Coupling assembly

• US 5,226,682 A
• Filed: 07/21/1992
• Issued: 07/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Schadewald, Christopher E., Lewis, Edward C., Densel, David S., Marrison, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US07/918,640
• Time in Patent Office: 357 Days
• Field of Search: 285/308, 285/321, 285/315, 285/351, 285/321, 285/92
• US Class Current: 285/308
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0887 with an axially movable separate member for releasing the coupling

Abstract

A coupling assembly for connecting two members that includes an annular locking ring. The assembly further includes a first member and a second member. The first member has an exterior surface having a groove for receiving the locking means. The second member has an inner surface having a cavity for receiving the locking means. The first and second members are secured together when the locking ring is engaged in the groove and the cavity.

Claims

1. A coupling assembly for connecting two members, comprising, in combination:

an annular locking means;

a first member having an exterior surface, said exterior surface having a groove for receiving said locking means, said groove having a groove chamfer, said groove chamfer being positioned adjacent said exterior surface of said first member;

a second member having a portion for receiving said first member, said second member having an inner surface, said inner surface have a cavity for receiving said locking means;

whereby said first member and said second member are secured together when said first member is received by said second member and said locking means is engaged in said groove and said cavity, said locking means being maintained in position by said cavity, said groove and said groove chamfer.

2. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein said annular locking means is a ring having two spaced apart ends.

3. The coupling assembly of claim 2, wherein said ring is spring tempered material.

4. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein said first member is a pipe having a tubular shape.

5. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein said second member is a pipe having a tubular shape.

6. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein said second member includes a chamfer adjacent to said cavity.

7. A coupling assembly for connecting two members, comprising, in combination:

an annular locking means;

a first member having an exterior surface, said exterior surface having a ridge consisting of a ramp, an apex and a shoulder;

a second member having a portion for receiving said first member, said second member having an inner surface, said inner surface having a cavity for receiving said locking means, said inner surface further including a chamfer adjacent to said cavity;

a release sleeve movably mounted on said exterior surface of said first member, said sleeve having an edge;

whereby when said first member is inserted in said second member, said locking means travels up said ramp, over said apex and against said shoulder to engage said ridge, said cavity and said chamfer on said inner surface to secure said first member to said second member, said members are released when said edge of said release sleeve forces said locking means over said apex of said ridge.

8. The coupling assembly of claim 7, wherein said annular locking means is a ring having two spaced apart ends.

9. The coupling assembly of claim 8, wherein said ring is spring tempered material.

10. The coupling assembly of claim 7, wherein said first member is a pipe having a tubular shape.

11. The coupling assembly of claim 7, wherein said second member is a pipe having a tubular shape.

12. A coupling assembly for connecting two members, comprising, in combination:

an annular locking means;

a first member having an exterior surface, said exterior surface having a ridge consisting of a ramp, an apex and a shoulder adjacent to a groove for receiving said locking means, said exterior surface including a threaded portion;

a second member having an outer surface;

a securing sleeve on said outer surface of said second member and means movably mounting said securing sleeve on said outer surface of said second member, said sleeve having an interior surface, said interior surface having a cavity for receiving said locking means, said interior surface having a threaded portion for receiving said threaded portion on said exterior surface of said first member;

whereby said first member and said second member are secured together by connecting said first member to said securing sleeve by said threaded portions and said locking means travels up said ramp, over said apex and against said shoulder to engage said groove and said cavity, said threaded portions acting as a primary connection and said locking means acting as a secondary connection, said locking means acting to prevent disconnection of said first and second members, whereby said first member and said second member can be disconnected by unthreading said threaded portions, thereby causing said locking means to travel over said apex and disconnecting said members.

13. The coupling assembly of claim 12, wherein said annular locking means is a ring having two spaced apart ends.

14. The coupling assembly of claim 13, wherein said ring is spring tempered material.

15. The coupling assembly of claim 12, wherein said first member is a pipe having a tubular shape.

16. The coupling assembly of claim 12, wherein said second member is a pipe having a tubular shape.