AU2017100941A4 - Hose connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A hose connector assembly 10 comprises a connector tube 20 and two ring mounts 30. The connector tube 20 comprises a short tubular body 22 having a central hollow cavity 23 extending between first and second ends 24 thereof. The ends 24 comprise a respective enlarged external circular flange 26 formed thereon. The ring mounts 30 comprise a ring or band shaped body having a diameter slightly larger than that of the flanges 26. The ring mounts 30 comprise an internal thread 32 adapted to cut into and lock onto an end section 110 of a hose 100 as described below. The ring mounts can also be crimped-on or clamped-on rings. 1 00a 1/3 100b 110a 110b (a) 10 (b) a 32 32 (a) 20 (b) 26

Description

1 2017100941 07 Μ 2017 HOSE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a hose connector assembly for a garden hose. The invention can also be used for other types of hoses and tubes.

Background of the Invention [2] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[3] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention [4] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a hose connector assembly for fluidly connecting two hose ends, the assembly comprising: a hollow connector tube having two end mount sections, each mount section adapted for insertion into the central cavity of a respective hose end, and at least one mount lock, each mount lock adapted to engage the hose end and retain the hose end to the connector tube.

[5] In one embodiment, the connector tube comprises a retaining means at each mount section for engaging an internal surface of the hose end.

[6] In another embodiment, the retaining means comprises enlarged end mount sections having a diameter larger than the internal diameter of the hose end.

[7] In another embodiment, the connector tube comprises end flanges.

[8] In another embodiment, the connector tube comprises a middle portion between the end flanges having a smaller diameter than the end flanges.

[9] In another embodiment, the middle portion has a diameter substantially similar to the internal diameter of the hose end.

[10] In another embodiment, the connector tube comprises tapered ends.

[11] In another embodiment, the mount lock comprises two ring mounts, a ring mount for each mount section.

[12] In another embodiment, the ring mounts are internally threaded. 2 2017100941 07 Μ 2017 [13] In another embodiment, the ring mounts have an internal diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the hose ends.

[14] In another embodiment, the ring mounts are adapted to be disposed at a middle portion of the connector tube between the end mount sections.

[15] In another embodiment, the ring mounts squeeze the hose end towards the end mount section in use.

[16] In another embodiment, the mount lock comprises two to be crimped-on rings.

[17] In another embodiment, the mount lock comprises one to be crimped-on band which extends over both hose ends in use.

[18] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [19] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [20] Figure 1 shows (a) a hose connector assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and (b) the assembly used to connect end sections of two garden hoses; [21] Figure 2 (a) is a side perspective view and (b) is an end perspective view of the hose connector assembly of Figure 1; [22] Figure 3 is an end perspective view of the hose connector assembly of Figure 1 in the assembled configuration; [23] Figure 4 is a close-up view of the hose connector assembly attached to an end section of one garden hose; [24] Figure 5 is a cross-section view of the hose connector assembly in use connecting the end sections of two garden hoses; [25] Figure 6 (a) shows a connection between end sections of two garden hoses and (b) shows the connection fitting through a guide of a retractable reel housing.

Description of Embodiments [26] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[27] Figure 1 shows a hose connector assembly 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hose connector assembly 10 is used in the example 3 2017100941 07 Μ 2017 shown to connect two garden hoses 100a and 100b together, by connecting the respective end sections 110a and 110b of the hoses to each other.

[28] The hose connector assembly 10 comprises a connector tube 20 and two ring mounts 30.

[29] The connector tube 20 comprises a short tubular body 22 having a central hollow cavity 23 extending between first and second ends 24 thereof. The ends 24 comprise a respective enlarged external circular flange 26 formed thereon. The flanges 26 thus have a larger diameter than the middle portion 28 of the body 22 between the flanges 26.

[30] The ring mounts 30 comprise a ring or band shaped body having a diameter slightly larger than that of the flanges 26. The ring mounts 30 comprise an internal thread 32 adapted to cut into and lock onto an end section 110 of a hose 100 as described below.

[31] In the embodiment, the connector tube has an internal dimeter of 9.5 mm, the middle portion 28 has an outer diameter of 12 mm, and the flanges 26 have an outer diameter of 15 mm.

[32] The ring mounts 30 have an outer diameter of 19 mm and a threaded internal diameter of 15.5 mm. The gap between the middle portion 28 and the ring is thus about 3.5 mm.

[33] Atypical garden hose has an outer diameter of 16 mm, an internal diameter of 14 mm, and a wall thickness of about 2 mm.

[34] The hose connector assembly 10 is used for connecting two lengths of garden hoses together for any desired reason, whilst substantially maintaining outer diameter of the hoses constant. For example, users can lengthen their hose or replace damaged hose lengths.

[35] To connect two hose lengths 100 together, the user cuts the hose ends 110 as square as possible. The user then dips one hose end 110a in hot water (or uses a hair dryer or heat gun) to soften the hose end 110a. Once softened, the user pushes a first flanged end 24 of the connector tube 20 into the central cavity of the hose end 110a, until the hose end covers and extends slightly past the first flange 26 (see Figures 4 and 5). The ends 24 are tapered to assist with insertion into the hose ends.

[36] The user takes the first ring mount 30 (which has a very fine internal thread 32) and tightens the first ring mount 30 onto the hose end 110a. The thread lightly cuts into the external surface of the hose end 110a. The user then takes the second ring mount 30 and threads the second ring mount 30 onto the threaded hose end 110a.

[37] The user then softens the other hose end 110b, via one of the above methods, and the pushes the second flanged end 24 of the connector tube 20 into the central cavity of the 2017100941 07 Μ 2017 4 second hose end 110b until the hose end 110b covers and extends slightly past the second flange 26. The second ring mount 30 is then removed from the hose end 110a and threaded onto the second hose end 110b. The user then pulls tightly on both hoses 100 and the ring mounts 30 are moved towards the flanges 26 which grips and tightens the hose ends 110 to the hose connector assembly 10. Once assembled, the customer can use a heat gun or hair dryer to “shrink” the heat shrink over the connection.

[38] The hoses 100 are thus in fluid communication as the connector body is hollow 23 and the ring mounts 30 maintain a fluid seal with the connector tube 20.

[39] The external diameter of the hoses 100 is substantially maintained unlike conventional hose joiners. As shown in Figure 6, the small diameter of the hose connection point 50 allows the connection point 50 to pass through an opening 132 of a retractable housing 130, the opening 132 being about 25 mm at its minimum. Conventional hose joiners are too bulky to pass through such an opening 132.

[40] The present invention allows users to repair, replace or lengthen hoses in general, or those in retractable hose reels. The hose connector assembly 10 is made from stainless steel or brass and is completely reusable. The connector tube can also be made from plastic and the ring mounts can be replaced with locking clamps. An additional heat shrink sealing sleeve can also be added to cover and further seal the assembly.

[41] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example, the hose connector assembly can be used for other types of tubes or hoses as needed. The hose connector assembly can also be made in any desired size/dimensions.

[42] The ring mounts can also be crimped or clamped onto the hoses rather than threaded. The two ring mounts can also be replaced by a single wider crimped or clamped on mount which extends across and covers both hose ends. The connector tube 20 can also include additional spaced sealing flanges along the middle portion 28.

Claims (14)

1. Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A hose connector assembly for fluidly connecting two hose ends, the assembly comprising: a hollow connector tube having two end mount sections, each mount section adapted for insertion into the central cavity of a respective hose end, and at least one mount lock, each mount lock adapted to engage the hose end and retain the hose end to the connector tube.
2. 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector tube comprises a retaining means at each mount section for engaging an internal surface of the hose end.
3. 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the retaining means comprises enlarged end mount sections having a diameter larger than the internal diameter of the hose end.
4. 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the connector tube comprises end flanges.
5. 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the connector tube comprises a middle portion between the end flanges having a smaller diameter than the end flanges.
6. 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the middle portion has a diameter substantially similar to the internal diameter of the hose end.
7. 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector tube comprises tapered ends.
8. 8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the mount lock comprises two ring mounts, a ring mount for each mount section.
9. 9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the ring mounts are internally threaded.
10. 10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the ring mounts have an internal diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the hose ends.
11. 11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the ring mounts are adapted to be disposed at a middle portion of the connector tube between the end mount sections.
12. 12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the ring mounts squeeze the hose end towards the end mount section in use.
13. 13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the mount lock comprises two to be crimped-on or clamped-on rings.
14. 14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the mount lock comprises one to be crimped-on or clamped-on band which extends over both hose ends in use.