NZ194484A - Fixing metal end fitting to flexible hose - Google Patents

Description

194484 Patents Form No, PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional No. 194484 dated 29 July 1980 "A METHOD OF FIXING A SPIGOT FLANGE TO A HOSE" WE, EMPIRE RUBBER MILLS LIMITED, of Cumnor Terrace, Woolston, Christchurch 2, New Zealand, being a company organised and existing under the laws of New Zealand, hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement This invention relates to fixing pipe nipples or the like to hoses and more particularly relates to a method of fixing a pipe nipple or the like metal fitting to the end of any type of suction and discharge hose.

Existing suction and discharge hoses have on the end or ends thereof pipe nipples or the like metal fittings which are used to join adjacent lengths of ho$e together or to fix one end of a hose to a discharge or suction mechanism. The pipe nipples are fixed to the hose by bonding them together to fgrm an integrally formed unit in which the hose material is bonded to a sleeve portion of the pipe nipple or metal fitting.

The term "metal fitting'1 as used herein is to be construed as including references to any type of pipe nipple of the type with or without a flange and to steel rings of the type used to form a beaded end to a hose, The pipe nipples may or may not include external or internal threads. All such metal fittings which are joined to a hose include a tubular portion or sleeve which extends within the hose for a short distance. The hose itself can be formed from either a synthetic or natural rubber, a combination thereof or a plastics material which is formed around and in contact with the tubular portion of the metal fitting to bond same to the end of the hose.

A disadvantage of the abovementioned known 1 9'-; constructions is that in some of the situations in which a hose is used the hose is subjected to harsh treatment and as a result the metal fittings are sometimes broken loose from or torn from the end of the hose. For example, when using a large diameter industrial hose they are frequently dragged . along the ground by a towing vehicle. This can result in a flange on a metal fitting on the end of the hose being torn from the end of the hose.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of fixing a metal fitting to an end of a length of hose which overcomes at least in part the abovementioned disadvantages inherent in known methods of joining metal fittings to hoses.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative method of fixing a metal fitting to an end of a length of hose which method offers to a hose manufacturer a useful alternative choice.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions which are given by way of example only.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of fixing a metal fitting to an end of a synthetic or natural rubber hose the method including the steps of: forming from a metal material a fitting which has a tubular sleeve part and a plurality of spaced apart petals which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve; 3 1 1 FEB 1985 194439 initially applying to the interior and/or exterior of the metal fitting a chemical bonding agent; forming in known manner from a synthetic, natural or composite rubber material a length of hose with the petals 5 and part of the tubular sleeve within the material at one end of the hose whereby curing of the formed hose in known manner forms a hose with a fitting fixed integrally therewith.

The method can include using as the metal fitting a fitting with a tubular metal sleeve to which a full face flange is attached or is formed integrally therewith.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a metal fitting adapted for attachment to an end of a suction or discharge hose, the fitting including a tubular sleeve which has extending therefrom a plurality of 15 petals which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and which, in use, are chemically bonded at one end of and within a synthetic, natural or composite rubber material of a hose manufactured so that the hose with the fitting attached at the one end provides additional reinforcement and 20 a greater ability to withstand stress and strain placed on the end of the hose.

The metal fitting can include a flange formed integrally with or welded to the tubular metal sleeve.

Further aspects of the present invention which should 25 be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

An embodiment of the invention will now be - 4 - N.Z. PATENT OFFICE 11 FEB 1935 RECEIVED described with reference to the drawing accompanying the provisional specification in which: Figure 1: shows a cross-section through part of an end of a suction hose which has fitted thereto an example of metal fitting according to the second aspect of the present invention; and Figure 2; shows in more detail the metal fitting incorporated in the hose and shown in Figure 1.

The metal fitting shown in Figure 2 is designed for attachment to an end of a suction or discharge hose. The metal fitting 1 includes a tubular metal sleeve portion 3 which has extending therefrom a plurality of petals 4. The tubular metal sleeve 3 can be formed from a length of metal tube from which pieces of the tube are removed to form spaces 5 between the adjacent petals 4. Alternatively the sleeve 3 can be formed from a sheet of metal which is stamped in a press to remove the pieces to form the spaces 5. The shaped sheet is then formed to the generally cylindrical form shown. In the example shown in Figure 2 the sleeve 3 is stamped in a press, formed to the cylindrical shape shown before the ends 6 of the sheet are welded together. A flange 2 can then be welded to an end 7 of "the metal sleeve 3. Alternatively the metal fitting can be an integrally formed cast metal casting.

It is also envisaged that the metal fitting can be a pipe nipple without a flange fixed thereto or alternatively can be a steel ring of the type used to form a beaded end to a hose.

The example of hose shown in Figure 1 is a spiral reinforced wrapped hose with a metal fitting similar to that shown in Figure 2 bonded thereto.

It is to be appreciated that the present invention can be utilised to fix any type of metal fitting to any construction of hose including braided hose, knit hose or hand built hose.

The hose shown in Figure 1 is generally indicated by arrow 8 and has fixed thereto the metal fitting 1. The metal fitting is similar to the fitting 1 shown in more detail in Figure 2.

The metal fitting 1 has the plurality of spaced apart petals 4 thereof and the parts of the metal fitting 1 in contact with a hose liner 9 coated with a chemical bonding agent. The hose is then formed in known manner on a mandrel with the metal fitting 1 formed integrally therewith.

The hose liner 9 extends to cover the face 10 of the flange 2 to ensure that no material carried by the hose can contact the metal parts of the fitting The additional surfaces of the metal fitting which are coated by the chemical bonding agent provide additional reinforcement and greater ability to withstand strain placed on the metal fitting after the hose has been cured.

An end 11 of a wire reinforcing 12 if included can be welded to the tubular sleeve 3 before the 194 hose is formed on the mandrel. In the case where the reinforcing wire 12 is wrapped around as shown in Figure 1 the end of the wire is welded at 13 to the joint between the flange 2 and the sleeve 3.

The hose 8 is completed by the addition of plies 14 of the material from which the hose is to be formed.

A cover 15 can be added if required. The formed hose 8 is cured in known manner to complete the hose.

It is to be appreciated that the internal liner of the hose can be carried to at least the end face of the metal fitting so as to cover the metal material of the pipe nipple so that no metal is exposed to a material carried in the hose.

The hose can be formed from either a synthetic or natural rubber, a combination thereof or from a plastics material.

In use a metal fitting can be attached to either or both ends of a hose. The shape of the petals 4 and the increased bonding area created thereby produces an improved bond between the pipe nipple arid the hose whether it includes a flange or not. < Thus by this invention there is provided a method of fixing a metal fitting to an end of a length of hose and a metal fitting designed therefor.

A particular example of the present invention has been described herein by way of example and it is envisaged that improvements.and modifications to the invention can take place without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 194439

Claims (9)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A method of fixing a metal fitting to an end of a synthetic or natural rubber hose the method including the steps of: ^ forming from a metal material a fitting which has a tubular sleeve part and a plurality of spaced apart petals which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve; / initially applying to the interior and/or exterior of the metal fitting a chemical bonding agent; forming in known manner from a synthetic, natural or composite rubber material a length of hose with the petals and part of the tubular sleeve within the material at one end of the hose whereby curing of the formed hose in known manner forms a hose with a fitting fixed integrally therewith. 15

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 which additionally includes using as the fitting a fitting with a tubular sleeve to which a full face flange is attached or is formed integrally therewith.

3. A method of fixing a metal end fitting to an end of a 20 hose substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing accompanying the provisional specification.

4. A metal fitting adapted for attachment to an end of a suction or discharge hose, the fitting including a tubular sleeve which has extending therefrom a plurality of petals 25 which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and which, in use, are chemically bonded at one end of and within a synthetic, natural or composite rubber material of a hose manufactured so that the hose with the fitting attached N.Z. PAT-IK" OFFICE i: t 1 . %»' *- RECEIVED % 194484 at the one end provides additional reinforcement and a greater ability to withstand stress and strain placed on the end of the hose.

5. A fitting as claimed in claim 4 wherein a flange is 5 formed integrally with or welded to the tubular metal sleeve.

6. A fitting as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the tubular fitting is formed from a length of metal tube from which pieces of the tube are removed to form spaces between adjacent petals. 10

7. a fitting as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the tubular sleeve is stamped from a sheet of metal which is then formed to a generally cylindrical form.

8. A fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the drawing accompanying the 15 provisional specification.

9. A suction or discharge hose having a metal fitting as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 incorporated in at least one end thereof. 20 EMPIRE RUBBER MILLS LIMITED By Their Attorneys BALDWIN, SON & CAREY 25 f..T ,"'7- - 9 - I- A, J" s- .A 11