Tool for securing a clamp

A tool for securing a clamp having a band and a clip is provided. The tool includes a base member and a first handle coupled to the base member. A cinching handle is rotationally coupled to the base member adjacent the first handle. A crimping handle is rotationally coupled to the base member adjacent the first handle opposite the cinching handle. A holding means is provided for holding the clip. A tensioning means is provided for moving a tab end portion of the band through the clip, the tensioning means being operably coupled to the cinching handle. A crimping means is provided for locking the clip to the band, the crimping means being operably coupled to the crimping handle. A severing means is provided for severing the tab end portion from the band, the severing means being operably coupled to the crimping handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a hand tool for securing a clamp, such as a band-type clamp. In particular, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to a hand tool for tightening, crimping and cutting a clamp during installation with a single tool.

Clamps are used in a wide variety of applications for securing conduits to fittings. One type of clamp, includes a cylindrically shaped strip of material having overlapping ends. By moving one end of the strip, the diameter of the clamp may be changed. When the clamp is placed over a conduit, the reduction of the diameter secures the conduit onto a fitting. One type of band clamp uses a worm drive mechanism, which allows the installer to turn the worm drive (typically with a screwdriver) to adjust the diameter of the clamp. It should be appreciated that the installer may adjust the amount of clamping pressure that is applied by adjusting the position of the worm drive.

Another type of band clamp uses a clip to secure and lock the band in place. This type of clamp usually requires the clip to be crimped with one tool and trimmed or cut with a second tool. In some cases, a third tool is used for tightening or cinching prior to the crimping step.

Accordingly, while existing tools for tightening and securing band clamps are suitable for their intended purpose the need for improvement remains, particularly in providing a tool that that allows a clip type band clamp to be installed with a single tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a tool for securing a clamp having a band and a clip is provided where a portion of the band extends through the clip. The tool includes a base member and a first handle coupled to the base member. A cinching handle is rotationally coupled to the base member adjacent the first handle. A crimping handle is rotationally coupled to the base member adjacent the first handle opposite the cinching handle. A holding means is provided for holding the clip. A tensioning means is provided for moving a tab end portion of the band through the clip, the tensioning means being operably coupled to the cinching handle. A crimping means is provided for locking the clip to the band, the crimping means being operably coupled to the crimping handle. A severing means is provided for severing the tab end portion from the band, the severing means being operably coupled to the crimping handle.

According to another aspect of the disclosure a tool is provided. The tool including a base member having a first slot and a second slot, the second slot being perpendicular to the first slot and being sized and shaped to receive a clip from a band clamp. A first handle is coupled to the base member. A cinching handle is rotationally coupled to the base member adjacent the first handle. A crimping handle is rotationally coupled to the base member adjacent the first handle opposite the cinching handle. A tensioning member is slidably coupled to the base member and coupled to the cinching handle by a link. At least one pawl is rotationally coupled to the tensioning member, the at least one pawl cooperating with a surface of the tensioning member to engage a tab end portion of a band of the band clamp. A cam member is slidably disposed in the first slot and operably coupled to the crimping handle, the cam member having a pair of opposing cam surfaces arranged on an angle to the first slot. A pair of arms are rotationally coupled to the base member, each of the pair of arms having a jaw portion at one end. A pair of bearings are each coupled to one of the pair of arms on an end opposite the jaw portion, the pair of bearings each being arranged to engage one of the pair of opposing cam surface to rotate the pair of arms from a first position to a second position as the crimping handle is moved from a neutral position to a crimped position. A cutting member is slidably disposed in the first slot, the cutting member being selectively coupled to the cam member based on a position of the crimping handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention provide advantages in the securing of clamps, such as band clamps. Embodiments of the present invention provide further advantages in allowing the band clamp to be cinched, crimped and cut with a single tool.

Referring now to theFIGS.1-5, an embodiment is shown of a tool20for securing clamps, such as band clamps for example. The tool20includes a main handle22, a cinching handle24and a crimping/cutting handle26. The handles22,24,26are sized, shaped and spaced to be grasped by a user's hand or hands during operation. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the tool20includes four modes of operation: a neutral or release position (FIGS.1-6), a cinching position/operation (FIGS.7-8), a crimping position/operation (FIGS.9-11), and a cutting position/operation (FIGS.12-14).

The handles22,24,26are coupled to a frame or base member28that is enclosed within a cover30. The cover30includes slots or openings to allow the handles22,24,26to pass therethrough and move during operation. In the exemplary embodiment, the main handle22is fixed relative to the base member28by a pair of pins32,34. The cinching handle24is pivotally coupled to the base member28by the pin34. Thus, during the cinching operation, the operator squeezes the handles22,24causing the cinching handle24to rotate about the pin34.

The cinching handle24is coupled to a tensioning member36by a link38. The link38is coupled to the handle24and tensioning member36by pins40,43to allow for relative rotational motion between the components. The tensioning member is slidably coupled to the base member28by a pair of shafts44(FIG.7). It should be appreciated that as the cinching handle24is rotated, the tensioning member36will slide along the shaft44relative to the base member28. The tensioning member36includes a slot46that extends through the tensioning member36and is sized to receive a first pawl48. The first pawl48is rotationally coupled to the tensioning member36by a pin50. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the first pawl48cooperates with a second pawl52to pull the tab end of a band clamp through the tool20in response to the rotation of the handle24. The second pawl52is rotationally coupled to the base member28by a pin54. Both the first pawl48and second pawl52have a knurled or grooved surface56,58that engages the tab end of the band clamp during the cinching operation. The pawls42,48cooperate with the link38and handle24to define a tensioning means for tensioning the band clamp112(FIG.15).

It should be appreciated that in some instances, the operator may desire to remove the band clamp112from the tool20after it has been inserted and the pawls48,52are engaged. In an embodiment, the operator can release the tension on the band120by rotating the handle24in a counterclockwise motion, in other words in an opposite direction to motion of arrow134. Once the tension is released and the pawls48,52disengaged, the band clamp112can be removed from the tool20.

The crimping handle26includes a slot60that is sized to receive a pin62that rotationally couples the crimping handle26to the base member28. The crimping handle26is further rotationally coupled to a cam member66. The cam member66includes a body portion68that slidably engages a slot70in the base member28. The slot70constrains the motion of the cam member64to sliding linearly within the base member28in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the tab end portion of the band clamp112.

The cam member66includes a surface72(FIG.11) that includes an opening74. The opening74has a bottom surface76having a hole78extending therethough. The opening74and hole78are sized to receive a fastener80. As will be discussed in more detail below, the fastener80includes a head portion82that selectively engages the surface76during the cutting operation. The fastener80is coupled on an end opposite the head portion82to a cutter member84.

The cutter member84includes a body portion86that slidably engages the slot70. As with the cam member66, the slot70constrains the motion of the cutter member84to a linear motion in a direction generally perpendicular to the tab end of the band clamp. The cutter member84further includes a slot88on one end that is arranged to receive the tab end portion of the band clamp when the band clamp is inserted into the tool20and the tool is in the neutral position. The slot88includes a cutting surface90. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the cutter member84is laterally moved in the slot70by the head portion82of fastener80engaging the surface76. This causes the cutting surface90to engage and sever or shear off the tab end portion of the band clamp during the cutting operation.

The cam member66further includes a cam portion92having a pair of opposing cam surfaces94. In the exemplary embodiment, the cam portion92extends from the body portion68into an opening96(FIG.2) in the base member28. The cam portion92includes a pair of opposing slots98(FIG.11) that extend generally parallel with the slot70. In an embodiment, the slots98bifurcate the cam surfaces94and are sized to at least partially receive arms100. The arms100are rotationally coupled to the base member28by a pin102. On a first end of each the arm100, a pair of bearings104are coupled on opposing faces. The bearings104are positioned to engage the cam surface94in response to movement of the cam member66within the slot70. On an opposing end of each arm100a jaw106(FIG.4) is provided that includes an end108and a relief portion110. In the exemplary embodiment, the end108is a sharp edge that engages and partially pierces the band portion of the band clamp to crimp the band portion to a clip and secure the band clamp. The relief portion110is sized and shaped to form tabs or wings from the pieced band portion during the crimping operation.

Referring now toFIG.6,FIG.15andFIG.16, at the initiation of operation, the user first installs a band clamp112about a conduit or pipe114where a connection is desired. Band clamp112is generally formed by a generally thin planar metal strip or band portion116that is formed into a loop where a first end118is overlapped by a tab end portion120. In the exemplary embodiment, a buckle or clip122is inserted over the overlapped portion. The clip122includes a pair of slots124,126. The slots124,126are sized to receive the jaws106of tool20. When the jaws106engage the outer layer of the overlapped portion, the band portion116is deformed to form a deformed portion128within the slots124,126to secure the clip122. In some embodiments, the deformed portion129is sheared along the sides to form a wing or projection that extends into the slots124,126. In an embodiment, the band clamp112may be the band clamp described in commonly owned PCT Publication 2016/029975.

To engage the band clamp112, the user moves the tool20to the neutral position (FIG.6) and inserts the tab end portion120through a slot128(FIG.1) in the cover30and slot88in cutter member84. As shown inFIG.3, as the tab end portion120continues to be inserted with the tab end portion120passing between the pawl surface58and a bottom cap member130as well as between the pawl surface56and a surface132of tensioning member36. The end of tab end portion120may extend out the rear side of the cover30. It should be appreciated that the pawl surfaces56,58engage the top surface of the tab end portion120. The band clamp112is continued to be inserted until the clip122is positioned adjacent jaws106.

Referring toFIGS.7-8with continuing reference toFIG.6, to tighten the band clamp112about the conduit114, user operates the tool20in a cinching mode of operation. In the cinching mode, the cinching handle24is moved by the user from a first position (FIG.6) to a second position (FIG.7) in the direction of arrow134. As the handle24is moved, the tensioning member36moves from a first position (FIG.6) to an extended position (FIG.7) by sliding along the shafts44. Due to the engagement of the pawl surface56with the top surface of the tab end portion120, the tab end portion120is fixed relative to the tensioning member36. It should be appreciated that as the tensioning member is moved to the second position, the tab end portion120is pulled through the clip122causing the band clamp112to tighten around the conduit114.

When the movement direction of the handle24is reversed, the tensioning member36moves in a direction towards the jaws106. As the tensioning member36is moved, the pawl48rotates allowing the tensioning member36to move relative to the tab end portion120. It should be appreciated that the pawl52remains in position to prevent or limit the movement of the tab end portion120toward the front of the tool. Thus by repeated moving the handle24between the positions ofFIG.6andFIG.7, the tab end portion120will be progressively moved causing the band clamp112to tighten on the conduit114.

When the band clamp112has been tightened to the desired level, the operator then deforms or crimps the portion129of the band clamp112to secure the clip122to the band clamp. To perform this action, the operator moves the crimping handle26in the direction indicated by arrow136. As shown inFIGS.9-11, the movement of the handle26causes the handle26to pivot about the pin65. This rotation causes the cam member66to move laterally in a direction away from band clamp112. As the cam member66moves, the cam surface94of portion92engages the bearings104. As the cam member66continues to move, the angle of the cam surface94places a force on the bearings104that causes the arms100to rotate about the pin102.

The rotation of the arms100in turn causes the end108to pass into the slots124,126(FIG.15) to engage the outer layer of the overlapping portion of the band clamp112. As the arms100continue to rotate, the band clamp is crimped and the deformed portion129contacts and couples to the clip122. In an embodiment, the relief portion110is shaped to provide the desired shape of the deformed portion129. In an embodiment, the handle26, cam member66, bearings and arms100cooperate with the slots156to provide a means for locking or crimping the clip122.

It should be noted that when the crimp is performed, a gap remains between the surface76of the cam member84and the head portion82of fastener80. Therefore, as the crimp is being formed, the cutter member84remains in the same position.

Once the crimp is performed, it may be desired to remove the tab end portion120adjacent an end138(FIG.15) of the clip122. As shown inFIGS.12-14, in an embodiment, the operator may continue to move the handle26in the direction indicated by arrow140to the cutting position shown inFIG.12. This movement of the handle26causes the cam member84to continue to move away from the band clamp112. As the handle26is moved from the position ofFIG.9to the position ofFIG.12, the bearings104move from the cam surface94to a planar surface142(FIG.10). The surface142is generally parallel with the direction of movement of the cam member84. As a result, the jaws106remain in the same position (i.e. substantially no further crimping is performed).

However, the continued movement of the cam member84causes the gap152(FIG.11) between the bottom of the head portion82and the surface76to close. As the cam member84continues to move, the fastener80will also move. Since the fastener80is coupled to the cutter member84, the cutter member84will also move in the same direction. This causes surface90to engage and apply a force on the surface of the tab end portion120directly adjacent the clip22. Since the clip122is held in position by walls144,146, the force applied by the surface90will displace the section148of the tab end portion120relative to the portion150located within the clip122. As a result, the tab end portion120will be sheared or severed from the band clamp112. In one embodiment, the walls144,146each include a slot156(FIG.5) that is sized and shaped to receive the clip122. In an embodiment, the slots156in walls144,146define a means for holding the clip122in the tool20. The slots156further cooperate with the cutter member84to provide a means for severing the tab end portion120from the band clamp112ofFIG.13.

Once the tab end portion120is separated from the band clamp112, the handle26may be rotated back to the position ofFIG.6. This pivots the jaws106away from the clip122and moves the cutter member84to its original position where the slot88is aligned with the slot156. This allows the tab end portion120to be removed from the rear portion of the tool20. Similarly, the tool20can be removed from the band clamp112by sliding the clip122out of the slots156,128to provide a band clamp112such as that illustrated inFIG.16. In an embodiment, the tab end portion130can also be removed by activating handle24.

In some embodiments, the description of the tool may have included relative references to the “top”, “bottom”, “front”, and “rear”. It should be appreciated that this was for clarity of description and not intended to limit the use or orientation of the tool20in a particular manner and the claims should not be so construed. As used herein, the “bottom” generally refers to the side of the tool20adjacent the band clamp112and the “top” is the opposing side that the handle26extends from. The “front” of the tool20generally refers to the side adjacent the arms100, while the “rear” of the tool20refers to the side which the handles22,24extend from.

It should be appreciated that the tool20provides advantages in allowing an operator to tighten/cinch, crimp and cut the band clamp112with a single tool.