Patent Application
20070180608
The present invention generally relates to quick connections, and liquid supply systems provided therewith.
More particularly, it relates to quick connections for fluid systems, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems for connecting a fluid source (source of liquid or gas) to a consumer of fluid (a working element etc.). Devices of the above mentioned general type are known in the art. However, the known devices frequently do not provide features enabling their convenient storage. It is therefore believed to be advisable to provide quick connections which eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art.
A quick connection is disclosed in our U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,801. It has a body connectable to a fluid source, a fitting member connectable to the working element and axially movable relative to the body, and a locking member fixedly connected with the body for locking the body in the fitting member with one another in an assembled condition. It is believed that the known connections and liquid supply systems can be also further improved.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide quick connection of the above mentioned general type.
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated in a quick connector for connecting a source of fluid to a working element, comprising a body connectable to the fluid source and having an axis; a fitting member connectable to the working element and axially movable relative to said body; and a locking member connected with said body for locking said body and said fitting member with one another in an assembled condition, said fitting member having a part provided with an outer conical surface which is insertable in an inner conical surface of a holder.
A further feature of the present invention, resides in a liquid supply system, comprising a working element; a quick connector connecting a source of fluid to a working element, and including a body connectable to the fluid source and having an axis; a fitting member connectable to the working element and axially movable relative to said body; and a locking member connected with said body for locking said body and said fitting member with one another in an assembled condition and a holder for holding said quick connection, said fitting member having a part provided with an outer conical surface which is insertable in an inner conical surface of said holder.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
a,
2
b and 2c are views showing a section side view, a section top view and an end view of a body of the inventive quick connection;
a and 4b show a section side view and an end view of a closing member of the inventive quick connection;
A quick connection shown in
The body 1 of the quick connection shown in
The fitting member 2 shown in
The closing member 3 is shown in
The quick connection in accordance with the present invention operates in the following manner:
The body 1 with its threaded portion 15 is connected to a source of supply of liquid or gas, for example by a nut connected to a hose. The second component of the quick connection, namely the fitting member 2 is connected with a corresponding thread of the working element by the threaded opening 18. By moving of the closing member 3 with compression of the spring 5 to an extreme position, the inner flange 24 releases the tongue 11, so that the tongue 11 opens during movement of the fitting member 2 in the body 1, with action of the end wall 27 and the rounded portion 28 on the projection 14. During a further movement of the fitting member 2 inside the body 1 to the extreme working position, the groove 20 reaches the zone of the projection 14, and when the locking member 3 under the action of the spring 5 reaches its initial position, fixes the projection 14 in the groove 20.
When the fluid system operates under pressure, the fitting member 2 is urged to move out of the body 1. The end wall with the rounded portion 21 applies pressure against the projection 14 and presses the plate-shaped tongues 11 to the inner flange 24, and the projection 13 which is located in this region engages with the locking member 3 and an opening of the connection is prevented.
The hand shower 32 has a left portion with an outer thread which is screwed in the threaded opening 18 of the fitting member 2. The right part of the fitting member has an outer conical surface 22 and is introduced and held in an inner conical surface of a holder 33, which can be attached to the wall for example by a suction cup 34. The inner conical surface of the holder 33 can be formed for example inside two projecting legs 35.
The quick connection is therefore reliably held by the outer conical surface 22 in the inner conical surface of the holder 33.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a quick connection and al liquid supply system provided with it, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications sand structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
