Tube connecting device

IS 2 158 917 T3

DESCRIPTION

Tube connector device.

The present invention refers to a tube connector device with the characteristics mentioned in the pre-package of claim 1.

In a tube connector device of the aforementioned type, as described in document US-A-5,295,717, the locating rod is inserted into a blind hole in the locking position, so that this connection provides the position of the locking mechanism. device lock. This has generally proven to be appropriate, but nevertheless, in practice, the pressure arm is sometimes damaged in some cases with consequences for the proper functioning of the locking mechanism.

US-A-3,976,313 discloses a coupling made of a female member and a male member in which the female member has an outer peripheral groove and the female member has levers pivotable therewith and comprising a cam. to engage with an annular groove of said male member. In the locked position, the levers are pivoted parallel to the axis of the male and female members and the distal end of the lever is inserted between two lugs projecting laterally and radially from said female member. Each of said lugs carries a spring loaded ball projected into the free space between the two adjacent lugs to engage with the beveled outer edges of said lever.

US-A-4,295,670 describes a quick release cam locking safety coupling with which two tubular connector members can be locked together by rotating an arm that was rotatably connected to one of said members. The head of the arm is rotatable by means of a shaft that extends between a pair of lugs on the connector member. In the locked position, a latch projects through an opening in said arm. A wire lock pin 40 may be received in an opening in said latch, so that the wire lock pin blocks the rotational movement of the arm.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tube connecting device of the aforementioned type with an improved opening, the closing and locking function being less susceptible to damage. Said object is achieved with the tube connector device with the characteristics of claim 1.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of a tube connector device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a part of the tube connector device;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrating its assembly;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary bottom view illustrating how the pressure arm of the preferred embodiment restricts the movement of a corresponding tension ring;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating a locating rod of the preferred embodiment when exerting pressure on a downwardly curved distal surface of a retainer seat;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the locating rod as it is gradually retracted into a locating bore that is formed in the pressure arm due to a pivoting downward movement of the latter;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrating the locator rods as they engage with the retainer seats; and Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the locator rods as they engage the respective retainer seat.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a tube connector device according to the present invention is shown which comprises a first tubular connector member 20, a second tubular connector member 30, a pair of pressure arms. 40 and a pair of 50 retainer units.

The first connector member 20 has a distal receiving portion 21 with an interior diameter of appropriate size and which confines a hollow receiving space 22 therein. Two opposing pairs of pivot lugs 24 project outwardly from the receiving distal portion 20. A radial opening 23 was formed between each pair of pivot lugs 24. A retainer seat 25 projects outwardly from the receiving distal portion 21 underneath. of each pair of pivot lugs 24. Each of the retainer seats was formed with a vertical through hole 251 and has a downwardly curved distal surface 252. A pair of locating projections project outwardly and radially from the first connector member 20 and are disposed immediately below a respective seat of the retainer seats 25. Each of the locating projections 26 has a distal face disposed at a first predetermined distance (L1) from an axis of the through hole 251. Two pairs of shield plates 27 extend radially and outwardly from the first connector member 20, such that the shield plates 27 of each pair are located on two sides of the respective retainer seat 25 and on two sides of the locating projection 26 which it was immediately below the respective retaining seat 25. The first connector member 20 further has an opposite distal portion 28 that is adapted to connect to one end of a corresponding tube. The structural connection between the opposite distal portion 28 and the corresponding tube is known in the art and will not be described in further detail herein.

The second connector member 30 has a distal insert portion 301 that extends into 2

The hollow receptor space 22 is confined by the distal receptor portion 21 of the first connector member 20. The distal insert portion 301 has an outer surface that is formed with an annular peripheral groove 31. The peripheral groove 31 has a inner end curved inward and is in alignment with radial opening 23. The second connector member 30 further has a distal latch portion 32 that is adapted to be connected to one end of a corresponding tube (shown in a broken line). The structural connection between the distal latch portion 32 and the corresponding tube is known in the art and will not be described in further detail herein.

Each of the pressure arms 40 is provided between one of the pairs of pivot lugs 24 and has an end which is formed with a cam face 41 and which is pivotally mounted on the pivot lugs 24 via a pivot pin 411. Each One of the pressure arms 40 also has an internal side that is formed with a longitudinal positioning seat 42. Positioning seat 42 is formed with an axial positioning hole 44 that is aligned with through hole 251 in a respective seat of retainer seats 25 when pressure arm 40 is pivoted down to a locking position. Positioning seat 42 has an inner side face 421 disposed at a second predetermined distance (L2) from an axis of positioning hole 44. The second predetermined distance (L2) is equal to the first predetermined distance (L1), such that the inner lateral face 421 of the positioning seat 42 rests on the distal face of the locating projection 26 under the corresponding retaining seat 25 when the pressure arm 40 is in the locked position.

Each of the retainer units 50 includes a locator rod 51 which is slidably provided in the locator bore 44 of a respective locator seat 42. The locator rod 51 has an intermediate portion that is formed with a side flange.

511 and first and second distal parts 514,

512 extending out of the locating bore 44. A pressure unit, such as a compression spring 52, is disposed in the locating bore 44 around the locating rod 51. The compression spring 52 has one end that abuts against the radial flange 511. A locking ring 53 is provided around locating rod 51 and is press fit into a second end of locating bore 44, the second end of which is opposite the first end thereof. Locking ring 53 abuts against the other end of compression spring 52, thereby allowing compression spring 52 to depress locator rod 51 to allow extension of first distal portion 514 of locator rod 51 normally out of the way. positioning drill 44. The first distal portion 514 of each of the locator rods 51 has a tip that is formed with an inclined surface 515 that presses the distal surface 252 of the respective retainer seat 25 when the respective press arm 40 is being pivoted to the locking position. . The second distal portion 512 of each of the locator rods 51 is formed with an elongated slot 513 that is transverse to an axis of the locator rod 51. A pull ring 54, which is formed of a flexible wire material with a plurality of concanteric rings, extends through slot 513 in the second distal portion 512 of the respective rod of locator rods 51. Each of the locator rods 51 Pull rings 54 have a side proximal to the inner side of the respective pressure arm 40.

With reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the locating rods 51 are slidably provided in the locating bore 44 of the respective locating seat 25. The pressure unit 52 is arranged in the locating bore 44 around the locating rod 51. Locking ring 53 is provided around locating rod 51 and is press fit into the second end of locating hole 44, so that locating rod 51 is axially movable in locating hole 44. It should be noted that the second end distal portion 512 of each of the locator rods 51 is flat. The traction rings 51 respectively extend through the grooves 513. Each of the pull rings 54 can be pulled in one direction along the axis of the locator rod 51 to cause axial movement thereof. Since the distance between the inner side of the pressure arm 40 and the respective draw ring 54 is relatively small, the rotation of the draw ring 54 about the axis of the locator rod 51 is restricted to limit the rotation of the locator rod 51. in locating hole 44, thereby preventing the inclined surface 515 of the positioning rod 51 from being mispositioned relative to the distal surface 252 of the respective retainer seat 25 when the respective pressure arm 40 is being pivoted to the locking position.

Referring to Figures 3, 5 and 6, when the distal insert portion 301 of the second connector member 30 is inserted into the hollow receiver space 22 in the distal receiver portion 21 of the first connector member 20, the peripheral groove 31 is aligned with radial openings 23. The pressure arms 40 are subsequently pivoted to the locking position towards the opposite distal portion 28, thereby causing the cam faces 42 of the pressure arms 40 to extend into the peripheral groove 31 via the respective radial opening 23, as illustrated in Figure 7. Cam faces 42 press against second connector member 30 in peripheral groove 31, thereby securing second connector member 30 with first connector member 20.

As the pressure arms 40 are pivoted to the locking position, the inclined surface 515 of the first distal portion 514 of each locator rod 51 eventually abuts against the distal surface 252 of the respective retainer seat 25. As the first distal portion 514 moves downward along

ES 2 158 917 T3 along the distal surface 252 due to further pivotal movement of the corresponding pressure arm 40, the locating rod 51 gradually retracts into the locating bore 44 against the action of the compression spring 52, as best illustrated in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, when the positioning hole 44 is aligned with the through hole 251 in the respective retaining seat 25, the distal surface 252 ceases to exert pressure on the first distal portion 514 of the positioning rod 51. The first distal portion 514 of the locator rod 51 extends into the through hole 251 at this stage, thereby retaining the pressure arms 40 on the first connecting member 20 to thereby prevent movement of the former. The hermetic connection between the first and second connecting members 20, 30 is thereby secured.

It should be noted that since the first predetermined distance (L1) is equal to the second predetermined distance (L2), the internal lateral face 421 of each of the positioning seats 42 rests against the distal face of the locating projection 26 when the respective pressure arm 40 was in the locking position. Therefore, the damage and deformation of the locating rods 51 and the retainer seats 25 could be prevented when a moving object hits the pressure arms 40 while they are in the locking position.

The protective plates 27 that are located on the two sides of the retainer seats 25 and on the two sides of the locating projections 26 and that cover two sides of the pressure arms 40 when the pressure arms 40 are in the position of They provide additional protection against damage and deformation of the locating rods 51 and the retainer seats 25 when the pressure arms 40 are subjected to an impact. Furthermore, the manner in which the inclined surfaces 515 of the locator rods 51 are in contact with the distal surface 252 of the respective retainer seat ensures smooth movement of the pressure arms 40 to the locked position.

Referring to Figure 8, when it is desired to disengage the second connector member 30 from the first connector member 20, the pull rings 54 are pulled down to retract the locator rods 51 into the respective locator bore 44 against the action of the compression spring. 52, thereby disengaging the first distal portion 514 from the respective retaining seat 25. The pressure arms 40 are pivoted up to a non-locking position until the cam faces 42 of the pressure arms 40 cease to extend into the peripheral groove 31 in the second connector member 30. The second connector member 30 could be removed from the first connecting member 20 at this stage.