U.S. patent application number 13/060924 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for clamping band.
This patent application is currently assigned to Steven John CLORLEY. Invention is credited to Steven John Clorley.
Application Number | 20110197398 13/060924 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41720777 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110197398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clorley; Steven John |
August 18, 2011 |
CLAMPING BAND
Abstract
A clamping band for securing a cover to the opening of a barrel
includes separate semicircular band segments which are detachably
secured to one another. A detachable clamp maintains the secured
band segments in a closed loop configuration about the periphery of
the cover and barrel opening. The band segments are connected to
one another by means of a tongue and receptacle opposite the clamp
in a manner enabling adjustability of the overall circumference of
the clamping band for use on various sized barrels. The components
are detachable for individual replacement.
Inventors: |
Clorley; Steven John; (Hong
Kong, CN) |
Assignee: |
CLORLEY; Steven John
Hong Kong
CN
|
Family ID: |
41720777 |
Appl. No.: |
13/060924 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
August 27, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2008/072176 |
371 Date: |
May 3, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/16PB ;
24/16R |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/14 20150115;
B65D 45/345 20130101; Y10T 24/1498 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/16PB ;
24/16.R |
International
Class: |
B65D 45/34 20060101
B65D045/34; B65D 45/32 20060101 B65D045/32 |
Claims
1. A clamping band, comprising: a first band segment; a second band
segment detachably secured to the first band segment; and a clamp
for maintaining the secured first and second band segments in a
closed loop configuration.
2. The clamping band of claim 1, further comprising a connection
interface between the first and second band segments which allows
for adjustment of the length of the loop.
3. The clamping band of claim 2, wherein the connection interface
comprises a receptacle forming part of the first band segment and a
tongue forming part of the second band segment which is configured
for insertion into the receptacle.
4. The clamping band of claim 3, wherein the first and second band
segments are of channel section--comprising a floor and a pair of
walls extending from the floor, and further comprising one or more
ribs extending from the floor to an inner surface of one, the other
or both walls, the ribs being adapted to interact with a lid and/or
opening of a vessel covered by the lid to urge the lid against the
opening as the clamping band is tightened peripherally
thereabout.
5. The clamping band of claim 3, wherein the first and second band
segments are of channel section, and the receptacle is of channel
section--comprising a floor and a pair of spaced walls extending
therefrom, and wherein the receptacle includes a plurality of
spaced aligned apertures and the tongue comprises a barb configured
to be received by a selected one of the apertures.
6. The clamping band of claim 5, wherein the apertures are in a
wall of the receptacle channel section, and wherein the tongue is
of channel section with the barb extending outwardly from a wall
thereof.
7. The clamping band of claim 5, wherein one of the channel walls
of the receptacle comprises a return extending toward the
receptacle channel floor, and wherein the tongue is of channel
section comprising a pair of opposed walls--one of which is
received by the return.
8. The clamping band of claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a
lever attached pivotally and detachably to both the first and
second band segments.
9. The clamping band of claim 8, wherein the first band segment
comprises a fork having mutually facing lugs, and wherein the lever
comprises a pair of slots into each of which a respective lug is
slidably received.
10. The clamping band of claim 9, wherein each lug has a widened
head, and wherein each slot includes a widened assembly aperture
through which a respective one of the heads pass as the lever is
attached to the first band segment.
11. The clamping band of claim 8, wherein the second band segment
comprises a hook and wherein the lever comprises a hinge pin for
pivotal interaction with the hook.
12. The clamping band of claim 11, wherein the second band segment
comprises a pair of said hooks in laterally aligned mutual
association, and wherein the hinge pin interacts pivotally with
both said hooks.
13. The clamping band of claim 9, wherein the lever is
channel-shaped to receive a portion of the second band segment
therein.
14. The clamping band of claim 13, wherein the second band segment
comprises an eyelet and the lever includes an internal recess
flanked by the slots so that when the eyelet is located in or
adjacent to the recess the eyelet is laterally aligned with the
slots to enable passage of a split pin through the eyelet and
slots.
15. The clamping band of claim 1, wherein each band segment is of
moulded plastics material.
16. The clamping band of claim 15, wherein the plastics material is
fibre-reinforced.
17. The clamping band of claim 8, wherein the lever is of moulded
plastics material.
18. The clamping band of claim 17, wherein the plastics material is
fibre-reinforced.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping band for use in
retaining two parts of substantially circular form in mutually
fixed relationship. The invention more particularly, although not
exclusively relates to a clamping band for retaining a lid or cover
in sealed manner across the opening of a storage drum.
[0002] Industry-standard clamping bands are of metal and are
designed for fitment to drums of specific size--typically known as
15 to 55 gallon drums. The known bands comprise a single (approx.)
360.degree. open-ended loop of specified length. The loop has a
hook arrangement at one end and an over-centre locking mechanism
comprising a lever and catch at the other end. The locking
mechanism is a permanent fixture of the band. In use, the loop is
fitted about the periphery of a circular lid and mating peripheral
flange at the opening of a cylindrical drum, whereupon the locking
catch is engaged with the hook and the handle is pivoted beyond an
over-centre position to a resting locked position.
[0003] Such known clamping bands are manufactured in different
sizes to suit standard sized drums. Where a drum or lid is out of
specification, the only method of changing the ring diameter is by
changing the mould tool conditions in an attempt to grow the
product in size. This is a time-consuming and possibly dangerous
procedure. The single open-ended band design is reasonably well
suited to fabrication in metal, but the bands are substantially
inelastic which exacerbates the problem of fitment to out-of-spec
drums/lids. In any event, the WPO (World Packaging Organisation)
has implemented a policy to phase out steel clamping bands and
steel lids in about five years for open top drums.
[0004] Plastics clamping bands have been proposed such as for
example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,216. However such
designs do not lend themselves to cost-effective manufacture due to
physical limitations of known moulding techniques. Furthermore,
such bands are not designed for fitment to drums of various
alternative dimension or out-of-spec drums or lids. The method of
manufacture is labour-intensive and requires robots to remove the
product from a purpose-designed mould tool. Also, bands for each
different sized lid require their own designated moulding die.
[0005] The single open-ended band design is also not well suited
for stacking and compact shipment and storage. Furthermore, if one
end portion of the loop or the locking mechanism for example is
damaged, then the whole band must be repaired or replaced.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or
substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages
and/or more generally to provide an improved clamping band.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] There is disclosed herein a clamping band, comprising:
[0008] a first band segment; [0009] a second band segment
detachably secured to the first band segment; and [0010] a clamp
for maintaining the secured first and second band segments in a
closed loop configuration.
[0011] Preferably, the clamping band further comprises a connection
interface between the first and second band segments which allows
for adjustment of the length of the loop.
[0012] Preferably, the connection interface comprises a receptacle
forming part of the first band segment and a tongue forming part of
the second band segment which is configured for insertion into the
receptacle.
[0013] Preferably, the first and second band segments are of
channel section--comprising a floor and a pair of walls extending
from the floor, and the each band segment further comprises one or
more ribs extending from the floor to an inner surface of one, the
other or both walls, the ribs being adapted to interact with a lid
and/or opening of a vessel covered by the lid to urge the lid
against the opening as the clamping band is tightened peripherally
thereabout.
[0014] Preferably, the first and second band segments are of
channel section, and the receptacle is of channel
section--comprising a floor and a pair of spaced walls extending
therefrom, and the receptacle includes a plurality of spaced
aligned apertures and the tongue comprises a barb configured to be
received by a selected one of the apertures.
[0015] Preferably, the apertures are in a wall of the receptacle
channel section, and the tongue is of channel section with the barb
extending outwardly from a wall thereof.
[0016] Preferably, one of the channel walls of the receptacle
comprises a return extending toward the receptacle channel floor,
and the tongue is of channel section comprising a pair of opposed
walls--one of which is received by the return.
[0017] Preferably, the clamp comprises a lever attached pivotally
and detachably to both the first and second band segmants.
[0018] Preferably, the first band segment comprises a fork having
mutually facing lugs, and wherein the lever comprises a pair of
slots into each of which a respective lug is slidably received.
[0019] Preferably, each lug has a widened head, and each slot
includes a widened assembly aperture through which a respective one
of the heads passes as the lever is attached to the first band
segment.
[0020] Preferably, the second band segment comprises a hook and the
lever comprises a hinge pin for pivotal interaction with the
hook.
[0021] Preferably, the second band segment comprises a pair of said
hooks in laterally aligned mutual association, and the hinge pin
interacts pivotally with both said hooks.
[0022] Preferably, the lever is channel-shaped to receive a portion
of the second band segment therein.
[0023] Preferably, the second band segment comprises an eyelet and
the lever includes an internal recess flanked by the slots so that
when the eyelet is located in or adjacent to the recess the eyelet
is laterally aligned with the slots to enable passage of a split
pin through the eyelet and slots.
[0024] Preferably, each band segment is of moulded plastics
material.
[0025] Preferably, the lever is of moulded plastics material.
[0026] Preferably, the plastics material is fibre-reinforced.
[0027] The present clamping band will advantageously address the
issue of variation in lid/cover size for open top 15 to 55 gallon
drums. The clamping band can also be adjusted to fit various lid
sizes utilising the same clamping band.
[0028] Furthermore, the components of the clamping band can be
disassembled and purchased individually for replacement.
[0029] The new design also enables the mould tools/dies to be of
multi cavity type enabling the moulded parts to be ejected from the
dies in a conventional manner. This design enables the use of
alternative reinforced plastic resins to be use for various
applications of increased strength and durability.
[0030] The present invention aims to provide the industry not only
a price reduction, but the versatility of a single clamping band to
suit a range of lids and/or adjustability to suit out-of-spec lids
and/or drums.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] A preferred form of the present invention will now be
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of a clamping
band;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan illustration of the clamping band
in an open, segment-detached configuration;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan illustration of one clamping band
segment;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective illustration of the
clamping band segment of FIG. 3;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan illustration of the other
clamping band segment;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective illustration of the
clamping band segment of FIG. 5;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective illustration of the
locking lever; and
[0039] FIG. 8 is a schematic inverted perspective illustration of
the locking lever.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view representation of an
embodiment of a clamping band when engaged with a vessel and a
lid.
DESCRIPTIONOF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0041] In the accompanying drawings there is depicted schematically
a clamping band 10 comprising a pair of substantially semicircular
clamping band segments 11 and 12. For the purpose of description,
these will be referred to hereinafter as a first clamping band
segment 11 and a second clamping band segment 12. Each clamping
band segment is formed as a plastics injection moulding of high
strength, high impact resistance material such as polyethylene. The
clamping band can also includes a locking lever 13 which would
typically be formed of the same or similar type of plastics
material. Both clamping band segments and the locking lever might
be fibre-reinforced--typically with glass fibre or other high
tensile strength fibre such as but not limited to metallic fibre
and carbon fibre.
[0042] Each clamping band segment 11, 12 is moulded using
conventional injection moulding techniques and is of channel-shaped
cross-section. This cross-section is generally C-shaped or
U-shaped, although it might alternatively be V-shaped.
[0043] The first and second clamping band segments 11 and 12 are
mutually interconnected by means of a connector receptacle 14
moulded integrally with the second segment 11 and into which a
tongue 17 of the first segment is received. The arrangement of the
preferred embodiment enables the segments to be interconnected in
one of three positions so as to provide an overall circumference
suitable for application to various different sized drums. To this
end, the connector receptacle 14, which is also of channel-shaped
cross-section, is provided with three aligned apertures 19 in one
of its side walls. The tongue 17 which slides into the connector
receptacle 14--again of channel-shaped cross-section--is provided
with a ramped barb 18 at the outer surface of one of its side
walls. A degree of resilient movement of the wall section from
which the barb 18 extends is assisted by a small cut out in the
floor of the tongue as shown in FIG. 4 directly alongside the barb.
When the tongue 17 is inserted into the connector receptacle 14,
the barb 18 snap-engages into the first, second or third recesses
depending upon choice once in place, it is not possible to withdraw
the tongue unless a sharp implement is pressed through the aperture
19 in which the barb is lodged. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the
connector receptacle 14 includes at one of its side walls a return
feature 28 which extends back toward the floor of the channel
section to surround one wall of the tongue 17 when the tongue is
inserted into the connector receptacle 14. This is the wall of the
tongue 17 which is opposite to that from which the barb 18 extends.
This feature provides great stability and strength to the
interconnection of the two clamping band segments.
[0044] At a position diametrically opposite the above features is a
locking lever 13, associated fork 15, a pair of hooks 21 and an
eyelet 16.
[0045] The fork 15 is moulded integrally with the first band
segment 11 and comprises a pair of fingers each having extending
inwardly therefrom a lug 19a. Each lug 19a has an enlarged head as
shown.
[0046] The hooks 21 are moulded integrally at an end portion of the
second band segment 12. There are two such hooks 21 laterally
offset from one another. Situated slightly along the second band
segment 12 is an eyelet 16 which extends outwardly therefrom at a
laterally central position.
[0047] The locking lever 13 is also channel-shaped and is
dimensioned such that the clamping band segment 12 fits within it.
The lever 13 includes a pair of side walls into each of which there
is provided a longitudinal slot 22 terminating with a widening 25
each serving as an assembly aperture through which the head of the
respective fork lug 19a passes when the lever 13 is attached
thereto. The lever 13 has an open end across which there extends a
hinge pin 23 comprising a pair of shaft segments 24 flanking a
strengthening web 27. The shaft segments 24 are each to be
snap-engaged by the hooks 21 so that the lever 13 pivots about the
hinge pin 23 when connected to the second band segment 12.
[0048] The lever 13 includes internal reinforcing ribs and a recess
26 formed in one or more of those ribs. When the lever 13 is closed
down upon the second band segment 12, the eyelet 16 is received
within or alongside the recess(es) 26 so that a split pin or the
like can be passed laterally through the opposed slots 22 and
through the eyelet to maintain the lever 13 in its closed
position.
[0049] Each band segment 11, 12 includes a number of wedges 20
extending from the channel floor to one or both of the channel
walls.
[0050] In use, the band segments are interconnected as described
earlier to a circumference suitable for the size of drum and cover
to be sealed thereon. The hinge pin 23 of lever 13 is snap-engaged
with the hooks 21 and the fork is spread apart to clear the lever
13 so that the heads of the fork lugs 19a can be passed through the
assembly apertures 25 to be held in place behind the respective
slots 22. The clamping band is now of over-sized diameter
sufficient to be placed about the periphery of the drum opening lip
and fitted cover. Once in place, the lever 13 is pivoted toward its
closed position whereupon lugs 19a slide along the slots 22 to a
rest position at the opposite end of the slots 22. The lever 13 is
then pivoted past an over-centre resistance whereupon tension in
the fork 15 biases the lever 13 into a closed position against the
band segment 12. During the lever-closing operation, the wedges 20
in each clamping band segment bear upon the opening lip/flange of
the drum from beneath and the lid from above to force the lid down
upon the opening to form a seal. The more force that is applied to
the lever--the higher the clamping and sealing force.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 9, there is depicted is a schematic side
view representation of an embodiment of a clamping band 30, which
is engaged with a vessel 50 and a lid 40, so as to secure the lid
40 to the vessel 50 in a manner as described in reference to FIGS.
1 to 8.
[0052] At a designated angle the lever can be removed for
replacement if damaged. Each half of the ring can be detached for
ease of storage and individual replacement. This is a superior
solution than replacing the entire clamping band as is the case
with known prior art clamping bands.
[0053] It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations
obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as
beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, three or
more clamping band segments could be connected end-to-end and a
ratchet type mechanism or even a cable tie style of interconnection
could be provided instead of those features specifically
exemplified at 14 and 19 for example. Alternatively, a different
number of apertures 19 (e.g. 2, 4, or more) could be provided and
apertures the same or similar to those depicted could be provided
in both the floor and side wall portions of the connector
receptacle 14. It should further be appreciated that alternative
uses of the clamping band herein are envisaged. Moreover, the
clamping band could be suited for use as an equatorial band
securing two like halves of a pressure vessel to one another.
* * * * *