Joints and connections – Articulated members – Lockable at fixed position
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-06
2001-11-06
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Lockable at fixed position
C403S373000, C403S344000, C403S377000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312184
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a pipe connector for connecting a large diameter pipe with a small diameter pipe.
DESCRIPTION OF A PRIOR ART EMBODIMENT
A known cymbal stand
80
, shown in
FIG. 6
for example, includes a pipe holder
90
that holds a smaller diameter pipe
84
in a larger diameter pipe
83
or a smaller diameter pipe
83
in a larger diameter pipe
82
, for connecting and holding them in a freely telescopable, expandable and contractable manner.
The pipe connector
90
in
FIG. 7
comprises a split ring tightening bush
91
, a main holding tool and receptacle
96
, and a tightening member
100
, for tightening the arms of the bush over an installed pipe.
The split ring tightening bush
91
is an approximately C-shaped tubular body cut through one side at
92
. The cut
92
is defined by edges
93
and
94
. A small diameter pipe
83
is inserted into and held in the bush
91
.
The main holding body
96
has a tubular, large diameter pipe receiver
97
on one axial side that encases and holds the outer periphery of the end of the large diameter pipe and has a tubular, tightening bush accommodating part
98
for receiving the tightening bush
91
on the other axial side. The small diameter pipe
83
is inserted into and held in the tightening bush
91
as the pipe extends through the bush
91
and the tightening bush accommodating part
98
. A screw threaded opening in the part
99
receives a tightening screw
100
for the bush
91
.
The screw thread
101
of the tightening member
100
is screwed into the opening
99
of the main holding body
96
and is oriented to compress the cut edge
93
of the tightening bush
91
toward the other edge part
94
, thereby reducing the width of the cut
92
and compressively holding the small diameter pipe
83
in the bush
91
.
A nut
102
positioned inside the bush
91
serves as a holding plate which is contacted by the tip of the tightening member
100
. Its purpose is to increase the area of compression at the cut edge part
93
of the tightening bush
91
. A spring pin
103
for the opening
103
A through the bush
91
prevents slipping of the tightening bush
91
.
The outer periphery at the end of the large diameter pipe
82
is inserted into the sleeve
97
below the main holding body
96
. The tightening bush
91
receives the small diameter pipe
83
. The bush
91
is accommodated in the tightening bush accommodating part
98
of the main holding body
96
, so that one end of the small diameter pipe
83
passes through the bush
91
and is inserted into the large diameter pipe
82
. The tightening member
100
is thereafter tightened from outside of the main holding body
96
to compress the cut edge
93
of the tightening bush
91
toward the cut edge
94
, thereby tightening the bush on the small diameter pipe
83
.
Because the head of the screw
101
of the tightening member
100
projects out of the main pipe holding body
96
, the tightening member
100
may be bent or damaged if it hits any other object or if the stand falls by mistake during movement of this stand. This would make it impossible to completely tighten the member
100
. Moreover, it is disadvantageous from an appearance viewpoint if the screw part
101
of the tightening member
100
is exposed from the main holding body
96
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a pipe connector which will afford both strength and durability to the connector using a simple structure, capable of connecting the small diameter pipe and the large diameter pipe, and which has a desirable outside appearance. The connector comprises a tightening bush having a relatively smaller cross-section pipe holding hole extending axially through the bush. There is a raised ribbed portion having a plurality of rotation prevention ribs extending in the tubular or axial direction and located on the outer peripheral surface of the bush at one circumferential region of the small diameter pipe holding hole. A cut through the bush extends into the small diameter pipe holding hole from the opposite side of the bush from the ribs. The edges of the cut in the bush have bolt through holes which face each other on both sides of the cut.
A main holding body has a large diameter bolder at one axial side of the body that is shaped to encase and hold the outer circumference of the large diameter pipe. It has a tightening bush accommodating receptacle that accommodates the tightening bush on the other axial side from the large diameter pipe holder. An axially extending, complementary ribbed or geared surface located inside the inner circumferential surface of the tightening bush accommodating receptacle engages the ribbed surface outside the tightening bush. A bolt seat and a bolt through part are provided in the main holding body at positions corresponding to the bolt through holes of the tightening bush. A tightening bolt extends through the bolt through holes of the tightening bush and also through the bolt through part and the bolt seat of the main holding body. A tightening nut outside the main holding body is tightened on the bolt, which compresses the edges of the cut through the tightening bush. This tightens the bush on the small diameter pipe held in the small diameter pipe holding part. It also moves the ribbed portion of the outer periphery of the small diameter pipe holding part of the tightening bush circumferentially which presses that periphery against the raised gear surface in the receptacle of the main holding body.
An auxiliary bush may be inserted into the larger diameter pipe at the main holding body, and the smaller diameter pipe is inserted into the auxiliary bush at the adjacent end of the larger diameter pipe.
Other objects and features of the invention are explained below with reference to the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4111575 (1978-09-01), Hoshino
patent: 4497092 (1985-02-01), Hoshino
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Hoshino Gakki Kabushiki Kaisha
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
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