QUICK CONNECTOR FOR END-TO-END COUPLING OF INDUSTRIAL CONDUIT SECTIONS

Abstract

A compression-type fitting for quick connection of two hoses or hose sections and pipe and hose section in-line is adapted primarily for industrial, heavy duty hoses typically in one to three inches in diameter, although not so limited. A commercial application for which the connector has shown to be particularly useful is in the media blasting industry where hoses are subject to extreme conditions and break or leak after a relatively short period of use, requiring frequent shut down and repair or replacement of the hoses.

Claims

1. A compression-type quick connect/disconnect connector system for a hose, particularly suited for connecting two hose ends together in a substantially leak-proof coupling, the industrial hose connector system comprising; a. A compression body having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines a receptacle for a first hose; b. A compression lock adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the compression body; c. A compression system positioned between the compression body and the compression lock, the compression system having a first lock end secured to the compression body and adapted to receive a first hose end, and a second lock end extending outwardly from the compression body and adapted to engage the compression lock nut a second hose end, wherein the compression lock nut is adapted for being moved toward the compression body and for compressing the compression system into sealing contact with the second hose end.

2. The connector system of claim 1, further comprising a segmented compression system having a plurality of separate elements free to move relative to one another, each element having one end attached to the compression body and another end adapted to be placed on the outer perimeter of the second hose and the inner wall of the hose compression lock, whereby movement of the compression lock compresses the each element toward the outer perimeter of the second hose lock and seal the two hose ends together.

3. The connector system of claim 2, wherein each separate element comprises a plate having an arcuate shape and having said one end attached to the compression body such the plate is movable toward and away from the center axis of the compression body.

4. The connector system of claim 3, further including a limiting element wherein each plate is limited in the ability to move toward and away from the center axis of the compression body.

5. The connector system of claim 4, wherein the limiting element comprises a ring secured to the compression body and outboard of each plate.

6. The connector system of claim, wherein the compression body includes a receptor for holding the ring and limiting the movement of each plate.

7. The connector system of claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of ribs on each plate for providing additional gripping surface for the system when the compression lock is move toward the compression body.

8. The connector system of claim 3, further comprising a threaded outer body portion on the compression body and a mated threaded portion on the inner periphery of the compression lock, whereby the compression lock can be turned and tightened or loosened relative to the compression body.

9. The connector system of claim 1, further comprising a threaded outer body portion on the compression body and a mated threaded portion on the inner periphery of the compression lock, whereby the compression lock can be turned and tightened or loosened relative to the compression body and a movable handle adapted to be stowed in the compression lock and movable between a stowed position and an operating position for facilitating tightening and loosening of the compression lock with the compression body.

10. The connector system of claim 9, wherein the compression lock includes a nesting component for securing the stowed handle when not in use.

11. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the nesting component comprises a groove located in the body of the compression lock and a swivel mount permitting rotation of the handle into and out of the groove.

12. The connector system of claim 1, further including one or more continuous rings points located on one or more leaves and adapted for engaging and penetrating the hose section, for enhancing the coupling between the hose ends and increasing the grip to further seal the coupling.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a media blasting system with the quick connect system shown mounted up stream of the media valve.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the quick connect/disconnect system of the invention.

[0017] FIGS. 3-9 are various views of the compression body and the compression lock nut.

[0018] FIGS. 10-12 are taken along a section at the center line of the system and show the engagement of the leaves with the hose when the assembly is tightened.

[0019] FIG. 13 shows how the leaves are positioned when mounted on the compression body, in the compressed position.

[0020] FIG. 14 shows the leaves as mounted on the compression body in the expanded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The compression-type quick connect/disconnect system includes three main components, a compression body, a compression lock and a compression system. It is ideally suited for connecting two hose ends together in a substantially leak-proof coupling.

[0022] The compression body has outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines a receptacle for a first hose. A compression lock is adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the compression body. The compression system is positioned between the compression body and the compression lock.

[0023] The compression system includes lock end secured to the compression body and adapted to receive a first hose end, and a second lock end extending outwardly from the compression body and adapted to engage a compression lock nut on the second hose end. The compression system of the preferred embodiment is a plurality of plates or leaves free to move relative to one another, each element having one end attached to the compression body and another end adapted to be placed on the outer perimeter of the second hose and the inner wall of a compression lock, whereby movement of the compression lock compresses the each element toward the outer perimeter of the second hose lock to seal the two hose ends together.

[0024] A limiting element wherein each plate is restricted in the ability to move toward and away from the center axis of the compression body. The compression body includes a receptor for holding the ring and limiting the movement of each plate. A tool system is stowed in the compression body comprising a movable handle adapted to be stowed in the compression lock and movable between a stowed position and an operating position for facilitating tightening and loosening of the compression lock relative to the compression body.

[0025] For purposes of clarity, the reference numerals used in this application are as follows.

TABLE-US-00001 Numeral Component 1 Hose end 2 Hose end 3 Quick connect/disconnect system of the subject invention 4-6  Not used 7 Metering valve 8-10 Not used 11 Compression body 12 Compression plates or leaves 13 Compression Nut 14 Snap ring 15 Dye pins 16 Dye pin washers 17 Swivel post for dye pin 18 Not used 19 Leaf or plate 20 Snap ring retaining slots 21 Face surface of compression body 22 Raised ribs on leaf inner surface 23 Barbs or points on outer edge of leaf or plate 24 Threaded surface on compression body 25 Mated threads on the nut

[0026] With reference to FIG. 1, the quick connect/disconnect system 3 of the invention is shown as mounted on hose ends 1 and 2 of a typical media blast system and located upstream of the metering valve 7. In exhaust mode the fitting is technically downstream if the metering valve.

[0027] An exploded view of the system is shown in FIG. 2. The compression body 11 holds the assembly comprising a plurality of plates or leaves 12. Each of leaves are of an arcuate, tapered design and have a first end 19 adapted to be mounted on the face 21 of the body 11. A snap ring 14 is held in slots 20, which when assembled is outboard of each leaf 12. The snap ring 14 loosely holds each leaf 12 in a longitudinal position roughly parallel to the center line of the assembly. This facilitates insertion of the leaves into the hose end in the compression lock nut 13 (shown in FIGS. 10, 12 and 13).

[0028] Each leaf 12 includes a plurality of raised ribs 22 which engage the hose perimeter when the lock nut 15 is tightened onto the compression body 11. The compression body has a cylindrical portion 24 which is threaded for receiving mated threads 25 (see FIG. 9). The dye pins 15 are each mounted on a swivel post 17 and held in place by washers 16. A groove 27 is provided for housing the dye pins when not used to tighten or loosen the assembly. FIGS. 3-9 show the assembly from various angles.

[0029] A plurality of projecting circular rings 23 and 24 are can be located on the ends of each leaf and adapted to engage and even penetrate the hose section, see FIG. 12, for enhancing the coupling between the hose ends.

[0030] FIGS. 10-12 show the assembled system with hose ends 1 and 2 held in position by the compression body 11 and the compression lock nut 13, with the leaves 12 engaging the hose (enlarged for clarity in FIGS. 11 and 12). As there shown, ribs 22 are of triangular cross-section, creating a sharp edge 25 at the free end to embed them in the hose, increasing the stability of the compression system. In addition, where the leaf is engaged by the compression body 11, there are two grooves 30 engaging hose section 1, further increasing the stability of the assembled system.

[0031] While certain embodiments and features of the invention have been shown and described, it should be understood the invention encompasses all modifications and enhancement within the scope and spirit of the following claims.