Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an end connector for fluid communication with a valve. The end connector includes a fitting body and a lock ring for engagement and disengagement therewith. A nut is provided for securing the fitting body to the valve, and hook and chain assembly is provided for securing an eyehole of the lock ring to an end fitting, such as a cap, which is received at an end of the connector opposite the valve. In some aspects, the fitting body includes radially extending lugs, and the lock ring includes radially extending notches corresponding to the lugs. The lock ring, in a first rotational position, is configured to abut against the lugs to inhibit inadvertent removal of the lock ring. The lock ring, in a second rotational position, is configured to have the lugs in alignment with the notches, such that the lock ring can be removed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to improvements to an end connector, and, more particularly, to devices for inhibiting inadvertent separation of the end connector from an end fitting, such as a cap. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    It is known in the art to provide a valve for allowing and inhibiting fluid flow between two fluid paths. Such valves are provided with end connectors for facilitating quick disconnection of the flow paths and ease of replacement of the end connector. For example, reference is made to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which show a prior art valve assembly  10  including a handle  12 , a stem  14 , and a plurality of O-rings  16  therefor. The valve assembly  10  further includes a valve body  18 , a ball chamber  20 , a valve seat  22 , a seat retainer  24 , and an O-ring  25  therefor. 
         [0003]    The valve assembly  10  is provided with a plurality of end connectors  26   a ,  26   b  and O-Rings  28  therefor. Each one of the end connectors  26   a ,  26   b  is further provided with one of a plurality of internally threaded true-union nuts  30   a ,  30   b  for removably securing the end connectors  26   a ,  26   b  to the valve assembly  10 . 
         [0004]    End connectors such as those discussed above can be provided with a circumferentially grooved end opposite the valve assembly, and a cap (or other end fitting) can be provided for mating with the grooved end. Specifications for quick-disconnect, cam-lock fittings are provided under GSA A-A-59326B, and such specification includes requirements that the male and female connector and cap members of a coupling be provided with means for attaching a hook and chain assembly. The hook and chain assembly is used to loosely connect the male and female coupling halves for operator convenience, as well as for a safety backup, in the event that the male and female coupling halves become inadvertently disengaged. However, there are limitations on the manner in which the hook and chain assembly can be secured to the end connector by virtue of both the aforementioned GSA specifications and the standard nut configurations for a true union connection with the valve. What is needed in the art is an improved quick-disconnect end true-union connector to overcome this and/or other disadvantages of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    Disclosed herein is an improved end connector having a fitting body with a lock ring. In an end connector constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the end connector is provided with a shoulder, and the lock ring abuts thereagainst, while securingly receiving a hook and chain assembly to inhibit inadvertent separation of a cap (or other end fitting) from the end connector. The end connector can be provided with a nut for securing the end connector in true union with a valve. 
         [0006]    In some aspects, the fitting body can be provided with one or more lugs extending from a portion of the body, and the lock ring can be provided with one or more corresponding notches. In a first position, the lock ring is configured to be secured with respect to the fitting body, so as to secure a hook and chain assembly with respect to the fitting body. In a second position, the lock ring is configured to have the fitting body inserted through the lock ring, such that the lugs can pass through the notches of the lock ring during assembly and disassembly of the lock ring with the fitting body. In this regard, the lug-notch pair(s) present an example of means for selectively removing said lock ring from said body. 
         [0007]    Preferred embodiments of the true union quick-disconnect cam-lock fitting assembly provide a user thereof with the ability to quickly replace damaged or broken end connectors without the need to replace an entire valve, pump, strainer, or other piping system component to which the fitting is attached. 
         [0008]    Additional features, functions and benefits of the disclosed end connector shall be apparent from the detailed description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiment(s) considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view showing a prior art valve having a prior art end connector; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partially-sectioned rear perspective view taken along section line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  showing the prior art valve and prior art end connector; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view showing the prior art valve in combination with an end connector constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an assembly view showing the end connector of  FIG. 3 , the end connector being shown to include an elongated fitting body and a lock ring; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view showing the fitting body and the lock ring of the end connector of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6A  is a first perspective view showing the end connector shown in  FIGS. 3-5  in combination with a valve, a nut, a hook and chain assembly, and a cap shown removed from the end connector; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6B  is a second perspective view showing the end connector in combination with the valve, the nut, the hook and chain assembly, and the cap, with the cap being shown assembled with the end connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-6B , an end connector  100  is shown constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The end connector  100  is shown to include a fitting body  102  and a lock ring  104 , which shall each be described below in turn. 
         [0018]    In  FIG. 3 , the end connector  100  of the present disclosure is shown in combination with the valve assembly  10  and nut  30  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and, in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the end connector  100  of the present disclosure is shown in combination with a prior art hook and chain assembly  34  and an end fitting, such as a cap  32 . It is contemplated that any suitable end fitting can be provided as an alternative to (or in addition to) the cap  32 . For example, the end fitting can comprise a pipe-like coupling for fluid communication between the end connector  100  and an environmental structure, such as a conduit. 
         [0019]    The nut  30  is used as a means for attaching the fitting body  102  of the end connector  100  to the valve assembly  10 , and the hook and chain assembly  34  is used as a means for attaching the lock ring  104  of the end connector  100  to the cap  32 . In preferred embodiments, the nut  30  is formed of thermoplastic materials, especially, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), and glass-filled polypropylene. 
         [0020]    In exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the lock ring  104  is of particular advantage to secure the hook and chain assembly. The diameter of the fitting body  102  immediately adjacent the groove can be determined largely by the GSA A-A-59326B specification and the clearance of the nut  30  is determined largely by standards of the art, and clearance between the two diameters is not typically sufficient to accommodate a boss, for example, for the purpose of attaching hook and chain assembly  34 . The lock ring  104  shall be discussed further below after further discussion of the fitting body  102 . 
         [0021]    The fitting body  102  is substantially tubular in shape with a flange portion at an end and a large rounded groove on the opposite end. The groove on the end of the body comprises the cam-lock groove, whose geometry is preferably that described by GSA A-A-59326B, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
         [0022]    The fitting body  102  of  FIGS. 3-6B  includes a grooved end  106 , a first body portion  108  adjacent, e.g., proximal, the grooved end  106 , and a second body portion  110  adjacent, e.g., proximal, the first body portion  108 . The first body portion  108  has a first diameter D 1  (with respect to a central longitudinally-extending axis of the end connector  100 ), and the second body portion  110  has a second diameter D 2  (with respect to the central axis) greater than the first diameter D 1 , such that the first and second body portions  108 ,  110  form at a junction thereof a shoulder  112 . The shoulder  112  resulting from the change in diameter on the outside of the fitting body  102  preferably occurs approximately 60% of the fitting length from the grooved end  106 . As further described below, the shoulder  112  preferably forms a stop for the lock ring  104 . 
         [0023]    A flange  114  extends radially from the second body portion  110  at an end of the end connector  100  distal from the grooved end  106  thereof, and the flange  114  has a diameter D F  (with respect to the central axis), which is greater than each of diameter D 1  and diameter D 2 . A plurality of lugs  116  extend radially from the first body portion  108 , and each one of the lugs  116  is radially displaced from each adjacent one of the lugs  116 . It is contemplated that an end connector can be provided with no lugs, one lug, or a plurality of lugs. For example, approximately along the middle of the length of the fitting body  102 , two lugs, protrude from the outside wall of the first body portion  108 . The lugs  116  are preferably substantially rectangular or semicircular in shape and can be located ninety degrees from each other on the same diametrical plane, for example. As further described herein, a purpose of the lugs  116  is to engage corresponding notches  122  in the lock ring  104  during assembly, as well as to hold the lock ring  104  in place once installed. Once installed, the lugs  116  inhibit inadvertent, e.g., accidental, disengagement of the lock ring  104  from the fitting body  102 . Any number, geometry, or spacing, of the lugs  116  could be used to achieve the same result. Preferred materials of construction for the fitting body  102  are thermoplastic materials, especially, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), and glass-filled polypropylene. 
         [0024]    The lock ring  104  can be provided as a flat annular ring with two rectangular notches located on the inner diameter of the ring and protruding perpendicularly outward toward the outside diameter. For example, a lock ring  104  of the present disclosure includes an annulus  118  having an inner diameter D IN  that is just greater than the first body portion diameter D 1  and that is less than the second body portion diameter D 2 . In this regard, a user can assemble the lock ring  104  to the fitting body  102  by inserting the grooved end  106  though the annulus  118  until the annulus  118  of the lock ring  104  abuts the shoulder  112  of the fitting body  102 . An outer diameter D OUT  of the lock ring  104  can be of any suitable diameter and is preferably greater than an inner diameter of the nut  30 . 
         [0025]    The lock ring  104  includes a boss  120  extending from the outside wall of the annulus  118  to form an eyehole for securingly receiving an end of the hook and chain assembly  34 . The boss  120  can be provided, for example, so as to be approximately semi-circular in shape and to have a hole extending though the center thereof. In some embodiments, two or more bosses can be provided to be protruding from the outside wall of the lock ring  104 , with one or more bosses allowing for attachment of support means, such as cables, wires, etc. to support the valve assembly  10 . 
         [0026]    A plurality of notches  122  are formed in the annulus  118  of the lock ring  104 . The notches  122  extend approximately half the distance from the inner wall to the outer wall. The boss  120  can be formed in the lock ring  104  so as to be one-hundred-and-eighty degrees displaced from at least one of the notches  122  of the lock ring  104 . 
         [0027]    The locations of the notches  122  on the lock ring match the location of the lugs  116  on the fitting body. The notches  122  correspond to the lugs  116  formed in the fitting body  102 . Continuing the example discussed above with respect to the lugs  116 , the body  102  can include two lugs displaced radially from each other by about ninety degrees along the same diametrical plane, and the lock ring  104  can include two notches  122  displaced radially from each other by ninety degrees. In this regard, the notches  122  of the lock ring  104  can be rotated about the central axis into a plurality of positions with respect to the lugs  116 . 
         [0028]    In preferred embodiments, the lock ring  104  is a round, annular, flat ring, incorporating the protruding boss  120  with through-hole that provides a means for attaching the hook and chain assembly  32 . In preferred embodiments, one, two, or three notches  122  are provided to be rectangular, or semi-circular in shape, and spaced to inhibit inadvertent, e.g., accidental, disengagement of the lock ring  104  from the fitting body  102 , and are located to match the position of the lugs  116  on the fitting body  102  for assembly. Any number, geometry, or spacing, of the notches  122  could be used to achieve the same result. 
         [0029]    An exemplary embodiment of assembling and disassembling the end connector  100  shall now be further described. The nut  30   a  is placed over the grooved end  106  of the fitting body  102 , slid over the first body portion  108  and the second body portion  110  and threaded onto the end of the valve  10  (or other fitting, vessel, etc.) until the flange  114  of the fitting body  102  is tight against the valve  10 . After the aforementioned assembly of the nut  30   a , the lock ring  104  is placed over the grooved end  106  of the fitting body  102 , slid toward the second body portion  110 , and is rotated until the notches  122  in the lock ring  104  are aligned with the lugs  116  on the fitting body  102 . The lock ring  104  is then moved longitudinally along the fitting body  102  with the lugs  116  passing through the notches  122  until a flat bottom surface of the lock ring  104  engages the shoulder  112  of the fitting body  102 . After the lock ring  104  engages the shoulder  112  of the fitting body  102 , the lock ring  104  is rotated axially approximately forty-five degrees, for example, disengaging the notches  122  of the lock ring  104  from the lugs  116  of the fitting body  102 , and releasably fixing the lock ring  104  longitudinally in place (the user may repeat the process in reverse to remove the lock ring  104  from the fitting body  102 ). The hook and chain assembly  34  is secured to the boss  120  of the lock ring  104  and the cap  32  (or other end fitting), and the cap  32  (or other end fitting) can be mated with the grooved end  106  to be secured thereto. 
         [0030]    The above aspects of the present disclosure have been given by way of illustrative example. While various embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein, it should be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the present disclosure. The disclosed embodiments are therefore intended to include all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.