Conduit coupling apparatus and method

• US 10,724,661 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2017
• Issued: 07/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Original Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, LLC
• Inventors: Ericksen, Kent C., Wangsgaard, Eric Tres, Hoskisson, Scot W., Eyring, Stuart J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bochna, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Linford, James A
• Application Number:
  US15/470,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20170198842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/0672 Spin welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/48 using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/561 using screw-threads being integral at least to one of the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/8246 Pressure tests, e.g. hydrostatic pressure tests
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1224 comprising at least a butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/12821 comprising at least two overlap joint-segments
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1284 comprising at least one butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/3022 said melt initiators being integral with at least one of the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/30341 non-integral with the parts to be joined, e.g. making use of extra elements B29C65/562 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52231 with a right angle, e.g. for making L-shaped pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52241 with two right angles, e.g. for making T-shaped pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/534 Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5344 said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends B29C66/5346 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/55 sealing elements being incorporated into the joints, e.g. gaskets B29C66/52296 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/612 Making circumferential joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 : PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2055/02 : ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/00 : Joints with packing adapted to sealing by fluid pressure for hoses F16L33/16; compensating devices F16L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/80 : Dust covers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/008 : for branching pipes; for joining pipes to walls
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0915 : with a separate member for releasing the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/021 : T- or cross-pieces F16L41/025, F16L41/026, F16L41/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 43/008 : made from plastic material
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/32 : Branch units, e.g. made in one piece, welded, riveted
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1157 : using hooks, pawls, or other movable or insertable locking members
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/06 : Joints for connecting lengths of protective tubing or channels, to each other or to casings, e.g. to distribution boxes; Ensuring electrical continuity in the joint

Abstract

A coupling may be configured to receive and secure an insertion end of a conduit. An outer surface of the insertion end of the conduit may be smooth and free of grooves, flanges and beads. A first member of the coupling may define a first passageway. A second member of the coupling may define a second passageway. The first member may be in spin weld engagement with the second member. A gripping ring having an inner edge defining a series of teeth may be disposed within the second member. A support ring and O-ring may also be disposed within the second member.

Claims

1. A coupling for attachment to a conduit having an insertion end, an outer surface of the insertion end of the conduit being smooth and free of grooves, flanges and beads, said coupling comprising:

a first member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the first member defining a first passageway through the first member, the first passageway extending from an entry end to a proximal end of the first member, wherein the exterior surface of the first member defines a first outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape, a second outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape and radially offset inwardly with respect to the first outer perimeter surface, and an energy director at least partially intermediate the first outer perimeter surface and the second outer perimeter surface;

a second member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the second member defining a second passageway through the second member, the second passageway extending from an attachment end to an opposite end of the second member, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first recessed region having a first width, and a second recessed region having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first ledge intermediate the first recessed region and the second recessed region, wherein the first outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the first recessed region, the energy director of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, and the second outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the second recessed region, wherein, prior to spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director comprises a curved extension with a radially inward disposed face, and following the spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director is fused with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member;

the interior surface of the second member defining another ledge, the another ledge comprising a raised inner lip and a recessed outer portion, the raised inner lip being closer to the attachment end of the second member than the recessed outer portion, the recessed outer portion comprising an arcuate surface having an arcuate, side cross-sectional shape;

a gripping ring having an inner edge defining a series of teeth, the gripping ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region;

a support ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region; and

an O-ring disposed intermediate the another ledge and the support ring, wherein each of the first and second members is made from one or more polymers, and wherein the coupling has a burst pressure of at least 700 pounds per square inch (PSI).

2. The coupling of claim 1, wherein a combination of the first and second members define a cavity for receiving flash weld deposits generated during creation of the spin weld engagement of the first member to the second member.

3. The coupling of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the first member is disposed within the second recessed region.

4. The coupling of claim 1, wherein the gripping ring comprises an outer body having a body width and wherein a proximal face of the support ring further comprises a face width, wherein the face width is less than the body width.

5. The coupling of claim 4, wherein the face width is less than one-half of the body width.

6. The coupling of claim 4, wherein the face width is less than one-quarter of the body width.

7. The coupling of claim 4, wherein the face width is less than one-eighth of the body width.

8. The coupling of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the first member comprises a beveled edge extending radially inward from the second outer perimeter surface, the beveled edge extending away from the interior surface of the second member.

9. The coupling of claim 8, wherein the beveled edge is disposed within the second recessed region of the second member.

10. The coupling of claim 1, wherein the coupling has a burst pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (PSI).

18. A method of manufacturing the coupling of claim 1, the method comprising:

positioning the O-ring adjacent to the another ledge;

positioning the support ring at least partially within the second recessed region of the second member adjacent to the O-ring;

positioning the gripping ring adjacent to the support ring such that an outer body of the gripping ring abuts a proximal face of the support ring; and

securing the first member to the second member utilizing a spin welding technique such that the first member securely retains the O-ring, the support ring, and the gripping ring within the second member.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

positioning at least a portion of the first member within the first recessed region and the second recessed region defined by the second member while the first member is secured to the second member utilizing the spin welding technique.

11. A coupling for attachment to a conduit having an insertion end, an outer surface of the insertion end of the conduit being smooth and free of grooves, flanges and beads, said coupling comprising:

a first member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the first member defining a first passageway through the first member, the first passageway extending from an entry end to a proximal end of the first member, wherein the exterior surface of the first member defines a first outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape, a second outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape and radially offset inwardly with respect to the first outer perimeter surface, and an energy director at least partially intermediate the first outer perimeter surface and the second outer perimeter surface;

a second member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the second member defining a second passageway through the second member, the second passageway extending from an attachment end to an opposite end of the second member, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first recessed region having a first width, and a second recessed region having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first ledge intermediate the first recessed region and the second recessed region, wherein the first outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the first recessed region, the energy director of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, and the second outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the second recessed region, wherein, prior to spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director comprises a curved extension with a radially inward disposed face, and following the spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director is fused with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member;

a gripping ring having an inner edge defining a series of teeth, the gripping ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region;

a support ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region; and

a seal disposed intermediate the another ledge and the support ring, wherein each of the first and second members is made from one or more polymers.

12. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the interior surface of the first member defines a plurality of tool receiving recesses.

13. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the gripping ring comprises an outer body having a body width and wherein a proximal face of the support ring further comprises a face width, wherein the face width is less than one-half of the body width.

14. The coupling of claim 13, wherein the face width is less than one-quarter of the body width.

15. The coupling of claim 13, wherein the face width is less than one-eighth of the body width.

16. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the exterior surface of the first member comprises a beveled edge adjacent to the second outer perimeter surface, the beveled edge extending inwardly away from the interior surface of the second member.

17. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the support ring comprises an inward ledged recess sized to mate with a ledge defined by the interior surface of the second member.

20. A coupling for attachment to a conduit having an insertion end, an outer surface of the insertion end of the conduit being smooth and free of grooves, flanges and beads, said coupling comprising:

a first member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the first member defining a first passageway through the first member, the first passageway extending from an entry end to a proximal end of the first member, wherein the exterior surface of the first member defines a first outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape, a second outer perimeter surface that is cylindrical in shape and radially offset inwardly with respect to the first outer perimeter surface, and an energy director at least partially intermediate the first outer perimeter surface and the second outer perimeter surface;

a second member coupled to the first member, the second member having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the second member defining a second passageway through the second member, the second passageway extending from an attachment end to an opposite end of the second member, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first recessed region having a first width, and second recessed region having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, wherein the interior surface of the second member defines a first ledge intermediate the first recessed region and the second recessed region, wherein the first outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the first recessed region, the energy director of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, and the second outer perimeter surface of the first member is in spin weld engagement with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second member defining the second recessed region, wherein, prior to spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director comprises a curved extension with a radially inward disposed face, and following the spin weld engagement with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the energy director is fused with the at least a portion of the first ledge of the second member, the interior surface of the second member defining another ledge, the another ledge comprising a raised inner lip and a recessed outer portion, the raised inner lip being closer to the attachment end of the second member than the recessed outer portion, the recessed outer portion comprising an arcuate surface having an arcuate, side cross-sectional shape;

a gripping ring having an inner edge defining a series of teeth, the gripping ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region;

a support ring being disposed at least partially within the second recessed region; and

a seal disposed intermediate the another ledge and the support ring, wherein each of the first and second members is made from one or more polymers.