TECHNICAL FIELD

The following invention relates to fittings for fluid lines and more particularly though not exclusively to an interlocking connecting fitting which is adapted to mate with an identical fitting for example.

BACKGROUND ART

It has been found that with existing fittings which comprise male and female threaded parts or those which comprise two completely different components which are able to be joined by movement in the axial direction without rotation, that various disadvantages exist. These disadvantages are a result of general poor design and result in inadvertant detachment of the fittings, damage to threaded portions of the fittings, leakage and general poor performance.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein a fitting for flexible fluid lines, the fitting comprising; a fitting for flexible fluid lines, the fitting comprising; a hollow body defining an axis and having open ends, means to attach one of said ends to an end of a flexible fluid line so as to provide fluid communication between the fluid line and the interior of the body, locking lug means at the other end of the body adapted to connect the fitting to another fitting having identical lockir.3 lug means so as to enable fluid communication therebetween, and sealing means at said other end of the body located radially, relative to said axis, internally of the locking lug means and being adapted to sealingly engage with said another fitting.

There is further disclosed herein a fitting for flexible fluid lines, the fitting comprising: a hollow body defining an axis and having open ends, means to sealingly secure one end of the body to a fluid outlet source so as to provide fluid communication between the fluid outlet source and an interior of the body,

locking lug means at the other end of the body adapted to connect the fitting to another fitting having identical locking lug means so as to enable fluid communication therebetween, and sealing means at said other end of the body located radially, relative to said axis, internally of the locking lug means and being adapted to sealingly engage with said another fitting.

There is further disclosed herein a fitting for flexible fluid lines, the fitting comprising: a hollow body defining an axis and having open ends; means to emit fluid from within the body at one of said ends; locking lug means at the other end of the body adapted to connect the fitting to another fitting having identical locking lug means so as to enable fluid communication therebetween, and sealing means at said other end of the body located radially, relative to said axis, internally of the locking lug means and adapted to sealingly engage with said another fitting.

Typically, the fitting and said another fitting are identical, however the two fittings need not be identical as said another fitting may be of the form of a spray nozzle for example being adapted to mate with the fitting.

Advantageously, the fitting has no internal mechanical moving parts.

Generally the sealing means are adapted to engage with identical sealing means of the said another fitting, a sealing forced between the two sealing means being increased by increased internal fluid pressure of the fittings. Beneficially, this increase in force results in an increase in a sealing area between the two sealing means.

Typically, the fitting is provided with a recess at one end thereof into which is enclosed a hose spigot. Thus the body providing protection against breaking of the spigot when subjected to lateral force of a fluid line attached thereto.

Beneficially, the sealing means are provided with an annular flange to be received by an annular slot formed in the body.

Advantageously, the body is formed of plastic material by an injection moulding process or a lost wax process.

Generally, the body is formed by a single moulding operation from a single material to form a unitary struc ^t ure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIOI^ ^" THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 1s a schematic cross-sectional elevatlonal view of two preferred embodiments of a fluid line fitting in mating engagement,

F1g. 2 1s a schematic end elevatlonal view of a hose retaining claw used in a preferred form of the fitting of the present invention,

Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded cross-sectional elevational view of- sealing means of the present Invention and a recess In a housing into which the sealing means is adapted to be received,

Fig. 4 is a schematic end elevational view of a connector of the present invention,

Fig. 5 is a schematic elevatlonal view of a locking system employed by the fitting of the present invention.

BEST MODE AND OTHER MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to Fig. 1, there are shown fittings 10 and 20 in a joined state. The fittings each have one arm 15 with a claw portion 18 at the remote end. The fittings are joined by Inserting the arm 15 of each fitting Into the recess 19 of the other, and turning clockwise (in this embodiment - the reverse arrangement is of course possible).

The actual fluid-containing seal is formed by a seals 12 and 13 provided in each fitting 10 and 20 respectively. It is noted that the seals 12, 13 are rac ally inside the arm 15, contrary to some prior art connectors where the reverse is true. One advantage of the present arrangement is that the arms can be made thicker without detracting from the volume Inside the connection, and hence the fitting is stronger.

The seals 12, 13 of each fitting are held in their respective recesses 22, 23 preferably by means of raised barbs 40 (Fig. 3) or similar means, such that each row creates a hydraulic seal in the recess. Raised barbs 40 may be formed on either the outer surface of seals 12 and 13 as depicted in Fig. 3, or on an inner surface of sea ^* 12 and 13 (not shown).

Thus, once th& seals are in ace they will not fall out when the fittings are undone.

Each annular seal 12, 13 has a protruding, angled portion 24, 25. This portion greatly enhances the seal within the fitting, as fluid pressure in the fitting acts not merely outwardly but also laterally to push the protruding portions together. Thus, the seal is actually tightened as water pressure increases, and if suitably constructed will maintain a seal up to a pressure which destroys the structure of the fitting.

A further aspect of the present invention is shown more fully in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows claw 18 just at the point of locking: the corresponding recess 32 in the other fitting is also shown. As claw 18 locks, slope 31 slips down as a crest of slope 31 is passed, to create a positive lock. In order to unfasten the fittings, force must be applied inwardly, i.e. in the opposite direction to the fluid pressure in the fitting, thus there is no risk of the fluid pressure unfastening the connection.

It is possible to make the fitting from any suitable material, but plastics materials are preferred due to the concomitant weight and strength benefits, as well as cost. The fitting may be made by any conventional technique including injection moulding.

It should be further noted that the fitting illustrated has a generally hemispherical shape, so that the joined fittings exhibit a generally spherical form, which is most advantageous in pressure confinement. However, the overall form of the fitting could be any solid of revolution having a generally smooth exterior so that the mated fittings form a space which is nearly optimal for resisting internal pressure and which presents a smooth surface which, when dragged over stones, grass or other surfaces, does not tend to snag. Any cross sectional shap and/or configuration is envisaged for each fitting. For example the fittings may be triangular, square, rectangular or polygonal in cross-section.

A further aspect of the invention is that the fitting is preferably provided with lugs or other raised portions on the exterior to assist in rotation and handling when the fittings are slippery due to the presence of fluid.

It is preferred that the fitting further includes an annular lip 41 so as to reduce the clearance between the mating fittings, most preferably to approximately 1 mm when locked. A dirt excluding filament (not shown) to offer minimal resistence to closure and prolong life of internal parts

of the fitting may be located within annular lip 41. The thin circumferential annulus of material of which the fitting is made is pushed out radially by meeting an identical element on the mating fitting so as to maintain contact therebetween.

A further aspect of the invention is a particular means of attaching the fitting 10 to the end of a fluid line 42. As shown in Fig. 1, an end of a fluid line 42 is mounted over spigot 11 and retained thereover by means of a retaining claw 43. Retaining claw 43 is adapted to securely press fluid line 42 against spigot 11 by means of a retaining ring 44.

Retaining claw 43 comprises a seal member 45 adapted to seal against an interior surface of fitting 10. A number of barbs 46 are located around an interior peripheral surface of retaining claw 43 such that at least one and preferably two barbs 46 engage with fluid line -42 when retaining ring 44 is threadingly tightened thereover. Retaining ring 44 has formed on an outer surface thereof a buttress thread 47 which threadingly engages with corresponding thread on an interior surface or fitting 10.

Turning now to Fig. 2, retaining claw 43 is shown to be formed from a plurality of segments 49 formed integrally though spaced apart by a number of gaps 48. Gaps 48 serve to provide space into which the segments 49 may converge upon tightening of retaining ring 44 which causes retaining claw 43 to contract around the end of the fluid line 42. The outer surface of retaining ring 44 is provided with a number of grips 50 which serve to allow a user to rotate retaining ring 44. It should be noted that spigot 11 has formed on an outer distal peripheral surface thereof, a chamfer 51 to prevent the spigot from damaging the end of the fluid line 42.

Fitting 20, which is depicted in Fig. 1 is adapted to threadingly engage with a fluid control device such as a known brass garden tap for example by means of threaded portion 52. Mounted within fitting 20 is a seal member 53 which serves to seal the fitting onto the tap (not shown). Seal 53, like seals 12 and 13, has an angled portion 54 which is adapted to aid seal 53 in sealing against the fluid control device (tap). It should also be appreciated that an increase in the internal fluid pressure of the fitting will effect a tightening of the seal between seal 53 and the fluid control device (tap). It should further be appreciated that fittings 10 and 20 may be provided with a number of radial holes between the interior of the fittings and, for example annular extensions 23, 24 such that fluid

pressure within the fittings is communicated through the holes onto the annular extension of the seals so as to aid in securing the seals within their respective recesses. Alternatively, a similar result may be achieved by longitudinal grooves such as in a spline on the outer diameter region of the annular extension 23. That is on the inner diameter side of seals 13.

It will be apparent that fitting 10 can have any desired form of connection in place of spigot 11, such as a thread, or the male or female part of any other connection system. It could also be integral with an appliance such as a sprinkler, reservoir, or any other component of fluid-carrying system. It should be appreciated that while most of the disclosed details relate to liquids, the fitting is equally applicable to gases, or other fluids, and any necessary modifications having regard to fluid properties and requirements are encompassed within a system of connections made according to the present invention.