Patent ID: 8231147

Claim:
A clamp for a tubular connecting element in small refrigeration systems having a compressor operatively associated with a refrigeration circuit containing at least one working fluid, said clamp comprising: a first and a second semi-annular portion each having a first end and a second end, said first ends being joined to each other in a single piece by a joining portion and each of said second ends and, the joining portion between the two first ends being made so as to allow said two semi-annular portions to be displaced between an open position, with the second ends spaced from each other, allowing the clamp to be placed around the tubular connecting element, and a closed position, said first and second semi-annular portions each comprising a reinforced projecting portion radially extending outwardly from a contour of the respective semi-annular portion and defining a confronting face with the confronting face of each projecting portion extending the entire length of the projecting portion, said confronting faces of the projecting portions of the second ends being seated one against the other throughout their entire length when said clamp is in the closed position, a lock carried by the second end of the first semi-annular portion and extending through an opening provided in the second end of the of the second semi-annular portion to be engaged by a locking projection extending into the opening to lock the semi-annular ends together, each projecting portion having a width and a thickness calculated so as to reinforce a locking region of the clamp to prevent breaks in the region of the projecting portions adjacent the lock, said joining portion having a contour to urge the clamp to its closed position in which each projecting portion has a respective confronting face seated against the confronting face of the other projecting portion; the two first ends being coupled to each other, in a single piece, by an elastically deformable joining portion, to allow relative angular movement of the two semi-annular portions between their open and closed positions; and the joining portion is defined by an arched projection of the first ends of the semi-annular portions.