Tube coupling

• US 6,464,266 B1
• Filed: 05/12/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accor Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Accor Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Whitney, Charlie, OʼNeill, Jerry E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US09/570,846
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 285/340, 285/40, 285/322, 251/148
• US Class Current: 285/340
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52292 said stop being internal
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52296 said socket comprising sealing elements, e.g. gaskets
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52297 said socket comprising slip-off prevention means B29C66/52296 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52298 said socket being composed by several elements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/534 Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5344 said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends B29C66/5346 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/0691 PEX, i.e. crosslinked polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/18 Polymers of hydrocarbons having four or more carbon atoms, e.g. polymers of butylene, e.g. PB, i.e. polybutylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/12 with streamlined valve member around which the fluid flows when the valve is opened
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/088 by means of a split elastic ring
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/091 by means of a ring provided with teeth or fingers

Abstract

A fluid coupling having an outer housing with an internal bore, an O-ring fitted within the bore, a spacer bushing fitted against the O-ring, a gripper ring fitted against the axially outer side of the spacer ring, the gripper ring having axially and radially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripping teeth, the teeth arranged for providing a twist when subjected to simultaneous rearward axial and rotational forces, and an end bushing holding the gripper ring, spacer bushing, and O-ring within the outer housing. A fluid coupling having an outer housing with an internal bore, an O-ring seal fitted within the bore, a spacer bushing fitted against the seal, a first gripper ring fitted against the axially outer side of the spacer ring, a second gripper ring fitted against the O-ring seal, the gripper rings having axially and radially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripping teeth, in one embodiment the teeth arranged for providing a twist when subjected to simultaneous rearward axial and rotational forces, and an end bushing holding the gripper rings, spacer bushing, and O-ring within the outer housing.

Claims

1. A fluid conduit coupling for removably holding a tube therein comprising:

an outer housing having an internal bore with a circumferential side wall, and circumferentially spaced inner ribs,

a seal support surface in said bore,

a seal engaged in said support surface,

at least one spacer bushing retaining said seal against said support surface, said spacer bushing having an axially inner side and an axially outer side,

a gripper ring having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore, said gripper ring lying axially outward from said seal, said teeth having a twist when subjected to an axial outwardly directed and rotational force for allowing the unscrewing and removal of a tube inserted in said coupling, said gripper ring held in said outer housing to preclude rotational movement of the gripper ring, and

said spacer bushing being secured in said internal bore by an end bushing attached to said outer housing, said end bushing having circumferentially spaced tube guide ribs.

2. The coupling of claim 1, said gripper ring lying against the axially inner side of the spacer bushing and against the seal.

3. The coupling of claim 1 including a second gripping ring located axially of said first gripper ring, said first and second gripper rings being separated by a spacer bushing.

4. The coupling of claim 3, wherein said spacer bushing separating said first and second gripper rings is a second spacer bushing.

5. The coupling of claim 1 wherein said end bushing is welded to said outer housing.

6. The coupling of claim 1,

said gripper ring having a flat on its circumference,

said spacer bushing having a flat on its circumference, and

said flats engaging a mating flat protrusion in the internal bore of said outer housing.

7. The coupling of claim 1, said spacer bushing having circumferentially spaced grooves, the gripper teeth of said gripper ring aligned and fitted within said grooves.

8. The coupling of claim 1 for use with a tube of a threaded compression coupling having a compression ring on the tube, wherein the end bushing has an inwardly tapering surface defining a chamber sized t o receive the compression ring therein when left intact on the tube and the tube is pushed into the coupling until the tube passes the seal.

9. A fluid conduit coupling comprising:

an outer housing having an internal bore with a circumferential side wall,

a seal support surface in said bore,

a seal engaged in said support surface,

a spacer bushing retaining said seal against said support surface, said spacer bushing having an axially inner side and an axially outer side, said spacer bushing having circumferentially spaced grooves, the gripper teeth of said first gripper ring aligned and fitted within said grooves

a first gripper ring located axially outward of the seal and having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore, said gripper ring lying adjacent said spacer bushing, said teeth arranged for providing a twist when subjected to simultaneous rearward axial and rotational forces, the gripper teeth of said first gripper ring aligned and fitted within said grooves of said spacer bushing,

a second gripper ring also having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore, and

means for securing said spacer bushing in said internal bore.

10. The coupling of claim 9 wherein said securing means includes an end bushing attached to said outer housing.

11. The coupling of claim 9, each said gripper ring having a flat on its circumference,

said spacer bushing having a flat on its circumference, and

said flats engaging a mating flat protrusion in the internal bore of said outer housing.

12. A fluid conduit coupling comprising:

an outer housing having an internal bore with a circumferential side wall,

a seal in said internal bore,

a first spacer bushing having an axially inner side and an axially outer side,

a first circular continuous gripper ring having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore, said teeth protruding into said internal bore for holding a tube against axial movement, said first gripper ring mounted against rotation,

at least an additional second gripper ring also having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore, the teeth of each of said gripper rings being arranged for providing a twist when subjected to simultaneous rearward axial and rotational forces,

a second spacer bushing in said internal bore, both said first and second spacer bushings having circumferentially spaced internal grooves, the gripper teeth of said first and second gripper rings are fitted within the grooves of said first and second spacer bushings, respectively, and

said first and second spacer bushings and said first and second gripper rings being held in said internal bore.

13. The coupling of claim 12, wherein said seal, said first and second spacer bushings, and said first and second gripper rings are arranged in said internal bore with said seal axially inwardmost, then said first gripper ring being axially outward of said seal, then said first spacer bushing being axially outward of said first gripper ring, then said second gripper ring being axially outward of said first spacer bushing, and then said second spacer bushing being axially outward of said second gripper ring.

14. The coupling of claim 12, wherein said seal, said first and second spacer bushings, and said first and second gripper rings are arranged in said internal bore with said seal axially inwardmost, then said first spacer bushing being axially outward of said seal, then said first gripper ring lying against and being axially outward of said first spacer bushing, then said second spacer bushing being axially outward of said first gripper ring, and then said second gripper ring lying against and being axially outward of said second spacer bushing.

15. A fluid conduit coupling comprising:

an outer housing having an internal bore with a circumferential side wall,

a seal support surface in said bore,

a seal engaged in said support surface,

a spacer bushing retaining said seal in said support surface, said spacer bushing having an axially inner side and an axially outer side,

a gripper ring having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore, said gripper ring lying adjacent the axially outer side of said spacer bushing, said teeth having a twist when subjected to an axial outwardly directed and rotational force for allowing the unscrewing and removal of a tube inserted in said coupling,

means for securing said spacer bushing in said internal bore,

said internal bore having circumferentially spaced inner ribs,

said end bushing having circumferentially spaced tube guide ribs, and

wherein said spacer bushing securing means includes an end bushing welded to said outer housing.

16. A fluid conduit coupling for removably holding a tube therein comprising:

an outer housing having an internal bore with a circumferential side wall,

a seal support surface in said bore,

a seal engaged in said support surface,

a spacer bushing retaining said seal in said support surface, said spacer bushing having an axially inner side and an axially outer side,

a gripper ring having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore, said gripper ring lying adjacent the axially outer side of said spacer bushing, said teeth having a twist when subjected to an axial outwardly directed and rotational force for allowing the unscrewing and removal of a tube inserted in said coupling, said gripper ring held in said outer housing to preclude rotational movement of the gripper ring,

said spacer bushing being secured in said internal bore, and

said spacer bushing having circumferentially spaced grooves, the gripper teeth of said gripper ring aligned and fitted within said grooves.

17. A fluid conduit coupling for removably holding a tube therein comprising:

an outer housing having an internal bore with a circumferential side wall,

a seal support surface in said bore,

a seal engaged in said support surface,

a spacer bushing retaining said seal in said support surface, said spacer bushing having an axially inner side and an axially outer side,

a gripper ring having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore, said gripper ring lying adjacent the axially outer side of said spacer bushing, said teeth having a twist when subjected to an axial outwardly directed and rotational force for allowing the unscrewing and removal of a tube inserted in said coupling arranged for providing a twist when subjected to simultaneous rearward axial and rotational forces, said gripper ring held in said outer housing to preclude rotational movement of the gripper ring,

said spacer bushing being secured in said internal bore, and

said spacer bushing having circumferentially spaced grooves, the gripper teeth of said gripper ring aligned and fitted within said grooves,

said internal bore having circumferentially spaced inner ribs,

said end bushing having circumferentially spaced tube guide ribs, and

wherein said spacer bushing is secured in said internal bore by said end bushing welded to said outer housing.

18. A fluid conduit coupling comprising:

an outer housing having an internal bore with a circumferential side wall;

a seal support surface in said bore;

a seal engaged in said support surface;

a spacer bushing retaining said seal in said support surface, said spacer bushing having an axially inner side and an axially outer side;

a first gripper ring located axially outward of the seal and having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore, said gripper ring lying adjacent said spacer bushing, said teeth arranged for providing a twist when subjected to simultaneous rearward axial and rotational forces, said spacer bushing having circumferentially spaced grooves, the gripper teeth of said first gripper ring aligned and fitted within said grooves;

a second gripper ring also having radially and axially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripper teeth having inner edges protruding inwardly into said internal bore; and

means for securing said spacer bushing in said internal bore.

19. The coupling of claim 18 wherein there are more than two gripper rings in said coupling.

20. The coupling of claim 18, said internal bore having circumferentially spaced inner ribs.

21. The coupling of claim 18 wherein the configuration of the gripper rings in the bore are an axially inner seal, then an outward first gripper ring, then an outward spacer bushing, then a next outward second gripper ring.