Technical Field

[1] This disclosure relates to a metal band serving as a circular fixture, and more particularly to a strip-type metal band for closely fixing an interior material or a finishing material to a circular or cylindrical structure such as a pipe in case the material surrounds the structure. Background Art

[2] A coupling band is a construction material also called a steel band, a band steel or a bar steel in case it is made of steel. A metal band has a thin and long band shape with a steel material rolled into a thin shape. The metal band has various sizes, for example with a thickness of 0.6 to 6 mm and a width of 20 to 1800 mm. If the metal band is formed as a band shape, it may be used as a coupling band. In other case, if the metal band is formed as a long tube shape, it may be made into an electric welded tube or lightweight shape steel.

[3] The metal band disclosed herein is used for fixing an interior or finishing material surrounding an inner or outer cylindrical construction pipe to the pipe or another structure.

[4] For example, in case a water pipe is surrounded by an insulator for the prevention of freezing and burst of the pipe, the pipe is fastened and fixed by metal bands at regular intervals such that the insulator may keep surrounding the pipe. The metal band may be made of any metal with certain strength, and among steels with strong strength, stainless steel or carbon steel sheet are usually used. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] Generally, a metal band is made by putting at least two thin plates one over another.

For fixing the strip-type metal band, the metal band wraps a periphery of an article at least once such that both ends of the metal band meet again. Based on a center strip of the metal band, a coupling portion provided at one end (hereinafter, referred to as a receiving end) of the metal band receives the other end (hereinafter, referred to as an inserted end) while covering it. Also, after the article to be coupled is surrounded by the metal band, the inserted end is bent back in a direction opposite to an insert direction based on the coupling portion such that the inserted end is fixed not to depart from the coupling portion of the receiving end. In addition, for further reinforcing the coupling force, an additional coupling tool such as a screw is generally provided.

[6] Due to the structure of the coupling portion, when a metal band is manufactured, an additional post-process for forming a screw groove in the center strip is required after forming the metal band. For this reason, the time taken for manufacturing the metal band is elongated, which also causes losses in cost.

[7] In addition, in a general metal band, the coupling portion only plays a role as a guiderail of the inserted end and a support when the inserted end is bent back, and the coupling portion has no other role. Moreover, since one end of the general metal band, in which a coupling groove is formed, has a flat band structure, when the metal band is strongly fastened, a worker should grip and pull one end of the metal band with a hand since the one end does not have any grip or groove. The metal band generally has a smooth surface, so a worker should wear a special anti-slip glove. Thus, the work for pulling the metal band with a hand is not easy but needs a long working time and does not ensure firm coupling. Technical Solution

[8] In order to solve the above problem, a metal band is basically configured such that, based on a center strip of the metal band, a coupling portion provided at a receiving end of the metal band receives an inserted end while covering it, and after a subject to be coupled is surrounded by the metal band, the inserted end is bent back in a direction opposite to an insert direction based on the metal portion such that the inserted end is fixed not to depart from the coupling portion of the receiving end. In addition, the metal band further includes engagement wings at both right and left sides thereof to improve its coupling force.

[9] In addition, the metal band according to an embodiment disclosed herein has an integral configuration, not having a laminated structure with two or more layers. In other words, the inserted end, the receiving end, the engagement wings and the coupling portion are integrally provided, so the metal band may be fabricated with one manufacture process without any need of post-process such as riveting, thereby ensuring an excellent production efficiency.

[10] In addition, in case a worker grips and pulls the inserted end of a general metal band, since the inserted end directly gripped and pulled by the worker has a smooth surface as mentioned above, the hand of the worker may slip, which may cause an injury of the worker and decrease a working speed inefficiently. However, the metal band disclosed herein has a pulling groove at the inserted end such that a worker may easily pull the inserted end and couple the metal band by using a hand or a tool such as a hook. For this reason, a working efficiency is improved due to a shortened working time, which also allows cost reduction.

Advantageous Effects

[11] The metal band disclosed herein gives a sufficient coupling force by engaging the coupling groove with the coupling portion, and also the engagement wings give an auxiliary coupling force, so there is no need of an additional coupling tool, which is very efficient in aspect of time and cost.

[12] When using the metal band disclosed herein, a worker may easily pull the inserted end to couple the metal band by using a hook not just with a hand since the pulling groove is provided at the inserted end. For this reason, a working time is shortened, which improves working efficiency and results in cost reduction.

[13] The metal band according to the embodiment disclosed herein is integrally fabricated without any additional post-process, thereby ensuring excellent production efficiency. Brief Description of Drawings

[14] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the disclosed exemplary embodiments will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[15] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a metal band according to an embodiment disclosed herein;

[16] Fig. 2 is a front view showing the metal band according to the embodiment disclosed herein;

[17] Figs. 3 to 6 show a bending structure of engagement wings of the metal band according to the embodiment disclosed herein;

[18] Fig. 7 shows a state before the metal band is coupled to a subject;

[19] Fig. 8 shows a state before the inserted end is inserted into a coupling portion of the receiving end for coupling the metal band to a subject;

[20] Fig. 9 shows that the inserted end of the metal band is inserted into the coupling portion of the inserted end such that the coupling portion is engaged with the coupling groove to couple a subject;

[21] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the process of disposing of the remainder of the inserted end after the metal band according to the embodiment disclosed herein is completely coupled; and

[22] Figs. 11 and 12 show various examples of the metal band according to other embodiments disclosed herein. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[23] Exemplary embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth therein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

[24] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. does not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denotes the presence of at least one of the referenced item. The use of the terms "first", "second", and the like does not imply any particular order, but they are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" or "includes" and/or "including" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[25] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[26] In the drawings, like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. The shape, size and regions, and the like, of the drawing may be exaggerated for clarity.

[27] Figs. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a front view showing a metal band according to an embodiment disclosed herein, respectively, Figs. 3 to 6 show a bending structure of engagement wings of the metal band according to the embodiment disclosed herein, and Figs. 7 to 10 show a coupling state of the metal band according to the embodiment disclosed herein in time series. Figs. 11 and 12 show examples of the coupling portion of the metal band according to other embodiments disclosed herein.

[28] First, referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a metal band 100 according to the embodiment disclosed herein includes an inserted end 120 at one terminal and a receiving end 130 at the other terminal, based on an elongated center strip 110 with a rectangular shape. A pulling groove 122 is provided at a terminal of the inserted end 120. When the inserted end 120 is coupled with the receiving end 130, a worker hooks an auxiliary tool such as a hook to the pulling groove 122 such that the inserted end 120 may be easily pulled and firmly coupled.

[29] Also, the inserted end 120 has a plurality of coupling grooves 121. The coupling grooves 121 are selectively engaged with a coupling portion 140, as will be explained later, to keep a coupled state of the metal band 100, which is coupled with a circular shape. The coupling groove 121 may be provided in plural as necessary. Also, the coupling groove 121 generally has a rectangular hole shape, but it may have other shapes like a circular shape as necessary. In case a plurality of coupling grooves 121 are provided at regular intervals to couple the inserted end 120 with the receiving end 130, it is determined to which coupling groove 121 the coupling portion 140 is hooked and fixed in accordance with thickness and circumference of a subject to be coupled.

[30] The entire metal band 100 including the center strip 110 may be made of metal materials with great strength, among which stainless steel or carbon steel are preferred. Such materials are preferred so as to ensure a sufficient strength of the band 100 over a certain level while keeping a coupling force to a suitable level.

[31] Meanwhile, the receiving end 130 represents a side of the band opposite to the inserted end 120, based on the center strip 110, as mentioned above. The receiving end 130 has the coupling portion 140 and engagement wings 150, which substantially play a coupling role. A terminal of the receiving end 130 of the center strip 110 is half-bent by a press in advance to form a bendable line 151 (hereinafter, a bending line), and then, after the coupling groove 121 is engaged and coupled with the coupling portion 140, the engagement wings 150 play a role of bending the receiving end 130 along the bending line and fix the inserted end 120 so as to give an additional coupling force. A bending structure and a coupling method of the engagement wings 150 will be explained later with reference to Figs. 3 to 6.

[32] Similarly, the coupling portion 140 is integrally provided with the center strip 110 such that the coupling portion 140 may be partially engaged with the coupling groove 121. During a coupling process, the coupling portion 140 passes through the coupling groove 121 and is then bent in a direction opposite to the engagement wings 150, thereby coupling the receiving end 130 with the inserted end 120. Generally, the shape of the coupling portion 140 is determined in accordance with the shape of the coupling groove 121. However, as seen from this embodiment in which the coupling groove 121 has a rectangular shape and the coupling portion 140 is protruded with an arrow shape, the coupling portion 140 may be inserted into and coupled with the coupling groove 121 even when they have different shapes from each other.

[33] Figs. 3 to 6 show a bending process and a coupling process of the engagement wings in order. Fig. 3 shows a state before the engagement wings 150 are bent. At this time, as mentioned above, the bending line 151 is formed to ensure easy and correct bending. In Fig. 4, a terminal of the receiving end 130 is firstly bent along the bending line 151 to make a V shape. In Fig. 5, the terminal of the receiving end 130 is secondly bent such that right and left wings stand up. Fig. 6 shows a finishing process after the coupling portion 140 is completely coupled to the coupling groove 121. At this time, the right and left wings are thirdly bent to surround the inserted end 120. Thus, the engagement wings 150 give an additional coupling force, thereby preventing the coupled state from being released.

[34] Figs. 7 to 10 show a coupling state of the metal band according to the embodiment disclosed herein in time series.

[35] Fig. 7 shows a state before the metal band 100 is coupled to a subject. The subject is generally a pipe- or tube-shaped article. In case an insulating material surrounds a surface of a pipe, for example, the metal band 100 may be used for fixing the insulating material to the pipe.

[36] Fig. 8 shows a state before the inserted end 120 is inserted into the coupling portion

140 of the receiving end 130 such that the metal band 100 couples the subject.

[37] Fig. 9 shows that the inserted end 120 of the metal band 100 is inserted into the coupling portion 140 of the receiving end 130, and thus the coupling groove 121 is engaged with the coupling portion 140 to coupe the subject. The engagement wings 150 are bent while surrounding the inserted end 120. Also, since the pulling groove 122 is provided at the inserted end 120, a worker may easily pull the inserted end by using a tool such as a hook not just with a hand, and the metal band may be easily coupled. For this reason, a working efficiency is improved, which also allows cost reduction.

[38] Fig. 10 shows the process of disposing of the remainder of the inserted end 120 after the metal band 100 according to the embodiment disclosed herein is completely coupled. Since the coupling portion 140 is engaged and fixed to a coupling groove 121 at a desired location, the remainder of the inserted end 120 is not necessary. Thus, it is possible to cut off the remainder by means of a finishing work. Alternatively, the remainder may also be bent in an opposite direction and then left alone. In this way, the metal band 100 according to the embodiment disclosed herein firmly couples the subject.

[39] Figs. 11 and 12 show metal bands according to other embodiments disclosed herein.

There are depicted various shapes of the coupling portion 140. The shape of the coupling portion 140 may be selectively determined.

[40] While the exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[41] In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure not be limited to the particular exemplary embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that this disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.