ITUA20164385A1 - FITTING FOR THE MUTUAL CONNECTION OF A TERMINAL OF A USER OR A DIFFUSER ACCESSORY AND OF A FLEXIBLE TUBE - Google Patents

Description

FITTING FOR THE MUTUAL CONNECTION OF A USER TERMINAL OR A DIFFUSER ACCESSORY AND A FLEXIBLE HOSE

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention is generally applicable to the technical sector of fittings for flexible hoses, and particularly has as its object a fitting for the mutual connection of a user terminal or a diffuser accessory and a flexible hose, in particular a garden hose.

State of the art

Various types of connection systems are known for joining flexible pipes to a terminal, which may or may not be threaded. In particular, there are known fittings for joining garden hoses to the terminal of a user, for example a tap connected to the water supply, or a diffuser accessory.

These fittings generally provide a main body having a cylindrical shank intended to be inserted inside the tube at one of its ends, and a closing element, for example a ring nut which is screwed onto the main body to radially compress a portion of the end. of the pipe against the tang to make the hydraulic seal.

From the European patent EP2047169 in the name of the same Applicant, a fitting pipe assembly is known in accordance with what has been described above.

These connections can be improved. In particular as regards the hydraulic seal of the same.

Furthermore, this type of fittings is particularly inefficient if the garden hose is an extendable hose, such as for example the hose made according to the teachings of the international application PCT / IB2016 / 059765.

Furthermore, the known fittings are difficult to assemble on the pipe, in particular in the case of an extendable pipe.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the drawbacks illustrated above, by providing a fitting for flexible pipes of marked efficiency and relative cheapness.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fitting having a high hydraulic and / or mechanical seal even in the case of extendable flexible pipes.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a fitting for flexible pipes that does not twist the pipe while screwing the ring nut onto the threaded terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fitting for flexible pipes which can be easily inserted thereon.

These purposes, as well as others which will become clearer hereinafter, are achieved by a connection having one or more of the characteristics described, illustrated and / or claimed herein.

The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more evident in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawing tables in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are an axonometric view in axial section of a fitting 1 in two different operating phases;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are an axial sectional view of the fitting 1 in different operating phases;

Figures 6 and 7 are an enlarged view of some details respectively of Figure 3 and Figure 5;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are schematic views of an example of a flexible tube H, a terminal T and the fitting 1 during use;

FIG.11 is a schematic side view of the flexible tube H at rest;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the flexible tube H of FIG. 11 under pressure.

Detailed description of an example of embodiment of the invention With reference to the aforementioned figures, a fitting 1 is described for the mutual junction of a terminal element T of a user or a diffuser accessory and a tube H. In particular, the tube H can be a garden hose for carrying irrigation water.

The tube H can be a classic flexible tube, made for example according to the teachings of the European patent EP0623776 in the name of the same Applicant, or it can be an extendable flexible tube, made for example according to the teachings of the application PCT / IB2016 / 059765, again in name of the same Applicant.

The fitting 1 may comprise a substantially tubular main body 10 which may define an X axis. In particular, the main body 10 may have an end portion 11 male or female for coupling with the terminal T and a portion opposite end 12 for coupling with tube H.

The terminal T and the main body 10 can be coupled in a manner known per se, for example by means of male-female quick coupling systems, by means of a thread and counter-thread, or the like.

Terminal T could be, for example, a tap connected to the water supply or the end of a diffuser accessory.

Conveniently, as shown in particular in Fig. 1, the end portion 12 may comprise an abutment wall 13 and an elongated shank 20 extending therefrom which may be substantially coaxial to the main body 10. The abutment wall 13 can therefore be substantially annular and perpendicular to the X axis.

The flexible tube H may have at least one end E that can be worn on the tang 20 so that the water passes between the flexible tube H and the terminal T. Therefore, the tang 20 can conveniently include at least an inlet 21 and an outlet. 22 for water.

It is understood that the internal diameter of the end E of the flexible tube H may be substantially equal to or slightly less than the external diameter of the tang 20 to allow the first to be fitted on the second.

According to an aspect of the invention, the tang 20 can be configured in such a way as to facilitate the insertion of the end E of the flexible tube H on it.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tang 20 may include at least one annular projection, preferably at least two annular projections 23 ', 23' ', diverging in the direction of insertion of the flexible tube H. For example, the annular projections 23', 23 '' may have a maximum diameter increasing towards the abutment wall 13 of the main body 10.

Each annular projection 23 ', 23' 'may have a substantially truncated cone shape. In this way the insertion of the end E of the flexible tube H on the tang 20 can be favored, while the disconnection of the flexible tube H from the fitting 1 can be disadvantaged.

According to a particular embodiment, the fitting 1 may comprise valve means 50 configured to block the escape of water from the flexible hose H once the fitting 1 is decoupled from the diffuser accessory.

In particular, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the valve means 50 may comprise a stem 51 with an end shutter 52 inserted coaxially through the shank 20 to selectively block its inlet 21.

Conveniently, the shutter 52 may have a diverging shape in the direction of insertion of the flexible tube H in order to facilitate the insertion of the same flexible tube H on the shank 20.

For example, the shutter 52 may have a substantially hemispherical shape. More specifically, the shutter 52 may have a maximum diameter at the entrance 21 of the shank 20, while the annular projection 23 'proximal to the inlet 21 may have a minimum diameter substantially equal to the maximum diameter of the shutter 52 so that that they cooperate to define a substantially continuous invitation surface.

In this way, the mutual configuration of the shutter 52 and the tang 20 will facilitate the operation of inserting the flexible tube H on the latter.

In particular, as better described below, the flexible tube H and the main body 10 can be coupled in such a way that the water does not escape from the fitting 1 during use.

For this purpose, at least a portion E1 of the end E of the flexible tube H can be radially pressed against the tang 20 and therefore against the annular projections 23 ', 23' 'in order to achieve this hydraulic seal of the fitting 1.

The latter may also comprise a ring nut 30 of a substantially tubular shape which can be placed peripherally to the shank 20 so as to remain coaxial to the latter.

Conveniently, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the ring nut 30 and the main body 10 can be mutually screwed so as to reciprocally translate along the X axis upon reciprocal screwing. For example, the main body 10 may have at least one threaded portion 15, while the ring nut 30 may have at least a respective counter-threaded portion 31 with respect to the first so that they can be mutually screwed.

In particular, the portion E1 of the flexible tube H can therefore be interposed between the ring nut 30 and the shank 20. Advantageously, the latter can be mutually configured so that upon axial translation of the ring nut 30, that is, when it is screwed onto the main body 10, corresponds the radial compression of the same portion E1 of the flexible tube H as shown in Fig. 2.

For this purpose, the ring nut 30 may have an internal surface 32 at least partially frusto-conical diverging with respect to the direction of coupling of the flexible tube H and the main body 10, that is, with respect to the X axis.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the fitting 1 may comprise an annular pressure element 40 interposed between the ring nut 30 and the tang 20 coaxially to the latter. In particular, the pressure element 40 may have a substantially annular edge 42 facing the abutment wall 13 of the main body 10.

As particularly shown in Fig. 7, the ring nut 30, and in particular at least a portion 33 of its internal surface 32, will be able to interact with the pressing element 40 when it is screwed onto the main body 10 so that the latter exerts a radial pressure on the E1 portion of the hose H.

In other words, the end E of the flexible tube H may have an external surface SE in contact with the internal surface 41 of the pressing element 40, and an internal surface SI in contact with one or more annular projections 23 ', 23' ' of the shank 20 so as to make the hydraulic seal of the fitting 1.

Moreover, thanks to this characteristic, the mechanical seal of the fitting 1 can also be realized.

Conveniently, the pressure element 40 can be of variable configuration. In particular, the latter can be configured so that when screwing the ring nut 30 the same passes from an enlarged configuration to a restricted configuration to exert the radial pressure on the E1 portion of the flexible tube H.

For example, the pressure element 40 may have an annular shape and may consist of a single body with a substantially truncated cone shape formed by a continuous solid tubular structure with constant section.

In this way, upon its narrowing, the pressure element 40 will be able to exert a uniform pressure on the entire peripheral development of the portion E1 of the flexible tube H so as to preserve the integrity of the flexible tube H itself.

Advantageously, the pressure element 40 thanks to its configuration can be in contact with the external surface SE of the end E of the flexible tube H during the transition from the enlarged configuration to the restricted configuration.

Furthermore, during the screwing of the ring nut 30 onto the hinge body 10, the pressing element 40 will be able to compress radially to assume the restricted configuration avoiding to rotate around the X axis integrally with the ring nut 30. In this way it will be possible to avoid the torsion of the flexible tube H, and in particular of the end E, upon coupling with the main body 10 and therefore its damage.

According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the edge 42 and the abutment wall 13 can be mutually spaced so as to obtain an annular seat 61 between them.

In particular, the end E of the flexible tube H may comprise the portion E1 intended to be compressed by the pressure element 40 and a portion E2 intended to expand in the annular seat 61 as better explained below.

Conveniently, the fitting 1 may comprise spacer means 60 to keep the pressure element 40 and the abutment wall 13 mutually spaced apart so as to define the thickness of the annular seat 61.

In particular, the spacer means 60 may include a plurality of elongated elements 62 interposed between the pressing element 40 and the abutment wall 13. More in detail, the elongated elements 62 extend from the annular edge 42 of the pressing element 40 to go in contact with the abutment wall 13.

In this way, even after screwing the ring nut 30 onto the main body 10, the pressure element 40 can remain spaced from the abutment wall 13 to form the annular seat 61.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the main body 10, the ring nut 30 and the pressing element 40 can be mutually dimensioned and / or configured so that the radial pressure of the latter is exerted more in proximity to the annular projection 23 ' 'of the shank 20 proximal to the abutment wall 13, i.e. the annular projection opposite the annular projection 23' proximal to the entrance 21.

Eventually, the pressure element 40 may have a substantially truncated conical configuration.

Furthermore, the annular projection 23 'and the spacer means 60 can be mutually dimensioned so that this annular projection 23' remains spaced from the annular seat 61.

In particular, the elongated elements 62 may have a length such that between the annular projection 23 'and the abutment wall 13 a tubular interspace 63 can be defined cooperating with the annular seat 61 to define an expansion chamber 64.

In this way, following the action of the pressure element 40, the portion E2 of the flexible tube H, that is, the downstream portion of the annular projection 23 ', will be able to occupy the expansion chamber 64.

Eventually, this portion E2 may expand as a result of the pressure variation inside the flexible tube H due to the passage of water inside the flexible tube H itself.

In this way, even during use, the hydraulic seal and the mechanical seal of the fitting can be increased locally.

Furthermore, advantageously, the tubular interspace 63 may have a narrowing 63 'in correspondence with the annular projection 23' in order to define an area of tensile strength of the flexible tube H.

Conveniently, the space between the annular projection 23 '' and the annular projection 23 'may define a tubular interspace 65. In particular, the latter may have a narrowing 65' in correspondence with the annular projection 23 'so as to create a further tensile strength zone of the hose H.

In this way, it will be possible to prevent the decoupling of the end E of the flexible tube H and of the main body 10 during operation.

This characteristic can be particularly advantageous in the case the flexible tube H is an extendable tube.

Operationally, the operator can first insert the ring nut 30 and then the pressure element 40 around the flexible tube H.

Subsequently, the operator can insert the end E of the flexible tube H on the shank 20 so that the first is in proximity to / in contact with the abutment wall 13.

By acting on the outer surface 34 of the ring nut 30, the operator can screw the latter onto the coupling portion 12 of the main body 10 so as to radially compress the pressure element 40 and therefore the end E of the flexible tube H so as to form the hydraulic and mechanical seal of fitting 1 as described above.

The above is particularly advantageous in the case of flexible hose H of the extendable type.

The flexible hose H may have a tubular structure, neither corrugated nor spiral, typical of irrigation pipes or garden pipes. The polymeric layers may be tubular.

An example of a corrugated tube is known from the document US3028290, while an example of a spiral tube is known from the document US4009734.

The extendable flexible tube H may comprise at least one inner layer H1 in a first elastic polymeric material, at least one outer layer H3 in a second elastic polymeric material and at least one textile reinforcement layer H2 interposed between them.

The at least one inner layer H1 and at least one outer layer H3 can be joined together to form a unitary tubular element that integrates, that is, incorporates, the at least one textile layer H2.

For this purpose, the at least one outer layer H3 and the at least one inner layer H1 can be mutually joined at the areas of the outer surface of the at least one inner layer H1 not covered by the at least one layer of textile reinforcement H2. In other words, the at least one outer layer H3 and the at least one inner layer H1 may be mutually joined except in correspondence with the areas occupied by the textile threads of the at least one textile layer H2.

Conveniently, the unitary tubular element may have an elasticity such as to stretch and expand automatically under the working pressure imparted by the liquid flowing through it to increase its original length and such as to automatically retract once the working pressure ceases. to summarize the original length and diameter.

The elongation will be sensitive and appreciable to the naked eye, while the enlargement may be more contained and possibly not appreciable with the naked eye.

For this purpose, it will be necessary to appropriately choose the first and second elastic polymeric materials that form the unitary tubular element.

The first and second polymeric materials may be elastomers or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

Possible TPEs could be TPE-S, such as PP / SEBS or PP / EPDM, or TPE-O, such as Ethylene-Octene copolymer.

Possible elastomers could be natural rubber or latex.

Conveniently, the unitary tubular element as a whole may have a Shore A hardness measured according to ASTM D2240 (3 '') between 30 ShA and 50 ShA.

The textile threads that make up the at least one textile layer may be in polyester, nylon 6.6, polyvinyl alcohol, para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, Rayon®.

Advantageously, the textile threads that make up the at least one textile layer H2 may have an elongation at break measured according to BISFA (Cap 7) of less than 30%, and preferably less than 25%.

Advantageously, the textile threads that make up the at least one textile layer H2 may have a toughness measured according to BISFA (Cap 7) of at least 50 cN / tex.

In a per se known way, the automatic elongation and widening of the latter will be promoted by one or more flow restrictors or restrictors inserted into the pipe or connected to it, as for example taught in the documents EP2520840 and / or EP2778491, to to which reference is made for consultation. Conveniently, one of the ends of the tube can be connected to means for dispensing the liquid to be transported, for example a tap.

As is known, in a flexible tube a textile reinforcement layer H2, if stressed, tends to stretch axially and expand radially, depending on the type.

Advantageously, the at least one textile reinforcement layer H2 of the extensible flexible tube of the present invention may be capable of moving between a rest configuration which it assumes at rest, i.e. when the liquid does not flow through the unitary tubular element, and a configuration of work that it takes on when the unitary tubular element is stressed by the working pressure of the liquid passing through it.

In the working configuration, the at least one textile reinforcement layer H2 stretches axially and widens radially to accompany the elongation and widening of the unitary tubular element.

Depending on whether the threads that make up the textile reinforcement layer are elastic or rigid, this elongation and widening will be more or less marked.

However, the threads that make up the reinforcing textile layer may preferably be rigid, so as to effectively act on the unitary tubular element when it is elongated.

Preferably, the at least one layer of textile reinforcement and the unitary tubular element can be mutually configured so that the first intercepts the latter upon its elongation and widening in order to determine its maximum length and diameter.

In other words, with the same pressure inside the tube, the axial elongation and the maximum radial widening of the at least one textile reinforcement layer will be less than the axial elongation and the maximum radial widening of the unitary tubular element, so that the axial elongation and the maximum radial widening of the at least one textile reinforcement layer determines the axial elongation and the maximum radial widening of the flexible hose as a whole.

Conveniently, the automatic retraction of the unitary tubular element will allow the at least one reinforcing textile layer to resume the rest configuration once the pressure inside the flexible tube ceases.

This automatic retraction of the unitary tubular element can take place exclusively thanks to its elasticity, without any other aid. In particular, the flexible tube of the present invention may be devoid of helical springs or similar automatic retraction means.

Thanks to one or more of the above characteristics, it will be possible to obtain an extensible flexible hose that is easy to handle and practical to use.

As mentioned above, the stress of the pressure inside the pipe may tend not only to lengthen it axially, but also to cause it to expand radially.

In this case, the unitary tubular element may have its original diameter when the at least one layer of textile reinforcement is in the rest configuration and an expanded diameter when the at least one layer of textile reinforcement is in the working configuration.

Preferably, the flexible tube H may comprise at least a first textile layer H2 and at least a second textile layer H2 ', superimposed on each other but not necessarily in mutual contact.

The at least one first textile layer H2 and the unitary tubular element can be mutually configured so that the first intercepts the latter upon its elongation so as to determine its maximum length, while the at least one second textile layer H2 and the unitary tubular element may be mutually configured so that the first intercepts the latter upon its enlargement so as to determine its maximum diameter.

The extendable flexible tube H can be made using a method that may include the following steps in sequence: a) preparation of the at least one internal layer; b) realization on at least one internal layer of at least one textile reinforcement layer to create a semi-finished product; and c) extrusion on the semi-finished product of at least one outer layer.

Conveniently, step c) of extruding the at least one outer layer may include a step of joining the latter and the at least one inner layer to form the unitary tubular element, so that the at least one textile layer is integrated in the same.

Advantageously, the first and second elastic polymeric materials can be mutually compatible, so that the union between the at least one internal layer and the at least one external layer takes place during step c) of extrusion of the at least one. outer layer.

Preferably, the steps b) of making the at least one layer of textile reinforcement and c) of extruding the at least one outer layer can be carried out with the at least one inner layer elongated with respect to its original length.

In a preferred form of the invention, the elongation step of the at least one internal layer can be carried out by putting the same in traction, preferably by means of two or more pairs of facing rotating cylinders suitable for crushing the tube.

A first pair of cylinders will be able to squeeze the tube before step b) of making the at least one layer of textile reinforcement, while a second pair will be able to squeeze the tube after step c) of extruding the at least one outer layer. Advantageously, the second pair of cylinders can rotate faster than the first pair of cylinders.

To allow easier detachment of the inner layer once it has been crushed by the aforementioned cylinders, the at least one inner layer may internally include a detaching film.

In light of the foregoing, it is understood that the invention achieves the intended purposes.

The invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims. All the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to the needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. A fitting for the mutual junction of a terminal (T) of a user or a diffuser accessory and a flexible tube (H) for the transport of a fluid, comprising: - a tubular main body (10) defining an axis (X) having a first end portion (11) for coupling with the terminal (T) and a second end portion (12) which includes an elongated shank (20) on which an end (E) of said flexible tube (H), said tang (20) including an inlet (21) and an outlet (22) for the fluid can be fitted; - valve means (50) comprising a stem (51) with an end shutter (52) inserted coaxially through said tang (20) to selectively block said inlet (21); wherein said tang (20) includes a plurality of annular projections (23 ', 23' ') diverging in the direction of insertion of the flexible tube (H), said shutter (52) also having a shape diverging in the direction of insertion of the tube flexible (H) in order to facilitate the latter operation. 2. Fitting according to claim 1, wherein said shutter (52) has a maximum diameter at said inlet (21), the proximal annular projection (23 ') to said inlet (21) having a minimum diameter substantially equal to the maximum diameter of said shutter (52) so that they cooperate to define a substantially continuous invitation surface. 3. Fitting according to claim 2, in which said shutter (52) has a substantially hemispherical shape, said proximal annular projection (23 ') having a substantially truncated conical shape. 4. Fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said main body (10) includes an abutment wall (13) from which said tang (20) extends, said annular projections (23 ', 23' ') having a maximum diameter increasing towards said abutment wall (13). 5. Fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a ring nut (30) having a substantially tubular shape placed peripherally to said tang (20), said ring nut (30) and said main body (10) being mutually screwable, the fitting (1 ) further comprising an annular pressure element (40) interposed between said ring nut (30) and said tang (20) coaxially to the latter, said ring nut (30) when it is screwed onto said main body (10) interacting with said pressure element (40) to exert a radial pressure on the end (E) of the flexible tube (H) once it is fitted onto said tang (20), so as to cause radial expansion of the same during use (AND). 6. Fitting according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which said pressure element (40) is configured so that when screwing said ring nut (30) it passes from an enlarged configuration to a restricted configuration to exert said radial pressure . 7. Fitting according to the preceding claim, in which said pressure element (40) is a single body of substantially truncated cone shape formed by a continuous solid tubular structure with constant section so that when it is narrowed it exerts a uniform pressure on the whole peripheral development of the flexible tube (H). 8. Fitting according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said main body (10), said ring nut (30) and said pressure element (40) are mutually sized and / or configured so that the radial pressure of the latter (40 ) is exercised more near the annular projection (23 '') of said tang (20) proximal to said abutment wall (13), said pressure element (40) and said abutment wall (13) being mutually spaced to define a annular seat (61), said proximal annular ridge (23 '') being spaced from said annular seat (61), so that a tubular gap is created between said proximal annular ridge (23 '') and said annular seat (61) (63) cooperating with said annular seat (61) to define an expansion chamber (64) for the portion (E2) of flexible tube (H) downstream of said proximal annular projection (23 ''). 9. Fitting according to the preceding claim, in which said first tubular interspace (63) has a narrowing (63 ') in correspondence with said proximal annular projection (23' ') so as to create a first tensile strength zone of the flexible tube (H). 10. Fitting according to the preceding claim, in which the space between the annular projections (23 ', 23' ') defines a second tubular interspace (65), the latter having a narrowing (65') in correspondence with said annular projection ( 23 ') distal with respect to said abutment wall (13) so as to create a second zone of tensile strength of the flexible tube (H).