Abstract: An open-type hose clamp which comprises a plastically deformable “Oetiker” ear as tightening device that requires a predetermined minimum plastic deformation for desired operation. Proper operation of the “Oetiker” ear is assured by a lost motion connection. The lost motion connection which also forms the mechanical connection between overlapping band portions includes at least one outwardly extending member extending outwardly from the inner band portion and adapted to engage in a corresponding aperture in the outer band portion, whereby the mechanical connection is such as to prevent use of an undersize clamp with a given hose and to assure a lock up of the mechanical connection upon engagement of the outwardly extending member in the aperture during tightening of the clamp.

Abstract: An open-type hose clamp which comprises a mechanical connection between overlapping inner and outer band portions, in which the mechanical connection includes at least one outwardly extending member extending outwardly from the inner band portion and adapted to engage in a corresponding aperture in the outer band portion, and in which the mechanical connection is such as to assure a lock up of the mechanical connection upon engagement of the outwardly extending member in the aperture and tightening of the clamp.

Abstract: A clamp in which the clamping band end portions are intended to form overlapping inner and outer band portions in the installed condition and are connected by a connection, in which a tightening device for tightening the clamping band about an object to be fastened and an arrangement assuring gap-free and stepless internal clamping surfaces of the clamping band including a male member near the end of the inner band portion are provided whereby the male member is adapted to cooperate with a female member in the outer band portion; a guide arrangement is further formed by a bent-up tab-like member on each side of the male member and adapted to engage in two guide slots of the outer band portion to guide relative movements of the inner and outer band portions during tightening of the tightening device; the connection may also include a lost-motion arrangement permitting initial plastic deformation of the tightening device substantially without change in radial dimension.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the length of a blank for an open-type clamp with overlapping band portions, a tightening device and a device with complementary profiles in the inner and outer clamping band portions to assure a gap-free and stepless inner clamping surface, according to which the location of the beginning of the profile at the inner clamping band portions in the condition of engagement of the mechanical connection and non-tightening of the tightening device is determined as a function of the tightening necessary to reach the diameter of dmax; by locating the transition from full band width to the profile in the inner clamping band portion with the use of this method clamping band material savings can be achieved in the clamp made in accordance with this method.

Abstract: A guide arrangement for minimizing incorrect emplacement of a tightening tool at a plastically deformable ear of a hose clamp which includes male guide profiles in the clamp adapted to cooperate with female guide profiles in the tightening tool to permit the installer to sense proper positioning of the tightening tool when the male guide profiles are in engagement with the female guide profiles in the tightening tool.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an open-type clamp and clamps made by such a method with an arrangement assuring gap-free and stepless internal clamping surfaces which include one of a female and male configuration at the end of the inner clamping band portion and one of male and female configuration in the outer clamping band potion, wherein the profile in the outer band portion is constituted by a deep-drawn channel having a dimension in the direction at right angle to the surface of the clamping band which corresponds substantially to the thickness of the clamping band, and merging any part of the outer clamping band remaining positionally substantially unaffected by the deep-drawing operation of the channel, into the inwardly displaced plane obtained by such deep-drawing operation.

Abstract: A tightening device for a clamp in the form of an outwardly extending ear with outwardly extending leg portions interconnected by a bridging portion at their outer ends whereby the leg portions at least in their outer parts diverge from one another in the inward direction to provide at least one of two features consisting of increased tolerance range of a given clamp size and interactive feedback for the correct positioning of the clamping tool.

Abstract: A reinforcing arrangement in the bridging portion of a plastically deformable ear which defines the outlines resembling a four-sided diamond.

Abstract: A clamp made from clamping band material in which optimization for the length of the necessary blank is realized in dependence on the length of the bridging portion of a so-called “Oetiker” ear whereby this bridging portion length is used to determine the length of the overlapped full-band-width inner clamping band portion as well as the location of the beginning of the step-like portion and the length of the tongue-like extension at the end of the full-band-width inner clamping band portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to so-called open clamps with a mechanical connection of overlapping band portions including a guide hook which is so modified as to minimize reopening of the clamp before it is fully tightened.