Pipe joints or couplings – Essential catch – With manipulator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-21
2001-03-13
Arola, Dave W. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Essential catch
With manipulator
C285S319000, C285S903000, C285S921000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199918
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a plug-in rapid-action coupling device for corrugated tubes which have recesses provided at unit spacings on the outer circumference, having a coupling body with an opening which passes through symmetrically and has an axis, having a plug-in region, within which the corrugated tube can be arranged, and having at least one elastically deformable latching unit which is provided, in the plug-in region, on the wall of the coupling body, which is arranged so as to be inclined in the direction toward the axis, and which, in the plugged-in state of the corrugated tube, latches into a recess which is provided correspondingly on the corrugated tube, with the result that the corrugated tube is secured against being drawn out.
Such devices are used in equipment where a multiplicity of electric lines are to be routed from a starting position to an end position. The electric lines are combined into a strand, which is routed within a corrugated tube in order to protect it against external influences. The plug-in rapid-action coupling devices are intended to permit a straightforward plugging-in and releasing operation of the corrugated tube and to ensure permanently reliable functioning.
PRIOR ART
In the case of conventional plug-in rapid-action coupling devices of the type mentioned in the introduction, which normally consist of plastic, the coupling body is at least partially frustoconical, is provided with at least one slit and with an external thread, which bears an actuating element (threaded screw) with internal thread. If, then, the actuating element is screwed to the coupling body, the internal diameter of the coupling body is then reduced, this resulting in the tube being subjected to the action of force which ensures that the tube is operatively connected to the rapid-action coupling. In order to produce an appropriate connection, the actuating element has to be tightened firmly, as a result of which the tube may be damaged, at least in the long term, to be precise in particular when the tubes in question have a rough surface.
The applicant has developed a plug-in rapid-action coupling device with an actuating element which has at least one blocking body and can be adjusted between an active operating position, in which the blocking body can be operatively connected to the tube, and an operating position in which the tube is released, it being the case that there is formed in the coupling body at least one recess which is coordinated with the blocking body and which has the blocking body passing through it in the active operating position of the actuating element, and it being the case that the actuating element can be rotated about the axis of the tube between its two operating positions, is slit axially and is elastically deformable. In order to produce an operationally reliable connection of the corrugated tube to the rapid-action coupling device, such a device requires an additional actuating element, which also has to be actuated in the event of the tube being released. The provision of an additional actuating element requires increased installation outlay and is thus regarded in many cases as being disadvantageous.
German Utility Model G 94 00 905.8 discloses a plug-in rapid-action coupling device of the generic type. In this case, the latching unit is designed as a tongue unit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Taking the abovementioned prior art as the departure point, the object, or the technical problem, on which the invention is based is to develop the plug-in rapid-action coupling device of the generic type such that it can be handled extremely easily, has a small number of structural units, thus ensures cost-effective installation and, furthermore, ensures a reliable coupling and uncoupling operation. It is also intended to counteract the penetration of dirt in the plug-in region.
The invention is given by the features of independent claim
1
. Advantageous configurations and developments are given by the features of the dependent claims.
Accordingly, the inventive plug-in rapid-action coupling device of the type mentioned in the introduction is distinguished in that, in the plug-in region, at least two slits, which are spaced apart essentially parallel to one another, are provided in the wall of the coupling body, the latching unit is arranged between the slits, it being the case that the latching unit has a first spring element, integrally formed on the wall, and a second spring element in each case, and the first and second spring elements are coupled to one another via a hinge which runs essentially transversely with respect to the axis. According to a particularly preferred configuration of the plug-in rapid-action coupling device according to the invention, the hinge is designed as a film hinge.
The slits may be arranged preferably parallel, or essentially transversely with respect to the direction of the axis of the device.
Since just two slits are provided per latching unit, it being possible for the width of said slits to be kept very small, this counteracts the penetration of dirt in the plug-in region, which means a considerable improvement in relation to the known tongue units, which are cut out on three sides and have relatively wide slits.
A particularly preferred configuration of the device according to the invention is distinguished in that the first spring element has a protrusion unit which is oriented inward, i.e. in the direction of the axis, and to which the second spring element is connected via the hinge with an offset in the outward direction, as seen from the inner border of the protrusion unit, which results in particularly reliable latching.
As regards an auxiliary spring action, it has proven favorable to provide the second spring element with an inwardly curved cross-sectional progression, the second spring element preferably having a cross-sectional thickness which decreases toward the hinge.
The second spring element preferably has a radius of curvature in the region of from 3 to 4 cm.
The provision of a latching unit which is mounted in an elastically resilient manner in the inward direction and comprises two coupled spring elements means that, when the corrugated tube is in the plugged-in state, said latching unit reliably latches into the corresponding recess of the corrugated tube and ensures that the corrugated tube is arrested securely. In contrast to known devices, the latching units are drawn inward, that is to say in the direction of the tube, when the tube is subjected to tensile stressing. This achieves a considerably higher retaining force for the tube in the coupling body. Since the latching unit is integrally formed on the coupling body, this means that there is just one component into which the corrugated tube has to be plugged. The actuating element known in the prior art is dispensed with completely. This results in advantages as regards the production of the plug-in rapid-action coupling device since there is no need for a plurality of parts to be installed. In terms of handling as well, there are advantages over the prior art since actuation of a further part, namely the fastening element, is not necessary for the purpose of connecting the corrugated tube.
In a preferred configuration of the plug-in rapid-action coupling device according to the invention, the latching unit is connected integrally to the wall of the coupling body, which is advantageous, in particular, as regards the production of the device from plastic.
As regards the plugged-in corrugated tube being secured in a stable position, it has proven favorable for the latching means to be formed with at least two/three units which are respectively offset from one another by 180 degrees or 120 degrees.
A particularly preferred configuration of the plug-in rapid-action coupling device according to the invention is distinguished in that the latching unit is inclined in the inward direction, i.e. toward the axis, as seen in the plug-in direction of the corrugated tube, as a result of which, on the one hand, straightforw
Arola Dave W.
Darby & Darby
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