Patent ID: 6860521
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A hose coupler comprising: a hollow stem having a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends having an outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the first end of the stem is dimensioned and configured to fit within an inner diameter of a flexible hose, and the second end of the stem protrudes from an end of the hose when the first end of the stem is disposed within the inner diameter of the hose; a compression sleeve comprising at least two sub-parts, the sub-parts cooperating to define a hollow structure having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a first end, and a second end, wherein the inner diameter at the first end of the compression sleeve is dimensioned and configured to abut an outer diameter of the hose, and the inner diameter at the second end of the compression sleeve is dimensioned and configured to abut the outer diameter of the second end of the stem when the first end of the stem is inserted into the end of the hose; a collar having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, the inner diameter of the collar being dimensioned and configured to abut the outer diameter of the compression sleeve, the collar being disposed about the outer diameter of the compression sleeve; and a circumferential depression disposed in the outer diameter of the compression sleeve and a corresponding flange disposed in the inner diameter of the collar, such that the flange in the collar engages the depression in the compression sleeve when the collar is disposed about the compression sleeve; wherein when the collar is disposed about the compression sleeve, the collar urges the inner diameter of the first end of the compression sleeve against the outer diameter of the hose and urges the inner diameter of the second end of the compression sleeve against the outer diameter of the second end of the stem, thereby urging the inner diameter of the hose against the outer diameter of the first end of the stem, thereby reversibly attaching the stem to the end of the hose.