Sleeve coupling for hoses or the like

Claim 2

A coupling comprising an at least substantially rigid first tubular member having a first free end and an external surface provided with at least one circumferentially extending rib; an at least partially deformable second tubular member surrounding said surface and having a second free end, said rib being disposed between said free ends and being spaced apart from said second free end; and a clamping device for holding said tubular members together, said device including a circumferentially complete tubular portion tightly surrounding said second member and an annulus of elastic prongs at least substantially parallel to the axis of said first member and surrounding said second member in the region of said rib as well as between said rib and said second free end, said prongs having end portions confining and clampingly engaging said second member in the region of said second free end and said end portions inluding legs disposed between said tubular members and being in contact with said external surface, said rib being disposed between said circumferentially complete tubular portion and said second free end, as considered in the axial direction of said first tubular member, and said legs contacting said external surface between said rib and said second free end.

Claim 3

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second tubular member is a flexible hose.

Claim 4

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said rib is a circumferentially complete rib extending radially outwardly from said external surface, said second member respectively having outer and inner diameters which, in undeformed condition of said second member, are respectively larger than the maximum diameter of said rib and smaller than the outer diameter of said first member adjacent said rib.

Claim 5

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said circumferentially complete tubular portion is located in the region of said first free end and said clamping device tightly surrounds said second member in the region between said first free end and said rib.

Claim 6

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said legs are in large-area contact with said external surface.

Claim 7

The coupling of claim 1, wherein at least some of said prongs have creases provided in the region of said second free end and maintaining the adjacent portions of the material of said second member in deformed condition.

Claim 8

The coupling of claim 6, wherein each of said prongs has at least one crease.

Claim 9

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said clamping device has an internal surface provided with protuberances deformingly engaging said second tubular member.

Claim 10

The coupling of claim 8, wherein said protuberances include a first substantially annular protuberance at one side and a second substantially annular protuberance at the other side of said rib.

Claim 11

The coupling of claim 1, wherein at least some of said prongs include reinforcing projections.

Claim 12

The coupling of claim 10, wherein said prongs have outer sides facing away from said second tubular member and said reinforcing projections include elongated stiffening ribs extending lengthwise of and disposed at the outer sides of the respective prongs.

Claim 13

The coupling of claim 11, wherein each of said prongs has at least one stiffening rib.

Claim 14

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said rib has a side facing away from said first free end and sloping radially inwardly toward said second free end.

Claim 15

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said end portions of said prongs have tips which abut against said rib.

Claim 16

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said clamping device and said first tubular member consist of a metallic material and said second tubular member consists of a synthetic plastic material.

Claim 17

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said clamping device has slots alternating with said prongs and the width of said slots, as considered in the circumferential direction of said second tubular member, is a fraction of the width of said prongs.

Claim 18

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said end portions of said prongs define compartments whose width, as considered in the radial direction of said second tubular member, is at least substantially constant.

Claim 19

The coupling of claim 1, wherein said first tubular member has several ribs including a rib which is at least closely adjacent said first free end.

Claim 20

A coupling comprising an at least substantially rigid first tubular member having a first free end and an external surface provided with at least one circumferentially complete rib extending radially outwardly from said external surface; an at least partially deformable second tubular member surrounding said surface and having a second free end, said rib being disposed between said free ends and being spaced apart from said second free end, said second tubular member respectively having outer and inner diameters which, in undeformed condition of said second member, are respectively larger than the maximum diameter of said rib and smaller than the outer diameter of said first tubular member adjacent to said rib; and a clamping device for holding said tubular members together, said device including a circumferentially complete tubular portion tightly surrounding said second member and an annulus of elastic prongs at least substantially parallel to the axis of said first member and surrounding said second member in the region of said rib as well as between said rib and said second free end, said prongs having end portions confining and clampingly engaging said second member in the region of said second free end and said prongs also contacting said external surface between said rib and said second free end.

Claim 21

A coupling comprising an at least substantially rigid first tubular member having a first free end and an external surface provided with at least one circumferentially complete rib extending radially outwardly from said external surface; an at least partially deformable second tubular member surrounding said surface and having a second free end, said rib being disposed between said free ends and being spaced apart from said second free end, said second tubular member respectively having outer and inner diameters which, in undeformed condition of said second member, are respectively larger than the maximum diameter of said rib and smaller than the outer diameter of said first tubular member adjacent to said rib; and a clamping device for holding said tubular members together, said device including a circumferentially complete tubular portion tightly surrounding said second member and an annulus of elastic prongs at least substantially parallel to the axis of said first member and surrounding said second member in the region of said rib as well as between said rib and said second free end, said prongs having end portions confining and clampingly engaging said second member in the region of said second free end and said prongs also contacting said external surface between said rib and said second free end.

Claim 22

A coupling comprising an at least substantially rigid first tubular member having a first free end and an external surface provided with at least one circumferentially extending rib; an at least partially deformable second tubular member surrounding said surface and having a second free end, said rib being disposed between said free ends and being spaced apart from said second free end and in contact with said second tubular member; and a clamping device for holding said tubular members together, said device including a circumferentially complete tubular portion tightly surrounding said second member and an annulus of elastic prongs at least substantially parallel to the axis of said first member and surrounding said second member in the region of said rib as well as between said rib and said second free end, said prongs having end portions confining and clampingly engaging said second member in the region of said second free end and contacting the external surface of said first tubular member, said device being vulcanized to said second tubular member.

Claim 23

A coupling comprising an at least substantially rigid first tubular member having a first free end and an external surface provided with at least one circumferentially extending rib; an at least partially deformable second tubular member surrounding said surface and having a second free end, said rib being disposed between said free ends and being spaced apart from said second free end and in contact with said second tubular member; and a clamping device for holding said tubular members together, said device including a circumferentially complete tubular portion tightly surrounding said second member and an annulus of elastic prongs at least substantially parallel to the axis of said first member and surrounding said second member in the region of said rib as well as between said rib and said second free end, said prongs having end portions confining and clampingly engaging said second member in the region of said second free end and contacting the external surface of said first tubular member, said device being vulcanized to said second tubular member.