Rapid connection fluid coupling having shutter and tool used therefor

• US 5,078,429 A
• Filed: 06/08/1989
• Issued: 01/07/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hutchinson (Welltower, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hutchinson (Welltower, Inc.)
• Inventors: Braut, Patrick, Briet, Gilles
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US07/363,051
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 285/3, 285/4, 285/23, 285/39, 285/110, 285/379, 285/319, 285/921, 285/174, 403/225
• US Class Current: 285/4
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/098 by means of flexible hooks
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/38 with fluid cut-off means in only one of the two pipe-end fittings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

A rapid connection fluid coupling includes first and second end pieces. The first end piece is adapted for fitting to a duct or the like such as in the cooling liquid circuit of a motor vehicle engine. The first end piece includes a closure or seal coaxially positioned therein for sealing the flow path through the first end piece when the second piece is not connected thereto. A perforator is supported by the first end piece and positioned in the fluid passageway of the first end piece for perforating the closure when the second end piece is interconnected to the first end piece.

Claims

1. A rapid connection fluid coupling comprising first and second end pieces, each end piece having a fluid passageway therein, said first and second end pieces being interconnectable so that a fluid passageway is defined therethrough, said first end piece being adapted for fitting to a duct such as in the cooling liquid circuit of a motor vehicle engine, a closure coaxially positioned with said fluid passageway of said first end piece, and having a peripheral surface with sealing means thereon for engaging the interior of said passageway of said first end piece for sealing the fluid passageway between first and second end pieces, and means supported by said first end piece and coaxially positioned within said fluid passageway of said first end piece for perforating said closure when said second end piece is moved into interconnection with said first end piece, means associated with said second end piece for engaging said closure and driving said closure with said sealing means sealingly engaging said interior of said passageway of said first end piece into said perforator means when said first and second end pieces are moved into interconnection, and means for holding together the first and second end pieces after the end pieces are coupled together.

2. A rapid connection fluid coupling according to claim 1 wherein said means for holding together said first and second end pieces includes said first end piece having tabs having hook-shaped end portions.

3. A rapid connection fluid coupling according to claim 2 wherein said tabs include a radial flange and a ferrule connected to said flange.

4. A rapid connection fluid coupling in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means for holding together said first and second end pieces includes said second end piece having a collar for receiving therein said hook-shaped end portions of said first end piece.

5. A rapid connection fluid coupling according to claim 1 wherein said closure includes a cup-shaped membrane gasket formed of an elastomer material, said peripheral surface sealing means sealing said fluid passageway being defined on the surface of the cup-shaped membrane gasket.

6. A rapid connection fluid coupling according to claim 1 wherein said cup-shaped membrane gasket includes a side wall portion defining said peripheral surface sealing means that seals said fluid passageway of said first member, said side wall portion having molded circular beading to aid in sealingly engaging said closure within said fluid passageway of said first end member, and a reinforcement member integrally supported by said beading for enhancing stiffness of said membrane.

7. A rapid connection fluid coupling according to claim 6 wherein said reinforcement member is substantially frustoconically shaped and includes a cylindrical end adjacent to said side wall and a free outwardly extending end having tongues sloping relative to the axis of said closure for engaging the inside wall defining the fluid passageway of said first end piece to aid in retaining said closure therewithin.

8. A rapid connection fluid coupling according to claim 5 wherein said cup-shaped membrane gasket includes a bottom surface, means defining zones of weakness on said bottom surface for facilitating tearing thereof, said means defining zones of weakness being disposed in a star pattern having radially extending branches so that when said first and second end pieces are interconnected and said membrane gasket is perforated, said membrane is withdrawn from said fluid passageway.

9. A rapid connection fluid coupling according to claim 5 wherein said cup-shaped membrane gasket includes a molded side wall and an L-shaped reinforcement member supported within said side wall, said sealing means being located on side wall and including inner and outer sealing faces, a plurality of circumferential sealing ribs positioned on the outer sealing face and a plurality of circumferential sealing ribs positioned on the inner sealing face.

10. A rapid connection fluid coupling according to claim 9 wherein said circumferential sealing ribs positioned on said inner sealing face are offset longitudinally relative to said circumferential sealing ribs positioned on said outer sealing face.

11. A rapid connection fluid coupling according to claim 9 wherein said molded side wall includes notches extending into said side wall to said L-shaped reinforcement member to aid in preventing deformation of said L-shaped reinforcement member during molding.