MXPA00003610A - Pipe coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipe coupling includes a housing (2, 3) and a conical split ring (4) which is compressed to firmly clamp a pipe (p) received within the housing (2, 3). The opposite ends (41, 42) of the split ring (4) defining the split are laterally offset from each other such as to permit the split ring (4) to be compressed to substantially decrease its internal diameter, by the offset ends (41, 42) moving in overlapping relation to each other, thereby enabling the split ring (4) to clamp the pipes (p) having a wide range of outer diameters.

Description

PIPE COUPLING DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pipe couplings. The invention is particularly useful on a universal type pipe coupling adapted to receive a wide range of pipe sizes and materials. The invention, therefore, will be described below, particularly as it applies to universal type pipe-type coupling, but it will be appreciated that the invention can also be used in other applications. Pipe couplings in general must receive a predetermined precise pipe length _ and must securely hold pipes against large pull forces. In addition, where pipes are used to conduct liquids or gases particularly at high pressures, the pipe couplings must also ensure a good seal to prevent leaks. For these reasons, pipe couplings are solidly constructed in a wide range of sizes and different designs to accommodate pipes of different diameters and materials. Several pipe coupling constructions - universal type have been developed to allow the pipe coupling to accommodate a wide, pipe size range. Examples of currently known couplings of this type are described in patent application PCT / GB93 / 02630, published July 7, 1994, i. US Patent 3,986,737, issued October 19, 1976.. . An object of the present invention is to provide a pipe coupling having a number of advantages by making it, especially useful as a universal type pipe coupling, as will be more particularly described in the following. The present invention relates particularly to the type of pipe coupling comprising a housing including a first shaped section fashioned with a hole for receiving a pipe to be coupled, and a second section that can be attached to the first section and which it can be moved axially to fix the pipe inside the hole; and an elastic groove ring received within the second section for joining the pipe that was engaged, the groove ring has an "outer conical face that engages a conical face inteilor of the second section and is effective, when moving the second section axially to fix the pipe within the hole, to compress the slot ring to decrease its internal diameter and thereby cause the slot ring to firmly grip a covered pipe In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, A pipe coupling of the type described above is provided, characterized in that the opposite ends of the groove ring defining the groove thereof are laterally out of place with one another to allow the groove ring to be compressed substantially to decrease its internal diameter, by the ends out of place moving in an overlapping relationship with each other, with this allowing the ring ■ Hold the pipe that has a wide range of outside diameter. In this way it will be seen that such construction ensures that the pipe coupling will clamp the pipe for substantially the entire circumference of .360 ° of the pipe, regardless of the diameter to the pipe. This construction therefore allows the pipe coupling to be manufactured according to a standard size, or a relatively small number of standard sizes, each size, standard being able to accommodate a large number of. pipe diameter. This feature takes away from the user the need to store a large number of parts for:. Different sizes of pipe diameter and substantially reduces the costs of initial machining, production maintenance, and repair. According to another aspect of the present invention, a pipe coupling of the type described above is provided., characterized in that the groove ring includes a plurality of hard teeth fixed on a side face of the groove ring and projecting radially inward further from the inside face of the groove ring, at circumferentially spaced locations thereof, to be embedded in the outer face of a pipe when it is covered and held by the ring: anura.r: This construction allows the LuDer coupling to firmly grip a wide variety of pipe materials, both hard and soft. In accordance with an additional aspect of the present. invention, pipe couplings of the type described are provided, characterized in that the first housing section includes a plurality of deformable seals. circumferentially spaced from the orifice toward the inside of the conical surface thereof, the detents may be coupled with the end of a pipe inserted into the coupling, but may be deformed under forces to allow axial movement inward of the pipe-during movement. The final axial section of the second housing section (for example, the final tightening of the nut) after the elastic groove ring has been fastened to the pipe, such construction is particularly advantageous when the body member is formed with a surface, internal conical, and the coupling further includes a sealing ring having an end face which can be engaged with the conical surface of the body member by tightening the nut to ensure a good seal with respect to the received -in the body member - _ _ The invention is described herein, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a three-dimensional exploded view illustrating the major components of a constructed pipe coupling form; according to the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates the pipe coupling of Figure 1 in an assembled condition; Figure 3 is a sectional view, along the line III-III of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view illustrating. the groove ring in the pipe coupling of Figures 1-3; Figure 5 is a view of the groove ring of Figure 4 fits end of larger diameter; Figure 6 is a side view of the ring d-slot of Ta Figure 4; Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view that. illustrates one of the hard tooth inserts in the pipe coupling of Figures 1-3; Figure 8 is a view of the splice anilium in the coupling of Figures 1-3 of its smaller diameter end; Figure 9 is a sectional view at the l rg of line IX-IX of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a sectional view of the sealing ring in the pipe coupling of Figures 1-3; Figure 11 is an end view of the body member in the pipe coupling of Figures 1-3; Figure 12 is a sectional view along the line XII-XII of Figure 11; and Figures 13 and 14 are extreme and perspective views, respectively, illustrating a modification in. the construction of the elastic slot ring and its inserts = metal tooth. The drawings illustrate a pipe coupling constructed in accordance with the present invention for coupling one end of a pipe P to another device (not shown) in a manner which securely holds the pipe against great pulling forces, and which also "produces a good seal against leaks ffluids carried by the pipe." The pipe coupling shown in the drawings, for example, may be one end of an inline coupling or elbow coupling, in which case pipe P coupled in line to another pipe, or could be part of a T-shaped adapter, in which case P pipe would be coupled at an angle to another pipe, outlet key or other device The pipe coupling illustrated includes five components main: a first housing section, in the form of a body member 2; a second housing section in the form of a nut 3 threadedly received in the member body, a slot 4 ring to hold the P pipe when it is. being received within the coupling; a 5 splice ring; and a sealing ring 6 for sealing the pipe in the coupling. The body member 2 is formed with a large outer diameter hole (Figures 3 and 2) to receive the P-pipe (Figure 1) to be coupled. The orifice 21 communicates with a small diameter orifice 22 ... that directs fluid fthe pipe to another pipe or other device, according to the particular application of the pipe coupling. The union between the holes 21 and 22 is formed with a conical surface 23 which copes with. the sealing ring 6, as will be more particularly described in the following. The external threads 24 formed at one end of the body member threadedly receive the nut 3.

As particularly shown in Figures 11 and 12, the body member 2 further includes a plurality of removable detents 25 within the interior bore 22. The detents 25 are preferably in integral form formed by the member. 2 body, but can be inserted. separated received within the body member. The detents can be coupled with the end of the pipe P when they are inserted into the coupling, and can be deformed under a force, as will be more particularly described in the following, to allow some axial movement inward of the pipe fbefore the final tightening of the nut 3. ~ ~ As shown in Figure 11, there are 3 detents 25 that can be deformed equally spaced around the circumference of the inner orifice 22. Each retainer 25_. It has is in the configuration of a blade having a base 25a integrally attached to the body member 2 and projecting non-radially (ie, in some tangential manner) into the hole 22. Each blade 25 further includes a leading edge 25b taper that can be engaged with the end of the pipe P when it is inserted into the hole 23. As will be more particularly described in the following each blade 25 thus serves as an initial stopper for limiting movement into the pipeline when it is inserted into the body member, but the final tightening of the nut 3 produces an axial force tending to move the pipe further into the hole, which additional movement is allowed by the deflection of the vanes 25 more tangentially towards the inner surface of the hole. From this further inward movement of the pipe during the final tightening of the nut is. It is important to firmly press the ring 6 against the conical surface 23 of the body member 2, and thereby ensure a good seal with respect to the coupled pipe The nut 3 is formed with a large diameter hole 31 to accommodate the slot ring 4, the anili < > 5 of splice, and the sealing ring 6. One end of the ac-a 3 includes internal threads 32 for threaded receiving the external threads 24 of the body member 2 The opposite end 33 of the nut 3 is reduced in diameter and ends in UTG hole 34 to receive the pipe P. The end 33 of the nut is additionally formed with an internal conical surface 3J_ cooperating with the ring 4 of. a plastic groove for holding the groove ring in the pipe P, and with external axial ribs 36 for facilitating the manual rotation of the nut with respect to the body member 2. The inner conical surface 35 ends in the annular rib 36 defining the orifice 34. The ring. 4 of elastic groove is illustrated in particular in Figures 4-6. It is not the conventional construction of elastic groove rings "where the opposite ends of the xanura are aligned to have a relationship capable of splicing. Preferably, the opposite ends 41, 42 of the groove ring 4, defining the groove in the ring are laterally out of place with one another to allow the groove ring to be compressed to substantially lower its inner diameter by the ends 41, 42 out of place moving in an overlapping relation to each other (Figure 6), thereby allowing the slot ring to clamp the pipes-which have a wide range of outside diameters. The opposite end portions of ring 4 of. Slot when moved in overlapping relationship with each other, when the slot ring is comprised, has less thickness than the non-overlapping middle part of the slot-ring. Preferably, each of the end portions. opposite is extended by an arc of 60-15-0 °. In Figures 4 ~ and 6, the end portion ending at the end 41 is shown at 4a, the end portion ending at the -trems 42 is shown at 4b, and the middle portion did not overlap the slot ring shown in FIG. 4c. In the illustrated example the end portion 4a is approximately 5.0 mm thick and extends approximately 120 °; the end portion 4b is approximately 6.0 mm thick and extends to approximately 120 °; and the non-overlapping half portion 4c is 11 mm thick and the remaining 120 ° extends. In the relaxed condition of the groove ring the two end portions 4a, 4b may slightly be lapped over one another. A first step 4d (Figure 4) is formed on the large diameter face of the groove ring at the junction of the end portion 4a with the middle portion 4c. A second passes 4c _ (Figure 6) is formed on the small diameter face of the ring. of slot at the junction of the end portion 4b with the middle portion 4c. By forming these joints as steps, the clamping surface of the groove ring is maximized particularly when clamping small diameter pipes.

The inner annular rib 37 in the nut determines the LT "smaller diameter pipe capable of being accommodated by the pipe coupling as it limits the compression of the groove ring by the conical surface 35. ~ The groove ring 4 is made, for example, by injection molding, so that the two ends 41, 42 are laterally out of place one from the other allowing the slot ring to be compressed in the manner described above One or both of the opposite ends 41, 42 of the ring Slots are formed with a surface: - tapered, as shown in 41a (Figure 4), to cause the two ends to be changed laterally if they are aligned - when they are first coupled with each other and thereby allow "the ring of the slot is compressed as described above.

The elastic groove ring 4 is formed on its outer surface - with a plurality of axially spaced-apart circumferentially spaced ribs - 3, 4 4 having tapered outer surfaces 43a, 44a which define the outer conical face of the groove ring that can be fit with the conical surface 35 of the nut 3. In. the example illustrated in Figures 4-6, there are three., ribs 43 thick equally. circumferentially spaced from the groove ring, and a plurality of thin ribs 44 equally spaced apart from each other. 43 ribs thick. ~~ Each of the three thick ribs 43 is formed on its large diameter face, with a slit 45. (Figure 5) which terminates on the inner surface of the groove ring 45. The slits 45 receive the inserts 46 and FIG. 7), made of a hard material, such as metal, ceramic or the like, The inserts 46 serve as hard teeth projecting radially inwardly beyond the inner groove of the groove ring 4 in lagares-circumferentially spaced apart therefrom. be embedded in "the outside face of a pipe when it is covered and- held by the groove ring. As shown in Figure 7, each insert 46 is of generally rectangular configuration, having flat side faces 46a, a relatively wide base 46b embedded within the slit 45. of the groove ring 4, and an apex 46c. narrower projecting from the slit 45 beyond the inner face of the groove ring to engage the outer surface of the pipe held by the groove ring. The teeth defined by the hard inserts 46 are intended to firmly hold the pipes of hard material, such as metal or hard plastic. The groove ring 4 is additionally formed with one or more annular locking ribs 47 (Figure 4) on its inner face which is embedded in the outer shell of. a pipe made of a softer material (eg, plastic, rubber, lead, etc.) when the pipe coupling is used to couple pipes of such softer materials. The splice ring 5, as best seen in Figures 8 and 9, is made of a rigid plastic material. It is interposed between the elastic groove ring 4 and the sealing ring 6 and transfers: axial force, produced by the tightening of the nut 3, from the groove ring to the sealing ring to press the end of the sealing ring into a firm seal coupling with conical surface -23 of body member 2. As shown particularly in Figs. 8 and 9, the splice ring 5 is formed with a central opening 51 for receiving the inserted pipe The splice ring has an outer surface 52 of conical configuration extending from the end 53 of the small diameter of the ring to the large diameter end 54. The large diameter end 54 is formed with a peripheral rib 55_ for receiving the sealing ring 6. The sealing ring £ T is of a cylindrical configuration and It is formed with a central opening 61 for receiving the inserted pipe One end of the sealing ring has a radially extending rib 62. An outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the peripheral rib 55 in the ring 5 of splicing, to firmly seat that end of the unsealed ring on the face 54 of the splice ring. The opposite side of the sealing ring 6 is formed with a rounded shoulder 63 for coupling with the conical surface 23. (Figure 2) in body member 2. Figures 13 and 14 illustrate a slight modification in the groove ring construction, here designated 104, and its inserts defining the teeth 146. In this modification, the groove ring 104 is formed with grooves 145 in shape. of U on its large diameter side. These slits receive the U-shaped inserts 146 each including two straight parallel legs 146a, 146b, joined by a curved bridge 146c. Each leg 146a, 146b terminates at an acute edge 146d projecting inward beyond the interior surface of the annulus 104. The entrance face 146e of each tooth is gradatly inclined to facilitate the insertion of the coupling Jentro pipe.; while the opposite face 146f is sharply inclined to prevent forced removal of the inserted pipe when applied to the coupling. The illustrated pipe coupling is used as follows: First, the elastic groove ring 4 > '- > 104 Figures 13, 14), the splice ring 5, and the sealing ring 6, are inserted into the nut 3 in the order shown in Figure 1, and the nut is threaded loosely "on the threads 24. in the body member 2. The pipe P when being engaged is then inserted through the opening 34 of the nut 3 until the end of the pipe, joins the vanes 25 inside the body member 2. The nut then As the nut 3 moves axially with respect to the body member, the conical surface 35 of the nut, which engages the outer conical surface of the elastic slot ring 4, compresses the slot ring, and decreases its inner diameter until it is firmly clamped in the pipe P. As soon as this occurs, the final rotation of the nut 3 causes the clamped pipe P to also move axially and deform the blades 25 by deflecting them sideways. of the blades allows a movement additional axial tension of the nut 3, and the pipe P together with the elastic slot ring 4, the splice ring 5, and the sealing ring 6. The raovi icn. The sealing ring 6 has its end j r u < -Ideed firmly against the conical surface 23 with member 2 of the. body, thereby producing a very tight seal with respect to the P-pipe. In this way it will be seen that the illustrated pipe coupling can accommodate a wide range of outer pipe diameters since the ends 41, 42 are not visible. Instead of the elastic groove ring 4 allow the groove ring to be contracted considerably over, a wide range sufficient to hold the pipe P for the entire circumference of 360 ° of the pipe independently. its outside diameter. In addition, the illustrated hose-coupling can be used with material-material pipes, since the inner annular ribs 47 of the elastic groove ring 4 are embedded in the pipes of the soft material, while the teeth 46 (or 146) hard, sr project from the inside face of the ring. 4 _ (or 104) of elastic groove, they are embedded in more material pipes. hard, for example metal. The illustrated bar coupling produces a very good seal since the blades 25 which limit the initial insertion movement of the pipe P, can be deflected under the force of the friction tightening of the nut 3 to allow the nut, and particularly the sealing ring 6 inside it, moves axially enough to firmly press the rounded end 63, of the sealing ring against the conical face 23 of the. body member. Since the invention has been described with. with respect to a preferred modality, it will be appreciated that this is. set simply for purposes of example, / that many other variations, modifications and applications of the. invention can be made.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS 1. A pipe coupling characterized in that it comprises: a housing including a first section. formed with a hole to receive a "pipe to be coupled, and a second section that can be attached to the first section and axially movable therefrom to fix the pipe within the hole, and a ring of" elastic groove. received inside the second section to cover the pipe to be coupled, the groove ring has an outer conical face which can be coupled with an inner face of the second section and is effective, by moving the second section axially to hold the pipe inside the hole, to compress the groove ring in such a way that its inner diameter is reduced and thereby cause the groove ring to firmly clamp a covered pipe; the opposite ends of the groove ring define. the groove of the latter being laterally out of logar of each other, to allow the groove ring to be compressed to substantially decrease its internal diameter, by these ends out of place moving in an overlapping relation one over the other, thereby allowing that the groove ring holds pipes that have a wide range of external diameters.
2. 2. The coupling in accordance with the. claim 1, characterized in that the first section is a body member formed with the hole for = receiving the. pipe to be coupled; and the second section is a nut. threadedly received in the body member.
3. 3. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the opposite end portions of the groove ring, to be moved in an overlapping relation to one another when the groove ring is compressed, are of less thickness than | ^ rcrón. non-overlapping half of the slot ring. : - The coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer edge of_. by. at least one of the opposite ends of the ring.
4. Slot is formed with a tapered surface to secure. that the opposite ends move laterally, and I do not know. splice, by compressing the slot ring. - -
5. 5. The coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove ring. is, formed with an annular locking rib on its inner face, whose rib is embedded in the outer face of one. Tubing of relatively soft material when covered and held by the groove ring. - _ -
6. 6. The coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove ring "includes a plurality of hard teeth fixed on the side face of the groove ring and projecting radially" inwardly beyond the inner face of the shaft. of slot in separate circumferential locations thereof whose teeth are embedded in the outer face of a pipe when it is covered and held by the slot ring.
7. The coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the body member is formed with a conical inner surface, and the coupling further includes a sealing ring having "" an end face which can be coupled with the conical surface. of the body member when tightening the nut.
8. 8. The coupling according to claim 8, characterized in that the annulus of the shear is of cylindrical configuration, and the coupling idemás includes a splice ring between the groove ring, the elastic ring and the ring. sealed, the outer surface of the splice ring has a conical configuration having a small diameter end abutting with. the large diameter end of the groove ring, and a large diameter end which is butted with one end of the sealing ring. _
9. 9. The coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing section is additionally formed with a plurality of_. circumferentially deformable seals separate from the orifice within the conical surface thereof, the detents can be coupled with the end of a pipe inserted into the coupling, but they can be deformed, under force to allow axial movement inwards of the pipe during the final axial movement of the second housing section after the ring of elastic groove has been fastened to the pipe.
10. 10. The compliance coupling with claim 9, characterized in that each of the deformable detents has an aspr.s configuration having a base integrally attached to the first housing section and projecting non-radially into the orifice. of these to be coupled with the end of the pipe when it is inserted into the hole of the. member, body, "the vanes can be diverted towards the inner face of the orifice under the force produced during the final axial movement of the second housing section
11. 11. The coupling according to claim 10, characterized in that each of the The blade has a tapered leading edge that can be engaged with the end of the pipe when it is inserted into the first housing section and facilitates the deflection of the blades by the end of the pipe during the final axial movement of the second housing section. .
12. 12. A pipe coupling characterized in that it comprises: a housing including a first section-formed with a hole for receiving a pipe to be. coupled, and a second section that can be attached to the first section and axially movable therefrom to fix the pipe within the hole; and an elastic groove ring received within the second section to cover the pipe to be coupled, the groove ring has an outer conical face which "can be coupled with an inner conical face of the second section and is effective, when moving the second axial section to hold the pipe inside the hole, to compress the groove ring in such a way that its internal diameter is reduced and thereby cause the groove ring to firmly grip a covered pipe, the first housing section includes A plurality of circumferentially deformable detents, spaced around the orifice inwardly from the conical surface thereof, the detents may be coupled with the end of a pipe inserted into the coupling, but may be deformed under force to allow axial movement inwardly. , of the pipe during the final axial movement of the second housing section after the ring of Elastic groove has been fastened to the pipe.
13. 13. The "coupling according to claim 12, characterized in that the first section is a body member formed with the hole for receiving the pipe to be coupled, and the second section is a nut received in the threaded member.
14. 14. The coupling Je with f: rmiciad. •• ia_ claim 13, characterized in that each of the deformable seals is in the configuration of a blade having a base integrally attached to the body member ~ y ~ that is projecting radially into the hole in the body member to engage with the end of the pipe when inserted into the hole in the body member, the vanes can be deflected towards the inner face of the hole under the force produced during tightening end of the nut
15. 15. The coupling according to claim 14, characterized in that each of the blades has a tapered leading edge that is collected with the - emo of the pipe when inserted inside the body member and facilitates the deflection of the blades through the end of the pipe during the final tightening of the nut.
16. 16. A pipe coupling characterized in that it comprises: a housing including a first section formed with a hole for receiving a pipe. be coupled, and a second section that can be joined .1 the. first section and moving axially of the missile to fix the pipe inside the hole; and an elastic groove ring received within the second section to cover the pipe to be coupled, the groove ring has an outer conical face which can be coupled with an inner conical face of the second section and be effective, by moving the second axial section - to fix the pipe inside the hole, to compress the groove ring in such a way that its internal diameter is reduced and thereby cause the groove ring to firmly grip a covered pipe; - the groove ring including a plurality of hard teeth fixed to a side face of the groove ring and projecting radially inwardly beyond the inner face of the groove ring, in separate circumferential locations thereof, the teeth of which are embedded on the outside face of a pipe when it is covered and held by the groove ring.
17. 17. The coupling and compliance < < n claim 16, characterized in that the first section is a body member formed with the hole for receiving the pipe to be coupled; and the second section is a nut threadedly received in the limb member.