Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PIPE RETAINER
' The invention relates to a pipe retainer and is particularly,
but not exclusively, concerned with the retention of a
convoluted pipe on to for example, a vapour outlet for a fuel
tank.
It has been known hitherto to retain and seal pipes on fuel
tank fittings by using a worm drive clip and relying upon the
resulting friction between the pipe and the fitting to hold
the pipe in place. Whilst such a system operates reasonably
satisfactorily, the worm drive clip itself is an expensive
item and it is necessary to use a tool to tighten the clip
after it has been placed in position.
Another arrangement for holding the pipe sealingly in place
is to use a barbed nipple which presents a tapered lead-in
surface over which an end of the pipe is pushed, the barb
resisting removal of the pipe once it has been pushed fully
into position. However, to facilitate easy push-on of the
pipe whilst providing adequate resistance to removal, the
shape of the barbed fitting is quite critical and, bearing in
mind that the characteristics of the pipe will generally
change with temperature and contact with the fuel, the
arrangement is not altogether satisfactory.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved
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form of a pipe retainer.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a
f fixing member f or holding a pipe to another member , the f fixing
member comprising a bifurcated first section having two
fingers which can be positioned adjacent an abutment surface
on the pipe, the fingers being arranged one each side of the
pipe, and a second section extending from the bifurcated first
section for co-operation with a fixing part to inhibit
separation of the pipe from the other member.
In one embodiment, the said second section of the fixing
member is bifurcated and spaced from the first bifurcated
section and an elongate section interconnects the first and
second bifurcated sections. The elongate section may comprise
a strip or rod of material which may be rigid or flexible.
The or each bifurcated section may be arranged to snap over
the pipe so that, once in position on the pipe, removal of the
fixing member is inhibited. Where the second bifurcated
section is provided, it may likewise snap over part of the
member on which the pipe is to be retained so that removal of
the fixing member is inhibited.
In another embodiment, the said second section of the fixing
member extending from the bifurcated first section comprises
spaced apart elongate arms having transversely directed
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locking surfaces which co-operate with the said fixing part
to hold the pipe in place.
- In a preferred embodiment, the free ends of the two fingers
are joined together by a loop of material, defining an opening
between the loop and the fingers, whereby the fixing member
can be retained on the pipe in captive manner with sufficient
play to allow coupling and decoupling of the pipe to and from
the other member.
According to a another aspect of the invention there is
provided a fixing member for holding a pipe to another member,
the fixing member comprising a bifurcated first section having
two fingers which, in use lie one each side of one of the
components and co-operate with an abutment surface thereon and
spaced apart elongate arms extending from the bifurcated first
section and having transversely directed locking surfaces
which co-operate with an abutment surface on the other of the
components to hold the components together.
At least one of the arms may be moved into a locking position
by a pivotal arrangement which operates as a result of urging
the pipe on to the said component. In such an arrangement,
a release lever may be provided for pivoting the said arm in
an opposite direction to enable the fixing member to be
released.
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According to a further aspect of the invention there is
provided a retainer for a convoluted pipe comprising a
peripheral sealing element disposed in a space between two
adjacent convolutions of the pipe and a fixing member having
a first section which is locatable in a space between two
adjacent convolutions of the pipe and a second section which
co-operates with a fixed part, the pipe, in use, being
received axially by a cylindrical or like member whereby the
sealing element seals between a surface of the cylindrical
member and a surface of the convoluted pipe, the fixing member
being arranged to prevent the pipe being withdrawn from the
cylindrical member.
With such an arrangement, it is unnecessary to use a worm
drive clip and it is also unnecessary to provide a barbed
fixing arrangement as the sealing element effectively seals
between the pipe and the cylindrical member and the pipe is
held in place in a simple manner by means of the fixing
member.
The fixed part may comprise a surface, for example a radial
surface, on the cylindrical member.
In one embodiment, the sealing element is arranged externally
around the pipe and the pipe is received into the cylindrical
member so that sealing is effected between the sealing element
and an inner surface of the cylindrical member.
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The cylindrical member may comprise a first portion defining
the surface against which the sealing element seals and a
second portion of different diameter which may lead, for
example, to the fuel tank. Preferably, an annular shoulder
is defined between the first and second portions which
provides the said part co-operable with the second section of
the fixing member.
If desired, two sealing elements may be provided in respective
spaces between convolutions.
The pipe may be reinforced in the area occupied by the or each
sealing element. For example, a stiffening element such as
a rigid tube of material may be provided to stiffen the pipe
in the area occupied by the or each sealing element. The
stiffening element is preferably arranged inside the pipe.
In that case, the pipe may have its internal diameter
increased to receive the stiffening element so that, when the
stiffening element is in place, the internal bore of the pipe
is not decreased substantially.
The said member to which the pipe is attached may be of the
aforesaid cylindrical member or may be, for example, a
cylindrical sleeve, the cylindrical sleeve having open ends
into which respective ends of two pipes are passed.
The first section of the fixing member may be bifurcated to
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define a pair of fingers which can fit between two adjacent
convolutions, the fingers being arranged one-each side of the
pipe.
Pipe retainers in accordance with the invention will now be
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which
Fig 1 is a diagrammatic cross-section through part of a
convoluted pipe having a retainer in accordance with the
invention;
Fig 2 is a plan view of one form of fixing member of the
retainer shown in Fig 1;
Figs 3 and 4 are end views of the fixing member shown in Fig
2 looking respectively in the directions of arrows III and IV
in Fig 2;
Fig 5 is a plan view similar to Fig 2 but showing a modified
form of fixing member;
Fig 6 is a cross-section showing two pipes joined together by
means of a hose and held in the hose by means of a fixing
member of the kind shown in Fig 2 or 5;
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Fig 7 is a perspective view of an alternative type of fixing
member;
Fig 8 shows the way in which one arm of the fixing member
shown in Fig 7 can be modified to provide a pivotal locking
,action;
Fig 9 shows the way in which the pipe can be retained on the
outside of a cylindrical member;
Fig 10 is a part cross-section, part side elevation of two
pipes joined together and held by means a fixing member in
accordance with the first two aspects of the invention;
Fig 11 is a bottom plan view of the two coupled pipes of Fig
looking in the direction of arrow XI in Fig 10;
Fig 12 is a perspective view of the fixing member shown in
Figs 10, 11 and
Figs I3, 14 and 15 are perspective views of respective fixing
members in accordance with the invention.
In Fig 1, a convoluted pipe 10 of known kind has a plurality
of equi-spaced convolutions 12 defining spaces 13 therebetween
to permit easy flexing of the pipe. Such pipes may be used
in a fuel system, for example, to conduct vapour from a fuel
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tank in a vehicle. In such a case, it is-necessary for the
pipe 10 to be secured f firmly and sealingly to an outlet 14 on
the fuel tank which is generally indicated at 16.
In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention,
two spaces between the convolutions 12 are occupied by
respective 0-rings 16 which seal against sides 12a, 12b of
their associated convolutions and project outwardly beyond the
radial extremities of the convolutions.
The section of the pipe 10 carrying the seals 16 is then
inserted into the outlet 14 (which is cylindrical in the
example shown} so that the seals 16 make sealing contact with
the internal surface of the outlet 24. It will be noted that
the outlet 14 includes a reduced diameter portion 14a so as
to define an annular shoulder 18.
A fixing member 20 is then placed in position to secure the
pipe 10 in the outlet 14 and reference is now made to Figs 2
to 5.
Fig 2 shows a first type of fixing member 20 comprising spaced
apart bifurcated first and second end sections 22, 24
interconnected by a strip of material 26. The end sections
22, 24 are of horse shoe form in order that the end sections
will snap fit into position as described below. Conveniently,
the fixing member 20 is formed as a plastics injection
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moulding.
' Fig 5 has similar bifurcated end sections 22, 24 which are
interconnected by a flexible rod 28 to facilitate relative
off-set positioning of the end sections as shown in broken
lines in Fig 5 which may be advantageous in certain
arrangements.
In use, and referring again to Fig 1, the fixing member 20 is
arranged as shown in Fig 1 with the end section 24 snap-fitted
around the pipe 10 so that fingers 24a of the end section 24
pass between ad j acent corrugations 12 and snap- f it around the
pipe 10 as indicated in Fig 4.
The other bifurcated end section 22 extends behind the annular
shoulder 18 so that fingers 22a thereof snap-f it around the
reduced diameter section 14a as indicated in broken lines in
Fig 3. The fixing member 20 then inhibits removal c~f the pipe
from the outlet 14.
Fig 6 shows the way in which the fixing member 20 can ~~e used
to hold two pipes 30, 32 together with the pipe ends being
sealed together by an interconnecting hose 34. Each pipe 30,
32 has a peripheral abutment flange 36 (or may be convoluted)
and the end sections 22, 24 of the fixing member are formed
so as to snap-fit around the tubes 30, 32 respectively behind
the flanges 36 to prevent the pipes being withdrawn from the
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hose 34. Where the pipes 30, 32 are convoluted, the end
sections 22, 24 will fit between adjacent convolutions.
In Fig 7, an alternative type of fixing member 20 is shown.
In Fig 7, a bifurcated end section 38 has fingers 38a which
form an inverted U-shape or, as shown in broken lines, a horse
shoe shape similar to that shown in Fig 4. The fingers 38a
have respective arms 40 extending therefrom. Each arm 40
being formed with a ramp section 42 leading to a locking
surface 44.
In use, and referring again to Fig 1, the end section 38 is
positioned between adjacent corrugations 12, for example,
before the pipe 10 is assembled into the outlet 14. On
inserting the pipe 10 into the outlet 14, the ramp sections
42 ride up and along the outside of the outlet 14 and when the
pipe 10 reaches the position shown in Fig 1, the locking
surfaces 44 snap behind the annular shoulder 18 to inhibit
removal of the pipe. Again, when the bifurcated end section
38 is assembled on the pipe 10, the horse shoe shaped version
will snap over the pipe 10 to hold the end section 38 in
position.
As shown in Fig 8, one of the arms 40 may be provided with a
pivotal locking mechanism 45. In that case, the arm 40 is
formed with an inwardly projecting cam 46 which is movable
about a hinge portion 48. A neck portion 50 is defined
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opposite the hinge portion 48 and an outwardly projecting
lever 52 is formed integrally on the arm 40. Normally, the
- arm 40 takes the form shown in full lines in Fig 8. However,
on assembly as described above on to the outlet 24 , a nose
part 44a of the ramp section 42 simply slides along the outlet
14 until the cam 46 encounters the outlet. Further movement
of the fixing member 20 along the outlet 24 causes the cam 46
to be urged outwardly about the hinge 48 thereby tipping the
locking surface 44 inwardly as shown in broken lines in Fig
8. in that way, the fixing member 20 latches securely in
position on the outlet 14 with the locking surface 44 behind
the annular shoulder 18.
In order to release the fixing member of Fig 8, a user can
simply press the lever 52 inwards to move the locking surface
44 back towards the full line position to enable the fixing
member to be removed manually with one hand.
If desired both of the arms 40 could be formed as shown in Fig
8. Also, if necessary, the arms 40 can be interconnected by
a circular linking strap 54 extending between the cams 46 as
shown diagrammatically in broken lines in Fig 7. The linking
strap 54 will effectively prevent the arms 40 from deforming
outwardly as outward movement of the cam 46 causes the locking
surface 44 to move inwardly.
It may be desirable to reinforce the pipe 10 in the region of
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the sealing rings 16. One way of achieving that is shown in
broken lines in Fig 1 where a rigid tube 56 is inserted into
the pipe 10 inside the region carrying the sealing rings 16.
If desired, that part of the pipe 10 may be formed so as to
be of slightly greater internal diameter than the remainder
of the pipe. In that way, the internal diameter of the tube
56 can be the same as the diameter of the remainder of the
pipe so as not to reduce cross-sectional area of the flow path
through the pipe 10.
In Fig 9, the seals 16 are arranged inside the pipe 10 and
seal against the outside of a cylindrical member 114 which may
comprise an outlet from a fuel tank. The cylindrical member
is formed with a radial projection 60, eg an annular shoulder,
for co-operation with the bifurcated end section 22 of the
fixing member 20. The other bifurcated end section 24 locates
between adjacent convolutions 12 as before. If desired, the
fixing member of Fig 7 or Fig 8 could be used. In such a
case, the arms 40 could be used to inhibit radial expansion
of the pipe at least to some extent due to the sealing contact
of the seals 16 against the cylindrical member 114.
Figs 10 and 11 an alternative type coupling is shown in which
the retainer 20 can be used. In Figs 10 and 11 parts
corresponding to parts in Figs. 1 to 9 carry the same
reference numerals.
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A pipe 10 which can be convoluted or straight receives a push-
in type coupling member 62 which comprises an elongate hollow
nipple part 64 with annular barbs or crenellations 66 defined
. on the outer surface thereof. A sealing '0' ring o8 is
retained in an annular recess 70 in the wall of the nipple
part 64. The coupling member 62 further includes a radially
extending annular shoulder 72 which extends from one end of
the nipple part 64 and a cylindrical part 74 which extends
from the shoulder 72. In use, the nipple part 64 is pushed
into the end of the pipe 10. The '0' ring 68 seals against
the inner wall of the pipe 10 to prevent fluid travelling down
the pipe 10 from escaping at the coupling. The cylindrical
part 74 of the coupling 62. receives a grommet seal 76 having
a small annular projecting lip 76a. The grommet 76 receives
a cylindrical part 78 of a second pipe member 80 which may be
an outlet from a fuel tank. The pipe 80 includes an annular
shoulder 82 which abuts the lip 76a of the grommet seal 76
which in turn abuts the upper rim of the cylindrical pert 74
~f the coupling element 62. The cylindrical part 74 of the
coupling member 62, the grommet seal 76 and the cylindrical
part 78 and annular shoulder 82 of the pipe 80 are dimensioned
so as to form a tight fit. However, since the pipe coupling
is subjected to significant forces in use, particularly ~,~here
the pipe coupling couples an outlet from a fuel tank to a fuel
pipe, it is necessary to ensure the retention of the coupling
with the fixing member 20.
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The fixing member 20 shown in Figs 10 and 11 is illustrated
in more detail in Fig 12. The fixing member 20 in Fig 12 is
similar to those shown in Figs 2 to 5 and parts corresponding
to parts in those figures carry the same reference numerals.
Fixing member 20 comprises first and second bifurcated end
sections 22, 24 which are connected by three strips of
material 26. The bifurcated section 22 comprises fingers 22a
which define a substantially circular space 22b therebetween.
Similarly, the bifurcated end section 24 comprises fingers 24a
defining substantially circular opening 24b. The opening 24b
is designed to be arranged around the pipe 10 and the opening
22b is designed to be arranged around the pipe 80. Since the
pipes may have different diameters, the openings 22b and 24b
may differ in size. Accordingly, an arrow 88 is moulded into
the top part of the middle strip of material 26 to indicate
the correct orientation of the fixing member 20 on the pipe
coupling. The fingers 22a and 24a of the bifurcated end
section 22, 24 are arranged in such a way that the fixing
member 20 snaps on to the pipes 10 and 80 and can be snapped
off, if desired. The fingers 22a, 24a abut the shoulders 82,
72 respectively to prevent the coupling from coming apart.
The fixing members 20 shown in Figs 13 to 15 are intended to
be retained in a captive manner on the pipe 10. The fixing
member 20 shown in Fig I3 comprises bifurcated end sections
22, 24 comprising respective pairs of fingers 22a, 24a
interconnected by two strips of material 26 . The f fingers 24a
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are joined together at their free ends by a loop of material
90 defining a large aperture 92. Thus, the opening 24b and
aperture 92 define a single opening having a large section and
- a smaller section in the manner of a keyhole. In use, the
fixing member 20 is assembled on to the pipe 10 prior to the
coupling member 62 being inserted into the pipe 10. The pipe
10 at that point is received through the large aperture 92
which allows enough play to assemble the coupling element 62
into the pipe 10 and the grommet 76 and pipe 80 into the
coupling element 62. Once the pipes 10 and 80 are coupled
together, the fixing member 20 is moved into position adjacent
the shoulder 72 and snapped onto the pipe 10 and the
bifurcated end 22 is snapped over the pipe 80 adjacent the
shoulder 82. In that way, if the fixing member 20 is removed
from the coupling, it is held captive on the pipe 10 by the
coupling element 62 so that the fixing member cannot be lost
during decoupling and receupling of the pipes 10, 80.
The fixing member 20 shown in Fig 14 is substantially similar
to that shown in Fig 13 with the difference that the loop of
material 90 is rather thicker tc increase the strength of the
member 20.
The fixing member 20 shown in Fig 15 is rather similar to that
shown in Fig 7 with the additional feature of the loop of
material 90 to allow retention of the fixing member 20 on the
pipe 10 as described above.
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It will be appreciated that the retainer of the present
invention both secures and seals the pipe 10 in position.
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