JPH06159580A - Quick connecting branched connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To withstand a high static water pressure and to realize an operation by one hand even at a position with a difficult operation by having a saddle for mounting to an auxiliary pipe line and providing a nipple penetrating through the pipe line on the saddle through a hole formed on the pipe line. CONSTITUTION: The branch connector is provided with a saddle 10 having a center through hole 12 formed from a lower surface 13 to an upper surface 14 of the branch connector and communicating with a lateral hole of a pipe. An upper surface 18 of the saddle 10 is formed so as to take in an outer surface of the pipe and has a concave portion for accommodating a sealing gasket 20 carrying out a liquid sealing between the upper surface of the saddle 10 and the outer periphery of the pipe. The saddle 10 is provided with a hinge post 22 at one end and a bolt pad 24 at the other end and a loop 28 at one end of a spring clip 26 is pivotally supported to the hinge post 22. The clip 26, i.e., the pipe is tightened by thread-engaging a bolt inserted to an eyelet 30 at the other end of the clip 26 with the bolt pad 24.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a quick connect branch connector used in a piping system. Without being limited thereto, the present invention relates to a quick connect branch connector for specific applications in the assembly of fire fighting sprinkler systems. Regardless of the particular application, the quick connect branch connector of the present invention is used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipeline.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A commonly known branch connection uses a T-tube and is made by threading into the branch of the T-tube.

Further, in this field, it can be fixed to the main line by means of an annular zone or other parts, communicates with the main pipe through a hole formed in the outer surface of the main pipeline, and is sealed to the outer surface of the main pipe. Branch connectors are known.

Such branch connectors have been used extensively in the construction of fire extinguishing sprinkler systems. However, the known branch connector has the disadvantage that both hands have to be used when assembling the branch connector into the main pipe, such that one hand holds the branch connector and the fixing band is attached to the branch connector. This is not particularly a problem in easily accessible locations, but is critical in assembling branch connectors in difficult locations, such as high above the factory floor, which is the standard location for sprinkler heads. It becomes a problem.

Branch connectors that snap into the main pipeline have been previously proposed. Typical of such snap-fastened branch connectors are those manufactured by Spraying Systems, Inc., Weston, Illinois, United States, and Unispray, Inc., Waterrow, Ontario, Canada.

Snap-on branch connectors manufactured by these companies are used to install spray nozzles on low pressure pipelines. These snap-on branch connectors are said to be very suitable for this purpose in the presence of relatively low pressure in the pipeline, but are not suitable for fire fighting systems.

In a fire fighting system, the sprinkler head is exposed to continuous high hydrostatic pressure in the pipeline, which is probably present for several years all the time until the fire condition activates the sprinkler head.

[0008] The conventionally known quick-connect branch connector uses a spring clip that can be snap-fastened on the main pipeline, and fixes the quick-connect branch connector to the main pipeline only by the spring force stored in the spring clip. It is something to maintain.

As is apparent, the pressure at which the connection is lost is
It is determined by the spring force that can be applied to the connector by the spring clip. Therefore, the use of such known quick connect branch connectors is limited to relatively low pressure applications for holding spray nozzles that are exposed to dynamic pressure loads. In fire fighting systems, sprinkler heads are continuously exposed to much higher and higher hydrostatic loads than in spray systems.

There are additional considerations in fire fighting sprinkler systems. One of the important of these considerations is that the sprinkler head must be fitted to the main pipeline to prevent accidental or intentional disengagement of the sprinkler head when the main pipeline is under pressure. Is. This of course applies to all other plumbing applications where the pipeline is under pressure, especially where the pipeline carries hazardous or hazardous liquids.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a quick connection branch connector used for piping applications,
It is an object of the invention to provide a quick-connect branch connector that can reliably withstand particularly high hydrostatic pressures and that cannot prevent accidental or unintentional disconnection of the branch connector from the pipeline with which it is associated. Another object of the invention is to retain the advantages of known quick-connect branch connectors that can be snap-fastened to the main pipeline by means of one-handed handling, even in difficult places. The bifurcated connector can be permanently attached to the pipeline and requires pre-planned use of suitable tools when attempting to remove the connector.

[0012]

The quick connect branch connector of the present invention includes a saddle for attachment to an attached pipeline, the saddle having a nipple extending through the pipeline through a hole formed in the pipeline. Have,
The nipple is surrounded by a sealing gasket.

The saddle comprises a spring clip hingedly connected to the saddle, the spring clip snapped onto and surrounding the pipeline to retain the saddle initially attached to the pipeline.

The end of the spring clip remote from the hinged connection with the saddle is then permanently secured to the side of the saddle opposite the hinged connection, so that tools are required to achieve the lock. As a result, disconnecting the branch connector from the pipeline requires the use of the same or similar tools, thus preventing accidental or unintentional disconnection of the branch connector.

The fixation of the spring clips to the saddle at both ends acts as a crimp connection of the spring clips to the pipeline, creating a permanent connection between the pipe and the branch connector which depends on the tensile stress generated in the spring clips. Applied and does not depend on the compression spring force.

This method makes it possible to make a secure and permanent connection between the branch connector and the pipe, which has the advantage of first fixing the branch connector to the pipe in a completely stable manner. Open both hands of the installer when the branch connector is finally fixed to the pipe.

Usually, the main feed pipe is pre-drilled prior to installation of the sprinkler system, and subsequently the quick connect connector can be permanently attached to the main feed pipe.

Although not required, preferably the sprinkler heads are integrally formed with the branch connectors, or pre-mounted on the branch connectors prior to their attachment to the main feed line, to avoid difficult situations such as high or closed conditions. The skill required to mount the sprinkler head in place can be eliminated.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, referring to FIG. 1, a quick-connect branch connector of the present invention is provided with a pair of arc-shaped protrusions which can be inserted from a lower surface 13 of the connector into a lateral hole formed in a pipe (not shown).
4 is provided with a saddle 10 having a central through hole 12 extending to the upper surface at 4.

The upper surface 18 of the saddle is formed so as to surround the outer surface of the pipe, and the upper surface is joined to a sealing gasket 20 which is joined to the peripheral surface of the pipe for forming a liquid-tight seal between the upper surface of the saddle and the outer side of the pipe. Is recessed to accept. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper portion of the saddle has a hinge post 22 on one side and extends to both ends to provide a bolt pad 24 on the opposite side.

A spring clip 26 is pivotally mounted on the hinge post 22 by a loop 28, the spring clip being generally U-shaped when viewed in plan, with each arm of the spring clip joining within an eyelet 30. ing. Spring clip 26
Are formed of a continuous length of hard but resilient wire that is torsionally coupled to the pipe.

As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 3, the spring clip 26 must be pushed over the pipe, at which time the spring clip 26 acts as a hanger for the saddle 10 so that the spring clip 26 has a greater degree of arcing than half the circumference of the pipe. Is large and its axis is shown at 32. The saddle can be removed by an operator in preparation for the assembly process, at which time the saddle is suspended from the pipe by spring clips 26.

The operator is then free to use both hands to rotate the spring clip about the axis of the pipe to properly align the protrusion 16 of the saddle with the hole drilled in the pipe, followed by the hinge post. Rotate upward about 22 to couple the protrusion 16 to the hole formed in the pipe. Coupling the protrusion with the hole in the pipe prevents further movement of the saddle, and coupling the protrusion 16 with the hole prevents rotation around the pipe.

Next, the spring clip 26 and the saddle 10 are moved to align the eyelet portion 30 with the bolt hole 34. Next, the bolt 36 is inserted into the eyelet portion 30 and the bolt hole 3
4 and then the bolt can be finger tightened until the bolt head is tightened on the eyelet. The sealing gasket 20 can then be placed in intimate contact with the outer surface of the pipe to tension the spring clip 26 around the pipe and fully tightened using a wrench to place the spring clip 26 under tension ring stress, which Converted to compression sheet bonding of saddle 10 around the pipe as well as final compression of sealing gasket 20.

In this assembled state, the disconnection of the branch connector from the pipe does not occur accidentally or unintentionally. Removal of the branch connector from the pipe can only be accomplished by loosening and removing the bolt 36 with a wrench.

Thus, all of the advantages of the known quick connector are achieved, and further all of the disadvantages of the known connector are eliminated, the removal of the branch connector from the pipe without first intentionally removing the bolt. Is impossible.

In the fully assembled state, the quick connect branch connector of the present invention can be held in place, independent of the compression spring force of the spring clip 26, to provide the necessary seating pressure for the sealing gasket. it can. The spring clip 26, when placed under tension ring stress by the bolt 36, ceases to act as a spring clip and instead acts as a rigid annulus.

The drawing of FIG. 2 shows the quick connect branch connector of the present invention in combination with a conventional sprinkler head 38.

Usually, the sprinkler head 38 is installed on the saddle 1 before the branch connector is attached and fixed to the pipe.
Can be completely assembled on 0. by this,
After attaching the sprinkler head 38 to the pipe, it becomes unnecessary to assemble the head at a position where the saddle position at that time is the most inconvenient for performing the assembling work.

Although the quick connect branch connector of the present invention has been shown with a sprinkler head, other components may be used with the branch connector, such as a spray nozzle, pressure relief valve, pressure indicator, faucet, or branch line of piping. Understand.

Normally, the saddle 10 is formed as an integral casting of malleable iron. In other applications, depending on the purpose,
It can be formed as a casting of brass or copper, or a reinforced plastic material.

Although the hinge posts 22 are shown as a one piece cast with the saddle 10, they may be provided by a rod inserted into a hole in the saddle.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the saddle is 40,
The spring clip is shown at 42. This saddle and spring clip are the same as those used in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, but the fixing method of the spring clip 42 is slightly different. Instead of providing a threaded hole, such as the threaded hole in FIGS. 2 and 3, the saddle includes a slotted bifurcated protrusion 44 to receive the shank of a bolt 46. The shank of the bolt 46 passes through a nut 48 having a laterally extending post 50 that extends over the loop portion 52 of the spring clip.

By this method, the nut 48 and the bolt 46 are
Can be pre-assembled with a spring clip that restrains the nut and bolt but allows the nut and bolt to swing about the axis of post 50. This causes the spring clip 42 to snap around the pipe and then rotate the nut and bolt outward about the axis of the post 50 to rotate the saddle 40 upwards and the bolt 46 into the bifurcated protrusion 44. Can be passed through. This work can also be performed using one hand. The spring clip 42 is then placed under tension ring stress by tightening the nut 46 with a wrench and further tightening the bolt to pull the spring clip 42 into a crimped connection with the pipe, by this method being pre-planned. In this way, a permanent connection of the branch connector to the pipe, which can be removed only by using a wrench, can be achieved.

6 and 7 show a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the saddle 60 includes posts 62 extending laterally of the saddle, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5.

The spring clip, shown generally at 64, has an arcuate portion 65 connected by a lateral extension 66 extending between loop portions 67 which provide movement between portions 66 and 65. The spring clip 64 passes the arcuate portion 65 downward on the opposite side of the saddle 60, and turns the spring clip 64 to move the longitudinal extension 66 so as to overlap the upper surface of the saddle, at which point the spring clip member 64 is Restrained on the saddle, but post 62
By making it possible to swing around the axis of the saddle 60
Be assembled into.

The free end 68 of the spring clip 64 extends outwardly and is generally parallel to the longitudinal extension 66. The free ends 68 are moved towards each other and through a hole in a nut 70 having axially extending channels 72 formed in opposite diameters. Next, the free end 68 is repelled outward so that it is restrained below the lower surface of the nut 70, and then the bolt 74 is screwed into the hole of the nut to prevent the end of the spring clip from coming off. Next, the bolt 74 is attached to the saddle 6
Rotate into a forked protrusion 76 of 0 and tighten the bolt to tension the spring clip to clamp it to the outside of the pipe.

8-11 show another embodiment of the present invention in which the required tension ring stress of the spring clip is created by something other than bolts.

In this embodiment, a post 82 is similarly formed on the saddle 80 to make a hinged connection to the end 84 of the spring clip 86. On its laterally opposite side, the saddle 80 is formed with a clamping projection 88 which forms a channel 90 for receiving the lateral extension 92 of the spring clip 86.

At each of its axial ends, an intermediate portion 92 is formed as a V-shaped spring member having arms 94 and 96 capable of exerting a large tensile stress on the spring clip 86 when the connector is assembled. There is.

To assemble the connector to the pipe, the spring clip is turned upward to position the intermediate portion 92 in front of the tightening protrusion 88, and a screwdriver or a flat metal rod is placed under the intermediate portion 92 and the tightening protrusion 88. It is performed by inserting it into the long hole 98 provided between the two. Next, a screwdriver is used to lift the middle part 92 upwards and onto the clamping projection 88, at which time the middle part 9 is
2 snaps into the channel 90 under the influence of the spring force exerted by the spring arms 94 and 96.
When performing this operation, the spring arms 94 and 9
6 is moved to a slightly linear position to provide a large spring force which holds the middle portion 92 clamped within the channel 90 and places the arcuate portion 86 of the spring clip under very high tension ring stress. 8, 100, acts to clamp the spring clip and saddle directly to the outer surface of the pipe.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the spring clip member is formed from a strong rod or thick wire of spring steel having high tensile strength, before the spring member fixes the branch connector on the pipe. In addition, by first squeezing the branch connector onto the pipe, the spring clip is fixed to the opposite end of the saddle to perform the dual function of acting as a tightening member capable of exerting a large tension ring stress. It is possible to achieve a permanent connection of the branch connector to the pipe.

Also, it is necessary to use a tool to remove the branch connector from the pipe, eliminating the possibility of accidental and unintentional disconnection of the branch connector from the pipe.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an embodiment of a quick connect branch connector of the present invention.

2 is a side view of FIG. 1, wherein the quick connect branch connector is associated with a conventional sprinkler head.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a quick connect branch connector in an open position prepared to snap onto a regular pipe.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of the quick connect branch connector of the present invention.

5 is a side view of the branch connector of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the quick connect branch connector of the present invention.

7 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 6 in an assembled state.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the quick connect branch connector of the present invention.

9 is a side view of the connector of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connector of FIGS. 8 and 9 in an open condition prior to attachment to the pipe.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the spring clip seen from another position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Saddle 12 Central Through Hole 20 Sealing Gasket 22 Hinge Post 24 Bolt Pad 26 Spring Clip 28 Loop 30 Eyelet 34 Bolt Hole 36 Bolt

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Robert Lang United States 07843 Hopat Kong Lakeside Boulevard, NJ 349 (72) Inventor Douglas Aardre United States 08889 White House Station, Minj Road, New Jersey 9

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A saddle having an arcuate surface on a saddle member for connecting to an outer circumference of a pipe and having a nipple extending through a hole formed in a wall of the pipe; and a saddle surrounding the nipple and sealingly connected to the outer circumference of the pipe. A sealing gasket, a hinge means on one lateral side of the saddle, a fixing member on the opposite lateral side of the saddle, a spring clip member with one of the arcuate ends hinged to the hinge means, and the spring. Placing the spring clip member under tension ring stress at the opposite arcuate end of the spring clip member co-operable with the securing member when the clip member and saddle are placed around a pipe of suitable outer diameter. Quick connect branch connector with pulling means. 2. The quick connect branch connector according to claim 1, wherein the arcuate spring clip member has an arc degree larger than half of the outer circumference of the pipe and snap-connects to the outer circumference of the pipe, A quick-connect branch connector, characterized in that the saddle is first held before final assembly. 3. The quick connect branch connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spring clip member and said arcuate surface of said saddle are combined so as to have an arc degree smaller than the outer circumference of said pipe, whereby said spring clip member is A quick-connecting branch connector, which is placed under tensile ring stress by the pulling means in the assembled state of the quick-connecting branch connector. 4. The quick connect branch connector according to claim 1, wherein the hinge means is a post integrally formed with the saddle member. 5. The post according to claim 1, wherein the spring clip member is formed of a spring wire or a rod, and has a substantially U-shaped planar shape and is integrally formed with the saddle member. A quick connect branch connector characterized in that the U-shaped arm surrounding it provides the hinge connection and the middle of the U-shaped part forms an eyelet for receiving the fixing bolt forming the tensioning means. 6. The quick connect branch connector of claim 1, wherein the quick connect branch connector is provided in combination with a normally constructed sprinkler head to provide a quick connect sprinkler assembly for use in a fire fighting sprinkler system. 7. The quick-connect branch connector according to claim 6, wherein the sprinkler head is pre-assembled to the saddle before the quick-connect branch connector is assembled on the pipeline, and the sprinkler head and the quick-connect branch connector are integrated. A quick connect branch connector that provides a subassembly. 8. The quick-connect branch connector according to claim 1, wherein the pulling means includes a nut having a threaded hole, an extraction barrel shaft that extends integrally with the nut over the diameter of the hole, and a screw threaded into the hole. When the saddle and the spring clip member are positioned so as to surround the pipe, the extraction cylinder shaft is provided with a bolt that is inserted and extends through the fixing member. A quick-connect branch connector, overlapping a portion, wherein the head of the bolt opposes the fixing member and acts to tension the spring clip member. 9. The quick connect branch connector according to claim 1, wherein the spring clip member is formed of a spring wire or a rod, and has a substantially U-shaped planar shape, and the post is integrally formed with the saddle member. The U-shaped arm that surrounds provides the hinge connection, and further comprises a nut having a threaded hole, the saddle and the spring clip member being positioned to surround the pipe and within the wall of the threaded hole. An end of the spring clip member extends through a diametrically opposite axially extending slot that terminates in a portion that extends radially outside the hole and under the bottom surface of the nut. Position, the bolt is screwed into the hole and extends through the fixing member, and the head of the bolt opposes the fixing member, Quick connect branch connector, characterized in that tension the clip member. 10. The post according to claim 1, wherein the spring clip member is formed of a spring wire or a rod, and has a substantially U-shaped planar shape and is integrally formed with the saddle member. The U-shaped arm surrounding the hinge provides the hinge connection, the U-shaped middle portion includes a spring forming portion for tensioning the spring clip member, the fixing member includes a cam projection, and the quick connect When the branch connector is fixed to the pipe, the middle portion of the spring clip member is pressed onto the protruding portion to exert a tension on the spring forming portion and a tension ring stress on the spring clip member. Quick connection branch connector characterized by the following.