Abstract:
A hose clamp brace providing additional structure to two sections of tubing that are joined by a section of hose. Typical hose and hose clamps are used, and the hose clamp brace comprises a tubing clamp attached to each section of tubing, and a connecting element coupled to the tubing clamps. The connecting element may couple to the tubing clamps with fastening elements. This assembly provides additional integrity for the hose connection, and resists connection failure better than the hose and clamps alone. The fastening elements may be on the tubing clamp or the connecting element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/809,233, entitled “Hose Clamp Brace,” filed Apr. 5, 2013, which application is incorporated in its entirety here by this reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to hose clamps and efforts to strengthen the connection between the hose and the tubing. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A hose clamp is used for fastening a typically bare hose to tubing. Common automotive applications of a hose-tubing connection utilizing a hose clamp may include making fluid flow into a brake, an air conditioning system, a power steering apparatus, an engine intake (including supercharged and turbocharged applications), or an engine compartment. Common industrial applications of such combination are for the flow of fluid in other industrial Places. The purpose of the hose clamp is to prevent the hose from being separated from the Tubing. 
         [0004]    A hose clamp typically comprises a single band that wraps around the end of the hose that is covering a tube. When the clamp is tightened, the hose is held in place by the friction between the hose and the tube. Although some clamps include compensation means so as to prevent the clamp from losing its fixing force, other clamps do not. In addition, in certain high pressure applications the hose clamp cannot create sufficient friction to prevent the hose from slipping off the tubing. In certain applications where two sections of tubing are connected with a short piece of hose held in place with two hose clamps, high pressure may overcome the friction created by the hose clamp, and blow apart the connection. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a hose clamp that has an independent means for maintaining the connection between the hose and the tubing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a hose clamp brace to maintain a connection between two sections of tubing connected by a hose with conventional clamps. The hose clamp brace is used where two adjacent sections of tubing are connected by a hose with conventional clamps. The hose clamp brace comprises two tubing clamps, one of which is removably attached to the first section of tubing adjacent to the hose, and the other is removably attached to a second section of tubing adjacent to the hose. A fastening element is coupled with each tubing clamp, and a connecting element is coupled with each of the fastening elements. In some applications, it may be desirable to have at least two fastening elements on each clamp, with a corresponding connecting element for each fastening element. 
         [0007]    The hose clamp brace holds the two sections of tubing in place, independent of the hose connection. This improves the physical connection of the hose, as it relieves the strain on the hose to keep the two tubing sections from coming apart, allowing the hose to simply hold the pressure. The hose clamp brace mostly relies on the friction between the tubing clamp and the tubing, which is usually higher than the friction between the hose and the tubing. In addition, the tubing clamp is attached to the tubing, which unlike the hose, has less of a tendency to deform, degrade, or change shape over time or with temperature or pressure. 
         [0008]    Hose clamps can loosen over time simply due to the deformation of the hose. If the hose is the only connection between the tubing, the connection can blow apart as the hose slips off the tubing. With the hose clamp brace, even if the hose clamp loosens, the hose will stay in place and the connection will not blow apart, even if the hose may leak slightly. 
         [0009]    In many applications, hose clamps are used in conjunction with a single barb or flange on the tubing, to assist the hose clamp to retain the hose on the tubing. On thin-wall tubing, the barb may be formed by a tubing end former that deforms the entire tube diameter. In some applications, it may be desirable to use completely smooth tubing, without barbs or flanges formed in the tubing interior that would disrupt the linear flow of the fluid. In such applications, it is more difficult to retain a hose with a simple hose clamp. Using a hose clamp brace would improve the ability to retain the hose on the tubing, since the tubing is held in place by the hose clamp brace and the hose merely has to hold the pressure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the prior art with two sections of tubing connected by a section of hose that is held in place by hose clamps. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a partially exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention being used in conjunction with the prior art. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows an assembled perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention being used in conjunction with the prior art. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows an assembled perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention being used in conjunction with the prior art, showing the adjustability of the invention to accommodate varying lengths of hose. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows an assembled perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention being used in conjunction with the prior art. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0017]    In high pressure applications, including but not limited to supercharged or turbocharged engine systems, typical hose clamps may provide insufficient mechanical force to keep the hose connected with the tubing. Limitations in such mechanical force may include the coefficient of friction between the hose and the tubing, the amount of deformation in the hose, both initially and over time, and the maximum clamping force that can be placed on the tubing. 
         [0018]    In applications where two sections of tubing  2 ,  4  are connected with a short section of hose  6 , it is possible to increase the strength of the hose connection while simultaneously relieving some of the tension on the hose  6 , by adding a brace to either side of the hose  6 .  FIG. 1  depicts the prior art, with a first section of tubing  2  and a second section of tubing  4 , connected by a hose  6  with a hose clamp  8  on either side of the connection. This connection relies on the mechanical connection between the hose  6 , the hose clamp  8  and the tubing  2 ,  4 .  FIG. 2  shows the elements of the hose clamp brace, including the tubing clamps  10 ,  12 , fastening elements  14 , and connecting elements  16 .  FIG. 3  shows the prior art in conjunction with an embodiment of the hose clamp brace. The hose clamp brace may comprise two tubing clamps  10 ,  12 , a first tubing clamp  10  removably attached to the first section of tubing  2 , and a second tubing clamp  12  removably attached to a second section of tubing  4 . Preferably, the first section of tubing  2  is coupled to the hose at one end of the hose  6 , and the second section of tubing  4  is coupled to the opposite and of the hose  6 . The first tubing clamp  10  is attached to the first section of tubing  2  adjacent to but beyond the hose  6 . Similarly, the second tubing clamp  12  is attached to the second section of tubing  4  adjacent to but beyond the hose  6 . In other words, in the preferred embodiment, the tubing clamps  10 ,  12  are coupled to the section of tubing  2 ,  4  and not the hose  6 . 
         [0019]    The tubing clamps  10 ,  12  may comprise a standard hose clamp, or may be specially designed for the application. As such, in the preferred embodiment, the tubing clamps  10 ,  12  are cylindrical bodies configured to wrap around the sections of tubing  2 ,  4 . The tubing clamps  10 ,  12  can be wrapped around the hose  6  if desired. A screw tightening mechanism is shown in  FIGS. 2-6  for the tubing clamps  10 ,  12  but any suitable tightening mechanism could be used. In some embodiments, coupled with each of the tubing clamps  10 ,  12  is a fastening element  14 , which may comprise a post with internal or external threads. The fastening element  14  may be permanently or removably attached to the tubing clamp  10 ,  12 , by adhesives, welding, or other suitable attachment methods. Preferably, such attachment methods would leave the interior of the tubing clamp  10 ,  11  with a smooth profile, avoiding any protrusions that might create pressure points on the tubing  2 ,  4 . In some applications, the tubing  2 ,  4  may be strong enough to withstand such pressure points, or creating indentations in the tubing may not be detrimental to the function of the tubing, and in such cases, the tubing clamp  10 ,  12  may have protrusions on its interior surface. 
         [0020]    Each fastening element  14  is then coupled with a connecting element  16 , so that the two fastening elements  14  and their respective tubing clamps  10 ,  12  are mechanically connected. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the connecting element  16  is a strip, made of metal, plastic, webbing, carbon fiber, or other suitable material that is strong enough to hold the two sections of tubing  2 ,  4  together under working pressure. The connecting element  16  may have a first end  15 , a second end  17  opposite the first end  15 , and a middle section  19  therebetween, wherein the first tubing clamp  10  is coupled to the first end  15  of the connecting element  16 , and the second tubing clamp  12  is coupled to the second end  17 . In one embodiment, the connecting element  16  may be constructed of a metal strip with a plurality of holes  18  used to adjust the length of the connecting element  16  by using various holes  18  to attach the metal strip to the fastening element  14 . Preferably, the plurality of holes  18  are located at the first and second ends  15 ,  17 , or can be located throughout the length of the strip. The connecting element  16  may be secured to the fastening element  14  by a screw or a nut, or other suitable attachment structures. As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , a hose clamp brace may have two connecting elements  16 , with corresponding fastening elements  14 . In other embodiments, more or fewer connecting elements and fastening elements may be used. When two or more connecting elements  16  with corresponding fastening elements  14  are used, the connecting elements  16  may be evenly spaced apart around the tubing clamps  10 ,  12 . For example, when two fastening elements  16  are used, they may be positioned diametrically opposed to each other as shown in  FIGS. 2-6 . 
         [0021]    When the entire connection is assembled, the hose clamp brace provides a much more robust connection between the first and second sections of tubing  2 ,  4  than the hose  6  and hose clamps  8  alone. The tubing clamps  10 ,  12  provide a more secure mechanical connection because the clamp is tightened directly to the tubing  2 ,  4 , without an intervening layer of deformable hose  6 . This provides a connection that it less likely to slip than a hose clamp  8 . In addition, because the hose clamp brace is taking the strain of the pressure that is trying to force the two sections of tubing apart at the hose connection, the hose itself is relieved of that mechanical tension, improving the hose&#39;s connection and longevity. Although most applications for the hose clamp brace will involve the tubing under pressure, the hose clamp brace could be adapted for a vacuum as well, with the connecting elements  16  holding the tubing  2 ,  4  apart. 
         [0022]    One advantage of using the tubing clamps  10 ,  12  of the present invention is the ability to adjust the hose clamp brace to fit any connection,. In an alternative embodiment, however, the tubing clamps  10 ,  12  may be omitted and fastening elements (the post style) may be fixed directly onto the tubing  2 ,  4 . This would require lining up the fastening elements on the tubing  2 ,  4  to connect them with a connecting element  16 . In another embodiment, a single tubing clamp  12  may be used. In such an embodiment, the first section of tubing  2  would have the fastening element (the post style) fixed directly on the tubing  2 , and a tubing clamp  12  with a fastening element  14  would be placed on the second section of tubing  4 , with sufficient adjustability to allow easy connection for various sized assemblies. The fastening element  14  on the first section of tubing  2  would be connected to the fastening element  14  on the tubing clamp  12  by the connecting element  16 . 
         [0023]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the connecting element  16  is equipped with a plurality of holes  18  along its length. These holes can be used to make large changes in length of the hose clamp brace, to allow a single size of brace to accommodate a wide variety of assemblies with varying lengths of hose. 
         [0024]    An alternative embodiment of the hose clamp brace is shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . This embodiment may employ a connecting element  16  that is integral with the fastening element  14 . In this embodiment, the connecting element  16  and the two fastening elements  14  may be formed from a metal strip, which loops under or over the tubing clamp (i.e. wraps around a portion of the tubing clamp), and may be welded, glued, or otherwise fastened to the metal strip so that the loop contains a portion of the tubing clamp. In this manner, the connecting element  16  is coupled with the tubing clamps  10 ,  12 . Although this embodiment does not have the same length-wise adjustability of the embodiment that uses the connecting element with a plurality of holes ( FIGS. 2-4 ), this embodiment ( FIGS. 5-6 ) provides a simpler and less costly manufacturing method. The fastening element  14  in this embodiment may comprise a metal strap that is flush with the strap of the tubing clamp  10 ,  12  as shown in  FIG. 5 , which may cause the fastening element  14  to be slightly deformed as it traverses the hose  6  and hose clamps  8  of the assembly. Alternatively, a spacer (not shown) may be employed between the exterior of the tubing clamp  10 ,  12  and the fastening element  14 , which would raise the connecting element  16  to clear the hose  6  and hose clamps  8 . 
         [0025]    The fastening element  14  for the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  may be formed from common bar stock with a rectangular profile having opposing first and second ends and opposing side edges adjacent to the first and second ends. Such a profile may create pressure points on the tubing  10 ,  12  at the edges of the fastening element  14 , which may be desirable in some embodiments. Alternatively, bar stock with a tapered profile may be used for the fastening element  14  and/or the connecting element  16 , to reduce the angle of contact on the tubing  10 ,  12 . In other words, the side edges may be tapered so as to create a smoother transition from the side edge to the tubing  10 ,  12 . In yet another embodiment, an adapter (not shown) may be used either under or adjacent to the sides of the bar stock to reduce or eliminate any sharp angles on the  10 ,  12 . In such an embodiment, the side edges of the adapter may be tapered. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the connecting element  16  may be coupled to the first and second tubing clamps  10 ,  12  in an adjustable manner. For example, the connecting element  16  may be located at multiple positions along the perimeter of the tubing clamps  10 ,  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , this can be accomplished by creating a plurality of posts intermittently spaced apart about the perimeter of the tubing clamps  10 ,  12 . This also allows multiple connecting elements to be attached to the tubing clamps  10 ,  12  for added strength. 
         [0027]    For the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-6  the adjustability can be accomplished by coupling the connecting element  16  in a slidable manner so that the position of the connecting mechanism  16  may be adjustable along the perimeter of the tubing clamps  10 ,  12 . 
         [0028]    In use, a hose and tubing can be connected by providing a hose  6  having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, coupling a first section of tubing  2  with the first end of the hose  6 , coupling a second section of tubing  4  with the second end of the hose  6 , clamping the first section of tubing  2  with a first tubing clamp  10  adjacent to the first end of the hose  6 , and clamping the second section of tubing  4  with a second tubing clamp  12  adjacent to the second end of the hose  6 . The first tubing clamp  10  and the second tubing clamp  12  may already be fastened together by a connecting element  16 . In some embodiments, the first tubing clamp  10  and the second tubing clamp  12  are fastened together by attaching the connecting element  16  to the first and second tubing clamps via fastening elements  14 . In embodiments in which the fastening elements  14  protrude radially away from their respective tubing clamp  10 ,  12 , the user may adjust the distance between the tubing clamps  10 ,  12 . In some embodiments, multiple connecting elements  16  may be used to fasten the tubing clamps  10 ,  12  together. In some embodiments, the fastening elements  14  may wrap around a portion of their respective tubing clamp  10 ,  12 . 
         [0029]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0030]    This invention may be industrially applied to the development, manufacture, and use of pressurized hose connections between sections of tubing.