Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A coupling comprising a pipe having a first end portion; a hose having a second end portion; a tubular connector having a first section surrounded by said first end portion and a second section in sealing engagement with said second end portion, said second section being arranged to share axial movements of said second end portion; a sealing element interposed between said first section and said first end portion to establish and maintain a fluidtight seal therebetween while permitting at least some axial movement of said first end portion and said first section relative to each other; and at least one latching device for releasably locking said connector to said pipe, said latching device including a mobile first portion which is rigid with said connector and a second portion which is movable into and from engagement with said pipe, said first end portion having an opening and said latching device extending into said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A coupling comprising a pipe having a first end portion; a hose having a second end portion; a tubular connector having a first section surrounded by said first end portion and a second section in sealing engagement with said second end portion, said second section being arranged to share axial movements of said second end portion; a sealing element interposed between said first section and said first end portion to establish and maintain a fluidtight seal therebetween while permitting at least some axial movement of said first end portion and said first section relative to each other; and at least one latching device for releasably locking said connector to said pipe, said latching device including a mobile first portion which is rigid with said connector and a second portion which is movable into and from engagement with said pipe, said first end portion having an opening and said latching device extending into said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said first end portion has an at least substantially cylindrical internal surface and said sealing element includes an annulus which is in contact with said internal surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said connector is a cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said latching device defines for said second portion a pivot axis which is at least substantially tangential to said first end portion so that said second portion is movable in a plane which includes the axis of said first end portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said latching device includes an elastically deformable web which secures said device to said connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein at least said second portion of said latching device is freely accessible at the exterior of said first end portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second section is at least partly confined in said second end portion and said latching device includes a joint which secures said second portion to said connector and is disposed between said end portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second section is bonded to said second end portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second section is vulcanized to said second end portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said second section is surrounded by said second end portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second end portion abuts said first end portion and surrounds said second section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein one of said end portions surrounds a portion of the other of said end portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said sealing element comprises at least one circumferentially complete deformable sealing lip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said sealing element is bonded to said connector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein the second portion of said latching device is fully received in said opening.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coupling of claim 1, comprising a plurality of latching devices, said first end portion having an opening for each of said latching devices.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coupling of claim 16, wherein said latching devices are equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction of said first end portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said opening is adjacent said second end portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said second section has a first portion surrounded by said second end portion and a second portion disposed between the first portion of said second section and said first section, said latching device being integral with the second portion of said second section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said connector is at least slightly elastic and said first portion of said latching device is movable to and from a position in which the second portion of said latching device extends into said opening.