CLAMP FOR A FLEXIBLE HOSE OR TUBE

Abstract

A clamp that is used for clamping a flexible tube or hose has two primary pieces that are hinged together at one end and have handle sections on the other end. Two linking pieces that are hinged together at one end have opposite ends that are hinged to intermediate hinge points on the primary pieces. Clamping surfaces on one of the primary pieces and on one of the linking pieces open in the direction of the handles. When rotating to the closed position, the intermediate hinge point on one of the primary arms moves from one side of a line that runs between the point where the primary pieces are hinged and the point where the linking pieces are hinged to the other side of that line, providing a locking action.

Claims

1. A clamp for clamping a flexible tube or hose, the clamp having: first and second primary pieces that are hinged together at a primary hinge, each primary piece having an extending handle section and an intermediate hinge point that is positioned laterally between the primary hinge and the extending handle section on that primary piece; a clamping linking piece that has a first aperture that is hinged to the intermediate hinge point on the first primary piece, and a second aperture that is spaced from the first aperture; a secondary linking piece that that has a first aperture that that is hinged to the intermediate hinge point on the second primary piece, and a second aperture that is spaced from the first aperture on that linking piece; a secondary hinge that connects the secondary apertures on the clamping linking piece and the secondary linking piece; and squeezing surfaces that are on the first primary piece and on the clamping linking piece between the two apertures on that piece, and are sized and configured to squeeze a flexible tube or hose sufficiently during the clamping process to effectively prevent or reduce the flow of fluid through the flexible tube or hose.

2. A clamp as recited in claim 1, in which the intermediate hinge point on the first primary piece is positioned laterally between the squeezing surface on that primary piece and the primary hinge.

3. A clamp as recited in claim 1, in which: the squeezing surfaces are at least as long as the width of the flexible tube or hose when the flexible tube or hose is in a collapsed state; and the clamp is configured to rotate between a) a closed position in which the squeezing surfaces are close enough to squeeze a flexible tube or hose sufficiently to effectively prevent or significantly reduce the flow of fluid through the flexible tube or hose, and b) an open position in which distal ends of the squeezing surfaces are spaced at a distance that exceeds one-and-a-half times the diameter of a flexible tube or hose.

4. A clamp as recited in claim 1, in which the clamp, in the closed position, is no more than 11 long in its longest dimension.

5. A clamp as recited in claim 1, in which: the clamp has a closed position in which the squeezing surfaces are close enough to squeeze a flexible tube or hose sufficiently to effectively prevent or reduce the flow of fluid through the flexible tube or hose; and when moving to the closed position, the intermediate hinge point on the second primary arm moves a) from a distal side of a line that runs between the primary hinge and the secondary hinge to b) a proximal side of that line.

6. A clamp as recited in claim 1, in which: the squeezing surface that is on the first primary piece is positioned between the intermediate aperture on that primary piece and the outer end of the handle section on that primary piece.

7. A clamp as recited in claim 1, in which: the first primary piece has a straight arm that forms the extending handle section and bears the squeezing surface.

8. A clamp as recited in claim 1, in which the first primary piece has: a handle axis that extends from the intermediate hinge point on that primary piece along the handle section; and an arm that extends at an angle to the handle axis, to which arm the second primary piece is hinged at a distance above the squeezing surface on that primary piece.

9. A clamp as recited in claim 1, in which: the squeezing surface on the clamping linking piece is not collinear with an axis between the points where that clamping linking piece is hinged to a primary piece and to the secondary linking piece.

10. A clamp as recited in claim 1, in which: the second primary piece has a recessed surface that accommodates the secondary linking piece when the clamp is closed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention can be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hose clamp that utilizes the new invention, the clamp being shown in its closed position;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an end view of that clamp.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the clamp in an open position, with a flexible tube/hose in place.

[0019] FIG. 4 is an end view of the arrangement seen in FIG. 3.

[0020] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the clamp in the closed position.

[0021] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the clamp in the open position.

[0022] FIGS. 7-10 are plan views of the four main pieces of the clamp.

[0023] FIGS. 11-14 are isometric views of those pieces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The clamp 10 seen in the figures has four primary pieces: a proximal primary piece 12, a clamping linking piece 14, a secondary linking piece 16, and a distal primary piece 18. Conventional pins can be used to link the pieces with four hinges: a primary hinge 22, a secondary hinge 24, a first intermediate hinge 26, and a second intermediate hinge 28. Each piece will be described in detail below. Unlike the locking gate on an S&H style clamp, the hinges remain connected together throughout the process of loading, clamping, and unloading a hose, eliminating the need for an operator to open or close the connections.

[0025] The Proximal Primary Piece

[0026] As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 11, the proximal primary piece 12 is a structural element that has an extending handle section 32, a squeezing surface 34, a terminal hinge point in the form of an aperture 36, and an intermediate hinge point in the form of an aperture 38.

[0027] The handle section 32 is intended to be gripped by a user when squeezing a flexible tube/hose. It may be shaped or configured accordingly.

[0028] The illustrated squeezing surface 34 is used for squeezing the flexible tube/hose. For illustrative purposes, a 1? single jacket forestry hose typically used in fighting forest fires has been contemplated. That type of hose has a nominal inside diameter of 1.5 and typically has an outside diameter of approximately 1.65. It is typically approximately 2.5 wide when flat. The squeezing surface is preferably at least as long as the width of the firefighting hose when the hose is in a collapsed state, and may be surfaced accordingly.

[0029] The terminal hinge point 36 forms part of the primary hinge 22, and the intermediate hinge point 38 forms part of the first intermediate hinge 26. Structurally, it is important that the intermediate hinge point 38 be positioned laterally between the squeezing surface 34 and the terminal hinge point 36, and that the squeezing surface be positioned between the intermediate hinge point and the outer end of the handle section 32. Portions of the squeezing surface can extend out into the handle section.

[0030] An arm 40 of the proximal primary piece 12 carries the handle section 32 and the squeezing surface 34. The arm is preferably arranged as a relatively straight arm that extends along a handle axis 42 that extends from the intermediate hinge point 38. The arm could, however, be bent.

[0031] The terminal hinge point 36 is on a second arm 44 of the proximal primary piece 12 that preferably extends at an angle to the handle axis 42, so that the terminal hinge point is spaced at a distance above the working face of the squeezing surface 34. Increasing this distance lowers internal loads, but increases the overall size of the device. In the illustrated clamp 10, the terminal hinge point is positioned about 2-? from the line of the squeezing surface.

[0032] The Clamping Linking Piece

[0033] The clamping linking piece 14 (best seen in FIGS. 8 and 12) is a structural element that has a second squeezing surface 50, a first aperture 52 at one end, and a second aperture 54 at the other end.

[0034] The second squeezing surface 50 is used for squeezing the flexible tube/hose against the squeezing surface 34 on the proximal primary piece 12. This second squeezing surface is preferably at least as long as the width of the flexible tube/hose when the flexible tube/hose is in a collapsed state.

[0035] The first aperture 52 forms part of the first intermediate hinge 26, and the second aperture 54 forms part of the secondary hinge 24. Structurally, it can be valuable for the second squeezing surface 50 to be angled with respect to the axis between these two apertures.

[0036] The clamping linking piece 14 is configured so that when the clamp 10 is closed (e.g., FIG. 1), the second squeezing surface 50 presses flat (or essentially flat) against the squeezing surface 34 on the proximal primary piece 12, to clamp shut a flexible tube/hose between those surfaces.

[0037] In the disclosed embodiment, the center of second aperture 54 is spaced approximately 1? from the line of the second squeezing surface 50. Other distances could be used, and the distance between the two apertures 52 and 54 along the direction of the second squeezing surface could also be varied.

[0038] The Secondary Linking Piece

[0039] The secondary linking piece 16 (best seen in FIGS. 9 and 13) is a structural element that has a first aperture 60 at one end, and a second aperture 62 at the other end.

[0040] The first aperture 60 forms part of the secondary hinge 24, and the second aperture 62 forms part of the second intermediate hinge 28.

[0041] Preferably, the secondary linking piece is a simple, straight element. In the disclosed embodiment, the centers of the two apertures 60 and 62 are separated by approximately 3-?. The distance between the apertures can vary, and will affect the gripping force that is applied on the squeezing surfaces 34 and 50 when the clamp 10 is closed.

[0042] The Distal Primary Piece

[0043] The distal primary piece 18 (best seen in FIGS. 10 and 14) is a structural element that has a handle section 70, a terminal hinge point in the form of aperture 72, and an intermediate hinge point in the form of an aperture 74.

[0044] The handle section 70 is intended to be gripped by a user when squeezing a flexible tube/hose. Like the other handle section 32, it may be shaped or configured accordingly.

[0045] The terminal hinge point 72 forms part of the primary hinge 22, and the intermediate hinge point 74 forms part of the second intermediate hinge 28. Structurally, it is important that the second intermediate hinge point 74 be positioned laterally between the handle section 70 and the terminal hinge point 72.

[0046] An arm 80 of the distal primary piece 18 that carries the handle section 70 is shown here with a recessed surface 82 that accommodates the clamping linking piece 16 when the clamp 10 is closed, as seen in FIG. 1.

[0047] Preferably, the two hinge points 72 and 74 are positioned so that when the clamp 10 is closed (FIG. 1), the intermediate hinge point 74 (and second intermediate hinge 28) is not co-linear with the primary and secondary hinges 22 and 24, but is instead offset toward the squeezing surfaces 34 and 50. In the disclosed embodiment, these three apertures form an angle of approximately 175 degrees when the clamp is fully closed. The angle can be varied depending upon tolerances and the degree of locking desired.

[0048] In the disclosed embodiment, the two hinge points 72 and 74 on the distal primary piece 18 are positioned about 1? apart. This relatively close spacing helps to increase the mechanical advantage afforded by the clamp, and can be varied as desired.

[0049] Operation

[0050] In its closed position (FIGS. 1 and 5), the disclosed clamp 10 is only about 11 long in its longest dimension. The clamp can be opened to an open position (FIGS. 3 and 6) in which distal ends of the squeezing surfaces 34 and 50 are spaced at a distance that exceeds one-and-a-half times the diameter of the typical hose used by forestry firefighters. In this position, the second intermediate hinge 28 lies on a distal side of the imaginary line between the primary and secondary hinges 22 and 24.

[0051] In contrast to the case with pliers-style clamps, the squeezing surfaces 34 and 50 of the new clamp open in the same general direction as the handle sections 32 and 70: i.e., opening toward the end of the handle sections rather than away from the end of the handle sections. As a result, when the operator holds the handles up (in order to most conveniently hold the clamp while squeezing), the force of gravity urges the hose into the squeezing surfaces, rather than away from those surfaces, as occurs with a pliers-style clamp.

[0052] In addition, the handles formed by the handle sections 32 and 70 in this new arrangement serve as a second-degree lever, rather than as a third-degree lever, providing a greater mechanical advantage in less space than the handles of a pliers-style arrangement. A comparison of the clamping forces required to close the three types of clamps on a typical 1-? hose carrying 300 psi is shown below:

[0053] As the handle sections 32, 70 come near their completely closed position, the secondary intermediate hinge 28 crosses the imaginary line between the primary and secondary hinges 22 and 24. Mechanically, the new position provides a locking action that helps to keep the clamp closed.

[0054] This description of various embodiments of the invention has been provided for illustrative purposes. Revisions or modifications may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the invention. The full scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.