Pipe joints or couplings – Packed – Cam
Reexamination Certificate
1997-01-07
2001-12-11
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Pipe joints or couplings
Packed
Cam
C285S376000, C285S401000, C285S070000, C285S073000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328350
ABSTRACT:
This invention is in the field of hose couplings. More particularly the invention is in the field of couplings having cams and lugs in which the cams and lugs of adjoining hose may be engaged for quick coupling. The invention lies in the manufacture of couplings having cams and lugs for use on smaller hose such as ½ inch to ⅞ inch diameter hose. The coupling or adapter of this invention situated at the ends of smaller hose enables a person to join facing ends of two hoses with a quarter turn of movement.
The lugs of the couplings are adapted to engage the cam of the opposite coupling When opposing couplings are rotated relative to one another the surface of the lug engages the surface of the cam of the opposed coupling. The surface of the cams of the opposed couplings have inclined or ramp angles. When the lugs of opposed couplings ride on the ramps of the opposed couplings the opposed couplings move axially towards one another and the sealing gaskets of adjoining couplings come into engagement with one another and are pressed together. The couplings of this invention may be connected directly to the hose as known in the art or the couplings may be in the form of adaptors having threaded interiors which may be threaded on the ends of hose having threaded ends.
The problem in using a cam and lug type coupling on small diameter hose is that the coupling when closed by a quarter turn may open through movement of the hose before pressure is applied by liquid in the hose. In order to improve the locking of the couplings on the ends of adjoining small diameter hose the angle of incline of the cam is increased from the 3° ramp angle found in many couplings used for 1½ inch hose to a 4° ramp angle. The increase of the ramp angle of the cam or ramp results in increased axial travel of the opposed couplings relative to one another. The increased axial travel enables thicker gaskets to be used on the mating faces of the opposed couplings. When the opposed couplings are closed by a quarter turn of the lugs relative to one another the thicker gaskets are compressed against one another exerting an equal and opposite force against the face of the coupling tending to maintain the lugs in contact with the cams thus preventing the couplings from moving relative to one another until a positive opening force is applied by an operator.
In addition to the use of thicker gaskets to inhibit uncoupling while there is no pressure or low pressures, the surface area of the face of the gasket has been increased by substantially 35 percent to increase the surface contact area between gaskets of opposing couplings to increase the torque required to uncouple one coupling from another, thus preventing accidental opening of couplings when a hose is being adjusted or moved or when adjoining lengths of hose are being attached end to end prior to fluid under pressure being forced through the hose.
In one embodiment the invention relates to a hose coupling for ½ to ⅞ inch hose comprised of a coupling member having fastening means and a cylindrical opening therethrough, the fastening means comprising a cam and ramp, lug and face, the face supporting a gasket, the cam having a ramp angle between 3 and 5 degrees, the gasket having a thickness of between 220 and 280 microns, the gasket having a face area between 0.4 to 0.6 square inches.
In a second embodiment the invention relates to a ⅞ inch hose coupling in which the cam has a ramp angle of 4 degrees, a gasket thickness of 250 microns and a face area of 0.5 square inches.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1832990 (1931-11-01), Lange
patent: 1911659 (1933-05-01), Weaver
patent: 3645562 (1972-02-01), Fandetti et al.
patent: 4666193 (1987-05-01), Hockett
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Browne Lynne H.
Mercedes Textiles Limited
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