FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling comprising a tubular housing having a longitudinal direction and comprising openings in both ends.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A hydraulic coupler is a commonly either a male coupler or a female coupler used to connect hoses and fittings in a hydraulic system. A hydraulic coupling preferably consist of both a male coupler and a female coupler, and is fabricated to resist the high pressure preferably present in the system. Couplers can be used to connect hoses from a hydraulic equipment to a hydraulic system. One example of such a hydraulic system is a hydraulic system mounted on a tractor, which uses the system to power hydraulic equipment.

Following the example above, the tractor may connect multiple hydraulic equipment during any work, and a commonly problem when coupling male and female couplers repeatedly, is that dust and dirt accumulate in the coupling, which makes the hydraulic coupling leaky and difficult to couple.

Hence, an improved sleeve would be advantageous, and in particular a more robust and dustfree hydraulic coupling would be advantageous. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.

In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a sleeve that solves the above mentioned problems of the prior art with sleeves for hydraulic couplings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the above described object and several other objects are intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling comprising · a tubular housing having a longitudinal direction and comprising openings in both ends comprising

• an abutment member at one of the openings and being configured to abut a surface,

• a receiving member at the other of the openings and being configured to receive and retain a tubular element,

• a resilient member arranged in-between the abutment member and the receiving member, said resilient member is configured to be compressed in said longitudinal direction, wherein a compression force applied to the tubular housing in said longitudinal direction provides a shortening of the resilient member and essentially no shortening of the abutment member and the receiving member.

By essentially no shortening is preferably meant that the compression of the abutment member in relation to the compression of the resilient member is negligible, such as when assessing the compression of the tubular housing.

It is an advantage of the invention that the tubular housing can retain a tubular element, such that the tubular element is protected from dirt and dust by the tubular housing.

In an embodiment of the invention, the resilient member may be tubular with an outer wall and wherein the outer wall may be concertina shaped.

By concertina shaped is preferably meant the shape of the bellows of a concertina.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the concertina shaped outer wall may comprises a plurality of inner folds and a plurality of outer folds, such as five, such as seven, such as nine, such as eleven, such as twelve. In a further embodiment, the angle of each inner and outer folds may be between 35 degrees and 135 degrees.

In a further embodiment, the distance from an inner fold to an outer fold measured on the outer wall of the resilient member may be larger than 0.1 cm and smaller than 3.0 cm, such as equal to 0.5 cm, such as equal to 1.2 cm, and wherein the distance from an outer fold to an inner fold may be equal to the distance from an inner fold to an outer fold.

In an embodiment of the invention, the resilient member may be tubular with an outer wall and wherein the outer wall may be sinusoidal wave shaped.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the sinusoidal wave shaped outer wall of the resilient member may comprises a plurality of cycles, such as five, such as seven, such as nine, such as eleven, such as twelve.

In a further embodiment, the length of each cycle may be larger than 0.2 cm and smaller than 5.0 cm, such as equal to 0.5 cm, such as equal to 1.0 cm, such as equal to 2.5 cm.

In an embodiment of the invention, the resilient member may be compressible to at least 85% of its length in a non-compressed configuration, such as at least 75%, such as at least 60%.

It is an advantage for the sleeve to be compressible when used in a coupling, as the resilient force obtained by the compression may provide a tight configuration and prevent dust from entering the coupling and spill to leave the coupling.

In an embodiment of the invention, the receiving member may comprises a constriction member to retain the tubular element.

It is an advantage for a sleeve to have a constriction member, such that a handle or other connective means is retained within the receiving member. In a further embodiment of the invention, the constriction member may be formed as an inwardly protrusion arranged at the opening, preferably extending along the full perimeter of the opening. In an embodiment of the invention, the openings may have a diameter or an equivalent diameter of at least 2 cm, such as at least 3 cm, such as at least 5 cm.

By equivalent diameter is preferably meant a length, D, calculated by

D = y Where area is the area of the opening.

In an embodiment of the invention, the diameter or the equivalent diameter of the openings are different from each other. In an embodiment of the invention, the resilient member may further comprises a sloping member arranged at the end of the resilient member abutting the receiving member.

It is an advantage for a sleeve to have a sloping member, such that the overall sleeve is reinforced and unwanted folds are limited to a minimum in a compressed configuration.

By a compressed configuration is preferably meant that the sleeve is compressed as a result of a connected coupling between a female coupling and male coupling.

In an embodiment of the invention, the tubular housing may be made from a single material, such as being injection moulded in a single piece.

In an embodiment of the invention, the tubular housing may be made from a specific rubber material, such as NBR, such as HNBR, such as EPDM, such as CR, such as AEM.

In an embodiment of the invention, the length of the abutment member may be larger than 0.5 cm and smaller than 10 cm, such as equal to 3 cm, such as equal to 5 cm, and wherein the length of the resilient member may be larger than 2 cm and smaller than 21 cm, such as larger than 2 cm and smaller than 10 cm, such as equal to 5 cm, such as equal to 6.5 cm, such as larger than 10 cm and smaller than 20 cm, and the length of the receiving member may be larger than 0.3 cm and smaller than 5 cm, such as equal to 1 cm, such as equal to 2.2 cm.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve may further comprising a shielding member arranged at the opening, and configured to provide a seal of the opening by preventing dust into the sleeve.

In an embodiment of the invention, the shielding member may be attached to the abutment member at least in an outer edge, being the circumference, of the shielding member.

In an embodiment of the invention, the shielding member may further comprising a plurality of through-going elements arranged within the shielding member and configured to allow an object, such as a male coupling, to extend through the shielding member.

In an embodiment of the invention, the shielding member may be detachable attached.

In an embodiment of the invention, the abutment member may comprises a wall thickness, and said wall thickness may be larger than 0.2 cm and smaller than 2 cm, such as equal to 0.6 cm, such as equal to 0.8 cm, such as equal to 1.4 cm, and wherein the resilient member may comprises a wall thickness, and said wall thickness may be larger than 0.05 cm and smaller than 1.0 cm, such as equal to 0.15 cm, such as equal to 0.5 cm, such as equal to 0.85 cm, and wherein the receiving member may comprises a wall thickness, and said wall thickness may be larger than 0.2 cm and smaller than 2.5 cm, such as equal to 1.1 cm, such as equal to 1.7 cm, such as equal to 2.1 cm.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the sloping member may comprises a wall thickness, and said wall thickness may be different from the wall thickness of the resilient member. In a further embodiment, the constriction member may comprises a wall thickness, and said wall thickness may be different from the wall thickness of the receiving member. In a second aspect of the invention, a kit of parts may be comprising a sleeve according to the first aspect, and a handle, wherein said handle may be comprising a tubular member having at one end a protrusion fitting into receiving member. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining a compressible, single material, robust and tight sleeve for a hydraulic coupling.

The first and second aspect of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention and in particular preferred embodiments according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set. Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a sleeve for a hydraulic coupling according to the present invention. Figure 1 is split into two figures, namely fig. 1 and fig. 1A, where fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view of fig. 1.

Figure 2 illustrates another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and fig. 2 is split into two figures, namely fig. 2 and fig. 2A, where fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of fig. 2.

Figure 3A illustrates in a cross sectional view a section of a sleeve and in particular a wall thickness of an abutment member and a resilient member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3B illustrates in a cross sectional view a section of a sleeve and in particular a wall thickness of a sloping member, receiving member and a constriction member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, where an abutment member is abutting a surface.

Figure 5A illustrates in a cross sectional view another preferred embodiment of a sleeve for a hydraulic coupling according to the present invention.

Figure 5B illustrates in a front view another preferred embodiment of a section of a sleeve for a hydraulic coupling according to the present invention.

Figure 5C illustrates in a side view another preferred embodiment of a sleeve for a hydraulic coupling according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

With reference to fig. 1A, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Fig. 1A shows a sleeve for use in a coupling, such as a fluid coupling or a hydraulic coupling.

In one embodiment, the sleeve for a hydraulic coupling comprises a tubular housing 1 having a longitudinal direction and comprising openings 2a, 2b in both ends. Said tubular housing 1 further comprises an abutment member 5 at one of the openings 2a and being configured to abut a surface at the surface encircling the opening. To abut a surface has the meaning at least according to this embodiment, that the abutment member 5 adjoins a surface, such as said abutment member 5 touches a surface of a coupling box. The tubular housing 1 further comprises a receiving member 6 at the other of the openings 2b and being configured to receive inside the receiving member 6 and retain a tubular element 10. A resilient member 3 is arranged in-between the abutment member 5 and the receiving member 6, said resilient member 3 is configured to be compressed in said longitudinal direction, wherein a compression force applied to the tubular housing 1 in said longitudinal direction provides a shortening of the resilient member 3 and essentially no shortening of the abutment member 5 and the receiving member 6.

In the preferred embodiment of shown in the figures, the resilient member 3 is tubular with an outer wall 7 and wherein the outer wall 7 is concertina shaped. By having a concertina shaped outer wall 7, the resilient member 3 is able to retain a part of the compression force applied to the tubular housing 1 in said longitudinal direction, and store it as a restoring force.

In the illustrated embodiment, the concertina shaped outer wall 7 comprises a plurality of inner folds 4a and a plurality of outer folds 4b. The number of inner and outer folds may be such as but not limited to five inner and outer folds (4a, 4b) such as seven inner and outer folds (4a, 4b), such as nine inner and outer folds (4a, 4b), such as eleven inner and outer folds (4a, 4b), such as twelve inner and outer folds (4a, 4b). The combination of inner and outer folds (4a, 4b) do not have to be identical, and in some embodiments, it may be preferable to have different amount of inner and outer folds (4a, 4b). The amount of inner and outer folds (4a, 4b) will influence the length of the sleeve and the degree of flexibility possible referring to the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the angle of each inner and outer folds (4a, 4b) is between 45 degrees and 135 degrees. In fig. 1, the angle of both inner and outer folds (4a, 4b) is 90 degrees, but in other embodiments, it will be preferable to have other angles, such as 60 degrees or 110 degrees.

In some embodiments, the distance from an inner fold 4a to an outer fold 4b measured on the outer wall 7 of the resilient member 3 is larger than 0.1 cm and smaller than 3.0 cm, such as equal to 0.5 cm, such as equal to 1.2 cm, and wherein the distance from an outer fold 4b to an inner fold 4a is equal to the distance from an inner fold 4a to an outer fold 4b. The distance from an outer fold 4b to an inner fold 4a or vice versa is measured on the outer wall of the resilient member, from the top point of the outer fold 4b to the inverted top point of the inner fold 4a. The top point of an outer fold 4b is a turning point of the respective outer fold 4b and the inverted top point of the inner fold 4a is a turning point of the respective inner fold 4a.

In another preferred embodiment, the resilient member 3 is tubular with an outer wall 7 and wherein the outer wall 7 is sinusoidal wave shaped.

In some embodiments, the sinusoidal wave shape comprises a plurality of cycles, such as five, such as seven, such as nine, such as eleven, such as twelve.

In some embodiments, the length of each cycle is larger than 0.2 cm and smaller than 5.0 cm, such as equal to 0.5 cm, such as equal to 1.0 cm, such as equal to 2.5 cm. The length of a cycle is measured as the distance from a positive amplitude, such as a peak amplitude to the forthcoming positive amplitude.

In another preferred embodiment, the resilient member 3 is compressible to at least 85% of its length in a non-compressed configuration, such as at least 75%, such as at least 60%. A non-compressed configuration is, typically, a configuration, where the abutment member 5 is not abutting a surface, and in general, a non-compressed configuration preferably refers to a configuration where no force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve.

As illustrated in fig. 2 and 2A, the tubular housing 1 can be coupled to a device preferably used in a hydraulic coupling, such as a handle mounted on a male coupling or such as a handle mounted on a female coupling. The connection is made by pushing the handle into the tubular housing 1, such that the tubular member 11 of the handle fits into the constriction member 9 of the tubular housing 1. A part of the handle from the tubular member 11 will extend into the resilient member 3. In an embodiment of the invention, the handle will be extending from a male coupling, such that the tubular housing 1 is connected to the handle and then compressed as the male coupling is connected to the female coupling to form a coupling, such as a hydraulic coupling. In such a setting, the tubular housing 1 will, typically, end up in a compressed configuration.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the receiving member 6 comprises a constriction member 9 to retain the tubular element 10. The advantage of having a constriction member 9 is to preserve and secure connective means in a hydraulic coupling, such as a handle with a tubular member 11, as illustrated in fig. 2A.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the constriction member 9 is formed as an inwardly protrusion arranged at the opening 2b, preferably extending along the full perimeter of the opening 2b.

In preferred embodiments, the openings 2a, 2b have a diameter or an equivalent diameter (as defined herein) of at least 2 cm, such as at least 3 cm, such as at least 5 cm.

In other preferred embodiments, the diameter or the equivalent diameter of the openings 2a, 2b are different from each other.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the resilient member 3 further comprises a sloping member 12 arranged at the end of the resilient member 3 abutting the receiving member 6. The advantage of the sloping member 12 is to strengthen the sleeve, such to prevent unwanted folds to be formed when compressed in longitudinal direction. As illustrated in fig. 3B, the sloping member 12 preferably extends over at least a part of the folds (4a, 4b) on the resilient member 3.

In preferred embodiments, the tubular housing 1 is made from a single material, such as being injection moulded in a single piece. The advantage of manufacturing the tubular housing 1 in a single piece is to limit joints.

In preferred embodiments, the tubular housing 1 is made from a rubber material, such as nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), such as hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR), such as ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), such as polyurethane rubber (PUR), such as Chloroprene rubber (CR), such as Ethylene acrylic elastomers (AEM). The advantage of using a rubber material is to provide a flexible tubular housing.

In some embodiments, the length of the abutment member 5 is larger than 0.5 cm and smaller than 10 cm, such as equal to 3 cm, such as equal to 5 cm, and wherein the length of the resilient member 3 is larger than 2 cm and smaller than 21 cm, such as larger than 2 cm and smaller than 10 cm, such as equal to 5 cm, such as equal to 6.5 cm, such as larger than 10 cm and smaller than 20 cm, and the length of the receiving member 6 is larger than 0.3 cm and smaller than 5 cm, such as equal to 1 cm, such as equal to 2.2 cm.

In fig. 4 an example of a hydraulic sleeve having an abutment member abutting a surface is illustrated. In the example, the abutment member of the hydraulic sleeve is abutting the surface of a separate piece 14, preferably a female coupler, in a hydraulic coupling.

With respect to fig. 3A and fig. 3B, in some embodiments, the abutment member 5 comprises a wall thickness 8a, and said wall thickness 8a is larger than 0.2 cm and smaller than 2 cm, such as equal to 0.6 cm, such as equal to 0.8 cm, such as equal to 1.4 cm, and wherein the resilient member 3 comprises a wall thickness 8b, and said wall thickness 8b is larger than 0.05 cm and smaller than 1.0 cm, such as equal to 0.15 cm, such as equal to 0.5 cm, such as equal to 0.85 cm, and wherein the receiving member 6 comprises a wall thickness 8c, and said wall thickness 8c is larger than 0.2 cm and smaller than 2.5 cm, such as equal to 1.1 cm, such as equal to 1.7 cm, such as equal to 2.1 cm.

In a preferred embodiment, the sloping member 12 comprises a wall thickness 8d, and said wall thickness 8d is different from the wall thickness 8b of the resilient member 3.

In embodiments, the constriction member 9 comprises a wall thickness 8e, and said wall thickness 8e is different from the wall thickness 8 of the receiving member 6.

In further embodiments, the resilient member 3 is tubular with an inner wall and wherein the surface of the inner wall is made from an oil absorbing material.

With respect to fig. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the sleeve for a hydraulic coupling in some embodiments comprising a shielding member 15 arranged at the opening 2a. The shielding member is configured to prevent dust, dirt and other contaminates from entering into the sleeve through the opening 2a. Preferably, the shielding member is attached to the abutment member 5 at an outer edge of the shielding member, being the circumference of the shielding member 15. In some embodiments, the shielding member is detachable attached, so that the shielding member can be removed from the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the sleeve further comprising a plurality of through-going elements 16 arranged within the shielding member and configured to allow an object, such as a male coupling of a hydraulic coupling, to extend through the shielding member 15. One example of an object extending through the shielding member 15 is illustrated in fig. 5C.

The plurality of through-going elements 16 are typically arranged within the shielding member to provide a preselected shape, such as a star shape, that allows an object to extend through the shielding member 15 by the through-going elements 16. One such arrangement is illustrated in fig. 5B, where three through- going elements 16 are provided from one side to the opposite, which provides a star shape, that allows an object to extend through the shielding element, while providing a seal of the opening 2a.

The shielding member 15 can be fabricated from a material being similar to the fabrication material of the sleeve, but in some embodiments, it can be facouralbe to select a material different from the sleeve material. The material may be flexible, to allow the object to extend through the shielding member 15.

The shielding member 15 can also prevent dust, dirt and other contaminats from entering the sleeve through the opening 2a, when a compression force in the longitudinal direction is applied to the tubular housing, as the shielding element 15 wil seal along the object extending through the shielding element by the through-going objects 16.

The invention also relates to a coupling comprising a sleeve as disclosed herein, and a handle wherein said handle comprising a tubular element 10 having at one end a protrusion fitting into receiving member 6.

In another embodiment, the resilient member 3 is tubular with an outer wall 7 and wherein the shape of the outer wall is flat and wherein the abutment member 5 comprises at least one magnet or magnetic material located at the surface most distant to the resilient member 3. Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as "a" or "an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

Itemized list of preferred embodiments

1. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling comprising

• a tubular housing (1) having a longitudinal direction and comprising openings (2a, 2b) in both ends comprising o an abutment member (5) at one of the openings (2a) and being configured to abut a surface, o a receiving member (6) at the other of the openings (2b) and being configured to receive and retain a tubular element (10), o a resilient member (3) arranged in-between the abutment member (5) and the receiving member (6), said resilient member (3) is configured to be compressed in said longitudinal direction, wherein a compression force applied to the tubular housing (1) in said longitudinal direction provides a shortening of the resilient member (3) and essentially no shortening of the abutment member (5) and the receiving member (6).

2. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 1, wherein the resilient member (3) is tubular with an outer wall (7) and wherein the outer wall (7) is concertina shaped. 3. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 2, wherein the concertina shaped outer wall (7) comprises a plurality of inner folds (4a) and a plurality of outer folds (4b), such as five, such as seven, such as nine, such as eleven, such as twelve.

4. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 3, wherein the angle of each inner and outer folds (4a, 4b) is between 35 degrees and 135 degrees. 5. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of items 3 or 4, wherein a distance from an inner fold (4a) to an outer fold (4b) measured on the outer wall (7) of the resilient member (3) is larger than 0.1 cm and smaller than 3.0 cm, such as equal to 0.5 cm, such as equal to 1.2 cm, and wherein the distance from an outer fold (4b) to an inner fold (4a) is equal to the distance from an inner fold (4a) to an outer fold (4b).

6. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 1, wherein the resilient member (3) is tubular with an outer wall (7) and wherein the outer wall (7) is sinusoidal wave shaped.

7. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 6, wherein the sinusoidal wave shaped outer wall (7) of the resilient member (3) comprises a plurality of cycles, such as five, such as seven, such as nine, such as eleven, such as twelve.

8. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 7, wherein the length of each cycle is larger than 0.2 cm and smaller than 5.0 cm, such as equal to 0.5 cm, such as equal to 1.0 cm, such as equal to 2.5 cm. 9. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items, wherein the resilient member (3) is compressible to at least 85% of its length in a non-compressed configuration, such as at least 75%, such as at least 60%. 10. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items, wherein the receiving member (6) comprises a constriction member (9) to retain the tubular element (10). 11. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 10, wherein the constriction member (9) is formed as an inwardly protrusion arranged at the opening (2b), preferably extending along the full perimeter of the opening (2b). 12. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items, wherein the openings (2a, 2b) have a diameter or an equivalent diameter of at least 2 cm, such as at least 3 cm, such as at least 5 cm.

13. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items, wherein the diameter or the equivalent diameter of the openings (2a,

2b) are different from each other.

14. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items, wherein the resilient member (3) further comprises a sloping member (12) arranged at the end of the resilient member (3) abutting the receiving member (6).

15. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items, wherein the tubular housing (1) is made from a single material, such as being injection moulded in a single piece.

16. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items 16, further comprising a shielding member (15) arranged at the opening (2a), and configured to provide a seal of the opening (2a) by preventing dust into the sleeve.

17. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 16, wherein the shielding member (15) is attached to the abutment member (5) at least in an outer edge, being the circumference, of the shielding member (15). 18. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic according to any of items 16-17, wherein the shielding member (15) is detachable attached.

19. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of items 16-18, wherein the shielding member further comprising a plurality of through-going elements (16) arranged within the shielding member (15) and configured to allow an object, such as a male coupling, to extend through the shielding member (15).

20. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items, wherein the tubular housing (1) is made from a rubber material, such as NBR, such as HNBR, such as EPDM, such as CR, such as AEM.

21. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items, wherein the length of the abutment member (5) is larger than 0.5 cm and smaller than 10 cm, such as equal to 3 cm, such as equal to 5 cm, and wherein the length of the resilient member (3) is larger than 2 cm and smaller than 21 cm, such as larger than 2 cm and smaller than 10 cm, such as equal to 5 cm, such as equal to 6.5 cm, such as larger than 10 cm and smaller than 20 cm, and the length of the receiving member (6) is larger than 0.3 cm and smaller than 5 cm, such as equal to 1 cm, such as equal to 2.2 cm.

22. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to any of the preceding items, wherein the abutment member (5) comprises a wall thickness (8a), and said wall thickness (8a) is larger than 0.2 cm and smaller than 2 cm, such as equal to 0.6 cm, such as equal to 0.8 cm, such as equal to 1.4 cm, and wherein the resilient member (3) comprises a wall thickness (8b), and said wall thickness (8b) is larger than 0.05 cm and smaller than 1.0 cm, such as equal to 0.15 cm, such as equal to 0.5 cm, such as equal to 0.85 cm, and wherein the receiving member (6) comprises a wall thickness (8c), and said wall thickness (8c) is larger than 0.2 cm and smaller than 2.5 cm, such as equal to 1.1 cm, such as equal to 1.7 cm, such as equal to 2.1 cm. 23. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 22, wherein the sloping member (12) comprises a wall thickness (8d), and said wall thickness (8d) is different from the wall thickness (8b) of the resilient member (3). 24. A sleeve for use in a hydraulic coupling according to item 22, wherein the constriction member (9) comprises a wall thickness (8e), and said wall thickness (8e) is different from the wall thickness (8c) of the receiving member (6).

25. A kit of parts comprising a sleeve according to any one of the preceding items, and a handle in the form of a tubular element (10), wherein said handle comprising a tubular member (11) having at one end a protrusion fitting into receiving member (5).

List of reference symbols used:

1 Tubular housing

2a, 2b Opening 3 Resilient member 4a, 4b Fold

5 Abutment member

6 Receiving member 7 Outer wall

8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e Wall thickness 9 Constriction member 10 Tubular element 11 Tubular member 12 Sloping member 13 Abutment 14 Separate piece

15 Shielding member

16 Through-going element