FR2641359A1 - Clip for a device for instantly connecting a fluid pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

The clip has an overall cylindrical configuration with a base part in the form of a ring 11 and flexible jaws 14, the ends of which define an annular bearing surface 14b and internally have a circular anchoring ridge 14d. According to the invention, the clip is obtained from a sheet metal blank including a circular central part extended by first and second tabs with radial axes which are evenly spaced, the said blank being subjected to stamping operations. The clip of the invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and its mechanical properties are beneficial. Moreover, it is possible to associate an elastomeric block with it by overmoulding, forming a push ring and sealing gasket.

Description

PLIERS FOR INSTANT CONNECTION DEVICE
FLUID CONDUIT
The present invention relates to metal clamps used in devices for instantaneous connection of a fluid conduit, in particular of a semi-rigid plastic tube.

 Such a device is described in French patent application No. 2 012 796 in the name of the present applicant. Its clamp has a generally cylindrical configuration, with a ring-shaped base portion, extended on one side by flexible jaws whose ends define an annular bearing offset outwardly and internally have a circular edge with a sharp angle.

 Currently, the clamps are made by bar turning, and the flexibility of the jaws is obtained by the choice of material, generally brass, combined with the presence in the jaws of a part of lesser thickness.

 An object of the present invention to provide a clamp obtained by another method, so as to lower the cost and improve performance, including the flexibility of the jaws.

 According to the invention, the clamp is obtained from a sheet metal sheet having a circular central part, extended at the periphery by identical first legs of radial axes, regularly spaced apart and whose ends are indented in a circular arc , and second identical legs of radial axes, regularly disposed between the first legs and clearly shorter and narrower than the latter, said blank being subjected to stamping operations in order, on the one hand, to produce the part in ring shape of the clamp in the central part of the blank and, on the other hand, the jaws from said first legs by curving them transversely and by profiling them longitudinally so as to obtain a substantially rectilinear part or tongue, a bent part for form said span, and a terminal part inclined towards the center, the internal edge of which forms said circular edge, said second legs As for forming around the clamp pins directed outwards.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the explanations which follow and of the accompanying drawings, among which
Fig. 1 is a top view of a blank from which a pliers according to the invention is obtained,
Fig. 2 is an end view of a clamp obtained with the blank of FIG. 1,
Fig. 3 is an axial section view of an instant fitting provided with the clamp of FIG. 2,
Fig. 4 is an axial half-section of a clamp according to the invention, with which is associated a seal.

 Fig. 5 is an axial section view of an instant fitting provided with the clamp of FIG. 4.

 The blank F shown in FIG. 1 is preferably cut from a sheet of stainless steel sheet. I1 has a circular part 1 and, from this, four main legs 2, identical and regularly spaced, and four secondary legs 3, identical and regularly arranged between the main legs 2. The lateral sides of each leg 2 form two segments 4a and 4b. The segments 4a are divergent towards the outside and the segments 4b are convergent, so that each tab 2 has a zone of greater width near its end 5 which is cut into an arc of a circle.

 The secondary legs 3 are much shorter and less wide than the legs 2.

 The blank is transformed by stamping so as to obtain the clamp 10 appearing in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The clamp 10 has a base portion 11 in the form of a ring, the outer edge 12 of which is slightly tightened inwards, FIG. 3. The internal edge 13 of the base 11 is extended by jaws 14 formed from the legs 2, and curved transversely. The jaws 14 have a practically rectilinear part or tongue 14a, an angled part in S, substantially at the level of their zone of greatest width, and forming an annular bearing 14b offset towards the outside, then a terminal part 14c directed obliquely towards the inside. The combined effect of the curve of the jaws 14 and the divergent shape of their tongues 14a divides them into a flexible part near the base 11 and a much more rigid part towards their end. This is cut at a right angle, so as to form an internal circular hooking edge 14d. By the inclination of the end portion 14d, one can determine that of the external lip of the edge 14d.

 Between the jaws 14, projecting outwards, substantially at a right angle, lugs 15, obtained from the legs 3.

 In Fig. 3, the clamp 10 is shown in a fitting 16. It is mounted inside a socket 17, the latter being fitted into the orifice of the fitting 16.

The socket 17 has internally a bore for receiving the lugs 15 and the base 11 of the pliers, a part constricted at the level of the tongues 14a of the jaws, and a divergent zone forming a conical bearing 17a on which the bent part 14b is supported. jaws 14. In accordance with the teaching of patent application No. 2 012 796, the angle at the center formed by the outer lip of the edge 14d can be chosen to be equal to approximately four times that of the conical bearing 17a of the socket 17, giving the end portion 14c of the jaws an adequate obliquity.

The connection of a tube 18 in the connector 16 is done by simple insertion beyond the joint 19,
Fig. 3, followed by pulling outwards. Under the effect of this, the clamp 10 is driven with the tube 18, and the jaws 14 tighten, due to the progression of the bent portions 14b on the conical surface 17a of the sleeve 17. The edges 14d penetrate into the material of the tube 18 and ensure a solid attachment.

 The clamp 10 can be pushed inside the connector 16, to be loosened, by means of a pusher ring 20. The ring 20 has a U-shaped section, so as to cover the outer edge of the sleeve 17. It therefore forms an outer ring 21 and an inner ring 22 penetrating into the sleeve 17. The ring 21 has internally an internal sliding surface of the ring 20 on the flanged edge 23 of the sleeve 17, the sliding being limited towards the outside by an internal edge 24. The internal periphery of the ring 20 follows the shape of the base 11 of the clamp 10, covering its constricted edge 12, the edge of the ring 22 being in contact with the lugs 15. Note that those their main function is to limit the longitudinal sliding of the clamp 10 inside the connector 16 when the tube 18 is pushed in, abutting on the shoulder 25, in order to avoid the jaws coming into contact. 14 with the wall 17b opposite the span 17a in the dou ille 17, which would have the effect of tightening them.

 With the clamp 10 'appearing in Figs. 4 and 5, is associated to form an assembly in one piece a block 20 'of elastomer. The block 20 'is obtained by overmolding on the clamp 10' which is identical in all respects to the clamp 10 previously described, and it completely coats the part 11 'of the clamp, as well as the pins 15' which are used for anchoring molded material. The block 20 ′ has three functions: it limits by abutment of its internal edge on the shoulder 25 ′ the progression of the clamp towards the inside of the fitting during the insertion of a tube 18 ′; it serves as a push ring to loosen the clamp; and it establishes the seal between the wall of a tube 18 ′ inserted in the fitting and the internal wall of the socket 17 ′. This latter function makes it possible to simplify the internal geometry of the fitting 16 ′ because the seal 19 shown at Fig. 3 has become superfluous, only a seal 26 'being necessary between the sleeve 17' and the wall of the bore of the connector 16 'in which it is inserted.

 In practice, to facilitate the machining work, the blanks from which the pliers 10 or 10 'are obtained can be precut in sheet metal sheets so as to be all joined together by metal strips corresponding in width and in angular position at the legs 3 from which the lugs 15 are formed, and which are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 by the mixed-fine lines in the extension of the sides of the legs 3.

 The pliers according to the invention is very attractive at cost, due to the simplicity of its manufacture and the material used. On the other hand, the fact of being able to easily determine its mechanical characteristics flexibility and rigidity of the jaws, by judicious cutting of the legs 4 (by playing on their overall width and / or the more or less pronounced divergence of the segments 4a), is also an important advantage, as well as the fact of being able to combine in one piece and by a simple overmolding operation the clamp and an elastomer block forming at the same time seal and push ring.

Claims (5)

 1) Pliers for instantaneous connection device for fluid conduit, in particular semi-rigid tube, having a generally cylindrical configuration with a base part (11) in the form of a ring extended by one side by flexible jaws (14) of which the ends define an annular bearing offset towards the outside (14b) and internally have a circular edge (14d), characterized in that it is obtained from a sheet metal blank comprising an extended circular central part (1) at the periphery by first identical legs (2) of radial axes, regularly spaced apart and whose ends (5) are notched in an arc of a circle, and second identical legs (3) of radial axes, regularly disposed between the first legs (2) and clearly shorter and narrower than these, said blank being subjected to stamping operations in order, on the one hand, to produce the ring-shaped part (11) d e the clamp in the central part of the blank and, on the other hand, the jaws (14) from the lugs (2) by curving them transversely and by profiling them longitudinally so as to obtain a substantially rectilinear part or tongue (14a) , a bent part to form the bearing (14b) and an end part (14c) inclined towards the center, the internal edge of which forms the edge (14d), said second legs being intended to form around the pliers of the lugs (15 ) directed outwards.  2) forceps according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral sides (4) of each tab (2) form two segments (4a, 4b) from the central part of the blank, the segments (4a) being diverging towards the exterior, so that the tabs (2) have a wider area near their end (5), corresponding to the bent part (14b) of the jaws (14), so as to form a flexible part in the latter from the base (11) of the clamp and a much more rigid part towards their end.  3) Pliers according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer edge (12) of its part (11) in the form of a ring is tightened inwards.  4) Pliers according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that there are associated with it a push ring (20) and a socket (17) for receiving in the connector (16), the push ring conforming to its internal circumference the shape of the base part (11) of the clamp and comprising a sliding means (21) on the flanged edge (23) of the sleeve (17) and a means (24) for limiting sliding towards the outside.  5) Pliers according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is associated with it by overmolding around its part (11 ') and its lugs (15') an elastomer block (20 ') forming push-button ring and gasket between a tube (18 ') inserted in the fitting (16') and the sleeve (17 ') of the latter.