GB2435314A

GB2435314A - Rotatable duct coupling

Info

Publication number: GB2435314A
Application number: GB0703393A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cesar Astiz Montoya; Juan Gonzalez Molina; Maria Itziar Pascual Iturbe
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2006-02-21
Filing date: 2007-02-21
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Also published as: ITMI20070321A1; FR2897666A1; DE102007008235A1; ES2288396B1; GB0703393D0; DE102007008235B4; ES2288396A1

Abstract

A duct coupling system comprises a clip 1 positioned on the end of a pipe, and a duct member 2, e.g. a diffuser, coupled to the pipe by means of the clip. The duct member 2 has and annular projection or collar 3 adjacent to its end, and the clip 1 has two deflectable retaining hooks 4. When duct 2 is inserted into the clip 1 the hooks are deflected by the collar 3 outwardly until they engage the far side of the collar. The duct member is thereby securely coupled to the clip, but capable of relative rotation. The clip 1 may have reinforcing portions 5 in the region of the hooks. The coupling may be used in an air conditioning system.

Description

DUCT COUPLING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a duct coupling system.

Duct coupling systems of the most diverse kinds are known, for example, a coupling which is placed around a pipe in the area of the pipe mouth and the end of which is tightened by means of a thread. In addition, clamps are known, the perimeter of which is shortened by means of pliers. The cost of pipe couplings, which constitute a mass-produced item, is often high (as in the case of threaded clamps) or the securing force is limited or is not reliable.

Patent AT 385 336 discloses a pipe coupling, the connection part of which, situated beneath a groove, projects from the inner diameter of a collar in the case of a retention process and presses the pipe against a mouth.

In this case, it is disadvantageous that it is necessary to apply mechanical force in order to push the mouth downwards against a resistance. Threaded closures also represent a disadvantage, since, as a pipe part has been screwed into an opposed pipe part and the thread has been tightened, the pipe cannot continue to turn in the thread.

It is thus the object of the invention to provide a duct coupling system which can be locked easily and at the same time guarantees a relative rotational capability of the coupled components.

According to the present invention there is provided a duct coupling system comprising a pipe clip and an opposed part or duct member which can be inserted partially into the clip and surrounded by the latter, wherein the opposed part has at least one locking projection in the form of a ring, which is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the part, in the circumferential surface thereof and wherein the clip has at least one retention hook which grips the upper edge of the locking projection from above and secures the clip to the opposed part such that the clip and that part can freely turn relative to one another when they are joined.

Such a system constitutes an improvement by comparison with the state of the art. Since the locking projection has an annular form and includes, integrally or in its totality, securing of the duct member in parallel with the end of the pipe, the clip and the member are still able to turn relative to one another even when the retention hook gnps the upper edge of the projection and secures the clip to the member. The hook, which grips the upper edge of the projection from above, can slide freely on the upper edge of the projection. If it is desired to release the member, it is possible to remove the member from the clip by pulling. The hook, of which there is at least one, can be realised in such a manner that the duct member can be easily extracted, but can also be constructed so that the member is firmly secured and can be released only when pressure is exerted against the lower side of the hook.

In a preferred embodiment the system or pipe junction according to the invention is designed to be part of air conditioning equipment. This has a particular advantage, since in air conditioning equipment it is often necessary to change the position of a pipe. This embodiment ensures that the pipe junction remains hermetically sealed even if the pipe is turned or changes position.

In another preferred embodiment the pipe junction is produced as part of an interior module of mobile air conditioning equipmenl In a further preferred embodiment the pipe junction joins an air outlet pipe to a diffuser of air conditioning equipment. This is particularly advantageous since the position of the air outlet pipe is usually modified depending on the conditions of the living space. In this case, it has to be ensured that the pipe junction provides a durable and secure coupling despite a change in position or relative rotation.

In another preferred embodiment the pipe is made of plastic.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. I is a side view of a duct coupling system embodying the invention; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the system of Fig. 1, to enlarged scale.

Referring now to the drawings where is shown a duct coupling system comprising a duct member 2 partially inserted into a clip 1 fitted on a pipe. Provided around the neck of the member 2 and in parallel with the plane of the end of the pipe is an annular tocking projection 3. When the member 2 is introduced into the clip 1 the annular projection 3 presses on the sides of two opposite chamfered retaining hooks 4 and deflects the hooks.

If subsequently the member 2 continues to move into the clip 1, the hooks 4 grip the upper edge of the projection 3 from above. The member 2 and the clip 1 are thereby firmly joined together such that the member 2 cannot accidentally slip out of the clip 1. Because of the annular form of the projection 3, the hooks 4 secure the projection 3 in any angular position. It is thereby possible for the clip 1 and the member 2 5o freely rotate relative to one another. The clip 1 includes two reinforcing members 5 respectively disposed adjacent to the two hooks and providing reinforcement in opposition to the outward directions of deflection of the hooks. In a preferred embodiment, the members can also serve to retain a strap part of the clip.

Fig. 2 shows the system and Fig. I in a view obliquely from above. Specifically, it shows a system in which the merriber 2 is a diffuser of air conditioning equipment and is joined to an air outlet pipe of the equipment.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A duct coupling system comprising a clip positioned or positionable on an end of a pipe and a duct member partially insertable at an end thereof into the clip so as to be encircled by the clip and coupled by the clip to such pipe, the duct member being provided at its circumference with an annular projection disposed adjacent to said end of the duct member and the clip comprising at least one retaining hook engageable with the projection at a side thereof remote from said end of the duct member thereby to secure the duct member to the clip, but to permit relative rotation of the duct member and clip in the secured state.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip comprises two such hooks arranged opposite one another.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each hook is deflectable by the projection during insertion of the duct member into the clip.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each hook is chamfered to facilitate insertion of the duct member into the clip.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the clip is provided with a respective reinforcing member adjacent to the or each hook to provide reinforcement in opposition to a direction of deflection thereof.

6. A duct assembly comprising a pipe and a duct coupling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the duct member of the system being coupled to the pipe by the clip of the system.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6, the assembly being part of air conditioning equipment.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the assembly is part of an interior module of the equipment, the equipment being mobile.

9. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the pipe is an air outlet pipe and the duct member is a diffuser.

10. A pipe joint comprising a pipe clip and an opposed duct part which is inserted partially into the clip and can be surrounded by the latter, wherein the duct part has at least one locking projection of annular form, which is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the duct part, in the circumferential surface of the latter and wherein the clip has at least one retention hook which grips the upper edge of the projection from above and secures the clip to the duct part such that the clip and the duct part can freely turn relative to one another in the joined state.

11. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pipe joint forms part of air conditioning equipment 12. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pipe junction forms part of an interior module of movable aw conditioning equipment.

13. A pipe joint as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the pipe joint joins an air outlet pipe to a diffuser.

14 A pipe joint as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the pipe is made of plastic.