Band Clamp

Abstract

A low-profile clamp consists of a band ( 20 ) and a buckle ( 21 ) mounted on a first end portion of the band. During mounting, the second and portion ( 23 ) of the band ( 20 ) which surrounds the object to be fastened is fed through the buckle ( 21 ); after tightening the band is locked to the buckle ( 21 ) by deformation. The deformation may be done with a plier-type tool which engages the side edges ( 37 ) of the second band end portion ( 23 ) through lateral windows ( 36 ) formed in the buckle ( 21 ).

1 . A low-profile clamp having a band ( 20 ) and a buckle ( 21 ) surrounding the band and being provided on a first end portion ( 22 ) of the band, wherein the second end portion ( 23 ) of the band, which surrounds the object to be fastened and is fed through the buckle ( 21 ) radially outside of the first end portion ( 22 ), is adapted to be locked with the buckle ( 21 ) by deformation, characterised in that a lateral surface of the buckle ( 21 ) has a window ( 36 ) to permit locking to be performed by deforming a side edge ( 37 ) of the band ( 20 ) within the window ( 36 ). 
     
     
         2 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the window ( 36 ) is configured to form a cutting edge for deforming the band ( 20 ). 
     
     
         3 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein two lateral surfaces of the buckle ( 12 ) have windows ( 36 ) arranged opposite to each other to permit the locking to be performed by simultaneously deforming both side edges ( 37 ) of the band ( 20 ). 
     
     
         4 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 3 , wherein the locking can be performed by a plier-type tool deforming the side edges ( 37 ) of the second band end portion ( 23 ). 
     
     
         5 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 4 , wherein die side edges ( 50 ) of the first band end portion ( 22 ) are chamfered ( 52 ) or cut-out at their sides facing the second and portion ( 23 ) within the area of the windows ( 36 ) provided in the buckle ( 21 ). 
     
     
         6 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 4 , wherein the first band end portion ( 22 ) is provided with a bead ( 27 ) to keep a spacing from the second band end portion. 
     
     
         7 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the buckle ( 21 ) is made of a bent strip of material having ends extending toward each other and being interconnected preferably by mutually engaging cut-outs ( 45 ) and projections ( 46 ). 
     
     
         8 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the buckle ( 21 ) has in each window ( 36 ) a chamber extension ( 55 ) for retaining the first band end portion ( 22 ) at a respective lateral notch ( 56 ). 
     
     
         9 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first band end portion has at least one transverse edge ( 26 ;  28 ;  32 ) for abutting at the buckle ( 21 ). 
     
     
         10 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 9 , wherein the edge ( 28 ) is formed at a first recess ( 29 ) which has a size in the longitudinal direction of the band corresponding to the width of the buckle ( 21 ). 
     
     
         11 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 9 , wherein the edge ( 26 ) is formed by a folded part ( 25 ) of the first band end portion ( 22 ). 
     
     
         12 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 9 , wherein the edge ( 32 ) is formed by a projection ( 30 ) stamped in the first band end portion ( 22 ). 
     
     
         13 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 6 , wherein the bead ( 27 ) has an extension ( 57 ) in the direction of the first band end portion ( 22 ). 
     
     
         14 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 6 , wherein a part ( 58 ) of the bead ( 27 ) situated in the direction of the first band end portion ( 22 ) is raised. 
     
     
         15 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1  having an indicator ( 59 ) for indicating the band tension. 
     
     
         16 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first band end portion ( 22 ) is tapered ( 54 ). 
     
     
         17 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first band end portion ( 22 ) is beveled ( 53 ). 
     
     
         18 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the buckle ( 21 ) has an extension ( 49 ) at the side facing the object to be fastened. 
     
     
         19 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the buckle ( 21 ) has inner projections ( 48 ) for abutting the side edges ( 37 ) of the band ( 20 ). 
     
     
         20 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the buckle ( 21 ) is configured to for a cutting edge for severing excessive length of the second band end portion ( 23 ). 
     
     
         21 . The low-profile clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the buckle ( 21 ) has a notched part ( 47 ) for covering a cut edge ( 41 ) of the second band end portion ( 23 ).