Pipe joints or couplings – Frangible element – Score line or groove
Patent
1999-06-28
2000-11-14
Arola, Dave W.
Pipe joints or couplings
Frangible element
Score line or groove
285 81, 285308, 285340, F16L 3500
Patent
active
061458872
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a quick-coupling device for coupling a tube to a rigid element (e.g. the body of a pneumatic component such as a manifold, an actuator, etc.), and it relates more particularly to a quick-coupling device of the "cartridge" type designed to anchor a tube in a bore of the rigid element and to seal the resulting coupling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Quick-coupling devices of the "cartridge" type are known that are designed to couple a tube in leakproof manner in a bore of a rigid element, where the coupling is in the form of a tubular insert comprising a tubular body possessing means for anchoring it permanently in the rigid element, and means for retaining the tube.
The tube retaining means are often implemented in the form of a washer having inside teeth, which teeth are raised by bending when the tube is inserted and tend to bite into the tube to oppose extraction thereof. When it is subsequently desired to disconnect the tube, a slide is pushed between the tube and the body, thereby enabling the teeth to be raised so as to release the tube.
Nevertheless, in practice there is a risk of the slide being pushed in accidentally, thereby causing the tube to be disconnected in untimely manner. Such an accidental disconnection can have severe consequences insofar as it leads not only to the appearance of a large leak, but also interrupts operation of the pneumatic component that was being powered via the coupling.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to improve the safety of coupling devices of the above-specified type by preventing the slide for splaying open the retaining washer being pushed in accidentally.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a quick-coupling device for coupling a tube to a rigid element having a bore, the device comprising a tubular insert having means enabling it to be anchored in the bore of the rigid element, declutchable tube retaining means, and a slide mounted to move in translation in the tubular insert to declutch the retaining means when it is pushed into the tubular insert, in which device the declutching slide possesses a rear portion which projects outside the tubular insert and which presents a shoulder surface situated facing an end surface of the tubular insert and co-operating with said end surface to define a groove in which a removable intermediate ring is received to oppose pushing in of the declutching slide.
In this way, any force tending to push in the declutching slide causes the surface of the slide shoulder to be pressed against the removable intermediate ring, which in turn is pressed against the end surface of the tubular insert and/or a surface of the rigid element. It is consequently not possible to push in the slide and thus declutch the retaining means so long as the removable intermediate ring is in position around the declutching slide.
Advantageously, the removable intermediate ring is closed, and has a mechanically weak portion forming a break starter which, once broken, enables said ring to be removed.
Breaking the ring thus indicates that the ring has been disengaged so as to be able to disconnect the tube. Integrity of the break starter on the ring therefore indicates that the device is intact. In particular, any unauthorized action on the coupling device can easily be detected.
Preferably, the removable intermediate ring has an outline provided with a pull tab. The removable intermediate ring is thus made easier to remove.
It is then advantageous for a slot to pass through the thickness of the pull tab of the removable intermediate ring. A tool can then be inserted in the slot in order to further facilitate removing the removable intermediate ring.
According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the removable intermediate ring has two branches which, after the weak portion has been broken, can be moved elastically apart from each other, and which are suitable for snap-fastening around the declutching slide. Thus, after the removable intermediate rin
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Arola Dave W.
Legris S.A.
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