A self-tightening lamp formed from spring steel band material which exerts clamping forces by the inherent springiness of the band material. To minimize outwardly projecting parts with their injury danger and to obtain an inner clamping surface substantially devoid of any gaps or steps, the end of the outer band end portion is provided with an elongated slot adapted to receive the tongue-like overlapped inner band end portion. Temporary locking of the clamp is realized by a detent member in the tongue-like inner band end portion adapted to be lockingly engaged by a locking surface in the outer band portion. The elongated slot is thereby of such width as to accommodate the tongue-like inner band portion whereby the detent member is located in the elongated slot when the clamp is in its clamping position.

The present invention relates to a self-tightening clamp made from spring 
steel band material which produces a clamping force as a result of its 
inherent springiness. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Self-tightening clamps made from spring wire or spring steel band material 
are known as such in the prior art. Such types of clamps are commercially 
available, for example, as "Mubea" clamps. As known, such self-tightening 
clamps produce the clamping force by the inherent elasticity causing the 
clamps to assume a reduced diametric dimension. To install these types of 
clamps, they have to be opened against the inherent spring force present 
in the band material. To that end, the prior art self-tightening clamps 
are provided with outwardly projecting distal ends or tabs for engagement 
by a suitable tool. However, such tool-engaging tabs which project 
radially outwardly a substantial distance, represent an ever-present 
source of injury, for example, in assembly work within the area of the 
engine compartment or at other, not easily accessible places, such as the 
fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel vent lines, CV joints, etc., not to mention 
the fact that in many applications, such as in the automotive industry, 
projecting parts in such clamps are undesirable in many cases for lack of 
adequate space. 
Self-tightening clamps, which can be held in the open position for delivery 
to the customer are also known in the prior art. For example, European 
patent application 0 303 505 describes several embodiments in which either 
a separate holder is placed over the radially outwardly distal ends of 
projecting tabs (FIGS. 19 and 20 of the EP 0 303 505 A1) or a radially 
outwardly directed tab, formed at one distal end of the clamping band has 
to be displaced in front of a support piece to temporarily lock the clamp 
in the open or expanded position. 
The German Patent DE 36 33 486 C1 as also the German patent DE 38 32 875 C1 
describe other constructions of self-tightening clamps in which radially 
outwardly directed tabs can be temporarily locked in the open clamp 
position. 
The prior art self-tightening clamps of the type described hereinabove all 
entail certain drawbacks. They all involve tab members extending 
relatively far radially outwardly, which is undesirable if not 
unacceptable for injury and/or space reasons pointed out hereinabove. 
Additionally, many of these prior art clamps require special tools to open 
and/or release the temporarily locked clamp after installation over the 
hose to be tigthened. This, in turn, jeopardizes their use in markets 
other than the OEM market, such as in the after-market. Furthermore, there 
exists always the danger that such prior art clamps are installed 
incorrectly, absent the use of the special tools, which may lead to 
product liability claims that involve substantial costs to establish the 
absence of liability of the manufacturer for the incorrectly mounted 
clamps. Additionally, these prior art clamps entail the disadvantage that 
they do not assure an internal clamping surface devoid of any steps or 
gaps which is important to minimize leakages within the area of gaps or 
steps. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention eliminates the aforementioned shortcomings and 
drawbacks encountered in the prior art by extraordinarily simple means in 
a self-tightening clamp which can be readily manufactured and permits ease 
of handling both for opening and installing the clamp. 
The underlying problems are solved in one embodiment according to the 
present invention in that the outer band end portion of the overlapping 
band portions is provided with a bridging portion while the inner band end 
portion is provided with a tongue-like part adapted to pass underneath the 
bridging portion. The inner band end portion is also provided with a 
detent member which preferably has an external surface slanting down in a 
direction opposite the free end of the inner band portion so as to 
facilitate sliding movement underneath the bridging portion during opening 
of the clamp. The bridging portion may be provided with an aperture 
complementary in shape to the detent member so as to provide a locking 
action when the detent member snaps into the aperture during opening of 
the clamp as a result of its inherent springiness. The distal ends of the 
inner and outer band portions ma be bent up slightly to provide 
tool-engaging surfaces. Furthermore, a substantially stepless, gap-free 
internal clamping surface is assured by the tongue-like part passing 
underneath the bridging portion. 
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the tool-engaging 
surface in the outer band portion is formed by the edges at the distal end 
of the bridging portion while the tool-engaging surface of the inner band 
portion is formed by a slightly raised distal end of the inner band end 
portion extending in the circumferential direction. The tongue-like inner 
band end portion can thereby extend through a longitudinal slot in the 
outer band portion of such width as to permit the tongue-like inner band 
end portion to extend therethrough. 
The detent member may be of circular, part-circular, rectangular, oval 
shape or other appropriate shape realized by cold deformation after 
suitable cuts are made to permit pressing out the detent member. The 
detent member may also be in the shape of a cold-deformed hook-like member 
as disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,012. 
The bridging portion which is defined by lateral leg portions joined by a 
connecting portion has thereby preferably a depth such that the inner 
surface of the tongue-like inner ban end portion is flush with the inner 
clamping surfaces of the outer band end portion in the band parts 
laterally remaining on both sides of th bridging portion. 
According to another feature of the present invention and in order to 
further reduce any injury danger, the free ends of the outer band end 
portion as also the free end of the inner band end portion may be bent 
back upon themselves with small radii of curvature so that the 
tool-engaging surfaces are then formed by the transversely extending 
bent-back surfaces. 
The bent-back end portions may thereby be bent back either in the outward 
direction and/or in the inward direction. The bent-back outer band end 
portion may be provided with generally inwardly extending end sections, so 
spaced from the outer band portion surface as to provide a locking action 
when the detent member passes underneath the end sections of the bentback 
outer band portion. The bent-back outer band end portion is thereby 
elastically lifted outwardly and will, as a result of the inherent spring 
characteristics of the clamping band, spring back inwardly once the detent 
section has passed underneath the same, thereby providing the locking 
action. In the alternative, the detent member in the inner band end 
portion may also be formed by an undulated band section with the 
rounded-off outwardly protruding transition section constituting the 
detent surface. 
According to the present invention, a special tool may also be provided for 
opening and releasing the different types of self-tightening clamps which 
is simple in construction, easy to manufacture and assemble and reliable 
in use. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
self-tightening clamp made from band spring steel which avoids the 
aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks encountered in the prior art. 
Another object of the present invention resides in a self-tightening clamp 
of the type described hereinabove which avoids parts extending outwardly a 
relatively large distance and assures at the same time an internal 
clamping surface substantially devoid of any steps or gaps. 
Still another object of the present invention resides in a self-tightening 
clamp of the type described above which minimizes any injury danger by the 
absence of any sharp projecting edges. 
A further object of the present invention resides in a self-tightening 
clamp which can be manufactured in a simple, cost-efficient manner, can be 
opened by the use of a simple conventional tool, and can be released from 
the temporarily locked open position by mere finger pressure or by use of 
an appropriate conventional tool. 
Still another object of the present invention resides in a self-tightening 
clamp which offers ease of handling for purposes of installing the same 
over a hose to be tigthened thereby on a nipple or connecting pipe stub.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference numerals are used 
throughout the various views to designate like parts, and more 
particularly to FIGS. 1 through 10, the clamp generally designated by 
reference numeral 20 is made from appropriate spring steel band material 
and includes a clamping band 21 having overlapping inner and outer band 
end portions 21a and 21b, respectively. The outer band end portion 21b is 
provided with an elongated opening 22 of such width as to permit the inner 
end portion 21a of tongue-like configuration to extend therethrough. The 
outer band end portion 21b includes a bridging portion 23 of approximately 
U-shaped cross section whose height is determined by the lateral leg 
portions 24 (FIG. 6) joined by the top surface of the bridging portion. 
The depth of the bridging portion 23 is thereby preferably such that the 
inner clamping surface of the tongue-like inner band end portion 21a is 
flush with the remaining lateral band sections 21b' (FIG. 7) remaining 
laterally on both sides of the leg portions 24 in the outer band end 
portion 21b. In practice, this means that the depth of the bridging 
portion corresponds substantially to the thickness of the band material 
which, with band material as used for such self-tightening clamps, results 
in an almost negligible outward projection. As can be seen in particular 
in FIGS. 1 and 9, the interaction of the tongue-like inner band portion 
21a with the remaining lateral band sections 21b' assures an internal 
clamping surface devoid of any step or discontinuity as the inner and 
outer band portions 21 a and 21b can be caused to merge in such a manner 
as to produce a truly circular internal clamping surface capable of 
adapting itself to dimensional tolerances in the hose diameter. 
Appropriate heat treatment in a conventional manner of the clamping band 
will permanently set the necessary configurations into the clamping band 
to achieve these results. 
The bridging portion 23 is provided with an aperture 25 for engagement by a 
detent member 26 formed in the inner band end portion 21a. The detent 
member 26 illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1--10 is of part circular 
shape and is formed by pressing out the inner band end material after a 
cut along the front part of the detent member 26. However, it is 
understood that the particular shape and configuration of the detent 
member 26 may also differ, for example, may be of rectangular, triangular, 
oval or full circular configuration or may be a hook-like member as 
described in connection with the support hooks in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 
4,299,012. In each case, the aperture 25 will have to be adapted to the 
particular configuration of the detent member 26. As can also be seen in 
FIG. 7, the outer surface of the detent member 26 slopes downwardly toward 
the inner band end portion in a direction opposite to the free end of the 
inner band portion 21a so as to facilitate the detent member 26 to slide 
underneath the bridging portion 23. With the application of opening forces 
by conventional pliers or pincer-like tools at the tool-engaging surfaces 
of the inner and outer band end portions, the detent member 26 will slide 
underneath the bridging portion 23 and, in the course thereof, may even 
lift slightly the outer band end portion 21b which is possible due to its 
springiness. 
In the illustrated embodiment, the tool-engaging surface at the outer band 
end portion is formed by an obliquely outwardly extending end section 27 
which projects only a small distance radially outwardly due to the acute 
angle between this end section 27 and the circumferential direction of the 
clamping band. The tool-engaging surface 28 of the inner band end portion 
21a is formed by a generally radially bent-up end section 28 which again 
projects only slightly out of the normal circumference of the clamp. While 
the tool-engaging surfaces 27 and 28 could be made to extend across the 
full width of the outer and inner band end portions, they only extend over 
a part, approximately one-half the width of the band end portions, the 
other parts being formed by circumferentially extending end sections 30 
and 29, respectively, to facilitate the application of radially inwardly 
or outwardly directed forces, for example, to assist in the release, 
respectively, detent engagement of the clamp. The end section 29 thereby 
consists of a generally radially outwardly extending section 29a adjoined 
by a short straight section 29b extending generally in the circumferential 
direction. The outermost ends of the inner and outer band portions 21a and 
21b at the end sections 27 and 28 are thereby spaced in the radially 
outward direction only a small distance from the outer contour of the 
clamp, for example, at most about five times the thickness of the clamping 
band and as little as about 3-5 times the thickness of the clamping band. 
The clamp which normally assumes its clamping position of reduced diametric 
dimension (FIGS. 1 and 9) can be shipped to the customer in a temporarily 
locked open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 10 in which it is then mounted 
over the hose generally designated by reference numeral 40 which has 
previously been mounted over a nipple or pipe stub generally designated by 
reference numeral 50. The thus-installed clamp can then be released into 
its clamping position by merely applying pressure on the circumferentially 
extending tab portion 29. Depending on the particular material of the 
clamping band and its thickness, finger pressure may be adequate. However, 
if necessary, a screwdriver or similar tool can also be used for that 
purpose. 
FIGS. 11-15 illustrate a modified embodiment of a self-tightening clamp in 
accordance with the present invention in which similar reference numerals 
are again used to designate similar parts. The embodiment of FIGS. 11-15 
differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10 in that the aperture 25 as also 
the tool-engaging end part 27 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10 are omitted 
and are constituted by the edge surfaces 23' of the distal end of the 
bridging portion 23. Additionally, the distal end of the inner band end 
portion includes a tool-engaging surface formed by the outwardly extending 
band part 29a and by the circumferentially extending band part 29b which 
now extend As to the rest, the embodiment of FIGS. 11-15 is similar in 
structure and operation to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10 and what was said 
with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10 therefore equally applies to 
the embodiment of FIGS. 11-15. The tool for opening the clamp may be a 
conventional pincer-like tool to be used as described in connection with 
FIG. 19 or conventional pliers or also a special plier-like tool in which 
the jaws engaging with the end surface 23' are provided with a central 
opening to permit the passage therethrough of detent member 26 which ma 
also be of reduced width. 
The embodiment of FIG. 16 differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 11-15 in 
that the outer band end portion 21b, instead of forming the bridging 
portion 23 of FIGS. 1-10, is outwardly bent back upon itself by way of 
rounded-off transition section 21b''' to form a bridging section 21b' bent 
back upon itself through 180.degree. and extending generally in the 
circumferential direction which is adjoined by way of another rounded-off 
transition section 21b'''' by a radially inwardly extending locking 
section 21b'' terminating externally of the outer surface of the 
underlying band end portion 21b by a distance less than the maximum height 
of the detent member 26. Upon opening the clamp by a conventional tool, 
the detent member 26 will slide underneath the inwardly extending section 
21b'' while elastically lifting the same so that once having passed the 
same, the detent member 26 will lock the clamp in the open position by 
engaging with the spring-like inwardly extending locking section 21b''. 
The tool-engaging surfaces are thereby formed by the transition section 
21b''' in the outer band portion 21b and by the rounded-off transition 
section 21a'' of the bent-back free end of the inner band portion 21a'. 
The embodiment of FIG. 16 offers still greater safety against injury by 
the bent-back configuration including sections 21b''' and 21b'' and 21a'' 
and 21a'. An internal clamping surface devoid of any step or discontinuity 
is again assured by the interaction of the tongue-like inner band portion 
21a with the slot-like opening 22 in the outer band portion 21b and the 
shape thereof permitting the inner and outer band portions to merge into a 
shape providing a truly circular internal clamping surface. 
While the embodiments of FIGS. 1-16 are primarily intended for clamps made 
from thinner spring band materials providing relatively lower clamping 
forces, FIGS. 17-30 disclose more heavy-duty self-tightening clamps made 
from stronger spring band material and providing relatively higher 
clamping forces. 
The self-tightening clamp generally designated by reference numeral 120 of 
the embodiment of FIGS. 17-22 includes a clamping band 121 made from steel 
band material with predetermined spring characteristics. The inner band 
end portion 121a is in the form of a tongue-like extension adapted to pass 
through the elongated slot 122 provided in the outer band portion 121b. 
Starting from the free end of the outer band portion 121b, the latter 
consists of a circular free end section 125 which forms again a 
bridge-like structure and which is provided with circular holes 126 and 
127. The circular end section 125 thereby extends over about 270.degree.. 
A hook-like tool-engaging member 128 is bent out from the end of the 
slot-like opening 122 nearer the free end of the outer band portion 121b 
and is preferably provided with a small, approximately triangularly shaped 
notch-like recess 129 for engagement by the pointed end of jaw 161 of the 
pincer-like tool generally designated by reference numeral 160 (FIG. 19). 
Starting from the free end of the tongue-like inner 
band portion 121a, an obliquely inwardly extending end section 131 is 
provided with an approximately triangularly shaped notch-like recess 132 
for engagement by the pointed end of the other jaw 162 of the pincer-like 
tool 160 (FIG. 19). The obliquely extending end section 131 is adjoined by 
a round.RTM.d-off transition section 133 so that the next-following 
outwardly extending connecting section 134 extends at least approximately 
parallel to the inwardly extending tool-engaging section 131. Following 
the connecting section 134 is another rounded-off transition section 135 
that is adjoined by an obliquely inwardly extending camming section 136 
which passes over into the circumferentially extending tongue-like inner 
band end portion 121a. The obliquely outwardly extending section 136 
thereby acts as a camming surface when the clamp is opened so as to 
elastically lift the end section 125 outwardly to permit a detent-like 
locking action when the inner end 125' of the end section 125 snaps-in 
elastically behind the transition section 135 forming in effect a detent 
member as shown in FIG. 18. 
As can best be seen in FIG. 19, the tongue-like inner band portion 121a 
passes over into the full band width by way of tapered surfaces 140. 
Slot-like openings 141 are additionally provided in the clamping band 121 
to impart a desired flexibility to the clamp when opening the same against 
its inherent spring forces. 
In operation, the self-tightening clamp 120 in its clamping position (FIGS. 
17 and 20) also assures an internal clamping surface devoid of any step or 
discontinuity by the interaction of the parts 121a, 121b and slot 122 and 
their particular configuration as explained by reference to the 
embodiments of FIGS. 1-16. 
The self-tightening clamp of FIG. 17 can be opened by the use of a 
conventional pincer-like tool generally designated by reference numeral 
160 as shown in FIG. 19 to displace the same into the open, non-clamping 
position illustrated in FIG. 18. The same can be achieved by the use of 
conventional flatnose pliers whose jaws 161a and 162a (FIG. 20) engage 
with the tool-engaging surfaces formed by the bent-out hook-like member 
128 and the outwardly extending section 131. 
FIG. 21 illustrates the self-tightening clamp of FIG. 17 in the open 
non-clamping position of FIG. 18 by the use of conventional pipe pliers 
whose jaws 161b and 162b again engage with the part-circular end section 
125 and the outwardly extending end section 131. 
FIG. 22 shows how the clamp of FIG. 17 can be opened by the use of a 
special tool 160 having jaws 161c and 162c as will be described in detail 
more fully hereinafter. FIG. 22 illustrates that the availability of the 
special tool usable with the embodiment of FIGS. 24-30 may also be 
appropriate with the clamp of FIGS. 17 and 18. 
FIG. 23 illustrates how the locked open clamp illustrated in FIG. 18 can be 
released into its self-tightening clamping position shown in FIG. 17 by 
the use of a conventional screwdriver 163. For that purpose, the 
screwdriver 163 is inserted into the slot-like opening 122 underneath the 
hook-like tool-engaging member 128 in such a manner that its opposite 
surface engages with the obliquely outwardly extending section 136. By 
rotating the screwdriver 163, the tongue-like sections 136, 135 are 
pressed downwardly so that the clamp is released when the transition 
portion 135 assumes a position radially inward of the end surface of the 
end section 125 whereupon the inherent spring characteristic will cause 
the clamp to reduce its diametric dimension and assume its self-tightening 
clamping position of FIG. 17. 
As can be readily seen from FIG. 17, the transition section 135 thereby 
extends radially outwardly a greater distance than the lowermost surface 
of the end section 125 so that the latter is elastically forced outwardly 
by the camming surface 136 as the clamp is opened by the use of a tool. 
The self-tightening clamp structure illustrated in FIGS. 24-30 and 
generally designated by reference numeral 220 again includes a clamping 
band 221 made of appropriate spring steel with predetermined spring 
characteristics and thickness to achieve the desired self-tightening 
characteristics. The clamp 220 which is somewhat similar to the embodiment 
of FIG. 16, includes overlapping inner and outer band end portions 221a 
and 221b. The outer band end portion 221b is again provided with a 
slot-like opening 222, the length of which is best illustrated in FIG. 27. 
Starting from the free end of the outer band portion 221b, inwardly 
extending end sections 225a and 225b are provided which are separated by a 
slot-like opening 226 extending into the generally rectilinear connecting 
section 227 which adjoins the end sections 225a and 225b by way of 
roundedoff transition sections 229a and 229b. The rectilinear connecting 
section 227 is adjoined by another rounded-off, convexly shaped transition 
section 228 which passes over into the outer band end portion provided 
with the slot 222 leaving on both sides thereof the lateral outer band end 
portions 221b' and 221b'' (FIG. 26). Whereas the transition sections 229a 
and 229b essentially provide a right angle relationship between the end 
sections 225a, 225b and the connecting section 227, the transition 
section 228 extends over an angle greater than 180.degree. as shown in 
FIG. 24. The sections 225a, 225b, 227 and 228 thus form again a 
bridge-like structure. 
Starting with the free end of the tongue-like inner band portion 221a, a 
part-circular end section 231 is provided which is adjoined by an 
obliquely inwardly extending camming section 232 that passes over into the 
tongue-like inner band end portion 221a. The rounded-off end section 231 
thereby subtends an angle greater than 180.degree., for example, 
270.degree. to provide the configuration as shown in FIGS. 24, 27 and 30. 
The tongue-like inner band end portion 221a passes over into the full band 
width by way of the tapered sections 240 (FIG. 25). Additionally, the 
clamping band 221 is again provided with slot-like openings 241 to impart 
the desired flexibility to permit opening of the self-tightening clamp. 
In operation, the self-tightening clamp 220 in its clamping position (FIGS. 
24-27) again assures an internal clamping surface devoid of any step or 
discontinuity by the interaction of the parts 221a, 221b and slot 222 and 
their particular configuration as explained above. The clamp can be opened 
from its clamping position by the use of either special pliers having jaws 
261 and 262 (FIG. 27) or by the use of conventional pincer-like tools 
(FIG. 28) whose jaws 261a and 262a engage respectively with the 
rounded-off end surface 222' of the slot-like opening 222 and the 
tool-engaging abutment surface formed by the rounded-off end section 231. 
The end surfaces 225' of the inwardly extending end sections 225a and 225b 
are thereby spaced from the outer surface of the lateral outer band 
portions 221b' and 221b'' by a distance smaller than the radial height of 
the end section 231 of the inner band end portion 221a so that opening of 
the clamp will cause the locking end sections 225a and 225b to be 
elastically forced outwardly by the camming surface 232 to permit the end 
section 231 forming a detent member to pass underneath the locking end 
sections 225a and 225b until the end sections 225a and 225b can again 
springily lock behind the end section 231, thereby locking the clamp in 
the open condition. To facilitate the application of the pointed end of 
the jaw member 262a of the pincer-like tool (FIG. 28), the end section 231 
may again be provided with a notch-like indentation 237 shown in 
dash-and-dotted lines in FIG. 28. The special tool generally designated by 
reference numeral 260, which will be described more fully hereinafter, is 
shown in FIG. 27 as including a first jaw member 261 having a thickness 
less than the width of the slot-like opening 222 so that its end section 
provided with a rounded-off recess 261' is able to engage with the end 
surface 222' of the elongated slot 222 (FIG. 25). The semi-circularly 
shaped recess 262' of the other jaw 262 is thereby able to engage with the 
circularly shaped end section 23 whereby the jaw members 261 and 262 are 
of appropriate construction to permit closing of the jaw members 261 and 
262 in the directions indicated by the arrows. 
The same special tool 260 can also be used to release the clamp from the 
open position into the clamping position as shown in FIG. 29. The jaw 
members 262 and 261 are thereby so applied that the jaw member 262 extends 
into the slot-like opening 226 and the jaw member 261 extends into opening 
222 as shown in FIG. 29 so that upon closing of the jaw members 261 and 
262 in the direction of arrows (FIG. 29), the jaw member 262 seeks to 
press inwardly the end section 231 to release the locked open clamp. The 
other jaw member 261 will thereby seek to lift the outer band portion and 
more particularly its end sections 228, 227 and 225a, 225b to facilitate 
release. 
However, the special tool 260 is not required to release the locked open 
clamp of FIG. 29 as this can also be done by the use of a conventional 
screwdriver as shown in FIG. 30 in which the screwdriver 263 can be 
inserted through the slot-like opening 222 from the right as shown in FIG. 
30 to depress the end section 231 or the screwdriver 263' can be inserted 
through the slot-like opening 226 from the left as viewed in FIG. 30 to 
press down the end section 231 in order to release the clamp into the 
clamping position. The tongue-like end section 231 can thereby be 
depressed by merely rotating the screwdriver 263 or 263'. Moreover, the 
screwdriver can also be inserted axially between the connecting section 
227 and the end section 231 so that release of the clamp into the clamping 
position is effected when the screwdriver is rotated, thereby depressing 
the tongue-like end section 231. 
The special tool generally designated by reference numeral 360 and 
illustrated in FIGS. 31-33 shows a special tool which may be used with the 
self-tightening clamps 120 of FIGS. 17-23 and the self-tightening clamps 
220 of FIGS. 24-30 where such tool was only partially shown and designated 
by reference numeral 160 (FIG. 22) and by reference numeral 260 (FIGS. 27 
and 29). This special tool 360 Which utilizes a principle of construction 
found in pliers or pincer-like tools, includes two mutually crossing main 
members generally designated by reference numerals 361 and 361', each 
including oppositely directed leg portions 361a, 361b and 361'a, 361'b of 
substantially the same width interconnected by a wider connecting portion 
361c and 361'c extending at least approximately at right angle to the 
respective leg portions 361a, 361b and 361'a, 361'b. The main members are 
pivotally interconnected in the area of their connecting portions 361c and 
361'c at 362 in any conventional manner, for example, by a pivot bolt 363 
held in place by a cotter pin 364 with the interposition of a washer 365. 
The specially shaped tool extensions 370 and 370', properly speaking, are 
secured to the leg portions 361a and 361'a of the main members 361 and 
361' by screws 367 or the like. As can be seen from FIGS. 31 and 32, the 
extensions 370 and 370' are of the same width as the leg portions 361a and 
361'a to which they are secured on mutually facing sides. In order for the 
tool extensions 370 and 370' to be in the same plane in which they rotate 
during pivotal movement of the tool, an appropriate offset 366 and 366' is 
provided at the transition between respective upper leg portion 361a, 
361'a and connecting portion 361c, 361'c. The lower leg portions 361b and 
361'b terminate in rectilinear shank portions 361d and 361'd which are 
connected with the rectilinear upper end portions 381 and 381' of handle 
members generally designated by reference numerals 380 and 380' by rivets 
383. To permit the handle members 380 and 380' to pivot in the same plane, 
further offsets 368 and 368' are provided between lower leg portions 361b 
and 361'b and shank portions 361d and 361'd. Whereas the main members 361 
and 361' as also the tool extensions 370 and 370' are punched-out from 
flat steel plate materials of appropriate thickness, the handle members 
380 and 380' have an essentially U-shaped cross section with the legs of 
the U spaced from each other by a distance slightly greater than the 
thickness of the shank portions 361d and 361'd so as to securely receive 
the latter in the space formed thereby. The remainder of the handle 
members 380 and 380' may be shaped in any appropriate manner, preferably 
slightly convexly as shown in the drawing. To hold the special tool 
normally open mutually interengaging spring members 390 and 390' may be 
provided with the end of spring member 390' extending through a slot 391 
in spring member 390. To limit the maximum opening of the special tool, a 
part-circular stop member 395 having a rectilinear stop surface 395a (FIG. 
31) is eccentrically as well as adjustably secured by screw 396 or the 
like on the inside of leg portion 361b in such a manner that the 
rounded-off corner 369' of the connecting portion 361'c will abut at 
surface 395a in predetermined maximum open position of the tool. A 
disk-like stop member 395' (FIG. 32) is eccentrically mounted on the 
inside of the leg portion 361'b and serves to be able to hold or lock the 
tool in any predetermined position including open or closed position when 
the rounded-off corner 369' of the connecting portion 361c abuts at the 
disk-like member 395b. 
The tool extensions 370 and 370' are each provided at their mutually facing 
end surfaces with part-circular cutouts 371 and 371' as well as with nose 
portions 372 and 372' of a shape and dimension to optimize engaging with 
the tool-engaging surfaces provided in the self-tightening clamps for 
opening the same and possibly also for closing the open clamps. The nose 
portions 372 and 372' may thereby have the shape shown in greater detail 
in FIG. 22 or in FIGS. 27 and 29. 
The special tool in accordance with the present invention offers a number 
of significant advantages. The main members 361 and 361' as well as the 
tool extensions 370 and 370' may be made by simple punching operations 
whereby different materials and different thickness may be used for the 
starting materials thereof. For example, the extensions 370 and 370' may 
be made from high-grade tool steel while the main members 361 and 361' may 
be made from a lower-grade, less costly steel material. The various parts 
of the special tool may be assembled in an extraordinarily simple manner 
whereby the interchangeability of the tool extensions 370 and 370' permit 
the use of standardized parts for the main members 361, 361' and the 
handle members 380 and 380' to obtain modified special tools for different 
applications. Additionally, the special tool of the invention can be 
readily limited to a maximum opening position which greatly increases the 
convenience of its use when, for instance, opening clamp 220 or 120. 
Furthermore, because of the particular shape of the various parts and 
their assembly, only three different parts consisting of identical main 
members 361, 361' of identical tool extensions 370 and 370' and of 
identical handle members 380, 380' are required which can be readily 
standardized. 
While I have shown and described several embodiments in accordance with the 
present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto. 
For example, the distal end of the tongue-like inner band end portion 21a 
may also be formed by an obliquely outwardly extending part extending only 
a short distance beyond the outer surface of the outer band end portion 
21b. The desirability to minimize outwardly projecting parts may be 
further enhanced thereby. Moreover, the free ends of the bent back upon 
themselves as described in connection with FIG. 16 whereby the bent-back 
end sections then preferably extend over the full width of the respective 
band portion. Additionally, the tool extensions 370a and 370b may be 
shaped both have a different shape and which need not be identical. Thus, 
the present invention is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications 
as known to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to be 
limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all 
such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the 
appended claims.