AU600375B2

AU600375B2 - Coupling

Info

Publication number: AU600375B2
Application number: AU19028/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Clarence Henry Baines; John Manley Luke
Original assignee: EFTHYMIA NICOLOUDIS
Current assignee: Vamvakos Tina
Priority date: 1987-07-14
Filing date: 1988-07-14
Publication date: 1990-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2008-07-14
Also published as: AU1902888A

Description

JMAIL P~~aI To: The Commissioner of Patents 3/ 7'Forml10 PATENTS ACT 1952_196 0 0 3 7 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE App!cation Nuimber: l'odged: Complete SpedcIlca tio n-Lodgpd: Accepted: Published Priority IT)] S~h Related Art: Ad s currect f or *Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT CL-tPa4t~CC% K-ED JI 1i r 1 C ryCt-IrrA *(7A~tcrr, JOHNT MANLEY LUKE ao' 6'tens Street, Coburg,. -Victoi-ia, Australia and C1LARE4~CE HENRY -BAINES., -of- 13 Ormo--nd A-ve-nue,- Sunshiney Victoria-~ Australia-.

LJoh-n M. Lu'r:c and Clarence 11. Fairoo

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Care of JAMES M. LAWRIE CO., Patent Attorneys of 72 VWillsniere Road, Kew, 3101, Victoria, Australia.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: COUPLING The following statement is a full description of this invention, Including the best method of performing It known to me:- 'Note The description is to be typed in doUble spacing, pica type face, in an area no t exceeding 250 mm In depth and 160 mm In width, on tough white paper of good quality and it is to be inserted Inside this form.

1 171 0176-L. 'r~e jIer t This invention relates to a coupling for conduits or hoses used to transfer fluids. In particular, the invention relates to couplings used with conduits or hoses which have internal, and sometime external, helical reinforcing, as S part of the hose construction.

The invention is particularly concerned with the provision of o o a reliable, continuous, electrical pathway between electric- 0"0 ally conductive components in the conduit or hose and thr 10 coupling.

0oor 01 1 Whore a hose having internal and/or external helical S, reinforcing wire construction is employed with cne or more couplings, one of the problems and difficulties associated with successfully using such a hose is with providing continuous electrical contact between the internal helical SI: reinforcing wire, the external reinforcing wire it present, and the coupling, while at the same time, providing a fluid- S tight seal where the coupling is fitted to the hose.

It is an object of this invention to provide a construction of coupling, which provides a high degree of reliability in the electrical continuity between electrically conductive components of a hose and the coupling, and with a greater degree of reliability than presently obtainable with existing constructions of coupling.

2- The invention also encompasses a method of fitting a hose to a coupling.

The question of electrical conductivity and the provision of a continuous electrical pathway in hoses and couplings is Sparticularly relevant when the necessity arises to transfer S highly flammable products, such as petroleum products.

SElectrostatic build-up which can accumulate during manipulation iof hoses of the typo containing helical wire reinforcement, can be extremely serious if an electrostatic spark is produced as the hosing is bought into contact with the outlet or inlet of a respective containers from which the flammable product is to be transferred. In fact, such a spark can, where the flammability is high, be quite dangerous, S and, if a fire or explosion results, can be life threatening.

Whore electrical continuity between the components of the hose and coupling can be assured, then grounding of the coupling prior to connection will effectively remove anj electrostatic hose at all times.

Couplings commonly found on hoses used to transfer petroleum products are of the quick acting cam-operated type, in which the coupling is engaged with its co-acting member and releasably retained therewith by means of two or more, overcentre cam latches.

L 3 L- _I r..rmii*;i. ii ii--ii-*lll- i-~L~lit l-~-il Sli e 44 4 4O .4 4 4 4 14 4: I 1 The description of the invention will be confined to such couplings for ease of description, but, it will be understood that any releasable attachment means for the coupling may be employed, without altering the scope of the invention.

The basis of the invention is that in order to provide reliable electrical continuity between the metal of a hose and a coupling, which together make up the transfer conduit for a fluid, it has now been realised that it is necessary to bring the end of the internal, helical reinforcing wire to the outside of the coupling, beyond the means used to secure the hose on the neck of the coupling, and, to secure that end, together with the end of any external helical reinforcing member, onto the outside of the coupling in a way that guarantees reliable electrical contact.

Accordingly, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupling, having two open ends and a passageway connecting said ends; one end/being provided with an open collar, adapted to be received over a corresponding portion of a co-acting member; said collar being provided with means for releasably retaining that end of the coupling to the co-acting member; the other end being provided with a neck portion adapted to be received within a hose or conduit; said neck portion having means to enable the end of an internal reinforcing member on said hose or conduit to be brought to the outside of the coupling when the hose or conduit is fitted thereto; and, means on the coupling .7 L-4to provide reliable electrical connection between said reinforcing member, or members, and the coupling.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the means for enabling the end of the internal reinforcing member to be brought to the outside of the coupling, is a recess which extends into the neck portion of the coupling, into which, the internal reinforcing member may be positioned.

:1 In another preferred embodiment of the invention the means for enabling the end of the internal reinforcing member to be brought to the outside of the coupling, is a passageway radially through the coupling, adjacent to the collar portion through which the end of the internal reinforcing member is fed from inside the coupling, during fitting of the hose.

The dimensions of the passageway are determined to be as close as practical to the diameter of the reinforcing member, so that subsequent sealing of the passageway to retain transferred fluid within the hose and coupling, is readily achieved.

In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention, where a recess is provided in the neck portion of the conduit, the recess is generally in line with the longitudinal axis of the coupling, and, is present in the neck portion for at least that part where the end of hose is to be sealed against the neck portion of the coupling.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for providing electrical connection between the reinforcing member or members and the coupling, is a boss formed adjacent to the collar portion of the coupling into which one or more holes is provided to receive the ends of the reinforcing member or members, and in which one or more threaded screw is located, to screw down onto the reinforcing member or members.

I, 1 In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the collar portion of the coupling is provided with two or more overcentre cam latches for releasably attaching the coupling to a co-acting member.

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The invention will now be described with reference to a particularly preferred embodiment, in which a coupling of the invention is described in use with a composite hose, that is a hose formed from synthetic material which has both internal and external helical wire reinforcing members.

Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings of the particularly preferred embodiment, in which, FIG 1. is a isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a coupling of the invention; FIG 2. is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of Fig 1; FIG 3. is a view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig 2; and FIG 4. is an isometric view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a coupling of the invention.

-6- I; i IYli Referring to the drawings, and to Fig 1, there is shown a coupling 10 having and end 12 provided with an open collar 14 adapted to be received over a corresponding portion of a co-acting member. Collar 14 is provided with two overcentred cam latches 16, only one of which is shown.

o0 0 The other end 18 of coupling 10 is provided with a neck Sj portion 20 adapted to be received within a hose. Neck portion 04o0 S 20 is provided with a plurality of hose retaining ridges 22, "IC as is usual in the art.

o Neck 20 is also provided with a longitudinal recess 24 cut through hose retaining ridges 22 and leading up to a bo22 0 26.

0 0 6 o As will be seen more clearly in Fig 3, boss 26 is formed provide two member-receiving channels 28 and 30 into which I the wire reinforcing members of a composite hose will br received and retained by screws 32 and 34.

Turning to Fig 4, there is seen a coupling 36 having a collar 38 and a neck portion 40. Over-centre cam latches 42 are again provided, only one of which is shown in Fig 4.

Neck portion 40 contains a plurality of hose retaining ridgess 44 and adjacent collar 38 is provided a boss 46.

Boss 46 is provided with a passageway 48 which extends radially through boss 46 and collar 36 into the passageway of coupling 36. A threaded screw 50 moves axially to coupling 36, in boss 46, whereby to engage member inserted in passageway 48 from the passageway of coupling 36. A second hole 52 is provided for a second member and hole 52 runs axially of the coupling. Intersecting hole 52 is a threaded screw 54 which retains the member located in hole 52, as will be more fully explained subsequently.

t So In use with a composite hose, the coupling 10 io fitted to the composite hose after a section of synthetic material of the hose has been stripped back to expose lengths of both the internal and external helical reinforcing wireo.

is to be remembered that when fitting a coupling to a composite hose in the past, the internal helical reinforcing i wire was simply cut flush with the inside surface of the hose, at a point inside the end of the hose, and, electrical continuity between the reinforcing wire and the coupling was '0 simply anticipated by pushing neck 20 of coupling 10 into t;he inside of the hose.

Coupling 10 is fitted onto the end of the stripped hose as referred to above so that the internal reinforcing wire is brought to the outside surface of coupling 10 either by being positioned in recess 24 if the coupling of Fig 1 is used, or, by taking the end of the internal helical reinforcing wire through passageway 48 if the coupling of Fig 4 is used.

8- At the same time the hose is fitted over the neck of the coupling and engaged over hose retaining ridges 22 or 44.

Referring to Fig 1 the internal helical wire reinforcing member is located in channel 28 and secured by screw 32.

The external helical wire reinforcing member is located in channel 30 and secured by screw 34.

Referring now to the coupling of Fig 4 it will be appreciated "100i that the internal helical wire reinforcing wire is drawn through passageway 48 and when the hose is fully engaged on neck 40, the external helical reinforcing wire is taken into hole 52. The wire in passageway 48 is retained by moving ncrew 50 axially onso the wire, and, the wire in hole 52 i,- 1^ retained by moving screw 54 axially into contact with 14.

To ensure a fluid tight seal between the interior and exterior' of coupling 36 some additional sealing means may be required to provide a fluid-tight seal for passageway 48. A convenient means to provide such a seal, is to weld over the top of passageway 48 after cutting off any protruding wire reinforcing member at the top thereof.

In relation to both coupling 10 of Fig 1 and the coupling 36 of Fig 4, the hose, after being engaged over the hose retaining ridges is then conventionally sealed to the neck of the coupling, by conventional means such as, wire whipping or swaging.

-9- :4 As will be appreciated, the result of bringing the internal reinforcing wire through from the inside of the hose and, coupling, and, firmly securing it in a section provided on the collar of the coupling, is to provide a reliable and positive electrical continuity between the two reinforcing members and the coupling.

oo "a In relation to either preferred coupling described herein, 0 the sealing of the hose on the neck of the coupling by 000* conventional means is not disadvantaged by bringing the internal wire to the outside of the coupling, and, is readily obtained. In both cases the internal reinforcing wire does not provide any discontinuity on the neck of the coupling 4" which may adversely effect the sealing of the hose to the 15 coupling.

Many variations in the construction of the coupling of the invention are possible and will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, in the coupling Fig 1, the recess need not be positioned longitudinally of the neck of the coupling, but can be off-line or even helical, as desired.

Also, in relation to the coupling of Fig 4 it will be appreciated that the passageway from the interior of the coupling need not necessarily extend all the way through the boss, and, the passageway need not be radially disposed.

In relation to both coupling means other than screw fastening means may be employed to retain the reinforcing members to the coupling and to provide assured electrical contact between the coupling and the reinforcing members.

In both the couplings of Fig 1 and Fig 4 the metal from which the coupling is made is an aluminium alloy.

Further, although couplings of the type described in these embodiments are made of metal, and as presently used in the art all such couplings are made from metal, it is considered feasible at some further time to produce couplings from a synethic material which is less than satisfactorily electrically conductive, so that any such coupling in accordance with the present invention would simply be provided with an electrically conducting portion containing means to receive and secure the internal and/or external reinforcing members, providing they were still made from metal and thus capable of achieving electrostatic build up. Such an arrangement would enable electrical continuity by producing a positive electrical contact with a corresponding portion of the co-acting member to which the coupling is attached in use.

Also such variations and modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

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Claims

1. A coupling, for use with a hose containing at least one internal electrically conductive reinforcing element, said coupling having two open ends and a passageway connecting said ends; one end of said passageway being provided with an open collar, adapted to co-operate with a corresponding portion of a co-acting member, 1a L The claims defining the invention are as follows:- 1. A coupling, for use with a hose contain' at least one internal electrically conductivoye-irforcing element, said coupling having two oped-nends and a passageway connecting said ends; on d onnstituting an open collar, adapted to co-- rate with a corresponding portion of a co-acting member, said collar being provided with meano for releasably S retaining the coupling to the co-acting nember; the other onr constibuting a neck portionpart of which is adapted to bh "oO received within said hose; said neck portion having means t' enable the end of the internal reinforcing nomber of said hose to be brought to the outside of tho coupling when the hose is fitted thereto; mnd, mean on the coupling to provii 7 reliable electrical connection between the ft loact on. 'ti, reinforcing member and the coupling.

2. The coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein sni'i means for enabling the end of the internal reinforcing member to be brought to the outside of the coupling comprises a recess in at least that part of the neck portion of the coupling adapted to be received within said hose, into which the reinforcing member is positioned before the hose is secured to the neck portion of the coupling.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for enabling the end of the internal reinforcing member to be brought to the outside of the coupling comprises a passageway extending from the interior of the coupling to fastening means on the outside surface of the coupling.

7- Q 12 C- L 4. The coupling as claimed in any one of'the preceding claims wherein the at least one reinforcing member is fastened on the outside surface of the coupling by means of screw engagement of the member in a boss. The coupling as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the hose contains two electrically conductive reinforcing members, one internal of the hose and one external of the hose, and means for retaining both members are H provided on the outside surface of the coupling. 6. A coupling, for use with a hose containing at least one internal electrically conductive reinforcing element, substantially as hereindescribed with 1 reference to the drawings. DATED this 29 day of May :1990, JOHN MANLEY LUKE and CLARENCE HENRY BAINES by their Patent Attorneys CALLINAN LAWRIE -13O -0z *I- U -13- L-~i s*JV e~