Construction for preventing incomplete connection of pipes

• US 5,219,188 A
• Filed: 01/06/1992
• Issued: 06/15/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sanoh Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Sanoh Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Kaishio, Mitsuo, Abe, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US07/817,156
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 285/319, 285/921, 285/86, 285/93, 285/39
• US Class Current: 285/93
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0982 with a separate member for releasing the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/138 using an axially movable sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

Prevention of incomplete connection of pipes, and easy and visual checking for incomplete connection between the male and female members from the outside, and the prevention of dirt and dust from entering the connection are aimed. To attain these objects, provided is a construction for preventing incomplete connection of pipes which connects the male member having a flange-like projection at its external periphery to the female member having a retainer disposed at its internal periphery for locking the flange-like projection on the male member by inserting the male member a specified distance into the female member, the construction comprising a cylindrical member mounted on the male member for covering the external periphery at the opening side of female member and locking means disposed on the cylindrical member and the female member to lock the members, whereby the cylindrical member is locked to the female member by the locking means so that the cylindrical member covers the external periphery on the opening side of the female member when the male member is inserted the specified distance into the female member.

Claims

1. A pipe connection construction for preventing incomplete connection of pipes, comprising:

a male member having a radially outer peripheral surface with a flange-like projection;

a female member having a radially inwardly directed retainer for locking said flange-like projection upon inserting said male member a specified distance into said female member;

a cylindrical member mounted on said male member and positionable for covering an external periphery of said female member;

a first locking hole formed on said cylindrical member, and a first locking projection formed on a part of said external periphery on said female member for locking said cylindrical and female members, and means positioning said first locking hole and said first locking projection for forming a locked condition when said male member is inserted said specified distance into said female member, said cylindrical member being formed of two divided parts connected by a hinge portion, said hinge portion being disposed in a longitudinal direction allowing said cylindrical member to open and close; and

a second locking hole disposed at an end of one of said two divided parts and a second locking projection disposed at an end of another of said two divided parts for securing together said two divided parts.

2. A pipe connection construction according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member includes a bottom wall at one end;

and said positioning means includes a cylindrical portion extending from said bottom wall of said cylindrical member in an axial direction;

said cylindrical member includes third projection extending inside said cylindrical member from said bottom wall;

said third projection being provided for pushing in said flange-like projection, said third projection having a length, allowing said flange-like projection to become engaged when said third projection pushes said flange-like projection into a locking position with said first locking pawl.

3. A pipe connection construction according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member comprises a bottom wall at one end;

and said positioning means includes said male member having a second flange-like projection, said second flange-like projection being disposed at a given distance away from said flange-like projection, said second flange-like projection for engaging said bottom wall of said cylindrical member, a distance between said flange-like projection and said second flange-like projection, being determined to bring said flange-like projection and said first locking pawl into engagement when said second flange-like projection is urged by said bottom wall of said cylindrical member.

4. A pipe connection construction for preventing incomplete connection of pipes, comprising:

a male member having an outer peripheral surface with a flange-like projection;

a female member having a radially inwardly directed first locking pawl for locking said flange-like projection upon inserting said male member a specified distance into said female member;

a cylindrical member mounted on said male member and positionable for covering an external periphery of said female member by inserting said male member into said female member;

second locking pawl disposed at an end of said cylindrical member;

a locking step portion, for engaging said second locking pawl, disposed at said external periphery of said female member; and

means positioning

said second locking pawl and said locking step portion for forming a locked condition when said male member is inserted said specified distance into said female member;

said cylindrical member being formed of two divided parts connected by a hinge portion, said hinge portion being disposed in a longitudinal direction allowing said cylindrical member to open and close;

and cylindrical member having second locking hole and second locking projection disposed at an end of each of said two divided parts for securing together said two divided parts.

5. A pipe connection construction according to claim 4, wherein said cylindrical member includes a bottom wall at one end;

and said positioning means includes a cylindrical portion extending from said bottom wall of said cylindrical member in an axial direction;

said cylindrical member includes third projection extending inside said cylindrical member from said bottom wall;

said third projection being provided for pushing in said flange-like projection, said third projection having a length, allowing said flange-like projection to become engaged when said third projection pushes said flange-like projection into a locking position with said first locking pawl.

6. A pipe connection construction according to claim 4, wherein said cylindrical member comprises a bottom wall at one end;

and said positioning means includes said male member having a second flange-like projection, said second flange-like projection being disposed at a given distance away from said flange-like projection, said second flange-like projection for engaging said bottom wall of said cylindrical member, a distance between said flange-like projection and said second flange-like projection, being determined to bring said flange-like projection and said first locking pawl into engagement when said second flange-like projection is urged by said bottom wall of said cylindrical member.