WO2010089065A1

WO2010089065A1 - Clamp device

Info

Publication number: WO2010089065A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/000573
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhard Franz
Original assignee: Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG; Würth International Ag
Priority date: 2009-02-06
Filing date: 2010-02-01
Publication date: 2010-08-12
Also published as: DE102009008764A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamp device for fixing the flange of two components, the end surfaces of said flanges extending parallel to each other, comprising, for example, two contact blocks (6) designed symmetrically to each other and preferably made of relatively hard plastic and comprising the two contact surfaces (9). One contact surface (6) is provided for contacting the inner side (19) of the flange (15) facing away from the other component, and the other contact surface (6) extends approximately perpendicular thereto and limits the contact block (6) sliding on the flange (15) from the edge thereof.

Description

Description Clamping device

The invention relates to a clamping device for connecting two components, each having a flange in its end region. An example of such a component are ventilation ducts.

Such components are interconnected in such a way that the outwardly directed flanges, usually of the same size, bear against one another and that the inner sides of the flanges facing away from the respective other component are exposed. This makes it possible to attack on these insides and brace the two flanges against each other so or jammed.

For clamping air ducts a clamping bracket is already known (DE 3309965), which consists of an actual bracket and a clamping lever. The clamp can be slid onto the abutting flanges from the outside, and after pushing, a clamping force is generated by moving the clamping lever, which presses the two flanges against each other. This clamp is expensive to manufacture and expensive to assemble.

Furthermore, a device for connecting flanges having air duct sections is known, which must be pushed from the side, ie in the longitudinal direction of the flanges (DE 10324160).

Also known is a clip which is constructed of a plastic part and a plastic clip on the clip-on spring clip (US 3411190).

The invention is based on the object, a clamping device for Establishing two each having a flange exhibiting components, which is easy to install, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a clamping device with the features mentioned in claim 1. The invention also proposes a fastening arrangement with two components abutting one another with their flanges and at least one clamping device according to claim 1. Further developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

Since the jamming of the two components requires a considerable amount of force, the invention proposes to use a separate element for generating the clamping force. For engagement with the side facing away from the respective other flange inside of a flange, a bearing block is provided, which optionally consists of a softer material and distributes the force over a larger area. The element serving to generate the force may in particular be a substantially U-shaped element, in particular a spring clip, in which the two legs each serve to generate an inwardly directed force, the clamping force. For both elements a suitable material and a suitable shape can be selected.

The support point, with which the clamping device is supported on one of the two components, may be formed by a bearing block or formed on the spring clip itself, for example on one of its legs. However, the clamping device always has at least one contact block.

It is therefore also possible in a development that the clamping device has two contact blocks, each of which is suitable for a flange. is constantly, in which case a support point for the spring clip is formed at each investment block. In particular, it can be provided that the two bearing blocks are identical or symmetrical to each other, so that when applying the clamping device does not need to be paid attention to the correct orientation of the clamping device.

For the function of the clamping device, it is not necessary that the bearing block and the spring clip are connected to each other. However, it makes sense for the handling to ensure that the at least one block or block in two investment blocks both investment blocks are connected to the spring clip, as this simplifies the handling and storage.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that at least one bearing block is guided displaceably on the spring clip. This ensures that after attaching the bearing block to the flange, the spring clip can be pushed onto the bearing block, in order to transmit the spring force to the contact block.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that the bearing block in addition to its contact surface for the inside of the flange has a further contact surface, which limits its postponement or its movement from the edge of the flange in the direction of the component itself. This contact surface, which preferably cooperates with the edge of the flange, is particularly useful when the clip is pushed onto the plant block.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that, when two attachment blocks are present, they are connected to each other, for example, in such a way that they by a narrow Band are interconnected. This tape can form a kind of film hinge or mounting aid. It can hold the two blocks, for example, in a manner that facilitates the sliding of the bearing blocks on the abutting flanges of the two components to be connected.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the bearing blocks are connected to the spring clip such that their outer sides diverge from the spring clip. Since the outer sides extend at least approximately parallel to the contact surfaces of the respective contact block, in this way it is ensured that the clamping force increases as the clamping device is pushed deeper. The spring clip forms with the two investment blocks a kind of open pliers, which facilitates the sliding of the clamping device on the two flanges and allows.

The spring clip may be formed in a further development of the invention, in particular, that it comprises two approximately parallel legs, which are interconnected by a web.

In a further development, it can be provided that a notch is formed between the two contact surfaces of each contact block. This makes the clamping device also suitable for such flange connections in which a widening of the flange is still formed on the edge of the flange.

When pushing the spring clip with the investment blocks on two flanges to be joined together, a defined end position can be formed by the fact that the web of the spring clip comes to rest on the edge of the flanges.

For fixing a bearing block to the spring clip, the spring derklammer have an opening through which passes through a pin of the investment block. In order to allow a displacement of the bearing block relative to the spring clip, this opening may be a slot.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the abstract, the wording of which is incorporated by reference into the content of the description, the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and with reference to the drawing. Hereby show:

Figure 1 is a side view of a spring clip as part of the clamping device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is the view of the spring clip from the right in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the spring clip;

Figure 4 is a side view of two interconnected investment blocks;

Figure 5 shows the state of the clamping device at the beginning of placement on two flanges;

Figure 6 shows the state of attachment;

Figure 7 is a representation corresponding to Figure 5 in a modified embodiment;

Figure 8 is a side view of another embodiment;

9 shows the view of the clip of FIG. 8 from the left in FIG. 8. Figure 1 shows a spring clip, which is made of a spring steel. The spring clip 1 includes a flat web 2, which is bent in the region of its two ends in the same direction and there forms two legs 3, which extend approximately at right angles to the direction of the web 2. The free ends 4 of the two legs 3 are bent diverging outwards. The length of these bent ends 4 of the two legs 3 is about 1/5 to 1/4 of the length of the legs. 3

As can be seen from Figure 2, which shows a view of the spring clip 1 from the right in Figure 1, the spring clip 1 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure 1 has a constant width, so that to be seen in Figure 2 boundary surfaces right and each lie on the left in a plane, and both planes are parallel to each other.

In both legs 3, a slot 5 is formed in each case, which has a closed circumference. Each slot 5 extends at one end almost to the web 2, and extends at the opposite end to the divergent end 4. The slot 5 has parallel sides.

Figure 3 shows the perspective view of this spring clip. The spring clip is intended to provide the clamping force with which two components are to be connected together.

Figure 4 shows an end view of two interconnected bearing blocks 6, which should interact with the spring clip 1 of Figure 1 and Figure 2 together. The two plant blocks 6, for example, consist of a relatively hard plastic. They have approximately flat outer surfaces 7, on which a pin 8 is formed, optionally one has widened head. At the outer side 7 facing away from the inner side of each bearing block 6 forms a contact surface 9, which extends approximately parallel to the outer sides 7. At the contact surface 9, a notch 10 connects, and at the end of the notch 10, the inside of the two bearing blocks 6 jumps back inward and forms there another contact surface 11, which, however, extends transversely to the contact surfaces 9. The contact surfaces 11 go flush in a connecting band 12, which is relatively thin and can be easily deformed, the two plant blocks 6 but connects in the position shown.

The two attachment blocks 6 are approximated with their pins 8 to the legs 3 of the spring clip 1 and the pins 8 inserted through the slots 5. As a result, the flat inner sides of the diverging ends 4 of the legs 3 lie flat against the outer surfaces 7 of the two contact blocks 6 (FIG. 5). Due to the length of the slots 5, a displacement in the longitudinal direction of the legs 3 of the spring clip 1 in the direction of the web 2 can take place. In the position shown in Figure 5, the pins 8 abut the ends of the slots 5 facing away from the web 2. Both the outer sides 7 and the contact surfaces 9 diverge from the spring clip 1 starting. The clamping device is approximated to the end of the two flanges 15 until the connecting band 12 rests on the common edges 16 of the two flanges 15. These are the flanges 15 of two ventilation duct plates.

In this position, the spring clip, for example, by a blow with the hammer, pushed in the direction of the components to be joined together 17,18. In this case, the diverging ends 4 of the two legs 3 slide on the outer sides 7 of the two bearing blocks 6 in the direction of the components and tilt them around the widened edges 16 around. As a result, the abutment surfaces 9 come into contact with the inner sides 19 of the two flanges 16. The sliding of the Anja blocks 6 on the flange connection is limited by the abutment of the contact surfaces 11 (see FIG. 6). The target position of the clamping device is shown in FIG.

Figure 7 shows a modified embodiment in which only a single bearing block 6 is present, which is connected approximately in the same manner as in the previous embodiment with a leg 2 of the spring clip 1 '. The other leg 3 'of this spring clip is bent inwardly in its edge region and forms there a support point for support on the inner side 19 of the flange 15 of this component 17th

While the spring clip of Figures 1 to 7 is made of steel, Figures 8 and 9 show an embodiment of a clamping device in which both the spring clip 21 itself and the two bearing blocks 26 are made of plastic. Again, the two bearing blocks 26 are attached to the end portions of the two legs 23 of the spring clip 21, by means of a film hinge 24. They are thus made in one piece together with the spring clip 21.

On the inner sides 25 of the two legs 23 of the spring clip 21 teeth are formed, as well as on the outer sides 27 of the two bearing blocks 26th

Such a spring clip, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, can be produced very inexpensively by injection molding. In order to achieve a sufficiently high clamping force here as well, a bead 22 is formed on the outside of the spring clip 21 for reinforcement, so that the spring clip actually has a greater thickness and thus greater strength. When mounting the clamping device, the film hinges 24 can tear off, and the protection against slipping can be improved by the teeth on the inner sides 25 of the legs 23 and on the outside of the bearing blocks 26.

The clamping device of FIGS. 8 and 9 may alternatively be produced by the zinc die-casting process, that is to say consist of zinc, or else be cast of steel (MIM process). These metal clamps may be advantageous in special cases for fire safety reasons.

The clamping device described herein is primarily intended to clamp parts of ventilation ducts together.

The clamping device according to FIGS. 5 and 6 for fixing the flanges of two components which extend parallel to one another with their end faces comprises two contact blocks which are symmetrical to one another and are preferably made of relatively hard plastic, which have two contact surfaces. One abutment surface is intended to abut against the other component facing away from the inside of the flange, the other contact surface, which runs approximately perpendicular thereto, limits the postponement of the bearing block on the flange of the edge thereof.

The two blocks, which are connected by a thin band, are placed on the two flanges from the edge, pushed and fixed by means of a spring clip. The spring clip slides on the outsides of the two investment blocks, tilts them around the band connecting them and acts on them in deferred state against the inside of the two flanges.

Claims

claims

1. clamping device for fixing two each having a flange (15) exhibiting components (17,18) to each other, containing

1.1 at least one investment block (6), the

1.2 a for engagement on the inside (19) of the flange (15) of a component (17,18) certain contact surface (9) and

1.3 has an outer surface (7) on the opposite side,

1.4 a spring clip (1) for generating a the flanges (15) cohesive clamping force, wherein

1.5 the spring clip (1) for engaging the outer surface (7) of the bearing block (6) and

1.6 is formed for its application against the inner side (19) of the flange (15), and with

1.7 a support point for supporting the spring clip (1) on the inside (19) of the flange (15) of the respective other component (18,17).

2. Clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the support point on a leg (3) of the spring clip (1) is formed.

3. Clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the support point is formed on a second bearing block (6) having a bearing surface (9) and an outer surface (7) on which the spring clip (1) engages.

4. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one bearing block (6), at two bearing blocks at least one of the two bearing blocks, on the spring clip (1) is attached.

5. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one bearing block (6), in the case of two bearing blocks of at least one of the two bearing blocks, is displaceably guided on the spring clip (1).

6. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one bearing block (6) has a further contact surface (11) for abutment against the outer edge of the flanges.

7. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two bearing blocks (6) are interconnected.

8. Clamping device according to claim 7, wherein the bearing blocks (6) are interconnected by a film hinge.

9. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing blocks (6) are connected to the spring clip (1) such that the outer sides (7) of the two bearing blocks (six) diverge from the spring clip (1).

10. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring clip is U-shaped with two legs (3) and a web connecting them (2).

11. Clamping device according to one of claims 6 to 10, wherein between the two contact surfaces (9, 11) at least one of the two bearing blocks (6) has a notch (10) is formed.

12. Clamping device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the leg (3) connecting web (2) of the spring clip (1) for engagement with the outer edge of the flanges (15) of the two components (17,18) is formed.

13. Clamping device according to one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the outer side (7) of at least one bearing block (6) is designed as a substantially flat surface.

14. Clamping device according to one of claims 4 to 13, wherein for attachment of the at least one bearing block (6) on the spring clip (1) this has a slot (5) with preferably closed circumference, in which a projection (8) on the outside (7) of the contact block (6) engages.

15. Clamping device according to one of claims 4-13, wherein at least one bearing block (26) is integrally connected to the spring clip (21).

16. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring clip (21) consists of plastic.

17. Clamping device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one bearing block (26) via a foil hinge with the spring clip (21) is connected.

18. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring clip (21) on its outer side a reinforcing rib (22).

19. Fastening arrangement with two each having a flange (15) with the outside of these flanges (15) abutting components (17,18) and with at least one clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, on the opposite inner sides (19) of the flanges (15) attacks.

20. Fastening arrangement according to claim 19, with a plurality of preferably equally spaced clamping devices.