Tube connecting structure

Details Tube connecting structure Tube connecting structure

2001-02-20

2002-03-12

Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)

Pipe joints or couplings

Particular interface

Tapered

C285S367000, C285S354000, C285S365000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06354636

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a or structure (coupling) for connecting tubes such as plastic tubes to each other, particularly to a connecting structure excellent in sealing performance suitably used in a piping system for medicine or ultra-pure water.
2. Description of the Related Art
Tube connecting structures for connecting plastic tubes used in a piping system for medicine or ultra-pure water have been known, as shown in
FIGS. 11
to
13
.
In a structure shown in
FIG. 11
, presser members
303
,
304
, also referred to as ferrules are welded, respectively, to ends of opposed two tube members
301
,
302
to be connected to each other. A gasket member
305
is disposed between the presser members
303
,
304
and compressed together with the presser members
303
,
304
by a clamp member
306
. In another structure shown in
FIG. 12
, presser members
313
,
314
are screw-engaged with the outer circumference of opposed two tube members
311
,
312
to be connected to each other. A gasket member
315
is disposed between the presser members
313
,
314
and compressed together with the presser members
313
,
314
by a clamp member
316
. In a further structure shown in
FIG. 13
, when opposed two tube members
321
,
322
are molded, presser members
323
,
324
are attached, respectively, to ends of the tube members
321
,
322
to be connected to each other by an insert molding. A gasket member
325
is disposed between the presser members
323
,
324
and compressed together with the presser members
323
,
324
by a clamp member
326
.
According to the above-mentioned prior art connecting structures, an adaptation for attaching or fixing the presser members to the tube members is troublesome and requires skill to obtain a desired accuracy. If the desired accuracy is not obtained, the sealing performance is insufficient, which is a fatal defect in a connecting structure used in a piping system for dealing with medicine or ultra-pure water.
Also, in the above-mentioned prior art structure, it is necessary to prepare tube members having special connecting ends as described in accordance with positions to be connected together when the piping system is installed. Further, if it is necessary to change the piping after the installation, a quick response thereto is impossible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the prior art, and provides a novel tube connecting structure simple in structure, easily adaptable to various tubes, and capable of obtaining a high sealing performance in a stable manner. This tube connecting structure could also quickly respond to a requirement for a variation in piping system even after the installation thereof.
According to the invention defined by claim
1
, a tube connecting structure, for connecting two tubes with each other, is provided and comprises a gasket member having a central opening and first and second annular recesses formed on opposite sides thereof along the outer periphery of the central opening, first and second tube members, each having a folded edge portion formed by folding an end thereof over the outer circumference of the tube member, wherein a convex end of the folded edge portion is brought into tight contact with the annular recess of the gasket member, first and second outer rings, each mounted onto the outer circumference of a body portion of the tube member so that a front end thereof is located behind the convex end of the folded edge portion and a rear end thereof is out of the folded edge portion, first and second presser members, each mounted onto the outer circumference of the tube member and having a contact section with the gasket member and an outer ring pressing section for pushing the rear end of the outer ring toward the mating outer ring, and a clamp member for compressing the first and second presser members together against the gasket member.
According to the invention defined by claim
2
, a tube connecting structure for connecting two tubes with each other is provided, comprising a gasket member having a central opening and first and second annular recesses formed on opposite sides thereof along the outer periphery of the central opening, first and second tube members, each having a folded edge portion formed by folding an end thereof over the outer circumference of the tube member, wherein a convex end of the folded edge portion is brought into tight contact with the annular recess of the gasket member, first and second outer rings, each mounted onto the outer circumference of a body portion of the tube member so that a front end thereof is located behind the convex end of the folded edge portion and a rear end thereof is out of the folded edge portion, a male screw member mounted onto the outer circumference of the first tube member and having an outer thread, a contact section with the gasket member and an outer ring pressing section for pushing the rear end of the first outer ring toward the second outer ring, and a female screw member mounted onto the outer circumference of the second tube member and having an inner thread to be engaged with the outer thread of the male screw member and an outer ring pressing section for pushing the rear end of the second outer ring toward the first outer ring.
According to the invention defined by claim
3
, a connecting structure for connecting a flanged connecting member having a flange surface to a mating tube member is provided, comprising a gasket member having a central opening in correspondence to an opening of the flanged connecting member, a contact surface in tight contact with the flange surface of the flanged connecting member on one side and an annular recess formed along the periphery of the central opening on the other side, a mating connecting tube member having a folded edge portion formed by folding an end thereof over the outer circumference thereof so that a convex end of the folded edge portion is brought into tight contact with the annular recess of the gasket member, an outer ring mounted onto the outer circumference of a body portion of the tube member so that a front end thereof is located behind the convex end of the folded edge portion and a rear end thereof is out of the folded edge portion, a presser member mounted onto the outer circumference of the tube member and having a contact section with the gasket member and an outer ring pressing section for pushing the rear end of the outer ring in the axial direction of the tube member, and a clamp member for compressing the presser member together against the gasket member.
According to the invention defined by claim
4
, a tube connecting structure as defined by any one of claims
1
to
3
is provided, wherein the tube member is an elbow, a tee, a cross or a reducer.


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