Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
12Q~29
Desc-iption of ,he Invention
The present invention relates generally to ~luid
transfer systems, and ~ore particularly, to spray nozzles and
piping assemblies which are susceptible to quick assembly and
disa-ssembly.
Spray nozzles, for example, are used in a multitude
oi industrial, agricultural, and commercial applications in
which it is fre~uently necessary to remove the spray tip for
various reasons, such as insr~ection and cleaning, replace~ent
of a ~orn spray tip, or substitution of spray tips to change
~he sFray pattern. It is desirable, therefore, that such
noz~le assembli~s per~it quick and easy tip removal, while
ensuring precise tip orientation and sealing characteristics
upon replacement. Many "quick-disconnect" nozzies have been
previously proposed and manufactured, but in general those
nozzles have had sealing problems and/or have ~ade replacement
of the spray tips relatively di~ficult or tireso~e.
It is equally desirable to be able to quickly asser~-
ble and disasserlble piping connections in spraying syste~s, as
well as numerous other industrial, agricultural, and commerci21
applications. For example, while it is frequently advantageous
to set up temporary piping layouts, heretofore this generally
has not been possible without- skilled plu~bing help and special
tools, which is relatively expensive~ Although various quick
disconnect couplings have been prepared for pipe connections,
3Q the~ si~ilarly have had sealing problems and/or have been
difficult or cumbersome to useO
. ~ , . . ..
12~4~2~
It is a~ object of the present inve~ti~n to prov~de
a fluid transfer system with means which enable quick and
easy coupling and uncoupling or fluid transfer members by hand
without special tools, while provl~ing reliable sealing quali-
ties.
Another object of the present invention to provide
an improved spray nozzle assembly which makes removal and
replacement of the spray tip extremely easy and quick, while
at the same time ensuring an excellent seal to prevent tne
liquid being sprayed from leaking through the joints of the
nozzle assembly.
A further object o~ this invention to provide an
i~proved spray nozzle assembly which per~its the spray tip to
be installed an~ remo~-ed solely by the application of a twist-
iny torque to the cap of the assembly, without the necessity
of si~ultaneo~sly applying an axial pressure to the cap.
It is still another object of this inven.ion to
provide an improved spray nozzle assembly which automatically
ensures accurate positioning of the spray tip. In this con-
nection, a related object of the invention is to provide suchan improved spra~ nozæle assembly which maintains precise ori-
entation of the spray tip even when used in applications ~hish
subject the nozzle assembly to severe vibrations.
A further object or the present invention is to pro-
vide such an improved spray nozzle assem~ly which can be effi-
ciently and econo~ically manufactured at high production
rates.
Siill a further object of this invention is to
provide an improved spray nozzle assembly of the foregoing
30 type which can be used with a wide variety of different but
interchangeable spray tips.
~2~4~29
Yet another object of this invention is to provide
an improved .spray r;oz7 l~ assembly of the type described above
which permlts the installer to see, feel and hear when the
spray tip is properly installed.
Another object of the invention is to provide an
impro~7ed sp.ay nozzle assembly which ensures that removable
spray tips will be held securely in the nozzle assembly with-
out requiring extremely close manufacturing tolerances.
Still a further object of the invention is to pro-
vide a pipe coupling assembly for quickly and easily connect-
ing pipe sections with a reliable liquid tight seal therebe-
tween, while permitting easy disassembly by simple manual
twisting of a coupling cap.
Other objects and ~dvantages of the invention ~ill
be apparent from the followillg detailed description and the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGU~E 1 is a perspective view of a spray nozzle
assembll _~,bodying the present invention, mounted on a pipe;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lower
portion of the spray nozzle assembly shown in FIGURE 1, with
the cap turned to its unlocked position (the locked position
of PIGURE 1 being sho~n in broken lines);
FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken gener-
ally along line 3 3 in FIGURE l;
FIG. 4 is a further enlargement of a fragment of the
vertical section shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a horizontal section taken generally along
the line 5-5 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a horizontal section taken generally along
the line 6-~ in FIG. 2, with the end of the body member in-
serted in the cap;
--3--
~2~g~2~
A fluid transfer system according to the present
invention is characterized by a cap member having a first
fluid transfer member supported therein, a second fluid
transfer member having an end positionable in axially spaced
fluid communication with an end of said first fluid transfer
member, said cap member and second fluid transfer member
having cooperating lugs and slots for locking said cap and
second members together when the cap member is placed on
said second member and rotated relative thereto, a resilient
annular gasket disposed between said second member and cap
member and surrounding the ends of said first and second
members, and said cap and second members forming (1) an
annular space on one side of an outer peripheral edge
portion of said gasket, and (2) an annular sealing end
pressing against the other side of said outer peripheral
edge portion of said gasket so that said sealing end bends
said outer peripheral edge portion of said gasket into said
annular space to effect a liquid-tight seal on bvth sides of
said gasket.
A spray nozzle according to the present invention
comprises a cap member having a spray tip therein with a
liquid passageway for conducting liquid into said spray tip,
and a body member for supplying liquid to said passageway
and spray tip, said cap and body member having cooperating
lugs and slots for locking said membërs together when the
cap is pla~ed on said body member and rotated relative
thereto, a resilient annular gasket disposed between said
body and cap members and surrounding the li~uid passageway
leading into said spray tip to prevent liquid from leaking
out of said passageway, and said cap and second members
forming (1) an annular space on one side of an outer
peripheral edge portion of said gasket, and ~2) an annular
sealing end pressing against the other side of said outer
peripheral edge portion of said gasket so that said sealing
end bends said outer peripheral edge portion of said gasket
into said annular space to effect a liquid-tight seal on
both sides of said gasket.
- 3a -
~Z~4~L2~
~ spray nozzle according to the present invention is
more particularly characterized by a cap member having a
spray tip adapted for imparting a determined form of spray
pattern to pressuriæed liquid passing through said spray
tip, a body member for supplying liquid to said spray tip,
an annular resilient sealing member interposed between said
cap and body members, said cap and body members having
cooperating lugs and slots for locking said members together
when the cap is placed on said body member and rotated
relative thereto, said slots being formed in said cap member
and extending radially through the wall of said cap member
so that said lugs are visible through said slots, said slots
defining cam surfaces which cam said cap member tightly onto
said body member as said cap and body members are rotated
relative to each other with said interposed sealing member
biasing said cap member and body member in opposed relation
while ~reating a liquid tight seal therebetween, and said
slots further defining notches adjacent the ends of said cam
surfaces for engaging said lugs and holding said cap member
in a predetermined locked position relative to said lugs
with the spray tip in predetermined orientation with respect
to said body member.
- 3b -
L2~
.
FIG. 7 is a horizontal section taken ~enerally along
llne 7-7 in FIG~ 2/ with the end of t`ne body member again
inserted in the cap and with the cap turned to its locked
position;
FIG. 8 is a partial side elevation and partial
vertical section taken generally along the line 8-8 in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a partial side elevation and partial
vertical section taken generally along line 9-9 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle assembly
taken generally along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;
F~G. 11 is a section of an alternati~e embodiment of
the invention, showing one form of qui~k disconnect pipe
coupling assembly; and
FIG. 12 is a section of an alternative form of pipe
coupling assembly embodying the invention.
While the invention has been shown an~ will be
described in some detail with reference to specific exemplary
emhodiments of the invention, there is no intention khat the
invention be limited to such detail. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover all modifications, alternatives and equiv-
alents which may fall within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
Turning now rnore particularly to FIGS. 1-10 of the
drawings, one embodiment of quick disconnect fluid transfer
system in accordance with the invention is shown, which is a
spray nozzle assembly 10 supplied with water or other liquid
from a pipe 11. The nozzle assembly 10 includes a main body
~ember 12 for~ing a nipple 13 which extends into the pipe 11
through a hole in the wall of the pipe. Pressurized liquid
within the pipe 11 enters the nipple 13 and passes downwardly
through a central ~luid passageway 14 in the body mem~er 12
for discharge through a spray tip 15. ~ wide variety of
12~2~
different sp~ay tips can be used in the illustrative nozzle
asse~bly, for producing an equally wide variety of different
spray patterns.
For the purpose of securely mounting the spray
nozzle assembly 10 on the pipe 11, the top of the body ~ember
12 forms a first clamping element 20 which fits around one
half of the pipe 11 and cooperates with a second clamping
element 21 which fits around the other half of the pipe. The
two clamping elements 20 and 21 are drawn toward each other,
and into tight engagement with the pipe 11/ by a pair of
screws 22 and 23 which pass downwardly through the upper
clamping element 21 and are threaded into the lower clamping
element 20. As this clamp is tightened, it also presses the
outside wall of the pipe 11 into firm sealing engagement with
an O-ring 24 (FIG. 3) surrounding the base of the nipple 13,
thereby forming a seal around the hole that is formed through
the pipe wall to recei~e the nipple 13.
~ s can be seen most clearly in FIG. 3, the 'ower
portion of the central fl~id passage~a~J 14 formed by the main
body member 12 :is enlarged to receive a strainer 25 for col-
lecting any contaminants ~-hich mi~ht block the aperture of the
spray tip 15 if allowed to enter the same. The lower end of
the strainer 25 forms a radial flange 26 which seats in a
comp]einentary groove 27 formed by the lower end of the body
member 12. The liquid that passes through the strainer 25
flows into and through the spray tip 15, which is seated in a
cap 30 ielescoped over the lower end of the body member 12.
As can be seen in FIG; 2, the inner end of the spray tip 15
has a central recess 16 and bore 17 forming a fluid passageway
leading into and th-ough the tip, and the lower end of the tip
is shaped to form the desired spray pattern as the liquid
exits from the bore 17.
~2~ 9
As one specific feature of the invention, the lower
end of the cap 3C includes a pair of spring fingers 28 and 29
along one wall of the aperture that receives the spray tip 15.
These spring fingers are formed as integral parts of the cap
30, with the tips of the fingers being tapered slightly in-
wardly in the longitudinal direction proceeding toward the end
of the cap. When the spray tip 15 is inserted into the cap
30, it presses the spring fingers slightly outwardly in the
radial direction, thereby producing an inward biasing force
against the tip 15 to hold it in place. This arrangement
provides a snug fit between the cap 30 and the spray tip 15
even though the dimensions of the tip and the cap vary some-
what due to manufacturing tolerances~ Moreover, the spring
fingers 28 and 29 automatically compensate for wearing o~ the
surfaces of the cap aperture as different spray tips are
inserted therein and removed therefrom.
In order to lock the cap 30 and the spray tip 15 in
a precisely predetermined position on the lower end of the
body member 12, a pair of lugs 31 and 32 on the body member 12
cooperate with a pair of positioning and locking slots 33 and
34 in the cap. This precise positioning of the cap 30 is
in,portant because it sets the position of the spray tip 15
and, therefore, the direction of the spray pattern. The
locking action of the lugs 31 and 32 in the respective slots
33 and 34 is illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 6-9. When the
cap 30 is first applied to the body member 12, the cap is
posltioned to register the two lugs 3t and 32 with a pair of
access grooves 35 and 36 which have approximately the same
cross-section con~iguration as the lugs 31 and 32. These
access grooves permit the lugs 31 and 32 to enter the respec-
tive slots 33 and 34 when the cap is telescoped over the end
of the body member 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8.
.
12Q4~2~
After the cap 30 has been telescoped over the body
member 12 far enouyh to move the lugs 31 and 32 into the
respective slots 33 and 34, the cap 30 is turned in a counter-
clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 7, until the end walls
37 and 38 of the respective slots butt agains~ the lugs 31 and
32. To facilitate the turning of the cap 30, a pair of dia-
metrically opposed ears 39 and 40 are formed as integral parts
of the cap. During the turning movement of the cap 30, the
cap 30 is cammed inwardly toward the end of the body member 12
by a pair of ramps 41 and 42 formed by the top walls of the
slots 33 and 34 which ride on the tops of the lugs 31 and 32.
These ramps 41 and 42 clear the lugs 31 and 32 just before the
slot end walls 37 and 38 come into engagement with the lugs 31
and 32 to terminate the rotational movement of the cap 30. In
this ~inal position of the cap 30, the lugs 31 and 32 are
registered with respective locking notches 43 and 44 formed by
the top walls of the slots 33 and 34, between the ramps 41, 42
and the end walls 37, 38.
As will be described in more detail below, a biasing
force urging the cap 30 away from the body member 12 tends to
hold the notches 43 and 44 in firm engagement with the lugs 31
and 32. In addition, rotational movement of the cap 30 is
restrained by a pair of shoulders 45 and 46 formed by the end
walls or the notches 43 and 44 adjacent the ramps 41 and 42,
respectively. As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 7, both the
shoulders 45, 46 and the adjacent surfaces of the lugs 31 and
32 lie on radii of the cap 30 and the body member 12; conse-
quently, the two pairs of opposed locking surfaces 43, 45 and
44, 46 engage each other continuously along the full radial
width of the lugs 31 and 32. Thus, the cap 30 is securely
locked against rotational movement in the return (clockwise)
direction until a releasing tor~ue is applied to the cap.
1;~0~129
As can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 8 and 9, the
shoulders 45 and 46 are tapered at an angle of 45 from the
top surfaces of the lugs so that the shoulders effectively
hold the cap 30 in its locked position when the nozzle assem-
bly is subjected to the vibrations and jolts encountered in
use, and yet an installer can easily apply enough manual
torque to the cap to cause the shoulders 45 and 46 to ride up
over the lugs 31, 32 for removal of the cap. With this design,
it has be~n found that it is not necessary for the installer
to push against the cap in the axial direction while the cap
is being turned to unlock it; the twisting fQrce alone is
sufficient to disengage the notches 43, 44 from the lugs 31,
32, thereby greatly facilitating removal of the cap. This is
a highly advantageous feature in field conditions where an
installer might have to remove large numbers of such caps in
order to change the spray tips in large spraying equipment.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing descrip-
tion, the illustrative structure permits the installer to both
feel and hear when the cap has been turned to its locked
position. The installer feels and hears the click of the
detent action when the ramps 41, 42 clear the lugs 31, 32,
bring~ng the locking notches 43, ~4 into register with the
lugs, and at about the same time the installer feels the slot
end halls 37, 38 butting against the lugs. These tactlle and
audible features of the locking system facilitate ins~allation
of the cap 30 and the spray tip 15 seated therein.
Similarly, when the cap is being removed, the instal-
ler can feel when he has applied enough torque to the cap to
- force the shoulders 45, 46 over the lugs 31, 32. The cap is
turned until the installer feels the slot end walls 47 and 48
butt asainst the respective lugs, at which point he knows that
the lugs are aligred with the access grooves 35 and 36 so that
~ Z~)4~9
the cap can be pulled off the nozzle assembly. Thus, the
locking system includes tactile features which facilitate
removal, as well as installation, of the cap.
In keeping with the present invention, the slots 33
and 34 which form the locking surfaces extend entirely through
the walls of the cap 30 so that the positions of the locking
lugs 31 and 32 are visible to the lnstaller while the cap is
being turned to the locked position. This permits the instal-
ler to see as well as feel and hear the locking action. More
importantly, the installer can see the lugs 31 and 32 when he
is applying the cap 30 and trying to align the access grooves
35 and 36 in the cap with the lugs 31 and 32 on the body
member 12, as can be appreciated from FIG. 8. In this connec-
tion, it should be noted that the axial length of the lugs 31,
32 is substantially greater than the length of the access
grooves 35, 36, as a result of which the lugs are never con-
cealed within the grooves; i.e., the lugs are always visible
above ~nd/or below the ends of the access grooves 35, 36.
To facilitate the molding of the cap 30, which is
typically made by injection molding a polymeric material, the
slot end walls 37, 38 and 47, 48 are slightly tapered imwardly
toward each other, as can be seen in FI~. 7. This permits the
slots 33 and 34 to be formed by a pair of mold inserts which
can be easily withdrawn from the molded Cclp after the polymeric
material has solidified.
The locking action described above is enhanced by
the spring force of a resilient annular gasket 50 which is
disposed between the body mem~er 12 and the cap 30. The
primary function of this gasket 50 is to form a seal between
the spray tip 15 and the body member 12, and the gasket 50 is
slightly compressed in order to effect the desired seals in
the final assembly. Because the gasket 50 is made of a
12~
resilient material, such as buna-N rubber for e~ample, when it
is compressed i, exerts a biasing force which urges the spray
tip 15 and the cap 30 away from ~he body member 12, thereby
urging the locking notches 43 and 44 firmly against the lugs
31 and 32 ~see FIG. 9). However, even with this biasing force
on the cap, manual twisting of the cap (without any axial
pressure) is sufficient to disengage the cap from the locking
lugs.
In accordance with an important aspect o the pres-
ent invention, the resilient annular gasket surrounds the
entrance to the spray tip, and the body and cap members form
(1) an annular space on one side of the outer peripheral
portion of the gasket, and (2) an annular bead pressing against
the opposite side of that portion of the gasket so that the
bead bends the outer portion of the gasket into the annular
space to effect a liquid-tight seal on both sides of the
gasket. Thus, in the illustrative embodiment of the inven-
tion~ and as shown most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gasket
50 extends radially outwardly be~ond the outer periphery 51 of
the spray tip 15. The radially outer portion or this gasket
50 extends over an annular space 52 which is formed by the ca~
30, i.e., the portion of the cap immediately adjacent the
periphery of the inner end 53 of the spray tip 15 is recessed
below the surface of the end 53. On the opposite side of the
gasket 50 from the annular space 52, an annular bead 54,
formed as an integral part of the end of the body member 12,
engages the outer peripheral portion of the gasket and bends
it in an axial direction along the side walls of the spray tip
14 and into the annular space 52. This bending of the gasket
50 by the annular bead 54 creates an extremely tight liquid
seal on both sides of the gasket. More specifically, on
the s:ide engaged by the bead 54 the sealing pressure is
-10-
12Q412~
concentrated in the relatively small area engaged by the tip
of the bead 54, rather than being distributed over the entire
surface area on that side of the yasket. Similarly, the
sealing pressure on the spray tip side o~ the gasket tends to
be concentrated around the periphery of the inner end 53 of
the spray tip.
In addition to forming an extremely effective liquid
seal, the sealing arrangement of this invention also contrib-
utes to the facile installation and removal of the cap 30
containing the spray tip 15. During both the locking and the
unlocking movement of the cap 30, it is necessary for the
gasket 50 to slide over one or both of the two surfaces be-
tween which it is compressed. As can be clearly seen in FIG.
4, the rounded end on the annular bead 54 provides a smooth
surface over which the gasket 50 can easily slide during
rotational movement of the cap 30, as a result of which there
is very little frictional resistance to the turning movement
of the cap.
As can be seen from the foregoing detailed descrip-
tion, the spray nozzle assembly enables quiet and easy removaland replacement of the spray tip, while at the same time
ensuring an excellent seal to prevent the liquid being sprayed
from leakins through the joints of the nozzle assembly. This
improved spray nozzle assernbly permits the spray tip to be
installed and removed solely by the application of a twisting
torque to the cap of the assembly, without the necessity of
simultaneously applying an axial pressure to the cap. Accur-
ate positioning of thê spray tip is automatically ensured, and
the desired orientation of the spray tip is precisely main-
tained even when the nozzle assembly is used in applicationswhich subject it to severe vibrations. Moreover, this nozzle
assembly can be efficiently and economically manufactured at
~2(~ 9
high production rates, and can be used with a wide variety of
dlffer~nt but interchangeable spray tips. The locking system
which locks the cap to the main body of the nozzle assembly
permits the installer to see, feel and hear ~hen the spray tip
i5 properly installed, thereby further facilitatlng installa-
tion and removal of the cap and the spray tip.
Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown an alter-
native embodiment of quick disconnect fluid tranfer system, in
the form of a pipe coupling assembl~ lOa, wherein parts similar
to those described pre~iously have been given similar reference
numerals with the distinguished suffix a" added. The pipe
coupling assembly lOa includes a cap member 30a which carries
in coaxial relation the end of a first fluid transfer member
or pipe section 15a and which is removably mountable on the
end of a second fluid transfer member or pipe section lla.
The cap member 30a in this instance has an internally threaded
axial extension 60 to which an externally threaded end of the
first pipe section 15a is engaged. The second fluid transfer
member o~ pipe section lla includes a body member or fitting
12a having an externally threaded end 61 to which a conduit 62
is affixed. The pipe section bod~ mel~ber l~a has a fluid
passageway 14a in communication with a passageway 65 in the
cap member 30a , which in turn communicates with a pa~sageway
66 in the pipe section 15a. The lowermost portion of the
passageway 14a formed by the body member 12a is enlarged to
receive a strainer 25a for collecting contaminants in a passing
stream. The lower end of the strainer 25a forms a radial
flanye 26a which seats in the complimentary groove 27a formed
by the lower end of the body member 12a. It will be appreciated
that in this embodiment, fluid may be directed in either
direction through the passageways 14a, 65, 65, and the use of
the strainer 25a could be optional.
4:1 29
For locking the cap 30a and first fluid transfer
member 15a on the lower end of the body member 12a, the body
member 12a is provided with lugs (not shown in Fig. 11)
identical to lugs 31 and 32 for the spray assembly body member
12 described previously, which cooperate with access and
locking slots in the cap 30a, only one access slot 35a and
locking slot 33a of which is shown in Fig~ 11. In the manner
previously described, the cap 30a may be telescoped over the
end of the body member 12a, and manually rotated, with the aid
of diametrically opposed ears 39a, 40a integrally formed on
the cap, such that the cap 30a is cammed inwardly toward the
body member and ultimately turned to its locked position,
which as previously described, can be felt, heard, and ob-
served by the installer. The pipe coupling assembly lOa is
particularly useful for coupling pipe sections which are
flexible in nature since the end o~ the pipe section 15a is
fixed to and rotates with the cap member 30a during insulation.
~ihen a rigid pipe section is utilized with such cap r~ember,
typically the entire pipe section would be rotated with the
car~, and such pipe sections usually would be successivPly
couple~ together in end to end relation, and then disassembled
in a reverse order. In either case, it will be understood
that the cap r~ember may be manually positioned and locked onto
the body member by hand without tools of any kind, and rnay be
disasser~bled by simply rotating in a reverse direction.
For enhancing the locking action and providing a
reliable seal between the body member 12a and cap member 30a,
a resilient annual gasket 50_ is provided. The resilient
annular gasket 50a surrounds the entrance to the axial
passageway through the cap member, and the body and cap
members 12a, 30a for~ (1) annular space on one side of the
outer peripherial portion of the gasket, and (2) an annular
13-
~Zg~4~g
bead pressing against the opposite side of that portion to
effect a liquid tiyht seal on both sides of the gasket. In
this embodiment, the cap member 30a is formed with an annular
ledge 70 that defines the end of the passageway 65 therein and
which further defines an annual space 52a outwardly therefrom.
The gasket 50a is disposed adjacent the end of the annular
ledge 70 and extends radially outwardly over the annular space
52a. On the oppos te side of the gasket 50a from the annular
space 52a, an annular bead 54a is formed as an integral part
of the end of the body membex 12a and engages the outer peri-
pheral portion of the gasket 50a and bends it in an axial
direction over the annular ledge 70. Such bending o~ the
gasket 54a creates a concentrated sealing pressure in the
relatively small area engaged by the tip of the bead 54a, and
also around the periphery of the annular ledge 70O Hence, the
coupling 10a enables quick and easy assembly and disassembly
of mating pipe sections lla, 15a, while at the same time
insuring an excellent seal to prevent leakage through the
joining parts.
Referring now to Fig. 12, there is shown an alter-
native embodirlent of pipe coupling assembly 10b wherein parts
similar to those previously described have been yi~en similar
re~erence numerals with the distinguishing suffix "b" added.
The pipe coupling assembly 10b includes a cap member 30b which
carries in coaxial relaticn the end of a first fluid transfer
member or pipe section 15b and which is removably mountable on
the end of a second fluid transfer member or pipe section llb.
The second fluid pipe section llb, which is substantially
similar to the second pipe section lla previously described,
includes a body member l~b having an externally threaded end
61b to which a conduit 62b is fixed. The lowerr~ost end of the
body me~ber 12b is enlarged to receive a strainer 25b which
-14-
29
has a radial flange 26b seatiny in a complimentar~ groove 27b
formed in the body member 12b. The body member 12_ of the
second pipe section llb and the cap member 30b have cooperating
locking lugs and slotsl also si~ilar to those described for
the nozzle asse~bly 10 and piping coupling assembly lOa, for
perrnitting locking of the cap member 30b in assembled position
on the body member 12b by simple rotary movement.
In Xeeping with a further aspect of the invention,
the cap member 30~ in this instance is disposed on the end of
~he first pipe section 15_ for relative rotational and longi-
tudinal movement so as to permit assembly and disassembly of
the pipe sections llb, 15b without rotation of such pipe
sections. To this end, the first pipe section 15b includes a
fitting 76 with a conduit 78 fixed thereto, the cap member 30b
is formed with an axial opening 75 and is mounted for relati~re
rotational and longitudinal movement on a fitting 76. The
fitting 76 has a cylindrical section 79 over which the cap
member 3Ob is slidably positionable and terminates in an
outwardly flanged end 51b which seats on a internally formed
radial flange surface of the cap ~ember 30b when the cap
member is in fully locked position, as shown in Fig. 12.
The pipe coupling assembly 10_ includes an annular
gasket 50b interposed between the annular beaded end 26b of
the body member 12b of the second pipe section llb and the
flange 80 of the fitting 76 of the first pipe section 15b.
The yasket 50b extends radially outwardly beyond the outer
periphery of the flange 80 over an annular space 57b formed in
the cap member 30b in outwardly spaced relation to the peripheral
edge of the flange 80. The diameter of the annular bead ~6b
is greater than the diameter of the outer periphery of the
flange 80 such that upon positioning of the cap member 30b
onto the body member 12 of the second pipe section llb, and
-15-
~Z0~2g
rotation of the cap member in the locking direction, the cap
member 3Ob i5 drawn onto the body member 12b and the gasket
50b is bent around the corner of the flange 80 concentrating
sealiny pressures between the annular bead 26_ and flange the
periphery of the flange 80. Hence, as in the case of the pipe
coupling assembly lOa, the mating pipe sections can be quickly
and easily assembled, while assuring reliable sealing between
the joined ends thereof.
~16-
