LOCK MECHANISM OF TUBULAR BODY

• US 20170227153A1
• Filed: 08/04/2015
• Published: 08/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Inventors: NEZU, Mikio
• Granted Patent: US 10,156,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 Indicators for correct coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/20 Safety or protective couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 35/00 Special arrangements used in connection with end fittings of hoses, e.g. safety or protecting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0885 with access to the split elastic ring from a radial or tangential opening in the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/1225 using a retaining member the extremities of which, e.g. in the form of a U, engage behind a shoulder of both parts

Abstract

A lock mechanism of a tubular body includes a housing to which a tubular body is mounted, a lock member locking and unlocking the housing and the tubular body, and a ring member rotatably attached on an outer periphery of the housing and moving the lock member between a lock position and an unlock position. When a locking portion of the lock member is locked to a locked portion of the housing, the lock member is retained in the unlock position. When the tubular body is inserted in the housing to unlock the locking portion and release an urging force accumulated in the lock member, the lock member moves to the lock position together with the ring member to lock the tubular body. When the ring member is slid in an axis direction of the tubular body after being locked, the tubular body can be locked with one touch.

Claims

1. A lock mechanism of a tubular body comprising:

a housing having one end to which a tubular body provided with an engagement portion is at least mounted;

a lock member that can lock and unlock the housing and the tubular body; and

a ring member that is rotatably attached on an outer periphery of the housing and can move the lock member between a lock position and an unlock position,

wherein the ring member includes a locking portion, and when the locking portion is locked to a locked portion of the housing, the lock member is retained in the unlock position in a state where an urging force is accumulated in the lock member;

when the tubular body is inserted in the housing to unlock the locking portion and release the urging force accumulated in the lock member, the lock member moves to the lock position together with the ring member to lock the tubular body; and

when the ring member is slid in an axis direction of the tubular body after being locked, a fitting portion provided in the ring member is fitted in a fitted portion provided in the housing to prevent rotation of the ring member.

2. The lock mechanism of the tubular body according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is an elastic element;

the locked portion is a hole portion;

the elastic element enters the hole portion to be locked;

the tubular body is provided with a lock release projecting portion; and

the lock release projecting portion pushes the elastic element out of the hole portion to perform the lock release.

3. The lock mechanism of the tubular body according to claim 1, wherein the lock member includes a bend portion bent in an axial direction of the housing;

the ring member includes a projecting portion in a position corresponding to the bend portion; and

the ring member and the lock member rotate integrally by the bend portion and the projecting portion.

4. The lock mechanism of the tubular body according to claim 3, wherein the housing includes a slide inclined surface;

and a tip portion of the lock member slides on the slide inclined surface by a rotational operation of the ring member, whereby the lock member is enlarged to open to become in the unlock position.

5. The lock mechanism of the tubular body according to claim 1, wherein the ring member, when sliding to the housing, enables an identification portion provided in the housing side to be recognized visually.

6. The lock mechanism of the tubular body according to claim 1, wherein the ring member, when sliding to the housing, is provided with a cover portion that covers a free end of the lock member.

7. The lock mechanism of the tubular body according to claim 1, wherein the lock member is formed of a metallic wire rod having elasticity.