Movable Clip for Hose Clamps The Related Art

The present invention relates to clamps, which are placed and tightened on the bodies of fluid carrying tools with flexible structures known as hoses or pipes, and thus enabling sealed connection of these tools with each other or with any other connection point.

The invention particularly relates to movable clips which mediate attachment of hose clamps, which ensure sealing of flexible fluid carrying tools known as hoses or pipes, at places where they are connected, to hose, the position of which can be adjusted on the clamp, and which does not get loose when free due to its spring structure.

The Prior Art

In the patent document No. 2006/02184 (F16L 33/02), entitled "Hose Clamp", an open type hose clamp is disclosed. Such hose clamps are preferred so as to ensure that the hoses do not get loose and are compressed at the position of attachment, and thus ensure better sealing.

It is known that different types of hose clamps are used in the prior art. While one of these is an open type hose clamp as disclosed above, some of them contain screwed systems such as in the United Kingdom patent document No. GB2526672 (F16L33/02), entitled "Screwed clamp holder". In this structure, the screwed lock mechanism brings the two ends of the clamp ring closer to each other so as to reduce the diameter thereof and thus squeeze the hose. In the same application, also a protrusion extending outward from the lock mechanism can be seen. Said protrusion ensure that the hose clamp is fixed onto the hose and do not slide. For this purpose, a slot needs to be formed on the hose for the relevant protrusion and these two are required to be brought together. In the USA patent document No. US8060991 (F16L33/02), entitled "Fixing apparatus for hose clamp", an embodiment having a screwed lock mechanism is disclosed. The clip allowing the clamp to be attached to the hose is produced integral form with the lock mechanism. The clip clutches the hose end so as to ensure that the clamp is attached to the hose and does not slide. Such positioning clips are commonly used especially in automotive sector. Their biggest advantage is reducing the mounting time and preventing position errors.

The clips used in the prior art embodiments are either fixed at a single point as shown in the above given example or do not have springiness capability even though they are movable on the band. In such cases, when the clamp is demounted at the hose application point, the clamp band slides from the area where it contacts the positioning clip and does not stay fixed. Therefore, it cannot ensure the duty of maintaining the position of the clamp on the hose. As a result, the need for movable clips mediating attachment, to hoses, of hose clamps, which ensure sealing of hoses at places where they are connected, the position of which can be adjusted, and which maintains its original position when free due to its spring structure, and the inadequacy of the prior art solutions about the subject have necessitated an improvement in the related technical field.

Purpose of the Invention

The invention relates to a movable clip, which meets the above said requirements, eliminates all of the drawbacks, and brings some additional advantages.

The main purpose of the movable clip according to the invention is to clutch the clamp band and bear thereof in a movable manner by means of a fixing component formed on the body to which the tab clutching the hose is connected. The pressure component formed on the fixing component towards the body ensures the clip to stay on the clamp band without sliding before mounting of the clamp to the hose, due to the spring effect. During mounting of the hose to the point of application, due to the springiness characteristic of the pressure component, the clip is prevented from damaging the hose while moving. While demounting the hose from the application point, due to the springiness characteristic, the pressure component recovers back to its original form and thus maintains the position of the clamp on the hose.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide the pressure component with form memory, or in other words, springiness characteristic as a result of being made of metal sheet (springy) material.

Another purpose of the invention is to be able to position the clip on desired points on the clamp band by means of the protrusion-slot relationship between the clip and the clamp band. Said protrusion-slot relationship is made permanent with the help of the pressure component. While the hose clamp is tightened, the pressure component starts to flatten and thus the protrusion-slot relationship ends. However, when the clamp is opened, the pressure component recovers its original form due to its springiness characteristic, and thus this relationship is formed again. In a preferred embodiment, the protrusions are formed on the clamp band, while the slots are formed on the clip body. The protrusions and slots found on the band and the movable clip, respectively, are not necessary components for the invention to perform its task.

The movable positioning clip made of a thinner material than the prior art ones are inserted less into the hose during mounting to the application points of hose etc. parts. In this way, it is aimed to minimize the damage on the hose.

In order to achieve the above said purposes in the most general sense, a movable clip is developed for mediating attachment, to hoses, of hose clamps, which ensure sealing of hoses at places where they are connected, the position of which can be adjusted, and which maintains its original position when free due to its spring structure. The developed movable clip comprises at least one body, which has contact with the clamp band, is movable on the clamp band, on which the tab is connected, and forms the main structure, at least one fixing component formed on the body and clutching the clamp band, and at least one pressure component formed on the fixing component towards the direction of the body and having a form memory.

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all of its advantages shall be understood better with the figures and the detailed description given below in reference to the figures, and therefore, the assessment should be made by taking into account the said figures and detailed explanations.

Figures for Better Understanding of the Invention

For better understanding of the embodiment of the present invention and its advantages with its additional components, it should be evaluated together with below described figures. Figure - 1 : is a side view of the hose clamp to which the movable clip according to the invention is connected.

Figure - 2: is an end view of the hose clamp to which the movable clip according to the invention is connected.

Figure - 3: is a close-up view of the band of the hose clamp to which the movable clip according to the invention is connected.

Figure - 4: is a section view of the band of the hose clamp to which the movable clip according to the invention is connected.

Figure - 5: is a perspective view of the movable clip according to the invention.

Figure - 6a: is a side view of the movable clip according to the invention, when the pressure component is in closed position.

Figure - 6b: is a side view of the movable clip according to the invention, when the pressure component is in open position.

Figure - 7: is a perspective view of the movable clip according to the invention, in which the clamp band is attached thereon and the pressure component is in closed position. Figure - 8: is a perspective view of the movable clip according to the invention, in which the clamp band is attached thereon and the pressure component is in open position.

Figure - 9: is a section view of the movable clip according to the invention, in which the clamp band is attached thereon and the pressure component is in open position.

Figure - 10: is a section view of the hose clamp to which the movable clip according to the invention is connected, together with the hose on which it is tightened.

Figure - 1 1 : is an end view of the hose clamp to which the movable clip according to the invention is connected, together with the hose on which it is tightened.

Figure - 12: is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the pressure component of the movable clip according to the invention. Parts References

10 Hose clamp 52 Tab

20 Fixed clip 53 Insert

30 Tightening mechanism 54 Fixing component

31 Screw Housing 55 Pressure component

32 Screw 56 Gap

40 Clamp Band 57 Slot

41 Integral spring 58 Flexion bend

42 Band threads 60 Hose

43 Protrusion X Band axis

50 Movable clip y Clip axis

51 Body Detailed Description of the Invention

Figures 1 and 2 respectively show the end and side views of the hose clamp (10) to which the movable clip (50) according to the invention is connected. The hose clamp (10) shown in the figures is a screw (32) type unit. In this embodiment, a clamp band (40) ensuring fixing and sealing by surrounding the hose (60) and a Tightening mechanism (30) used for changing the diameter of the circle formed by the clamp band (40) are found. The hose clamp (10) Tightening mechanism (30) shown in the figures consists of Band threads (42) found on the clamp band (40), a screw (32) allowing adjustment of the clamp band (40) diameter when fitted into the Band threads (42) and rotated, and a Screw Housing (31 ) in which the screw (32) moves. On this structure, preferably; a Integral spring (41 ) maintaining sealing according to thermal expansion in hot-cold situations, and a fixed clip (20) inseparably positioned on the clamp band (40) can be found. The movable clip (50) shown in Figure 5 with a perspective view, guides the positioning of the clamp on the hose (60) by means of the tab (52) thereof, as in the fixed clip (20). Its difference lies in having movable characteristic on the clamp band (40). For this purpose, the movable clip (50) comprises: at least one body (51 ), which has contact with the clamp band (40), is movable on the clamp band (40), on which the tab (52) is connected, and forms the main structure, at least one fixing component (54) formed on the body (51 ) and clutching the clamp band (40), and at least one pressure component (55) formed on the fixing component (54) towards the direction of the body (51 ) and having a form memory.

Figure 9 is a section view of the movable clip (50), in which the clamp band (40) is attached thereon and the pressure component (55) is in open position. A protrusion (43) and slot (57) relationship is found between the movable clip (50) and the clamp band (40). Preferably, the protrusion (43) formed on the clamp band (40) enters into the slot (57) formed on the body (51 ) and thus allows fixing of the body (51 ) onto the clamp band (40). In alternative embodiments, the components on which the protrusion (43) and the slot (57) are formed are interchangeable. The important point here is that the protrusion (43) and slot (57) should correspond to each other.

In figures 3 and 4, respectively, the close-up and section views of the clamp band (40) and the protrusions (43) are shown. In a preferred embodiment, at least one protrusion (43) is found on the band axis (x) transversely intersecting said clamp band (40). Similarly, as can be seen from Figure 5, at least one slot (57) is found on the clip axis (y) that lies in parallel with the band axis (x) longitudinally intersecting the body (51 ). Preferably at least two protrusions (43) and a slot (57) are used. In this way, the rotational movement of the movable clip (50) on the clamp band (40) is also prevented. Moreover, by changing the angle of the band axis (x) with regard to the clamp band (40), it can also be positioned in different forms.

In figures 6a and 6b, the closed and open side view positions of the movable clip (50) and the pressure component (55) are given, respectively. The fixing component (54) is connected to the body (51 ) by means of a flexion bend (58). The flexion bend (58) also allows changing the position of the fixing component (54) with regard to the body (51 ). In this way, the fixing component (54) and therefore the pressure component (55) can be brought closer to or moved away from the body (51 ) or the clamp band (40) (after mounting of the movable clip (50) to the clamp band (40), the fixing component (54) is preferably brought to vertical position (the flexion bend (58) angle is preferably 90 degrees)). As can be seen from figures 7 and 8, there are preferably two pressure components (55) connected to the fixing component (54). These are separated from each other by means of a gap (56). Said gap (56) allows the pressure components (55) to apply pressure and hold onto the clamp band (40) independently of one another. In this way, the pressure components (55) can have springiness independently of each other. Moreover, as can be seen from figure 12, an embodiment without a gap, having the ends of said pressure components (55) combined may also be preferred. For fixing the hose clamp (10) onto the hose (60), protrusions (43) formed on the clamp band (40) made of metal sheet material are found. The movable clip (50) piece made of metal sheet material comprises slots (57), a pressure component (55), a fixing component (54), and tab (52) structures. The inserts (53) formed on the tab (52) allow holding by means of being inserted into the hose (60) like a needle as shown in figure 10.

The slots (57) found on the movable clip (50) are placed onto the protrusions (43) formed on the clamp band (40) via embossing method. Afterwards, pressure is applied on the fixing component (54) so as to allow its rotation around the flexion bend (58) and allow the flexible Pressure component (55) to contact the clamp band (40) as shown in figure 7. The movable clip (50) is fixed on the clamp band (40) in a removable manner.

During mounting of the hose clamp (10) onto the hose (60), the inserts (53) found on the tab (52) of the movable clip (50) are inserted into the hose (60), and thus mounting is completed. When the diameter of the hose clamp (10) starts to narrow down with the rotating force applied onto the screw (32) found on the hose clamp (10), the pressure component (55) starts to flatten with the impact of the force in opposite direction to the tightening force and parallel to the hose (60) surface, and thus the movable clip (50) is released from the protrusions (43) found on the clamp band (40) and starts to move angularly in parallel to the surface of the clamp band (40).

When the hose (60) is to be removed from its area of use, with the help of a rotating force applied in opposite direction to the screw (32) found on the hose clamp (10), the diameter of the hose clamp (10) starts to increase and the pressure component (55) stretches and recovers its original form. In this case, the slots (57) found on the movable clip (50) are positioned back onto the protrusions (43) found on the clamp band (40) and thus recover their original state. In this way, as a result of the demounting application performed at the point of use of the hose (60), the hose clamp (10) maintains its position as before mounting. For operation of this structure, presence of the protrusion (43) found on the clamp band (40) and the slots (57) found on the movable clip (50) are not necessary. The protrusions (43) found on the clamp band (40) allow the movable clip (50) to be positioned on the clamp band (40) with the desired angle.