WO2001001031A1

WO2001001031A1 - Improvements in and relating to connecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001001031A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2000/000114
Authority: WO
Inventors: David George Stark
Original assignee: David George Stark
Priority date: 1999-06-28
Filing date: 2000-06-28
Publication date: 2001-01-04
Also published as: AU5719000A; EP1247040A1; AU779383B2; JP2003503653A; CA2377955A1

Abstract

This invention is directed to improvements in and relating to connecting apparatus. It is envisaged this invention will be used to interconnect, in series, conduits such as hoses used for conducting fluids and flowable substances, in such a manner as to obviate kinking which would otherwise impede flow through the conduits. The connecting apparatus includes a body (2) having at least an external portion (3) and at lest one internal portion (4). Both the external and the internal portions (3, 4) are adapted to engage with a distal end of the respective conduits being connected. Kinking of the conduits is prevented by 360° rotation of the internal portion relative to the external portion in a fluid tight manner, without impeding the flow of fluid through the connecting apparatus or the conduits, even when high pressure fluids are being conducted.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CONNECTING APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is directed to improvements in and relating to connecting apparatus.

In particular, it is envisaged this invention will be used to interconnect, in series, conduits such as hoses used for conducting fluids and flowable substances. Features of the connecting apparatus enable the conduits to be interconnected in such a manner as to obviate kinking which would otherwise impede the movement of the fluid and/or the flowable substances through the conduit. This is particularly relevant for conduits conducting high pressure fluids.

Whilst the connecting apparatus may be used to interconnect hoses used to conduct water or other liquids, the connecting apparatus may also be used in-line with conduits for conducting gases, and other flowable substances such as grains, suspensions such as paint, and other liquid-solid mixtures, and so forth.

However, this invention could have further application outside this filed.

BACKGROUND ART

For the purpose of this application, the connecting apparatus shall be referred to generally as a connector, and shall be described with reference to its use in interconnecting sections of a conduit, such as a hose. However, it should be appreciated that use of such terms and the specific reference to a particular use, should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention.

Further, the connector shall be described primarily with reference to its use with hoses for conducting liquids, such as water. Again, it should be appreciated that the connector can be used with, or adapted for use with any suitable conduit capable of conducting any fluid (including liquids and gases). The connector can also be used for conducting flowable substances, whether such substances are particulate solids (such as grains, and so forth) or whether the substances comprise a mixture of a liquid and a solid, providing the viscosity of the substance enables it to flow along a conduit.

A number of hose connectors, or similar apparatus are available in the prior art.

Some such connectors simply allow the joining of two otherwise separate sections of the hose, for the purpose of extending the length of the hose as required.

Often however, the longer the hose, the increased likelihood of the hose kinking along its length during use. This can be particularly bothersome, as such kinks tend to impede the flow of water or other fluids through the hose, if not on occasions stopping the flow altogether.

There is typically a requirement to find the kink and rearrange the orientation of the hose to prevent the hose kinking again, and to allow the free flow of fluids through the hose. Generally the flow of fluid through the hose must be stopped to attend to the kinking problem.

Accordingly, this procedure can impact on the efficiency of an operation in both time wasted in correcting the problem and in the reduction in the amount of fluid passing through the hose. In addition, such connectors are not designed to connect conduits that support fluids at high pressure. Typically the force of the fluid can cause the connector to be separated from the conduits, or at the very least, there may be leakage of the fluids at or around the connection point.

It would therefore be an advantage to have a hose connector that:

a) could be used to interconnect sections of hose as required; and

b) was capable of conducting any fluid through it unimpeded - including various liquids, gases and other flowable substances, such as particulate solids, and fluid/solid mixtures of varying viscosity; and c) could obviate against the tendency for the hoses to kink, as a result of the configuration of the connector and its operation, and thereby ensure a more even flow of the fluid or flowable substance through the hoses; and

d) could support the pressures applied to a connector by fluids travelling under pressure.

It is an object of the present invention to address at least the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided connecting apparatus for connecting at least one conduit capable of conveying a fluid to at least one other conduit, the connecting apparatus including a body, the body including at least one external portion and at least one internal portion, both the external and the internal portions being adapted to engage with a distal end of the respective conduits being connected, the connecting apparatus characterised by the internal portion being capable of rotation with respect to the external portion without impeding the flow of fluid through the connecting apparatus or the conduits.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided connecting apparatus substantially as described above wherein the connecting apparatus enables fluids under pressure to be transported through the connected conduits and the connecting apparatus in a substantially fluid-tight manner.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided connecting apparatus substantially as described above wherein the internal and external portions of the body co-operate with each other such that rotation of the internal portion with respect to the external portion is achieved in a substantially fluid tight manner. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided connecting apparatus substantially as described above wherein the passageway through the external portion and internal portion of the connecting apparatus is substantially uniform.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided connecting apparatus substantially as described above wherein rotation of the internal portion of the connecting apparatus with respect to the external portion contributes to preventing kinking of the conduits thereby facilitating unimpeded flow of the fluid through the conduits and the connecting apparatus.

For ease of reference the connecting apparatus and the conduits shall now be referred to as a connector and hoses, respectively. However, it should be appreciated that use of these terms is not intended to limit the scope of this invention.

Also for the purpose of this application, the terms fluid shall mean and refer to any fluid be it a liquid, a gas, a liquid/solid mixture, or other flowable substances including solids having flowable characteristics, such as grains and so forth, capable of being conveyed through a conduit.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the external portion of the body of the connector is configured to include at least one sleeve section and a tail (that protrudes from the sleeve section in substantially the same longitudinal axis).

The radial and longitudinal dimensions of the sleeve portion(s) are preferably such to enable the corresponding internal portion of the connector to be partially inserted into the relevant sleeve section and be enclosed by it.

The radial dimensions of the axial bore of the tail preferably complement the bore dimensions of the hoses with which the connector is to be used, and the longitudinal dimensions are sufficient to enable secure engagement of the tail with the hose. The tail section of the external portion is preferably adapted to engage with the distal end of a hose. Accordingly, the tail may be configured to receive the hose within the tail section and as such the internal surface of the tail may be appropriately configured to grip the external surface of the hose.

Alternately, the tail section may be appropriately configured to enable the tail to be inserted into the hose. In such embodiments the external surface of the tail may be configured to grip the internal surface of the hose.

To facilitate engagement with the hose, the tail may include projections, ribbing, resilient means or other suitable features along the length of its internal or external surface to facilitate gripping of the appropriate surface of the conduit. Alternatively, the tail may be configured to complement the configuration of the surface of the hose with which it is to engage.

As can be appreciated any suitable configuration may be employed, to ensure appropriate engagement of the tail with the hose. Further, additional attachment means may be employed, such as clips, clamping apparatus and so forth, to ensure the tail and the hose remain engaged even when fluids are conveyed under pressure through the conduits and the connector.

The internal portion of the connector is preferably configured to include an insert section (capable of being enclosed by the sleeve of the external portion), and again a tail section. The insert section may simply be push-fitted into the internal portion.

A collar or lip is preferably included at the leading edge of the insert. This collar/lip is configured to abut against the internal surface of a shoulder portion of the sleeve of the external portion.

Together the collar of the insert and the shoulder of the sleeve define the lengthwise insertion of the insert into the sleeve, as well as contributing to the rotational performance of the insert with respect to the sleeve. The radial dimension of the axial bore of the internal portion is preferably uniform along its length, although in various embodiments the radial dimensions of the insert and the tail may vary.

However, it should be appreciated it is preferable the internal, radial dimensions of the axial bores of both the internal and external portions of the connector are such as to facilitate unimpeded flow of the fluid through both the conduits and the connector. Therefore, it is also preferable that the internal surfaces of the connector (that come into contact with the fluid conveyed through the connector) are smooth to further facilitate unimpeded flow of the fluid.

As with the tail of the external portion, the tail of the internal portion of the connector is preferably configured to engage with the opening of the hose to which it is to be connected.

The external surface of the insert of the internal portion of the connector is preferably distanced from the internal surface of the sleeve of the external portion by the inclusion between them of a bush. A set of bearings is preferably countersunk in appropriately positioned annular grooves within the outer surface of the bush. The bearings co-operate with the smooth inner surface of the sleeve to facilitate axial rotation of the insert with respect to the sleeve. The arrangement of the bush/bearing is designed to facilitate axial rotation of the internal portion with respect to the external portion, without lengthwise movement.

In other embodiments provision may be made for additional bearings to be countersunk in appropriately positioned annular grooves in either or both the collar/lip of the insert, and in the shoulder of the sleeve, to further facilitate axial rotation of the internal portion with respect to the external portion.

Alternatively, rotation may be further facilitated by virtue of mixing a lubricant with the material from which the body is made, or with other various components such as the bush/bearings, or washers. This option is particularly relevant where the material from which these components/body are made includes a thermoplastics, nylon/acetyl material and so forth. This option contributes to minimising friction that may otherwise impede the preferred rotational operation. The use of Teflon™ to cover the various components or portions of the body is also an appropriate alternative.

Accordingly, a hose attached to the tail of the internal portion is capable of rotation about its longitudinal axis to effectively unkink the hose, or to manipulate the hose in such a way that kinking is avoided. Reducing the likelihood of hose kinking also minimises the likelihood of the flow of fluid being impeded through the connected hoses.

The ability to rotate one hose with respect to another is particularly useful where the fluid passing through the hoses is travelling under substantial pressure, as hoses containing high-pressure fluids are more difficult to manipulate.

To effect a fluid tight arrangement between the sleeve of the external portion and the insert of the internal portion, sealing means is preferably employed. Any suitable sealing means may be used with this invention, but in preferred embodiments a lip seal is employed. The lip seal is positioned between the insert and the sleeve in the vicinity of the mouth of the sleeve.

However, in other embodiments variations in the number and positioning of the seals may be employed. For example, an additional sealing means (including appropriately configured washer(s)) may be included in the region of cooperation of the collar/lip of the insert and the shoulder of the sleeve. Such a seal may be included to prevent fluid affecting the operation of the bearings and/or otherwise impacting on the rotation of the internal portion with respect to the external portion.

Relative lengthwise movement between the sleeve and the insert is prevented by circlips preferably positioned in the vicinity of the mouth of the sleeve. The circlips in conjunction with a shoulder configuration of the sleeve, against which the collar of the leading edge of the insert abuts, maintains the insert in the appropriate position within the sleeve, whilst still allowing unimpeded 360° axial rotation.

The circlip(s) is preferably located in an appropriately positioned annular groove located towards the mouth of the sleeve and indented in the inner surface of the sleeve. It should be appreciated however, that varyingly configured spring clips and so forth may be employed in other arrangements as required in different embodiments to minimise lengthwise movement of the insert within the sleeve.

In effect the circlip or alternative, operates as retaining means, to retain the insert of the internal portion within the sleeve of the external portion and/or to maintain an effective seal between the internal and external portions. Additional retaining means may also be employed externally to further effect retention of the internal portion relative to the external portion. Such retaining means may include locking apparatus that may co-operate with either or both the internal and external portions.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the locking apparatus is configured as a locking section or locking nut that co-operates with the internal and/or external portions of the body. The locking nut preferably co-operates with and is received in to a complementarily configured portion along the side of the internal portion of the body. This may be facilitated by the inclusion of a substantially bevelled/ tapered section in the side of insert of the internal portion of the body of the connector.

Preferred embodiments of the locking section/nut also include substantially resilient projections capable of being received in to complementarily configured apertures on either or both the sleeve of the external portion and the insert of the internal portion.

As can be appreciated however, variations to the configuration of the locking section/nut, and the resilient projections or to the inclusion of apertures are possible within the scope of the invention. Further, the configuration of the body portions may be adapted to include projections capable of co-operating with apertures of the locking nut. A range of alternatives is possible within the scope of the invention.

Displacement of the lock/nut enables release of the various part of the body, thereby providing access to facilitate repairs to the various parts of the body. The inclusion of the locking section/nut improves the ability to dismantle and rebuild the connector as required without the process being particularly time consuming or difficult to achieve.

The connector is preferably configured to enable easy dismantling for the replacement of worn components, such as the bush, circlips, o-rings, washers and so forth.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the external portion of the connector is positioned to engage with the upstream hose when two or more hoses are connected in series using the connector. In some embodiments this arrangement is preferred to minimise kinking by rotation of a second or subsequent hoses coupled longitudinally relative to the first, fixed, upstream hose.

Typically the upstream hose may be anchored by attachment to a fluid outlet and is therefore less able to be manipulated, being fixed at one end. Accordingly, the downstream hose(s) engaged with the tail of the internal portion of the connector, is the hose that is typically realigned and/or repositioned as required (effected by axial rotation of the insert within the sleeve of the connector).

In some other embodiments, an external portion may include two or more sleeves depending from a single tail, where it is preferred that the connector also serve to support more than one downstream conduit.

Accordingly, as can be appreciated, the advantages of the present invention include: a) the ease with which any number of connectors can be used to interconnect any number of hoses or sections of hoses in a fluid tight manner,

b) the ability to realign and reposition one hose with respect to another by use of this rotatable hose connector, thereby minimising the likelihood of the hose(s) kinking and impeding the flow of a fluid through the hoses, and

c) the ability to more easily manipulate hoses conveying a range of different fluids even when the fluids are under substantial pressure; and

d) a limited number of movable parts, that can easily be replaced if worn.

The connector can be made from any suitable material as required to complement the fluid with which it is to be used to convey. However, in most preferred embodiments, the connector will be made from plastics material or metal (such as aluminium or stainless steel).

To minimise frictional resistance to rotation of the internal portion relative to the external portion lubricant materials may be used on or be incorporated in to the components of the connector. For example the O-rings and sealing means may be coated with Teflon™. Alternatively, where the body is manufactured from nylon™/acetyl materials, a suitable lubricant material may be added to the material prior to the moulding process when the body portions are produced.

As can be appreciated, a number of variations to the configuration of the connector are possible, and the absence of specific descriptions thereto should not be seen as limiting the scope of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic external view of the connecting apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the connecting apparatus in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the connecting apparatus in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Fi ure 4 is a diagrammatic end view of the connecting apparatus in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figures 5- 8 are diagrammatic representations of the connecting apparatus in accordance with other preferred embodiments of the present invention, and

Figure 9. 9a are diagrammatic cross-sectional representations of the connecting apparatus in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure lOa-b are diagrammatic representations of the locking portion of the connecting apparatus of Figures 9 in accordance with that preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 11.11a are diagrammatic cross-sectional representations of the internal portion of the connecting apparatus of Figures 9 in accordance with that preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 12- 12b are diagrammatic representations of the external portion of the connecting apparatus of Figures 9 in accordance with that preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 13.13a are diagrammatic cross-sectional representations of the connecting apparatus in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 14- 14c are diagrammatic representations of the external portion of the connecting apparatus of Figures 13 in accordance with that preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figurel5,15a are diagrammatic cross-sectional representations of the internal portion of the connecting apparatus of Figures 13 in accordance with that preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 16- 16b are diagrammatic representations of the locking portion of the connecting apparatus of Figures 13 in accordance with that preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figurel7,17a are diagrammatic representations of the modified insert portion associated with the internal portion of the connecting apparatus of Figures 13 in accordance with that preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the diagrams by way of example only there is provided connecting apparatus, generally indicated by arrow (1). As shown in various embodiments and in respect of component parts thereof in attached Figures 1- 17a.

The connecting apparatus (or connector) (1) includes a body (2) including at least two portions. The body (2) includes both an external portion (generally indicated by arrow 3) and an internal portion (generally indicated by arrow 4).

In some embodiments a third portion in the form of sealing means, such as a sleeve or washer insert (21) may be included as shown in Figures 9, 12a, 14a, 17 and 17 a. In other embodiments, a fourth portion may be included in the form of a locking section or locking nut (22) as shown in Figures 9, 10, 13 and 16.

The external portion of the body comprises a sleeve (5) and a tail (6), whilst the internal portion (4) comprises an insert (7) and also a tail (8), as shown in Figures 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The insert portion (7) of the internal portion (4) is capable of being received into the sleeve (5) of the external portion. However, the outer surface (9) of the insert (7) is distanced from the inner surface (10) of the sleeve (5) by a suitably configured arrangement of bush (1 1) and or bearing means (19) as shown in Figure 3. The bearing means (19) are typically located in appropriately positioned annular grooves (20), as shown particularly in Figures 2 and 3.

The bush/bearing means (11 and 19) are configured to facilitate rotation of the insert (7) with respect to the sleeve (5) in such a manner that a hose (12) (shown in dotted line on Figures 1 and 3) connected to the tail (8) of the internal portion (4) of the connector (1) can be manipulated, rotated and repositioned to obviate kinking of the hoses (12) connected by the connector (1) and facilitate the conveying of fluids through the hoses (12) and the connector (1).

The internal dimensions of the tails (6 and 8) and of the insert (7) are uniform to maximise efficient flow of a fluid through the connector (1). In addition the internal surfaces (13) of the tails (6 and 8) and the insert (7) are smooth to minimise impedance to the flow of the fluid through the connector (1).

To ensure the connector operates in a fluid tight manner, at least one sealing means (21) (of the inserted portion) is employed. For example, a lip seal (21a)(as shown in Figures 2 and 3), and/or an O-ring (21b) (as shown particularly in Figures 5 and 13), or any other suitable seal in other arrangements, such as the seal insert (21) in Figures 17 may be used.

Figure 17 illustrates a substantially U-shaped sealing means/washer (21) with a central aperture (27) equating in diameter to the internal dimensions of the internal and external portions. The sealing means (21) is positioned between the collar/lip of the insert of the internal portion and the shoulder of the sleeve of the external portion to effect a fluid tight arrangement at that point to prevent fluid interfering with the bush/bearings of the connector. The sealing means are typically positioned within appropriately configured annular grooves or cavities (20 or 15).

Further, a clipping means (shown diagrammatically in Figures 4 and 5) such as a circlip (14) is employed, positioned within an appropriately configured groove (15) (as shown in Figure 2) to maintain the internal portion (2) of the connector (1) within the sleeve (5) of the external portion (3). The distance the insert (7) is inserted into the sleeve (5) of the external portion (3) is dictated by the shoulder configuration (16) of the external portion, which acts as a stop to the travel of the insert (7) inside the sleeve (5), as shown in Figures 2, 5, 9 and 13.

The tails (6 and 8) of the internal (4) and external (3) portions of the connector (1) are adapted to engage with an end of the hoses (12) which the connector (1) connects. Accordingly, the tails may be inserted into the ends of the hoses (as illustrated in Figures 1 through 5, 7, 8, 9 and 13), or alternatively, the tails may be configured to receive a portion of the hoses within the tail (as illustrated in Figures 6 and 8).

To facilitate engagement of the hoses (12) with the tails (6 & 8), the tails may be configured to include projections, ribbing (17) or other means for gripping the hose (12). Additional attachment means (18) such as hose clips or clamps may also be used, as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 3.

A locking section/nut (22) as shown in Figures 9, 10,13 and 16, may also be included with the body (2) to retain the portions of the body together (particularly useful when the hoses are conducting high pressure fluids) and/or to facilitate access to the various parts of the body.

The locking nut (22) includes at least one resilient projection (24) configured to fit in a complementarily configured aperture (25) in the external portion (3). The body (28) of the locking section/nut may also be configured to include apertures or indentations (29) for receiving complementarily configured resilient projections extending from either or both the internal and external portions of the connector. The body of the locking section/nut may also be configured to fit in a complementarily configured portion (26) along the side of the internal portion (4) of the body. The configuration of the internal portion (4) may simply be a substantially bevelled or tapered section (26), or may be otherwise configured to receive the locking section/nut.

Displacement of the lock/nut (24) and removal of the locking portion enables release of the various part of the body. This improves the ability to dismantle and rebuild the connector as required without the process being particularly time consuming or difficult to achieve.

The internal and external portions of the connector (1) may be made from any suitable material (such as plastics material, fibreglass, glass, and metal) dictated by the fluid with which the connector is to be used. In addition, the portions may be injection moulded, engineered from blocks of material, and so forth.

Nylon™/acetyl is a referred material as it offers improved rotational performance.

If a suitable lubricant material is also included with the material from which the body portions are produce, the rotational friction effects may be further minimised. Frictional resistance during rotation of the internal portion relative to the external portion may also be reduced by coating the sealing means, such as the O-rings, with Teflon™

In use, the tail (6) of the external portion (3) is typically engaged with the end of an upstream hose, the other end of which may be connected to another hose, or to the fluid outlet. This arrangement enables downstream hose(s) (engaged with the tails (8) of the internal portion (4) of the connector (1)), to be rotated relative to the upstream hose to minimise the likelihood of kinking in either or at least the downstream hose(s). This arrangement thereby ensuring unimpeded conveyance of the fluid through the hoses (12) and the connector (1). As shown in Figure 8, more than one downstream hose may be attached to the connector (1).

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims as attached herein.

Claims

WHAT I/WE CLAIM IS:

1. Connecting apparatus for connecting at least one conduit capable of conveying a fluid to at least one other conduit, the connecting apparatus including a body, the body including at least one external portion, and at least one internal portion, both the external and the internal portions being adapted to engage with a distal end of the respective conduits being connected, the connecting apparatus characterised by the internal portion being capable of unimpeded 360° axial rotation with respect to the external portion without impeding the flow of fluids through the connecting apparatus or the conduits, and further characterised in that rotation of one conduit with respect to the at least one other conduit is achieved via the connecting apparatus even when the conduits are conducting high-pressure fluids.

2. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the internal and external portions of the body co-operate with each other such that rotation of the internal portion with respect to the external portion is achieved in a substantially fluid tight manner.

3. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein both the external portion and the internal portion include a passageway therethrough, said passageway being substantially uniform in radial dimensions.

4. Connecting apparatus substantially as claimed in Claims 3 wherein the substantially uniform, radially dimensioned passageways of the external and internal portions and rotation of the internal portion of the connecting apparatus with respect to the external portion, contribute to preventing kinking of the conduits thereby facilitating unimpeded flow of the fluid through the conduits and the passageways of the connecting apparatus.

5. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the external portion of the body is also configured to include at least one sleeve section and a tail, said tail protruding from the sleeve section in a substantially the same longitudinal axis.

6. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the internal portion of the connecting apparatus also includes an insert section and a tail section.

7. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 and 6 wherein the tail sections of the internal and external portions are configured to complement the radial bore dimensions of the conduits to be attached thereto and to enable secure engagement of the tail sections with the distal end of a conduit, even when fluids conveyed through the conduits and the connecting apparatus are under pressure.

8. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claims 5 and 6 wherein the sleeve(s) of the external portion is dimensioned to substantially receive the insert of the internal portion therein.

9. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the sleeve of the external portion includes a shoulder.

10. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 and 9 wherein the insert of the internal portion includes at its leading edge a collar or lip configured to either or both lie substantially adjacent to and abut against the shoulder of the sleeve when the insert is inserted within the sleeve of the external portion

1 1. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claims 10 wherein the collar of the insert and the shoulder of the sleeve co-operate to either or both limit the lengthwise insertion of the insert into the sleeve, and contribute to the rotational performance of the insert relative to the sleeve.

12. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 1 wherein the insert when inserted into the sleeve of the external portion is distanced therefrom by the inclusion between them of at least a bush.

13. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the bush includes annular grooves around its outer surface within which a set of bearings are countersunk, said bearings co-operating with the internal surface of the sleeve's internal surface to facilitate rotation of the internal portion about its central, longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve of the external portion.

14. Connecting apparatus substantially as claimed in Claim 13 wherein annular grooves are optionally included in either or both the collar/lip of the insert and in the shoulder of the sleeve to enable additional bearings to be countersunk therein to further facilitate rotation of the internal portion relative to the external portion.

15. Connecting apparatus substantially as claimed in Claim 12 wherein a rotation of the internal portion about its central longitudinal axis effects rotation of a conduit attached to the tail of the internal portion to effectively unkink the conduit, or to manipulate the conduit in such a way that kinking is avoided, thereby minimising the likelihood of impeded flow of fluid through the connected conduits.

16. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the fluid tight arrangement between the sleeve of the external and the insert of the internal portion is achieved by sealing means.

17. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the sealing means are positioned at least between the insert and the sleeve in the vicinity of the mouth of the sleeve, and in the region of co-operation of the collar/lip of the insert with the shoulder of the sleeve.

18. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 17 wherein the sealing means are positioned to prevent the fluid conducted through the connecting apparatus affecting operation of the bearings and/or otherwise impacting on the rotation of the internal portion with respect to the external portion.

19. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the inserted internal portion is retained in position relative to the external portion, whilst still allowing unimpeded 360° axial rotation, by retaining means.

20. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 19 wherein the retaining means is located in either or both appropriately positioned annular grooves and substantially bevelled sections of either or both the internal portion and the external portion.

21. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 20 wherein the retaining means is positioned in either or both the vicinity of the mouth of the sleeve and the shoulder of the sleeve against which the collar of the of the insert abuts.

22. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 21 wherein the retaining means is configured to releaseably engage with either or both the sleeve of the external portion and the insert of the internal portion.

23. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 wherein the retaining means is releasable to enable the connecting apparatus to be dismantled for replacement of worn components and/or servicing.

24. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 23 wherein the retaining means includes at least one of clipping means, separate locking portion.

25. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the external portion of the connecting apparatus is positioned to engage with an upstream conduit when two or more conduits are connected in series using the connecting apparatus.

26. Connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 25 wherein the external portion of the connecting apparatus includes at least one sleeve depending from a single tail, said sleeve(s) capable of co-operating with separate internal portions of the connecting apparatus where the connecting apparatus is connected to more than one downstream conduit.

27. External portion for use with connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, the external portion including at least one sleeve and a tail connected substantially in series thereto, with a passageway therethrough, the sleeve being configured to receive the internal portion of the connecting apparatus, the tail protruding from the sleeve in substantially the same longitudinal axis and said tail being adapted to engage with an upstream conduit.

28. Internal portion for use with connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 the internal portion including an insert and at least one tail connected substantially in series thereto, with a passageway therethrough, the insert being configured to be inserted into the external portion of the connecting apparatus and be rotatable relative thereto, the tail(s) protruding from the insert and said tail(s) being adapted to engage with at least one downstream conduit.

29. Locking portion for use with connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 24.

30. A method of manufacturing connecting apparatus for connecting at least one conduit capable of conveying a fluid to at least one other conduit, the connecting apparatus including a body, the body including at least one external portion, and at least one internal portion, both the external and the internal portions being adapted to engage with a distal end of the respective conduits being connected, said method including the steps of:

a) preparing the body of the connecting apparatus by producing at least one external portion, and at least one internal portion, such that

b) the external portion includes at least one sleeve and a tail, said tail protruding from the sleeve section in a substantially the same longitudinal axis; and the internal portion including an insert portion and at least one tail; and c) the tails of the internal and external portions being adapted to engage with the distal end of the conduits to which each is to be connected; and

d) the insert of the internal portion including at its leading edge a collar or lip configured to abut against a shoulder portion of the sleeve of the external portion, such as to define the lengthwise insertion of the insert into the sleeve; and

e) the insert portion of the connecting apparatus being distanced from the internal surface of the sleeve of the external portion by the inclusion between them of a bush to facilitate rotation of the insert relative to the sleeve; and

f) effecting a fluid tight arrangement between the sleeve of the external portion and the insert of the internal portion via sealing means; and

g) including retaining means to restrict lengthwise movement between the sleeve and the insert

the method characterised by manufacturing a connecting apparatus that in use includes an internal portion being capable of unimpeded 360° axial rotation with respect to the external portion without impeding the flow of fluids through the connecting apparatus or the conduits, and further characterised in that rotation of one conduit with respect to the at least one other conduit is achieved via the connecting apparatus even when the conduits are conducting high-pressure fluids.

31. A method of manufacturing connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 30 wherein the annular grooves are optionally included in either or both the collar/lip of the insert and in the shoulder of the sleeve to enable additional bearings to be countersunk therein to further facilitate axial rotation of the internal portion with respect to the external portion.

32. A method of manufacturing connecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 31 wherein the external portion of the connecting apparatus includes at least one sleeve depending from a single tail where the connecting apparatus serves to support more than one downstream conduit.

33. A method of assembling connecting apparatus for connecting at least one conduit capable of conveying a fluid to at least one other conduit, the connecting apparatus including a body, the body including at least one external portion, and at least one internal portion, both the external and the internal portions being adapted to engage with a distal end of the respective conduits being connected, the method including the steps of:

a) inserting the insert of the internal portion into the sleeve of the external portion; and

b) applying retaining apparatus to the internal portion to prevent longitudinal movement of the internal portion from the external portion; and

c) optionally applying locking apparatus

the method characterised by the internal portion of the assembled connecting apparatus being capable of unimpeded 360° axial rotation with respect to the external portion without impeding the flow of fluids through the connecting apparatus or the conduits, and further characterised in that rotation of one conduit with respect to the at least one other conduit is achieved via the connecting apparatus even when the conduits are conducting high-pressure fluids.

34. Connecting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35. A method of manufacturing connecting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36. A method of assembling connecting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

37. External portion for connecting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

38. Internal portion for connecting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

39. Locking portion for connecting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.