Patent ID: 8864179
Filing Date: 2014-10-21
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A pipe coupling apparatus, comprising: a socket-side unit having a socket support member and a plurality of tubular sockets supported parallel to each other by the socket support member; a plug-side unit having a plug support member and a plurality of tubular plugs supported parallel to each other by the plug support member, the plugs having a positional corresponding relationship with the sockets, the plugs and the sockets being configured to be locked to each other via locking elements when the socket-side unit and the plug-side unit are moved relatively toward each other with the plugs facing the sockets, and each plug of the plugs is inserted into a corresponding socket of the sockets so as to reach a connecting position; a plurality of locking devices for locking the plugs and the corresponding sockets to each other when the plugs are inserted into the corresponding sockets to reach a connecting position where the plugs are to be connected with the corresponding sockets as a result of moving the socket-side unit and the plug-side unit relatively toward each other with the plugs facing the corresponding sockets, each of the locking devices includes: a confirmation plate displaceably mounted on the surface of the plug-side unit facing the socket-side unit so as to be moveable in a direction perpendicular to axes of the plugs, and positioned between surfaces of the socket and plug support members, the surfaces of the socket and plug support members being opposite each other when the socket-side unit and the plug-side unit are moved toward each other, the confirmation plate being configured and arranged to be displaced to a confirmed position by moving in a direction normal to axes defined by each said plug and said corresponding socket when each said plug and said corresponding socket are connected and locked; and a confirmation pin supported by one of the socket support member and the plug support member and extending through the one of the socket support member and the plug support member, while being imposed with an urging force from an urging device toward another of the socket support member and the plug support member so that the confirmation pin partially projects out of a surface of the one of the socket support member and the plug support member in a direction of the urging force, and wherein the confirmation plate has openings through which the corresponding plugs extend, the confirmation plate being configured so that, when any of the sleeves is positioned at the retracted position, the confirmation plate is prevented from being displaced to the locking confirmed position by engagement between the sleeves positioned at the retracted position and an edge of the respective openings through which extend the plugs associated with the sleeves positioned at the refracted position; wherein the sleeve of each of the locking devices has an outer surface configured to align with the edge of the corresponding opening in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction when the sleeve of each of the locking devices is at the retracted position, a recess being formed on the outer surface of the sleeve of each of the locking devices, the recess being configured to align with the edge of the corresponding opening in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction when the sleeve is at the locking completion position; wherein the confirmation plate is configured to enable the confirmation pin to partially project from the one of the socket support member and the plug support member, when the socket-side unit and the plug-side unit have been moved toward each other and the confirmation plate has been displaced to the confirmed position, and is configured to engage the confirmation pin and press the confirmation pin against the urging force from the urging device so that the confirmation pin partially extends out of the one of the socket support member and the plug support member in a direction opposite to the direction of the urging force when the socket-side unit and the plug-side unit have been moved toward each other with the confirmation plate positioned out of the confirmed position.