U.S. patent application number 10/683140 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for hose coupling device.
This patent application is currently assigned to QL Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Evans, Daniel C., Leuck, N. John, Lewis, Douglas C., Lyman, Daniel J..
Application Number | 20040245776 10/683140 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33490986 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040245776 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Evans, Daniel C. ; et
al. |
December 9, 2004 |
Hose coupling device
Abstract
Hose coupling devices that securely connect an end of a hose to
a fitting member using a retention mechanism operated by
multi-threaded engagement of the fitting member with a collar
member. The multi-threaded engagement also may operate a hose
advancement mechanism. The advancement mechanism axially advances a
hose during multi-threaded engagement so that the hose may be more
effectively gripped by the retention mechanism.
Inventors: |
Evans, Daniel C.; (Eugene,
OR) ; Leuck, N. John; (Eugene, OR) ; Lewis,
Douglas C.; (Brookings, OR) ; Lyman, Daniel J.;
(Eugene, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
520 S.W. YAMHILL STREET
SUITE 200
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
QL Holdings, LLC
|
Family ID: |
33490986 |
Appl. No.: |
10/683140 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/259 ;
285/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 33/223
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/259 ;
285/247 |
International
Class: |
F16L 033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 9, 2002 |
WO |
PCT/US02/11176 |
Dec 7, 2000 |
WO |
PCT/US00/33404 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A hose coupling device comprising a fitting member having an
internal channel, a first multi-threaded portion, and a tube
portion configured for insertion into an end of a hose, and a
collar member having a second multi-threaded portion that
complements the first multi-threaded portion for engaging the
fitting member to the collar member and creating a sealed conduit
connection between a hose and the internal channel of the fitting
member.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first multi-threaded portion
is formed on an external side of the fitting member, and the second
multi-threaded portion is formed on an internal side of the collar
member.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the collar member has a third
multi-threaded portion that advances the hose along the tube
portion when the collar member engages the fitting member.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the third multi-threaded portion
has at least four helical threads.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the third multi-threaded portion
has at least eight helical threads.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the third multi-threaded portion
includes buttress threads.
7. The device of claim 3, wherein the first, second and third
multi-threaded portions have the same helical handedness.
8. The device of claim 3, wherein the first and third
multi-threaded portions have opposite helical handedness.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first multi-threaded portion
has a standard helical threaded pattern.
10. The device of claim 3, wherein the first and second
multi-threaded portions have a greater pitch than the third
multi-threaded portion.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first multi-threaded portion
has four helical threads.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the first multi-threaded portion
includes plural threads following adjacent helical paths.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the plural threads begin at the
same axial position.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second
multi-threaded portions are configured such that the fitting member
and the collar member can be completely engaged by turning the
collar member less than about one revolution relative to the
fitting member.
15. The device of clam 1, wherein each of the first and second
multi-threaded portions is formed by substantially continuous
helical ridges.
16. A hose coupling device comprising a fitting member having an
internal channel, a first multi-threaded portion and a tube portion
configured for insertion into an end of a hose, and a collar member
having a second multi-threaded portion that complements the first
multi-threaded portion for engaging the fitting member to the
collar member and creating a sealed conduit connection between a
hose and the internal channel of the fitting member, each of the
first and second multi-threaded portions being configured such that
the collar member can be completely engaged to the fitting member
by turning the collar member less than about one revolution
relative to the fitting member.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the first multi-threaded
portion includes at least four helical threads that follow adjacent
helical paths.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the first multi-threaded
portion includes plural threads that begin at substantially the
same axial position along the fitting member.
19. The device of claim 16, wherein the collar member has a third
multi-threaded portion that advances a hose along the tube portion
when the collar member engages the fitting member.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein the third multi-threaded
portion has at least eight threads.
21. The device of claim 19, wherein the third multi-threaded
portion includes buttress threads.
22. The device of claim 19, wherein the first and second
multi-threaded portions have a greater pitch than the third
multi-threaded portion.
23. A hose coupling device comprising a fitting member having an
internal channel, a first multi-threaded portion, and a tube
portion configured for insertion into an end of a hose, and a
collar member having a second multi-threaded portion that
complements the first multi-threaded portion for engaging the
fitting member to the collar member and creating a sealed conduit
connection between a hose and the internal channel of the fitting
member, and a third multi-threaded portion that advances a hose
along the tube portion when the collar member engages the fitting
member.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein the first and second
multi-threaded portions have a greater pitch than the third
multi-threaded portion.
25. The device of claim 23, wherein the second and third
multi-threaded portions include helical threads formed in an
internal side of the collar member.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein each of the second and third
multi-threaded portions includes threads, the threads of the second
multi-threaded portion having a greater pitch than the threads of
the third multi-threaded portion.
27. The device of claim 23, wherein the third multi-threaded
portion includes buttress threads that resist removal of a hose
from the tube portion of the fitting member.
28. The device of claim 23, wherein each of the second and third
multi-threaded portions includes helical threads characterized by
the same helical handedness.
29. A hose coupling device comprising a fitting member, a collar
member, an engagement mechanism that securely engages the fitting
member with the collar member, the engagement mechanism being
multi-threaded, and a retention mechanism coupled to the engagement
mechanism, the retention mechanism being adapted to create a sealed
connection between a hose and the engaged fitting and collar
members in response to implementation of the engagement
mechanism.
30. A hose coupling device comprising a fitting member having a
first retaining portion, a collar member having a second retaining
portion, the first and second retaining portions forming a
retention mechanism adapted to cooperatively and sealingly retain a
hose in association with the fitting and collar members, and an
engagement mechanism that securely engages the fitting member with
the collar member, the engagement mechanism being multi-threaded
and adapted to couple engagement of the fitting and collar members
to activation of the retention mechanism.
31. A hose coupling device comprising a fitting member having a
tube portion adapted to insert into an end of a hose, a collar
member having a retaining portion adapted to at least substantially
encircle an exterior portion of the hose end, and an engagement
mechanism that securely engages the fitting member with the collar
member so that the stem and retaining portion opposingly grip the
hose end, the engagement mechanism being multi-threaded.
32. A hose coupling device comprising a fitting member having a
first retaining portion, a collar member having a second retaining
portion, the first and second retaining portions forming a
retention mechanism adapted to cooperatively and sealingly retain a
hose in association with the fitting and collar members, a hose
advancement mechanism, the hose advancement mechanism being adapted
to advance the hose relative to the fitting member so that the hose
may be more effectively gripped by the retention mechanism, and an
engagement mechanism that securely engages the fitting member with
the collar member, the engagement mechanism being multi-threaded
and adapted to couple engagement of the fitting and collar members
to activation of the advancement and retention mechanisms.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120
of PCT Application No. PCT/US02/11176 filed Apr. 9, 2002 titled
"Hose Coupling Device", which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
[0002] This application incorporates by reference in its entirety
for all purposes U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/282,763
filed Apr. 9, 2001 and PCT Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/US00/33404, filed Dec. 7, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention involves conduit coupling devices. In
particular, the invention relates to conduit coupling devices that
securely connect an end of a hose to a fluid conduit member to
create a sealed conduit connection.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Hose coupling devices may be used for many purposes. For
example, coupling devices may be used to connect two hoses of the
same or different sizes, or coupling devices may be used to connect
a hose to a fixture such as a tank or a vessel. Coupling devices
also may be used to split one conduit into two or more channels, or
to redirect the conduit in a new direction, for example, around a
corner. Furthermore, coupling devices may be used to connect a hose
to a valve or a nozzle, or to connect plural hoses to a multi-port
manifold.
[0005] Many types of coupling devices, or couplers, have been used
in the past. For example, coupling devices are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 1,288,148, issued Dec. 17, 1918; U.S. Pat. No. 2,853,320,
issued Sep. 23, 1958; U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,689, issued Mar. 20,
1984; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,976, issued Aug. 28, 1990, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. There
are problems with these and other prior art couplers that may limit
their use for certain applications. In some cases, couplers are
designed for, and function best with, specific types of
hoses/tubing. For example, these couplers may be designed for use
with tubing that has a metal sheath, with tubing that is
multi-layered, or with tubing that can be easily cut by the
coupler. In addition, many of these couplers use a single-threaded
engagement mechanism that is cumbersome to implement.
[0006] Single-threaded engagement mechanisms operate through
rotational engagement between a single helical thread and groove on
each of two coupler components. To allow the single-threaded
mechanism to engage effectively, one or both components of the
coupler generally must be rotated through many revolutions. These
revolutions may require patience and may be an ineffective approach
for rapidly coupling (and uncoupling) many hoses in a short time
period. Furthermore, for these single-threaded mechanisms to work
effectively, the single thread of one component and the
complementary groove of the other need to be precisely aligned
before being rotationally engaged. Accordingly, only one rotational
alignment of the coupler components allows the coupler to be
effectively engaged. Under time pressure, this alignment may not be
achieved properly, resulting in ineffective coupling, and
potentially, a damaged or ruined thread. However, even if proper
rotational engagement is achieved, many of these prior art couplers
do not grip a hose effectively enough to handle a high side-load
pressure without leaking. Therefore, new conduit coupling devices
are needed that quickly and effectively secure hoses to the
devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides hose coupling devices that securely
connect an end of a hose to a fitting member to create a sealed
conduit connection, using a retention mechanism operated by
multi-threaded engagement of the fitting member with a collar
member. The multi-threaded engagement also may operate a hose
advancement mechanism. The advancement mechanism axially advances a
hose during multi-threaded engagement so that the hose may be more
effectively gripped by the retention mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a hose coupling device,
showing a fitting member and a collar member, in accordance with
aspects of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the collar member of FIG. 1,
in accordance with aspects of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of selected portions
of the view of FIG. 2, in accordance with aspects of the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a
collar member, in accordance with aspects of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is fragmentary sectional view of selected portions of
the hose coupling device of FIG. 1 in association with a hose,
showing the hose coupling device readied to secure the hose to the
device, in accordance with aspects of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a view of the hose coupling device and hose of
FIG. 5, showing the hose coupling device fully engaged and securing
the hose to the device after hose advancement, in accordance with
aspects of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a view of an alternative embodiment of a fitting
member, in accordance with aspects of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a view of another alternative embodiment of a
fitting member, in accordance with aspects of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a view of yet another embodiment of a fitting
member, in accordance with aspects of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a view of a fitting member-manifold, in
accordance with aspects of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The invention provides hose coupling devices that securely
connect an end of a hose to a fitting member using a retention
mechanism driven by multi-threaded engagement of the fitting member
with a collar member. Multi-threaded engagement operates through
plural threads on the fitting member and/or the collar member.
These plural threads may allow each of the plural threads to
advance at a greater pitch, thus producing a greater linear (axial)
advancement of the collar member toward the fitting member per turn
of the collar member. Accordingly, the fitting and collar members
may operate/activate the retention mechanism to secure and
sealingly retain a hose to the coupling device with less than a
full turn of the collar member. In addition, the plural threads may
allow the collar member to initiate engagement at a corresponding
plural rotational positions around the perimeter of the fitting
member, making engagement faster and easier still.
[0019] The retention mechanism may use the fitting and collar
members to grip an end of a hose between a first retaining portion,
such as a tube portion, on the fitting member and a second
retaining portion on the collar member. The tube portion may insert
into the hose end to contact an interior surface of the hose end.
By contrast, the second retaining portion may at least
substantially encircle the hose end, causing the second retaining
portion to advance and surround the tube portion so that the second
retaining portion and tube portion opposingly grip and thus retain
the hose end to form a sealed conduit connection.
[0020] The multi-threaded engagement mechanism also may be coupled
to or drive a hose advancement mechanism. The advancement mechanism
axially advances and generally compresses a hose during
multi-threaded engagement so that the hose may be more effectively
gripped by the retention mechanism. For example, the second
retaining portion may include a hose-advancing structure that pulls
the hose onto the tube portion as the collar advances onto the
fitting member during engagement. The hose-advancing structure may
be a ridged or a threaded region, such as a multi-threaded region.
When threaded, the hose-advancing region may have a pitch that is
less than, or opposite in polarity to, the pitch of an engaging
portion of the collar member. Based on these differences in pitch,
engagement of the fitting member with the collar member may advance
the hose less than, the same amount as, or more than the axial
(linear) distance advanced by the collar member onto the fitting
member. Engagement-coupled hose advancement may be used to produce
a more secure and leak-resistant seal between the hose and coupling
device. Therefore, the invention may provide a hose coupling device
that more effectively secures and seals a hose to the coupling
device at a greater speed and with less effort.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a hose coupling device 10,
constructed in accordance with aspects of the invention. Coupling
device 10 may include at least two components, a fitting member 12
and a collar member 14. Here, the fitting and collar members are
depicted in a separated but axially aligned configuration, with
selected portions of the interior structure of the fitting and
collar members shown in dotted outline. The fitting and collar
members 12, 14 may cooperate to provide at least three mechanisms,
as described below.
[0022] A multi-threaded engagement mechanism 16 engages fitting
member 12 with collar member 14. Multi-threaded engagement
mechanism 16 may be provided by rotationally engaging structures,
such as male engaging portion 18 on an external side of fitting
member 12 and a complementary female engaging portion 20 on an
internal side of collar member 14. In alternative embodiments, male
engaging portion may be provided by collar member 14, and female
engaging portion may be provided by fitting member 12. Furthermore,
as described in more detail below, one or both of these engaging
portions are multi-threaded portions, for example, each having four
threads 22, 24 in coupling device 10.
[0023] Engagement mechanism 16 generally comprises any rotationally
implemented mechanism that operates through a multi-threaded
portion on either fitting member 12, collar member 14, or both
members. Coupling device 10 includes a multi-threaded portion on
each member, with the two multi-threaded portions being
complementary to each other. However, in some embodiments, only a
first of these two members may have a multi-threaded portion
whereas the second may have only a partially complementary
structure, such as a short axial segment or other fractional region
of a multi-threaded portion. For example, the second member may
have a set of radially disposed protrusions that are received and
guided by a correspondingly disposed set of helical grooves
provided by the threaded portion of the first member. In such a
case, the set of protrusions behave as short threads.
[0024] Multi-threaded portions (or regions) generally comprise any
threaded structure that has two or more cooperatively acting
threads following distinct helical/spiral paths, at the same axial
position(s). Cooperatively acting means that the threads can be
simultaneously engaged by a complementary threaded portion. A
thread generally includes any ridge(s) on a male of female
structure that follows a helical path around a helical axis, termed
a thread axis. The ridge may be a single continuous ridge or a set
of two or more axially spaced ridges that follow different portions
of a common helical path. The two or more threads of a
multi-threaded portion may be radially disposed at a given axial
position, in a symmetrical or asymmetrical fashion, and generally
share a common thread axis or helical axis. Axial position refers
throughout to position along an axis parallel to the thread axis or
helical axis of a threaded or engaging portion. The multi-threaded
portion may include two, three, four, up to eight, ten, or more
threads, and generally includes a corresponding number of channels
or grooves extending adjacent to the threads. Each of the plural
ridges and each of the plural grooves may be similar or dissimilar
in size and/or shape. However, the plural ridges generally extend
in a side-by-side relationship and are nonintersecting.
Furthermore, the multi-threaded portion may have a set of threads
that are standard threads or reverse threads. Standard and reverse
threads differ in helical handedness and have helical angles with
opposite polarity (see below). Standard threads have a pattern that
follows a right-handed helical path, whereas reverse threads have a
pattern that follows a left-handed helical path.
[0025] Each thread has a pitch. The pitch is defined as the
linear/axial travel, parallel to the thread axis, resulting from a
complete revolution around the thread's axis, following the
thread's path. Pitch (P) is related both to the radius (r) of the
helical path, and to the helical angle (.theta.) of a thread, which
is defined as the angle formed by intersection of the thread with a
plane perpendicular to the thread axis. The pitch of a thread may
be calculated by the formula:
P=r tan(.theta.)
[0026] Accordingly, increasing the helical angle of a thread,
without changing its radius, will increase the pitch. Pitch is
independent of the number of threads in a threaded portion,
although a greater number of threads may allow the threads to have
a greater helical angle and thus a greater pitch without
sacrificing the ability to engage effectively. Accordingly,
multi-threaded portions may be used to minimize the number of
rotations necessary to achieve a desired axial movement and/or to
achieve the same helical pitch with finer threads. The finer
threads may engage/grip more effectively than coarser threads.
Multi-threaded portions of the fitting member or collar member may
have larger helical angles than single-threaded portions, with
angles greater than about 10.degree., 15.degree., or
20.degree..
[0027] Gripping or retention mechanism 26 sealingly associates hose
with, and secures the hose to, coupling device 10 in a
leak-resistant manner, in response to implementation of engagement
mechanism 16. Retention mechanism 26 may be formed by two retaining
portions 28, 30. Retaining portion 28 of the fitting member may be
an insertion member, for example, tube portion 29 of fitting member
12, that facilitates retention by contact with an interior region
of an end of a hose. To facilitate insertion and retention, tube
portion 29 may have a beveled end region 32 and an angled, stepped
exterior 34. End region 32 and stepped exterior 34 may facilitate
pushing the end of a hose onto the tube portion, but may resist
removal of the hose through the action of asymmetrical ridges 36.
By contrast, retaining portion 30 of collar member 14 may be
dimensioned to generally encircle and contact an exterior segment
of the hose end. Accordingly, retaining portion 30 may be
positioned, by the action of engagement mechanism 16, to generally
surround tube portion 29 so that the hose end is opposingly gripped
by the fitting member and collar member retaining portions, 28 and
30, respectively.
[0028] The effectiveness of retention mechanism 26 may be enhanced
by advancement mechanism 38. Advancement mechanism 38 may be
engagement driven, that is, activated by implementation of the
engagement mechanism and may operate before and/or during operation
of retention mechanism 26. Advancement mechanism 38 may use a
hose-advancing structure 40 on retaining portion 30 to limit
slippage of a hose relative to the retaining portion, as described
more fully below.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows additional aspects of fitting member 12.
Internal channel 44, indicated by dotted lines, extends through
fitting member 12, to provide fluidic communication between a
coupled hose and any desired structure, such as a fixture,
receptacle, conduit, etc., included in, or attached to the fitting
member. In coupling device 10, such a desired structure may be
attached to the fitting member using connecting portion 46. Here,
connecting portion 46 is a single-threaded structure. However, as
exemplified below, connecting portion 46 may have any suitable
single-, multi-, or non-threaded structure, and may perform any
desired function. Fitting member 12 also may include a gripping
structure 48, adapted either for gripping with a tool, such as a
wrench or pliers, or for gripping with the hand of a user. Here,
gripping structure 48 has a hexagonal profile (not shown).
[0030] FIG. 1 also shows additional aspects of collar member 14.
Collar member has an axial channel 50, which may be formed by
adjoining or adjacent female engaging portion 20 and retaining
portion 30. Axial channel 50 may receive male engaging portion 18
and tube portion 29. Collar member 14 also may have a gripping
region, such as hexagonal region 52, to assist in rotationally
engaging the collar member with fitting member 12, as described
above for gripping structure 48 of the fitting member.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows interior aspects of collar member 14. Proximal
end region 54 of the collar member may include an alignment
structure 56 that facilitates proper threading of engagement
mechanism 16. Here, alignment structure 56 is an annular recess
that guides male engaging portion 18 into proper abutment and axial
alignment with female engaging portion 20 prior to engagement (see
FIG. 5). Distal end region 58 also may include a structure that
facilitates coupling, widened section 60. Widened section 60 may
act to receive and guide a hose end into axial channel 50. Widened
section 60 may be formed, for example, by rounding or beveling the
inner perimeter of distal end region 58.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows female engaging portion 20 in more detail. In
coupling device 10, female engaging portion has a set of four
threads 24, extending along four distinct, axially displaced,
helical paths. Female engaging portion 20 is complementary to male
engaging portion 18 of fitting member 12, with threads 22, 24
extending with the same helical handedness. However, FIG. 2 shows a
back segment of female engaging portion 20, whereas FIG. 1 shows a
front segment of male engaging portion 18, so the threads may
appear to have distinct helical handedness, potentially confusing a
viewer.
[0033] Retaining portion 30 may be disposed adjacent female
engaging portion 20 in collar member 14. Retaining portion 30 also
may have a multi-threaded structure, shown as threaded region 62
with a plurality of hose-advancing threads 64, in this case eight,
to form hose-advancing structure 40 (and advancement mechanism 38).
Alternatively, threaded region 62 may be single-threaded, or may
not be threaded at all. For example, hose-advancing structure 40
may include one or more hose-advancing ridges that are generally
circular, not helical, for example, as in tube portion 29. In
general, hose-advancing threads/ridges may have an asymmetrical
profile to restrict hose movement/slippage toward distal end region
58, but may allow hose movement toward proximal end region 54.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows the asymmetrical profile of hose-advancing
threads 64 in more detail. These threads with asymmetrical
profiles, referred to as buttress threads, have flanks 66, 68 that
slope at unequal angles relative to perpendicular the thread axis,
with flanks facing toward engaging portion 20 having a smaller
angle than those facing away. For example, retaining flank 66 has a
small thread profile, being almost perpendicular to the long axis
of collar member 14. In contrast, permissive flank 68 has a
substantially larger thread profile, forming a larger angle
relative to perpendicular. Accordingly, retaining flank may
restrict uncoupling movement of a hose toward distal end region 58.
In contrast, permissive flank 68 may allow collar member 14 to
slide onto a hose, for example, prior to coupling. Thread profile
angles for retaining flanks 66 may be about 0.degree. to
25.degree., 2.degree. to 15.degree., or 4.degree. to 10.degree.,
whereas thread profile angles for permissive flanks 68 may be about
35.degree. to 70.degree., 40.degree. to 65.degree., or 45.degree.
to 60.degree.. Alternatively, threads/ridges 64 may have a
generally symmetrical profile that may restrict or prevent hose
movement relatively equally in either axial direction relative to
engaging portion 20.
[0035] Female engaging portion 20 and retaining portion 30 may have
any suitable pitch relative to each other. For example, FIG. 2
shows engaging portion 20 with a greater pitch than retaining
portion 30. This greater pitch causes the distance of linear
(axial) travel of collar member 14 onto fitting member 12, during
engagement, to be greater than the distance traveled by collar
member 14 relative to a hose. The difference in these distances may
correspond to the distance with which the hose is pulled toward the
fitting member, and generally onto tube portion 29, during
engagement. By changing the relative pitches of engaging portion 20
and retaining portion 30, any suitable ratio of distances of axial
travel may be achieved. For example, FIG. 4 shows an alternative
embodiment of collar member 14. In collar member 140,
hose-advancing threads 64 travel with a distinct helical handedness
relative to engaging portion 20, and thus have a pitch of opposite
polarity. Accordingly, the distance of axial travel of collar
member 140 during engagement should be less than the distance of
axial travel of a hose (each relative to the fitting member). In
other embodiments, retaining portion 30 may have a pitch that is
equal to that of the engaging portion, to achieve no travel of the
hose, or a fractional pitch that is about 0.1 to 0.95 times the
pitch of the engaging portion to achieve a fractional axial travel
of 0.9 to 0.05, respectively, for the hose relative to the collar
member. In particular embodiments, the fractional pitch may be
about one-half, two-thirds, three-fourths, four-fifths, and
nine-tenths, to give respective travel ratios (collar member:hose)
of 2:1, 4:1, 5:1, and 10:1. The same distance of travel of the
collar member and hose (ratio of 1:1) may be achieved with
nonhelical ridges in the retaining portion, as described above.
[0036] FIGS. 5 and 6 show hose coupling device 10 being used to
secure a hose 70 to the device. In FIG. 5, hose 70 has been
inserted through collar member 14 and pushed most of the way onto
tube portion 29. Alternatively, hose 70 may be pushed a smaller or
greater fraction of the way onto tube portion 29, including
completely onto the tube portion, at this point prior to
engagement. Collar member 14 has been brought into abutment with
fitting member 12, so that alignment structure 56 acts to axially
align the fitting and collar members. To achieve this abutment,
collar member 14 may be advanced along hose 70, toward fitting
member 12, by rotating the collar member. In FIG. 6, engagement
mechanism 16 has been fully implemented. Collar member 14 has been
rotated and thus advanced until proximal end portion 54 contacts a
shoulder 72 of fitting member 12. Hose 70 has advanced farther onto
tube portion 29 and has been compressed axially. Axial compression
may be more pronounced if hose 70 is pushed fully onto tube portion
29 prior to engagement, so that a distal portion of the hose
advances more than a proximal portion closest engaging portion 18.
In either case, more distal portions of hose 70 advance relative to
fitting member 12. In addition, retaining portion 30 has been
advanced to surround tube portion 29, so that the end of hose 70 is
opposingly gripped by tube portion 29 and retaining portion 30. As
shown, hose-advancement threads 64 may bite into or deform hose 70
to facilitate advancement and retention.
[0037] A specific embodiment of hose coupling device 10 is
described below as an example. This example is included for
illustration and is not intended to limit or define the scope of
the invention. The specific embodiment is molded from a hard
plastic, polysulfone. However, in other embodiments the hose
coupling device may be constructed of any other suitable plastic,
metal, and/or elastomer, among others. The specific embodiment
described below is dimensioned to accept a hose made of
cross-linked polyethylene, having an internal diameter of 0.50
inches and a hose wall thickness of 0.0625 inches.
[0038] In this specific embodiment, fitting member 12 has the
following dimensions. Tube portion 29 is 0.5120 inches in length.
Internal channel 44 within the tube portion has a diameter of 0.370
inches, and the outer diameter of the distal tip of the beveled end
portion is 0.4340 inches, with a radius of 0.0200 inches at the
outer distal perimeter. Ridges 36 have a diameter of 0.5210 inches
and are spaced by 0.0830 inches from each other and by 0.1250
inches from male engaging portion 18 (for the more proximal of the
two ridges). Root/groove 74 adjacent the more distal of the two
ridges 36 has a diameter of 0.495 inches. Shank portion 76 has a
diameter of 0.50 inches. Male engaging portion 18 has a length of
0.4850 inches and has a pitch of 0.625 inches (linear advancement
per revolution), with the four threads positioned in a radially
symmetrical arrangement, equidistant from the thread (helical)
axis. Each thread crest 78 has a width of 0.0447 inches and each
thread root 80 (flattened portion at the base of the groove) has a
width of 0.0290 inches. Here, threads 22 have flattened crests to
minimize damage to the threads. However, in other embodiments, the
crests may form sharp ridges.
[0039] Collar member 14 has the following dimensions in this
specific embodiment. The axial length of collar member 14 is 0.8250
inches. Hexagonal region 52 has a width of 0.9375 inches for
spacing between parallel pairs of surfaces 82 and an axial length
of 0.5000 inches. Female engaging portion 20 has a length of 0.490
inches and alignment structure 56 has a depth of 0.0400 inches
(measured along the long axis of the collar member). Alignment
structure 56 and engaging portion 20 both have a diameter and
maximum diameter, respectively, of 0.7880 inches. Grooves 84 of
engaging portion 20 (see FIG. 2) have a width of 0.056 inches and
are 0.015 to 0.020 inches oversized relative to male engaging
portion 18 of fitting member 12. Grooves 84 taper by 0.585.degree.
or 0.005 inches (decreased diameter) from proximal end region 54 to
distal end region 58, adjacent retaining portion 30. Retaining
portion 30 has an axial length of 0.2519 inches, and a minimum
diameter of 0.632 inches (measured from thread to thread 64 across
the thread axis). Threads 64 have a radius of 0.0050 inches at the
peak of the threads (see FIG. 4). Adjacent grooves 86 have a width
along a flattened central portion of 0.0043 inches, and radii of
0.0050 inches flanking the central portion. Retaining flanks 66
extends at an angle of about 6.degree. and permitting flanks at an
angle of about 50.degree., each measured relative to orthogonal the
thread axis/long axis. The pitch of retaining portion 30 is 0.50
inches, and the eight threads 64 are spaced in a radially
symmetrical fashion, equidistant from the thread axis. The relative
pitches of fitting member and collar member engaging portions, 18,
20, are 0.625 inches and 0.50 inches, respectively, with a
difference of 0.125 inches. Therefore, these pitches define a 5:1
ratio (0.625:0.125) of collar member to hose travel relative (each
relative to the fitting member).
[0040] FIGS. 7-10 show alternative embodiments of fitting member
12. In FIG. 7, fitting member 112 includes two engaging portions 18
and two tube portions 29. Accordingly, fitting member 112 may act
as a linear connector between two hoses. In FIG. 8, fitting member
212 acts as a T-connector, having two engaging portions and a
connecting portion 90. In other embodiments, fitting member 212 may
have any angular relationships between each of the
engaging/connecting portions, and may have any suitable number of
such connecting portions. In FIG. 9, fitting member 312, referred
to as any elbow fitting, is similar to fitting member 12, but forms
an angled junction between two conduits or fixtures. In FIG. 10,
fitting member 412 is, or is included in, a fitting member-manifold
that may independently regulate output to plural conduits from a
single input. Such a manifold that is configured to have multiple
connected output conduits may benefit significantly from the
invention.
[0041] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above
encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility.
While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred
form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated
herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous
variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions
includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations
of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties
disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite "a" or "a
first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be
understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements,
neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
* * * * *