The present invention relates generally to clamps, and more particularly to clamps for hoses.
The automotive industry utilizes numerous hoses (or tubes) in their constructions. Many of the hoses used in the industry are connected to the vehicle by means of a clamp (hose clamp, constant tension clamp, etc.) Numerous manufacturers have requested that hoses be provided with attached clamps in order to assist in assembly. The attached clamps assist by reducing the amount of time to connect the hoses to the vehicle.
Clamps are currently attached to hoses by several known methods. The most common methods utilize some form of superglue to attach the clamp or a fixture housing the clamp. A common problem with these attached clamps is that the clamp becomes detached from the hose during shipment or unpacking.
Another known method for attachment of clamps to hoses utilizes a clip that is mechanically attached to the hose. The clip, which is spot welded to the clamp, runs axially with the hose and wraps around the end of the hose. This clip is then closed onto the wall of the hose in order to be held in place. This puts the clip in contact with the sealing surface of the hose. This interference of the clip with the hose sealing surface increases the possibility of leakage when the clamp is tightened to connect the hose to the vehicle.
What is needed is an improved hose and clamp assembly, an improved clamp subassembly, and an improved method for attaching an annular clamp to a hose.
A first expression of an embodiment of the invention is for a hose and clamp assembly having a hose and having a clamp subassembly. The hose has an outer surface and an opposing sealing surface. The clamp subassembly includes an annular clamp and includes a clip attached to the clamp. The clamp surrounds the hose and has an inner surface with an adjustable diameter. The clip includes a tang having a free end embedded in the hose providing attachment of the clamp to the hose. No portion of the clamp and no portion of the clip interferes with the sealing surface of the hose.
A second expression of an embodiment of the invention is for a clamp subassembly including an annular clamp and including a clip attached to the clamp. The clamp is positionable to surround a hose having an outer surface and an opposing sealing surface. The clamp has an inner surface with an adjustable diameter. The clip includes a tang. The tang has a free end which is embeddable in the hose to provide attachment of the clamp to the hose with no portion of the clamp and no portion of the clip interfering with the sealing surface of the hose.
A method of the invention is for attaching an annular clamp to a hose. The clamp has an inner surface with an adjustable diameter. The hose has an outer surface and an opposing sealing surface. The method includes steps a) through c). Step a) includes attaching a clip to the clamp, wherein the clip includes a tang having a free end. Step b) includes positioning the clamp to surround the hose. Step c) includes embedding the free end of the tang in the hose with no portion of the clamp and no portion of the clip interfering with the sealing surface of the hose.
One expression of a second embodiment of the invention is for a hose and clamp assembly having a hose, an annular clamp, and a tang. The hose has an outer surface and an opposing sealing surface. The clamp and the tang together define a monolithic structure, wherein the clamp surrounds the hose and has an inner surface with an adjustable diameter, wherein the tang has a free end embedded in the hose providing attachment of the clamp to the hose, and wherein no portion of the clamp and no portion of the tang interferes with the sealing surface of the hose.
Another expression of a second embodiment of the invention is for a clamp subassembly including an annular clamp and a tang together defining a monolithic structure, wherein the clamp is disposable to surround a hose having an outer surface and an opposing sealing surface, wherein the clamp has an inner surface with an adjustable diameter, and wherein the tang has a free end which is embeddable in the hose to provide attachment of the clamp to the hose with no portion of the clamp and no portion the tang interfering with the sealing surface of the hose.
Several benefits and advantages are derived from one or more of the expressions of the disclosed embodiments and/or the method of the invention. Attaching the clamp to the hose by embedding the free end of the tang in the hose provides a mechanical attachment of the clamp to the hose which is more robust than prior art glued-on clamp-to-hose attachments. By having no portion of the clamp and no portion of the clip (or no portion of just the tang in the embodiment without the clip) interfere with the sealing surface of the hose, prior art leakage problems of a clamp or a clip contacting the sealing surface of the hose are avoided.