Pipe joints or couplings – With means blocking release of holding means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-26
2001-03-27
Arola, Dave W. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
With means blocking release of holding means
C285S315000, C285S348000, C285S382000, C285S424000, C285S906000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206432
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in ball-lock-type quick-acting connectors which may be used in a variety of applications including automotive fuel injection systems, hydraulic systems and pneumatic systems to detachably connect fluid lines or pipes by a single action.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Ball-lock-type quick-acting connectors or pipe couplings are well-known and have been used in various fields of industries.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
of the accompanying drawings, the conventional ball-lock type connector typically includes a socket member
1
and a plug member
2
which are adapted to be detachably coupled with each other in a telescoping fashion, the members being suitably attached by threaded couplings and the like to the ends of respective fluid lines to be connected.
The socket
1
is provided with a plurality of tapered through-holes or pockets
3
that are circumferentially equally spaced apart from one another. Each pocket
3
receives a locking ball
4
made of steel which is adapted to partly protrude radially inwardly of the pocket to thereby engage within an annular groove
5
formed on the outer circumference of the plug
2
. The connector further includes a spring-biased control sleeve or slider
6
which is slidably fitted over the socket
1
to control the radial position of the locking balls.
To connect the socket and plug members, the control sleeve
6
is first retracted against the spring bias as shown in FIG.
2
and the plug is then inserted into the socket until the groove
5
is brought into registration with the pockets
3
. Then the sleeve is returned to the locking position shown in
FIG. 1
whereby the locking balls
4
are cammed into the groove
5
to retain the socket and plug together. An O-ring
7
mounted within an annular seal ring groove
8
formed on the inner periphery of the socket establishes a fluid-tight seal between the socket and plug members. The return coil spring serves to keep the control sleeve in its locking position.
To disconnect the socket and plug, the control sleeve is moved to the unlocking position shown in
FIG. 2
to release the locking balls. As the plug is then pulled away from the socket, the locking balls
4
are cammed out of the annular groove
5
as shown in
FIG. 2
to thereby permit the plug member to be pulled out of the socket member.
In applications wherein the connector is subjected to a high fluid pressure, a backup ring
9
is normally used and is arranged within the seal ring groove
8
at the downstream side of the O-ring
7
to back-up the O-ring.
The problem associated with the conventional quick-acting connectors is that they are costly to manufacture because the major parts thereof, such as the socket, plug and control sleeve, must be made by using machine tools such as lathe, drilling and milling machines.
Moreover, the presence of the seal ring groove on the inner surface that defines the bore of the socket member involves a number of problems. First, machining of the seal ring groove is difficult to perform at a high precision because during machining a cutting tool must be inserted and positioned inside the narrow bore of the socket.
More importantly, the O-ring tends to be twisted and distorted as it is inserted into the socket since the outer diameter of the O-ring is generally larger than the inner diameter of the socket bore and, therefore, the O-ring must be radially compressed or deformed to a substantial degree prior to and during insertion into the bore of the socket. If the O-ring as finally installed within the seal ring groove is in a twisted or distorted state, there is a risk of fluid leakage. In addition, the plug member would bite into the O-ring to thereby damage the O-ring each time the plug is inserted into the socket.
When the O-ring once fitted in the seal ring groove is to be dismounted therefrom for inspection or for any other reasons, a sharp tool such as a hook must be used to scoop the O-ring out of the groove. This tends to damage the O-rings and prevents their re-use.
Furthermore, the overall wall thickness of the socket member must be selected to be large enough to provide a sufficient mechanical strength even after the material which forms the socket wall is partly removed by cutting or milling to form the seal ring groove. This prevents reduction in weight of the connectors and results in an increase in the production costs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved ball-lock-type quick-acting connector which can be manufactured in a cost effective manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved ball-lock-type quick-acting connector having such a design and configuration that permits manufacture of the major parts thereof from sheet metals.
A still another object of the invention is to provide an improved ball-lock-type quick-acting connector having a design and configuration particularly suitable to manufacture the major parts thereof by plastic working, such as deep drawing or roll forming, of sheet metals.
A further object of the invention is to provide a ball-lock-type quick-acting connector which is specifically designed to permit easy installation and removal of a sealing ring.
Another object of the invention is to provide a ball-lock-type quick-acting connector wherein a sealing ring is retained in position without recourse to the provision for the conventional seal ring groove.
Another object of the invention is to provide a ball-lock-type quick-acting connector which is light in weight.
This invention provides a ball-lock-type quick-acting connector having a socket member and a plug member detachably coupled with each other in a telescoping fashion.
According to the invention, the socket and plug members are designed and configured suitable to be manufactured by plastic working, such as deep drawing or roll forming, of a sheet metal. More specifically, the socket is provided with a stepped bore having two bore sections of different inner diameter connected by a shoulder portion. The plug member presents a stepped cylindrical outer surface including two surface sections of different outer diameter connected by a shoulder portion.
When the plug member is inserted in the socket member, an annular chamber will be formed between the socket and plug members, the chamber being defined in the axial direction between the shoulder portions of the socket and plug members. This annular chamber is used to install a sealing ring and a backup ring which will be confined axially between the shoulders of the socket and plug members.
With this arrangement, the socket and plug members may be made mostly by plastic working of a sheet metal without requiring machining by machine tools, because the conventional seal ring groove need not be formed on the bore of the socket member. Installation and removal of the sealing ring are facilitated because no ring groove is present.
In a preferred embodiment, the socket member is provided with an inwardly directed annular projection projecting radially inwardly from the large-diameter bore section. The annular projection serves to prevent the backup ring from slipping out of the first bore when the plug member is disconnected from the socket member.
Preferably, the control sleeve of the connector is also made by plastic working of a sheet metal and comprises inner and outer tubes which are press fitted and crimped with each other to form a unitary sleeve structure.
In a preferred embodiment, the connector further includes a stop ring for positively retaining the control sleeve against the socket member in the locking position of the sleeve. The provision of a stop ring to positively retain the control sleeve in its locking position is desirable in applications wherein the connector is subjected to substantial vibrations.
These features of the invention as well as other features and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3
Arola Dave W.
Jacobson Price Holman & Stern PLLC
NOK Corporation
LandOfFree
Ball-lock-type quick-acting connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ball-lock-type quick-acting connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ball-lock-type quick-acting connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2497313