NZ509512A

NZ509512A - Moulded plastics tubular couplings with cylindrical inner or outer surface having flexible fin extending out of recess which engages and grips the surface of another component

Info

Publication number: NZ509512A
Application number: NZ509512A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: John Derek Guest
Original assignee: Guest John D
Priority date: 2000-01-24
Filing date: 2001-01-24
Publication date: 2002-06-28
Also published as: EP1126207A3; US20010052699A1; EP1126207A2; US6769721B2; JP2001235078A; AU1642701A; GB0001547D0

Abstract

The molded plastics tubular coupling has a cylindrical surface, an annular recess 19 with a flexible annular flange 20 formed in the recess and extending proud of the cylindrical surface so as to grip the corresponding surface of another component 16.

Description

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: Date: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO MOULDED PLASTICS TUBULAR COUPLINGS I, JOHN DEREK GUEST, a British citizen of 'lona', Cannon Hill Way, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 2RX, United Kingdom, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement. (followed by page la) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 9 FEB 2001 RECEIVED -la - 512 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO MOULDED PLASTICS TUBULAR COUPLINGS This invention relates to moulded plastics 5 tubular couplings and is particularly although not exclusively applicable to tube end supports for locating a tube end in a tube coupling.

My European Patent Publication No. 0756126 10 discloses a tube coupling comprising a coupling body having a throughway open at one end to receive a tube, the diameter of the throughway increasing towards said open end at a first step to form a first enlarged diameter portion to receive a tube and a second step 15 to form a second enlarged diameter portion to receive a tube locking device to hold a tube in the coupling body. A thin wall sleeve has one end engageable in the throughway and the other engageable in the tube to be located in the coupling body so that, in use, the 20 sleeve extends from the tube past the first step into the throughway. The sleeve has a sealing engagement with the internal diameter of the tube to prevent leakage between the sleeve and tube and the end of the sleeve projecting from the tube has an annular seal 25 with seals with the throughway in the coupling body to prevent leakage between the sleeve and coupling body.

My European Patent Application No. 99308504.2 discloses a tube end support for locating a tube end 30 in a tube coupling, comprising a sleeve to be received in a tube, an encircling end stop adjacent one end of the sleeve to limit entry of the sleeve into the tube, encircling gripper means on the sleeve to grip on the internal diameter of a tube to hold the tube on the 35 sleeve and a separate annular seal supported by the end and projecting radially outwardly thereof to seal with the internal diameter of a tube coupling in which q k <$ 9 ^ J I £ the assembly of the end support and tube are located.

This invention provides a moulded plastics tubular coupling having a cylindrical surface to 5 engage with a corresponding surface of another component, the surface having an annular recess therein and a flexible annular flange formed in the recess integrally with the coupling and having an outer periphery extending proud of the cylindrical 10 surface to engage and grip the corresponding surface of another component.

In one construction according to the invention the annular recess in the cylindrical surface of the 15 coupling is V-shaped and the flexible flange is formed at the apex of the V to be able to flex towards either side of the V when the coupling is engaged with another component.

In a preferred form of the invention the recess and flange are formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the coupling to engage an inner surface of a component to encircle the coupling.

More specifically, in the case where the coupling is intended to receive an end of a length of tubing, the coupling may have a sleeve portion having said recess and flange formed around the outer surface of the sleeve portion partway along the sleeve; a 30 tapered portion at one end of the sleeve to facilitate insertion of the sleeve into an end of a length of tubing and an end stop at the other end of the sleeve to limit the insertion of the sleeve into the tube.

By way of example the end stop may comprise'an annular head formed at said other end of the sleeve projecting outwardly of the sleeve.

INTELLECTUAL PRdPEkTY OFFICE OF N.Z.

'L 7 NOV 2001 RECEIVED In one specific arrangement the head may be formed with means to grip/seal with an encircling component in which the sleeve is engaged.

For example the head may have an encircling groove in which an O-ring or similar seal is mounted.

In a further arrangement the outer surface of the 10 head may have an annular recess in which a further flexible flange is formed integral with the head and projecting proud of the outer surface of the head to engage and lock the head in the bore of a component in which the coupling is located.

The following is a description of some specific embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is an elevation view of a tube end 20 support for locating a tube end in a tube coupling; Figure 2 is a sectional view through the support of Figure 1; " Figures 3 to 5 are similar views of further constructions.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a tube end support indicated generally at 10 for locating in an end part of a tube to be inserted in the throughway of a coupling body of a 30 tube coupling, having a locking device such as a collet to engage the tube end and a seal to seal with the tube end. The tube end support comprises a hard moulded plastics sleeve 11 having an annular head 12 at one end thereof. The sleeve has an internal bore 35 13 having a flared entry 14 at the head end of the sleeve.

The head 12 of the sleeve provides a radially INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 7 NOV 2001 bcrciucn annular face 15 directed along the sleeve which forms an end stop to limit insertion of the sleeve 16 into a tube end by engagement with the end of the tube as shown in Figure 2.

Midway along the sleeve 10 there is an annular V-section groove 19 in the outer surface of the sleeve in which an annular flexible flange 20 is formed integral with the apex of the groove in the sleeve. The outer periphery of the flange projects slightly beyond the outer periphery of the sleeve to 10 engage the inner surface of the tube as the tube is forced over the sleeve to grip and seal with the inner diameter of the tube. The tube is thereby retained on the sleeve with a sealing engagement.

The end of the sleeve 10 remote from the head 15 has a shallow taper as indicated at 23 around its outer periphery to facilitate insertion of the end of the sleeve in the tube. The head 12 has an encircling annular square section groove 25 in which an O-ring or similar form of seal 26 is mounted to seal 20 with the internal bore or throughway in the coupling body in which the tube end is located.

Figures 3 and 4 show a modified form of the tube support m which the O-ring seal and groove 25, 26 are omitted and in their 25 place the head has an encircling V-section groove 27 in which a further annular flexible flange 28 formed integrally with the head is formed. Again, the outer periphery of the flange projects slightly proud of the outer surface of the head to engage, grip and seal with an internal bore 2 9 m a component of 30 the tube coupling body 30 in which the tube end support is located.

Figure 5 of the drawings shows a further arrangement in which a second annular V-section groove 31 is formed in the outer 35 surface of the sleeve between groove 19 and head 15. The second groove also has an annular flexible flange 32 formed integrally at the apex of the groove, and projecting radially from the groove marginally higher than flange 20. Flange 32 serves to grip and retain the sleeve 16 in a bore or hole whereas 4 0 flange 20 provides a seating function for the sleeve in the bore.

INTELLECTUAL. PROPERTY OFFICE 6F N.Z. 2 7 NOV 2001 RECEIVED

Claims

1. A moulded plastics tubular coupling having a cylindrical surface to engage with a corresponding 5 surface of another component, the surface having an annular recess therein and a flexible annular flange formed in the recess integrally with the coupling and having an outer periphery extending proud of the cylindrical surface to engage and grip the 10 corresponding surface of another component.

2. A tubular coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular recess in the cylindrical surface of the coupling is V-shaped and the flexible flange is 15 formed at the apex of the V to be able to flex towards either side of the V when the coupling is engaged with another component.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, 20 wherein the recess and flange are formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the coupling to engage an inner surface of a component to encircle the coupling.

4. A coupling as claimed in claim 3, wherein 25 the coupling is intended to receive an end of a length of tubing, wherein the coupling has a sleeve portion having said recess and flange formed around the outer surface of the sleeve portion partway along the sleeve; a tapered portion at one end of the sleeve to 30 facilitate insertion of the sleeve into an end of a length of tubing and an end stop at the other end of the sleeve to limit the insertion of the sleeve into the tube. 35

5. A coupling as claimed in claim 4, wherein the end stop comprises an annular head formed at said other end of the sleeve projecting outwardly of the INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 7 NOV 2001 4 n Btasff - 6 - sleeve. 10 20

6. A coupling as claimed in claim 5, wherein the head is formed with means to grip/seal with an encircling component in which the sleeve is engaged.

7. A coupling as claimed in claim 6, wherein the head has an encircling groove in which an O-ring seal is mounted.

8. A coupling as claimed in claim 6, wherein the outer surface of the head has an annular recess in which a further flexible flange is formed integral with the head and projecting proud of the outer 15 surface of the head to engage and lock the head in the bore of a component in which the coupling is located.

9. A coupling as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling has a second encircling annular recess with a flexible annular flange formed in the recess to engage and grip in another component. 25

10. A coupling as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second recess is V-shaped and the flexible flange is formed in the apex of the V.

11. A coupling as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the second flange projects marginally above the first flange to provide a gripping function, the first flange providing a sealing function with a component in which the coupling is engaged. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 7 NOV 2001 RECEIVED - 7 -

12. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 and in the case where the coupling has a head at one end, wherein the second annular recess is formed between the first recess and the head.

13. A moulded plastics tubular coupling, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. END OF CLAIMS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 7 NOV 2001 received