EP0777049B1 - Pump connection device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for pump connection for inflating a tire; it relates more particularly to an improvement allowing the pump to be used for tires of various origins including type valves different.

In the field of two-wheeled vehicles, for example example, it is necessary to periodically re-inflate the tires. This can be done from a small power compressor or hand pump.

In all cases, there is the problem of connection from the source of compressed air to the tire valve. according to the origin of the latter, the valve may be of a type or of another. For example, in the field of tires two-wheeled vehicle, the most used valves are basically of two types known under the names "SCHRADER" and "PRESTA" sales representatives. We know a pump having two different fixed connection ends, each end piece comprising a sleeve of elastomeric material likely to surround the valve body with a relative tightness.

However, particularly when it is a hand pump and that the connection device is rigidly secured to the pump body, the nozzle used is difficult to subject in a truly waterproof manner to the valve. In addition, in the known system, the unused tip is neutralized by an activated internal shutter system pneumatically at the first pump stroke. This system is of a high cost price and is not of an operation absolutely reliable after a certain period of use.

A first object of the invention is to propose a simpler, more reliable and less expensive system used to select the connection piece suitable.

Another object of the invention is to propose a system even more sophisticated in which the tip of selected connection can be secured very tightly and valve.

The document FR 544 366 describes a pump connection device comprising two different connection end pieces integral with the same element mounted by a conical swivel connection at the end of a duct forming air ejection channel. In such a device the connection end pieces are poorly protected and the connection itself is difficult to perform because it requires screwing in a threaded cap.

The invention overcomes these drawbacks.

Firstly, the invention therefore relates to a connection device pump for inflating a tire, comprising an ejection channel air capable of being connected to said pump and a movable element containing at least two different connection ends, and likely to occupy two predetermined positions in which one of the end pieces is in communication with said channel, respectively, downstream of it, each end piece comprising a sleeve of elastically deformable material, characterized in that said movable element is movable in a housing to come and occupy one or the other of said predetermined positions, in that each endpiece is in position to be connected to a valve when said element mobile occupies a corresponding predetermined position and in that it further includes a locking mechanism cooperating with said element movable to axially compress at least the sleeve of the nozzle in position to be connected to said valve.

The movable element can be a slide movable along a path straight in a housing. According to another variant, the mobile element can have a rotating part mounted inside a cavity in which opens said ejection channel.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the device for connection in which each end piece has a sleeve of material elastically deformable likely to come to bear against the valve is characterized in that it further comprises a locking mechanism cooperating with said movable element to compress, axially, at least the nozzle sleeve in position to be connected to a valve, compression axial of the end piece causing its deformation radially inward to enclose said valve tightly.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation d'un dispositif de raccordement conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, illustrant le même dispositif en coupe longitudinale;
• la figure 3 est une vue analogue à la figure 2, montrant les éléments du dispositif lorsque le levier de verrouillage est actionné;
• la figure 4 est une vue en élévation de l'extrémité d'une pompe équipée d'un dispositif de raccordement selon une variante de l'invention;
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 4, illustrant le même dispositif en coupe longitudinale; et
• la figure 6 est une vue semblable à la figure 5, montrant les éléments du dispositif lorsque le levier de verrouillage est actionné.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages of it will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of several embodiments of a pump provided with a connection device in accordance with its principle, given only by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an elevational view of a connection device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating the same device in longitudinal section;
• Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the elements of the device when the locking lever is actuated;
• Figure 4 is an elevational view of the end of a pump equipped with a connection device according to a variant of the invention;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating the same device in longitudinal section; and
• Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the elements of the device when the locking lever is actuated.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a pump connection device 11 for inflating a two-wheeled vehicle tire is shown connected by a threaded end piece 12 at the end of a flexible pipe 13 itself. - even connected to a pump not visible in the drawing. The device comprises a body 14 within which is defined an air ejection duct 16. The latter is formed by two perpendicular bores has a longitudinal bore 16 opening into the threaded bore 17 into which is screwed the end 12 and a transverse bore 16 b . The outlet outlet 19 of the channel, at the end of the transverse bore, is defined on a first surface 20 of the body 14. A second surface 21 of this body, opposite and parallel constitutes a bearing surface for a defined cam 22 at the end of a lever 23. The body 14 is covered with a cover 25 defining with said first surface 20 a housing 27 of generally elongated shape, comprising on a face 28 parallel to said first surface 20 an orifice 30 for the valve engagement. A mobile element 32 is movable in the housing 27 to come to occupy one or the other of at least two predetermined positions. This movable element, constituting here a kind of slide in the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, contains at least two different connection ends 33, 34.

Of course, the number of predetermined positions is equal to the number of different connection tips. For each predetermined position, one of the end pieces is found interposed axially between the outlet orifice 19 of the channel and the orifice 30 into which the valve is introduced.

Furthermore, an annular seal 36 is arranged around the orifice of the channel; he comes in contact with one face of the movable element forming a slide. The two connection nipples are defined in parallel to each other inside this slide. More precisely, the latter consists of the assembly of two parts 37, 38 fitting into each other with interposition of two sleeves made of elastomeric material 39, 40. Thus, the part 37 in contact with said first surface 20 of the body 14 has a first passage 44 cylindrical tubular and a second passage 42 parallel to the first, provided with an axial insert 41. The part 38 in contact with the inner wall of the cover 25 comprises a first passage 43, cylindrical tubular, provided with a shoulder internal, defined in the axial extension of the first passage 39 and a second cylindrical tubular passage 45 provided with an internal shoulder defined in the extension axial of the second passage 42. The sleeve 39 made of material elastically deformable, with an internal shoulder and an external shoulder, is interposed between said first passages of parts 37 and 38. The other sleeve 40 of elastically deformable material, of the same kind, cylindrical tubular with an internal shoulder, is interposed between said second passages of parts 37 and 38. In fact, the arrangement which has just been described reconstructs, in a slide structure, the two connection fittings 33, 34, different, standardized, well known. These two connection ends are defined parallel to each other and the movable element 32 in slide shape can move along a path rectilinear in the housing 27 between the two orifices. Each end piece 33, 34 is therefore likely to be put in service when the slide is in a position predetermined corresponding, within its housing.

In this position, the material sleeve elastically deformable 39 or 40 is likely to come apply tightly all around the body of the valve which is introduced into the orifice.

To improve this junction, the device comprises furthermore a locking mechanism cooperating with the movable element 32 for compressing axially at least the end sleeve 33 or 34 in position to be connected to said valve. This axial compression of the tip causes its deformation radially inward, which allows to firmly grip said valve while performing a perfectly sealed junction. To do this, it is note that the two parts 37, 38 are not in abutment at the rest but can move relative to each other under the effect of a force tending to compress axially the sleeves 39, 40. The actuation of this same mechanism locking also causes compression of the seal 36 ensuring perfect sealing of the interface between the body 14 and the slide.

The locking mechanism comprises the lever 27 mentioned above, fitted with cam 22, and this assembly is arranged to cause relative displacement between the at least part of the movable element 32 and the body 14 enclosing the air ejection channel. To do this, the cover 25 is slidably mounted along the body 14 and the lever 23 is articulated to said cover 25 by an axis 49.

The cover also includes a rectilinear light 50 extending parallel to the direction of travel of the movable element 32 and the latter comprises a finger lateral maneuver 52 passing through said lumen. The slide can be operated using this finger when the lever 23 occupies the position shown in Figure 2. We can thus select the connection piece suitable.

When the lever occupies the position shown in the Figure 3, the movable member 32 forming a slide is compressed inside its housing due to the displacement of the cover 25 relative to the body 14. The two parts constituting the slide are approaching one of the other, which causes deformation of the sleeves elastically deformable 39, 40, as shown in Figure 3. In particular, the deformation of the sleeve 40 of the end piece 34 in the "use" position results in tight and firm tightening on a valve (not shown) introduced into orifice 30.

Figures 4 to 6 show a variant a connection device 60, the latter being mounted directly at the end of a pump cylinder 61. The outlet of the pump is extended by a body 62 containing the air ejection channel 63 in which is further installed a ball check valve 64. The ball stroke is limited by a stop 65 extending axially in said channel.

According to this variant, the aforementioned mobile element 68 has a rotating part mounted inside a cavity 67 into which the ejection channel opens. We note that the outlet port 69 of the ejection channel air admits the same axis as the orifice 70 for introducing the valve. The rotating part has a duct transverse 72 incorporating two connection end pieces different 73, 74, similar to those represented on the Figures 2 and 3. These two tips are arranged axially in reverse in line with each other. They thus extend generally between the outlet orifice 69 of the channel and the orifice 70 for introducing the valve. This conduit is constituted by a central part 75 comprising on one side a cylindrical tubular passage and on the other side passage with an axial insert and two sleeves of elastically deformable material 77, 78 similar to sleeves of the previous embodiment and extending axially on either side of the part 75.

The conduit 72 defined above constitutes in its together a guide for two generally semi-cylindrical elements 80, 81, mounted sliding outside the transverse duct and stressed in opposite directions by springs 84 interposed between them. The outer surface, semi-cylindrical, of each element 80, 81 has ribs 86 or another equivalent configuration.

The assembly constituted by the conduit 72 and the two semi-cylindrical elements 80, 81 is mounted between two clamping parts likely to approach one of the other under the action of lever 88, provided with a cam, in contact with the body 62, compressing the following assembly the axial direction defined by the two orifices 69, 70.

More specifically, one of the clamping parts is constituted by the body 62 housing the ejection channel 63 and having a concave surface 90 in which is partially housed in the assembly consisting of conduit 72 and two semi-cylindrical elements 80, 81. The other part of clamping 92 is provided with two arms 93 sliding at the interior of two corresponding grooves of said body 62. The lever 88 is articulated by an axis 95 between the two ends of these arms. The opening 70 for introducing the valve is made in this second clamping part 92, which also has a concave surface 97 enveloping part of said assembly constituted by the duct and the two semi-cylindrical elements.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 5, the assembly 72, 80, 81 above can be turned in its housing defined between the two clamping pieces 62, 92, so as to ability to put either of the two end caps connection 73 or 74 in service position. when end piece is in service position, the sleeve made of material elastically deformable of the other end piece is in position sealing between port 69 of channel 63 and said conduit 72. The operation of the lever causes the approximation of the two clamping parts and the deformation desired of the two sleeves 77, 78 made of material elastically deformable.

Claims (10)

1. A pump connecting device for inflating a pneumatic tyre comprising an air ejection passage (16, 63) capable of being connected to said pump and a movable element (32, 68) containing at least two different connecting nozzles (33, 34 - 73, 74), and capable of occupying two predetermined positions in which one of the nozzles is in communication with said passage respectively downstream thereof, each nozzle comprising a sleeve portion of elastically deformable material, characterised in that said movable element is displaceable in a housing to occupy one or other of said predetermined positions, that each nozzle is in a position of being connected to a valve when said movable element occupies a predetermined corresponding position and that it further comprises a locking mechanism (23, 88) co-operating with said movable element for axially compressing at least the sleeve portion of the nozzle in the position of being connected to a valve.
2. A connecting device according to claim 1 characterised in that said locking mechanism comprises a lever (22) provided with a cam which is arranged to cause a relative displacement between at least a part of said movable element and another element (14) containing said air ejection passage.
3. A connecting device according to claim 2 characterised in that an annular seal (36) is arranged around an orifice of said passage defined in said other element (14), said seal being compressed under the actuation of said lever.
4. A connecting device according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that said movable element (32) is a slider displaceable along a rectilinear path of movement in a housing (27), said ejection passage opening into said housing to be communicated with one of the nozzles when said slider is disposed in a predetermined corresponding position.
5. A connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that said movable element (68) comprises a rotatable part mounted in the interior of a cavity (67) into which said ejection passage opens.
6. A connecting device according to claim 5 characterised in that said rotatable part comprises a transverse conduit (72) incorporating two said different connecting nozzles (73, 74) arranged axially in opposite directions in line with each other.
7. A connecting device according to claim 6 characterised in that said conduit (72) is inserted between two generally semicylindrical elements (80, 81) mounted slidably at the outside of said transverse conduit (72) and urged in opposite directions by springs (84) interposed between them, the external semicylindrical surface of each element comprising ribs (86) or another operating configuration.
8. A connecting device according to claim 7 characterised in that the assembly formed by said conduit (72) and said two elements (80, 81) is mounted between two gripping portions (62, 92) which are capable of being moved towards each other under the action of said lever (88), compressing said assembly in a predetermined direction.
9. A connecting device according to both of claims 1 and 4 characterised in that said passage is defined in a body (14) having two opposed surfaces, the outlet orifice of said passage being defined on a first surface (20) and the cam (82) of the lever being in contact with a second surface (21), and that said housing accommodating said movable element (32) is defined between said first surface and a cap (25) slidable along said body, said lever being pivotably mounted to said cap.
10. A connecting device according to claim 9 characterised in that said movable element comprises a lateral operating finger (52) passing through an opening (50) in said cap (25).

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