Chuck and tube joint

• US 7,318,609 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Issued: 01/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Hamasaki, Hitoshi, Naito, Keiichiro, Taneya, Yoshimoto, Tomita, Taku
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt; James M.
• Application Number:
  US10/882,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20050006896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 285/322, 285/323, 285/307, 285/316, 251/149.6
• US Class Current: 285/322
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/133 using flexible hooks F16L37/1215 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/138 using an axially movable sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/44 with one lift valve being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal

Abstract

A chuck includes an annular ring portion, a first engaging portion which extends along a central axis of the annular ring portion and which engages with the first tube joint member, and a second engaging portion which extends from the annular ring portion along the central axis of the annular ring portion and which elastically engages with a second tube joint member. A-three-dimensionally shaped portion, which is an end of the second engaging portion, includes a pair of expanded portions on a metal plate. The annular ring portion is formed by rounding the metal plate with both ends, which are not fixed to one another so that both ends are displaceable circumferentially.

Claims

1. A chuck assembly comprising:

a first member;

a second member; and

a chuck comprising;

an annular ring portion into which at least said first member is inserted;

a first engaging portion which extends from said annular ring portion along a central axis of said annular ring portion and which engages with said first member;

a second engaging portion which extends from said annular ring portion along said central axis of said annular ring portion and which elastically engages with a recess of said second member; and

a three-dimensionally shaped portion on an end of said second engaging portion, said three-dimensionally shaped portion including a pair of plastically deformed expanded portions formed by plastically deforming a metal plate, and wherein a bent and folded intermediate portion defining a crease is formed between said pair of plastically deformed expanded portions, so that respective concavities of said pair of plastically deformed expanded portions face each other.

2. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein said annular ring portion is formed by rounding a metal plate and said metal plate has both ends which are not fixed to one another so that said both ends are displaceable circumferentially.

3. The chuck assembly according to claim 2, wherein said annular ring portion is installed to said first member while being diametrally expanded elastically.

4. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first engaging portion includes a plurality of plate tabs which are provided on said annular ring portion;

and

said second engaging portion includes a plurality of plate spring portions which are provided on said annular ring portion and which are longer than said plate tabs of said first engaging portion.

5. The chuck assembly according to claim 4, wherein each of said plate spring portions has an inclined portion which is inclined toward said central axis of said annular ring portion.

6. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein plate tabs of said first engaging portion are provided on said annular ring portion at equal intervals;

and

plate spring portions of said second engaging portion are provided on said annular ring portion at equal intervals at positions different from those of said plate tabs.

7. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein said pair of plastically deformed expanded portions comprises an inner expanded portion and an outer expanded portion that are different in shape from each other.

8. The chuck assembly according to claim 1, wherein said expanded portions have convexly curved outer sides and concavely curved inner sides.

9. A tube joint comprising:

a first tube joint member;

a second tube joint member which is connectable to said first tube joint member;

a sleeve which is attached to a connecting portion between said first and second tube joint members and which is provided to couple and uncouple said first and second tube joint members;

a resilient member which urges said sleeve in a direction to couple said first and second tube joint members; and

a chuck which engages said first tube joint member with said second tube joint member,

wherein said chuck comprises;

an annular ring portion into which said first tube joint member is inserted;

a first engaging portion which extends from said annular ring portion along a central axis of said annular ring portion and which engages with said first tube joint member; and

a second engaging portion which extends from said annular ring portion along said central axis of said annular ring portion and which elastically engages with said second tube joint member,

wherein said annular ring portion is formed by rounding a metal plate so that both ends of said metal plate are disposed close to one another, and said both ends are not fixed to one another so that said both ends are displaceable in a circumferential direction, and

wherein an end of said second engaging portion engages with a recess of said second tube joint member and forms a three-dimensionally shaped portion including a pair of plastically deformed expanded portions formed by plastically deforming a metal plate, and wherein a bent and folded intermediate portion defining a crease is formed between said pair of plastically deformed expanded portions so that respective concavities of said pair of plastically deformed expanded portions face each other.

10. The tube joint according to claim 9, wherein said annular ring portion is installed to said first tube joint member while being diametrally expanded elastically.

11. The tube joint according to claim 9, further comprising a lock mechanism which selectively limits displacement of said sleeve.

12. The tube joint according to claim 9, wherein a detachable protecting member made of synthetic resin is provided at an end of said sleeve.

13. The tube joint according to claim 9, wherein said expanded portions have convexly curved outer sides and concavely curved inner sides.

18. The tube joint according to claim 13, wherein said expanded portions have convexly curved outer sides and concavely curved inner sides.

14. A tube joint comprising:

a first tube joint member;

a second tube joint member which is connectable to said first tube joint member;

a sleeve which is attached to a connecting portion between said first and second tube joint members and which is provided to couple and uncouple said first and second tube joint members;

a resilient member which urges said sleeve in a direction to couple said first and second tube joint members; and

a chuck which engages said first tube joint member with said second tube joint member,

wherein said chuck comprises;

an annular ring portion into which said first tube joint member is inserted;

a first engaging portion which extends from said annular ring portion along a central axis of said annular ring portion and which engages with said first tube joint member; and

a second engaging portion which extends from said annular ring portion along said central axis of said annular ring portion and which elastically engages with said second tube joint member,

wherein an end of said second engaging portion engages with a recess of said second tube joint member and forms a three-dimensionally shaped portion including a pair of plastically deformed expanded portions formed by plastically deforming a metal plate, and wherein a bent and folded intermediate portion defining a crease in said metal plate is formed between said pair of plastically deformed expanded portions, so that respective concavities of said pair of plastically deformed expanded portions face each other.

15. The tube joint according to claim 14, further comprising a lock mechanism which selectively limits displacement of said sleeve.

16. The tube joint according to claim 14, wherein a detachable protecting member made of synthetic resin is provided at a front end of said sleeve.

17. The tube joint according to claim 14, wherein said pair of plastically deformed expanded portions comprises an inner expanded portion and an outer expanded portion that are different in shape from each other.