Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2l6~7~a
OUICK CONN~CT CONNECTOR FO~ GROOVED PIPE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a connector for grooved pipe,
which can be installed and secured in a minimum of time,
with a minimum of effort, and, by a workman having minimal
skill.
Grooved pipe is well-known in the art, and is comprised
of a length of metal or plastics pipe which has been cut or
roll grooved in its outer circumference at a position
adjacent an end of the pipe, to provide an annular groove
extending circumferentially of the pipe.
The connector of the present invention finds utility in
the full pressure joininy of two lengths of grooved pipe in
end-to-end relation, or, in connecting a grooved pipe to a
fitting or fixture that also has been appropriately grooved
for it to simulate an end of a grooved pipe.
The connector itself can be an axially straight
connector for connecting two lengths of grooved pipe in end-
to-end relation, or, it can be in the form of an elbow for
connecting two lengths of grooved pipe in end-to-end right
angle relation, or, it can be in the form of a T or cross
adapted to connect multiple lengths of grooved pipe to a
supply main of grooved pipe, or, it can be in the form of an
adapter for receiving a sprinkler head, tap, pressure gauge,
or other fitting.
While in its simplest form, the connector is in the
216f~760
form of a tube of substantially constant diameter throughout
its length, the connector can be appropriately configured
for it to connect a grooved pipe of one diameter to one or
more grooved pipes of a different diameter.
The connector of the present invention finds particular
utility in the quick assembly of water supply lines for non-
permanent municipal, armed forces, refugee and other camp
grounds, for use in field hospitals, field kitchens,
showers, and the like, in which the supply lines must be
assembled with minimum time and effort, and, similarly
disassembled with minimum time and effort for transportation
and re-assembly at a different site.
The connector of the present invention also finds
particular utility in the quick assembly of water supply
lines in mining operations, and in particular coal mines, in
which the terrain to be traversed progressively is changed
as the mining operation proceeds. Also, in such operations,
it is required that the pipe lines must accommodate
themselves to uneven terrain, slopes and angles and bends,
that occur randomly as the mining corridors are developed.
The quick connector also evidences utility in the
assembly of horticultural irriqation systems, that will be
disassembled after a growing season to permit preparation of
the ground for a subsequent growing season.
Such horticultural irrigation systems commonly are
comprised of a main supply pipe line which is connected to
secondary distribution pipe lines, the distribution pipe
lines being employed to feed spray nozzles and the like, or,
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perforate drip irrigation lines.
Backqround of the Invention
Quick connectors for pipe lines are well-known in the
art, and, commonly are employed for connecting lengths of
horticultural flexible plastic hose to one another.
Additionally, numerous devices have been prior proposed
that are received in clamping engagement with the ends of
un-grooved or plain-ended pipe, such devices commonly
employing band clamps which are employed to compress a
sleeve of a resilient material, such as rubber, into
frictional gripping and sealing relation with the outer
surface of plain-ended pipe.
Such installations are, relatively wea]c and
insubstantial, in that they rely exclusively on the
frictional gripping of the pipes by the connecting sleeve,
and, are subject to separation and water loss in the event
that one of the pipes is an~led relative to the other, or,
is subjected to a tensile stress. Typical of such clamp-
type connectors are disclosed in U.S. patents 3,586,354 to
Boscacci, and 5,193,859 to McKinnon.
More substantial types of connectors are disclosed in
U.S. patents 2,980,143 to Harris, 4,146,252 to Bunda and
4,630,647 to Thompson, each of which is cumbersome and
laborious to assemble, and each of which requires a wrench
or other tool for its assembly.
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Summary of the Invention
It is an object of this invention to provide a
connector for grooved pipe that will facilitate the quick
assembly of pipe lines employing grooved pipe, with extreme
rapidity, and in the absence of tools, and, which will
provide a pipe line assembly having substantial strength and
resistance against axial, lateral, or bending stressing of
the pipes, thus to provide a predictably stable and lea~-
proof pipe line assembly, which, when required, can be
disassembled with equal speed and facility, again, in the
absence of tools.
These advantages are accomplished by providing a
connector in the form of a hollow cylinder that is sized for
it to be slid easily over the end of a grooved pipe, the
connector providing a housing for an O-ring for sealing
engagement with the outer surface of the grooved pipe.
Preferably, the O-ring is positioned within the connector at
a location in which it is not required to pass over the cut
or rolled groove in the pipe, thereby minimizing the chances
of cutting or abrasion of the O-ring during the assembly of
the coupling onto the pipe.
Preferably, the coupling includes an internal abutment
for engagement with the end of a grooved pipe, in order that
the connector can be quickly positioned over the grooved
pipe in a required positional relationship relative to the
grooved pipe, by merely stabbing the coupling onto the pipe
end, or conversely, stabbing the pipe end into the coupling.
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Interiorly of the coupling, there is provided an
annular groove, which opens circumferentially into an access
port which extends radially through the coupling, and which
is open at the radially outer side of the coupling.
Positioned within the groove is a circlip, which can be
manually contracted and locked in a condition in which the
diameter of its inner periphery is less than the outer
diameter of the pipe, and its outer periphery is of a
diameter greater than the outer diameter of the pipe, and
also greater than the inner diameter of the coupling, thus
to provide a positive abutment for the side walls of the
groove in the pipe, and also the side walls of the annular
groove in the coupling member, thus to preclude unrestrained
relative axial movement between the pipe and the coupling
member.
When it is desired to disassemble the pipe line, the
locking device of the circlip is manually released, this
permitting the circlip to expand to a larger diameter in
which the circlip is contained entirely within the groove in
the coupling member, the inner diameter of the circlip
having been expanded to a diameter greater than the outer
diameter of the pipe and greater than the inner diameter of
the coupling, in this way removing the circlip in its
entirety in its capacity of providing an abutment for the
side wall of the groove in the pipe, and, permitting easy
removal of the coupling from the pipe, or vice versa.
The grooved pipe can be cut-grooved metal or plastics
pipe, or, it can be roll-grooved plastics pipe or thin-
216~7~
walled metal pipe. The coupling member can be formed ofany suitable material including metals and plastics
materials that are of sufficient rigidity to resist bending
of the coupling member out of axial linearity. The circlip
conveniently is formed from a hard but resilient plastics
material, but also, if desired, could be fabricated from a
suitable metal.
DescriPtion of the Drawinqs
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a basic form of
connector to be employed in joining two lengths of grooved
pipe to each other in axial alignment;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section through the
connector showing the connector in an unlocked condition;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section through the
connector similar to that shown in Fig. 2, but showing the
connector in loc~ed condition;
Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-section taken on the line
IV-IV in Fig. 1, and showing the connector in an unlocked
condition;
Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-section taken along the
line V-V in Fig. 1, and showing the connector in a locked
condition;
Figs. 6 through 11 illustrate diagrammatically various
~16g760
configurations that the connector may provide in order to
meet varying requirements in a water system;
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate alternative locking
mechanisms for the connector; and,
Figs. 15 through 18 illustrate alternative forms of a
circlip employed in the connector.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Figure l illustrates a basic form of connector
according to the present invention, which is specifically
intended to connect the axially aligned ends of two grooved
pipes.
The connector, which is indicated generally at 10,
comprises a cylindrical body 12 having a central bore 13,
for the reception of the pipe ends, one of which is shown at
14.
Located within the body 12, as later fully described,
are two circlips 16 and 18, the circlip 16 being shown in an
open position in readiness for the reception of a pipe end,
the circlip 18 being shown in a closed and secured position
in which it is operative to prohibit removal of the
connector 10 from the pipe 14, or, in the alternative,
removal of the pipe 14 from the connector 10.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the cylindrical body
12 is provided with a central abutment 20, which is provided
to limit the extent to which a grooved pipe 22 can be
inserted into the central bore 13 of the body, in this way
~16~760
accurately positioning the groove 24 in the pipe periphery
in correct relation to the circlip either 16 or 18.
Positioned adjacent the central abutment 20 in annular
grooves 26 formed in the body 12 in surrounding relation
with the bore 13 are O-rings 27, for sealing engagement with
a pipe end when appropriately inserted into the bore 13.
When properly inserted into the body 12, the groove 24
of the grooved pipe 22 becomes correctly aligned with
annular grooves 28 formed in the body 12, and which
interconnect with the bore 13, the annular grooves 28
containing the respective circlips 16 and 18.
In Figure 2, both of the circlips 16 and 18 are shown
in an expanded condition in which an inner periphery 30 of
the respective circlips 16 and 18 are of a diameter at least
equal to, and preferably slightly grea~er than the diameter
of the pipe 22. In this condition, the pipe 22 can be
stabbed into the body 12, or in the alternative, the body 12
can be stabbed onto the pipe 22, to bring the free end of
the pipe 22 into contact with the abutment 20.
As is later described with reference to Figures 4 and
5, the circlip 16 is then contracted in diameter as shown in
Figure 3 for its inner diameter 30 to become less than the
outer diameter of the pipe 22, the outer periphery 32 of the
circlip 16 being of a diameter greater than the outer
diameter of the pipe 22. In this condition, and as shown
in Figure 3, the circlip 16 provides a positive abutment for
the side walls of the groove 24 of the pipe 22, and also
provides positive abutments for the side walls of the
21~67~0
g
annular groove 28.
The pipe 22 is in this manner locked against axial
movement relative to the body 12, the O-ring 27 providing a
liquid-tight seal between the end of the pipe 22 and the
body 12.
A second pipe tnot shown) can then be stabbed into the
opposite end of the connector in an identical manner to the
pipe 22, subsequent to which the circlip 18 is contracted in
an identical manner to the circlip 16 for it to secure that
pipe within the body in an identical manner to that
described with reference to the pipe 22.
At that point, the two pipes become locked within the
body 12 in axial alignment with each other, leakage being
prevented by the respective O-rings 27.
Referring now to Figure 4, which illustrates the
circlip 16 or 18 when in an initial position prior to
contraction of the circlips, the respective circlips each
are of C-shaped configuration, one end of the circlip being
provided with a locking member 34, the opposite end of the
circlip being provided with a complementary locking member
36.
The locking member 34 is arcuate in form and is
provided with serrated teeth 38 on its outer surface. The
complementary locking member 36 is provided with arcuate
extensions 40 and 42, the arcuate extension 42 being
provided with serrated teeth 44 on its inner arcuate
surface.
The respective locking members 34 and 36 extend
216~0
radially outwardly of an access port 46 that interconnects
with an associated annular groove 28, such that the locking
members 34 and 36 can be gripped exteriorly of the body 12,
and then, be moved towards each other and interlocked with
each other as illustrated in Figure 5.
When moved towards each other to the position shown in
Figure 5, the locking member 34 enters the arcuate
extensions 40 and 42 of the locking member 36 for the
locking member 34 to be entrapped within and securely held
by the arcuate extensions 40 and 42 of the locking member
36, movement of the arcuate extension 42 being permitted by
resilience of the circlip 16 or 18, the circlips being
formed from a relatively hard but resilient plastics
material, or of a spring metal material.
During that movement the circlip becomes contracted in
diameter, such that the inner periphery of the circlip,
which initially was of a diameter greater than that of the
pipe 22 becomes of lesser diameter than the pipe 22, and is
moved radially inwardly of the groove 24 from the position
shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5.
The outer diameter of the circlips similarly decreases,
the radial width of the respective circlips being such that
in the contracted position shown in Figure 5, the outer
diameter 32 of the circlip remains entrapped within the
annular groove 28, the diameter of the outer periphery of
the circlip in that condition being greater than the
diameter of the pipe 22.
If it is desired to release the circlip from the
7 ~ ~
condition shown in Figure S to that shown in ~igure 4, in
order to permit disassembly of the pipe line, all that is
necessary is for the arcuate extension 42 to be moved
radially outwardly in the direction of the arrow A in Figure
5, at which time the serrated teeth of the respective
locking members 34 and 36 become disengaged, this allowing
the circlip 16 or 18 then to spring back to its original
condition as illustrated in Figure 4, this releasing the
interconnection between the body 12 and the pipe 22, and
permitting disassembly of the pipinq system (not pipe line).
As can be expected, a piping system can be assembled
with extreme rapidity by use of the connector of the present
invention, it merely beinq necessary to stab the pipes into
the connector, and then engage the locking members of the
circlips. With equal facility, the piping system can be
disassembled merely by releasing the locking members of the
circlips, and then withdrawing the pipes from the connector,
this resulting in a very considerable saving in time, as
compared with conventional piping systems, and also, being
of greatly increased saving in manual labor, in that it can
be accomplished by an unskilled workman.
The pipes 22 can be cut-grooved metal or plastics pipe
or roll-grooved metal or plastics pipe, or roll-grooved thin
wall metal pipe. The pipes 22 preferably are cut grooved or
roll-grooved pipes of plastics material, such as are well-
known in the art, this resulting in a Very considerable
weight saving, and further enhancing the ease of assembly of
the piping system.
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The body 12 of the connector 10 similarly can be formed
from metal, but, for the same reason, preferably is formed
form plastics material, the respective circlips 16 and 18
preferably being formed from a hard but resilient plastics
material. If desired, the circlips can be formed from a
suitable metal having the re~uired resilient spring
characteristic.
While a straight line connector so far has been
described, as will be apparent from Figures 6 - 11, the
connector can take a multitude of forms. For example, the
basic in-line connector of Figure 6 can be provided as an
elbow, as illustrated in Figure 7, or as a T, as illustrated
in Figure ~, or, as a cross, as illustrated in Figure 9,
Figure 9 also illustrating the option of one arm of the
connector being formed to accommodate a pipe of larger
diameter than the pipes accommodated by the other arms of
the connector. Similarly, as illustrated in Figure 10, the
connector can provide a step-down between a pipe of larye
diameter and a pipe of smaller diameter. As illustrated in
Figure ll, the connector can provide the termination of a
pipe line, which conveniently can have a tap, shower
headsprinkler head, or similar device attached thereto, thus
facilitating the construction of washing facilities,
showers, sprinklers, and the like in any desired lay-out and
configuration.
As further will be apparent, and as is illustrated in
Figures 12 through 14, the locking members 34 and 36 for the
circlips 16 and 18 can take other forms, for example, and as
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is illustrated in Figure 12, the locking members 34 and 36
can be provided with radially extending finger grips
facilitating the closing and opening of the locking members.
Alternatively, and as illustrated in Figure 13, the locking
member 36 can comprise a simple abutment, which engages with
the body 12 to prevent rotation of the circlip within the
body 12, and a single finger engageable tab 34 be provided
at the opposite end of the circlip.
Alternatively, and as is diagrammatically illustrated
in Figure 14, the respective ends 34 and 36 of the circlip
can be pivotally connected to an overset toggle linkage 48
that is operative to move the ends 34 and 36 of the circlips
towards each other on depression of a handle 50 of the
toggle linkage in the direction of the arrow B.
Figs. 15 through 18 illustrate various alternative
forms of the circlips 16 and 18.
In Figure 15, the ends of the circlip are recessed at
50 so that they interfit and can slide relative to each
other, the ends of the circlip being provided with ears 52
that can be moved towards each other to increase the
internal diameter of the circlip. In this instance, the
circlip is expanded in order to permit entry of a pipe into
the bore 13 of the coupling member.
Figure 16 employs a latch 54 that is received in a
latchiny socket 56 in order to lock the circlip 16, 18 in a
contracted condition.
Figure 17 illustrates a circlip 58 having a male end 60
provided with serrations, which is received within a female
~lG67~
14
end socket 62, in a manner which is well-known in the art,
a tab 64 being provided for raising the female member 62 to
permit release of the male end 60.
Figure 18 illustrates an embodiment of the circlip 16
or 18, in which the ends of the circlip are provided with
ears 66, one of which is bored to accommodate the shaft of
a bolt 70, the other of which is appropriately bored and
threaded to receive the threaded shank 72 of the bolt 70.
While not as desirable, in that the use of a tool will
be required in contracting or expanding the circlips,
various other structures can be employed using screws or
bolts, in which event the circlips preferably will be made
of a spring metal material, the major consideration being
that the circlip can be contracted from a first position in
which its inner diameter is greater than that of the pipe to
be entrapped, to a second position in which the inner
periphery of the circlip is of the diameter less than that
of the pipe to be entrapped, while at the same time, the
outer periphery of the circlip remains entrapped within the
body of the connector.
