BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to hose clamps, and more particularly to clamps used to interconnect and seal components of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems connected by hoses.
Conventional hose clamps used currently in HVAC systems in the automotive industry require access space around the clamps due to features of the clamp required to close and open the clamp. For this reason, packaging of the components around hose attachments is difficult because of the extra space required for the clamp and for space reserved for handling during assembly and service operations.
Additional space around the clamps is required to provide adequate clearance from components that can be damaged due to contact with the clamp, such as wiring harnesses, hoses, plastic parts, etc. Such components can be adversely affected by extremely aggressive clamping activity and because the clamps are made of spring steel.
Directly related to the complexity of conventional spring-loaded hose clamp designs, the weight and cost of the clamps are high, and the cost of tools for installing and removing them is high.
A need exists in the industry for a hose clamp that requires less space, is easier to manufacture, has fewer parts, requires fewer tools to install and remove, and requires less time to install and remove than a conventional hose clamp.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
An embodiment contemplates a hose clamp for securing a hose to a component, the clamp including a first band of uniform thickness that extends angularly about an axis and includes an engagement surface, and a second band having the uniform thickness and formed in one piece with the first band, extending angularly about the axis, offset axially from the first band, and including a latch surface engageable with the engagement surface, the clamp having an open state in which the first band and the second band are elastically urged angularly about the axis toward contact with the hose, said engagement maintaining an elastically resilient load between the first band and the second band.
The elastic energy of the spring material from which the hose clamp is made is employed in the axial direction, i.e., along the hose centerline, producing axially positioned locking features on the clamp, whereas a conventional hose clamp requires radially positioned locking features. The axial locking features are produced within the thickness of the clamp material; therefore, the external profile of the clamp is only slightly greater than the outside diameter of the clamp.
The invention employs the elastic characteristics of the clamp to accomplish the clamping function and to lock the clamp in its opened condition in preparation to be used or in closed condition while being used.
An advantage of an embodiment is reduction of the space occupied by a hose clamp before and after its installation and use. The clamp has lower weight and cost and requires a shorter installation or removal time than a conventional hose clamp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hose clamp in a closed condition;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hose clamp of FIG. 1 in an open condition;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 1 expanded using a screwdriver and being fitted over a hose;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 1 closed over a hose;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second hose clamp in a closed condition and fitted over a hose;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of pliers for use in opening and closing the clamp of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 5 opened, latched and fitted over the hose using the pliers;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third hose clamp in a closed condition;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 8 open and latched;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the clamp of FIG. 8 being opened and latched using pliers;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth hose clamp in an open condition and fitted over a hose; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 11 being closed and latched using pliers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring first to FIG. 1, a first hose clamp 10 is formed in a circular, open-ended hoop of uniform thickness from elastically resilient material, preferably steel. FIG. 1 illustrates clamp 10 in its closed state. FIG. 2 illustrates clamp 10 in its open state, in which the clamp develops and maintains an elastic, resilient preload tending to restore the clamp to the closed state.
Clamp 10 includes first and second mutually parallel bands 12, 14 that extend along the circumference of the clamp, each band extending axially across a portion of the width of the clamp 10. A first transition surface 16 leads to band 12 and to its open end 18. A second transition surface 20 leads to band 14 and to its open end 22, which faces and is spaced from surface 16. Similarly, end 18 faces and is spaced from transition surface 20.
Band 12 is formed with recesses 24, 26, 28, which are spaced mutually along the circumference. Band 14 is formed with a projection 30, which can engage each of the recesses 24, 26, 28. Band 14 is formed with, inclined surfaces 32, 34, inclined with respect to the axis 36, and a circumferential surface 38, which connects surface 34 and transition surface 20.
FIG. 2 shows clamp 10 expanded or opened, such that projection 30 is seated in recess 26, thereby increasing the length of the clamp's circumference to facilitate fitting the clamp over a hose 40, which is to be connected by the clamp to a spout on a component (not shown).
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in operation after the clamp 10 in the open state is fitted over the hose, the blade of a flat-ended screwdriver 42 is inserted into the space between recess 28 in band 12 and the recess 44 in band 14, located at the ends of inclined surfaces 32, 34. As FIG. 3 illustrates, the screwdriver is then rotated counterclockwise such that its flat end becomes substantially aligned with axis 36, thereby separating bands 12, 14 along axis 36 and removing protrusion 30 from recess 26. Then, with the screwdriver 42 located in recesses 28 and 44, the screwdriver is rotated further counterclockwise to the position shown in FIG. 4, where bands 12, 14 move together both axially and angularly, such that protrusion 30 reseats in recess 24, thereby securing mutually the clamp 10, hose 40 and spout and maintaining an elastic, resilient preload among them that seals the hose and spout against leakage. Finally, the screwdriver 42 is removed from the clamp 10.
FIG. 5 shows a second hose clamp 50 surrounding and elastically engaged with hose 40, the clamp being formed in a circular, open-ended hoop of uniform thickness from elastically resilient material, preferably steel. FIG. 5 illustrates clamp 50 in its closed state. FIG. 7 illustrates clamp 50 in its open state, in which the clamp develops and maintains an elastic, resilient preload tending to restore the clamp to the closed state. For ease of handling, it is common practice to bond the clamp to the outer surface of the hose at the internal tangent surface that is opposite to the locking features and at the required position from the hose end.
Clamp 50 includes first and second partial-width bands 52, 54 that extend mutually parallel along the circumference of the clamp. Band 52 is formed with a hole 56, which extends radially at least partially through its thickness, and an end surface 58 having a corner 60 located near band 54. Band 54 is formed with a hole 62, which extends radially at least partially through its thickness, and is partially surrounded by a lug 64, which transitions to a latch surface 66, substantially parallel to surface 58.
FIG. 6 shows pliers 68, of the type used to install and remove a snap ring, formed with cylindrical extensions 70, 72 located at the end of each arm. To remove clamp 50 from engagement with hose 40, the clamp is opened by inserting each of the pliers extensions 72, 74 into a respective one of the holes 56, 62, rotating the pliers 68 clockwise about axis 36 to the position shown in FIG. 7, where surfaces 5860 are slightly past axial alignment. Then the arms of the pliers 38 are drawn together axially, causing corner 60 and surface 58 to engage latch surface 66. These actions open clamp 50 allowing it to be removed from the hose 40 and maintain an elastic preload tending to close the clamp.
When the clamp 50 is being installed using the pliers, the hose 40 is fitted over a spout and clamp 50, in the open state, is fitted over the hose. The clamp is preferably glued on the internal tangent surface opposed to the locking features. Then, the pliers' extensions 72, 74 are inserted into holes 56, 62, as shown in FIG. 7, and the pliers' arms are extended axially until corner 60 and surface 58 disengage from latch surface 66. Then the pliers are rotated counterclockwise until the clamp is positioned as shown in FIG. 5. Finally, the pliers 68 are removed from holes 56, 62.
FIG. 8 shows a third hose clamp 80 formed in a circular, open-ended hoop of uniform thickness from elastically resilient material, preferably steel. Clamp 80 includes first and second partial-width bands 82, 84 that extend along the circumference of the clamp, the bands being interconnected by three strips 86, 87, 88, which are spaced angularly and extend across the full width of the clamp. Band 82 is formed with a stop 90, which is bent radially outward from the surface of band 82 and is inclined into the contour of the band. Band 82 includes an engagement surface 92 having a corner 94 located near band 84. Similarly, band 54 is formed with a stop 96, which is bent radially outward from the surface of band 84 and is inclined into the contour of the band. Band 84 includes a latch surface 98, substantially parallel to engagement surface 92.
FIG. 8 illustrates clamp 10 in its closed state. FIG. 9 illustrates clamp 80 in its open state, in which the clamp develops and maintains an elastic, resilient preload tending to restore the clamp to the closed state. In the open state, clamp 80 is latched due to surface 92 engaging the latch surface 96.
After the clamp 80 in the open state is bonded on hose 40 at the internal tangent surface opposite the locking features, the clamp and hose are is fitted over a spout. FIG. 10 illustrates pliers 100 engaging stops 90, 96 and being used to force the clamp 80 toward the open state and latched position shown in FIG. 9. When clamp 80 opens sufficiently such that surface 92 on band 82 passes latch surface 98 on band 84, an axially directed spring load in the band 82 and 84 forces surfaces 92 and 98 into mutual contact, thereby latching clamp 80 in its open state.
Clamp 80 is closed by inserting the blade of a flat ended screwdriver axially between stops 90, 96, rotating the screwdriver to spread the bands 82, 84 axially, disengaging surface 92 from surface 98, thereby unlatch the clamp. Then the clamp springs to the closed position shown in FIG. 8, securing mutually the clamp, hose 40 and spout and maintaining an elastic, resilient preload among them that seals the hose and spout against leakage.
FIG. 11 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a hose clamp 110 formed in a circular, open-ended hoop of uniform thickness from elastically resilient material, preferably steel. FIG. 11 shows clamp 110 in its normally open state, in which clamp 110 is glued to the hose 40. FIG. 12 shows clamp 110 in a closed, latched state, in which bands 112, 114 grip the hose 40 with a load that is adjusted while closing the clamp with the pliers.
Clamp 110 includes first and second adjacent, parallel spiral bands 112, 114 that encircle the hose 40. Band 112 is formed with a stop 116, which is bent radially outward from the surface of band 112 and transitions along the circumference of the band into the contour of the band. Band 112 includes a series of ratchet teeth 118 facing band 114. Similarly, band 114 is formed with a stop 120, which is bent radially outward from the surface of band 114 and transition along the circumference of the band into the contour of the band. Band 114 includes a series of ratchet teeth 122 facing and adjacent the ratchet teeth 118 on band 112.
In operation, after the hose 40 is fitted over a spout, clamp 110, is in the open condition shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 illustrates pliers 100 engaging stops 116, 120 and being used to force clamp 110 to tighten over the hose 40. As tension in clamp 110 increases, the teeth 118 and 122 ratchet as they pass over each other and engage mutually, thereby maintaining tension in the clamp. When clamp tension increases sufficiently, the clamp 110, hose 40 and spout are mutually secured, maintaining a constant preload among them that seals the hose and spout and prevents leakage. Then, pliers 100 are removed from the stop surfaces.
When clamp 80 is in the closed condition shown in FIG. 12, the clamp is opened by inserting the blade of a flat ended screwdriver 42 between the edge 124 of band 114 and the adjacent edge 126 of band 112, thereby spreading the bands 112, 114 axially, disengaging the ratchet teeth, and allowing clamp 110 to spring back to the open position shown in FIG. 11.
While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.
Patent Application
20090188085
