Wedge Bushing Patents (Class 285/323)
  • Patent number: 7878554
    Abstract: An anchor washer for anchoring a first element and a second element in relative engagement, includes an annular portion from which there extends at least one tooth that is inclined relative to a central axis of the annular portion, the annular portion being designed for mounting on the first element, and the tooth having two side faces between which there extends a rubbing surface for being oriented substantially towards the second element, the surface being connected to the side faces via coupling portions, the tooth being shaped so that at least one of the coupling portions is set back from at least a portion of the surface so that the coupling portion is kept at a distance from the second element. A coupling device including such a washer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Legris SA
    Inventor: Nicolas Le Bars
  • Patent number: 7850208
    Abstract: A stamped collet for a push-to-connect tube coupling formed into a generally cylindrical configuration. The collet has an annular base portion from which flexible tines extend forward from the base portion, the flexible tines being circumferentially arranged around a center axis of the collet and including inwardly inclined distal finger portions terminating at a biting edge. The flexible tines can flex outwardly to permit axial insertion of a tube through the collet. At least one of the flexible tines has at least one cam wing that extends radially outwardly from a side of the tine and has a radially outwardly inclined cam surface. The cam surface can be engaged by a corresponding cam surface of a retainer to urge the tine radially inwardly with the biting edge biting into an outer surface of the tube for preventing the tube from being pushed out or pulled out of a coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Dorothy G. Greenberger
  • Patent number: 7845685
    Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a pipe end to a circuit element, the device including a body axially subdivided into a joining section for joining to the circuit element and a connection section provided with a housing for receiving the pipe end, and elements for engaging it in leaktight manner, the engagement elements including at least one arm extending axially from the connection section and having a free, gripper end for gripping the pipe end, the arm being elastically deformable between a gripping state and a release state for releasing the pipe end; and a holding ring connected to the connection section to receive a portion of the pipe end and to pivot between a position allowing free deformation of the arm, and at least one holding position in which a surface of the ring holds the arm in one of its two states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Legris SA
    Inventors: Philippe Blivet, Philippe Poder
  • Patent number: 7837238
    Abstract: A grip element comprising a wedge-like structure supporting a metal plate, the exposed outer surface thereof being provided with an array of large and small gripping teeth. The large teeth project from the surface of said metal plate further than said small teeth. The invention further provides a grip element having a floor. The grip elements may be disposed around a ring for the purpose of pipe gripping. The ring is particularly useful in a pipe coupling to grip metal and plastic pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Krausz Industries Development Ltd
    Inventors: Eliezer Krausz, Avi Chiproot
  • Patent number: 7837239
    Abstract: A pipe coupling including an annular clamp having an opening at least one end of its axial length for inserting therein a pipe, the annular clamp including two clamp members, an annular inclined surface extending axially from each of the clamp members, a wedge-shaped gripper arranged for sliding and abutting against the annular inclined surface, and a fastener that fastens the clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to the axial length so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on the pipe inserted in the opening and a radially-inward clamping force on the annular inclined surface that moves and wedges the wedge-shaped gripper in an axial direction between the annular inclined surface and the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Krausz Industries Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Eliezer Krausz, Avi Chiproot
  • Patent number: 7793993
    Abstract: A coupling device for a fluid line has a collet and an axially movable actuating sleeve serving for operation of the collet. The collet bears several gripping teeth with associated actuating portions able to be acted on by actuating faces on the actuating sleeve in order to hold the inserted fluid line. In the non-operated state of the actuating sleeve there are at least partly different distances between the mutually associated actuating portions and actuating faces so that on actuation of the actuating sleeve several actuating portions of the collet are acted on one after the other. This means that the necessary actuating force is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Kees, Harald Röhrig
  • Publication number: 20100224543
    Abstract: A fitting assembly having a double-headed ferrule, a nut, and a fitting that may be assemble or dissembled by an operator. The fitting assembly includes a nut with first and second ends, with the second end have an internally tapered portion adapted to receive the first end of a ferrule, and further includes a fitting with a first end having an internally tapered portion adapted to receive the second end of the ferrule and a second end adapted to be removably connected to a component or fitting of a liquid chromatography system. The nut, ferrule and fitting of the fitting assembly have passageways therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Scott J. Ellis, Troy N. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7740283
    Abstract: A tube fitting for a tube end has a female member that cooperates with a male member. A tube gripping device in the form of a gripping ring or ferrule is retained with the female member. Upon a partial pull-up, the tube gripping device separates from the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Bennett, Peter C. Williams
  • Patent number: 7735876
    Abstract: A fastening device is provided for fastening cables, fibers or wave hoses in position with multiple ways, and for waterproof capability. The fastening device includes a first casing, an inner holding part, a waterproof screw annulus, a positioning nut, a connecting casing, a second casing, an inner buckled nut, a resilient washer, and a constricting gasket. The first casing and the second casing are respectively engaged with the waterproof screw annulus and the connecting annulus. The first casing and the second casing take force to the wave hose for holding the cable or fiber in place in multiple ways, and avoid shifting or breaking off from drawing outside. The fastening device also has multi-ways for waterproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: AVC Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Teh-Tsung Chiu
  • Patent number: 7731240
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for joining together the ends of two adjacent pipes includes a housing for receiving the ends of the two adjacent pipes, and a locking arrangement which includes an annular chamber, and a plurality of grippers radially moveable towards the central axis of the housing from an inoperative condition to an operative condition. Each gripper includes a gripping formation for operatively gripping a pipe inserted into a bore of the housing, and a locking formation for operatively engaging a corresponding locking formation on the housing so as to axially lock the gripper to the housing. Each locking arrangement also includes a locking ring for locking the grippers to the housing so that axial displacement of the locking ring under fluid pressure within the annular chamber causes radial displacement of the grippers into the operative condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Amidex Coupling Systems (Pty) Ltd
    Inventor: Malcolm Thomas Barker
  • Publication number: 20100084861
    Abstract: In a center portion of the coupling body of a bite type pipe coupling, an insertion port for receiving a connector pipe is formed at an end that faces a coupling member. In the center portion, an insertion port is formed at an end located opposite to the end that faces the coupling member. An apparatus-side pipe is inserted into and brazed to the insertion port. A thin wall portion is formed in an outer circumferential wall portion of the entrance of the insertion port for receiving the apparatus-side pipe. The outer diameter of the thin wall portion is smaller than that of the coupling body. The thin wall portion is formed in a range extending from the entrance of the insertion port to a position that is located closer to the entrance than the inner end of the insertion port and is located in the vicinity of the inner end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Daikin Inustries, LTD.
    Inventors: Haruo Nakata, Yoshiki Murayama, Isao Ohgami, Kazuya Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 7686342
    Abstract: A connection system for connecting tubular members to each other includes a rotatable connector sleeve on one of the tubular members. A make-up tool has a curved rack of gear teeth that are engagable with the connector sleeve for causing rotation of the connector sleeve in unison with the rack. The make-up tool includes a power tool having a drive motor that rotates a drive shaft. A pinion gear mounted on the drive shaft engages the teeth of the rack to cause the rack to move in a rotational direction when the drive shaft is rotated. This movement causes the connector sleeve to rotate to make-up or break-out the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Jennings, Brian N. Munk
  • Publication number: 20100066080
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the sealed coupling of two abutting cylindrical pipes. The device includes a truncated surrounding sleeve and clamping device to reduce the apparent diameter of the sleeve. The surrounding sleeve is cut longitudinally along the center to form a slit having two hollowed-out central wedges, which are joined to the surrounding sleeve by a neck piece. The base of of the sleeve can be deformed in a controlled manner in order to connect pipes having different diameters. Two triangular housings on the opposite side, in which the triangular wedges are housed when the sleeve is clamped to the pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: METALURGICAS PABUR, S.L.
    Inventor: Javier Urzainqui Larumbe
  • Patent number: 7677602
    Abstract: A tube fitting for a tube end has a first coupling member and a second coupling member joined with the first coupling member. A tube gripping device is disposed between the first coupling member and the second coupling member such that assembly of the first coupling member with said second coupling member to a pulled-up condition causes the tube gripping device to be plastically deformed and swaged into the tube to grip and seal the tube. The first coupling member engages an internal surface of the second coupling member to provide an indication of completed pull-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Bennett, Peter C. Williams
  • Patent number: 7654584
    Abstract: A guide bushing for guiding a tubular element in a bore of a coupling, the bushing being provided externally with retaining elements for retaining the bushing in the bore, and internally with guide shoes for guiding the tubular element inside the bushing, the retaining elements and the guide shoes being associated with portions of the bushing that are deformable between a first state in which the retaining elements are in an active position anchoring the bushing in the bore and in which the shoes define a section for passing the tubular element, and a second state in which the retaining elements are in inactive position set back from their active position and in which the guide shoes define a section that is smaller than the section for passing the tubular element. The invention also provides a corresponding coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Legris SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Blivet, Philippe Poder
  • Publication number: 20090309357
    Abstract: A bite-in type pipe joint includes a first joint member having an internal thread and a second joint member having an external thread. An annular ferrule is formed integrally with the second joint member. By the time the first and second joint members are fastened to each other, the ferrule separates from the second joint member and bites into a pipe. The second joint member has a cylindrical cover that covers the ferrule. This structure prevents a distal portion and a tapered surface of the ferrule from being damaged when the joint member is handled. A refrigerating apparatus and/or a water heating device can include one or more of the pipe joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Haruo Nakata, Takashi Shimamura, Jun Koizumi
  • Publication number: 20090295152
    Abstract: A tube coupling includes a coupling body (10) having an open ended throughway (11) to receive a tube (16). A collet (20) is located in the open end of the throughway having a ring (21) and a plurality of flexible arms (22) extending into the throughway. The throughway has a tapered cam surface (25) convergent towards the open end and the collet arms have heads (23) at their distal ends for engaging both the cam surface and a tube extending through the collet into the throughway to be compressed against the tube by the cam surface with outward movement of the collet with respect to the throughway to secure the tube in the throughway. A collet lock (27) is rotatably mounted on the coupling body having one rotary position in which the lock holds the collet (20) and another rotary position in which the collet can move axially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: JOHN GUEST INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Timothy Stephen Guest
  • Publication number: 20090200797
    Abstract: A fitting for fixedly attaching to pipes and the like includes an inner and outer ring being coaxially provided over a pipe. The inner and outer rings are preferably connected by means of a ratchet mechanism allowing for one way advancement there-between. Advancement of the outer ring over the inner ring radially compresses the latter thereby resulting in swaging of the pipe. The radial compression of the pipe results in the fitting being locked in place and prevents axial movement between the fitting and the pipe. Various apparatus are provided for advancing the outer ring over the inner ring. Coupling assemblies are provided utilizing the fittings for forming joints between abutting pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Car-Ber Investments Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Carson, Graham T. Brown
  • Patent number: 7571940
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved coupling having an innovative pipe grip preventing inadvertent separation of the two items being coupled. The improved releasable band-clamp coupling comprises a central housing of cross-section resembling a wide, low-wall channel, the housing being curved to be larger than the outer diameter of a pipe, two curved outer clamp members each configured to contact a wall of the housing and to support a ring seal member and to support a sloped mechanical grip ring, there being further provided proximate to the ends of the curved outer clamp members a pair of substantially parallel pair of clamping extensions, and a sloped internally-toothed grip ring comprising a plurality of spaced-apart wedge-shaped gripper units, each unit being connected to both adjacent gripper units by a flexible element to complete said grip ring; and screw clamping elements in contact with said clamping extensions to reduce the distance between said substantially parallel clamping extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Krausz Metal Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Eliezer Krausz, Avi Chiproot
  • Patent number: 7488005
    Abstract: A quick connector coupling assembly to connect a rigid tube to a hollow body component. A retainer releasably retains the tube within a bore in the body. A resilient seal member surrounds the tube and creates a fluid tight seal against the tube and the body defining the bore. A seal member retainer interposed between the seal member and the body transfers axial load on the seal due to pressure to the body. In one embodiment a polyfluoroethelene spacer is interposed between the seal member and the seal member retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen H. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 7488009
    Abstract: A joint includes a joint main body, a sleeve and a nut. The joint main body has a joining hole and an external threaded part. The nut is threaded onto the external threaded part in a threaded state in which the pipe and the sleeve are inserted through the joining hole. The nut joins the pipe to the joining hole via the sleeve. The sleeve is tightly fitted to the pipe and the joining hole by the threading of the nut to induce deformation that expands radially outward. The deformation prevents insertion of the sleeve into the joining hole to a specific position in an unthreaded state in which the pipe and the sleeve have been pulled out from the joining hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Asakawa, Junichirou Tanaka, Isao Fujinami, Haruo Nakata
  • Patent number: 7475913
    Abstract: An installation groove is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a tube joint body, into which a fluid tube is inserted. An annular fixing ring is installed through interaction with the installation groove. A cylindrical guide member is arranged inside of the body. A chuck is provided that engages with an outer circumferential surface of the fluid tube, thereby retaining the fluid tube. When a fastening pawl of the chuck bites into the outer circumferential surface of the fluid tube, the guide member is pressed radially outwardly by the chuck, with the tube joint body being interposed between the guide member and the fixing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Muto
  • Patent number: 7455328
    Abstract: An annular collet or gripping member radially located within a coupling assembly of the type having a hollow body, nut and an O-ring or seal for connection of a pipe thereto. The collet is axially split, the split defined by first and second generally parallel ends that are of an engageable configuration, typically by one end having a projection and the other end a correspondingly shaped cavity enabling the ends to interlock. In the normal operation of the coupling, the collet exerts a longitudinal force on the O-ring causing a seal. When it experiences an axial force that would normally relatively displace the two ends causing a leak, being engaged to each other this movement is resisted ensuring that the seal is maintained. The present invention also relates to a coupling having such a collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventors: David Chelchowski, Geoffrey Puckett
  • Patent number: 7448655
    Abstract: An instantaneous connection device includes a tubular body and a tight element which is used to hold the end of a line in the body and includes a holding element arranged to receive the end of the line and a cam element arranged between the body and the holding element and used to move the holding element from a free state into a state wherein it grips the end of the line when it is axially displaced in the tubular body between a first position and a second position. The holding element includes two jaws independently mounted in the body so as to slide between the two positions, and the cam element includes two transversal pins that are fixed to the jaws or body so as to slidingly co-operate, with transversal surfaces fixed to the body or the jaws and inclined in relation to the sliding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Legris SA
    Inventor: Nicolas Le Bars
  • Patent number: 7445247
    Abstract: In a fluid system such as irrigation system, fluid conduit attachment is facilitated through the use of a coupling. The coupling may have a body with a first end attached to a component such as an irrigation component, and a second end designed to receive an end of a conduit. The first end may be integrally formed with the component or separately attached thereto. The second end has a bore into which the end of the conduit is inserted. A gripping mechanism is seated in the bore to grip the end of the conduit. A release mechanism slides to release the conduit. The coupling may have a bend and/or branches extending to extra ends. A second coupling may be added to form a rotatable swing joint. An indicator such as a blue color may be used to indicate compatibility of the coupling with the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent C. Ericksen, Alan John Smith, Michael Ray Ericksen
  • Patent number: 7422248
    Abstract: A collet for locking a tube in a tube coupling body is moulded in plastics and comprises an annular collar having a plurality of arms extending from the collar generally parallel to the collar axis. Each arm has a head at its distal end spaced from the collar for engaging between a tube and coupling body to lock the tube in the coupling body. Different materials are used for the heads of the collet and the rest of the collet whereby the heads are stronger and relatively rigid whereas the rest of the collet is relatively flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: John Guest International Limited
    Inventor: Timothy Stephen Guest
  • Patent number: 7419190
    Abstract: A universal water meter connector assembly that is configured to be used with different sized water meter couplers and a variety of dwelling supply lines. The universal water meter connector assembly includes a hexagonal hollow body that terminates in an externally threaded head at one end. The hexagonal body is provided with an internally threaded medial portion an end adjacent the head and an internally threaded end portion at the other end of the hexagonal body. The thread size of the medial portion is smaller than the thread size of the end portion to accommodate different sized water meter couplers. A internal stop is formed in the body below the head and above the medial portion for limiting movement of a supply line inserted into the body. The free end of the head is formed with an internally tapered portion that is configured to receive a cone-shaped member having a narrow end and a wide end with a beveled rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventors: Manuel Diaz Atkinson, Mark Abraham, John Darren Hall, John A. Willding
  • Patent number: 7407196
    Abstract: A tube fitting for a tube end has a female threaded member that cooperates with a male threaded member. The female member includes a tube gripping device in the form of a gripping ring or ferrule that is attached to the female member by a frangible web. Upon a partial pull-up the ferrule engages a camming surface on the male threaded member and breaks off or separates from the female threaded member to become a separate piece so that the fitting then functions as a single ferrule tube fitting. Additional features include a steep camming angle on the camming surface to cause the ferrule to grip the tube end with a bite-type action and to form a primary seal between the camming surface and a front end of the separated ferrule. The ferrule front end, and optionally the entire female threaded member including the initially integral tube gripping device, are hardened to be at least about 3.3 times harder than the material of the tube end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Bennett, Peter C. Williams
  • Patent number: 7389798
    Abstract: A plug for a port is provided. Preferably, the plug and a cartridge configured to couple fluid tubes to a housing use substantially identical components such as a seal and a retainer or guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: SMC Corporation of America
    Inventors: Michael D. Nowling, Rick D. Pelfrey
  • Patent number: 7380838
    Abstract: A connecting device for a pipe comprises a coupling body and a clamping collar. The clamping collar is divided into an axially inner function section and an axially outer actuation section, with a seal positioned between facing front sides of the axially inner function section and the axially outer actuation section. The seal is for sealing against an inner wall of the coupling body and against an outer wall surface of a pipe received within the clamping collar, when the clamping collar is within the coupling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Lincoln GmbH
    Inventor: Zdravko Paluncic
  • Patent number: 7380836
    Abstract: A connection device for fluid lines has a housing in which at least one housing recess is formed stepped in the longitudinal direction and merging at an inner end thereof with a fluid duct. An attachment means is fixed in the housing recess and defines a passage opening rendering possible the plugging into position of a fluid line to be connected. A sealing ring is associated with said attachment means. The sealing ring has an inner periphery matching the outline of the fluid line to be connected and being penetrated by the fluid line when connected. A centering section of the housing recess is located axially within the attachment means. An adapter ring is provided able to be inserted into the centering section for bridging over any radial intermediate space present between the outer periphery of the line's end section and the inner periphery of the centering section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Grzegorz Bogdanowicz, Jakob Brenner
  • Patent number: 7354079
    Abstract: A tube connector including a tubular connector body having an inboard contact surface facing an outboard open end, a collet extending into the open end and towards the contact surface, and an o-ring positioned between the collet and the contact surface. The o-ring provides a fluid-tight seal between the connector body and an outer circumference of a tube inserted through the collet and into the connector body. The connector also includes a relatively rigid ring guide positioned between the o-ring and the collet. The ring guide is adapted to protect the o-ring and maintain the o-ring in a proper position for providing a fluid-tight seal and includes a sloped or radiused outboard surface for guiding an inserted tube and a sloped inboard surface for contacting the o-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Watts Sea Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall J. Rehder, Gary Hutko, L. James Knowles
  • Patent number: 7293758
    Abstract: A pipe connector includes a casing, a valve block mounted in the first end of the casing and movable between a close position and an open position and normally supported in the close position by a spring inside the casing, a locking block holder mounted in the second end of the casing and movable between a locking position and an unlocking position and normally supported in the locking position by a spring inside the casing, and locking blocks transversely mounted in the locking block holder and movable with the locking block holder along a tapered inside all portion of the casing to lock/unlock a pipe that is inserted into the locking block holder to move the valve block to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Lai Chang Hsueh-Feng
  • Patent number: 7140645
    Abstract: A coupler for coupling an end of a hose to a mating end of a faucet or another hose. In the first embodiment, the female end of the coupler is mechanically locked in sealing engagement with a male end by simply translation thereof by means of wedges and an outer retaining sleeve. In a second embodiment, hydraulic pressure provides the final seal, with the female end being a spring split-ring locked and compressed by means of an outer locking sleeve, which outer locking sleeve is released by squeezing it in order to deform it. A third embodiment combines the first and second-embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Gerald Cronley
  • Patent number: 7108288
    Abstract: A tube fitting for a tube end has a female threaded member that cooperates with a male threaded member. The female member includes a tube gripping device in the form of a gripping ring or ferrule that is attached to the female member by a fungible web. Upon a partial pull-up the female engages a camming surface on the male threaded member and breaks off or separates from the female threaded member to become a separate piece so that the fitting then functions as a single ferrule tube fitting. Additional features include a steep camming angle on the camming surface to cause the ferrule to grip the tube end with a bite-type action and to form a primary seal between the camming surface and a front end of the separated ferrule. The ferrule front end, and optionally the entire female threaded member including the initially integral tube gripping device, are hardened to be at least about 3.3 times harder than the material of the tube end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Bennett, Peter C. Williams
  • Patent number: 7100950
    Abstract: The connecting element for transporting gaseous, liquid or solid substances include a tubular coupling which has on the inside a cylindrically running first recess, in which a corrugated tube is arranged, and which has a cylindrically running second recess which adjoins the first recess and In which an annular seal is arranged adjacent to the first recess and an expanding ring is arranged adjacent to the annular seal. The expanding ring has, on the outside, a first projection which points toward the coupling and engages in an encircling groove arranged in the second recess. With its projection which points toward the corrugated tube, both the expanding ring and the annular seal are in each case in engagement with the corrugated tube from outside. The subject matter of the invention is also the use of the connecting element as a subassembly in windshield washer units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventor: Uwe Martin
  • Patent number: 7093862
    Abstract: A ring member and ring members made of metal are tightened and installed to the outer circumferential surface of a body made of a resin material. Accordingly, the body is prevented from outward deformation. When a tube joint is used in a high temperature atmosphere, even if any force acts on a fluid tube in the direction to cause detachment from the tube joint due to any external force or the pressure fluid flowing through the inside of the tube joint, then the fluid tube and a connecting member inserted into the body are reliably prevented from disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Muto
  • Patent number: 6986533
    Abstract: A pipe coupling, which enables pipes to be assembled with the pipe coupling by an one-touch operation while maintaining the liquid-tightness at jointing portions. In the pipe coupling, a connection tube has holding shoulders formed at opposite predetermined inner portions of the connection tube and maximum diameter portions formed at both side portions of the connection tube outside of the holding shoulders. The connection tube has an inner diameter decreasing in a direction toward both mouths of the connection tube from the maximum diameter portions. Snap rings are inserted inside of the mouths of the connection tube in a compressed state. Packing members are tightly disposed in each of the maximum diameter portions. Jaw couplings are inserted in the mouths of the connection tube and each of the jaw couplings are assembled with a plurality of fixing jaws and having engaging protuberances. The fixing jaws are arranged in a circumferential direction of each of the jaw couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Join Top Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eounjin Ko
  • Patent number: 6957833
    Abstract: A tube coupling includes a coupling body having a throughway open at one end to receive an end portion of a tube. A seal encircles the throughway to seal with the outer face and end of the tube. A cap mounted on the body has a tube locking device to engage and hold the tube in the coupling body. The cap and body have interengaging structure which guide the cap on the body for rotation and simultaneous axial movement between a first position on the coupling body and a second position further along the body. As such, when the cap is in the first position the tube can be inserted through the cap into the seal in the throughway and held therein by the locking device and on rotating the cap into the second position, the tube held by the locking device is forced against the seal in the throughway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: John Guest International Limited
    Inventor: John Derek Guest
  • Patent number: 6929289
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for a tube coupler for receiving and securely holding a tube. The tube may be inserted into an opening in an end cap, which engages a coupling body for axial movement between forward and retracted positions on the coupling body. By moving the end cap from the retracted position to the forward position, an end of the tube is drawn into the coupling body to engage and seal against an in-turned annular flange of a seal. Further, as the tube is drawn into the coupling body the seal is compressed around an outer surface of the tube to further seal the tube within the tube coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: John Guest International Ltd.
    Inventor: John Derek Guest
  • Patent number: 6890006
    Abstract: Device for axial maintenance of a cylindrical element, wherein the device includes a coupling bushing comprising external threads, first nut strips which extend axially beyond the external threads, and a first internal pressure surface. A covering nut is provided which includes a second internal pressure surface configured to engage and deform ends of the first nut strips radially indwardly and towards the cylindrical element when the cylindrical element is introduced into the coupling bushing and the covering nut. A sleeve is also provided which includes second nut strips and an external diameter which is at most equal to an internal diameter of the coupling bushing, whereby the sleeve, with the second nut strips being introduced first, is adapted to be introduced into the coupling bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Société d'Exploitation des Procédés Maréchal (SEPM)
    Inventors: Joseph Crestin, Gilles Cordier
  • Patent number: 6877781
    Abstract: A fitting for an end of a length of corrugated tubing has a split retainer that grips the tubing corrugations, and is engaged between a fitting body and a nut. Upon tightening the nut on the fitting body, the endmost corrugation is compressed between the retainer and a sealing seat on the fitting body arranged to provide a narrow metal-metal sealing junction and also a gasket seal. The fitting body has an inwardly tapered conical surface with a circular outer radius surrounded by an annular groove, thus forming a sealing edge, and the annular groove carries a gasket. The conical surface is dimensioned so that the sealing edge falls between the maximum and minimum diameters of the endmost corrugation. As the fitting is tightened, the endmost corrugation is collapsed between the sealing edge and the retainer, providing a metal/metal clamped sealing junction. The outer diameter part of the endmost corrugation is wrapped into a bead or torus that compresses the gasket, forming a metal/gasket additional seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Highlands Corporation
    Inventor: David Edler
  • Patent number: 6851728
    Abstract: A pipe-coupling device comprises a joint body having an opening with external threads to receive a pipe, a locknut having internal threads engaged with the external threads of the joint body, an annular core member disposed within the locknut, and a plurality of locking members retained in apertures of the core member to be spaced circumferentially apart from each other. Upon tightening rotation of the locknut around the joint body, the internal conical surface of the locknut slidably contacts with the conical surfaces of the locking members so as to press the locking members radially inwardly, to cause the gripping portions of the locking members come into gripping engagement with the outer periphery of the inserted pipe, thereby strongly preventing withdrawal of the pipe from the joint body even when the pipe is made of hard material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignees: Hakko Metal Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Masafumi Minami
  • Patent number: 6843507
    Abstract: A tube joint includes a body into which a fluid tube is inserted, a chuck which is arranged in the body and which engages with an outer circumferential surface of the fluid tube to retain the fluid tube, fastening pawls which are disposed on an inner circumference of the chuck facing the fluid tube and which protrude while being inclined by predetermined angles, curved sections which are depressed by predetermined lengths in a direction in which the fluid tube is pulled, recesses which are formed in the curved sections, and a release bush which releases the fluid tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Muto
  • Patent number: 6843514
    Abstract: A pipe coupling device (2) for joining the ends of two pipes is disclosed. The pipe coupling device (2) includes a sleeve (4) configured to receive an end of a pipe and having an annular first abutment surface (6); a compression member (12) having an annular second abutment surface (10); a sealing and gripping assembly (8) for sealing against and gripping the pipe; and threaded fasteners for drawing the compression member (12) and the sleeve (4) axially together so as to compress the sealing and gripping assembly (8) against the pipe. The sealing and gripping assembly (8) includes a sealing member (14) and a gripping device. The gripping device may include an annular carrier (16) having an annular recess for retaining a gripping member (18). The gripping surface of the gripping member (18) and the annular carrier (16) are adapted for relative axial movement wherein the gripping member (18) may be moved into tighter contact with the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Glynwed Pipe Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Rex, Mark Adrian Beevor
  • Patent number: 6786516
    Abstract: A coupler for coupling a male end of a hose to a female end of a faucet or another hose. In the first embodiment, the female end of the coupler is mechanically locked in sealing engagement with a male end by simply translation thereof by means of wedges and an outer retaining sleeve. In a second embodiment, hydraulic pressure provides the final seal, with the female end being a spring split-ring locked and compressed by means of an outer locking sleeve, which outer locking sleeve is released by squeezing it in order to deform it. A third embodiment combines the first and second embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Gerald Cronley
  • Patent number: 6764102
    Abstract: A tube joint comprises a joint body which is provided with an attachment/detachment mechanism for attaching/detaching a fluid tube and which is formed of a resin material, and a bellows section which has annular projections and annular recesses alternately formed to be continuous in an axial direction and which disperses external force (impact force) applied to an outer surface of the joint body to avoid any concentration of stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takumi Ezura
  • Patent number: 6749233
    Abstract: A sleeve-type pipe joint 10 has a joint body 11 having a cylindrical projection 12 adapted to be inserted into a pipe 40 to be connected; a ring member 20 having a larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of the pipe 40; and a resiliently deformable, cylindrical sleeve member 30 moved into a space between the ring member 20 and the pipe 40, at least one of an inner surface of the ring member 20 and an outer surface of the sleeve member 30 being provided with a tapered portion, such that when the sleeve member 30 is moved into the ring member 20, the sleeve member 30 is deformed inward, resulting in tight connection of the inner surface of the pipe 40 to the outer surface of the cylindrical projection 12. When the ring member 20, the sleeve member 30, and the joint body 11 are assembled, the ring member 20 and the sleeve member 30 resist detachment from the assembled pipe joint 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ohya
  • Patent number: 6679527
    Abstract: A serviceable design for a pressure vessel or reservoir includes a removable retainer accessible from a location external to the reservoir. Many existing, commercially available components can be used with only slight modification while providing ease of access to repair/replace seal members if so desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn
  • Patent number: 6609734
    Abstract: A connector for the connection of pressure vessels utilizing toroidal surfaces to achieve a maximum of contact area sliding parallel to motion of locking segment when achieving high preload to minimize high stress contact points and the resultant wear when subjected to multiple operations and orientation means to cause any wear to be repeatedly in the same area such that selected critical areas will not be subjected to high contact stress wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Benton F. Baugh