U.S. patent application number 10/728428 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-08 for quick-connecting coupler for hoses, pipes and faucets.
Invention is credited to Cronley, Gerald.
Application Number | 20040130144 10/728428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29778951 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040130144 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cronley, Gerald |
July 8, 2004 |
Quick-connecting coupler for hoses, pipes and faucets
Abstract
A coupler for coupling a male end of a hose to a female end of a
faucet or another hose. In the first embodiment, the female end of
the coupler is mechanically locked in sealing engagement with a
male end by simply translation thereof by means of wedges and an
outer retaining sleeve. In a second embodiment, hydraulic pressure
provides the final seal, with the female end being a spring
split-ring locked and compressed by means of an outer locking
sleeve, which outer locking sleeve is released by squeezing it in
order to deform it. A third embodiment combines the first and
second embodiments.
Inventors: |
Cronley, Gerald; (Gretna,
LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Milton S. Gerstein
6629 N. Francisco Avenue
Chicago
IL
60645
US
|
Family ID: |
29778951 |
Appl. No.: |
10/728428 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10728428 |
Dec 8, 2003 |
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10180561 |
Jun 27, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
285/34 ; 285/322;
285/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 37/1215
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/034 ;
285/035; 285/322 |
International
Class: |
F16L 035/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A coupler having a female-end for connection to a male-end of an
element, comprising: a main frame; a collet means mounted for
slidable movement by said main frame, said collet means comprising
flexible engaging means for engaging a cooperating portion of a
male-portion of an element; an outer retaining member mounted for
sliding by said main frame, said outer retaining member being at
least partially telescopingly movable about said collet means for
preventing said flexible engaging means from disengaging with the
male-portion of an element, and comprising first engaging means; an
inner retaining means mounted by said main frame for relative
sliding motion with respect to said outer retaining member, and
comprising second cooperating means, said inner retaining means
capable of retaining said outer retaining member in a retained
position via said first and second cooperating means; means for
translating said flexible engaging means of said collet means; said
means for translating comprising third cooperating means in
operative association with said collet means and said outer
retaining member for alternatively moving said collet means in a
first direction and in a second direction.
2. The coupler according to claim 1, further comprising sealing
means operatively associated with said main frame for providing a
seal for a male-end of an element; said means for translating
comprising wedge means having a first wedge-surface, a second
wedge-surface and a third wedge-surface; said main frame comprising
a first canted-surface means for contact with said first wedge
surface of said wedge means for movement of said wedge means
therealong; said outer retaining member comprising a second
canted-surface means for contact with said second wedge-surface of
said wedge-means; and said collet means comprising engaging surface
means for contact with said third wedge-surface; said wedge means
causing said collet means to move relative to said main frame by
said contacting third wedge-surface and said engaging surface means
when said retaining member is moved relative to said collet means
by contact of said second canted-surface means with said second
wedge-surface of said wedge-means.
3. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein each of said first
cooperating means and said second cooperating means comprises a
canted surface for compressing said inner retaining member, and
further comprising cooperating locking means for retaining said
outer retaining member in a position relative to said compressible
inner retaining member for keeping said inner retaining member in a
compressed state.
4. The hose coupler according to claim 3, wherein said means for
translating comprises wedge means having a first wedge-surface, a
second wedge-surface and a third wedge-surface; said main frame
comprising a first canted means for contact with said fist wedge
surface of said wedge means for movement of said wedge means
therealong; said outer retaining member comprising a second
canted-surface means for contact with said second wedge-surface of
said wedge-means; and said collet means comprising engaging surface
means for contact with said third wedge-surface; said wedge means
causing said collet means to move in said main frame by said
contacting third wedge-surface and said engaging surface means when
said outer retaining member is moved relative to said collet by
contact of said second canted-surface means with said second
wedge-surface of said wedge-means.
5. The hose coupler according to claim 1, wherein said inner
retaining means comprises a flexible, compressible sleeve; said
first cooperating means and said second cooperating means comprises
compressing means for compressing said inner retaining member; said
flexible, compressible sleeve comprising third cooperating means,
and said collet means comprising fourth cooperating means, said
third cooperating means and fourth cooperating means cooperating
being in operative engagement so that when said said first
cooperating means and said second cooperating means compress said
flexible, compressible sleeve, said collet means is allowed greater
translational movement by said means for translating.
6. In a coupler having a female-end for connection to a male-end of
an element, comprising: a main body portion; collet means mounted
for slidable movement relative to said main body portion, said
collet means comprising flexible engaging means for engaging a
portion of a male-portion of an element; an outer retaining member
mounted for sliding relative to said main frame, said outer
retaining member being at least partially telescopingly movable
about said collet for preventing said flexible engaging means from
disengaging with the male-portion of an element, and comprising
first engaging means; retaining means capable of holding said outer
retaining member in a locking position; and means for moving said
flexible engaging means of said collet means toward and away from
said main body portion.
7. The coupler according to claim 6, wherein said means for moving
comprises wedge means having a firm wedge-surface, a second
wedge-surface and a third wedge-surface; said main body portion
comprising a first canted-surface means for contact with said first
wedge surface of said wedge means for movement of said wedge means
therealong; said outer retaining member comprising a second
canted-surface means for contact with said second wedge-surface of
said wedge-means; and said collet means comprising engaging surface
means for contact with said third wedge-surface; said wedge means
causing said collet means to move relative to said main body
portion by said contacting third wedge-surface and said engaging
surface means when said retaining member is moved relative to said
collet means by contact of said second canted-surface means with
said second wedge-surface of said wedge-means.
8. The coupler according to claim 6, wherein said outer retaining
member comprises a first cooperating means; said retaining means
being mounted by said main body portion for relative sliding motion
in said outer retaining member, and comprising second cooperating
means; said retaining means comprising a compressible member
capable of holding said outer retaining member in a locking
position via said first and second cooperating means; each of said
first cooperating means and said second cooperating means
comprising means for compressing said retaining means, and further
comprising cooperating locking means for locking said outer
retaining member in a position relative to said compressible member
for keeping said compressible member in a compressed state.
9. The hose coupler according to claim 6, wherein said retaining
means comprises a compressible member having a first end-portion
and a second end-portion; said collet means being capable of
abutting contact with said second end-portion of said compressible
member; said outer retaining member having means for compressing
said compressible member when said outer member is moved in the
direction of said collet means, whereby when said compressible
member is compressed, said collet means is allowed movement by said
means for moving in a direction toward said main body portion to
thereby secure a male-end held in said flexible engaging means.
10. The coupler according to claim 9, wherein said compressible
member comprises a tubular element having cutout means in order to
form a plurality of furcated arms; said tubular element having an
outer circumferential surface and first cooperating means formed on
said outer circumferential surface; said outer retaining member
comprising said second cooperating means for cooperating with said
first cooperating means for compressing said plurality of arms; and
further comprising additional cooperating means for releasably
holding said outer retaining member in a position relative to said
compressible member for keeping said compressible member in a
compressed state.
11. A method of coupling a male-end of an element, comprising: (a)
inserting a male-end into a flexible, floating collet member having
mating engaging means for the male-end; (b) said step (a)
comprising pushing the male-end thereagainst to cause the engaging
means of the collet member to initially engage with the male-end
inserted therein and for moving the collet member against a first
lateral distance by contact of the collet means against a limit
stop; (c) after said step (b), allowing the collet member
additional lateral movement; (d) said step (c) sealing the male-end
against the sealing member; (e) said step (c) comprising moving the
limit stop a distance that allows said additional lateral
movement.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step (e)
comprises compressing a compressible member having engaging means
that engage with said collet member, said step of compressing moves
the engaging means away from the collet member to thus allow said
additional lateral movement.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said step of
compressing comprises initially sliding an outer setting sleeve
about the compressible member; said method further comprising
retaining said collet in its engaged sealing state with the
male-end, said step of retaining comprising additionally sliding
said outer setting sleeve for lockingly engaging means on the outer
setting sleeve with cooperating engaging means on the compressible
member, whereby the threaded male-end is held locked in sealed
relationship with the sealing member.
14. A coupler having a female-end for connection to a male-end of
an element, comprising: a main frame having at least one cutout
formed therein; a collet means mounted for slidable movement at
least partially about said main frame; a compressible female-end
member for engaging a threaded male-end of a hose or faucet and the
like; said compressible female-end member comprising projecting
means projecting into said at least one cutout of said main frame;
sealing means in said main frame for providing an initial seal for
a male-end of an element inserted in said compressible female-end
member; said slidable collet means comprising locking means for
locking said collet means in place in a first position when said
compressible female-end member locks a male-end therein, said first
position closing off said at least one cutout to prevent expansion
of said compressible female-end member, and, when said locking
means is released, allowing said slidable collet means to a second
position exposing said at least one cutout to allow expansion of
said compressible female-end member to thereby disengage with a
male-end; said sealing means comprising a washer in contact with a
male-end of a hose or faucet inserted in said compressible
female-end member, a piston member, and biasing means for biasing
said piston member toward said compressible female-end member frame
for providing said initial seal, said piston member having a
surface greater than the surface area of said washer.
15. The coupler according to claim 14, wherein said collet
comprises a thicker section facing toward said compressible
female-end member, and a thinner section defining first cooperating
means; said main body portion comprising second cooperating means
for engaging with said first cooperating means for maintain said
collet in said first position, and when disengaged allowing said
collet to be slid to said second position; said thinner section
comprising an annular end-surface defining said first cooperating
means; said second cooperating means comprises at least one detent
means projecting outwardly from said main body portion; said
locking means comprising push-means projecting outwardly from said
thinner section of said collet means, whereby when said push-means
is squeezed, said thinner section is distorted to allow clearance
of said annular end-surface past said second cooperating means.
16. The coupler according to claim 15, wherein said locking means
comprises two said push-means spaced 180 degrees apart, and said
second cooperating means comprises two said detent means spaced 180
degrees apart, said spacing of said two push-means being 90 degrees
out of phase with said spacing of said two detent means.
17. A coupler having a female-end connection to a male-end of an
element, comprising: a main body portion having a first end and
second end; outer retaining means mounted for slidable relative to
said main body portion; sealing means operatively associated with
said second end of said main body portion for providing a seal for
a male-end of an element; a flexible female-portion for receiving
and locking a male-end therein, said female-portion being operative
associated with said sealing means at said second end; means
mounting said flexible, resilient female-portion for movement
toward and away from said sealing means comprising wedge means
operatively associated with said outer retaining means for urging
said female-portion toward said sealing means when said outer
retaining means is moved in a first direction.
18. The coupler according to claim 17, wherein said main body
portion comprises an outer annular surface about which said outer
retaining means at least partially telescopes; said outer annular
surface comprising cooperating means; said outer retaining means
comprising interiorly-facing second cooperating means for engaging
with said first cooperating means; said outer retaining means
further comprising push-means arcuately spaced from said second
cooperating means; said outer retaining means being an
substantially tubular and deformable, whereby, when said push-means
is depressed, said second cooperating means is brought out of
engagement with said first cooperating means for allowing movement
of said outer retaining means relative to said main body
portion.
19. The coupler according to claim 17, wherein said female portion
comprises a split ring having interior male-thread engaging means,
said split ring having first camming-surface means; said means for
mounting said flexible, resilient female-portion for movement
toward and away from said sealing means further comprising
radially-compressible spacer means operatively associated with said
split ring and having second camming-surface means for engagement
with said first camming surface means; first camming-surface means
being spaced from said second camming-surface means before said
split ring is moved theretoward when initially receiving a male-end
therein; said split ring having third camming-surface means, and
said wedge means having fourth camming-surface means cooperating
with said third camming-surface means, whereby said wedge means may
force said split ring toward said spacer means for causing
engagement between said first and second camming-surface means
after initial travel of said split ring when a male-end is inserted
therein.
20. The coupler according to claim 19, wherein said wedge-means
further comprises fifth camming-surface means, and said outer
retaining means comprises sixth camming-surface means for
engagement with said fifth camming-surface means, whereby said
sixth camming-surface means forces said wedge-means in a first
downward vertical direction to cause said first and second
camming-surface means to engage after initial travel to cause said
spacer means to radial compress in order to allow additional travel
of said split ring, whereby said outer retaining means may lock
said female end in locking engagement with a male-end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a coupler for
connecting a male-end of one hose or tube to a female end of
another hose or tube. Examples of prior-art quick-connecting hose
couplers are disclosed in Applicant's previous U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,503,437 and 5,788,289.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is the primary objective of the present invention to
provide a quick-connecting hose coupler which is more facilely
connected and disconnected.
[0003] It is also the objective of the invention to provide a first
embodiment where the hose coupler is locked in place by mechanical
action.
[0004] It is also the objective of the present invention to provide
a second embodiment where the hose coupler is locked by water
pressure.
[0005] It is also the primary objective of the present invention to
provide a coupler that has a female-end that provides a facile and
secure reception of a threaded male-end of a hose, faucet, and the
like.
[0006] In a first mechanical-locking embodiment, the coupler has a
main frame, a collet mounted for slidable movement in the main
frame, which collet comprises flexible thread-engaging means for
engaging the threads of a male-portion of an element. An outer
retaining member slides about the main frame, and telescopingly
movable about the collet for preventing the flexible
thread-engaging means from disengaging with the male-portion of an
element. Inner retaining means are mounted by the main frame for
relative sliding motion in the outer retaining member for holding
the outer retaining member in a locking position. Sealing means are
operatively associated with the main frame for providing a seal for
threads of a male-end of an element. Means are provided for moving
the collet and its flexible thread-engaging means toward and away
from the sealing means.
[0007] In a second, hydraulically-locking embodiment, the female
end is a spring split-ring locked and compressed by means of an
outer locking sleeve, which outer locking sleeve is released by
squeezing it in order to deform it. A third embodiment combines the
first and second embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] The invention will be more readily understood with reference
to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric assembly view showing the first
embodiment of the quick-connecting hose coupler of the present
invention using mechanical locking operation;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof
showing the hose coupler in its engaged state gripping a male end
of a hose or faucet;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an end view thereof;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 4 showing the hose coupler in its disengaged state;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an isometric assembly view showing the connection
of the hose coupler to the male end and female end of two hoses or
tubes, or between the female end of a hose or tube and the male
threads of a faucet;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an isometric assembly view thereof;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top view thereof in its engaged state;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a front isometric view thereof showing the
coupler in its released state;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a rear isometric view thereof showing the coupler
in its engaged state;
[0020] FIG. 12 is an isometric assembly view showing the second
embodiment of the invention which is a hydraulic-powered
hose-coupler;
[0021] FIG. 13 is an end view thereof;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of
FIG. 13;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of
FIG. 13;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a side view thereof before engagement with
hoses;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of
FIG. 16;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a side view thereof after engagement with
hoses;
[0027] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 of
FIG. 18;
[0028] FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a third
embodiment of the invention shown connected between male and female
ends;
[0029] FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 but 90 degrees
therefrom;
[0030] FIG. 22 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof shown
in an engaged state;
[0031] FIG. 23 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof shown
in a disengaged state;
[0032] FIG. 24A is a partial longitudinal cross-section view
showing a modification of the mechanical quick-coupler of FIG. 1;
and
[0033] FIG. 24B is a partial longitudinal cross-section view
showing another modification of the mechanical quick-coupler of
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is
shown in FIGS. 1-11, a first embodiment 10 of the quick-connecting
coupler of the invention for quick-connecting hoses, faucets,
tubes, pipes, and other devices. The coupler 10 has a one-piece,
main body portion or frame 12 defining, at one end, a male-threaded
end-portion 14 for receiving a female end of a hose, when the
coupler 10 is to be used for coupling a hose to another hose or
faucet, or the like. The main frame is provided with a first
annular rim or member 16 and a second annular member or ring 18 for
mounting therebetween a compressible sleeve-member 20, the purpose
of which is described hereinbelow in greater detail. The
compressible member 20 is compressible radially inwardly, and is
formed with a plurality of recesses or grooves 21 in order to aid
in its resiliency and compressibility. Upstanding end-stops or
detents 21' abut against the outer edge-surface 21" of the first
annular member 12, there being a gap between the inner surface 14'
of the threaded male-end 14 and the outer edge-surface 21", which
abutment occurs when the coupler 10 is fully engaged, as can be
seen in FIG. 11. The annular member or ring 18 is provided with a
plurality of cutouts or spaces 18' for purposes to be described
hereinbelow. The main frame also has preferably four annular,
distinct, wedge-shaped sections 22' defining spaces or cutouts 22"
therebetween for exposing the outer surface of the main frame 12
thereat. Each section 22' defines a sloping or canted engaging
surface 24 facing in a direction toward the first male-threaded
end-portion 14. The canted surface 24 slopes toward the first
male-threaded portion 14 when viewed from the exterior or outer
surface of the respective third annular section 22' interiorly
therefrom, such that each annular member section 22' tapers to a
narrower annular outer surface 23. The canted surface 24 is a
camming guide-surface for cooperating with movable wedge-members
26, the purpose of which is described hereinbelow in greater
detail. Telescopingly mounted about the main frame is a slidable
retaining or locking sleeve 30. Slidably mounted in the main frame
is a slidable, multi-furcated or split, annular female end-member
or collet 32 defining four resilient, threaded or grooved
claw-elements 32' (see FIG. 8) having interiorly-facing threads or
grooves 32' for engaging the male threads of a male of a hose or
faucet, or the like. Each claw-element 32' has two outer
cam-elements 34 by which the claw-elements 32' are held or retained
in locking engagement with the male threads of the hose or faucet
by the interior surface of the slidable locking sleeve 30. It is
noted, unlike prior-art couplers, the slidable locking sleeve 30
does not force or cam the claw-elements into engagement with the
threads of the male-end, but merely maintains or holds them in
engagement therewith after they have already become engaged in the
manner described hereinbelow. The claw-elements 32' extend through
the cavities or spaces 22" of the four distinct sections 22' for
relative sliding movement therein, and therebetween. It is noted
that the inner diameter of the claw-elements 32' is greater than
the outer diameter of the annular member 18, so that claw-elements
clear the annular member 18 as seen in FIG. 3.
[0035] The main frame 12 also has a female-end, annular collar 40
with four radially-extending protrusions 42 axially aligned with
the four distinct sections 22', so that the spaces or gaps between
the four perpendicularly-extending protrusions 42 are also aligned
with the cavities or spaces 22" between the wedge-shaped sections
22, whereby the end-portions of the claw-elements 32' extend for
sliding movement. The slidable, split, annular female end-member,
or split collet, 32 has an interior annular surface edge-face
consisting of sloping or canted surface face 44 and a second
vertical or straight edge-face 44'. The compressible annular member
or sleeve-member 20 has canted or sloped end edge-faces 52, 52'.
The edge-face 52 cooperates with the vertical or edge-face 44',
while the end end-face 52' cooperates with the sloping or canted
surface face 44 of the retaining sleeve. The compressible annular
member 20 has an outer surface that is at least partially grooved
or threaded for cooperation with straight, or horizontal,
perpendicular surface 50 that is also grooved or threaded for
mating contact therewith for locking the outer retaining sleeve 30
in its extended state for keeping or holding the claw-elements in
their engagement with the threads of a male-end or faucet, or the
like.
[0036] Each wedge-member 26 defines an upper wedge-surface that is
engageable with the interior surface of the retaining sleeve 30, as
best seen in FIG. 3, whereby the retaining ring 30 forces the
wedge-members 26 downwardly against respective sloping or canted
engaging surfaces 24 of the four annular, distinct, wedge-shaped,
sections 22' when the retaining sleeve is slid into its locking
state, which is to the right when viewing FIG. 3.
[0037] The hose-coupler 10 also has a conventional check valve 36
at the male-end portion 14, and a washer element 38 at the female
end of the hose coupled, in the conventional manner for sealing
engagement with the male-end of the hose or faucet received in the
female-end of the hose-coupler 10, when there is a need for
hydraulic sealing, it being understood that in those uses of the
present invention where sealing is not required, the washer element
38 need not be provided.
[0038] The hose-coupler 10 operates as follows. A female-end of a
first end of a hose, tube, or other device, is screwed onto the
male-end of the coupler 10, when the coupler 10 is to be used to
couple threaded ends together, it being understood that the coupler
of the invention may be provided only with a female end, with the
other end of the coupler being affixed to, or part of, another
device to be attached to a threaded male-end of a hose, faucet, or
the like. A male-end of another hose or of a faucet is then
attached to the female-end of the hose-coupler 10 as follows. A
male-end 62 (FIG. 7) is pushed interiorly into the collet 32,
whereby initial engagement between the exterior male-threads of the
male-end 62 engage with the interior threads 32" of the
claw-elements 32' takes place, where the collet 32 and its
claw-elements assume the initial, unsealed state shown in FIG. 6.
The initial engagement is allowed via the floating, cantilevered
nature of the claw-elements 32'. As the male-end 62 is pushed into
the collet 32, the collet with its the claw-elements 32' are pushed
backwardly, or rearwardly, into the interior of the main frame 12,
until the interior annular surfaces 44' thereof abut against
forwardly-facing sloped surface 52 of the compressible annular
member 20, which provides an initial limit to the rearward movement
of the collet 32 and its claw-elements 32'. The retaining or
setting sleeve 30 is then moved forwardly, or to the right when
viewing FIG. 6, which initially compresses or squeezes the
compressible sleeve-member 20' inwardly via cooperating canted
surfaces 46 and 52', and then, after further sliding movement,
maintains this compressed state of the compressible annular member
20 via cooperating threads or grooves 20' formed on the outer
surface of the annular member 20 and threads or grooves 50' formed
on the interior, annular end-surface 50 of the setting ring 30
after the claw-elements 32' are sealingly locked in place with the
male-threads of the male-end inserted therein. This initial
compression or squeezing of the compressible sleeve-member 20
allows for additional, rearward or interior movement of the
claw-elements 32', since the interior annular surface 44 of the
collet 32 may then ride rearwardly along sloped surface 52 of the
compressible sleeve-member 20, which further additional movement is
caused by the wedge 26 as described herein. As the retaining ring
30 is moved further toward the female-end of the hose-coupler,
wedges 26 are forced downwardly and rearwardly to thus also force
the claw-elements 32' rearwardly toward the male-end 14, which
rearward movement is allowed owing to the fact that the
compressible annular member 20 had been compressed, or squeezed, by
the initial movement of the outer retaining ring 30. The wedges 26
force the collet 32 with its claw-elements 32' rearwardly by the
contact of the rear, vertical surfaces 26' of the wedges 26 against
the annular surfaces 45 of the collet member 32 formed in the
spaces between the claw-elements 32', as best seen in FIG. 8.
Rearward movement of the claw-elements 32' via the wedges 26 causes
the male-end 64 of a hose or faucet to be drawn and forced tightly
in sealing engagement with the washer-element 38. With the final
outward sliding movement of the retaining sleeve, the retaining
sleeve will cover or surround the claw-elements to thus prevent the
disengagement of the threads thereof with the threads of the
male-end 64 of the hose or faucet. Engagement of the cooperating
threads or grooves 20' formed on the outer surface of the
compressible sleeve-member 20 with the threads or grooves 50'
formed on the interior, annular end-surface 50 of the setting
sleeve 30, prevents disengagement of the claw-elements 32' of the
collet 32 with the threads of the male-end therein unless manual
counterforce is applied when one wants to disengage and remove the
male-end 634 from connection to the hose coupler 10. The retaining
or setting sleeve 30 does not cam or force the claw-elements into
engagement with the male-end located with the collet 32, but merely
prevents disengagement therebetween by preventing the claw-elements
from flexing outwardly, which outward flexing, as described
hereinabove, allows the male-end to be pushed into the interior of
the collet 32 for engagement between the threads of the inserted
male-end and the threads or grooves 32" of the claw-elements
32'.
[0039] In a preferred version, the wedge-surface 24 preferably is
approximately 45 degrees, while the upper wedge-surface 60
preferably has an angle of approximately 10 degrees. The retaining
sleeve has a total movement of 0.596 inches, while the total
longitudinal movement of the collet is approximately 0.105 inches.
The mechanical advantage is 6:1. The compression of the
compressible member allows the additional approximate 0.065 in.
which is included in the total movement of 0.105 in.
[0040] In order to disengage and remove the male-end 64, the
retaining sleeve 30 is moved in the opposite, rearward direction,
toward the male-end 14, thus releasing the claw-elements, and thus
expanding the compressible annular member 20, forcing the
claw-elements forwardly, to push the wedges 26 outwardly and
upwardly, whereby the tight seal with the washer element 38 is
broken. The male-end 64 may then be easily pulled off, since the
outer retaining sleeve no longer prevents such disengagement.
[0041] The advantages to this mechanical-operation hose coupler is
that no turning or rotation is required to make the seal, and no
piston member relying on water pressure for the washer element is
required, or spring therefor is required. Installation is achieved
by lateral movement, or pushing, only in the direction of the
male-end of the hose or faucet, which is the very same direction
that the female-end of the hose-coupler is being urged during
coupling. Additionally, the claw-elements of the collet float or
flex, which allows the threads in the claw-elements of the collet
and on the male-end of the hose or faucet to align at all times,
ensuring not only ease of attachment, but also ensurance that
engagement between the threads will occur at all times for all
movement of the collet. In addition, the mechanical advantage is
considerable; whereas conventional units require 23 lbs. of force
to seal against a hose washer, the hose-coupler 10 of the invention
requires only 4 lbs.
[0042] The coupler 10 of the invention may also be provided without
a male-end, in which case, just the collet with its female end for
receiving a threaded male-end is provided. Such an embodiment would
have relevance to a quick-connector attached to an item or device
that is to be attached to any type of faucet, pipe, etc., whether
it be a water faucet or other type.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 12-19, there is shown a second
embodiment of the hose-coupler of the invention which is clamped
tightly about a male-end of a hose or faucet, or the like, by
mainly hydraulic pressure. The coupler 100 consists of a main body
portion or frame 102 defining a threaded male-end section 104, and
a main tubular or cylindrical section 104'. Mounted within the main
body portion is a male-end check ball 106 for closing of the
opening 104' of the male-end section 104 when the hydraulic power
has been turned off. This check ball allows water to leak out
slightly in order to drain the hose. A sealing piston member 108 is
also mounted for sliding movement in the main body portion, and is
biased away from the male-end section 104 via a compression spring
110. Washers 112, 114 are located in either end surface of the
piston member. A flexible, compressible, split spring sleeve or
ring 116 is also provided which serves as a female end-section of
the coupler 100 for receiving and holding therein a threaded
male-end of a hose or faucet, or the like. The split sleeve 116 is
provided with a plurality of radially-protruding ears or tabs 118
which protect outwardly through and beyond suitably located and
aligned openings or cutouts 120 formed in the main tubular
cylindrical section 104'. The cutouts 120 are of ample width to
accommodate the sliding movement of the split sleeve 118. The tabs
118 allow for the expansion and compression of the split sleeve as
described hereinbelow.
[0044] Slidably mounted about the main tubular or cylindrical
section 104' is an outer releasing or unlocking sleeve or collet
120. The releasing sleeve 120 is slid backwardly, or rearwardly, or
toward the male-end section 104 to expose the tabs 118 in order to
allow them to expand fully when a male-end of a hose, faucet, pipe,
or the like, is first inserted thereagainst, as best seen in FIGS.
15 and 17. This initial pushing on of the male-end causes it to
move interiorly against the biased piston member 108 for an initial
seal. This expansion allows the split ring to encompass or receive
the male-end of a hose or faucet therein, and for the interior
threads or grooves 122' to engage with the exterior male threads of
the male-end inserted therein. After initial sealing, the outer
collet 120 is then slid in the opposite direction, to thereby close
off the cutouts or openings 120 and force the split ring to
compress radially inwardly by camming the ears or tabs 118 radially
inwardly, to force the split ring into its engaging state, as seen
in FIGS. 18 and 19. In this engaged or locked state, the final seal
is provided hydraulically by means of the fact that surface area of
the piston member 108 is greater than sealing surface area of the
washer 114 against which the piston abuts. Alternatively, the inner
annular surface of the collet 120 may be provided with an annular
groove having a camming surface that compresses the split ring
radially inwardly into locking engagement via the tabs 118.
[0045] The releasing collet 120 is provided with a pair of
exterior, radially-extending push-members 130 spaced 180 degrees
apart. The collet 120 is formed within an end-section 120" that is
relatively thicker than the thinner section 120' of rest of the
collet 120. Grooves or slits 136 are also provided in the section
to ensure when the push-members 130 are squeezed, the thinner
section 120' flexes and becomes distorted into an approximately
elliptical or oval shape. Formed on the outer surface of the main
tubular or cylindrical section 104' of main body portion 102, as
can be seen in FIGS. 17 and 18, are a pair of outwardly projecting
stops or stepped detents 140, spaced 180 degrees apart. These
stepped detents engage with the end-surface of the collet 120 to
hold it in place during engagement of the split ring with the
male-end of a hose or faucet. The push-members 130 are 90 degrees
out of phase with the stepped detents 140. When the push-members
are squeezed to deform the thinner section 120', the portion of the
annular end-surface 120' is bowed out enough of an amount so as to
clear the stepped detents 134. This clearance allows the outer
collet 120' to be moved or slid away from female-end section of the
coupler 100, to thereby again allow the split ring 116 to expand,
to thereby release the threaded engagement between the split ring
and the male-end of a hose, faucet, pipe, or the like. This sliding
release-movement again exposes the tabs 116 of the split ring 116
to allow their expansion to release the male-end of a hose or
faucet.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 20-23, there is shown a third
embodiment of the coupler of the invention, which is similar to the
mechanically-controlled and sealed coupler 10 of the first
embodiment of FIG. 1, but incorporating the push-locking outer
collet of the second embodiment of FIG. 12. The coupler 200 for
hoses, pipe, faucets, and the like, is provided with a main frame
or body portion 202 defining a threaded male-end 204 for receiving
a female end of a hose, tube, or the like, and an enlarged annular
central section 206. This enlarged annular central section 206 is
provided with diametrically-opposite located threads or teeth 208,
210, similar to the grooves or threads 20' of the hose coupler 10
of the first embodiment. Partially telescoping the enlarged annular
central section 206 is an outer retaining collet or sleeve 212
mounted for sliding movement between a locking state and a
releasing state. The collet or sleeve 212 has an interior groove
214 in which is mounted a flexible and resilient locking ring 216.
Diametrically-opposite sections of the locking ring 216 are
provided with threaded or grooved sections 218 that cooperatively
engage with respective diametrically-opposite located threads or
teeth 208, 210 of the enlarged annular central section 206, which
are used to lock the outer collet or sleeve 212 in either its
locking or releasing state, as described hereinbelow. The locking
ring 216 is also provided with diametrically-opposite push-members
or buttons 222, spaced 90 degrees out of phase with the threaded or
grooved sections 218. The push-buttons protrude through
radially-extending cutouts 224, as seen in FIG. 21. The
push-buttons 218 are pressed together or squeezed by one hand in
order to distort the locking ring 216, to disengage the threaded
sections 218 from the teeth 208, 210 to allow the collet 212 to
slide, for reasons described hereinbelow. A split-ring 228
constitutes the female-end of the coupler 200. The split-ring 228
is similar to the split ring 116 of the second embodiment of FIG.
12, with the difference being that the split ring 228 is provided
with a plurality of angularly and rearwardly extending fins 230
each defining a first, angular camming surface 230' and a second
angular camming surface 230". The coupler 200 also has a like
number of wedge-members 234 each defining an upper sloped or
surface 234' and an angularly and rearwardly extending sloping or
camming surface 234". The wedge-members are mounted for vertical
movement in the main body portion 202 via cooperating vertical
surfaces 241 of the wedge-members and vertical annular surface 241
of the main body portion. The camming surfaces 234' cooperate or
mate with annular camming or sloping surface 236 of the outer
collet. An annular spacer ring or member 240 for initially limiting
the travel of the split ring 228 is provided between fins 230 and
shoulder surface 246 of the enlarged annular central section 206.
The spacer ring 240 defines a sloped or camming surface 240' for
meshing with the sloped surfaces 230' of the split ring 228.
Shoulder surface 246 is formed by the smaller-diameter section 248
of the main frame 202 which holds a washer or sealing member 250
that seals the male-end of a hose or faucet engaged in the split
ring 228.
[0047] The coupler 200 is operated as follows. The coupler in its
opened, disengaged state is as that shown in FIG. 23, with the
outer collet 212 in its released position closer to the male-end
204 of the coupler. A male-end of a hose, pipe, faucet, or the
like, is inserted into the interiorly-threaded split ring 228 and
pushed against the washer 250. This initial movement or travel of
the split ring against the washer is allowed by the spacer ring
240, since the mating sloping surfaces of the split ring and the
spacer ring are spaced from each other as shown in FIG. 23. This
initial travel of the split ring 240 provides an initial seal, and
ends when the end of the mating sloping surfaces of the split ring
contact the flat surface 240" of the ring as best seen in FIG. 23.
The final seal is achieved by releasing the outer collet for
sliding movement by squeezing the push-buttons 222, and sliding the
collet in the direction of the split ring, which causes the radial
compression of the spacer ring 240, which causes the sloping or
camming surface 240' thereof radially interiorly. This compression
allows the split ring 230 greater travel interiorly, via camming
surfaces 230' and 240' of the split ring and spacer ring. The
interiorly travel of the split ring is forced via the wedge-members
234 by means of the their downward movement as the mating camming
surfaces 234' and 236 engage. The downward movement of the
wedge-members compresses the split ring to lock the male-end
therein, and push the split ring interiorly by means of the mating
camming surfaces 230' and 234". After this final seal has taken
place, the push-buttons 224 are released, and the collet retained
in its retaining position for locking the split ring in place about
the male-end inserted therein. To engage the male-end and release
it from the split ring, the procedure is reversed.
[0048] The coupler of the invention may be used on tapered pipes,
such as line-pipe connections and pipe connections used in the oil
and gas industry, etc. Moreover, instead of using wedges for
providing mechanical advantage, there may be used instead
ball-shape rollers, fulcums, lever, cam, rack and pinion/gear,
leverage device and any mechanism that develops mechanical
advantage.
[0049] The quick-connector of the invention may also be used for
the assembling of pipe framing, such as tent poles and scaffolding,
etc., where no sealing is required. In this case, no sealing washer
or the like is provided nor used.
[0050] In addition to coupling to a threaded male-end, either the
mechanical or hydraulic quick connector of the invention may be
connected to a pipe provided with a groove or cut-out on its outer
diameter to receive a non-threaded quick-connector of either of the
mechanical and hydraulic versions of the invention. In this case,
the female-end of the coupler is provided without threads to
receive the non-threaded pipe-end which has a groove or lip
thereof.
[0051] FIGS. 24A and 24B show these other modifications. FIG. 24A
shows a modification where the mechanical quick-coupler 200 of the
invention is provided with a plurality--such as four--ball bearings
or spheres 202 instead of wedge-members for providing the
mechanical advantage. The coupler 200 is also provided with a
female-end consisting of a collet 204 similar to the collet 32 with
furcated flexible arms of FIG. 8, except that the collet 204 does
not have any threads on its flexible furcated arms. This would be
used in the case of a pipe-end 206' of a pipe 206 having just a
groove or cutout 206". The coupler 200 also differs in that instead
of a threaded male-end thereof, a threaded female end 210 is used
in order to screw onto a threaded tapered end 212' of a tapered
pipe 212, such a water, sewer or gas pipe or line. Thus, the
quick-connect coupler may be used for coupling two male-ends
together.
[0052] FIG. 24B shows the other above-discussed modifications. In
this modification, the coupler 220 has an unthreaded female-end 222
like that of FIG. 24A, but connects to an unthreaded pipe-end 224'
of a pipe 224 having a lip or detent 224" for matingly locking with
the female-end 222. The other end of the coupler may have a welded
or otherwise affixed pipe attached thereto to form one, integral
piece with the coupler 220.
[0053] Although not shown, the coupler of FIGS. 24A or 24B may be a
double-ended one, in which each end of the coupler is provided with
a female collet 32 or 204 with furcated flexible arms or fingers
for any of the versions hereinabove described. In this version, the
coupler quick-connects two pipes similar to pipes 206 or 224.
[0054] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described, it is to be understood that numerous changes and
modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope
and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended
claims.
* * * * *