Device For The Secured Connection Of Two End Fittings, Particularly Of A Pipe

• US 20130221659A1
• Filed: 11/09/2011
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JPB systeme Co.
• Original Assignee: JPB systeme Co.
• Inventors: Marc, Damien
• Granted Patent: US 9,163,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/81
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 19/005 comprising locking means for the threaded member locking of screws or nuts per se F16B39/00

Abstract

The device connects a first end fitting to a second end fitting, particularly of a pipe. A nut is provided with a threaded bore into which the first end fitting is screwed along a longitudinal axis. In the tightened position, the first end fitting is axially stressed relative to the second end fitting housed in the nut. Rotation-proofing means are provided between the nut and at least one of the first and second end fittings hereafter referred to as the locking end fitting. The rotation-proofing means consist of at least one strip arranged around the locking end fitting. The strip comprises at least one protrusion radially penetrating into at least one concavity.

Claims

1. Device for the connection of a first end fitting onto a second end fitting, in particular of a pipe, the device comprising a nut provided at a first extremity with a threaded bore into which is screwed the first end fitting along a longitudinal axis to a tightened position in which the first end fitting is subject to axial stress with the second end fitting received in the nut, said nut and the second end fitting being shaped so as to limit the axial displacement of the nut with respect to the second end fitting in the direction of screwing of the nut, characterized in that said device comprises anti-rotation means located between the nut and at least one of the first and second end fittings, called the locking end fitting, said anti-rotation means being constituted by at least one strip placed around the locking end fitting and extending over a determined angular sector about the longitudinal axis, said strip comprising at least one protrusion cut out of its thickness, which is capable of entering radially and elastically into at least one concavity, during the relative rotation between the nut and the locking end fitting, and emerging therefrom when a torque exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied between the nut and the locking end fitting, the strip and the concavity being respectively mounted and formed on the nut and on the locking end fitting or vice-versa.

2. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking end fitting is the second end fitting.

3. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip is mounted bowed inside the nut while the concavity is formed on the periphery of the locking end fitting.

4. Connecting device according to claim 3, characterized by comprising at least two strips, in particular made of metal, joining end-to-end at their extremities and extending globally over an angular sector of 360°

about the longitudinal axis.

5. Connecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that each strip comprises at its extremities a radial extension entering a corresponding aperture formed in the body of the nut, in order to prevent any relative rotation between the strip and the nut.

6. Connecting device according to claim 5, characterized in that each aperture is produced so as to open out between the inside and the outside of the nut, the area opening to the outside being closed by a weld bead.

7. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the nut has an inner groove receiving the strip.

8. Connecting device according to claim 3, characterized in that each strip comprises an axial extension cooperating with at least one protuberance formed on the inside of the nut, in order to prevent a relative movement between the strip and the nut.

9. Connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the axial extension comprises a region placed between two protuberances.

10. Connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one protuberance is engaged in a window having a shape corresponding to the axial extension.

11. Connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the strip is mounted on a third cylindrical guidance area.

12. Connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the nut comprises at least one inner notch allowing the at least one protrusion to move radially outwards in order to emerge radially from the at least one concavity.

13. Connecting device according to claim 3, characterized in that each protrusion is delimited by a generally U-shaped cutout, the protrusion being obtained by embossing, into a spherical shape, the material situated between the arms of the U, in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

14. Connecting device according to claim 13, characterized in that for each generally U-shaped cutout, the ends of the arms of the U open out into holes provided through the strip.

15. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized by comprising between four and eight protrusions distributed over an angular sector of 360°

with respect to the longitudinal axis, and between eight and fourteen concavities shaped for receiving said protrusions.

16. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip has a thickness less than 5 mm, for example 1 to 2 mm, and in that each protrusion reaches a height of less than 5 mm with respect to an adjacent area of the strip, this height being for example comprised between 1 and 2 mm.

17. Connecting device according to claim 13, characterized in that each protrusion is supported by a tab delimited by a generally U-shaped cutout, the free extremity of the tab being curved so as to present a boss facing the side opposite the protrusion.

18. End fitting for implementing a connecting device according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises concavities having the form of faces arranged in a polygonal shape.