Double coupling for removably joining twin pipes

• US 4,753,268 A
• Filed: 08/12/1987
• Issued: 06/28/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: S.A.Des Etablissements Staubli
• Original Assignee: S.A. Des Etablissements Staubli
• Inventors: Palau, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US07/084,210
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 285/137.1, 285/304, 285/914, 285/1, 285/317, 137/595, 251/149.6
• US Class Current: 137/595
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0841 by means of a transversally slidable locking member surrounding the tube
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/086 by means of latching members pushed radially by spring-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/42 the valve having an axial bore communicating with lateral apertures
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/56 for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/914 Irreversible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87161 With common valve operator

Abstract

This invention relates to a double coupling for removably joining twin pipes, wherein the two connectors of the male piece engage in parallel bores in the female piece, and one of them cooperates with a bolt mechanism which ensures removable assembly of the two pieces. In a variant, the bolt is disposed between the two bores in order to cooperate with the two connectors.

Claims

1. A quick disconnect coupling assembly for concurrently joining pairs of fluid conduits comprising a female member having first and second spaced bores therethrough which are aligned along generally parallel axes, a chamber extending generally transversely with respect to said first bore and being in open communication therewith, a locking bolt means movably carried within said chamber so as to be laterally adjustable relative to the axis of said first bore, resilient means for urging said locking bolt means at least partially into said first bore, first and second male members, means for connecting said first and second male members in generally parallel relationship so as to be spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing between the axes of said first and second bores of said female member, each of said first and second male members having an outer end portion of a size to be slidingly receivable within said first and second bores of said female member, at least said first male member having a locking recess formed along said outer end portion thereof, said locking bolt being engageable within said locking recess as said first male member is inserted within said first bore whereby said resilient means will retain said locking bolt means within said locking recess of said first male member thereby resiliently locking each of said first and second male members within said female member.

2. The quick disconnect coupling assembly of claim 1 including a pair of valve members, said valve members being mounted within said first and second bores, a pair of valve seat means disposed within each of said first and second bores, resilient means mounted within said first and second bores for normally urging said valves into a closed position against said valve seats, said valves being displacable from said valve seats as said first and second male members are inserted within said first and second bores.

3. The quick disconnect coupling assembly of claim 2 in which each of said valve seats includes a yieldable ring member, said yieldable ring member having a central opening therethrough which is an axial alignment with the axis of said first and second bores, said opening through said annular member being of a size to permit said end portions of said male member to be extended therethrough with said ring members being in sealed relationship with said end portions of said first and second male members.

4. The quick disconnect coupling assembly of claim 2 including first and second bush means mounted within said first and second bores, each of said bush means having an outer end portion extending from said female member whereby a fluid conduit may be selectively connected to said outwardly extending portions of said first and second bush members.

5. The quick disconnect coupling assembly of claim 2 including a motion limiting ring means mounted within said first bore means, said motion limiting ring means having an opening therethrough which is generally axially aligned with the axis of said bore means, said motion limiting ring means being selectively engageable with said locking bolt means so as to limit the lateral displacement of said locking bolt means relative to said first bore means.

6. The quick disconnect coupling assembly of claim 1 in which said recesses formed in said male members are created adjacent one side of an annular boss which is formed along said outer end portion of said male members.

7. The quick disconnect coupling assembly of claim 1 in which said chamber is in open communication with each of said first and second bores in said female member, said bolt means including first and second generally opposite teeth means which are extendable into said first and second bores, said resilient means normally urging said bolt means into position wherein said opposite teeth means are located within said first and second bores and being yieldable so as to allow said teeth means to be displaced relative to the axis of said first and second bores, each of said male members having a locking recess formed along said outer portion thereof, said opposite teeth of said locking bolt means being engageable with said locking grooves in said first and second male members when said first and second male members are inserted within said first and second bores of said female member.

8. The quick disconnect coupling assembly of claim 7 in which each of said male members include an annular boss extending outwardly along said outer end portions thereof, said locking recesses being defined by a portion of said outer end portions immediately adjacent said annular bosses.