GB2287999A

GB2287999A - A component for a fluid system

Info

Publication number: GB2287999A
Application number: GB9506445A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arturo Barberis
Original assignee: G A M Srl AUTOMATIC IND S SY
Current assignee: G A M Srl AUTOMATIC IND S SY
Priority date: 1994-03-30
Filing date: 1995-03-29
Publication date: 1995-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2015-03-29
Also published as: ITMI940604A0; FR2718213B1; IT1273385B; IL113117A; CA2145804A1; IL113117A0; FR2718213A1; GB2287999B; DE19511537A1; ITMI940604A1; GB9506445D0

Description

z 2287999 1 A COMPONENT FOR A WATER OR PNEUMATIC SYSTEM OR FOR A FLUID

SYSTEM IN GENERAL The present invention relates to a component for a water or pneumatic system or for a fluid system in general, for example, a tap, a line connector, an elbow connector, or a three-way or multiple connector, having a body and a coupling for coupling with a pipe of the system.

In water, pneumatic and fluid systems in general, there is a need to replace components which are distributed, according to need, along pipes which usually extend close to walls and often alongside other pipes.

At the moment, the replacement of these components takes a long time since it is necessary to disassemble some of the piping of the system in order to be able to remove the component and often also to permit rotation thereof which is otherwise prevented by the presence of the wall or of the other adjacent pipes.

This disadvantage is particularly serious if one considers that components are often replaced not because they have been shown to be damaged but within the framework of periodic preventative maintenance operations.

The problem upon which the present invention is based is that of devising a component of the type specified which has structural and functional characteristics such as to overcome the aforementioned disadvantage.

This problem is solved by a component of the type 1 2 specified, characterized in that the coupling comprises a cap of a predetermined height which is slid onto a sleeve projecting from the body and having a predetermined length no less than the height.

Further characteristics and the advantages of the component according to the present invention will become clear from the description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given below by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which structurally and functionally identical elements are marked by the same reference numerals:

Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are cross sections of components according to the invention and, in particular, two taps, two line connectors, and an elbow connector, Figure 6 shows a detail of the component according to the invention, on an enlarged scale, Figure 7 shows, with the parts separated, four components having bodies with internal threads and, in particular, a tap A, an elbow connector B, a three-way connector C, and a four-way connector D, with couplings according to four variants of the invention, and Figure 8 shows, with the parts separated, four components having bodies with external threads and, in particular, a tap E, an elbow F, a three- way connector G and a fourway connector H, with couplings according to four variants of the invention.

With reference to the appended drawings, a component for 1 3 a water or pneumatic system or for a fluid system in general is generally indicated 1. More particularly, in the embodiment shown, it is a water tap with a 3/4 inch through duct.

Naturally, the component may be selected from numerous examples such as taps, gate valves, line connectors, elbow connectors, three-way connectors, four-way connectors, pumps, and so on.

The component 1 comprises a body 2, a first coupling 3 and a second coupling 4, these couplings being intended to be coupled with a pipe of the system, not shown in the drawing.

Each coupling 3 or 4 comprises a cap 5 which has a predetermined height H, for example, of 20 mm, and which is slid onto a sleeve 6 projecting from the body 2 and having a predetermined length L which is no less than the height H and, in the embodiment shown, is 23 mm.

The cap 5 has a skirt which is hexagonal externally in order to be operated by a spanner and is threaded internally in order to be screwed onto an external thread on the pipe, as well as a collar 8 in which there is a recess 9 for a seal 10 engaged sealingly on the sleeve 6.

The sleeve 6 is formed by a portion of a thin pipe of thickness s. In the embodiment shown, the thickness s selected is between 0.5 and 1.5 mm.

At a free end 11, the sleeve 6 comprises a flange 12 which is constituted by two layers 13 and 14 of the piece 4 of tube which are bent onto one another, the layer 14 being on the outside of the free end 11. On the same side as the layer 14, the flange 12 has a rim 15 which, with the portion 14, defines a seat 16 for housing a seal 16a shown in chain line in the drawing.

In the tap of Figure 1, each sleeve 6 comprises, at an end 17 opposite the free end 11, an extension 18 having a groove 18a which is defined by opposed shoulders 19 and 20, and in which a collar 21 formed integrally with the body 2 is engaged. A seal 2a housed in the body 2 and disposed close to the shoulder 20 ensures fluidtightness.

Figure 2 shows a component 22 constituted by a line connector having a body 23 formed by a piece of thin pipe integral with the sleeves 6 of the couplings 3 and 4.

Figure 3 shows a component 24 constituted by an elbow connector having a body 25. Each sleeve 6 of the couplings 3 and 4 comprises, at the end 17, an extension 26 having an annular enlarged portion 26a engaged in an annular recess 27 in the body 25, a seal 25a provided between the extension 26 and the body 25 ensuring fluidtightness.

Figure 4 shows a component 28, particularly a line connector, comprising a body 29 and a coupling 30 in which the sleeve 6 is movable axially relative to the body 29.

In particular, the sleeve 6 comprises a coaxial cylindrical extension 31 which is in telescopic engagement in a cylindrical seat 32 formed directly in the body 29. A shoulder 31a formed between the sleeve 6 and the cylindrical extension 31 comprises two juxtaposed layers, like the flange 12.

A seal 29a is housed in an annular recess 29b in the body 29 to ensure fluidtightness.

Figure 5 shows a component 33, particularly a tap, comprising a body 34 and a coupling 35 suitable for housing a rubber pipe of predetermined thickness, not shown.

In particular, the coupling 35 comprises an inner conical sleeve 36 and an outer conical sleeve 37 which is fitted onto the inner sleeve 36 to def ine a space having a thickness less than the thickness of the rubber pipe.

The inner conical sleeve 36 has an extension 38 with a groove 38a defined by opposed shoulders 39 and 40.

A collar 41 formed integrally with the body 34 is engaged in the groove 38a, seals 34a and 34b being provided to ensure fluidtightness.

The outer conical sleeve 37 comprises an extension 42 in which there is a groove 43, defined by opposed shoulders 44 and 45, for restraining a collar 46 of a cap 47 screwed onto an outer thread of the body 34.

it should be noted that the outer conical sleeve 37 preferably has a short cylindrical portion 37a about 3 to 10 mm long at the smaller- diameter end, the larger values being used for pipes made of softer rubber.

6 Figure 7 shows, with the parts separated, couplings of components each having a body with an external thread 49 and a cylindrical seat 50 with a recess 51 for a seal 52.

In Figure 7, 1), the sleeve 6 comprises an extension 53 in which a groove 53a is defined by opposed shoulders 54 and 55, the sleeve also having a cylindrical lead-in portion 56 for sealingly engaging the cylindrical seat so.

A collar 57 of a cap 58 which is intended to be screwed onto the thread 49 is restrained in the groove 53a.

In Figure 7, 2), the sleeve 6 is associated with the body, as already described with reference to the component of Figure 4, to give rise to a coupling which is movable axially relative to the body.

In Figure 7, 3), the inner conical sleeve 36 has a cylindrical lead-in extension 59 for sealingly engaging the cylindrical seat 50.

In Figure 7, 4), the sleeve 6 is at one end 60 of a curved portion 61 of a thin pipe constituting an elbow connector and is integral with this portion. At an opposite end 62 of the portion 61 there is a groove 63 defined by opposed shoulders 64 and 65 and a cylindrical lead-in portion 66, a collar 67 of a cap 68 being restrained in the groove 63.

Figure 8 shows, with the parts separated, couplings of components each having a body with an internal thread 69.

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Claims

1. A component (1) for a water or pneumatic system or for a fluid system in general, for example, a tap, a line connector, an elbow connector, or a three-way or multiple connector, having a body (2) and a coupling (3, 4) for coupling with a pipe of the system, characterized in that the coupling (3, 4) comprises a cap (5) of a predetermined height (H), which is slid onto a sleeve (6) projecting from the body (2) and having a predetermined length (L) no less than the height (H).

2. A component (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve (6) is formed by a portion of a thin pipe and comprises a flange (12) produced by deformation of the pipe at a free end (11).

3. A component (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the flange (12) is constituted by two layers (13, 14) of the pipe which are bent against one another.

4. A component (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the flange (12)- has a rim (15) produced by deformation of the pipe, defining a seat (16) for housing a seal (16a).

5. A component (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a second coupling (4) opposite the first coupling (3) and substantially identical to the first coupling (3).

6. A component (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve (6) of at least one of the couplings (3, 4) comprises, at an opposite end, shoulders (19, 20) produced by deformation of the pipe and defining a groove (18) in which a collar (21) formed integrally with the body (2) is engaged.

7. A component (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve (6) of at least of one of the couplings (3, 4) comprises, at an opposite end, shoulders (72, 73) produced by deformation of the pipe and defining a groove in which an externally threaded ring (70) screwed into an internal thread (69) of the body (2) is restrained.

8. A component (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve (6) of at least one of the couplings (3, 4) comprises, at an opposite end, shoulders (54, 55) produced by deformation of the pipe and defining a groove (53a) in which a collar (57) of a cap (58) screwed onto an external thread (49) of the body (2) is rotatably engaged.

9. A component (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve (6) of at least one of the couplings (3, 4) comprises, at an opposite end, a cylindrical extension (53) in telescopic and sealing engagement in a cylindrical seat (50) of the body (2).

10. A component (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve (6) of at least one of the couplings (3, 4) comprises, at an opposite end, a cylindrical extension (31) in telescopic and sealing engagement with a cylindrical seat (76) of an externally threaded nipple (77) screwed into an internal thread (69) of the body (2).

11. A component (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a second coupling (35) opposite the first, for a rubber pipe.

fl I 11

12. A component (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the coupling (35) for a rubber pipe comprises an inner conical sleeve (36) and an outer conical sleeve (37) fitted on the inner conical sleeve (36) and defining Stherewith a space having a thickness less than the thickness of the rubber pipe.

13. A component (1) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the outer conical sleeve (37) has a short locylindrical portion (37a) at the smaller-diameter end.

14. A component (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a second coupling disposed opposite the first, substantially like an elbow.

15. A component according to Claim 14, characterized in that the coupling substantially like an elbow comprises a curved portion (61) produced by deformation of a thin pipe.

16. A component for a water or pneumatic system or for a fluid system in general substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A coupling arrangement f or connecting two tubular members in a water or pneumatic system or a fluid system in general substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of connecting two tubular components together substantially as hereinbef ore described with ref erence to the accompanying drawings.