Patent Publication Number: US-2020278060-A1

Title: Hydraulic hose clamp

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to hydraulic hoses and, more particularly, to a device for connecting hydraulic hose fittings. 
     Hydraulic hoses are used for hydraulics. Hydraulic hoses are graded by pressure, temperature, and fluid compatibility. Hoses are used to provide flexibility for machine operation or maintenance. The hose is built up with rubber and steel layers. A rubber interior is surrounded by multiple layers of woven wire and rubber. The exterior is designed for abrasion resistance. The weakest part of the high-pressure hose is the connection of the hose to the fitting. 
     To connect fittings of a hydraulic hose together, the current method is to use two straps to pull the fittings together or a hammer and blocks to pound the fittings together. Current methods of connection make it difficult to get the staple lock fittings to engage. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved device for connecting hydraulic hose fittings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a hydraulic hose clamp comprises: an elongated body comprising a first end and a second end; a first bracket comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion is pivotably coupled to the first end of the elongated body; a handle fixedly coupled to the top portion of the first bracket and extending upwards from the elongated body; a first U-shaped plate fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the first bracket and extending downwards from the elongated body; a second bracket comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion is fixedly coupled to the second end of the elongated body; and a second U-shaped plate fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the second bracket and extending downwards from the elongated body. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of locking a first pipe end to a second pipe end together comprises: providing a hydraulic hose clamp comprising: an elongated body comprising a first end and a second end; a first U-shaped plate pivotable coupled to the first end and extending downwards from the elongated body; a handle fixedly coupled to the first U-shaped plate; a second U-shaped plate coupled to the second end and extending downwards from the elongated body; placing the first U-shaped plate around the first pipe and the second U-shaped plate around the second pipe; and applying pressure to the handle, thereby pivoting the first U-shaped plate inwards and pushing the first pipe end towards the second pipe end. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the present invention includes a hydraulic hose clamp  10 . The hydraulic host clamp  10  includes an elongated body  28  having a first end and a second end. A first U-shaped plate  40  is pivotably coupled to the first end and extends downwards from the elongated body  28 . A handle  30  is fixedly coupled to the first U-shaped plate  40 . A second U-shaped plate  40  is coupled to the second end and extends downwards from the elongated body  28 . Urging the handle  30  forwards pivots the first U-shaped plate  40  inwards along a horizontal axis perpendicular to the elongated body  28 . 
     The first U-shaped plate  40  may be pivotably coupled to the elongated body  28  by a first bracket  22 . The first bracket  22  includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion is pivotably coupled to the first end of the elongated body  28  by a pivot bolt  26 . The handle  30  is fixedly coupled to the top portion of the first bracket  22  and extends upwards from the elongated body  28 . The second U-shaped plate  40  is fixedly coupled to the elongated body by a second bracket  24 . The second bracket  24  includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion is fixedly coupled to the second end of the elongated body  28 . The second U-shaped plate  40  is fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the second bracket  24  and extends downwards from the elongated body  28 . The first U-shaped plate  40  is aligned with, parallel to, and facing the second U-shaped plate  40 . 
     In certain embodiments, a length of the elongated body  28  is adjustable. In such embodiments, the elongated body  28  includes telescoping tubes. One of the telescoping tubes includes at least one opening  60 , and the other of the telescoping tubes includes a plurality of openings  60 . A lock pin  50  fits within aligning openings of the telescoping tubes, locking the telescoping tubes together. To adjust the length, the lock pin  50  is removed, and the telescoping tubes slide either away from one another to extend the length of the elongated body  28  or towards one another to shorten the length of the elongated body  28 . The lock pin  50  is then inserted into aligned openings  60  to lock the tubes at the desired length. 
     A method of locking a first pipe end  70  to a second pipe end  80  may include the following steps. Provide the hydraulic hose clamp  10  described above. Place the first U-shaped plate  40  around the first pipe and the second U-shaped plate  40  around the second pipe. Adjust the length of the body  28  until the first and second U-shaped plates  40  are tight to the back of the fittings. Apply pressure to the handle  30  by pushing the handle  30  forwards and away from the second U-shaped plate  40 , thereby pivoting the first U-shaped plate  40  inwards and pushing the first pipe end  70  into the second pipe end  80 , locking the fittings together. The present invention reduces time and effort needed to make the connection of the high-pressure hose fittings. The present invention also reduces the amount of damage that can be done to the fitting thus preventing an unsafe connection. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.