This invention concerns a securing arrangement which is especially suited to function as a hose clamp.
Securing arrangements which form bands or loops are used in a number of applications. Such applications comprise strapping together material for transportation, use in supporting trees and other plants, or the clamping together of cables, pipes or tubes etc. Existing such securing arrangements often comprise a predetermined set length or set diameter of clamp, which means different sizes are required for different purposes. This therefore often will involve a relatively large stock of arrangements being necessary to ensure that a required size of arrangement is held for a particular purpose.
According to the present invention there is provided a securing arrangement, the arrangement comprising an elongate member formable into a loop, a first securing member selectively mountable on the elongate member at or adjacent one end of the elongate member, a second securing member selectively mountable at or adjacent the other end of the elongate member, the securing members being selectively securable together to hold the elongate member in a loop.
Preferably a plurality of formations are provided along the length of the elongate member, with which formations the securing members are selectively engageable. The formations may comprise openings.
Such formations are preferably provided for substantially the whole length of the elongate member, such that the elongate member can be cut to a required length for a particular application.
An engagement formation may be provided on each securing member, selectively engageable with a respective one of the elongate member formations. Each engagement formation may comprise an inclined projection.
Each securing member preferably defines a channel through which the elongate member is slidably movable. The engagement formation is preferably provided on the base of the channel, and resilient urging means may be provided to urge the elongate member when in the channel against the engagement formation.
A securing formation may be provided on each securing member; engageable with fastening means to permit securing together of respective securing members. The securing formations may comprise through holes.
The securing member may have a generally L-shape formation, with the securing formations provided on the stem of the L. The channel may be provided on the base of the L.
The securing member may comprise two parts, a first part defining the securing formation, and a second part which defines the channel. The second part may also define the resilient urging means, and the second part may be formed of a resilient material.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The drawings show a securing arrangement 10 suitable for a wide range of applications such as a hose clamp, as a wrapping for strapping material together, mounting around a tree trunk or other plant, or securing cables, wires or tubes together or onto an item. The arrangement 10 comprises an elongate band member 12 formed into a loop. A pair of securing members or assemblies 14 are is provided each at or near the ends of the elongate member. The securing members 14 are held together by a fastening means 16 to retain the elongate member 12 in a loop.
The elongate member 12 comprises a metal strip 18 with a plurality of equally spaced through holes 20 along its length. The strip 18 can be cut to a required length for each application.
Each securing member or assembly 14 comprises two parts. The first part 22 is in the form of a channel section with a base 24, side walls 26 and inwardly turned upper walls 28 which extend only partially across. The channel 23 defined by the first part 22 is of a size for the elongate member 12 to slidably fit therethrough. An engagement formation 30 is provided on the base 24 in the form of an inclined projection 32 which is inclined upwardly to the right as shown in
The second part 34 of the securing member is in the form of a double thickness generally L-shaped component (mirror image in
The first and second parts 22, 34 fit together with the bases 36, 44 engaging beneath the upper walls 28, with the stem 38 engaging against one end of the upper walls and the lip 40 engaging against the other end. The spring urging of the base 44 will engage against the base 24 or any item in the channel 23 to hold the first and second parts 22, 34 together.
In use, the elongate member 12 is cut to a required length for a particular use and bent into a loop. A securing member 14 is selected for each end of the elongate member 12 with the holes 40 on the respective securing members facing each other and the channels leading away from the other securing member 14.
One end 12A of the elongate member 12 is secured to a first securing member 14 by sliding the elongate member 12 through the channel 23 (to the right as shown in
There is thus described a securing arrangement which readily permits a loop of a required size to be formed and held together, but which can be readily opened when required. The arrangement is of relatively simple construction and can thus be inexpensively formed but provide reliable operation. The holes along the length of the elongate member permit almost any size to be formed, and the spring urging of the securing member retains the finger in the respective hole once engaged. With this arrangement the same material can be used for a wide range of different sized loops, and it is therefore only necessary to stock a length of the elongate material end and a few securing members.
Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, different materials may be used. Different engagement formations may be provided, and it may be that the holes in the securing member are threaded, or could for instance have a nut mounted thereto.
Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0122191.0 | Sep 2001 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/GB02/04099 | 9/9/2002 | WO | 00 | 3/4/2004 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO03/025448 | 3/27/2003 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
700704 | Parker | May 1902 | A |
2359418 | Hartman | Oct 1944 | A |
2754406 | Browne | Jul 1956 | A |
3315991 | Davis | Apr 1967 | A |
3579754 | Oetiker | May 1971 | A |
4128921 | Heinze et al. | Dec 1978 | A |
5458380 | Kanao | Oct 1995 | A |
5488760 | Jansen | Feb 1996 | A |
6145896 | Vitel et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6254052 | Hubbard et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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430 142 | Jun 1935 | GB |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20040261228 A1 | Dec 2004 | US |