FR2935772A1 - Multi-diameter connection adaptor for connecting different diameter cylindrical tubes, has precut system including longitudinal weakening lines extended along set of cylindrical sockets and joints till annular weakening lines, respectively - Google Patents

Abstract

The adaptor has two sets of coaxial cylindrical sockets (120, 130, 140, 150) connected together by corresponding joints i.e. annular shoulders (131, 141, 151). A precut system has annular weakening lines (132, 142, 152) that are arranged on the joints or one set of sockets (120, 130, 140), respectively. The precut system has longitudinal weakening lines (133, 143, 153) that are extended along the other set of sockets (130, 140, 150) and the joints till the annular weakening lines, respectively.

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-diameter connection adapter comprising cylindrical bushings of different diameters. This type of adapter is conventionally used to connect together tubular elements of different diameters, for example two cylindrical pipes of different diameters. Adapters are known comprising a succession of cylindrical sleeves or tubes of different diameters interconnected by junctions for example of the shoulder type, the diameter of the bushings increasing or decreasing in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the adapter so as to form a stepped cone. The larger diameter bushing is for example the female part of the adapter and the other bushings are potential male parts. To obtain an adapter having a male portion with a suitable diameter corresponding to the diameter of one of the male sockets, the operator removes the male sockets not between the female socket and the desired male socket by cutting them out. This cutting operation is generally performed using a hacksaw or a chainsaw. It proves very delicate because of the stepped cone shape of the adapter which makes it difficult to grip and hold it very hard on a support. The risk of injury to the operator is important. To facilitate the cutting operation, it is known to provide pre-cutting areas of lesser thickness, also called zones or weakening lines, on the sleeves. This weakening zone 25 is for example formed of an annular groove located at one end of the bushing as illustrated in the British patent application GB 2 288 860. The cutting operation can then be carried out using a tool lighter cutter type knife or cutter. However, the difficulty of gripping the adapter and its support resting on a support remains problematic and the risk of injury to the operator persist. An object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing an adapter whose sockets can be

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cut without the use of cutting objects, for example with needle-nose pliers, and without much effort. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a multi-diameter connection adapter comprising at least first and second cylindrical bushings or tubes of different diameters interconnected by a junction and at least one precut network associated with said second bushing for facilitate cutting. According to the invention, the precut network comprises an annular weakening line disposed on said junction or said first bushing and at least a first longitudinal weakening line extending at least along said second bushing and said junction until to the line of annular weakening. Removal of the second socket can then be effected by pulling it outward at the upper end of the longitudinal weakening line. The second bushing then opens along the longitudinal weakening line and, continuing traction, separates from the first bushing at the level of the annular weakening line. The removal operation can be performed with forceps or bare hands.

According to the invention, a longitudinal line of weakness is combined with an annular line of weakness to facilitate removal of a socket from the adapter. The longitudinal weakening line provides an open section socket which can then be easily removed by tearing along the annular line of weakness. According to a feature, the two sockets are coaxial and the junction connecting them forms an annular shoulder substantially perpendicular to their longitudinal axis. In another feature, the longitudinal line of weakness is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first and second sockets. According to another feature, the annular weakening line is advantageously disposed on the outer perimeter or the inner perimeter of the junction. The first line of longitudinal weakening then extends along the second bushing and its

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joining the first bushing to the annular weakening line. When the diameter of the second bushing is smaller than that of the first bushing, the annular weakening line is preferably arranged on the outer perimeter of the junction. The second socket and the junction connecting it to the first socket can thus be removed completely from the adapter without reducing the length of the first socket. Alternatively, the annular weakening line of the precut network of the second bushing may be disposed on the first bushing, preferably near the junction. The first line of longitudinal weakening then extends along the second bushing, its junction with the first bushing and a portion of the first bushing to the annular line of weakness. Upon removal of the second bushing and its junction at the first bushing, a portion of the first bushing is also removed. The length of the first sleeve is then a little reduced. According to a particular embodiment, the precut network comprises at least two first longitudinal weakening lines, preferably arranged at regular angular spacing from one another on the tubular wall of the second bushing and on the junction, which are either diametrically opposed in the case of two of two longitudinal lines of weakness or arranged for example at 120 ° from each other in the case of three lines of longitudinal weakening. According to a particular embodiment, the adapter further comprises at least one second line of longitudinal weakening associated with each first longitudinal weakening line, parallel to said first longitudinal weakening line and angularly shifted thereof forming between them a tear strip, the offset angle being between 3 ° and 20 °. To remove the socket, the tear strip is pulled and then along the line of annular weakening. According to a particular embodiment, the adapter comprises at least three consecutive sockets and at least two precut networks associated with two consecutive sockets to facilitate their operation.

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cutting, and the first and / or second line of longitudinal weakening of the precut network of one of the two consecutive sockets is or are aligned respectively with respect to the first and / or second line of longitudinal weakening of the network precut on the other of the two consecutive sockets. As a variant, the first and / or second line of longitudinal weakening of the precut network of one of the two consecutive sockets is or are shifted respectively relative to the first and / or second longitudinal weakening line of the network. precut of the other of the two consecutive sockets to avoid an involuntary chain cut of the two sockets.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed explanatory description of several particular preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adapter according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figures 2 and 3 are side views of the adapter of Figure 1; FIG. 4 is a view from above of the adapter of FIG. 1; Figure 5 is an axial sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 4; FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the detail D of FIG. 5; - Figure 7 is an axial sectional view along the line VII-VII of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an adapter according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an adapter according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an adapter according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an adapter according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 12 is a detailed view of a longitudinal weakening line according to a U-shaped embodiment.

Figures 1 to 7 illustrate a multidiameter connection adapter 100 according to a first embodiment. It comprises a train of 5 coaxial cylindrical bushings of different diameters, interconnected by 4 annular shoulders substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the bushings. The diameter of the bushings decreases in a direction of the longitudinal axis A so as to form a stepped cone. The first bushing, referenced 110, positioned at one end of the adapter 100, has the largest diameter. This bushing is a female part and is therefore able to receive a cylindrically shaped element, such as a pipe or any tubular element, having a diameter substantially equal to its inside diameter. In the present embodiment, the adapter is for connecting first tubular members of different diameters to a second tubular member of defined diameter. This first socket is the female part of the adapter to be fitted into the second tubular element. The adapter described here is particularly intended for connecting a pipe or sheath (first tubular element) to a ventilation or ventilation element, for example a flap, having a cylindrical inlet (second tubular element). the adapter then makes it possible to adapt the inlet diameter of the flap to different jacket diameters, in particular to VMC ventilation ducts. The other referenced lower diameter bushings of the largest diameter to the smallest diameter, 120, 130, 140 and 150, constitute male parts intended to be fitted into first tubular elements. As indicated above, shoulders perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A are provided to connect the sleeves therebetween. A shoulder 121 connects the socket 120 to the socket

110. A shoulder 131 connects the sleeve 130 to the sleeve 120. A shoulder 141 connects the sleeve 140 to the sleeve 130. Finally, a shoulder 151 connects the sleeve 150 to the sleeve 140. The sockets 120 to 150 may each constitute the male part of the adapter. Sockets 130 to 150 are breakable, that is to say, a precut network is associated with them to be easily removed from the adapter. According to the invention, the precut network of each breakable bushing comprises a line of smaller thickness, also called line of weakening which is annular and at least one line of longitudinal weakening. More specifically, the precut network associated with the sleeve 130 comprises an annular weakening line 132 advantageously disposed on the periphery or outer perimeter of the shoulder 131 so that, when the sleeve 130 is removed, no element of the shoulder 131 does not remain on the bushing 120. The annular weakening line 132 comprises at least one groove, for example V-shaped, one of the branches of the V being positioned in the vertical extension of the inner wall of the bushing 120. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the annular weakening line 132 advantageously consists of two symmetrical grooves facing each other, one 132a being disposed on the outer wall of the shoulder 131 and the other 132b on its inner wall. According to the invention, the precut network associated with the bushing 130 also comprises at least one longitudinal weakening line extending along the bushing 130 and the shoulder 131 to the annular weakening line 132. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, the precut network associated with the bushing 130 comprises four longitudinal weakening lines 133 to 136 parallel to the axis A and extending along the bushing 130 and the shoulder 131 to the annular line of weakness 132. Two longitudinal lines of weakness, referenced 133 and 134 angularly offset by an angle of between 3 ° and 20 ° form between them a first tear strip. Two other longitudinal weakening lines, referenced 135 and 136 and arranged

7 respectively diametrically opposed to the longitudinal weakening lines 133 and 134, form between them a second tear strip. As for the annular weakening line 132, the longitudinal lines of weakness 133 to 136 each comprise at least one groove, for example V-shaped. They are also advantageously constituted by two symmetrical grooves vis-à-vis , one being disposed on the outer wall of the sleeve 130 and the shoulder 131 and the other on the inner wall. This is shown in Figure 6 for the longitudinal weakening line 134 which consists of a groove 134a and a groove 134b respectively disposed on the outer wall and the inner wall of the sleeve 130 and the shoulder 131. Similarly, the precut network associated with the bushing 140 comprises an annular weakening line 142 disposed on the outer perimeter of the shoulder 141 and four longitudinal weakening lines 143 to 146 parallel to the axis A and s'. extending along the bushing 140 and the shoulder 141 to the annular weakening line 142 and the precut network associated with the bushing 150 comprises an annular weakening line 152 disposed on the outer perimeter of the shoulder 151 and four longitudinal weakening lines 153 to 156 parallel to the axis A and extending along the bushing 150 and the shoulder 151 to the weakening line. annular 152.

To remove a breakable bushing, for example bushing 150, the operator exerts an outward pull, for example by means of needle-nose pliers, on the upper end of the tear-off strip formed by the bushings. Longitudinal weakening 153 and 154. The bushing 150 then opens along the longitudinal weakening lines 153 and 154 to the annular weakening line 152 and then, continuing the traction on the portion of the weakening line. 152 between the two weakening lines 153 and 154, the tear strip formed by the weakening lines 153 and 154 is detached. The same operation is performed

8 on the tear strip formed by the longitudinal weakening lines 155 and 156. The operator only has to draw on the remaining two half-cylinders (more precisely on the two truncated half-cylinders of the two tear strips) along the annular weakening line 152 to detach them from the adapter. The same operations can be performed to remove the other breakable sockets from the adapter.

Figure 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the precut network of each breakable bushing comprises an annular weakening line and a single line of longitudinal weakening. Compared to the first embodiment, the precut network of the bushing 130 (or 140, 150) comprises only the annular weakening line 132 (respectively 142, 152) and the longitudinal weakening line 133 ( resp 143, 153). To remove the breakable bushing 150, the operator exerts an outward pull on the bushing at the upper end of the longitudinal weakening line 153. The bushing 150 then opens along the feed line. longitudinal weakening 153 to the annular weakening line 152 and, continuing traction along the annular weakening line 152, the bushing detaches from the adapter.

Figure 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the precut network of each breakable bushing comprises an annular weakening line and two longitudinal weakening lines forming a single tear strip. With respect to the first embodiment, the precut network of the bushing 130 (or 140, 150) comprises only the annular weakening line 132 (respectively 142, 152) and the longitudinal weakening lines 133 ( resp 143, 153) and 134 (respectively 144, 154). To remove the breakable bushing 150, the operator pulls outward on the bushing at the upper end

9 of the tear strip formed by the longitudinal weakening lines 153 and 154. The sleeve 150 then opens along the longitudinal weakening lines 153 and 154 to the annular weakening line 152 and then, continuing the traction along the portion of the annular weakening line 152 between the two longitudinal weakening lines 153 and 154, the tear strip is detached. The operator only has to pull the bushing along the annular weakening line 152 to detach it from the adapter. Figure 10 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the precut network of each breakable bushing comprises an annular line of weakness and two diametrically opposed longitudinal lines of weakness forming a network of symmetrically opposite longitudinal lines of weakness. With respect to the first embodiment, the precut network of the bushing 130 (or 140, 150) comprises only the annular weakening line 132 (respectively 142, 152) and the longitudinal weakening lines 133 (resp. 143, 153) and 135 (respectively 145, 155). To remove the breakable bushing 150, the operator exerts an outward pull on the bushing at the upper end of the longitudinal weakening line 153. The bushing 150 then opens along the feed line. longitudinal weakening 153 to the annular weakening line 152. The operator then exerts an outward pull on the bushing at the upper end of the longitudinal weakening line 155. The bushing 150 is then opens along the longitudinal weakening line 155 to the annular weakening line 152. The operator then pulls on the remaining two half-cylinders along the annular weakening line 152 to detach them from the the adapter.

Figure 11 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the precut array 2935772 of each breakable bushing has an annular line of weakness and a line of longitudinal weakening parallel to the longitudinal axis A. Compared with the second embodiment, the line of Longitudinal weakening of the precut networks associated with the sockets 130, 140 5 and 150 are not aligned with each other. The longitudinal weakening line, denoted 143 ', of the precut network associated with the bushing 140 is angularly offset with respect to the longitudinal weakening lines 133 and 153. This provision is intended to avoid chain cutting of the bushes. Removal of the breakable sockets takes place in the same way as for the second embodiment. The offset angle of the weakening line 143 is between 5 ° and 355 °. Of course, it is also possible to shift each of the longitudinal weakening lines by an angle of its own.

In the embodiments described above, the longitudinal lines of weakness are parallel to the axis A of the adapter. Alternatively, it may be envisaged to use longitudinal lines of weakness not parallel to the axis A, the latter being otherwise aligned or not between them. In the embodiments described above, the annular and longitudinal weakening lines have a generally V shape. Of course, it is possible to use other shapes of grooves, for example grooves having a generally U-shaped shape. As illustrated in FIG. 12. Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the breakable socket that is to be removed from the adapter, for example the socket 150, has a smaller diameter than the other bushings of the adapter. . The annular weakening line of the precut network associated with this bushing is placed on the outer periphery of the shoulder which connects it to the larger diameter bushing. Of course, if the breakable socket to be removed has a larger diameter than the other bushings of the adapter, the annular weakening line of the precut network associated with this bushing is advantageously placed on the inner perimeter of the shoulder which

It connects to the smaller diameter socket so that no element of the shoulder remains on the remaining socket of the adapter. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide two annular weakening lines, one on the inner perimeter and the other on the outer perimeter of the shoulder, the two lines then forming a tear-off annular strip. Alternatively, the annular weakening line of the precut network associated with the breakable socket to be removed is not disposed on the shoulder connecting the next bushing but is arranged on the next bushing. For example, the annular weakening line 152 is disposed on the bushing 140, preferably near the shoulder to reduce the loss of length of the bushing 140 as the bushing 150 and the shoulder 151 are removed. In this variant, the longitudinal weakening line 153 and, where appropriate, the longitudinal weakening lines 154 to 156, extend on the upper part of the sleeve 140 to the annular weakening line 152. This variant However, this embodiment has the drawback of reducing the length of the next bushing (sleeve 140) remaining on the adapter.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments which have been given by way of example. Thus, the adapter may have a number of longitudinal lines of weakness greater than 2. Similarly, the shape of the grooves forming the lines of weakness may be different from those proposed in the embodiments described, the purpose being to create a zone of smaller thickness to facilitate the cutting of the socket. The adapter may also have a general shape different from that shown in the figures. It may for example comprise a first part in which the diameter of the bushings increases and a second part in the diameter of the bushings decreases. Thus, the invention includes all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

REVENDICATIONS1. Multi-diameter connection adapter comprising: - at least first (120, 130, 140) and second (130, 140, 150) cylindrical bushings of different diameters interconnected by a junction (131, 141, 151), and - at least one precut network associated with said second bushing (130, 140, 150) to facilitate cutting thereof, characterized in that the precut network comprises an annular weakening line (132, 142, 152) disposed on said junction or said first bushing and at least a first longitudinal weakening line (133, 143, 153) extending at least along said second bushing and said junction to the annular line of weakness (132, 142, 152 ). 2. An adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that said first (120, 130, 140) and second bushes (130, 140, 150) are coaxial and in that said junction (131, 141, 151) forms an annular shoulder. substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of said first and second sleeves. An adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that said first longitudinal weakening line (133, 143, 153) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of said first and second sockets. 4. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the annular line of weakness is disposed on the outer perimeter or on the inner perimeter of the junction (131, 141, 151) and in that said first longitudinal weakening line (133, 143, 153) extends along the second bushing and the junction to the annular line of weakness (132, 142, 152). An adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that the diameter of the second bushing is smaller than the diameter of the first bushing and that the annular weakening line is disposed on the outer perimeter of the junction (131, 141, 151). Adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises at least two first longitudinal lines of weakness (133, 143, 155, 135, 145, 155), preferably arranged at regular angular space one of the other on the tubular wall of said second sleeve and on said junction. l0 7. Adapter according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least a second longitudinal weakening line (134, 144, 154, 136, 146, 156) associated with each first line of weakening longitudinal (133, 143, 155, 135, 145, 155), parallel to said first longitudinal weakening line and angularly shifted from the first longitudinal weakening line (133, 143, 153) so as to form between them tear-off strip, the offset angle being preferably between 3 ° and 20 °. 20 8. Adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least three consecutive sockets and at least two precut networks associated with two consecutive sockets (140,150) to facilitate their cutting and that the first (143) and / or second line of longitudinal weakening of the precut network of one of the two consecutive sockets is or are aligned respectively with respect to the first (153) and / or second line of weakening longitudinal of the precut network of the other two sockets. 30 9. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least three consecutive sockets and at least two precut networks associated with two consecutive sockets (140,150) to facilitate their cutting and that the first (143 ') and / or second line of longitudinal weakening of the precut network of one of the two consecutive sockets is or are shifted respectively with respect to the first (153) and / or second line of longitudinal weakening of the precut network of the other two sockets.