Description

PIPE CONNECTOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to pipe connectors and, more particularly, to a length adjustable pipe connector, an inner pipe of which is configured to be projected from or retracted into a connection pipe using a rotary bolt, so that the length of the pipe connector can be adjustable when it is used to connect pipes to each other. Background Art

[2] A pipe connector is a device for connecting the ends of pipes to each other. The pipe connector may be used to increase the length of a pipeline by connecting pipes to each other according to a fluid feeding distance. Further, the pipe connector may be used form a branch in a pipeline from a processing system or to join fluid feeding pipes from respective steps of a processing system to each other.

[3] FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a conventional pipe connecting structure.

[4] As shown in the drawing, to connect a first pipe 1 to a second pipe 2, a pipe connector is used.

[5] In the pipe connector, an important factor is whether or not the pipe connector can maintain fluid-tightness to prevent the leakage of fluid from junctions between the pipes and the pipe connector due to fluid pressure in the junctions.

[6] In the prior art, such as Korean U.M. Appln. No. 20-1993-0026391 and Korean

Patent Appln. No. 10-2000-0023868, many pipe connecting structures and pipe connectors have been proposed.

[7] When a pipe is connected to a fixed pipe during interior work for the ceiling or a toilet in a building, it may be necessary to adjust the length of one end of the fixed pipe.

[8] However, when it is required to connect a first pipe to a second pipe while increasing the length of one of the two pipes in the state in which at least one of the two pipes is fixed, a conventional pipe connector forces a worker to increase the length of the first pipe to a desired length through a separate welding process and connect the extended end of the first pipe to the second pipe using the pipe connector, thus being inconvenient for the worker. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[9] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and is intended to provide a length adjustable pipe connector, which has a length adjustable structure configured to connect fluid

pipes to each other in a manner such that the length of the pipe connector is adjustable. Technical Solution

[10] In an aspect, the present invention provides a length adjustable pipe connector used to connect pipes to each other, the pipe connector comprising: a connection pipe provided in a first end thereof with a connection part to be connected to an end of a first pipe through a screw engagement; an inner pipe provided on an outer circumferential surface of a first end thereof with a rubber packing to be in close contact with an inner circumferential surface of the connection pipe, and provided in a second end thereof with an inner threaded part to be engaged with an outer threaded part formed around an outer circumferential surface of a second pipe; and a rotary bolt provided on an outer circumferential surface thereof with rotation threads to be engaged with axial movement threads formed around the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe and rotatably held in a receiving part formed in a second end of the connection pipe, wherein the inner pipe can be projected from or retracted into the connection pipe by rotation of the rotary bolt.

[11] In the length adjustable pipe connector, the rotary bolt may comprise a locking slot continuously formed in the outer circumferential surface of the rotary bolt so as to be engaged with a pin, which protrudes from an inner circumferential surface of the receiving part.

[12] The rotary bolt may be provided in a front end thereof with a hexagonal depression so that the rotary bolt can be rotated using a hexagonal wrench.

[13] The second end of the connection pipe may be provided in the inner circumferential surface thereof with a stopper and the first end of the inner pipe is provided on the outer circumferential surface thereof with a stop hook, so that an axial moving distance of the inner pipe is limited within a predetermined range.

[14] The length adjustable pipe connector may further comprise: a ball bearing installed between the inner pipe and the connection pipe at a location diametrically opposite the receiving part.

[15] The inner pipe may be formed by assembling a part, having the rubber packing, with another part, having the axial movement threads on the outer circumferential surface, through a screw engagement.

Advantageous Effects

[16] As described above, the length adjustable pipe connector of the present invention is advantageous in that an inner pipe can project from or be retracted into a connection pipe in an axial direction by rotating a rotary bolt, so that the length of the pipe connector is adjustable when it is used to connect pipes to each other.

[17] Further, another advantage of the present invention resides in that the rotary bolt is

provided with a hexagonal depression in a front end thereof, thus realizing easy manipulation of the rotary bolt, so that the length adjustment can be easily accomplished and the length of the pipe connector can be easily adjusted by rotating the rotary bolt in a state in which pipes are connected to each other using the pipe connector.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a conventional pipe connecting structure;

[19] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a length adjustable pipe connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [20] FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 2;

[21] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the operation of the length adjustable pipe connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [22] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a length adjustable pipe connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and [23] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a length adjustable pipe connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [24] <Description of the elements in the drawings>

[25] 10: connection pipe 12: connection part

[26] 14: receiving part 16: stopper

[27] 20: inner pipe 22: rubber packing

[28] 22a: holder 24: inner threaded part

[29] 26: axial movement threads 28: stop hook

[30] 30: rotary bolt 32: rotation threads

[31] 34: locking slot 36: depression

[32] 40: pin 50: ball bearing

Mode for the Invention [33] Hereinbelow, a length adjustable pipe connector of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [34] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are a sectional view and a front view illustrating a length adjustable pipe connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [35] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the length adjustable pipe connector of the present invention comprises a connection pipe 10, an inner pipe 20 and a rotary bolt 30, and further comprises a pin 40 and a ball bearing 50. [36] The connection pipe 10 and the inner pipe 20 are cylindrical pipes, which are connected to a first pipe 1 and a second pipe 2, respectively. First, the connection pipe

10 will be described. [37] The connection pipe 10 is provided in a first end thereof with a connection part 12 to be connected to a first pipe 1 through screw engagement, and is provided in a

second end thereof with a receiving part 14, into which the rotary bolt 30 is engaged.

[38] Here, it is preferred that the connection part 12 have an inner threaded part or an outer threaded part, and that the first pipe 1 have an outer threaded part or an inner threaded part, so that the connection pipe 10 can be connected to the first pipe 1 through screw engagement.

[39] Further, it is preferred that the receiving part 14 protrude from the second end of the cylindrical connection pipe 10 in a radial direction and define a cylindrical space therein so as to receive the rotary bolt 30 in the cylindrical space.

[40] Second, the inner pipe 20 will be described.

[41] A rubber packing 22 is fitted over the outer circumferential surface of the first end of the inner pipe 20 and comes into close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the connection pipe 10. The second end of the inner pipe 20 is provided with an inner threaded part 24, which is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the second end and is engaged with an outer threaded part 2' formed around the outer circumferential surface of the second pipe 2.

[42] Further, the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe 20 is provided with axial movement threads 26, which are engaged with rotation threads formed around the outer circumferential surface of the rotary bolt 30.

[43] Here, it is preferred that a flat surface part 28b without moving threads be axially formed along the lower part of the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe 20 having the axial movement threads 26.

[44] The rubber packing 22 is an annular ring made of rubber and maintains fluid- tightness between the connection pipe 10 and the inner pipe 20. Here, it is preferred that the rubber packing 22 be held by an annular holder 22a, which is mounted to the outer circumferential surface of the first end of the inner pipe 20.

[45] Further, for easy assembly and disassembly of the inner pipe 20, it is preferred that the inner pipe 20 be formed by assembling the part having the rubber packing 22 therearound with another part, having the axial movement threads 26 on the outer circumferential surface, through screw engagement of outer and inner threads 29a and 29b.

[46] In other words, the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe 20 at the location having the rubber packing 22 has no axial movement threads, so that it is preferred that, for easy assembly and disassembly of the inner pipe 20, two pipe units be separately manufactured and assembled with each other through screw engagement into an inner pipe.

[47] Third, the rotary bolt 30 will be described.

[48] The rotary bolt 30 functions to move the inner pipe 20 to the left and right and is provided on the outer circumferential surface thereof with the rotation threads 32,

which are engaged with the axial movement threads 26 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe 20. The rotary bolt 30 is rotatably held in the inner space of the receiving part 14, which is formed in the second end of the connection pipe 10.

[49] Further, it is preferred that a locking slot 34 be continuously formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary bolt 30 so as to be engaged with a pin 40, which protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the receiving part 14 in a radial direction.

[50] The pin 40 is inserted into the locking slot 34 of the rotary bolt 30 through a locking hole (not shown), formed in the sidewall of the receiving part 14, so that the rotary bolt 30 can be fixed to the connection pipe 10 by the pin 40 when the rotary bolt 30 is rotated.

[51] Further, a hexagonal depression 36 is preferably formed in the front end surface of the rotary bolt 30, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the rotary bolt 30 can be easily rotated using a hexagonal wrench.

[52] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the operation of the length adjustable pipe connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[53] As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferred that the pipe connector be configured such that, when a worker rotates the rotary bolt 30 in a forward direction using a hexagonal wrench, the rotation threads 32, formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary bolt 30 and movably engaged with the axial movement threads 26 formed in the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe 20, moves the inner pipe 20 and projects the inner pipe 20 from the connection pipe 10. When the rotary bolt 30 is rotated in the opposite direction, the inner pipe 20 is retracted into the connection pipe 10.

[54] In the above state, the inner pipe 20, which is in close contact with the connection pipe 10 through the rubber packing 22, is prevented from rotating, so that the inner pipe 20 cannot be rotated but is moved to the left or right during rotation of the rotary bolt 30.

[55] Further, it is preferred that the second end of the connection pipe 10 be provided with a stopper 16 in the inner circumferential surface thereof and that the first end of the inner pipe 20 be provided with a stop hook 28 on the outer circumferential surface thereof, so that, when the inner pipe 20 is moved to the left or right relative to the connection pipe 10 by rotating the rotary bolt 30, the stop hook 28 can be stopped by the stopper 16, and limits the axial moving distance of the inner pipe 20 within a predetermined range.

[56] Fourth, the ball bearing 50 will be described.

[57] The ball bearing 50 is installed between the inner pipe 20 and the connection pipe

10 at a location diametrically opposite the receiving part 14. When the inner pipe 20 is

moved to the left or right by the rotation of the rotary bolt 30, the ball bearing 50 supports the inner pipe 20 and minimizes the friction between the connection pipe 10 and the inner pipe 20.

[58] As described above, the flat surface part 28b without axial movement threads 26 is axially formed along the lower part of the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe 20. Thus, it is preferred that the ball bearing 50 be placed to be in contact both with the flat surface part 28b of the inner pipe 20 and with the inner circumferential surface of the connection pipe 10, thus functioning as a bearing.

[59] Further, the pipe connector is configured to stop movement of the stop hook 28 using the stopper 16, so that, when the ball bearing 50 is located between the stopper 16 and the stop hook 28, the ball bearing 50 is held by the stopper 16 and is prevented from being removed to the outside of the connector pipe 10. In the above state, the stop hook 28 comes into close contact with the ball bearing 50 and prevents the inner pipe 20 from projecting further from the connection pipe 10.

[60] Hereinbelow, the application and pipe connecting method of the pipe connector according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[61] First, various applications of the pipe connector of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views illustrating length adjustable pipe connectors according to second and third embodiments of the present invention, respectively.

[62] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first end of the connection pipe may be variously configured to have various shapes, such as an L-shaped or a T-shaped appearance, with an outer threaded part or an inner threaded part formed in the variously shaped end so as to be engaged with an end of the first pipe.

[63] Thus, the pipe connector of the present invention may be used in a variety of pipe systems for mixing two fluids, dividing fluids into respective fluids, or feeding fluid while changing the flowing direction of the fluid.

[64] Second, the pipe connecting method using the pipe connector of the present invention and the operation of the pipe connector will be described.

[65] After preparing pipes to be connected to each other using the pipe connector, first, the outer threaded part or the inner threaded part of a first pipe is connected to the connection part of the connection pipe through screw engagement.

[66] Thereafter, the rotary bolt is rotated in one direction using a hexagonal wrench, thus projecting or retracting the inner pipe to a desired length.

[67] In the above state, the rubber packing, which is provided around the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe, is held by the holder of the inner pipe, so that the rubber packing is moved along with the inner pipe while remaining in close contact with the connection pipe, thus maintaining fluid- tightness between the inner pipe and

the connection pipe.

[68] Further, when the rotary bolt is rotated, the pin, which protrudes inwards from the inner circumferential surface of the receiving part in a radial direction, is inserted into the locking slot formed in the outer circumferential surface of the rotary bolt, and is locked thereby, so that the rotary bolt can be idle-rotated in place inside the receiving part.

[69] Further, the ball bearing, which is installed between the inner pipe and the connection pipe, functions to reduce frictional loss occurring between the inner pipe and the connection pipe during the movement of the inner pipe.

[70] When the inner pipe has reached a desired position relative to the connection pipe, a second pipe is connected to the inner threaded part of the inner pipe, thus accomplishing pipe coupling.

[71] The pipe connector of the present invention has collateral advantages in that it is possible to control the length of a pipeline by rotating the rotary bolt in the state in which pipes have been connected to each other using the pipe connector. Further, the pipe connector is advantageous in that the inner pipe can be projected from or retracted into a connection pipe while maintaining fluid-tightness by rotating the rotary pipe in the state in which fluid flows in the pipeline, thus adjusting the length of the pipeline.

[72] As described above, the technical spirit of the present invention is that it provides a length adjustable pipe connector, which can connect pipes to each other and project or retract an inner pipe from or into a connection pipe in an axial direction by rotating a rotary bolt. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.