Abstract:
A V-band clamp that includes an annular band having an inner surface and an outer surface. A latch assembly is attached to the outer surface of the band for attaching objects together. A plurality of insert segments are attached to the inner surface of the band, wherein each segment includes a contour edge for preventing damage to objects being joined together during installation of the V-band clamp.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/511,839, filed Oct. 16, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to band clamps and, more particularly, to a V-band clamp for mechanically fastening two objects having V-flanges together.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art V-band clamp  10  that includes a latch assembly  12  connected to a flexible, flat metal annular band  14  having an inner surface  16  and an outer surface  18 . A plurality of prior art insert segments  15  (sometimes referred to in the industry as V-retainers) are circumferentially attached to the inner surface  16  of the band  14 . The band  14  having a first end portion  20  and a second end portion  22  is adapted to mechanically attach objects having V-flanges together, wherein each portion  20 ,  22  forms a first loop  20 ′ and a second loop  22 ′, respectively, by a portion of the band  14  being bent back and attached to the outer surface  18  of the band  14 . The attachment of a portion of the band  14  to the outer surface  18  and the attachment of the segments  15  to the inner surface  16  of the band  14  can be done by spot welding, crimping, mechanical fasteners, such as rivets, or by any other similar means known in the art.  
         [0006]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the latch assembly  12  includes a T-bolt  24  having a head portion  26  and a shank portion  28 , a trunnion  30 , and a nut  32 . The head portion  26  of the T-bolt  24  is pivotably received within the first loop  20 ′ of the band  14 . The trunnion  30  is pivotably received within the second loop  22 ′ of the band  14 . The shank portion  28  of T-bolt  24  extends through a passageway (not shown) of the trunnion  30  and the nut  32  is received on the shank portion  28  of the T-bolt  24 , wherein the latch assembly  12  is adapted to releasably couple the first end portion  20  to the second end portion  22  of the band  14 .  
         [0007]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the insert segments  15  each having a first end  40  and a second end  42  are spaced apart on the inner surface  16  of the clamp  10 , wherein two consecutive insert segments  15  are separated by a gap  36  defined on the inner surface  16  of the band  14 . The insert segments  15  are typically arcuate shaped and made of a rigid metal. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the prior art insert segment  15  includes a body  38  having a first side wall  44  and a second side wall  48  attached to a bottom wall  46 , wherein the walls  44 ,  46 , and  48  define a channel  50  therein. A first flange  54  and a second flange  56  are attached to the first side wall  44  and the second side wall  48 , respectively, and extend outwardly therefrom. An end face  52  having a first edge  53   a  and a second edge  53   b  is present on walls  44 ,  46 , and  48  and on flanges  54  and  56  at the first end  40  and the second end  42  of the body  38  of the insert segment  15 . The channel  50  having an interior surface  51  is adapted to receive and hold together a pair of conduits C having peripheral end flanges F (referred to as V-flanges) joined together as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The conduit C can include any objects having V-flanges F, such as hoses, tubing, or piping, wherein the V-flanges F can be mechanically joined or connected to each other.  
         [0008]     In operation, two conduits C are attached by joining the two V-flanges F together and inserting the joined V-flanges F into the channel  50  of each of the insert segments  15  on the flexible band  14  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the band  14  is fastened around the V-flanges and the shank portion  28  of the T-bolt  24  is inserted through a passageway (not shown) in the trunnion  30 . A nut  32  can be threaded on the shank portion  28  of the T-bolt  24  and rotated toward the trunnion  30 , thereby drawing the end portions  20 ,  22  toward each other. As the end portions  20 ,  22  are drawn towards one another, an inward or radial force (represented by arrow R) is created by the tightening of the band  14 , wherein a wedging action of the insert segments  15  transmits an axial load (represented by arrows A) on the side walls  44 ,  48 , thereby compressing the two V-flanges F together for the life of the connection (shown in  FIG. 5 ).  
         [0009]     One drawback to the prior art V-band clamp  10  is that the edges  53   a ,  53   b  of the end face  52  on the first end  40  and the second end  42  of each segment  15  is generally sharp, particularly at the side walls  44  and  48 , and has the potential of gouging or digging into the flange material during installation. This can occur when the joined V-flanges F do not freely slide over the gap  36  between each segment  15 , and the first edge  53   a  of each segment  15  causes damage to the flanges F resulting in a permanently damaged or inferior connection. In some prior art solutions, the edges on each end of the segments are deburred or tumbled to remove the sharpness. However, deburring and tumbling are oftentimes unsuccessful in consistently removing all the sharp edges. In another prior art solution, each end of the segments is covered with a coating to minimize friction and the tendency of the edge to dig into the flanges. However, coatings add additional cost and can rub off during installation or use.  
         [0010]     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies by eliminating the sharp edges on each segment of a V-band clamp, thereby preventing damage to the V-flanges F during installation and providing easier installation of the V-band clamp.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides for a band clamp for coupling a pair of conduits having peripheral end flanges joined together. The clamp comprises an annular band having a first end portion and a second end portion and defining an inner surface and an outer surface and a latch assembly attached to the outer surface of the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the latch assembly is adapted to releasably couple the first end portion to the second end portion of the band. A plurality of spaced apart insert segments having a first end and a second end are attached to the inner surface of the band. Each segment comprises two spaced side walls attached to a bottom wall and defining a channel therein, and a pair of flanges each attached to the side walls and extending outwardly therefrom. The channel having an interior surface is adapted to receive and hold together the joined end flanges of the pair of conduits. The first end and the second end of each segment having an end face comprises a contour edge, wherein the contour edge is present on at least the side walls and the bottom wall, thereby preventing damage to the end flanges of the pair of conduits during installation of the joined end flanges into the channel of each segment of the band clamp.  
         [0012]     In a second embodiment of the present invention, the contour edge on the first end and second end of each segment comprises a taper which extends downward toward the inner surface of the band. The taper can extend between the interior surface and the end face at the first end and the second end of the segment. The taper can be one of a flat or rounded surface. In another embodiment, the first end and the second end of each of the side walls can flare outwardly, thereby forming a flaring cross-section within the channel of the segment.  
         [0013]     The present invention provides for a method of forming a contour edge on an insert segment of a typical prior art V-band clamp, wherein each segment having a first end and a second end comprises two spaced side walls attached to a bottom wall and defining a channel therein. Each wall having an end face at the first end and the second end, wherein each end face comprises a first edge and a second edge. First, the contour edge is formed by removing the first edge of each end face on the first end and second end of the segment. The first end and the second end of each side wall can also be bent in a direction away from the channel, wherein the end face on the first end of each side wall also faces outwardly away from each other and the end face on the second end of each side wall faces outwardly away from each other. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art V-band clamp;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a portion of a prior art insert segment of the V-band clamp shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a portion of the prior art insert segment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of a pair of conduits having peripheral end flanges joined together;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the prior art V-band clamp shown in  FIG. 1  having joined end flanges of a pair of conduits inserted into the prior art insert segment shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a portion of a V-band clamp made in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an insert segment of the V-band clamp shown in  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of a portion of the V-band clamp shown in  FIG. 8  taken along lines VIII-VIII of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a portion of an insert segment shown in  FIG. 8  having a flat surface;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a portion of an insert segment having a rounded surface;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of a portion of a V-band clamp made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of an insert segment of the V-band clamp shown in  FIG. 11 ; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a front elevational view of a portion of the V-band clamp made in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 6, 7  and  8 , the present invention provides for an insert segment  60  that is similar to the prior art insert segment  15  of the prior art V-band clamp  10 , except that the first edge  53   a  on the first end  40  and the second end  42  of the prior art insert segment  15  is eliminated. Like reference numerals will be used for like parts. A plurality of insert segments  60  are attached to an inner surface  16  of an annular band  14  in the same manner as insert segments  15  are attached, wherein a gap  36  is defined between two consecutive insert segments  60  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The insert segment  60  includes a body  38  having a pair of side walls  44 ,  48  attached to a bottom wall  46  and a pair of flanges  54 ,  56 , each attached to a respective side wall  44 ,  48  and extends outwardly therefrom, wherein the walls  44 ,  46 , and  48  define a channel  50  therein. Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an end face  52  defining a contour edge  64  is present on walls  44 ,  46 , and  48  and on flanges  54  and  56  at the first end  40  and second end  42  of the body  38  of the insert segment  60 . By “contour” is meant at least a portion of the end face  52  having a curved or flat profile. The contour edge  64  of the insert segment  60  comprises a taper  66  which extends downward toward the inner surface  16  of the band  14 , wherein the taper  66  extends between an interior surface  51  and the end face  52  at the first end  40  and the second end  42  of the body  38  of the insert segment  60 . The taper  66  can be one of a flat surface (shown in  FIG. 9 ) or a rounded surface (shown in  FIG. 10 ). The taper  66  eliminates the sharpness of the first edge  53   a  in the prior art insert segment  15 , thus minimizing potential gouging or digging into the flange material during installation.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show a second embodiment of an insert segment  70  that is similar to the prior art insert segment  15 , except for the differences noted below. Like reference numerals will be used for like parts. A first end  40  and second end  42  of each side wall  44 ,  48  of the insert segment  70  flares outwardly, thereby forming a flaring cross-section  74  within the channel  50  of the body  38  of the insert segment  70 . Each of the side walls  44 ,  48  of the flaring cross-section  74  forms a flare angle θ of at least 45 degrees (shown in  FIG. 12 ). The flare angle θ is defined as the angle between an imaginary line extending perpendicularly upward from the bottom wall  46  and the interior surface  51  of each side wall  44 ,  48 . The flaring cross-section  74  is accomplished by bending the first end  40  and the second end  42  of each side wall  44 ,  48  in a direction away from the channel  50 , wherein the end face  52  on the first end  40  of each side wall  44 ,  48  faces outwardly away from each other, and the end face  52  on the second end  42  of each side wall  44 ,  48  faces outwardly away from each other. The flaring cross-section  74  reduces the contact of the first edge  53   a  of the end face  52  of the side walls  44 ,  48 , thereby allowing the joined V-flanges F to slide freely across each gap  36  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) and into each channel  50  of each segment  70  on the band  14 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of the present invention, wherein an insert segment  80  comprises both the contour edge  64  of insert segment  60  and the flaring cross-section  74  of insert segment  70 . Each insert segment  60 ,  70  and  80  can be made from a unitary piece of metal or polymeric material. Furthermore, the operation of a V-band clamp having insert segments  60 ,  70  or  80  attached thereto, function in a similar manner as the prior art V-band clamp  10  having the prior art insert segments  15 .  
         [0030]     The present invention also provides for a method of forming a contour edge on a prior art insert segment of a V-band clamp. First, a prior art insert segment  15  comprising an end face  52  having a first edge  53   a  and a second edge  53   b  is provided. Next, the first edge  53   a  of each end face  52  on the first end  40  and second end  42  of the segment  15  is removed. This can be accomplished by any mechanical means, such as coining, grinding or pressing. Alternatively, a contour edge can be formed on the insert segment during the molding process. Furthermore, the first end  40  and the second end  42  of each side wall  44 ,  48  can be bent in a direction away from the channel  50 , wherein the end face  52  on the first end  40  of each side wall  44 ,  48  faces outwardly away from each other, and the end face  52  on the second end  42  of each side wall  44 ,  48  also faces outwardly away from each other.  
         [0031]     This invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.