SWIVEL CONNECTOR FOR SUCTION CONDUIT OF SURFACE MACHINING TOOLS
Swivel connector for suction conduit of surface machining tools comprised of a first sleeve and a second sleeve that can be swivelled in relation to each other once assembled so as to set the respective longitudinal axes in at least two mutual angular positions, for example 0° and 90°, in order to favor more flexible operation of the tool in restricted spaces.
This document claims priority from Italian Utility Model No. MI2007U000179, filed on May 11, 2007, which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to a swivel connector for connecting two lengths of a dust suction system for a surface machining tool.
The problems caused by dust scattered in the environment by working tools are well known. The possibility of removing such dust by suction improves the tool operating conditions and also the operator's working conditions. Consider, by way of example, an orbital polisher without dust suction that operates in a closed environment.
Notwithstanding the undeniable working advantages and presence in the prior art, the combination of a suction system and a tool may cause ergonomic problems due to the added encumbrance of the suction tube and the scant flexibility in deciding the positioning thereof. Indeed, the prior art connectors allow for placement of the suction tube in only one position, typically in a direction either perpendicular or parallel to the suction plane.
A typical drawback of this arrangement lies in the reduced possibility of maneuvering the tool in the direction of the suction tube. Consider, by way of example only, an orbital polisher that has to operate in a cramped environment and the advantage of being able to have the suction tube outlet perpendicular to the work surface. Similarly, a polisher may be used to work between two closely spaced walls by advantageously exploiting a connector whose axis is parallel to the walls. It is evident that unless there is a possibility of shifting the direction of the suction tube connector, the polisher cannot work in both situations.
SUMMARYThe object of the present invention is thus to overcome such disadvantages.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a swivel connector for suction systems coupled to machine tools.
A connector according to the invention comprises two sleeves, mutually rotatable around an oblique swivel axis, oriented in particular at 45° in relation to the direction of suction, along the respective swivel plane normal thereto. The first sleeve connects to the suction hose and the second sleeve connects to the tool side, for the suction of particulate matter. Owing to the type of coupling between the two sleeves, the relative position of the respective axes may be selected as desired, and in a continuous fashion, so that the respective axes are either coincident or mutually inclined by 90°.
These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of a non-restrictive example in the appended drawings, in which:
The drawings illustrate a connector 50 according to the present invention, comprised of a first sleeve 1 and a second sleeve 2. In
The first sleeve 1 is described with reference to
The second sleeve 2 is described with reference to
At the time of assembly, the cylindrical part 6 and the ring-shaped portion 7 of the first sleeve 1 are pushed into the tapered hole 12 of the second sleeve 2, care being taken to match up the projections 13 and notches 8. The two axes of the swivel ends 5 and 11 will thus coincide to form a single swivel axis 14 and the first sleeve 1 and second sleeve 2 will be coupled together along a swivel plane 53 that is inclined in relation to the axes of the two sleeves and perpendicular to the swivel axis 14. The projections 13 are advantageously placed according to a diametrical axis, as it appears clearly, for example, in
If desired, additional working positions may be provided for, at angles other than 0° and 90°, using suitable locking elements to be applied in the two sleeves 1 and 2.
Moreover, in a further embodiment, the sleeve 2 may be built integrally with the tool 52.
Claims
1. Swivel connector for suction conduit of surface machining tools, to be combined in particular with a tool, characterized in that it comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve coupled together along a swivel plane, which is inclined in relation to the longitudinal axes of the first sleeve and the second sleeve so that the respective longitudinal axes thereof have at least two mutual angular positions.
2. Swivel connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sleeve is comprised of a hollow cylindrical body with one free end for connection with a suction machine and a swivel end formed by a cylindrical projection terminating in a ring-shaped portion that is broader in diameter than the cylindrical projection and narrows in diameter in the terminal part; and further characterized in that the second sleeve has a hollow cylindrical body with one free end for connection with a machine tool and a swivel end comprising a tapered hole whose diameter narrows inwardly and is such that the cylindrical projection and the ring-shaped portion can be pushed into the tapered hole for assembly.
3. Swivel connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the swivel axis is inclined by 45° in relation to the longitudinal axes of the first sleeve and of the second sleeve when the longitudinal axes are coincident, thus achieving a 0° and 90° swivel connection for the longitudinal axes of the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
4. Swivel connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the swivel axis is inclined by 45° in relation to the longitudinal axis of the first sleeve and of the second sleeve when the longitudinal axes are coincident, thus achieving a 0° and 90° swivel connection for the longitudinal axes of the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
5. Swivel connector according to claim 2, characterized in that in the first sleeve the cylindrical projection and the ring-shaped portion have notches that separate the cylindrical projection and the relevant ring-shaped portion into quadrants so as to provide greater flexibility and further characterized in that in the second sleeve, the tapered hole features projections having dimensions such as to slightly reduce the diameter of the tapered hole and suitable for engaging with the corresponding notches of the first sleeve so that, following assembly of the sleeves, the operation of relative rotation between the first sleeve and the second sleeve can be achieved simply with a slight push, while free rotation is precluded and rotation is locked in positions defined by the projections and notches.
6. Swivel connector according to claim 3, characterized in that in the first sleeve the cylindrical projection and the ring-shaped portion have notches that separate the cylindrical projection and the relevant ring-shaped portion into quadrants so as to provide greater flexibility and further characterized in that in the second sleeve, the tapered hole features projections having dimensions such as to slightly reduce the diameter of the tapered hole and suitable for engaging with the corresponding notches of the first sleeve so that, following assembly of the sleeves, the operation of relative rotation between the first sleeve and the second sleeve can be achieved simply with a slight push, while free rotation is precluded and rotation is locked in positions defined by the projections and notches.
7. Swivel connector according to claim 4, characterized in that in the first sleeve the cylindrical projection and the ring-shaped portion have notches that separate the cylindrical projection and the relevant ring-shaped portion into quadrants so as to provide greater flexibility and further characterized in that in the second sleeve, the tapered hole features projections having dimensions such as to slightly reduce the diameter of the tapered hole and suitable for engaging with the corresponding notches of the first sleeve so that, following assembly of the sleeves, the operation of relative rotation between the first sleeve and the second sleeve can be achieved simply with a slight push, while free rotation is precluded and rotation is locked in positions defined by the projections and notches.
8. Swivel connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the notches are arranged in opposing pairs at the diameter ends of the hollow cylindrical body and the projections are arranged in opposing pairs at the diameter ends of the tapered hole.
9. Swivel connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the notches are arranged in opposing pairs at the diameter ends of the hollow cylindrical body and the projections are arranged in opposing pairs at the diameter ends of the tapered hole.
10. Swivel connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the notches are arranged in opposing pairs at the diameter ends of the hollow cylindrical body and the projections are arranged in opposing pairs at the diameter ends of the tapered hole.
11. Swivel connector according to claim 1, characterized in that said second sleeve is built integrally with the tool.
12. Swivel connector according to claim 1, characterized in that both sleeves have free ends in which respective bushings are rotatably housed.
Type: Application
Filed: May 8, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 13, 2008
Inventor: Guido Valentini (Milano)
Application Number: 12/117,023