GB2080462A - Pipe connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipe connector for receiving a connecting piece 9 comprises a body portion 1 having a bore 3 therethrough provided with an annular recess 4 formed at one end thereof terminating in a frusto-conical surface 5. The exterior of the body is formed with a threaded portion 2. A sealing ring 6 is located within the recess and a sleeve 7 having a bore 8 therethrough and an exterior surface formed with a first diameter portion 10 and a second diameter portion 11 larger than the first, the two diameters thereby forming a shoulder 12. A union nut 14 having an inwardly extending flange 15 engages with the shoulder to move the sleeve into engagement with the ring 6 when the nut is screwed onto the body portion 1, which ring under compression is distorted radially inwardly of the annular recess by reason of the frusto- conical surface to enter into the waisted portion of the connecting piece behind its enlarged head. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gas connection This invention relates to a pipe connector particularly but not solely for use in gas applications.

Pressure regulators used on butane cylinders are commonly provided with a connecting piece (outlet) of the kind comprising a tube having an enlarged end, thus forming a waisted portion between the body of the regulator or other component and the enlarged end. The waisted portion may be provided with a number of raised annular ribs. The outlet tube is thereby adapted to receive a rubber feed pipe of an appliance such as a cooking stove, the end of the tube being pushed over the enlarged end and secured by a clip such as a "Jubilee" clip against the annular ribs. Such a method of connection is not entirely satisfactory in enclosed spaces as in caravans or boats.

Furthermore, the connector is not suitable for a sheathed tube.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a connector suitable for use with the connecting piece of the kind described, giving a tightly sealed connection and which is easily and rapidly used.

According to the invention we provide a connector for receiving a connecting piece of the kind described, comprising a body portion having a bore therethrough provided with an annular recess formed at one end thereof terminating in a frusto-conical surface, the exterior of the body being formed with a threaded portion, a sealing ring located within said recess, a sleeve having a bore therethrough and an exterior surface formed with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion larger than the first, the two diameters thereby forming a shoulder, and a union nut having an inwardly extending flange engageable with said shoulder to move the sleeve into engagement with said ring when the nut is screwed onto the body portion, which ring under compression is distorted radially inwardly of the annular recess by reason of the frusto-conical surface to enter into the waisted portion of the connection piece behind the enlarged head.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a longitudinal cross-section of the connector effecting connection between a gas regulator and a flexible sheathed tube.

A body portion 1 having an exterior thread 2 is provided with a bore 3 formed at one end with a recess 4 terminating in a frusto-conical end wall 5.

Seated within the recess 4 is an O-ring 6 (of elastomeric material) which when the connector is in use is deformed in a manner to be described.

A sleeve 7 is provided with a constant diameter bore 8 of a dimension which will give a clearance for a connecting piece 9 of a regulator as described above. The sleeve is formed at its exterior with a first diameter portion 10 and a second diameter portion 1 1 larger than the first, the two diameters therefore forming a shoulder 12 and flange 13 which engages the 0 ring and enters with a sliding fit the recess 4. A union nut 14 serves to engage by way of its flange 15 the shoulder 12.

In use the union nut 14 is merely loosened, not removed, and the connector applied to the connecting piece 9. On tightening the nut 14 its flange 15 presses the flange 13 against the 0 ring which deforms by its reaction against the frustoconical surface 5 so as to enter the waisted region of the connecting piece behind the rib nearest the enlarged end and effects a tight seal.

1. A connector for receiving a connecting piece of the kind described, comprising a body portion having a bore therethrough provided with an annular recess formed at one end thereof terminating in an abutment surface, the exterior of the body being formed with a threaded portion, a sealing ring located within said recess, an annular compression member providing a second abutment surface, and a union nut having an inwardly extending flange engageable with said compression member to move the member into engagement with said ring when the nut is screwed onto the body portion, which ring under compression is distorted radially inwardly of the annular recess by reason of the abutment surfaces to enter into the waisted portion of the connecting piece behind the enlarged head.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutment surface of said body portion is in the form of a frusto-conical surface.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, including an extension member for coaxial mounting with the connecting piece and acting as a guide to the axial positioning of the connector prior to compression of the sealing ring.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein said extension member comprises a sleeve extending from the annular compression member and having an external diameter smaller than that of said compression member so as to form a shoulder therewith, the flange of the union nut engaging with the shoulder when the nut is screwed onto the body portion.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sleeve has a bore of constant cross-sectional area.

6. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing ring comprises an O-ring of elastomeric material.

7. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bore of said body portion includes a part having a reduced cross-sectional area.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Gas connection This invention relates to a pipe connector particularly but not solely for use in gas applications. Pressure regulators used on butane cylinders are commonly provided with a connecting piece (outlet) of the kind comprising a tube having an enlarged end, thus forming a waisted portion between the body of the regulator or other component and the enlarged end. The waisted portion may be provided with a number of raised annular ribs. The outlet tube is thereby adapted to receive a rubber feed pipe of an appliance such as a cooking stove, the end of the tube being pushed over the enlarged end and secured by a clip such as a "Jubilee" clip against the annular ribs. Such a method of connection is not entirely satisfactory in enclosed spaces as in caravans or boats. Furthermore, the connector is not suitable for a sheathed tube. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a connector suitable for use with the connecting piece of the kind described, giving a tightly sealed connection and which is easily and rapidly used. According to the invention we provide a connector for receiving a connecting piece of the kind described, comprising a body portion having a bore therethrough provided with an annular recess formed at one end thereof terminating in a frusto-conical surface, the exterior of the body being formed with a threaded portion, a sealing ring located within said recess, a sleeve having a bore therethrough and an exterior surface formed with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion larger than the first, the two diameters thereby forming a shoulder, and a union nut having an inwardly extending flange engageable with said shoulder to move the sleeve into engagement with said ring when the nut is screwed onto the body portion, which ring under compression is distorted radially inwardly of the annular recess by reason of the frusto-conical surface to enter into the waisted portion of the connection piece behind the enlarged head. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a longitudinal cross-section of the connector effecting connection between a gas regulator and a flexible sheathed tube. A body portion 1 having an exterior thread 2 is provided with a bore 3 formed at one end with a recess 4 terminating in a frusto-conical end wall 5. Seated within the recess 4 is an O-ring 6 (of elastomeric material) which when the connector is in use is deformed in a manner to be described. A sleeve 7 is provided with a constant diameter bore 8 of a dimension which will give a clearance for a connecting piece 9 of a regulator as described above. The sleeve is formed at its exterior with a first diameter portion 10 and a second diameter portion 1 1 larger than the first, the two diameters therefore forming a shoulder 12 and flange 13 which engages the 0 ring and enters with a sliding fit the recess 4. A union nut 14 serves to engage by way of its flange 15 the shoulder 12. In use the union nut 14 is merely loosened, not removed, and the connector applied to the connecting piece 9. On tightening the nut 14 its flange 15 presses the flange 13 against the 0 ring which deforms by its reaction against the frustoconical surface 5 so as to enter the waisted region of the connecting piece behind the rib nearest the enlarged end and effects a tight seal. CLAIMS

1. A connector for receiving a connecting piece of the kind described, comprising a body portion having a bore therethrough provided with an annular recess formed at one end thereof terminating in an abutment surface, the exterior of the body being formed with a threaded portion, a sealing ring located within said recess, an annular compression member providing a second abutment surface, and a union nut having an inwardly extending flange engageable with said compression member to move the member into engagement with said ring when the nut is screwed onto the body portion, which ring under compression is distorted radially inwardly of the annular recess by reason of the abutment surfaces to enter into the waisted portion of the connecting piece behind the enlarged head.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutment surface of said body portion is in the form of a frusto-conical surface.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, including an extension member for coaxial mounting with the connecting piece and acting as a guide to the axial positioning of the connector prior to compression of the sealing ring.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein said extension member comprises a sleeve extending from the annular compression member and having an external diameter smaller than that of said compression member so as to form a shoulder therewith, the flange of the union nut engaging with the shoulder when the nut is screwed onto the body portion.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sleeve has a bore of constant cross-sectional area.

6. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing ring comprises an O-ring of elastomeric material.

7. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bore of said body portion includes a part having a reduced cross-sectional area.

8. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, including a sheathed tube affixed to the body portion, the bore of said tube cooperating with the bore of said body portion.

9. A connector substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.