CONNECTOR FOR FLEXIBLE AND SEMI-RIGID PIPINGS

RACCORD POUR CONDUITES SOUPLES ET SEMI-RIGIDES

English Abstract

A connector for a flexible pipe comprises a connector body having an end portion for coupling to a flexible pipe. The end portion includes a frusto-conical portion and an adjacent cylindrical portion. The frusto-conical portion has its widest portion adjacent the cylindrical portion and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical portion and forms a radially extending substantially transverse shoulder with the cylindrical portion to force the pipe to form a bulge around the shoulder. The frusto-conical portion has its narrowest portion with a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the pipe to facilitate insertion into the pipe. A ring has a cylindrical inner surface with an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the pipe. The ring is positioned to overlie the shoulder thereby to compress the bulge against the shoulder and seal the pipe to the connector body.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un raccord pour conduite souple qui comprend un corps de raccord possédant une partie d'extrémité destinée à être raccordée à une conduite souple. La partie d'extrémité comprend une partie tronconique et une partie cylindrique adjacente. La partie tronconique, dont la partie plus large est adjacente à la partie cylindrique, possède un diamètre supérieur au diamètre de la partie cylindrique et forme avec la partie cylindrique un épaulement sensiblement transversal s'étendant radialement qui force la conduite à former un renflement autour de l'épaulement. La partie la plus étroite de la partie tronconique possède un diamètre légèrement inférieur au diamètre interne de la conduite afin de faciliter son insertion dans la conduite. Une bague possède une surface interne cylindrique dont le diamètre interne est sensiblement égal au diamètre externe de la conduite. La bague est placée de manière qu'elle chevauche l'épaulement, comprimant de la sorte le renflement contre l'épaulement et raccordant de manière étanche la conduite au raccord.

Claims

We claim:
1. A connector for a flexible pipe, comprising:
a) a connector body for coupling to a flexible pipe;
b) said connector body including a frusto-conical
portion and an adjacent cylindrical portion, said frusto-
conical portion tapering from wide to narrow into the pipe to
be coupled;
c) said frusto-conical portion having its widest
portion adjacent said cylindrical portion and having a
diameter greater than the diameter of said cylindrical portion
and forming a radially extending substantially transverse
shoulder with said cylindrical portion to force the pipe to be
coupled to form a bulge around said shoulder;
d) said frusto-conical portion having its narrowest
portion with a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter
of the pipe to be coupled, thereby facilitating insertion of
said frusto-conical portion into the pipe to be coupled; and
e) a ring having a cylindrical inner surface with an
uniform inside diameter substantially equal to the outside
diameter of the pipe to be coupled, said cylindrical inner
surface is positioned to overlie said cylindrical portion and
said shoulder thereby to compress the bulge against said
shoulder and seal the pipe to be coupled to said connector
body.
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2. A connector for a flexible pipe, as in claim 1,
wherein said cylindrical portion has a length substantially
longer than the height of said transverse shoulder.
3. A connector for a flexible pipe, as in claim 1,
wherein said cylindrical portion has a diameter slightly
larger than the diameter of said frusto-conical portion
narrowest portion.
4. A connector for a flexible pipe, as in claim 3,
wherein said cylindrical portion has a diameter slightly
larger than the inside diameter of the pipe to be coupled.
5. A connector for a flexible pipe, as in claim 1,
wherein said shoulder includes a radial surface forming a
peripheral edge with said widest portion.
6. A connector for a flexible pipe, as in claim 1,
wherein said connector body includes a threaded portion
adjacent said cylindrical portion.
7. A connector for a flexible-pipe, as in claim 6,
wherein said threaded portion forms a flange at a juncture
with said cylindrical portion.
8. A connector for a flexible pipe, as in claim 1,
wherein said connector body is made of plastic.
9. A connector for a flexible pipe, as in claim 1,
wherein said ring is made of plastic.
10. A connector for a flexible pipe, as in claim 1,
wherein:
a) said ring includes an outside cylindrical
surface; and
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b) a rib disposed around said cylindrical surface
between opposite end portions of said ring.
11. A connector system for a flexible pipe, comprising:
a) a connector body for coupling to a flexible pipe;
b) said connector body including a frusto-conical
portion and an adjacent cylindrical portion, said frusto-
conical portion tapering from wide to narrow into the pipe to
be coupled;
c) said frusto-conical portion having its widest
portion adjacent said cylindrical portion and having a
diameter greater than the diameter of said cylindrical portion
and forming a radially extending substantially transverse
shoulder with said
cylindrical portion to force the pipe to be coupled to form a
bulge around said shoulder;
d) said frusto-conical portion having its narrowest
portion with a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter
of the pipe to be coupled, thereby facilitating insertion of
said frusto-conical portion into the pipe to be coupled;
e) a ring having a cylindrical inner surface with an
uniform inside diameter substantially equal to the outside
diameter of the pipe to be coupled, said cylindrical inner
surface is positioned to overlie said cylindrical portion and
said shoulder thereby to compress the bulge against said
shoulder and seal the pipe to be coupled to said connector
body; and
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f) a tool including a holder for holding said
connector body and a sliding member for pushing said ring onto
said connector body, thereby to position said ring to overlie
said cylindrical portion and said shoulder.
12. A connector system as in claim 11, wherein said
tool further comprises:
a) a base;
b) said holder is secured to said base;
c) a guide operably secured to said base;
d) said sliding member is slidably secured to said
guide, said sliding member having an opening through which the
pipe to be coupled passes, said sliding member including a
vertical face for engaging an edge of said ring; and
e) a lever for moving said sliding member toward
said holder and pushing said ring onto said connector body.
13. A connector system as in claim 11, wherein:
a) said holder comprises a bracket secured to said
base, said bracket includes a first top surface having a first
half-cylindrical depression;
b) a first member pivotably secured to said bracket,
said first member having a second half-cylindrical depression
on a first bottom surface facing said first top surface, said
second half-cylindrical depression being complementary to said
first half-cylindrical depression; and
c) said first and second half-cylindrical
depressions are adapted to receive and hold said connector
body while said ring is being pushed by said sliding member.
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14. A connector system as in claim 13, wherein said
sliding member comprises:
a) a sliding base member secured to said guide, said
sliding member includes a second top surface having a third
half-cylindrical depression;
b) a second member pivotably secured to said sliding
member, said second member having a fourth half-cylindrical
depression on a second bottom surface facing said second top
surface, said fourth half-cylindrical depression being
complementary to said third half-cylindrical depression;
c) said third and fourth half-cylindrical
depressions are adapted to encircle the pipe to be coupled;
and
d) said sliding base member and said second member
include said vertical face.
15. A connector system as in claim 14, wherein said
first and second members are connected to each other.
16. A connector system as in claim 12, wherein:
a) said lever includes a handle pivotably connected
to said sliding member; and
b) an arm pivotably connected to said holder and an
intermediated portion of said handle such that pulling or
pushing on said handle causes said sliding member to move
toward or away from said holder, respectively.
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Description

CA 02617762 2008-02-01
WO 2007/019270 PCT/US2006/030365
CONNECTOR FOR FLEXIBLE AND
SEMI-RIGID PIPINGS
RELATED APPLICATION
This is a nonprovisional application, which claims the
priority benefit of provisional application serial no.
60/705,555, filed August 5, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the assembly
of flexible pipes, such as polyethylene, polybutylene,
polypropylene, flexible polyesters, polyamides, flexible PVC,
or the like, and particularly to a connector for fast
connection to a pipe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention improves upon U.S. Pat. No.
5,178,423.
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OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
connecter for flexible or semi-rigid pipings that can be
installed relatively quickly, requiring only an axial force
relative to the length of the pipe.
The present invention provides a connector for a flexible
pipe comprising a connector body having an end portion for
coupling to a flexible pipe. The connector body includes a
frusto-conical portion and an adjacent cylindrical portion.
The frusto-conical portion tapers from wide to narrow into the
pipe. The frusto-conical portion has its widest portion
adjacent the cylindrical portion and has a diameter greater
than the diameter of the cylindrical portion and forms a
radially extending substantially transverse shoulder with the
cylindrical portion to force the pipe to form a bulge around
said shoulder. The frusto-conical portion has its narrowest
portion with a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter
of the pipe, thereby facilitating insertion of the frusto-
conical portion into the pipe. A sleeve has a cylindrical
inner surface with an inside diameter substantially equal to
the outside diameter of the pipe. The sleeve is positioned to
overlie the shoulder thereby to compress the bulge against the
shoulder and seal the pipe to the connector body.
The present invention also provides a tool that may be
used for installing the connector described herein.
These and other objects of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is perspective, partly cross-section view of a
pipe connector made in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
connector of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3-5 are perspective assembly drawings of the
connector of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a tool which may be used
to install the connector of Fig. 1, shown to prior to pushing
the clamping ring into the connector body.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of Fig. 6,
showing the tool after having pushed the clamping ring into
the connector body.
Fig. 8 is an end view of the tool of Fig. 6, shown in the
open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A pipe connector 2 made in accordance with the present
invention is disclosed in Fig. 1. The connector comprises a
connector body 4 and a clamping ring 6. A pipe 8 is seen
secured to the body 4 in a way that will be described below.
The body 4 and the ring 6 are preferably made of a plastic
material which is harder than the material from which the pipe
is made.
The body 4 has a central opening 10 in communication with
the interior of the pipe 8. The body 4 includes an outer
frusto-conical end portion 12 joined to an adjacent
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cylindrical portion 14. The frusto-conical portion 12 has a
smaller diameter portion 16 which is slightly less than the
inside diameter of the pipe 8 to facilitate insertion of
portion 12 into the pipe. The frusto-conical portion 12 has a
larger diameter portion 18 which is greater than the inside
diameter of the pipe 8. The cylindrical portion 14 has a
diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the pipe
8 and less than the diameter of the portion 18 such that a
radially extending substantially transverse shoulder 20 is
formed at the junction between the cylindrical portion 14 and
the frusto-conical portion 12. The shoulder 20 includes a
radial surface 21 that forms a peripheral edge 23 with the
larger diameter portion 18 of the frusto-conical end portion
12. The cylindrical portion 14 is preferably long enough to
allow the pipe edge to extend beyond the shoulder 20, where it
is stretched out, to where the pipe edge is able to return to
its original diameter.
The ring 6 has an inside diameter substantially equal to
the outside diameter of the pipe 8. The ring 6 has an inside
cylindrical surface 22. A rib 24 may be provided in an area
around and above the shoulder 20 in the installed position to
provide for greater rigidity in resisting the outward forces
exerted by the portion of the pipe at the shoulder 20 when it
is compressed by the ring 6. However, a person skilled in the
art will understand that the rib 24 may not be required if the
ring 6 is suitably designed to a thickness to resist the
compressive forces involved during use.
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The body 4 also includes a threaded portion 26 for
cooperating with a nut, such that shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,178,423, which may be used in lieu of the ring 6. The
threaded portion 26 also forms a flange 28 at the boundary
with the cylindrical portion 14 that advantageously serves as
a stop for the end'of the hose 8 when inserted into the
connector body 4. The flange also advantageously provides the
function of a guide as to how far the ring 6 is inserted onto
the body 4. It is preferable that the rib 24 or the middle
portion of the ring 6 be positioned above the shoulder 20 when
the ring 6 is installed.
In operation, the ring 6 is inserted at one end of the
pipe 8, as best shown in Fig. 3. The pipe is then inserted
onto the connector body 4. The shoulder 20 creates a
circumferential bulge 30, as best shown in Fig. 4. The end of
the pipe is butted against the flange 28. The clamping ring 6
is slipped over the frusto-conical portion 12 and the
cylindrical portion 14, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The
ring 6 is preferably positioned substantially centrally of the
shoulder 20. The flange 28 advantageously provides a marker
as to how far the ring 6 is slipped onto the connector body 4.
The ring 6 presses down on the bulge 30 against the edge 23,
thereby providing a seal.
The connector 2 may be integrated into any fitting
requiring connection to a pipe, such as a T-fitting shown in
Fig. 3, a straight fitting for connecting two sections of a
pipe, a valve fitting, etc.
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A tool 32 which may be used for installing the ring 6
onto the pipe 8 is disclosed in Fig. 6. The tool 32 includes
a base onto which are secured oppositely disposed brackets 36
and 38. A pair of parallel tubular rails support in sliding
manner a pipe support body 42. The top surfaces of the
bracket 36 and the body 42 are provided with half-cylindrical
depressions 44 and 46, respectively, for cradling the threaded
portion of the connector body 4 and the pipe 8, respectively,
as best shown in Fig. 7. A pivoting member 48 is hingedly
secured to the bracket 36 and is provided with a complementary
half-cylindrical depression 50. Another pivoting member 52 is
hingedly secured to the sliding body 42 and is provided with a
complementary half-cylindrical depression 54. The pivot axes
of the members 48 and 52 are aligned such that both members
may be pivoted at the same time by a handle 58.
The handle 58 is pivotably secured to the member 52. An
arm 60 further pivotably connects the handle 58 to the member
48. The handle 58 provides the necessary leverage in pushing
the ring 6 onto the connector body 4 and the pipe 8.
In operation, the members 48 and 52 are pivoted to the
open position by pushing the handle 58 to the right in Fig. 8.
The threaded portion 26 and the pipe 8 are then seated on the
respective depressions 44 and 46, with the ring 6 positioned
between the bracket 36 and the body 42. The pivoting members
48 and 52 are closed, as shown in Fig. 8, and the handle 58
pulled in the direction away from connector body 4, thereby
pushing the sliding member 42 and the attached member 52
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toward the end of the pipe 8. The ring 6, which is engaged to
the vertical face of the members 42 and 52 are thus pushed and
slid onto the pipe until the leading edge of the ring 6
engages the opposite face of the bracket 36 and the member 48,
as best shown in Fig. 7. At this point, the installation is
complete and the handle is again pushed to the right in Fig. 8
to release the pipe 8 and the connector. The threaded portion
26 is held in place by a flange 62 while the ring 6 is being
pushed, as best shown in Fig. 8.
While this invention has been described as having
preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of
further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in
general the principle of the invention and including such
departures from the present disclosure as come within known or
customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains,
and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and
fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the
appended claims.
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Representative Drawing