Abstract:
A hose clamp includes a clamping body formed by bending a band-shaped spring plate into a generally circular shape flexibly deformed into a contracted state and a spread state. The clamping body is attached to a hose before the hose is connected to a pipe. A holder is mounted on the clamping body to hold the clamping body in the spread state in which the clamping body is loosely fitted with an end of the hose. The holder releases the clamping body from the spread state so that the clamping body is deformed into the contracted state in which the clamping body clamps a junction of the hose and the pipe. A positioner positions the clamping body at the end of the hose, the positioner including a clamp retainer attached to an outer circumference of the clamping body and a locking element which engages the hose to prevent the clamping body from displacing axially and circumferentially with respect to the hose.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to hose clamps clamping a hose end, and more particularly to a hose clamp of the holder type which includes a separate holder holding a clamping body of the hose clamp in a spread state. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Hose clamps have conventionally been provided which are formed by circularly bending a band-shaped spring member and which clamp a hose with the spring force thereof. The hose clamp is previously deformed against an inherent spring force into a spread state so that it can readily be fitted with a hose. Thereafter, the hose clamp is released from the spread state so as to be capable of clamping the hose. The hose clamps are roughly divided into two types. In one type, a holder separate from a clamping body of the hose clamp is used to hold the clamping body in the spread state (holder type). In the other type, a locking means is provided integrally on both ends of the clamping body (holderless type). The locking means comprises a pair of radially protruding raised portions. In the hose clamps of the holder type, the holder is pulled out so that the clamping body is released from the spread state. On the other hand, in the holderless type, the raised portions of the clamping body are moved relative to each other so that the clamping body is released from engagement with the locking means. Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication Nos. 5-83580 and 6-69581 disclose hose clamps of the holderless type. 
     The hose clamp of both types cannot clamp the connected portion of the hose correctly when fitted with the hose in the spread state but displaced axially with respect to the hose. Further, the holder needs to be pulled out and the locking means needs to be disengaged so that the clamping body is released from the spread state, as described above. For this purpose, the holder or locking means needs to be positioned in the direction in which a releasing tool is inserted. Accordingly, the hose clamp should not be displaced circumferentially with respect to the hose. When used, particularly to clamp a radiator hose in a narrow space such as an engine room of an automobile, the hose clamp cannot be moved to be re-positioned easily. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a hose clamp with a positioner which can correctly position the clamping body relative to the hose. 
     The present invention provides a hose clamp comprising a clamping body formed by bending a band-shaped spring plate into a generally circular shape flexibly deformed into a contracted state and a spread state. The clamping body is attached to a hose before the hose is connected to a pipe. A holder is provided on the clamping body to hold the clamping body in the spread state in which the clamping body is loosely fitted with an end of the hose. The holder releases the clamping body from the spread state so that the clamping body is deformed into the contracted state in which the clamping body clamps a junction of the hose and the pipe. A positioner positions the clamping body at the end of the hose. The positioner includes a clamp retainer attached to an outer circumference of the clamping body and a locking element which engages the hose to prevent the clamping body from displacing axially and circumferentially with respect to the hose. 
     According to the above-described construction, the clamping body held in the spread state by the holder is attached to the clamp retainer of the positioner when the hose clamp is fitted with the hose end to clamp the same. As a result, the clamping body and the positioner are joined together. In this state, the hose clamp is loosely fitted with the hose end. The positioner engages the hose such that the clamping body is prevented from displacing axially and circumferentially with respect to the hose. Consequently, since the clamping body is held in a desired position relative to the hose, the holder can readily be detached from the clamping body. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear upon reviewing the following description of the preferred embodiment, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the hose clamp of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, with a positioner being removed from a clamping body; 
     FIG. 2 s a perspective view of the hose clamp attached to the positioner; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the hose clamp connecting to a pipe; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the hose clamp loosely fitted with the hose in a spread state; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the positioner; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the hose with the positioner, showing the engagement of a locking protrusion with a triangular window; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the hose clamp clamping the hose; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hose clamp of another embodiment in accordance with the invention, showing another form of positioner; 
     FIG. 9 is a enlarged partial side view of the hose clamp, showing the engagement of one of stopper protrusions; and 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial side view of the hose clamp, showing the engagement of an other stopper protrusion. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Two embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a hose clamp C of a first embodiment is shown. The hose clamp C comprises a clamping body  1  and a holder  2  holding the clamping body in a spread state. The clamping body  1  is formed by bending a band-shaped spring plate into a generally circular shape and can be flexed so that a diameter thereof is spread and contracted. One of two ends of the clamping body  1  is bifurcated. The bifurcated portions include distal ends raised radially outward so that the distal ends serve as first raised portions  3 . The other end of the clamping body  1  is narrowed so as to be inserted into a space between the first raised portions  3 . The narrowed end includes a radially raised distal portion serving as a second raised portion  4 . The clamping body  1  has a pair of triangular windows  5  opposed to each other. The triangular windows  5  serve to apply a uniform clamping force to the overall circumference of a hose H, as is well known in the art. 
     The clamping body  1  assumes a contracted state by the spring force thereof in its natural state such that the raised portions  3  and  4  are spaced from each other. The raised portions  3  and  4  are caused to come close to each other so that the clamping body  1  assumes a spread state. A holder  2  is then attached to the clamping body  1  so as to straddle the raised portions  3  and  4 , whereupon the clamping body is held in the spread state. The holder  2  is formed into an inverted U-shape and has a width as large as or smaller than the clamping body  1 . The holder  2  has a knob  6  protruding from a central top thereof. The knob  6  is gripped by a suitable tool so that the holder  2  is pulled out. 
     A positioner A will now be described. The positioner A is made of a synthetic resin and includes a clamp retainer  7  to which the hose clamp C is attached, a detent  8  preventing a circumferential displacement of the hose clamp C relative to the hose H, and hooks  9  preventing an axial displacement of the hose clamp C relative to the hose H. The clamp retainer  7  has substantially the same width as the clamping body  1  and is formed into a generally semi-circular shape so that the clamping body  1  in the spread state is inset through an upper opening  10  into the retainer. The clamp retainer  7  is flexible so that the opening  10  is spread. Thus, the clamp retainer  7  is spread when the clamping body  1  in the spread state is inset into it. The clamp retainer  7  has an inner circumferential face formed so as to adhere close to and conform to an outer circumferential face of the clamping body  1 , whereupon the clamp retainer  7  can elastically retain the clamping body  1 . The clamp retainer  7  further has a pair of locking protrusions  11  which are formed on the inner circumferential face thereof so as to engage the triangular windows  5  respectively. Consequently, when the hose clamp C is fixed to the clamp retainer  7 , the hose clamp C retained in the clamp retainer is prevented from both axial and circumferential displacement. 
     The clamp retainer  7  has three hooks  9  formed to prevent axial displacement of the clamping body  1  and the positioner A relative to the hose H. The hooks  9  are spaced from one another, that is, two of the hooks  9  are positioned at both ends of the clamp retainer  7 , and the other is located at the central bottom of the clamp retainer. Each hook  9  includes an extension  9 A extending from the clamp retainer  7  lengthwise with respect to the hose H and a stopper  9 B formed by bending a distal end of the extension  9 A radially inward with respect to the hose H. Each stopper  9 B has such a length that it is caught by an end face of the hose H but does not extend into the interior of the hose H when the positioner A has been attached to the hose. 
     The detent  8  is located at the side opposite to the hooks  9 . A connecting piece  12  is disposed on the central bottom of the clamp retainer  7  to connect the detent  8  to the clamp retainer. The detent  8  is formed into a generally annular shape so as to be loosely fitted with the hose H. The detent  8  is coaxial with the clamp retainer  7 . The detent  8  has an expanding slot  13  formed at the top thereof as viewed in FIG. 1, whereupon the detent  8  is spreadable. The detent  8  further has a plurality of biting protrusions  14  formed on the inner circumference thereof at the intervals of 60 degrees. One of the biting protrusions  14  is formed at the top thereof and can be separated by the expanding slot  13  into two halves. 
     Each biting protrusion  14  is formed into the shape of a triangular pole extending over the entire width of the detent  8 . Each biting protrusion  14  has a top edge engaging the hose H so as to bite into the outer circumference of the hose. As a result, the positioner A and accordingly the hose clamp C can be prevented from inadvertent circumferential displacement relative to the hose H. In order that the detent  8  having the biting protrusions  14  may smoothly be fitted with the hose H, both sides of each protrusion  14  at its side opposite to the clamp retainer  7  are chamfered such that each protrusion has an inclined central edge  15 . For the same purpose, the overall circumferential edge of the detent  8  at its side opposite to the clamp retainer  7  is formed into a chamfered face having such a gradient that the chamfered face is continuous with the inclined edge  15 . 
     The operation of the hose clamp will now be described. First, the hose clamp C in the spread state is attached to the positioner A such that they are integrated together. In the attachment, the hose clamp C is pushed through the opening  10  into the clamp retainer  7  with the holder  2  side being positioned at the top. The clamp retainer  7  then receives the hose clamp C while being spread. The clamp retainer  7  returns to its former state when the lower side of the hose clamp C abuts against the bottom thereof. The clamp retainer  7  circumferentially adheres closely to the clamping body  1 , holding the latter with elasticity. At this time, both protrusions  11  are fitted into the corresponding triangular windows  5 , engaging the ends of the windows, respectively. As a result, the hose clamp C is accommodated in the positioner A in a state where circumferential and axial displacements of the hose clamp are limited. 
     The positioner A integrated with the hose clamp C in the spread state is fitted with the hose H. More specifically, the detent  8  is loosely fitted with the hose H with the holder  2  being maintained at the top. In this case, the tapered chamfered face  16  of the detent  8  and the inclined edges  15  of the biting protrusions  14  prevent the detent  8  from interfering with the end face of the hose H when the positioner A is fitted with the hose H. Further, the detent  8  can be spread by the expanding slot  13 . Consequently, the positioner A is smoothly fitted with the hose H. The positioner A is pushed until the stoppers  9 B of the hooks  9  abut against the end face of the hose H. Further, since the biting protrusions  14  engage the overall outer circumference of the hose H so as to bite into it, the positioner A is prevented from displacing or turning circumferentially relative to the hose. The hose clamp C integrated with the positioner A is thus positioned axially and circumferentially with respect to the hose H to be attached to the hose in the spread state. 
     Thereafter, the hose H is connected to the pipe P. The pipe P has a circumferential flange  17  at one end thereof. Accordingly, the hose H is partially deformed to spread when passing through the flange  17 . However, the detent  8  spreads independently of the clamp retainer  7  when passing through the flange  17 . Thus, the detent  8  smoothly passes through the flange  17  and accordingly, the hose H is smoothly connected to the pipe P. 
     Upon connection of the hose H to the pipe P, the holder  2  is pulled out. Since the hose clamp C is reliably positioned axially and circumferentially as described above, the holder  2  is reliably held to be directed to the worker. The worker then holds the grip  6  with a tool, pulling it out. When the holder  2  is pulled out, the clamping body  1  translates by its elasticity into the contracted state, clamping the hose H. The positioner A is left on the hose H. 
     According to the foregoing embodiment, the hose clamp C assuming the spread state can be positioned axially and circumferentially with respect to the hose H. Consequently, the hose clamp C can smoothly be released from the spread state. Further, the clamp retainer  7  and detent  8  are deformed to spread independent of each other. Accordingly, the clamp retainer  7  and detent  8  independently spread when the hose clamp C is attached to the clamp retainer or when the flange  17  of the pipe P passes through the detent  8 . Consequently, the clamp retainer  7  and detent  8  can be deformed readily and smoothly and an amount of operation load can be reduced. 
     The connecting piece  12  connects the detent  8  to the clamp retainer  7  in the foregoing embodiment. However, the connecting piece may extend over the overall circumferential edge of the clamp retainer  7 , instead. Further, the stoppers  9 B of the hooks  9  are caught by the end face of the hose in the foregoing embodiment. Alternatively, each stopper  9 B may be folded back to be formed into an engagement claw which bites into the end face of the hose. 
     FIGS. 8 to  10  illustrate another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is directed to another form of positioner. A clamp retainer  30  has a larger angular range than that described above in the foregoing embodiment. The clamp retainer  30  has a range of about 240 degrees in this embodiment, whereas the clamp retainer  7  has a range of about 180 degrees in the foregoing embodiment. The clamp retainer  30  has two stoppers  31  and  32  formed near both ends on the inner circumferential face thereof respectively. The stopper  31  is disposed near the edge of the clamp retainer  30  at the detent  33  so as to engage a root portion of clamping body  1  at the second raised portion  4  side or a boundary f between the wide and narrow portions as shown in FIG.  9 . The other stopper  32  is formed on the widthwise middle of the clamp retainer  30  so as to engage an end g of a groove resulting from the bifurcation at the first raised portion  3  side as shown in FIG.  10 . Both stoppers  31  and  32  engage the hose clamp C to prevent turning of the hose clamp along with the protrusions  34 . Addition of the stoppers  31  and  32  can compensate the detent function, for example, when each protrusion cannot provide a sufficient hook height for the corresponding triangular window of the hose clamp or, more specifically, when each protrusion has a smaller height than in the first embodiment or when the hose clamp C has a small thickness. A detent  33  has a smaller number of biting protrusions  35  than the detent  8  in the first embodiment. 
     The foregoing description and drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention and are not to be construed in a limiting sense. Various changes and modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such changes and modifications are seen to fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.