ADJUSTABLE P-CLAMP

• US 20170227141A1
• Filed: 02/02/2017
• Published: 08/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hellermanntyton Corporation (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Hellermanntyton Corporation (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: TOLL, MICHAEL, Geiger, Gerard G., Trautfield, Walter Patrick, Rohde, Christopher J., Zick, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 10,119,631 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0215 Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 11/006 by gluing gluing of plastics material B29C65/48
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/10 divided, i.e. with two or more members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/1033 with two members engaging the pipe, cable or tubing, the two members being joined only on one side of the pipe
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/1058 one member being flexible or elastic
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/1075 with two members, the two members being joined with a hinge on one side and fastened together on the other side
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/12 comprising a member substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/1222 the member having the form of a closed ring, e.g. used for the function of two adjacent pipe sections
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/1236 the member being of a material other than metal
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/13 and engaging it by snap action F16L3/1203 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/23 for a bundle of pipes or a plurality of pipes placed side by side in contact with each other F16L3/237 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/2336 having two or more locking barbs F16L3/2338 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/237 for two pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/32 using mounting clamps

Abstract

A P-clamp assembly and method to secure elongate items, such as wires, cables and the like into bundles and to further secure the bundles a support structure. The assembly includes an integrally formed clamp member and a mount element. The clamp member includes a pair of substantially symmetrical, locking arcuate members that includes a hinge mechanism.

Claims

1. A clamp assembly for securing an elongate member, said clamping member comprising:

an integrally formed clamp member and a mount element;

said clamp member having a first and a second curved member, said first and second curved members being substantially symmetrical, shaped to enclose the elongate member and separated by a hinge mechanism;

said hinge mechanism having at least one curved projection configured to be releasably received by a corresponding channel and having an area of reduced thickness therebetween;

a locking mechanism having a tongue member and a slotted opening, said tongue member being adapted to be releasably received in said slotted opening, positioned on the distal end of the first curved member and the slotted opening positioned adjacent the second curved member;

said tongue member having a plurality of serrations extending along a length of the tongue and across a width of the tongue; and

a wedge-shaped pawl having a plurality of teeth located in the slotted opening, said teeth adapted to engage with the serrations when the tongue member is inserted into the slotted opening.

2. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mount element has a mounting aperture configured to receive attachment means thereto.

3. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mount element mounting aperture is configured to receive a fastener.

4. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the mount element mounting aperture further includes an aperture reinforcement member about the aperture.

5. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mount element is overmolded with the clamp member.

6. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mount element is adapted to be positioned at an angled alignment in relation to the clamp member.

7. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mount element further includes an adhesive.

8. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 1 further including at least one cradle member positioned between one of said curved members and said elongate member.

9. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 1 further including a tension tab, said tension tab coupled to said clamp member.

10. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said tension tab is configured to receive a tensioning device to apply a predetermined pressure to said first and second curved members.

11. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the

tension tab is coupled to an opening formed in the clamp member.

12. A clamp assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the tension tab is coupled to an exterior surface of the clamp member.