Pipe coupling
US6581907B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L37/23
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pipe coupling comprises a socket and a plug having front end portions engagable with each other. This socket comprises a plurality of lock balls movable to lock positions where the lock balls partially project into an axial bore of the socket body, and a sleeve for holding the lock balls at the lock position. The socket body has a plurality of engage holes elongated in the axial direction. The sleeve is rotatable on the socket body and has a press portion for pressing the lock balls toward the lock positions, a press release recessed portion circumferentially is adjacent to the press portion for retracting the lock balls from the lock positions, and a large diameter portion. The pipe coupling further comprises sleeve-rotation-restricting convex and recessed portions which restrict the rotation of the sleeve relative to the socket body, to an angle range between a press position where the press portions oppose the lock balls and a release position where the press release recessed portions opposed to the lock balls, a collar movable in the large diameter portion, and a spring for urging the sleeve toward the press position and the collar toward the front end.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.