METAL CLAMP FOR JOINING PIPES

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical shaped metal clamp suitable for joining co-axial pipes, is disclosed and outlined. Said clamp is made from a base strap (1) which is bent in two positions rather close to its ends, one of said bends (2) developing on a non- radial axis and having the end near the other bend (3), which may be also a radial one, extending for a short straight line having an open bent end which, on locking, hooks (5) on to the non-radial bend close to the other end of the clamp. The base strap (1) forming the clamp has two wide wave (8) shaped laps which, because adjacent, give the strap an 'm' shape, said 'm'-shaped portion, which is lightened by a central lengthwise slit (9), is situated at the strap (1) end bearing the straight hooking arm (4).

Description: The present invention relates to a substantially cylindrically shaped metal clamp made from a strap, suitable for locking joints of two co-axial pipes, of which the external one is made from a suitably deformable material, so that a deformation of the outer pipe, on locking the clamp, occurs under the clamp pressure, thus assuring a perfect joint of the pipes. The main peculiarity of the connection between pipes is to assure a perfect sealing not only on locking the clamp and in normal operating conditions, but also in anomalous ones such as those caused by vibrations, knocks, pressure increases in the fluid flow inside the pipes, different thrusts in the connected pipes and finally in conditions occuring sometimes after the locking when the external pipe may have changed its properties e.g. by ageing. Perfect sealing is assured only when the clamp causes, even in anomalous operating conditions, a uniform pressure on the whole external pipe made from a deformable material. A different clamp pressure would cause a possible detachment of the joint, where the clamp pressure is too low, and a useless squeezing of the deformable pipe, which might cause permanent tearing, where the clamp pressure is too high. If perfect joint sealing between two pipes is the fundamental feature to be achieved in a joint, it is also necessary that suitable means of ensuring such sealing be of easy application, smooth and quick assembly and therefore unexpensive to be manufactured. Many devices have been made in order to achieve said peculiarities, but it is not always possible to obtain economically acceptable embodiments. In DE-A-3 308 399 a metal clamp is disclosed which consists of a unitary band formed successively from one end to the other with a first curved portion, an outwardly directed first bend which slants backwardly towards a second curved portion, a second outwardly directed bend, a straight portion and an inturning hooked end. On locking said clamp, the hooked end engages the first bend. Although of simple manufacturing, this clamp has the inconvenience that when the outer pipe is formed from a deformable, but rather rigid material, the pressure of the clamp on said outer deformable pipe is not perfectly uniform, with the risk of compromising a satisfactory locking, unless a higher pressure is applied which could deteriorate the outer deformable pipe. The metal clamp object of the present invention represents a good solution, because it combines an excellent funtioning perfect sealing in the most varied conditions with a very easy application, to a simple and economical manufacture. For a better description of the metal clamp of the invention reference is made to the attached drawings which, however, should not be considered limiting the invention itself. FIGURE 1 is an axonometric perspective view of the metal clamp already locked, FIGURE 2 is a front view of the metal clamp just before locking (pre-locking), FIGURE 3 is a front view of the metal clamp already locked, FIGURE 4 is a front and side view of the metal clamp in its straight development, FIGURE 5 shows the clamp portion in which two adjacent waves give the strap and the clamp the 'm' shape. Said drawings show: base strap 1; bend 2, extending in a non-radial direction; bend 3 which may extend in a radial direction; the straight elastic arm 4 and the open bend or hook 5. Said hook 5 has and internal part 6 which, when the clamp is hooked, must be co-planar with part 7, external to bend 2. The two adjacent waves 8, which give the clamp in that position a peculiar 'm' shape, are well outlined, especially in Figure 5, which shows them in detail. The clamp portion at the two waves bears a longitudinal cut or slit 9 made along the axis, involving the entire clamp thickness. In the drawings only two waves 8 are shown, not in a limiting way, but these may be in a number from 2 to 4. In a preferred embodiment of the clamp of the invention, shown in the attached drawings, the end near the non-radial bend 2 is reinforced by ribs 10. To join two co-axial pipes, the clamp is applied in a very simple way with clamping pliers which act on the bends 2 and 3 in order to move hook 5 near bend 2. Bend 2 peculiar non-radial direction allows arm 4, made elastic by bend 3, to easily surmount bend 2 and to go down on the other side of said bend 2, while the hook portion 6 runs along the portion 7 of the bend 2 as far as the final locking position is reached, in which the co-planarity of the surfaces of said portions 6 of hook 5 and 7 of bend 2, occurs. Fundamental importance during the locking is provided by the 'm' shaped clamp portion 8, which adds elasticity and, therefore, a smooth application of the clamp. Again, in final locking position, the bend 2 peculiar non-radial direction is important as it allows an extremely effective locking. The peculiar coupling of hook 5 and bend 2 is able to absorb all forces exerted thereon, both in the normal joint working conditions and in particular temporary ones, due to vibrations, knocks, pressure increases in fluid flow inside the pipes, different thrusts on the two pipes, deformation in the pipe made from deformable material et cetera. The 'm' shaped clamp portion having the two waves 8 assumes basic importance. It allows the clamp, whatever the hardness of the deformable pipe material is, to completely adhere to it and, therefore, to exert a uniform pressure in every point, which is an essential condition for preventing joint detachment, where the clamp pressure is too low, as well as a useless squeezing of the deformable pipe, where the clamp pressure is too high. When the deformable pipe is made from hard material, such as hard rubber, the 'm' shaped clamp portion, resulting particularly elastic because of the cut or slit 9, stretches so as to lie on the pipe. Said considerable stretching of the 'm' shaped clamp portion does not occur when the pipe is made from soft material, though stretching accurs in such an extent to ensuring a uniform pressure exerted by the metal clamp on the external deformable pipe and, therefore, a perfect joint sealing.

Claims: A substantially cylindrically shaped metal clamp suitable for joining co-axial pipes of which the external one is made from deformable material, said clamp being obtained from a base strap (1) folded into outwardly extending bends (2) and (3) at positions near its two ends, one of said bends (2) extending in a non-radial direction and the band end extending therefrom near to another bend (3), which may extend in a radial direction and from which the other band end extends for a short straight line (4) ending in an open bend (5), which, on locking the clamp, hooks on the non-radial bend (2) near the other end of the clamp, characterized by the fact that in said clamp wide wave-shaped bends (8) are provided near the end where the straight hooking arm (4) is provided, said bends (8) giving the clamp portion where they are positioned an 'm' shape and by the fact that in said 'm' shaped portion a central lengthwise slit (9) is provided. A metal clamp according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that two wide wave-shaped adjacent bends (8) are provided therein.

Inventors: BELLAZZI, EMILIO
Applicants: ARCELLI & BERNACCHI S.R.L.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: F16L33
IPC codes: F16L33