CA2165904A1 - Joining piece, device and connection assembly for ducts, in particular gas ducts - Google Patents

Abstract

National service known as GAZ DE FRANCE

The invention relates to a device (2) for detachable connection which comprises two tubular joining pieces (6, 8) which contain shutter means (28, 30) disposed in one of them, in order to shut or open its inner passage; locking means (72, 74, 76) which act by relative displacement of some parts (10, 22) at least of the joining pieces, between a released position where the joining pieces are separable, and a locked position where they are maintained connected, and control means (36, 38) which are dependent on locking means, in order to establish communication between the inner passages of the joining pieces, when the latter are away from the released position, and to close this communication when the joining pieces are displaced towards this released position.

Application for connection of ducts which in particular convey a gas.

Description

216 5 9 o Ll l~c inYention relates to a d~vic~ for connect;ing a~ lea5t t~o duct~; to one ano~er, wl~ich in partlcular en~ s t~ ility of the ~:onne~tion to be ~ ~proved ~l~ply and ~u~ ally .

Th~ tion o~ tne in~entlon i6 in particula~
in ~:he ga~ indu5try, for ~ pl~ in order to gas appliance to tho ~upply network ~ ean~ o~ ~
f le~Y~bl~ duct. Th~ inYention c~n ~l~o be ~pplied in o the ~ield of diE~tribution of wate~ or o~er SUb~tan~:~B
such as ~,u~ers, ~or t~e conn~ction of duct~ tluro~gh which the~e e~t~nce g m~lst flo~.

In part~cular in the f ield of gas di~tribution, 15 L;u.u-~tion ~y~t~DLs are known which ~r~ u~f3d parti~ularly ~o con.le~L a ~lexi~ls duct, whlch for ex~ple if~ Led to rl g~5 cooke~, to ~ pipe of the g~ ~upply ne~,1cLh. The~;e 6ystems habitualty con~i~zt of a "guar~e~ t~rn" t~p which is fitted to ~he ~upply 20 p;pe, the flexible d~ct being forced Onta ~he ga~
outlet ~oining p~ece of the tap, and optionz~lly clamped ~y a ring.

In use, the connection ~t.~een the joining p~ e 25 and the fl~x~ble ~uct is not alway~ r~ bl~.

rn partlcular, t~e flex~le du~t ~an be ~ ected - 21~5904 to traction, fur exa~ple ~hich i~ accident~l or csused by n~e~ent of the ppliance to b~3 suppli~dJ which can then giY~ ri~s t~ di~placsDent o~ t~e duct ~long the ~oining pi~ce (with the ri~X of sub~equ~nt ~epara~ion), or even detachmen~.

The duc~ can ~lso ~e incorrectly fittQ~ to the ~o~n~n~ piec~, in particul~r ~ecau6e ~o~t tap6 do not have ~n ac~ Le indicator to infora the op~rator that o tni~ duct i~ sufficiently en~aged on the joining piece.

Correct f~tting of the flex~ble duct can al~o ~e n delicate operation, for exanple if the joining piece of t~e t~p has a length Whi~h ooes nat pe~it Batlsf~ctory eng~ge~nt of the duct, or owing to ~he fqct tha~ the connection require~ u~e of con~iderable en~ag~t force~ ~n tl~e l~t~er cae~, ~he op~rator can ~pply a soap ~or equi~al4nt ~ubstanc~) to the joining 20 piece and~or inside the du~ n ~rd4r ~o fac~ lit~te connea~ion, ~u~ ~e risks of de~ac~ent then b~co~e ~r~at~r.

~ ob~ct of the inYentlon ls ~ n par~icular to 25 ~li~lnat~ these dl~adv~ntag~ by providing a ~nne~tinn devlce Wh~Ch compri~es at l~s~t t~o ~ion ~aining pie~B, for n det~h~ble connection 21~5~0~

of ducts l:o one ~nather, th~sf~ joining piec~ e~c~
h~ing ~~n inner p~rc~e, an~ co~pris~ng:
- ~ob~l~ shutter l~eana ~ ed inf;ide ~e ~irst connsc~ion joirling piece, in order ~ ~hu~ or open it~
5 ~nner ~e~-a-~:
- lo~king Dlean6 co~pr~sin~ fir~ ~e~~; zmd ~eanB ~ 33~1 r~spectively on ths fi~s~ and ~econ<~
joining piece, in order ~o b~ conn~:t~d toqethsr ~y dlsplac~ent of at l~st p~rt of one of the ~oining 10 pieaeEe relatiYe to ~c~ othsr ~oinin~ piece, betw~
f$r~t rele~-sed po~ition where th~ ~oining piec~a are pasitione~ relativ~ ~o on~ snoth~r with po~ibility of ~cparation, ~nd ~ ~econd, loc~ed pa~tiOn, ~her~ the ioining piece~ ~re maintainsd ia~ned ~ubetantial~y co-~Y~P~ty, ~i~h a~n inter~ediate po~ition af ~niti~ll~c~i ng wher~ th8 flrst and ~econd ~an~ begin to ~oin: and - me~ns ~or con~rolling the ~hutter nean~, ch~ract~rl~d in th~t the ~hutter neans ~r~ ~cti~at~d ~y the l~k~g mRans, ~ia control meane, ~uch that the F~ J~ of the first joining piece i~ ~rene~ only from th~ inter~diate po6ition of the lo~k~n~ mean~, dux~ng dl~pl~cs~nt tow~rds the locked po~ition, an~ clo~ing i~ obtain d b~fore this interm~diat~ po~ition $~
r~hed, durinq displ~cQment o~ ~hQ l~c~ ~eans t~ards the r~len6ed po~ition.

216590~

A~rd~ng to a ~L~u~l~ural ~rariant, the ~irst ~nd s--ond ~ean~s ~o ope~dt~ witn one another acoording to a ~yon~ t~men~. Thu~, co~ tion e~f th~ duct~3 is part~cularly ea~y, without hzl~ing ~o apply 5 con~; Aer~ le force.

Pre~er~ly, the ~ tt~r ~ean~ displ~ced by the ~o~ ~ean8, ~ the control ~e~ln~, ~t the 6~e time thz~t th~ locking Jlean~i ~re them~;e~ves di&place~
10 b~tween the inter~ed~e ~nd s~cond, lot~ po6ition, ~n order to obt4in gradual opening o~ closlng of tho p~s~age o~ ~he f ir~t joining piec~ . ~y this m~ns, opening ~nd closing tf~ke plaçe gradu~lly ~ubst~ntially through~ut th~ d~1ration of the ~ splat:~nt in on~
15 d~ r~ction or ~e o~her .

Agaln ~or the ~ur~cfe o~ en~uring ~iecure fitting, the loclcing ~e~n~ conprise block 1 ng m~ans to illmObi li8e ~he joining p~ec~ relati~re to on~ ~no~her, 20 ~;uch that 'chey cnn be rele~ed, in t~e , e ..-~A
position.

A cor~ ntial prohlem which tho ln~ention also 401~s i~: that of p~ ge of a flu~d throug~ the 25 deYice ~ ch ~inimum lo~d lo~Re~;, in particul~lr ~hen low pre~ure ga~ involv~d, for ex~ple ~t pre~sure of a~ tely 20 ~illi~r~, ~or t~ ~;upply ~ ~165~Q~

of do~esti~ inst~llati~n~.

Wh~n t:h8 shutter ~eans compri~:e t~o ~up~ri~ ed dt sca, each of wh~ roYi ded with at least one 5 aper~ure, the solution propo~ed consis~; of pro~riding in th~ flr~t joining pl~ce two guide co~pon~3nt6 for ~h~ ~t~rinl ~hich can f~o~ through the device, thlase ~uid~ co~pon~nt~ being ~icpo~ed on ~oth sides o~
di~c~ tc) which thoy ~r~ ~onn~cte~d, one of the 10 ca~p~nent~ h~Ying an at~clc ~;urface ~nd the otber a ace~ The6e guid~ component~ can h~Ye general shnpe of a di~bolo~

~e invention al~o re~ate~ to ene of the actual 15 ~ vt.ion ~oinlng piecos o~ tlle aforementioned deYiCo ~ ~8 w~ll a~ to 2m a~se~ly consi~ting o~ s deYic~, to whl~h ~t least two duct~ are connected.

~h~ invention ~nd its applic~ion wil 1 become 20 hlore ~pporlant from thQ ~ollow~ng de~cription, wlth re~el~.,c~ t~ -he~l d~ingE~ h are pro~rided pllrely by ~z-y o~ illustr~tion~ In the drawings:
- F~ ~ure 1 i B t~e connection a6~e~y according to t~8 lnv~ntlon, the ~c~inin~ piece~ of the dqYice not:

2 5 being lock~d to on~ ~o~her:
- Figure 2 18 an enlarged longitn~lin~l cros~-3ection of the ~s~ly ln ~igure 1;

- Figs~ ; 3 and 4 are two su~e~ive Rt~gef~ of lo~king the jo~ning pieceC of the deYice in Figure 1, only one of tne duct:S being 6ho~
- Pi~urP 5 i~ ~ vie~ ac~ordin~ to the ~rr~ws V in 5 Figure 4;
- Figur~ 6, 7 ~nd ~ are thr~e ~Llce~iv~ 8tage8 of locking the ~a ~ning pi8c~s of a variant of t:he d~vl~ ac~ording to Figure 1:
- Figure~ g Rn~ 10 are an enl~rged p~ecl iv~
10 ~riew of ~ pa~hle e~odi~ent c~f the shuttsr ~ee~ o~
the device a~./ ding to ~igure l: and - Pigur~ an enlarged pers~Live cu~-out view o~ a a~lrp~ rt fo~ the ~nUt~er ~canc in Figure g.

Her~inafter, for tn~ ~ke o~ cl~rity, a duct C~ ion de~ ce for Gon~ing a ga~ onl y i8 described, although t;hi~ d~es not exclude in any way appllcation to tubul~lr ~tru~u~ suah as fluid 20 (wnter) or po~der cG~ y~ng Cluct~ he ducts to ~e - 9 ct~d czm be f l~xibl~ or rigid, ~nd ~or exa~ple can bo m~de of ru}~ber or m~tal, nnd ln particular include a tubul~r outl~ o~ ~ tap.

~ure 1 8nO~S a connection assem~ly a~cordin~ to tl~e in~rention which conprl~e~ a device 2 for connecting ~ tap (not sho~n in i~8 entirety, and '- 2165~04 fitt~d 'co a pipe of the ga~ supply net~wrk) to a ~lsxible ru~ber duct 4, ~hich for ex~ple is Liurl--e~ed to ~n ~ppli~nce (not 6hown) ~o be supplled with gas.
c~ on 2 conpri~s two tu~ul~r c~mp~nents 5 op~n on bo~ ~ide~, or conneçtlon join~n~ pi2ce~: 6 and 8, t~e fir5t ~oining pie~e 6 being ~ t on~ o~
it~ joining ends 6a to ~ gas outlet 14 ~f the tap, and th~ s~r~ ~oining plece 8 ~3eing attached Rt on~ o~
it6 joining ~n~s 8a to the duct 4.

T~e ~inihg piece th~augh which t~e gas reache~
the d~Yice 2 ~hen ~t is clo~ed, contains shutter ~e~n~
28 and 3~ ch are ac~ivat~d by control ~eans 3~, 38, 72, fo~ closing or oren~ ng its inner p~ g- . The 15 ~evice al~so coD~pri~e6 ~e~n~; for loc:Xing ~he ~olning piec8~ to- on~ z~nDtl~er ~in thiR ca~e A bayon~t ~:y~te~
~l~ich co~prise~ ~t least one lug 74 which can rot~ ~ n6~ } a~ i n~ 64 ) .

The gener~l op~aLing principle of th~ invention i~ such that ln arder to c~onne~t t~le ~uct~ 4 and 14, and e~tablish c~unit:ation ~ een tl~e~, the ~oining pieces 6 and ~ are l,~u.JI,t into cont~et substantlally xinlly, t}~en locking i~ providQd ~y relative d~placenent of ~t l~ast sono pArt~ of th~ joining piece~ in ordor to brlng the ~oining piec~i fro~n a f lrst c:ond$tic~n ~her~ th~y ~re ln cont~ct but - 21~530~ -fieparable ~rom ons another, into a ~econd condi~ion w~ere they ar8 ~aintaine~l locked. The ~.;u~lLL ol ~Q~n~
zlre connected to ~hs lo~ ng IDeans ~uch that tbe nge of the joining p~ ece ~hich cont~in~ ~e 5 rshu~c~sr ne~n~ can only b4 opened wnen locking hr1~
b~un ( 6tArting f ro~ the monent w~n ~he join~ ng piece~ h~v~ ~oved ~rom ~heir rlr~t ~ondition, ~nd have re~hP~ an inter~ediat~, inltial lockin~ po6iti~n, ~s ~he lug 74 ~egin~ ~o ~n~ h~hin~l the ~ch~l-lP--~ 64~ .
l~-v.~- e relAtive aispl~cement ~f these p~rts returns the joining pieces to their first condition, ~nd clo6es co~munic~tion betw~Qn the du~t~ ~efore the p~nin~ piec:e~ are rel~a~ed.

In 'che ver~ion shown in Figures 1 to 5, ~he co~ ne~t 6 which h~s an axis 60, coDlpri~e~ an out~r t~h~ r bc~dy 10 wlth a ~ ;tantially circular cros~-~sect~on. Thi~ rigid body lo, which ~or exa~ple 1g ~de 20 ~f ~e~al, co~pris~ at it~ end 61 (whieh i~ oppo~it4 nd 6~ ~ nn inner edge 62 ~ic:h de~ines an inner ~nnular ~oulder 64 for re~ ning two l~gs 7~ ~nd 74 pro~ridQd on the join~ng piece 8 (the~ lug~ entr~in a c~l.kol part 38 a~d al~o ensure thf~t lacking tal~e~:
25 place~ Q edg~ 62 ha~ at leas~ one inn~r axiAl ~lot, d~si~natf~ 66a and 66b, for pns6age of the lugs ta tbe rear of the sh~ulde~ 64, the ~u~s b~lng a~le tc~ abu~

- ~ 215~9~

the shoulder in order to lo~lc the joining piec~s. A~
J. v~ri~nt t theRe lug~ ~an be proYided on the ~nner ~iurf~ce of the body 10, and ~n outer edge which fo~o6 the should~r $~ prov~ dsd ~n the ~oining piece 8 ~

~ponent ~ compris~s a rigid tube 16 which tlar3 ~ frs~ ~le end 16b for closs ~n~ ment in ~he f~male end 61 of the body lo 1n A ~;' 7q~ ~anner, ~y m~an~ of an annular ~eal 21 ~hich i~ ~intain~d in the 10 body. To~Ards it~ medlan p~ this tu~e co~p~ Dn c;~uter ~top collar 1~ for locl:ing axially the duct 4 WhlC~I iB forced on ~he tubQ. A pl~tic holding ring ;Z2 is a~t~ substan$i~11y ~o-axi~lly on ~h~ tube, wh1ch it cl~ps on on~ p~rt of it~ l~ngth, leaving the 15 end 16~ free. Thls ring, whi~h also ~u~e~ the end of th~ duct 4, co~ri~es an inner ~nould~r 17 for ~;upport A~ n~t the collar 1~, and ~n out~r shoulder ~3 ~hich dU~ L8 at least on~ stop lug whic~ ~but~ ~he edge c2, and in thi~; case t~o lugs 25 and 27. In ~chl5 alse 20 lt al~o ~upports ~e lug~ 72 and 74.

me loclr1ng mear~ ~lso co~prise a l~ring ring 76 ch i~ p~rt o~ oining piec~ 6, and which i~
f$tt~ su~:h that lt can b~ ~oved ~cia~y (witht>ut 25 po~ible rotation~ ~xound the ~dy 10, by ~pring menn6 7B, wllich xa~ntain th~ ring naturally in ~ posit;on in whlch lt pro ject~ ~lati ve to the body . T~$8 r~ng 216~9~1 ~:~mprises ~n inner annul~r ~houlder '77 wh~ch ~uts the lugs 25 and 27, A~ least ~ne inn~r notch, ~n t:his case ~o and 82 ~ing prov~ded in ~h~ s shoul dar 77 for close-~itting accc~ti~n of the lug~ 2S and 27 wh~n 5 the joinlng piece~; are ~ n the ~econ~ condltic~n. Ent;ry of ~he lug~ 25 and 27 in the ~ e~ 80 zmd 82 i~mo~illse~ the p~rl:~s of the jo~ning pieces ~h~ch are dis~ e~ rqlative ~o one anotner L~e 7n the fir~;t and ~econd ~on~i tions, and give~ ~ise to A ~light noi~e (cliclc~ ~hich inror~s the Gy~r~or that the ~olning piece8 are i~obilised by lo~kin~3. In order to release ~o lugs, the G~ }~L~ act~ Against thQ spring 7B.

ThQ shutter me~ns campri~e two p~ ; which can dlspl~c~d relatlve to one ~noth~r in order to close in A nanner sc~led agz~in6t fluids or open gradu~lly th~
F~n~-,e 26 o~ tho jolning piece 6. These part~ ~on~ist ln thi8 cas~ of two diwe or plates 28 ~d 3 0, of 4 20 di~t~ ~hich i~ sub~;tantizllly the ~me ~ the inner meter of the jol~ing p~ece 6 ( F~gura~ ~ and 10 ) The~:e d~ s, ~hich a~o ..u~ ed and ~ ecl ~ubstanti~lly p~r~ndicularly to the axls 60, ara for ex~ple D~ o~ ~:eramicE~ ( ~in~r~d nlu~t niu~ oxid~
25 A1~0,~ or poly~ e, and ~lch ha~ ~ ~Qa~ on~
ap~rtu~e, ln t~i8 ~a~e two ap~rture~, in the form o~
di~metri~::ally oppo~ed ~ectors (ref~rence~ 3a, 33, 34 216590~

~nd 3~).

In order to ~aain~in the d~sc~, t~ dis~ 4uy~
~art~ 3~ ~nd 38 ~re a~Pc~elt to th~ di~c~, and are 5 fitt~d clo~ely in6id~ t~e ~ody 10, substantla11y co-ax~ally, and on t~e ~ si~ c~f t~ discs. Relati~e to ~e ~oining plane of the disc~, 'che part ~b i~ on the side of th~ , and th~ part ~8 i8 on t~e 61~1 o~ the ~ ale end 61, and h~s ~n end 3Bb ~hich Zl~lt:8 10 t~ shoulde~ 64 . Thesc ~ rts each co~prise milin cylindric211 part 41, 43 w~ich i5 co-llxial to tn~
l~ody 10, and an end p~rt or ~1 37, 39 for atta~erlt A~ 1 n~t a di~, tbis ~all, which i~ au~tantially p~,~..licullsr to the axis 60, being ~ one end of the 15 cyl~nd~r. Each w~ll defin~; with its cor~e~pon~i n~
eylindriGal p~rt a number o~ aperture~ h 1~ the Kel~ as tllat of th~ di~c~;, t.hes~ apertuL~ 52, 54, 5 ~ 58 of t~he p~rts 36 ana 38 b~ing 811b8t--ntially th~
8A10~ as ~ho~o of the discs, and b~lng di~po~e~
20 oppo~ite tho~e o~ the d1~cs~ Thus, the ~all6 37 and 39 eacn ha~ro ~h~ gene~r~l ~;hape of a "dl~}wlo" or tt~i~ly" .

~ n pt~rticu1ar ~hen thc ~;ubstance ~lo~ing ~n t:hQ
25 duct~ i6 A gas or flui~, th~ ~oining piece ~
adYant~qeou~;1y Co~pri~;e~ co~pon~3nts for guidin~ ~e ~1uid, ~ ~s~d ln the passag~ 26 on both ~de~; o~ the --- 2165~0~

diss:~ to ~hich they 8~ a~a~h~. Of the~se guide co~one..L~, one has a curved "att~clcn surfac:e for guiding the flu~d to~r~s the aps~ ~u~eC: of the disc~, and tne oth~r has A ~ur~ed "e~:cap~a aut~f~e ~or 5 gu~ ding thc fluid af~e~ its p~s~g~ through the di6c ap~r~ur4~. In ~ D~e, the ~uide co~pon~nt~ ea&h con~i~t of ~ wAll 37, 39, the side of s~ich c~ ~1te the E~ide of attach~nt tc~ a di~C ha~ 6urf~ce SO ~Pigure 11) ~hidl is sub~;tantiE~lly c~n~ (51) 10 L~,t !-n the ~perture~a o~ the support p~rts~ ide being conn~cted tD tn~ ~ylindri~al par~ by a likewi~e r~ connec~ion ~r$zlce. It will ber noted tbat th1s id~ ~nd the inner ~urface of th~ adj~cent cylindr~c~ preferably define ~ pa~sage for flow 15 Of tl~e ~ubstcmce, 4hi~:h h~g ~ ~ain ~r~ch ~diviae~
into ~ tu.ches tin thiB ca~e two), eech of WhiCh op~n~ into an ap~rtur e of the support p~rt .
Prefe~rably, th~ t:ros~-~ectlon of th~ ~la~ 6~ i8 6ub~t~ntl~l11y tbe s~e along its ent~ ~ length ln 20 ord~r to li~it load lo~cs~, tbe ~um. o~ ~he cro~s-se~:tion~ of the apeLl.u,a6 of a disc th~n be~ng su~tantl~lly the 8Z~e as th~ cro~ ection of the ~in l~ nch of the pa~. The ~ o~ the cross-section~
of the ap~rt-lre~s of a di~;c c~n also be ~;lightly larger 2 5 thAn th~t of th~ ~n ~anch .

rariant, t~e guide co~ponen~cs ~n con~ t of ~16a90i tn~ disc~ tt~sel~re~, the ide opposite the ~ide of ~upport ag~inst t~e other di~ l~vin~ a curv~d Rurf~e .

It will be noted that ~nnular seals 4~, 44, 46 provid~d in order to pr~Yent le~ , e of the f lui~
b~t ~_-' the lnner surfac~ o~ the body ~0 and th~
p~ripheral ~ ace o~ cs and the~ r ~u~
p~rt~.
In Qrd~r to p~rnit re~ativ~3 rotation ~t the plat~; 2~ and 30, the part 36 i~s immohili 8ed in the ~o~y 10 (by ~ne2~n~; of a pin 4~ ln Fi~ 5~ and thus lintRins the disc 2a i~oblls, ~h~re~s the par~ 3B is lS ~epo~ such ag to ~ rotstable rel~t$ve to t~le body, wl~hout pos~ible tran~lat~ on. For its m~.reman~, the 38 has a~ ~ts end 38b and on its inner surf~cQ ~'c leAst one notch, and in thi ~ ca~o t~o de~gn~t~d 70 and 71, for acco~odation o~ the lug6 72 4nd 74 ~hen th~ Qnd of the joining piec:e ~ i8 in~;erted ~ n the ~o~ning piec~ 6, the~3e notch~s being dis~o~e~
in th~ or~ of ~he slot~ of the edg~ 62, ~en th~
~oining p~ are ~;eparated . ~no m mean4 limit ro~tion of ~he p~rt 38 in the body 10 to an ~ngle of 25 ap~lv~l~tely so', ln order ~o per~1~ either ~qua~lng of t~ ~par~uLe~: of the di6c ~c~osure a~ the rA~ge ~ince tll~ a~ el do not coincide), or Datching of ~16~904 ~nese ~p~rt4~cs (m2lxi~u~ op~nin~), wl~h all the interne~ te posi~ions. Thege means COlllpri8e a catcl 84 o~ ~e part 3~ which can ~e displ~ced in ~ r~cese 8Ç pro~ided in ~h~ edg~ 62, 3nd extands ~y an angle of 5 go- increased by the ~ngle deter~ined by ~b~ ~idth of ~e catcn (PLgure 2).

~ rol the abo~re descrip~$on, it is Apparent tha~
s~hen the ~o~ning p~ ~ceo a~o po~ oned sub6tantially 10 co-axially such that ~h~ lug2; 7~ and 74 ar~ opposite the do~s 66a and 66~, the mz~le end 16b csn ~e e.,~..J~
in th8 fe~le enCI 61, and the lugs 72 ~md 74 slide in their ~lot6 until they are acco~odate~ in the notches 70 an~ 71 o~ ol.Lrc,l p~ 38. T~e ~o~ning pieces are th~n in t~r first, relsn~ed position lFigure 3), ~he 8pert:ur88 Df' the d~sc b~ing s~re~. By mean5 of relatl~ ~o~atlon of t~e bcxly 10 and the ring 22 (direc~ion of rotation ~ch~mntl6~d by ~he a~ 5), the lug~ 72 ~nd 7~ nre displ~ced relat~ ve to tbe edge 20 62, ~nd ~but th~ shoulde~ hic)l ~hu~ ~L-:vGnLs ~ny s~p~r~t~on of the ~oininS~ piece~, which ar~ loçX~
~u~t~l they ~re returned to their f ir~t position .
Sl~ultnneously, the lug~; ~ntraln th~ p~ h s~iYe~ r~ SQ to gradual rotation o~ the di3c 30, thus 25 pen-itting flos~ of th~ gaR through the devlc~
(ncct~rd~ng t~ e arrow 19, Flgur~ 4). In A~dlt$on, the lu~i 25 ~nd 27 sl~d~ ~lon~ the ~;houlder 7~ of t~e 2165~04 r~ng 7~ ~q~ t w~ich t~y are su~ I ed . ~then ~e catch ~4 abut~ zm end of the ~ ec~O 46, the part 3a can no long~r ro~a~e, and thus 6$0p~ di~placenlent o~
the body 1~ relativ~ to the ring 22 . mO join~ ng 5 piece~ ~re t~en in ~h~ir e e ~ ~ I.d pos ~ t~ on, an~ the o~-lg ring 7~ im~obili~es the ~ o ~nd eh~ ring 22 ~ lg~ 25 and 27 are ~ispo~ed opposite th~ir reco~

o rhe c~l.~ral part 38 i~ und~r ~he a~ntrol solely Of th-~ looL i n~ ~eans . The discs c;an tl~u~ only ~e ~ctl~rs,ted by thcse locking ~e~n~, which provi~e~
con~ r~ble ~ ety of operation.

~n 1~ i~ tbuc clo~e~, the device 7 can be le~t ~r a~ long as neca~ ep~ration o~ th~ joining p~ces w~t:h prior stoppllge vf flow of the gas being obt~ln~d ~y rel~a~ of the ring 76 and ~i~p~e in~srslon of ~e operative 6~quence~.

Pigure 6, 7 and ~ ~how highly ~che~a~$cal ly ( ~ n p~rticular th~ ring 76 i~ not sho~n ~ 21 variant ~bo~i~ent 2 ' of ~he d~v~ce accordin~ to the in t~ntion, which i~; dl~inguiqhed fro~ ~h~3 devic~ 2 ~u~tan~ lly ~y ~ts I;hu~t~r m~ans ~md their cu~lL~ol ~ans ~

-The d~Yice 2' co-lprls~s ~ ile shutter 30' and f ~xed ~at 28 ' which is pr~rided with an aper~ure .
he 5Ç~ o~si~ts of ~n inner annular ~houlder on the joining pi~ce 6 . The di~c~ d shut~er 30 ' i8 5 diE~ ubstantiQlly ~L~cr.d$cularly to t:he axis ~0, and i~ ~aint-ine~ in the ~o~ ning piecq 6 by ~an~ of ~prlng YhiGh hc~lds it agaihst ~he 6eat 24 ' ~or c~o6ing of the iN~r r~ e of ~ ~oin}ng piece.

me con~ol ~o~n~ coDlpriQ~ t~o çomplel-entar co~,~o~ ro~ 1~2 and 104 w~th ~ ~eYelld free end. One o~ the rod~ 102 is attached to ~he ~hutter, exten~
along the ~x~ g ~0, ~nd facos the end 61 of the body 10. The ~ er rod 104 i~ integral wi~ e ~oining 15 pioce B in a ~no~n ~nner (co~ on not Bhown), and pr~jQc~s fro~ the connection end 16b. The tYo be~lled end~ are~ thu~ di_,a-e l agalnst one ano'ch~r during ~ng~ge~nt o~ e ~oining pl~ces in one another ~Figu~e 7). By relati~re rotat~on of the co~ponent~
20 nnd 8 to th~ ~ecand po~ition ~rro~ 97), th~ rod~
~tate ~d a~ di~plnced axial~y ~el4tlv~ to one anothe~ hey t~us gradually ~w~re thc shut~er a~ay frou ~t~ ~ea~ ~o a position o~ ~xi~ distance ~ic~
7~ to the ~en~ position o~ ~he ~lning 2 5 piec~s .

It ~ e appreciated ~ the invention is no ~y linit~d to the abc~c ~erib~d e~ nts. A~
v~riant, th~ ~oining piec:e 8 c~n eoDIlprise one o~
plur~l$ty o~ lug~ for en~raining t~e p~rt 3~, whi~
~ ,~re3 ~ep~rat~ fr~ ~ 1lIg8 72 ~nd 74, th~ p~rt 3~
5 ~en compri~ing suit~le r~c qPs~ for ~eeo~odating en~ra ~ n'c lugs .

Aeçording to ~nother ~tariant, the l~k; rq ean eons~ of a ~ysteD other th~n ~ l~ayon~t ~y~
10 (2~ere~ing ~y~tel- for example~.

Aeeording to ~et another vAri ant, th~ joining pi~e 8 e~n Al~O eont;~in ~;hu~er ne~ns, t~e joining pi~e 6 tll~ co~pri~ing ~ for ~ vlling ~he 15 BhUtt~ ne~n8, ~ich can en~ in the mals ond 61 t~urlllg ~ Jr~ng Of the ~oining pi~ 8~, ~n or~r to acti~ate t21e ~hut~er me~n~; of ~he io~ning piqce 8.

~ h~ d~c8 2 ~:~m thu~ c:ompr~se ~ plurality of zo female ~in$ng piece~ 8~$1~r to tl~e ~oining piece 6, ~nd sach o~ which c-m ~ connect~ad to a co~pl~entelry D~le jo~ning pl~ce, in ord8r to enal~l~ more thRn duct6 ~o ~e conn~cted ~o one anoth~r.

It will be appreciated that ~t~e disc~ c~ o mZ~int~ e~ ln tne ~oining piece othor t~ ean~ o~
the part~ 36 and 38. ~or e~ pl~, the ~oinlng piece 2 ~ 6 ~ 3 0 1 c~n co~pr$~ an annul~r ~ UG~c for ~Icco~o~ating ~ne edge of ths di~;c~ for &v..L~oll ~ n~ the rQtary diec 30 ~ l,hele~s ~ing pro~rided.

Claims (11)

1. Device (2) for connection between at least a first and second duct (4, 14), comprising at least a first and second joining pieces (6, 8) for detachable connection of the ducts to one another, these first and second joining pieces each having an inner passage, and the device comprising:
- mobile shutter means (28, 28', 30, 30') disposed inside the first connection joining piece, in order to shut or open its inner passage;
- locking means (25, 27, 64, 72, 74, 76, 80, 82) comprising first means and second means disposed respectively on the first and second joining piece, in order to be connected together by displacement of at least part (10, 22) of one of the joining pieces relative to the other joininq piece, between a first released position where the joining pieces are positioned relative to one another with possibility of separation, and a second, locked position, where the joining pieces are maintained joined substantially co-axially, with an intermediate position of initial locking where the first and second means begin to join; and - means (36, 72, 74, 100, 102, 104) for controlling the shutter means, characterised in that the shutter means are activated by the locking means, via control means, such that the passage of the first joining piece is opened only from the intermediate position of the locking means, during displacement towards the locked position, and closing is obtained before this intermediate position is reached, during displacement of the locking means towards the released position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the first and second means co-operate with one another in accordance with a bayonet engagement.

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the shutter means are displaced by locking means, via control means, at the same time that the locking means are themselves displaced between the intermediate position and the second, locked position, in order to obtain gradual opening or closing of the passage of the first joining piece.

4. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking means comprise blocking means (25, 27, 76, 80, 82) in order to immobilise the joining pieces relative to one another, such that they can be released, in the second position.

5. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that:

- one of the connection joining pieces comprises a male end (16b) which can be engaged closely in a female accommodation end (61) of the other connection joining piece;
- of these complementary male and female ends, ane has at least one locking lug (72, 74), and the other has an annular retention shoulder 64, against which the lug is supported during relative displacement in order to lock the joining pieces to one another.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the control means comprise a control part (38) which is disposed inside the first joining piece, and on one slde is integral with part of the first means, the lug (72, 74) entraining this control part during the relative displacement of the locking means between the intermediate position and second, locked position, in order for this control part to give rise to gradual opening or shutting of the inner passage of the first joining piece.

7. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shutter means comprise two superimposed discs (28, 30), each of which contains apertures, the control means being able to entrain these discs in relative rotation, in order to make their apertures coincide or not coincide.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the first joining piece comprises two guide components (37, 39) for the substance which can flow through the device, these guide components being disposed in the inner passage (26) of the first joining piece, and on both sides of the discs to which they are connected, and of which one has an attack surface and the other has a curved escape surface.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that these components each have the general shape of a diabolo.

10. Connection joining piece (6, 8) which can be connected in a detachable manner to a complementary connection joining piece in order to form the device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Assembly comprising the device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and at least a first and second fluid duct (4, 14), each being connected in a sealed manner to one of the joining pieces of the device.