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, a clamping element, and a clamping ring. For coupling the hose with the hose connector, the clamping nut and the clamping ring are removed and coupled with the hose. More particularly, the hose first receives the clamping nut and then the clamping ring, after which the hose is coupled with the body. If the clamping ring and the clamping nut are not coupled in the correct order, the hose may not be properly coupled with the hose connector which in turn may cause incorrect operation of the hose connector. Such a hose connector having an additional clamping ring may not be user friendly and may be troublesome for an operator to install.

Additionally, a dismantling of the hose connector often poses problems as the clamping ring may unscrew during operation or may get stolen which in turn renders the hose connector unusable. In order to solve this issue, a cable tie may be used for installation of the hose connector. However, such cable ties may increase an overall cost of the hose connector which is not desirable.

US7431351B2 describes a method and apparatus for making a pressure- containing threaded tubular connection, suitable for remotely operated connection and separation, utilizing electrical heating to reduce the amount of make up torque required to produce reliable preloading of the connection. One aspect of the present invention comprises: 1) a first hub with male threads on its exterior and having a sealing face and axial flow passage, b) a second hub having an axial flow passage and carrying an annular seal which can be mated with the sealing face of the first hub and mounting a rotatable nut having female threads on its interior and integral nut heating means. After stabbing and initial make-up of the connection, the nut is heated and thereby expanded in a controlled manner and the connection retightened. Following cooling, the structural connection is fully preloaded and the annular seal fully compressed so that it seals. Reversing the procedure permits disconnection.

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. The 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. The hose connector also includes a clamping element coupled to the second body portion. The clamping element includes a number of clamping claws. The hose connector further includes a clamping nut having threads to engage with the second body portion. The clamping nut includes a tail portion such that in an engaged position of the clamping nut, the tail portion is adapted to apply force on the clamping element. Additionally, the hose connector includes a coupling mechanism for capturing the clamping nut with the second body portion. An inner diameter of the clamping nut is defined such that the clamping nut applies force on the clamping element in the engaged position. Further, the inner diameter of the clamping nut is defined such that the clamping nut does not apply force on the clamping element in a disengaged position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling mechanism includes at least one first rib extending from an inner surface of the clamping nut, wherein the at least one first rib extends circumferential on the clamping nut.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first rib is divided into a multitude of ribs, in particularly the first rib is divided into at least four ribs. Advantageously the division of the first rib into a multitude of ribs automatically generated free spaces between them and thus reduces the force needed to couple the hose connector’s body with the clamping nut.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling mechanism includes at least one cam defining a sloping surface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first ribs are adapted to slide on the sloping surface of the at least one cam for coupling the clamping nut with the second body portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling mechanism includes a plurality of cams circumferentially spaced apart from each other on the second body portion, each of the plurality of cams defining a sloping surface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of cams includes at least four cams.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one cam is triangular in shape.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling mechanism includes a second rib extending along a circumference of the second body portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second rib is embodied as a continuous rib.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a length of the clamping nut is decided such that the clamping claws are in a retracted position when the second rib rests against the plurality of first ribs.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the clamping nut includes internal threads that engage with external threads on the second body portion for threadably coupling the clamping nut with the second body portion. In exemplary embodiment the internal threads of the clamping nut and the external threads on the second body portion are embodied as sawtooth threads.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the internal threads of the clamping nut are embodied as non-continuous threads. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a clamping surface of the clamping nut is spaced apart from the clamping element when the clamping nut is coupled with the hose connector.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a second gap is defined between the clamping element and the first body portion when the clamping nut is threaded onto the hose connector in a maximum tightened condition.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a value of the first gap lies approximately between 0.75 mm and 1.5 mm.

The hose connector of the present invention provides improved functional reliability. The hose connector allows simplified assembly and disassembly and is simple to use. Additionally, the hose connector allows quick installation of the clamping nut with the second body portion as the clamping nut is captively connected to the body instead of using a clamping ring that uses a threaded connection. Also, the captive connection between the clamping nut and the body can be achieved without adding to an overall cost of the hose connector. Further, the hose connector provides improved product reliability as the hose connector does not include a separate clamping ring and thus any possibility of losing or unscrewing of the clamping ring is eliminated. The hose connector described herein does not require additional cable ties or other such components as the hose connector does not include the clamping ring.

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 side 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 sectional view of a clamping nut of the hose connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the hose connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the hose connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

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 first end 104 that may be detachably coupled with the water supply source. The first end 104 may be generally tubular in shape. In one example, the first 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. Further, the second body portion 112 has an annular shape. The second body portion 112 defines a number of external threads 116 (shown in FIG. 2). Additionally, the second body portion 112 defines a sliding surface 118 disposed at one side of the number of external threads 116.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, 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 130 (shown in FIG. 1) of the respective clamping claws 126. In the illustrated embodiment, each clamping claw 126 includes two teeth 128 (shown in FIG. 1). 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 captively coupled to the second body portion 112 through a snap fit arrangement so that the clamping element 124 does not unscrew or get stolen when the hose connector 100 is left unattended. 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 118 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. 1 and in a disengaged position in FIG. 4. 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. Further, the clamping nut 140 is said to be in the disengaged position when the internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140 disengage from the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112. The clamping nut 140 defines a clamping surface 144. In the engaged position of the clamping nut 140, the clamping surface 144 of the clamping nut 140 is spaced apart from an outer surface 146 of the clamping element 124. Further, a stroke of the clamping nut 140 is greater than a stroke of the clamping element 124. Thus, in the disengaged position of the clamping nut 140, the hose 108 (see FIG. 1) can be easily pushed or removed from the first body portion 106 as there is no self-reinforcing effect of the clamping element 124.

Further, dimensions of the clamping nut 140, the clamping element 124, and the first body portion 106 is decided such that in a maximum tightened condition of the clamping nut 140, a second gap 148 (see FIG. 1) exists between the clamping element 124 and the first body portion 106. This even in the situation when no hose is received within the gap between the first body portion (106) and the second body portion (112) In some examples, a value of this second gap 148 lies approximately between 0.75 mm and 1.5 mm. In one example, the value of the second gap 148 is approximately equal to 1 mm. thus the second gap 148 prevents plastic deformation of the clamping claws 126.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the clamping nut 140. The clamping nut 140 includes the number of internal threads 142 that engage with the number of external threads 116 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) on the second body portion 112 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) to threadably couple the clamping nut 140 with the second body portion 112. In the illustrated example, each of the internal threads 142 and the external threads 116 are embodied as sawtooth threads. Such sawtooth threads increase a holding force between the clamping nut 140 and the second body portion 112 thereby preventing overrunning of the threads 116, 142 during tightening of the clamping nut 140. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the internal threads 142 are embodied as non-continuous threads. Such non-continuous internal threads 142 simplifies production of the clamping nut 140 as they allow easy removal of the internal threads 142 from a mold despite of a number of first ribs 152 that are provided on the second body portion 112. Alternatively, the internal threads 142 may be embodied as continuous threads. The clamping nut 140 defines an inner diameter“Dl”. The inner diameter “Dl” of the clamping nut 140 is decided such that in the engaged position of the clamping nut 140, the clamping nut 140 applies force on the clamping element 124 (see FIG. 1). More particularly, 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, a length“LI” of the clamping nut 140 is decided such that when a second rib 162 rests against the first ribs 152 (see FIG. 3), the clamping nut 140 is in the disengaged position and the clamping claws 126 are in the retracted position.

Further, the hose connector 100 includes a coupling mechanism 150 for capturing the clamping nut 140 with the second body portion 112 in the engaged position of the clamping nut 140. The coupling mechanism 150 described herein allows captive coupling of the clamping nut 140 with the second body portion 112 by a snap connection such that the clamping nut 140 is coupled with the second body portion 112 at all times. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling mechanism 150 includes the number of first ribs 152. The first ribs 152 extend from an inner surface 154 of the clamping nut 140. Each of the first ribs 152 are circumferentially spaced apart from each other on the inner surface 154. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling mechanism 150 includes four ribs 152. Alternatively, the coupling mechanism 150 may include more than four ribs 152 or less than four ribs 152, without any limitations. In another embodiment, the coupling mechanism 150 may include a single continuous first rib 152.

The coupling mechanism 150 also includes at least one cam 156 provided on the second body portion 112. The cam 156 described herein aids in engaging the clamping nut 140 with the second body portion 112. Each of the cams 156 define a sloping surface 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling mechanism 150 includes a number of cams 156. More particularly, the coupling mechanism 150 includes four cams 156. The cams 156 are circumferentially spaced apart from each other along an outer surface 158 of the second body portion 112. Alternatively, the coupling mechanism 150 may include more than four cams 156 or less than four cams 156, without any limitations. The cams 156 are triangular in shape. More particularly, the cams 156 have a wedge shape. Referring to FIG. 5, the cams 156 define a height“H”. In a preferred embodiment, the height“H” of the cams 156 is decided such that the height“H” corresponds to a pitch between adjacent threads 116 of the second body portion 112. Further, as the height“H” of the cams 156 correspond to the pitch of the external threads 116, the internal threads 142 are positioned at a start of the external threads 116, based on a sliding of the first ribs 152 on the sloping surface 160.

Further, the cams 156 serve as an end stop that notifies a user that the internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140 have disengaged from the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112 and the hose 108 can be easily removed from the first body portion 106 as the clamping claws 126 (see FIG. 1) no longer apply any force on the hose 108 (see FIG. 1). Moreover, the cams 156 provide a haptic feedback to the user that the internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140 have disengaged from the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112. Additionally, the coupling mechanism 150 includes the second rib 162 provided on the outer surface 158 of the second body portion 112. More particularly, the second rib 162 extends along the circumference of the second body portion 112. The second rib 162 is embodied as a continuous rib.

The coupling mechanism 150 described herein is designed such that the clamping nut 140 does not accidentally decouple from the second body portion 112. Therefore, any possibility of removal of the clamping nut 140 from the second body portion 112 even during normal hose operation is eliminated. Additionally, the coupling mechanism 150 allows captive connection of the clamping nut 140 with the second body portion 112. Also, the captive connection between the clamping nut 140 and the second body portion 112 can be achieved without adding to an overall cost of the hose connector 100. Further, the coupling mechanism 150 does not include a separate clamping ring and thus any possibility of losing or unscrewing of the clamping ring is eliminated. The coupling mechanism 150 also does not include additional cable ties or other such components as the hose connector 100 does not include the clamping ring. As shown in FIG. 1, for coupling the hose 108 with the hose connector 100, the hose 108 is coupled with the first body portion 106. As mentioned above, the clamping nut 140 is coupled with the second body portion 112 by the captive connection. For engaging the internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140 with the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112, the clamping nut 140 is rotated such that first ribs 152 slide against the cams 156. More particularly, the first ribs 152 on the clamping nut 140 slide on the sloping surface 160 of the cams 156. Based on the sliding of the first ribs 152 on the sloping surface 160, the internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140 are positioned at a start of the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112 as the height“H” of the cams 156 correspond to the pitch of the adjacent external threads 116. Additionally, a further rotation of the clamping nut 140 causes the internal threads 142 to engage with the external threads 116. It should be noted that the clamping element 124 is in the retracted position when the first ribs 152 rest against the second rib 162.

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 now to FIG. 4, when the hose 108 (see FIG. 1) is to be removed from the hose connector 100, the clamping nut 140 is disengaged from the second body portion 112. The clamping nut 140 is disengaged by rotating the clamping nut 140 in a counter clockwise direction“C2” along a direction that is opposite to the threading direction“A2”. 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. Thus, once the internal threads 142 of the clamping nut 140 disengage from the external threads 116 on the second body portion 112, the hose 108 can be easily removed from the first body portion 106.

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

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 First End

106 First Body Portion

108 Hose

110 Outer Surface

112 Second Body Portion

114 Gap

116 External Threads

118 Sliding Surface

124 Clamping Element

126 Clamping Claws

128 Teeth

130 Inner Surface

140 Clamping Nut

142 Internal Threads

143 Tail Portion

144 Clamping Surface

146 Outer Surface

148 First Gap

150 Coupling Mechanism 152 First Ribs

154 Inner Surface

156 Cams 158 Outer Surface of Second Body Portion

160 Sloping Surface

162 Second Rib

A1 Axial Direction

A2 Threading Direction

Cl Clockwise Direction

C2 Counter Clockwise Direction

D1 Inner Diameter

LI Length

H Height of Cam