TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a hose connector, and more particularly to a coupling mechanism of the hose connector.

BACKGROUND

One of the necessities for home ownership is a hose for watering lawns, washing cars, etc. The hose is connected to a source of water supply such as a tap or a pump so that water can be delivered through the hose. A hose connector allows quick coupling of the hose with the source of water supply. The hose connector typically includes a body, a clamping nut, and a clamping element. For coupling the hose with the hose connector, the hose is pushed so that the hose is received by the body of the hose connector. In some situations, the hose is not received up to an appropriate length of the body. This is generally because of friction between the body and the hose. If the hose is not properly received by the body, there are chances that the hose may slip out of connection during operation. For example, if the hose experiences an alternating load, there is a high probability that the hose may slip out of connection. Thus, it is important for a user to know whether the hose has been completely received by the body. Hose connectors that are currently available do not provide any indication if the hose has been completely received by the body or not.

EP 2 644 959 A2 describes tube coupling to receive and hold a tube. The coupling comprises a coupling body having a throughway to receive a portion of the tube. A collet in the coupling body has legs with outer surfaces that engage with a tapered surface in the coupling body which urges the legs inwardly to resist withdrawal of the tube. A biasing member provides a biasing force without the tube inserted to urge the legs axially onto the tapered surface. The collet can grip a large variety of pipe diameters. The coupling may be supplied with a number of inserts for sealing with the inner diameter of a pipe, the inserts having different diameters. For sealing purposes prior to being inserted into the coupling body an insert is fitted into the end of the tube. The insert has a throughway which, upon insertion, is aligned with the throughway in the coupling body. The insert is provided towards its end, furthest from the end of the tube, with an O-ring seal, which seals against the coupling body. For this purpose the coupling body exhibits a narrow section, so that the O-ring on the insert by being pushed into it seals against an inner annual wall of the coupling body. The coupling body further includes a window that allows to inspect inserted tube and thus to determine its passage. Although the passage of the tube is a good indication for successful entry, it does not guarantee that a user has inserted the tube far enough that a water tight seal between tube and coupling body is achieved. This is because the window is already fully covered by the tube at a time where the O-ring has not yet entered the narrow section of the coupling body for sealing. Thus a user experience the counterforce when the O-ring reached the front of the narrow section might tend to think that he already fully entered the hose and thus stop further pushing. This then results in non-proper sealing and thus a faulty connection. Just by observing the window there is no chance to distinguish between the case of counterforce due to the O-ring reaching the narrow section of the coupling body and the counterforce due to the tube being fully pushed into the coupling body.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a hose connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A hose connector has a body. The body includes a first body portion and a second body portion disposed concentrically around the first body portion. The first body portion and the second body portion define a gap therebetween such that the gap is adapted to receive a hose therein. Further, the second body portion has an end section towards an entry portion of the gap. The hose connector also includes a clamping element coupled to the second body portion. The clamping element includes a plurality of clamping claws. The hose connector further includes a clamping nut threadably coupled to the second body portion.

The hose connector further includes at least one opening defined on the second body portion. The at least one opening extends between a first end and a second end. The first end of the at least one opening is defined as a closest peripheral point to the end section of the second body portion and the second end is defined as a farthest peripheral point to the end section of the second body portion. Additionally, for complete locking of the hose with the hose connector the hose is adapted to be received in the gap such that the hose appears at least at the first end. Further, for complete locking of the hose with the hose connector the clamping nut is adapted to be threadably coupled to the second body portion afterwards such that the clamping nut covers the second end.

The at least one opening indicates to a user whether the hose has been properly received by the second body portion and also whether the clamping nut is properly engaged with the second body portion. Thus, the hose connector of the present invention provides improved functional reliability. The hose connector also allows simplified assembly and disassembly and is simple to use. Further, the at least one opening can be provided in the second body portion without any additional costs.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second body portion includes external threads that engage with internal threads on the clamping nut to threadably couple the clamping nut and the second body portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one opening is provided adjacent to the external threads on the second body portion.

Alternative to the case that the at least one opening is not interfering with the internal threads, for example by locating it adjacent to them, it is also possible to realize an embodiment of the invention by forming the at least one opening at les in part with the external threads. As with this embodiment there is no need for additional spacing adjacent to the threads used for the opening the hose connector can be manufactured in a shorter version.

According to an embodiment of the invention the at least one opening opening is triangularly shaped. One also can think of a specific orientation of that triangle.

Accordingly for example one can choose the orientation of the triangle as such, that the triangle is pointing to the farthest peripheral point of the end section. By this the user of the hose connector is intuitively instructed to enter the hose into the hose connector far enough at least until the hose will be seen in the opening .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second body portion includes a plurality of openings that are circumferentially spaced apart from each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second body portion includes at least four openings.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the appearance of the hose at least at the first end of the at least one opening is indicative of an accurate mounting of the hose on the first body portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hose covers at least half of an overall length defined by the at least one opening for indicating the accurate mounting of the hose on the first body portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the covering of the second end of the at least one opening is indicative of an accurate clamping of the hose.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second body portion includes a stop edge defined adjacent to the at least one opening.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the stop edge is embodied as a circular rib extending from an outer surface of the second body portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first rib provided on the clamping nut rests against the stop edge when the clamping nut is coupled with the second body portion. More particularly, when the clamping nut rests against the stop edge, the user is made aware that the clamping nut has completely engaged with the second body portion and that the hose is properly clamped by the clamping element.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the clamping nut is adapted to completely cover the second end of at least one opening when the first rib rests against the stop edge.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a shape of the at least one opening is at least one of rectangular, circular, and elliptical. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the clamping nut is adapted to restrict a passage of foreign material into the at least one opening, the external threads of the second body portion, and the internal threads of the clamping nut when the clamping nut is coupled with the second body portion. Thus, any possibility of contamination of the external threads of the second body portion by ingress of dirt is eliminated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the clamping element includes at least one teeth.

Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a hose connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a body and a clamping element of the hose connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the hose connector and a hose received by the hose connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the hose connector, wherein the clamping nut is in an engaged state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment and placing of the opening.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a hose connector 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hose connector 100 may be coupled with a water supply source (not shown) for performing a watering operation. For example, the water supply source may include a tap or a pump outlet. The hose connector 100 includes a body 102. The body 102 defines a end 104 that may be detachably coupled with the water supply source. The end 104 may be generally tubular in shape. In one example, the end 104 may include internal threads (not shown) that engage with external threads on the water supply source for detachably coupling the hose connector 100 with the source of water supply. In an alternate example, the hose connector 100 may be press fitted to the water supply source, without any limitations.

The body 102 includes a first body portion 106. The first body portion 106 defines a fluid passage (not shown) that allows water from the water supply source to be introduced in a hose 108 that connects with the hose connector 100. The hose 108 is received by the first body portion 106 such that the hose 108 contacts an outer surface 110 of the first body portion 106. Further, the body 102 includes a second body portion 112. The second body portion 112 is disposed concentrically around the first body portion 106. More particularly, the first and second body portions 106, 112 are provided such that a gap 114 is defined between the first and second body portions 106, 112. The hose 108 is received within the gap 114 defined between the first and second body portions 106, 112.

The second body portion 112 has an annular shape. The second body portion 112 defines a number of external threads 116. Additionally, the second body portion 112 defines a sliding surface (not shown) disposed at one side of the number of external threads 116. The second body portion 112 also defines an end section 118 that is disposed towards an entry portion 120 of the gap 114. Further, the second body portion 112 includes a stop edge 123. The stop edge 123 is provided adjacent to an opening 132. The stop edge 123 is embodied as a circular rib extending from an outer surface 134 of the second body portion 112.

The hose connector 100 includes a clamping element 124. The clamping element 124 includes a number of clamping claws 126. Further, the clamping claws 126 include one or more teeth 128 that are defined on an inner surface of the respective clamping claws 126. In the illustrated embodiment, each clamping claw 126 includes two teeth 128. Alternatively, each clamping claw 126 may include more than two teeth 128, without any limitations.

The clamping element 124 is coupled to the second body portion 112. In one example, the clamping element 124 is coupled to the second body portion 112 through a snap fit arrangement. The clamping element 124 is coupled to the second body portion 112 such that the clamping element 124 is slidable along an axial direction“Al” with respect to the second body portion 112. More particularly, the clamping element 124 is slidably received on the sliding surface thereby allowing an axial movement of the clamping element 124. Additionally, the clamping element 124 and the second body portion 112 are designed such that the clamping element 124 tilts radially with respect to the second body portion 112.

In one example, the clamping element 124 is molded on the body 102. For example, an injection molding process may be used for molding the clamping element 124 on the hose connector 100. Alternatively, a 2-K injection molding process or an assembly injection molding process may be used for molding the clamping element 124 on the hose connector 100. In other examples, the clamping element 124 and the hose connector 100 may be manufactured as separate components that are later coupled with each other. As the clamping element 124 is manufactured using cost efficient techniques, the hose connector 100 does not incur significant component production costs. Additionally, installation costs and time associated with the assembly and disassembly of the clamping element 124 with the body 102 is reduced as the clamping element 124 is molded with the body 102. Further, a material of the body 102 may be different from a material of the clamping element 124. In an example, the clamping element 124 may be made of polyoxymethylene whereas the body 102 may be made of polypropylene, without any limitations.

The hose connector 100 also includes a clamping nut 140. The clamping nut 140 is threadably coupled to the second body portion 112. Based on a rotation of the clamping nut 140 in a threading direction“A 2”, the clamping nut 140 may be engaged or disengaged from the second body portion 112. The clamping nut 140 is shown in an engaged position in FIG. 4 and in a disengaged position in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The clamping nut 140 is said to be in the engaged position when internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140 engage with the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112. The clamping nut 140 defines a clamping surface 144.

Further, the clamping nut 140 includes a tail portion 143, such that the tail portion 143 applies force on the clamping element 124 when the clamping nut 140 is in the engaged position. As shown in FIG. 4, the clamping nut 140 does not apply force on the clamping element 124 such that the clamping element 124 is in a retracted position when the clamping nut 140 is in the disengaged position.

Additionally, the clamping nut 140 includes a first rib 136 that extends from an inner surface 138 of the clamping nut 140. Alternatively, the first rib 136 may include as a number of ribs that are circumferentially spaced apart from each other. The first rib 136 is embodied as a circular ring extending from the inner surface 138. when the clamping nut 140 is coupled with the second body portion 112, the first rib 136 rests against the stop edge 123 thereby indicating that the clamping nut 140 is in the engaged position. Further, in the engaged position of the clamping nut 140, the clamping nut 140 restricts a passage of foreign material towards the external threads 116 of the second body portion 112 and the internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140. Thus, any possibility of contamination of the external threads 116 and the internal threads 142 by ingress of dirt or other foreign materials is eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 2, the hose connector 100 includes one or more openings 132 defined on the second body portion 112. The openings 132 are embodied as through openings. In the illustrated example, the hose connector 100 includes a number of openings 132 that are circumferentially spaced apart from each other. More particularly, the hose connector 100 includes four openings 132. Alternatively, the hose connector 100 may include more than four openings or less than four openings, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The openings 132 are provided adjacent to the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112. More particularly, the openings 132 are provided between the stop edge 123 and the external threads 116.

For explanatory purposes, a single opening 132 of the hose connector 100 will now be described in detail. However, it should be noted that the description provided below is equally applicable to all the openings 132 of the hose connector 100. The opening 132 may be rectangular, circular, or elliptical in shape. In the illustrated example, the opening 132 is rectangular in shape. The opening 132 extends between a first end 150 and a second end 152. Further, the first end 150 is defined as a closest peripheral point to the end section 118 on the opening 132. Whereas, the second end 152 is defined as a farthest peripheral point to the end section 118 on the opening 132.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the hose 108 is completely locked with the hose connector 100, the hose 108 is received in the gap 114 such that the hose 108 appears at least at the first end 150. In some examples, the hose 108 may appear up to half or more than half of an overall length“LI” defined by the opening 132. In another example, the hose 108 may appear up to the second end 152 such that the hose 108 completely covers the opening 132. The appearance of the hose 108 at the first end 150 of the opening 132 is indicative of an accurate mounting of the hose 108 on the first body portion 106. More particularly, the appearance of the hose 108 in the opening 132 indicates the accurate mounting of the hose 108 on the first body portion 106.

Further, when the hose 108 is completely locked with the hose connector 100, the clamping nut 140 covers the second end 152 of the opening 132. The covering of the second end 152 of the opening 132 is indicative of an accurate clamping of the hose 108 by the hose connector 100. The opening 132 indicates to a user whether the hose 108 has been properly received by the first body portion 106 and also whether the clamping nut 140 is properly engaged with the second body portion 112. Further, the opening 132 provides a cost-effective solution to make the user aware of the correct coupling of the hose 108 with the hose connector 100 without incurring any additional costs.

For coupling the hose 108 with the hose connector 100, the hose 108 is coupled with the first body portion 106. More particularly, the hose 108 is pushed till the hose 108 is visible at the first end 150 of the opening 132, which indicates that the hose 108 has been received up to a sufficient length of the first body portion 106. The clamping nut 140 is then threadably coupled with the second body portion 112 by rotating the clamping nut 140 in a clockwise direction“Cl” along the threading direction“A2”. As the internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140 engage with the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112, the tail portion 143 of the clamping nut 140 applies force on the clamping claws 126. Thus, the clamping claws 126 are in turn pressed radially inwards towards the hose 108, thereby applying a holding force on the hose 108.

Referring to FIG. 4, as the clamping nut 140 is coupled with the second body portion 112, the clamping nut 140 covers the opening 132 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The clamping nut 140 is rotated till the opening 132 is completely covered by the clamping nut 140. More particularly, the clamping nut 140 is rotated till the first rib 136 (see FIG. 1) contacts and rests against the stop edge 123, and the clamping nut 140 completely covers the second end 152 of the opening 132. The complete covering of the opening 132 indicates that the hose 108 is completely locked with the hose connector 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the hose 108 is to be removed from the hose connector 100, the clamping nut 140 is decoupled from the second body portion 112. The clamping nut 140 is decoupled by rotating the clamping nut 140 in a counter clockwise direction“C2” along a direction that is opposite to the threading direction“A2”. As the clamping nut 140 is decoupled from the second body portion 112, the opening 132 is visible, thereby indicating that the clamping nut 140 is in the disengaged position. Further, a disengagement of the internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140 and the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112 causes the clamping claws 126 to radially spring back to the retracted position as the tail portion 143 no longer applies force on the clamping claws 126. A spring back action of the clamping claws 126 releases the holding force previously applied by the clamping claws 126 on the hose 108, thereby allowing easy removal of the hose 108 from the first body portion 106.

The hose connector 100 disclosed herein provides improved functional reliability. The hose connector 100 allows provides simplified assembly and disassembly and is simple to use. More particularly, the components of the hose connector 100 do not require any prior assembly or disassembly hence the hose connector 100 allows simplified assembly and disassembly of the hose 108 and the hose connector 100.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment and placing of the opening. The major elements of the hose nut are similar to the embodiment already shown and described with figures 1-4. The difference with this particular embodiment is the placing and shape of the opening (132). Again the second body portion (112) includes external threads (116) that engage with internal threads (142) on the clamping nut (140) to threadedly couple the clamping nut (140) and the second body portion (112). In the embodiment shown the opening (132) is now realized at least in part within the external threads (116). As with this the additional spacing adjacent to the threads used for the opening the hose connector can be significantly reduced of even eliminated. Thus the hose connector (100) can be manufactured in a shorter version. Also exemplarily the opening (132) is triangularly shaped. One can also think of a specific orientation of that triangle, for example choosing the orientation as such, that the triangle is pointing to the farthest peripheral point of the end section (118). By this the user of the hose connector is intuitively instructed to enter the hose into the hose connector far enough at least until the hose will be seen in the opening (132).

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

100 Hose Connector

102 Body

104 End

106 First Body Portion

108 Hose

110 Outer Surface

112 Second Body Portion

114 Gap

116 External Threads

118 End Section

120 Entry Portion

123 Stop Edge

124 Clamping Element

126 Clamping Claws

128 Teeth

132 Opening

134 Outer Surface

136 First Rib

140 Clamping Nut

142 Internal Threads

143 Tail Portion

144 Clamping Surface

146 Outer Surface

150 First End 152 Second End

A1 Axial Direction

A2 Threading Direction

Cl Clockwise Direction

C2 Counter Clockwise Direction LI Length