US1966278A - Coupler - Google Patents

Description

Jufly W, 1934 F. s. BARKS ET AL 7 COUPLER Filed May 29, 1933 .a. H65. Hes.-

Patented July 10, 1934 UNITED STATES Q'JOUFLER Frank S. Barks, St. Louis, and Alexander P. Fox,

University City, Mo.,

assignoro to Lincoln Engineering Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application May 29, i933, Serial No. 673,338

Claims.

This invention relates to couplers, and with re-' gard to certain more specific features, to couplers for attaching lubricant lines which are under pressure to lubricant-receiving fittings and the like.

Among the several objects of the invention may .be noted the provision of a coupler which is adapted to be more easily applied to fittings than the bayonet type of couplers heretofore used, and requiring no twisting or tilting operation in making an application thereof; the provision of a coupler of the class described which automatically grips and couples when pressure is turned on to deliver grease through the coupler to the fitting; the provision of a coupler of this class which automatically releases when said pressure is turned off; the provision of apparatus of the class described having freely movable gripping portions which do not suffer fatigue and subsequent breakage; the provision of apparatusof this class which is positively operable and relatively simple and compact in form. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out'hereinafter. 1

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements'of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the invention,

h Fig. 1 is a longitudial section showing one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a lower end elevation of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing an al-- ternative attachment for a different type of fitting;

I Fig. 6 is a modification;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing another jaw modification;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing another attachment; and;

to Fig. 9 is a side elevation showing the device attached to a valve.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

65 Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there fragmentary section showing a jaw (ill. 285-l.7li)

is shown at numeral 1 a fitting having a cross pin 3 which ordinarily serves for making an attachment of a bayonet type of coupler. Heretofore, bayonet couplers have been used to cooperate with a pin such as 3 to form a connection but this requires, first, longitudinal movement of the coupler and then a manual twist in order to effect an application, and then turning on of pressure for delivering to the fitting fluid such as grease. The

present invention does not make use of the pin W 3, nor does it require the turning or twisting movement above specified nor tilting before turning on the pressure.

It is to be understood that the coupler described herein is placed upon the end of a rigid pipe 9 which communuicates with a flexible portion 5 by way of a stop valve 7. A suitable compressor feeds the coupler through the line 5, stop valve 7 and pipe 9. The valve 7 is adaptedto be held in the hand as a handle while manipulating the coupling, and at the same time the opcrating handle 8 of the valve 7 may be manipulated. Hence one hand is ordinarily sufficient to eifect attachment and flow control, as will bev shown. Numeral 11 designates the body of the coupler to which the inlet pipe 9 is attached; To the body 11 is screwed a chuck ring 13 having a hollow conic portion 15 at the outer end thereof and formed as at 1'7 to provide an inner chamher. The'body 11 and ring 13 form a chuck per Within the inner chamber 17 is a polygonal spring 19 which reacts radially against the interior of the chamber and lies within aligned grooves 23 of a plurality (four in this instance)v of jaws 25 (see also Fig. 3).

In the aggregate, the jaws 25 are formed conically at their lower ends as shown at numeral 29 to cooperate with the hollow conical portion 15 of the chuck 11, 13. By this means, the jaws are rendered separable when they are forced into the chamber 17. They approach one another if forced from the chamber 17 through the said conical portion 15.

In order to move the jaws 25 out through said opening 15, they are engaged in a counterbore 24 therein by a plunger cup 31 which slidably fits within acounterbore 33 of said body 11. The counterbore 33 is connected with the source of 1 pressure in the line 9 by means of an opening 35. A manually operable bleeder valve 34 perunits of bleeding oif pressure from clogged bearings with which the coupler may communicate.

The cup 31 includes a central stem which is hollow as shown at 39. The stem 37 accommodates a relatively resilient washer 45 which also contacts with the wall 33. The washer 45 is backed by a pressure ring 41. A second washer 32 within the hollow interior of the cup, 31 serves to seal against the top of the fitting 1. A shoul-- der 43 on the cup31 limits its upward movement by engaging the lower edge of the body 11, thus limiting the amount of inward movement of the jaws 25. The outward movement of the jaws is limited by their conical lower ends 29 contacting the hollow conic portion 15 of the chuck ring 13. A coil spring 2 compressed slightly between the end of bore 33 and the pressure ring 41 maintains the several jaw sections in firm relationship. This is not always necessary, and to illustrate the point, such a spring ,has been omitted from Fig. 5.

The interior .portions of the jaws 25 are pe-- ripherally serrated as at 4'7 in order, by a high local pressure, to cut through and positively squeeze from the outer surfaces of the fitting 1 any lubricant which might cause slippage. Longitudinal channels 49 serve to permit trapped lubricant to escape when the coupler is applied to a fitting 50 as to insure a positive contact between the top of the fitting 1 and the face of the sealing washing 32, thus eliminating the possibility of the fitting being forced from the coupler by pressure being exerted on the trapped lubricant between the fitting and washer before said pressure actuates the jaws to grip the fitting.

This may also be accomplished by effecting clearance at points 26 (Fig. 4) between jaws, provided the fitting is strong enough to withstand crushing. If it is not strong enough, and it is desired to use said clearance, the inward movement of the jaws-may be limited by the counterbore 24 thereof engaging the lower end of cup 31 therein. The limiting action should not be so much as to prevent the serrations 47 from biting.

The operation-of the device is as follows, referring to Fig. 1:

The jaws 25, without pressure behind the cup 31, are normally somewhat separated. A slight spacing will be found between adjacent jaws under these conditions. The cup 31 is positioned upwardly, and likewise, the packing 45 and pressure ring '41. The upper limiting position occurs when the shoulderv 43 strikes the lower edge of the body 11. It will, however, be understood that the parts have not necessarily been raised to this position.

Application is made to a fitting such as 1 by merely axially moving the coupler with respect to said fitting, thereby positioning the jaws 25 around the cylindric end of the fitting. This action contacts the washer 32 with the upper surface of the fitting, thereby forcing back the cup 31 so that the shoulder 43 thereof may contact with the lower edgeof the body 11. The operator cannot force the coupler on to the fitting 1 'far enough to effect interference between the jaws 25 and the pin 3.

Next, pressure is admitted through the line 9, as by operating the valve 7. The introduction of the pressure as above described, accomplishes position shown in Fig. 1. It will be understood that the design is arranged so that the spaces between the jaws 25 before pressure is admitted are substantially eliminated after said pressure has been admitted. In this connection the closing in of the spaces between the jaws limits their inward travel towards the fitting. When the jaws are closed tight, that is, their respective sides abutting so that no space exists between them, there is provided a clearance between the lower end of cup 31 and the recess of the jaws into which said end fits in order to insure an effective grip on the fitting 1. By limiting the inward movement of the jaws biting in of the jaws into the fitting 1 is prevented. After the jaws are clamped on the fitting, the internal pressure sealed by washer 452.150 presses the washer 32 to a seal.

Any tendency for lubricant or grease to pocket between the jaws, gasket .32 and the fitting 1 is prevented by the longitudinal grooves 49 in the jaws which permit 'escape of lubricant before the same is compressed and before the same can function to effect sliding of the jaws from the fitting under reaction engendered. Furthermore, the serrations 47 bite through any lubricant film to effect a grip. If space between jaws is substituted for the grooves 49, then inward movement may be limited as above described by contact between counterbore 24 and the lower end of cup 31, the serrations 47 still being permitted to bite through the film.

As long as the pressure is maintained, the lubricant will flow and the grip will be effective as above described, the gasket 32 providing a seal against the top of the fitting and the gasket 45 preventing leakage to the threads between members 11 and 13.

As soon as the pressure is released, as by turning off the valve '7 in the line 9, the excess pressure in the chambers 33, and cup 31 leaks off through the fitting 1, thus reducing the pressure. There being no more pressure within the chambers, the chuck 11, 13 may be forced down causing the jaws to lose their hold.

It will be noted from Fig. 1 that the element 13 of the chuck may be removed from the body portion 11 thereof. The threads between these two members may be loose and of the type adapted to be turned by hand. They may be thus made because they are protected from leakage by the washers 45 and 32. This permits of the easy removal and the easy application of the attachment shown in Fig.5.

To make the attachment of the Fig. 5 device,

the member 13 is removed merely by unscrewing it, and carries with it the jaws 25 which are held in place by the spring 19.' The member 14 of the Fig. 5 attachment maybe screwed to the body 11, a bushing 51 pressing against the washer 32'to effect a seal. The member 14 is attached by a nipple 53 to a chuck in which like numerals designate like parts to the above. The chuck member 13 is attached to a body 12 having therein jaws 25 held by a spring 19 and engaged by a shouldered washer'55 which is set into the plunger cup 31. The open end of the washer 55 fits into the counter bore of plunger 31 and the shouldered end fits into the recess in the jaws, the purpose of the shoulder being twofold, that is, to prevent the sealing washer 32 from being pushed out, due to pressure, and likewise to limit the inward travel of the fitting 5'7 so that its barrel portion cannot enter far enough to stick on the shoulder of the jaws. The cup 31 also has a nipple 37 having an opening 39 1 form of fitting, the wall is made thicker.

therethrough and around the nipple 37 is a washer backed by a ring 41. A washer 32 associated with the cup 31 serves to seal against a fitting 57.

The fitting 57 is of a class difiering from the fitting 1 in that it does not have a cylindrical exterior surface but a barrel-like exterior surface in which have been preformed certain grooves 59. Inasmuch as the grooves 59 serve to introduce the localized pressure necessary for squeezing out lubricant film from the contacting surfaces and for carrying the lubricant longitudinally, there is no necessity for serrating the insides of the jaws 25, nor for grooving them.

The operation of the device of Fig. -5 when attached to the body 11 of Fig. l is analogous to that above described.

In Fig. 8 is shown another attachment in which like numerals designate like parts. In this construction the member 14 is again adapted to be threaded to the member 11 of Fig. 1 after the member 13 with the jaws 25 have been remove lfhe device of Fig. 8 shows a nozzle 59 attached to the nipple 53. This nozzle has an outlet 61 which is adapted to be inserted into lubricant receiving openings of certain fittings 1 provided a cap 63 is removed. When the cap 63 is in place, it seals at 65 against the nozzle 61. This cap 63 has threaded thereto a second lower cap 67 having a shoulder 69 upon which rests a disc 71 from which projects a needle-like nozzle 73. A hollow stem 75 is surrounded by a washer '77 which seals according to pressure. The purpose or" the attachment 63 (with associated parts) is to permit of feeding lubricant to'the nipples of ordinarypush-type lubricant fittings which are now on the market.

The operation of the Fig. 8 device, after the member 1% has been properly attached, is to press and insert either the nozzle 61 or the nozzle 73 into the respective openings to which they are adapted, the valve 7 being subsequently opened. There is no gripping action on the fitting of this form of the coupling, the same being described to show the utility of the loose threads between members ll, 13.

In Fig. 6 are shown jaws slightly modified but applied to the same type of fitting as shown in Fig. i. In this iorm oi the invention, the jaws are given a slightly conical interior form 64, the cone enlarging upwardly. Thus when the jaws are forced against the fitting l, the thin walls 66 of said fitting are compressed inwardly. It will understood that the deformation is so small that these walls 66 resume their original cylindric shape when the jaws 25 are released. The upper portion 68 of the fitting is not likewise compressed, because of the disc-like area 76 which does not deform as much as the portion 66 therebelow. This accounts for the holding action.

In Fig. '7 is shown a form analogous to that shown in Fig. 6 but applied to a form of fitting in which the pin 3 has been eliminated. In this The walls 81 are made thick and shaped to correspond at 63 to the cones 6-l of the jaws 25. In this form, it is not intended that the walls shall deform, the same being made heavy enough and/or of material strong enough to prevent it. Other modified jaw forms may be used, the above being exemplary and preferred.

It will be recognized that in the forms of the inventions shown in Figs. 1 and 5, that endwise or axial slipping is prevented by the friction between surfaces, one of which is serrated. While we have found that the cooperation between such surfaces, is adequate under high pressure, the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7 may be desirable under certain conditions.

In view of the above,3it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. I

We claim:

1. A coupler for fittings comprising a plurality of separate jaws adapted to surround a fitting, a chuck comprising a body and a freely separable member thereon formed about and cooperating with the jaws, the cooperating surfaces between the member and the jaws being such as to force the jaws together upon endwise movement of the chuck, said chuck having a communicating means with a line under pressure which feeds the coupler, a hollow plunger having a cup-like opening facing the fitting, sealing means between the plunger and the chuck and sealing means in said opening of the plunger and contacting the fitting, said plunger being engageable by the jaws whereby endwise movement of the chuck under internal pressure causes clamping of the jaws on the fitting when they surround the same, said sealing means preventing any possibility of leakage through the attachment between the separable parts of the chuck, whereby different chucks having different jaw forms may readily be substituted, and means whereby the jaws are resiliently held to the part of the chuck removed upon separation, said last-named means maintaining the operating relationship of the jaws within said part removed.

2. A coupler for fittings comprising a plurality of separate jaws adapted to surround the fittings, a hollow chuck formed about the jaws, a body communicating with a line under pressure and having a quick detachable connection with said chuck, means for clamping the jaws to a fitting upon increase in internal pressure within said body, and means for maintaining said jaws in position in the chuck when the chuck is removed, whereby a quick reassembly may be accomplished.

3. A coupler for fittings comprising a plurality of separate jaws adapted to surround the fittings, a hollow chuck formed about the jaws, a body communicating with a line under pressure having a quick detachable connection with said chuck, means for clamping the jaws to a fitting upon increase in internal pressure within said body, and means for maintaining said jaws in position in the chuck when the chuck is removed, whereby a quick reassembly may be accomplished, said last-named means'comprising a spring resiliently pressing against the interior of the chuck and interlocked with the jaws.

a. A coupler for fittings comprising a plurality of separate jaws adapted to surround the fittings, a hollow chuck formed about the jaws, a body communicating with a line under pressure having a quick detachable connection with said chuck, means for clamping the jaws to a fitting upon increase in internal pressure within said body, and means for maintaining said jaws in position in the chuck when the chuck is removed, whereby a quick reassembly may be accomplishedsaid last-named means comprising a non-circular spring resiliently pressed against the interior of the chuck at its outermost portions and interlocking with grooves in the jaws at more inner portions.

5. In a coupler for fittings having a plurality of jaws adapted to surround the fitting, a hollow chuck formed about the jaws so as to force the jaws together upon endwise movement of the chuck, the jaws of the chuck having serrations

Images