CN115370849A - Quick-release piece of pipe joint and quick-release pipe joint assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a quick-release piece of a pipe joint and a quick-release pipe joint assembly. The coupling quick detach piece includes: an annular portion (7) defining a central axis; a pair of shank portions (8) which are axisymmetrically joined to the annular portion (7) and each of which has a free end (83) extending away from the annular portion (7), the shank portions (8) being formed with a pressing projection (82) projecting toward the other shank portion (8) toward the inside of the other shank portion (8), wherein at least the free ends (83) of the shank portions (8) are configured to extend in an arc shape around the central axis, and the shank portions (8) are configured to be elastically deformed to approach the central axis by an external force and to be automatically restored after the external force disappears. The scheme of the invention is beneficial for an operator to rapidly finish the disassembly and assembly of the pipelines, does not depend on visual or personal experience, and does not need tool assistance.

Description

Quick-release piece of pipe joint and quick-release pipe joint assembly

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of pipe joint assembly, in particular to a quick-release piece of a pipe joint and a pipe joint assembly of the quick-release piece.

Background

In the installation and maintenance of equipment, the disassembly and assembly of parts are often required to be efficiently performed due to the limitations of construction conditions and construction period. Among these, quick-release quick-connection between pipes is of increasing interest, since in many installations, such as sanitary installations, there are often a large number of pipe connections. If the disassembly and assembly efficiency between pipelines can be improved, the installation and maintenance time of the equipment is greatly shortened. For this reason, many quick-release and quick-assembly schemes for pipe joints are proposed.

For example, U.S. patent No. US7044506B2, published on 10.2.2005, proposes a connector assembly for releasably connecting a pair of conduits. In this solution, the joint of one pipe is snapped into the opening of the other pipe and the two pipes are disconnected from each other by pressing the joint in the opening with the aid of a pressing structure that is slipped over the other pipe. The advantage of this solution is that tools are eliminated and the connection between the pipes can be achieved by means of only the hands of the operator. However, the pressing structure in this solution is not conducive to the hand-held operation of the operator, and is completely dependent on the experience of the operator for assembly in mounting situations where direct vision is not possible. Therefore, there is a need in the industry to design a quick-release pipe joint that is easier to operate.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is directed to a quick release member for a pipe joint which solves at least some of the above problems.

The present invention is also directed to a quick connect/disconnect coupling assembly employing the improved quick disconnect coupling described above.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a quick-disconnect fitting for a pipe joint, comprising: an annular portion defining a central axis; a pair of shank portions axisymmetrically joined to the annular portion and each having a free end extending away from the annular portion, the shank portions being formed with a pressing projection projecting toward the other shank portion at an inner side toward the other shank portion, wherein at least the free ends of the shank portions are configured to extend in an arc shape around the central axis, the shank portions being configured to be elastically deformed to approach the central axis by an external force and to be automatically restored after the external force disappears.

According to the present embodiment. The handle part that the arc extends is constructed and is pressed the handle around the formula of encircleing, more is favorable to the handheld operation of operator in order to realize pressing to the extrusion arch. The thumb and forefinger wrap around the handle to apply force easily and improve the handling experience.

In some embodiments, the handle comprises: a force application section defining the free end, the force application section configured in a plate shape extending in an arc shape around the central axis; the connecting section is connected between the annular part and the force application section, and the extension length of the connecting section around the central axis is smaller than that of the force application section around the central axis.

According to the embodiment, the force application section which is lengthened in the circumferential direction increases the finger contact area, force is easy to apply, and adverse experiences such as hurting hands are avoided.

In some embodiments, the crush lobe extends axially from the ring portion to a position that does not extend beyond the free end and is axially spaced from an end face of the free end.

According to this embodiment, an axial section is formed between the end face of the pressing projection and the end face of the free end, which section, due to the presence of the pressing projection, is adapted to form a gap with the outer wall of the pipeline to be joined, which gap constitutes the pressing stroke of the shank. The operator can operate the handle part with relatively small force to complete the extrusion action, and has obvious hand feeling prompt when the handle part is extruded in place.

In some embodiments, a side of the shank facing away from the other shank forms an inclined section that is joined to the ring-shaped portion and increases in distance from the central axis in a direction away from the ring-shaped portion in the axial direction, and a groove extending in a circumferential direction of the ring-shaped portion is formed between the inclined section and the ring-shaped portion.

According to the embodiment, the groove is additionally arranged at the joint of the handle part and the annular part, so that the reset elasticity and toughness of the handle part after being extruded are improved.

In some embodiments, the crush lobe comprises: a first convex portion joined to an inner side of the shank; a second boss portion protruding from the first boss portion toward the other shank portion; wherein an extension of the first convex portion around the central axis is greater than an extension of the second convex portion around the central axis.

In some embodiments, the annular portion extends intermittently in the circumferential direction and forms an axially through-going gap at the discontinuity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a quick connect and quick disconnect coupling assembly comprising: a first joint group comprising: a first tube; a joint member fitted over the first pipe and having a pair of wing portions; a second joint set comprising: a second tube having a pair of openings adapted to receive the pair of wings; the quick-release part is the pipe joint quick-release part, wherein the annular part is sleeved on the second pipe, the extrusion bulges of the handle parts are arranged corresponding to the openings, and the extrusion bulges can push the wing parts contained in the corresponding openings.

In some embodiments, there is a space between the free end of the shank and the outer peripheral surface of the second tube, the free end being capable of forming a stop fit with the outer peripheral surface of the second tube during the pressing projection of the shank pushes the wing in the corresponding opening.

In some embodiments, at least the free end of the shank is configured to extend in an arc about the central axis that fits the outer peripheral profile of the second tube.

In some embodiments, the second tube is formed with a recess at an outer periphery, the recess having two stop surfaces arranged in a circumferential direction, the pair of openings being formed in the recess; the annular part of quick detach piece has two terminal surfaces that upwards are relative each other circumferentially, and form the breach that the axial is link up between two terminal surfaces, the annular part inlays to be established in the recess just two terminal surfaces respectively with two backstop faces form the backstop cooperation.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from the practice of the invention.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a quick connect/disconnect coupling assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic view of the coupling assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the first coupling group and the second coupling group are separated;

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of the pipe coupling assembly of FIG. 1, with the first pipe, the coupling member, the second pipe, and the quick disconnect separated;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pipe joint assembly of FIG. 1 taken through a pair of shanks;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a first tube according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a socket according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a second joint set according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the second joint set of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a second tube according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic view of a quick disconnect according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of reference numerals:

1. a first joint group; 2. a first tube; 22. a first flange; 23. a second flange; 24. a circumferential groove; 3. a socket piece; 31. a snap ring; 311. an end face; 312. a notch; 313. an inner peripheral surface; 314. an outer peripheral surface; 315. an upper end surface; 32. a wing portion; 321. a free end; 322. a step; 33. a guide portion; 331. a guide slope; 4. a second joint group; 5. a second tube; 52. a guide portion; 521. a guide slope; 53. a recess; 531. a first slot portion; 532. an inclined wall surface; 533. a second slot portion; 534. an opening; 535. a stop surface; 6. a quick-release member; 7. an annular portion; 71. an end face; 72. an inner peripheral surface; 73. an outer peripheral surface; 74. a notch; 75. an upper end surface; 8. a handle; 81. a force application section; 811. a segment; 82. extruding the bulge; 821. an end face; 822. a first convex portion; 823. a second convex portion; 824. a slanting section; 825. an axial section; 83. a free end; 831. an end face; 84. an inclined section; 85. a groove; 86. a connection section; 9. spacing; x, central axis

Detailed Description

Referring now to the drawings, illustrative aspects of the quick disconnect and quick connect quick disconnect coupling assemblies of the present disclosure will be described in detail. Although the drawings are provided to present some embodiments of the invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale of particular embodiments, and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The position of some components in the attached drawings can be adjusted according to actual requirements on the premise of not influencing the technical effect. The appearances of the phrase "in the drawings" or similar language in the specification are not necessarily referring to all of the drawings or the examples.

Certain directional terms used hereinafter to describe the drawings, such as "inner", "outer", "above", "below", and other directional terms, will be understood to have their normal meaning and refer to those directions as they normally relate to when viewing the drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, the directional terms described herein are generally in accordance with conventional directions as understood by those skilled in the art.

The terms "first," "second," and the like, as used herein, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

Fig. 1 to 4 are views schematically showing a quick-coupling and quick-release pipe joint assembly (hereinafter referred to as a pipe joint assembly) according to the present invention. As shown, the pipe joint assembly includes a first joint set 1 and a second joint set 4 which are connected to each other by a snap fit. Specifically, the first joint set 1 includes a first pipe 2 and a joint 3 that is fitted over the first pipe 2, and the second joint set 4 includes a second pipe 5. The joint of the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 5 is achieved by snapping the joint member 3 on the second pipe 5. The second coupling group 4 further comprises a quick release coupling 6 (hereinafter referred to as quick release coupling 6), by means of which quick release coupling 6 the first pipe 2 can be quickly disconnected from the second pipe 5 without tools.

Fig. 5 shows an example of the first pipe 2. As shown, the first pipe 2 may be configured as a circular pipe, which is formed with first and second flanges 22 and 23 spaced apart in the axial direction near the ends thereof, and defines a circumferential groove 24 extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the first pipe 2 between the first and second flanges 22 and 23. In other embodiments, not shown, the first tube may be configured as a square tube, or have other cross-sectional shapes, such as an oval shape. The first tube 2 may be machined by an integral moulding technique, such as injection moulding.

Fig. 6 shows an example of the socket 3. As shown, the socket 3 has a snap ring 31 and a pair of wings 32 joined to the snap ring 31. The snap ring 31 is adapted to fit over the first pipe 2 and has an inner circumferential profile adapted to the outer circumference of the first pipe 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the snap ring 31 has an upper end surface 315 and a lower end surface (not shown) that are axially opposed, and an inner circumferential surface 313 and an outer circumferential surface 314 that are opposed are connected between the upper end surface 315 and the lower end surface. At least the cross-sectional profile of the inner circumferential surface 313 is adapted to the outer circumferential surface of the first pipe 2 to achieve a snug fit of the snap ring 31 on the first pipe 2 to prevent radial movement of the snap ring 31 (or the fitting 3) relative to the first pipe 2.

Since the first pipe 2 and the socket 3 are separate members, the snap ring 31 is circumferentially discontinuous, i.e., discontinuous, in order to facilitate the fitting 3 to be detachably fitted over the first pipe 2. As shown in the figure, the snap ring 31 is arranged with two end surfaces 311 opposing each other in the circumferential direction, each end surface 311 extending from an upper end surface 315 to a lower end surface and from an inner circumferential surface 313 to an outer circumferential surface 314, so that a gap 312 that makes the snap ring 31 discontinuous in the circumferential direction is configured between the two end surfaces 311. The snap ring 31 may be slightly deformed to expand the gap 312 to allow the first pipe 2 to enter into the snap ring 31 through the gap 312 or to be released from the snap ring 31, thereby allowing the socket 3 to be attached to or detached from the first pipe 2. As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the snap ring 31 is fitted over the first pipe 2 between the first flange 22 and the second flange 23 and is fitted in the circumferential groove 24 to restrict axial movement of the snap ring 31 (or the socket 3) relative to the first pipe 2. Thereby, the joint member 3 can rotate relative to the first pipe 2 about the central axis of the first pipe 2, but cannot move axially and radially relative to the first pipe 2.

A pair of wings 32 are axially symmetrically engaged on the snap ring 31. Each wing 32 extends from an upper end surface 315 of the snap ring 31 in a direction away from the snap ring 31 and defines a free end 321. As shown in fig. 4, when the socket 3 is fitted over the first pipe 2, the wing 32 surrounds the first flange 22 on the outside and has a gap from the first flange 22. In one embodiment, the inner surface of wing 32 facing first flange 22 is recessed to form a gap with first flange 22. In another embodiment, the wing portion extends from the snap ring 31 obliquely with respect to the axial direction to form a gap with the first flange 22. This configuration of the wings facilitates smooth fitting and removal of the fitting 3 onto and from the first pipe 2. By forming a space for allowing the wing portions 32 to be elastically deformed, the socket 3 can be easily snapped onto the second pipe 5 or separated from the second pipe 5. The free end 321 of a wing 32 may be formed with a step 322 on the side facing away from the other wing 32.

As shown in fig. 6, a guide 33 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 314 of the snap ring 31 at a position corresponding to the wing 32. The guide portion 33 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 314 and forms two guide slopes 331 on opposite sides, the two guide slopes 331 extending close to each other in a direction from the upper end surface 315 to the lower end surface, and a shape approximating an arrow is formed on the outer peripheral surface 314 at a position close to the lower end surface. The two guide slopes 331 serve to guide the joint member 3 into engagement with the second pipe 5 in a proper orientation during the insertion of the first pipe 2 into the second pipe 5, which will be described later in detail when the second pipe 5 is introduced. The outer side of the wing 32 and the outer side of the guide 33 may be flush or smoothly transitionally joined. This facilitates smooth insertion of the socket 3 into the second pipe 5 and also facilitates machining.

The socket 3 as a whole has a certain elastic deformability but has a sufficient strength to ensure stable engagement in the second pipe 5. Such a socket 3 can be manufactured by an integral molding technique, such as injection molding.

An embodiment of the second joint group 4 according to the invention is described below with reference to fig. 4 and 7 to 10. The second joint set 4 comprises a second tube 5 and a quick release 6 which is fitted over the second tube 5.

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the second tube 5. As shown, the second tube 5 may be configured as a round tube, in other embodiments not shown, as a square tube, or have other cross-sectional shapes, such as an oval shape. The second pipe 5 is formed with two axisymmetrical openings 534, for example, at positions near the ends, for receiving the two wings 32 of the joint body 3. During the insertion of the first pipe 2 into the second pipe 5, the wings 32 of the joint member 3 are pressed by the pipe wall to be elastically deformed and retracted slightly when passing through the second pipe 5 until reaching the positions of the corresponding openings 534, and the wings 32 are released and caught in the openings 534, fixing the joint member 3 to the second pipe 5, and thereby completing the fixed engagement of the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 5. The fitting 3 together with the first pipe 2 can be separated from the second pipe 5 by pushing the wings 32 out of the corresponding openings 534.

In order to accurately snap the wings 32 of the fitting 3 into the openings 534, requirements are placed on the orientation of the fitting 3 relative to the second tube 5. In many installations it is not supported that the operator visually observes the orientation of the fitting 3 relative to the second pipe 5 directly, resulting in the operator having to blindly guess whether the fitting 3 is aligned or not and rely on personal experience to judge and adjust the orientation of the fitting 3 during plugging, which often results in repeated adjustments to the fitting 3, increasing the difficulty of pipe joining and reducing efficiency, and even causing pipe breakage. In order to improve the mounting efficiency, the second pipe 5 is formed with two guide portions 52 protruding on the inner wall, and the two guide portions 52 are arranged axisymmetrically on the inner wall of the second pipe 5. The guide portions 52 and the openings 534 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the second pipe 5. Each guide 52 defines two opposing guide ramps 521. The two guide slopes 521 extend close to each other in the axial direction in a direction close to the end of the second pipe 5, and form an approximate arrow shape on the inner wall of the second pipe 5. Each guide slope 52 extends obliquely in the axial direction away from the end toward the adjacent opening 534. As shown in fig. 9, the side wall surrounding the opening 534 has inclined wall surfaces 532 which are inclined uniformly with the adjacent guide slopes 52 and are connected to each other. During the insertion of the first pipe 2 into the second pipe 5, once the socket 3 is inserted into the second pipe 5 out of the correct orientation, the guide portion 33 of the socket 3 contacts the guide slope 52 of the inner wall of the second pipe 5 and slides along the guide slope 52. The guide ramps 331 of the guide 33 of the fitting 3 cooperate with the guide ramps 52 of the second tube 5 to ensure that the fitting 3, regardless of its orientation when inserted into the second tube 5, is properly guided into the position of the opening 534 of the second tube 5, ensuring that the wings 32 are automatically aligned and engaged in the opening 534. The entire engagement process does not require the operator to adjust the orientation of the socket 3 visually or manually by feel, because the adjustment of the orientation of the socket 3 can be done automatically as the plugging progresses. Once the fitting 3 is adjusted so that the wings 32 are aligned with the openings 534, the wings 32 snap into the openings 534, effecting engagement of the two. In one embodiment, the guide slope 521 of the guide portion 52 of the second pipe 5 is adapted or matched to the slope of the guide slope 331 of the guide portion 33 of the socket 3 with respect to the axial direction.

A quick release member 6 is sleeved on the second pipe 5 for quickly disengaging the second pipe 5 from the coupling member 3, thereby disconnecting the second coupling group 4 from the first coupling group 1. Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the quick release 6. As shown, the quick release 6 includes an annular portion 7 and a pair of shank portions 8 joined to the annular portion 7. The annular portion 7 is fitted around the second pipe 5 and has an inner peripheral contour conforming to the outer periphery of the second pipe 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular portion 7 is configured in an annular shape and defines a central axis X, has an upper end surface 75 and a lower end surface (not shown) which are arranged opposite to each other in the axial direction, and has an inner circumferential surface 72 and an outer circumferential surface 73 which are arranged opposite to each other and connected between the upper end surface 75 and the lower end surface. At least the cross-sectional profile of the inner circumferential surface 72 is adapted to the outer circumferential surface of the second tube 5 to achieve a tight fit of the annular portion 7 on the second tube 5 to prevent radial movement of the annular portion 7 (or quick release 6) relative to the second tube 5.

The quick release element 6 is removably fitted on the second pipe 5, while the annular portion 7 is circumferentially discontinuous, i.e. discontinuous, in order to facilitate the installation of the quick release element 6. As shown in the figure, the annular portion 7 is arranged with two end faces 71 opposed to each other in the circumferential direction, each end face 71 extending from an upper end face 75 to a lower end face and from an inner peripheral face 72 to an outer peripheral face 73, so that a notch 74 that makes the annular portion 7 intermittent in the circumferential direction is configured between the two end faces 71. The annular portion 7 may be slightly deformed to expand the gap 74 to allow the second tube 5 to pass through the gap 74 into the annular portion 7 or to escape from the annular portion 7.

A pair of shank portions 8 are axisymmetrically joined to the annular portion 7. Each shank 8 extends from the upper end face 75 of the annular portion 7 in a direction away from the annular portion 7 and defines a free end 83. As shown in fig. 4, 7 and 8, when the quick-disconnect 6 is slipped onto the second tube 5, each shank 8 is aligned on the outside with one opening 534 of the second tube 5. The shank 8 is resiliently deformably movable relative to the ring 7. When the handle 8 is pressed towards the second tube 5, the handle 8 applies pressure to the wings 32 within the respective openings 534, pushing the wings 32 out of the openings 534, after which the second tube 5 can be detached from the first tube 2. For this purpose, the inside of the shank 8 facing the second tube 5 is formed with a pressing projection 82 projecting toward the second tube 5.

As shown in fig. 10, the pressing projection 82 extends in the axial direction from the annular portion 7 to the free end 83 of the shank 8, but does not extend beyond the end face 831 of the free end 83, so that an axial distance exists between the end face 821 of the pressing projection 82 and the end face 831 of the free end 83 of the shank 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressing projection 82 includes, in the radial direction, a first projection portion 822 projecting from the inside of the handle 8 and a second projection portion 823 projecting from the first projection portion 822, and the first projection portion 822 has a greater extension about the center axis X than the second projection portion 823. As shown in fig. 4, when the quick-release member 6 is mounted on the second pipe 5, a portion of the pressing projection 82 of the handle portion 8 (e.g., the second projection portion 823) may protrude into the corresponding opening 534 with a slight gap from the wing portion 32 inside the opening 534 without being subjected to an external force. To facilitate the pressing, the surface of the second projection portion 823 facing the other handle portion 8 comprises a slanted section 824 extending from the ring-shaped portion 7 and an axial section 825 connected between the slanted section 824 and the end face 821 of the pressing projection 82, wherein the slanted section 824 tapers in the axial direction at a distance from the central axis X in a direction away from the ring-shaped portion 7, while the axial section 825 is substantially parallel to the central axis X and makes an angle of, for example, 90 ° with the end face 821. The axial section 825 can give the wing 32 of the socket 3 a stable and relatively gentle compression, avoiding that the socket 3 is damaged violently.

The free end 83 of the handle 8 is pressed by the operator to perform the thrust of the wings 32 in the openings 534. Considering that the operator performs this operation substantially with fingers, the handle portion 8 is formed with a force application section 81 at the free end 83, and a connecting section 86 is provided between the force application section 81 and the annular portion 7. The extension of the force application section 81 about the central axis X is greater than the extension of the connection section 86 about the central axis X. In one embodiment, the connector section 86 may have the same extension about the central axis X as the first raised portion 822. The enlarged force application section 86 facilitates hand-held operation by the operator because of increased finger contact area, ease of application of force, and no adverse hand-rubbing experience.

In one embodiment, the force application section 81 may also be configured to extend in an arc around the central axis X, which further increases the area of the handle 8 for the application of force by the operator, facilitating the handling of the quick release member 6 by the operator. Furthermore, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, the arc-shaped force application section 81 surrounds the second tube 5 in an envelope form, which is more favorable for the thumb and forefinger of the operator to apply force in a surrounding manner during the squeezing and extracting of the second tube 5. The enveloping, encircling configuration of the shank portion 8 also helps to protect the fitting 3 from damage caused by excessive squeezing of the shank portion 8 by force. The enveloping circumferential configuration of the force application section 81 can be an arc shape adapted to the outer circumferential contour of the second tube 5. In one embodiment, the force application section 81 is configured as an arc shaped plate extending around the central axis X, the arc of which may be the same as the outer circumference arc of the second tube 5.

Referring to fig. 8, when the quick-disconnect member 6 is mounted on the second pipe 5 and is not subjected to an external force, a portion of the pressing projection 82 enters the corresponding opening 534, and a space 9 exists between a section 811 of the free end 83 of the shank 8 to which the pressing projection 82 does not extend (i.e., a section of the shank 8 between the radial end surface 821 of the pressing projection 82 and the radial end surface 831 of the free end 83) and the second pipe 5. This distance 9 constitutes the pressing stroke of the shank 8. When an external force acts on the handle portion 8 and presses the handle portion 8 toward the opening 534, the handle portion 8 is elastically deformed in the range of the pressing stroke and transmits the pressing force to the wing portions 32 in the opening 534. The spacing 9 allows the operator to operate the handle 8 of the quick release member 6 with less effort and thus to easily separate the second tube 5 from the socket 3. When the section 811 of the handle 8 contacts the outer periphery of the second tube 5, the operator is prompted to squeeze into place and the second tube 5 can be pulled out. This process has a clear tactile cue that the second tube 5 can be removed smoothly and quickly from the first tube 2 even in an out-of-sight situation.

After the external force applied to the handle 8 disappears, the handle 8 automatically resets due to the nature of its material and/or configuration. With reference to fig. 4 and 10, the side of the shank 8 facing away from the other shank 5 defines an inclined section 84 which increases in axial direction at a distance from the central axis X in a direction away from the ring-shaped portion 7. A groove 85 extending in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 7 is provided between the inclined section 84 and the annular portion 7. The groove 85 helps to increase the resilience and toughness of the return after the shank 8 is compressed. When the external force on the handle part 8 disappears, the handle part 8 is prompted to be automatically reset quickly. It should be noted that the groove is not a so-called "included angle" between the inclined section 84 and the annular portion 7, but an additional annular groove is formed along the circumferential direction of the annular portion 7 at the junction of the inclined section 84 and the annular portion 7. As shown in fig. 4, the groove 85 may have a circular arc-shaped cross-sectional profile when viewed in an axial cross-section of the quick-release member 6. In one embodiment, the oblique section is constructed with the entire outer side of the connecting section 86. The inclined section 84 may extend in an arc around the central axis X like the force application section 81. In case the entire outer side of the attachment section 86 is configured as the inclined section 84, the uniform arc extension of the force application section 81 and the attachment section 86 provides a uniform appearance to the handle 8, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the entire pipe.

When the quick release 6 is mounted on the second tube 5, it is required that the pressing projection 82 of the shank 8 is always aligned with the corresponding opening 534 without allowing misalignment. To this end, the second tube 5 is peripherally formed with a recess 53 to receive and locate the quick disconnect 6. As shown in fig. 9, the recess 53 includes a first groove portion 531 extending in the circumferential direction of the second pipe 5 and two second groove portions 533 communicating with the first groove portion 531 and arranged axisymmetrically, wherein the first groove portion 531 receives and positions the ring-like portion 7 of the quick-release member 6, and one of the aforementioned openings 534 is formed in the groove wall of each of the second groove portions 533. The first groove portion 531 extends intermittently in the circumferential direction, and has two end faces circumferentially spaced apart as stop faces 535. When the quick-release element 6 is inserted into the first groove portion 531, the two stop surfaces 535 can form a stop fit with the two end surfaces 71 of the ring-shaped portion 7, preventing the ring-shaped portion 7 from rotating relative to the second pipe 5 about the central axis of the second pipe 5. Thereby, the quick release member 6 is fixed with respect to the first groove portion 533. The interrupted first groove portion 531 helps to quickly position the quick release 6 in the correct orientation on the second tube 5 during assembly of the second tube 5 with the quick release 6 without visual adjustment. As soon as the ring-shaped part 7 contacts the stop surface 535, the operator is informed that the quick release 6 has been correctly mounted on the second tube 5. While the first groove portion 531 restricts the movement of the quick release member 6 in the axial and circumferential directions when the quick release member 6 is operated to remove the second pipe 5 from the first pipe 2, so that the removal operation is stably and quickly performed.

The second tube 5 may be manufactured by an integral moulding technique, for example injection moulding. Like the coupling member 3, the quick release member 6 has a certain elastic deformability as a whole but is strong enough to ensure quick and stable pushing of the coupling member 3 out of the opening 534 of the second pipe 5. Such quick release members 6 may be formed by an integral moulding technique, such as injection moulding.

It should be understood that although the description is in terms of various embodiments, not every embodiment includes only a single embodiment, and such description is for clarity purposes only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments described herein may be combined as suitable to form other embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The above description is only an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes, modifications and combinations that may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention shall fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A quick disconnect of a pipe joint, comprising:

an annular portion (7) defining a central axis;

a pair of shank portions (8) which are axisymmetrically joined to the annular portion (7) and each of which has a free end (83) extending away from the annular portion (7), the shank portions (8) being formed with a pressing projection (82) projecting toward the other shank portion (8) toward the inside of the other shank portion (8), wherein at least the free ends (83) of the shank portions (8) are configured to extend in an arc shape around the central axis, and the shank portions (8) are configured to be elastically deformed to approach the central axis by an external force and to be automatically restored after the external force disappears.

2. The pipe joint quick disconnect according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (8) comprises:

a force application section (81) defining the free end (83), the force application section (81) being configured as a plate extending in an arc around the central axis;

a connecting section (86) which is connected between the annular part (7) and the force application section (81), and the extension of the connecting section (86) around the central axis is smaller than the extension of the force application section (81) around the central axis.

3. A coupling quick-release member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said pressing projection (82) extends axially from said annular portion (7) to a position not beyond said free end (83) and axially spaced from the end face (831) of said free end (83).

4. The pipe joint quick disconnect according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the side of the shank (8) facing away from the other shank (8) forms an inclined section (84), which inclined section (84) is joined to the ring-shaped portion (7) and increases in the axial direction in the direction away from the ring-shaped portion (7) at an increasing distance from the central axis, and that a groove (85) extending in the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped portion (7) is formed between the inclined section (84) and the ring-shaped portion (7).

5. The pipe joint quick release according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressing projection (82) comprises:

a first raised portion (822) engaged to an inner side of the handle (8);

a second raised portion (823) protruding from the first raised portion (822) toward the other handle (8);

wherein an extension of the first raised portion (822) about the central axis is greater than an extension of the second raised portion (823) about the central axis.

6. A pipe joint quick-disconnect according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the annular portion (7) extends intermittently in the circumferential direction and forms an axially through-going notch (74) at the discontinuity.

7. A quick connect, quick disconnect coupling assembly comprising:

a first joint group (1) comprising:

a first tube (2);

a joint member (3) fitted over the first pipe (2) and having a pair of wings (32);

a second joint group (4) comprising:

a second tube (5) having a pair of openings (534) adapted to receive the pair of wings (32);

quick release (6) for a pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said annular portion (7) is fitted over said second pipe (5), and said pair of pressing projections (82) of said shank portion (8) are arranged in correspondence of said pair of openings (534) and are able to push against the wings (32) housed in the corresponding openings (534).

8. A pipe joint assembly according to claim 7, wherein there is a space (9) between the free end (83) of the shank (8) and the outer peripheral surface of the second pipe (5), the free end (83) being capable of forming a stop fit with the outer peripheral surface of the second pipe (5) during the pressing projection (82) of the shank (8) pushes the wing (32) in the corresponding opening (534).

9. A pipe joint assembly according to claim 7, wherein at least the free end (83) of the shank (8) is configured to extend around the central axis in an arc that fits the outer circumferential profile of the second pipe (5).

10. A pipe joint assembly according to claim 7, wherein the second pipe (5) is formed at an outer periphery with a recess (53), the recess (53) having two stop surfaces (535) arranged in a circumferential direction, the pair of openings (534) being formed in the recess (53);

the annular part (7) of the quick-release part (6) is provided with two end faces (71) which are opposite to each other in the circumferential direction, an axially through notch (74) is formed between the two end faces (71), the annular part (7) is embedded in the concave part (53), and the two end faces (71) are respectively in stop fit with the two stop faces (535).

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