JP7684879B2 - Clamping Parts - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clamp member.

Electric fusion joints that connect thermoplastic resin pipes by heat fusion are known. In the connection work of electric fusion joints, a clamp member described in Patent Document 1 below, for example, is used to prevent positional deviation during heat fusion.

JP 2021-46874 A

The clamp member described in Patent Document 1 can easily secure an electric fusion joint and a plastic pipe by hooking the clamp onto the power supply terminal of the electric fusion joint. However, since the position of the power supply terminal of an electric fusion joint differs depending on the type of joint, it is necessary to prepare a clamp member that matches the type of electric fusion joint, which creates usability issues.

A clamp member according to one aspect of the present invention is a resin clamp member that fixes a thermoplastic resin tube and an electric fusion joint to which the resin tube is connected by heat fusion, and includes a tightening belt portion that can be reduced in diameter to hold the resin tube when the resin tube is inserted inside, a pair of engagement portions that maintain the reduced diameter state of the tightening belt portion by engaging with each other in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the tightening belt portion, and a first holding portion and a second holding portion that are each connected to the tightening belt portion and can hold a power supply terminal of the electric fusion joint. The first holding portion has a first connecting piece that extends radially outward from the tightening belt portion and a first holding piece that extends axially from a radially outer end of the first connecting piece. The second holding portion has a second connecting piece that extends radially outward from the tightening belt portion and a second holding piece that extends axially from a radially outer end of the second connecting piece. The radial distance between the fastening belt and the first retaining piece is smaller than the radial distance between the fastening belt and the second retaining piece.

According to the above configuration, by providing a first holding part and a second holding part with different radial lengths, a clamp member of a single shape can be used for multiple types of electric fusion joints with different peripheral wall thicknesses. There is no need to prepare clamp members with holding parts of different shapes for each of the multiple types of electric fusion joints, improving the ease of use of the clamp member.

The first holding piece and the second holding piece may extend from the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece, respectively, toward the same side in the axial direction.
According to this configuration, the clamp member can be provided with two holding portions without increasing the axial length of the clamp member.

The first holding portion may be configured to have a breakable weakened portion in a part of the first connecting piece.
According to this configuration, when the second holding portion is used to hold the power supply terminal, the first connecting piece can be removed easily and efficiently.

The first holding piece and the second holding piece may extend in opposite directions in the axial direction from the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece, respectively.
With this configuration, regardless of whether the first holding portion or the second holding portion is used, the unused holding portion does not interfere with the electric fusion joint, eliminating the need to remove unnecessary holding portions, improving workability.

The first connecting piece may be located on the opposite side of the second connecting piece in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis of the fastening belt portion.
According to this configuration, the first holding portion and the second holding portion are positioned apart, making it easier to perform operations such as engaging the first engagement portion with the second engagement portion when using the clamp member.

When viewed in the axial direction, at least a portion of the first connecting piece and at least a portion of the second connecting piece may overlap each other.
According to this configuration, the distance between the first and second engagement parts and the power supply terminal is approximately the same when the first and second holding parts are used, so that the operability of the engagement operation between the first and second engagement parts does not change significantly when either the first or second holding part is used.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a clamping member that is easy to use and can be used with at least two or more types of electric fusion joints is provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp member according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a method of using the clamp member of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a method of using the clamp member of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a clamp member of a first modified example. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a method of using the clamp member of the first modified example. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which clamp members of the first modified example are stacked in the axial direction. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a clamp member of the second modified example. FIG. 8 is a side view showing a method of using the clamp member of the second modified example. FIG. 9 is a side view showing a clamp member of the third modified example.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp member of an embodiment. Figures 2 and 3 are side views showing a method of using the clamp member of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the clamp member 1 is a resin clamp member that fixes a resin pipe 100 made of thermoplastic resin and an electric fusion joint 200 that is connected to the resin pipe 100 by thermal fusion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the clamp member 1 includes a fastening belt portion 10, a first engaging portion 11A, a second engaging portion 11B, a first retaining portion 21, and a second retaining portion 22. The first engaging portion 11A, the second engaging portion 11B, the first retaining portion 21, and the second retaining portion 22 are formed integrally with the fastening belt portion 10 by injection molding of a synthetic resin material or the like. One or more of the first engaging portion 11A, the second engaging portion 11B, the first retaining portion 21, and the second retaining portion 22 may be separate members from the fastening belt portion 10.

The tightening belt portion 10 is annular in shape with one portion cut off. The tightening belt portion 10 is capable of contracting in diameter so as to hold the plastic pipe 100 in a state in which the plastic pipe 100 is inserted inside the tightening belt portion 10.
In this specification, the direction along the central axis O of the fastening belt 10 is referred to as the axial direction. Moreover, the direction intersecting the central axis O in a plan view seen from the axial direction is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the central axis O is referred to as the circumferential direction. Furthermore, in Fig. 1, with respect to the fastening belt 10, the side where the first retaining portion 21 is arranged is referred to as one axial side, and the opposite side is referred to as the other axial side.

A first engagement portion 11A is provided at one circumferential end of the fastening belt 10. A second engagement portion 11B is provided at the other circumferential end of the fastening belt 10. The first engagement portion 11A and the second engagement portion 11B are a pair of engagement portions that can engage with each other. The first engagement portion 11A and the second engagement portion 11B each extend along the circumferential direction. The first engagement portion 11A and the second engagement portion 11B are located at different radial positions. When the fastening belt 10 is in a contracted state, the first engagement portion 11A is located radially inside the second engagement portion.

The first engagement portion 11A has a plurality of first engagement teeth 13A. The plurality of first engagement teeth 13A are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the first engagement portion 11A facing radially outward. The second engagement portion 11B has a plurality of second engagement teeth 13B. The plurality of second engagement teeth 13B are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the second engagement portion 11B facing radially inward. The circumferential length of the portion of the first engagement portion 11A where the plurality of first engagement teeth 13A are formed is equal to the circumferential length of the portion of the second engagement portion 11B where the plurality of second engagement teeth 13B are formed.

The multiple first engagement teeth 13A and multiple second engagement teeth 13B allow relative displacement of the fastening belt portion 10 in the direction in which the diameter of the fastening belt portion 10 decreases, and restrict relative displacement of the fastening belt portion 10 in the direction in which the diameter of the fastening belt portion 10 increases. Specifically, each of the first engagement teeth 13A and second engagement teeth 13B has a triangular shape (sawtooth shape) in a plan view from the axial direction, and are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.

A guide portion 10A is formed at the end of the fastening belt 10 where the second engagement portion 11B is formed, the guide portion 10A being located radially inward from the second engagement portion 11B and extending in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 10A is formed by the end of the fastening belt 10 itself. The guide portion 10A may be a separate member from the fastening belt 10.
When the first engaging portion 11A and the second engaging portion 11B engage with each other in the circumferential direction, the guide portion 10A is located radially inward of the first engaging portion 11A and guides the circumferential movement of the first engaging portion 11A. That is, the first engaging portion 11A is inserted into the space between the second engaging portion 11B and the guide portion 10A in the radial direction.

In this embodiment, an operating portion 14 is provided near the first engaging portion 11A, protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the first engaging portion 11A. The operating portion 14 is located at the base end of the first engaging portion 11A. In the illustrated example, the operating portion 14 and the second engaging portion 11B can be tightened (crimped) in the circumferential direction with a tool such as pliers. This causes the fastening band portion 10 to elastically deform and reduce in diameter, and the first engaging teeth 13A and the second engaging teeth 13B can be engaged.

The first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are connected to one axial end of the fastening belt portion 10 .
The first retaining portion 21 includes a first connecting piece 21A extending in the radial direction, and a first retaining piece 21B extending from a radially outer end of the first connecting piece 21A to one side in the axial direction. The first connecting piece 21A and the first retaining piece 21B are integrally formed.
The second retaining portion 22 includes a second connecting piece 22A extending in the radial direction, and a second retaining piece 22B extending from a radially outer end of the second connecting piece 22A to one axial side. The second connecting piece 22A and the second retaining piece 22B are integrally formed.
The first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are formed integrally with the tightening belt portion 10 .

The first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A are rectangular plates with the front and back surfaces facing the axial direction and extending along the radial direction. The first retaining piece 21B and the second retaining piece 22B are plates with the front and back surfaces facing the radial direction. The plate thicknesses of the first connecting piece 21A, the second connecting piece 22A, the first retaining piece 21B, and the second retaining piece 22B are the same as each other.

The first retaining piece 21B and the second retaining piece 22B extend from the first retaining piece 21B and the second retaining piece 22B, respectively, toward the same side in the axial direction. The first retaining piece 21B and the second retaining piece 22B have the same axial length. When viewed from the axial direction, the first retaining piece 21B and the second retaining piece 22B are curved so that their circumferential central portions protrude radially outward. Of the front and back surfaces of the first retaining piece 21B and the second retaining piece 22B, the inner surfaces facing radially inward face the outer circumferential surface of the electric fusion joint 200 in the radial direction.

The first holding piece 21B has an insertion hole 21C that passes through the first holding piece 21B in the radial direction. The second holding piece 22B has an insertion hole 22C that passes through the second holding piece 22B in the radial direction. The insertion holes 21C and 22C are holes through which the power supply terminal 210 of the electric fusion joint 200 is inserted during use.

The first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 have substantially the same shape, but the first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A have different radial lengths. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the radial distance L1 between the fastening belt portion 10 and the first retaining piece 21B is smaller than the radial distance L2 between the fastening belt portion 10 and the second retaining piece 22B.

In this embodiment, the first retaining portion 21 is connected to a tip of a first protruding piece 17 that protrudes axially from one end of the axial direction of the fastening belt portion 10. A first connecting piece 21A extends radially outward from the tip of the first protruding piece 17 on one axial side.
The second retaining portion 22 is connected to a tip of a second protruding piece 18 that protrudes axially from one end of the axial direction of the fastening belt portion 10. A second connecting piece 22A extends radially outward from the tip of the second protruding piece 18 on one axial side.

The axial length of the first protruding piece 17 is equal to the axial length of the second protruding piece 18. Therefore, the axial positions of the surface facing one axial side of the first connecting piece 21A connected to the first protruding piece 17 and the surface facing one axial side of the second connecting piece 22A connected to the second protruding piece 18 coincide with each other.

The first protruding piece 17 and the second protruding piece 18 protrude from the fastening belt portion 10 in the same direction along the axial direction. The first protruding piece 17 and the second protruding piece 18 are located on opposite sides of each other, with the central axis O in the radial direction. In this embodiment, the circumferential width of the first protruding piece 17 and the circumferential width of the second protruding piece 18 are equal, and the circumferential center of the first protruding piece 17 and the circumferential center of the second protruding piece 18 are located at positions that radially sandwich the central axis O. As a result, the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22, which are respectively connected to the first protruding piece 17 and the second protruding piece 18, are arranged 180° apart in the circumferential direction.

The relative circumferential positions of the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are not limited to positions shifted by 180° in the circumferential direction, and can be any relative positions within a range where they do not interfere with each other. For example, the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 may be shifted by 90° in the circumferential direction, or may be shifted by 120°.

It is preferable that the first connecting piece 21A of the first retaining portion 21 and the second connecting piece 22A of the second retaining portion 22 are disposed on opposite sides of the central axis O in the circumferential direction. According to this configuration, the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are disposed apart from each other, so that an operation of engaging the first engaging portion 11A with the second engaging portion 11B can be easily performed.
The relative positions of the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are preferably such that, as viewed from the axial direction, a central angle formed by a first radius connecting the central axis O and the circumferential center position of the first connecting piece 21A and a second radius connecting the central axis O and the circumferential center position of the second connecting piece 22A is in the range of 135° to 180°. The central angle is more preferably 150° to 180°.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first holding portion 21 and the second engaging portion 11B are arranged side by side in the axial direction. An axially extending reinforcing rib 16 is connected between the outer surface of the first connecting piece 21A facing the tightening belt portion 10 and the end surface of the second engaging portion 11B facing the first connecting piece 21A. The reinforcing rib 16 connects the outer surface of the first connecting piece 21A, the second engaging portion 11B, and the outer peripheral surface of the tightening belt portion 10. The provision of the reinforcing rib 16 can suppress deformation of the first connecting piece 21A and the second engaging portion 11B when the clamp member 1 is used. Since deformation of the portion to which force is applied when the tightening belt portion 10 is reduced in diameter is suppressed, the plastic tube 100 and the electric fusion joint 200 can be temporarily fixed efficiently and with high precision.

Next, a method of using the clamp member 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.
A resin pipe 100 made of a thermoplastic resin is connected by heat fusion to the electric fusion joint 200 shown in Fig. 2. The clamp member 1 is a resin member that temporarily fixes the resin pipe 100 and the electric fusion joint 200 when the resin pipe 100 is connected and fixed to the electric fusion joint 200 by heat fusion.
Temporarily fixing the plastic pipe 100 and the electric fusion joint 200 means preventing the central axis of the electric fusion joint 200 from tilting relative to the central axis of the plastic pipe 100 and preventing the plastic pipe 100 from slipping out of the opening of the electric fusion joint 200 during the heat fusion operation. Figures 2 and 3 show a state in which the central axis O of the clamp member 1 coincides with the central axis of the plastic pipe 100 and the central axis of the electric fusion joint 200.

The electric fusion joint 200 is cylindrical. An electric heating wire (not shown) is embedded near the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 201 of the electric fusion joint 200. A power supply terminal 210 electrically connected to the electric heating wire is provided near the open end of the peripheral wall 201 of the electric fusion joint 200. By passing an electric current from the power supply terminal 210 to the electric heating wire in the peripheral wall 201, the electric heating wire is heated, and the plastic tube 100 inserted inside the electric fusion joint 200 can be thermally fused to the inner surface of the electric fusion joint 200.

To temporarily fix the plastic tube 100 and the electric fusion joint 200 using the clamp member 1, the power supply terminal 210 of the electric fusion joint 200 is held by the first holding part 21 or the second holding part 22 of the clamp member 1. That is, the power supply terminal 210 is inserted into the insertion hole 21C of the first holding piece 21B or the insertion hole 22C of the second holding piece 22B, and the clamp member 1 is hooked onto the end of the electric fusion joint 200.

At this time, the worker selects either the first holding part 21 or the second holding part 22 depending on the thicknesses t1, t2 (Figs. 2 and 3) of the peripheral wall 201 of the electric fusion joint 200. That is, when the electric fusion joint 200 is a joint having a small thickness t1 as shown in Fig. 2, the first holding part 21, which has a relatively small radial length, is used out of the first holding part 21 and the second holding part 22 of the clamp member 1. On the other hand, when the electric fusion joint is a joint having a large thickness t2 as shown in Fig. 3, the second holding part 22, which has a relatively large radial length, is used.

2, when the power supply terminal 210 is held using the first holding part 21, the second holding part 22 has a radial length greater than that of the first holding part 21, and therefore the second holding piece 22B of the second holding part 22 is disposed radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint 200. The first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A of the clamping member 1 axially face the opening end face of the electric fusion joint 200, and limit the axial movement of the clamping member 1. The first protruding piece 17 and the second protruding piece 18 have the same axial length, and therefore it is easy to hold the fastening belt part 10 in a position parallel to the opening end face of the electric fusion joint 200.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the power supply terminal 210 is held using the second holding portion 22, the radial length of the first holding portion 21 is small, so that the first holding piece 21B interferes with the electric fusion joint 200. In this case, as shown in the figure, a part or the whole of the first holding portion 21 is removed from the clamp member 1. The part to be removed from the clamp member 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is within a range that can avoid interference between the first holding portion 21 and the electric fusion joint 200. For example, only the first holding piece 21B of the first holding portion 21 may be removed. Alternatively, the entire first holding portion 21 may be cut off from the first protruding piece 17. Alternatively, it may be cut off at the middle part of the first connecting piece 21A.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first connecting piece 21A may be provided with a breakable weakened portion 21D. The weakened portion 21D is a portion of the first connecting piece 21A that has a lower strength than other portions. The weakened portion 21D can be formed by reducing the thickness of the first connecting piece 21A or by forming a notch in the first connecting piece 21A. The weakened portion 21D can be formed at the connection portion between the first connecting piece 21A and the first protruding piece 17, at the radial intermediate position of the first connecting piece 21A, or at the connection portion between the first connecting piece 21A and the first retaining piece 21B. By providing the weakened portion 21D in the first retaining portion 21, it is possible to easily remove a part or all of the first retaining portion 21. In addition, since the weakened portion 21D can be broken at the time of removal, damage to inappropriate portions can be suppressed.

After holding the power supply terminal 210 by the first holding portion 21 or the second holding portion 22, the worker inserts the plastic tube 100 into the opening of the electric fusion joint 200 through the inside of the fastening belt portion 10. After that, the worker fastens (crimps) the plastic tube 100 inserted into the fastening belt portion 10 to fix it. Specifically, the worker operates the operating portion 14 and the second engaging portion 11B to insert the first engaging portion 11A between the guide portion 10A and the second engaging portion 11B, and meshes the first engaging tooth 13A of the first engaging portion 11A with the second engaging tooth 13B of the second engaging portion 11B.
In addition, since the first engagement portion 11A and the second engagement portion 11B are located in the vicinity of the first holding portion 21, when the second holding portion 22 is hooked onto the power supply terminal 210, the first engagement portion 11A and the second engagement portion 11B are positioned on the opposite side of the power supply terminal 210 across the central axis O.

The clamp member 1 is fixed to the plastic pipe 100 by tightening the tightening belt 10. As the tightening belt 10 is reduced in diameter, the first holding part 21 or the second holding part 22 moves radially inward. As a result, for example, in the example of FIG. 2, the first holding piece 21B of the first holding part 21 approaches the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 201 of the electric fusion joint 200. The first holding piece 21B being close to the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 201 makes it difficult for the plastic pipe 100 to move radially of the electric fusion joint 200. In addition, the first holding piece 21B being hooked onto the power supply terminal 210 also restricts the circumferential movement of the plastic pipe 100. The first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A, which extend radially, are in axial contact with the open end face of the electric fusion joint 200, so that the plastic tube 100 is also restricted in its axial movement relative to the electric fusion joint 200.

In this state, current is passed through the power supply terminal 210 to thermally fuse the plastic pipe 100 to the electric fusion joint 200. After the thermal fusion is completed, the clamp member 1 is left attached to the electric fusion joint 200. A water flow test is then performed, and if no water leakage occurs, water is passed through the pipe with the clamp member 1 left in place, and the piping system consisting of the electric fusion joint 200 and the plastic pipe 100 is used.

After these operations, the clamp member 1 may be removed from the electric fusion joint 200 and the plastic tube 100. To remove the clamp member 1, for example, the second engagement portion 11B is pulled radially outward while the operating portion 14 is pulled circumferentially away from the second engagement portion 11B. This releases the engagement between the first engagement portion 11A and the second engagement portion 11B. The tightening belt portion 10 can then be removed from the plastic tube 100, and the first holding portion 21 or the second holding portion 22 can be removed from the power supply terminal 210.

As described above, the clamp member 1 according to this embodiment is provided with the first holding portion 21 and the second holding portion 22 that have different radial lengths, and therefore can be used for electrofusion joints 200 with different wall thicknesses. A clamp member 1 that can be used for a plurality of types of electrofusion joints and is easy to use can be realized.
In the clamp member 1, the first holding piece 21B and the second holding piece 22B extend from the first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A to the same side in the axial direction, respectively. This allows the clamp member 1 to have two holding portions without increasing the axial length of the clamp member 1.
The clamp member 1 has a first engaging portion 11A and a second engaging portion 11B that maintain the reduced diameter state of the fastening belt portion 10 with the plastic tube 100 inserted inside, so that the plastic tube 100 can be securely held by the fastening belt portion 10.
Since the first holding portion 21 or the second holding portion 22 which holds the power supply terminal 210 of the electric fusion joint 200 is connected to the fastening belt portion 10, the electric fusion joint 200 can be securely held by the clamp member 1 which is configured separately from the electric fusion joint 200.

(First Modification)
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the clamp member 2 of the first modified example. Fig. 5 is a side view showing a method of using the clamp member of the first modified example. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used to designate components common to the above embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the clamp member 2 of the first modified example differs from the above embodiment in the relative positioning of the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22. Specifically, the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 extend in opposite directions in the axial direction with respect to the tightening belt portion 10.

In the fastening belt portion 10, the first protruding piece 17 and the second protruding piece 18 each protrude in the axial direction from the end faces of the fastening belt portion 10 facing in opposite axial directions. The first retaining portion 21 is connected to the tip of the first protruding piece 17, and the second retaining portion 22 is connected to the tip of the second protruding piece 18.

The first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are positioned at positions offset by 180° in the circumferential direction. That is, in the circumferential direction, the first connecting piece 21A is positioned on the opposite side of the center axis O of the fastening belt portion 10 from the second connecting piece 22A. With this configuration, the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are positioned apart from each other, making it easy to perform operations such as engaging the first engaging portion 11A and the second engaging portion 11B.

The relative positions of the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are not limited to positions shifted by 180° in the circumferential direction. In this modified example, the relative positions of the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 can be arranged such that, when viewed from the axial direction, the central angle formed by the first radius connecting the central axis O and the circumferential center position of the first connecting piece 21A and the second radius connecting the central axis O and the circumferential center position of the second connecting piece 22A is in the range of 90° to 180°. The central angle is preferably in the range of 135° to 180°. It is more preferable that the central angle is in the range of 150° to 180°.

The clamp member 2 of the first modified example can be used in the same manner as the clamp member 1 of the above embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a case where a plastic pipe 100 is connected to an electric fusion joint 200 having a peripheral wall 201 with a thickness t1.
The worker hooks the first holding piece 21B of the first holding part 21 onto the power supply terminal 210 of the electric fusion joint 200, and then inserts the plastic tube 100 into the fastening belt part 10 and the opening of the electric fusion joint 200. The worker then fastens (crimps) the plastic tube 100 inserted into the fastening belt part 10 to fix it in place.

In the clamp member 2, the second holding portion 22 extends in the axially opposite direction from the first holding portion 21, so that even when the second holding portion 22 is hooked onto the power supply terminal 210, the first holding portion 21, which has a shorter radial length, does not interfere with the electric fusion joint 200. This eliminates the need to detach part or all of the first holding portion 21, making it easy to use.

In this modified example, as in the embodiment described above, the first engagement portion 11A and the second engagement portion 11B are located near the first holding portion 21, so that when the second holding portion 22 is hooked onto the power supply terminal 210, the first engagement portion 11A and the second engagement portion 11B are positioned on the opposite side of the central axis O from the power supply terminal 210.

In this modified example, the first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A may be provided with a breakable weakened portion. With this configuration, the unused holding portion of the first holding portion 21 and the second holding portion 22 can be easily removed. When the clamp member 2 is left in place, the unused holding portion can be prevented from getting in the way.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which clamp members 2 of the first modified example are stacked in the axial direction.
As shown in Fig. 6, in the clamp member 2 of the first modified example, the first holding portion 21 and the second holding portion 22 extend in opposite directions in the axial direction, so that multiple clamp members 2 can be stacked in the axial direction with the fastening belt portions 10 in contact with each other. This allows the clamp members 2 to be arranged with few gaps. Therefore, the clamp members 2 can be packed more efficiently during delivery. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, stacking multiple clamp members 2 with the first holding portions 21 and second holding portions 22 aligned in the circumferential direction can further save space and allow efficient packing.

(Second Modification)
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the clamp member 3 of the second modified example. Fig. 8 is a side view showing a method of using the clamp member of the second modified example. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used to designate components common to the above embodiment.

The clamp member 3 of the second modification has a configuration in which the second retaining portion 22 of the clamp member 2 of the first modification is disposed at the same circumferential position as the first retaining portion 21. As shown in FIG. 7, in the clamp member 3 of the second modification, the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are disposed at the same circumferential position of the fastening belt portion 10, and the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 extend in opposite directions from each other in the axial direction relative to the fastening belt portion 10.

In the fastening belt portion 10, the first protruding piece 17 and the second protruding piece 18 each protrude in the axial direction from the end faces of the fastening belt portion 10 facing in opposite axial directions. The first retaining portion 21 is connected to the tip of the first protruding piece 17, and the second retaining portion 22 is connected to the tip of the second protruding piece 18.

The first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are arranged at a position where the first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A overlap when viewed from the axial direction. More specifically, the circumferential center position of the first connecting piece 21A and the circumferential center position of the second connecting piece 22A overlap in the axial direction. With this configuration, regardless of whether the first retaining portion 21 or the second retaining portion 22 is hooked onto the power supply terminal 210, the first engaging portion 11A and the second engaging portion 11B are located near the power supply terminal 210, making it easy to engage the first engaging portion 11A and the second engaging portion 11B.

However, in this modified example, since the engagement operation is performed by inserting a finger or a tool between the first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A, if the axial distance between the first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A is narrow, the operability may be somewhat impaired. In this case, the circumferential positions of the first engaging portion 11A and the second engaging portion 11B may be shifted from the circumferential positions of the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22.

The circumferential positions of the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 do not have to coincide at all. The relative positions of the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22, as viewed from the axial direction, can be such that the central angle formed by the first radius connecting the central axis O and the circumferential center position of the first connecting piece 21A and the second radius connecting the central axis O and the circumferential center position of the second connecting piece 22A is in the range of 0° to 90°.

In this modified example, the relative positions of the first retaining portion 21 and the second retaining portion 22 are preferably in a range where at least a portion of the first connecting piece 21A and at least a portion of the second connecting piece 22A overlap each other when viewed from the axial direction. The central angle is preferably in a range of 0° to 45°. It is more preferable that the central angle is in a range of 0° to 30°.

The clamp member 3 of the second modified example can be used in the same manner as the clamp member 1 of the above embodiment and the clamp member 2 of the first modified example. Fig. 8 shows a case where a plastic tube 100 is connected to an electric fusion joint 200 having a peripheral wall 201 with a thickness t1.
The worker hooks the first holding piece 21B of the first holding part 21 onto the power supply terminal 210 of the electric fusion joint 200, and then inserts the plastic tube 100 into the fastening belt part 10 and the opening of the electric fusion joint 200. The worker then fastens (crimps) the plastic tube 100 inserted into the fastening belt part 10 to fix it in place.

In the clamp member 3, the second holding portion 22 extends in the axially opposite direction from the first holding portion 21, so that even when the second holding portion 22 is hooked onto the power supply terminal 210, the first holding portion 21, which has a shorter radial length, does not interfere with the electric fusion joint 200. This eliminates the need to detach part or all of the first holding portion 21, making it easy to use.

In this modified example, the first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A may be provided with a breakable weakened portion. With this configuration, the unused holding portion of the first holding portion 21 and the second holding portion 22 can be easily removed. When the clamp member 2 is left in place, the unused holding portion can be prevented from getting in the way.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in addition to the first and second holding portions, other holding portions may be provided, and three or more holding portions may be provided.
9, the radial lengths of the first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A may be the same length L1, and the axial lengths of the first holding piece 21B and the second holding piece 22B may be different, thereby making the radial positions of the insertion holes 21C and 22C different. This allows the same clamp member 2 to be used for electric fusion joints 200 in which the axial positions of the power supply terminals 210 are different.
In addition, the radial lengths L1, L2 of the first connecting piece 21A and the second connecting piece 22A may be different, while the radial positions of the insertion holes 21C, 22C may be different, and the axial lengths of the first retaining piece 21B and the second retaining piece 22B may be the same even if the radial positions of the insertion holes 21C, 22C are different.

The clamp member of the embodiment described above can be understood, for example, as follows.
(1) A resin clamp member for fixing a resin pipe made of a thermoplastic resin and an electric fusion joint to which the resin pipe is connected by thermal fusion,
a tightening band portion that can be contracted to hold the resin tube in a state where the resin tube is inserted inside the tightening band portion;
a pair of engaging portions that engage with each other in a circumferential direction around a central axis of the fastening belt to maintain the diameter-reduced state of the fastening belt;
a first holding portion and a second holding portion each connected to the fastening belt portion and capable of holding a power supply terminal of the electric fusion joint;
Equipped with
The first retaining portion has a first connecting piece extending radially outward from the fastening band portion and a first retaining piece extending in the axial direction from a radially outer end of the first connecting piece,
The second retaining portion has a second connecting piece extending radially outward from the fastening band portion and a second retaining piece extending in the axial direction from a radially outer end of the second connecting piece,
a clamp member, wherein an axial distance between the position where the first holding piece holds the power supply terminal and the first connecting piece is different in length from a distance between the position where the second holding piece holds the power supply terminal and the second connecting piece.
(2) In the above (1), the first holding piece has a first insertion hole into which the power supply terminal is inserted, and the second holding piece has a second insertion hole into which the power supply terminal is inserted,
The axial distance between the first insertion hole and the first connecting piece may be different from the axial distance between the second insertion hole and the second connecting piece.
(3) In the above (2), the first holding piece and the second holding piece may have the same axial length.
(4) In the above (1) to (3), a radial distance between the fastening belt portion and the first retaining piece may be smaller than a radial distance between the fastening belt portion and the second retaining piece.
In addition, within the scope of the invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components, and the above-described modified examples may be combined as appropriate.

1, 2, 3... clamping member, 10... fastening belt portion, 21... first holding portion, 21A... first connecting piece, 21B... first holding piece, 21D... weakened portion, 22... second holding portion, 22A... second connecting piece, 22B... second holding piece, 100... resin tube, 200... electric fusion joint, 210... power supply terminal, L1, L2... radial spacing, O... central axis

Claims (6)

A resin clamp member for fixing a thermoplastic resin pipe and an electric fusion joint to which the resin pipe is connected by thermal fusion,
a tightening band portion that can be contracted to hold the resin tube with the resin tube inserted therein;
a pair of engaging portions that engage with each other in a circumferential direction around a central axis of the fastening belt to maintain the diameter-reduced state of the fastening belt;
a first holding portion and a second holding portion each connected to the fastening belt portion and capable of holding a power supply terminal of the electric fusion joint;
Equipped with
The first retaining portion has a first connecting piece extending radially outward from the fastening band portion and a first retaining piece extending in the axial direction from a radially outer end of the first connecting piece,
The second retaining portion has a second connecting piece extending radially outward from the fastening band portion and a second retaining piece extending in the axial direction from a radially outer end of the second connecting piece,
A radial distance between the fastening belt portion and the first retaining piece is smaller than a radial distance between the fastening belt portion and the second retaining piece.
Clamping member. The first retaining piece and the second retaining piece extend from the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece, respectively, toward the same side in the axial direction.
The clamping member according to claim 1 . The first holding portion has a breakable weakened portion in a part of the first connecting piece.
The clamping member according to claim 2 . The first retaining piece and the second retaining piece extend in opposite directions from the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece, respectively, in the axial direction.
The clamping member according to claim 1 . In the circumferential direction, the first connecting piece is located on the opposite side to the second connecting piece across the central axis of the fastening belt portion.
A clamping member according to any one of claims 2 to 4. When viewed from the axial direction, at least a portion of the first connecting piece and at least a portion of the second connecting piece overlap each other.
The clamping member according to claim 4.

Images