CZ32074U1 - A tool for releasing the safety ring of a slip-fit quick coupler - Google Patents

Description

The proposed technical solution falls within the field of accessories for the installation material, namely plug-in couplings (hereinafter referred to as "quick-couplings") with a snap ring for releasing the plugged-in tube (eg, John Guest quick-couplers). These quick couplings are particularly useful for conducting liquids or gases, typically in the food or air conditioning industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Quick-release couplings with snap ring are used for quick and easy connection of tubes by simply inserting them inside the quick-coupling. When removing the tube from the quick-coupling, first press the snap ring on the outside of the quick-coupling, which includes retaining jaws to prevent the tube from spontaneously sliding, and slide it against the quick-coupling body to release the retaining jaws inside the quick-coupling. The tube can then be easily removed from the quick connector. Some force in the correct direction is required to press the locking ring sufficiently. More experienced plumbers can usually do this without using a tool or just using a screwdriver. However, this method requires some practice and skill and is not a pleasant method, especially when repeated (long-term) disassembly of tubes from multiple quick couplings.

For a more user-friendly disassembly of the tubes from the quick-release couplings, a fork with a handle, with a central portion and a work surface having two forked arms for compressing the snap ring is known. This fork is made of plastic and its handle is so short that it can only be gripped with two fingers. Although this solution is more user-friendly than removing tools without the use of tools, it is not trouble-free. When removing the tube using this fork, it is necessary to hold the tube to be removed in one hand and push the locking ring (and thus the whole quick coupling) away from each other, respectively, with the fork held in the other hand (only two fingers). from the dismantled tube. As a result, however, the tube is already pulled out of the quick coupling with the retaining jaws still insufficiently open inside the quick coupling. However, by virtue of the design of the jaws that are "tightened" by pulling on the tube, pulling the tube against the opening jaw is problematic. Usually, when a large counter-rotating force is exerted with both hands, the tube is suddenly and uncontrollably pulled out of the quick coupling. Doing so may cause damage to the device, splashes of fluid from the tube, or even injury to the person or the surrounding area. These shortcomings are completely eliminated by the proposed technical solution.

The essence of the technical solution

The essence of the technical solution is the construction of the tool for the release of the quick release snap ring. The quick coupling may be, for example, a John Guest or JG. However, the tool can also be used for other types of quick-release couplings which are released (unfastened) by pressing the locking ring through which the dismantled tube is axially passed.

The tool includes a first fork with a handle, a central part and a work surface. The work surface of the first fork has two fork arms to compress the quick release lock ring. The distance between the fork arms is slightly greater than the diameter of the tube to be removed by this tool. This means that the forked arms do not just tightly embrace the dismantled tube at the point of its connection to the quick-release coupling - some minimal play is left between the forked arms and the tube. In particular, the space between the forked arms may be U-shaped, but other shapes such as V, C, or the like may be used. The space between the forked arms should be dimensioned and shaped so that it does not hinder by friction against the tube wall

- 1 GB 32074 U1 to remove it from the quick release lock ring.

The central part of the fork is provided with a pivot with a longitudinal axis which is oriented in accordance with the working surface. The pivot can be, for example, a rivet or a screw. A second fork with a handle and a work surface is attached to the pin with its central part. The working surface of the second fork has two forked arms to cooperate with the mounting on the quick coupling. The second fork is used to hook (clamp) the tool against displacement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tube just removed. The working surface of the second fork has a space between the forked arms of such a shape and size that it can be easily and reliably slid onto the shoulder of the quick coupling body.

Due to the precisely defined tool geometry, the work surface of the first fork and the work surface of the second fork are spaced apart from one another. As a result, the tool can be fitted precisely and without the risk of slipping onto the quick-coupling fitting and the locking ring parallel to this fitting.

Due to the design of the quick couplings, it is advantageous if the spacing of the forked arms of the working fork of the second fork is greater than the spacing of the forked arms of the working fork of the first fork. This feature ensures that the tool is seated precisely on the quick-release coupling. with respect to different diameters of the quick-coupling body, resp. tube that passes through the retaining ring.

In another preferred embodiment, the working surface of the first fork has forked arms shaped to squeeze the snap ring at at least two opposite locations on its periphery. This is advantageous to prevent the compressed circlip from crossing in the quick coupling.

Thanks to the design of the tool, the snap ring of the quick-release coupling against its body can be easily pressed. This will completely open the jaws inside the quick coupling. With gentle pull, the tube can be pulled out of the open (loose) quick connector in a controlled manner. The tube removal process is thus safe, easy to carry out and repeatable over the long term.

Clarification of drawings

An exemplary embodiment of the proposed solution is described with reference to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the tool;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a tool with spaced parallel working surfaces;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the second fork;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the tool mounted on the quick coupling in the working position;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the work surfaces of the two forks, comparing the distances of their forked arms;

FIG. 6 shows a comparison of the different distances of the forked arms of the first fork and the second fork shown side by side.

-2GB 32074 U1

Example of technical solution implementation

An exemplary embodiment of the tool is useful for releasing the snap ring 22 of a John Guest quick-coupling intended for tubes 21 having an outer diameter of 9.5 mm. The tool comprises a first fork 1 with a handle 2, a central part 3 and a working surface 4. The working surface 4 has two forked arms to compress the snap ring 22 of the quick coupling. The center portion 3 of the first fork 1 is provided with a pivot pin 5 with a longitudinal axis oriented in accordance with the working surface 4. The pivot pin 5 is here a screw. A second fork 11 with a handle 12 and a work surface 14 is attached to the pivot pin 5 by its central portion 13. The working surface 14 of the second fork 11 has two forked arms to cooperate with a shoulder 23 on the quick coupling. The working surface 4 of the first fork 1 and the working surface 14 of the second fork 11 are spaced apart from each other in parallel relationship, they are not in contact with each other. That is, the free space formed on the opposite sides is limited by the parallel working surface 4 of the first fork 7 and the working surface 14 of the second fork 11.

The mutual distance D2 of the forked arms of the work surface 14 of the second fork 11 is in this case greater than the mutual distance D1 of the forked arms of the work surface 4 of the first fork

In this case, the work surface 4 of the first fork 1 and the work surface 14 of the second fork 11 are U-shaped in the space between the forked arms. The amount of space between the forked arms is such that a circle inscribed in the space between the forked arms it has a dimension larger (10 mm) than the outer diameter of the tube 21 (9.5 mm). This ensures a free passage of the tube 21 and at the same time not worn it by eg rubbing the forked arms of the working fork 4 of the first fork U The circle inscribed in the space between the forked arms of the working fork 14 of the second fork 11 has a larger dimension (18 mm) than the outer diameter , 9 mm).

This allows the tool to be fitted accurately and easily onto the quick-release coupling in a defined position. Due to its shape and size, the working surface 4 of the first fork 1 contacts approximately 2/3 of the surface of the snap ring 22. By simply pressing the handles 2, 12 of both forks 1, 11 the snap ring 22 is compressed and the tube can be pulled out easily 21 from the quick connector.

An exemplary embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 6.

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

Claims (3)

A quick release snap ring release tool comprising a fork (1) with a handle (2), a central portion (3) and a work surface (4) having two fork arms for compressing the snap ring (22), characterized in that: the central part (3) is provided with a pivot (5) with a longitudinal axis oriented in accordance with the working surface (4), a second fork (11) with a handle (12) and a working surface is attached to the pin (5) by its central part (13) (14) having two forked arms to cooperate with a shoulder (23) on the quick coupling, wherein the work surface (4) of the first fork (1) and the work surface (14) of the second fork (11) are spaced apart from each other. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the mutual distance (D2) of the forked arms of the working surface (14) of the second fork (11) is greater than the mutual distance (D1) of the forked arms of the working surface (4) of the first fork (1) . -3 CZ 32074 Ul Tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the working surface (4) of the first fork (1) has forked arms shaped to depress the quick release lock ring (22) at at least two opposite locations on its periphery.