WO1999039124A1 - Systeme ameliore de manchon d'accouplement de tubes, avec bague de serrage liberable - Google Patents

Systeme ameliore de manchon d'accouplement de tubes, avec bague de serrage liberable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999039124A1
WO1999039124A1 PCT/US1999/002125 US9902125W WO9939124A1 WO 1999039124 A1 WO1999039124 A1 WO 1999039124A1 US 9902125 W US9902125 W US 9902125W WO 9939124 A1 WO9939124 A1 WO 9939124A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
collet
coupling system
tube coupling
rib
fitting body
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/002125
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard K. Sampson
Michael J. Caulk
Original Assignee
Value Plastics, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Value Plastics, Inc. filed Critical Value Plastics, Inc.
Priority to AU24898/99A priority Critical patent/AU2489899A/en
Publication of WO1999039124A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999039124A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
    • F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
    • F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
    • F16L37/092—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of elements wedged between the pipe and the frusto-conical surface of the body of the connector
    • F16L37/0925—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of elements wedged between the pipe and the frusto-conical surface of the body of the connector with rings which bite into the wall of the pipe
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
    • F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
    • F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
    • F16L37/092—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of elements wedged between the pipe and the frusto-conical surface of the body of the connector
    • F16L37/0927—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of elements wedged between the pipe and the frusto-conical surface of the body of the connector the wedge element being axially displaceable for releasing the coupling

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improvements for tube couplings and particularly collet type tube coupling systems. More specifically, it relates to molded fittings for a releasable collet type tube coupling.
  • Figure 1 shows a typical example of a commonly used collet type tube coupling (which some believe to be a unique subset of tube couplings), particularly those made of molded material, and are generally assembled by pressing two pieces in an axial direction toward one another ("axially pressed") along some central longitudinal axis. This could occur for instance when pressing a main body and a collet together until they are engaged in the axial direction.
  • axially pressed some central longitudinal axis
  • the main body (1) has a smaller entrance bore (2) through which the collet (3) with its arms are inserted. As the collet engages the smaller entrance bore (2), it is squeezed in a radial direction. As the collet arms pass through the smaller entrance bore, they begin increasing in the radial direction as they engage the taper (4) and finally the inner bore (6). This may be referred to as a reverse inside taper.
  • An O-ring (8) is typically used to rest against the end of the collet (3).
  • the length of the collet in relation to the length of the inner bore (6) is typically adjusted so that in the assembled state, the O-ring is compressed against the end of the collet. This compression may also act as a spring force against the end of the collet, biasing it outwardly against the reverse inside taper. Thus, the collet is restrained in this fashion against the taper (4) and the
  • a tube (7) is inserted through the inner bore of the collet (3) through the O-ring (8) and is restrained by a projection or projections (11) in the collet. If pressures occurring in the tube try to force the tube away from the collet, the projections (11) frictionally restrain the tube in the collet. The frictional restraint moves the collet with the tube outwardly in an axial direction until the arms ( 10) engage the taper (4). At this point, further movement outwardly in the axial direction again squeezes the arms of the collet radially, yielding a progressive clamping effect, but this time, the radial movement is restricted by the presence of the tube.
  • the present invention provides such a device.
  • the difficulty has been in the manufacturing of such a typical system shown in Figure 1.
  • This difficulty occurs in that an entrance bore (2) smaller than the larger inner bore (6) cavity diameter is required.
  • Special features thus are needed to extricate the tooling after the part has been molded.
  • the mandrel may need to be a collapsible mandrel that can form the larger inner cavity and yet collapse to a smaller diameter for extrication through the smaller entrance bore.
  • Such an arrangement adds complexity to the molding process and expense to the molds themselves. If the cavity is too small for a collapsible mandrel, in some instances, the cavity can be machined out.
  • the collet may be readily molded in a variety of shapes because it primarily has external features such as tapers, angles, chamfers and so forth with a generally straight or somewhat smooth inner diameter.
  • the opposite is true of the typical arrangement for the main body of the tube coupling, such as is shown in the U.S. Patent Number 4, 178,023.
  • Such an arrangement while being sufficiently simple to use, is not sufficiently simple to manufacture.
  • a section of the main body is formed from a deformable metal that is then swaged around the subsidiary section to form the tapered wall and restrain the collet.
  • this style has its own extra steps and complexities to manufacture.
  • the fact that those in the art realized that there was a manufacturing problem of making a smaller entrance bore and a larger inward bore as a unitary piece was realized at least as early as 1972 in U.S. Patent Number 3,653,689.
  • the main body utilizes a two-piece arrangement to solve the unitary piece problem of the reverse inside taper.
  • a separate secondary piece is used to provide the cam surface to retain the collet. It notes in column 2, line 32 that the separate secondary piece arrangement allowed the manufacturing of the main body to "be produced by single machining operation or in a mould requiring no special release technique.”
  • a coupling member can be formed with a bore which tapers from an internal larger diameter down to a smaller diameter at or near the exit using simple moulding techniques without employing any complex core structure by forming the body member in two parts and welding them together; . . .”
  • FIG. 2 A variation of Figure 2, shown in Figure 3, uses stepped bores.
  • the secondary piece (5) is similarly connected to the main body (1), such that the collet (3) connects and engages the secondary piece (5).
  • the collet (3) does not rely on nor directly engage the main body to restrain the collet to the main body. Similar to the above described difficulties in Figure 2, these tend to rely upon an inserted secondary piece after the main body is manufactured to provide a tapered surface and to restrict the collet from disengaging from the main portion.
  • the above problem of manufacturing a reverse inside taper on the main body may be solved.
  • the complexity is added in that a secondary piece is necessary to provide the restricting taper to restrain the collet from disengaging from the main portion. Examples are shown in U.S. Patent Number 3,999,783,
  • the restraining connection generally may include gripping surfaces to assist in frictionally restraining the tube from disengaging from the coupling and a substantially straight, generally untapered, inside bore for manufacturing simplicity.
  • the present invention provides a simplified and easily manufacturable collet type tube coupling.
  • it provides a first fluid fitting body, typically the main body, having a substantially straight inside bore which may be stepped or unstepped.
  • a key to the present invention is in realizing that an engagement member may be made that does not require a larger inner dimension than the entry end, and in doing so, provides an engagement member that may be easily molded from the external radial direction toward the inside, instead of the reverse as others with skill in the art presumed necessary in producing a reverse inside taper.
  • such an engagement member comprises a radial opening which extends through the sidewall of the first fluid fitting body into the substantially straight
  • a collet having a radially extending rib (which may be tapered) can be positioned to engage the substantially straight inside bore where the rib is aligned with the engagement member and can be pressed together in an axial direction to form a restraining connection.
  • the first fluid fitting body may be a unitary piece not requiring the inserted secondary piece mentioned above in the other references.
  • the collet may be a unitary piece such that the entire coupling (other than such ancillaries as a sealing element and swivel element) may comprise only two pieces, the first fluid fitting body and collet, that can be easily molded and easily assembled without any necessary gluing, welding, threading, and so forth.
  • Another goal of the present invention is to provide a first fluid fitting body having a central axis, at least one substantially straight inside bore in the first fluid fitting body, at least one radial opening extending through the sidewall of the first fluid fitting body, a collet having a second central axis, and at least one radially extending rib connected to the collet and positioned to engage the radial opening along the substantially straight inside bore where the rib and radial opening may be pressed together in an axial direction to form a restraining connection between the first fluid fitting body and collet.
  • An object of this goal is to directly engage the first fluid fitting body with the rib, which may be specifically at a radial opening or other engagement member, along the straight inside bore instead of relying on intermediate sub-parts and secondary pieces.
  • Another object is to provide an inside bore that extends a sufficient distance in a straight manner, at least from an entry end of the first fluid fitting body to an inward edge of the engagement member (such as a radial opening). This distance may allow for a sufficient engagement of the rib with for instance the radial opening.
  • Another object is to provide at least one arm connected to the collet and an arm slit such that as the collet is inserted into the first fluid fitting body in a typical arrangement, the arms may bend in an inward radial manner toward the second central axis to allow for easier insertion of the collet into the first fluid fitting body.
  • Another object is to provide a collet primarily composed of molded resilient material so that such resilient bending may occur.
  • Another object is to provide a sealing member such as an O-ring to seal at least some portion of the first fluid fitting body to assist in reducing any leakage that could occur around a tube inserted into the first fluid fitting body.
  • Another object is to provide a seal step to allow the sealing member to abut against such step and perhaps a tube step to allow
  • a swivel member may be provided to allow at least a portion of the first fluid fitting body and rotatable body member to rotate or otherwise move with respect to each other. This rotation could occur while the rotating body member is retained axially to the first fluid fitting body.
  • a gripping member may be provided in some embodiments to assist the collet in gripping the tube inserted through the body. Another object is to provide a rib that is tapered toward an entry end of the collet to form an engaging taper and in another embodiment to provide a rib that is tapered toward an inward end of the collet to form an activating taper.
  • the activating taper could assist in activating the progressive clamping mentioned earlier. It could also assist in slidably disengaging the rib from the engagement member such as a radial opening.
  • Another object is to provide a radial opening that has an outside opening width that is greater in width than an inner opening width.
  • Another object is to provide a radius slide which interacts with the rib to assist the rib to slidably engage the radial opening. This radius slide may be adapted to bend and form a radius, for instance, when the rib engages the radius slide. The radius slide may also form a resilient radius in that it may resiliently move as the rib engages or disengages the first fluid fitting body.
  • the restraining connection be the primary restraining connection such that it is generally deemed unnecessary to have other restraining connections.
  • Another object is to provide a substantially straight stepped bore; typically, in this invention, the straight stepped bore would progressively reduce to smaller dimensions, starting from the entry end toward the inward end of the fitting body. Again, this may be for manufacturing simplicity.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an integral skirt connected to, for instance, the collet. This integral skirt may assist in the handling as well as the protection of the rib and the collet.
  • a manufacturer may appropriate, or otherwise secure, a first fluid fitting body and a collet and assemble them in the manner described herein.
  • the term "appropriate” could also include the manufacturing of a fitting body or member.
  • the collet could be inserted into the first fluid fitting body and pressed together in an axial direction by altering a radial distance of the rib as it is inserted into the first fluid fitting body, pressing the rib along this substantially straight inside bore of the first fluid fitting body, and then engaging a radial opening with the rib. Typically, this would be
  • Another goal of the present invention is to provide a first fluid fitting body with a first central axis, a substantially straight inside bore in the first fluid fitting body, an engagement member associated with the first fluid fitting body, a collet, at least one radially extending rib that may directly engage the first fluid fitting body (without unnecessary intermediate sub-parts and secondary pieces for manufacturing simplicity) along the substantially straight inside bore so that the rib and engagement member are pressed together in an axial direction and form a restraining connection between the first fluid fitting body and collet.
  • Another goal of the present invention is to provide a first fluid fitting body, an inside bore to the first fluid fitting body, at least one engagement member connected or otherwise associated with the first fluid fitting body, at least one radius slide connected to the engagement member, a collet, and at least one radial rib where the radius slide is adapted to interact with the rib to assist the rib in slidably engaging the engagement member.
  • Another goal of the present invention is to provide a first fluid fitting body, at least one engagement member associated with the first fluid fitting body, a collet, at least one rib connected to the collet so that the rib and engagement member may be pressed together to form a restraining connection, and an integral skirt integrally connected to the collet.
  • Figure 1 shows a typical arrangement of a collet type tube coupling, showing a restricted entrance bore enlarging through a tapered bore, which may be termed a reverse inside taper, to a final larger inner bore cavity.
  • Figure 2 shows another typical arrangement of a collet type tube coupling, similar to
  • Figure 1 except that it shows a secondary piece attached to the main body for manufacturing reasons, used to generate through multiple pieces the reverse inside taper to form a tapered connection between the collet and the secondary piece.
  • Figure 3 shows a variation of Figure 2 of a typical collet type tube coupling in which the collet engages a secondary piece which is attached to the main body to create a restraining connection.
  • Figure 4 is an exploded view of the present invention, including both a first fluid fitting body and a collet disengaged from each other along their respective axes.
  • Figure 5 is a cross sectional assembly view of both pieces partially engaged along the substantially straight inside bore.
  • Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of both pieces along the substantially straight inside bore sufficiently engaged to produce a restraining connection.
  • Figure 7 is an end section view of the radial opening without a radius slide showing the outer and inner opening widths of the radial opening.
  • Figure 8 is a side section view of the radial opening having a radius slide with a rib pressing against the slide.
  • Figure 9 shows a section view of a variation of the collet having an integral skirt.
  • Figure 10 is a detail cross sectional side view of an embodiment utilizing a swivel element.
  • the present invention includes a variety of components that may be used in different combinations, depending on the application that needs to be addressed.
  • the invention is designed primarily to take advantage of simple and efficient manufacturing, typically molding, of two pieces of a collet type tube coupling having a novel design which can be combined and modified in its various elements, shapes, sizes, and orientations with its various sub-parts as explained in more detail as the figures are described.
  • the invention is intended to encompass a variety of uses in a variety of industries where the use of collet type tube couplings or other similar fittings are useful. Elements, functions, and procedures that distinguish the present invention will be noted where appropriate.
  • Figures 4-10 The present invention is shown in Figures 4-10 in various embodiments. It contrasts starkly to Figures 1-3 of typical collet type tube couplings and the above references and discussion on the deficiencies of those references.
  • Figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment.
  • the first fluid fitting body (20) is typically the female fitting of the tube coupling. It may be symmetrically aligned about a first central axis (22). It may have an inside bore (24), which may be substantially straight, without the tapered arrangement shown in the above described references.
  • the term "bore" may include a variety of cross sections, including circular, rectangular, elliptical, and so forth.
  • substantially straight is intended to mean straight along the engaging surface, whether outer or inner, and may include steps that progressively narrow inwardly as appropriate. In other words, it may mean that there is no need for a smaller entrance bore such as is shown in Figures 1-3.
  • substantially straight is not meant to exclude the normal manufacturing tolerances, draft angles necessary for molding the parts, and so forth. It is meant to contrast with the typical intentional reverse inside
  • the engagement member (26) can comprise a variety of arrangements.
  • the one shown is a preferred embodiment having a radial opening (27) which extends through the side wall into the inside bore (24) of the first fluid fitting body.
  • the one shown may have a rectangular shape. Naturally, other shapes could be used, including circular, elliptical, and so forth.
  • the engagement member could be said to be “associated” with the first fluid fitting coupling, and specifically, the inside bore, in that it may be in the proximity of the inside bore, and typically molded into or otherwise connected with the fitting.
  • the term "connected” herein includes molding together, integrally manufacturing, as well as attaching, welding, and so forth.
  • the collet may be both used to make a restraining connection to the first fluid fitting body to form the coupling and may be used to restrain a tube typically in the inner bore of the collet, such as by the progressive clamping described above.
  • restraining it is meant primarily to include axially restraining the collet with the first fluid fitting body. While it can have a variety of configurations, the one shown is a preferred embodiment and is aligned about a second central axis (30).
  • the collet (28) may have a rib (32), shown as a radially extending rib (typically extending in a radial direction from the central axis), which is connected to the collet.
  • the molding of the collet with the integral skirt (70) as shown in Figure 4 may be done in a conventional manner and may use the integral skirt slot (18) to assist in molding the rib or ribs (32) from the outside of the integral skirt. Typically, this would involve making a mold whose core could be pulled through the integral skirt slot in forming the rib or ribs, or alternatively, may be done by allowing the collet with its arms and ribs to flex upon ejection from the mold.
  • the rib (32) may be positioned to engage the radial opening (27) in the first fluid fitting body along the inside bore (24) without the reverse inside taper arrangement of the above described references.
  • This concept is unique to this invention. This unique arrangement makes manufacturing significantly more efficient and easier.
  • the rib (32) When the rib (32) is engaged with the radial opening (27), the rib (32) may expand radially outward as it engages the radial opening (27) and forms a restraining connection (which in the preferred embodiment could be releasable, but could be fixed) between the first fluid
  • the radial distance (62) of the rib (32) from the second central axis (30) may be altered as the collet is pressed toward and inward on the first fluid fitting body.
  • at least one arm slit (36) may be included. (This is shown in more detail in Figure 5.)
  • the arm slit (36) may be connected to an arm and may be longitudinally oriented along the arm.
  • the arm slit may be adapted to allow the arm to bend as the arm engages the inside bore (24), thus reducing or otherwise altering the radial distance from the second central axis (30) of the arm (34) as the collet is pressed or slid down the inside bore (24) until the rib (32) engages the engagement member, shown as a radial opening (27), whereupon the rib (32) expands radially into the radial opening to form a restraining connection between the first fluid fitting body and collet.
  • the collet may be made from resilient material which would allow the arm to resiliently bend.
  • four ribs are attached to four arms with four arm slits.
  • a rib might be able to slide into the first fluid fitting body inside bore at typically a reduced radial dimension.
  • a rib is segmented in the preferred embodiment about the circumference of the collet. If a multiple of arms are used, the arms may be spaced apart circumferentially with the use of the arm slits such that, without the tube in place, the collet may be withdrawn or disengaged from the first fluid fitting body.
  • the entry end (50) of the first fluid fitting body opposes the entry end (51) of the collet (28). In a direction inwardly from each entry end are the inward ends (52) and (53) of the first fluid fitting body and collet, respectively.
  • a radius slide (48) may be connected to the first fluid fitting body in the vicinity of the engagement member (26), such as the radial opening (27).
  • the radius slide is described in more detail in Figure 8.
  • a sealing member (38) may be used between the first fluid fitting body and a tube (64) inserted into the first fluid fitting body (typically through the collet).
  • the term "tube” as used herein includes flexible tubes, rigid tubes, conduits, hoses, pipes, and so forth of circular,
  • the sealing member may be situated sufficiently inward from the entry end (50) of the first fluid fitting body (20) so that the collet (28) may sufficiently engage the engagement member (26) and yet allow the sealing member to act as an effective seal.
  • the sealing member could be dimensioned to seal against the inner surfaces of the first fluid fitting body on the outer dimension of the sealing member and against the outer surfaces of the tube on the inner dimension of the sealing member.
  • the sealing member (38) may be positioned a sufficient distance (40) from the radial opening (27), so that the radial opening, which may be open to an outside environment, does not create a substantial leak in the assembly. This distance (40) is also relevant to the movement of the sealing member as it is engaged and disengaged by the entry end (51) of the collet as the rib engages and disengages the engagement member (27).
  • the seal step (42) may be positioned to allow the sealing member (38) to abut against it so that as the collet (28) engages the first fluid fitting body, the collet may push against the outward face of the sealing member (38) to position the sealing member toward the seal step.
  • an intermediate item such as a washer could be placed between the collet and the sealing member to assist the collet in pushing against the sealing member.
  • a tube step (44) Inward from the sealing member may be a tube step (44).
  • the tube step (44) may be configured to allow the tube (64) to abut against the end of the tube and form a stop for the tube as it is inserted through the collet (28).
  • variations could occur which might not include the tube step or even the sealing member.
  • a gripping member (46) may grip the tube through friction or otherwise. It is generally considered that the gripping member may be appropriately positioned on the collet; however, other alternatives are available. It could even be a separate entire member such as might fit inwardly from the collet toward the first fluid fitting body. Naturally, other combinations and variations are possible.
  • Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view of the first fluid fitting body and collet partially engaged along the inside bore (24). Notice that the inside bore (24) may be substantially straight. Thus, the manufacturing is much easier and less complex and the tooling may be simple solid molds which can be readily extricated from the molded part. This realization apparently has gone
  • the arm (34), perhaps with the addition of the arm slit (36), may readily be reduced in a radial distance (62) to accommodate the inside bore (24).
  • the inside bore (24) may be substantially straight at least a distance from the entry end of the first fluid fitting body to the inward edge (25) of the radial opening (27) or other engagement member. This distance may allow the rib to be pressed or slid along a substantially straight bore until at least engagement with the radial opening (27) occurs without having to rely on a reverse inside taper as in the embodiments of the above described references.
  • the preferred embodiment allows the rib to directly engage the first fluid fitting body along the inside bore without having to rely on secondary pieces to form a restraining connection, in contrast to those in the described references shown in Figures 2 and 3.
  • Figure 6 shows the first fluid fitting body and collet in a sufficiently engaged position to form the restraining connection.
  • the rib (32) has now sufficiently engaged the engagement member, specifically shown in the embodiment of Figure 6 as a radial opening (27).
  • the radial distance (62) of the arm (34) has now increased.
  • the radius slide (48) has been engaged by the rib (32) and in the preferred embodiment now has a radius (56).
  • the radius slide may be said to interact with the rib to assist the rib to slidably engage the radial opening. For instance, this occurs as the radius slide presses against the rib or perhaps as the radius slide is allowed to bend to form a radius.
  • the radius (56) may be a resilient radius that can flex as the collet (28) engages and disengages the first fluid fitting body (20).
  • this restraining connection is the primary restraining connection in that no other restraint may be necessary such as threadable engagements, welding, or adhesively attaching. Thus, the connection may be released at appropriate and intentional instances.
  • the simplicity of this design allows the first fluid fitting body to be a unitary piece, independent of secondary pieces, secondary operations (such as machining the reverse taper after molding), and special manufacturing techniques.
  • the collet may be a unitary piece.
  • the first fluid fitting body may be unitary, it may be completely molded,
  • the tube (64) may be pressed or otherwise inserted into the collet after the collet is sufficiently engaged with the first fluid fitting body (20). As the tube is inserted through the bore of the collet (28), it may be restrained through the action of the gripping member (46).
  • the gripping member may not be a locking member in and of itself in that the tube may be pushed past the gripping member with some frictional resistance.
  • the gripping member may be of sufficient design such that as pressure inside the tube might attempt to force the tube axially outward from the tube coupling, the gripping member (46) may restrain the tube enough in the collet to cause the rib (32) to be forced against the radial opening (27).
  • the gripping member may be placed at one or several locations along the collet. If the rib (32) were forced against the radial opening (27), which may include the radius slide (48), then it would be disposed to contract radially and progressively clamp the tube; however, the contraction would be resisted by the presence of the tube (64). In this manner, the assembly as a whole could serve to maintain the tube in a connected or attached relationship with the tube coupling.
  • the assembly offers a viable alternative to those prior efforts in attempting to provide among other things, a molded and unitary fitting that could be releasably engaged and yet simple to manufacture without the complicated tooling required for a reverse inside taper arrangement.
  • unitary it is meant that obviously other pieces could be attached to the first fluid fitting body and collet, including holders, grips, and so forth.
  • the primary parts of the first fluid fitting body and collet may be unitary. Also shown in Figure 6 is the entry end (51) of the collet engaging the sealing member
  • 16 member (38) may be such that as the tube (64) is inserted past it, leakage is reduced by the interaction between the tube outer surface and the inner diameter of the sealing member.
  • the seal could be said to abut against the seal step inwardly from the engagement member, which may be the radial opening, so the sealing would occur away from the radial opening. It could also seal the first fluid fitting body at an outer radial portion of the sealing member.
  • one variation could be simply having an engagement member with a substantially straight inside bore where the collet and its rib directly engage the first fluid fitting body along the inside bore.
  • the inside bore could be substantially straight at least a distance from the entry end of the first fluid fitting body to an inward edge of the engagement member.
  • the length of the bore in conjunction with the length of the collet would typically be coordinated so that if the sealing member were present, the entry end (51) of the collet would press against the sealing member.
  • the sealing member could be compressed to assist in sealing and perhaps to provide a bias against the entry end that in turn could press the rib outwardly against the engagement member in an assembled condition.
  • the rib and the radial opening might be adapted to press together in an axial direction during assembly to form the restraining connection, typically a primary restraining connection, where the radius slide was adapted to interact with the rib to assist the rib to slidably engage the radial opening.
  • the rib could slide along at least a portion of the radius slide which in turn may form the radius such as is shown in Figure 6.
  • Figure 7 shows a detail of the radial opening from an end view.
  • the radial opening may be made with an outer opening width (73) greater than an inner opening width (71).
  • These outer and inner opening widths may be radially positioned with respect to the inside bore (24) and the first central axis (22).
  • the walls of the radial opening may be tapered radially outward from the inside bore on at least two wall surfaces of the radial opening as shown.
  • the tapers, ⁇ , and ⁇ 2 may be each varied from
  • 17 typically zero to 60 degrees with a preferred angle of approximately 40 to 50 degrees, although other angles may be used.
  • Figure 8 shows a detail of the radial opening with the radius slide pressing against the rib from a side view.
  • the radius slide (48) may bend as the rib (32) engages the radius slide and the radial opening (27).
  • the radius (56) may be a resilient radius or may be a fixed radius. For manufacturing simplicity, it may simply be a resilient radius that flexes as the rib engages the slide.
  • the rib (32) may be tapered. It may be tapered toward the inward end (53) of the collet with an activating taper (67).
  • the activating taper may assist in slidably disengaging the rib (32) from the engagement member, such as a radial opening (27).
  • the activating taper (67) may also assist in activating the progressive clamping on the tube as various forces attempt to disengage the tube from the fitting described.
  • the rib might also have an engaging taper (69), facing toward the entry end (51 ) of the collet.
  • the engaging taper might assist in assembly of the collet to the first fluid fitting body, especially if the radial distance of the rib is altered and the collet is pressed or slid inward along the inside bore of the first fluid fitting body.
  • it could be rounded; it could be tapered in both directions; it could be tapered in a stepped fashion; and in some instances it might not be tapered at all, especially if the material were of a resilient nature.
  • Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the integral skirt (70) with the collet.
  • the integral skirt may provide enhancements to the coupling assembly.
  • conventional collet type tube couplings may leak with side-to-side movement of the tube. This leakage is perhaps due to the disengagement of the sealing member with the end of the tube caused by the side deflection.
  • the present invention with the use of the integral skirt acts to minimize this side deflection. It may assists in keeping the collet aligned with the main body and the sealing member and thus reduce the likelihood of leakage.
  • Prior to the present invention apparently no one at least in this field disclosed an integral skirt. Some of those in the art even taught away from an integral skirt, believing that a separate skirt was necessary. For instance, in U.S. Patent
  • the present invention allows, at least in this embodiment, an integral skirt (70) connected to the collet (28).
  • the integral skirt may be allowed in the present invention, in contrast to the separate end covers of other inventions, in part because of the unique nature of the present invention.
  • the integral skirt may be used to protect the engagement area around the radial opening.
  • the integral skirt may be molded at the same time and in the same step as the rest of the collet, although it could be connected in some other appropriate manner.
  • the arms may resiliently bend or fold or otherwise flex around the mold as it is ejected from the mold.
  • the integral skirt may be radially outward from the rib (32).
  • the first fluid fitting body would engage the rib and be within the inner diameter (72) of the integral skirt when the coupling was assembled.
  • the integral skirt at least partially surrounds the first fluid fitting body in this position.
  • the presence of the integral skirt may assist in the handling and assembly of the collet with the first fluid fitting body.
  • the length of the skirt may extend beyond the entry end
  • FIG. 10 shows one embodiment in a side view of a swivel member (74) positioned between the first fluid fitting body (20) and the rotatable body member (76).
  • the swivel member (74) may be axially restrained in relation to the first fluid fitting body (20) and perhaps connected to the rotatable body member (76) so that the rotatable body member may turn about the first fluid fitting body.
  • the swivel member (74) is intended to be described in a functional aspect; thus, it may not be a separate element, but can be a design that allows the rotatable body member to swivel with respect to the first fluid fitting body, typically about the first central axis (22).
  • the swivel member may be designed in the form of an indention to which the rotatable body member mates (such as by pressing on) and that allows such swiveling.
  • This arrangement is especially suitable for resilient materials that could flex, such as for the rotatable body member (the first fluid fitting body could be less resilient and even metal; naturally a variety of resilient and nonresilient materials could be used for the various members and elements).
  • At least one slit (80) with at least one arm could be used to assist in the flexing of the rotatable body member as it may be pressed onto the first fluid fitting body.
  • the rotatable body member may also be retained axially to the first fluid fitting body while being allowed to swivel.
  • One unique aspect of the swivel member is that it may have little or no effect on the sealing member (38) and its respective sealing surfaces on the first fluid fitting body and the tube (64).
  • the sealing member could be inward of the engagement member (26) similar to the embodiment described above.
  • the first fluid fitting body may terminate at the inward edge (25) of the radial opening (27) and the rotatable body member (76) may continue to the entry end (78), similar to the entry end (50) of the first fluid fitting body in the embodiment described above in Figure 4.
  • each of these tube coupling embodiments could include various facets of the present invention. Some may include a radius slide, while others may not include such elements. Some may include varieties of a radial opening, others may include a swivel member, while others may be more generic depending upon the particular needs of the market place and in keeping with the goals and objects of the present invention. The market place and manufacturing concerns may dictate the appropriate embodiments for the present invention.
  • the foregoing discussion and the claims that follow describe only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Particularly with respect to the claims, it should be understood that a number of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the present invention. In this regard, it is intended that such changes — to the extent that they substantially achieve the same results in substantially the same way — will still fall within the scope of the present invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un manchon d'accouplement à bague libérable simplifié et facile à produire. La version préférée comprend un premier corps d'adaptation pour fluide présentant un passage sensiblement rectiligne qui peut comporter ou non des gradins, et un élément (26) d'accouplement tel qu'une ouverture (27) radiale dans laquelle une saillie sur une bague séparée peut venir s'engager pour réaliser l'assemblage du manchon d'accouplement à bague de tubes. La bague permet de retenir un tube dans le premier corps d'adaptation pour fluide. Une des clés de l'invention et de sa simplicité de fabrication, réside dans la réalisation d'un élément (26) d'accouplement qui ne nécessite pas un diamètre intérieur plus grand que le diamètre d'entrée, comme c'est le cas pour les systèmes à évasement intérieur qui sont si courants sur le marché. Le premier corps d'adaptation pour fluide peut comprendre un poussoir (48) radial qui vient assister l'engagement et la libération de la saillie dans l'élément (26) d'accouplement. Dans la version préférée, le premier corps d'adaptation et la bague peuvent être des pièces unitaires. L'invention concerne également une collerette solidaire et un élément pivotant.
PCT/US1999/002125 1998-01-29 1999-01-29 Systeme ameliore de manchon d'accouplement de tubes, avec bague de serrage liberable WO1999039124A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU24898/99A AU2489899A (en) 1998-01-29 1999-01-29 An improved releasable collet type tube coupling system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1586798A 1998-01-29 1998-01-29
US09/015,867 1998-01-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999039124A1 true WO1999039124A1 (fr) 1999-08-05

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AU (1) AU2489899A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999039124A1 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8205915B1 (en) 2007-05-25 2012-06-26 Quick Fitting, Inc. Piping joint assembly system and method
US8398122B2 (en) 2010-12-30 2013-03-19 Quick Fitting, Inc. Push connect joint assembly, system and method
US8480134B2 (en) 2007-05-25 2013-07-09 Quick Fitting, Inc. Piping joint assembly system and method with sealing ring stabilizer
US9562637B1 (en) 2015-09-22 2017-02-07 Quick Fitting, Inc. Locking pipe joint assembly, device and method
US9671049B1 (en) 2016-07-27 2017-06-06 Quick Fitting, Inc. Hybrid push-to-connect fitting device and assembly
US9857006B2 (en) 2016-03-31 2018-01-02 Quick Fitting, Inc. Retaining ring for pipe joint devices
US9879810B2 (en) 2015-09-18 2018-01-30 Quick Fitting, Inc. Push-to-connect joint assembly with protective shield device and method
US10400929B2 (en) 2017-09-27 2019-09-03 Quick Fitting, Inc. Fitting device, arrangement and method
US10969047B1 (en) 2020-01-29 2021-04-06 Quick Fitting Holding Company, Llc Electrical conduit fitting and assembly
US11035510B1 (en) 2020-01-31 2021-06-15 Quick Fitting Holding Company, Llc Electrical conduit fitting and assembly
US11105452B1 (en) 2021-02-25 2021-08-31 Quick Fitting Holding Company, Llc Push-to-connect joint assembly and device

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US3653689A (en) 1969-05-23 1972-04-04 Legris Soc Releasable coupling for fluid carrying tubes
US3743326A (en) 1972-05-10 1973-07-03 Weatherland Co Releasable tube coupling
US3909046A (en) 1973-04-24 1975-09-30 Legris France Sa Connector for fluid conduits, such as semi-rigid pipes
US3963267A (en) 1973-06-05 1976-06-15 Societe Legris France S.A. Fluid connector
US3999783A (en) 1973-04-24 1976-12-28 Ste. Legris France S.A. Connector for fluid conduits, such as semi-rigid pipe
US4005883A (en) 1974-08-05 1977-02-01 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4178023A (en) 1977-02-09 1979-12-11 Guest John D Couplings for tubes
US4183560A (en) 1977-01-27 1980-01-15 H. Heer & Co. Arrangement for making a spigot-and-socket joint secure from sliding
US4303263A (en) 1977-03-09 1981-12-01 Societe Legris France S.A. Instant fitting for reinforced multilayer flexible tubings for fluids
US4305606A (en) 1978-11-24 1981-12-15 Societe Legris France S.A. Quick-releasable connectors for flexible plastic pipes
US4462622A (en) * 1981-05-24 1984-07-31 Filtration Water Filters for Agriculture & Industry Ltd. Pipe connector
US4573716A (en) 1982-12-13 1986-03-04 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4606783A (en) 1982-12-13 1986-08-19 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4650529A (en) 1983-07-21 1987-03-17 Guest John D Quick release tube coupling
US4657286A (en) 1985-03-12 1987-04-14 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4722560A (en) 1983-07-21 1988-02-02 Guest John D Quick release tube coupling
US4804213A (en) 1986-07-30 1989-02-14 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4867484A (en) 1987-07-31 1989-09-19 Guest John D Bodies which use couplings
US4923220A (en) 1988-03-25 1990-05-08 John Guest Limited Tube couplings
WO1994021953A1 (fr) * 1993-03-25 1994-09-29 Willowside Limited Raccord de tube
US5437483A (en) 1992-08-26 1995-08-01 Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Ltd. Flexible hose joint
US5511830A (en) 1994-09-20 1996-04-30 Dana Corporation Quick connect tube couplings
DE19540279A1 (de) * 1995-10-28 1997-04-30 Balfo Verwaltungs Anstalt Anschlußstück für Profilrohre, Profilstutzen, Wellschläuche oder dergleichen Stränge

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1259684A (en) 1916-10-17 1918-03-19 Harold Bertram Vinten Drainage-pipe.
US3653689A (en) 1969-05-23 1972-04-04 Legris Soc Releasable coupling for fluid carrying tubes
US3743326A (en) 1972-05-10 1973-07-03 Weatherland Co Releasable tube coupling
US3909046A (en) 1973-04-24 1975-09-30 Legris France Sa Connector for fluid conduits, such as semi-rigid pipes
US3999783A (en) 1973-04-24 1976-12-28 Ste. Legris France S.A. Connector for fluid conduits, such as semi-rigid pipe
US3963267A (en) 1973-06-05 1976-06-15 Societe Legris France S.A. Fluid connector
US4005883A (en) 1974-08-05 1977-02-01 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4183560A (en) 1977-01-27 1980-01-15 H. Heer & Co. Arrangement for making a spigot-and-socket joint secure from sliding
US4178023A (en) 1977-02-09 1979-12-11 Guest John D Couplings for tubes
US4303263A (en) 1977-03-09 1981-12-01 Societe Legris France S.A. Instant fitting for reinforced multilayer flexible tubings for fluids
US4305606A (en) 1978-11-24 1981-12-15 Societe Legris France S.A. Quick-releasable connectors for flexible plastic pipes
US4462622A (en) * 1981-05-24 1984-07-31 Filtration Water Filters for Agriculture & Industry Ltd. Pipe connector
US4573716A (en) 1982-12-13 1986-03-04 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4606783A (en) 1982-12-13 1986-08-19 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4650529A (en) 1983-07-21 1987-03-17 Guest John D Quick release tube coupling
US4722560A (en) 1983-07-21 1988-02-02 Guest John D Quick release tube coupling
US4657286A (en) 1985-03-12 1987-04-14 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4804213A (en) 1986-07-30 1989-02-14 Guest John D Tube couplings
US4867484A (en) 1987-07-31 1989-09-19 Guest John D Bodies which use couplings
US4923220A (en) 1988-03-25 1990-05-08 John Guest Limited Tube couplings
US5437483A (en) 1992-08-26 1995-08-01 Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Ltd. Flexible hose joint
WO1994021953A1 (fr) * 1993-03-25 1994-09-29 Willowside Limited Raccord de tube
US5511830A (en) 1994-09-20 1996-04-30 Dana Corporation Quick connect tube couplings
DE19540279A1 (de) * 1995-10-28 1997-04-30 Balfo Verwaltungs Anstalt Anschlußstück für Profilrohre, Profilstutzen, Wellschläuche oder dergleichen Stränge

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8205915B1 (en) 2007-05-25 2012-06-26 Quick Fitting, Inc. Piping joint assembly system and method
US8480134B2 (en) 2007-05-25 2013-07-09 Quick Fitting, Inc. Piping joint assembly system and method with sealing ring stabilizer
US8398122B2 (en) 2010-12-30 2013-03-19 Quick Fitting, Inc. Push connect joint assembly, system and method
US9217529B2 (en) 2010-12-30 2015-12-22 Quick Fitting, Inc. Push-to-connect joint assembly, device and method
US9879810B2 (en) 2015-09-18 2018-01-30 Quick Fitting, Inc. Push-to-connect joint assembly with protective shield device and method
US9562637B1 (en) 2015-09-22 2017-02-07 Quick Fitting, Inc. Locking pipe joint assembly, device and method
US9857006B2 (en) 2016-03-31 2018-01-02 Quick Fitting, Inc. Retaining ring for pipe joint devices
US10670173B2 (en) 2016-03-31 2020-06-02 Quick Fitting, Inc. Locking pipe joint device with indicator
US9671049B1 (en) 2016-07-27 2017-06-06 Quick Fitting, Inc. Hybrid push-to-connect fitting device and assembly
US10400929B2 (en) 2017-09-27 2019-09-03 Quick Fitting, Inc. Fitting device, arrangement and method
US10969047B1 (en) 2020-01-29 2021-04-06 Quick Fitting Holding Company, Llc Electrical conduit fitting and assembly
US11035510B1 (en) 2020-01-31 2021-06-15 Quick Fitting Holding Company, Llc Electrical conduit fitting and assembly
US11105452B1 (en) 2021-02-25 2021-08-31 Quick Fitting Holding Company, Llc Push-to-connect joint assembly and device

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