The present invention relates to a hose connector system, particularly but not exclusively to a system for connecting air brake hoses, and provides a lock mechanism for use with such an air brake hose.

An articulated lorry, comprising a tractor and trailer, has flexible air brake lines or hoses extending between tractor and trailer. These are coils of nylon tubing, known as Susie coils. For uncoupling of the trailer, the hoses are disconnectable from the trailer, but they are not disconnectable from the tractor.

Typically there is a primary hose (a red hose) in which an elevated pressure is maintained; and there is a secondary hose (a yellow hose) through which pressure signals are transmitted to cause application of the brakes in the trailer. The hoses are subject to considerable wear and tear, and can occasionally fail. The vehicle cannot be moved until the hose has been repaired; and repair must be carried out by a qualified fitter. The driver of the vehicle is not permitted under safety regulations to make repairs to the hoses. International patent application serial number

PCT/GB 2009/050667 describes an air brake connection system in which a brake hose has fittings at its ends that are uncouplably connectable to both a tractor fitting and to a trailer fitting. In use, should the hose fail, the driver can disconnect it from both tractor and trailer and replace it with a spare hose. This is a few minutes' job, involving no skill on behalf of the driver beyond that required in coupling his tractor to a trailer, when he has to couple the air hoses. The system may include a locking box to ensure that the hoses cannot be removed from the tractor until the box has been unlocked. It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved locking mechanism to prevent

unauthorised disconnection of such a hose fitting. According to the present invention there is provided a hose connection system, the system comprising a male hose connector and a female hose connector connectable to the male hose connector, the female hose connector incorporating a generally cylindrical end body part and a sleeve, the sleeve being retractable along the end body part to release the male hose connector, wherein the system also comprises a lock mechanism locating at least partly around the end body part and preventing the sleeve from being retracted sufficiently to release the male hose connector.

Typically the end body part defines at least one flat surface portion, and the lock mechanism preferably engages with the flat surface portion so as to prevent rotation of the lock mechanism around the end body portion. Indeed the end body part may define two opposed flat surface portions, and the lock mechanism preferably engages the two opposed flat surface portions. The system, in some cases, may also comprise a washer to provide a projecting flange, and connected to the end body part remote from the front end (the front end being the end to which the male hose connector is connected) , to ensure that the lock mechanism cannot be slid off the end of the end body part. Alternatively the end body part may define an integral projecting flange serving the same purpose. The projecting flange, whether it is integral or not, may be of uniform radius so that it projects a uniform distance around the periphery of the end body part, or alternatively may be of non uniform radius . Alternatively there may be one or more radial projections connected to or integral with the end body part remote from the front end, to ensure that the lock mechanism cannot be slid off the end of the end body part. The projecting flange or the radial projections are preferably at a position such that one side of the lock mechanism faces the projecting flange or the radial projections, and the other side of the lock mechanism faces the retractable sleeve. Alternatively the lock mechanism may define one or more recesses that mate with the projecting flange or the radial projections, thereby preventing axial movement of the lock mechanism.

The lock mechanism preferably comprises two jaws, pivotally connected to each other at one end, and at the other ends provided with a securing mechanism to secure the other ends together, intermediate parts of the jaws between the pivotal connection and the securing mechanism enclosing the end body part. An alternative lock mechanism comprises a U-shaped element that can engage with the end body part, and a securing element that can be secured to the ends of the U-shaped element . A further alternative mechanism comprises a generally horseshoe-shaped or U-shaped element that can engage with the end body part, and also at least one gripping element that can be moved into and locked in a position that prevents removal from the end body part.

In a second aspect the invention provides a lock mechanism for use in such a system .

The invention will now be further and more

particularly described, by ¹ 'ay of example only, and with reference to the accompanyi: g drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of two air hoses connected to a tractor unit, forming part of a connector system of the invention ;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of two air hoses suitable for use in a system as in figure 1;

Figure 3a shows a perspective view of a lock of the connector system of figure 1, shown in isolation in its closed position; and

Figure 3b shows a perspective view of the lock of figure 3a, shown in isolation in its open position. Referring to figure 1, the invention is particularly applicable in the context of air hoses that are

disconnectable from a tractor unit 10, as well as being disconnectable from a trailer unit (not shown) as is conventional. The figure shows a tractor unit 10 to which are connected a primary air hose 8 (typically a red hose) and a secondary air hose 9 (which is typically a yellow hose), and which have spiral wire protectors 12 at their ends. At the trailer end (not shown) of the hoses 8 and 9 are conventional couplings : a female primary coupling and a male secondary coupling, which are provided with self-sealing valves to ensure that the hoses 8 and 9 remain sealed when disconnected from the trailer. The hoses 8 and 9 are provided, as shown, with similar couplings at the tractor end: the primary air hose 8 is provided with a male coupling 21 while the secondary hose 9 is provided with a female coupling 22. There are corresponding coupling units fixed at the rear of the tractor unit 10: a female coupling 18 for the primary air hose 8, and a male coupling 19 for the secondary air hose 9. The couplings 18 and 19 are connected to the corresponding air lines within the tractor unit 10.

Each of the female couplings 18 and 22 are of a conventional type, consisting of a generally cylindrical body part 23 respectively, with a sleeve 24. The cylindrical body part 23 has at one end an opening into which the corresponding male coupling 19 or 21 can be inserted. The sleeve 24 is resiliently biased into the engaged position, as shown, and if the coupling is to be disconnected the sleeve 24 must be slid back along the body part 23 away from the opening; this releases the male coupling 19 or 21, so it can be withdrawn.

Similarly, if the coupling is to be connected, the sleeve 24 must be slid back along the body part 23 away from the opening; this enables the male coupling 19 or 21 to be inserted, and the sleeve 24 is then released so that the coupling is firmly engaged. The female couplings 18 and 22 may be identical, or alternatively may be of different sizes .

In accordance with the present invention each of the female couplings 18 and 22 is provided with a removable lock 30, shown in chain dotted lines, that fits over the body part 23 at the end remote from the opening, and that prevents the sleeve 24 from being slid back sufficiently to release the corresponding male coupling 19 or 21. In some cases, as with the female coupling 18, the coupling is itself connected at that end to a component 25 that is of greater width than the body part 23, and the component 25 prevents the lock 30 from being slid off the end of the body part 23. In other cases, as with the female coupling 22, where the adjacent component 35 is of less width than the body part 23, a steel washer 36 is connected between the end of the body part 23 and the component 35, and this washer 36 prevents the lock 30 from being slid off the end of the body part 23.

Although the body part 23 is envisaged as being a separate component from the adjacent component 25, it will be appreciated that in a modification these may be integral with each other. Similarly the washer 36 may form an integral part of the body part 23.

Referring now to figure 2 there are shown a

replacement primary (red) hose 38 and a replacement secondary (yellow) hose 39 which may be used in place of the air hoses 8 and 9 described above. Such a pair of hoses 38 and 39 might constitute a repair kit to be carried in the cab of the tractor unit 10. In a similar way to that described above, the red hose 38 is provided with a male coupling 41 at the end for connection to the tractor unit 10, and is provided with a female coupling 44 that incorporates a self-sealing valve 45 at the end for connection to the trailer. The yellow hose 39 is provided with a female coupling 42 at the end for connection to the tractor unit 10, and is provided with a male coupling 46 that incorporates a self-sealing valve 47 at the end for connection to the trailer. The ends for connection to the tractor unit 10 are further distinguished by an oval plastic moulding 50. In addition, a large washer 36 is provided between the end of the female coupling 42 and the adjacent component of the hose 39 (which is of less width) . The end portions of the hoses 38 and 39 are provided with plastic

reinforcement covers 48.

The female couplings 42 and 44 each consist of a generally cylindrical body portion 23 that has a pair of opposed flats 51 so that it can be gripped by a spanner during assembly. A pin 52 projects from the body portion 23 at a radial position 90° from the flats 51, and the pin 52 can locate in an axial slot 53 in the surrounding sleeve 24. These features are conventional. The

operation of the female couplings 42 and 44 is as described above, and it will be appreciated that the sleeve 24 must be turned so that the axial slot 53 is aligned with the position of the projecting pin 52 before the coupling can be freed by sliding back the sleeve 24. The couplings 41 and 42 for connection to the tractor unit 10 may be complementary to the couplings 44 and 46 for connection to the trailer. Alternatively they may be of a different diameter to the couplings 44 and 46 for connection to the trailer; this would ensure that the hoses 38 and 39 cannot be accidentally connected the wrong way round to the wrong airline .

Referring now to figures 3a and 3b, the lock 30 consists of two arcuate jaws: a lower jaw 55 and an upper jaw 56 which are connected to each other by a pivot pin 57 at one end. The opposite ends of the jaws 55 and 56 are secured together (as shown in figure 3a) by a barrel lock 60 mounted in a recess in the upper jaw 56, the barrel lock 60 having a projecting notched shaft 62 which engages with pins 63 on either side of a recess 64 in the lower jaw 55. The barrel lock 60 can be unlocked with a cylindrical key (not shown) which enables the notched shaft 62 to be turned; if turned through 90° from the orientation shown in figure 3b, the end of the notched shaft 62 can fit between the pins 63, and if it is then turned back to the orientation shown in figure 3b the notches on the shaft 62 engage with the pins 63, so the jaws 55 and 56 are secured to each other. The key can only be withdrawn when the barrel lock 60 is in its locked orientation, that is to say with the notched shaft 62 in the orientation shown in figure 3b. The operation of the lock 30 will be described particularly in the context of attachment to the female coupling 42 on the hose 39 (which corresponds to the female coupling 22 on the hose 9) . When the jaws 55 and 56 are closed together they define a generally

cylindrical aperture of diameter slightly larger than that of the body part 23; the lower and upper jaws 55 and 56 meet on a plane that corresponds to a diameter of this aperture. Within this aperture the jaws 55 and 56 also define opposed raised flat portions 65, on the far side of the lock 30 as shown, which mate with the flats 51 on the body part 23. The jaws 55 and 56 also define two open-ended recesses 66 into which the pin 52 can locate, on either side of the diametral plane, on the near side as shown. Hence the lock 30 can be opened, and then the jaws 55 and 56 closed over the body part 23 so that the flat portions 65 engage with the flats 51 and prevent the lock 30 from rotating. The projecting pin 52 locates in one or other of the recesses 66. The lock 30 is then secured in this position, as shown in figure 1,

preventing the female coupling 42 (or 22) from being released from the adjacent male coupling 19 on the tractor unit 10. The washer 36 prevents the lock 30 from being slid off the end of the female coupling 42.

The lock 30 has been described as being attached to the female coupling 42 on the secondary hose 39, but is equally suitable for use on the female coupling 18 on the tractor unit 10 to which the primary hose 8 (or 38) is connected. Hence the connection system, as shown in figure 1, includes the female and male couplings 18 and 19 fixed onto the tractor unit 10; the disconnectable male and female couplings 21 and 22 (or 41 and 42) at the tractor end of the hoses 8 and 9 (or 38 and 39); and the two locks 30 that are locked onto the two female

couplings 18 and 22 (or 42) to prevent unauthorised disconnection.

The lock 30 may be made of any suitable material, desirably one of low density. In particular the jaws 55 and 56 may be made of aluminium, or of a plastic. The pivot pin 57 and the pins 63 may be of a harder material such as steel. The lock 30 is shown only by way of example, and it will be appreciated that it may be modified in various ways while remaining within the scope of the present invention. For example it may incorporate a different lock from the barrel lock 60, and it may have a different external shape. Instead of the single pivot pin 57 there might instead be a linking element which is itself linked by pivot pins to one end of each of the jaws. As a further alternative the jaws might be connected together by mechanisms like the barrel lock 60 at both ends, rather than being pivotally connected at one end. In another alternative the lock might comprise a rigid U- shaped member adapted to fit over the body part 23, the two ends of the U-shaped member connecting with a straight locking element. Again it is preferable if the U-shaped member or the locking element engages with the flats 51 on the body part 23, to ensure that the lock does not rotate. A further alternative mechanism comprises a generally horseshoe-shaped member that can locate adjacent to the end body part, with at least one gripping element that can be slid or pivoted into, and locked in, a position that prevents removal from the end body part .

In the example shown in figures 1 and 2 there is a washer 36 to prevent the lock 30 from being slid off the end of the body part 23; alternatively or additionally the lock might engage with elements on the body part 23 that prevent it being slid off. For example in a modification to the lock 30 the recesses 66 are present only on the inner, cylindrical face of the lock 30, and are closed at the end face. In that case the modified lock can be closed so that the pin 52 locates in one of the recesses 66, and since the end face of the recess 66 is closed, the modified lock 30 cannot be slid along the body part 23.

It will be also appreciated that locks 30 can also be used at the trailer end of the hoses 38 and 39, to prevent unauthorised disconnection of the hoses from the trailer. If the couplings at the trailer end are of a different size to those at the tractor end, then the locks for use at the trailer end would also be of a different size to those at the tractor end. It should, however, be understood that the locks 30 are primarily intended for use at the tractor end, as regulations require that the hoses cannot be unintentionally

disconnected from the tractor end. Indeed the locks 30 might be used in an application where the couplings at the tractor end are male and female couplings as

described in relation to figure 1, whereas the couplings at the trailer end are a different type of coupling, such as a gladhand coupling.