Pipe joints or couplings – Flange – Detachable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-19
2001-08-21
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Flange
Detachable
C285S368000, C285S420000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276729
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a connection element for connecting neighbouring connection sections on tubes and/or container openings, in particular on laboratory apparatus, according to the preamble of claim
1
. These connection elements must hold together the connection sections in a substantially fluid-tight and/or gas-tight manner, wherein in particular in experimental arrangements with respect to laboratory technology there is required a quick releasability. The connection sections have in many cases a spherical ground joint so that an axial deviation in all directions is possible to a limited extent. The connection elements are therefore also called a flex connection.
Known connection elements are as a rule formed as a conventional flange connection with loose flanges, whose attachment is however difficult, according to the nature of the connection section. With the connection elements it is the case of screwings which however for separating the two connection sections must be completely released. This is time consuming and may only be carried out with both hands so that an operating person no longer has a free hand for holding firmly for example a glass flask to be released.
From U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,610 for sealing a leakage on tube connections it is known to apply two retaining collars each consisting of two segments separable from one another. The segments which are separable from one another are formed identically and comprise end sections engaging into one another. A simple release of the connection with such a design is not possible on account of the engagement.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a connection element of the previously mentioned type which is to be inexpensively manufactured and which can be operated simply and where possible with one hand, without the security of the connection being compromised. This object according to the invention is achieved by a connection element which comprises the features in claim
1
. The fastening elements connect simultaneously the separable segments and the retaining collars in a manner such that by releasing a single fastening element one of the retaining collars may be opened so far that the connection sections may be separated from one another.
Advantageously neighbouring segments comprise mutually overlapping end sections which are each provided with an opening for joining the fastening elements, wherein the openings of end sections which overlap run congruently in the closed condition. With this a relatively slim construction without protruding parts is achieved and the closed segments form as a whole a compact unit.
The fastening elements are preferably screw bolts which penetrate the retaining collars and which are at least provided with a screw nut. Alternative fastening elements would however be conceivable, such as tension springs, clips or likewise.
If on at least one screw bolt a helical compression spring is mounted between the retaining collars, the two retaining collars are tensioned apart so that with the release procedure they do not fall together. This simplifies the joining or removal to and from the connection sections.
Additionally between the screw head or the screw nut of a screw bolt and a retaining collar there may be mounted a further helical compression spring. The tightening of the screwing with this is effected against spring force, by which means amongst other things also excess pressure forces are prevented. For achieving such a buffer effect instead of a helical compression spring however also other spring elements such as e.g. spring disks or likewise could also be applied. It would also be conceivable to integrate such elements directly into the screw head or into the screw bolt.
A particularly simple handling of the connection element may be achieved in that the openings in the overlapping end sections are formed radially towards the outside in a continuous manner and in that the screw bolts can be laterally guided out. The nuts thus remain constantly on the screw bolts and only need to be released so far that the screw bolt may be laterally guided out from the U-shaped bolt. The axial withdrawal of the screw bolt which is mostly difficult generally for reasons of space, is thus no longer required.
Further advantages may be achieved when the overlapping end sections engage into one another in a jointed manner, in a way such that after the guiding out of the oppositely lying screw bolt they may be pivoted open about the axis of the remaining screw bolt. With this the remaining screw bolt practically forms a joint axis, wherein the joint function is supported by the particular shape of the end sections as a joint head or joint socket. A complete disassembly of the retaining collar is practically only required for cleaning purposes. For introducing and guiding out a connection section the one-sided opening and pivoting open of the segments is sufficient.
If the overlapping end sections in the region of the opening on the outer side and/or on the inner side are provided with a pocket hole, therein on the outer side there may be supported a screw head and a screw nut and on the inner side for example a helical compression spring. The pocket hole has at the same time a larger diameter than the width of the opening leading to the outside, which as a rule correponds to the width of the screw bolt. By way of this with a tightened screwing, as a result of the supporting in the pocket hole it is prevented that the screw bolt is laterally pulled out. For reasons of manufacturing technology it is particularly useful when the end sections of an individual segment are formed symmetrically in opposite directions in a manner such that identical but laterally reversely connected sections fit together with a positive fit. A retaining collar is thus composed of completely identical segments, which merely must be turned around in order to fit together with a positive fit.
With larger diameters on the connection sections it may be useful if the retaining collar comprises three preferably identically formed segments which are held together by three fastening elements. With this it is prevented that the segments need be excessively heavily pivoted in order to permit a moving out of the connection segments. Also with three segments it is however sufficient when only a single fastening element is removed in order to pivot open the segments at one location.
In the normal case the connection element comprises two identically formed retaining collars. According to the configuration of the connection sections to be connected, the retaining collars may however also have differing shapes. The segments of the retaining collars may be manufactured of plastic material, metal or in certain cases also of ceramic materials.
In certain cases of application it is conceivable that the connection element only comprises one retaining collar with separable segments and that the counter-bearing for the fastening elements is a rigid counter-bearing element. Such a counter-bearing element could for example be arranged loosely or rigidly on a laboratory apparatus to which there is connected a tube connection piece.
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Sanwald Marco
Widmer Richard
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Buchi Labortechnik AG
Shoemaker and Mattare LTD
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