Pipe joints or couplings – End to side or plate – Saddle-type clamp
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-03
2002-12-31
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
End to side or plate
Saddle-type clamp
C285S222000, C072S125000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06499769
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a device for connecting a first tube with a tubular element such as a connection tube or segment of such, wherein the tubular element extends with its end segment into an opening of the first tube and, by means of a tool, can be connected force-fittingly with it. The invention further relates to a method for connecting a first tube with a tubular element.
The invention also refers to a connection between a first tube and a junction element such as a valve, sprinkler head or further tube, comprising a hollow cylindrical connecting element, extending through an opening of the first tube with at least one segment into it and sealed relative to it, such as a housing which is connectable with the connecting element or the further tube.
According to DE 94 16 506 U1 a corresponding connection comprises a connection element with self-cutting threads which can be screwed into the opening of the first tube and which is encompassed by a hollow cylindrical housing which has a sealing effect relative to the connection element as well as also relative to the tube. A segment of the connection element extends within the first tube such that its free cross section is reduced in this region. In addition, several elements are required in order to establish the desired fluid-and pressure-tight connection.
It is also known to establish a connection by means of a sprinkler clamping collar such as are disclosed in EP 0 332 500 B1 or DE 94 11 013 U1.
According to DE 94 11 979 U1 a tube branch is realized by structuring a planar surface of a wall of a first tube from which extends a second tube.
A connection between a tube and a junction can, according to U.S. Pat. No. 2,015,246, be established by means of welding.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,461 a device of the type cited in the introduction is disclosed which comprises a piston-cylinder arrangement as well as a frame with support receiving the first tube. Extending from the piston is a piston rod with which a bar is detachably connected, which comprises at the end a hemispherical segment whose maximum diameter is smaller than that of the opening of the first tube. The tube connection piece itself which is connected with the first tube, comprises a fish-mouth shaped end segment with flanged margin which changes over into a groove resulting in a material weakening which groove, in turn, is limited by an outer shoulder of the tube connection piece whose outer diameter is greater than that of the opening. For the force-fit connection of the tube connection piece with the first tube, the bar with the hemispherical head is introduced with the end at the fish-mouth side into the tube connection piece in order to be connected with the piston rod. The tube connection piece is subsequently placed onto the opening of the first tube. Tailored to the length of the tube connection piece, arms of the frame are braced on its outer margin in order to pull subsequently by means of the piston-cylinder arrangement the bar with the hemispherical head in the direction of the tube connection piece whereby the flanged edge extending within the first tube is bent over in the direction of the first tube in order to establish the force-fit connection. After sufficient deformation the hemispherical head with the bar can be pulled out of the tube connection piece. A flat sealing gasket ring extends between the shoulder and the outer surface of the first tube to effect a sealing between the tube connection piece and the first tube.
The present invention, for one, is based on the problem of further developing a device and a method of the type cited in the introduction such that with simple measures and independently of a piston-cylinder arrangement, a secure connection between a first tube and a tubular element, such as a second tube or other tubular junction elements, such as sprinkler head, can take place, and it is intended to ensure that the branching is fluid- and pressure-tight. For another, through the invention the problem is to be solved of further developing a connection of the type cited in the introduction such that with the least possible number of elements in a simple manner a fluid-and pressure-tight branching is possible without clamping collars or geometric changes of the connecting tube being required.
According to the device, the problem is solved thereby that the tool comprises at least two segments, axially displaceable one with respect to the other and extending within the tubular element up into the opening, that one of the segments comprises a radially projecting protrusion which engages behind the end segment of the tubular element when the segments are disposed within the tubular element, wherein the segments comprise external to the projecting protrusion a total effective diameter which is adjusted to the inner cross section of the tubular element.
The segment comprising the projecting protrusion is axially displaceable at least relative to a further segment such that the end segment extending within the first tube of the tubular element is bendable in the direction toward the inner wall of the first tube.
Due to the device according to the invention a force-fit connection of the tubular element with the opening of the first tube is possible with simple measures. For this purpose it is only required that the segment of the tool with a radially projecting protrusion is initially shifted from the outside through the tubular element into the interior of the first tube in order to displace subsequently the one or the further segments axially into the region of the opening wherein the total effective cross section of the segments extending within the opening corresponding approximately to the inner diameter of the tubular element. This ensures that when by means of the projecting protrusion of the first segment the margin segment, extending within the first tube, of the tubular element is bent in the direction toward the inner wall of the first tube, a lateral yielding of the segment cannot take place so that axial forces alone must act onto the segment effecting the bending or flanging.
It is simultaneously ensured that the tubular element is not exposed to uncontrolled forces which can lead to impermissible deformation.
The invention provides, in particular, that the tool comprises two segments, axially extending within the opening of the first tube and rotatable within the opening, that the first segment having the projecting protrusion comprises a cylinder-form basic body and the second segment has a sickle-form in cross section whose concave surface in the contact region with the first segment is adapted to its outer geometry.
In other words, the first and second segments which are axially displaceable one relative to the other, have a total cross section which corresponds approximately to a circle form, whereby is possible the good adaptation to the inner cross section of the tubular element to be connected with the first tube.
The projecting protrusion itself comprises preferably a cylinder form with an underside extending obliquely in the direction of the basic body, with the angle of inclination laid out such that the surface contact of the end segment to be bent over of the tubular element on the inner wall of the first tube becomes possible.
The protrusion should further extend flush from that region of the outer surface which is displaceable along the second segment.
The bending over or flanging of the end segment extending within the first tube takes place peripherally thereby that the tool is rotatable successively about its longitudinal axis.
According to the method, the problem for the force-fit connection of the tubular element with the opening of the first tube is solved thereby that the tubular element is introduced with its end segment into the opening of the first tube, that through the tubular element a first segment of the tool with a radially projecting protrusion is introduced into the interior of the first tube such that the protrusion extends between the external free edge of the tubular element and the inner w
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Bierman, Muserlian and Lucas
LandOfFree
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