GB2335017A

GB2335017A - Coupling fitting on a hose

Info

Publication number: GB2335017A
Application number: GB9903356A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Diane Gibson
Original assignee: Smiths Group PLC
Current assignee: Smiths Group PLC
Priority date: 1998-03-03
Filing date: 1999-02-16
Publication date: 1999-09-08
Also published as: GB9903356D0

Abstract

A flexible hose 1 has a fitting 2,3 on at least one end, the or each fitting 2,3 having a plurality of radially extending flexible fins 21-23 adapted to make sealing contact with an interior surface 40 of a cooperating coupling 4. Preferably, the hose 1 is corrugated 10, includes a helical reinforcing metal wire (11, figure 2), and is axially compressible. A fitting 2,3 is preferably moulded onto each end of the hose 1, and preferably includes three fins 21-23 and a substantially rigid radially extending flange 20. The end fittings 2,3 are inserted into the bore 40 of the cooperating coupling 4 with the fins 21-23 being deformed and sealing in the bore 40, the rigid flange 20 abutting an end of the coupling 4.

Description

1 HOSE ASSEMBLIES This invention relates to hose assemblies.

2335017 Hose assemblies can be provided with various forms of end fitting to enable connection with a coupling or the like. The assembly may have a moulded-on end fitting made of a compressible, rubber-like material, which is slipped over the outside of the coupling and is retained in place by means of a worm-screw strap, or Jubilee clip. Such an assembly is sold by Flexible Ducting Limited of Glasgow under the trade mark Plastiflex. The problem with such an arrangement is that a tool is needed to fasten the clip. This may be a particular problem where there is only limited access. It can also be a problem to have to make connection to the outside of a coupling since this means that the coupling must project sufficiently to receive the hose fitting. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hose assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a hose assembly having a flexible hose and an end fitting on at least one end, the end fitting being of a resilient material and having a plurality of radiallyextending flexible fins adapted to make sealing contact with an interior surface of a cooperating coupling.

The flexible hose is preferably corrugated and may include a helical reinforcing member, such as a metal wire. The flexible hose is preferably compressible axially. The end fitting may have a substantially rigid radial ly-extending flange, the firis being located between the flange and the free end of the fitting, and the flange being adapted to abut an end 2 of the cooperating coupling. The end fitting preferably has three fins spaced from one another along the fitting. The end fitting is preferably moulded about an end of the flexible hose. The end fitting may be of a thermoplastic rubber. The hose assembly may include an end fitting at both ends.

A hose assembly according to the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of the assembly; and Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation view of one end of the assembly to a larger scale.

The hose assembly comprises a flexible hose 1 and end fittings or cuffs 2 and 3 at opposite ends, which are adapted to fit within respective couplings, such as the coupling 4.

The hose 1 may be of any conventional construction but, in the present example, has a wall 10 of a flexible plastics material, such as PVC, which is supported by a helical metal wire reinforcing element 11 extending within the wall. The wire 11 has a pitch of about 15mm and the hose 1 has an internal diameter of about 89nun. The wire 11 gives the hose 1 an externally-corrugated and internally-corrugated profile, the hose being compressible axially, like a concertina, against the resilience of the wire.

3 The end fittings 2 and 3 are identical, so only the right-hand fitting 2 will be described in detail. The fitting 2 is generally cylindrical and is of a thermoplastic rubber moulded onto the hose 1. The internal diameter of the end fitting 2 is substantially the same as that of the wire 11 and the end fitting extends along the length of the hose by a distance of about 40mm. The external diameter of the fitting 2 is about 93mm, apart from a flange 20 and three radially-extending fins 21 to 23 of diameter 102mm. The flange 20 is formed at the rear, inner end of the fitting 2 and is about 4mm thick, so that it is relatively stiff. The fins 21 to 23) are equally spaced from one another between the flange 20 and the forward, free end of the fitting 2 and are only about I mm thick, so that they are relatively flexible.

The coupling 4 is relatively rigid and has an internal bore 40 of diameter less than that of the fins 21 to 23 and more than that of the main part of the fitting, that is, between 102mm and 93)mm. In this way, the hose assembly can be coupled to the coupling 4 simply by pushing the fitting 2 into the bore 40 until the flange 20 abuts the end of the coupling. The fins 21 to 2') will be flattened, at least in part, making an effective labyrinth seal with the bore 40 of the coupling 4. The resilient nature of the fins 21 to 23 also provides a secure retention of the hose assembly with the coupling 4.

The arrangement of the present invention enables a quick, secure connection to be made by a hose assembly without the need for any additional components or tools. The connection is made to the inside of a coupling, enabling the coupling to be flush with a surface. The connection can be made and broken easily where the coupling has only restricted access.

it will be appreciated that the hose assembly may only have a fitting at one end or may have a different form of fitting at the opposite end. The hose assembly can be used in a variety of applications, such as for conveying gas, liquid or other fluent materials, such as powders and slurries.

Claims

A hose assembly having a flexible hose and an end fitting on at least one end, wherein the end fitting is of a resilient material and has a plurality of radially-extending flexible fins adapted to make sealing contact with an interior surface of a cooperating coupling.
2. A hose assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the flexible hose is corrugated.
3. A hose assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible hose includes a helical reinforcing member.
4. A hose assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the reinforcing member is a metal wire.
5. A hose assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible hose is compressible axially.

A hose assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end fitting has a substantially rigid radially-extending flange, wherein the fins are located between the flange and the free end of the fitting, and wherein the flange is adapted to abut an end of the cooperating coupling.
6
7. A hose assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end fitting has three fins spaced from one another along the fitting.
8.

A hose assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end fitting is moulded about an end of the flexible hose.
9. A hose assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end fitting is of a thermoplastic rubber.
10. A hose assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including an end fitting at both ends.
11. A hose assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
12. Any novel and inventive feature as hereinbefore described.