Lock for a tubular connection

Abstract

A lock (10) for a tubular connection, blocked axially in a first tubular element and defining an axial opening (14) receiving a second tubular element provided with a circular collar, said lock (10) comprising elastically deformable cradles provided with inside bevels (13) designed so that, while the second tubular element is axially engaged, they move radially apart under the effect of the axial pressure of the circular collar, allow same to pass through, and then move back in to clamp behind the circular collar and to co-operate therewith to lock the second tubular element axially in the first tubular element. Each cradle (11) is provided with a raised axial ridge (15) with a width (l) less than the width (L) of the cradle (11), and is intended during the axial engagement, to receive the axial thrust from the circular collar. A tubular connector is obtained with such a lock (10).

Claims

1. A locking part (10) for locking a tubular connection, said locking part (10) being designed to be locked axially in a first tubular element (3) and defining an axial orifice (14) designed to receive a second tubular element (2) provided with a circular collar (21), said locking part (10) being provided with at least one cradle (11) that is elastically deformable and that is provided with an inside bevel (13) presenting an inner edge (16) forming a retaining edge and an outer edge (17), said at least one cradle (11) is designed so that, while said second tubular element (2) is being engaged axially into said axial orifice (14), it moves away radially under the effect of said circular collar (21) pressing axially against it, and allows said circular collar (21) to go past, and it then moves back in to clamp behind said circular collar (21) and to co-operate with said circular collar (21) to lock said second tubular element (2) axially behind said retaining edge in said first tubular element (3), wherein said inside bevel (13) of said cradle (11) is provided with at least one axial ridge (15) extending in relief from said inner edge (16) of said inside bevel (13) of said cradle (11) towards said outer edge (17) of said inside bevel (13) of said cradle (11), wherein said at least one axial ridge (15) is of width (l) less than the width (L) of said cradle (11), and designed so that, during said axial engagement, it receives the axial thrust from said circular collar (21) while avoiding any axial thrust from said circular collar (21) on said cradle (11) outside said axial ridge (15).

2. A locking part (10) according to claim 1, wherein said axial ridge (15) has a width (l) of at least 0.1 mm, and in that the total width of axial ridge(s) (15) does not exceed 50% of the width (L) of said cradle (11).

3. A locking part (10) according to claim 1, wherein, at its peak, the profile of said axial ridge (15) has thickness (E) of at least 0.1 mm relative to the profile of said inside bevel (13) of said cradle (11), said thickness (E) being considered perpendicularly to the surface of said inside bevel (13).

4. A locking part (10) according to claim 1, wherein said axial ridge (15) has thickness (E) that varies along said inside bevel (13).

5. A locking part (10) according to claim 1, wherein said axial ridge (15) has a profile chosen from the group comprising a convex profile, a single-slope profile, and a multi-slope profile.

6. A locking part (10) according to claim 1, wherein said axial ridge (15) is a single ridge and is centered in the axial midplane (P) of said cradle (11).

7. A locking part (10) according to claim 1, wherein said cradle (11) is provided with a plurality of axial ridges (15) distributed symmetrically on either side of the axial midplane of said cradle (11).

8. A locking part (10) according to claim 1, wherein it is provided with two cradles (11) that are axially symmetrical to each other.

9. A tubular connector comprising a first tubular element (3) defining an axial orifice (32) designed to receive a second tubular element (2) provided with a circular collar (21), and a locking part (10) locked axially in said first tubular element (3) and provided with at least one cradle (11) that is elastically deformable and that is provided with an inside bevel (13) that is designed so that, while said second tubular element (2) is being engaged axially into said axial orifice (32), it moves away radially under the effect of said circular collar (21) pressing axially against it, and allows said circular collar (21) to go past, and it then moves back in to clamp behind said circular collar (21) and to co-operate with said circular collar (21) to lock said second tubular element (2) axially in said first tubular element (3), and said tubular connector including the locking part (10) according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention can be better understood and other advantages appear on reading the following detailed description of embodiments given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are views respectively in exploded perspective and in section showing a prior art tubular connector, made up of first and second tubular elements and of a locking part, and shown at three distinct stages of engagement;

(3) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a locking part of the invention;

(4) FIGS. 5 and 6 are detail views of two embodiments of a locking part of the invention; and

(5) FIGS. 7 to 9 are section views showing three stages of engagement of a second tubular element in the locking part of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(6) With reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the locking part 10 of the invention is substantially similar to the locking part 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Like elements bear like references. Each cradle 11 has an axial ridge 15 provided in the axial midplane P of the corresponding cradle, extending in relief relative to the profile of the inside bevel 13, and extending axially from the inner edge 16 of the inside bevel 13. In the examples shown, the axial ridges 15 extend to the outer edge 17 of the inside bevel 13. However, the axial ridge may be interrupted before reaching said outer edge. Thus, the axial length of the axial ridge 15 is at least 10% of the axial length of the inside bevel 13, starting from the inner edge 16 of the inside bevel 13.

(7) Each axial ridge 15 has a width l less than the width L of the cradle 11 that carries it. The width l is at least 0.1 mm, and is organized such that the total width of the axial ridge 15 does not exceed 50% of the width of the corresponding cradle 11.

(8) At its peak relative to the profile of the inside bevel 13, each axial ridge 15 has thickness E, shown in FIG. 7, of at least 0.1 mm when said thickness E is considered perpendicularly to the surface of the inside bevel 13.

(9) Each axial ridge 15 may be of thickness that varies along the bevel, as shown in FIG. 5, or of thickness that is constant, as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, each axial ridge 15 may have a convex profile, a single-slope profile or a multi-slope profile as shown.

(10) In an embodiment (not shown), the locking part is provided with a plurality of axial ridges. The axial ridges are then distributed symmetrically on either side of the axial midplane of the cradle. The total width of all of the axial ridges of the same cradle does not exceed 50% of the width of said cradle. The axial ridges of the same cradle are separated by a distance that can vary in the range 0.1 mm to one half of the width L of the cradle.

(11) In the examples shown, the locking part has two cradles, each of which is provided with an axial ridge. The locking part may also be provided with a single cradle, or with a plurality of cradles, some of which are not provided with any axial ridge.

(12) The locking part 10 of the invention may be assembled onto a first tubular element 3 of known type in the same manner as described above for the prior art locking parts 1. While the second tubular element 2 of known type is being axially engaged in the locking part 10 of the invention as indicated by arrow F, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the circular collar 21 of the second tubular element 2 comes into contact with the axial ridge 15. The circular collar 21 is not in contact with the remainder of the surface of the cradle 11. Thus, the axial ridge 15 makes it possible to guarantee that the forces urging the cradles apart 11 are concentrated in the axial midplane P of each cradle 11 and are taken up by the axial ridges 15 only, thereby avoiding any risk of the forces being taken up askew by one or other of the edges of the cradles 11. For the same engagement force, it is thus easier to move the cradles 11 apart. Assembling the tubular connector with a locking part 10 of the invention thus requires a smaller force than with prior art locking parts 1. The invention thus makes it possible to achieve the above-mentioned objectives while maintaining the strength of the locking part 10, and in particular of the cradles, so as to withstand any pulling-apart force, while also facilitating axial plugging in.

(13) Naturally, the present invention is in no way limited to the above description of one of its embodiments, which can undergo modifications without going beyond the ambit of the invention.