GB826599A - Detachable couplings for fluid conduits - Google Patents

Abstract

826,599. Pipe couplings. BRODEN, E. W. April 22, 1958 [April 23, 1957], No. 12725/58. Class 99(1). A detachable coupling of the quickly-disconnectible type for fluid conduits comprises a part 10 having a saw tooth portion 14 for connection to a hose and a part 12 having an externally threaded portion 13 for connection to a pipe, the part 10 having an auxiliary sleeve 24 screwed thereon and provided with a plurality of holes 34 within each of which a ball 35 is mounted for engagement with a peripheral groove 36 in the part 12. A spring-loaded sleeve 11 located around the auxiliary sleeve 24 and displaceable axially thereto has a part 32 cooperating with the balls 35, when the coupling is engaged, to hold the balls within the groove 36. At least one of said balls, 35<SP>1</SP>, has associated therewith a spring 40 located within the space between the sleeves 11, 24 and attached to the sleeve 11, so that on movement of the latter to a position in which the balls no longer co-operate therewith the spring 40 releases the ball 351 so that the parts 10, 12 may be disengaged, the sleeve 11 being held in its moved position by the spring 40. As shown, an axially displaceable spring-loaded tubular part 19 having a closed conical end portion and located within the coupling is provided with a plurality of apertures 21 to enable communication between its interior and a chamber 22 in the part 10 and makes a fluid-tight joint at its other end with the part 15. The spring 40 of hairpin shape is mounted within a groove 39 in the sleeve 11 adjacent the ball 35<SP>1</SP>, one arm of the spring being fixed to the sleeve and its free end 42 being bent into a hook shape. For uncoupling, the sleeve 11 is moved axially against the spring 33 until the balls 35 engage the inclined surface of the sleeve 11 and are moved outwardly of the coupling by the inclined edges of the groove 36 as the part 12 is moved to the left by the tubular part 19 under the action of springs 16, 28, the sleeve 11 being locked in this position by the hook shaped end of the spring 46 engaging a flange 45 on the sleeve 24. A key 48, Fig. 4, is provided between the sleeves 11, 24 for preventing relative rotation between them so that the spring 40 lies centrally within the groove 39. When engaging the coupling parts the part 12 is located within the sleeve 24 and the two parts pushed together whereby the balls 35 are displaced outwardly and the ball 35<SP>1</SP> releases the spring 40 from its hooked position whereupon the spring 33 urges the sleeve 11 to the left so that the inclined surface of the sleeve slides over the outside of the holes 34 to prevent outward movement of the balls 35. In a modification, at least one of the balls is of smaller diameter than the remainder and the hairpin shaped spring is arranged so that in the disengaged position of the coupling the spring holds the sleeve against axial movement by contact against the ball.