Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
  • F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
  • F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
  • F16L37/0847—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of hooks
  • F16L37/0848—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of hooks rocking freely

Definitions

• This invention relates to an instant hose coupling.
• Known instant hose couplings generally consist of t wo parts which are securely fixed to the two hose ends to be connected together and are then engaged with each other in order to make this connection.
• One of these parts consists o f a tubular or m ale eleme n t c ompris ing a n e x t e r nal circumf erential groove.
• the other part, or body consists of a tubular sleeve of such an inner diameter as to allow the male element to be inserted axially into it.
• the male element is inserted axially into t he body of the coupling so as to elastically f orce the two pins apart, which on assuming their original position engage in the external circumferential groove of the male element.
• the two pins are prevented from moving apart by the par ticular inclination o f the groove in which th ey engage, this inclination tending to Keep the pins f orcibly urged towards each other because of the fluid pressure in t he hose and the consequent tendency of the male element to withdraw.
• an external ring is moved axially along the body to displace the pins alon g the transverse grooves until they are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to allow the male element to be w it h d r a w n .
• One drawback of this type of coupling is that the engagement between each pin, which is rigid with the body, and the circumferential groove in the male element is redu ced to a point contact which in time results in wear of the corresponding portion of the male element, so compromising its mechanical seal.
• a further drawback is that the release operation requires the use of both hands
• a body has also been proposed comprising a plurality of balls projecting radially from the inner surface and engaging in an external circumferential groove provided in the male element.
• An external ring mobile axially to the body is provided which when in a determined relative axial position enables the balls to yield outwards, to allow withdrawal o f the male element from its seat in the body.
• this method also has the drawbacks deriving from the need to us e both hands for connection and release, and again presents a limited contact surface between the two parts of the coupling.
• a further drawback is that if the insertion is made with a certain force, the balls can deform the outer surface of the male element so making this insertion more difficult with the passing of time.
• a further drawback is a certain constructional complication if a valve has to be provided to hold the balls radially outwards when the male element is not inserted in the body.
• the object of the invention is to obviate all the se drawbacks by providing an instant hose coupling which can be operated with one hand, does not deform even under accidental impact, has a large contact surface on insertion, provides very reliable mechanical connection and is of very simp le c o n t r u c t io n .
• an instant hose coupling characterised b y c o mprising: - a body comprising an axial duct provided internally with at least one O-ring; - a male element axially insertable into said body so that a seal is formed between its outer surface and said O-ring; and - at least two engagement members applied externally to said body and each comprising an appendix which traverses a corresponding passage provided in the body and engages in a circumferential groove provided in said male element on the outside of the portion which seals against said O-ring.
• Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the two parts of the coupling according to the invention in their separated state;
• Figure 2. shows them in their locked-together state in the same view as Figure 1 but in a reduced scale;
• Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view of the two engagement members, and
• Figure 4 shows two part of the coupling in a secon d embodiment .
• the coupling according to the invention consists essentially of two parts, namely a body 1, to which one of the two hoses 2 to be connected together is fixed in the conventional manner, and a male element 3, to which the other hose 4 is fixed.
• the purpose of the valve 7, which is preferably of Zn-Al-Mg alloy, is to keep the internal duct of the body 1 closed when the male element 3 is not inser ted.
• Two annular seats are provided in the inner tubular duct of the body 1 for housing two 0- ⁇ ngs 8 and 9 which seal respectively against the valve 7 when the male element is not inserted, and against the male element 3 when inserted into the body 1. in proximity to its opposite end the body 1 is provided with a pair of passages 11, the outer circumferential surface of which is conical, and which communicate with the inner cavity of the body.
• Two locking members are applied to said passages 11, they being indicated overall by 12 and comprising an outwardly diverging conical cont rol lev er 13 , a cylindrical portion 14 which rests on the body 1 and an appendix 15 for engaging the male element 3.
• Figure 3 shows the configuration of the two engagement members 12 in the shape of a circular are
• Figures 1 and 2 show the longitudinal profile of each appendix 15 which on the side facing the hose 2 has a taper corresponding to that provided on a circumferential projection 16 of the male element 3, whereas on the side facing the hose 4 it has a taper 17 corresponding to that of the outer circumferential surface of the passages 11.
• the two engagement members 12, which are also preferably of Zn-Al-Mg alloy construction, are maintained elastically in their correct working position, indicated in Figures 1 and 2, by the presence of a ring 18 housed in corresponding seats provided in said elements and preferably of synthtic rubber to which suitable substances for increasing its resistance to ozone, light and tearing have been added.
• the male element 3 also preferably of brass or aluminium construction, comprises two cylindrical portions namely a front portion 22 of diameter just less than the inner diameter of the body 1 to enable it to be inserted into
• the circumferential projection 16 is provided in the front portion 22 and has its front annular surface 24 tapering to correspond to the taper of a flared portion 25 provided in the front surface of the inner duct of the body
• the elastic return of the ring 18 causes said appendices 15 to engage in the circumferential groove in the male element 3 provided between the projection 16 and rear portion 23, so securely locking the male eleme nt to the body 1.
• the coupling according to the invention offers numerous advantages over conventional couplings, and in particular: - it is insensitive to accidental impact on falling, as it has no sliding rings which could deform, with resultant jamming in operation. In contrast, the engagement members
• the operation of the coupling in this second embodiment is as follows: to fix the male element into the body 1 it is necessary only to push it axially into said body: after the front end of the portion 22 has . passed beyond the two appendices 29, the projection 16 takes effect with these and, overcoming the elastic reaction of the spring 31, pushes inside the tw o engaging members 26. In this way their rotation is allo wed, due to the effect of the push of the male element 3, around the edge of the passages next to the spring 31 and their consequent going out from the cilidrical mouth recess of the body to allow the axial insertion of the male element 3 in this one.
• This second embodiment presents some further, ones and in particular: - presents a stroke of the ring very low to carry out the disengagement of the hose, - has an operating similar to that of the traditional ball coupling.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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• 1988
  • 1988-03-04 IT IT8884108A patent/IT1234898B/it active
  • 1988-05-09 EP EP88903847A patent/EP0403474A1/en active Pending
  • 1988-05-09 WO PCT/EP1988/000406 patent/WO1988008938A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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