CLAMPING CLIP

Abstract

The clamping clip described here includes a clamping band the two end portions of which overlap each other in the closed condition of the clamping clip. A tongue disposed on the overlapped inner band portion is received by a tongue channel provided on the overlapping outer band portion, the shape of the tongue channel being complementary to the shape of the tongue. The tongue has a root part in which the tongue width, measured in the axial direction of the clamping clip, decreases from the full clamping band width to a smaller value, and an end part adjoining the root part, in which the tongue width constantly has the smaller value.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A clamping clip comprising: a clamping band the two end portions of which overlap one another in a closed condition of the clamping clip, the clamping band including: a tongue arranged at an overlapped inner band portion; and, a tongue channel arranged in an overlapping outer band portion, the tongue channel being complementary to the shape of the tongue for receiving the tongue, wherein the tongue includes: a root part that decreases in width from a first width to a second width, the second width being less than the first width; and, an end part adjoining the root part, the end part having a third width equal to the second width.

13. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein a tensioning hook is arranged on the overlapping outer band portion.

14. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein a tensioning hook is arranged on the overlapping inner band portion.

15. The clamping clip as recited in claim 14, wherein the tensioning hook comprises an inclined surface facing the outer band portion as a ramp.

16. The clamping clip as recited in claim 15, wherein the inclined surface comprises a centering groove operatively arranged to engage with a projection on a connecting hook.

17. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein an end part of the overlapping outer band portion is bent outward.

18. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein the overlapping outer band portion comprises an inward projecting point bead.

19. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein: the overlapping inner band portion comprises a connecting hook; the overlapping outer band portion comprises a tensioning hook; and, the connecting hook is operatively arranged to engage the tensioning hook.

20. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein a band region at least partially aligned with the overlapping inner band portion comprises a radially outward projecting tolerance compensating wave.

21. The clamping clip as recited in claim 20, wherein the tolerance compensating wave is curved in an axial direction in such a way that its outer edges abut against an object to be clamped in a tightened condition of the clamping clip.

22. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, further comprising a tensioning hook on at least one of the overlapping inner band portion and the overlapping outer band portion.

23. The clamping clip as recited in claim 22, wherein the tensioning hook comprises at least one projection facing in a circumferential direction relative to the clamping band.

24. The clamping clip as recited in claim 22, wherein the tensioning hook comprises three projections facing in a circumferential direction relative to the clamping band.

25. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein: the overlapping inner band portion comprises a first radially outward curved band portion; the overlapping outer band portion comprises a second radially outward curved band portion, the second radially outward curved band portion operatively arranged to engage the first radially outward curved band portion in the closed condition of the clamping clip; and, the overlapping outer band portion comprises an opening hook on a first side of the second radially outward curved band portion;

26. The clamping clip as recited in claim 25, wherein the first side is opposite a second side of the second radially outward curved band portion, the second side being in closer proximity to an end of the overlapping outer band portion than the first side.

27. The clamping clip as recited in claim 25, wherein an outer height of the first radially outward curved band portion is greater than a clear height of the second radially outward curved band portion.

28. The clamping clip as recited in claim 25, wherein the opening hook comprises one or more projections which face away from an end of the overlapping outer band portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a clamping clip in the open condition;

[0013] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the clamping clip of FIG. 1 in a closed and tightened condition, seen from two different directions;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial view of the clamping clip of an alternative embodiment in the closed condition;

[0015] FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial views of further embodiments of the clamping clip, each in the closed condition;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a partial view of the clamping clip according to another embodiment;

[0017] FIGS. 8 and 9 are a side view and a perspective view of the clamping clip according to further modifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[0019] Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0020] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments.

[0021] It should be appreciated that the term substantially is synonymous with terms such as nearly, very nearly, about, approximately, around, bordering on, close to, essentially, in the neighborhood of, in the vicinity of, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term proximate is synonymous with terms such as nearby, close, adjacent, neighboring, immediate, adjoining, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term approximately is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.

[0022] The clamping clip shown in FIGS. 1-3 consists of clamping band 10 with overlapping band portions 11 and 12. Starting from band portion 11 which is the inner one in the overlapping area, clamping band 10 includes the following parts: tongue 13, inner connecting hook 14 projecting from the outside of clamping band 10, tension hook 15 also projecting outward, slot 16 extending in the circumferential direction of the clamping clip, tongue channel 17 formed on the inner side of clamping band 10, and outward projecting outer tension hook 18.

[0023] Tongue 13 has end part 20, which is narrower than the full band width and has parallel side edges and a rounded tip, and trapezoidal root part 21 which increases in width from end part 20 to the full width of the clamping band. Tongue channel 17 has a shape complementary to tongue 13.

[0024] It has been found that the described geometry of tongue 13 and tongue channel 17 with a conical root part 21 in combination with subsequent straight end part 20 leads to a very safe automatic centering and thus to the desired stepless inner surface of the clamping clip. The safe centering is achieved in particular by conical root part 21 and the steplessness is achieved in particular by straight end part 20.

[0025] In the closed condition of the clamping clip shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, connecting hook 14 (not visible here) engages in tensioning hook 18. To close and tighten the clamping clip, the clip can be gripped with universal pliers, which engage the ends of two tensioning hooks 15 and 18 facing away from each other. At these ends, tensioning hooks 15, 18 each have nose 22, 23 projecting in the circumferential direction to prevent the pliers from slipping off.

[0026] Waves 25, 26 are stamped into the band parts between slot 16 and the respective outer edge of clamping band 10, which waves compensate for tolerances between the circumference of the clamping clip and the respective object to be clamped. Waves 25, 26 are offset from each other in the circumferential direction in order to achieve a 360? all-round support without interruptions in the inner surface of the clamping clip.

[0027] With the design according to FIG. 4 end part 30 of outer band portion 12 is bent and runs diagonally outwards at an angle. Tensioning hook 15 is provided with inclined surface 31 facing end part 30, which serves as a ramp for end part 30 when closing and tightening the clamping clip.

[0028] Between end part 30 and tensioning hook 18, inwardly projecting point bead 32 is stamped into clamping band 10, which reduces the friction between outer band portion 12 and inclined surface 31 and simultaneously stiffens outer band portion 12 against deformation.

[0029] The shape of tensioning hooks 15 and 18 with noses 22 and 23 and the formation of inclined surface 31 on tensioning hook 15 in conjunction with point shaped bead 32 and bent end part 30 on outer band portion 12 ensure the reusability of the clamping clip.

[0030] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the clamping clip is provided with a tolerance compensation in the form of waves 25, 26. This measure is not necessary with every clamping clip; it can be useful depending on the properties of the object to be clamped.

[0031] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the clamping clip is equipped with tolerance compensating waves 35 which, unlike in FIG. 2, extend over the entire width of clamping band 10 but lie within an area supported by inner clamping band portion 11. This feature results in easier deformability of the clamping clip for softer objects to be clamped.

[0032] In the further embodiment of FIG. 6, several tolerance compensating waves 36 are provided which again extend over the entire width of clamping band 10 and are curved in the radial direction in such a way that their outer edges 37 lie close to the object to be clamped in the tightened condition of the clamping clip. This avoids the risk of damage to elastomer materials, such as bellows, in the event of contact during component rotation. At the same time, the clamping clip is protected against contamination, which in extreme cases can impair the tolerance compensation.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, tensioning hook 15 arranged on the inner band portion 11 can have several, preferably three, projections 38 facing away from the inner end of the band, which ensure a secure gripping of the plier tool used for closing the clamping clip and thus a secure closing. A single projection would not only be more susceptible to breakage, but could also lead to a rotation of the plier jaw.

[0034] In the same way, tensioning hook 18 arranged on outer band portion 12 can be provided with several, preferably three, projections 39 on its plier engaging edge remote from the outer band end.

[0035] According to FIGS. 8 and 9, opening hook 40 is arranged on the side of outer band portion 12 remote from the outer end of the band. The closed clamping clip can be opened by means of a plier tool engaging tensioning hook 15 and opening hook 40. The opening process is assisted by curved band portion 41, which is arranged between opening hook 40 and tensioning hook 18 on outer band portion 12 and in which a second curved band portion formed on inner band portion 11 engages when the band clamping clip is closed.

[0036] The second curved band portion is omitted from the drawing. Its outer height is greater than the clear height of curved band portion 41 arranged on outer band portion 12. The difference in height results in a bias which favorably affects the opening process. Furthermore, the inner surface of curved band portion 41 facing the outer end of the band is formed as a ramp.

[0037] The outer edge of opening hook 40, which serves to engage the pliers, may be provided with several, preferably three, projections 44 similar to the edge of tensioning hook 15.

[0038] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, inclined surface 48 with centering groove 43 is formed at the end of outer band portion 12 which is longer than in FIG. 4. Projection 45 formed on connecting hook 14 engages in this groove when the clamping clip is closed in order to prevent misalignment of the clamping clip. Centering groove 43 also serves to reinforce inclined surface 48 in order to prevent its deformation during the closing movement.

[0039] It will be appreciated that various aspects of the disclosure above and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0040] 10 Clamping band [0041] 11 Inner clamping band portion [0042] 12 Outer clamping band portion [0043] 13 Tongue [0044] 14 Connecting hook [0045] 15 Tensioning hook [0046] 16 Slot [0047] 17 Tongue channel [0048] 18 Tensioning hook [0049] 20 End part of 13 [0050] 21 Root part [0051] 22 Nose at 15 [0052] 23 Nose at 18 [0053] 25, 26 Tolerance compensating waves [0054] 30 End part of 12 [0055] 31 Inclined surface [0056] 32 Point shaped bead [0057] 35, 36 Tolerance compensating waves [0058] 37 Outer edge [0059] 38, 39 Projections [0060] 40 Opening hook [0061] 41 Curved tape portion [0062] 43 Centering groove [0063] 44, 45 Projections [0064] 48 Inclined surface