GB2269869A

GB2269869A - Pipe connector

Info

Publication number: GB2269869A
Application number: GB9217481A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jyh Snyong Jeon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-08-17
Filing date: 1992-08-17
Publication date: 1994-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2012-08-17
Also published as: GB9217481D0; GB2269869B

Abstract

The connector includes an externally threaded connecting tube 10 having an annular internal flange in the middle. Two pipes 50 are respectively inserted into the opposite ends of the connecting tube 10 and stopped against the annular flange. Two locknuts 20 are respectively threaded onto the connecting tube 10 to squeeze two tapered split rings 30 against the pipes 50 causing them to be locked in place. Two seal rings 60 are squeezed between the connecting tube 10 and the respective rings 30. The latter have perforations 34 for gripping into the pipes 50. <IMAGE>

Description

PIPE CONNECTOR The present invention relates to a structure or pipe connector for connecting pipes together, e.g. pipes used in carrying high pressure liquids, e.g. water A variety of pipe connectors are known and widely in use for connecting pipes together. ' Fig. 4 illustrates a pipe connector according to the prior art which is simply comprised of a sleeve sleeved onto two end-matched pipes. After connection, an adhesive glue is coated over the connecting areas to seal the gaps.

This pipe connecting method is not suitable for connecting water pipes which are used for carrying high pressure water. Fig. 5 illustrates another pipe connector according to the prior art which is generally comprised of two flanges respectively welded to the pipes to be connected, and the flanges are then fastened together by screw bolts and locknuts to connect the pipes together. Because the flanges are fastened to the pipes to be connected through a welding joint, the welded areas may be damaged easily causing a leakage as the pipes carry high pressure water. Fig. 6 illustrates still another pipe connector according to the prior art in which the pipes each have an outer thread on one end connected to each other by a screw nut through a screw joint.

The main disadvantage of the pipe connector of Fig. 6 is that the outer thread on each pipe and the inner thread on the screw nut may be damaged easily, more particularly after long use. Once the outer thread of either pipe or the inner thread of the screw nut is damaged, the connector has to be replaced.

What is therefore desired is a pipe connector which is suitable for use in connecting pipes together for carrying high pressure liquids. It would also be desirable to be able to provide a pipe connector which is easy to assemble and practical for use in water piping repair work.

The present invention provides a pipe connector comprising two locknuts respectively threaded onto a connecting tube at two opposite ends to squeeze two tapered rings against two pipes to be connected, which are inserted through the locknuts into the connecting tube. Preferably the rings are split rings.

Optionally the pipes are abutted ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and stopped against an inward flange on the connecting tube at two opposite ends. Water seal rings are respectively squeezed to deform between the tapered split rings and the connecting tube to seal the gaps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a pipe connector embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional assembly view thereof taken in longitudinal direction; Fig. 3 is a partly sectional view on an enlarged scale showing that a rubber seal ring is squeezed between the connecting tube and a tapered split ring inside a locknut to seal the gap; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a structure of pipe connector according to the prior art; Fig. 5 illustrates another structure of pipe connector according to the prior art; and Fig. 6 illustrates still another structure of pipe connector according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a pipe connector which is constructed according to the present invention and provided for connecting two water pipes 50 together is generally comprised of a connecting tube 10, two locknuts 20, two tapered split rings 30, and two rubber seal rings 60. The connecting tube 10 has outer threads 12 around the outside surface on two opposite ends thereof, and an inward flange 14 around the inside surface thereof on the middle (see Fig. 2). The locknuts 20 are identical, having each an inner thread 22 and a taper hole 24 on the inside on two opposite ends thereof in longitudinal direction. The taper hole 24 is made gradually smaller toward the outside.

The tapered split rings 30 are respectively fitted into the taper holes24 of the respective locknuts20, having each a broken space 32 in longitudinal direction and perforations 34 over the body thereof. The tapered split rings 30 may be respective coated with a sealing glue over the outside surface thereof before use. The rubber seal rings 60 are respectively sleeved on the water pipes 50 inside the locknuts 20 and retained between either end edge 16 of the connecting tube 10 and either tapered split ring 30.

Referring to Fig. 3 and seeing Figs. 1 and 2 again, the tapered split rings 30 are respectively inserted in the respective screw shaft bushing 20 and sleeved on the respective water pipe 50, and the rubber seal rings 60 are respectively sleeved on the respective water pipe 50, and then the locknuts 20 are respectively threaded on the outer threads 12 of the connecting tube 10 at two opposite ends causing the rubber seal rings 60 to be squeezed between either end edge 16 of the connecting tube 10 and the respective tapered split ring 30. When assembled, the water pipes 50 are respectively stopped against the inward flange 14. As the rubber seal rings 60 are squeezed, they are forced to deform, and therefore the gaps between the inside surface of the connecting tube 10 and the outside surface are effectively sealed.As the tapered split rings 30 are made with perforations 34 and coated with a sealing glue, they provide a satisfactory sealing effect and are forced to compress the water pipes 50 for carrying high pressure liquids. When squeezed by the respective locknut 20, the peripheral edge of each perforation 34 on each tapered split ring 30 tightly engages into the outside surface of the respective water pipe 50 in protecting it against high pressure liquids.

Because the tapered split rings 30 are split into a broken ring by a respective broken space 32, they can be expanded or squee7.ed inwards in fitting different sizes of water pipes.

Referring to Fig. 3 again, the locknuts 20 have each a tapered hole 24 and an inner thread 22 on the inside in longitudinal direction; a step is formed at the connecting area between the tapered hole 24 and the inner thread 22 on each locknut 20 tight stopped against a respective step formed on the outside surface of the connecting tube 10 in front of the respective outer thread 12 to primarily seal the gaps. As indicated, the taper hole 24 on each locknut 20 is made gradually smaller toward the outside, therefore the tapered split rings 30 and the rubber seal rings 60 are continuously squeezed with increasing force as the locknuts 20 are threaded onto the connecting tube 10.

The aforesaid arrangement enables the pipe connector to effectively eliminate leaks, and to connect pipes carrying high pressure liquids. The present invention is most suitable for repairing any broken water supply pipes. After cutting off the broken area of a broken water supply pipe, the separated sections of the water supply pipe can be conveniently connected together.

Claims

Claims:

1-. A pipe connector comprising: a connecting tube having external threads on opposite end portions and optionally having an annular internal flange between its ends; two locknuts which are to be threaded onto the respective end portions of connecting tube to connect two pipes, each locknut having an internal thread in an inside end portion and a taper hole in an outside end portion in the longitudinal direction, the hole tapering towards the outside, a pipe end being inserted through the respective locknut into the connecting tube and optionally being stopped against the internal flange; two tapered rings which are to be sleeved on the respective pipes and fitted into the respective taper holes of the respective locknuts; and seal rings which are to be sleeved on the respective pipes and squeezed between the connecting tube and the respective tapered rings.

2. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the tapered rings are split rings.

3. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each tapered ring has a plurality of perforations.

4. A pipe connector as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each tapered ring is coated, at least externally, with a sealing glue.

5. A pipe connector as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each seal ring has a circular cross section.

6. A pipe connector substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.