EP1111141B1 - Installation fitting with releasable socket coupling connection - Google Patents

Abstract

The fitting comprises a wrench bar 4 having a cap accessible from above ground, a tube 5 surrounding the bar and a releasable coupling 3 for engaging a valve spindle. The bar may be extended by extensions, interconnection being via square sockets/releasable adaptors. Tube 5 may comprise telescopic sections 5a-d. Release of the coupling may be facilitated by a bolt having a head located in a blind bore in the sleeve and a threaded portion located in a threaded bore in the sleeve, the bolt extending through the wrench bar. Alternatively, release is facilitated by a pair of spring biassed pins or wedges. The pins may be located in a tube insertable into the wrench bar. The upper end of the bar may be coupled to a common unit (32, figure 11) which is connected to but free to rotate relative to the tube 5.

Description

The invention relates to an installation kit for running in the road substructure lines, especially fresh water lines, which has a keyway in the end cap end cap, which is surrounded by a sleeve tube and the spindle facing the spindle at the end facing it is associated with a coupling sleeve to be connected.

In the road substructure fresh water pipes, discharges u. Ä. In some cases the connections to the customers are made only after the construction work. In order to be able to shut down or open sections of the respective water pipes and to establish the connection with the customers, installation kits are provided at regular intervals. To facilitate the attachment of the key bar to the spindle of the slide valve or the other running in the ground fitting quick release coupling sleeves are known, which have pins that automatically engage when plugging the coupling sleeve in the holes. Such a fitting is known for example from DE-PS 44 38 205. In this case, key rod and coupling sleeve are connected to each other via a pin punched in holes. The pin has an excess so that it is driven with very high force into the bore and then again at most under very high effort and only in the uninstalled state can be solved from the US-A-4 702 275 a built-in assembly is known at which is additionally secured by a locking screw already connected to the key rod dome sleeve. As a further disadvantage, it has been found that an installation set or a key bar can only be equipped with a specific coupling sleeve and can be assigned correspondingly only to the same spindle. Therefore, a special installation set with the special components must be used for the variety of different connections. This is especially true when rod and sleeve are integrally formed.

The object of the present invention is thus to provide a fitting which is flexibly adaptable and can be combined with a wide variety of connections or conduit slides.

This object is achieved in that the key bar or a releasably connected to the key bar key rod extension with the coupling sleeve is releasably connected via a locking device.

Thus, key rods with different coupling sleeves are easy to combine, for the respective spindle, only the matching sleeve, regardless of whether it is a VAS or KOS sleeve, selected and connected to the key bar. After it was previously necessary to expel the pins with hammer blows again from the holes, which, if anything, was carried out only with great effort, the solution according to the invention is very easy to handle. A key rod type or a connection, for example a standardized screw size, can be combined with different coupling sleeves, so that the only component to be adapted to the line slide coupling sleeves in different shape and size must be kept. This is especially true when a telescoping or extendable key bar is used with a telescoping sleeve tube, which is also designed adaptable to a variety of conditions. The key rod may be extended by a key rod extension, the latter then being connected to the dome sleeve. The connections between the components key rod, key rod extension and coupling sleeve are thus quasi standardized. The installation set according to the invention can be used completely flexibly both in length via corresponding key rod extensions or by telescoping of the key bar as well as with regard to the dimensions of the connection components, and can be implemented in individual components, according to a modular system, find use. When the locking connection is a compound that can be assigned flexibly manageable different coupling sleeves as needed. With little effort, different spindles adapted coupling sleeves can be combined or replaced, especially since only one type of locking device needs to be used. Also, a locking device can be easily solved without the use of expensive tools by one of the action of the locking means opposite force is exerted on this.

It can serve as a latching device, two pins connected via a spring, which are arranged and latched automatically into the holes on opposite end faces of the coupling sleeve. For a particularly easy-to-handle locking device is created, which can be produced during assembly without the use of tools. When disassembling only the opposing pins must be compressed against the force of the spring, so that the key rod can be pulled out of the coupling sleeve. The pins are mounted in a housing, which is formed with the key rod corresponding and is inserted into this. Allowing the displacement of the pins in the axial direction, this housing is also the receptacle for the spring arranged between the pins. To release the locking connection between the coupling sleeve and key bar, the pins are compressed, for example by means of a pliers-like tool in the axial direction against the force of the spring, said the pins retain their position in the compact housing due to the arrangement of the housing.

Conveniently, the pins are arranged longitudinally displaceable in an insertable into the key bar housing. This housing can be inserted from below into the key bar and snaps with the pins into the holes of the key bar. In addition, after fitting the coupling sleeve or the key rod extension, the pins also engage these components. For this purpose, the housing at the pins receiving Also ends with holes that serve to receive the heads of the pins. The pins in turn are mounted longitudinally displaceable by a spring, which is also received by the housing.

In addition, it is provided that the pins on the pressure of the spring on the inside of the housing have adjacent flanges. These flanges are provided to allow engagement of the pins in the holes in the key bar.

An alternative to the formation of a latching connection is that key bar or key rod extension and coupling sleeve are connected to each other via a dome insertable into the holes in the key rod or key rod extension and dome sleeve. The dome is made to fit the holes in key rod and / or coupling sleeve and serves as Ausziehsicherung these two components. The holes in the key rod and coupling sleeve come to rest in the installed state, in this position, the mandrel, which must not be formed tapered, then used and can be easily solved accordingly again. Because the dome, as known from the prior art, larger-sized pin must be taken and dismantled with great effort, the connection between dome sleeve and key bar, for example, if the dome is equipped with thread, without much effort, if necessary even in the installed state, to be dismantled.

A preferred embodiment is obtained if in each case a bore for receiving a screw is provided in the coupling sleeve and in the key rod or the key rod extension, which has a corresponding thread in the region of coupling sleeve and / or key rod or key rod extension. Hereby, therefore, a standardization of the components used for the installation kit is possible because only one screw type can be used for different types and dimensions of installation kits. The effort in mounting and dismounting the connection between Key rod and coupling sleeve is particularly low in connection with screws. The thread for receiving the screw can be formed both in key rod and coupling sleeve as well as only in one of the components.

In order to prevent the screw protruding from the coupling sleeve, a blind hole for receiving the screw head of the screw is provided in the coupling sleeve. This blind bore can also extend into the area of the key rod.

As an aid in mounting and dismounting the mounting kit is provided that the pins are rounded at the opposite end of the flanges or bevelled. Thus, on the one hand, the engagement of the pins in the key bar associated holes easier, on the other hand, the pins, when pressed with the pliers-like tool against each other, easier from the wall of the coupling sleeve press until the latch is released.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the locking device is formed from at least one of the coupling sleeve associated fixing element and engaging in the holes in the key rod locking wedge, said fixing and locking wedge are connected by a spring. While in the previously presented embodiment, the pins of the key bar are assigned and engage in the bores of the coupling sleeve, the pins are assigned in this embodiment, the coupling sleeve and engage in holes in the key bar. In each case a locking wedge is assigned a spring.

The fixing element is fixed via press fit against the coupling sleeve. On the inside, the locking element is connected to the spring, which in turn is connected on its other side with the locking part, so that the locking wedge engages in the bore in the key bar.

In order to allow a particularly good adaptation of the installation kit is provided that key bar and Schlüsseistangenverlängerung are connected via an adapter. Thus, the key rod is extended to any dimensions or shortened and can thus be optimally adapted. Even an insert set used for some time can be extended, for example, in a road surface elevation. The adapter is formed on both sides corresponding to the key rod or its extension, regardless of whether the key rod is in turn solid or hollow.

The connections between the adapter and the key rod or their extension are made respectively via holes or mandrels or locking devices, such as locking pins or wedges. For this purpose, the adapter corresponding holes, which are optionally equipped with threads on. For transport and installation of a fitting are thus significant advantages it is enough, since each installation set can be put together individually on the site. This applies both to the length of the key rod and the coupling sleeve to be used.

In order to be able to produce a particularly good connection between the key rod or the key rod extension and the adapter, it is provided that the adapter is constructed as a key receptacle corresponding to the key rod and / or key rod extension, into which the key rod and / or the key rod extension can be inserted. For example, the adapter is inserted into a key tube until the holes provided in both the adapter and the key tube overlap, so that the fastening means, for example a screw, can be used. The key bar receptacle can also be designed as an inner component that is encompassed by the key bar or its extension.

Accordingly, the components are designed so that adapter and key rod or key rod extension are detachably connected, preferably by latching together. Was already indicated that as well as Screws and locking devices corresponding key in the key or its extension and adapter may be formed.

To release the locking connection is provided that the mounting kit is equipped with a release device having two mutually movable at their ends leg, each leg inside a stub axle is assigned, which is arranged and formed corresponding to the holes in the coupling sleeve or key rod extension , This pliers-like tool allows a particularly simple release of the locking connections between individual components by the pins are pressed in the axial direction against the force of the spring connecting the pins. This is because the pins are first pushed out of the coupling sleeve, for example upon release of the key rods / coupling sleeve connection, and thus virtually the position take the pins, as the stub axle are inserted into the holes of the coupling sleeve. This makes it very easy to remove the coupling sleeve without the risk of it falling down. Similarly, the pincer-like release device can also be used to assemble the individual components by first inserting the axle stubs into the bores of the dome sleeve, whereupon the dome sleeve is pushed over the key rod or its extension until the pins engage in the bores of the dome sleeve.

A particularly advantageous embodiment is that in which the sleeve tube surrounding the key rod is composed of a plurality of telescopically arranged single sleeve tubes which have pull-out safeguards. In addition to the good packaging and transport options through very small components, a particularly good length adjustment of the installation set is possible because key bar and sleeve tube are variable in length and all attachments can be detachable. Thus, every installation set at the site be compiled. Pull-out locks ensure optimal telescoping of the sleeve tube.

The invention is characterized in particular by the fact that a set of fittings is created, which offers a flexible adaptation to almost all conditions in the form of a modular system. The installation set is composed of a variety of interconnected items and can thus be individually assembled with respect to all dimensions. Connections are detachable, so that a subsequent extension is possible, the key bar can be varied arbitrarily over key rod extensions in their length. Even the replacement of individual components is easily possible. Between the individual components key receptacles are provided, which are designed to correspond to these and locked with them. At the spindle of the line slide facing the end of the mounting kit, the coupling sleeve is also releasably connected to the key bar and the key rod extension. With the invention, a high degree of standardization of the components used in connection with installation kits is realized. The installation set no longer needs to be delivered completely at the factory, but can be assembled directly on the construction site for the respective application by combining the appropriate components with each other. At the same time, however, the possibility remains to provide complete installation tutorial rates. In connection with a sleeve tube composed of individual sleeve tubes and a screw-on bell adapter, the extension possibility of the key bar and the detachable connection between the key bar and the coupling sleeve can be used to create particularly flexible installation sets. It is particularly advantageous that the co-rotating with the key rod sliding washer and the square saver form a common unit.

Figur 1

den teilweisen Längsschnitt durch eine Einbaugarnitur,

Figur 2

eine Schlüsselstangenverlängerung,

Figur 3

eine Schlüsselstangenverlängerung mit vier verschieden bemaßten Kuppelmuffen,

Figur 4

die perspektivische Ansicht einer Kuppelmuffe,

Figur 5

den Schnitt durch eine Kuppelmuffe mit Verbindung zur Schlüsselstange,

Figur 6

den Schnitt durch eine Einbaugarnitur im unteren Bereich,

Figur 7

den Schnitt durch eine Kuppelmuffe mit Raststiften,

Figur 8

die vereinfachte.Darstellung eines Gehäuses mit Stiften,

Figur 9

eine Lösevorrichtung,

Figur 10

den Schnitt durch eine Kuppelmuffe mit Rastelementen und

Figur 11

die Verbindung zwischen Gleitscheibe und Randkappe in teilweise geschnittener Ansicht.

Further details and advantages of the subject invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiment is shown with the necessary details and items. Show it:

FIG. 1

the partial longitudinal section through a built-in set,

FIG. 2

a key rod extension,

FIG. 3

a key rod extension with four different sized dome sleeves,

FIG. 4

the perspective view of a coupling sleeve,

FIG. 5

the section through a coupling sleeve with connection to the key rod,

FIG. 6

the section through an installation set in the lower area,

FIG. 7

the section through a coupling sleeve with locking pins,

FIG. 8

the simplified representation of a housing with pins,

FIG. 9

a release device,

FIG. 10

the section through a coupling sleeve with locking elements and

FIG. 11

the connection between the sliding disk and the edge cap in a partially cutaway view.

FIG. 1 shows an installation set 1, which has a coupling sleeve 3 on the end 7 of the key bar 4 assigned to the spindle of the line slide. Key rod 4 and coupling sleeve 3 are detachably connected to each other. The sleeve tube 5 is optimally adjustable in length, since it is composed of the individual sleeve tubes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, wherein the lowermost sleeve tube 5d is detachably connected to the bell 24 surrounding the connection area of coupling sleeve 3 and spindle. This detachable connection is a secured by a Sicherheitsverrastung 18 plug connection between the lower sleeve tube 5d and bell 24. Thus, a set of 1 according to a modular system both factory and on the site individually assembled and used for the application. A subsequent addition of the components is possible.

FIG. 2 illustrates the possible combinations of the installation fitting 1 according to the invention. Here, a key rod extension 4 'is shown, which is connected to an adapter 6, which is designed as a key receptacle 17, via a latch. Evident are the pins 12a, which serve to connect to the adapter 6, as well as the pins 12b, which serve for connection to the dome sleeve 3, not shown here.

In addition to the length adjustment, the key bar 4 or its extensions can be equipped with different types of coupling sleeves 3, which illustrates FIG. Here are four different coupling sleeves 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d shown, which can be used in each case combined with the same key rod extension 4 'and the same fastening means. The coupling sleeves 3 may advantageously be both VAS coupling sleeves 3a and KOS coupling sleeves 3b, 3c, 3d.

A screw connection between the key rod 4 and the coupling sleeve 3 is also shown in FIG. 4, with a hexagon socket screw 19 being used here as the dome 2.

The connection between the key bar 4 and coupling sleeve 3 is also the subject of the sectional view of Figure 5, where the key bar 4 and coupling sleeve 3 connecting screw 19 is shown, which represents the releasable connection between the key bar 4 and coupling sleeve 3. In the key bar 4 is a bore 8, in the coupling sleeve 3 a bore 20 can be seen. Both are threaded. The screw head 11 is supported in the blind bore 9 in the coupling sleeve 3. A loosening of this screw 19 and thus the connection between the coupling sleeve 3 and key bar 4 is thus possible in a particularly simple manner, in addition, the space required for the associated movements is extremely low.

Figure 6 shows the formation of a coupling sleeve connection by means of a locking device 10. As such, the pins 12 which serve via a spring 13th connected to each other. Pins 12 such as spring 13 are arranged in a housing 26, which is assigned to the region of the key bar 4, so that the pins 12 engage in the coupling sleeve 3 or holes provided therein. Shown is also the screw connection between the bell 7 and the lower sleeve tube 5d.

A detailed illustration of the latching connection between the coupling sleeve 3 and key bar 4 is shown in FIG. 7. The housing 26 accommodating the two pins 12 with the spring 13 arranged therebetween is associated with the key bar 4, which could also be a key bar extension 4 ' , The pins 12 engage in holes 27 in the coupling sleeve 3, so that a detachable connection is made. To facilitate the pins 12, and their ends 16 are rounded here. Thus, the movement of the locking device 10, so the assembly and disassembly of the locking device 10 is facilitated. The pins 12 have flanges 15 which abut against the inside 14 of the key bar 4, so that they can not be pushed out by the force of the spring 13 through the holes 25 in the key bar 4.

Figure 8 shows the very simplified representation of a housing 26 which is inserted at the lower end of the key bar 4 in this. The pins 12 protrude from the holes in the housing 26 and engage in the holes 8 in the key bar 4 a. The housing 26 is formed corresponding to the inner cross section of the key bar 4, so that it can be inserted from the lower end into this until the pins 12 engage in the bore 8.

A release device 36 for latching connections between individual components of the installation set 1 is shown in FIG. 9. The release device 36 has two legs 37 which are designed to be movable toward each other at their ends 39. Conveniently, such a release device 36 is made of plastic to ensure this flexibility. At the ends 39 of the release device 36 Achsstümpfe 38 are arranged, which are insertable into the bores of the connection components of the installation set 1, so that the therein locking pins in the direction whose longitudinal axis are pushed out of these holes, so that the locking connection is released.

Advantageously, for example, when releasing a key rods / coupling sleeve connection, the coupling sleeve 3 remains in the position clamped by the release device 36, so that these components are very easy to separate from each other or even put together.

A reverse orientation of the detent is shown in FIG 10, wherein the holding elements 21 of the coupling sleeve 3, are assigned via press fit and engage the locking elements connected via the spring 23 with the retaining element 21 in the region of the key bar 4 and the bore 25. This locking occurs in contrast to that described in Figure 6 and Figure 7 as well as in the reverse orientation as soon as the bore 25 and the bore 20 overlap and can be correspondingly simple, for example via a forceps-like tool, as shown in Figure 9 to be solved again.

FIG. 11 shows the connection between sleeve tube 5 and the common structural unit 33 formed by square cap 30 and sliding disc 31. This is particularly solid and engages with its barbs 35 against the latching lugs 34 of the rim cap 33. Accordingly, the locking lugs 34 are arranged small construction and yielding or formed. The assembly 32 is very easy to operate, although the square saver 30 is equipped without reinforcement, because between sliding disk 31 and edge cap 33, only a small separation surface is present and thus hardly friction occurs. The same applies to locking lugs 34 and barbs 35, which are hardly or not at all.

Claims (15)

1. A portable modular fitting (1) for use with underground pipes which, when assembled, comprises a wrench bar (4) terminating at is upper end at a street accessible cap (30, 32) a tube (5) surrounding the wrench bar (4) and a coupling sleeve (3) at the lower end of the wrench bar (4) for engaging a spindle of a pipe slider valve associated with an underground pipe, said sleeve being chosen from a number of sleeves to match with the spindle, wherein the wrench bar (4) or a wrench bar extension (4') releasably connected to the wrench bar (4) is releasably connected to the coupling sleeve (3) with a re-usable latching device (10).
2. A fitting according to claim 1, wherein the latching device (10) is composed of two pins (12) connected by a spring (13) which are arranged and designed to latch automatically into holes (8) on opposite sides (26, 27) of opposed end faces of the coupling sleeve (3).
3. A fitting according to claim 2, wherein the pins (12) are arranged longitudinally displaceably in a casing (26) which is insertable into the wrench bar (4).
4. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the pins (12) have flanges (15) which rest on the interior of the casing (26) under the force of the spring (13).
5. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the wrench bar (4) or a wrench bar extension (4') releaseably connected to the coupling sleeve (3) with a bolt (2), which is to be inserted into the holes (20).
6. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the wrench bar (4) or a wrench bar extension (4') releaseably connected to the coupling sleeve (3) with a screw (19) introduced into holes (8, 20) in the wrench bar (4) or the wrench bar extension (4') and the coupling sleeve (3), the screw (19) being in screw-threaded engagement with the holes (20, 8) in the wrench bar (4) or the wrench bar extension (4').
7. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the screw (19) having a head (11) received in a blind hole (9) in the coupling sleeve (3).
8. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the pins (12) are rounded or bevelled at the ends remote from the flanges (15).
9. A fitting according to claim 1, wherein the latching device (10) is formed from at least one fixing element (21) associated with the coupling sleeve (3) and at least one latching wedge (22) engaging in a hole (20) in the wrench bar (4) or wrench bar extension (4'), the fixing element (21) and the latching wedge (22) being connected by a spring (23).
10. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (21) is connected to the coupling sleeve (3) by an interference fit.
11. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the wrench bar (4) and the wrench bar extension (4') are connected by an adapter (6).
12. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (6) defines a socket (17) corresponding to the wrench bar (4) and/or wrench bar extension (4') and into which the wrench bar (4) and/or the wrench bar extension (4') can be inserted.
13. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (6) and the wrench bar (4) or wrench bar extension (4') are releasably connected to one another preferably by a releasable latch.
14. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims further comprising a separable releasing device (36) with two arms (37) which can be moved toward one another at their ends (39), each arm (37) being associated internally with a stub axle (38) arranged and designed to correspond to the holes (20, 9, 8) in the coupling sleeve (3) the wrench bar (4) and/or the wrench bar extension (4').
15. A fitting according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the tube (5) surrounding the wrench bar (4) is composed of a plurality of telescopically arranged individual tube sections (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and co-operative extension preventing means.

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