GB2235512A - Multiple pipe coupling with locking cams - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved multiple pipe or hose coupling (10) for connecting a plurality of hose or pipe members (16, 18) located in separate plates (12; 14, 22) is described. The coupling (10) includes fixed plate (12), a movable plate combination (14, 22) and two shafts (36) journalled in the fixed plate (12). Each shaft (36) is movable between a locking position and a release position and has a respective projection portion (46) for engaging complementary integral engaging portions (48) of the plate (14) as the shafts (36) are rotated from the release position to the locking position, to draw the plates (12; 14, 22) together and secure the plurality of hose or pipe members (16, 18) together. <IMAGE>

Description

AN IMPROVED MULTIPLE PIPE COUPLING The present invention relates to an improved multiple pipe or hose coupling and particularly, but not exclusively, to an improved pipe or hose coupling for connecting a plurality of hose or pipe members located in complementary plates.

A multiple hose or pipe coupling has a plurality of coupling elements each of which has a male part and a female part. All of the male parts are mounted on a first, fixed plate and all of the female parts are mounted on a second, movable plate combination. The first and second plates can be coupled together so that respective male and female parts of respective coupling elements connect to ensure continuity of each pipe or hose used in the coupling.

Such a type of coupling is disclosed in U.K. Patent No. 1368039 in the name FIRMA CARL KURT WALTHER. In this coupling pivotal handles are connected to the movable plate and when the movable plate is placed over the fixed plate to align the respective parts of each coupling element the handles are actuated and a cam locking mechanism ensures that each coupling element in the apparatus coupling is locked simultaneously. The movable plate consists of a combination of spaced second and third plates; the second plate carries the female parts and the third plate carries spring-loaded element locking sleeves and the plate and sleeves are movable relative to the second plate. Each sleeve is normally urged towards its locking position by the spring.Because each element is separately locked the multiple pipe c#oupling can withstand a considerable degree of strain.Accordingly, before the fixed and movable plates are uncoupled, much effort is needed to separate the second and third plates to unlock each element. The locking sleeve of each element must be moved relative to the respective female members against the force of the springs.

In the aforementioned prior art coupling this problem is overcome by providing a lever mechanism which is actuated to force the third plate away from the second plate to simultaneously release all the locking sleeves of the respective female socket members. When the locking sleeves are moved to the release position due to the movement of the third plate, the first fixed plate and movable plate combination are separated due to the action of spring-loaded self-closing valves disposed within both the male and female members, the operation of which is well known. The lever mechanism is provided by two pairs of lever arms which define hoop shaped handles at each side of the second plate. The lever arms are pivotably connected to shafts which are journalled in the second plate.The shafts have cam surfaces which act to force the third plate away from the second plate when the lever arms are moved toward a release position.

The spring force of the self-closing valves offers a considerable resistance to the re-engagement of each element. The friction of sealing rings inserted between the male and female members also offers resistance to the re-engagement of each element and therefore a large degree of effort is required to the re-engage the multiple coupling. The prior art coupling has several guide pins disposed on the fixed plate. These pins are received in bores in the movable plate when the plates are drawn together. The shafts disposed in the second plate have further cam portions which abut corresponding recesses in these guide pins and which urge the plates together towards the locking position when the shafts are rotated towards the locking position.The movement of these cam portions causes the movable plate to move relative to the guide pins (and to fixed plate) and so overcome the re-engagement resistance of the self-closing valves and lock the movable plate to the fixed plate by locking all the locking elements simultaneously.

The movable plate combination of the prior art coupling is relatively heavy, this is a particular problem when the coupling is disposed on the sea bed and the movable plate is to be accurately positioned by a diver.

Such couplings also include guide pins which make the coupling more expensive to manufacture because more machining is required. There are often problems in aligning these pins relative to the corresponding recesses and the movable plate. This can prevent locking of the coupling.

It is desirable to provide a multiple pipe coupling which does not comprise such guide pins. It is also desirable to provide a multiple pipe coupling which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and in which the movable plate is relatively lightweight.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multiple pipe coupling which overcomes at least one of the disadvantages associated with existing multiple pipe couplings.

According to the present invention there is provided a multiple pipe coupling comprising a first plate means carrying a plurality of male coupling elements, second plate means carrying the same number of complementary female coupling elements, at least one shaft journalled in said first plate, said shaft having handle means for moving said shaft between a locking position and a release position, said shaft comprising at least one engaging portion for engaging a complementary engaging portion on said second plate means so that when said shaft is rotated towards said locking position from said release position, said plate engaging portion engages said second plate and causes said first and said second plates means to be drawn together so that each of said complementary male and female coupling elements may be secured together.

Preferably said complementary engaging portion is integral with the second plate means and arranged to be engaged when said shaft is rotated towards said locking position.

Conveniently the first plate means has a recess for receiving the integral engaging portion. Preferably, also said integral engaging portion and recess are formed so that said second plate means is only coupled to the first plate in a correct alignment and orientation.

Conveniently there are provided two shafts journalled in said first plate means, one of said shafts at each side of said first plate means, said first plate means defining a recess between said shafts for receiving said second plate means therein. Preferably each of said shafts comprises a plate engaging portion.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in combination with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a part-sectional view of an embodiment of an improved multiple pipe coupling in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan, partly broken away view of the multiple coupling shown in Fig. 1.

Reference is firstly made to Fig. 1 of the drawings which shows a multiple pipe coupling generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The coupling comprises a first fixed plate 12 and a second plate 14 which is movable relative to the fixed plate 12 between a locking and unlocked position as will be described later in detail.

Fig. 1 shows the plates in the locked position. The fixed plate 12 has a number of openings for receiving male connectors 16 and the second plate 14 has a number of openings for receiving complementary female connectors 18. One pair of male and female connectors 16, 18 provide one coupling element, as shown, but it is understood that all such elements operate in the manner to be described and that one only such element is described by way of example.

The female connector 18 is held in place relative to movable plate 14 by retaining rings 19. A spring loaded locking sleeve 20 is held axially in position relative to the female member by a third plate 22 to which the sleeve 20 is secured by retaining rings 24. The locking sleeve 20 is urged into the locking position shown in Fig. 1 by a spring 26. In this position a plurality of locking balls 28 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 1) are circumferentially disposed in a corresponding recess 30 of male connector 16 thereby securing the male connector 16 to the female connector 18.

The handles 32 each comprise a pair of lever arms 34 which are pivotably connected to respective shafts 36 which are journalled in the fixed plate 12. Each shaft 36 comprises a cam portion 38 which abuts a projection portion 40 of third plate 22. Only one of the shafts 36 shown in Fig. 1 shows the cam portion 36 although it is understood that both shafts 36 comprise such a cam portion. When handles 32 are rotated in the direction of arrows 42 towards the release position, the movement of the cam portions 38, causes third plate 22 to move upwards. The upward movement of plate 22 causes each locking sleeve 20 to move upwards relative to its respective female member 18 thereby retracting the balls 28 thus allowing male and female connectors 16 and 18 to be separated.

The male and female socket connectors 16 and 18 each comprise a spring loaded self-closing valve 44 of a known type. When the third plate 22 is moved away from movable plate 14, the simultaneous action of the self-closing valves 44 causes the fixed plate 12 and the movable plate 14 to separate.

The spring thrust of the self closing valves 44 offers considerable resistance to the re-engagement of each element of the multiple coupling. To overcome this problem the shaft 36 comprises a projection portion 46 which serves to push the movable plate 14 towards the fixed plate 12 against the force of the self closing valve springs as will be described.

The movable plate 14 includes an integral engaging portion or lug 48 which is shaped to be received in a corresponding recess 50 in fixed plate 12. To re-engage the coupling 10 movable plate 14 is placed above fixed plate 12 in a position where lug 48 is received in recess 50. In this position the handles 32 are in the release position hereinbefore described.

In the locking operation when the handles are in the horizontal (unlocked) position, the free half of the coupling may be engaged, until the cams 38 are contacted by the cam follower surfaces 40. The plates 14 and 22, are at minimum separation i.e. locked as the locking handles 42 are rotated. The cams separate plate 22 from 14 as the shaft engagement portion 46 forces lug 48 down.

At approximately 45 , the plates 14 and 22 are at maximum separation (unlocked). As the handles are further rotated, plate 14 will be forced towards plate 12, the cam shape preferably being designed such that plate separation does not increase, until correct engagement of the male and female halves of each element is achieved. At this point the locking balls 28 will engage into the recess 30 allowing the locking sleeves and plate 22 to be released down to their locked position.

The projection portion 46 of shaft 36 is of segmental cross-section and is of such a shape that when the handles 32 are in the release position, lugs 48 may pass the shaft 36 and movable plate 14 may be moved away from fixed plate 12.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 of the drawings which is a plan, partly broken away view of the multiple coupling 10. One of the shafts 36 are shown together with an arresting mechanism 52 for locking the handle 32 in either the release or locking positions hereinbefore described. Also shown in Fig. 2 are the cam portions 38, recess 50 and lug 48.

Various modifications may be made to the embodiment hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the present invention. The shafts may comprise projection portions which engage co-operating recesses in the movable plate to force the movable plate towards the fixed plate.

The shafts may be provided with a tooth which may be received in a corresponding tooth gap in the movable plate or lug so that when the handles are moved into the locked or release positions, the plates are drawn together or separated respectively. Alternatively the tooth may be formed on the plate or lug and the tooth gap provided on the shaft.

Guide pins may be provided to help guide the movable plate into the desired position relative to the fixed plate. Such guide pins would be formed as part of one of the plates and would be received in corresponding bores in the other plate. Alternatively, the lugs and corresponding recesses may be formed in such a shape that accurate alignment of the plates may be simply achieved.

Furthermore, the lugs and recesses may be shaped to allow the movable plate to be coupled to the fixed plate in only the correct orientation ensuring the correct coupling of each element. The use of guide pins and shaped lugs and recesses may be combined to allow the correct alignment of the plates to be achieved in a relatively straightforward manner.

The locking sleeve springs may be omitted and replaced by other springs which urge the movable and fixed plates together in a manner which reduces the bending movement effect induced.by the spring elements on the movable plate. Lead-ins may be provided at tops of recesses 50 or on underside of lugs 48 or on both to facilitate engagement of the two plates 12 and 14. Although retaining rings are described on the drawing, location of the male or female half of the element or the locking sleeve may be achieved by any method allowing a limited amount of radial and axial displacement of at least one half of the element to allow engagement of each element without excessively tight tolerances. Locking springs 26 in each element may be deleted and replaced with external adjustable compression or extension springs disposed in such a way as to have plates 14 and 22 sprung together biased towards the closed position. The intention of this is to reduce the bending movement on the two plates by having the external springs positioned closer to the cam axes. The force applied by the external springs would be equivalent to the total force applied by all the springs 26 for a given coupling. The male halves of the electrical and fibre optic elements may be located in the female half of the coupling. Self sealing poppet valves may not necessarily be installed in all or any of the elements. The locking balls 28 may be replaced by dog type devices fulfilling the same function.

The ball or dog type locking devices may be omitted, the locking devices for the plates are constituted by the lugs and shafts and are independent of the displacement of the locking sleeves.

An advantage of the present invention is that the coupling may be simply de-coupled and re-engaged with minimal effort. The deflection of the handles from the release position to the locking position overcomes the resistance of the elements to re-engagement.

A further advantage is that the movable plate is relatively lightweight because the handles and shafts are disposed in the fixed plate. This is particularly advantageous when the free half of the coupling is being positioned by a diver. Locking, polarising and alignment may all be incorporated on one feature.

The mass of the plate 22 may be reduced by using external locking springs and readily adjusted to suit each variation in coupling design (i.e. different numbers of elements can easily be catered for). Ease of manufacture is improved. Guide pins with recesses for correctly aligning and locking the plates are not necessary, although such alignment pins may be provided. Such pins, however, are not used to help draw the fixed and movable plates together during the re-engagement of the coupling.

The coupling may be used as a multiple coupling for hose or pipe connections or for electrical/ fibre optic connections.

Claims (10)

1. A multiple pipe coupling comprising a first plate means carrying a plurality of male coupling elements, second movable plate means carrying the same number of complementary female coupling elements, at least one shaft journalled in said first plate, said shaft having handle means for moving said shaft between a locking position and a release position, said shaft comprising at least one engaging portion for engaging a complementary engaging portion on said second plate means so that when said shaft is rotated towards said locking position from said release position, said second plate engaging portion engages said second plate and causes said first and said second plates to be drawn together so that each of said complementary male and female coupling elements may be secured together.

2. A multiple pipe coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein said complementary engaging portion is integral with the second plate means and arranged to be engaged when said shaft is rotated towards said locking position.

3. A multiple pipe coupling as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first plate means has a recess for receiving the integral engaging portion

4. A multiple pipe coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said integral engaging portion and recess are formed so that said second plate means is only coupled to the first plate in a correct alignment and orientation.

5. A multiple pipe coupling as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are provided two shafts journalled in said first plate means one of said shafts at each side of said first plate means, said first plate means defining a recess between said shafts for receiving said second plate means therein.

6. A multiple pipe coupling as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said second plate means comprises a second plate which carries said comaplementary female coupling elements and a third plate movable relative to said second plate and which carries a plurality of spring-loaded locking sleeves for locking said coupling elements to said respective male coupling elements when said handles are in said locking position.

7. A multiple pipe coupling as claimed in claim 6 wherein each shaft includes a cam portion which abuts a projection portion of said third plate, the arrangement being such that when the handles are rotated towards the release position, said cam portions moves said third plate away from said second plate and releases said locking means to allow said male and female parts to separate.

8. A multiple pipe coupling as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said shafts include a projection portion for pushing said second plate toward said first plate.

9. A multiple pipe coupling as claimed in claim 8 wherein said projection portion is of segmental cross-section.

10. A multiple pipe coupling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.