Pipe joints or couplings – Movable jaw
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-06
2001-03-13
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Movable jaw
C285S903000, C285S319000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199920
ABSTRACT:
The invention concerns a connecting piece for profiled nipples, corrugated tubes or the like profiled pipes with parallel external grooves, as set forth in the classifying portion of the independent claim.
Such connecting pieces with corrugated tubes are used predominantly in electrical engineering for protecting electrical lines, in a special profiled pipe configuration with sealing means as an air pipe in the pneumatic art or for the transportation of fluid media, for example water.
A connecting element having a carrier ring in the form of a sliding sleeve comprising an abutment ring, an axial inner ring arranged at a spacing relative thereto, legs connecting the abutment ring and the inner ring, and limbs which extend from the inner ring to the abutment ring and which have locking claws towards the corrugated pipe are disclosed for example in EP 0 465 896 A1 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,580.
It has been found that apparatuses of that kind suffer from the disadvantage of a low level of operational security, in regard to the movable sliding sleeve, and the structural size thereof. A movable sliding sleeve permits repeated assembly and release of profiled pipes. In the case of existing apparatuses with a movable sliding sleeve—without counterpressure—operational vibration or unskilled handling, the random effects of knocks and pressure or simple sabotage can already call the aspect of operational security into question, that is to say, accidental release of the profile from the fitting is possible at any time. In addition use reduces the return force.
A connecting piece of the general kind set forth for connection to a flexible corrugated tube is known from DE 43 34 529 A1 in the form of a comparatively structurally complicated combination of a connecting sleeve with a plurality of window-like apertures and a member which is axially displaceable in the connecting sleeve and which has pressure fingers which are integrally formed on the member and which are pivotable about a pivot region. The displaceable member is a double-casing portion with openings in a ring surface which connects the double casing at the outward side. The inner casing is formed by six pressure fingers and the outer casing serves as a gripping portion. Projections on the connecting sleeve engage into the openings in the ring surface of the double casing, so that there is an indication as to whether the flexible corrugated tube can be separated from the connecting device. At least however in this case also use reduces the return force of the pressure fingers which serve as locking claws, upon frequent operation of the connecting piece, that is to say when opening and fixing the profiled pipe. The satisfactory release thereof cannot be guaranteed.
The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the recognised disadvantages of connecting pieces of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification.
That object is attained by the teaching set forth in independent claim
1
. The appendant claims set forth desirable developments.
In accordance with the teaching of claim
1
the axially displaceable member is in the form of a clamping ring and arranged in front of same in opposite relationship to the insertion direction of the profiled pipe, is an annular groove or annular notch which extends at least over a part of the peripheral surface. In addition, an engagement opening is associated with at least two apertures in the connecting sleeve, preferably adjacent the free edge thereof; by virtue of those engagement openings, it is possible for example by means of the end of a screwdriver to engage the clamping ring through the connecting sleeve, and displace it axially. By virtue of those measures therefore in the assembled condition on the one hand per se known rapid manual unlocking is possible, without a loading. On the other hand however security unlocking is afforded, with an axial counterpressure, which can be released only with the intentional use of an ancillary tool. In the event of an axial counterpressure sliding movement—for example upon disassembly—the pressure fingers are so positioned over inclined sloping surfaces that the corrugated pipe can be unlocked.
During the axial displacement of the clamping ring in opposition to the pulling direction, which displacement is to be effected by hand by the operator, the pressure fingers are pressed against by a barrier portion having an outwardly inclined sloping surface, the barrier portion being provided in a particular development in each of the apertures at the inside of the connecting sleeve, until the pressure fingers engage with their noses into the corrugated pipe.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention the barrier portions each project at the inside of the connecting sleeve from the transverse edge of the respective aperture, which is in opposite relationship to the insertion direction; extending from the upper edge of the barrier portion is the outwardly inclined sloping surface against which slidably bears the inner sloping surface of the pressure finger. In the opposite direction, the nose of the pressure finger—which in turn is provided with an inclined sloping surface—is lifted, which results in the corrugated tube being freed. The displaceable clamping ring can also be pressed in the opposite direction by means of a screwdriver or a forked or open-end wrench; that also frees the profiled pipe.
In accordance with a particular development the free end of the pressure finger is formed by a base line—in particular a crest or ridge—in order to guarantee co-operation of the sloping surfaces. That base line is defined in the radial cross-section by two sloping surfaces of the pressure finger, which are inclined relative to each other and of which one goes into the nose and of which the other connects to the external face of the pressure finger.
Advantageously each base line, in radial cross-section, is defined by an inner sloping surface which is inclined away from the nose in the rest position of the pressure finger, and a part-circular curvature region which forms a transition into an inclined rear face of the pressure finger. In the sliding operation the rear face of the pressure finger slides along the connecting sleeve. The external face or the rear face of the pressure finger serves upon insertion of the clamping ring as a sliding face, the counterpart of which is preferably an inner projection on the connecting sleeve.
All in all the invention provides a construction which constitutes a development of the apparatus of the general kind set forth and which attains the object viewed by the inventor in an outstandingly simple manner. It is also advantageous that unintentional actuation of the apparatus remains out of the question; as stated, release of the profiled pipe is to be implemented by means of an ancillary tool.
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Interflex S.A.
Nicholson Eric K.
Pitney Hardin Kipp & Szuch LLP
LandOfFree
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