U.S. patent application number 10/471945 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for hose clamp and closing tool.
Invention is credited to Meier, Ulrich, Oetiker, Hans.
Application Number | 20050138778 10/471945 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8176855 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050138778 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oetiker, Hans ; et
al. |
June 30, 2005 |
Hose clamp and closing tool
Abstract
A hose clamp for limited diameters, in the form of an open band
ring having overlapping band ends, is manufactured from the band
material of an insert as is used in conventional hose clamps for
bridging an ear gap, such insert being typically made of steel
according to DIN 1.4310 having a thickness of 0.3 mm. An opening is
provided near one band end and a hook for engaging the opening is
provided near the other band end. For closing this hose clamp, a
gripper-type tool is used, the two jaws of which, in the closed
condition, constitute an essentially uninterrupted inner surface
having a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the closed
hose clamp.
Inventors: |
Oetiker, Hans;
(Oberdorfstrasse, CH) ; Meier, Ulrich; (Wadenswil,
CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG
750-17TH STREET NW
SUITE 900
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
8176855 |
Appl. No.: |
10/471945 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 11, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP02/02655 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/20R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 33/035 20130101;
B25B 25/005 20130101; Y10T 24/1457 20150115; B25B 7/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/020.00R |
International
Class: |
F16L 033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 20, 2001 |
EP |
01106955.6 |
Claims
1. A hose clamp made of an open band ring (10) and having
overlapping band ends (11, 12), an opening (13) disposed in one
band end (11), and a hook (14) disposed in the other band end (12)
for engaging the opening (13), characterised in that the band ring
(10) is made of the material of a hose clamp insert having a
thickness of up to 0.4 mm.
2. The hose clamp of claim 1 wherein the material of the band ring
(10) is steel according to DIN 1.4310 having a thickness of 0.2 to
0.3 mm.
3. The hose clamp of claim 1 wherein the band ring (10) has border
regions (16) raised outwardly from a centre portion (15) that takes
a substantial part of the band width.
4. The hose clamp of claim 3 wherein the centre portion (15) of the
band ring (10) has a curved cross-section.
5. The hose clamp of claim 4 wherein the centre portion (15) of the
band ring (10) has an outwardly convexly curved cross-section.
6. The hose clamp of any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the outer
overlapping band end (11) has its terminal edge (19) chamfered in
the areas of the raised border regions (16).
7. The hose clamp of any preceding claim wherein the hook (14) is
partially punched and pressed out of the band material.
8. The hose clamp of claim 7 wherein the hook (14) in the closed
condition projects beyond the plane portion of the band ring (10)
no further than the outwardly raised border regions (16).
9. The hose clamp of any preceding claim, having a diameter of up
to 20 mm, preferably 3 to 13 mm, wherein the band material has a
width of 5 to 12 mm, preferably 8 mm, and a thickness of at most
0.4 mm, preferably 0.3 mm.
10. A tool for closing a hose clamp which consists of an open band
ring (10) having overlapping ends, an opening (13) located in one
band end (11) and a hook (14) located in the other band end (12)
for engaging the opening (13), specifically for closing the hose
clamp of any preceding claim, characterised in that the tool (20)
is formed as a pair grippers the two jaws (21, 22) of which in the
closed condition form an inner surface having a diameter
corresponding to the outer diameter of the closed hose clamp,
wherein the inner surfaces of the jaws (21, 22) form a smooth
cylindrical surface over their substantial width with enlarged
border regions.
11. The tool of claim 10 wherein the jaws (21, 22) in the closed
condition form a substantially uninterrupted inner surface.
12. The tool of claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the jaws are
exchangeable in accordance with the diameter of the respective hose
clamp.
13. The tool of any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the tips (23,
24) of the jaws (21, 22) overlap each other in the closed
condition.
14. The tool of claim 13 wherein the tips (23, 24) of the jaws (21,
22) have their widths reduced to substantially one-half.
15. The tool of any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein, in the hinge
region (26), one gripper arm (25) is formed by two legs, with the
other gripper arm (27) crossing between the two legs.
16. The tool of claim 15 wherein the tip of one jaw has two outer
tines between which a central tine formed at the tip of the other
jaw engages in the closed condition of the grippers.
Description
[0001] This application is the national stage of PCT Application
PCT/EP02/02655 filed Mar. 11, 2002, which claims benefit of EP
Patent Application 01106955.6 filed Mar. 20, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,101 discloses a hose clamp which, after
having been applied to the hose/nipple connection to be sealed, is
tightened by deforming an ear provided in the clamp. To prevent the
hose from entering the ear during tightening and thereby being
lifted off the nipple, the known hose clamp is provided with an
insert made of band material which is inserted into the clamp so as
to bridge the gap of the ear.
[0003] While an easily deformable steel according to DIN 1.4301
having a typical thickness of 0.6 mm is used for normal hose
clamps, specifically clamps of the above-described type with an ear
that is to be tightened, inserts are made of an essentially thinner
material, typically steel according to DIN 1.4310 with a thickness
of 0.2 to 0.4 mm which has high resiliency and high stiffness, is
correspondingly difficult to deform and is therefore unsuited for
ear clamps.
[0004] The present invention is based on the idea that a band
material, which is typical with such inserts for known hose clamps,
is used for manufacturing the hose clamps themselves. In this way,
the same starting material is used for an additional purpose,
resulting in a saving of cost. In doing so, it is principally
possible that finished inserts, which are intended for use with
known hose clamps and are cut and formed to the shape provided
therefor, are employed for making hose clamps according to the
invention.
[0005] The embodiment wherein the material of the band ring is
steel according to DIN 1.4310 having a thickness of 0.2 to 0.3 mm
and wherein the band ring has border regions raised outwardly from
a center portion that takes a substantial part of the band width is
advantageous for the stiffness of the hose clamp. Having the center
portion of the band ring provided with a curved cross-section or
having the center portion of the band ring provided with an
outwardly convexly curved cross-section provides a hose clamp with
an intrinsic prestress which is not only advantageous for
compensating tolerances but also ensures the hose clamp to
resiliently engage the hose when the hook in inserted in the
opening.
[0006] Having the outer overlapping band end of the open band ring
have its terminal edge chamfered in the areas of raised border
regions results in the hose clamp being easy to close.
[0007] Having the hook partially punched and pressed out of the
band material wherein the hook in the closed condition projects
beyond the plane portion of the band ring no further than the
outwardly raised border regions results in a hose clamp of low
profile without any parts projecting far radially outwardly.
[0008] A typical field of application of the hose clamp according
to the invention is where the hose clamps have a diameter of up to
20 mm, preferably 3 to 13 mm, wherein the band material has a width
of 5 to 12 mm, preferably 8 mm, and a thickness of at most 0.4 mm,
preferably 0.3 mm.
[0009] A tool for closing a hose clamp which consists of an open
band ring having overlapping ends, an opening located in one band
end and a hook located in the other band end for engaging the
opening, specifically for closing the hose clamp wherein the tool
is formed as a pair grippers with two jaws which in the closed
condition form an inner surface having a diameter corresponding to
the outer diameter of the closed hose clamp and wherein the inner
surfaces of the jaws form a smooth cylindrical surface over their
substantial width with enlarged border regions is particularly
suited for closing the hose clamp according to the invention. This
tool permits performing the closure by means of a simple gripper
movement with the hook engaging # the opening.
[0010] Having the jaws of the tool form a substantially
uninterrupted inner surface in the closed condition and having the
jaws be exchangeable in accordance with the diameter of the
respective hose clamp are suitable measures to ensure a uniform
closure of the hose clamp to a cylindrical ring.
[0011] Having the tips of the jaws overlap each other in the closed
condition and having the tips of the jaws have their widths reduced
to substantially one-half, ensures that the hose clamp is engaged
by the tool over its entire circumference.
[0012] Wherein, in the hinge region, one gripper arm is formed by
two legs, with the other gripper arm crossing between the two legs
or wherein the tip of one jaw has two outer tines between which a
central tine formed at the tip of the other jaw engages in the
closed condition of the grippers, are of advantage in that they
safely prevent canting during closure, which could result in
deviations of the finished, closed hose clamp from the cylindrical
shape.
[0013] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be
explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a hose clamp in the open condition,
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the same hose clamp in the closed
condition,
[0016] FIGS. 3a to 3c represent cross-sections through the hose
clamp,
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an open tool with an open hose clamp
inserted,
[0018] FIG. 5 shows the same tool in the closed condition, and
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a modified jaw structure for the tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] According to FIG. 1, the hose clamp consists of an open band
ring 10 of steel according to DIN 1.4310, which is pre-bent such
that the band ends 11, 12 overlap each other. A rectangular opening
13 is punched from the outer overlapping band end 11 while a hook
14 is formed in the inner band end 12 by partial punching and
pressing out of the band material. The closed condition of the hose
clamp represented in FIG. 2 is ensured by the hook 14 engaging the
opening 13.
[0021] The thickness of the band material is at most 0.4 mm,
preferably 0.3 mm; its width is typically between 5 and 12 mm, and
is preferably 8 mm. Such a band material is suitable specifically
for hose clamps which, in the closed condition shown in FIG. 2,
have an inner diameter of up to 20 mm, preferably between 3 and 13
mm. The maximum diameter may be over 20 mm if suitable closing
means (grippers) are available.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the band ring 10 has a center
portion 15 which takes the substantial width of the ring, and
outwardly raised border regions 16. With a total width of the band
ring 10 of 8 mm, the width of each raised border region 16 is
approximately 1 mm.
[0023] The amount by which the outer edges 17 of the band ring 10
project beyond its centre portion 15 corresponds at least to the
thickness of the band material.
[0024] The hook 14 has its open end bent out of the band ring 10 by
an amount which is somewhat larger than the thickness of the band
material. This ensures a safe anchoring of the hook 14 at the
corresponding edge of the opening 13 in the closed condition of the
hose clamp.
[0025] The outwardly raised border regions 16 serve not only to
increase the stiffness of the band ring 10; their effect is also
that the hook 14 in the engaged condition does not project beyond
the outer profile of the band ring 10, thereby reducing the chance
of the hook 14 to become inadvertently disengaged from the opening
13, resulting in the hose clamp to open. Further, the outwardly
raised border regions 16 serve for the mutual guidance of the two
and ends until the hook 14 snaps into the opening 13. Finally, the
raised border regions 16 are also of advantage in that sharp edges
are avoided which could cut into the hose to be sealed.
[0026] The outer overlapping band end 11 is chamfered at both
sides, as shown at 18 in FIGS. 1 and 2, in such a way that the
terminal edge 19 has a length which substantially corresponds to
the width of the centre portion 15 of the band ring 10. The
chamfers 18 serve for better guidance and centring during bending
and closing of the hose clamp.
[0027] The band ring 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the
cross-section represented in FIG. 3a in which the centre portion 15
is cylindrical. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c, the
region 15', 15" may be provided with an outwardly convex or concave
curvature to give the band ring 10 an elasticity reserve. As a
result of this, the hose clamp is easier to close and, after
hooking, resiliently engages the hose to be sealed. At the same
time, the clamp is less critical to tolerances.
[0028] The tool 20 represented in FIGS. 4 and 5 for closing the
hose clamp shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is in the form of grippers, the
jaws 21, 22 of which, in the closed condition represented in FIG.
5, constitute a practically uninterrupted cylindrical inner surface
with a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the closed
clamp 10.
[0029] In cross-section, this inner surface is shaped
complementarily to the outer surface of the clamp 10; in other
words, the inner surfaces of the jaws 21, 22 have a cylindrical
center portion with enlarged border regions. This complementary
shape not only ensures that the hose clamp 10 is completely closed;
it also causes the hose clamp 10 to be centred and aligned during
closing.
[0030] The tips 23, 24 of the jaws 21, 22 are reduced to half the
width of their main portions so that they overlap each other in
their closed condition. This avoids an interruption of the
cylindrical surface of the jaws 21, 22 surrounding the hose clamp
in the closed condition of the tool 20.
[0031] The gripper arm 25 carrying the jaw 21 is formed with two
legs in the region of the pivot pin 26, and the gripper arm 27
carrying the jaw 22 crosses the arm 25 between the two legs
thereof. This avoids canting with the result that the jaws 21, 22
close precisely to the said cylindrical shape.
[0032] In a modification shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the tips
of the jaws may be shaped such that one 29 of them has a central
tine 30 which in the closed condition engages between two outer
tines 28 provided on the other jaw 31. This structure also avoids
canting.
[0033] In order to close hose clamps of different diameters using
the same grippers, the jaws may be exchangeable, with a
corresponding pair of jaws being used for each hose clamp. As an
alternative, the jaws may be provided with prismatic inner
surfaces.
[0034] The embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and
5 relates to a special tool designed specifically for closing the
hose clamp of FIGS. 1 to 3. For the same purpose, commonly
available pipe wrenches with adaptable diameters may be used, such
as grippers common in the electrical field which have exchangeable
half-shell shaped jaws that can be selected in accordance with the
diameter of the hose clamp.
* * * * *