Clamp Element

Abstract

A clamp element, in particular a band clamp, has a first end portion and a second end portion which are arranged at a distance with respect to one another. A first element engages on the first end portion and a second element engages on the second end portion. The elements are or can be brought into engagement with one another by an engagement portion, and the engagement portion is formed between the end portions.

Claims

1. A clamp element, comprising: a first end portion and a second end portion which are arranged at a distance to one another; a first element that cooperates with the first end portion; and a second element that cooperates with the second end portion, wherein the first and second elements engage one another or are movable into engagement with one another via an engagement portion, and the engagement portion is formed between the end portions.

2. The clamp element according to claim 1, wherein the clamp element is a band clamp.

3. The clamp element according to claim 1, wherein the first element is a pin element, and the second element is a sleeve element which extends in a direction of the first end portion or into the distance.

4. The clamp element according to claim 3, wherein the pin element is a screw and the sleeve element is a threaded sleeve.

5. The clamp element according to claim 1, further comprising: an intermediate element, with which the first and the second elements interact, provided between the first and second end portions.

6. The clamp element according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate element is a cylindrical threaded sleeve.

7. The clamp element according to claim 1, wherein the engagement portion extends beyond at least one of the first and second end portions.

8. The clamp element according to claim 2, wherein the clamp element is a V-band clamp.

9. The clamp element according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second elements is arranged releasably on the respective end portion.

10. A pipe system, comprising: at least one pipe; and at least one clamp element according to claim 1 for use with the pipe.

11. The pipe system according to claim 10, wherein the pipe system is an exhaust system.

12. A method for producing a pipe system, comprising: providing two pipe portions that are to be connected; and connecting the two pipe portions via a clamp element, the clamp element comprising: a first end portion and a second end portion which are arranged at a distance to one another; a first element that cooperates with the first end portion; and a second element that cooperates with the second end portion, wherein the first and second elements engage one another or are movable into engagement with one another via an engagement portion, and the engagement portion is formed between the end portions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a standard clamp element in the screwed-together state.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a partial sectional representation of an embodiment of a clamp element according to the invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the clamp element from FIG. 2 in the screwed-together state, shown in section and not in section.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a further schematic part view of an embodiment of a clamp element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a standard clamp element, as disclosed in the prior art, in the screwed-together state. A protrusion U of a screw S can easily be seen, which leads to problems in the installed state or in the screwed-together state, as the protrusion U, among other things, harbors a risk of injury and, above all, takes up installation space unnecessarily. The protrusion U is necessary as an adjustment path or an adjustment distance of the clamp element is realized by means of the length of the screw S. The clamp is thus pre-mounted as a rule in the delivery state, that is to say prior to assembly, such that there is practically not any protrusion U present, as a result of which the clamp is able to be mounted quickly and uncomplicatedly. Pre-assembly is necessary as otherwise the fast cycle times in large-scale production cannot be realized.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a clamp element 10, including a basic body 13 which ends in a first end portion 11 and in a second end portion 12. First and second arrangement surfaces 24 or 25, on which are supported a first element 21 or a second element 22, are realized on each end portion. Another spacer 30 in the form of a sleeve is arranged additionally on the first element 21. In the embodiment shown here, the first element 21 is realized as a pin element, in particular as a screw, and the second element 22 is realized as a sleeve element, in particular as a threaded sleeve. It is easy to see that as a result of this configuration, engagement of the two elements 21 and 22 is made possible in the region of a distance a which is realized between the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12. An engagement portion 40 is therefore realized inside the two end portions 11 and 12 and consequently in the region of the distance a. As a result, among other things, an adjustment path V for the first element 21 is formed in the second element 22. The first element 21 can therefore be screwed further into the second element 22 without it exiting, protruding or projecting from the second element 22. In this respect, the adjustment path V is also to be seen, in particular, as an inner adjustment path which makes it possible for the installation space requirement of such a clamp element 10 to be minimal. A center axis of the clamp element 10 is also outlined, in addition, by way of the reference symbol M. The reference symbol 50 refers to an inner contour which is realized on the basic body 13, as in the case of the embodiment shown here this is, in particular, a V-band clamp which is used, for example, when constructing or assembling exhaust systems of motor vehicles.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows the clamp element 10 known from FIG. 2 in the screwed-together state, shown in section and not in section. It is clear, in particular also in comparison with FIG. 1, that a protrusion U is minimal or, depending on how far screwed-together they are, where applicable, is not present at all. In this case, nevertheless, as can be seen in FIG. 2, a maximum adjustment distance or a very large opening diameter is achieved in the pre-mounted state as in the case of conventional clamp elements. Reference is made to FIG. 2 with regard to the further features provided with reference symbols.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a sketched representation of a clamp element 10, including a basic body 13 which ends in a first end portion 11 and a second end portion 12. An engagement portion 40 is realized here by means of an intermediate element 23, in which the first element 21 and the second element 22 engage. The first element 21 and the second element 22 are realized, for example, as screws, whilst the intermediate element 23 is a threaded sleeve.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0030] 10 Clamp element, band clamp, hose clamp [0031] 11 First end portion [0032] 12 Second end portion [0033] 13 Basic body [0034] 21 First element, pin element [0035] 22 Second element, sleeve element, threaded sleeve [0036] 23 Intermediate element, threaded sleeve [0037] 24 First arrangement surface [0038] 25 Second arrangement surface [0039] 30 Spacer, sleeve [0040] 40 Engagement portion [0041] 50 Contour V-band clamp [0042] a Distance [0043] M Center axis [0044] V (Inner) adjustment path [0045] U Protrusion

[0046] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.