Pipe joints or couplings – Particular interface – Interlocked or overlapped
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2001-10-16
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Particular interface
Interlocked or overlapped
C285S322000, C285S913000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302451
ABSTRACT:
The present invention is directed to quick-connect hose end couplings. More particularly, the present invention is directed to quick-connect couplings wherein the couplings couple hoses to fittings in a non-rotational relationship.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pneumatic devices, such as air brakes, are widely used in the automotive industry. Typically compressed air stored in tanks is applied to air brake operating mechanisms through flexible hoses which have couplings at both ends that couple with male stem members. If the ends tend to twist with respect to one another, collets within the couplings wear quite rapidly which can lead to failure of the collets and thus the coupling.
Current non-rotational couplings have collets in bodies made of brass which tend to wear due to vibration when hoses with which the couplings are used are not pressurized. Moreover, there are plant capacity limitations when brass collets and brass fitting bodies are used. In that brass components are expensive, significant cost reductions are available by not utilizing brass components. In addition, there are advantages to using non-brass components because devices such as hose end bodies which have a 90 degree bend are much easier and less expensive to produce when they are not made of brass.
In addition, there is need to provide a coupling configuration which acts directly on a collet to prevent rotation of the collet when the coupling is engaged as well as arrangements which resist clogging of collets by dirt and foreign objects.
Couplings which are pressurized infrequently but still have significant and continuous vibration applied thereto tend to wear if the collets associated therewith are allowed to rotate or move due to vibration. This phenomenon can reduce the life of coupling components and needs to be addressed.
In view of the aforementioned considerations, there is a need for improvement in hose couplings which have a non-rotational connection with male stem members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a coupling arrangement or coupling a hose to a male stem having a non-circular end portion and a groove adjacent that end portion. The invention comprises a fitting body having a bore and first end portion adapted for connecting with a hose, and a second end portion adapted to receive the male stem. The body has a non-circular section adapted to receive a non-circular end portion of the stem as well as a sealing section between the non-circular section and the first end portion. A cap member is disposed in fixed relation at the first end of the fitting body, the cap member having axially extending lugs with axially extending spaces therebetween which extend into the bore of the body. A collet is seated within the cap member, the collet having axially extending arms received within the axially extending spaces between the axially extending lugs of the cap wherein the collet is restrained from rotation within the cap. The arms of the cap have a first detent thereon adapted to be received in the groove on the male stem to lock the stem within the fitting body when the collet is in a locked position. A seal is disposed in the sealing section of the fitting body between the lugs and is adapted to engage the male stem in a radial direction.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the collet, body and cap are made of a plastic material.
In further aspects of the invention, the lugs on the cap have inwardly extending ribs for engaging the male stem adjacent the groove in the stem and the arms of the collet have externally projecting ribs which are received on lands in spaces between the axially extending lugs of the cap when the collet is in the locked position. In still further aspects of the invention, the arms and lugs have end faces which face the seal wherein the end faces of the lugs on the cap engage the seal to keep the seal from extruding between the arms of the collet.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5240289 (1993-08-01), Gottling et al.
patent: 5284369 (1994-02-01), Kitamura
patent: 5390969 (1995-02-01), Guest
patent: 5586791 (1996-12-01), Kirchner et al.
patent: 5934713 (1999-08-01), Guest
Dana Corporation
Millen White Zelano & Branigan P.C.
Nicholson Eric K.
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