MULTI-SWIVEL CONNECTOR FOR CONNECTING A FLUID SOURCE TO A FLUID OPERATED TOOL

The present invention relates to a multi-swivel connector for connecting a fluid operated tool to a fluid source and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a multi-swivel connector for connecting a hydraulically operated tool, such as a hydraulic torque wrench, to a hydraulic pump.

The use of multi-swivel connectors to connect a hydraulic tool to hydraulic fluid lines is well known. For example, US Patent No. 6089265 discloses a multi-swivel that can be used in conjunction with a hydraulic tool and allows the tool to be moved easily relative to the hydraulic fluid lines. However, moving parts of the multi-swivel connector are able to come into contact with parts of the tool. This can result in damage to the tool and to the multi-swivel. For example, abrasion of the contact surfaces is undesirable as it makes the tool and multi-swivel appear to have been heavily used when this may not be the case. It can also result in minor abrasive damage to a brand new tool which is unsatisfactory to a customer buying a new tool. As a result, it has been necessary to provide additional packing material to prevent contact between the multi-swivel and the tool. Furthermore, a hard impact between the multi-swivel and the tool could result in damage to seals or other small components within the swivel or the tool. The multi-swivel disclosed in US 6089265 can also result in pinch injuries to operators where a small piece of skin, for example between a finger and thumb, get caught between two components as they come into contact with each other.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a multi-swivel connector for connecting a fluid operated tool to a fluid source, the connector comprising :-

at least one first part for connection to a tool, at least a portion of the first part defining a first axis;

at least one second part for rotatable connection to said first part, at least a portion of said second part defining a second axis perpendicular to said first axis;

at least one third part for rotatable connection to said second part and to a fluid source; and

at least one fluid line for providing fluid connection between the tool and the fluid source said fluid line formed as an elongate aperture extending through the first, second and third parts, wherein said second part is adapted to be able to rotate about said first part through greater than 360° and said third part is adapted to be able to rotate relative to said second part by less than 180°.

By limiting the tilting of the second and third parts of the multi-swivel to less than 180° but allowing rotation of the first and second part by more than 360°, the advantage is provided that the freedom of movement of the tool relative to the multi-swivel is maintained but movable components of the multi-swivel are unable to contact the tool to cause damage. As a result, the damage to the tool and multi-swivel is reduced and new products arrive at a customer without any damage or markings to the multi-swivel or to the tool. It is therefore not necessary to provide additional packing material when transporting the tool. Furthermore, by limiting the tilting of the multi-swivel relative to the tool, the advantage is

provided that the chances of an operator receiving a pinch injury are significantly reduced.

In a preferred embodiment at least one of said second and third parts comprises an elongate part circle shaped recess, the centre of a circle coincident with said part circle lying on said second axis, and the other of said second and third parts comprises a projection adapted to be received in said recess, said projection and said recess sized so as to limit the rotation of said second and third parts relative to each other to less than 180°.

In another preferred embodiment said projection and said recess are located on portions of surfaces of the second and third parts that remain engaged with each other through the maximum rotation of the second and third part relative to each other.

By providing a part circle shaped recess with respective projection on opposing faces of the second and third parts of the multi-swivel, the advantage is provided that the components limiting the tilting of the multi-swivel relative to the tool are hidden within the parts of the multi-swivel. As a result, the opportunities for an operator to receive a pinch injury are significantly reduced, since the components that engage each other and prevent further movement of the multi-swivel relative to the tool are hidden from sight and reach. These hidden components are also more aesthetically pleasing.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the components of a multi-swivel of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the multi-swivel of figure 1 together with a tool;

Figure 3 is a side view of the multi-swivel of figure 1 showing various operating positions; and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the multi-swivel of figure 1.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, a multi-swivel connector 10 is used to connect a fluid operated tool, such as hydraulic torque wrench 12 to a fluid source via hydraulic line connectors 14 and 16, that are in turn connected to hydraulic lines (not shown) . The multi-swivel connector includes a first part, in the form of post 18 that is fixed relative to wrench 12 by bolts 20 extending through apertures 22 in post 18. An elongate substantially cylindrical ribbed portion 24 defines a first axis 26. A second portion or banjo 28 has an aperture 30 extending therethrough which receives cylindrical portion 24 of post 18. When banjo 28 is placed on post 18 so that cylindrical portion 24 extends through aperture 30 the banjo 28 is able to rotate about cylindrical portion 24 through more than 360°. Banjo 28 has a pair of arms 32 that are substantially cylindrical and ribbed and which define a second axis 34.

The connector 10 also has a third part, in the form of yoke 36 that is formed from two yoke portions 38 and 40. Each yoke portion 38 and 40 has an aperture 42 that receives arm 32. Further apertures 44 and 46, in respective yoke portions 38 and 40, receive hydraulic line connectors 14 and 16, Another aperture 48, that is visible in figure 1 in yoke portion 38, and extends into second yoke portion 40, where it has a threaded internal surface. Aperture 48 receives bolt 50 to lock first and second yoke portions 38 and 40 into engagement

with each other. As a result, the yoke 36 is able to rotate or tilt about second axis 34 and banjo 28.

Two opposing surfaces 52 of banjo 28 are provided with elongate part circle shaped recesses 54. A circle (not shown} that is coincident with part circle 54 has a centre that lies on second axis 34. Each of the yoke portions 38 and 40 is provided with a protrusion 56 that is sized so it can slide within recess 54. Thus when yoke portions 38 and 40 are tilted relative to banjo 28 the yoke 36 is able to rotate about axis 34 between the limits defined by protrusion 56 engaging the ends of recess 54. Recess 54 is of sufficient length to allow the tilting movement of the yoke 36 as shown in figure 3 but prevents the yoke 36 from engaging the torque wrench 12 by, in the example shown in figure 3, limiting the tilting of the yoke 36 to less than 180°, specifically to 175°.

It can therefore be seen that the movement of the tool relative to the multi-swivel is only partially limited compared to the prior art and therefore any disadvantage of this limitation is barely perceptible to the operator. However, the invention provides the advantages described above including reducing damage to the tool and swivel as well as reducing the likelihood of injury of the operator.

The ribbed portions of cylindrical portion 24 of post 18 and arms 32 of banjo 28 are provided with O-ring seals (some of which are shown in conjunction with post 18 in figure 2 and are indicated at 58) . The O-rings 58 prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid as it passes along fluid lines between the hydraulic fluid connectors 14 and 16 and the wrench 12. The fluid line in multi-swivel connector 10 is a series of apertures and channels that extend through each of the yoke 36, banjo 28 and post 18. These fluid lines are formed in a form that is familiar to persons skilled in the art and is substantially the

same as that disclosed in US 6089265. For example, a first portion 60 of the fluid line extends from a fluid line in tool 12 up through post 18 in an aperture extending parallel to the first axis 26 and then changes direction perpendicular to first axis 26 in an outward direction. The fluid line then becomes an annular channel 62 formed from annular recesses in post 18 and banjo 28 and hydraulic fluid is retained within this annular channel by two O-ring seals 58. The hydraulic fluid passes partially around channel 62 until it reaches another aperture in banjo 28 that extends along arms 32 parallel to second axis 34. Before reaching the end of arms 32 this aperture then extends perpendicular to second axis 34 and the fluid line enters a second annular channel formed in an annular recess in arm 32 and an annular recess in the aperture 42 of yoke portions 38 and 40. From this annular channel a further aperture extends through yoke portions 38 and 40 respectively joining the fluid line to the hydraulic line connectors 14 and 16.

In use the post 18 is attached to torque wrench 12 using bolts 20 extending through apertures 22. O-ring seals 58 are located into some of the ribs in cylindrical portion 24 of post 18 and the banjo 28 is engaged with post 18 so that aperture 30 extends over the cylindrical portion 24. Further O-rings are attached to arms 32 and yoke portions 38 and 40 are engaged with the banjo 28 so that arms 32 extend into apertures 42. The yoke portions 38 and 40 will only be able to fully engage each other when the protrusion 56 extends into recess 54. Once fully engaged yoke portions 38 and 40 are bolted together using bolt 50 extending through aperture 48. The hydraulic lines are connected to the swivel connector 10 using hydraulic line connectors 14 and 16 respectively engaging apertures 44 and 46.

Once assembled the multi-swivel connector 10 is able to rotate about first axis 26 and post 18 by more than 360° as

shown in figure 4. The torque wrench 12 and post 18 are able to rotate about banjo 28 ad infinitum since there is no restriction on the rotation. As previously described the yoke 36 is only able to rotate or tilt relative to banjo 28, and therefore torque wrench 12 by less than 180° and specifically 175°.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.