GB2047324A

GB2047324A - Pipe clip

Info

Publication number: GB2047324A
Application number: GB8010280A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-03-27
Filing date: 1980-03-27
Publication date: 1980-11-26
Also published as: DE2911897C2; DE2911897A1; NL187654C; ATA90580A; NL8001277A; FR2452626A1; GB2047324B; NL187654B; AT370224B; BE882482A; FR2452626B1; CH644680A5; DE2911897C3

Abstract

A pipe clip has a clip ring 10 with a fixing device 25 on its periphery. The fixing device includes a projection 26 and a fixing member 25. Along each side of the ring 10 is a strip-like zone 30 to receive a retaining flange of a clip insert (not shown). The projection 26, is confined to the region 13 of the ring between the zones 30. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION "Pipe clip" The invention relates to a pipe clip, for example for heating pipes, gas pipes, water pipes, gutter pipes and the like, and consisting of, engaging around the pipe, a clip ring which has on its periphery a fixing device in the form of a radial projection.

In the case of the known pipe clips of this type (DOS 24 41 279, DOS 27 03 344, German Utility Model No. 77 05 460 and DOS 24 58 17.5, German Utility Model No. 77 14454 and German Utility Model No. 76 22 1 59), the fixing device for the pipe clip is provided or constructed directly on the clip ring in the form of a radial projection. In general, this fixing device occupies a substantial part of the width of the clip ring so that clip inserts fitted into the clip ring and having lateral retaining flanges which engage the outer face of the clip ring either have to be cut out on these retaining flanges in the region of the fixing device or they only inadequately embed themselves in the clip ring in the region of the fixing device.

The object of the invention is substantially to improve a pipe clip of the type described at the outset in that a pipe clip insert having lateral retaining flanges which engage over the outside of the clip ring can, without cut-outs, be reliably and smoothly embedded in the clip ring, independently of radial projections provided on the clip ring.

According to the invention, this problem is resolved in that along each of the two side edges of the clip ring and extending around the clip ring there is constructed a strip-like zone for receiving the retaining flange adapted to engage the outside of the clip ring and constructed on a clip insert and in that the radially projecting parts are confined to those surface zones of the clip ring which are located between these strip-like receiving zones.

In consequence, an easy and reliable handling is made possible for the insertion of a clip insert, without having to make any cut-outs in the marginal zones or flanges thereof. The resultant reduced labour costs for insertion of the clip inserts results in a reduction in assembly costs.

Above all, however, the fitment of the clip insert inside the clip ring is smooth and reliable and is independent of any radial projections from the clip ring, regardless of whether these are inwardly or outwardly directed.

According to the invention, an outwardly directed radial projection can be formed into the clip ring to carry a fixing element, whereby the strip-like receiving zones extend on both sides of this radial projection. With a radial projection formed outwardly in the clip ring, the fixing element which is fitted over this projection is lifted sufficiently far from the outer face of the clip ring that independently of its size it leaves adequate radial gap and room around the strip-like receiving zones which are formed around the clip ring for holding flanges of a clip ring insert, engaging over the outside of the clip ring, to be inserted between the fixing element and the outer face of the clip ring.

In a preferred form of embodiment of the invention, the radial projection on the clip ring is constructed after the fashion of a socket having a bottom wall parallel with a tangential plane of the clip ring and having a socket peripheral wall completely encircling its periphery and merging into the clip ring, while the strip-like housing zones are annual strips extending around the clip ring and the lateral parts of the socket peripheral wall merge in each case into one of these annular strips. In this embodiment, the pipe clip according to the invention is characterised by particularly high stability and clamping capacity in a peripheral direction.

In addition, the clip ring may be constructed with a peripherally extending outwardly protruding reinforcing bead. The socket is then formed on this reinforcing bead, in other words it extends outwardly beyond the reinforcing bead. As a result, a very strong reinforcement of the clip ring is created, particularly'in the region of the fixing device.

In another embodiment of the invention, where the demands on the clip ring in terms of stability and clamping capacity in a peripheral direction are less exacting, the radial projection may be a transversely extending shaped part protruding from the clip ring and having a U-shaped profile with a bottom wall and end walls providing a transition between the bottom wall and the curvature of the clip ring, whereby at least in the lateral edge zones of these end walls, the strip-like receiving zones extend continuously around the clip ring. The passage for the strip-like receiving zones can be constituted in that cu±outs are formed in the lateral edge zones of the end walls.

It is however also possible for the bottom wall and the end walls of the radial projection to be narrowed on both sides and in comparison with the clip ring, by the width of the strip-like receiving zones. Also in this embodiment, a reinforcement can be provided in the shape of a head around the clip ring. It is then also possible to achieve additional reinforcement in the region of the radial projection in that the outwardly projecting bead formed on the clip ring extends into the end wall of the radial projection. A further reinforcement of the radial projection can in this embodiment also be achieved in that beads are formed into the bqttom wall to extend in the peripheral direction of the clip ring.

In both embodiments of the invention, the fixing element may be a hexagonal nut fixed, for example welded, onto the outer bottom face of the radial projection. However, any other possible fixing elements may be considered.

If the clip ring has a catch fastener at least at one location around its periphery, then it is convenient within the framework of the invention to provide such a catch fastener as comprises a fastening tab constructed with a catch housing and engaging over a catch on the outside of the other end of the clip, this fastening tag having lateral cut-outs or narrowed portions corresponding to the width of the strip-like receiving zone.

Examples of embodiments of the invention will be explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe clipe according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the socket with the fixing element; Fig. 3 is a side view of the socket constructed on the clip ring, together with the fixing element; Fig. 4 is a partial section on the line 4-4 in Fig.

2; Fig. 5 is a tangential side view of the socket with a fixing element which extends beyond the width of the socket; Fig. 6 shows an open pipe clip with a pipe inserted; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the socket constructed in a U-shape on the clip ring and having cut-outs in the side walls; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the U-shaped socket constructed on the clip ring and having reinforcing beads and inwardly stepped on both sides in relation to the width of the clip ring; Fig. 9 shows a view in an axial direction of the U-shaped socket constructed on the clip ring and having continuous reinforcing beads extending from the clip ring as far as the end walls of the radial projection, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the socket which is radially pre-cut into the clip ring.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the pipe clip 10 according to the invention, having a one-piece clip ring 1 1 which is bent to the desired diameter and is constructed to be outwardly convex with reinforcing beads 12 and 13 on either side of the ends of the clip ring 1 1. In this zone, the pipe clip 10 has a catch fastener with a catch 20 constructed on the reinforcing bead 12. To accommodate or secure the catch 20 a catch housing 21 is constructed in a fastening tab 22.

In order to secure the pipe clip by means of a fixing element 25, for example a hexagonal nut, there is constructed on the reinforcing bead 12 an outwardly protruding socket 26 which, in the example illustrated, is of the same width as the reinforcing bead 12. It might first be assumed that as a result of this protruding socket in the reinforcing bead 12, the material would be overstretched so that the stability of the clip ring 11 would suffer. However, the result of this embodiment is quite the opposite. The clip ring as a whole has even greater stability than without the socket 26.

In detail, the socket is constructed as follows: On the reinforcing bead 12 is disposed the socket 26 constructed according to the invention, the plane supporting face 28 of the socket 26 lying tangentially on the reinforcing bead 12 or clip ring 1 1. In the example illustrated, the width of the socket corresponds to that of the reinforcing bead 12. The supporting face 28 merges into its socket peripheral wall 29 which extends along and around it, the wall 29 in turn extending into the body of the clip ring 11 or reinforcing bead 12. In a peripheral direction, the socket peripheral wall 29 runs through transition radii 27 tangentially into the reinforcing bead 12. The lateral parts of the socket peripheral wall 29 merge into the lateral surfaces of the reinforcing bead 12 and leave lateral annular strips 30 on the clip ring 11.

As Fig. 4 shows, it is possible for example to use a hexagonal nut as the fixing element 25.

Fitment of the fixing element 25 can be chosen according to the nature of use of the pipe clip 10.

In addition to the inseparable types of connection, such as soldering and adhesion, the fixing element 25, for example a hexagonal nut, can also be connected to the socket 26 by spot welding. The inevitable heat treatment entailed by fitment, for example spot welding of the fixing element 25, and the resultant structural change in the material, with a consequent reduction in spring tension. is rendered ineffectual on the clip ring by virtue of the geometrical construction of the socket according to the invention.

The relatively high socket height 31 on the pipe clip 10 is particularly advantageous when using sound vibration damping insert strips 32 which are provided with edge protecting strips. If fixing elements are required, for example a hexagonal nut, the dimensions of which extend beyond the width of the reinforcing bead 12, because it is necessary for design and static reasons, see Fig. 5, then this presents no problem because the outside diameter of the edge protecting strip remains below the plane of the socket.

If less exacting demands are made in terms of stability and clamping capacity of the clip ring in a peripheral direction, then the radial projection may have a transversely extending U-shaped form, as shown in Fig. 7 to 9. In detail, Fig. 7 shows a Ushaped socket 40 constructed on the clip ring 11 and defined by the bottom wall 42 and the end walls 41 which merge into the curvature of the clip ring 1 The cut-outs 43 which are disposed in the end face of the end walls 41 are designed so that their (from the clip ring centre) radial dimension matches the vibration damping insert 32, the width of the cut-out 43 being suitable to accommodate the holding flange of the insert strip 32 which engages over the outside of the clip ring.

Fig. 8 shows another form of embodiment according to the invention. In this case, the clip ring 11 is reinforced in itself by a bead 44 extending radially and centrally around the periphery. The U-shaped socket 40 similarly has, for reinforcing purposes, beads 45 which are constructed in the bottom wall 42. In order to achieve a flat supporting surface for fitment of a fixing element, the beads 45 are concavely constructed in the bottom wall 42. Instead of the recesses 43, shown in Fig. 7, the socket 40 may be stepped at its end zone.

As shown in Fig. 8, the edge 46 accommodating the holding flange extends in an axial direction of the clip ring 11 sufficiently inwardly that the holding flange engaging over the clip ring is free to lie flat.

Fig. 9 shows a clip ring 11 in which a reinforcing bead 47 extends radially over the periphery and as far as the end walls 41 of the socket 40. Furthermore, a further reinforcement of the clip ring 1 1 can be achieved by forming into the bottom wall 42 a bead 48 which extends in the peripheral direction of the clip ring 11.

Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment according to the invention in which the socket 40 constructed on the clip ring 11 has two cut edges 50 which extend radially on the clip ring 1 These cut edges 50 facilitate formation of the socket in the peripheral wall of the clip ring 1 1. This form of embodiment is employed preferably when the stability requirements imposed on the socket 40 are not all too exacting.

As can be seen particularly in Fig. 1, the tab-like end of the clip ring 11 which contains the catch housing 26 has a recess on each side in order thus to leave at the end of the clip ring 1 1 which contains the catch 20 and which is overlapped by it, lateral strips 30 which can be engaged by the holding lips on the back of a clip insert. These lateral strips 30 then extend on either side of the clip ring 11 and around the periphery thereof without overlapping in the region of the fastening.

Thus, a clip insert 32 has a smooth and creasefree seating even in the region of clip closure.

It is also particularly advantageous within the scope of the invention for the clip ring to be constructed in one piece, as is shown particularly clearly in Fig. 6. So that the clip ring fits smoothly all round against the pipe or the like which it is to accommodate, it is possible to provide a predetermined bending zone 14 which, in the example illustrated, lies between the two reinforcing beads 12 and 13 and comprises no reinforcing bead itself, so that it can be bent around the pipe 19 or the like, while the beaded parts of the clip ring 11 retain their shell-shape when the pipe clip is closed. The predetermined bending zone 14 ought as far as possible not to be weakened but should have virtually the same cross-sectional size as the other parts of the ciip ring 11. The strip-like receiving zones 30 extend thereby over and beyond this predetermined bending zone 14 and guarantee a smooth and creaselessapplication of the pipe clip insert 32 against the pipe 19 and the clip ring 1 1.

By virtue of the one-piece construction of the clip ring 11, possibly with a predetermined bending zone 14, it is in the example illustrated furthermore ensured that the ends of the clip ring which carry the catch 20 and catch housing 26 respectively are guided rectilinearly and smoothly on each other and retain this smooth and torsionfree reciprocal contact even under load.

Claims

1. A pipe clip having a clip ring which has on its periphery a fixing device with a projection or shoulder and at least one closing device having interengaging parts, wherein, along each side edge of the ring is a strip-like zone for receiving a retaining flange engageable with the outside of the ring and formed on a clip insert, the projecting parts being confined to the zones of the ring located between the strip-like zones.

2. A pipe clip according to claim 1, wherein an outwardly protruding radial projection is formed into the ring as a support for a fixing element, the strip-like receiving zones extending on either side of and along the radial projection.

3. A pipe clip according to claim 2, wherein the radial projection is in the form of a socket with a bottom wall parallel to a tangential plane of the ring and having a socket peripheral wall encircling the periphery of the socket and merging into the ring, the strip-like receiving zones being annular strips extending around the ring and the lateral parts of the peripheral wall of the socket merging in each case into one of these annular strips.

4. A pipe clip according to claim 3, wherein the bottom wall is formed on an outwardly projecting reinforcing bead disposed between the annular strips and being of substantially the same width ap the socket.

5. A pipe clip according to claim 4, wherein, in the case of one form of clip ring, for forming a predetermined bending zone thereof, a bead reinforcement merges substantially tangentially into the peripheral bulge of the ring, the socket being in the region of the bead reinforcement outside the predetermined bending zone.

6. A pipe clip according to claim 2, wherein the radial projection is a transversely extending outwardly shaped part of the ring having a Ushaped profile with a bottom wall and end wall merging from the bottom wall into .he curvature of the ring, the strip-like receiving zones which extend around the ring being continued at least in the lateral edge zones of the end walls.

7. A pipe clip according to claim 6, wherein, in the lateral edge zones of the end walls, there are recesses which afford passage for the strip-like receiving zones.

8. A pipe clip according to claim 6, wherein the bottom wall and the end walls of the radial projections are narrowed on both sides in respect of the clip ring by the width of the strip-like receiving zones.

9. A pipe clip according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the clip ring has at least one peripherally extending outwardly projecting reinforcing bead which extends as far as the end walls of the radial projection.

10. A pipe clip according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein preferably inwardly protruding reinforcing beads are formed in the bottom wall of the radial projection so that they extend substantially in the peripheral direction of the clip ring.

11. A pipe clip according to any preceding claim wherein the fixing element is a hexagonal nut fixed onto the outer bottom face of a radial projection.

12. A pipe clip according to claim 1 1 wherein the radial projection carrying the fixing element projects outwardly beyond the curvature of the clip ring at least as far as necessary for insertion of the tongue-like fixing and edge-protective strip of a resilient clip insert which engages over the lateral edges of the ring in the strip-like receiving zones thereof, and introduced between the striplike receiving zones and the edge of the fixing element.

13. A pipe clip according to any preceding claim wherein there is at least at one location around the clip ring periphery a fastener for the ring, comprising a fastening tab with a catch aperture engageable over a catch member on the outside of an end of the ring, the tab having lateral cut-outs of substantially the same width as the strip-like receiving zone.

14. A pipe clip according to claim 13, wherein the lateral cut-out extend over the width of overlap of the fastening tab with the end of the ring containing the catch member so that the lateral receiving strips are free of overlap at the said end.

15. A pipe clip according to any preceding claim wherein the clip ring is integral and has a predetermined bending point matching the periphery of a pipe to be accommodated.

16. A pipe clip according to claim 15, wherein the bending point has the same cross-sectional area as the other zones of the ring.

17. A pipe clip according to claim 16, wherein the clip ring is an integral metal strip reinforced by peripheral beads in dish-like zones, and is not reinforced in the region of the bending point.

18. A pipe clip constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and shown in the drawings.