VISUAL AND TACTILE INDICATOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a band clamp (10) with a clamping band (12) having an ear-like tightening device (14), an inner band end (18) having a tongue (20) extending in a longitudinal direction of the clamping band (12) and an outer band portion (22) including a recess (24), wherein the tongue (20) is configured to be inserted into the recess (24) when the tightening device (14) is being tightened.

It is proposed that the inner band end (18) includes an indicator structure (26) and the outer band portion (22) includes an opening window (28), wherein the indicator structure (26) is configured to engage with the opening window (28) and to be deformed when the tightening device (14) is being tightened.

Claims

1. A band clamp (10) with a clamping band (12) having an ear-like tightening device (14), an inner band end (18) having a tongue (20) extending in a longitudinal direction of the clamping band (12) and an outer band portion (22) including a recess (24), wherein the tongue (20) is configured to be inserted into the recess (24) when the tightening device (14) is being tightened, wherein the inner band end (18) includes an indicator structure (26) and the outer band portion (22) includes an opening window (28), wherein the indicator structure (26) is con-figured to engage with the opening window (28) and to be deformed when the tightening device (14) is being tightened.

2. A band clamp (10) according to claim 1, wherein the indicator structure (26) is configured to protrude through the opening window (28) prior to the tightening of the tightening device (14) and to slip under the outer band portion (22) when the tightening device (14) is being tightened.

3. A band clamp (10) according to claim 1 wherein the indicator structure (26) is arranged on the inner band end (18) on the tongue (20) or between the tightening de-vice (14) and the tongue (20).

4. A band clamp (10) according to claim 1 wherein the indicator structure (26) is formed as an indicator flap stamped out of the sheet metal material of the clamping band (12), with its free end oriented opposite to the free end of the tongue (20).

5. A band clamp (10) according to claim 1 wherein the opening window (28) is stamped out the sheet metal ma-terial of the clamping band (12) and an embossed stabilizing frame (30) is provided around the opening window (28).

6. A band clamp (10) according to claim 1 wherein the deformation of the indicator structure (26) takes place in the last third of the closing movement of the tightening device (14).

Description

[0015] The figures illustrate the following:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a band clamp according to a first embodiment of the invention in an untightened configuration;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the tightening device, the tongue and the indicator structure of the band clamp according to FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 3 is the band clamp according to FIG. 1 in a fully tightened configuration;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the tongue with the indicator structure of the band clamp of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal section of the indicator structure of the clamp in an untightened configuration;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal section of the indicator structure of the clamp in a tightened configuration;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a band clamp according to the invention with incomplete tightening due to buckling; and

[0023] FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a band clamp according to the invention with a completely and correctly tightened tightening structure.

[0024] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a band clamp 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The band clamp 10 includes a clamping band 12 having an ear-like tightening device 14 with two legs connected by a cross-connection. The tightening device 14 may be tightened by means of a pincer pressing the legs together and eventually flattening the resulting loop-like ear. A tightened configuration in which the legs of the tightening device 14 are approached to each other or come in contact with each other as illustrated in FIG. 3 and will spring a little bit back after releasing the pincer. The band clamp 10 further includes a closing structure 16 with hooks on an inner band end 18 and corresponding openings on an outer band portion 22. At its very end, the inner band end 18 is provided with a tongue 20 extending in a longitudinal direction of the clamping band 12. The outer band portion 22 includes a recess 24, wherein the tongue 20 is configured to be inserted into the recess 24 when the tightening device 14 is being tightened.

[0025] According to the invention, the inner band end 18 further includes an indicator structure 26 formed as an indicator flap lanced out of the tongue 20 (FIG. 4) and the outer band portion 22 includes an opening window 28. The free end of the indicator structure 26 is oriented opposite to the free end of the tongue 20. In the pre-assembled configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. when the closing structure 16 is closed and the tightening device 14 is not yet tightened, the indicator structure 26 engages with the opening window 28 and radially protrudes over the opening window 28 such that the indicator structure 28 is visible and tangible from the outside, i.e. protrudes beyond the upper surface of the upper band.

[0026] When the tightening device 14 is being tightened, the outer band portion 22 moves relative to the inner band end 18 as the tongue 20 is pushed into the recess 24 in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 5. In the last part of this movement, i.e. upon having completed roughly 66% of the movement, the indicator flap comes in contact with one longitudinal end 28a of the opening window 28 and is pressed down, so as to vanish in the opening window 28 and slip under the outer band portion 22 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. That is, the indicator structure 26 is deformed as a result of a relative movement of the inner band end 18 and the outer band portion 22, which slides in the longitudinal direction of the clamping band 12 when the tightening device 14 is closed. The deformation of the indicator structure 26 is both visible and palpable, such that the closing state can be visually and tactilely confirmed.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the indicator structure 26 is configured to protrude through the opening window 28 prior to the tightening of the tightening device 14 and is visible and palpable in this configuration. The indicator structure 26 then slips under the outer band portion 22 when the tightening device 14 is being tightened, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the band clamp 10 according to FIG. 1 in a fully tightened configuration, wherein the indicator structure 26 is no longer visible or palpable in the fully closed configuration of the band clamp 10 and FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same configuration.

[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the opening window 28 is stamped out the sheet metal material of the clamping band 12 and an embossed stabilizing frame 30 is provided around the opening window 28.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a band clamp 10 according to the invention in with incomplete tightening due to buckling of a hose 32 and the outer band portion 22 and FIG. 8 is a band clamp 10 according to the invention in which is completely and successfully closed such that the indicator structure is no longer visible or palpable.

[0031] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the indicator structure 26 could be erected rather than pressed down by the tightening of the tightening device 14. In this case, the indicator flap could protrude in the direction of the tongue 20 and be pushed radially outward by one end of the opening window 28. Other alternative embodiments include solutions where the indicator element is not stamped out of the clamping band 12 but rather formed as a separate piece.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0032] 10 band clamp [0033] 12 band [0034] 14 tightening device [0035] 16 closing structure [0036] 18 inner band end [0037] 20 tongue [0038] 22 outer band portion [0039] 24 recess [0040] 26 indicator structure [0041] 28 opening window [0042] 30 stabilizing frame [0043] 32 hose