Patent ID: 6217082
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A swivel coupling for transporting fluids comprising:a first annular member, the first annular member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion having a collar defining a cylindrical, axially extending inner wall surface;a first radial shoulder extending inwardly adjacent the cylindrical, axially extending inner wall surface; the first radial shoulder having a first axially facing abutment surface extending radially with respect to the cylindrical, axially extending inner wall surface;a second radially extending shoulder axially spaced from the first radial shoulder by a second cylindrical surface having a diameter less than the diameter of the cylindrical axially extending inner wall surface;a second annular member having a circular cross-section over the complete length thereof and having a first end portion and a second end portion with a radially extending stop shoulder therebetween; the first end portion of the second annular member cooperating with the first end portion of the first member, and the second end portion of the second annular member having an array of annular barbs thereon adapted to retain a tube, wherein the first end portion of the second member initially comprises a radially deformable frusto-conical section of a decreasing diameter which is less than the diameter of the second cylindrical surface, the frusto-conical section having a radially extending lip which also has an external second diameter less than the diameter of the cylindrical; wherein upon insertion of the first end portion of the second member into the first end portion of the first member, the radially extending lip locates proximate the second shoulder in radial and axial spaced relation thereto, andan annular seal around the second annular member and in contact therewith, the annular seal being disposed between the radially extending stop shoulder on the second annular member and the first axially facing abutment surface on the second annular member, whereby the second annular member is rotatably coupled with the first member upon inserting the first end portion of the second annular member into the first end portion of the first annular member and radially expanding the frusto-conical section of the second annular member.