Earless clamp structure
First Claim
1. A clamp structure, especially for use in applications in which space conditions do not permit any projecting parts such as plastically deformable ears, comprising clamping band means having open ends formed by an inner and outer band portion intended to overlap, and means mechanically interconnecting the overlapping open ends of the band means including outwardly extending hook means in the inner band portion operable to engage in aperture means in the outer band portion in the installed condition of the clamp structure, characterized in that the means mechanically interconnecting the open ends enable tightening of the band means about an object to be fastened and include tool-engaging means provided in the inner and outer band portions, said tool-engaging means being formed by pressed-out portions pressed-out of the inner and outer band portions and extending generally in the circumferential direction so that each pressed-out portion remains integral at least on both sides thereof with the respective band portion, whereby said tool-engaging means are able to withstand substantial forces in the circumferential direction without tearing which permit a secure tightening of the clamp structure about the object to be fastened without the use of any other tightening means in the clamp structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A clamp structure especially for use in applications in which space conditions do not permit any projecting parts such as plastically deformable ears, and in which outwardly extending hooks adapted to engage in apertures are used to mechanically interconnect the clamp structure; to enable tightening of the band about an object to be fastened, cold-deformed pressed-out embossments are provided in inner and outer band portions, which extend generally in the circumferential direction so that each pressed-out embossment remains integral at least on both sides thereof, where the tool-engaging surfaces thereof are able to withstand very large tightening forces in the circumferential direction which permit a secure tightening of the clamp structure.
106 Citations
38 Claims
- 1. A clamp structure, especially for use in applications in which space conditions do not permit any projecting parts such as plastically deformable ears, comprising clamping band means having open ends formed by an inner and outer band portion intended to overlap, and means mechanically interconnecting the overlapping open ends of the band means including outwardly extending hook means in the inner band portion operable to engage in aperture means in the outer band portion in the installed condition of the clamp structure, characterized in that the means mechanically interconnecting the open ends enable tightening of the band means about an object to be fastened and include tool-engaging means provided in the inner and outer band portions, said tool-engaging means being formed by pressed-out portions pressed-out of the inner and outer band portions and extending generally in the circumferential direction so that each pressed-out portion remains integral at least on both sides thereof with the respective band portion, whereby said tool-engaging means are able to withstand substantial forces in the circumferential direction without tearing which permit a secure tightening of the clamp structure about the object to be fastened without the use of any other tightening means in the clamp structure.
- 31. A mechanical connection between two mutually overlapping band portions forming part of an open clamp structure adapted to be tightened about an object to be fastened, in which at least two outwardly extending hook means provided in the inner band portion are operable to form-lockingly engage in an aperture means provided in the outer band portion, characterized in that at least one hook means is a cold-deformed support hook having a force-engaging surface means and another hook means is a combined guide and support hook having a force-engaging surface means operable to initially guide the inner and outer band portions toward one another and to absorb circumferentially directed forces until assisted in such force absorption by the support hook.
- 34. A three-partite clamp structure, especially for use in applications in which space conditions do not permit any projecting parts, such as plastically deformable ears, which consists of two standard parts and of a band means of a length depending on the desired diameter of the clamp structure in the installed condition when tightened about an object to be fastened, characterized in that two parts formed by two band portions are operable to be mechanically connected with each other in the area of overlap thereof by at least one outwardly extending hook means in the inner band portion engaging in an aperture means in the outer band portion, in that a respective band portion is mechanically connected with the corresponding end of the band means by hook means engaging in aperture means, and in that the inner and outer band portions are provided with tool-engaging means offering substantial resistance in the circumferential direction, whereby clamp structures of different diameter can be obtained by choosing a suitable length of band means, the tool-engaging means being constituted by cold-deformed, pressed-out portions extending generally in the circumferential direction of the clamp structure so that each pressed-out portion remains integral at least on both sides thereof with the respective band portion and the tool-engaging means are able to withstand substantial forces in the circumferential direction without tearing to permit a secure tightening of the clamp structure about the object to be fastened by engagement of the hook means in the aperture means without the use of any other tightening means in the clamp structure.
Specification