# US 2014/0189986 A1 · Composite Clamp

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- Number: US 2014/0189986 A1
- Document ID: US20140189986A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/735,762
- Filed: 2013-01-07
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: James P. Carrillo; Khashayar Borumand
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140189986A1

## CPC

- F16B 2/24: of metal
- B64C 1/403: {Arrangement of fasteners specially adapted therefor, e.g. of clips}
- F16B 5/121: {fastened over the edge(s) of the sheet(s) or plate(s)}
- F16B 5/0657: {at least one of the plates providing a raised structure, e.g. of the doghouse type, for connection with the clamps or clips of the other plate}
- Y10T 24/44932: having specific surface material or irregularity on or along engaging face
- F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D)
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A composite clamp including a continuous metallic spine having a first end bending back upon a second end forming a loop, a first arm, and a second arm approximately parallel to the first arm, and a polymer casing surrounding the metallic spine from proximate the first end to proximate the second end.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A composite clamp comprising:
a metallic spine comprising a first end bending back upon a second end forming a loop, a first arm and a second arm, wherein said second arm is approximately parallel to said first arm;
and a polymer casing at least partially surrounding said metallic spine.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said metallic spine extends continuously from said first end to said second end.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said polymer casing fully surrounds said metallic spine from proximate said first end to proximate said second end.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said polymer casing comprises a first polymer portion and a second polymer portion, and wherein said metallic spine is disposed between said first and said second polymer portions.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said polymer casing comprises an elastomer material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said polymer casing is approximately flat.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said metallic spine comprises at least one of a round metal wire, a flat metal wire and a flat metal sheet.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said metallic spine is coated with a corrosion resistant material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said polymer casing comprises an injection molded plastic applied over said metallic spine.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said polymer casing comprises a molded plastic applied over said metallic spine.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The composite clamp of claim 1 wherein said metallic spine comprises a first flange proximate said first end and a second flange proximate said second end.

### Claim 12

A composite clamp comprising a continuous strip having a first end bending back upon a second end forming a loop, a first arm and a second arm, wherein said second arm is approximately parallel to said first arm, said strip comprising a polymer casing and a metallic spine embedded within said polymer casing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The composite clamp of claim 12 wherein both said polymer casing and said metallic spine extend from proximate said first end to proximate said second end.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The composite clamp of claim 12 wherein said polymer casing comprises a first polymer portion and a second polymer portion, and wherein said metallic spine is disposed between said first and said second polymer portions.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The composite clamp of claim 12 wherein said polymer casing comprises an elastomer material.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The composite clamp of claim 12 wherein said metallic spine comprises at least one of a metal wire and a flat metal sheet.

### Claim 17

A method for manufacturing a composite clamp, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a continuous metallic spine comprising a first end and a second end;
bending said metallic spine to form a loop, a first arm and a second arm, wherein said first arm is approximately parallel to said second arm; and
applying a polymer casing over said metallic spine.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein said applying step is performed after said bending step.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein said applying step comprises the steps of:
injection molding a first polymer portion;
inlaying said metallic spine into said first polymer portion; and
injection molding a second polymer portion over said metallic spine.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein said applying step comprises dip molding an elastomer material around said metallic spine.