Patent ID: 6152496
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A socket for a pipe coupling, the socket comprising:a main body member having a receiving hole formed in an end portion thereof for receiving a male member;a sleeve having a front end portion axially slidably inserted in the receiving hole, a base portion located outside the receiving hole, an axial through hole for receiving the male member such that the male member can slide therein, and a plurality of radial through holes formed in the sleeve at circumferentially regular intervals and radially inwardly tapered; anda plurality of lock members received in the radial through holes, part of each of the lock members being able to project into the axial through hole,the main body member having an escape groove opening to an inner peripheral surface of the main body member defining the receiving hole, the escape groove allowing the lock members to move between a position in which the lock members project from the radial through holes of the sleeve into the axial through hole, and a position in which the lock members are retreated within the radial through holes; andthe sleeve having a plurality of axially extending slits formed between respective pairs of adjacent ones of the radial through holes, and a plurality of fingers provided between the slits, the fingers being able to be elastically bent in a radial and inward direction of the sleeve by an urging force exerted by the main body member when the sleeve has been inserted into the receiving hole.