MXPA96000228A - Quick connection connector for ranur pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

Quick connector to join pipes that have slotted ends, has a circular clamp which is usually of a diameter greater than that of the associated pipe, and which is contracted and closed in the contracted condition, the inside diameter of the circular clamp being that moment, smaller than the diameter of the pipe, and being the outer diameter of the circular clamp at that time, greater than the diameter of the connector hole, closing the circular clamp when in a contracted position, the connector against the removal of the tuber

Description

CONNECTION CONNECTOR R REQUEST FOR SLOTTED PIPE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a connector for slotted pipe, which can be installed and secured in a minimum of time, with a minimum of effort and, by a worker who has minimal experience. Slotted tubing is well known in the art, and is comprised of a length of plastic or metal tubing, which has been slotted into cuts or rolled into its outer circumference at a position adjacent to one end of the tubing, to provide a annular groove extending circumferentially of the pipe. The connector of the present invention finds its utility in the full pressure joining of two lengths of grooved pipe in end-to-end relationship, or in connecting a grooved pipe to an attachment or attachment that has also been suitably grooved therefor, to simulate a end of a slotted pipe. The connector itself can be an axially straight connector for connecting two lengths of grooved pipe in end-to-end relationship, or it can be in the form of an elbow to connect two grooved pipe lengths in right-angled from end to end, or it may be in the form of a T or a cross adapted to connect multiple lengths of slotted pipe to a main supply of slotted pipe, or it may be in the form of an adapter for receiving a spray head, cover, pressure gauge or other addition. Although in its simplest form, the connector is in the shape of a tube of substantially constant diameter across its length, the connector may be appropriately configured therefor, to connect a grooved pipe of a diameter to one or more grooved pipes of a different diameter. The connector of the present invention finds particular utility in the rapid assembly of water supply lines for non-permanent municipal lands, armed forces, refugees and other camps, for use in field hospitals, field kitchens, showers and the like, in the which supply lines must be assembled with minimum time and effort and, similarly, disassembled with minimal time and effort for transportation and reassembly in a different site. The connector of the present invention also finds particular utility in the rapid assembly of water supply lines in mining operations, and in particular coal mines, in which the land to be traversed progressively is changed as the mining operation proceeds. In addition, in such operations, pipe lines are required to accommodate themselves to uneven terrain, slopes and angles and folds, which occur randomly as mining corridors develop. The quick connector also shows the utility in the assembly of horticulture irrigation systems, which will be dismantled after a planting season to allow the preparation of the land for a subsequent planting season. Such horticultural irrigation systems are commonly comprised of a main supply line pipe, which is connected to secondary distribution pipe lines, the distribution pipe lines being used to feed the spray nozzles and the like, or lines perforated drip irrigation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Quick connectors for pipe lines are well known in the art, and are commonly used to connect lengths of flexible plastic hose for horticulture, one to another. Additionally, various prior devices have been proposed, which are received in attachment coupling with the ends of non-slotted or flat-ended tubing, these devices usually employ band fasteners, which are used to compress a sleeve of an elastic material. , such as rubber, in seal relation and frictional fit with the outer surface of the flat end pipe. Such facilities are, relatively weak and insubstantial, because they rest exclusively on the frictional clamping of the pipes by means of the connecting sleeve, and, are subject to the separation and loss of water in the event that one of the pipes is angled in relation to the other, or it is subject to a tensile stress. Typical fastener connectors are described in U.S. Patents 3,586,354 to Boscacci, and 5,193,859 to McKinnon. More substantial types of connectors are described in US patents 2,980,143 for Harris, 4,146,252 for Bunda and 4,630,647 for Thompson, each of which is difficult and laborious to assemble, and each of which requires a wrench or other tool for assembly .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of this invention is to provide a pipeline connector that employs slotted pipe, extremely quickly, and in the absence of tools, and which will provide a pipeline assembly having substantial strength and resistance against the axial, lateral or bending tension of the pipes, to thus provide a pipeline assembly of leak proof and predictably stable pipe, which, when required, can be disassembled with equal speed and ease, again, in the absence of tools. These advantages are achieved by providing a connector in the form of a hollow cylinder that is sized for it, to be easily slid over the end of a slotted pipe, the connector providing a housing for a 0-shaped ring, to seal the coupling with the outer surface of the grooved pipe. Preferably, the 0-shaped ring is placed inside the connector in a position in which it is not required to pass over the cut or groove rolled in the pipe, thereby minimizing the opportunities for cutting or abrasion of the ring in the form of 0. , during assembly of the splice on the pipe. Preferably, the splice includes an internal embedment for coupling with the end of a slotted pipe, in order that the connector is placed quickly on the slotted pipe in a required position relation with respect to the slotted pipe, by simply pushing the splice on the pipe end, or conversely, pushing the pipe end on the splice.

An annular slot is provided internally of the splice, which opens circumferentially in an access port extending radially through the splice, and which opens on the radially outer side of the splice. Placed inside the groove is a circular staple, which can be manually contracted and secured in a condition, in which the diameter of its internal periphery is smaller than the external diameter of the pipe, and its outer periphery is of a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the pipe, and also larger than the internal diameter of the splice, thus providing a positive embedment for the side walls of the annular groove in the splicing member, to thereby prevent relative axial movement without restrictions between the pipe and the splice member. When it is desired to dismantle the line of pipe, the locking device of the circular staple is released manually, thereby enabling the circular staple to expand to a larger diameter in which the circular staple is completely contained within the groove in the staple member. splice, having expanded the internal diameter of the circular staple to a diameter greater than the outside diameter of the pipe and greater than the internal diameter of the splice, thereby removing the circular staple as a whole, in its ability to provide an embedment for the side wall of the groove in the pipe, and allowing easy removal of the pipe joint or vice versa.

The grooved pipe may be plastic or slotted metal pipe in cut, or it may be rolled grooved plastic pipe or thin walled metal pipe. The splice member may be formed of any suitable material, including metals and plastic materials that are of sufficient rigidity to resist the curvature of the splice member outside of an axial linearity. Conveniently, the circular clip is formed of a hard but elastic plastic material, but also, if desired, it can be made of a suitable metal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a basic form of the connector to be used in joining two lengths of grooved pipe to each other; another in axial alignment; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section through the connector, showing the connector in a non-closed condition; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-section through the connector similar to that shown in Figure 2, but showing the connector in the closed condition; Figure 4 is a cross section taken on line IV-IV in Figure 1, and showing the connector in a non-closed condition; Figure 5 is a cross section taken along the line V-V in Figure 1, showing the connector in a closed condition; Figures 6 to 11 illustrate diagrammatically configurations that the connector can provide, in order to find variation of requirements in a water system; Figures 12, 13 and 14 illustrate alternative closure mechanisms for the connector; Y. Figures 15 to 18 illustrate alternative forms of a circular staple used in the connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates a basic form of the connector according to the present invention, which is specifically intended to connect the axially aligned ends of two grooved pipes. The connector, which is generally indicated at 10, comprises a cylindrical body 12 having a central hole 13, for receiving the pipe ends, one of which is shown at 14.

Located within the body 12, as fully described below, there are two circular staples 16 and 18, the circular staple 16 being shown in an open position in readiness for the reception of a pipe end, the circular staple 18 being shown in FIG. a closed and secured position, in which it is operative to prohibit the removal of the connector 10 from the pipe 14, or in the alternative, the removal of the pipe 14 from the connector 10. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the cylindrical body 12 is provided with a central recess 20, which is provided to limit the degree to which a slotted pipe 22 can be inserted into the central hole 13 of the body, thereby accurately positioning the slot 24 in the periphery of the body. pipe in correct relation to the circular staple either 16 or 18. Placed adjacent to the central recess 20 in the annular grooves 26, formed in the body 12 in circumferential relation e with the hole 13, there are 0-shaped rings 27, for sealing the coupling with a pipe end, when properly inserted in the hole 13. When properly inserted in the body 12, the slot 24 of the pipe slotted 22 is correctly aligned with annular grooves 28 formed in body 12, and which are interconnected with hole 13, the annular grooves 28 containing the respective circular staples 16 and 18.

In Figure 2, both circular staples 16 and 18 are shown in an expanded condition, in which an inner periphery 30 of the respective circular staples 16 and 18 are of a diameter, at least equal to, and preferably slightly larger than, , the diameter of the pipe 22. In this condition, the pipe 22 can be pushed into the body 12, or in the alternative, the body 12 can be pushed over the pipe 22, to contact the free end of the pipe 22 with the embedment 20. As described below with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the circular staple 16 then contracts in diameter as shown in Figure 3 for its internal diameter 30, to become smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe 22, the outer periphery 32 of the circular staple 16 being of a diameter greater than the outside diameter of the pipe 22. In this condition, and as shown in Figure 3, the circular staple 16 provides a positive embedment p for the side walls of the groove 24 of the pipe 22, and also provides positive recesses for the side walls of the annular groove 28. The pipe 22 is in this way secured against axial movement in relation to the body 12, provided the ring in shape 0 27 a liquid seal between the end of the pipe 22 and the body 12.

A second pipe (not shown) can then be pushed towards the opposite end of the connector in a manner identical to the pipe 22, subsequent to which the circular staple 18 is contracted in an identical manner to the circular staple, to secure that pipe within the body, in a manner identical to that described with reference to the pipe 22. At that point, the two pipes are they become secured within the body 12 in axial alignment with one another, avoiding leakage by the respective rings 27. Referring to Figure 4, which illustrates the circular staple 16 or 18 when in an initial position prior to the contraction of the circular staples, the respective circular staples are each in a C-shaped configuration, one end of which is provided. the circular staple with a closure member 34, the opposite end of the circular staple being provided with a complementary closure member 36.

The closure member 34 is in an arcuate shape and is provided with saw teeth 38 on its outer surface. The complementary closure member 36 is provided with arched extensions 40 and 42, the arcuate extension 42 with saw teeth 44 being provided on its interior arcuate surface. The respective closure members 34 and 36 extend radially outward from an access port 46, which is interconnected with an associated annular slot 28, so that the closure members 34 and 36 can be fastened externally of the body 12, and then , moving towards the other and inter-closing with one another as illustrated in Figure 5. When moving towards the other to the position shown in Figure 5, the closing member 34 enters the arched extensions 40 and 42 of the member of closure 36 for closing member 34 to be trapped inside and held securely by arched extensions 40 and 42 of closure member 26, the movement of arched extension 42 being permitted by elasticity of circular staple 16 or 18, the circular staples being formed of a relatively hard but elastic plastic material, or of a metal spring material. During this movement, the circular staple contracts in diameter, so that the internal periphery of the circular staple, which initially was of a diameter greater than that of the pipe 22, becomes smaller in diameter than the pipe 22, and moves radially inwardly of the slot 24, from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5. The outer diameter of the circular staples decreased in a similar manner, the radial width of the respective circular staples being that in the contracted position shown in Figure 5, the outer diameter 32 of the circular staple remains trapped within the annular groove 28, the diameter of the outer periphery of the circular staple being in that condition, greater than the diameter of the pipe 22. If It is desired to release the circular staple of the condition shown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure 4, in order to allow the dismantling of the pipe line, all that is It is necessary that the arcuate extension 42 be moved radially outward in the direction of arrow A in Figure 5, at which time the saw teeth of the respective closure members 34 and 36 are decoupled, thus allowing the circular staple 16 or 18 return to its original condition as illustrated in Figure 4, this by releasing the interconnection between the body 12 and the pipe 22, and allowing the dismantling of the pipe system (not the pipeline). As can be expected, a pipe system can be assembled extremely quickly by using the connector of the present invention, it being simply necessary to push the pipes into the connector, and then to engage the closing members of the circular staples. With equal ease, the pipe system can be simply disassembled, releasing the closing members of the circular staples, and then the connector pipes are removed, resulting in a very considerable saving of time, as compared to conventional pipe systems. , and in addition, being greatly increased savings in manual labor, which can be achieved by an inexperienced worker. The pipes 22 can be plastic or metal pipes grooved by cut or rolled plastic or grooved metal pipe, or rolled thin-walled metal pipe. The pipes 22 are grooved or grooved pipes rolled in plastic material, as are well known in the art, resulting in a very considerable weight saving, and further improving the ease of assembly of the pipe system. The body 12 of the connector 10 can be similarly formed of metal, but, for the same reason, it is preferably formed of plastic material, the respective circular staples 16 and 18 being formed., preferably, of a hard but elastic plastic material. If desired, the circular staples may be formed of a suitable metal having the requisite elastic spring characteristics. Although a straight line connector has been described so far, as will be apparent from Figures 6 - 11, the connector can take a multitude of forms. For example, the basic inline connector of Figure 6 can be provided as an elbow, as illustrated in Figure 7, or as a T, as illustrated in Figure 8, or as a cross, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 9, Figure 9 also illustrates the option of a connector arm being formed to accommodate a pipe of larger diameter than the pipes accommodated by other arms of the connector. Similarly, as illustrated in Figure 10, the connector can provide a reduction between a larger diameter pipe and a smaller diameter pipe. As illustrated in Figure 11, the connector can provide the termination of a pipeline, the pipeline can conveniently have a cover, sprinkler head, or similar device attached thereto, thereby facilitating construction of washing facilities, shower, sprinklers, and the like in any desired arrangement and configuration. As will be further evident, and as illustrated in Figures 12 through 14, the closure members 34 and 36 for the circular staples 16 and 18 may take other forms, for example, and as illustrated in Figure 12, the members of Closures 34 and 36 may be provided with radially extending finger clips, facilitating closure and opening of the closure members. Alternatively, and as illustrated in Figure 13, the closure member 36 may comprise a simple embedment, which engages the body 12 to prevent rotation of the circular staple within the body 12, and provide a dockable tongue. of simple finger 34 at the opposite end of the circular staple.

Alternatively, and as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 14, the respective ends 34 and 36 of the circular staple, can be pivotally connected to an overlying oscillating joint 48, which is operative to move the ends 34 and 36 of the circular staples. towards the other in depression of a handle 50 of the oscillating joint in the direction of the arrow B. Figures 15 to 18 illustrate several alternative forms of the circular staples 16 and 18. In Figure 15, the ends of the circular staple are sink at 50, so that they inter-adjust and can slide relative to each other, the ends of the circular staple being provided with handles 52, which can be moved towards each other, to increase the inside diameter of the circular staple . In this case, the circular staple is expanded in order to allow the entry of a pipe into the hole 13 of the splice member. Figure 16 employs a bolt 54 that is received in a bolt receptacle 56, in order to close the circular staple 16, 18 in a contracted condition. Figure 17 illustrates a circular staple 58 having a male end 60 provided with grooves, which is received within a female end receptacle 62, in a manner that is well known in the art, a tongue 64 being provided for raising the female member 62 to allow release of male end 60. Figure 18 illustrates one embodiment of circular staple 16 or 18, in which the ends of the circular staple are provided with handles 66, one of which is perforated to accommodate the arrow of a pin 70, the other of which is suitably perforated and threaded to receive the threaded pin 72 of the pin 70. Although not desirable, in which the use of a tool will be required to contract or expand the circular staples, various other structures can be employed using screws or bolts, in which case the circular staples, preferably, will be made of a spring metal material, the main consideration being that the gra The circular can be contracted from a first position in which, its internal diameter is greater than that of the pipe to be trapped, to a second position in which the internal periphery of the circular staple is of smaller diameter than that of the pipe to be caught, although at the same time, the outer periphery of the circular staple remains trapped within the body of the connector.

Claims (10)

Claims

1. A quick connector for a pipe of a specific outer diameter, having a circumferential groove in an outer surface of said pipe, positioned adjacent an axial end of said pipe and spaced from said axial end, including the connector: a body having a orifice, said orifice having a diameter that slightly exceeds that of said outer diameter of the pipe; an annular groove in said body surrounding said hole and communicating directly with said hole, in a position aligned with said slot of a grooved pipe, when said grooved pipe is inserted in said hole of said body; a circular staple placed within said annular groove in said body, the circular staple having an internal diameter at least equal to the diameter of said hole, and having an outer diameter substantially greater than the diameter of said hole; and means for contracting and closing the circular staple to an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe, and an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the hole; whereby, the circular staple provides a stop member that prohibits the removal of the pipe from said connector, when the circular staple is in said closed and contracted condition.

The quick connector of claim 1, wherein said means for contracting and closing the circular staple comprises: said circular staple having circumferentially spaced ends; a quick-closing member with one end of said ends; a fast complementary closure member with the other of said ends; and means for moving said respective closure members toward an inter-closing relationship with one another, upon movement of the mentioned circular staple to said contracted condition.

The quick connector of claim 2, wherein the respective closure members each include locking teeth for closing engagement with the closing teeth of the other of said closing members.

The quick connector of claim 2, further comprising an access port extending through said body and communicating with said annular groove in said body, the aforementioned access port allowing the manipulation of said closure members of said body. the circular staple from a position external to said body.

The quick connector of claim 4, wherein said circular staple is formed of a resilient and hard material, and one of said closing members is manually removable by bending the material of said circular staple, to allow the release of the staples. closing members when the circular staple is in a closed and contracted condition.

The quick connector of claim 1, wherein the connector has a plurality of holes, each including an annular groove and each including a circular staple placed in each mentioned annular groove, by means of which the connector can provide an interconnection between a plurality of said slotted pipes.

The connector of claim 6, wherein at least one of said holes is of a diameter different from that of another of said holes, whereby the connector can connect pipes of different external diameters.

The connector of claim 1, wherein said slotted pipe end is provided with an attachment.

The quick connector of claim 1, further including an embedment placed internally of said quick connector, for limiting the degree of axial movement of a slotted pipe in said connector.

10. The quick connector of claim 1, further including at least one 0-shaped ring, positioned internally of said connector, and for sealing the coupling with an outer surface of a grooved pipe mentioned.