GB2117037A

GB2117037A - Clip for hoses

Info

Publication number: GB2117037A
Application number: GB08208191A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Charles Pinkerton
Original assignee: Ford Motor Co
Current assignee: Ford Motor Co
Priority date: 1982-03-20
Filing date: 1982-03-20
Publication date: 1983-10-05

Abstract

A clip for hoses comprises a band (2) and complementary end fittings (3, 4) on each end of the band for securing the ends of the band together. One end fitting (4) is slidably received in the other (3), and both fittings include complementary locking surfaces (10, 20) which are biased into engagement with each other to prevent withdrawal of the one end fitting out of the other, but which can be disengaged to allow the clip to be reused. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clip for Hoses This invention relates to clips for hoses.

Conventional clips for hoses comprise a band which is usually circular, for surrounding a hose, and complementary end fittings on each end of the band for securing the ends of the band together so that the band can be clamped tightly around the hose. For example, in one known clip, one end fitting is provided with a rack formation, and is received in the other end fitting which carries a worm screw. Rotation of the worm screw engages the rack formation so that the first end fitting slides into the second end fitting. Such clips cannot, however, be assembled quickly. An alternative known hose clip which can be assembled quickly comprises a closed band which is slipped over the hose, and having a keystoneshaped formation projecting radially outwardly therefrom. In order to tighten the band around the hose, the keystone-shaped formation is squeezed between the jaws of a pair of pliers.This clip suffers from the disadvantage that it is not reusable.

According to the present invention there is provided a hose clip comprising a band for surrounding a hose, and complementary end fittings on each end of the band for securing the ends of the band together, one end fitting being slidable into the other end fitting in one direction to reduce the area enclosed by the band, characterised in that the end fittings are provided with complementary locking surfaces which are biased into engagement with each other to prevent movement of the one end fitting in the opposite direction, the locking surfaces being disengageable from each other.

Since the locking surfaces are biased into engagement with each other, and one end fitting is a sliding fit within the other, the hose clip may be assembled quickly. Moreover, the hose clip can be removed quickly by disengagement of the locking surfaces.

The locking surfaces of at least one end fitting, and preferably of both end fittings, are conveniently formed on tabs formed on opposite sides of the band. If the tabs of one end fitting project beyond the other, the locking surfaces may be disengaged by manipulation of the former tabs with a tool such as a pair of pliers. In order to reduce the risk of damage to the tabs by the pliers one tab at least is preferably provided with a stop which engages the other tab when the locking surfaces are disengaged.

In order to facilitate assembly of the hose clip, one end fitting is preferably shaped to form a guide surface for the other end fitting which directs the ends of the bands into a desired relative configuration.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end view of a hose clip in accordance with the invention: Figure 2 is a plane of the hose clip of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a radial cross-section taken along line Ill-Ill of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a hose clip 1 comprises a circular band 2 of resilient metal, the opposite ends of which are formed into complementary end fittings 3, 4. The first end fitting 3 comprises two tabs 5, 6 formed integrally with the first end of the band 2 and bent upwardly from opposite sides to form a generally U-shaped channel. The bottom parts of the tabs bulge outwardly, as best seen in Figure 3. A radial slit 7 is formed in the upper edge of each tab to divide the tab into radial tongues 8, 9. The tongues 8 further from the first end of the band 2 have a smaller axial spacing than the other tongues 9, so that the radial edges of the tongues adjacent the slit 7 form radial recesses 10, 10 on the inside surface of the U-shaped channel whicn provide locking surfaces for the end fittings.The edges of the tongues 9 at the end of the band are turned radially outwardly as seen in Figure 2 to form a flared entrance to the channel.

The second end fitting 4 also comprises two tabs 14, 15 formed integrally with the band and bent upwardly from opposite sides thereof. The edges of the tabs 14, 5 adjacent the second end of the band bulge outwardly at their bases, as indicated at 16, 17 in Figure 3, to form a profile complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the U-shaped channel formed by the first end fitting 3.

The tabs 14, 15 include tongues 1 4a, 1 spa, which are of a similar width to the tongues 8 of the first end fitting but project radially there beyond. The tongues 1 4a, 1 5a terminate in in-turned flanges 18, 19 which permit a limited movement of the tabs 14, 15 towards each other before engaging each other. The radial edges 20, 21 of the tongues 1 4a, 1 5a further from the second end of the band 2 form locking surfaces complementary in shape to the recesses 10 formed by the tongues 8, 9 of the first end fitting.

In use, the clip 2 is positioned around a hose with the first and second end fittings disengaged from each other. The second end fitting is then slid into the flared entrance of the U-shaped channel formed by the first end fitting and the two end fittings are squeezed together by means of a tool such as a pair of pliers. During the initial relative movement of the end fittings, the tongues 9 nearer the first end of the band 2 deflect the tongues 1 4a, 1 5a of the second end fitting towards each other against the bias produced by the resilience of the material from which the band 2 is made. When the tongues 1 4a, 1 5a register with the screw tongues 9 of the first end fitting, they expand into the position illustrated in Figure 1 and engage with the radial recesses 10 thereby locking the two end fittings together.

Throughout this movement the end of the first end fitting is guided along the base of the U-shaped channel by the engagement of the bulged walls of the two fittings.

In order to release the hose clip, the upper portions of the two tabs 14, 1 5 of the second end fitting 4 are squeezed together by means of a tool, and thereby disengage from the recesses 10. The band 2 can then expand. Engagement of the flanges 10, 1 9 prevents the user from bending the tabs sufficiently to produce a permanent distortion of the tabs. The hose clip can therefore be reused.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not illustrated) the tabs 5, 6 of the first end fitting are shaped to provide locking surfaces defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses similar to the recesses 10 each of which can engage with the tongue of the second end fitting so that end fittings may be locked in a plurality of different positions.

Claims

1. A hose clip comprising a band for surrounding a hose, and complementary end fittings on each end of the band for securing the ends of the band together, one end fitting being slidable into the other end fitting in one direction to reduce the area enclosed by the band, characterised in that the end fittings are provided with complementary locking surfaces which are biased into engagement with each other to prevent movement of the one end fitting in the opposite direction, the locking surfaces being disengageable from each other.

2. A hose clip according to Claim 1 wherein the locking surfaces of at least one end fitting are provided on opposed tabs formed on opposite sides of the band.

3. A hose clip according to Claim 2 wherein the locking surfaces of both end fittings are provided on opposed tabs formed on opposite edges of the band.

4. A hose clip according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the tabs of one end fitting project beyond the other end fitting sufficiently to allow manipulation by a tool to disengage the locking surfaces.

5. A hose clip according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the tabs include stops which engage each other when the locking surfaces are disengaged.

6. A hose clip according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein one end fitting is shaped to form a guide surface for the other end fitting for directing the ends into a desired related configuration.