Fast coupling for irrigation systems, particularly domestic irrigation systems

• US 6,971,684 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ferrari Group SRL
• Original Assignee: Ferrari Group SRL
• Inventors: Ferrari, Ruggero
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt, James M.
• Application Number:
  US10/461,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20040108716A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 285/5, 285/24, 285/27, 285/33, 285/317, 285/319, 285/331, 285/921, 285/148.1, 285/148.2
• US Class Current: 285/319
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0987 the flexible hook being progressively compressed by axial tensile loads acting on the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/127 using hooks hinged about an axis F16L37/1215 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

The invention relates to fast couplings for connecting hoses, particularly for domestic irrigation. A fast coupling is formed by a first body and a second body reciprocally connected by inserting first lugs projecting from the second body in first slots made on the first body. A male connector is locked inside the fast coupling by radially pressing an end of the male connector with a torus-shaped elastic element. Unlocking the second body from the first body causes the automatic ejection of the mail connector.

Claims

1. In an irrigation system fast coupling for connecting two hoses, comprising:

a first inner body and second outer body coaxial with respect to each other, the first and second bodies being partially slidable with respect to each other along a common longitudinal axis;

said first and second bodies being hollow along said longitudinal axis and being detachably locked together via reciprocally cooperative connecting and disconnecting means;

said second body being adapted to be connected to a male connector;

an elastic torus-shaped element housed inside the second body, said elastic element being adapted to lock said male connector;

an elastic compression element longitudinally located between said first and second bodies;

said elastic compression element being adapted both to instantaneously disconnect the male connector from the second body and easily release the first body from said second body;

said first and second bodies being detachably locked when the fast coupling is in an operative state.

2. The fast coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first body is provided, along its outer circumference, with two first flexible elements and two first slots, each of the first slots being in between said two first flexible elements;

said first flexible elements being adapted to be pressed by a user.

3. The fast coupling according to claim 2, wherein the second body is provided, along its outer circumference, with two second flexible elements and two third flexible elements, each of said third flexible elements being in between said two second flexible elements;

each of said second flexible elements being adapted to cooperate with one of said first flexible elements;

each of said third flexible elements being adapted to engage with one of the first slots by a first lug.

4. The fast coupling according to claim 3, wherein each second flexible element is provided with a second lug adapted to engage with a second slot made on the first body in a housing of each first flexible element;

said engagement occurring simultaneously with a radial shrinkage of the torus-shaped elastic element caused by the thrust of a circumferential shoulder integral with the first body.

5. The fast coupling according to claim 4, wherein the torus-shaped elastic element is received in an inner part of the second body having a hemispherical cross-section;

said cross-section tapering towards the end of said second body that is provided with an opening adapted to receive an end of the male connector.

6. The fast coupling according to claim 5, wherein the torus-shaped elastic element is located inside the second body in a housing defined by the inner part (12), a circumferential shoulder, and the outer surface of the end of said second body provided with the opening.

7. The fast coupling according to claim 6, wherein the torus-shaped elastic element is located inside the housing so that said elastic element is forced to radially shrink when said second body is completely inside the first body and the male connector is connected to the fast coupling;

said male connector being locked because said radial shrinkage exerts a thrust around its outer surface.

8. The fast coupling according to claim 6, wherein when the male connector is locked inside the second body, the outer surface of the second flexible elements contacts a part of the inner surface of the first flexible elements by a portion;

said contact allowing the disconnection of said second lugs from the respective second slots by pressing said first flexible elements.

9. The fast coupling according to claim 5, wherein when said fast coupling is in the operative state, the second body and the first body are reciprocally connected by the engagement of the third flexible elements with respective first slots after the second body is pressed inside the first body;

said connection allowing to lock and unlock the male connector in and from said second body.