Patent ID: 12222053

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows one half of a profile clamp2for connecting two tubular bodies which, for example, each have a flange projecting radially outward at their ends to be connected, in a sectional illustration. Another, complementary half gives a complete profile clamp2. The features referred to the illustrated half can also be present in the other half. In the following description, reference is made to features which relate to the entire profile clamp2.

The profile clamp2has a clamp band which is formed by two clamp sections4, which each have a first transition section6and an adjoining clamping element8. Of course, it is also possible for the clamp band to be just a single piece. The clamping element8projects radially outward from the clamp section4and has a through-hole10. A clamping device, for example a screw or something similar, can be guided through the through-holes10of the two clamping elements8and serves to tighten the profile clamp2in the circumferential direction. As a result, the clamping elements8can approach one another and possibly touch one another. A joint section12serves to connect the two clamp sections4to one another in an articulated manner in order to make possible a variable distance between the clamping elements8and thus enable tightening.

The first transition section6converts a uniformly curved shape of the respective clamp section4into a widened shape, to which the clamping element8is connected. One feature of the first transition section6, per an embodiment, is the advantageous progression of the change in shape of the profile cross section, as will be explained in greater detail in the following figures.

InFIG.1, three profile section planes C, D and E are indicated in the first transition section6, these being shown inFIGS.2ato2c.FIG.1shows that the heights of the local profile cross sections decrease in the direction of the clamping element8. In the region adjacent to the joint section12, there is a second transition section14. There, three profile section planes F, G and H are likewise indicated. In the associated local profile cross sections, the heights decrease in the progression toward the joint section12.

As a result, the greatest possible clear width can be provided at certain points between the joint section12and the first transition section6, enabling a relaxed profile clamp2to be fitted onto a flange. Preferably, per an embodiment, the aforementioned element for tightening the clamping elements8is already arranged in the corresponding through-holes10and loosely screwed in. Therefore, the assembly effort for the profile clamp2is significantly less than in the case of known profile clamps.

FIGS.2ato2cshow a progression of the shape of local profile cross sections16in the first transition section6from the clamp section4in the direction of the clamping element8. Each of the profile cross sections16is of trough-shaped design and has a base18and two legs20enclosing the base18. The legs20have mutually opposite end edges22remote from the base18. The reference signs belonging to the individual profile cross sections16each have an additional letter for the assignment of the individual section planes, which letter correlates with the respective section plane. Consequently,FIGS.2ato2cshow profile cross sections16c,16dand16e, which have the base18c,18dand18e, respectively, etc.

The local profile cross section16cshown inFIG.2ain the first transition section6is furthest away from the clamping element8. The base18carranged there has a first width24c. The profile cross section16darranged in section plane D has a base18dwith a width24dwhich is greater than the width24cof the previous profile cross section16c. However, profile cross section16ehas a base18ewhich has a width24ewhich is even greater than the width24dof the previous profile cross section16d. At the same time, the three profile cross sections16c,16dand16ehave local heights26c,26dand26ewhich become continuously smaller in the direction of the clamping element8.

As can furthermore be seen inFIGS.2ato2c, straight sections28c,28dand28eof the legs20enclose a first angle α, which likewise increases in the direction of the clamping element8. It rises, for example, from about 38.5° to about 54.5°. In the intermediate profile cross section16d, the first angle α can be, for example, 46.5°. Tangents30at the end edges22, which each have an overhang, enclose a second angle β with respect to one another. This is, by way of example, constant at about 90° for all the profile cross sections16c,16dand16e.

This change in shape of the local profile cross sections makes it easier for the profile clamp2to be placed on a flange of a tubular body to be connected. Furthermore, particularly during deep drawing or other forming processes, a more harmonious flow of force and material can be achieved, protecting the material to be formed and preventing cracks, fractures or step changes in the thickness of the material.

FIGS.3ato3dshow changes in the shape of profile cross sections16in the region of the second transition section14. Here, the shape changes from a normal profile cross section16mto profile cross sections16f,16gand16h. Here, the reference signs are used analogously toFIGS.2ato2c. It can be that the first angle α is likewise enlarged in the direction of the joint section12. Here too, it could change from 38.5° to 54.5°. Here, the end edges22of the profile cross sections16f,16gand16hare formed without an overhang, and therefore the second angle β located in profile cross section16mdisappears in the second transition section14. Furthermore, the widths24f,24gand24hof the bases18f,18gand18hremain constant. In the second transition section14, a pronounced flattening of the profile cross section16can be tolerated, and this leads to the large clear width between the two transition sections6and14, which can be seen inFIG.1.

The profile cross section16kwhich is illustrated inFIG.4is located approximately centrally in the clamp section4. It corresponds substantially to the profile cross section16minFIG.3aand extends over the entire clamp section4between the two transition sections6and14. The profile cross section16mis designed to fit around flanges.

FIGS.5a,5b, and5cshow the clamping element8in two detail view and a cross section.FIG.5aclearly shows the decreasing height of the profile cross section16.FIG.5b, for its part, shows the uniform widening of the base18. This can furthermore be seen inFIG.6a-bwhereinFIG.6ashows a conventional connection region of a clamping element (left-hand part ofFIG.6) and the configuration according to an embodiment is seen inFIG.6b. In the latter, the advantageous, uniform increase in width for optimizing the flow of material and force can be seen.

The invention is not restricted to one of the above-described embodiments but can be modified in a variety of ways.

All the features and advantages which emerge from the claims, the description and the drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps, may be essential to the invention either per se or in a wide variety of combinations.

All the features and advantages, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, which follow from the claims, the description and the drawing can be fundamental to the invention both on their own and in different combinations. It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

2profile clamp3clamp band4clamp section6first transition section8clamping element10through-hole12joint section14second transition section16profile cross section18base20leg22end edge24width of the base26height of the profile cross section28straight section30tangentα first angleβ second angle