GB2450700A

GB2450700A - Telescopic pipe coupling with locking ferrule

Info

Publication number: GB2450700A
Application number: GB0712849A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Watson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-04
Filing date: 2007-07-04
Publication date: 2009-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-04
Also published as: GB0712849D0; GB2450700B

Abstract

A telescopic pipe coupling comprises a first part with an enlarged bore, and a second part with an enlarged outer diameter, which seals against the bore. The coupling is locked by a compression ferrule compressed by a nut. The ferrule may be part of a sleeve which fits between the inner and outer members. The coupling is useful in allowing the length of a pipe to be altered without removing the pipe, for example to allow easier access to a stop cock.

Description

Adjustable Fluidic Conduit

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a fluidic conduit. More specifically, though not exclusively, the present invention relates to a fluidic conduit having a first port that may be variably spaced from a second port.

Background to the invention

Fluidic conduits are essential for coupling elements in a fluidic circuit.

Such fluidic conduits known in the art are variable in length, only to the extent that they may permit portions of their length to be removed. However, it is often the case that the conduit is required to facilitate a connection between bulky elements in a fluidic circuit, and that those elements are housed within containers that leave little room for manipulation of tools by the user. Thus, in certain instances, the user has insufficient space to connect or disconnect the conduit from those elements, or insufficient space to install or remove the element to which the conduit is attached.

An example of where such a situation could arise, could be where one needs to connect a mains waters supply to a stop-cock. Due to the fixed . dimensions of known fluidic conduit and the limited space around the housing in which the stop-cock is contained, it may be that there is insufficient space : . for user to connect or disconnect the conduit to the stop-cock. Or, alternatively, once the conduit has been disconnected, its presence may continue to prohibit removal of the stop-cock. If this is the case, it may be necessary to remove the conduit altogether, causing additional work. I may even be that the conduit is unable to be removed entirely, and that even more work would need to be undertaken to gain access to the stop-cock.

I

Flexible fluidic conduits are known in the art, but by nature these are made from relatively fragile materials, and are ill suited to carrying large amounts of fluid (such as a mains supply). There exists, therefore, a need for a fluidic conduit that is suitable to accommodate large flow volumes of fluid and yet that can offer the user greater freedom when it comes to installing the conduit into or removing the conduit from a fluidic circuit.

Summary of the invention

A first aspect of the present invention provides an adjustable fluidic conduit, which conduit comprises a first and a second member from one end of each of which extends larger bore portion, the larger bore portion of the second member being located or locatable within the larger bore portion of the first member, the two members being movable axially relative to one another, a sleeve disposed or disposable around the second member and located or locatable within a free end of the larger bore portion of the first member and from which extends a ferrule portion, first locking means disposed or disposable around the second member, which engages or is engageable with a complementary locking means defined at or about an exterior surface of said free end, so as, in use, to clamp the ferrule portion between said proximal end and said first locking means, to releasedly lock the first and second :.::: members together as a single unit, the adjustable fluidic conduit comprising 25 means to restrict maximum axial movement of the second member relative to the first member.

I

* A second aspect of the present invention provides an adjustable fluidic :.: . conduit, comprising a first fluidic port and a second fluidic port and arranged 30 so as to allow relative movement of the first fluidic port in relation to the second fluidic port, whereby to allow the spacing between those fluidic ports to be altered, and a releasable locking means for releasably fixing the position of the first fluidic port relative to said second fluidic port.

Preferably, the fluidic conduit further comprises a first fluidic port defined within a first member, second fluidic port defined within second member, first member and second member arranged to allow relative sliding movement.

Preferably, the first fluidic port is defined in an end of the first member, and the second fluidic port defined in the opposing end of the second member, the ports being disposed at opposing ends of the fluidic conduit.

Optionally, the second member is received within a portion of the first member to allow telescopic extension and retraction of the fluidic conduit.

Optionally, both the first and the second members each take the form of a tube that has an larger bore portion at one end, the two members being arranged such that the larger bore portion of the second member is disposed within the larger bore portion of the first member.

Preferably, the spacing between said first and said second fluidic ports is may be varied by an amount equal to the difference in length between the enlarged portions of the first and the second members.

Optionally, the releasable locking means prevents the complete withdrawal of the larger bore portion of the second member from the larger S...

***25 bore portion of the first member.

* .:. Optionally, inserts are inserted into each fluidic port.

Optionally, either or both fluidic ports are adapted to receive connecting *. 30 means for establishing a fluidic connection between that port and an external fluidic circuit.

Optionally, the releasable locking means is a clamp that is tightened to releasably fix the position of the second member relative to the first member Optionally, the releasable locking means fixes the position of the second member relative to the first member by virtue of friction between the locking means and the surface of the second member Optionally, the releasable locking means creates an inwardly acting radial force upon the second member, which is thereby fixed in position relative to the first member.

Optionally, the releasable locking means is a nut that is disposed around the second member and which engages with a threaded proximal end of the first member.

Preferably, the first member further comprises one or more radial protrusions that aid the user in establishing a purchase on an outer surface of the first member when so engaging the nut with said threaded proximal end.

Preferably, the releasable locking means comprises a sleeve that is disposed around the second member, which sleeve comprises a protruding section, wherein engaging the nut with said threaded proximal end serves to force the protruding section radially inward, toward the second member.

Preferably, the nut comprises a collar that has an outwardly tapered or : ... frustro-conical leading edge so as to be at lest partially complementary to the S...

25 shape of the protruding portion of the sleeve, such that engaging the nut with :. said threaded proximal end forces the collar against the protruding portion and * results in an inward radial force towards the second member. *

Preferably, the fluidic conduit further comprises a deformable washer *. 30 that is disposed around the second member between the protruding portion of the sleeve and the collar when the nut is engaged with said threaded proximal end.

Preferably, the sleeve comprises a flanged rim that locates within a recessed portion defined in the periphery of the end of the first member, thereby preventing the sleeve from moving further within the larger bore portion of the first member.

Alternatively, the fluidic conduit further comprises one or more 0' rings to form a fluidic seal between an outer surface of the larger bore portion of the second member and an inner surface of the enlarge chamber of the first member Alternatively, the fluidic conduit further comprises one or more 0' rings to form a fluidic seal between an outer surface of the sleeve and an inner surface of the larger bore portion of the first member Alternatively, the fluidic conduit further comprises one or more 0' rings disposed around an internal surface of the collar to forma fluidic seal between the collar and the second member.

Alternatively, the fluidic conduit further comprises one or more 0' rings to form a fluidic seal between an inner surface of the releasable locking means and an outer surface of the second member Preferably, the releasable locking means, once locked, restricts ingress of fluids or particulates from the conduit's surrounding, thereby to prevent impairment of the operation of the conduit. *. * *** ***

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of conducting fluid from an input to an output, which method comprises providing an 30 adjustable fluidic conduit comprising a first member arranged for relative movement in relation to a second member thereof, wherein the first and second members are in fluidic communication, and further comprising a releasable locking means for releasably fixing said second member relative to said first member, forming a fluidic seal between a first of those port of the conduit and one of said input or said output, adjusting the length of said adjustable conduit through moving said second member relative to said first member so as to allow a fluidic seal to be created between a second port of the conduit and the other of said inlet or said outlet, and operating a releasable locking means to fix the distance between said first and second ports of the fluidic conduit.

Brief Description of the Figures

Various aspects of the present invention will now be described, with particular reference to the following Figures: Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section of the constituent component of a fluidic conduit according to one aspect one aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluidic conduit of figure 1 that has been assembled; Figure 2A illustrates an expanded view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of figure 2; and Figure 3 illustrates an external view of the fluidic conduit of Figure 1.

Detailed Description * .

With reference to Figures 1, 2, one aspect of the present invention S...

provides a fluidic conduit 1. This fluid Ic conduit 1 comprises two members; a first member 2 and a second member 6. Each of those members comprises * an enlarged end chamber at one end. The first member 2 has a first larger * ** bore portion 4, and the second member 6 has a second larger bore portion 8.

In an exemplary embodiment, each member 2,6 is tubular in shape, and it is *.* * 30 contemplated that the conduit may have any cross section suitable for conducting fluid.

As can be clearly seen from Figure 1, the second larger bore portion 8 is dimensioned so as to fit within the first larger bore portion 4. As a consequence, the spacing between distal ends of the first and second members 2,6 may be altered by sliding the second larger bore portion 8 inside the first larger bore portion 4.

The figures also show an exemplary embodiment of a locking means 10, for fixing the second member 6 relative to the first member 2.

The exemplary embodiment of the locking means illustrated in the Figures comprises a nut, 10, a sleeve 12 and a collar 30.

The nut 10 is disposed about the second member 6. The first member has a threaded portion 16 defined about a portion of its outer surface around the end of the first larger bore portion 4 proximate the nut 10.

Also disposed about the second member 6 is the sleeve 12, shown in more detail in Figure 1A. This sleeve 12 comprises a portion that fits around the outer surface of the second member 6. A flange 16 extends radially outward from one end of the sleeve 12.. A protruding portion 14 extends perpendicularly to the radial axis of the flange, away from an end 11 of the sleeve 12. This protruding portion 14 is shown, in an exemplary embodiment, as having an arcuate exterior surface that tapers inwardly with distance from the sleeve, and a cylindrical interior surface. * S 25

The flange 16 of the sleeve 12 is received within a complementary annular recess 20 formed in a free end of the first larger bore portion 4, as is best shown in Figure 1A. The flange 16 is thus able to lay flush with that free edge, as illustrated in Figure 1. Alternatively, it is envisaged that the flange 30 may not lay flush with the leading edge of the first larger bore portion 4. As an alternative, both the flanged portion 14 of the sleeve 12 and the recess 20 of the first larger bore portion 4, may take a non-annular form.

The nut 10 accommodates the collar 30 within its interior threaded section. This collar 30 has an outwardly tapered leading edge 32, which leading edge 32 abuts the protruding portion 14 of the sleeve 12. The shape of leading edge 32 of the collar 30 is at least partially complementary to that of the protruding portion 14. The collar 30 sits within the interior of the nut 10, in abutment with a rear portion of the nut 10 that dimensioned to offer too small a gap between its interior surface and the outer surface of the second member 6 to allow the collar 30 to pass through.

Optionally, there is provided a deformable washer 40 between the protruding portion 14 of the sleeve 12 and the leading edge 32 of the collar 30. This washer 40 is constructed of a suitably deformable material such as, though not limited to, rubber or plastics. The presence of the washer 40 aids the formation of a fluidic seal between the nut 10 and the sleeve 12, and potentially further increases the inward force applied to the second member 6 to fix it in place.

At an end of the second member 6 furthest from the first member 2, one or more indication lines 38 may be provided to act as a guide for the user should he wish to reduce to the length of the fluidic conduit 1. Such indication lines may, for example, take the form of surface detailing or indented lines formed in the surface of the second member 6 at the time of manufacture.

Between the surfaces of the first and second larger bore portions 2, 6 :. there may optionally be provided multiple O'-rings 24, 26 to prevent the flow * *;: of fluid there-between. Similarly, one or more 0-rings 22 may be provided about the exterior surface of the sleeve 12 to provide a fluidic seal between the sleeve 12 and the interior surface of the first larger bore portion 4.

Likewise, one or more 0-rings may be provided about the interior of the nut 10, so as to provide a fluidic seal between the nut 10 and the outer surface of the second member 6. In each case, the O'-rings 22, 24, 26, 28 may be alternatively attached the other of the interior surface or the exterior surface of whichever two surfaces they are intended to form a fluidic seal between.

Specifically, it is envisaged that O'-ring 22 could alternatively be disposed about the interior surface of first larger bore portion 4.

Connected to the distal ends of the first and second members 2,6 are inserts 18. These inserts 18 add to the robustness of the fluidic conduit 1, and ---* potential aid in the connection of further elements of a fluidic circuit to the --fluidic conduit 1. The inserts 18 may be made of, for example, plastic or metal, though any material may be used. The inserts may engage the distal ends of the first and second members 2, 6 by nature of a friction "push fit" or, alternatively through mechanical engagement and chemical adhesion.

Optionally, the fluidic conduit 1 may accommodate connectors (not shown) at it's distal ends, either in addition to or instead of the inserts 18.

These connectors, such as push-fit connectors or compression fittings amongst others, are known in the art and may be permanently attached to the ends of the fluidic conduit I or removably attached as and when required. It is envisaged that a variety of different connector arrangements would permit a wide range of permutations for forming connections between elements in a fluidic circuit. A removable push-fit connector, for example, could push-fit over one end of the fluidic conduit 1 and then push fit over a proximate end of an element of a fluidic circuit.

The nut 10 is engaged with the threaded end 16 of the first larger bore :.:: portion 4. As the nut 10 is engaged, the collar 30 is forced against the protruding portion 14 of the sleeve 12. The outwardly flanged leading edge 32 r. of the nut collar 30 causes the inwardly flanged protruding portion 14 of the sleeve 12 to be forced radially inward, towards the second member 6. Thus, by increasingly tightening the nut 10 onto the threaded portion 16, the second :.: * member 6 becomes fixed in position relative to the first member 2. To aid this 30 process, the first member 2 comprises raised protrusions 36, extending outwardly from the outer surface of the first larger bore portion 4. These protrusions 36 allow the user to gain greater purchase upon the surface of the first larger bore portion 4 when tightening the nut 10 onto the threaded portion 16 thereof. The nut 10 comprises multiple flattened faces 34 about its exterior surface, as is known in the art, to aiding gripping thereof by the user.

Construction of the fluidic conduit 1 is achieved by first sliding the second larger bore portion 8 of the second member 6 inside the first larger ----bore portion 4 of the first member 2. The sleeve 12 is then slid onto the end of --the second member 6 furthest from the first member 2, and moved along the length of the second member 6 until it is positioned in abutment with the proximal leading edge of the first larger bore portion 4. If a deformable washer 40 is to be used, this is then similarly slid onto and along the second member 6 until it is positioned up against the protruding portion 14 of the sleeve 12.

Lastly, the nut 10 the collar 30 are also slid onto and along the second member 6 until the threaded interior of the nut meets the threaded exterior portion 16 of the first larger bore portion 4. Depending upon the specific dimensions of the embodiment in question, it may be possible to partially engage the nut 10 onto the first larger bore portion 4 without substantially forcing the collar 30 onto the protruding portion 14 of the sleeve 12 (and hence without substantially deforming the deformable washer 40, if provided).

The metal inserts 18 may then be optionally inserted into the two distal ends of the fluidic conduit 1. In this configuration, the second member 6 is free to slide relative to first member 2, whilst the nut 10, collar 30, deformable washer and sleeve 12 are all retained in position, ready for use. S.

:.,:5 Once the nut 10 has been fully engaged with the threaded portion 16 of the first larger bore portion 4, the washer 40, and O'-ring 28 serve to prevent ingress of, for example water, mud or debris, inside the conduit 1. This is particularly importänt where the conduit is being used in an unprotected environment such as outdoors or, more specifically, underground. Preventing such ingress significantly decreases the chances of impairment of the second 30 member's 6 ability to slide within the first larger bore portion 4.

In one example of the application of an embodiment of the present invention, an end of the first member 2 furthest from the second member 6 may then be connected to a water supply, via, for example, a compression fitting, whilst the second larger bore portion 8 is inserted as deeply as possible inside first larger bore portion 4. Once this first connection is achieved, the fluidic conduit I may be extended by sliding the second member 6 away from the first member 2 so as to bring an end of the second member 6 furthest from the first member 2 into position to allow a connection with, for example, a stop-cock, to be made using a second compression fitting. The adjustable length of the fluidic conduit I aids the user in aligning and manipulating the fluidic conduit 1 and achieving the necessary connections. Once in position, the nut 10 is then tightened onto the threaded exterior surface 16 of the first larger bore portion 4 and the second member 6 becomes fixed in position relative to the first member 2.

Where, for example, the stop-cock of the above example (or whatever element the fluidic conduit 1 is connected to at either of the two ends) needs to be accessed or potentially removed, the reverse of the above-described process aids the user by increasing the space in which he or she may work, by effectively decreasing the size of the fluidic conduit. Connection between the fluidic conduit 1 and the element in question would be disengaged, either before or after the nut 10 is disengaged from the threaded exterior surface portion 16 of the first larger bore portion 4, to a sufficient extent as to allow the second member 6 to be slid further toward the first member 2. It may be highly advantageous for the second member 6 to be free to slide relative to the first member 2 at the time of disconnecting the fluidic conduit I from the fluidic circuit, particularly if push-fit connections are used whereby the movement of the two members of the fluidic conduit I allow the push-fit connection to be disengaged. ----* S. The above description of the invention sets out one embodiment of the S..

* 30 present invention as defined in the attached claims. It is envisaged that many of the specific features of the described embodiment may be altered without departing from that invention. For example, whilst the described embodiment of the releasable locking means used to fix the second member 6 relative to the first member 2 is a threaded nut 10, it is contemplated that other locking devices may be used, and potentially ones that do not require any exterior portion of the first larger bore portion 4 to be threaded. Also, whilst the description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention sets out the conduit as being substantially tubular in nature, this is not a limiting feature of the invention, and the skilled reader will appreciate that conduits of differing cross-section could well be implemented whilst still benefiting from the advantages of the invention.

Use of terminology such as "first", "second", "proximal", "distal" and other such adjectives are non-limiting in nature, and are used only for the

purposes of aid clarity of the description. I. * S * S.. *..* * . * .5S I. * S * S..

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Claims

Claims 1. An adjustable fluidic conduit, which conduit comprises a

first and a second member from one end of each of which extends larger bore portion, the larger bore portion of the second member being located or locatable within the larger bore portion of the first member, the two members being movable axially relative to one another, a sleeve disposed or disposable around the second member and located or locatable within a free end of the larger bore portion of the first member and from which extends a ferrule portion, first locking means disposed or disposable around the second member, which engages or is engageable with a complementary locking means defined at or about an exterior surface of said free end, so as, in use, to clamp the ferrule portion between said proximal end and said first locking means, to releasedly lock the first and second members together as a single unit, the adjustable fluidic conduit comprising means to restrict maximum axial movement of the second member relative to the first member.
2. An adjustable fluidic conduit, comprising a first fluidic port and a second fluidic port and arranged so as to allow relative movement of the first fluidic port in relation to the second fluidic port, whereby to allow the spacing between those fluidic ports to be altered, and a releasable locking means for releasably fixing the position of the first fluidic port relative to said second fluidic port.
3. The fluidic conduit of claim 2, further comprising a first fluidic port defined within a first member, second fluidic port defined within second : member, first member and second member arranged to allow relative * sliding movement.

: **
4. The fluidic conduit of claim 3, wherein the first fluidic port is defined in *** . an end of the first member, and the second fluidic port defined in the opposing end of the second member, the ports being disposed at opposing ends of the fluidic conduit.
5. The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein the second member is received within a portion of the first member to allow telescopic extension and retraction of the fluidic conduit.
6. The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein both the first and the second members each take the form of a tube that has an larger ------bore portion at one end, the two members being arranged such that-the larger bore portion of the second member is disposed within the larger bore portion of the first member.
7. The fluidic conduit of claim 6, wherein the spacing between said first and said second fluidic ports is may be varied by an amount equal to the difference in length between the enlarged bore portions of the first and the second members.
8. The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein the releasable locking means prevents the complete withdrawal of the larger bore portion of the second member from the larger bore portion of the first member.
9. The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein inserts are inserted into each fluidic port.
10. The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein either or both fluidic ports are adapted to receive connecting means for establishing a fluidic connection between that port and an external fluidic circuit.
11. The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein the releasable locking means is a clamp that is tightened to releasably fix the position of the second member relative to the first member ***.
12.The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein the releasable locking means fixes the position of the second member relative to the first member by virtue of friction between the locking means and the : *.., surface of the second member 0*S I
13.The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein the releasable locking means creates an inwardly acting radial force upon the second member, which is thereby fixed in position relative to the first member.
14.The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein the releasable locking means is a nut that is disposed around the second member and which engages with a threaded free end of the first member.
15.The fluidic conduit of claim 14, wherein the first member further comprises one or more radial protrusions that aid the user in establishing a purchase on an outer surface of the first member when so engaging the nut with said threaded proximal end.
16.The fluidic conduit of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the releasable -------locking-means-comprises a sleeve that-is disposed around the second -*---* -member, which sleeve comprises a protruding section, wherein engaging the nut with said threaded proximal end serves to force the protruding section radially inward, toward the second member.
I 7.The fluidic conduit of claim 16, wherein the nut comprises a collar that has an outwardly tapered or frustro-conical leading edge so as to be at lest partially complementary to the shape of the protruding portion of the sleeve, such that engaging the nut with said threaded proximal end forces the collar against the protruding portion and results in an inward radial force towards the second member.
18.The fluidic conduit of claim 17, further comprising a deformable washer that is disposed around the second member between the protruding portion of the sleeve and the collar when the nut is engaged with said threaded proximal end.
19.The fluidic conduit of claim 16, wherein the sleeve comprises a flanged rim that locates within a recessed portion defined in the periphery of the end of the first member, thereby preventing the sleeve from moving further within the larger bore portion of the first member.
20.The fluidic conduit of claims 6 to 19, further comprising one or more 1Q rings to form a fluidic seal between an outer surface of the larger bore : *** portion of the second member and an inner surface of the enlarge chamber of the first member : ***
21.The fluidic conduit of claims 16 to 20, further comprising one or more

S

* 0' rings to form a fluidic seal between an outer surface of the sleeve S..

and an inner surface of the larger bore portion of the first member
22.The fluidic conduit of claims 17 to 21, further comprising one or more 0' rings disposed around an internal surface of the collar to forma fluidic seal between the collar and the second member.
23.The fluidic conduit of any preceding claim, further comprising one or more 0' rings to form a fluidic seal between an inner surface of the releasable locking means and an outer surface of the second member
24.The Iluidic conduit of any preceding claim, wherein the releasable locking means, once locked, restricts ingress of fluids or particulates from the conduit's -surrounding, thereby-to-prevent impairment of the -operation of the conduit.
25.A method of conducting fluid from an input to an output, which method comprises providing an adjustable fluidic conduit comprising a first member arranged for relative movement in relation to a second member thereof, wherein the first and second members are in fluidic communication, and further comprising a releasable locking means for releasably fixing said second member relative to said first member, forming a fluidic seal between a first of those port of the conduit and one of said input or said output, adjusting the length of said adjustable conduit through moving said second member relative to said first member so as to allow a fluidic seal to be created between a second port of the conduit and the other of said inlet or said outlet, and operating a releasable locking means to fix the distance between said first and second ports of the fluidic conduit. * * * ..* S... * S S... I. * S * I..

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