Pipe joints or couplings – Nonmetal to metal – Internal member
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-30
2001-07-03
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Nonmetal to metal
Internal member
C285S322000, C285S323000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254144
ABSTRACT:
II. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hose coupling and more particularly to a relatively inflexible hose coupling to which a flexible hose can be connected. The hose coupling has special adaptability for use in connection with high pressure air hoses of the type that as are used in connection with an air system on a vehicle such as a locomotive, railroad car, or truck and trailer having air brake lines.
III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many circumstances exist wherein a person wishes to couple a flexible hose, such as a flexible air line, to an inflexible coupling, such as a coupling made from steel or brass. These circumstances typically arise in fluid systems that carry a gas or liquid between two points; and fluid systems that employ a gas or air to perform work, such as air brake systems, pneumatic systems and hydraulic systems. One particular circumstance where it is desirable to couple a flexible fluid carrying hose to an inflexible coupling is in the air system of a truck, such as a tractor trailer, or of a railroad car or locomotive.
Large vehicles, and in particular semi-tractors and their trailers, and locomotives and railroad cars use an air system to control braking. In most air brake systems, the air pressure is used to release the shoe of the brake from its engagement with the drum or disk of the brake in order to permit the vehicle to be moved. Most air brakes on trains and trucks are biased with springs or other mechanical means, so that in the absence of air pressure, the shoe will engage the drum (or disk) and thereby place the brake in a “brake on” position, to prevent the vehicle from moving. Air pressure is fed to a pneumatic cylinder within the brake shoe so that when air pressure is applied to the brake shoe, the brake shoe will move away from the drum or disk to disengage the drum or disk, thereby allowing the drum or disk to spin on its axle, thereby allowing the hub and wheel to rotate.
In order to “get air” to the various brake shoes of a multi-wheel vehicle, a large number of air lines must be used. Because the various vehicle components such as the wheels and the frame move in relation to each other, it is desirable to employ a flexible air line to couple the air receiving member (such as the brake shoe) on the wheel to the air provider component (such as a niold mounted on the frame of the trailer). A large number of different types and brands of flexible air lines are currently manufactured and are available from companies such as Gates Rubber, and Dayco Products.
Typically, a coupling is placed on each end of the flexible air hose, to permit the air hose to be coupled to another air system component, such as an air manifold. On a large vehicle, such as a truck, a large quantity of air hoses, and hence a large quantity of air hose couplings are used, typically about 100 or so in a semi-tractor rig.
Known couplings exist that usually include a tube support that is surrounded by a coaxially disposed housing. An O-ring is inserted at the base of the tube support to prevent air leaking therethrough. Couplings of this type have some inherent problems. One problem is the sharp edges on the end of the flexible brake hoses come in contact with the O-rings. This contact can nick or damage the O-ring, thereby creating a leak in the system that causes the system to lose air.
One object of the present invention is to provide a coupling that eliminates the contact between the O-ring and the air hose and which also grips the hose in a manner such that air cannot pass around the hose on its outside or inside.
IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a hose coupling is provided for securing a flexible hose tube member having a radially outwardly facing exterior hose surface and a radially inwardly facing interior hose surface. The hose coupling comprises a first coupling unit that includes a housing, a tube support member and a seal. The tube support member includes a tube portion for supporting the interior hose surface, and a base portion. The base portion is fixedly coupled to the housing. The seal is disposed between the housing and the tube support such that the seal is encapsulated by the combination of the housing and the tube support member. The coupling also includes a grip/release mechanism for retaining the hose. The grip/release mechanism is disposed between the tube portion of the tube support member and the housing, and is movable relative to the first coupling unit.
Preferably, the housing is disposed coaxially and exteriorly concentrically of a grip/release mechanism The grip/release mechanism is itself disposed coaxially, exteriorly, and concentrically of a tube support. A Tefloni sealing ring is disposed between the tube support and the housing. The cartridge is especially adaptable for use in conjunction with air line couplings of the type typically used on large vehicles, such as trucks and locomotives.
One feature of the present invention is that it includes a tube support having at least one radially outwardly extending grip ring formed thereon, and a grip/release mechanism having at least one radially inwardly extending grip ring that is formed thereon. The flexible hose can be selectively and replaceably captured between the tube support and the grip/release mechanism, so that the gripping ring of the tube support engages the interior surface of the flexible hose, and the radially inwardly extending grip ring of the grip/release mechanism engages the hose's exterior surface. This dual, interior-exterior gripping provided by the present invention has the advantage of securely gripping the flexible hose in a manner that retains the flexible hose securely on to the coupling, especially when an axially outwardly directed force is exerted against the hose; but which still permits the hose to be fitted onto and removed from the cartridge with relative ease.
Another feature of the present invention is that the grip/release mechanism is axially movable relative to the tube support. This axial movability is employed by the user to facilitate attachment of the tube to the coupling, and removal of the flexible hose from the coupling.
It is also a feature of the present invention that the grip/release mechanism includes a portion having a plurality of axially extending slots. These slots facilitate the radial expansion and contraction of the grip/release mechanism, which thereby facilitates the attachment of the flexible hose to, and the removal of the flexible hose from the grip/release mechanism.
These and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art through a review of the detailed description and figures set forth below, that set forth the best mode of practicing the invention perceived presently by the Applicant.
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Hand sketches of Don Wehrling, date unknown.
Indiano E. Victor
Kilgore Manufacturing
Nicholson Eric K.
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