GB2466681A

GB2466681A - Quick coupling pipe connector

Info

Publication number: GB2466681A
Application number: GB0904473A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Changyou Jiang
Original assignee: YUHUAN JIANGLIN PLUMBING HOSE
Current assignee: YUHUAN JIANGLIN PLUMBING HOSE
Priority date: 2009-01-23
Filing date: 2009-03-16
Publication date: 2010-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-16
Also published as: GB2466681B8; CN201382226Y; GB0904473D0; GB2466681B

Abstract

The present invention provides a quick coupling in the field of pipe connection technology, which addresses the existing problems of difficult removal of the rapid coupling and poor sealing property. The quick coupling of the invention includes a tubular body having a connection hole. A clamp ring is set within the connection hole. The clamp ring is mounted in the connection hole via a positioning mechanism. The clamp ring has a plurality of claws inclined toward the inner side of the connection hole. An insert pipe is placed on the outer side of the clamp ring, which could stretch the claws when pressed toward the inner side of the connection hole. An 0-shape seal ring is further set on the inner side of the clamp ring, which is fixed in the connection hole. The quick coupling of the invention has the advantages of rapid connection and removal, good sealing property and high reliability in use.

Description

QUICK COUPLING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a quick coupling in the field of pipe connection technology, in particular, to a quick coupling for connecting a fluid pipe, such as a gas pipe or a liquid pipe, with a valve.

Related Art In ordinary use, the quality of the drinking water is affected and the pipes plated with zinc gradually get out of use due to rust and decay when the drainage pipes are laid out by 1 0 using water pipes. Moreover, the metal pipes could not be used for cornering due to the rigidness thereof. One of the common solutions is to replace the metal pipes with plastic water pipes. The ends of the plastic water pipes, nevertheless, could not be tapped and connected with the valve or coupling through threads. Therefore, most of the plastic water pipes are connected by means of joint locking, hot fusion and bonding. Specific tools are 1 5 required for installation by means of hot fusion which is relatively troublesome and not applicable for replacing the plastic pipes by users. Nocuous materials are escaped and permeated into water over time when the pipes are bonded by adhesive, thereby generating an adverse effect on the quality of the drinking water. Several inventions are proposed on various rapid connection structures to fulfill rapid operation.

For example, the Chinese Patent CN2708077Y discloses an assembled quick coupling for various plastic pipe connections, which includes a connection head body having a pipe connection hole and a seal groove, a seal ring provided in the seal groove, a locking card having one end thereof extended into the seal groove and at least two claws respectively on the front inner wall, and an adjustment fixing piece covered and connected on the circumference of the connection head body with the front inner wall being attached to the front circumference of the locking card. Moreover, another Chinese Patent CN2649914Y discloses a quick coupling, in which a step hole is provided on one end of the body, a connection sleeve is connected to the body via a flange on the front end of the body, an inner conical guide sleeve is connected to the body via the connection sleeve, an elastic sleeve having a claw configuration at the bottom is provided on the inner side of the inner conical guide sleeve, a conical pad is positioned between the bottom of the elastic sleeve and the inner conical guide sleeve and the body, the conical pad and the inner conical guide sleeve are slidably connected to the inner and outer slopes of the claw of the elastic sleeve respectively, a seal ring is provided between the conical pad and the body, and a supporting sleeve is provided at the innermost side of the step hole of the body and connected to the body to form a gap for inserting a hose between the supporting sleeve and the elastic sleeve, the conical pad and the seal ring. The above technical schemes have the advantages of rapid connection speed and less time and labor as well as some disadvantages. For example, on one hand, they are difficult to be removed and to be separated after installation. On the other hand, leakage frequently occurs due to poor sealing property. In addition, the pipe is not firmly connected to the coupling and readily plugged out.

Another Chinese Patent CN2O1 145 103Y discloses a quick coupling for a water pipe, in which the quick coupling for the water pipe has a hollow coupling body, thread fixation sleeves are connected to both sides of the coupling body, a metal clasp is placed within the coupling body, back-off lock teeth are formed in the metal clasp, a press ring is mounted on the outer side of the metal clasp and the back-off lock teeth, and a seal ring is mounted outside the press ring. The plastic pipe is connected with the coupling body by screwing the thread fixation sleeve. Such a configuration has defects in that the seal ring will be distorted while screwing the thread fixation sleeve for the seal ring is held between the thread fixation sleeve and the press ring, thereby affecting the sealing property of the connecting part. Moreover, in such a connection means which is achieved by fixing through screwing the nut, the connecting part tends to loosen to cause the fluid to leak after use for a period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a quick coupling which is convenient and expeditious in installation and removal, has a good sealing property and could be firmly connected, so as to address the above mentioned problems in the prior art.

To achieve said object, the present invention provides a quick coupling including a tubular body having a connection hole. A clamp ring is set within the connection hole. The clamp ring is mounted in the connection hole via a positioning mechanism. The clamp ring has a plurality of claws inclined toward the inner side of the connection hole. An insert pipe is placed on the outer side of the clamp ring, which could stretch the claws when pressed toward the inner side of the connection hole. An 0-shape seal ring is further set on the inner side of the clamp ring, which is fixed in the connection hole.

When the connection pipe is inserted into the connection hole of the body for linking, the claws could be firmly detained on the outer wall of the connection pipe and get fixed to accomplish connection of the body with the connection pipe while the connection pipe is 1 5 inserted, because the claws are inclined to the inner side of the connection hole. The 0-shape seal ring is fixed on the inner side of the clamp ring to make the 0-shape seal ring tightly covered on the connection pipe for seal. If the connection pipe is required to be removed, the insert pipe is pressed to the inner side of the connection hole and could stretch the claws and detach them from the outer wall of the connection pipe, thus the connection pipe is released in this way. Therefore, the connection pipe could be conveniently drawn out.

The connection of the body with the connection pipe could be achieved by said configuration. Said body is a pipe, a coupling for connecting two connection pipes, or a device mounted on the pipeline, such as a water faucet and a valve. The outer end of the insert pipe could be pressed by hands or a specific disassembling toll for removal. The disassembling tool could be configured to be an annular shape or C-shape with a groove set on one end thereof which could be locked on the outer end of the insert pipe.

According to the quick coupling, the positioning mechanism includes a location step, an annular retaining ring and a clasp set on the inner side of the terminal of the connection hole, and a shrink wrap edge at the terminal of the connection hole. The annular retaining ring is set on the location step. The clamp ring is circumferentially rotatably placed between the annular retaining ring and the clasp. The shrink wrap edge is blocked at the outer end of the clasp in which the insert pipe is inserted.

Said shrink wrap edge could be formed by riveting after the annular retaining ring, the clamp ring, the clasp and the insert pipe are set in the connection hole. The annular retaining ring and the clasp do not fix the clamp ring absolutely during processing the shrink warp edge. In particular, the clamp ring is circumferentially rotatable, which facilitates connection and removal and prevents the claws in dead connection with the connection pipe, thereby improving the operation stability.

According to the quick coupling of the invention, the clasp has an opening, through which the clasp could be covered on the insert pipe in a convenient way.

According to the quick coupling of the invention, a seal step is provided on the inner side of the location step in the connection hole. The annular retaining ring projects radially inward from the location step and restricts the 0-shape seal ring between the annular retaining ring and the seal step. The annular retaining ring could axially extrude and distort the 0-shape seal ring after the connection pipe is inserted. This way, the 0-shape seal ring is covered on the outer wall of the connection pipe to accomplish sealing.

According to the quick coupling of the present invention, the clamp ring includes a claw loop and the plurality of said claws. Each of the claws is uniformly distributed on the claw loop in a circumferential direction. The claw loop is placed between the annular retaining ring and the clasp. The clamp ring could be mounted between the annular retaining ring and the clasp via the claw loop.

According to the quick coupling of the present invention, the inner end of the insert pipe is located in the connection hole and the insert pipe has a wedged head portion for stretching the claws at the inner end. The outer end of the insert pipe extends out of the connection hole and the insert pipe has a radially outward projected annular site of force at the outer end thereof.

When the insert pipe is pressed toward the inner side of the connection hole, the wedge head portion could conveniently stretch the claws. The pressing operation could be conveniently accomplished by hands or a specific tool for the outer end of the pipe extends out of the connection hole. The convenience in pressing could be efficiently improved by the annular site of force.

According to the quick coupling of the present invention, the wedged head portion has a radially outward projected block edge at the outer side thereof. The clasp has a step which could be pressed against the block edge at the inner end thereof. In this regard, the insert pipe could be prevented from being detached from the clasp.

According to the quick coupling of the present invention, the annular retaining ring has an annular step at the outer wall thereof. The annular step forms an annular insert hole opened toward the clamp ring with the inner wall of the connection hole. A part of the claw loop is inserted in the annular insert hole. The claw loop could rotate relative to the annular insert hole which could significantly improve the stability in mounting the claw loop.

According to the quick coupling of the present invention, the claw ioop and claws of the clamp ring are integrated and the whole clamp ring is made from a flexible metal sheet by punching. The processing of the clamp ring is very convenient with a low cost.

According to the quick coupling of the present invention, each of said claws has at least two separate legs at the outer end, the outer ends of which are arc-shaped. The legs could be stretched and efficiently enhance the stability of connection of the claw with the connection pipe. Furthermore, the arc-shaped outer ends of the legs could significantly prevent the outer wall of the connection pipe being scored or damaged.

The quick coupling of the invention has the following advantages over the prior art.

Firstly, the claws of the clamp ring could conveniently block the connection pipe to achieve rapid connection when the connection pipe is inserted into the connection hole. In addition, the connection pipe could not be drawn away and the connection of the connection pipe with the connection hole is reliable due to the reason that the claws are inclined toward the inner side of the connection hole. Secondly, the claws could be stretched by the insert pipe to achieve rapid separation when the insert pipe is pressed, which generates a flexible and convenient use. Thirdly, the good sealing property of connection could be efficiently guaranteed due to the seal ring. Fourthly, the stability in connection could be efficiently improved and no dead lock exists, because the claws could circumferentially rotate and the claws have at least two separate legs at the outer end. Moreover, the arc-shaped outer ends of the legs could prevent the outer wall of the connection pipe being damaged.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, I S are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this

detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: FIG. 1 is a sectional structural diagram of the quick coupling of the invention; FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the A-section in fig.1; FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of the insert pipe of the quick coupling of the invention; FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of the clasp of the quick coupling of the invention; FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of the clamp ring of the quick coupling of the invention; and FIG. 6 is a sectional structural diagram of the clamp ring of the quick coupling of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in fig.1, the quick coupling of the invention includes a tubular body I having a connection hole 11, a positioning mechanism and an insert pipe 3. The body I herein is a pipe, a coupling for connecting two connection pipes, or a device mounted on the pipeline, such as a water faucet and a valve.

A clamp ring 2 is set within the connection hole II. The clamp ring 2 is mounted in the connection hole II via the positioning mechanism. The clamp ring 2 has a plurality of claws 21 inclined toward the inner side of the connection hole 11. An insert pipe 3 is placed on the outer side of the clamp ring 2, which could stretch the claws 21 when pressed toward 1 5 the inner side of the connection hole 11. An 0-shape seal ring 4 is further set on the inner side of the clamp ring 2, which is fixed in the connection hole 11.

As shown in fig.2, the positioning mechanism includes a location step I la, an annular retaining ring 5 and a clasp 6 set on the inner side of the terminal of the connection hole 11, and a shrink wrap edge 11 b at the terminal of the connection hole 11 The annular retaining ring 5 is set on the location step 11 a. The clamp ring 2 is circumferentially rotatably placed between the annular retaining ring 5 and the clasp 6. The shrink wrap edge 1 lb is blocked at the outer end of the clasp 6 in which the insert pipe 3 is inserted. The clasp 6 has an opening 61. A seal step flc is provided on the inner side of the location step Ha in the connection hole 11. The annular retaining ring 5 projects radially inward from the location step I la and restricts the 0-shape seal ring 4 between the annular retaining ring 5 and the seal step 1 ic.

As shown in figs. 2, 5 and 6, the clamp ring 2 includes a claw loop 22 and the plurality of said claws 21. Each of the claws 21 is uniformly distributed on the claw ioop 21 in a circumferential direction. The claw loop 22 is placed between the annular retaining ring 5 and the clasp 6. The claw ioop 22 and claws 21 of the clamp ring are integrated and the whole clamp ring 2 is made from a flexible metal sheet by punching. Each of said claws 21 has at least two separate legs 21a at the outer end, the outer ends of which are arc-shaped.

Referring to figs.2 and 3, the inner end of the insert pipe 3 is located in the connection hole 11 and the insert pipe 3 has a wedged head portion 3 1 for stretching the claws 21 at the inner end. The outer end of the insert pipe 3 extends out of the connection hole 11 and the insert pipe 3 has a radially outward projected annular site of force 32 at the outer end thereof. The wedged head portion 31 has a radially outward projected block edge 33 at the outer side thereof. The clasp 6 has a step 62 which could be pressed against the block edge 33 at the inner end thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention, the annular retaining ring 5 has an annular step 51 at the outer wall thereof. The annular step 51 forms an annular insert hole 7 opened toward the clamp ring 2 with the inner wall of the connection hole 11. A part of the claw ioop 22 is inserted in the annular insert hole 7.

In use, the connection pipe is inserted into the connection hole 11 of the body, and the connection pipe passes through the insert pipe 3, the clasp 6, the clamp 2, the annular retaining ring 5 and the 0-shape seal ring 4 in sequence. Because the claws 21 are inclined toward the inner side of the connection hole 11, the claws 21 could be firmly detained on the outer wall of the connection pipe and get fixed to accomplish connection of the body with the connection pipe while the connection pipe is inserted. The 0-shape seal ring 41 is fixed on the inner side of the clamp ring 2 to make the 0-shape seal ring 4 tightly covered on the connection pipe for seal.

If the connection pipe is required to be removed, the insert pipe 3 is pressed to the inner side of the connection hole 11 by pressing the annular site of force 32 and could stretch the claws 21 and detach them from the outer wall of the connection pipe, thus the connection pipe is released in this way. Therefore, the connection pipe could be conveniently drawn out.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Although these terms are used herein, such as body 1, connection hole 11, location step I Ia, shrink wrap edge I ib, seal step I ic, clamp ring 2, claw 21, leg 21a, claw loop 22, insert pipe 3, wedged head portion 31, annular site of force 32, 0-shape seal ring 4, annular retaining ring 5, annular step 51, clasp 6, opening 61, step 62 and annular insert hole 7, the other similar terms could also be used. These terms are merely used to describe and explain the essence of the invention more conveniently, and any limitation to said terms is regarded as departing from the spirit of the invention.

List of Reference Numerals 1 body 11 connection hole ha location step 1 lb shrink wrap edge I Ic seal step 2 clamp ring 21 claw 21a leg 22 claw loop 3 insert pipe 31 wedged head portion 32 annular site of force 4 0-shape seal ring 5 annularretainingring 51 annular step 6 clasp 61 opening 62 step 7 annular insert hole

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is: 1. A quick coupling, comprising a tubular body (1) having a connection hole (11), characterized in that, a clamp ring (2) is set within the connection hole (11), the clamp ring (2) is mounted in the connection hole (11) via a positioning mechanism, the clamp ring (2) has a plurality of claws (21) inclined toward the inner side of the connection hole (II), an insert pipe (3) is placed on the outer side of the clamp ring (2), which could stretch the claws (21) when pressed toward the inner side of the connection hole (11), and an 0-shape seal ring (4) is further set on the inner side of the clamp ring (2), which is fixed in the connection hole (11).
2. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that, the positioning mechanism includes a location step (1 la), an annular retaining ring (5) and a clasp (6) set on the inner side of the terminal of the connection hole (11) and a shrink wrap edge (1 ib) at the terminal of the connection hole (11), the annular retaining ring (5) is set 1 5 on the location step (11 a), the clamp ring (2) is circumferentially rotatably placed between the annular retaining ring (5) and the clasp (6), and the shrink wrap edge (1 Ib) is blocked at the outer end of the clasp (6) in which the insert pipe (3) is inserted.
3. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that, the clasp (6) has an opening (61).
4. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, a seal step (I Ic) is provided on the inner side of the location step (1 Ia) in the connection hole (11), and the annular retaining ring (5) projects radially inward from the location step (1 la) and restricts the 0-shape seal ring (4) between the annular retaining ring (5) and the seal step (1 Ic).
5. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that, the clamp ring (2) includes a claw loop (22) and the plurality of said claws (21), each of the claws (21) is uniformly distributed on the claw ioop (22) in a circumferential direction, and the claw loop (22) is placed between the annular retaining ring (5) and the clasp (6).
6. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, the inner end of the insert pipe (3) is located in the connection hole (11) and the insert pipe (3) has a wedged head portion (31) for stretching the claws (21) at the inner end, and the outer end of the insert pipe (3) extends out of the connection hole (11) and the insert pipe (3) has a radially outward projected annular site of force (32) at the outer end thereof.
7. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that, the wedged head portion (31) has a radially outward projected block edge (33) at the outer side thereof, and the clasp (6) has a step (62) which could be pressed against the block edge (33) at the inner end thereof.
8. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that, the annular retaining ring (5) has an annular step (51) at the outer wall thereof, the annular step (51) forms an annular insert hole (7) opened toward the clamp ring (2) with the inner wall of the connection hole (11), and a part of the claw loop (22) is inserted in the annular insert hole (7).
9. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that, the claw loop (22) and claws (21) of the clamp ring (2) are integrated and the whole clamp ring (2) is made from a flexible metal sheet by punching.
10. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that, each of said claws (21) has at least two separate legs (2 Ia) at the outer end, and the outer ends of the legs (2 Ia) are arc-shaped.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A quick coupling, comprising a tubular body (1) having a connection hole (11), characterized in that, a clamp ring (2) is set within the connection hole (11), the clamp ring (2) is mounted in the connection hole (11) via a positioning mechanism, the clamp ring (2) has a plurality of claws (21) inclined toward the inner side of the connection hole (11), an insert pipe (3) is placed on the outer side of the clamp ring (2), which could stretch the claws (21) when pressed toward the inner side of the connection hole (11), the inner end of the insert pipe (3) is located in the connection hole (11) and the insert pipe (3) has a wedged head portion (31) for stretching the claws (21) at the inner end, and the outer end of the insert pipe (3) extends out of the connection hole (11) and the insert pipe (3) has a radially outward projected annular site of force (32) at the outer end thereof, and an 0-shape seal ring (4) is further set on the inner side of the clamp ring (2), which is fixed in the connection hole (11).2. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that, the positioning mechanism includes a location step (ha), an annular retaining ring (5) and a clasp (6) set on the inner side of the terminal of the connection hole (11) and a shrink wrap edge (1 ib) at the terminal of the connection hole (ii), the annular retaining ring (5) is set on the location step (11 a), the clamp ring (2) is circumferentially rotatably placed between the annular retaining ring (5) and the clasp (6), and the shrink wrap edge (1 ib) is blocked at the outer end of the clasp (6) in which the insert pipe (3) is inserted.3. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that, the clasp (6) has an opening (61).4. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, a seal step (11 c) is provided on the inner side of the location step (11 a) in the connection * r. * 25 hole (11), and the annular retaining ring (5) projects radially inward from the location step (1 la) and restricts the 0-shape seal ring (4) between the annular retaining ring (5) and the seal step (lic).5. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that, the clamp a * ring (2) includes a claw ioop (22) and a plurality of said claws (21), each of the claws (21) is uniformly distributed on the claw ioop (22) in a circumferential direction, and the claw loop (22) is placed between the annular retaining ring (5) and the clasp (6).6. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that, the wedged head portion (31) has a radially outward projected block edge (33) at the outer side thereof, and the clasp (6) has a step (62) which could be pressed against the block edge (33) at the inner end thereof 7. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that, the annular retaining ring (5) has an annular step (51) at the outer wall thereof, the annular step (51) forms an annular insert hole (7) opened toward the clamp ring (2) with the inner wall of the connection hole (11), and a part of the claw ioop (22) is inserted in the annular insert hole (7).8. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that, the claw loop (22) and claws (21) of the clamp ring (2) are integrated and the whole clamp ring (2) is made from a flexible metal sheet by punching.9. The quick coupling as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that, each of said claws (21) has at least two separate legs (21 a) at the outer end, and the outer ends of the legs (21 a) are arc-shaped. "S * S **SSSS* * S V. S * S S S *S *.*a * SSS5SS.S * .