Coupler for Connecting Flexible Hoses

Abstract

An improved coupler for connecting flexible hoses and tubing has a coupler connecter and an integrated longitudinally extending insert spear. The insert spear is provided with an array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads. The threads of the array of spiraled threads are preferably sharp and coarsely pitched to readily engage the interior sidewall of the internal bore of a hose or tubing segment. Rotation of the insert spear with the spiraled threads will draw the insert spear fully into the internal bore of the tubing segment. The improved coupler may be provided with at least one radial band positioned around the insert spear that serves to seal the internal bore of the tubing segment and hold the insert spear in place.

Claims

1. An improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing comprising: (a) coupler connecter; (b) a longitudinally extending insert spear; and (c) an array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads positioned along said longitudinally extending insert spear.

2. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 1 wherein said coupler connector has a central bore in fluid communication with a central connector bore within said insert spear.

3. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 2 further comprising a turn-ring whereby said insert spear may be rotated.

4. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 3 wherein said array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads having a pitch in the range of 3 to 8 per inch.

5. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 4 wherein said coupler connecter is a threaded connector.

6. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 5 wherein said threads in said array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads are pointed threads.

7. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 6 wherein said turn-ring has radially extending winged turning keys.

8. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 7 further comprising at least one radial band positioned around said insert spear between said coupler connector and said array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads.

9. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 4 wherein said threads in said array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads are rounded threads and wherein said coupler connecter is a threaded connector.

10. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 9 wherein said turn-ring has radially extending winged turning keys.

11. An improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing comprising: (a) coupler connecter, said coupler having a central connector bore; (b) a longitudinally extending insert spear, said insert spear having a having a central spear bore in fluid communication with said central connector bore; and (c) an array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads positioned along said longitudinally extending insert spear.

12. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 11 further comprising a turn-ring whereby said insert spear may be rotated.

13. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 12 wherein said array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads have a pitch in the range of 3 to 8 per inch.

14. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 13 wherein said coupler connecter is a threaded connector.

15. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 14 further comprising at least one radial band positioned around said insert spear between said coupler connector and said array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads.

16. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 15 wherein said turn-ring has a radially extending winged turning key.

17. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 13 wherein said array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads have threads selected from the group consisting of rounded threads, pointed threads, flattened threads, and blunted threads.

18. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 17 further comprising a turn-ring whereby said insert spear may be rotated.

19. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 18 wherein said coupler connecter is a threaded connector.

20. The improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing recited in claim 19 further comprising at least one radial band positioned around said insert spear between said coupler connector and said array of spiraled woodscrew-type threads.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the mating of the embodiment of the improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing shown in FIG. 1 with a hose segment.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment the improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing shown in FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a side view of still another embodiment the improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the insertion of the embodiment of the side view of the improved coupler shown in FIG. 6 inserted into the internal bore of a flexible hose.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the mating of adjoining hose segments with embodiments of the improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing of the present invention having corresponding male and female coupler connectors having winged turning keys.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the improved coupler (10) for flexible hoses and tubing designed to address the aforementioned needs. The improved coupler (10) has a proximal end (11) and a distal end (13). A threaded coupler connecter (12), shown as a female coupler connector having internal threads (19), is positioned at the proximal end (11) of the improved coupler (10) and a longitudinally extending cylindrical insert spear (20) extends from the threaded coupler connecter (12) to the distal end (13) of the improved coupler (10).

[0027] The longitudinally extending insert spear (20) has a point (14) at its distal end (13) and an exterior surface (21) with an array of spiraled “woodscrew-type” threads (22). These spiraled threads (22) extend from the distal end (13) toward the proximal end (11) of the improved coupler (10) along a desired length of the insert spear (20). The spiraled threads (22) are shown as having pointed thread peaks (23) for purposes of illustration but the thread peaks (23) of the spiraled threads (22) may be rounded, blunted, or flattened as well as pointed depending upon the wall thickness and intended purpose of the tubing or hose with which the improved coupler will be utilized. The length and the external diameter of the insert spear (20) and the spacing of the spiraled “woodscrew-type” threads (22) on its external surface may be modified as desired depending upon the size and type of the flexible tube or hose with which coupler (00) is being used and the desired length of the array of spiraled threads (22).

[0028] It is thought that a coupler (10) having an insert spear (20) with coarsely spiraled threads (22) having a pitch or spacing in the range of 3 to 6 threads per inch will provide satisfactory results for a tube or hose having an internal bore diameter in the range of ⅜ inches to ¾ inches such as that of a typical garden hose. It is also thought that for a coupler (10) having an insert spear (20) with spiraled threads (22) utilized with hose or tubing having an internal diameter less than ⅜ths of an inch, the number of spiraled threads (22) per inch will be increased.

[0029] The insert spear (20) may be provided with a turn-ring (16) having a flat nut surface (15) to facilitate turning the insert spear of the improved coupler with a tool such as a wrench. A washer (26) distal from the turn-ring (16) may be provided to seal on the internal bore (25) of a flexible hose or tube (27). The turn-ring (16) and washer (26) may be separate elements or combined as a one-piece element. As shown in FIG. 2, a cross-section view cut along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, the threaded coupler connecter (12) has a central bore (18) in fluid communication with a central spear bore (24) within the insert spear (20).

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view illustrating the mating of the improved coupler (10) shown in FIG. 1 within the interior bore (25) of a flexible hose segment (27). When the insert spear (20) of the improved coupler (10) is inserted into the bore (25) of flexible hose segment (27) and rotated, the array of spiraled, pointed threads (24) readily engages with interior sidewall (29) of the internal bore (25) of the flexible hose segment (27). When the insert spear (20) is so rotated, the insert spear (20) is drawn further into the bore (25) until the hose segment (27) engages the washer (26) to seal the bore (25) of the hose segment (27).

[0031] FIG. 4 shows coupler (30), another embodiment the improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing of the present invention. Coupler (30) has an externally threaded male coupler connector (32) with external threads (39) to correspond with the internal threads of a female coupler connector, such as internal threads (19) of female coupler connector (12) as shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 3.

[0032] Coupler (30) has a proximal end (31) and a distal end (33). The threaded coupler connecter (32) is positioned at the proximal end (31) of the coupler (30) and a longitudinally extending cylindrical insert spear (40) extends from the threaded coupler connecter (32) to the distal end (33) of coupler (30). The longitudinally extending insert spear (40) has an exterior surface (41) having an array of spiraled woodscrew-type” threads (42) as described for threads (22) shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0033] The spiraled threads (42) are shown as having pointed thread peaks (43) for purposes of illustration but the thread peaks (43) of the spiraled threads (42) may be rounded, blunted, or flattened as well as pointed depending upon the wall thickness and intended purpose of the tubing or hose with which the improved coupler will be utilized. These spiraled threads (42) on the insert spear (40) extend from the distal end (33) of insert spear (40) toward the proximal end (31) of coupler (30) along a desired length of the insert spear (40). As shown in FIG. 5, a cross-section view cut along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4, the threaded coupler connecter (32) has a central bore (38) in fluid communication with a central connector bore (46) in the insert spear (40).

[0034] Coupler (30) may also have at least one radial band (44). As shown if FIGS. 3 and 4, radial band (44) is comprised of a cone-shaped ring having a protruding barbed shoulder (45). Band (44) is positioned on the insert spear (40) proximal from the array of spiraled threads (42). The cone-shaped band (44) serves to prevent removal of the insert spear (40) from the internal bore of a flexible hose and also serves to seal the internal bore of the flexible hose or tube.

[0035] The insert spear (40) of coupler (30) may be provided with a turn-ring (36) that may have a flat nut surface (35) to facilitate turning or rotating the insert spear (40) of coupler (30) with a tool such as a wrench or pliers. When the insert spear (40) of coupler (30) is inserted into the internal bore of a flexible hose or tubing, rotation of the insert spear (40) and the spiraled threads (42) of coupler (30) will deform the interior sidewall of the internal bore of a tube or hose and readily draw the insert spear (40) and the cone-shaped band (44) into and through the internal bore of the flexible hose or tubing.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, coupler (30) may also have one or more radial bands (47) in place of the cone-shaped bands (44) shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The radial bands (47) have rounded shoulders (49) that facilitate insertion of the bands (47) into internal bore of a flexible hose. The radial bands (47) serve to impede removal of the insert spear (40) from the internal bore of a flexible hose and also serve to seal the internal bore of the flexible hose or tube.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing the insertion of coupler 30 having radial bands (47) as shown in FIG. 6 that are inserted into the internal bore (25) of a flexible hose segment (27). When the insert spear (40) of coupler (30) shown in FIG. 6 is inserted into the internal bore (25) of the flexible hose segment (27), rotation of the insert spear (40) and the spiraled threads (42) of coupler (30) engages and deforms the sidewall (29) of the internal bore (25) and draws the entire length of the insert spear (40) with the radial bands (47) into and through the internal bore (25) and thereby fixes the insert spear (40) of the coupler (30) fully within the hose segment (27) to seal its internal bore (25).

[0038] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of one example of the mating of adjoining hose segments (27) with embodiments of the improved coupler for flexible hoses and tubing of the present invention. In the illustration of FIG. 8, a coupler (10A) is being mated with a coupler (30A). Coupler (10A) has all of the features of coupler (10) shown in FIGS. 1-3. However, the turn-ring (16) is provided with radially extending winged turning keys (17) in addition to or in lieu of flat nut surface (15). The winged turning keys (17) of turn-ring (16) are used to facilitate turning the insert spear (20) by hand. If desired, coupler (10A) may be also provided with beveled collet ring (51) positioned around the outside perimeter of the hose segment (27) that engages with a corresponding collet sleeve (53) to compress the hose segment (27) to aid in securing coupler (10A) within the internal bore (25) of the hose segment (27).

[0039] Coupler (30A), as shown in FIG. 8, has the features of coupler (30) shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. However, turn-ring (36) is provided with radially extending winged turning keys (17). The winged turning keys (17) of turn-ring (36) are used to facilitate turning the insert spear (40) by hand to push the radial bands (47) of the insert spear (40) into the internal bore (25) of the hose segment (27).

[0040] The embodiments of the improved coupler of Applicant's invention described herein are intended to be illustrative but not limiting. Variations and changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.