Pipe joints or couplings – Nonmetal to metal – Internal member
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-29
2001-07-24
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Pipe joints or couplings
Nonmetal to metal
Internal member
C285S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264248
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to improvements made to quick couplings for hoses, particularly for ringed hoses like those used for supplying and removing water for domestic pools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is essentially to provide such a quick coupling which is effective, reliable and of low cost.
A quick coupling like the aforementioned one is essentially characterized, being designed in accordance with the invention, in that it comprises:
a tubular end fitting which has an axial tapering surface that can be pushed at least partially into the end of a hose,
a clamping ring mounted to rotate on the end fitting and having, at its end facing the tapering surface, an axial opening with a diameter that is between the extreme diameters of the tapering surface,
and guide means provided on the end fitting and on the ring, arranged so that rotation of the ring is accompanied by an axial movement thereof.
Thanks to this arrangement, when the ring is turned on the end fitting in the direction of tightening, its accompanying axial movement in the direction of the increasing diameters of the tapering surface of the end fitting tightens it onto the said tapering surface, accompanied by the tightening and locking of the end of the hose against the tapering surface.
Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when used with a ringed hose. This is because the ring then interacts with the last ring or one of the last rings of the hose: during its axial movement which accompanies its rotation, the ring axially carries the end of the hose with it, and this thus perfects the penetration of the said end over the tapering surface of the end fitting.
It will be understood that the pinching of the end of the hose between the ring and the tapering surface of the end fitting is capable of providing a perfectly watertight seal, given the relative deformability and relative crushing that the material (plastic) of which the hose is made can withstand. Furthermore, this results in self-locking of the ring.
In definitive terms, a coupling thus formed is structurally simple because it has just two component parts (the end fitting and the ring) which can be manufactured at low cost from plastic by moulding; its use is simple and quick.
Advantageously, the guide means comprise at least one groove provided on a support surface of the end fitting, or respectively on the internal face of the ring and at least one projection engaged in the aforementioned groove and provided respectively on the internal face of the ring or on a support surface of the end fitting, the said groove being at least partially inclined with respect to the axis of the end fitting or of the ring; it is then possible to contrive for the interacting groove and projection to form complementary screw threads, or indeed also for the projection to be shaped as a radial finger and for the groove to have a terminal portion approximately perpendicular to the axis of the ring, so as to form a locking system of the bayonet type.
As a preference, the inclined part of the groove is steeply inclined with respect to the axis of the end fitting in order to define a component of quick axial movement of the ring as it is rotated (rotation through a quarter of a turn, for example).
In one preferred embodiment, the ring has a large-diameter axial opening and associated with it, on the inside, is a split washer which has an inside diameter which is the aforementioned diameter between the extreme diameters of the tapering surface, by virtue of which it is the split washer which elastically traps and locks the end of the hose onto the tapering surface of the end fitting when the ring is turned in the tightening direction. A coupling arranged in this way has the advantage of accepting hoses of different outside diameters while at the same time affording a leaktight, effective and reliable attachment.
The embodiment whereby the ring is a single, one-piece construction, is admittedly the simplest and seems to warrant the broadest development. However, at least for specific fields of use, recourse may be had to a ring that consists of two half-rings that can be joined together by diametrically opposed connecting means; in particular, the two half-rings may be joined together in an articulated way by one of their ends, and the connecting means are provided at their diametrically opposed ends, in the manner of a hinged bangle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 795977 (1905-08-01), Hogan
patent: 862578 (1907-08-01), Muehlberg
patent: 1195433 (1916-08-01), Bailey
patent: 3425026 (1969-01-01), Theunissen
patent: 4162092 (1979-07-01), Hayes
patent: 4729583 (1988-03-01), Lalikos et al.
patent: 4904002 (1990-02-01), Sasa et al.
patent: 5042152 (1991-08-01), Sasa et al.
patent: 5080405 (1992-01-01), Sasa et al.
patent: 5579762 (1996-12-01), Lee
patent: 5799989 (1998-09-01), Albino
patent: 6017066 (2000-01-01), Giuffre′
patent: 6019399 (2000-02-01), Sweeney
patent: 6022053 (2000-02-01), Hukuda
patent: 6050987 (2000-04-01), Rosenbaum
patent: 3311123 (1984-09-01), None
patent: 9011944 (1990-10-01), None
patent: 9311672 (1993-10-01), None
patent: 1146672 (1957-11-01), None
patent: 2385969 (1978-10-01), None
patent: 959100 (1964-05-01), None
patent: 175468 (1961-05-01), None
Binda Greg
Browne Lynne H.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Russell Dean W.
Sevylor International
LandOfFree
Quick coupling for a hose does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Quick coupling for a hose, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quick coupling for a hose will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2454824