FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a hose clip. In particular, the invention is a hose clip used for clamping a hose onto a drain pipe of an air conditioning unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hose clips are circular bands with adjustable diameters for securing hoses onto pipes, used generally in automotive and home applications. In air conditioning applications, hose clips are employed for holding a drain hose onto a pipe fitting provided by an air conditioning unit for directing condensate out of the unit through the drain line.

For clamping hose, US1557111A introduced a diameter variable hose clamp used particularly in automobile engines. The hose clamp comes with a clamping band with end portions that mutually overlap in the closed condition of the hose clamp. Created by a single wire, the wire is bent to form at least one ring, at least one hump and at least one hooked tongue that is engageable by the inner curve of the hump. Such configuration of the clip requires fastening of the hose clamp around the hose to be conducted by more than two fingers of the user, especially with fingers of one hand holding the tongue and fingers of another hand to move the inner curve onto the tongue. While this hose clamp is capable of tightening the hose through adjusting diameter of the ring which is the clamping band, this hose clamp is only applicable for securing the hose onto a fitting of a device without being directly attached to the device itself.

A direct attachment of the hose clip to the device itself provides an additional securement of the hose to the device, and helps holding the hose without leaving the hose to hang freely. Such function is demonstrated by the hose clip disclosed in EP2058599B1 which comprises a fixed portion and a clamp portion that are joined together by a connecting portion. The fixed portion is connected to the drainage pipe head whereas the clamp portion is engaged to an anchor portion of the pipe tie-in that is provided by the device at which the hose is connected to. Although the hose clip of EP2058599B1 is capable of clamping the hose onto a fitting of a device through the fixed portion and securing the hose to the device, the hose clip is unable to close the loop of the fixed portion, thus causing the fixed portion to be easily loosened and detached from the hose.

The present invention aims to provide solutions to address limitations of existing hose clips including those mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a hose clip for clamping a hose onto a fitting of a device is provided. The hose clip comprises a clamping portion with adjustable diameter to be fastened around the hose; and a first extension and a second extension protruding respectively beyond periphery of the clamping portion; wherein the first extension has a force-receiving portion protruded and sized in a way which a finger of a user can be received for exerting a force to adjust the diameter, and an arresting end connected to the force-receiving portion that is adapted to be overlapped with the second extension at a portion adjacent the end of the clamping portion that is connected to the second extension upon receiving the force for holding the clamping portion in a reduced diameter configuration which, in use, clamps the hose onto the fitting.

In a preferred embodiment, the second extension terminates in a securing portion defined by an open or closed loop which is substantially normal to the clamping portion.

Preferably, the arresting end is a hook-shaped or a round-shaped end.

It is preferred that the first extension further comprises a joining portion for connecting the clamping portion to the force-receiving portion, whereas the second extension further comprises a connecting portion for connecting the clamping portion to the securing portion.

In addition, it is preferred that the manipulatable extensions are sized and arranged in a way such that they can be manipulated using at least two fingers of one hand of a user respectively.

In particular, it is preferred that the force-receiving portion is adapted to receive force from the thumb of a user, whereas the securing portion is adapted to receive the index finger of a user.

According to the preferred embodiment, the force-receiving portion is in the form of a protrusion extending vertically and substantially normal to the clamping portion.

A preferred embodiment of the force-receiving portion is in the form of a U-shaped structure extending downwards from the end of the clamping portion.

Based on the preferred embodiment, the second extension, in particular the securing portion is secured to an anchor point provided by the device.

Preferably, each of the extensions is a continuous extension of the clamping portion. It is preferred that each of the extensions comprises a plurality of articulated elements.

In the preferred embodiment, the fitting is a pipe and the device is a unit of an air conditioning system.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a unit of an air conditioning system is provided. The unit comprises a hose clip which secures a hose to a drain pipe of the unit through adjusting diameter of a clamping portion of the hose clip that is fastened around the hose, wherein one of the extensions of the hose clip is engaged to an anchor point provided by the unit.

It is preferred that the extension of the hose clip that is engaged to the anchor point is a securing portion defined by an open or closed loop which is substantially normal to the clamping portion.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a hose clip that offers double securement of the hose to the device where the hose is connected to. The first securement is conducted by the clamping portion which clamps the hose, in particular the drain hose onto the fitting of the device, whereas the second securement is carried out by the loop at the second extension which allows the clip to be engaged to an anchor point provided by the device. With such functions, attachment of the hose to the device is kept even if the clamping portion is detached from the hose. Moreover, with the loop engaging to the anchor point at a location near the joining portion of the hose with the fitting, the hose is kept to a close proximity to the fitting even if the hose loosens from the fitting.

Most importantly, the present invention offers an easy and convenient method for transforming the clamping portion from an open loop to a closed loop, and vice versa. Such state-changing of the clamping portion only requires two fingers of a hand of the user. The first extension of the hose clip is fabricated in a way for receiving force from a finger of the user. For closing the open loop of the clamping portion, the first extension is pushed towards the second extension, and the second extension is pushed towards the first extension such that the arresting end is releasably engageable to the second extension through overlapping onto a portion of the second extension. On the other hand, for opening the closed loop of the clamping portion, the first extension and second extension are pushed in a direction towards each other for releasing the arresting end from the second extension. The steps to engage and release the arresting end from the second extension are simple and quick. The present invention provides a reliable hose clip to allow convenient engagement and disengagement of the hose for performing assembling or maintenance work for the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the hose clip.

Figure 2 shows different embodiments of the clamping portion of the hose clip.

Figure 3 shows the process of transforming the open loop of the clamping portion of the hose clip to a closed state.

Figure 4 shows a hose clamped with the hose clip.

Figure 5 shows the process of clamping the hose with the hose clip.

Figure 6 shows the process of engaging the securing portion of the second extension of the hose clip onto an anchor point provided by the device at which the hose is connected to.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings will be described in detail.

Disclosed herein is a hose clip (100) utilised for clamping a hose (200) onto a fitting of a device (300). Applicable fitting includes but not limited to a pipe inlet, outlet, adapter, blushing, flange, nipple and union. According to an example, the hose (200) is fitted onto a pipe outlet of a unit of an air conditioning system as part of the drainage line of the air conditioning system for directing condensate out of the unit.

Referring to Figure 1, the hose clip (100) comprises several parts including the clamping portion (101) and two extensions, namely the first extension and second extension that each protrudes from the clamping portion (101). The clamping portion (101) is in the form of an open loop, preferably annular in shape according to the transverse cross-section shape of the hose (200). However, shapes as shown in Figure 2 including triangle, hexagon, oval and square are applicable as the clamping portion (101). The two extensions that protrude respectively beyond periphery of the clamping portion (101) are manipulatable relative to each other for adjusting diameter of the clamping portion (101).

Varying of the diameter of clamping portion (101) is conducted for transforming the clamping portion (101) from an open loop to a closed loop, and from a closed loop to an open loop, whereby the clamping portion (101) is tightened or loosen around the hose (200). The hose clip (100) is formed by bending a single wire. Thus, each of the extensions is a continuous extension of the clamping portion (101). Both extensions are sized and arranged in a way so that they can be manipulated by a user using at least two fingers of one hand of a user respectively.

Each of the extensions comprises a plurality of articulated elements. The first extension comprises a joining portion (102), a force-receiving portion (103) and an arresting end (104), in which the joining portion (102) connects the clamping portion (101) with the force-receiving portion (103), and the force-receiving portion (103) is sandwiched between the joining portion (102) and the arresting end (104). Preferably, the arresting end (104) is a hook-shaped end or a round-shaped end. In order to allow force to be applied onto the first extension, the force-receiving portion (103) is in the form of a protrusion extending vertically and substantially normal to the clamping portion (101). It is preferred that the force-receiving portion (103) is in the form of a U-shaped structure extending downwards from the end of the clamping portion (101). The U-shaped structure has a bottom arch section inclining forward at an angle with respect to the vertical axis of the U-shaped structure to enable larger width of the finger to be involved in applying force onto the force-receiving portion (103). It should, however, be noted that the force-receiving portion (103) can also be in a non- U-shaped structure protruding upwards or sideways.

On the other hand, the second extension terminates in a securing portion (106) that is defined by an open or closed loop which is substantially normal to the clamping portion (101). It should be noted that the securing portion (106) is not necessary circular or curved in shape. It can be in any shapes including square, triangle and hexagon. The second extension comprises two main portions which are the securing portion (106) and a connecting portion (105) that joins the clamping portion (101) with the securing portion (106). With reference to Figure 1, the clamping portion (101) lies on the transverse plane, whereas the joining portion (102), connecting portion (105) and securing portion (106) lie on the sagittal plane. The force-receiving portion (103) and arresting end (104), on the other hand, lie on the frontal plane. However, it should be noted that the planes of the different portions of the hose clip (100) are not limited to those presented in the accompanying figures. For example, when the clamping portion (101) is in the transverse plane and the securing portion (106) is in the sagittal plane, other than being in the frontal plane, the force-receiving plane (103) can also lie in the sagittal plane or transverse plane. The force-receiving plane can be in the same plane as the securing portion (101) or the securing portion (106).

Figure 3 illustrates the process of fastening the clamping portion (101) through closing the open loop of the clamping portion (101). A force is applied onto the first extension, in particular the force-exerting portion (103) such that the arresting end (104) moves towards the second extension as indicated in Figure 3b. The securing portion (106), on the other hand, is pushed towards the first extension, in particular, the arresting end (104). With reference to Figure 3c, the arresting end (104) then overlaps with the second extension at a portion adjacent the end of the clamping portion (101). In particular, the arresting end (104) overlaps with the connecting portion (105) as depicted in Figure 3d when the inwardly pushing force is released.

When in use, the hose clip (100) is clamped around the hose (200) as shown in Figure 4. The end of the hose (200) that connects to the fitting is preferably formed with a groove (201) where the hose clip (100) is fitted and fastened around. Figure 5 illustrates the step of clamping the groove (201) of the hose (200). As depicted in Figure 5b, a pushing force is exerted onto the force-receiving portion (103) according to the arrow indication. Preferably, the force-receiving portion (103) is adapted to receive force as indicated by the arrow from the thumb of the user, and the loop of the second extension which is the securing portion (106) is adapted to receive the index finger of a user for pushing the second extension towards the first extension, in particular towards the arresting end (104). Figure 5c shows the hose clip (100) having its clamping portion (101) in a reduced diameter configuration in which the hose clip

(100) is seen to be clamping the groove (201) of the hose (200) when the arresting end (104) is engaged onto the connecting portion (105). To unfasten the clamping portion

(101), both the force-receiving portion (103) and the securing portion (106) receive pushing forces respectively for disengaging the arresting end (104) from the connecting portion (105). Similar to the engagement of the arresting end (104) onto the connecting portion (105), the force-receiving portion receives force from the thumb of the user’s hand, and the securing portion (106) receives pushing force from the index finger of the same hand for disengaging the arresting end (104) from the connecting portion (105).

In air conditioning applications, upon clamping the hose (200) onto the pipe outlet fitting as shown in Figure 6a, position of the hose clip (100) is adjusted such that the securing portion (106) faces an anchor point (301) provided by device (300) which is the unit of the air conditioning system as illustrated in Figure 6b. The anchor point (301) is preferably a drain pan rib. The securing portion (106) then engages onto the anchor point (301) as depicted in Figure 6c. Engagement of the securing portion (106) onto the anchor point (301) can be done by the securing portion (106) through being fitted around the anchor point (301). If the securing portion (106) is a closed loop, the securing portion (106) surrounds the anchor point, whereas if the securing portion (106) is an open loop, it will hook onto the anchor point (301).

Although the description above contains many specifications, it is understood that the embodiments of the preferred form are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention and it may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.