JPS5930959B2 - drain plug combination - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a drain plug combination for fitting into the wall of a fluid container, such as an automobile radiator.

The drain plug assembly has a molded plastic body member that receives a molded plastic stem member and includes an assembly that fits into an opening formed in a ridge in the wall of the container and is clamped into place. It has an arrangement configuration for

The body member of the drain plug has a plurality of spaced apart walls that open the container receiving the drain plug assembly during the process of fitting the drain plug assembly.
Driven in a mutual direction.

The spaced apart walls of the body member are held in an outwardly separated configuration by annular abutment-forming shoulders on the stem member when the stem member is threadedly tightened to the body member.

[Background of the invention]

The present invention relates generally to improvements in devices and structures used primarily in the field of fluid containers, and in particular to drain plug combinations and improvements to existing drain plug combinations currently commonly used in the automotive field. The drain plug combination of the present invention is particularly useful when used in conjunction with an automobile radiator.

However, while the present invention is primarily intended for drain plug combinations for use with automotive radiators, the particular device disclosed by the present invention may be used in other related fields, such as drain plugs for chemical containers, etc. It is possible to use

Traditionally, the drain plug assembly formed at the bottom of an automobile radiator is of the type that is silver soldered or brazed directly to the metal that forms the bottom tray or end cap for the radiator core. there were.

These conventional drain plug combinations include a hollow threaded shaft through which a stem member extends, having a seat portion that engages the inner circumferential edge of the threaded tube.

Water or other coolant within the radiator is drained when the stem is loosened by rotation of vanes as is well known in the art.

The operation of joining prior art drain plug combinations to radiators is relatively expensive and time consuming.

This operation requires the use of a skilled technician to braze or silver braze the drain plug assembly to the radiator bottom pan.

Furthermore, conventional drain plug combinations are required to be formed of cast or forged metal having substantially the same properties as the metal forming the radiator so that it can be joined to the radiator by silver soldering or brazing. It is.

In this method, the high cost of the silver brazing and brazing rods also increases the overall cost of forming the drain plug on the radiator.

[Summary of the invention]

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved drain plug combination that can be secured to a motor vehicle radiator without the need for silver soldering or brazing.

Another object of the invention is that the plug assembly can be fixed to a radiator of a motor vehicle by simply fitting it into an opening formed in the radiator;
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved drain plug combination whose operation is easily accomplished by unskilled personnel.

Another object of the present invention is to have an improved seal near the drain plug opening, which seal increases the temperature of the fluid within its associated container as a result of the high temperature of the fluid within the container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved drain plug combination that withstands pressure.

Yet another object of the present invention is a new and improved drain plug combination formed on the wall of a container receiving the drain plug combination to seal the container until such time as the drain plug is opened. The object of the present invention is to provide a raised arrangement that is highly effective in maintaining a raised condition.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a drain plug combination when the stem portion of the drain plug is completely disengaged from a portion of the body of the drain plug in order to drain liquid from within its associated container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a drain plug combination in which the body portion and the stem portion remain assembled even though the body portion and the stem portion remain combined.

The drain plug assembly of the present invention is a drain plug assembly for coupling through the wall of a fluid container, which includes: (1) a plurality of separately located parts interconnected at ends; and one end of the separately located parts. a body member having groove means extending from the first shoulder to the other end; and a stem member having an elongated shaft to be fitted within the body member between the spaced apart portions, the body member having a first shoulder. One means is formed on the spaced apart section intermediate the ends of the spaced apart section, and a second shoulder means is formed on the other end of the spaced apart section, and a second shoulder means is formed on the other end of the spaced apart section.
A shoulder means is capable of firmly retaining the body member within an opening formed in the wall of the fluid container, and the remotely located portion is configured to allow the body member to securely hold within the opening formed in the wall of the fluid container. The stem member is adapted to move elastically towards each other during the process of being fitted into the body member, and the elongated member is adapted to move elastically towards each other during the process of being engaged with the body member, and the lengthening is adapted to provide a locking action between the stem member and the body member when the stem member is tightened to the body member. Fastening means are formed on the shaft and in the body member, and the outer end of the shaft is provided with a head and the head extends radially outwardly of the shaft. When the stem member is tightened to the body member, it lies completely over the aperture and engages a wall proximate the aperture to form a seal thereabout, thus loosening the stem member from the body member. characterized in that the head of the stem member is disengaged from the wall near the opening so that fluid from within the container flows between the groove means of the body member and the shaft of the stem member. This has the effect that it can be easily fixed without brazing or the like by pushing the body part into the opening in the wall of the container.

In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals throughout the various figures are intended to indicate the same elements or components.

[Schematic explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a drain plug combination and fluid container constructed and cooperatingly arranged in accordance with the method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 further illustrates various aspects of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the drain plug assembly shown in the figures.

FIG. 3 shows the drain plug assembly fully fitted into the opening in the wall of the fluid container, further illustrating the head forming a seal around the perimeter of the opening.

FIG. 4 shows the drain plug assembly opened to allow fluid to flow from within the container to the drain.

FIG. 5 shows a tap formed on the head to facilitate manual operation of tightening and loosening the stem member.
FIG. 3 is a view of the distal end of the drain plug assembly of the present invention, showing the section.

6 is a side sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5. FIG.

FIG. 7 has a body portion that is somewhat compressed in the area of the reduced diameter portion of the stem member, thereby fitting an open body portion formed in a receptacle that receives the body portion; FIG. 3 shows a drain plug combination of the present invention that is easy to install.

FIG. 8 is a view of the distal end of the stem member of the drain plug combination of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an end cross-sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. (rib) attached part is shown.

FIG. 10 is an end view of a portion of the body of the drain plug assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a part of the body of the drain plug combination of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an end view of the body member from the distal end with a threaded opening in the body member for receiving the stem member.

[Detailed explanation of the illustrated example]

1 and 2, a drain plug combination constructed in accordance with the method of the present invention and designated generally by the reference numeral 10 is shown.

The drain plug combination 10 has a body member 11 which is cooperable with a stem member 12 and can be fitted into the opening 13.

The opening 13 is most advantageously formed within a ridge in a wall 16, which is part of a fluid container not shown in its entirety.

It will be appreciated that the fluid container may be an automobile radiator, and that other types of containers may also utilize the drain plug combination of the present invention.

The raised portion 14 is formed by an inwardly directed portion 17;
There is thus provided a flat wall 18 on the outside of the container immediately adjacent the ridge, which flat wall 18 cooperates with the stem member to make it fluid-tight in the vicinity of the opening 13.
dtight) form a seal.

The body member 11 has spaced apart wall-like portions 20 and 21 which are interconnected at one end by a material 22 and spaced apart by groove means 23 .

The other ends 24 of the walls 20 and 21 can easily be elastically urged towards each other by pressing them together.

The body member 11 and the stem member 12 are made of molded plastic of a suitable type to withstand high temperatures and provide substantial strength while maintaining a slight degree of elasticity to allow the walls to be driven together. Preferably, it is made of material.

PLA is one of these types of plastic materials.
There is SKON8233.

Extending outwardly from the walls 20 and 21 are first shoulder means 26 and 27, respectively, which have forwardly directed leading edges.
ng edges) 26a and 27a.

A second shoulder means 28 is formed at the distal end 24 of the wall and cooperates with the first shoulder means to secure the body member in position within the opening as best shown in FIG.

The body member 11 is fitted into the opening 13 after the stem member 12 is combined with the body member 11.

However, when the body member 11 is first fitted into the opening 13,
Next, the stem member 12 may be fitted into the body member 11.

The body member 11 has an aperture 30 formed at its interconnected end, which aperture is provided with a thread for receiving a corresponding thread 31 formed on the shaft 32 of the stem member 12 .

Although a threaded engagement is illustrated between body member 11 and stem member 12, it is understood that other tightening and loosening connection means may be incorporated, such as a quarter-turn cam 1ock arrangement. It will be understood.

Stem member 12 has a shaft portion 32 with a groove 33 at one end.

Across the outside of the groove 33 there is a shoulder portion 34 which is driven in the direction in which they converge as they pass through the opening 30 and then spread apart so that the stem member joins the body member. To maintain a stem member in a state of engagement with a body member even after the connection is broken at the screw portion.

The material holding the walls together has a predetermined thickness as indicated by the text.

In order to ensure that the threaded engagement of the stem member is completely released, a corresponding thickness D' must be set between the shoulder portion 34 and the screw 3.
Maintain the distance between the starting point of 1.

Distance D' is at least equal to or greater than distance.

To facilitate fitting the assembled drain plug into the opening 13, the shaft 32 has a reduced diameter section 36 so that the ends 24 of the body parts can be crushed together as shown in FIG. Be equipped.

Immediately adjacent the reduced diameter section, an enlarged diameter shoulder portion 3
7, said enlarged diameter shoulder portion 37 is then driven against the inner circumference of walls 20 and 21, as best shown in FIG. maintain a state that encourages
This ensures that the drain plug cannot be forced out of the opening or loosened under the influence of high pressure in the radiator or other vessel at elevated temperatures.

To ensure a long service life of the sealing engagement with the wall in the vicinity of the ridge 14, a resilient washer-like member 40 is located immediately adjacent a head 41 formed at the other end of the stem member 12. .

Washer member 40 is formed of a material such as rubber, neoprene, or other suitable deformable and non-hardening material.

The head 41 has a tap member 4 which is to be held by hand and screwed into rotation during the tightening and loosening operation process.
2.

As best shown in FIG. 4, when the drain plug combination is opened, fluid from within the container flows into the groove means 2.
3 and the shaft member 32.

As the washer is being driven firmly against the peripheral surface of the wall 18, the final tightening is performed using a plurality of rib elements 46 to ensure that the washer does not rotate during the operation process. is formed immediately adjacent enlarged diameter section 37 .

These ribs minimize contact with the washer.

Although four ribs are shown, three ribs may be formed if desired.

The embodiment described above shows a simple, inexpensive and effective drain plug combination for fitting into an opening formed in a ridge on the wall of a container.

Variations and modifications may be made to embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the novel idea as set forth in the claims hereinbefore disclosed.

Main embodiments of the invention are listed below.

(1) In the claimed drain plug combination for coupling to a wall of a fluid container, the head provides a seal between the wall in the vicinity of the opening and the head. A drain plug combination including a resilient sealing element located near the shaft for use.

(2) In the drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container as described in item (1) above, the elastic sealing element is a washer-like member having an opening for receiving the shaft, and the plurality of ribs is formed on the shaft adjacent the head to provide a contact area between the shaft and the washer, such that the washer prevents the tightening of the stem member from being A drain plug assembly that remains substantially stationary when in contact with the wall.

(3) In the claimed drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container, the separately located parts are interconnected with a material of a predetermined thickness, and the groove is connected to the wall of a fluid container. a laterally outwardly directed shoulder formed in the shaft at an end opposite the head; means of a material formed on the shaft adjacent the groove to interconnect the separately located portions; an opening is formed in the body through the shaft, and the shoulder of the shaft is driven through the opening during the assembly process of the drain plug, and the shoulder on the shaft engages the stem member and the body. A drain plug combination that retains the stem member within the body member when the member is loosened.

(4) In the drain plug combination for coupling to a wall of a fluid container as described in item (3) above, a female thread is formed within the opening and a male thread is formed on the shaft;
A drain plug assembly wherein the stem member is threadedly tightened against the body member to drive the head against the wall adjacent the opening of the fluid container.

(5) In the drain plug assembly for connection to the wall of a fluid container as described in paragraph (4) above, the material interconnecting the separately located portions has a predetermined thickness. , the disengaging screw on the shaft is located at a distance at least equal to the predetermined distance from the shoulder means at the distal end of the shaft to allow the screw to be fully disengaged; and a drain plug combination wherein said shoulder means enable said stem member to be retained within said body member.

(6) In the drain plug combination for connection to the wall of a fluid container as described in paragraph (5) above, the shaft has a reduced diameter portion adjacent to the threaded portion thereof and directed toward the head; A drain plug assembly that allows the remotely located portion of the body member to be crushed during the process of fitting the drain plug assembly into the opening of a fluid container receiving the drain plug assembly.

(force) a drain plug combination ζ for coupling to the wall of a fluid container as described in paragraph (6) above, further comprising an enlarged diameter section immediately adjacent to said reduced diameter section and adjacent to said head; to provide an abutment surface for the other end of the abutment portion, such that when the stem member is firmly clamped within the body member, the first end of the abutment portion and a second shoulder means for maintaining a tight engagement around the opening of the fluid container.

(8) A drain plug combination for coupling to a wall of a fluid container as claimed in the claims, wherein the body member is substantially rectangular in configuration and fits within a rectangular opening; a drain plug combination that prevents rotation of the body member during the process of tightening and loosening the stem member;

(9) In the claimed drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container, the first shoulder means is inclined forwardly in relation to a plane passing through the second shoulder means. an edge, the first and second
A drain plug combination that provides a gradually decreasing space between the locking surface edges of the shoulder and means to accommodate different thicknesses of the wall material forming the fluid container.

α0) A drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container as claimed in the claims, wherein the head is provided with tap means for manual operation during the tightening and loosening process of the stem member. Drain plug combination.

(11) A drain plug assembly for coupling to a fluid container, in which a raised part is formed on the wall of the container, an opening is formed in the raised part, a body member having a groove means extending from the one end of the abutment section to the other end of the abutment section; The second
A shoulder means is formed at the other end of the spaced apart portion and cooperates with the first shoulder means to securely hold the body portion within the opening formed in the ridge. and the spaced apart parts are adapted to move elastically toward each other during the process of fitting the body member into the opening; a stem member having an elongated shaft to be fitted within the body member, the elongated shaft being adapted to provide a locking action between the two when the stem member is tightened to the body member; fastening means are formed on the elongated shaft and within the body member, a head being formed at the outer end of the elongated shaft;
The head provides an area radially outwardly of the shaft so that when the stem member is tightened to the body member, it lies completely over the aperture and engages and seals therewith a wall proximate the aperture. forming a section, such that by loosening the stem from the body member, the head is removed from the wall adjacent the opening and fluid from within the container flows through the groove means of the body member and the shaft. A drain plug combination characterized by flowing from between.

(1) In the drain plug combination for being coupled to the wall of a fluid container described in the above section, the head part is
A drain plug combination including a resilient sealing element located near the shaft for providing a seal between a wall near the opening and the head.

(1) In the drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container as described in (1) above, the elastic sealing element is a washer-like member having an opening for receiving the shaft, and the elastic sealing element is a washer-like member having an opening for receiving the shaft, and the elastic sealing element is a washer-like member having an opening for receiving the shaft, and is formed on the shaft adjacent the head to minimize the contact area between the shaft and the washer so that the washer contacts the wall surface during tightening of the stem member. A drain plug combination that remains substantially stationary when in contact.

α荀 In the drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container as described in item α9 above, the separately located parts are interconnected with a material of a predetermined thickness, and the groove is connected to the head of the fluid container. A laterally outwardly directed shoulder means is formed on the shaft adjacent the groove and extending through the material interconnecting the separately located portions. an opening in the body, and the shoulder of the shaft is driven through the opening during the assembly process of the drain plug, and the shoulder on the shaft connects the stem member and the body member. a drain plug assembly retaining the stem member within the body member when the stem member is loosened;

(In the drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container described in paragraph 1, paragraph 1, in which a female thread is formed in the opening and a male thread is formed on the shaft,
A drain plug assembly wherein the stem member is threadedly tightened against the body member to drive the head against the wall adjacent the opening of the fluid container.

In the drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container as described in paragraph (L5) above, the material interconnecting the separately located parts has a predetermined thickness; the disengaging screw on the shaft is located at a distance at least equal to the predetermined distance from the shoulder means at the distal end of the shaft to allow the screw to be fully disengaged; A drain plug combination wherein a shoulder means allows the stem member to be retained within the body member.

C17) In the drain plug combination for connection to the wall of a fluid container as described in paragraph (L6) above, the shaft has a reduced diameter portion adjacent to the threaded portion and towards the head, so that the drain plug A drain plug assembly that allows the remotely located portion of the body member to be crushed during the process of fitting the drain plug assembly into the opening of a fluid container receiving the plug assembly.

Drain plug combination for coupling to a wall of a fluid container as described in the above housing section, further comprising an enlarged diameter section immediately adjacent the reduced diameter section and adjacent the head; providing an abutment surface for the other end of the separately located portion so that the first and second ends of the separately located portion are provided with an abutment surface for the other end of the separately located portion; A drain plug combination with two shoulders and a means for maintaining a tight engagement around the opening of the fluid container.

(In the drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container as described in paragraph 191 supra, the body member is substantially rectangular in configuration and fits within a rectangular opening, so that the A drain plug combination that prevents rotation of the body member during the process of tightening and loosening the stem member.

(20) In the drain plug combination for coupling to the wall of a fluid container as described in paragraph I above, an edge that slopes forward in relation to a plane in which the first shoulder means passes through the second shoulder means. a drain plug combination comprising a portion of the first and second shoulders providing a gradually decreasing space between the locking surface edges of the means to accommodate different thicknesses of wall material forming the fluid container; thing.

(21) A drain plug combination for coupling to a wall of a fluid container as described in paragraph 00 above, wherein the head is provided with tap means for manual operation during the tightening and loosening process of the stem member. Drain plug combination.

(22) A drain plug combination for coupling to a wall of a fluid container as described in Item 00 above, wherein the raised portion faces toward the inside of the container.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a drain plug combination and fluid container constructed and cooperatingly arranged in accordance with the method of the present invention. FIG. 2 further illustrates various aspects of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the drain plug assembly shown in the figures. FIG. 3 shows the drain plug assembly fully fitted into the opening in the wall of the fluid container, further illustrating the head forming a seal around the perimeter of the opening. FIG. 4 shows the drain plug assembly opened to allow fluid to flow from within the container to the drain. FIG. 5 is a view of the distal end of the drain plug combination of the present invention showing a tap formed on the head to facilitate manual tightening and loosening of the stem member. 6 is a side sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 7 has a body portion that is somewhat compressed in the area of the reduced diameter portion of the stem member, thereby fitting an open body portion formed in a receptacle that receives the body portion; FIG. 3 shows a drain grab combination of the present invention that is easy to install. FIG. 8 is a view of the distal end of the stem member of the drain plug combination of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an end sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 7, showing ribbed portions of the stem to minimize contact with the inner periphery of the washer forming a seal at the head; shows. FIG. 10 is an end view of a portion of the body of the drain plug assembly of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a side view of a part of the body of the drain plug combination of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an end view of the body member from the distal end with a threaded opening in the body member for receiving the stem member. 11... Body member, 12... Stem member, 13... Opening of fluid container, 14...
・・Rising part, 20° 21 ・・・・Wall-like part, 23・
...Groove means, 26, 27...First shoulder means, 26a, 27a...Front edge, 28...
...Second shoulder means, 30...Opening, 31...Screw, 3, 2...Shaft, 33...Groove, 34 ...Part of shoulder, 36...Reduced diameter part, 37...Part of enlarged diameter shoulder, 40...Elastic washer-like member, 41... ... Head, 42 ... Tap member, 46 ... Rib element.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a drain plug assembly for connection through the wall of a fluid container, (1) a plurality of separately located parts interconnected at the ends and one of the separately located parts;
a body member having groove means extending from one end to the other; and a stem member having an elongated shaft to be fitted within the body member between the spaced apart portions, the body member having a first A shoulder means is formed on the separated portion intermediate the opposite ends of the separated portion, and a second shoulder means is formed on the other end of the separated portion, and a second shoulder means is formed on the other end of the separated portion. The body member may be held firmly within an opening formed in the wall of the fluid container in cooperation with a shoulder means, the remotely located portion being adapted to ensure that the body member is within the opening. are adapted to move elastically toward each other during the process of being fitted into the
Fastening means are formed on the elongated shaft and within the body member to provide a locking action between the stem member and the body member when the stem member is tightened to the body member, and an outer end of the shaft. forming a head and providing an area radially outside the shaft so that the stem member lies completely over and in the vicinity of the opening when the stem member is tightened to the body member; The stem member engages with the wall to form a lunar region in the vicinity thereof, and by loosening the stem member from the body member, the head of the stem member is removed from the wall surface near the opening and is inserted into the container. a drain plug assembly, wherein fluid from the body flows from between a groove means of the body member and a shaft of the stem member.