Toggle Ring Type Patents (Class 285/340)
  • Patent number: 6499771
    Abstract: An open end of a standard pipe fitting is enlarged in diameter to coaxially receive an O-ring and a retainer having a cylindrical surface. A plurality of locking teeth project from the cylindrical surface and are engageable with both the inner surface of the fitting and an outer surface of a pipe end inserted coaxially into the fitting open end. Each of the locking teeth have oppositely disposed edges facing obliquely inwardly and outwardly to engage both the pipe end and the fitting and resisting motion of the pipe end relatively to the fitting. In an alternate embodiment, a first plurality of teeth each have an edge facing obliquely inwardly of the fitting to engage the pipe end and resist motion tending to withdraw the pipe end from the fitting. A second plurality of teeth each have an edge facing obliquely outwardly of the fitting and resist motion tending to withdraw the retainer from the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventors: Ronald R. Snyder, Sr., Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Douglas R. Dole
  • Patent number: 6485063
    Abstract: A drill string includes a plurality of tubular members each having a connection with a pin connector and a box connector on adjacent tubular members. The pin connector has an external thread with negative load flanks and positive stab flanks, adapted for threadingly engaging an internal thread second threads with negative load flanks and positive stab flanks on the box connector of the adjacent tubular member. The positive stab flanks have corner radiuses and the negative load flanks have radiuses forming a S-shape. The pin connector has an outer groove for receiving a protuberance on the terminal end of the box member forming locking shoulders. The protuberance and groove have contoured surfaces providing large metal-to-metal contact for preventing the contoured surfaces from sliding during over-torquing and cyclic bending of the drill string. The negative load flanks and locking shoulders lock the connection together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Huey P. Olivier
  • Patent number: 6481755
    Abstract: Coupling device for a pipe, comprising a sleeve having an insert end for the pipe and a sealing means adapted for realizing a seal around the pipe when inserted in the sleeve, said sealing means comprising a plurality of mutually slidable elements which together form a ring, and a grip ring being mounted within said elements and extending along at least a part of the perimeter of the pipe, the grip ring being formed with dents pressed out of the plane of the grip ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Waga N.V.
    Inventors: Michel Paul Hulsebos, Dries Nijsen
  • Publication number: 20020158466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for restraining pipe against internal forces at a pipe or fitting connection and to join and seal at least two pipes to form a pipeline is shown featuring an improved self restrained pressure gasket. The pressure gasket has a rigid ring formed as an integral part of the gasket thus making the gasket easy to install. The rigid ring which forms the restraining mechanism has rows of teeth of varying lengths that, when assembled, engage at various points around the circumference of a mating pipe. The teeth adjust to the tolerances allowed in pipe manufacturing without losing gripping capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Jim Jones
  • Patent number: 6464266
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Accor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry E. O'Neill, Charlie Whitney
  • Patent number: 6464267
    Abstract: A pipe coupling includes a housing and a conical split ring which is compressed to firmly clamp a pipe received within the housing. The opposite ends of the split ring defining the split are laterally offset from each other such as to permit the split ring to be compressed to substantially decrease its internal diameter, by the offset ends moving in overlapping relation to each other, thereby enabling the split ring to clamp pipes having a wide range of outer diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Plasson Ltd.
    Inventor: Yigaal Moshe Egozi
  • Publication number: 20020135184
    Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe segments together is disclosed. The coupling is derived from a standard fitting and has a housing with a socket and a first expanded region adjacent to the socket and a second expanded region adjacent to the first expanded region. A sealing member is positioned in the first expanded region and a retainer is positioned in the second expanded region. A flange turned inwardly on the second expanded region captures the sealing member and the retainer. The retainer has a plurality of radial teeth angularly oriented to engage a pipe and prevent its removal from the coupling. Each tooth has a stiffening rib arranged lengthwise along the tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald R. Snyder, Charles E. Wilk, Lawrence W. Thau, Douglas R. Dole
  • Patent number: 6450550
    Abstract: A fitting for retaining a cylindrical tube includes a fitting body having a hole extending through it. The hole includes a cylindrical main cavity located at one end of the body into which an end of the tubing can be inserted. A circular retaining shoulder is located on the tubing so that the shoulder is within the main cavity when the tubing is placed in the fitting. A closure, such as a snap ring, is installed at the open end of the main cavity to hold the shoulder within the main cavity. The closure has a circular hole within it to receive the tubing. An elastomeric seal is mounted within the main cavity between the shoulder and the closure. The inner diameter and the outer diameter of the seal cause the seal to be compressed between the tubing and the wall of the main cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: R. Conrader Company
    Inventor: James P. Cornwell
  • Patent number: 6412826
    Abstract: A quick connector for connecting fluid lines includes a first connector having a housing for receiving a tube carrying spool. The spool sealingly engages an endform on the tube to form a metal-to-metal seal. A retainer in the form of ring having a plurality of angularly and radially extending, resilient legs extending therefrom and terminating in end pads is mountable in the housing in engagement with the spool with the end pads disposed in an annular, inward facing channel in the housing. A pop top is slidable along the tube to bias the retainer legs radially inward to allow insertion of the retainer into the bore in the housing and then is removed to allow the legs to snap radially outward bringing the end pads into engagement with housing channel. An assurance clip is mountable interiorly between the legs of the retainer and the spool to maintain the retainer legs in a radially outward position in engagement with the channel in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Kulevsky, George Szabo, Timothy Jackson
  • Publication number: 20020050718
    Abstract: An improved compression conduit fitting to be attachable to threadless conduit. The conduit fitting includes a generally cylindrical body with a longitudinal internal bore extending therethrough. The body has an externally threaded conduit receiving end and an externally threaded conductor egressing end located opposite the receiving end. A gasket of annular shape is placed within the internal bore of the body. Moreover, an internally threaded gland nut of annular shape is slideably positioned over the conduit to be securely attached to the body. Finally, a compression ring of annular shape is interposed between the gland nut and the body to compresses one end of the conduit against the gasket, thereby forming a liquid tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Pyron
  • Patent number: 6378912
    Abstract: A system and method for installing plumbing spouts, such as shower heads and tub spouts, includes providing a stub out which protrudes out of a wall at shower height. A specialized adapter is then slid onto the protruding stub out until the adapter abuts the wall. The adapter is internally threaded with an integral ferrule, and may also be equipped with a one-way gripper ring and an O-ring to sealingly secure the spout to the stub out. The stub out, if closed, is then cut off outside the adapter and a standard shower arm or nipple for a tub spout is threaded into the adapter. A threaded end of the shower arm or nipple engages the ferrule and compresses it against the stub out creating a seal therebetween. When installing a shower head, an escutcheon plate is adapted to be slid over the shower arm to engage peripheral fingers of the adapter to secure the escutcheon in place. A shower head is then threaded onto the shower arm to complete the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Duane R. Condon, Frank D. Julian, Joseph P. Ismert
  • Patent number: 6367802
    Abstract: A locking annular gasket, for providing a seal between a tubular member and a smooth annular section, includes an annular gasket portion and a locking member. The annular gasket portion seals a gap between the smooth annular section and the tubular member. The locking member is secured to the gasket portion for holding the gasket portion in place while the tubular member and the smooth annular section are assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Malcolm Mann Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Knapp
  • Patent number: 6357802
    Abstract: An air-pressure joint 1 comprising a pipe main body 2 made of a rigid thermoplastic resin and a release ring 3 made of a rigid thermoplastic resin inserted from one opening of the pipe main body, wherein the release ring includes a slip-off preventing protrusion 13 on an outer circumferential surface of its insertion site; and the pipe main body 2 includes a ring-shaped sealing portion 9 made of an elastic resin and integrally formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, an insertion mouth pipe portion 7 made of a rigid rigid resin, coaxially disposed to abut one opening side portion of the pipe main body 2 and forming a recess groove 10 on an inner circumferential surface of an abutting portion thereof for stopping the slip-off preventing protrusion 13 of the release ring 3, and a ring-shaped connecting portion 8 made of a rigid synthetic resin and integrally molded to an outer circumferential surface of the abutting portion of this mouth pipe for connecting the insertion mouth pipe portion 7 to the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignees: Mikuni Plastics Co., Ltd., Daicel-Hüls, Ltd., Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Nozato, Atsushi Inagaki, Shinichi Matsumoto, Hajime Komada, Mitsuteru Mutsuda, Masanori Hiraishi
  • Patent number: 6312019
    Abstract: A pipe joint is provided in which a simple means improves the sealing performance produced by an elastic sealing member housed in a joint body. At one end of a fluid passage 4 that penetrates through the inside of a joint body 1, there is disposed an enlarged diameter recess 8 in which the inner rear side thereof is made into a housing for sealing member 5 and the mouth side thereof is made into a housing for tube holding mechanism 7 having an engaging groove 6 for a tube holding mechanism 2. This joint body 1 is constructed as a cold-forged component of a metal material. An elastic sealing member 3 is housed in the above-mentioned housing for sealing member 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakazumi, Shizuo Mori
  • Patent number: 6308995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a quick release coupling device comprising an annular groove (4) formed on the inner face of one of the hollow bodies, a projecting part (6) formed on the other hollow body (2) and a force transmitting member (5) engaged with the groove and the projecting part (6). A shoulder (23) is provided for fixing the force transmitting member (5) to hinder the loosening of the coupling under loading. The inventive device is advantageous in that its design and use are straightforward while meeting the requirements related to safety and ease of cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Simson Innovationen
    Inventor: Dionizy Simson
  • Patent number: 6279963
    Abstract: Coupling device for a pipe, comprising a sleeve having an insert end for the pipe and a sealing means adapted for realizing a seal around the pipe when inserted in the sleeve, said sealing means comprising a plurality of mutually slidable elements which together form a ring, and a grip ring being mounted within said elements and extending along at least a part of the perimeter of the pipe, the grip ring being formed with dents pressed out of the plane of the grip ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Waga N.V.
    Inventor: Michel Paul Hulsebos
  • Patent number: 6279967
    Abstract: A duct joining system for providing an air-tight seal and mechanical connection for ducts and fittings is disclosed. The duct joining system includes a flexible gasket affixed to a male end of a duct or fitting. The flexible gasket is affixed at an angle relative to normal of the male end of the duct. The female end of the other duct includes a raised bead in which the flexible gasket is seated when the ducts are properly joined. The angled flexible gasket seated in the raised bead forms an air-tight seal as well as fastens or locks the male end to the female end. Alternatively, when a flexible duct is used, a band clamp with a raised bead is clamped over the female end of the flexible duct and over the male end of a fitting to provide an air tight seal and fastened connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: John P. Proctor, Robert C. deKieffer
  • Patent number: 6273475
    Abstract: A pipe coupling has an elastomer packing collar (5) arranged in a closable housing (4) with radial end walls (14) and comprising two axially spaced apart ring-shaped beads (6) which project radially inwards and sealingly lie against a pipe (1, 2). Each ring-shaped bead (6) subdivided into two adjacent radial beads (8, 9) by a ring-shaped gap (7) oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the pipe coupling. This gap (7) forms at the outer radial bead (9) a sharp-cornered packing lip (10). The ring-shaped gap (7) may be closed by pressing together and elastically deforming the two adjacent radial beads (8, 9). Each front side (11) of the packing collar (5) is inclined inwards towards the longitudinal axis of the pipe coupling. A conical clamping ring (13) with a subdivided circumference, axially and radially supported on the housing (4), lies against the front side (11) of the packing collar (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Ilesic
  • Patent number: 6264250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to plastic tube joints to transport warm water or tap water for air conditioning use, especially so-called simple-action tube joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Solar Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Reija Teraoka, Kuniomi Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6241292
    Abstract: A coupling device for metal pipes includes a cup-joint, a packing bushing, a padding bushing and a bridging connector. The cup-joint holds and confines in its confining face the packing bushing and the padding bushing to yield a central holding hole for accommodating metal pipe. When the set of cup-joint, packing bushing and padding bushing is screwed to the threaded head of the bridging connector, the guiding face of the cup-joint squeezes the converging ending of the padding bushing to yield an excellent sealing effect to the metal pipe, while in turn the padding bushing pushes and squeezes the fortifiers against the confining face and the metal pipe to yield a clasping and sealing effect against leakage inside the couple device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Che-hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 6231090
    Abstract: A tubular joint adapted to connect a pair of pipes is formed by a joint body made of a synthetic resin having a pair of connection ports integrally formed on respective sides thereof. An engaging groove is formed around an axial line on an outside circumferential surface of each of the connection ports, and a synthetic resin-made fall-out preventing member is fixed at an end portion of each of the connection ports. An outside cylindrical portion of each of the fall-out preventing members has a tapered surface adapted to enable the fall-out preventing members to be press-fitted onto the respective connection ports, and includes a plurality of engaging portions that are engaged with the engaging groove formed around the axial line on the outside circumferential surface of each of the connection ports as the fall-out preventing members are press-fitted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Kunimorikagaku Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Fukao, Hideo Matsuura, Osamu Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6224114
    Abstract: A pipe joint, includes a press fitting with a section that is beaded in cross-section and holds a sealing ring and with a cylindrical area attached thereto that has, at the end of its extension, a flange-like depression forming a stop. The pipe joint also includes a pipe, whose smooth end, after being inserted into the press fitting, comes to rest on the inner stop of the press fitting. A non-detachable, tight pipe joint is formed by means of a pressing tool having at least two pressing jaws encompassing the press fitting after the pressing jaws are closed. During pressing, the pressing jaws act both on the annular bead, including the sealing ring placed therein, and on the cylindrical area of the press fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Rainer Franzen, Herbert Foering
  • Patent number: 6209153
    Abstract: A quick-install mounting nut assembly for connecting a shank of a faucet to a deck with the shank having an enlarged upper portion disposed above the deck and a smaller diameter lower portion extending through an opening of the deck. A strap of the assembly is loosely disposed on the lower portion of the shank to be axially raised thereon. The strap has a pair of ears formed thereon with apertures therein. A pair of clips are connected to the ears of the strap and each has an aperture therein aligned with the apertures of the ears of the strap. Each of the clips has a clamping portion biased downwardly into engagement with the lower portion of the shank. A pair of fastener members are separately disposed through the apertures of the strap and the clips and are in threaded engagement with the clips. A pair of nuts are separately disposed upon the ears of the strap to be threadedly engaged by the fastener members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Segien, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6206434
    Abstract: A pipe coupling axially connects two pipes having a smooth outer surface. The pipe coupling includes a first split circular ring and a second split circular ring. The first and the second split circular rings are made from a metal strip. Each of the strips have a radially inner edge surrounding the ends of the pipes. A plurality of teeth are disposed at the radially inner edge of the strips. The teeth are disposed in the plane of the respective rings. A free end of the tooth penetrates into the pipe when the coupling is in the clamped position. The teeth extend at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the pipes. A side of each of the teeth facing toward the pipe inserted in the coupling have, adjacent to the free end of the tooth, at least one indentation. The indentation displaces the material of the tooth on the side of the tooth in the direction toward the free end of the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Rasmussen GmbH
    Inventor: Reiner Schreiter
  • Patent number: 6193285
    Abstract: A duct joining system for providing an air-tight seal and mechanical connection for ducts and fittings is disclosed. The duct joining system includes a flexible gasket affixed to a male end of a duct or fitting. The flexible gasket is affixed at an angle relative to normal of the male end of the duct. The female end of the other duct includes a raised bead in which the flexible gasket is seated when the ducts are properly joined. The angled flexible gasket seated in the raised bead forms an air-tight seal as well as fastens or locks the male end to the female end. Alternatively, when a flexible duct is used, a band clamp with a raised bead is clamped over the female end of the flexible duct and over the male end of a fitting to provide an air tight seal and fastened connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: John P. Proctor
  • Patent number: 6183022
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tube coupling body having a throughway open at one end to receive a tube and an insert sleeve to fit in the throughway adjacent the open end with one end of the sleeve located within the throughway and the other end at the end open of the throughway. The insert sleeve has a tapered internal cam surface reducing towards said other end of the sleeve with which fingers of a tube gripping collet are engageable to receive and lock a tube inserted into the throughway in the coupling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: John Derek Guest
  • Patent number: 6179347
    Abstract: A pipe coupling includes tubular body and a retainer having a continuous strap-like base band and a plurality of spring fingers that extend inwardly therefrom into the inner periphery of the body, and which are cammed outwardly by a pipe when inserted into the coupling, the spring fingers then returning to their original position under the stored spring force for them to snap into a groove in the pipe exterior, and thus provide a positive stop preventing withdrawal of the pipe axially of the coupling. The spring fingers have a generally frusto-conical configuration. In an improved embodiment, the retainer is configured as a single continuous strap-like member having a generally rhomboidal cross-sectional configuration at substantially all cross-sections therearound, and is devoid of the spring fingers and base retainer portion disclosed in the previous embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventors: Douglas R. Dole, Mark J. Sewell
  • Patent number: 6173999
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tube coupling device comprising a cylindrical cartridge having a throughway containing a tube locking device for locking a tube inserted into the throughway at one end of the cartridge. The outer side of the cartridge has an encircling rebate at said one end in which a grab ring of V-shaped cross-section is mounted with the V diverging towards said one end. One outer limb of the V projects outwardly of the outer cylindrical surface of the cartridge in its relaxed condition to grip and lock the cartridge in a bore in a further component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: John Derek Guest
  • Patent number: 6174002
    Abstract: A tube coupling according to the present invention comprises a coupling body, a separation prevention ring which is disposed in the coupling body to bite into the outer wall of a tube body fitted into the coupling body so to prevent the tube body from coming out, and a release ring which is disposed in the coupling body so to be movable in an axial direction within a predetermined range and releases the separation prevention ring from the tube body by pushing the separation prevention ring, wherein the separation prevention ring comprises a ring portion which contacts a back ring disposed in the coupling body; pushing portions which are radially formed in a large number within the ring portion, has a circular shape, have grooves which extends from the outside of the ring portion to the inside, and are pushed by an inside end of the release ring; and projections which are respectively formed at the tips of the pushing portions and pulled out of the outer wall of the tube body when they are pushed by the inside
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignees: Kuroda Precision Industries Ltd., Shinyeong Mechatronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuen-Yeong Rho
  • Patent number: 6161880
    Abstract: An end fitting/pipe coupling in which to receive a flexible pipe end to be joined includes an annular seal of chevron configuration supported in the fitting for surrounding the received pipe end and is comprised of an elastomer composition defining a plurality of uniformly spaced parallel separations each containing an annular metallic shim adapted to increasingly grip the pipe in response to a pull out force encountered by the pipe end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Kellogg, Brown and Root, Inc.
    Inventor: George W. Peppel
  • Patent number: 6145887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a quick-coupling device for coupling a tube to a rigid element (50) having a bore, the device comprising a tubular insert (1) having means (7) enabling it to be anchored in the bore of the rigid element (50), declutchable tube retaining means (11), and a slide (13) mounted to move in translation in the tubular insert (1) to declutch the retaining means (11) when it is pushed into the tubular insert (1). The declutching slide (13) possesses a rear portion which projects outside the tubular insert (1) and which presents a shoulder surface (23) situated facing an end surface (24) of the tubular insert (1) and co-operating with said end surface to define a groove in which a removable intermediate ring (25) is received to oppose pushing in of the declutching slide (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Legris S.A.
    Inventor: Yves Cambot-Courrau
  • Patent number: 6142536
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for joining a pair of pipe ends has a sleeve containing a lip seal and a pair of opposing mirror image annular support bodies each with a first end engaged with the sleeve and each extending axially away from the sleeve to a second end with a radial wall having a circular opening sized for the pipe ends at the opposite end. Each supporting body containing a clamping member adjacent the radial wall and intermediate the supporting body and outer surface of the pipe end. The clamping member pivotal between an inclined position and an upright position and biased to the upright clamping position. Pipe ends are inserted with the clamping members in the inclined position. After insertion, an extraction force on the pipe ends moves the clamping members to an upright clamping position. A circumferential band secures the first ends of the supporting bodies to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Alia Engineering AG
    Inventor: Klaus D. Wolfsdorf
  • Patent number: 6024387
    Abstract: A tube connector comprising an elongate hollow body with an opening at both ends for receiving the end of a tube of a pair of tubes to be coupled to each other, which tube connector comprises means for providing, upon completion of the connection between the connector and the tubes to be connected, a passage for air from the interior of at least one of the tubes to the surroundings.The use of such connectors in installing glass fiber cables or bundles in a tube line consisting of more than one tube by means of a blowing technique has as an advantage that the course of the pressure gradient along the tube line is more linear than in the case where the connectors couple the successive tubes completely hermetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Koninklijke KPN N.V.
    Inventors: Willem Griffioen, Henk Nijstad
  • Patent number: 5989240
    Abstract: An adapter of the present invention useful for attaching a fluid handling device to a catheter includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end and an open passageway therethrough. The passageway includes a seat to receive the catheter and a cavity distal to the catheter seat. There is a gasket disposed in the cavity to form a substantially fluid tight seal about the catheter when the catheter is positioned on the catheter seat. The adapter further includes a retainer, disposed on the distal end of the body over the gasket with an opening therethrough that is substantially aligned with the passageway. The opening is sufficient to allow the catheter to pass through into the passageway to engage the gasket and the catheter seat. The retainer has a plurality of flexible projections into the opening that are sized and shaped to engage the catheter and be proximally deflected by the placement of the catheter on the catheter seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Becton, Dickson and Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Strowe
  • Patent number: 5988690
    Abstract: A junction device for joining a tube (3) to the body of a part (2) including a cylindrical endpiece (1) belonging to the part and defining a end face (6), and a coupling sleeve (11) having a first section (12) including releasable fastener means (13) for co-operating with corresponding means (5) on the coupling endpiece (1) and having a second section (14) axially adjacent to the first section (12) and including means (15) for opposing extraction of an end of the tube (3) placed in the sleeve (11) and in abutment against the end face (6) of the endpiece (1), in which the sleeve (11) is internally fitted with a guide ring (19) for guiding the end of the tube (3), the inside diameter (D) of the ring being substantially equal to the outside diameter of the tube (3), the ring possessing a first portion (20) mounted to slide in the second section (14) of the sleeve (11) and a second portion (21) projecting axially into the first section (12) of the sleeve (11), and the endpiece (1) being provided with a groove (7)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Legris S.A.
    Inventor: Olivier Bogard
  • Patent number: 5975591
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tube coupling body (13) of circular external cross-section having an internal throughway open at one end to receive a tube with a collet form tube locking device in the open end of the throughway to lock a tube in the coupling body. The coupling body has on its outer side an encircling groove spaced from said one end of the body and a grab ring mounted in the groove of V-shaped cross-section facing the axial direction of the ring towards said one end of the coupling body. One limb of the V-shaped grab ring is lodged in the groove and the other limb projects from the groove at its free end for gripping engagement in a bore in which the coupling body is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: John Derek Guest
  • Patent number: 5934709
    Abstract: A fluid coupling comprising releasably interconnectable male and female coupling members for interconnecting fluid flow lines. The male coupling member has an inlet and an outlet connectable to a fluid flow line, whilst the female coupling member has an inlet for receiving the inlet of the male coupling member, and an outlet connectable to another fluid flow line. A locking mechanism exerts a retaining influence on the male coupling member, when received within the female coupling member, to connect the coupling members together. A lock release mechanism is operable to remove the retaining influence of the locking mechanism and release the coupling members. The lock release mechanism has a release member manually movable to operate the lock release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Australasian Steel Products Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Leigh Wayne Morrison
  • Patent number: 5921592
    Abstract: A duct joiner for connecting an air duct to another duct or other part of an air conditioning system has a tubular neck portion, a retaining clip and a sealing ring both mounted on the neck portion. The retaining clip has a ring portion received in a groove in the outer surface of the neck portion and a series of resilient teeth extending outwardly from the ring portion. The teeth are resiliently deformable to allow a hollow duct to be fitted over the neck portion and have either sharp edges or barbs thereon which dig into the internal surface of the duct to retain the duct on the neck portion of the joiner. The sealing ring has a ring section received in another groove in the outer surface of the neck portion and a resilient skirt which provides a seal between the neck portion of the joiner and the duct. The joiner may have one or more other neck portions with respective retaining clips and sealing rings for joining one duct to one or more other ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Talana Investments Limited
    Inventor: William James Donnelly
  • Patent number: 5911443
    Abstract: A quick-coupling device in the form of an insertable cartridge for coupling a tube within a cylindrical housing, the device comprising a tubular insert having external means for anchoring it inside the housing and internal means for retaining the tube, together with a gasket; wherein the tubular insert has a nose of outside diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the means for anchoring the tubular insert and has a protection ring of inside diameter close to the outside diameter of the nose, said ring being mounted on the free end of the nose and being held axially relative to the nose by weak locking means in an axially projecting position relative to the nose for internally receiving the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Legris S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Le Quere
  • Patent number: 5911446
    Abstract: A segmented coupling for use in coupling lengths of plain ended pipe employs cutter members of high strength steel to perform the required interconnection of the pipes, the cutter members being immovably held in the respective coupling segments and, upon tightening down of the coupling being operative to bite into the exterior surface of the associated pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventors: William Ross McLennan, Dennis R. Brown
  • Patent number: 5816627
    Abstract: A coupling comprising a first member defining a socket, a second number such as a tube defining a spigot inserted into an open end of the socket, and a locking device received within an annular gap defined between an inner wall of the socket and an outer wall of the spigot. The locking device comprises circumferentially spaced load-bearing members, each load-bearing member extending within the annular gap from a first end which is relatively close to the open end of the socket and a second end which is relatively remote from the open end of the socket. Each load-bearing member is resiliently biased such that the first end engages the socket and the second end engages the spigot, and each load-bearing member is dimensioned such that it acts substantially as a beam in compression to resist withdrawal of the spigot from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Delta Engineering Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Matthew Joseph Readman
  • Patent number: 5813705
    Abstract: A pipe coupling includes a retainer having spring fingers that extend inwardly of the inner periphery of the coupling, and which are cammed outwardly by a pipe when inserted into the coupling, the spring fingers then returning to their original position under the stored spring force for them to snap into a groove in the pipe exterior, and thus provide a positive stop preventing withdrawal of the pipe axially of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventor: Douglas R. Dole
  • Patent number: 5810331
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a residential water line to a household appliance, solenoid controlled, inlet water valve such as that used on a refrigerator freezer icemaker is disclosed. A residential water line, typically a 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) diameter copper or plastic line, is connected to an all plastic inlet connector. The inlet connector has an integral ferrule seat. A ferrule nut designed to cooperate with the ferrule seat is slipped over the water line. The water line is positioned against a shoulder in the inlet connector that properly positions the water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Steven William Smock, Neil Edward Grah, Michael Roy DuHack
  • Patent number: 5799986
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector having an inner member with first and second open ends and a bore extending therebetween. The inner member is formed of a material which is impervious to a particular fluid to flow through the connector assembly. An outer member encapsulates the inner member and is formed of a material dissimilar from the material of the inner member, which material resists abrasions and other deleterious elements to which the connector is exposed. Flexible retaining latches are formed integrally on the outer member of the connector and snap over an annular projection formed on a tubular conduit upon insertion of the conduit through the first open end and into the bore of the inner member. An elastomeric seal disposed in the bore of the inner member provides a fluid tight seal between the conduit and inner member. Another elastomeric seal is located within the bore of the inner member adjacent the second open end, and provides a fluid tight seal with a tubular member inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Flex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher H. Corbett, Brent A. Balika, Bruce H. Moore, Scott E. Frye
  • Patent number: 5799985
    Abstract: A tube testing connector adapted to engage a tube for pressurization thereof including a hollow body defining an entrance aperture at one end thereof for insertion of a tube to be tested and a pressure aperture defined in an end cap positioned at the other end of the body in sealing engagement with the body. The tester further includes a chamber having disposed therein retention gripping means to initially grip the inserted tube prior to pressurization. The connector operates such that when the tube is pressurized, the components of the tube testing connector exert an increased gripping force on the outer diameter of the tube to be tested so as to secure it in place during the test procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Tuthill Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Murphy
  • Patent number: 5779284
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tube coupling body having a throughway open at one end to receive a tube and an insert sleeve to fit in the throughway adjacent the open end with one end of the sleeve located within the throughway and the other end at the end open of the throughway. The insert sleeve has a tapered internal cam surface reducing towards said other end of the sleeve with which fingers of a tube gripping collet are engageable to receive and lock a tube inserted into the throughway in the coupling body. The external surface of the sleeve has an annular groove with a metal grab ring embedded in the sleeve adjacent the side of the groove nearest said one end of the sleeve and having multiple teeth around its outer periphery projecting radially beyond the outer surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: John Derek Guest
  • Patent number: 5730476
    Abstract: For the purpose of decreasing the tightening torque necessary for a fastening nut in use for conduit coupling, the coupling assembly comprises a gripping member 40 formed as a conical spring member having a central opening formed as a waved circle, a plurality of gripping tabs formed away from each other by an equal angle such as 60.degree. along the inner periphery of the opening, each of the tabs formed as a curve having a curvature convex toward the center of the gripping member, and an end edge 44 of each tab in engagement with the periphery of a conduit with a minimum contact area therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Osamu Gouda
  • Patent number: 5725257
    Abstract: A pipe joint comprises a pipe having a spigot formed with an annular projection on an outer periphery of an end portion of the pipe, a member having a socket including a tubular portion for receiving the spigot therein and formed with an aperture in a peripheral wall of the tubular portion, the socket being internally formed with a bearing portion for receiving and bearing on the annular projection when the spigot is inserted into the socket, a resilient stopper mountable on the tubular portion of the socket and having a fitting portion fittable in the aperture, and a tubular stopper holder capable of covering the stopper. The stopper holder is so fixed as to cover the stopper by a recess formed in an outer surface of the stopper and an inward protrusion formed on the stopper holder and fittable in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Showa Aluminum Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Sakane, Hisayuki Yagi, Nobuyuki Okuda, Koichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 5722702
    Abstract: A coupler for connecting a pair of plastic pipes aligned end-to-end includes a rigid plastic sleeve having a center portion and two end portions. An internal passage longitudinally extends through the sleeve and is sized for receiving ends of the pipes. The center portion has a pair of spaced apart annular sealing grooves located within the internal passage. Each of the end portions has circumferentially spaced apart slits longitudinally extending from an end of the sleeve and forming a plurality of elements deflectable toward and away from the pipes. An annular flexing groove is located within the internal passage and near an inner end of the slits for increasing the flexibility of the elements. Each of the end portions also has an annular locking groove located within the internal passage and on the elements. O-rings are located within the sealing grooves for encircling the pipes and forming seals between the sleeve and the pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Arnco Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Washburn
  • Patent number: RE36630
    Abstract: A thermal isolation coupling system for attaching a high-temperature fluid-bearing tube to an aperture in a housing, in which a separate low temperature flow is established. Locking means attaches the tube end to the housing, in a particular desired position relative to the aperture. A tube support member connects the tube end to the locking means and facilitates positioning of the extreme tip of the tube end in the low temperature flow, in substantially non-heat conducting isolation from the aperture and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Senior Engineering Investments AG
    Inventor: Mark John Davey