JPH0444156B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to quick-connect pipe fittings that are easy to release.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Quick connect fittings are well known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,392 to GNVyse, dated January 21, 1986. This type of fitting generally includes a nipple, or insert member, which is inserted into a hole in a socket, or receiving member during assembly, and an expandable split ring is inserted across an annular groove in the two members. extends to secure these two members together.

Furthermore, the quick-connect fitting is provided with means by which the two parts can be separated when necessary. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,540,760 and
No. 4063760 discloses a pipe fitting with a sleeve that is attached by means of a thread, and when the sleeve is removed from the other member, the ring is released, thereby making it possible to uncouple the pipe fitting. becomes.

Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,359 discloses a quick connect fitting with an expandable ring for holding fitting members together and a movable cage for expanding the ring and uncoupling the fitting. There is.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) One of the disadvantages of conventional releasable pipe joints is that
The mechanism is relatively complex and therefore expensive. Configurations with threaded mounting sleeves have the further disadvantage that the screws must be removed to remove the component, and patent no.
The configuration of No. 4055359 requires a special cage around the fitting.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a system that can be released or removed when necessary, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and is easy to operate. Our objective is to provide quick-connect pipe fittings.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A releasable quick-connect pipe joint according to the present invention comprises a tubular insertion member and a receiving member, and the insertion member can be moved on the axis of both members and inserted into the receiving member. It is possible. The insert member has an annular load on its outer circumference,
It has lock and release grooves, each groove having a first, second and third radial dimension, respectively.
The locking groove is located between the loading groove and the release groove and has a larger radial dimension than the loading groove and the release groove. An annular expansion retainer is placed in one of the three grooves. The receiving member has a forward end having a first inner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the outer diameter of the retainer when the retainer is in either the load groove or the release groove, but when the retainer is in the lock groove. Sometimes smaller than the outer diameter of the retainer. The receiving member further has a rearwardly spaced abutment surface having a second inner diameter and a second inner diameter.
The inner diameter of the retainer is smaller than the outer diameter of the retainer when the retainer is in any groove. The push surface moves the retainer from the load groove to the lock groove during assembly of the parts. Additionally, the fitting includes a removable stop that limits the distance the insert member can move forward into the receiving member during assembly and prevents the push surface from moving the retainer into the release groove. However, removal of the stopper allows the insertion member to be moved forward to a position where the push surface moves the retainer into the release groove, thereby allowing removal of the member.

(Example) The operation of the present invention will be described below along with specific examples.

First, explanation will be given based on FIG. The pipe fitting according to the invention comprises a tubular nipple, i.e. an insert member 11
and a tubular receiving member (or socket portion) 12. The insertion member 11 and the receiving member 12 can be removably connected to each other as described below, and the left end of the insertion member 11 and the right end of the receiving member 12 are connected to a tube, a hose, etc. The structure is such that it is coupled in a conventional manner to parts (not shown). Insertion member 11 and receiving member 12 have internal passages for passage of liquid or gas or for vacuum. Further, the pipe joint includes an annular O-ring 1 on the outer periphery of the insertion member 11.
3. Annular retainer 14 (see also Fig. 7);
It has a stopper 16 (see also FIG. 6) and a dust shield 17 (also called a dust cap, which is not absolutely necessary).

Next, a description will be given based on FIG. 2. O-ring 1
3 is mounted in an annular groove 21 formed on the outer periphery of the insert member 11 adjacent to the front (i.e., right-hand side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) end of the insert member 11. Furthermore, a load groove 22 (closest to the groove 21), a lock groove 23, and a release groove 24 are formed on the outer periphery of the insertion member 11 at intervals behind the groove 21. The three grooves 22, 23 and 24 are annular and, in this example, the two grooves 22 and 24 are of substantially the same diameter. Lock groove 23
is located between the load groove 22 and the release groove 24, and its diameter is larger than the other two grooves.

The outer surface of the insert between the load groove 22 and the lock groove 23 is formed with a slope 26 that slopes radially outwardly from the load groove 22 toward the rear. This slope 26 ends at a top 27. The top 27 is connected to the bottom of the locking groove 23 by another sloped surface 28. The sloped surface 28 slopes radially outward from the locking groove 23 forwardly toward the top 27.
Between the two grooves 23 and 24, a slope 29
is sloped rearwardly and radially outwardly from the locking groove 23 to reach an apex 31 which is substantially at the end of the release groove 24.

Behind the release groove 24 is a guide surface 32 with a large diameter, and an annular groove 33 is further formed in this guide surface 32. Another guide surface 34 has grooves 21 and 22.
The diameter of the guide surface 34 is smaller than the diameter of the other guide surface 32.

The retainer 14 of this embodiment is made of an extensible coiled metal spring and has a ring shape as shown in FIG. Such springs are commonly called garter springs. A piece of coil spring may be cut and both ends fixed to form an annular shape as shown in FIG. The inner diameter of the retainer 14 is
when installed in the load groove 22 (see Figures 1 and 2).
(position shown) is sized so that the retainer is slightly elongated.

The fitting further includes a stop 16, which in this embodiment is in the form of a conventional E-ring of the type typically mounted in a groove in a mandrel for retaining the member in the mandrel. The stopper 16 is split, thereby forming an opening 38 between the ends of the stopper. Furthermore, the sides of the stopper are sufficiently flexible to allow the opening 38 to be widened slightly to allow the stopper to be tightly seated in and removed from the groove 33. The inner diameter of the stopper 16 is selected to be such that the stopper is subject to a slight tension when the stopper is installed in the groove 33.

The dust cap 17 is preferably provided when the pipe fitting is installed in a location where it is exposed to dust and dirt. The dust cap consists of an annular, radially extending plate section 39 located within the groove 33 and immediately forward of the stop 16 (to the right in FIG. 2). An annular flange 40 is formed adjacent the outer end of the plate portion 39 and extends forwardly to cover the end of the receiving portion 12 when the parts are fully assembled as shown in FIG. If a dust cap is not required, the cap can be omitted, in which case the stopper 16 needs to be installed in the current position of the dust cap 17 shown in FIG. Alternatively, the axial dimension of the groove 33 may be shortened so that the stopper 16 is located to the right of its position as shown in FIG. 2, or the dust cap in the groove 33 of FIG. A stop 16 may be provided at the location of the plate portion 39 and a spacer (not shown) may be provided in the groove 33 to the left of the stop 16.

The receiving member 12 has a forward end 46 having an inner bore.
(on the left in FIG. 2), the diameter of the inner surface 47 of this hole is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the retainer 14 when the retainer 14 is in either the load groove 22 or the release groove 24. Furthermore, the inner surface 4 of the hole
7 is slightly larger than the diameter of the guide surface 32. Therefore, when the insertion member 11 is moved to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 and inserted into the receiving member 12 while the retainer 14 is in the load groove 22, the inner surface 47 is inserted into the O-ring 13 and the retainer 14. , and then slides on the guide surface 32. The thickness of the forward end 46 is such that it can move between the guide surface 32 and the dust cap flange 40, as shown in FIG. During assembly, the end 46 is aligned with the guide surface 3
As it slides over 2, the movement of the inserting member is guided and aligns well with the hole in the receiving member.

Rearwardly from the forward end 46 of the receiving member (Figs.
The annular groove 48
will be established. This groove is of sufficient size to allow retainer 14 to fit therein. The radial dimension of groove 48 is large enough to receive retainer 14 when it is on top 27. Groove 4
8 has a sloped surface 49 extending from the inner surface 47 to the bottom of the groove 48. On the rear side of the groove 48 there is a radially extending push surface 51 which extends radially inwardly from the bottom of the groove 48 towards a smaller diameter hole 52 which forms the guide surface of the insert member. It has a radial dimension slightly larger than 34. As a result, when the insertion member is inserted into the interior of the receiving member, the guide surface 34 forms the small diameter hole 52.
and at the same time the guide surface 32 is guided by
It is guided by an inner surface 47 at the forward end of the receiving member. Preferably, the hole 52 is provided with a small step 53 extending radially outwardly so that the receiving member can slide over the O-ring 13 without damaging it.

Here, the structure and assembly of the pipe joint will be explained. As having the stopper 16 and the dust cap 17, the dust cap 17 is inserted into the groove 33.
and attach the retainer 14 to the load groove 22.
Further, the O-ring 13 is attached to the groove 21. The dust cap 17 can also be made of a stretchable material such as rubber or polyethylene and stretched to fit over the end of the nipple and into the groove 33.
Next, insert the insertion member 11 from the position shown in FIG.
Move it to the right to the position shown in the diagram. The guide surface 34 of the insert member passes into the hole 52. O-ring 13
is compressed by the inner surface of the hole 52, as shown in FIG. Pushing surface 51 contacts the front side surface of retainer 14 and pushes retainer 14 up along sloped surface 26 as the insertion member is inserted into the receiving member. The retainer 14 is moved over the top 27 by the pushing surface 51, and the retainer 14 is moved over the top 27 by the push surface 51.
4 is tightly fitted into the locking groove 23 due to the elongation or tension. This position is shown in Figure 4.
In the figure, the member is in the locked position. The forward end 46 of the receiving member 12 is located between the guide surface 32 and the flange 40 of the dust cap 17, and the guide surfaces 32 and 34 of the insert member are in close contact with the inner surfaces 47 and 52 of the inserter. The member does not tilt within the receiving member. O-ring 13 is compressed to form a seal as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and retainer 14 is within lock groove 23. As shown in FIG. 4, the diameter of the hole inner surface 47 is
When the retainer is in the locking groove 23, it is smaller than the outer diameter of the retainer 14. Therefore, by applying internal pressure to disengage the fitting member, or by moving the insert member 11 to the left side of the receiving member 12 or by disengaging it from the receiving member, the slope 49 of the receiving member contacts one side of the retainer 14, while the other side of the retainer contacts the slope 28 of the locking groove 23. The retainer 14 expands into both the locking groove 23 and the annular groove 48, and the retainer 14 is sandwiched between the two ramps 49 and 28, thereby ensuring that the fitting members are locked together. The slope 49 acts as a cam or wedge to press the retainer 14 against the bottom of the locking groove 23.

Next, a description will be given based on FIG. 4. Insert member 1
1 and the axial dimensions of the receiving member 12 such that when the forward end 46 of the receiving member is moved with respect to the radial plate portion 39 of the dust cap 17 so that there is no clearance, the push surface 51 will exceed the top 27; There is no contact with the retainer 14 in the lock groove 23. Further, the top portion 31 between the lock groove 23 and the release groove 24 is
This prevents the retainer 14 from accidentally entering the release groove 24. That is, in order for the retainer 14 to pass over the top portion 31, it must be expanded.

For maintenance purposes, for example for replacing the O-ring 13 or for servicing the parts connected to the inserting part 11 or the receiving part 12, it is sometimes necessary to uncouple the pipe fitting. The fitting is therefore of releasable construction so that the insertion member 11 can be withdrawn from the receiving member 12.

Whatever the purpose, uncoupling the fitting is simply accomplished by first removing the stopper 16. If the stopper 16 is not in the groove 33, the insertion member 11 can be moved forward (to the right) a slightly longer distance to the position shown in FIG. The front end 46 contacts the dust cap 17 and the dust cap is moved to the left end of the groove 33. During this extended movement to the release position, the push surface 51 moves the retainer 14 from the locking groove 23 over the top 31 to the release groove 24. As mentioned above, the diameter of the release groove 24 is smaller than the lock groove 23, and the diameter of the release groove 24 is smaller than that of the retainer 1.
4 enters the release groove 24, it is small enough not to prevent the insertion member 11 from coming out of the receiving member 12.
In other words, the diameter of the inner surface 47 of the retainer 14
is located within the release groove 24, is slightly larger than or approximately equal to the outer diameter of the retainer.

When reconnecting the pipe fittings, use the stopper 16.
is returned to the position shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 within the groove 33, and the retainer 14 is manually moved from the release groove 24 to the load groove 22. Furthermore, at this point, the O-ring 13
It is desirable to replace. The fitting members can then be reattached in the manner described above.

FIG. 8 illustrates another arrangement in which the stopper and dust cap are formed into one piece. The unitary structure 60 includes a stopper portion 61 and a dust cap portion 62. It is also possible to provide the handle 63 on one side of the single structure 60. The cross-sectional shape of the unitary structure 60 is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 2, except that the stopper and dust cap are integrally formed. For example, the unitary structure may be molded from extensible plastic and stretched during assembly to extend beyond the end of the nipple, forming the groove 3 of the insert member 11.
3 may be installed. single structure 60
(and including dust cap 17) may be somewhat resilient, but the unitary structure is compressed to such an extent that accidental dislodgement of the member by the forward end of receiving member 12 occurs. In general, it should not be made too soft.

On the other hand, some devices allow the single structure to be sufficiently deformable to deform the single structure by manually pushing the insert into the receiving member without removing the single structure. It is desirable to allow the pipe fittings to be uncoupled. Generally, however, to uncouple the fitting, the unitary structure 60 is removed by grasping the handle 63 and pulling the unitary structure 60 out of the groove 33.

Although the O-ring 13 can be installed in a groove formed in the hole 52 of the receiving member 12, it is preferable to provide it on the insertion member 11 for ease of installation and checking. Furthermore, instead of being placed on the insert member 11, the dust cap can also be attached to the end 46 of the receiving member 12. The garter spring retainer 14 described above flattens out somewhat when large forces are applied to separate the fitting members. Therefore, once the strength of the retainer is determined, there is also a limit to the internal pressure within the pipe joint that can be safely introduced.

Effects of the Invention In the new and useful releasable quick-connect fitting of the present invention, the various grooves in the inserting member and receiving member are easy to machine, and the stopper 16 and (if provided) b) The dust cap 17 is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install. The fitting can not only be uncoupled if necessary, but also reassembled by simply fitting the stopper 16 into the groove 33. As a result, the fittings are relatively inexpensive, relatively easy to manufacture and install, and are reliable in use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a side view including a partial cross section showing the pipe fitting according to the present invention in an unattached state, Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the pipe fitting member according to the present invention, and Fig. 3 is an assembled state. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a pipe fitting according to the invention in a locked position; FIG. 5 shows a pipe fitting according to the invention in a released position. An enlarged sectional view, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the stopper of the pipe joint according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is a plan view of the retainer of the pipe joint according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is another form of the pipe joint according to the present invention. FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Insertion member, 12... Receiving member, 14... Retainer, 16... Stopper, 17... Dust guard (also referred to as dust cap), 21... Annular groove, 22... Load groove, 23... Lock groove, 24... Release groove, 26... slope, 28... slope, 29... slope, 33... annular groove, 4
8... Annular groove, 49... Slope, 51... Push surface, 52...
Hole.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A releasable quick-connect pipe joint, comprising: (a) a tubular insertion member having a shaft; an annular locking groove and an annular release groove are formed on the outer periphery of the tubular insertion member; (b) a cylindrical receiving member having a front surface sloped outwardly and forwardly with respect to said axis, and further wherein said release groove has a smaller diameter than said locking groove; coaxial with the member and having a hole for receiving said insert member;
and (c) the annular retainer has an annular groove formed in the hole, and the hole groove has a rear surface inclined inward and rearward with respect to the axis of the receiving member; installed in either one of the lock groove and the release groove, and movable to the other of the lock groove and release groove,
said retainer further comprising a garter spring formed by a substantially annular radially extending coil; (d) said insert member being movable to a locked position within said receiving member; in such a position that said locking groove and bore groove are substantially radially aligned, and said retainer extends within said locking groove and bore groove, and said retainer extends within said locking groove and said bore groove, and said retainer extends within said locking groove and said bore groove, and said retainer extends within said locking groove and said bore groove. sandwiched between the rear surfaces to prevent separation of the aforementioned insertion member and the aforementioned receiving member;
Further, the aforementioned retainer is movable to a release position within the aforementioned receiving member, wherein the aforementioned release groove and the hole groove are substantially radially aligned, and the aforementioned retainer is movable within the aforementioned release groove. (e) a stop removably connected to one of said insert member and said receiving member and engageable with the other; A releasable quick-connect fitting comprising a stopper that prevents movement of the insert into the release position, but removal of the stopper allows movement to the release position. 2. The releasable quick connect fitting of claim 1, wherein said receiving member has a push surface positioned to move said retainer from said lock groove to said release groove. 3. said insert member further having an annular load groove formed on its outer periphery, the ramp extending radially outwardly and rearwardly from said load groove to said locking groove, said garter spring initially is installed in the aforementioned load groove, and further characterized in that the aforementioned push surface is in a position to roll the aforementioned retainer from the aforementioned load groove over the aforementioned slope to the aforementioned locking groove. The releasable quick-connect fitting according to item 2. 4. The releasable device of claim 3, wherein said insert member has a top portion formed between said load groove and said lock groove and between said lock groove and said release groove. Quick connect fittings. 5. A releasable quick connect fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that said stopper is removably connected to said insert member. 2. The releasable quick connect fitting of claim 1, further comprising a dust cap surrounding a portion of the receiving member. 7. The releasable quick connect fitting of claim 3, wherein said garter spring is expanded when installed in said load groove. 8. The releasable quick connect fitting of claim 1, wherein said retainer and said locking groove have substantially the same curved surface.