FR2871214A1 - COLLAR FOR ATTACHING A TUBE OR THE LIKE TO A SUPPORT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to clamps for fixing, on a support, T tubes or the like of radius R. The clamp according to the invention is essentially characterized by the fact that it comprises two half-clamps 11, 12, the inner wall 14 of the half-collar 11 having the shape of a cylindrical sector of radius R and of an angle at the center equal to π + 2α, with 0 <2α <π, the inner wall 16 of the half-collar 12 having the shape of a cylindrical sector of radius R and central angle at most equal to π - 2α, means 13 for assembling the two half-collars 11, 12 consisting of plane wings 21-22, 23-24, the four wings s' extending outside the two half-collars 11, 12, the two integral wings of a half-collar being substantially situated in the same plane 29 substantially perpendicular to the bisecting plane 30, 31 of the angle at the center of this half-collar collar, and means 32 for connecting the two wings 21, 22 integral with a half-collar to the two wings 23, 24 integral with the other half-collar. plication to the collars which allow to temporarily hold a tube before fixing it definitively on the support, in particular in the fields of plumbing and electricity.

Description

COLLAR FOR ATTACHING A TUBE OR THE LIKE TO A SUPPORT

  The present invention relates to clamps, on a support, tubes or the like having a generally cylindrical shape of revolution of radius R, and more particularly the collars which find an advantageous application in the fields, but not exclusively, plumbing and electricity.

  Currently, users of this type of collar are mainly, but not exclusively, plumbers when they realize for example facilities for the flow of fluids in buildings or the like.

  To perform such installations, they are first of all obliged to prepare sections of tubes having sometimes relatively complex geometries, then to assemble them end to end, for example by welding, to obtain a complete pipe having the desired terminal configuration.

  However, before assembling these sections of tubes, they very often begin by placing the end-to-end sections at the locations they must occupy in the end, to verify their configuration and possibly correct it.

  However, it is known that, to position and fix such pipe sections, plumbers use collars generally consist of two half-collars, one of which is fixed on the wall of the building and the other is fixed on the first one. trapping the tube. The means for fixing the two half-collars together are generally constituted by screws, clips or the like.

  With the type of collar described above, to pre-position the pipe sections before assembling end to end, in order to be able to verify that their geometry is the desired one, the plumbers are obliged to fix them by means of the two half -colliers and therefore proceed to the establishment of screws, clips or the like for this fixation.

  When the plumber has verified that all the pipe sections have the required geometry, they are usually obliged to remove them from the collars in order to assemble them end-to-end, for example by welding, then to put them back into the collars and to fix the two half-collars together by means of the screws to permanently imprison the tube or section of tube.

  It is therefore conceivable that, in addition to being tedious, the repeated operations of screwing and unscrewing to arrive at the final positioning of the tubes require a significant time which undoubtedly contributes to the increase in the overall cost of installation.

  To overcome this drawback, it has therefore been proposed collars of the type comprising two half-collars, one of which, which is fixed on the support wall, allows, on its own, to maintain the tube, without the latter be permanently fixed by assembling the two half-collars.

  Such a collar is for example known from EP-A-0 945 659. It comprises in particular a first circular half-collar and bosses arranged near the ends of this first half-collar, the distance separating two bosses facing each other. being smaller than the diameter of the tube to be fixed to allow this tube to be momentarily jammed.

  This type of collar allows a priori to achieve the desired goal. But, in fact, it is found that, the tube being maintained only by the tops of the bosses, the retention force exerted on this tube is not very high and that the maintenance of the tube is not really assured, d as much as its cylindricity is not always perfect, either by construction or by subsequent deformation during handling. It can be seen, for example, that three out of four bosses are alone in contact with the wall of the tube. As a result, the slightest effort exerted on the tube makes it without difficulty coming out of the half-collar.

  In addition, it is found that, if one proceeds to a succession of positions in the half-collar and extractions out of this demicollier, the half-collar very quickly loses its power of retention of the tube due in particular to the small number contact points between the demicollier and the tube.

  It is further necessary to note that the precise realization of the bosses in the appropriate places is relatively complex, which significantly increases the cost of such a necklace.

  Also, the present invention is intended to provide a clamp for fixing tubes of the type of those having two assemblable half-collars, one of which alone allows to maintain the tube, more easily and better , without the latter being permanently fixed when the two half-collars are assembled, which largely overcomes the disadvantages of collars of the prior art as those mentioned above.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to a clamp for fixing a tube or the like when this tube has a generally cylindrical shape of revolution of radius R, said collar comprising two first and second half-collars and means for assembling the two half-collars for forming a holding sleeve having a cylindrical inner wall of revolution of radius substantially equal to R, said sleeve being able to surround said tube in contact, characterized in that: the inner wall of the first half-collar presents the shape of a substantially cylindrical sector of revolution of radius substantially equal to R and center angle equal to t + 2a, with 0 <2a <ic, to thereby form a first longitudinal side opening of width substantially equal to 2R. cosa, É the inner wall of the second half-collar has the shape of a substantially cylindrical sector of revolution of radius substantially equal to R and year in the center at most equal to it - 2a, to thus form a second longitudinal lateral opening of width at most equal to 2R. cosa, É the means for assembling the two half-collars consist of two pairs of substantially flat wings respectively integral with the free edges of the first and second openings, the four wings thus formed extending outside the two half-collars , the two integral wings of a half-collar being substantially located in the same plane substantially perpendicular to the bisecting plane of the angle at the center of the half-collar, and means for connecting the two integral wings of a half-collar to the two wings secured to the other half-collar when the two half-collars are associated so that the two said openings are substantially merged, so that the first and second half-collars form said holding sleeve, and that the two free edges of the first opening are substantially shaped in cut ends converging towards the inside of said first half-collar, to promote the introduction of the tube into said first r half-collar in a direction defined substantially in the bisecting plane of the angle in the center of the first half-collar, before the second half-collar is assembled with said first half-collar.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge in the course of the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings for illustrative but not limiting purposes, in which: FIG. 1 shows, in cross-section, a first embodiment of the collar According to the invention enclosing a tube, FIG. 2 represents a diagram making it possible to explain certain structural characteristics of the collar according to the invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively represent a second and a third embodiment of the collar according to the invention, FIGS. 5 and 6 show two elements forming part of the construction of the collar according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3; FIGS. 7 and 8 represent two elements forming part of the constitution of the collar according to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, Figure 9 shows, seen in cross-section a part of a fourth embodiment of real FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the collar according to the invention for fixing two tubes next to one another, for example as in the case of an installation comprising a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe in an apartment building.

  It is first of all specified that, in the figures, the same references designate the same elements, whatever the figure on which they appear and whatever the form of representation of these elements. Similarly, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can be easily found by referring to another figure.

  It is also stated that the figures represent several embodiments of the object according to the invention, but that there may be other embodiments that meet the definition of this invention.

  It is furthermore specified that, when, according to the definition of the invention, the object of the invention comprises "at least one" element having a given function, the embodiment described may comprise several of these elements.

  Conversely, if the embodiments of the object according to the invention as illustrated comprise several elements of identical function and if, in the description, it is not specified that the object according to this invention must obligatorily comprise a number particular of these elements, the object of the invention may be defined as comprising "at least one" of these elements.

  Finally, it is pointed out that when, in the present description, an expression alone defines, without any specific specific reference to it, a set of structural characteristics, [for example E = E (p, z, s, ...)] , these characteristics can be taken, for the definition of the object of the protection requested, when technically possible, either separately, [for example s, and / or z, and / or p,

  .], either in total and / or partial combination, [eg E (s, z, p), and / or E (s, T), and / or E (r, p), and / or E (s) , p)] ... DTD: FIG. 1 represents, seen in cross-section, a first embodiment of a collar according to the invention which makes it possible to fix, on a support, a tube T of cylindrical general shape of revolution of radius R, this collar being of the type of those comprising two first 11 and second 12 half-collars and means 13 for assembling the two half-collars 11, 12 in order to form a retaining sleeve of cylindrical inner wall of radius revolution substantially equal to R, the sleeve being able to surround the tube in contact.

  According to one characteristic of the invention, as schematically represented in FIG. 2, the inner wall 14 of the first half-collar 11 has the shape of a substantially cylindrical sector of revolution of radius substantially equal to R and of equal center angle at i + 2a, with 0 <2a <t, to thereby form a first longitudinal side opening 15 of width substantially equal to 2R.cosa, while the inner wall 16 of the second half-collar 12 has the shape of a sector substantially cylindrical revolution of radius substantially equal to R and center angle at most equal to 7t - 2a, and advantageously lower to ensure good retention of the tube T, to thereby form a second longitudinal side opening 17 identical in its shape to the first, of width at most equal to 2R.cosa.

  The value of the angle a depends essentially on the elasticity of the material in which the first half-collar 11 is made. This value will therefore advantageously be determined experimentally by those skilled in the art. For example, a first half-collar 11 according to the invention made by the Applicant in galvanized steel for current values of R, with an angle α of a value of about twelve degrees, gave good results.

  As for the means 13 for assembling the two half-collars 11, 12, they consist of two pairs of wings 21-22, 23-24 substantially flat integral respectively free edges 25-26, 27-28 of the first and second openings 15, 17, the four wings extending outside the two half-collars 11, 12, the two wings integral with a half-collar being substantially located in the same plane 29 substantially perpendicular to the bisecting plane 30, 31 of the angle in the center of this demicollier, and means 32 for linking the two wings 21, 22 integral with a half-collar to the two wings 23, 24 secured to the other half-collar when the two half-collars are associated so that the two openings 15, 17 are substantially merged so that the first and second half-collars form the holding sleeve.

  It is pointed out that in FIG. 1, the respective flanges 21, 23 and 22, 24 of the two half-collars 11, 12 are shown in contact, for the sake of simplicity. But, as mentioned above, the angle at the center of the second half-collar is advantageously determined so that it is less than t-2a, so that there is a non-negligible space between two facing wings and that, when the assembly of the two half-collars on one another, the tube is trapped in a certain way, and especially in contact with the inner wall of the two half-collars 11, 12. The determination of the value of this space is domain of the person skilled in the art and will not be defined here.

  The means 32 mentioned above for connecting the wings in pairs are generally constituted, as illustrated in Figure 1, by screws or the like.

  As they are well known in themselves, they will not be more fully described here, for the sole purpose of simplifying the present description.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the two free edges 25, 26 of the first opening 15 are substantially shaped in cut ends converging towards the inside of the first half-collar 11, to promote the introduction of the tube T into this first half-collar in a direction substantially defined in the bisecting plane 30 of the angle in the center of the first half-collar before the second half-collar 12 is assembled with said first half-collar 11, as will be explained below.

  These cut edges are more particularly visible at 33 in FIG. 9, although they are present on the embodiments of the collar illustrated in the other figures, only the scale of these figures not making it possible to highlight them as well. than the representation in Figure 9.

  As mentioned before, FIG. 1 represents a first embodiment of the collar according to the invention. This embodiment is generally used for necklaces that do not need to be of the isophonic type.

  In this case, each of the two half-collars 11, 12 and its two wings 21-22, 23-24 are made in one piece in a continuous strip of one of the following materials: steel, ferrous metal, plastics material , glass fibers, and more generally galvanized steel bichromated.

  Figures 3 and 4 show two other embodiments of a collar according to the invention having the character of isophony, further noting that the tube T is not illustrated in these two figures.

  According to these two embodiments, each of the two half-collars 11, 12 consists of a continuous strip formed of at least two first and second superimposed layers 41, 42, the second layer 42 which forms the inner wall of the half collar 11, 12 having an elasticity greater than that of the first layer 41 which forms the outer wall of this demicollier.

  As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, in these two embodiments, the wings 21-24 are integral with the half-collars as defined above, solely by the first layers 41.

  It is possible that the second layer 42 is simply placed on the first layer 41. However, for the sake of safety, it is advantageous if means are provided for linking these two layers 41, 42 with each other, these means that may be, for example, glue, mechanical fastening, interlocking or the like.

  Preferably, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two ends 43, 44 of at least one of the two second layers 42, and advantageously both, comprise extensions 45, 46 capable of covering at least partially respectively the two wings 21-24 integral with the half-collar that it forms with the first layer 41.

  Advantageously, the second layer 42 forming part of the first half-collar 11 and its two extensions 45, 46 consist of a first preformed part 50, composite or not, comprising a central portion 51 of length L substantially equal to R (7t + 2a) and two projecting lateral parts 52, 53, these projecting lateral parts forming, with the central portion 51, an angle of a value substantially equal to R, with f3 equal to 2 - a. Therefore, when the collar is made, the second layer 42 is pressed against the inner face of the first layer 41 and the extensions 45, 46 are automatically placed respectively on the two wings 21, 22 integral with the first half-collar 11. In this way, the second layer 42 and its two extensions 45, 46 perfectly marry, in a continuous contact, respectively the inner surface of the first layer 41 and the two wings 21, 22, without occurring at the ends 43 , 44, blisters, folds, bosses, or the like, nor a take-off by force due to the natural elasticity of the second layer.

  In the same advantageous manner, the second layer 42 forming part of the second half-collar 12 and its two extensions consist of a second preformed part 60, composite or not, comprising a central portion 61 of length 1 substantially equal to R ( it - 2a) and two projecting lateral parts 62, 63, these protruding lateral parts forming, with the central part 61, an angle of a value substantially equal to it - f3, with equal to 2 - a.

  This second preformed part 60 associates with the first layer 41 and the two flanges 23, 24 of the second half-collar 12 in the same manner as described above for the first preformed part 50 and the first half-part 11.

  Figures 5 and 6 show an embodiment of the two preformed parts 50, 60, and Figure 3 the collar comprising such preformed parts.

  In this embodiment, the inner surface of the collar is relatively smooth, without discontinuities (apart of course any reinforcements that could include such half-collars as mentioned below), and the tube (not shown in this figure) will be in contact with the inner wall of the sleeve defined above, over substantially its entire periphery.

  However, to favor the isophonic character of such a collar, it is advantageous that the surface 70 of the second layers 42 forming the inner wall of the sleeve comprises a plurality of elastic pins 71.

  Figures 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the two preformed parts 50, 60, and Figure 4 the collar comprising such preformed parts. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the collar is provided with resilient pins or the like 71, for example ribs of longitudinal shape substantially parallel to the axis of the sleeve, and the tube (not shown in this figure) will be in contact with the vertices of these pins which will be crushed when the two half-collars 11, 12 will be assembled by enclosing the tube T. For a collar having the structures as those illustrated more particularly in Figures 3 and 4 has an important isophonic character, it It is advantageous for the first layer 41 to be made of one of the following materials: steel, galvanized steel, bichromated zinc-plated steel, ferrous metal, plastics material, glass fibers, and that the second layer 42 be made of one of the materials following: natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, neoprene, and those known technicians under the names EPDM, SBR, and even a combination of lam they spring or the like.

  In a possible embodiment, such as that illustrated in part in FIG. 9, each flange 21, 22 secured to the first half-collar 11 comprises a longitudinal recess 80 with an edge defined by the free edge of the first layer 41. , the extensions 45, 46 integral with the second layer 42 covering and filling respectively these recesses 80. The advantage presented by this embodiment is more particularly when introducing the tube into the first half-collar 11 for its positioning as described below.

  All the embodiments described above relate to a collar defining a sleeve for holding a single tube. But, as for the collars of the prior art, it is possible to make a collar defining several sleeves able to maintain several tubes parallel to each other.

  Figure 10 shows, in schematic form, a collar according to the invention for maintaining two tubes parallel to each other. This collar comprises two first half-collars 11 integral with one another by one of their wings 22, 21 so that the bisecting planes 30 of the two substantially cylindrical sectors of revolution of these two first half-collars 11 are parallel and spaced from each other by a value D, and two second half-collars 12 secured to one another by one of their wings 24, 23 so that the bisecting planes 31 of the two substantially cylindrical sectors of revolution of these two second half-collars 12 are parallel and located at a distance from each other equal to D. Of course, as in the embodiments according to the prior art, the collar according to the invention further comprises means for fixing the first half-collar 11 on a support, for example a building wall. These means schematically illustrated in FS in Figure 1 are well known in themselves and therefore will not be further described here for the sole purpose of simplifying the present description.

  In the description above, the width of the strips and / or layers 41, 42 has not been specifically defined. It will for example be of the same order of magnitude as that of the collars of the prior art for the same tube diameter T to be fixed.

  It is further specified that the strips in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 and / or the first layers 41 in the embodiments according to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9 may comprise reinforcement ribs, not illustrated, of the same type. way than for the collars of the prior art.

  A collar as described above is used as follows: First, the first half-collar 11 is fixed at the desired location on the support using the means FS. A section of tube T is presented in front of its opening 15 in contact with the two cut faces 33. As the opening 15 has a width smaller than the diameter of the tube section, to introduce the tube section into the first half-collar, it is necessary to exert on the tube section a force substantially in the bisecting plane 30. Due to the inherent elasticity of the half-collar, the two ends 25, 26 deviate to let the tube section to its contact with the bottom FO of this first half-collar 11. Since the value of the angle has been determined so that the deformation of the first half-collar does not reach the plastic deformation of the material constituting it, the half-collar resumes its original form as soon as the pipe section comes into contact with its bottom FO and encloses it over more than half of its circumference, that is to say along a circular sector of angle to the center it + 2a.

  Therefore, the tube section is perfectly maintained in the first half-collar without the need to set up the second half-collar. It is even possible to remove the tube section of the first half-board, and then to insert it again, and this, several times if necessary to get perfectly the desired geometry and layout for this section of tube.

Claims (1)

12 CLAIMS   1. A clamp for fastening a tube (T) or the like when this tube has a generally cylindrical shape of revolution of radius R, said collar comprising two first (11) and second (12) half-collars and means (13) for assembling the two half-collars (11, 12) to form a cylindrical inner wall retaining sleeve of revolution of radius substantially equal to R, said sleeve being able to surround said tube in contact, characterized in that: inner wall (14) of the first half-collar (11) has the shape of a substantially cylindrical sector of revolution of radius substantially equal to R and of center angle equal to 7c + 2a, with 0 <2a <7c, for thus forming a first longitudinal lateral opening (15) of width substantially equal to 2R.cosa, and the inner wall (16) of the second half-collar (12) has the shape of a substantially cylindrical sector of revolution of radius substantially equal to R and corner in the center a u more equal to 7t - 2a, to thus form a second longitudinal lateral opening (17) of width at most equal to 2R.cosa, É the means (13) for assembling the two half-collars (11, 12) consist of two pairs of substantially planar wings (21-22, 23-24) secured respectively to the free edges (25-26, 27-28) of the first and second openings, the four wings extending out of the two halfs; collars (11, 12), the two wings integral with a half-collar being substantially located in the same plane (29) substantially perpendicular to the bisecting plane (30, 31) of the angle at the center of this half-collar, and means (32) for linking the two wings (21, 22) secured to one half-collar to the two wings (23, 24) integral with the other half-collar when the two half-collars are associated so that the two said openings (15, 17) are substantially merged, so that the first and second half-collars form said sleeve, and that the two bo free ribs (25, 26) of the first opening (15) are substantially shaped in cut edges (33) converging towards the inside of said first half-collar (11), to promote the insertion of the tube (T) into said first half-collar (11) in a direction defined substantially in the bisecting plane (30) of the center angle of the first half-collar (11), before the second half-collar (12) is assembled with said first half -collar (11).   2. Collar according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the two half-collars (11, 12) and its two wings (21-22, 23-24) are made in one piece in a continuous strip of the one of the following materials: steel, zinc-plated steel, ferrous metal, plastics, glass fibers.   3. Collar according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the two half-collars (11, 12) consists of a continuous strip formed of at least two first and second superimposed layers (41, 42), the second layer (42) which forms the inner wall of said half-collar (11, 12) having an elasticity greater than that of the first layer (41) which forms the outer wall of said half-collar.   4. Collar according to claim 3, characterized in that the two ends (43, 44) of at least one of the two second layers (42) comprise extensions (45, 46) capable of covering at least partially respectively the two wings (21-24) integral with the demicollier it forms with the first layer (41).   5. Collar according to claim 4, characterized in that the second layer (42) forming part of the first half-collar (11) and its two extensions (45, 46) consist of a first preformed part (50). ), said first preformed part comprising a central portion (51) of length L substantially equal to R (it + 2a) and two projecting lateral parts (52, 53), said projecting lateral parts forming, with the central part (51 ), an angle of a value substantially equal to f3, with f3 equal to 2- a (Figures 5 and 6).   6. Collar according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the second layer (42) forming part of the second demicollier (12) and its two extensions consist of a second preformed part (60), said second preformed part having a central portion (61) of length 1 substantially equal to R (ic - 2a) and two projecting side portions (62, 63), said projecting side portions (62, 63) forming, with the central portion (61), an angle of a value substantially equal to ir - R, with f3 equal to 2- a (Figures 7 and 8).   7. Collar according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the surface (70) of the second layer (42) forming the inner wall of the sleeve comprises a plurality of resilient pins (71).   8. Collar according to claim 4, characterized in that each flange (21, 22) integral with the first half-collar (11) comprises a recessed longitudinal recess (80), an edge is defined by the free edge of the first layer (41), the extensions (45, 46) of the second layer (42) respectively covering and filling said recesses (80).   9. Collar according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that said first layer (41) is made of at least one of the following materials: steel, zinc-plated steel, galvanized steel, ferrous metal, plastic , glass fibers, and that the second layer (42) is made of at least one of the following materials: natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, EPDM, SBR, neoprene, spring sipes.   10. Collar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two first half-collars (11) secured to one another by one of their wings (22, 21) so that that the bisecting planes (30) of the two substantially cylindrical sectors of revolution of these two first half-collars (11) are parallel and distant from one another by a value D, and two second half-collars (12) secured to one another by one of their wings (24, 23) so that the bisecting planes (31) of the two substantially cylindrical sectors of revolution of these two second half-collars (12) are parallel and located at a distance from each other equal to D (Figure 10).