Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
;185~
This application is a division oE application Serial No.
351,271 filed May 5, 1980.
The present invention relates to a clamp 5tructure, and
more particularly to an open hose clamp whose free ends are
adapted to be mechanically interconnected.
various types of hose clamps are known in the prior art in
which a clamping band made, for example, of flat strip
material is adapted to be mechanically interconnected at the
free ends thereof to form a ring-like clamping structure that
can be tightened by contraction of a so-called "Oetiker" ear.
At the outset, one must distinguish between those clamps,
the free ends of which are permanently interconnected already
before installation and those open clamps, the open ends of
which are interconnected only after being actually installed
about the object to be fastened. The former type of hose
clamps, to which belong those whose open ends are
interconnected beforehand, for instance, by spot-welding or by
a rivet-like joint as disclosed in my prior U.S. Patent
3,2~6,314 issued November 22, 1966 must be assembled axially
in a manner similar to the hose clamps disclosed in my prior
U.S. Patents 2,614l304 and 3,082,498 issued March 26, 1963
(Figures 1 and 2), i.e., must be axially slipped over the
object to be fastened before contracting the so-called
"Oetiker" ear in the installed position. However, an axial
assembly becomes unrealistic if, for example, a clamp has been
incorrectly mounted on the assembly line, e.g., over an axle
boot, requiring the -thus incorrectly installed clamp to be cut
open and removed and necessitating a replacement clamp having
the same dimensions to be thereafter installed correctly in
the location of the previously improperly installed clamp.
Unless such clamp is of the open type with accurately the same
dimensions, which can be installed by placing it
circumferentially about the part to be ~astened and thereafter
closing the previously open clamp, it
-- 1
~'
.vould require a disassembly of the parts in question which ~,vould be
e~cessively costly llvith assembly Line techniques as used, for e~ample,
in the automotive industry. Of course, the same problems arise if a
clamp supposed to be installed on the assembly line, has been completel~
S omitte d.
Various proposals have been made heretofore to provide an open
clam? ~.vhich c^-n be subsequently installed by placing it circumferentially
about the ob ject to be fastened. For e~ample, my prior U. S. Patent ~, 847,
742 discloces a clamp structure utilizina~ a perforated clampin~ band rnade
from so-called "ladder-type" band material, the free ends of ~,vhich are
adapted to be interconnected by a bridging n~ember having a
so-called "Cetiker" ear and inwardly e~tending hooks engaging in openings
OI the perIorated band before its ear is contracted. However, in~,vardly
e~tending hooks are disadvantageous since they may damage the hose material.
1~ Various alternatives to inwardly e~tending hooks, which involve outwardly
e~endina hooks, have been proposed heretofore, for e~ample, as disclosed
in my prior pat2nt 3, 082, 98 (Figure 4~ and in the U.S. Patent 3, 321,811
to Thomas. Howe~fer, the drawback of the prior art clamps as disclosed
in .he Thomas Pate~t 3, 321, 811 and ln Figure 4 of my U. S. Patent 3, 082, 498
~ resided in the lack of sufficient nolding ability when the so-called "Oetiker"
ear ~vas contracted, since the not insign~ficant circumferential forces tended
to cause the hook to be bent back, thereby resulting Ln an opening of the
clamp. This problem is the more se~ere the thinner the band material
which is used for the clamp. To elim~nate this problem, hose ~lamps
~vith t~.vo hooks l,vere already proposed in my prior U. S. P2tents 3, 475, 793
and 3, ~23, 337, ~.dditionall~, hose clamps of the type described in the
U.S. Patent 3,321,811 were made in which two hooks o~ somewhat
different configuration were used. However, all of these
prior art hooks were in the form of more or less rectan~ular
tabs bent out of the band material after an initial,
approximately U-shaped cut defining the tab. A completely
satisfactory holding ability, however, could not be achieved
even with these double hook arrangements due to the
unavoidable bending as a result of the large tensional forces
that are produced when contracting an "Oetiker"-type ear which
may involve tensional forces of up to 200 kg and more. Even
an arrangement with two hook-like members in the clamp
structure as disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent
3,321,811, of which one was primarily intended as suspension
hook and the other as support hook, proved far from
satisfactory because not only the tab-like suspension hook but
also the tab-like support hook yielded, i.e. were bent back
and caused the clamp to open in the presence of the
circumferentially directed, relatively large tensional forces
which occur when a so-called "Oetiker" ear is contracted.
The present invention seeks to obviate the afore-
mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks encountered in the prior
art by simple means and is intended to provide a clamp
structure of the open type, which can be installed
circumferentially about the object to be fastened and in which
the open ends can be thereafter interconnected mechanically by
the use of outwardly extending hooks capable of withstanding
all occurring forces.
To this end, the invention consists oE a clamp structure~
comprising clamping band means having open ends, means
, . . .
s~
mechanically interconnecting the open ends of the band
means including outwardly extending hook means in an inner
band portion operable to engage in corresponding apertu~e
means provided in an outer band portion, and at least one
means in the clamp structure for tightening the clamping
band means about an object to be fastened, characterized
by a tongue means at a free end of the inner band portion,
which is operable to engage into a tongue-receivin9 means -~
provided at least within the area of an outwardly
extending step-like portion provided in the outer band
portion to assure a substantially gap-free and stepless
transition in the circumferential direction from the inner
band portion to the ring-like configuration of the clamp
structure defined by the band means upon tightening of the
clamp structure by said tightening means, characterized in
that the hook means are formed by circumferential tab-like
members extending out of the inner band portion in a
generally outward direction, two substantially parallelly
extending tab~like members each being provided spaced in
the transverse direction of the inner band portion to
leave therebetween a relatively narrow center web portion,
the aperture means being defined by generally rectangular
cut-out portions in the outer band portion which are
complementary in Length to the tab-like members to receive
the same therein.
With the use of the more elastic, rubber-like
hose materials as used in the past, small discontinuities
or steps could generally be accepted as the elastic
material readily compensated for such discontinuities or
steps in the hose-engaging surface of the clamp without
5~
any danger of leakage. However, with the use of
relatively hard plastic hose materials which have a
hardness degree of 90 Shore or more, or with the use of
very thin-walled hard or soft hose materials having a
thickness of the order of 1 mm~ or a few millimeters or
less, and which have become available within the recent
past, it becomes important to provide a substantially
stepless and gap-free transition between overlapping band
ends, i.e. to provide a continuous or uninterrupted smooth
inner hose-engaging surface devoid of any steps or
discontinuities in order to avoid with certainty any
leakage problems. Since over-lapping band portions
normally involve a step corresponding to the thickness of
the material if no other measures are taken, or a gap
(discontinuity) if a step-like shoulder or offset is
provided leading to the overlapping outer band portion,
the present invention also proposes a means to assure a
substantially gap-free transition in the circumferential
direction from the free end of the inner band portion to
the remaining ring-like configuration of the clamping
structure defined by the band when the clamp structure is
tightened. The means according to the preferred embodiment
of the invention include a tongue-like extension at the
free end of the inner band portion which is operable to
engage in a slot-like, tongue-receiving aperture provided
in the corresponding location of the outer band portion.
If the outer band portion is provided with an outwardly
extending step-like portion, displacing the outer band
portion relative to the inner band portion by a radial
distance approximately equal to the thickness of the band,
~5~5Z
material, then the slot-like, tongue-receiving aperture is
provided at least within the area of the step-like portion
and, depending on the length of the tongue-like extension,
is extended in the circumferential direction by a distance
S sufficient to accommodate the entire length of the tongue-
like extension when the ear or ears are fully contracted.
The tongue-like portion may be flat in cross section but
may also be curved, e.g. concavely or preferably generally
convexly curved so that the forces engaging the object to
be fastened are concentrated to the more or less point-like
outer end areas of the arcuate configuration of the tongue-
like portion, whence the specific forces are increased
within the area of contact of the tongue-like portion with
the object to be fastened which is thus clamped with
greater force within that area against the relatively
fixed part, such as a nipple or the like.
The present invention thus makes it possible to
reduce a circle in its diameter wthout having to accept
distortions in the circular configuration of the clamp
and/or disturbing transitional steps or gaps which have
caused leakages especially with relatively hard plastic
hoses or with very thin-walled hard or soft hose
materials, yet obviates the need for an axial emplacement
of the clamp, which represents a significant advance in
the state of the clamp art.
These and other features and advantages of the
embodiments of the present invention will become more
apparent from the following description when taken in
connection with the accompanying drawing. The drawings
also illustrate features that are claimed in the parent
85;~
- application referred to above or in a further divisional
application Serial No. filed simultaneously
herewith. In the drawings: :
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art
clamp structure having open ends and a mechanical
interlock consisting of an outwardly extending hook
adapted to engage in one of several apertures provided in
the outer band;
Figure 2 is a partial longitudinal cross-
sectional view through the inner band portion of the clampof Figure l;
Figure 3 is an elevational view of a clamp
structure having open ends and equipped with a mechanical
connection including outwardly extending hooks;
Figure 4 is a partial perspective exploded view
showing the details of the mechanical interconnection for
a clamp structure having open ends;
Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional
view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the details of
the dash and dot circle A (Figure 3);
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 6-6 of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is an elevational view of a modified
embodiment of a clamp structure, similar to the clamp
structure of Figure 3 but additionally provided with means
according to the present invention assuring a gapless
transition from the free end of the inner band porti~n to
the circular configuration defined by the clamping band;
Figure 8a is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 8-8 of Figure 7;
-- 7 --
3S~
Figure 8b is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 8-~ of Figure 7 and illustrating a modified
arrangement utilizing two side-by-side embossments; :
Figure 9 is a partial elevational view taken in
the direction of arrows 9-9 of Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 10-10 of Figure 7;
Figure lla is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 11-11 of Figure 7;
Figure llb is a cross-sectional view similar to
Figure lla and illustrating a concavely curved tongue
portion;
Figure 12 is an elevational view of still another
embodiment of a clamp of the open type provided with a
mechanical interconnection located substantially opposite
of a so-called "Oetiker" ear;
Figure 13 is a partial elevational view taken
along arrows 13-13 of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is an elevational view of a clamp
structure similar to Figure 12 but provided with an insert
member to bridge the gap underneath the ear and with means
to assure a gapless transition from the ends of the insert
member into the circular configuration of the clamp
structure defined by its clamping band;
Figure 15 i5 a partial plan view taken in the
direction of arrows 15-15 of Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a cross-sectiona]. view taken along
lines 15-16 of Figure 14;
Figure 17 is an elevational view of a still
further modi~ied embodiment of a clamping structure of the
~ ~ 51 ~5 ~
open type provided with a mechanical connection and with
means assuring a substantially gap-free transition from
the free end of the inner band portion, overlapping the:
opening underneath the ear, into the ring-like
configuration of the clamp structure defined by the band
thereof;
Figure 18 is a cross sectional view taken along
lines 18-18 of Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the clamp
structure of Figure 17 in the open position;
Figure 20 is a perspective view of another
embodiment of a clamp structure of the open type consisting
of a clamping band and of a bridge-like clamping member
adapted to be connected;
Figure 21 is a partial cross-sectional view
through the clamp structure of Figure 20 with the various
parts thereof in the assembled position by means of the
mechanical connection;
Figure 22 is a partial perspective view of an end
of a ladder-type clamping band in which a tongue-receiving
channel is formed by bending out the web portions thereof;
Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 23-23 of Figure 22;
Figure 24 is a partial perspective view of a
clamp structure similar to Figures 2d and 21 but provided
with means to enable preassembly of one clamping band end
with one end of the bridge-like clamping member by the use
of a longer suspension hook;
Figure 25 is a partial perspective view similar
to Figure 24 and illustrating a slider member for
_ g
5~ ,
preassembling one end of the clamping band with one end o~
the bridge-like clamping member;
Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along
lines 26-26 of Figure 25;
Figure 27 is an elevational view of another
embodiment of a clamp structure, utilizing ladder-type
clamping bands each provided with an ear to obtain clamp
structures of different diametric dimensions;
Figure 28 is a partial plan view taken in the
directon of arrows 28-28 of Figure 27;
Figure 29 is a partial plan view taken in the
direction of arrows 29-29 of Figure 27;
Figure 30 is a partial elevational view of still
another embodiment of a clamp structure provided with a
mechanical connection within the area opposite its
so-called "Oetiker" ear;
Figure 31 is a partial plan view taken in the
direction of arrows 31-31 of Figure 30;
Figure 32 is a perspective view of a still
further modified embodiment of a clamp structure enabling
substantial variations in the diametric dimensions thereof;
Figure 33 is a perspective view illustrating the
clamp structure of Figure 32 in the closed condition;
Figure 34 is a perspective view illustrating a
clamp structure somewhat similar to the clamp structures
of Figures 32 and 33 but pro~ided with short web seGtions
connecting the remaining side portions of the band
material with the bottom of the channel-like recess;
Figure 35 is a partial plan view ~aken in the
direction of arrows 35-35 of Figure 34;
-- 10 --
~51t35;2
Figure 3~ is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 36-36 of Figure 35;
Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view taken alo~g
line 37-37 of Figure 35;
Fi~ure 38 is a perspective view ~f a clamp
structure of the open type provided with a modi~ied
mechanical connection means providing a substantially
gap-free transition from the inner band portion to the
circular configuration of the clamp structure defined by
its clamping band; and
Figure 39 is a perspective view of a still
further modified embodiment o~ a clamp structure provided
with longi~udinal slots throughout most of the
circumference of the band to facilitate bending thereof
and increase its holding ability.
Referring now to the drawing, wherein like
reference numerals are used throughout the various views
to designate like parts, and more particularly to Figures
1 and 2 thereof, reference numeral 10 generally designates
2~ in Figure 1 a clamp structure of the open type as
disclosed in the U.S. Patent 3,321,811 to Thomas. The
clamp structure 10 includes a flat clamping band 11 of
sheet metal or steel strip material having an outer end '
portion lla and an inner end portion llb, which overlap
one another. Additionally, adjacent the outer end portion
lla, the clamp structure 10 includes a typical "Oetiker"
ear generally designated by reference numeral 1~ which
includes generally outwardly extending leg portions 14 and
15 interconnected by a bridging portion 16. The
overlapping inner and outer band portions lla and llb are
L 8 5
intended to be fastened together by a mechanical interconnection generally
designated by reference numeral 20 which includes an outwardly extending
hook 21 in the irner band portion llb adapted to engage in o~e of several
apertures 22 provided in thq outer band portion lla, The hook 21 is in the
for~ of a more or less rectangular tab bent out of the band material after
an initial appro~cimately U-shaped cut defining the tab. A satisfactory holding
abil;t~ of this arrangement, howe~er, could not be achieved since the hook 21
yielded in the presence of the large circumferentially directed forces ~vhich
~nay occur as a result of the contraction of the ear 13, and permitted the
clamp to open up after being bent back into the position ~1~ illustrated in
Figure 2.
To obviate the shortcomings of the prior art clamp structure of
Figures 1 and 2, the present invention proposes a clamp structure as shown
in Figure 3 provided ~,vith a mechanical interconnection generally designated
by reference numeral 30 which according to the present invention again consists
of one or several outwardly extending support hooks in the inner band portion llb
According to the present invention, in addition to a tab-like suspension hook
31 adapted to extend through a corresponding aperture 35 and operable to
guide the inner and outer band portions llb and lla relative to each other
during initial contraction of the ear, at least one further hooic is provided which
is a cold-defonned supFort hook 32 having a force-engaging abutment surface 33
(Figure 6) which is capable to absorb the circumferentially directed forces caused
during tightening of the clamp structure by contraction of the ear, when the
abut;nent surIace 33 engages with the edge of a respective apertlire 35. As
cæn be seen f.om Figure -, in particular, each cold-deIor~.ed support hook 3
85~
is formed by a portion of band material pressed out of the band portion llb
whereby each cold-deforrned support hook 32 is non-integral with the nor~nal
conIiguration of the band material substantially only along a generally
transversely e~tending cut 34 (Figure 4) defining thereby that end of the cold-
deformed support hook 32 which constitutes its force-engaging abutment
surface 33 (Figure 6), In other words, each pressed-out portion defining a
cold-deIor~ned support hook 32 is integral with the adjoining parts OI the
band material on all sides thereof e:ccept within the area of the generaLly
transversely e.~tending cut 3~. As can be seen from Figure 6, the force-
engaging abutment surface 33 is generally convex~r shaped relative to the
~at band material as v~ewed in a cross section including the transverse cut 34,
~dditionally, the cold-deformed support hook 32 tapers in height and width
in the circumferential direction away from the force-engaging abutment
surface 33. In contrast to the cold-deformed support hook 32, the suspension
hook 31 is a substantially rectangular tab-like hook bent out of the band
material of the ~ner band portion llb and defined by a substantially U-shaped
cut therein. In a particularly appropriate embodiment of the present invention,
one suspension hook 31 is followed by one or more support hooks in the
circumferential direction. The mechanical interconnection 30 according
~0 to the present invention is able to withstand aLI circur~ferentiaLy directed
tensional forces which may occur ir. the clamp structure as a result of
the contraction of the ear 13, As a matter of fact, damage to a web portion 35'
is more likely before a cold-deformed support hooX 32 will be damag~d in the
presence of very large forces. While the apertures 35 may be regularly
spaced, an incorrect connection of the overlapping band portions can be
-- 13 --
~L5~L~3SZ
avoided if the circumferential spacing a bet~veen the suspension hook 31
and the ne.Yt adjacent support hook as also the circumferentlal spacing
of the corresponding apertures 35 in the outer band portion is different,
}or e~sample, larger, than the circumferential ;,pacing b of the two support
hooks 32 and their respective apertures 35. In the alternative, an
incorrect assembly can also be prevented if the distance c (Figure 4) from
the last aperture 35 to the end of the outer band portlon lla is made longer
than the spacing between the hooks.
To avoid a step between the free end of the inner band portion and
the outer band portion overlying the same, the clamp structure of Figure 3
is provided with a step-like shoulder or offset 27, displaclng the outer band
porllon lla in relation to the inner band portion llb.in the radial direction
by a distance appro.Yimately correspondin~ to the thiclcness of the band
material. The resulting gap 26 formed bet~,veen the free end of the inner
15 band portion llb and the step-like portion 27, which represents a discontinuity
in the circumferential direction, can be readily accepted l,vith the more elastic,
rubber-like hose materials used in the past. However, with the use of
relatively hard plastic hose materials having a hardness degree of 90 Shore
or more, or of very thin-walled soft or hard hose materials" this gap 26
20 can no longer be ignored but, in fact, may represent a leakage problem, as
illustrated on an enlarged scale in Figure 5 where the leakage area is designated
by reference numeral 26 ' .
To avoid any lea};age problern with the use of relatively ~ard plastic
hoses, or of very thin-walled soft or hard hose materials, the present invention
25 proposes in the e~bodiment of Fi~ures 7 through 11 a ~eans ~enerally desi~natec
by reference numeral 40 to assure a substantially gapless transitio~ from the
-- 14 --
E15~
free end of the inner band portion to the circular configuration of the clamp
structure defined by its clamping band These means 40 includes a tongue-like
portion 41 e~ctending from the free end of the inner band por~on llb which
is operable to engage in a tongue-receiving aperture 43 provided in the
S corresponding location of the outer band portion lla. If the band 11 is
again provided with an outwardly extending step-like portion 47, then the
slot-like aperture ~3 is provided at least with~n the area of the step-like
portion 47 and, depending on the length of the tongue-like e.Ytension 41, is
continued in the circumferential direction in the band 11 by a distance
sufficient to accom~odate the entire length of the tongue-Like portion 41
when the ear 13 is contracted. The tongue-like portion 41 may thereby be
flat in transverse cross section or may be curved, e. g,, concavely curved
(Figure llb) or preferably convexly curved in transverse cross section as
shown in :Figure 10 and Figure lla so that the forces engaging the object
1~ to be fastened are concentrated to the more or less poLnt-like outer endareas of the arcuate configuration of the tongue-like portion ~1, whence the
specific forces are increased and the object to be fastened is thus clamped
with greater force against the relatively fi~ed part to which it is to be
fastened.
~0 As can be seen from Figures 3 and 7, the inner band portion llb
continues from the area of the mechanical interconnection 30 in the circum-
ferential direction beyond the ear 13 so as to cover the opening disposed
under the same. If the material of the band ll is relati~ely thin, then the
i~ner band portion llb extending over the open~ng of the ear 13 may be
provided with one circumferentially extending generally conve:~ly shaped
embossment 18 (Figures 7 and 8a) within its area underneath the opening of
s~
the ear to be engaged by the corner-liXe transitions between the outer band
portions lla and the ou~.vardly e.~tending le~s 1~ and 15 of the "Oetiker" ear
during contraction of the latter. In the alternative, two transversely spaced
embossmen~s 18~ ~Figure 8b) may be provided side-by-side to avoid contact
bet~veen groove 17 and the emboss~ents 18'. The corner-like transitions
between the f lat band material and the legs 14, 15 of the ear 13
~,vill ri~e up on the emboss;nent 18 or embossments 18' during contraction
of the ear 13, which will cause the inner band portion llb eYtending under
the ope!ling of the ear 13 to be pressed more strongly against the hose material,
thereby assuring a completely satisfactory seal under the ear 13 and also
preventing a buc~ling of the relatively thin band material of the inner band
portion llb into the romaining gap underneath the ear 13.
While Figures 3 and 7 illustrate a clamp structure according to the
present invention in ~.vhich the inner band portion bridges the opening underneath
the ear 13, the embodiment of Figure 12 illustrates a clamp structure with a
mechanical intercor~ection generally designated by reference nurneral 30
according to the p-esent invention ~.vhich is located substantially opposite
the "Oeti~er" e~r 13. Consequently, the opening underneath the ear 13
is not bridgDd so that a small gap may remain even after the ear is fully
contracted. This may again pose a leakage problem, especially with relatively
hard plastic hose materials or very thin-walled soft or hard hose materials.
To obviate this shortcorning, an insert Irember gener211y &esignated by
reference nuneral 5û ~Figure 1~) may be pro~ided as disclosed in ny prior patent
3, 73~ 63. To mini~ize any steps as a result of the presence of the
insert member, these insert members 50 are no~nally made of very thin band
material and are provided ~vith a reinforcing groove 5~ in the flat band
-- 16 --
8SZ
portion of the insert member to prevent a buc~ing or collapse of the
insert member into the opening underneath the ear 13, While the steps
formed by these relatively thin insert members were relatively insignific~nt,
especiaLly with the more elastic, rubber-like hose materials previously used,
they can no longer be ignored with the use of the relatively hard plastic hose
materials which have 'oecome available relatively recently. Consequently,
the present invention provides a means to assure a substantially gap-free
transition in the circumferential direction from the fre . ends of the insert
member ~0 into the ring-like configuration defined by the clamping band 11
10 which includes a tongue-Like extension 51 at each free end of the insert
member 50 adapted to engage in a tongue-receiving aperture 53 located in
corresponding areas of the band 11, The tongue~ e extensions 51 may again
be relatively flat in cross section or may also be generally concavely or
preferably conve~ly curved in transverse cross section, as disclosed with
15 the tongue-like e.Ytension 41, As to the rest, the insert member 50 rnay be
constructed as disclosed in my aforementioned U. S. Patent 3, 789, 463 while
the mechanical interconnection 30 may be similar to the one described
in connection with the embodiment of Figure 12 and again includes a tongue-
like extension 41 adapted to engage ~n an aperture 43 provided at least with~r
20 the area of the step-like portion 47. Of course, the apertures 53 may also
be located wittlin the area of step-li}ce shoulders or offsets (not shown) in
the band 11, especial1y if the insert member 50 is made relatively thic~s,
e, g,, of about the s~me thicl~ness as the band material 17 or even thic}~er.
The embodiment of Figure 17 differs from the embodiment of
~5 Figure 7 in that, in lieu of the aperture ~3, a channel-shape~ recess 63
-- 17 --
~L5~L85Z
is provided of a depth, width and length sufficient to accommodate the
tongue-like e~tension 61. The channel-shaped recess 63 is formed by a
pressed-out bottom portion within the center area of the band 11, which is
defined by generally circurnferentially e.Ytending cuts 64 (Figures 18 and 19)
;~ spaced from one a~other in the transverse direction and leaving on both sides longi-
tudinally extending band portions 11' on both sides of the recessed bottom portion
6~. As can be seen in particular from Figure l9~ the cuts 64 start in the
outer band portion lla within the area and preferably only shortly ahead
of the step-like portion 67 and continue uninterruptedly up to a second step-
10 like portion 6~. The e.~istence of the two step-like portions 67 and 6~ permits
the recess bottorn 63 to be pressed-out relative to the band material in that
the pressed-out recess bottom 63 fails to follow the step 67 but instead continues
substantially along the same diameter or even at a slightly larger ~iameter
than the outer band portion lla up to the second step 65,
1~ In the embodiment accordina to Figures 20 and 21, a ladder-type
band generally designated by reference numeral 71, cut to suitable length,
is adapted to be interconnected by a bridge-like clamping member generally
designated by reference numeral 75 which includes two partly circumferentially
e.Ytending band portions 76 adjoining the leg portions la and lS of the ear 13
~0 and each provided with one suspension hook 31 arld one or more support
hooks 32. The suspension and support hooks 31 and 32 are thereby adapted
to engage into openings 72 provided in the ladder-type clamping band 71. To
assure a substantia.lly gap-free tr~ition from the free ends of the partly
circumferentially e~tending band portions 76 of the bridge-like clamping
2~ member 7~ to the circular configuration of the clamping structure defined
by the clampin~ band 71, tongue~ e e~tensions 77 are provided at the free
-- 18 --
~518~'~
end OI each partly circumferentially exterading band portions 76 of the bridge-
like clamping member 75 which are adapted to engage into a respective
slot-like tongue-receiving aperture 73 provided in the corresponding location
of a respective end of the clamping band 71, The slot-like tongue-receiving
S ape~ure 73 may be obtained by merely c~tt~ng out a predetermined number
of web portions between openings 72 of the ladder-t~pe clamping band 71,
However, especially if the band material for the cla~nping band 71 is relativelythin, then it is not necessary to form an elongated tongue-receiving aperture 73since the tongue-like extension 77, as shown in Figures 22 and 23, will
actually bend out the web portions 74 in the clamping band 71 to pro~ride
a channel-like recess to accommodate the tongue-like e.~tension 77, In the
embodiment of Figures 20 and 21, an insert member generally designated
by reference numeral 50 may be provided which may be constructed as
disclosed in my prior patent 3, 789, 463 or as disclosed in connection with
Figure 1~.
It may be desirable or necessary to preassemble the separate parts
consisting of clamping band 71 and bridge-like clamping member 75 OI
Figure 20 at least at one of their mutually overlapping ends. ~his can be
readily achieved if the suspension hook 31 is made correspondingly longer
(Figure 24) and is bent from its normal position 31' shown in dash line in
Figure 24, toward the band material 76 into the position shown in full line in
Figure 2 4 .
A slider member generally designated by reference rlu:meral 80
as shown in Figures 25 and 26 may be used as an alternative to preassemble
one end of the clampiTlg band 71 to one end o the partly cireumferentiaLly
-- 19 ~
L8S~
e~eIIding band portion 76 of the bridge-like clamp~ng member 75. The
sliding rrember 30 includes a top portion 81, side portions 82 and 83, and
bottom portions 8~ and 85 which are of such length and dimensions as to
accommodate there~,rithin the thickness of the partly circumferentially
s e ~tending band portion 76 as well as the thickness of the clamping band 71,
Of course, since the bottom portions 84 and 85 ~;vill form a step, this
arrangement should be used only with the rela~ively more elastic, rubber-like
hose materials,
Figures 27, 28 and 29 illustrate a further modified embodiment of
a clamp structure in accordance with the present invention which consists
of t~,vo clampin~ bands generally designated by reference numerals 71',
each provided with a so-called "Oetiker" ear 13 intermediate its ends,
Each clamping band 71' is thereby provided with suspensio~ and support
hooks 31 and 32 at one end thereof and with apertures 35 at the other
end thereof so that the two clarnping bands 71' can be cornected with each
other at their respective free ends by mechanical interconnections generally
designated by reference numeral 30 as described in connection with
Figures 3 and 4, The end of a respective clamping band 71' fo,r~ g the
respective outer band portion 71a is provided with an outwardly extending
step portion 78 similar to the step 27 of Figure 3. The clamping bands 71'
may thereby be provided with only three apertures 35 near the outer band
portion elld 71a thereof. Additionally, to preassemble two overlapping
band portions 71b and 71a, a slider rnember 80 as disclosed ~n Figures 25
and 26 may be used. Moreover, to ~ridge the opening underne~ath a respective
ear, an insert member 50 may again be used. The embodiment of Figure ~7
offers the possibility of obtaining clamps of practicaLly any desired diameter.
-- 20 --
S~
By using only a single clamp 71' of a given dimension, it is possible to obtain
one clamp size, while two clamps 71', interconrlected as shown in Figure 27,
will produce a larger clamp size having a widar range of sel:~ctive adjustment
in the diameter thereof due to the presence of two ears 13. The same reasoning
S applies if three or more clamps 71' a.re interconnected as shown. Thus,
practically any clamp size can be reali~ed with relatively few different
sizes of individual clamps 71', thereby greatly facilitating ser~ricing and
stocking for repairs and the after rnar~cet.
If the clamp structure of Figure 27 is to be used with the relatively
hard plastic hose materials or very thin-walled soft or hard hose materials,
then rnechanical interconnections 30 may be of the type disclosed and described
in connection with Figure 12 herein, including a tongue-like extension adapted to
engage in a slot-like, tongue-receiving aperture provided in the step-like
portion 78 to assure a substantially gap free transition in the circumferential
direction. The slider member 80 may then also be replaced by the preassembly
means shown in Figure 24 while the insert member 50 may be constructed as
disclosed in connection ur~th the embodiment of Figures 14 through 16,
Figures 30 and 31 illustrate an embodiment similar to the embodiment
of Figure 12 but additionally provided with an insert member 50.
The embodiment according to Figure 32 is similar to the embodiment
of Figures 17, 18 and 19 except that a number of apertures 35 is provided
in the outer band portion lla which is substantially greater than the number
of hooks, e, g. of one suspension hook 31 and of two support hooks 32 to
permit the realization of clamp structures of differ~nt diameters. The
tongue-like e~tension 61 as also the tongue-receiving channel-like recess 63 have
~ 21 --
~ 31 5~ S2
to be correspondingly lengthened to provide a substantially gap-~ree transition
for each diametric dimension of the clamp structure realizabie therewith,
Figure 33 illustrates the clamp structure of Figure 32 in the interconnected
condition.
Figure 34 illustrates a clamp structure similar to the clamp
structure of Figure 32, however provided with several interrupted
longitudinal cuts 68 leaving therebetween relatively short web sections 69
which connect the remaining side portions 11' of the clamping band 11
vith the tongue-receiving channel 63,
Figure 38 illustrates a modified embodiment of an open clamp
structure pro-rided with a mechanical interconnecting means which
assures a substantially gap-free transition from the inner band portion llb
into the circular configuration of the clamp structure deffned by the
clamping band 11, The mechanical connection generally designated by
1~ reference numeral 90 includes tab-like hook members 96 arranged circum-
ferentially in ransversely spaced pairs and adapted to engage in cut-out
portions 94' of substantially rectangular configuration which are made from
each side int~ the outer band portion lla, thereby leaving relatively narrow
web portions 94 therebetween. The tab-1;ke hooks 96 are formed by making
20 cuts 96 ' from each side of the inner band portion llb and thereafter bending
up the tab-like members 96. The cut~ 96 ' are thereby preferably in the
shape of a prallelogra;.~ having leading and trailing edges 96a and 96b which
taper outwardly away from the respective inner band end so that~the
leading and trailing edges OI the tab-like members 96 extend at an angle
25 less than 90 to the tangent of the band material. This contributes to the
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holding ability of the clamp. A substantially gap-:Eree transition i~ assured
in the e~nbodiment according to Figure 38 by the tongue-like extension 91
adapted to engage in a slot-like aperture 93 provided ~ithin the step-like
portion 97 and continumg a sufficient distance in the cLrcumferential
direction of the band 11, Though the mechanical connection of the embodiment
of Figure 38 is different from the mechanical connection of the other
embodiments of the present invention described herein, it nevertheless
not only provides a connection with good holding ability but additionally
assures a substantially gap-free transition froIn the free end of the inner
band portion llb into the circular configuration of the clamp structure defined
by the clamping band 11,
In the erllbodiment of Figure 39J in which similar parts are
designated by corresponding reference numerals of the 100 series, the
clamping band 111 is again provided in the outer band portion llla near the
free end thereof with a number of apertures 135 corresponding to the number
of suspension and support hooks 131 and 132 ~.vhich are provided in the inner
band portion lllb in the corresponding part thereof which in the assembled
condition will come to lie underneath the apertures 135, The inner band
portion lllb thereby extends underneath the ear generally desi,gnated by
reference nu~neral 113 and engages with its tongue-like extension 141 int
a recessed, tongue-receiving channel 163 defined laterally by longitudinal
cuts 16~ that start within the area of the step-like shoulder or offset 167
and terminate within the area of the step-like shoulder or offset 165,
Over the remaining part of the band 111, a certain number of slot like
apertures 138 are provided which facilitate bending of the 'band. into the
-- 23 --
~51B52
desired shape. The slot-like apertures 138 may thereby be arranged in the
band 111 in such numbers and of such dimensions as to cause the band
to bend in a predetermined manner. Additionallyl the provisions of the slot-
liXe apertures 138 will permit the use of a straight, flat clamp structure which
facilitates handling and reduces transportation costs. With the use of relatively
soft rubber, and especially also with thin-walled rubber-like hose materials,
the rubber-li~e material will be squeezed into the slot-like apertures 138,
thereby increasing the holding ability of the clamp not only by concentrating
the clamping force s over smaller areas but additionally by squeezing out the
10 rubber-like material through the slot-like apertures 138 which thereby secures
the clamp against a~ial sliding movements.
The present invention thus provides a clamp structure which offers
distinct advantages of the prior art, On the one hand, it provides an open
clamp structure which can be circumferentially installedJ yet eliminates
l~ any problems as regards its holding ability in the presence of the large
tensional forces produced by contraction of a so-called "Oetiker" ear. Frorn
a different aspect, the present invention provides a clamp structure of the
open type with mechanical connecting means which can be readily used with
not only the hardest plastic types of hoses but also with very thin-walled hard
~0 and soft hose materials since it assures a step-free and gapless transltion
within the area of overlap of any band materials. Additiona}ly, the insert
~nember can be made of any desired thickness, i. e., of the same thickness
as the clamping band, thereby decreasing its likelihood of buckling into
the opening underneath the ear.
-- 2
8S;~.
~oreover, the present in~rention is applicable to various types of
clamp structures including hose clamps different from the various embodiments
described herein. More specifically, the present invention is also applicable
to so-called screw-type hose clamps such as screw-type hose clamps with
s a worm drive or screw-type hose clamps with generally outwardly
e.~tending leg portions in the end of the band which are drawn together by
a bolt or screw e~tending through holes in the leg portions and cooperating
with a nut or some other fi~ed threaded part. To permit a circumferential
installation of such screw-type hose clamps, it is necessary to open the
clamp by unscre~ving the band ends which is normally a tedious operation. .L~fter
the clamp is then placed circumferentially about the object to be fastened, the
threaded tightening means has to be re-engaged and the tightening of the
clamp has to be carried out by a tedious rotation of the threaded member,
By the use of a mechanical connection in accordance with the present invention
disposed, for example, opposite the threaded means for tighteni~lg the
clamp, it becomes unnecessary to open the clamp by completely unscrewing
the screw connection. The screw-type clamp can then be installed much
in the same rnanner as a clamp of the type shown in Figure 12 which thereafter
requires only limited rotation of the threaded member to complete the
tightening operation. ~Ioreover, if an insert member is used underneath
the opening between the t~,vo leg portions to be drawn together by the screw
and nut interaction, an insert }nember may be provided with meaIls according
to the present invention to assure a gap-free transition from the ends of the
insert member into the circular configuration of the clamp structure defined
~5 by its clamping band, as described more fully in connection ~,vith the insert
member of Figures 14-17 herein.
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5~2
While I have shown and described several embodiments in accordance
with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited
thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and rnodifications as
~cnown to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to be lirnited
to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes
and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims~
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