Pipe joints or couplings – Packed – Plural seals
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-17
2001-12-04
Luu, Teri Pham (Department: 3629)
Pipe joints or couplings
Packed
Plural seals
C285S361000, C285S402000, C285S065000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325425
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to improvements in fittings for flexible fluid lines, such as (but not limited to) water hoses and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
It has been found with existing fittings that they are either too complex in construction and do not work, or that the design is too simplistic and either do not work efficiently or fail under pressure or in operation. Examples of prior art hose couplings are to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,146,288 (Ramsay), 3,831,984 (Kutina) and 2,250,199 (Kelly); Australian patent application Nos. 78949/87 (Bortolin), 85889/82 (Mining Supplies (Minsup) Pty Ltd) and 27474/67 (Lindsay); and International Patent Publication No. WO91/00469 (Hampel Engineering Pty Ltd), now Australian Patent No. 642654.
Hampel has attempted to overcome the problems or differences of the prior art by providing, a universal fluid line interlocking connector, which has inherent problems in that the main body cannot be economically mass produced due to the design of its components. In addition, at least four main body fittings are required to provide standard fluid line connections between, for example, a water tap, hose retention, hose nozzle and accessories such as sprinklers, and the like.
In addition, Hampel's hose retention design is deficient because the hose disengages when the mains water pressure is high, and it tends to leak.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide new or improved fittings for flexible fluid lines which overcome or at least minimise the prior art problems or limitations outlined above, or at the very least which provide an alternative construction which is a useful choice to the public.
It is another object of the present invention to provide improved fittings for flexible fluid lines which are universally adaptable for use with a variety of different types of domestic or garden hose fittings.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved fittings for flexible fluid lines which are relatively simple in construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent from the following descriptions and the drawings.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector for a flexible fluid line, said connector comprising a first universal body member having a passageway extending axially therethrough from one end to the other or opposite end thereof, an inner coupling member coaxially disposed and fixed within said universal body member having a passageway extending axially therethrough from one end to the other or opposite end thereof, a locking lug depending from adjacent the peripheral edge of one end of the universal body member and having an inwardly directing flange about its outer end adapted to connect said body member end to end with a second or further connector comprising a second universal body member with an inner coupling member coaxially disposed therein and with a locking, lug depending from adjacent the peripheral edge of the second universal body member interfacing with the first universal body member, wherein the first and second universal body members are mutually rotatable relative to one another to effect a bayonet-type coupling wherein the locking lug depending from the first universal body member is located in a peripheral groove formed in the side edge of the inner coupling member of the second universal body member, and wherein the locking lug depending from the second universal member is located in a peripheral groove formed in the side edge of the inner coupling member of the first universal body member, whereby the outer end of the inner coupling member of the first universal body member interfaces and sealingly engages the outer end of the inner coupling member of the second universal body member.
According to the invention, the fitting or connector for flexible fluid lines comprises a universal body member which is conjoined to one of a range of variable adaptor members to establish a variety of composite fittings according to the required function thereof, including:
a tap connector
a hose joiner (e.g. for 13 mm hose or 18 mm hose)
a hose nozzle
an adapter for a standard hose coupling
an adapter for a standard sprinkler or other accessory fitting with a standard thread (e.g. 18 mm BSP female)
Whereas the fitting for a flexible fluid line according to the present invention has a universal body member which is conjoined to a range of different adapter members to provide a variety of composite fittings, the prior art Hampel system requires the fabrication of separate integral fittings. For example, in order for the Hampel system to “fit up” a hose—i.e. to a tap at one end with a spray nozzle at the opposite end—requires the manufacture of four main bodies, each with identical bayonet connection means at one end thereof but with the opposite end thereof being fabricated to one of a number of different configurations or designs for a dedicated function or use.
The present invention provides fittings for flexible fluid lines, such as water hoses, which permit different sized hoses to attach to a water tap at one end and to provide for the connection of a spray nozzle or other watering accessory items at the opposite end of the hose. The fittings are designed to withstand high internal pressures, and are suitable for the transmission of other fluids and pressurised air.
Connections according to preferred embodiments of the invention are by way of a bayonet fit. The two faces of adjacent fittings which come together by way of such a bayonet fit are identical, i.e. there is no male or female end. According to the present invention, either end of the hose can be connected to a tap or to other fittings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 489107 (1893-01-01), Storz
patent: 2204392 (1940-06-01), Arm
patent: 2250199 (1941-07-01), Kelly
patent: 3129959 (1964-04-01), Kuzma
patent: 3831984 (1974-08-01), Kutina et al.
patent: 3858910 (1975-01-01), Oetiker
patent: 4146288 (1979-03-01), Ramsay et al.
patent: 4443028 (1984-04-01), Hayes
patent: 5645302 (1997-07-01), Horimoto
patent: 27474/67 (1967-09-01), None
patent: A-78949/87 (1988-01-01), None
patent: B-58395/90 (1991-01-01), None
patent: A-52268/96 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 3825866 A1 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 196 04 728 C1 (1996-02-01), None
patent: 0 132 603 (1985-02-01), None
patent: 0 748 975 A1 (1996-05-01), None
patent: WO83/00543 (1983-02-01), None
Ernst Leon
Kierath Timothy R.
Hoselink Pty Limited
Luu Teri Pham
Skinner & Associates
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