GB2400424A

GB2400424A - A spigot and socket connection for connecting hoses in-line

Info

Publication number: GB2400424A
Application number: GB0307693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Ellwood Purchon; Andrew James Heaton
Original assignee: SHAND ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: SHAND ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-03
Filing date: 2003-04-03
Publication date: 2004-10-13
Also published as: GB0307693D0

Abstract

A connector for connecting two lengths of hose in-line comprises a male spigot (1, fig 1) having a first end including attachment means 6 for attaching the male spigot (1, fig 1) to a first length of hose and a second end comprising a cylindrical portion 14 having a cylindrical outer surface 142 and a female socket (2, fig 1) having a first end including attachment means 6 for attaching the female socket (2, fig 1) to a second length of hose and a second end having a cylindrical inner surface 141, wherein the cylindrical inner surface 141 of the female socket (2, fig 1) is adapted to receive the cylindrical portion 14 of the male spigot (1, fig 1). At least one of the cylindrical inner 141 or outer surfaces 142 comprise at least one annular groove 26 houses an annular sealing member (4, fig 4) arranged to form a seal between the spigot (1, fig 1) and the socket (2, fig 1). Locking means, such as a slidable sleeve 5, adapted to engage both the male spigot (1, fig 1) and the female socket (2, fig 1) are included to prevent separation of the coupling. The annular sealing member (4, fig 4) may be pressure energised or spring energised and a tubular shroud may be present to enclose the coupling members. Test port 27 is also included in the female socket (2, fig 1).

Description

HOSE CONNECTOR

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to connectors for hoses or pipes, and in particular, although not ex elusively, to connectors for connecting lengths of high-pressure hoses.

Background to the Invention

High-pressure flexible hoses typically consist of a reinforcing core of fibres or wires en cased in a resilient material such as rubber or plastics. Such hoses are typically stored on reels, and the length of hose that can be stored on a particular reel is determined by the hose diameter and the size of the reel. When the length of hose stored on a reel is not sufficient for a particular application, the hose must be joined to another. This is typically done using metal connectors having two parts. Each part has attachment means at one end for attaching the part to the end of the respective length of hose, and at the other end an annular flange extending radially outwards. The attachment means typically comprises an annular socket for receiving the hose end, the walls of the socket being swayed after the hose end has been inserted so as to grip and form a fluid-tight seal to the hose end. The annular flanges are provided with an array of axial holes which, to connect the two halves together, are aligned and then fixing bolts are inserted.

There are numerous disadvantages associated with the hose connectors of this type.

Firstly, for each connector a number of bolts and corresponding nuts must be tightened to secure the flanges together and thus form a seal. This is clearly time consuming. Fur- thermore, correct sealing between the two halves of the connector depends on the fixing bolts and nuts being tightened to the correct torque. This can be difficult to guage, as dirt or other contamination of the screw threads may result in a torque setting apparently be- ing reached, whereas inadequate compressional force is, in fact, being exerted by the bolt and nut on the mating surface of the flanges.

A further disadvantage is that the externally projecting flanges can cause handling dimcul- ties, and can snag when the hose is being laid. Caterpillar arrangements are often em- ployed to grip and move hoses during laying, and the projecting flanges interfere with the grip of the caterpillar surface on the hose. Furthermore, if the hose has to be conveyed over an edge or some irregular surface, the flanges on the connectors can snag.

A further disadvantage with the traditional connectors is that once the connected hose has been laid, the external flanges provide edges on which other items can snag. This can be a particular problem where the hose has been laid in a marine application, for exam- ple, on the seabed.

Yet another problem with the previous connectors is associated with testing of the seal between the two halves. The seal between the flanges is formed by axially clamping seal ing surfaces together. Once the connector has been assembled, and tightened, then to test its integrity fluid at pressure must be supplied to the bore of the hoses. The need to provide such a test fluid is clearly an added complication and inconvenience. Even if no leak at the connector is detected, the test fluid must then be removed.

Embodiments of the present invention therefore aim to provide hose connectors which overcome, at least partially, one or more of the problems associated with the prior art.

It will be understood that hoses are generally relatively more flexible, and pipes are rela- tively less flexible, but a clear dividing line between the two is difficult to define; however, reference herein to "pipe" assume some degree of flexibility, and in particular some resilience of the surfaces thereof. References hereinafter to "hose" will therefore encompass "pipe". - 3

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector for connecting two lengths of hose (which term may include pipe) in-line, the connector being as defined by claim 1. It will be appreciated that a difference between the connector of the present invention and the prior art connectors is that the seal is formed between radially opposed surfaces and does not rely on any clamping action, whereas in the prior art the seal was formed between axially opposed surfaces which had to be clamped together.

The features of the connector according to the present invention enable it to be provided in slim-line form, so overcoming the handling and snagging problems associated with the previous arrangements where externally extending (i.e. radially extending) flanges were used.

Advantageously, the cylindrical inner or outer surface may comprise a plurality of annular grooves, each groove housing a respective sealing member. Thus, the plurality of sealing members may provide a series of axially spaced seals between the male and female parts.

This can further improve the integrity of the connector.

Advantageously, the socket may comprise a test port extending from the cylindrical inner surface to an outer surface of the socket, the test port being arranged such that when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket (i.e. fully received in the socket) the port is in communication with a space between adjacent seals. In embodiments where a plurality of grooves are provided in the cylindrical inner surface of the socket, the test port may thus have an opening at the inner surface, between two grooves.

This test port arrangement is particularly advantageous because once the connector is as- sembled, with the cylindrical portion received in the socket, the integrity of the seals can be tested by simply applying fluid at pressure to the test port. If adjacent seals are cor rectly formed then no leakage of test fluid through them will result. Thus, the integrity of the sealing between the male and female parts can be tested without having to fill the bores of the connector with test fluid. This arrangement greatly facilitates the testing of connector integrity.

Conveniently, the cylindrical portion may comprise an annular end surface having a first internal diameter and the socket may comprise an annular shoulder extending inwardly from a base end of the cylindrical inner surface and having a second internal diameter, the annular end surface abutting the annular shoulder when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket (i.e. fully received).

Preferably the first and second internal diameters are substantially equal. This provides a smooth internal surface to the assembled connector, with no significant flow-disrupting edge where the end of the cylindrical portion and base of the socket adjoin.

Conveniently, the socket may comprise a cylindrical outer surface having a first external diameter and an annular end surface, and the male part may comprise an annular shoul- der having a second external diameter and extending outwardly from a base end of the cylindrical portion. The annular end surface of the socket may thus abut the annular shoulder of the male part when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket.

Preferably the first and second external diameters are substantially equal, again to provide a smooth, step-free join between the male and female parts.

Advantageously, the locking means may comprise a sleeve. The sleeve may be arranged to enclose, at least partially, the socket and received cylindrical portion (i.e. it may enclose the assembled "joint").

The sleeve may be slideably mounted on either the male or female part. - 5

Advantageously the sleeve may comprise a first annular shoulder, extending inwardly from an inner surface of the sleeve, the part on which the sleeve is mounted may com- prise a second annular shoulder extending outwardly, and the first and second annular shoulders may be arranged to cooperate to prevent the sleeve sliding off the second end of the relevant part.

The sleeve may be slideable to a locking position, in which the first annular shoulder abuts the second.

Conveniently, the first annular shoulder may be provided proximate one end of the 1 0 sleeve.

The sleeve may comprise at least one threaded bore, extending from an outer surface of the sleeve to an inner surface, and may further comprise screw means (for example a set- screw) arranged in the threaded bore and turnable so as to project from the inner surface of the sleeve to engage an outer surface of the male part or female part. Thus, the lock- ing engagement between the sleeve and male and female parts may be achieved by abut- ment with an annual shoulder at one end of the sleeve, and by means of one or more locking screws arranged to extend inwardly from the sleeve at an opposite end.

Advantageously, the male or female part may comprise a recess in its outer surface to re- ceive the screw means (i.e. locking screw). This recess may be a blind hole, or a circumferential groove, for example, each of which cooperates with the locking screw means to inhibit relative axial movement between the sleeve and relevant male or female part.

Preferably the sleeve is substantially cylindrical, having a substantially cylindrical outer sur- face.

The attachment means of each of the male and female parts may have a respective cylin- drical outer surface, the diameters of those cylindrical outer surfaces of the attachment means and the cylindrical outer surface of the sleeve being substantially equal. This pro- vides a low profile, snag-free hose connection.

Preferably, the sleeve is mounted on one of the male and female parts and the other part comprises index means provided on an outer surface, the index means being arranged so as to be obscureable by the sleeve only when the cylindrical portion is received (i.e. fully received) in the socket. The index means is thus arranged so as to remain visible if the cylindrical portion is only partially inserted in the socket.

In embodiments where the sleeve is slideably mounted on one of the male or female parts, the index means may be arranged so as to be obscured only when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket and the sleeve is in the locking position (i.e. the sleeve has been slid axially as far in one direction as the abutting annular shoulders permit).

Conveniently, the index means may comprise a first annular mark around the relevant part (i.e. a circumferential mark, which may be a line, groove, or other such indicating device).

Preferably, the connector comprises a second annular mark adjacent the first, the second annular mark being arranged so as to be unobscureable by the sleeve. Thus, this ar- rangement enables a visual check of the correct assembly of the connector to be easily made. The checking person will know that the joint is correctly assembled if only one of the two marks is visible.

Preferably, each annular sealing member is resilient. The, or each, annular sealing mem- ber may be pressure energised, and additionally, or alternatively, each annular sealing member may be spring energised.

Conveniently, each attachment means may comprise a respective annular socket for re- ceiving an end of a length of hose. Each annular socket may comprise inwardly directed circumferential ribs on an outer wall and outwardly directly circumferential ribs on an in- ner wall. The attachment means may thus be arranged so as to be swageable onto an end of a length of hose.

Preferably the connector further comprises at least one packing member having an inner surface adapted to engage an outer surface of the male or female part, and a substantially smooth outer surface. Two such packing members may be provided, assemblable to- gether to form a packing collar around the male and/or female part.

In embodiments employing a sleeve, the packing member or members may be adapted to fill axial spaces on either side of the sleeve, between the sleeve and the first ends of the male and female parts.

In such arrangements, there may be a first packing member or first packing assembly on one side of the sleeve, and a second packing member or second packing assembly on the other axial side of the sleeve.

Preferably, the outer surfaces of the packing members are arranged to form a smooth transition to the outer surface of the sleeve.

Conveniently, the packing members may comprise circumferential grooves to receive tie means, such as tie wraps to attach the packing members to the male and/or female parts.

Preferably, the connector may further comprise a flexible, tubular shroud adapted to en- close the male and female parts, the locking means, and the packing members, when as sembled (i.e. when the two "halves" of the connector have been pushed together, the seal has been made, and the locking means has locked the two parts in place).

The tubular shroud may have sufficient length so as to extend beyond the ends of the at- tachment means, and so partially enclose portions of the lengths of hose. - 8

Preferably the shroud comprises shrinkable material, such as heatshrinkable material, so it can be positioned over the assembled joint/connector and then shrunk to provide a covering, which protects the joint from ingress of contaminants, dirt, and/or moisture.

A second aspect of the invention provides a hose assembly providing a plurality of lengths of hose, adjacent lengths of hose being connected by a connector in accordance with the first aspect.

It will be appreciated that in certain preferred embodiments, such as those described with reference to the accompanying figures, the various cylindrical portions and surfaces have circular, or substantially circular, perimeters (cross sections). However, the term "cylin- drical" used in the claims has broader meaning, and is not intended to limit the claims by requiring that the cylindrical surfaces are necessarily of circular cross section. Instead, where "cylindrical" is used in the claims it is intended to encompass any surface formed by a line moving round a closed plane curve at a fixed angle to it. Thus, in alternative embodiment, rather than having a circular cross section, the cylindrical portion and/or sur- faces may have some other cross section, for example elliptical. A circular cross section is, however, the preferred form.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the ac companying drawings, of which: Fig 1 is a cross section of part of a connector embodying the invention, and with the sleeve in an "unlocked" position; Fig 2 is a cross section of the same part of the embodiment as shown in fig 1, but with the sleeve in the "locking" position; Fig 3 is an enlarged view of the central part of the cross section of fig 1; fig 4 is an enlarged view of the central part of the cross section shown in fig 2; Fig 5 is a view, partly in cross section, of the inner portion of a female part of a connector embodying the invention; Fig 6 is a cross section of part of a connector embodying the invention, with its sleeve in the"unlocked" position; Fig 7 is a cross section of the same part of the embodiment as shown in fig 6, but with the sleeve in the "locking" position; Fig 8 is an enlarged view of the central part of the cross section shown in fig 6; Fig 9 is an enlarged view of the central part of the cross section shown in fig 7; Fig 10 is a view, partly in cross section, of a portion of a connector assembly in accor dance with a further embodiment; Fig 11 is an enlarged view of the central portion of the connector shown in fig 10; Fig 12 is a view, partly in cross section, of a connector embodying the invention and con necting two lengths of hose in-line; and Fig 13 is an enlarged view of the central part of fig 12.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to figs 1 and 3, a first embodiment of the invention comprises a male part 1 and a female part 2. The male part 1 is fabricated from two components, an inner por tion 81 and an outer portion 82. The two portions are welded together. At a first end of the male part 1 there is provided attachment means 6 in the form of an annular socket 61 provided between walls of the inner and outer portions 81, 82. This annular socket is for receiving an end for a hose. The outer portion 82 forms the outer wall of the socket, and is provided with a series of inwardly directed circumferential ribs 821. The inner portion 81 of the male part 1 forms the inner wall of the socket 61, and comprises a plurality of outwardly directed circumferential ribs 811. The inwardly directed ribs and outwardly directed ribs in this embodiment are in the form of teeth, which are arranged to grip the hose end when the walls of the socket 61 are swayed onto the end of the hose. An aper ture 60 is provided towards the base of the annular socket 61 to enable air to escape dur ing the swaying process. The male part 1 extends from the first end along a longitudinal 1 0 axis A. The male part 1 comprises a bore 11 running along its length. At a second end of the male part 1 there is provided a generally cylindrical portion 14, and a sleeve 5 is slide ably mounted on the male part 1.

The female part 2 has a first end at which is provided attachment means 6 substantially the same in form as that on the first end of the male part 1. The female part comprises an inner portion 91 and an outer portion 92 which are welded together. Between them they define an annular socket 61 with inwardly and outwardly directed circumferential ribs 811, 821 provided on its surfaces. The female part 2 extends along a longitudinal axis A, and comprises a bore 21 running along its length. At a second end of the female part 2 there is provided a generally cylindrical part 24 defining a socket for receiving the cylindrical portion 14 of the male part.

Fig 3 shows the male part 1 fully inserted into the socket in the female part 2. In other words, this figure shows the cylindrical portion 14 of the male part fully inserted in the socket. The cylindrical portion 14 has a cylindrical inner surface 141 defining part of the wall of the bore 11, and a generally cylindrical outer surface 142. Referring also to fig 4, at a forward end of the cylindrical portion of 14 there is an annular end surface 143 which is in close abutment with an annular shoulder 245 extending radially inwards from the generally cylindrical inner surface 25 of the socket.

At a base of the cylindrical portion 14 an annular flange 155 extends radially outwards, defining a forward facing annular shoulder 154 and a rear-facing annular shoulder 153.

When the two parts of the connector are correctly assembled, an annular end surface 254 of the cylindrical socket member 24 abuts the annular shoulder 154. The rear facing shoulder 153 acts to constrain sliding movement of the sleeve 5. The sleeve 5 comprises a generally hollow cylindrical portion 51, and at one end of that cylindrical portion 51 a flange 52 extends radially inwards, defining a forward facing annular shoulder 53. The sleeve 5 has a limited degree of sliding movement along the male part, but its maximum forward sliding extent is limited when the shoulder 53 abuts the shoulder 153. When - 1 1 this abutment occurs, the sleeve 5 is in its "locked" or "locking" position, as shown in figs 2 and 4.

The cylindrical inner surface 25 of the sockets 24 is provided with two annular grooves or channels 26, spaced apart axially, running generally parallel to one another, and each ex- tending completely around the circumference of the internal surface of the socket 24. A test port 27 is provided in the socket 24, and extends from the inner surface 25 to an outer surface 241 of the socket member 24. The test port is arranged between the annu- lar grooves 26. Within each annular groove 26 there is housed or seated a respective annular sealing member 4. In this example, the sealing members 4 are formed from resil- ient material and are both pressure and spring energised. Thus, even when there is no fluid at pressure provided within the bores 11 and 21 of the connector parts, the spring means incorporated in the sealing members 4 urges them into sealing engagement with the socket (engaging the base and/or side walls of the annular grooves) and the cylindrical outer surface 142 of the cylindrical portion 14 of the male part 1. Thus, the annular seal ing members 4 form two axially spaced ring-shaped seals between the male and female parts. The test port communicates with a space (albeit of small volume) between the two seals. This enables the integrity of the seals to be tested by applying fluid at pressure to the test port without having to fill the bores of the connector parts with fluid and before locking the male and female parts together. After the testing of the seals has taken place, the test port may be plugged by suitable means. In the embodiment shown in figs 1 to 4 the test port is exposed, and hence available for use, when the sleeve is slid back in the non-locking position of figs 1 and 3. When the sleeve is in the locking position, as shown in figs 2 and 4, it encloses the test port 27. In fig 4, the plugging means is indicated by reference number 271. As mentioned above, one end of the sleeve 5 comprises the in- wardly directed flange 52. At the opposite, forward end of the sleeve there is provided a threaded bore 54 and a set screw 55 mounted within it. The outer surface 241 of the socket 24 of the female part 2 is provided with a recess 242 in the form of a circumferen- tial groove for receiving the set screw 5. As shown in fig 4, when the male part is fully inserted in the socket of the female part, sliding the sleeve 5 into the locking position - 12 brings the set screw 55 into alignment with the recess 242. The outer surface 241 of the socket 24 is further provided with first and second indicating grooves 243, 244, each of which extends around a circumference of the outer surface. The first index mark 243 is arranged so that it is obscured when the male part is fully inserted in the socket of the female part, and the sleeve is fully slid forward to the locking position. In this position, only the second index mark 244 remains visible. Thus, an operator can immediately see, by checking that only one mark is visible, that the joint has been correctly made.

It will be appreciated that in the embodiment shown in figs 14, when the cylindrical por tion 14 of the male part is fully inserted in the socket in the female part the bores 11, 21 of the male and female parts are in alignment, with their longitudinal axes coincident, and the abutment of the annular end surface 143 of the cylindrical portion 14 against the an nular shoulder 245 at the base of the socket yields a substantially smooth, continuous in ternal surface to the resultant bore of the assembled connector, avoiding flow-disrupting (i.e. turbulence generating) steps, edges or shoulders.

Referring now to fig 5, this shows the inner portion 91 of the female part 2 of a further embodiment. This embodiment is very similar to that shown in figs 1-4, except for the fact that no test port is provided between the annular sealing member seating grooves 26.

Accordingly, the same reference numerals are used to denote features of the apparatus of fig 5 which correspond to those in the embodiment shown in figs 1-4. The lower half of fig 5 shows the outer surface of the inner portion 91 of the female part 2, and the upper half of the figure (i.e. above the position of the longitudinal axis A) shows the portion 91 in cross section. As can be seen, the markings 243 and 244 take the form of circumfer ential grooves, and the recess 242 for receiving the set screw is a somewhat wider, deeper annular groove. The inner surface 25 of the generally cylindrical end portion 24 of the inner portion 91 is generally cylindrical, but flares radially outward slightly at its mouth to facilitate insertion of the cylindrical portion of the male part, and flares radially inwards at its base, to form a close fit around the correspondingly tapered end of the cy lindrical portion 14 of the male part. In this embodiment, the first end 22 of the female - 13 part 2 is provided with a series of outwardly extending circumferential ribs 811 in the form of teeth pointing towards the second end 23. The tooth closest to the extreme first end is relatively rounded, and the teeth become progressively sharper towards the second end 23. The teeth on the outer part 92 of the female part of this embodiment are con figured in a similar manner. This advantageous tooth configuration is described in more detail in GB23727813A.

Figs 6-9 show cross sectional views of the upper half of a further connector embodying the invention. This embodiment is similar to that shown in figs 1-4, and the same refer ence numerals are used to denote corresponding technical features. In the embodiment of figs 6-9, the cylindrical socket 24 at the second end of the female part 2 again has a generally cylindrical inner surface in which two circumferential grooves 26 are provided.

In use, these grooves 26 house resilient annular sealing members, although these sealing members are not shown in the figure. A test port 27 is again arranged between the axial positions of the seals, but this time it is arranged towards one of the annular grooves 26, rather than being spaced approximately midway between them. The outer surface 241 of the cylindrical part 24 is again provided with a recess 242 for receiving a grub screw mounted in one end of the sleeve 5, but in this embodiment the recess 242 is ar ranged forward of the test port 27, but also between the positions of the annular grooves 26. When the cylindrical end portion 14 of the male part 1 is received in the cylindrical socket 24 and the sleeve 5 is slid forward into the locking position, in this embodiment the test port 27 is still accessible. Thus, the integrity of the seals within the connector can be checked even when the male and female parts are locked together. A single index line 243, which extends circumferentially around the outer surface 241, is provided in this embodiment, and the index line is only obscured from view when the two parts are cor rectly and fully assembled, with the sleeve in the locking position, as shown in fig 9. Thus, the person assembling the connector need only check that the index line 243 is no longer visible to be sure that the assembly is correct. 14

Figs 10 and 11 show part of a further connector embodying the invention. Again, fea tures which correspond to those of previous embodiments are designated by the refer ence numerals. Fig 10 shows the male part 1 and part of the female part of the connec tor assembled together and extending along a common longitudinal axis A. The upper half of the figure (i.e. above the axis A) shows the connector cross section, whilst the lower half shows the external surface. The male part 1 has a first end which comprises a toothed inner part 81 and a toothed outer part 82 which together may be swayed to grip the end of a hose. The outer portion 82 has a generally smooth, cylindrical outer surface 821. In this embodiment, the external diameter of the sleeve 5 is slightly less than the external diameter of this cylindrical outer surface 821. Thus, the components of the con nector which provide the seal between the male and female parts and which lock those parts together do not protrude radially outwardly from the outer surfaces 821 of the at tachment means. Thus, in contrast to prior art arrangements, the connector has no ra dially extending flanges to complicate handling and cause snagging.

The outer portion 82 of the male part 1 is welded to the inner portion 81 and the weld seam is denoted by reference numeral 800. Similarly, a further weld seam 900 connects the outer portion 92 and inner portion 91 of the female part 2. The connector comprises a sleeve 5 which includes a generally cylindrical portion 51 having a generally cylindrical outer surface 502 on which is provided a knurled pattern 500. Towards one end of the sleeve 5 there is provided an array of holes 501 for engagement by a c-spanner. Towards the other end of the sleeve 5 there is provided a threaded bore 54 to receive a screw for engagement with an outer surface241 of the female part 2. In contrast to previously de scribed embodiments, in the embodiment shown in fig 11 the annular grooves 26 are provided in the outer cylindrical surface 142 of the cylindrical portion 14 of the male part 1. Three such annular grooves 26 are provided, evenly spaced apart in the axial direction and each one extending around a circumference of the cylindrical portion 14. A respec tive resilient, pressure and spring energised sealing member 4 is seated in each annular groove, and forms a ring-seal between the cylindrical portion 14 and the wall 24 of the socket in which the cylindrical portion 14 is received. The male part and female part are - 1 5 adapted such that when the male part is correctly inserted in the socket the bores 11, 21 of the two parts are in alignment, and form a substantially continuous, smooth common bore with no step from one part to the other.

Figs 12 and 13 show a further embodiment which comprises the male part, female part and sleeve assembly of figs 10 and 11. However, the embodiment of figs 12 and 13 addi- tionally comprises packing or filler members 701, 702 arranged on either side of the sleeve 5 in the locking position, these packing members having internal surfaces engaging the external surface of the male and female parts, the packing members substantially filling the annular spaces between the axial ends of the sleeve 5 and the outer portions 82 and 92 of the male and female parts. Furthermore, the packing members 701, 702 have sub- stantially smooth outer surfaces which are arranged to be coincident with the generally cylindrical outer surface of the sleeve 5 to provide an overall relatively smooth surface over the portion of the connector housing the sealing means. Each packing or filler mem her 701, 702 has a circumferential groove in its outer surface, that groove accommodat ing a tie wrap 703 to hold the packing member in position. The male and female parts 1, 2 are shown attached to respective ends of two lengths of hose. Each hose has a cylindri cal outer surface 800, and comprises an inner layer 803 of resilient material, an outer layer 801 of resilient material, and a reinforcing layer 802 sandwiched in between. The attachment means of each of the male and female parts has been swayed on to the end of the respective length of hose to form a fluid-tight seal. Each hose has a corresponding bore 804 which communicates with the aligned bores 11, 21 of the male and female parts. The connector assembly further comprises a tubular shroud 700 which has been shrunk over the locked connector assembly. The shroud 700 has a length greater than the combined length of the male and female parts when interlocked, and so extends be yond the first ends of the male and female parts to engage portions of the outer surface 800 of the hoses. The portions 710 of the shroud thus form seals over the connector assembly, to the hoses, and the shroud thus prevents ingress of water, dirt and other con taminants to the sealed connector assembly. It will be appreciated that the packing mem hers 701 and 702 ensure that the shrink fitted shroud 700 does not have to accommo - 1 6 date any sharp edges or abrupt shoulders. A variety of different materials may be used for the packing pieces 701, 702, and in certain preferred embodiments expanded polystyrene or foam material may be used. Before the tubular shroud is placed over the other components of the connector assembly, that assembly may be greased so that if the connector has to be taken apart at some later time, the shroud can simply be removed and the remaining components are easily separable.

It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, simple o-rings may be used as the an- nular sealing members. However, for connectors which are to provide sealing at high pressures, pressure and spring energised sealing members are preferable. Such sealing members are well known in the field of hydraulics, and are available in a wide variety of configurations and geometries. Annular sealing members suitable for use in embodiments of the invention can be selected from the wide, known range.

Claims

Claims 1. A connector for connecting two lengths of hose in-line, the

connector comprising a male part and a female part, wherein the male part extends along a longitu dinal axis, and comprises: a bore; a first end, comprising attachment means for attaching the male part to an end of a first length of hose such that the bore of the hose is in communication with the bore of the male part; and a second end, comprising a cylindrical portion around the bore and having a cylin drical outer surface; wherein the female part extends along a longitudinal axis, and comprises a bore, a first end, comprising attachment means for attaching the female part to an end of a sec ond length of hose such that the bore of the hose is in communication with the bore of the female part; and a second end, comprising a socket having a cylindrical inner surface and adapted to receive the cylindrical portion of the male part; said cylindrical inner and outer surfaces facing each other and the bores of the male and female parts being in communication with each other when the cylindrical por tion is received in the socket, and wherein at least one of said cylindrical inner and outer surfaces comprises an annular groove, and the connector further comprises: an annuar sealing member seated in said groove and arranged to form a seal around the cylindrical portion, between the cylindrical portion and the socket when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket; and locking means adapted to engage the male part and the female part when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket to prevent separation of the cylindrical portion from the socket.
2. A connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said cylin drical inner and outer surfaces comprises a plurality of said annular grooves, the connec - 1 8 tor comprising a plurality of said annular sealing members, each sealing member being seated in a respective one of said grooves to form a respective seal.
3. A connector in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cylindrical outer sur- face comprises three said annular grooves.
4. A connector in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cylindrical inner sur- face comprises two said annular grooves.
5. A connector in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the socket comprises a test port extending from the cylindrical inner surface to an outer sur face of the socket, the test port being arranged such that when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket the test port is in communication with a space between adjacent seals.
6. A connector in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the cylindri- cal portion comprises an annular end surface having a first internal diameter and the socket comprises an annular shoulder extending inwardly from a base end of the cylindri- cal inner surface and having a second internal diameter, the annular end surface abutting the annular shoulder when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket.
7. A connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein the first and second internal diameters are substantially equal.
8. A connector in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the socket comprises a cylindrical outer surface having a first external diameter and an annular end surface, the male part comprises an annular shoulder having a second external diameter and extending outwardly from a base end of the cylindrical portion, the annular end sur face of the socket abutting the annular shoulder of the male part when the cylindrical por tion is received in the socket. - 1 9
9. A connector in accordance with claim '3 wherein the first and second ex- ternal diameters are substantially equal.
10. A connector in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the locking means comprises a sleeve arranged to enclose, at least partially, the socket and received cylindrical portion.
11. A connector in accordance with claim 10 wherein the sleeve is slidably mounted on the male or female part.
12. A connector in accordance with claim 11 wherein the sleeve comprises a first annular shoulder extending inwardly from an inner surface of the sleeve, the part on which the sleeve is mounted comprises a second annuar shoulder extending outwardly, and the first and second annular shoulders cooperate to prevent the sleeve sliding off the second end of the part.
13. A connector in accordance with claim 12 wherein the sleeve is slideable to a locking position in which the first annular shoulder abuts the second.
14. A connector in accordance with claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the first an nular shoulder is provided at or towards one end of the sleeve.
15. A connector in accordance with any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the sleeve comprises at least one threaded bore, extending from an outer surface of the sleeve to an inner surface, and screw means arranged in the threaded bore and turnable so as to project from the inner surface of the sleeve to engage an outer surface of the male part or female part. -
16. A connector in accordance with claim 15 wherein the threaded bore is ar- ranged proximate one end of the sleeve.
17. A connector in accordance with claim 15 or 16 wherein the male part or female part comprises a recess in an outer surface, the recess being arranged to receive the screw means.
18. A connector in accordance with any one of claims 10 to 17 wherein the sleeve is generally cylindrical, having a cylindrical outer surface.
19. A connector in accordance with claim 18 wherein each of the attachment means comprises a respective external outer cylindrical surface having a diameter, and the diameters of the external outer cylindrical surfaces and the cylindrical outer surface of the sleeve are substantially equal.
20. A connector in accordance with any one of claims 10 to 19 wherein the sleeve is mounted on one of the male and female parts and the other part comprises in- dex means provided on an outer surface, the index means being arranged so as to be ob- scured by the sleeve when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket.
21. A connector in accordance with claim 20, as dependent on claim 13, wherein the index means is obscured when the cylindrical portion is received in the socket and the sleeve is in said locking position.
22. A connector in accordance with claim 20 or claim 21 wherein the index means comprises a first annular mark around the part.
23. A connector in accordance with claim 22 comprising a second annular mark adjacent the first, the second annular mark being arranged so as to be unobscure able by the sleeve. - 2 1
24. A connector in accordance with any proceeding claim, wherein the, or each, annuar sealing member is resilient.
25. A connector in accordance with any proceeding claim, wherein the, or each, annular sealing member is pressure energised.
26. A connector in accordance with any proceeding claim, wherein the, or each, annual sealing member is spring energised.
27. A connector in accordance with any preceding claim wherein each attach ment means comprises a respective annular socket for receiving an end of a length of hose.
28. A connector in accordance with claim 27 wherein each annular socket comprises inwardly directed circumferential ribs on its outer wall and outwardly directed circumferential ribs on its inner wall.
29. A connector in accordance with ant preceding claim and further compris ing at least one packing member having an inner surface, adapted to engage an outer sur face of the male or female part, and a smooth outer surface.
30. A connector in accordance with claim 29 and comprising two said packing members, each adapted to extend around a portion of the circumference of the outer surface of the part, and together forming an annular packing assembly.
31. A connector in accordance with claim 29 or claim 30, as dependent on any one of the claims 10 to 23, wherein the packing member or members are adapted to fill axial spaces on either side of the sleeve, between the sleeve and the first ends of the male and female parts. - 22
32. A connector in accordance with claim 31, comprising a first packing mem- ber or assembly on one side of the sleeve and a second packing member or assembly on the other side of the sleeve.
33. A connector in accordance with claim 31 wherein the outer surfaces of the packing members are arranged to form a smooth transition to the outer surface of the sleeve.
34. A connector in accordance with claim 29 or claim 30 wherein the, or each, packing member comprises a circumferential groove in its outer surface for receiv ing tie means.
35. A connector in accordance with any preceding claim, further comprising a flexible, tubular shroud adapted to enclose the male and female parts, locking means and packing members, when assembled.
36. A connector in accordance with claim 35 wherein the tubular shroud has a length greater than the combined length of the male and female parts when assembled together, such that the shroud may extend to enclose portions of lengths of hose attached to the male and female parts.
37. A connector in accordance with claim 35 or claim 36, wherein the shroud comprises shrinkable material.
38. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
39. A hose assembly comprising a plurality of lengths of hose, adjacent lengths of hose being connected by a connector in accordance with any proceeding claim. - 23
40. A hose assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.