Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to hose clamps and more particularly, to a hose clamp holder for holding a hose clamp in a stationary position during tightening or loosening of the hose clamp on a hose and a method of affixing the hose clamp onto the hose.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a hose clamp (worm drive hose clamp) is used for tightening a hose/ flexible pipe onto a fluid delivery pipe. Typically, the hose clamp includes a clamp strap, a screw housing and a screw which is adjustably received by the screw housing. Usually, an operator holds the hose clamp by one hand and uses another hand for torquing the screw to tighten the clamp strap onto the hose as well as to restrict leakage between the hose and the fluid delivery pipe. Tightening the hose clamp onto the hose may be tedious and difficult and time consuming, especially for a novice. While assembly of the hose clamp every time, the operator has to ensure the position of the hose clamp. In some cases, holding and torquing the hose clamp by using the torquing tool may be difficult due to accessibility constraints thereby making the tightening of the hose clamp problematic. This may lead to loose fitment of the hose clamp or leakage from hose over time.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a hose clamp holder, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a hose clamp holder for holding a hose clamp in a stationary position during tightening or loosening of the hose clamp on a hose.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to pre-assemble a hose clamp onto the hose through the hose clamp holder, which reduces the assembly time.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the hose clamp holder which reduces tear on the hose by the hose clamp during fitment of the hose.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the hose clamp holder which is user friendly especially for a novice to tighten the hose clamp.
[008] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] Fig. 1 depicts a top view of a hose clamp affixed onto a hose through a hose clamp holder, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the hose clamp holder, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 3 depicts another perspective view of the hose clamp holder, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 4 depicts a front view of the hose clamp holder with the hose clamp, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 5 depicts a side view of the hose clamp holder with the hose clamp, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 6A illustrates a plurality of locking portions of the hose clamp holder engaged with a screw housing of the hose clamp, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 6B depicts another side view of the hose clamp holder with the hose clamp, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0017] Fig. 7 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method for affixing the hose clamp onto the hose, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0019] The embodiments herein achieve a hose clamp holder for holding a hose clamp in a stationary position during tightening or loosening of the hose clamp on a hose. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method of affixing the hose clamp onto the hose. Furthermore, embodiments herein achieve the hose clamp holder which reduces assembly time and is user friendly especially for a novice. Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0020] Fig. 1 depicts a top view of a hose clamp (10) affixed onto a hose (20) through a hose clamp holder (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 3 depicts another perspective view of the hose clamp holder (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the hose clamp holder (100) includes a pair of first portions (102A, 102B), a pair of second portions (104A, 104B), a plurality of interconnecting portions (105A, 105B), a plurality of locking portions (106, 108, 110, 112) and a locating portion (114). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the hose clamp holder (100) is explained herein with below reference to affixing a hose clamp (10) onto a hose (20) such as coolant/ air hoses and holding the hose clamp (10) in a stationary position during tightening or loosening of the hose clamp (10) on the hose (10). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/practice the hose clamp holder (100) for holding any other hoses or pipes used in any other application, where locking the hose clamp in the stationary position is required during tightening or loosening of the hose clamp on the hose, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the hose clamp holder (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0021] Each first portion (102A, 102B) is parallel and spaced away from each other. Each first portion (102A, 102B) is connected with the hose (20). In one embodiment, each first portion (102A, 102B) is connected to the hose (20) by using adhesive bonding agent. In another embodiment, each first portion (102A, 102B) is molded onto the hose by over molding process.
[0022] Each second portion (104A, 104B) transversely extends from corresponding each first portion (102A, 102B). Each second portion (104A, 104B) is adapted to be engaged with a screw housing (14) (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 5 and fig. 6B) of the hose clamp (10) to guide a clamp strap (12) (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4 to fig. 6B) of the hose clamp (10) thereby retaining the clamp strap (12) thereto.
[0023] The plurality of interconnecting portions (105A, 105B) are adapted to connect second portions (104A, 104B) with each other. The plurality of interconnecting portions (105A, 105B) includes a first interconnecting portion (105A) and a second interconnecting portion (105B) (as shown in fig. 2, fig. 3, fig. 6A and fig. 6B). The first interconnecting portion (105A) extends between the second portions (104A, 104B) and is located at the rear end (14R) of the screw housing (14). The second interconnecting portion (105B) extends between the second portions (104A, 104B) and is located near the front end (14F) of the screw housing (14). The first interconnecting portion (105A) is adapted to be connected to the screw housing (14) through the first locking portion (106) thereby restricting a movement of the hose clamp (10) in a direction towards the rear end (14R) of the screw housing (14). The second interconnecting portion (105B) is adapted to restrict tilting of the hose clamp (10) during tightening of the hose clamp (10). The first interconnecting portion (105A) is parallel and spaced away from the second interconnecting portion (105B). The second interconnecting portion (105B) defines an arcuate shape configuration.
[0024] The plurality of locking portions (106, 108, 110, 112) are adapted to be engaged with the hose clamp (10) thereby locking the hose clamp (10) in a stationary position. The plurality of locking portions (106, 108, 110, 112) includes a first locking portion (106) (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3), a second locking portion (108) (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3), a third locking portion (110) (as shown in fig. 3) and a fourth locking portion (112) (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3). The fourth locking portion (112) is adapted to be engaged with a rear end (14R) (as shown in fig. 6A) of the screw housing (14) of the hose clamp (10). The first locking portion (106) is adapted to be engaged with a corresponding side portion (14S) (as shown in fig. 5 and fig. 6B) of the screw housing (14). The first locking portion (106) is at least a protrusion which transversely extends from the second portion (104A) and is near to the second interconnecting portion (105B). The second locking portion (108) is adapted to be engaged with the screw housing (14) in vicinity of a front end (14F) (as shown in fig. 6A) of the screw housing (14). The second locking portion (108) is at least a protrusion which is defined on another second portion (104B) and is near to the second interconnecting portion (105B). The third locking portion (110) is adapted to be engaged with the screw housing (14) in vicinity of the front end (14F) of the screw housing (14). The third locking portion (110) is at least a protrusion which is defined on the second portion (104A) and is opposite to the second locking portion (108). The fourth locking portion (112) is at least a protrusion which is defined on the first interconnecting portion (105A) and is near to the second portion (104A). The second locking portion (108) and the third locking portion (110) are adapted to restrict tilting of the hose clamp (10) during tightening of the hose clamp (10). Further, the second locking portion (108) and the third locking portion (110) are adapted to facilitate guiding of the clamp strap (12).
[0025] The locating portion (114) transversely extends from the second portion (104A) in a downward direction. The locating portion (114) is adapted to be engaged with one end (20A) (as shown in fig. 1) of the hose (20) thereby locating the hose clamp holder (100) onto the hose (20).
[0026] Fig. 7 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method (200) for affixing the hose clamp (10) onto the hose (20), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (202), the method (200) includes holding, by a hose clamp holder (100), a screw housing (14) of said hose clamp (10) thereto. At step (204), the method (200) includes affixing, by the hose clamp holder (100), the hose clamp (10) onto the hose (20) thereby retaining the hose clamp (10) in a stationary position.
[0027] Further, the method step (202) includes engaging by a plurality of locking portions (106, 108, 110, 112) of the hose clamp holder (100) with the screw housing (14) thereby locking the hose clamp (10) thereto.
[0028] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the method step (204) includes applying adhesive bonding agent on each first portion (102A, 102B) of the hose clamp holder (100), step (204A); allowing, by the hose clamp (10), the hose (20) to pass therethrough to engage a locating portion (114) of the hose clamp holder (100) to engage with one end (20A) of the hose (20) thereby aligning each first portion (102A, 102B) with respect to the hose (20), step (204B); and pressing and holding each first portion (102A, 102B) of the hose clamp holder (100) against the hose (10) for a predefined time period thereby affixing the hose clamp (10) onto the hose (20) through the hose clamp holder (100), step (204C).
[0029] Furthermore, in another embodiment, the method step (204) includes allowing, by the hose clamp (10), the hose (20) to pass therethrough to engage a locating portion (114) of the hose clamp holder (100) to engage with one end (20A) of the hose (20) thereby aligning each first portion (102A, 102B) of the hose clamp holder (100) with respect to the hose (20), step (204A); and over molding each first portion (102A, 102B) of the hose clamp holder (100) onto the hose (20) thereby affixing the hose clamp (10) onto the hose (20) through the hose clamp holder (100).
[0030] The technical advantages of the hose clamp holder (100) are as follows. The hose clamp holder (100) is user friendly especially for a novice to tighten the hose clamp (10). The hose clamp holder (100) reduces the assembly time. The hose clamp holder (100) reduces tear on the hose (20) by the hose clamp (10) during fitment of the hose (20).
[0031] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We claim;
1. A hose clamp holder (100) comprising:
a pair of first portions (102A, 102B), wherein each of said first portion (102A, 102B) is parallel and spaced away from each other;
a pair of second portions (104A, 104B), wherein each of said second portion (104A, 104B) transversely extends from corresponding said first portion (102A, 102B);
a plurality of interconnecting portions (105A, 105B) adapted to connect said second portions (104A, 104B) with each other; and
a plurality of locking portions (106, 108, 110, 112) adapted to be engaged with a hose clamp (10) thereby locking said hose clamp (10) in a stationary position.

2. The hose clamp holder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first portion (102) is connected with a hose (20); and
each of said second portion (104A, 104B) is adapted to be engaged with a screw housing (14) of said hose clamp (10) to guide a clamp strap (12) of said hose clamp (10) thereby retaining said clamp strap (12) thereto.

3. The hose clamp holder (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of said locking portions (106, 108, 110, 112) includes,
a first locking portion (106) adapted to be engaged with a corresponding side portion (14S) of said screw housing (14);
a second locking portion (108) adapted to be engaged with said screw housing (14) in vicinity of a front end (14F) of said screw housing (14); and
a third locking portion (110) adapted to be engaged with said screw housing (14) in vicinity of said front end (14F),
wherein
said second locking portion (108) and said third locking portion (110) are adapted to restrict tilting of said hose clamp (10) during tightening of said hose clamp (10).

4. The hose clamp holder (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plurality of interconnecting portions (105A, 105B) includes,
a first interconnecting portion (105A) extending between said second portions (104A, 104B) and is located at said rear end (14R) of said screw housing (14); and
a second interconnecting portion (105B) extending between said second portions (104A, 104B) and is located near said front end (14F) of said screw housing (14),
wherein
said second interconnecting portion (105B) is adapted to restrict tilting of said hose clamp (10) during tightening of said hose clamp (10);
said first interconnecting portion (105A) is parallel and spaced away from said second interconnecting portion (105B); and
said second locking portion (108) and said third locking portion (110) are adapted to facilitate guiding of said clamp strap (12).

5. The hose clamp holder (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of said locking portions (106, 108, 110, 112) includes a fourth locking portion (112) adapted to be engaged with a rear end (14R) of said screw housing (14) of said hose clamp (10),
wherein
said first interconnecting portion (105A) is adapted to be connected to said screw housing (14) through said fourth locking portion (106) thereby restricting a movement of said hose clamp (10) in a direction towards said rear end (14R) of said screw housing (14); and
said fourth locking portion (112) is at least a protrusion which is defined on said first interconnecting portion (105A) and is near to said second portion (104A)

6. The hose clamp holder (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first locking portion (106) is at least a protrusion which transversely extends from said second portion (104A) and is near to said second interconnecting portion (105B;
said second locking portion (108) is at least a protrusion which is defined on another said second portion (104B) and is near to said second interconnecting portion (105B);
said third locking portion (110) is at least a protrusion which is defined on said second portion (104A) and is opposite to said second locking portion (108); and
said second interconnecting portion (105B) defines an arcuate shape configuration.

7. The hose clamp holder (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said hose clamp holder (100) includes a locating portion (114) transversely extending from said second portion (104A) in a downward direction, wherein said locating portion (114) is adapted to be engaged with one end (20A) of said hose (20) thereby locating said hose clamp holder (100) onto said hose (20),
wherein
each of said first portion (102A, 10B) of said hose clamp holder (100) is connected to said hose (20) by adhesive bonding process or over molding process.

8. A method (200) of affixing a hose clamp (10) onto a hose (20), said method (200) comprising:
holding, by a hose clamp holder (100), a screw housing (14) of said hose clamp (10) thereto; and
affixing, by said hose clamp holder (100), said hose clamp (10) onto said hose (20) thereby retaining said hose clamp (10) in a stationary position.

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said holding, by said hose clamp holder (100), said screw housing (14) of said hose clamp (20) thereto includes, engaging by a plurality of locking portions (106, 108, 110, 112) of said hose clamp holder (100) with said screw housing (14) thereby locking said hose clamp (10) thereto,
wherein
said affixing, by said hose clamp holder (100), said hose clamp (10) onto said hose (20) includes,
applying adhesive bonding agent on each first portion (102A, 102B) of said hose clamp holder (100);
allowing, by said hose clamp (10), said hose (20) to pass therethrough to engage a locating portion (114) of said hose clamp holder (100) to engage with one end (20A) of said hose (20) thereby aligning each of said first portion (102A, 102B) with respect to said hose (20); and
pressing and holding each of said first portion (102A, 102B) of said hose clamp holder (100) against said hose (10) for a predefined time period thereby affixing said hose clamp (10) onto said hose (20) through said hose clamp holder (100).

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said affixing, by said hose clamp holder (100), said hose clamp (10) onto said hose (20) includes,
allowing, by said hose clamp (10), said hose (20) to pass therethrough to engage a locating portion (114) of said hose clamp holder (100) to engage with one end (20A) of said hose (20) thereby aligning each first portion (102A, 102B) of said hose clamp holder (100) with respect to said hose (20); and
over molding each of said first portion (102A, 102B) of said hose clamp holder (100) onto said hose (20) thereby affixing said hose clamp (10) onto said hose (20) through said hose clamp holder (100).