Patent ID: 9328855
Filing Date: 2016-05-03
CPC Classification: F16L

Claim Text:
1. A grooved lock coupler for holding a tee to a flow line for conveyance and unloading of dry bulk granular material from a tank trailer vehicle comprising: a tee having a first end, a second outlet end, and an inlet upper end, and having a circumferential external groove integrally provided on said second outlet end; a coupler for interconnecting to a flow line leading from the tee, the coupler having a first cam lock mechanism pivotally mounted on the coupler, and a second cam lock mechanism pivotally mounted on the coupler, the coupler having a first slot formed therein and a second slot formed therein, the first cam lock mechanism cooperating with the first slot to allow the first cam lock mechanism to extend through the first slot to engage with the groove of said tee, the second cam lock mechanism cooperating with the second slot to allow the second cam lock mechanism to extend through the second slot to engage with the groove of the said tee to lock the flow line and coupler to the tee in preparation for an unloading process, and the coupler having an extension member extending into the flow line to prevent any bulk granular material from accumulating between the tee, the coupler, and the flow line during operation; said tee, coupler and flow line being free of any threaded connection therein; at least one locking band secures said flow line onto the extension member of the coupler during assembly; a gasket provided internally between the coupler and the second outlet end of the tee to provide a uniform diameter through the tee and coupler as granular material flows from the tee and into the flow line during discharging of granular material and to prevent the granular material from accumulating thereat; said first cam lock fastener comprises, a cam lock arm having an aperture and a pivot pin inserted through the aperture to provide for pivoting of the cam lock arm, and wherein said first cam lock fastener further comprises a cam that can be pivoted between an unlocked position with respect to the groove and a locked position within said groove; said second cam lock fastener comprises another cam lock arm having an aperture and a pivot pin inserted through the aperture to provide for pivoting of said cam lock arm; a flange positioned around the inlet upper end of the tee, said flange having bolt holes for receiving bolts for securing the flange to the tank trailer vehicle; and wherein upon unloading of the dry bulk granular material from the tank trailer vehicle and through the tee into the flow line prevents the accumulation of any granular material from collecting between the tee, the coupler, and the flow line, during functioning.