FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to repair of pressurised (e.g., hydraulic) hoses and specifically to an assembly for repairing a pressurised hose.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The Applicant has been in the business of repairing hydraulic hoses for many years and has noted many unforeseen hydraulic hose ruptures resulting in heavy machinery malfunctioning. On a busy construction site or on a farm where planting season is afoot, a hydraulic hose rupture can mean days or weeks where no work can be done whilst waiting for a new hose. The Applicant realised that a solution was needed to keep machinery or businesses going while waiting for a new hose.

In water or hose pipes, there are various types of clamps or other hose fixes of which the Applicant is aware, but none of them can withstand the high pressures required when working with hydraulic hoses (or high-pressure hoses in general). The Applicant is not aware of any product suitable for at least temporary repair of hydraulic hoses. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides an assembly for repairing a pressurised hose, the assembly comprising: a pair of complemental clamp elements, each clamp element having a longitudinal axis, wherein: each clamp element has an arched, central portion defining a semicircular channel; each clamp element has flat, lateral portions respectively provided along sides of the central portion; an inner surface of the central portion defines a recessed mid-section such that the semi-circular channel in the region of the mid-section has a larger radius than a remainder of the semi-circular channel; the inner surface of the central portion defines end sections each side of the mid-section which define gripping formations; and when the pair of clamp elements are placed together with their respective semi-circular channels aligned along the longitudinal axes, a circular channel is formed; a hollow, tubular element matched to the circular channel, wherein: an outer surface of the tubular element defines a raised mid-section matched to the recessed mid-sections of the clamp elements; and the outer surface of the tubular element defines end sections either side of the raised mid-section which defines gripping formations; and at least one bladder element configured to be accommodated within the recessed mid-sections of one of the clamp elements.

"Pressurised hose" may mean that the hose is intended to be pressurised or to sustain a pressure, and not necessarily that it is pressurised at all times. The pressurised hose may be pressurised during normal operation but unpressurised during repair thereof, e.g., during fitment of the assembly. The pressurised hose may be a hydraulic or pneumatic hose. In some hydraulic or pneumatic operations, the hydraulic or pneumatic hoses are subject to high pressure levels, which may cause conventional clamps or sleeves to fail or burst. "Pressurised" in the context of this specification may reference higher pressures than domestic hoses (e.g., garden hoses) and refer to working pressures associated with pneumatic or hydraulic hoses.

The assembly may be sized to fit a specific type or size of pressurised hose. The assembly compatible may be compatible with rubber and/or reinforced (one-wire, two- wire or four-wire) hydraulic hoses and may not necessarily be manufacturer-specific.

The assembly may be intended for temporary repair of the pressurised hose until a replaced hose can be procured. The assembly may be fittable on-site or in situ without specialised or high-pressure tools needed.

The assembly may be reusable.

The assembly may include a pair bladder elements, each bladder element configured to be accommodated within the recessed mid-section of one of the clamp elements. The bladder elements in the pair may be identical.

The assembly may include a fastening arrangement configured to fasten the pair of clamp elements together. The fastening arrangement may include a plurality of mechanical fasteners, e.g., nuts and bolts. The clamp members may include a plurality of complemental apertures configured to receive the mechanical fasteners.

The clamp elements in the pair may be identical.

The clamp elements may have a cross-sectional profile which resembles that of a saddle clamp or is Ω-shaped. Each clamp element may be a unitary piece of material, e.g., being plate-like. The clamp elements may be elongate or slab-like.

The clamp elements and/or the tubular element may be of metal, e.g., steel.

The bladder element may be of a polymeric material, e.g., rubber.

In assembly or in use, ends of the pressurised hose which are to be joined together may be received over respective end sections of the tubular element each side of the raised mid-section. In assembly or in use, the bladder elements may be placed within respective recessed mid-sections of the clamp elements. In assembly or in use, the clamp elements may be clamped together over the tubular element and the ends of the pressurised hose, such that the raised mid-section of the tubular element bears against the bladder elements with the recessed mid-sections of the clamp members. In assembly or in use, the gripping formations of the clamp members may bear against an outer surface of the ends of the pressurised hose and the gripping formations of the tubular element bear against an inner surface of the ends of the pressurised hose, thus holding or clamping the ends of the pressurised hose in place. In assembly or in use, the fastening arrangement may fasten or clamp the clamp members together.

The gripping formations of the clamp elements and/or of the tubular element may be one or more of: barbs; ridges; steps e.g., with a sawtooth profile; or threads, e.g., a screw-thread. In one embodiment, the gripping formations of the tubular element may be in the form of helical screw-thread. The screw-thread of end sections of the tubular element may be of opposite orientation, e.g., one being right-hand thread and the other being left-hand thread.

The gripping formations of the clamp elements may be ridges having a triangular cross-sectional profile thus having on overall sawtooth profile.

The invention extends to a kit for the assembly for repairing a pressurised hose, the kit including: at least two clamp elements; at least one tubular element; at least two bladder elements; a fastening arrangement comprising plurality of mechanical fasteners.

The invention extends to a method of repairing a damaged pressurised hose using the assembly as defined above, the method including: fitting one end of the hose over one of the end sections of the tubular element and fitting another end of the hose over the other end section of the tubular element; accommodating the bladder element within with recessed mid-section of the each of the clamp elements; placing the pair of clamp elements over the tubular element with the hose ends fitted thereto, such that the semi-circular channels together form a circular channel in which the tubular element and the ends of the hose are accommodated; and securing the clamp elements together, such that the hose ends are clamped between the respective gripping formations of the clamp elements and the tubular elements and the bladder elements span a gap between the ends of the hose, thereby providing a fluid tight flow path between the hose ends even when the hose becomes pressurised.

The method may include cutting or snipping the ends of the hose prior to use of the assembly which may produce a cleaner fit onto the tubular element.

The assembly may be used to repair (at least temporarily) a severed or badly damaged hose. Where the hose has not been fully severed, it may need to be cut and the ends neatened.

The assembly may also be used without the tubular element, thus only with the clamp elements and bladder elements, to repair a small tear by fitting the clamp and bladder elements over the tear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional top view of a clamp element forming part of an assembly for repairing a pressurised hose, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional bottom view of the clamp element of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the clamp element of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the clamp element of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the clamp element of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 shows an end view of the clamp element of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 7 shows a three-dimensional view of a tubular element forming part of the assembly;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the tubular element of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows an end view of the tubular element of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows a three-dimensional view of a bladder element forming part of the assembly;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the bladder element of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows an end view of the bladder member of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a clamp element forming part of a second embodiment of an assembly for repairing a pressurised hose, in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 14 shows another three-dimensional exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiment described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

An assembly 100, 200, 300 for repairing a pressurised hose comprises three main components, namely a clamp element 100 (FIGS 1 -6), a tubular element 200 (FIGS 7-9), and a bladder element 300 (FIGS 10-12). More specifically, the assembly 100, 200, 300 comprises a pair of clamp elements 100, a single tubular element 200, and a pair of bladder elements 300.

FIGS 1 -6 illustrate the clamp element 100 which is elongate having a longitudinal axis. The clamp element 100 has an arched, central portion 104 defining a semicircular channel 108. The clamp element 100 has flat, lateral portions 106 respectively provided along sides of the central portion 104. Differently defined, the central portion 104 could be considered a main body of the clamp element 100 and the lateral portions 106 could be considered flanges.

An operatively inner surface of the central portion 104 defines a recessed midsection 1 10 such that the semi-circular channel 108 in the region of the mid-section 1 10 has a larger radius than a remainder of the semi-circular channel 108. The inner surface of the central portion 104 defines end sections 1 12 each side of the mid-section 1 10 which define gripping formations in the form of teeth 1 14 having a triangular sectional profile. When a pair of the clamp elements 100 are placed together with their respective semi-circular channels 108 aligned along the longitudinal axes, a circular channel is formed. In side view (FIG. 6) the clamp element 100 has a familiar profile of a saddle clamp and the semi-circular shape of the channel 108 is clearly visible.

The lateral portions 106 each define a series of apertures or sockets for receiving mechanical fasteners (nuts and bolts, in this example) which form part of a fastening arrangement. The pair of clamp elements 100 may be identical or may differ slightly, e.g., the apertures 120 of one clamp element 100 may be arranged for a nut while the apertures 120 on the other clamp element 10Omay be arranged for a bolt.

FIGS 7-9 illustrates the tubular element 200 which is cylindrical and hollow. The tubular element 200 is smaller (that is, has a smaller diameter) than the circular channel formed the two semi-circular channels 108 of the clamp elements 100 and the tubular element 200 can thus fit inside the channel. The tubular element 200 has an outer surface which defines a raised mid-section 202 matched to the recessed mid-sections 1 10 of the clamp elements 100. In this embodiment, the raised mid-section 202 has a hexagonal profile, which may assist with gripping by a tool like pliers or a spanner, if needed.

The outer surface of the tubular element 200 also defines end sections 204 either side of the raised mid-section 202 which defines gripping formations. In this example, the gripping formations are in the form of a helical screw-thread 206. The screw- threads 206 on opposite end sections 204 is in opposite directions. Also, the end sections 204 taper slightly at their free ends to facilitate insertion into a hose.

The tubular element 200 defines a central, coaxial fluid flow path through which the pressurised fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid) will be permitted, and directed, to flow once the assembly 100, 200, 300 is fitted to a hose.

The assembly 100, 200, 300 also has a pair of bladder elements 300 (only one of which is illustrated). FIGS 10-12 illustrate various views of the bladder element 300 which may be thought of as a sheath, sleeve, seal, or gasket. The bladder element 300 has a peripherally extending lip 302. The bladder element 300 is configured to be seated within the recessed mid-section 1 10 of the clamp member 100 and the lip 302 assists in locating the bladder element 300 within the recessed mid-section 1 10 (which thus functions as a seat for the bladder element 300).

FIGS 13-14 illustrates an exploded view of a second embodiment of an assembly 100,1 , 200.1 , 300.1 for repairing a pressurised hose, with corresponding reference numerals referencing corresponding parts.

In use, a pressurised hose (further described with reference to a hydraulic hose in a machine or vehicle) may become damaged and leak or otherwise be unable to maintain hydraulic pressure. While the ultimate solution may be to replace the whole hose, this may be impossible or impracticable on-site and downtime of the machine or vehicle could result in significant financial losses. Accordingly, the assembly 100, 200, 300 may be used to repair the hose at least temporarily.

Hose breaks are often not clean or along planar lines, often being bursts or ruptures. Accordingly, a user (e.g., a technician or repairman) may first need to cut the hose cleanly in two (if the burst did not break the hose in two) and then neaten or snip the ends of the hose to create clean, transverse edges.

The ends of the hose are then fitted over the respective end sections 204 of the tubular element 200. The end sections 204 are tapered which helps with the hose fitment. The hose ends may need to be forced and worked to get them all the way over the end sections 204. This can be assisted by grasping the raised mid-section 202 with a tool. Also, because the screw-threads 206 are in opposite directions, rotating the tubular element 200 correctly will urge both ends of the hose towards the raised mid-section 202 - having a similar action to a turnbuckle.

Next, the bladder elements 300 are placed inside the recessed mid-sections 1 10 of the clamp elements 100. The lips 302 of the bladder elements 300 help locate the bladder elements 300 snugly within the recessed mid-sections 1 10 which will assist in making a fluid-tight seal (see below). This is done for each of the pair of clamp elements 100 using respective bladder elements 300.

Then, clamp elements 100 are then placed around the tubular elements 200 and hose ends. Care is taken to align the recessed mid-sections 1 10 of the clamp elements 100 with the raised mid-section 202 of the tubular element 200 (and the bladder elements 200 will be interposed therebetween). The clamp elements 100 are also aligned with each other: the apertures 120 of the clamp elements 100 are aligned.

As the recessed mid-sections 202 (and the bladder sections 300) are longer than the raised mid-section 202 of the tubular element 200, the bladder sections 300 will overlap and thus make contact with the ends of the hose. The bulk of the hose ends received within the circular channel will be sandwiched between the teeth 1 14 of the clamp elements 100.

The clamp elements 100 are then attached together using nuts and bolts through the aligned apertures 120 and tightened so as to bear against, and even squeeze, the hose ends therebetween. The parts of the hose clamped between the teeth 1 14 of the clamp elements 100 and the screw-thread 206 of the tubular element 200 are mechanically securely help, and resist withdrawal of the hose, even under pressure. This may also provide a degree of fluid sealing.

The part of the hose clamped between the bladder 200 provides fluid sealing and perhaps also a degree of mechanical support. Ultimately, only one path remains for the hydraulic fluid to travel and that is through and along the fluid flow path 210 provided by the tubular element 200.

When fitted properly, the assembly 100, 200, 300 (with the same or similar comments applying to the second embodiment of the assembly 100.1 , 200.1 , 300.1 ) along the hydraulic hose to continue to provide hydraulic pressure to the machine or vehicle which may then continue to operate for days or weeks until a replacement hose con be sourced.

Also, the assembly 100, 200, 300 may be reusable. When a replaced hose is sourced, the assembly 100, 200, 300 can be removed and stored for future use.

The assembly 100, 200, 300 can be installed on-site, without requiring a dedicated workshop or specialised tools - pliers or a spanner should suffice.