Corrugated pipe connector and method of molding

• US 5,332,270 A
• Filed: 08/19/1993
• Issued: 07/26/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adaptaflex Limited
• Original Assignee: Elconnex Pty., Limited
• Inventors: Petty, John, McNeil, Sandy
• Primary Examiner(s): NICHOLSON, ERIC K
• Application Number:
  US08/109,210
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 285/423, 285/319, 285/903, 285/921
• US Class Current: 285/319
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/485 cores or mandrels collapsible mandrels for shaping tube ends B29C57/02; collapsible mandrels for winding and joining B29C53/824
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0014 by flexibly or permanently deforming undercut portions of the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/4407 by flexible movement of undercut portions of the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/4421 using expansible or collapsible cores
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/24 Pipe joints or couplings B29L2031/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/0045 of the quick-acting type
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0985 the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part F16L37/0982 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4435 Corrugated mantle
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4459 Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/06 Joints for connecting lengths of protective tubing or channels, to each other or to casings, e.g. to distribution boxes; Ensuring electrical continuity in the joint
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0691 Fixing tubing to casing by auxiliary means co-operating with indentations of the tubing, e.g. with tubing-convolutions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/903 Corrugated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

A Connector for corrugated pipes or rods comprises a housing (2) having an open end (3) for insertion of a pipe or rod into a bore (5). A pair of resilient locking members of fingers (9) are formed in the housing wall and include projections (10) which extend into the bore (5). The projections are so shaped as to lock into a single valley of the pipe or rod corrugations to prevent withdrawal of the pipe or rod. Also disclosed are methods of moulding the connector in which the fingers (9) are held and/or forced outwardly from the mould during withdrawal of a central core which forms the bore (5) to avoid damage of the fingers by the core.

Claims

1. A one-piece plastic connector, for affixing to a conduit, having a ridge located adjacent to its end, comprising:

a body open at one end to receive a conduit in a bore communicating with said open end, said bore having an axis;

locking means located in said body so as to project into the said bore so as to lock onto the ridge of conduit in said bore, so as to hold in said bore said conduit, wherein said locking means comprises an axially extending resilient finger, having a projection located at its free end being remote from the open end and which projects into the bore;

an axially extending recess located in the bore which extends from the base of the finger towards the open end, such recess acting to move the moment arm of the finger radially outwardly to enhance the over-center action of the finger; and

a laterally extending, relative to said axis, recess formed therein forming a line of weakness contributing to the resiliency of said finger;

wherein a force attempting to withdraw the conduit from the connector causes the projection of the finger to more firmly and deeply resiliently engage and retain said ridge such that a greater withdrawal force results in a firmer and deeper engagement with said ridge.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the finger has on its underside a ramp rising adjacent the projection from the finger to an apex, intermediate the ends of the finger.

3. A connector according to claim 2 wherein the apex extends into the bore a lesser distance than the projection.

4. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said projection has a substantially planar face, extending substantially radially to the bore and facing away from the open end of the body.

5. A connector according to claim 3 wherein said substantially planar face extends at an angle inwardly away from the open end of the body.

6. A one-piece plastic connector, for affixing, to a conduit, having a ridge located adjacent to its end, comprising:

a body open at one end to receive a conduit in a bore communicating with said open end, said bore having an axis;

locking means located in said body so as to project into the said bore so as to lock onto the ridge of conduit in said bore, so as to hold in said bore said conduit, wherein said locking means comprises an axially extending resilient finger, having a projection located at its free end being remote from the open end and which projects into the bore;

an axially extending recess located in the bore and being of a width substantially the same as that of the finger and which extends from the base of the finger towards the open end, said recess acting to move the moment arm of the finger radially outwardly to enhance the over-center action of the finger; and

a laterally extending, relative to said axis, recess formed therein forming a line of weakness contributing to the resiliency of said finger, wherein a force attempting to withdraw the conduit from the connector causes the projection of the finger to more firmly and deeply resiliently engage and retain said ridge such a greater withdrawal force results in a firmer and deeper engagement with said ridge.

7. A connector according to claim 6 wherein the finger has on its underside a ramp rising adjacent the projection from the finger to an apex, intermediate the ends of the finger.

8. A connector according to claim 7 wherein the apex extends into the bore a lesser distance than the projection.

9. A connector according to claim 6 wherein said projection has a substantially planar face, extending substantially radially to the bore and facing away from the open end of the body.

10. A connector according to claim 9 wherein said substantially planar face extends at an angle inwardly away from the open end of the body.

11. A one-piece plastic connector, for affixing, in a liquid tight manner, to a conduit, having a ridge located adjacent to its end, comprising:

a body open at one end to receive a conduit in a bore communicating with said open end, said bore having an axis;

sealing means, in said bore, remote from said open end, which are adapted to seal against, in a liquid tight manner, the conduit pushed into the said bore;

locking means located in said body so as to project into the said bore so as to lock onto the ridge of conduit in said bore, so as to hold in said bore said conduit in a liquid tight seal against the said sealing means, wherein said locking means comprises an axially extending resilient finger, having a projection located at its free end being remote from the open end and which projects into the bore;

an axially extending recess located in the bore which extends from the base of the finger towards the open end, such recess acting to move the moment arm of the finger radially outwardly to enhance the over-center action of the finger; and

a laterally extending, relative to said axis, recess formed therein forming a line of weakness contributing to the flexibility of said finger;

wherein a force attempting to withdraw the conduit from the connector causes the projection of the finger to more firmly and deeply resiliently engage and retain said ridge such that a greater withdrawal force results in a firmer and deeper engagement with said ridge.

12. A connector according to claim 11 wherein the finger has on its underside a ramp rising adjacent the projection from the finger to an apex, intermediate the ends of the finger.

13. A connector according to claim 12 wherein the apex extends into the bore a lesser distance than the projection.

14. A connector according to claim 11 wherein said projection has a substantially planar face, extending substantially radially to the bore and facing away from the open end of the body.

15. A connector according to claim 14 wherein said substantially planar face extends at an angle inwardly towards the interior of the bore and away from the open end of the body.

16. A connector according to claim 12 wherein said sealing means is a resiliently deformable seal adapted to abut against the end of the conduit in a liquid tight manner.

17. A one-piece plastic connector, for affixing, in a liquid tight manner, to a conduit, having a ridge located adjacent to its end, comprising:

a body open at one end to receive a conduit in a bore communicating with said open end, said bore having an axis;

a tapered section of said bore remote from said open end whereby said conduit which is pushed into said bore is compressed against and seals against the tapered section in a liquid tight manner; and

locking means located in said body so as to project into the said bore so as to lock onto the ridge of conduit in said bore, so as to hold in said bore said conduit in a liquid tight seal against the said tapered section, wherein said locking means comprises an axially extending resilient finger, having a projection located at its free end being remote from the open end and which projects into the bore;

an axially extending recess located in the bore which extends from the base of the finger towards the open end, said recess acting to move the moment arm of the finger radially outwardly to enhance the over-center action of the finger; and

a laterally extending, relative to said axis, recess formed therein forming a line a weakness contributing to the resiliency of said finger;

wherein a force attempting to withdraw the conduit from the connector causes the projection of the finger to more firmly and deeply resiliently engage and retain said ridge such that a greater withdrawal force results in a firmer and deeper engagement with said ridge.

18. A connector according to claim 17 wherein the finger has on its underside a ramp rising adjacent the projection from the finger to an apex, intermediate the ends of the finger.

19. A connector according to claim 18 wherein the apex extends into the bore a lesser distance than the protection.

20. A connector according to claim 17 wherein said projection has a substantially planar face, extending substantially radially to the bore and facing away from the open end of the body.

21. A connector according to claim 20 wherein said substantially planar face extends at an angle inwardly towards the interior of the bore and away from the open end of the body.

22. A one-piece plastic connector, for affixing, in a liquid tight manner, to a conduit, having a ridge located adjacent to its end, comprising:

a body open at one end to receive a conduit in a bore communicating with said open end, said bore having an axis;

sealing means, in said bore, remote from said open end, which are adapted to seal against, in a liquid tight manner, the conduit pushing into the said bore;

locking means located in said body so as to project into the said bore so as to lock onto the ridge of conduit in said bore, so as to hold in said bore said conduit in a liquid tight seal against the said sealing means, wherein said locking means comprises an axially extending resilient finger, having a projection located at its free end being remote from the open end and which projects into the bore;

an axially extending recess located in the bore and being of a width substantially the same as that of the finger and which extends from the base of the finger towards the open end, said recess acting to move the moment arm of the finger radially outwardly to enhance the over-center action of the finger; and

a laterally extending, relative to said axis, recess formed therein forming a line of weakness contributing to the resiliency of said finger;

wherein a force attempting to withdraw the conduit from the connector causes the projection of the finger to more firmly and deeply resiliently engage and retain said ridge such a greater withdrawal force results in a firmer and deeper engagement with said ridge.

23. A connector according to claim 22 wherein the finger has on its underside a ramp rising adjacent the projection from the finger to an apex, intermediate the ends of the finger.

24. A connector according to claim 23 wherein the apex extends into the bore a lesser distance than the projection.

25. A connector according to claim 24 wherein said projection has a substantially planar face, extending substantially radially to the bore and facing away from the open end of the body.

26. A connector according to claim 25 wherein said substantially planar face extends at an angle inwardly towards the interior of the bore and away from the open end of the body.

27. A connector according to claim 23 wherein said sealing means is a resiliently deformable seal adapted to abut against the end of the conduit in a liquid tight manner.

28. A one-piece plastic connector, for affixing, in a liquid tight manner, to a conduit, having a ridge located adjacent to its end, comprising:

a body open at one end to receive a conduit in a bore communicating with said open end, said bore having an axis,;

a tapered section of said bore remote from said open end whereby said conduit which is pushed into said bore is compressed against and seals against the tapered section in a liquid tight manner; and

locking means located in said body so as to project into the said bore so as to lock onto the ridge of conduit in said bore, so as to hold in said bore said conduit in a liquid tight seal against the said tapered section, wherein said locking means comprises an axially extending resilient finger, having a projection located at its free end being remote from the open end and which projects into the bore;

an axially extending recess located in the bore which extends from the base of the finger towards the open end, said recess acting to move the moment arm of the finger radially outwardly to enhance the over-center action of the finger; and

a laterally extending, relative to said bore, recess formed therein forming a line of weakness contributing to the resiliency of said finger wherein a force attempting to withdraw the conduit from the connector causes the projection of the finger to more firmly and deeply resiliently engage and retain said ridge such that a greater withdrawal force results in a firmer and deeper engagement with said ridge.

29. A connector according to claim 28 wherein the finger has on its underside a ramp rising adjacent the projection from the finger to an apex, intermediate the ends of the finger.

30. A connector according to claim 29 wherein the apex extends into the bore a lesser distance than the projection.

31. A connector according to claim 28 wherein said projection has a substantially planar face, extending substantially radially to the bore and facing away from the open end of the body.

32. A connector according to claim 31 wherein said substantially planar face extends at an angle inwardly towards the interior of the bore and away from the open end of the body.

33. A one-piece plastic connector, for affixing to a conduit, having a ridge located adjacent to its end, comprising:

a body open at one end to receive a conduit in a bore communicating with said open end, said bore having an axis;

locking means located in said body so as to project into the said bore so as to lock onto the ridge of conduit in said bore, so as to hold in said bore said conduit, wherein said locking means comprises an axially extending resilient finger, having an outer surface and a projection located at its free end being remote from the open end and which projects into the bore;

an axially extending recess located in the bore which extends from the base of the finger towards the open end, such recess acting to move the moment arm of the finger radially outwardly to enhance the over-center action of the finger; and

a laterally extending, relative to said axis, recess on said outer surface forming a line of weakness contributing to the resiliency of said finger;

wherein a force attempting to withdraw the conduit from the connector causes the projection of the finger to more firmly and deeply resiliently engage and retain said ridge such that a greater withdrawal force results in a firmer and deeper engagement with said ridge.

34. A one-piece plastic connector, for affixing, to a conduit, having a ridge located adjacent to its end, comprising:

a body open at one end to receive a conduit in a bore communicating with said open end, said bore having an axis;

locking means located in said body so as to project into the said bore so as to lock onto the ridge of conduit in said bore, so as to hold in said bore said conduit, wherein said locking means comprises an axially extending resilient finger, having an outer surface and a projection located at its free end being remote from the open end and which projects into the bore;

an axially extending recess located in the bore and being of a width substantially the same as that of the finger and which extends from the base of the finger towards the open end, said recess acting to move the moment arm of the finger radially outwardly to enhance the over-center action of the finger; and

a laterally extending, relative to said axis, recess on said outer surface forming a line of weakness contributing to the resiliency of said finger, wherein a force attempting to withdraw the conduit from the connector causes the projection of the finger to more firmly and deeply resiliently engage and retain said ridge such a greater withdrawal force results in a firmer and deeper engagement with said ridge.

35. A one-piece plastic connector, for affixing, in a liquid tight manner, to a conduit, having a ridge located adjacent to its end, comprising:

a body open at one end to receive a conduit in a bore communicating with said open end, said bore having an axis;

sealing means, in said bore, remote from said open end, which are adapted to seal against, in a liquid tight manner, the conduit pushed into the said bore;

locking means located in said body so as to project into the said bore so as to lock onto the ridge of conduit in said bore, so as to hold in said bore said conduit in a liquid tight seal against the said sealing means, wherein said locking means comprises an axially extending resilient finger, having an outer surface and a projection located at its free end being remote from the open end and which projects into the bore;

an axially extending recess located in the bore which extends from the base of the finger towards the open end, such recess acting to move the moment arm of the finger radially outwardly to enhance the over-center action of the finger; and

a laterally extending, relative to said axis, recess on said outer surface forming a line of weakness contributing to the flexibility of said finger;

wherein a force attempting to withdraw the conduit from the connector causes the projection of the finger to more firmly and deeply resiliently engage and retain said ridge such that a greater withdrawal force results in a firmer and deeper engagement with said ridge.