US4055359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick-connect tubular couplings
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1975-11-17
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Granted: 1977-10-25
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Expires: 1995-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A quick-connect tubular coupling for a pair of tubes one of which has an end portion telescopically disposed within an end portion of the other. An annular cage is externally mounted on the one or inner tube in axially spaced relation to the free end of its end portion. The cage is held on the one tube against axial displacement along the latter. The end portion of the other or outer tube is flared outwardly at its free end and extends in the cage. A circular spring means is interposed between the flared end portion of the other tube and the cage and when so disposed prevents axial movement of the one tube relative to the other in telescopic disengagement direction. Between the telescoped end portions are a plurality of "O" rings that are compressed in a sealed mode to prevent leakage through the coupling.
Inventors
- 👤 Irvin E. McWethy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:17
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
290 words
A tubular coupling comprising: a first tube having an end portion, a cage means mounted externally on the end portion in axially inwardly spaced relation to the terminal end of the latter, the cage means having a radial base portion having a circular aperture through which the tube end portion projects, a curved wall forming an annular chamber and a circular flange angularly inclined toward the tube end portion in the general direction of the terminal end of the latter, the flange terminating in radially spaced relation to the tube end portion surface, retention means on the first tube end portion engaged with the base portion of the cage means to hold the latter against axial displacement, a second tube having an end portion telescopically mounted on the first tube end portion and having an outwardly inclined flare at its terminal end, the flared end projecting into the cage means through the space between the surface of the first tube end portion and the cage means flange, the inclined outer surface of the flared end of the second tube making an angle with the longitudinal axis of the second tube which is substantially the same as the angle made to the same axis by the inner surface of the inclined flange, circular spring means contained within the cage means interposed between the second tube end portion flare and the cage means flange preventing axial withdrawal of the second tube end portion from the cage means and thereby preventing telescopic disengagement of the second tube from the first tube, and "O" ring means externally mounted on the first tube end portion between the terminal end of the latter and the retention means to prevent leakage between the telescoped tube end portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
290 words
A tubular coupling comprising: a first tube having an end portion, a cage means mounted externally on the end portion in axially inwardly spaced relation to the terminal end of the latter, the cage means having a radial base portion having a circular aperture through which the tube end portion projects, a curved wall forming an annular chamber and a circular flange angularly inclined toward the tube end portion in the general direction of the terminal end of the latter, the flange terminating in radially spaced relation to the tube end portion surface, retention means on the first tube end portion engaged with the base portion of the cage means to hold the latter against axial displacement, a second tube having an end portion telescopically mounted on the first tube end portion and having an outwardly inclined flare at its terminal end, the flared end projecting into the cage means through the space between the surface of the first tube end portion and the cage means flange, the inclined outer surface of the flared end of the second tube making an angle with the longitudinal axis of the second tube which is substantially the same as the angle made to the same axis by the inner surface of the inclined flange, circular spring means contained within the cage means interposed between the second tube end portion flare and the cage means flange preventing axial withdrawal of the second tube end portion from the cage means and thereby preventing telescopic disengagement of the second tube from the first tube, and "O" ring means externally mounted on the first tube end portion between the terminal end of the latter and the retention means to prevent leakage between the telescoped tube end portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A tubular coupling according to claim 1, in which: the circular spring means comprises an expandable garter spring, and the hollow chamber is of sufficient size to permit expansion of the garter spring by a tool means so that the garter spring may be slipped over the second tube flare for withdrawal of the terminal end of the second tube from the cage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
A quick-connect tubular coupling according to claim 1, in which: a spring means displacement tool has an annular portion projecting through the aperture in the cage means, the displacement tool being axially shiftable along the tubes in a direction to urge the spring means out of engagement with the flared leading edge of the second tube end portion, and stop means on the displacement tool engagable with the cage means limiting withdrawal movement of the second tube relative to the first tube to a position at which the "O" ring means is released from its sealed mode to provide a pressure relief vent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A quick-connect tubular coupling according to claim 3, in which: the displacement tool comprises a cylindrical body having split symmetrical half sections, and pivot means support the half sections for swinging movement into and out of straddling relationship to the tubes and cage means when the annular portion is displaced from within the cage means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
157 words
A quick-connect tubular coupling according to claim 3, in which: the displacement tool has a cylindrical body having an internal diameter sufficient to accommodate the cage means, the body having an apertured base wall at one end and an apertured end plate at the other end, the base wall aperture accommodating the first tube and the end plate aperture the second tube, the apertured end plate carries the annular portion projecting inwardly toward the base plate, the annular portion being slidable on the second tube toward abutting engagement with the flare and the circular spring to cause expansion of the latter into the cage means, the base portion of the cylindrical body abutting the cage means to function as a part of the stop means limiting withdrawal movement of the second tube from the first tube, the remainder of the stop means comprising abutting surfaces of the second tube flare and the apertured end plate annular portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A quick-connect tubular coupling according to claim 5, in which: the cylindrical body is split into symmetrical half sections, and pivoted means support the half sections for swinging movement into and out of tube and cage means encompassing relationship when the annular portion is outside of the cage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A quick-connect tubular coupling according to claim 6, in which: the cage means has an enlarged hollow annulus into which the circular spring means is expanded upon the flared end of the second tube portion passing therebeneath or upon being engaged by the annular portion of the displacement tool upon the latter being moved inside the cage means toward the base wall of the latter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-24 | 1981-04-25 | 1981-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-24 | 1985-04-25 | 1985-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-24 | 1989-04-25 | 1989-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |