JPH0825598B2 - Hose assembly and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a novel hose assembly and a method of manufacturing such a hose assembly.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND A hose assembly having a first fluid passage for transporting a volatile liquid in one direction toward a container and a second fluid passage for returning vapor of the volatile liquid from the container, the outer periphery of the hose assembly. A flexible inner hose having a surface and defining the first fluid passage therein, and a flexible inner hose that is disposed so as to surround the inner hose and that defines the second fluid passage between the outer hose and the outer peripheral surface of the inner hose. Hose assemblies comprising a flexible outer hose having an inner peripheral surface and a venturi means provided on the inner hose for extracting liquid from a particular portion of the second fluid passage are well known.

It is also known to provide the hose structure with wire reinforcement members that prevent it from collapsing inward.

Also known are outer hoses of hose assemblies that are corrugated such that the inner peripheral surface defines alternating peaks and valleys, each peak and valley defining an arcuate surface.

A hose assembly having a fluid passage for transporting the volatile liquid in one direction toward the container and a fluid passage for returning the vapor of the volatile liquid from the container, the hose assembly having an outer peripheral surface. , A flexible inner hose that defines an inner passage of the fluid passage, and an inner passage that is disposed so as to surround the inner hose, and that has an outer passage of the fluid passage between the outer hose and the outer surface of the inner hose. A flexible outer hose having an defining inner peripheral surface, a coupling fixed to one end of the outer hose, a tubular fitting fixed to one end of the inner hose, and a fitting for the fitting and the inner hose. It is known to comprise clip means for retaining one end portion substantially concentrically within the coupling and the outer hose so that they constitute an extension of the outer passage. For example, Basam U.S. Pat.
See 0,112.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide a novel hose assembly with means for protecting the venturi means of the inner hose.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, when the outer hose of the hose assembly is embedded with wire reinforcement, the outer hose is made relatively flexible and yet protects the venturi means of the inner hose of the hose assembly. It has been found that it can be configured.

For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a first fluid passage for transporting a volatile liquid in one direction toward a container and a second fluid passage for returning vapor of the volatile liquid from the container. A flexible inner hose having an outer peripheral surface and defining the first fluid passage therein, and a hose assembly surrounding the inner hose, the outer peripheral surface of the inner hose being A flexible outer hose having an inner peripheral surface defining the second fluid passage therebetween; and a venturi means provided on the inner hose for extracting liquid from a specific portion of the second fluid passage, A hose assembly is provided wherein a wire reinforcement member is embedded in the outer hose to prevent the outer hose from collapsing inward in a manner that damages the venturi means.

Another object of the invention is to provide the hose assembly with means for removing as much liquid as possible that collects in the lower portion of the outer hose of the hose assembly.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the inner surface of the outer hose defines alternating peaks and troughs, and the outer hose is corrugated such that each peak and trough defines an arcuate surface, It has been found that the inlet means of the venturi means of the inner hose is never completely closed.

For example, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a first fluid passage for unidirectionally transporting a volatile liquid to a container,
A hose assembly having a second fluid passageway for returning vapors of the volatile liquid from the container, the flexible inner hose having an outer peripheral surface and defining the first fluid passageway therein. A flexible outer hose that surrounds the inner hose and has an inner peripheral surface that defines the second fluid passage between the inner hose and the outer peripheral surface of the inner hose; and a liquid from a specific portion of the second fluid passage. The outer hose defines alternating peaks and valleys, each peak and valley defining an arcuate surface. Are corrugated so that the venturi means have substantially flat inlet means which when engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the outer hose have the arcuate peaks and valleys. It is dimensioned so that it is not completely closed by Hose assembly to is provided.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel hose assembly having unique clip means for holding certain portions of the hose assembly in a substantially concentric relationship.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the clip means includes a ring portion telescopically fitted to a fitting of the hose assembly, and extending radially outwardly from the ring portion to engage the coupling of the hose assembly. It has been found that it may consist of a spider-like member having a plurality of arms which are made to be able to be combined.

For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a hose assembly having a fluid passageway for unidirectionally transporting a volatile liquid to a container and a fluid passageway for returning vapor of the volatile liquid from the container. A flexible inner hose having an outer peripheral surface and defining an inner passage of the fluid passage therein, and a flexible inner hose disposed surrounding the inner hose, and between the outer peripheral surface of the inner hose. A flexible outer hose having an inner peripheral surface defining an outer passage of the fluid passage, a coupling fixed to one end of the outer hose, and a tubular fitting fixed to one end of the inner hose. A clip means for retaining the fitting and the one end portion of the inner hose substantially concentrically within the coupling and the outer hose such that they form an extension of the outer passage, the clip means comprising: , In the fixture And fitted to the ring portion to the child formula,
A hose assembly is provided which comprises a spider-like member having a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the ring portion and engageable with the coupling.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hose assembly having a fluid passageway for transporting volatile liquid in one direction towards a container and a fluid passageway for returning vapor of the volatile liquid from the container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel hose assembly having one or more of the novel features of the invention described above and below.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new method of making a novel hose assembly having one or more of the novel features of the present invention described above and below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention and its technical advantages will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a hose assembly of the present invention used to dispense gasoline from a conventional gasoline pump or the like to a nozzle for insertion into a gasoline tank of an automobile or the like.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of one end of the hose assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the inner hose of the hose assembly being pulled outward relative to its outer hose.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the venturi means in FIG. 1 with a partial cross section.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly of FIG. 6 with a partial cross section.

9 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6, showing the inlet means of the venturi means in one position relative to the inner peripheral surface of the outer hose.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 and shows the inlet means of the venturi means in a different position relative to the inner peripheral surface of the outer hose.

Examples While various features of the present invention are illustrated and described below as being adapted to form a hose assembly for carrying volatile fluids, the features of the present invention are for other purposes. It is to be understood that the hose assembly for can be utilized alone or in various combinations.

Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and the accompanying drawings are merely to illustrate one of the broader applications of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a novel hose assembly of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, one end 21 of which is connected to a conventional gasoline pump 22 or the like and the other end is shown in FIG. 23 is shown connected to a conventional dispense nozzle 24. The dispensing nozzle 24 is shown in a normal position for dispensing fuel to a gasoline tank or storage container of a vehicle or the like. An intermediate portion 25 between the ends of the hose assembly 20 is a lower portion for draining liquid pooled in the hose in the manner described below for the purposes described in Farrow et al., U.S. Pat. Is. The description of US Pat. No. 4,566,504 is incorporated herein.

The hose assembly 20 has an outer peripheral surface 27 and is internally routed inside.
A flexible inner hose 26 defining 28 is defined. Liquid from the pump 22 is adapted to be conveyed through this inner passage towards the nozzle 24 in a conventional manner. Hose assembly 20
Also includes a flexible outer hose 29 having an inner peripheral surface 30 (FIG. 6) which cooperates with the outer peripheral surface 27 of the inner hose 26 to define an outer passage 31 therebetween. The dispensed volatile liquid vapor is pumped from the nozzle 24 through the outer passage 31 in a manner conventional in the art as described in Basam, U.S. Pat.No. 3,980,112, and Farrow et al., U.S. Pat. Can be returned to 22. The description of US Pat. No. 4,566,504 is incorporated herein.

While the inner hose 26 has substantially smooth inner and outer peripheral surfaces, the body portion 32 of the outer hose 29 of the present invention is spirally corrugated and is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the peaks 33 and the valleys 34 are alternately formed on the inner peripheral surface 30, and the peaks 35 and the valleys 36 are alternately formed on the outer peripheral surface.
And each trough 34 has an arcuate surface 33 'or
34 'is defined.

Further, a wire reinforcing member (a reinforcing member made of a wire) 38 is embedded in the outer hose 29 in a spiral shape along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 32. Wire reinforcement member 38
Are made of any suitable material, for example metallic material, whereby the outer hose is for the purposes described below.
Gives 29 the strength with which it resists inward crushing towards the inner hose 26. However, the body part of the outer hose 29
32 is flexible because it is corrugated as described above.

The body portion 32 of the outer hose 29 can be formed of any suitable material, but in one embodiment, the body portion of the outer hose is pre-curved with extruded coated urethane coated wire. Can be formed by extrusion-molding a urethane outer cover around the covered wire. The coated wire facilitates preforming of the wire, promotes attachment of an outer cover to the reinforcing wire, and effectively embeds wire 38 in the resulting structure. Of course, the body portion 32 of the outer hose 29 can be formed of other different materials and by other different methods, if desired.

An outer coupling 39 is provided on both ends of the body portion 32 of the outer hose 29.
A substantially smooth, non-reinforcement, cylindrical urethane cuff is attached to each end of the outer hose 29 or bonded by molding to attach the cuff 40 to, for example, Basam, U.S. Pat. It can be secured to coupling 39 in any suitable manner as described in.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 4, an outer hose
The end portion (cuffs) 40 of 29 is inserted into the coupling 39, and the inner metal sleeve 39 'is recessed outward in the radial direction to form the end portion.
40 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 39 ″ of the coupling 39,
The end portion 40 may be retained in a deformed state in the annular groove of the coupling 39.

Further, the outer hose 29 can be made of a material other than the above-mentioned plastic material, and can be made of any suitable polymer material having resistance to gasoline, oil and the like.

For example, in another embodiment of the outer hose 29 of the present invention, a spiral reinforcing wire member can be embedded without corrugation. Such an outer hose can be formed by coating the outer surface of a nitrile rubber tube with a rayon blade (blanket), and then coating the rayon blade with a nitrile rubber jacket. The spiral reinforcing wire is wound on this jacket and further covered with another outer rayon blade. On the outer rayon, coat an outer cover made of a compound of nitrile rubber and PVC. The outer hose thus obtained has a relatively smooth inner and outer peripheral surfaces. Couplings similar to coupling 39 are attached to both ends of this outer hose.

The inner hose 26 of the hose assembly 20 of the present invention may also be formed of any suitable polymeric material, and in one embodiment a wire reinforced nitrile rubber tube and a nitrile rubber and PVC compound. The cover can be made of.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the end portions 41 of the inner hose 26 are made of metal fittings in the manner described above with respect to the coupling 39 or as described in Basam, US Pat. No. 3,980,112. Install on 42. The fixture 42 is
Retained substantially concentrically within the cooperating coupling 39 by the clip means of the present invention, indicated generally by reference numeral 43.

The clip means 43 is formed of any suitable material, for example extruded aluminum, and is a cylindrical portion of the fixture 42.
Ring-shaped section 44 adapted to telescopically fit into 45
Have. The ring-shaped portion 44 is different so as to be held in pressure contact with the shoulder portion 46 of the fitting 42 by a C-shaped ring 47 mounted in the annular groove 48 of the fitting 42. Clip means
43 has a plurality of spaced arms or legs 49 which project radially outwardly integrally from its ring-shaped portion 44, the outer end faces 50 of these arms being concentric with the coupling 39 shown in FIG. It is adapted to engage the inner peripheral surface 51 of the coupling 39 to maintain the relationship. Further, the arm 49 of the clip means 43
Is adapted to abut the inner shoulder 52 of the coupling 39 to ensure a secure connection between the inner hose 26 and the outer hose 29.

More specifically, when one end of the inner hose 26 is fixed to the pump 22 by the coupling 39 and the fixture 42, when the user pulls the outer hose 29 toward the nozzle 24, the coupling 39 near the nozzle 24 is The shoulder 52 is clipped to the arm 43 of the means 43
Is press-fitted against the inner hose 26 and is thereby prevented from moving relative to the inner hose 26. Because the clip means
This is because 43 is fixed to the fixture 42 of the inner hose 26 as described above.

Therefore, by utilizing the interlocking feature of the clip means 43 as described above, the outer hose 29 can be formed of the lightweight plastic material described above.

Also, the spacing 53 between each arm 43 of the clip means 43 shown in FIG. 5 is the outside of the hose assembly 20 for the passage of steam for the purposes detailed in Basam's US Pat. No. 3,980,112. It can be seen that it constitutes an extension of the passage 31.

As described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,504 to Farrow et al., The liquid in the outer passageway 31 of the hose assembly 20 tends to collect in the lower portion 25 shown in FIG. The inner hose 26 is provided with venturi means to allow the inlet means of the venturi means to face the lower portion 25 of the passage 31 so that liquid flows from the pump 22 through the inner passage 28 through the venturi means to the nozzle 24. It is well known that liquid from site 25 is sucked back into inner passage 28 and directed to nozzle 24.

Such a venturi means is indicated generally by reference numeral 54 in FIG. 6 and comprises a metallic tubular member 55. Both ends of the tubular member 55 have a coupling member 60 of the present invention.
Are coupled to the respective proximal ends 58, 59 of the inner hose 26.

Specifically, as seen in FIG. 8, each coupling member 60 is interconnected by a metal sleeve 61 inserted into its end 58 or 59 of the inner hose 26. That is, the metal sleeve 61 is expanded within the end portion 58 or 59 to couple the end portion 58 or 59 as shown.
Coupling and press fit into multiple annular grooves 62 'in 60
The inner peripheral surface 62 of 60 is pressed and held.

Each coupling 60 has a male threaded projection 63 adapted to be screwed onto the female threaded end 56 or 7 of the Venturi tube 55. The protrusion 63 is hermetically sealed to the Venturi tube by an O-ring type sealing means 64 sandwiched between screwed screws and / or a suitable sealing material. Thus, the ends 58, 59 of the inner hose 26 are each coupled to a through Venturi passage 65 in the Venturi tubular member 55, and the venturi passage is
65 functions in the usual Venturi fashion, and tubular member 55
The fluid is sucked from the outer peripheral surface 67 of the through the inlet 66 leading to the passage 65.

For example, the inlet 66 may be configured as three passages 66 radially equidistantly arranged around the tubular member 55, with a porous one-way valve (not shown) in each passage 66. Insert the filter member 66 '. Filter member 66 '
Projects outwardly from the outer peripheral surface 67 of the tubular member 55 to define a substantially flat inlet means 69 communicating with the outer passage 31 of the hose assembly 20.

Venturi tube 55 and coupling 60 can be formed of any suitable material, but in one example, venturi tube 55 can be formed of brass and coupling 60 can be formed of aluminum.

The inner surface 30 of the outer hose 29 has an arcuate surface 33 'or 3 respectively.
The bottom inlet means 69 of the Venturi means 54 is arranged in close proximity to the inner peripheral surface of the outer hose as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 by alternately forming the peaks 33 and valleys 34 having 4 '. be able to. As can be seen, the substantially flat inlet means 69 is not completely closed by such peaks 33 and valleys 34, and thus the hose assembly.
More than most of the liquid pooled in the low section 25 of the passage 31 of 20 will be completely closed by the inlet means of the low section engaging the uncorrugated inner peripheral surface of the outer hose. Even much easier to extract.

As can be seen from the above, the hose assembly 20 of the present invention
In its use, its inner passage 28 allows the flow of fuel from the pump 22 to pass through the nozzle 24 to the outside in a conventional manner, and the flow of fuel, as it passes through the inner passage 28, causes the venturi means 54 to function as a pump. The liquid accumulated in the lower portion 25 in the outer passage 31 by suction is thereby drawn into the flow of the fuel flowing in the inner passage 28 to be removed, and the liquid blocks the outer passage 31. To prevent. Thus, the outer passageway 31 is defined by Farrow et al., U.S. Pat.
It may be utilized to return steam from the nozzle 24 to the pump means 22 in the manner described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,112 to 504 and Basam.

As can be seen from the above description, the hose assembly 20 of the present invention
Is relatively light and flexible, and is always used under severe conditions such as those normally used at gas stations, such as the constant bending and abrasion associated with the hose of a curve pump,
It is designed to withstand pulling and other actions. Additionally, the outer hose 29 of the hose assembly 20 of the present invention provides sufficient support to reinforce the venturi means 54 of the inner hose 26 utilized in the vapor recovery operation as described above.
To provide via.

The inner hose 26 of the hose assembly 20 of the present invention utilizes a wire braided reinforcement structure to handle axial forces resulting from excessive pulling forces on the hose assembly.

The outer hose 29 is corrugated to give flexibility, has a wire reinforcing member 38 for protection, and is made of urethane for description, so that it is lightweight and flexible. And has sufficient rigidity to protect the venturi means 54.

Coupling 39 and fittings at both ends of hose assembly 20
The spider-like clip means 43 of the present invention, which holds 42 concentrically, also transfers the axial force on the outer hose 29 to the inner hose 26, allowing the use of a lightweight, flexible outer hose. To do.

In addition, by attaching the outer hose 29 to the non-reinforced cuff 40 each having a smooth inner and outer peripheral surface, each coupling 39
It allows the sleeve 39 'to be expanded therein, thereby improving the passage of steam through the sleeve 39'. Each inflated sleeve 39 'has an inner hose 26
It also functions as a strain reducing means for minimizing the bending of the outer hose 29. Further, a clip (not shown) may be attached to the wire reinforcing member 38 via the cuff 40 so as to function as an electrostatic grounding conductor, and may also be attached to the outer coupling 39.

Further, in the same manner as the cuff 40, another polymer member is molded or joined to the outer hose of the hose assembly 20.
Can be installed by 29. For example, a suitable member 4
0 '(FIG. 1) is attached to the middle portion of the outer hose 29 by molding or joining and the member 40' constitutes the means for attaching the conventional ammunition reel winding line from the pump means 22 to the hose assembly 20. You can of course,
Such member 40 'may be formed of other materials and may simply be fastened to outer hose 29 by fastening means other than molding or joining, as desired.

With respect to the inner hose 26, the coupling 60 is attached to the inner hose by a sleeve 61 that is inflated internally to maximize flow through the inner hose, an O-ring type seal member 64 and / or a thread seal. By providing the material, the coupling 60 can be screwed into the same thread of the Venturi tube 55 and an excellent seal can be set between the coupling 60 and the Venturi tube 55. Also, the Venturi tube 55 and the threads 63 of the coupling member 60 impart good tensile strength to the entire assembly 20.

As can be seen from the above description, the present invention also provides a novel method for manufacturing a hose assembly such as steam.

While the presently preferred examples and ears of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the steps of various other embodiments and methods within the scope of the claims attached hereto. Please understand that is possible.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Renshaw, Guyer. Missouri, USA 65604, Ash Grove, Box 311, Caulfield 203 (56) References European Patent Application Publication 155186 (EP, A)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A hose assembly having a first fluid passage for transporting volatile liquid in one direction toward a container and a second fluid passage for returning vapor of the volatile liquid from the container. A flexible inner hose that has an outer peripheral surface and defines the first fluid passage therein, and the second fluid passage is disposed so as to surround the inner hose and the outer peripheral surface of the inner hose. A flexible outer hose having an inner peripheral surface defining a venturi, and a venturi means provided on the inner hose for extracting liquid from a particular portion of the second fluid passage, the venturi means comprising: The outer hose (29) has a substantially flat inlet means facing the inner circumferential surface of the outer hose so as to connect the two fluid passages to the first fluid passage through the venturi means. ) Defines the mountain (33) and valley (34) alternately , The peaks (33) and the valleys (34) are corrugated in a spiral shape so as to define the arcuate surfaces (33 ', 34'), and the arcuate valleys (34) Yamabe (3
3) is an arcuate valley portion (34) and a mountain portion (33) when the inlet means (69) engages with the inner peripheral surface (30) of the outer hose (29) and faces substantially downward. A hose assembly that is sized so that it is not completely closed by. 2. The venturi means (54) comprises a plurality of the inlet means (69) radially extending at intervals around the venturi means, as claimed in claim 1. A hose assembly according to item. 3. A wire reinforcing member (38) is embedded in the outer hose (29) so as to prevent the venturi means (54) from being crushed inward in a manner that damages the venturi means (54). The hose assembly according to claim 1. 4. The wire reinforcing member (38) is composed of a single metal wire wound in a spiral shape along the longitudinal direction of the outer hose (29). A hose assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein: 5. A hose assembly having a first fluid passage for transporting a volatile liquid to a container in one direction and a second fluid passage for returning vapor of the volatile liquid from the container. A flexible inner hose that has an outer peripheral surface and defines the first fluid passage therein, and the second fluid passage is disposed so as to surround the inner hose and the outer peripheral surface of the inner hose. A flexible outer hose having an inner peripheral surface defining a venturi, and a venturi means provided on the inner hose for extracting liquid from a particular portion of the second fluid passage, the venturi means comprising: A method of manufacturing a hose assembly having a substantially flat inlet means facing an inner peripheral surface of an outer hose so as to connect a two fluid passage to the first fluid passage through the venturi means. Crosses Yamabe and Tanibe Demarcate each other,
A step of corrugating the outer hose in a spiral shape so that each crest and trough defines an arcuate surface; and the arcuate troughs and crests, wherein the inlet opening is the inner circumference of the outer hose. A method of manufacturing a hose assembly, comprising the step of forming the hose so as not to be completely closed by the arc-shaped troughs and peaks when engaged with a surface and facing substantially downward.