The invention relates to a releasable tubular clamp for clampingly interconnecting cylindrical or profiled members, prefereably tubes.
It is known to interconnect cylindrical members through threaded clamping rings which come in many varieties. For example, German printed patent application No. 28 00 062 illustrates two tubular half-shells which are placed above the ends of tubes to be interconnected and they are fastened through two threaded clamping shells. The German printed patent application No. 28 43 466 suggests two tubular half-shells for temporary use in discharge pipes of motor vehicles which half-shells hold together the ends of the tubes under utilization of one or two spring clamps.
Tubular clamping elements are known further which deform the tubes to be interconnected in a plastic fashion pursuant to being threaded together. The disadvantage of these clamps is to be seen in an insufficient mechanical strength and capability of sealing when the clamping elements are too weak, or disadvantages can be seen in a large, heavy and expensive dimensioning of the screws which can easily produce a plastic deformation.
Too strong a plastic deformation is undesirable because the ends to be interconnected become unsuitable for reuse with a new connecting clamp. Even the tubular clamping structure is not suitable for reuse because the plastic deformation favors leakage along the periphery. The screws which cause the plastic deformation of the clamp and of the tubular ends have to be dimensioned to be quite large, because, for example, the forces to be exerted upon tubes in a dimensional range from 40.times.1.5 mm by means of a clamping device of similar thickness, will exceed 1 megapond per centimeter clamping length.
The exhaust pipes of motor vehicles are connected in such a manner that one tube has a slot and is widened and shifted upon the other one. This plug connection is then secured through a threaded clamp. The expensive manufacture here is a disadvantage. Moreover, it is possible that upon widening the tubes they crack; also after some period of use the screws can be loosened only with difficulties.
Threaded clamps which can receive the unworked ends of discharge pipe are likewise to be loosened only with difficulties after some time of use. Moreover, they are quite heavy and oppose the principle of light weight in the construction of vehicles. A clamp has been suggested for discharge pipes which is comprised of particularly contoured tubing. The tubing has an ear shaped bulge on one or several locations in cross section which are forced in order to obtain the mechanical strength.