WO1998023889A1

WO1998023889A1 - Clamping collar with elastic collet

Info

Publication number: WO1998023889A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/002116
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal Detable; Nicolas Rigollet; Eric Chauffeteau; Henri Viratelle; Richard Chene
Original assignee: Etablissements Caillau
Priority date: 1996-11-25
Filing date: 1997-11-24
Publication date: 1998-06-04
Also published as: FR2756356B1; FR2756356A1; EP0939872A1; AU5228698A

Abstract

The invention concerns a clamping collar comprising a metal strip (10) coiled on itself and a connecting piece (12). This piece comprises, formed in one single metal piece, a bearing (14) fixed to the first end (10a) of the strip and a collet (16) which projects radially outward. This collet comprises, between its first end (16a) connected to the bearing and its second free end (16b), and external wall (16c) having substantially the form of a cylinder portion the concavity of which is directed towards the inside of the collar and a base (16d). The collet has a first slot (18) for inserting an end portion of the strip in its internal space (17). A clamping device (20) is capable of co-operating with the collet for adjusting the tension of this end portion relative to said collet.

Description

Hose clamp with elastic casing.

The present invention relates to a clamp comprising a metal band wound on itself and clamping means cooperating with a connection piece fixed to a first end of the band. A collar of this type is known from the European patent application published under the number 0 571 294, for which the tightening means comprise a screw cooperating with reliefs formed on the external face of the end portion of the strip opposite to its first end, and for which the connecting piece is constituted by a terminal provided with a leaf spring in which the screw is mounted. This necklace is entirely satisfactory from the point of view of its operation. In particular, the leaf spring, by deforming elastically, ensures clamping even if the diameter of the object to be clamped varies slightly, for example due to temperature fluctuations. However, there are two aspects of this necklace that could be improved. On the one hand, the leaf spring and the terminal are two separate parts that must be assembled. To reduce manufacturing costs, it would be desirable to produce these two elements in the form of a single piece. On the other hand, the elastic effect of the leaf spring is exerted on the screw which itself rests on the end portion of the strip, the latter resting on the bottom of the terminal. Consequently, part of the stresses exerted by the spring blade during expansion or retraction of the object to be clamped are lost by friction of the end portion of the collar on the bottom of the terminal. The collar therefore does not react instantaneously and completely to variations in the volume of the object to be tightened.

The invention aims to improve the aforementioned collar by retaining the spring function on a reduced number of parts and by practically eliminating the friction forces, it also aims to propose a collar whose tightening means may be different from the screw on request European Patent No. 0 571 294.

This object is achieved thanks to the fact that the connecting piece comprises, formed in a single metallic piece, a sole fixed to the first end of the strip and a housing projecting radially outward from the collar from said sole, this housing comprising, between a first end connected to the sole and a second free end, an external wall which has substantially the shape of a portion of cylinder whose concavity is directed towards the inside of the collar and a base which extends between the sole and the external wall of the housing, to the fact that the housing has at least one first slot having a width at least substantially equal to the width that the strip has in an extreme portion close to its second end and thus allowing the insertion of the strip into the internal space of the housing delimited between the external wall and the base of the latter, and to the fact that the clamping means comprise a clamping member able to cooperate with the housing to adjust the tension of the end portion of the strip relative to said housing. We understand that this configuration allows to realize in one piece the connecting piece which plays both the role of the terminal and that of the blade spring of European patent application No. 0 561 294. In addition, as will see below, the clamping member may be different from the screw of this European patent application. The particular conformation of the housing allows its external wall to play the role of a spring capable of ensuring tightening even when the diameter of the object to be tightened undergoes slight variations. In addition, the clamping member cooperates directly with the housing and adjusts the tension of the end portion of the strip relative to the latter, so that this end portion is fixed relative to the housing.

Thus, when the outer wall of the housing is elastically stressed to compensate for variations in the diameter of the object to be clamped, it is directly these elastic stresses which make it possible to slightly increase or reduce the diameter of the collar, these stresses not being exerted on any intermediate element, so that no loss due to friction occurs, neither with regard to the reaction time, nor with regard to the reaction amplitude.

According to a first advantageous embodiment, the clamping member comprises at least one active clamping part disposed in the internal space of the housing. It is then directly this active part which cooperates with the extreme portion of the strip to ensure tightening.

In this case, it is also advantageous for the end portion of the strip to be pinched between the internal face of the base of the housing and the active part of the clamping member which is arranged opposite this internal face. According to a first variant of this embodiment, the tightening member is produced by a screw generally similar to that of the request of European patent n ° 0 571 294, this screw being supported in rotation by means forming a bearing produced directly on the housing. In this case, the housing has a through passage for the end portion of the strip. This strip, or at least its end portion, is provided with a rack formed by reliefs made on its external face and which cooperates with the screw.

According to a second variant, the free end of the housing is curved in its internal space and has a pinching edge which is situated opposite the internal face of the base. It is then directly this nipping edge which constitutes, in whole or in part, the clamping member by cooperating with reliefs forming a rack on the external face of at least the extreme portion of the strip. As in the first variant, the housing then has a through passage for this end portion.

According to a second embodiment, the clamping member is constituted by an axis to which the second end of the strip is attached and around which the end portion of this strip is wound to ensure clamping. In this case, the housing comprises means forming a bearing which support this axis in rotation in a position transverse to the strip. The invention will be well understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments shown by way of nonlimiting examples. The description refers to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a collar according to the invention according to a first embodiment, in the non-tightened state,

FIG. 1a is an enlargement in section in a plane transverse to the axis of the collar of the part of the collar of FIG. 1 which comprises the connection part,

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the same collar in the tightened state,

FIG. 3 is a top view of a plate used to form the connection piece, before the housing is produced by winding a part of this plate,

FIG. 4 is a section along the reference IV of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a section of a connection piece constituting a variant of that of FIGS. 1 to 4, FIG. 6 is a partial section of a variant of the collar of FIGS. 1 to 4, comprising a similar clamping member,

- Figure 7 is a partial section of another variant having another clamping member, - Figure 8 is a top view of a plate used to form the connecting piece of Figure 7, before the realization of the housing by winding,

FIG. 9 is a partial section of a collar according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a partial section of a variant of the collar of FIG. 9.

The collar of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a band 10 wound on itself between a first end 10a and a second end 10b.

This strip is made of metal of the type commonly used to make clamps, for example stainless steel. This collar also includes a connecting piece 12 which makes it possible to maintain the winding of the strip to give it a circular shape and to tighten the collar.

This part comprises a sole 14 fixed to the first end 10a of the collar and a housing 16 which projects radially towards the outside of the collar from the sole 14. As will be seen below, the connection part 12 is produced in one piece, the sole 14 and the housing

16 as one.

Of course, the indication that the housing projects radially outward from the collar does not mean that this housing extends along a radius of this collar, but that it is located on the outside of this collar as opposed to the inner side located inside the cylinder defined by the strip when it is wound on itself.

The housing 16 comprises, between its first end 16a which is connected to the sole 14 and its second end 16b which is free, an external wall 16c which has substantially the shape of a portion of cylinder whose concavity is directed inward of the collar and a base 16d which extends between the sole 14 and the external wall 16c. So, in a way, the basis

16d constitutes the bottom wall of the housing. The indication that the outer wall of the housing has substantially the shape of a portion of cylinder means that the outer shape of this wall is generally that of a surface generated by a straight line moving parallel to itself by relying on an unclosed geometric curve, this curve generally comprising at least one section in an arc. It can also have a spiral section. Thus, for the housing 16 of the collar of Figure 1, this curve has a first portion in an arc which extends between the first end 16a of the housing and a point 16'a and a second substantially straight portion which extends from this point 16'a to the zone 16'b for connection of the external wall of the housing and of the base 16d. The segment which defines the generatrix of the semi-cylinder is parallel to the geometric axis A of the strip 10 when it is wound on itself.

We will see below that from its first end 16a, the outer wall 16c of the housing is wound on itself to adopt the shape of the cylinder portion. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 2, the direction of winding of this external wall is the same as the direction of winding

F of the strip between its first end 10a and its second end 10b.

The housing 16 has at least a first slot 18 which allows the second end 10b of the strip to be inserted into the internal space of the housing, this internal space being delimited between the external wall 16c and the base 16d. To do this, the slot 18 has a width at least substantially equal to that of the strip. Conventionally, the strip has a constant width over its entire length. However, in the event that the width of the strip in its end portion 10c immediately situated upstream from its second end 10b is different from its current width, it must be considered that the width of the slot 18 is at least substantially equal to that of this extreme portion.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 1a and 2, the active part 20a for clamping the clamping member (constituted in this case by a screw 20) is disposed in the internal space 17 of the housing. Thus, the end portion 10c of the strip is pinched between the internal face 16i of the base (that of its faces which is directed towards the internal space of the housing) and the active part 20a of the clamping screw which is arranged opposite of this internal face.

The free end 16b of the housing 16 has a fold 16f which extends in the direction of the external wall of the housing, substantially perpendicular to the base 16d of the latter. We also note that this base is substantially flat. The extreme portion 1 Oc of the strip on which the tightening takes place completely crosses the housing. To this end, the latter has a through passage which includes the first slot 18 (slot which is located in the vicinity of the connection zone 16a of the housing with the sole 14), a second slot 18 'which is located in the vicinity of the zone of connection 16'f of the fold 16f with the base 16d and a third slot 18 "which is located in the vicinity of the connection zone 16'b of the external wall 16c with the base 16d. Overall, these three slots 18, 18 ' and 18 "are aligned, so that the end portion 10c of the strip passes through the housing in a substantially rectilinear manner. The slots are also arranged so that this end portion 10c can rest on the internal face 16i of the base 16d.

The active part 20a of the clamping screw is formed by the threaded barrel of the latter. The external face of the end portion 10c of the strip has in known manner reliefs which form a rack (not shown) with which the thread of the screw cooperates to tighten the collar. To support the screw in rotation and maintain it so that the end portion of the strip is pinched between the barrel 20a of this screw and the base 16d of the housing, the latter has means forming a bearing. More precisely, as can be seen better in FIG. 1a, the external wall 16c of the housing has a first opening 22a which is located in the vicinity of the connection zone 16'b of this external wall with the base 16d of the housing, this opening forming a first bearing which cooperates with a region of the screw between its head 20b and the barrel 20a. In addition, the fold 16f has a second opening 22b which forms a second bearing capable of cooperating with the end of the screw opposite the head of the latter. As will be seen more clearly below, these openings 22a and 22b are generally semi-circular and have respective diameters substantially equal to those of the parts of the screw with which they cooperate. We will also see that the opening 22a and the slot 18 "are in fact two parts of the same orifice made in the wall of the housing, just as the opening 22b and the slot 18 'are two parts of another orifice .

The first bearing 22a is precisely produced in the substantially rectilinear zone of the external wall 16c of the housing, zone lying between the points 16'a and 16'b. It can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 1a that in the loose state of the collar, a clearance j is made between the sole 14 of the connection piece 12 and the base 16d of the latter's housing. In fact, when the collar is tightened, the external wall 16c of the housing tends to deform elastically in the direction of a reduction in its mean radius of curvature. In other words, the maximum radial distance d between the base of the housing and the base (distance generally measured radially from the connection zone 16'b of the external wall and the base) decreases, that is to say -to say that the outer wall of the housing is rolled up more. The clearance j serves to avoid or at least to limit the friction which could occur on this occasion between the base and the sole.

FIG. 2 shows the collar in the tightened state and makes it possible to observe that the housing is practically wound up as much as possible, the zones 16'f and 16b being respectively in contact with the sole and the internal face of the external wall 16c of the housing . The maximum winding is more generally defined by the abutment of the fold 16f against the part of the wall 16c which faces it.

When tightening, the screw can be rotated to the maximum winding. In this case, under the effect of a slight creep of the material (generally rubber) of the object to be tightened, the case can unroll slightly and stabilize in an "intermediate" situation in which it is wound more than in FIG. 1, but less than in FIG. 2. By choosing the tightening torque, one can also make sure not to reach the maximum winding (coming into abutment) during tightening to directly target a situation of "intermediate" winding.

From such a situation, if the diameter of the object to be clamped decreases, for example under the effect of a temperature decrease, the elastic capacity of the external wall 16c of the housing allows it to take place for reduce the diameter of the collar accordingly and ensure tightening.

If, on the other hand, the diameter of the object to be clamped increases, for example due to an increase in temperature, the diameter of the collar can increase consequently by further compressing the spring which constitutes the external wall 16c of the housing (it that is, this wall rolls up more). In the various variants shown, the connecting piece is made of metal, for example in a spring steel of thickness significantly greater than that of the strip 10. This spring steel may for example be a steel having undergone an appropriate heat treatment or a steel having been hardened, either during the formation of the housing, or beforehand.

Note that to prevent the free strand of the strip, located between its end 10b and the housing, from being too far radially from the rest of the collar, the housing may be provided with a deflector 24 (located on the outer edge of the 18 "slot, and which tends to fold this free strand towards the part of the strip located opposite).

With reference to FIG. 3, a metal plate is now described from which the connection piece 12 can be made. This plate 26 is generally rectangular and has several cutouts which, after folding, allow the various elements of the piece .12. These cutouts are generally symmetrical with respect to the median longitudinal axis B of the plate. Starting from the first end 26a of the plate towards the second end 26b, we first notice a first cut forming a window 28. This window is used for hooking the first end 10a of the band 10 of the collar. To this end, it has a hooking tooth 28a for the strip. The latter may have, even on its first end 10a, a rack or the like capable of cooperating with the tooth 28a. The edge of the window provided with the tooth 28a is advantageously slightly folded outwards to prevent the end 10a of the strip from coming into excess thickness on the sole. Of course, the window 28 is only one example of means for hooking the first end 10a of the strip. Other types of hooks, for example using welding, can also be used.

The plate 26 then has a second cut 30 made by a through cut in the plate, along a symmetrical curve with respect to the axis B. Between its two ends 30a and 30b, located on the side of the first end 26a of the plate, the cutout 30 is continuous and advances towards the second end 26b of the plate, substantially adopting the shape of a tongue. The width of the parts of the strip remaining, on either side of the cutout 30, along the longitudinal edges of the latter, is relatively small and allows the folding of these areas while raising the whole part of the strip 26 located from points 30a and 30b towards the end 26b of the plate and outside the cutout 30 (part which will constitute the housing 16) relative to the remaining part of the plate, located side of the end 26b and inside the cutout 30, which will constitute the sole 14. The interior of the cutout 30 constitutes a flap 32 which, when the housing is formed as seen in FIG. 'extends as far as the extreme portion 10c of the strip and thus ensures the continuity of the support of the collar on the object to be tightened even in the area located under the housing. When folding the plate 26, we endow the part which will constitute the sole 14 with a radius of curvature adapted to that of the collar. On the other hand, the part of this plate which will constitute the housing is wound on itself.

Still in the direction going from the end 26a towards the end 26b, this part has a third cut 34 then a fourth cut 36. It is noted that the cut 34 comprises a part generally in an arc of a circle which is located on the side of the end 26a of the plate and which forms the opening 22a constituting the first bearing for the screw 20, as well as an enlarged part with rectangular base, situated on the side of the end 26b and which forms the slot 18 ". Similarly , the cutout 36 has a part in an arc, located on the side of the end 26b, which forms the opening 22b for the second screw bearing and an enlarged part with a rectangular base, located towards the end 26a, which forms the slot 18 '. The area of the plate located between the cutouts 34 and 36 constitutes the base 16d of the housing.

It is also noted that the edges of the cutout 34 have two notches 24 'which extend along a substantially straight portion of the window 22a, in the extension of the edges of the slot 18'. The areas of the plate situated between these notches 24 ′ and the facing edges of the window 22a can be slightly folded towards the outside of the housing and thus constitute the deflector tabs 24.

The external wall 16c of the housing 16 of FIG. 1a is wound around approximately 1/2 turn in the same direction as the direction of winding F of the strip.

In the section of FIG. 4, it can be seen that the width L of the housing is greater than the width I of the strip 10. The base 16c of the housing can therefore be shaped like a bowl, a central part of which serves to accommodate the thickness of the strip 10, and the edges of which are raised. Figure 5 shows a connecting piece 62 similar to the piece

12, except that the second bearing for the clamping screw is slightly different. The fold 66f forms a wall element folded substantially at right angles to the base 66d. However, from the outer end of this fold, the free end 66b of the housing is once again folded to form a wall element 66g which extends above the base 66d and substantially parallel to the latter. A slot 68 'is made in the connection area of the base and the fold 66f, but the latter does not have other openings. When inserted into the housing, the screw abuts against the fold 66f and it is the second fold 66g, the lateral ends 66'g of which are folded down towards the base, which acts as the second bearing for the screw preventing it from moving away from the base.

FIG. 6 is now described, in which the same references are used as in FIGS. 1 to 2, increased by 100, to designate the elements common to FIG. 6 and to these figures.

From the first end 1 16a of the housing 116, the external wall 1 16c of the latter is wound over substantially 3/4 of a turn in the winding direction G opposite to the winding direction F of the strip, from the first end 110a to the second end 1 10b of the latter. The second end of the strip is that which is on the outside of the collar, while the second end of the housing is that which is inside this housing.

Consequently, from its first end 1 16'b (connection zone with the wall 1 16c) to its second end 116'f (connection zone with the fold 1 16f), the base 1 16d of the housing extends in the direction towards the end 110b of the strip, that is to say in the opposite direction to that in which the base of the housing of the preceding figures extends. However, as in these figures, the head of the clamping screw is on the side of the free strand of the strip. To allow the establishment of this screw, the outer wall 1 16c of the housing has a first opening 121 wide enough to allow the passage of the barrel of the screw, or even the partial insertion of the head of the latter, while the fold 116f has a second opening 122b and that the outer wall of the housing has a third opening 122a generally opposite the opening 121, that is to say that it is located in the vicinity of the connection zone 1 16'b of the outer wall with the base 1 16d. This time, it is the second opening 122b which forms a bearing capable of cooperating with the region of the screw 120 comprised between its head and its threaded barrel, and it is the third opening 122a which serves as a second bearing capable of cooperating with the free end of the barrel of the screw.

The sole 132 which serves to ensure the continuity of the tightening is formed in an end region of the plate used to form the connecting piece 1 12, opposite the housing. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6, a border can be preserved when the sole 132 is cut out and this border can be folded radially outwards to form a protective fold 133 through which (in the window provided by the cutout of the sole 132) passes the strip. The fold back 133 acts as a stop capable of cooperating with the straight part of the external wall 166c of the housing which faces it to define the maximum unfolding of this wall.

The through passage allowing the insertion of the free strand of the strip through the housing comprises slots respectively directly connected to the openings 121, 122b and 122a. Due to its particular winding direction, the housing 1 16 tends, when tightening the collar, to deform elastically in the direction of increasing the radius of curvature of its outer wall 1 16c. If the diameter of the object to be tightened decreases slightly, the outer wall of the housing will provide an elastic return by tending to wind more (in the direction of a reduction in its radius of curvature) to slightly decrease the diameter of the necklace. If, on the other hand, the diameter of the object to be clamped increases, the elastic return will be played in the opposite direction, the external wall of the housing then tending to unwind slightly in the direction of an increase in its radius of curvature. It can be seen that the elastic behavior of the external wall 1 16c of the housing 1 16 is exerted in the opposite direction to that of the external wall 16c of the housing 16.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment will now be described, in which the clamping member is directly constituted by an end edge of the housing. The elements common to the collar of FIG. 7 and to that of FIGS. 1 to 2 are given the same references as in these figures, increased by 150.

The free end 166b of the housing 166 is curved in the internal space 167 of this housing. It thus has a pinch edge which is located opposite the internal face of the base 166d, near the latter. Specifically, the distance from the nip edge of the free end 166b and the internal face of the base 166d is at most substantially equal to the thickness of the strip 160.

In a manner known per se, the end portion 160c of this strip has reliefs which form a rack (not shown). The pinch edge thus forms a tooth which, by inserting into the hollow of the reliefs, ensures the blocking of the extreme portion of the strip. The housing 166 has a through passage for the end portion 160c. To ensure the tightening, it suffices, by acting on the free strand of the strip, to pull this extreme portion by bearing on the right part of the external wall of the housing above the outlet of the through passage.

The through passage comprises a first slot 168 which is situated in the zone of connection of the housing with the soleplate 164, a second slot 168 ′ situated in the zone of connection of the free end 166b curved with the base 166d (more precisely, in the area of curvature) and a third slot 168 "which is located in the area of connection of the external wall 166c with the base 166d. The three slots 168, 168 'and 168" are thus generally aligned and allow the insertion of the end portion of the strip through the internal space of the housing, so that it is pressed against the internal face of the base 166d. In this case, this base is substantially flat and the strip is pinched between it and the edge 166b.

The connecting piece 162 is formed from a metal plate 176 visible in FIG. 8. The plate has several cutouts located one after the other between its ends 176a and 176b. It is first of all a first cut 178 used to fix the end 160a of the strip (this cut can be replaced by other fixing means), then a second cut 180 in the form of a tongue which is used to form the sole 182 after folding the housing, then again two windows 184 and 186. These two windows are generally rectangular and are used respectively to form the slots 168 "and 168 '. The slot 168 is in turn formed by the window left open by the cutout 180 when the box has been folded.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, we now describe two variants of another embodiment using a clamping member of a different type. In FIG. 9, the elements common to the collar of FIGS. 1 to 2 are given the same references as in these figures, increased by 200. The tightening member is this time constituted by an axis 220 to which is attached the second end of the band 210. This axis is rotatably supported in bearing means made in the housing 212. Unlike the screws 20 and 120 previously mentioned, this axis extends transversely to the band, that is to say - say substantially parallel to the axis A of the collar. We understand that it is enough to rotate the axis on itself to wrap around the latter the second end of the strip and thus tighten the collar. To allow this rotational drive, the axis 220 can be provided with any member engaging with a tool, such as a polygonal head (not shown in the figure). In the variant of Figure 9, the bearing means comprise a housing 221, formed inside the housing and adapted to receive the axis. More specifically, this housing is formed between the internal face of the base 216d of the housing, a first wall element 223a and a second wall element 223b. The first wall element 223a is constituted by at least a portion of the free end 216b of the housing which is curved towards the internal space 217 of the housing and towards the base 216d. In FIG. 9, the angle formed by the wall element 223a with respect to the base 216d is less than 90 °. One could also imagine providing a wall element substantially peφendicular to the base provided, at its free end, with a return portion extending above the base.

The second wall element 223b is itself formed on a fold of the housing. This fold is simply the side of an incision made in the base of the case, raised towards the inside of the latter. The free edge of the second wall element is located on the side opposite to the connection area 216'b between the external wall 216c of the housing and its base 216d. To allow the insertion of the second end of the strip inside the housing, up to the axis 220, the piece 212 has a first slot 218 which is located in the connection area of the housing 216 and the sole 214, and the housing 221 has an opening 218 'formed at the base of the wall element 223a.

Figure 10 shows a variant of Figure 9, in which the clamping axis is outside the housing. In this figure, the same references are used as in FIG. 9, increased by 50. The means forming a bearing for the axis 270 comprise a corrugation 275 formed on the external wall 266c of the housing 266, corrugation whose concavity is turned towards the outside of the case. This undulation is located in a region of the external wall 266c which is substantially opposite to the zone 266a of connection between the housing 266 and the sole 264. The end portion of the strip 260 passes through the housing to be fixed to the axis. 270. For this purpose, the housing has a through passage which comprises a first slot 268 located in the zone 266a, and at least one second slot 268 'which is located on an edge of the corrugation 275. More precisely, the corrugation being in this case located in the vicinity of the connection area 266'b between the external wall 266c and the base 266d, this slot 268 'is located in this connection area.

In the case where the base 266d does not have a fold back towards the interior of the housing, the two slots 268 and 268 ′ may be sufficient to form the through passage. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the free end 266b of the housing is advantageously bent towards the inside of the latter and towards the base. In this case, it is necessary that a third slot 268 "is located in the corresponding curved zone to allow the passage of the strip in the housing. The free end 266b curved plays a role similar to the nipping edge 166b mentioned with reference in FIG. 7 and prevents the untimely loosening of the collar by retaining the band and thus opposing the unwinding of the axis 270.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the axes 220 and 270 have a diametrical slot allowing the insertion of the second end of the strip. To avoid excess thickness, this slot can also be provided with a recess 270 ′ (FIG. 10) serving as a housing for a short flap of the end 260b of the strip. Of course, other methods of fixing the end of the strip to the axis can also be provided.

Claims

1. Clamp comprising a metal strip (10, 1 10, 160, 210, 260) wound on itself and clamping means cooperating with a connecting piece (12, 62, 112, 162, 212, 262 ) fixed to a first end (10a, 110a, 160a) of the strip, characterized in that the connecting piece comprises, formed in a single metallic piece, a sole (14, 114, 164, 214, 264) fixed to said first end of the strip and a housing (16, 1 16, 166, 216, 266) projecting radially outwards from the collar from said sole, this housing comprising, between a first end (16a, 116a, 166a, 216a, 266a) connected to the sole and a second free end (16b, 66b, 166b, 216b, 266b), an external wall (16c, 1 16c, 166c, 216c, 266c) which has substantially the shape of a portion of cylinder whose concavity is directed towards the inside of the collar and a base (16d, 66d, 1 16d, 166d, 216d, 266d) which extends between the sole e and the outer wall of the housing, in that the housing has at least one first slot (18, 122a, 168, 218, 268) having a width at least substantially equal to the width of the strip in an end portion (10c , 160c) near its second end (10b, 110b, 160b, 260b) and thus allowing the insertion of the strip into the internal space (17, 167, 217) of the housing delimited between the external wall and the base of this last, and in that the clamping means comprise a clamping member (20, 120, 166b, 220, 270, 266b) able to cooperate with the housing to adjust the tension of the end portion of the strip relative to said housing.

2. Collar according to claim 1, characterized in that, from the first end (16a) of the housing connected to the sole, the external wall (16c) of this housing is wound over substantially a half-turn in the same direction as the direction (F) of winding the strip (10) from its first to its second end (10a, 10b).

3. Collar according to claim 1, characterized in that, from the first end (1 16a) of the housing connected to the sole (1 14), the external wall (1 16c) of this housing is wound over substantially three quarters in turn, in the direction (G) opposite to the direction (F) of winding the strip (1 10) from its first to its second end (1 10a, 110b).

4. Collar according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamping member (20. 120, 166b, 266b) comprises at least one active clamping part (20a, 166b, 266b) disposed in the internal space (17, 167) of the housing (16, 1 16, 166).

5. Necklace according to claim 4, characterized in that the extreme portion (10c, 160c) of the strip is pinched between the internal face (16i) of the base (16d, 66d, 1 16d, 166d, 266d), directed towards the internal space (17, 167) of the housing, and the active part (20a, 166b, 266b) of the clamping member (20, 120, 166b, 266b) which is arranged opposite said internal face.

6. Collar according to claim 5, characterized in that the free end (16b, 66b) of the housing has a fold (16f, 66f, 1 16f) extending in the direction of the external wall of said housing, substantially peφendicular to the base (16d, 66d, 1 16d) of the latter, said base being substantially planar, in that the housing has a through passage for the end portion of the strip, this passage comprising the first slot (18, 121), which is located near the connection area of the housing with the soleplate, a second slot (18 ', 122b) which is located near the connection area (16'f, 1 16'f) of the fold with the base and a third slot (18 ", 122a) which is located in the vicinity of the connection zone (16'b, 116'b) of the external wall (16c, 1 16c) with the base, in that the clamping member is constituted by a screw (20, 120) having a threaded barrel (20a) capable of cooperating with a rack formed by real reliefs ized on the outer face of the end portion of the strip, and in that the housing has means forming a bearing (22a, 22b, 66g, 122a, 122b) for supporting the screw (20, 120) in rotation.

7. Collar according to claims 2 and 6, characterized in that the outer wall (16c) of the housing (16) has a first opening (22a), located in the vicinity of the connection zone (16'b) of said outer wall with the base (16d) of the housing and forming a first bearing capable of cooperating with a region of the screw comprised between the head (20b) and the threaded barrel (20a) of this screw, while the fold (16f) of the housing has a second opening (22b) forming a second bearing capable of cooperating with the end of the screw opposite the head of the latter.

8. Collar according to claims 3 and 6, characterized in that the outer wall (116c) of the housing (1 16) has a first opening (121) allowing the passage of the barrel of the screw (120), while the fold ( 1 16f) of housing has a second opening (122b) forming a first bearing capable of cooperating with a region of the screw comprised between the head and the threaded barrel of this screw and that the external wall of the housing has a third opening (122a), located in the vicinity of the connection area of said outer wall with the base of the housing and forming a second bearing capable of cooperating with the end of the screw opposite the head of the latter.

9. Collar according to claim 5, characterized in that the free end (166b) of the housing (166) is curved in the internal space of said housing and thus has a nipping edge (166b) located opposite the internal face of the base (166d), the end portion (160c) of the strip (160) having reliefs forming a rack capable of cooperating with this nip edge and in that the housing has a through passage for the end portion of the strip , this passage comprising the first slot (168), which is located in the vicinity of the area of connection of the housing with the sole (164), a second slot (168 ') located in the vicinity of the area of connection of the free end curved with the base and a third slot (168 ") located in the vicinity of the connection area of the external wall with the base.

10. Collar according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or 9, characterized in that the clamping member is constituted by an axis (220, 270) to which is attached the second end of the strip (210, 260) and in that the housing comprises means forming a bearing (223a, 223b, 275) capable of supporting this axis in rotation in a position in which the latter is arranged transversely to the strip (210, 260).

11. Collar according to claim 10, characterized in that the bearing means comprise a housing (221) adapted to receive the axis (220), this housing being formed between the internal face of the base (216d), a first element wall (223a) consisting of at least a portion of the free end (216b) of the housing curved towards the internal space (217) of said housing and towards the base, and a second wall element (223b) formed on a fold of the housing and in that this housing has, opposite the first slot (218) of the housing, an opening (218 ') allowing the insertion of the second end of the strip in this housing.

12. Collar according to claim 10, characterized in that the bearing means comprise a corrugation (275) of the external wall (266c) of the housing (266) whose concavity is turned towards the outside, this corrugation being located in a region of said outer wall substantially opposite the connection zone (266a) of the housing with the sole (264) and in that the housing has a through passage for the end portion of the strip, this passage comprising at minus the first slot (268), which is located in the vicinity of the connection zone (266a) of the housing with the sole (264) and a second slot (268 '), which is located on an edge of the corrugation (275 ).