7 of the drawings, a clamp according to the invention is generaiiy indicated by reference numeral 10. The clamp 10 comprises a plurality of four similar complementing members 12 formed into a hoop force exerting formation 14. Each member 12 presents an arcuate section by way of its inwardly facing side 16 with the members 12 being securable into their combined hoop force exerting relationship via progressively tightenable securing means as provided by inter-securing formations in the form of opposite end lips 18 on each member 14 through which bores 20 are formed that come into registration with the bores 20 along end lips 18 of adjacent members 12 on end on positioning of the members 12 with respect to one another. Inter-securing of the members 12 . is thus achieved by bolting them together by means of bolts and nuts 22, as passing along registering bores 20. While figures 1 to 4 show the lips 18 as also extending beyond the . outer periphery of the, figures 5 to 9 show them as only extending between the outer flanges 32. The formation of the lips 18 is only a function of the size of the clamp 10. Where it is large nuts and bolts 22 can be accomodated between the flanges 32, as shown in figures 5 to 9. When the clamp 10 is smaller the nuts and bolts 22 must be fitted outside the flanges 32 resuting in the lips 18 being formed to extend beyond the outer periphery of the flanges 32, as shown in figures 1 to 4. The clamps 10 are formed by opposite outer flanges 32 that are connected at their ends by integrally extending lips 18.

The number of members 12 is determined by the requirement that each must promote adequate arcuate contiguity with the outside surface of an appropriate tube on being located there against without requiring to be forced onto such tube. This is of particular importance where the material of such tube is of stiff material even though yiedable to some extent. This is typically found in the case of HDPE plastic tubing. The smaller the arcuate lengths of the inwardly facing sides 16 of the members 12, the larger the extent of contiguity. The number of members 12 must however still be limited to a practical number. It has thus been found for the specific embodiment described that four members 12 fulfill the requirement.

Referring to figure 8 as well, and in one embodiment, the members 12, as extending about a : central axis 24, are arranged to exert an at least non-extended area pinching action on tubes 26 fitted from opposite ends onto a socket formation 28 on being bolted into the hoop force exerting formation 14 on operative fitting of the clamp 12. This is achieved by the disposition of the arcuate sections of the members 12, as provided by their sides 16, of which each presents an integral pressure exerting formation layout provided by two arcuately extending ribs 27 extending spaced from one another by being provided by the inner sections 30 of integrally extending opposite end flanges 32 of each member 14. As the members 12 are the same, the flanges 32 and thus the ribs 27 come into alignment with one another on inter- securing the members 12 into the hoop force exerting formation 14 into forming fully circumferentially extending ribs 34.

While centralised location of the members 12 onto a socket formation 28 on forming the } formation 10 is normally no problem, centralisation may be facilitated by aligning features in oo

Co the form of centrally extending arcuate grooves 36 that come into alignment with one another , on securing the members 12 into the formation 10. A fully circumferential central groove is thus formed that matches with a central rib 37 on the socket formation 28 once the formation 10 is properly positioned with respect to the socket formation 28. Although the socket formation 28 shown in figure 8 presents grooves into which the ribs 27 are received on its operative fitting, as discussed below, it need not be so formed as a uniform length socket wil also suffice.

Referring to figures 1 to 7 and figure 9, and in another embodiment, the members 12, as extending about a central axis 38, are arranged to exert a pinching action on one tube end 40 in a similar way as in the figure 8 embodiment. This is again achieved by way of a circumferential rib 42 defined by the inner part of a flange 44 that is constituted by aligned end flange sections along one end of each of the members 12 coming into alignment with one another on inter-securing the members 12 into the hoop force exerting formation 14.

Where the opposite end region of the socket formation 46 makes provision for its conventional further connection by way of, for example, a screw threading (not shown), a bridging effect connection by the hoop force exerting formation 14 is achieved by the

J members 12 making provision for their circumferential engagement to the socket formation 46 by way of complementing engaging formations in the form of socket engaging ribs 48 on being formed into the formation 10. Similar to the forming up of the rib 42 on the opposite end of the formation 10, the ribs 48 form un a circumferential rib 50 as provided by the inner part s of an end flange. To serve the desired bridging function the rib 50 comes into engagement with a circumterential groove 53 in the socket formation 46 on operative fitting of the clamp 12. When the positioning and depth of the groove 52 is suitably selected the clamp 12 used in the figure 9 embodiment is the same as that used for the figure 8 embodiment.

While an ordinary socket formation can be used to connect tubes by means of the clamp 12 of the invention, use can aiso be made of a specifically developed socket formation 28, as shown in figure 8, that provides seating grooves 54 into which the circumferential ribs 34 formed on inter-securing of the members 12 become seated. In the process of fitting a clamp 12 the tube ends thus become sandwitched into the grooves 54. The invention thus also } extends to a set comprising the clamp 10 and a socket formation 28. The same applies to the case of the figure 9 socket formation 46 forming a set in combination with the clamp 10. }

Claims (1)

1. (8) CLAIMS (1) A clamp for securing at least one flexible tube of firm but yieldable material to a socket member used for desirable further connection of such tube comprising,

   a plurality of complementing members each presenting an arcuate section of a length that promotes at least substantially full arcuate contiguity with the outside surface of an appropriate tube as of compatible radius, on being located there against, with the members being securable via progressively tightenabie securing means into a circumferential hoop force exerting formation arranged to exert an at least non-extended area pinching action on such tube owing to the disposition of the arcuate sections described by the members, on their progressive hoop force extering tightening, causing the progressive sandwiching of the wall of such tube between the members and such socket member on being used in performinga + . clamping action E

   « (2) A clamp as claimed in claim 1 in which the members present sections that are of the same arcuate length. (3) A clamp as claimed in claim 2 which comprises at least four complementing members.

   (4) A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the members are formed to be secured into a hoop force exerting formation extending for an adequate length about a ‘central axis to also cause an axially spaced pinching action tightening of the formation with respect to the position of sandwiching of a flexible tube to a socket, as extending appropriately linearly, thereby to bridgingly supplement the direct securing of such tube to such socket as brought about by the pinching action exerted by the formation on such tube on the progressive tightening of the formation once the clamp is operatively used. (5) A clamp as claimed in claim 4 in which the members are securable via progressively tightenable securing means as provided by inter-securing formations enabling their progressive end-on securing to one another into forming the hoop force exerting formation.

   (6) A clamp as claimed in claim 5 in which the inter-securing formations are provided bv end lips presenting bores that come into alignment with one another once the members are located in a complementing relationship with respect to one another thus being inter- securabie via tighienabie securing eiements as passing along aiigned bores.

   (7) A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 in which the arcuate sections described by the members are formed to each cause an at least non-extended area pinching action by means of an integral pressure exerting formation layout extending inward from the arcuate sections of the members thereby exerting a sandwitching action on the outer wali of at ieast one tube as located onto a socket on progressive tightening of the hoop force exerting formation as assembled from the members. (8) A clamp as claimed in claim 7 in which the members are formed to be secured inte a hoop force exerting formation extending adequately axially to result in the exertion of a . sandwiching exerting action by the pressure exerting layout on opposite tube ends as located onto a common linear socket member thereby to exert a sandwiching action on such tube - ends once the members are secured into their hoop force exerting relationship. (9) A clamp as claimed in claim 8 in which the integral pressure exerting formation layout of each member is provided by at ieast two arcuately extending ribs extending adequately spaced from one another to cause the exertion of a pinching action on both tube ends on progressive securing of the members into the hoop force exerting formation. (10) A clamp as claimed in claim 8 in which the members are suitably compiementaily formed to cause the ribs to come into alignment with one another on inter-securing of the members into forming the hoop force exerting formation thus giving rise to at least two continuous circumferential ribs each exerting a pinching action on a tube end on operative use of the clamp. (11) A clamp as claimed in claim 10 in which the ribs extend along the opposite ends of the members thus forming opposing end flanges on inter-securing the members into the hoop force exerting formation.

   $ (12) A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 in which the hoop force exerting . formation, as formed from the members, presents a centrally located aligning feature, as contributed to by feature contributing means found on the inner surfaces of at least some of the members, that comes into aligning registration with a complemental alignment feature presented by a socket member, as thus appropriately formed, which is located intermediate socket tube end receiving portions enabling the aligned location of the members, on forming the hoop force exerting formation, with respect to such socket member. (13) A clamp as claimed in claim 12 in which the aligning feature extending along the hoop force exerting formation, once formed from the members, is in the form of a circumferential groove formed by feature contributing means in the form of arcuate groove sections extending along the inner surfaces of the members that come into alignment with one another -

   . once the members are inter-secured, the complemental aligning feature as presentedbya . socket member thus being in the form of a rib. (14) A clamp as claimed in claim 7 in which the members are formed to be secured into a hoop force exerting formation extending adequately axially to result in the pressure exerting layout exerting a pinching action on a tube end as fitted with a socket of which the opposite end region, as conventionally securable in further connection of such tube, makes provision for at least intermittent circumferential engagement of the members, as presenting complementing engaging formations that come into engagement on formation of the hoop force exerting formation. (15) A clamp as claimed in claim 14 in which the integral pressure exerting formation layout of each member is provided by at least one arcuately extending rib that causes the exertion of a pinching action on the end of a tube on progressive securing of the members into the hoop force exerting formation on operative fitting of the clamp. (16) A clamp as claimed in claim 15 in which the members are suitably complementally formed to cause the ribs to come into alignment with one another on inter-securing of the members into forming the hoop force exerting formation by giving rise to at least one

   9 2 continuous circumferential rib exerting a pinching action on a tube end on operative fitting of the clamp. (17) A clamp as claimed in claim 16 in which the complementing engaging formations that 5s come into engagement with the end of a socket member remote from its tube receiving end are in the form of socket engaging ribs that come into alignment with one another into forming a circumferential rib on inter-securing the members into the hoop force exerting formation that are received into a matchingly formed engagement groove in such socket member on operative fitting of the clamp.

   (18) A clamp as claimed in claim 17 in which the pinching action exerting ribs and the socket engaging ribs are formed along opposite ends of the members by being defined by the inner sections of integrally extending opposing end flange sections of each member that come into alignment with one another into formed end flanges on inter-securing of the members into the )

   hoop force exerting formation.

   (19) A clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the members are at least substantially similar if not identical to one another.

   (20) A clamp set employable for securing flexible tubes of firm but yieldable material to a socket member comprising a clamp as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13 and a linear socket member formed to receive tube ends on opposite sides while displaying seating grooves into which the circumferential ribs of the members on their inter-securing into a hoop force exerting formation become seated thereby to seatingly sandwitch the opposite ends of such tubes on operative use of the clamp set.

   (21) A clamp set employable for securing a flexibie tube to a socket member of which the opposite end region is as conventionally securable in further connection of such tube comprising a clamp as claimed in claim 18 and a linear socket formation formed to receive a tube end onto one end while displaying a seating groove and an engagement groove spaced from one another into which the pinching action exerting rib and the engagement rib are

   “ respectively seatable on inter-securing of the members of the clamp onto the socket . formation. (22) A clamp substantially as described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   (23) A clamp set substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.