MXPA99009072A - Pipe resistant to contaminan - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nozzle for a coupling, wherein the coupling has a body with a perforation therein for receiving a tube, the perforation of the body has a frustoconical surface intermediate the length thereof, the body has a fixed tube holder, to prevent movement in an axial direction with respect to the body, the tube holder has a tubular portion that receives the tube and the piercing of the body has a first end with a first cylindrical surface of a selected axial length, the nozzle comprises: a first end and a second end, the first end has a cylindrical body portion defining a projection of a constant diameter extending axially with respect to the nozzle by a length greater than the selected axial length of the first surface cylindrical of the perforation and it projects radially from the nozzle to define a ridge, the portion of the The cylindrical body is adapted to receive the tube to hold the tube against the tubular portion of the tube holder, a plurality of spring arms cantilevered adjacent to the rim and defined by slots in the nozzle which extend through the second end of the tube. nozzle and end before the ledge of the projection, at least one projection that is located on each spring arm near the second end of the nozzle adapted to attach the tube to retain the tube in the body, and tabs that project radially towards out from the spring arms, the flanges are adapted to engage with the frusto-conical surface in the body bore to press the spring arms against the tube and prevent retraction of the nozzle tube and therefore the

Description

PIPE RESISTANT TO POLLUTANTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to quick connect pipe couplings, and more particularly to improvements in the configurations for such couplings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tube couplings are used to connect hoses in numerous power systems and fluid control. Each of the tubes requires couplings to connect the tube ends to bodies which, for example, may be conventional splices, valves, manifolds or similar devices for transmitting and receiving pressurized air. In the past, the connection and disconnection of tubes consumed time and therefore was an expensive task performed frequently in the field where specialized tools might not be readily available. To solve this problem, a wide variety of "push-to-connect" type couplings have been developed which allow a tube to be connected or disconnected quickly and easily without the use of tools. With these couplings, a tube is connected by simply snapping a coupling into a bore and then inserting the front end of the tube into the coupling. Typically, the coupling contains a plurality of components which releasably or permanently retain the tube therein. Quick-connect couplings are widely used in the truck industry for splices in and on cabins, so that pressurized air in the cab can be transmitted for numerous purposes. The splices used outside the cab in the cab chassis are subjected to environmental degradation due to dust, adhering dirt, humidity and atmospheric conditions which are not present in the passenger compartment of the cabin. To date, there has been no failure of these splices in the field; however, there is a need to address this concern by improving splices in a manner that minimizes the effects of adverse environmental conditions and therefore minimizes the risk of future failures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A feature of the present invention is to provide a new and improved coupling for connecting a tube to a tube member, in which the effects of adverse environmental conditions are minimized.

In view of this feature and other features, the present invention is directed to a coupling using a nozzle in which the nozzle has an end boss and longitudinally extending slots which are axially offset from the end boss. According to the invention, the end projection has a diameter that complements the diameter of the perforation within which the nozzle is received. Slots and end trim minimize access of dust, adhering dirt and moisture through the nozzle to the inside of the coupling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various additional features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as they are better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers designate like or similar parts throughout the various views. , and in which: Figure 1 is a side view partially in elevation of a nozzle configured in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of a first end of the nozzle of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of a second end of the nozzles of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a side view, partly in elevation, showing an annular body of a splice which receives the nozzle of Figures 1 to 3 with the nozzle and an O-ring removed to facilitate a clear description of its structure; Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, but showing the nozzle and O-ring placed within the annular body and a tube aligned therewith for insertion into the joint; and Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, but showing the tube inserted into the splice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a nozzle 10 configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The nozzle 10 includes a first end 12 and a second end 14 connected by a cylindrical barrel portion 16. The first end 12 includes a shoulder 18 which has an axially extending cylindrical surface 20 and a radially extending rim 22. The second end 14 includes a thick projection 24 which has an end 26 and an abrupt flange 28. A plurality of annular projections 30, preferably three in number, are placed adjacent the second end 14 and have front step portions 32 and ridges 34 for retaining a plastic tube, as will be explained later. The nozzle 10 includes a plurality of slots 40, preferably eight in number, to divide the barrel 16 into an array of eight spring arms 42. The slots 40 extend from the second end 14 of the nozzle 10 back to a position 46 proximate the flange 22 of the projection 18. The slots 40 do not extend into the rib 18 but rather are limited to the barrel portion 16. and the second end 14 of the nozzle 10 with the ends 48 terminating just before reaching the shoulder 18. As will be explained in the following, the spring arms 42 are bent inwardly when the nozzle is assembled with the annular body shown in FIG. Figures 4 to 6, while the shoulder 18 is received within the annular body. By configuring the nozzle 10 in this manner, the nozzle cooperates with the annular body to minimize the introduction of environmental waste and moisture into the joint with which it is used. Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown the annular body, an annular body 50 which receives the nozzle 10. The annular body 50 has a tube support 52 retained therein, tube holder which is received within a plastic tube, as will be explained later. The annular body 50 has a first end 54, a second end 56 and defines a bore 58. The first end 54 of the annular body 50 has a first inner cylindrical surface 60 adjacent thereto which extends into the bore 58, and a second cylindrical surface 62 which is adjacent to the second end 56 of the annular body. Positioned within the first cylindrical surface 60 and the second cylindrical surface 62 is a stop 64 extending inwardly. The stop 64 extending inwardly has a first surface 66 in the form of a truncated cone, a cylindrical surface 68 and a second surface 70 in the form of a truncated cone. The second surface 70 in the form of a truncated cone is joined to the cylindrical surface 68 by a step 72. The tube support 52 is retained at the second end 56 of the annular body 50 by the radially extending shoulder 76 which projects from a rough U-shaped portion 78 of the tube holder. The radial projection 76 makes contact with the radial flange 77 at the second end 56 of the annular body 50. The rough U-shaped portion 78 defines an annular space 80 the sual, as explained below, receives one end of the tube inserted therein. In order to ensure that the tube holder 52 is within the annular body 50, the second end 56 of the annular body is wedged on the radial projection 76 or, alternatively, the radial projection 76 can be stacked to the end of the body 50.

In the illustrated embodiments, the annular body 50 has a pair of projections 82 projecting outwards, external, between which a slot 84 is located which receives a ring 86 at 0. Referring now to FIG. 5, the nozzle 10 is inserted into the bore 58 of the annular body member 50, along the internal 90 ring 90, to provide an assembled splice 92. The splice 92 receives a flexible plastic tube 94 which slides within the splice in an axial direction 96. The tube 94 has an inner cylindrical wall surface 96 which receives the tube support 52 on an outer cylindrical wall surface 98 which slides inside the nozzle 10 until the end 99 of the tube 94 is received in the annular space 80 of the rough part 78. As best seen in figure 6, the projections Annular nozzles of the nozzle 10 make contact with the rough part inside the cylindrical surface 98 of the tube 94 to retain the tube within the splice. The O-ring 90 is deformed by the tube so that it seals between the tube and the second cylindrical surface 62 of the annular body 50. Since the slots 40 are inside the boss 18 and the boss makes contact with the cylindrical surface 60 over substantially the entire length of the cylindrical surface 60, the opportunity for dust, adhering dirt and moisture to enter the splice 92 is minimized. Furthermore, atmospheric and contaminant conditions are prevented from having substantial access to the system associated with and connected to the tube 94 and the splice 92. In a typical truck cabin numerous tubes 94 and splices 92 of various sites, typically 3.1 mm, are included. to 9.5 mm (1/8 inch to 3/4 inches) some of which are mounted on the cab chassis outside the cab, the nozzle 18 being configured to be positioned within the splice 92, in accordance with this invention , minimizes the opportunity for pneumatic systems or devices to be damaged or compromised due to environmental conditions. Further, since the slots 40 terminate before the projection 18, instead of extending therethrough, the nozzle 10 is more robust than those of the prior art so that the opportunities for the nozzle to be damaged are greatly reduced. during assembly and fabrication. From the above description, a person familiar with the art can easily determine the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various uses and conditions. .

Claims (14)

1. A nozzle for a coupling, wherein the coupling has a body with a bore therein for receiving a tube, the body has a tube holder therein, which receives the tube thereon, and the piercing of the body has a first end with a first cylindrical surface of a selected axial length, the nozzle comprising: a first end and a second end; the first end has a cylindrical projection of a constant diameter extending axially with respect to the nozzle for a length greater than the selected axial length of the first cylindrical surface of the perforation and projecting radially from the nozzle to define a flange; a plurality of cantilevered spring arms adjacent the flange and defined by slots in the nozzle which extend through the second end of the nozzle and terminate before the shoulder of the projection; and at least one projection that is located proximate the second end of the nozzle adapted to couple the tube and retain the tube in the body.

2. The nozzle as described in claim 1, wherein there are eight spring arms.

3. The nozzle as described in claim 1, wherein a projection is placed on the second end of the nozzle.

4. The nozzle as described in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of projections, the projections are annular and interrupted by the slots.

5. The nozzle as described in claim 1, wherein the nozzle is made of metal.

6. A coupling for connecting a body of a tube comprising: a perforation formed in the body, the perforation having a first end and a second end, a first cylindrical surface oriented inwardly adjacent the first end of the perforation, a second adjacent cylindrical surface to the second end of the perforation and an inwardly extending stop positioned between the first and second cylindrical surfaces; a tube holder having a first end within the bore in radially spaced relation to the first and second conical surfaces and the inwardly extending stop, the tube holder has a second end fixed at the second end of the bore; a seal placed inside the perforation in radially separated relation with the tube holder, the seal is adapted to seal with the tube; and a nozzle received within the bore in separate relation to the tube holder, the nozzle has a first end and a second end, and comprises: a radial projection extending outward at the first end, the projection extending outwardly has an outwardly extending cylindrical surface extending axially of a diameter complementary to the diameter of the cylindrical surface oriented inwardly of the bore, wherein the projections extending outward slide within the first cylindrical surface facing inwardly in contact substantial therewith, the radial projections have a length greater than the length of the cylindrical surface oriented inwardly so that it projects therefrom when the coupling is made with the inwardly extending stop, a portion of barrel which is extends from the projection to an end projection, the barrel portion has a diameter e xterior smaller than the diameter of the stop extending inwardly and at least one annular tooth adapted to couple the tube to retain the tube within the coupling with the tube support; a projection extending outwardly at the second end of the nozzle for coupling the stop extending inwardly in the bore to prevent axial disengagement of the nozzle from the bore, and a plurality of axial grooves extending in the portion barrel through the second end of the nozzle and ending before the shoulder to divide the barrel portion into a plurality of longitudinally extending spring arms.

7. The coupling as described in claim 6, wherein the inwardly extending stop comprises a first truncated cone-shaped wall facing the first end of the bore to limit axial movement of the nozzle in the bore.

8. The coupling as described in claim 7, wherein the inwardly extending stop further includes a second truncated cone-shaped wall facing the second end of the bore for engagement of the flange at the second end of the nozzle for limit the axial movement of the nozzle outside the bore.

9. The coupling as described in claim 7, wherein the first and second truncated cone-shaped walls are joined by a cylindrical wall which is stepped with respect to the second truncated cone-shaped wall to provide an abrupt stop for the projection when the nozzle is pulled from the perforation.

10. The coupling as described in claim 9, wherein the nozzle has a plurality of annular teeth.

11. The nozzle as described in claim 6, wherein the nozzle is made of metal.

12. The coupling as described in claim 6, wherein the body comprises an annular splice with external projections for retaining the splice on a support.

13. The coupling as described in claim 12, wherein the projections are annular projections.

14. The coupling as described in claim 6, wherein the tube is plastic and the nozzle is metallic.