PLUG AND SOCKET VALVE ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A plug and socket valve assembly comprises a valve body (10, 76) having an inlet (38, 106) and an outlet (26, 92) which are isolated from one another by a resilient closure element (30, 98) when the valve is closed and a connector plug (52, 120) having a fluid passageway therethrough (56, 124) and which is adapted for insertion into the outlet of the valve body so as to displace the resilient element and thereby automatically open communication between said inlet and the fluid passageway whereby fluid can flow through the valve body and the connector plug.

Description: prising a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, which are isolated from one another by a resilient seal when the valve is closed characterised by a connector plug having a fluid passageway therethrough and which is adapted for insertion into the outlet of the valve body and constructed so as to displace the resilient seal when inserted into the valve body and thereby automatically open communication between said inlet and said fluid passageway whereby fluid can flow through said valve body and said connector plug. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Two embodiments of a valve assembly according to the inven¬ tion will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- FIGURE 1 is a. cross-sectional view through the valve body of a first assembly; FIGURE 2 is a side view of a connector plug of the first assembly; FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-secitonal view through the first assembly with the connector plug inserted in the valve body; FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view through the valve body of a second assembly; FIGURE 5 is a side- view of a connector plug of the second assembly, and FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-sectional view through the second assembly with the co nn ^ctor plug inserted in the valve body. BESτ M0DE F0R CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring first to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown a valve body 10 mounted in an aperture 12 provided in the wall -1- PLUG AND SOCKET VALVE ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a plug and socket valve assembly comprising a valve body which automatically is opened and closed by insertion and withdrawal, respectively, of a mat¬ ing connector plug. The valve assembly is particularly useful in providing the means of attachment for one end of a pneumatic supply hose on a casing which houses a pump and ' control apparatus in a system for intermittent compression therapy in which the other end of the hose is connected to an inflatable garment. BACKGROUND ART In a known pneumatic pump for use in intermittent compres¬ sion therapy a number of outlet sockets are provided for attachment of supply hoses. When a supply hose is discon¬ nected from an outlet socket during operation of the pump it is necessary to seal the socket in order to maintain the efficiency of air supply -to other outlet sockets. .Sealing in the known construction is achieved by a simple plug or cap which is inserted into or over the outlet socket to stop egress of air. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a plug and socket valve assembly co - ni»-*- closure element 16 and an insert 18. The insert comprises a cylindrical stem 20 having an enlarged head 22 at one of its ends and a frustoconical flange 24 at its opposite end. A central bore 26 passes through the insert. The stem has a ' 5 reduced diameter portion 28 intermediate the head 22 and flange 24. The closure element 1 includes a cap 30 incorpo¬ rating a valve cavity 32 into which the stem of the insert is received. so that a radially inwardly directed flange 34 within the cavity of the closure element 16 grips around the 10 reduced diameter portion 28 of the insert stem thereby con¬ necting together the insert and the closure element and pro¬ viding a -fluid-tight seal therebetween. A connector nozzle 36 integral with cap 30 is provided with a central bore 38 which communicates with the valve cavity 32. 15 A raised circular platform 40 is formed in the base of the cavity the top surface 42 of which provides the seat which seals against the mouth 24a of the insert stem to isolate the insert bore 26 from the nozzle bore 38 when the valve is 20 closed. To this end, the closure element 16 is formed from a resilient material and the cap 30 is formed with an annular rib 44 so that platform 40 can be resiliently displaced away from the mouth 24a to open the valve whereby bore 38 comm¬ unicates with bore 26. 25 In order to create a fluid tight seal between the cap 30 and the casing wall 14 the annular end face 46 of the cap is radially inwardly dished. The closure element 16 is able to rotate 360° relative to insert 18 so as to bring the nozzle 30 36 into a number of desired positions- relative to the casing wall. In order to prevent rotation . of the insert relative to the casing wall a key 48 is located within a recess 50 pro¬ vided in the casing wall. 35 Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3 there is shown a connector plug 52 adapted to mate with the insert 18 and automatically open the valve. The connector plug comprises a hollow stem 54 having through bore 56. βne end of the stem is fluted a t 58 to recei ve a supply hose (not shown ) so that the hose is sealed to the stem. The opposi te end of the stem is scalloped at diametri- cally opposed locations and is shaped to provide deltoid flanks 60, 62 which terminate in tips 60a, 62a respecti vely. Thus, an arcuate tunnel 64 is provided between the - del toid flanks which communicates wi th through bore 56. The stem is provided with an annular flange 66 intermediate, its ends, and a resilient washer 68 abuts the underface of flange 66. Elongate keyways 70 and 72, respecti vely, are formed in the stem at diametrically opposed locations and each keyway . extends to form the associated tip of the stem and terminates ■ in a curved end part 70a, 72a, respectively, adjacent flange 66. The stem of the connector plug below flange 66 is adapted to be recei ved in the bore 26 of insert 18 as a push and twist fi tting. Thus, diametrically opposed lugs as at 74 (FIGURE 1 ) locate in respective ones of the keyways to lock together the connector plug and insert . When the connector plug is fully inserted into the insert as shown in FIGURE 3, the radiused tips engage, and downwardly flex, the platform 40 thereby unseating the sealing surface 42 from the mouth 24a of flange 24. Hence, cavity 32 is opened so that pressure fluid may pass from bore 38, through cavity 32 and tunnel 64 and pass out through bore 56. . Preferably, the keyways are positioned such that when the connector plug is pushed and twisted home, the arcuate tunnel 64 is aligned with bore 38. When plug 52 is fully inserted the resilient washer 68 is compressed to provide a fluid ■ tight seal between flange 66 and the head 22 of the insert . The washer 68 also provides a spring loaded fi tment between the plug and insert . In order to disconnect these components the plug is first depressed omewhat against the restoring force of washer 68 and then twisted and pulled so that the keys 74 are released and slide relati ve to their respecti ve keyways. As the radiused tips of the stem move upwardly, the platform 40 returns to its unstrained posi tion and reseats to seal the end of bore 26 at mouth 24a thereby automa tically' closing the val ve. It is envisaged that the val ve body 10 may comprise only a single component that is, the insert 18 may be integral with the ' closure element 16, except of course, at the val ve seat i tsel f. Also, i t is to be understood tha t the bayonet type connection provided by the keys 74 and keyways 70 and 72 may be omi tted or some other sui table locking arrangement sub¬ sti tuted therefor. FIGURES 4 to 6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the in¬ vention in which FIGURE 4 shows a val ve body 76 mounted in an aperture 78 provided in the wall 80 of a casing . The val ve body comprises two parts; a closure element 82 and an insert 84. The insert comprises a cylindrical stem 86 having an enlarged head 88 at one of its ends and a frusto-conical flange 90 at i ts opposite end. A central bore 92 passes through the in¬ sert and has ' an enlarged diameter portion 94 wi thin the head 88. The stem has a reduced diameter portion 96 intermediate the head 88 and the flange 90. The closure element 82 includes a cap 98 incorporating a val ve ca vi ty 100 into which the stem of the insert is recei v¬ ed. A radially inwardly directed annular flange 102 a t the mouth of the cavi ty grips around the reduced diameter portion 96 of the insert stem thereby connecting together the insert and the closure element and providing a fluid-tight seal therebetween. A connector nozzle 104 is integral wi th the cap 30 and is provided wi th a central bore 106 which communi¬ cates wi th the val ve ca vi ty 100. An integral tapered cylindrical platform is upstanding from the base of the cavity, the top surface 1 10 of which provides the seat which seals against the mouth 90a of the insert stem to isolate the insert bore 92 from the nozzle bore 106 when the val ve is closed. To this end, the closure element 82. is formed from a resilient material, such as rubber and the cap 98 thereof is formed to provide a flexible annular rib 1 12 so that top surface 1 10 of the platform 108 can be resilient- ly -displaced away from the mouth 90a_ in the manner of a dia¬ phragm to open the val ve whereby bore- 106 communicates with bore 92. In order to create a fluidtight seal between the closure element 82 and the casing wall 80, the annular end face 1 14 of the cap 98 is radially inwardly dished. The closure element 82 is able to rotate 360° relative to insert 84 so as to bring the nozzle 104 into a number of selecti ve positions relati ve to the casing wall . In order to prevent rotation of the insert relative to the casing wall, a key 1 16 provided by the insert is located within a recess 1 18 provided in the casing wall . Referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6, there is shown a connector plug 120 adapted to mate with the insert 84 and automatically open the val ve. The connector plug 120 comprises a hollow stem 122 ha ving a through bore 124. One end of the stem is fluted by tapered ribbing 126 to recei ve a sui tably sized supply hose (not shown ) so that the hose is sealed to the stem. The opposi te end 128 of the stem is smooth-walled and sized for insertion into bore 92 of the insert 84. " A pair of integral legs 130, 132, respectively, depend from diametrically opposed loca¬ tions at the open mouth of plug end 128. A bridging nose disc 134 interconnects the ' free ends of the legs and carries a projecting tip 136 on its outward facing surface 138. Thus the legs space the nose disc from the open mouth of plug end 128 so that, in use, fluid can flow through the space .140 and thence through the connector plug via the bore 124. Intermediate the ends of the connector plug, a pair of spaced annular flanges 142, 144 respecti vely, define a groove 146 which recei ves a resilient ' o ' -ring 148. Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 6 of the drawings, the connec- tor plug end . 128 below flange 144 is adapted to be recei ved in the bore 92 of insert 84 as a push-and-twist fi tting . To this end, the insert bore is formed with diametrically opposed axial keyways 150, 152 each slidingly to recei ve a respecti ve one of the connector plug legs 130, 132. The end of each axial keyway remote from head 88 is shaped to provide a circumferential rebate 154, 156 including a downward facing • stepped lip 158, 160. When the connector plug 120 is inserted into the insert , as shown in FIGURE 6, the legs 130, 132 slide along the axial keyways until , at full insertion, shoulders 162, 164 on the legs clear the projecting part 166 of each stepped lip. The connector plug is then rotated about i ts axis to bring the shoulders 162, 164 to abut within a recessed part 168 of each stepped lip . During this push-and-twist fitment of the connector plug, the disc nose 134 engages, and downwardly flexes, the platform 108 thereby unseating the sealing sur¬ face 1 10 from the mouth 90a_ of flange 90. Hence, ca vity 100 is opened so that pressure fluid may pass from bore 106, through ca vi ty 100; space 140 and pass out through bore 124. The tip 136 on disc nose 134 is provided in order to lessen the frictional force between the disc nose 134 and plat form surface 1 10 during relati ve rotation therebetween . Prefer¬ ably, the axial keyways 150, 152 . are posi tioned such that when- the connector plug is pushed and ^ twisted home, the space 140 between the legs 130, 132 is aligned wi th the bore 106. When connector plug 120 is fully inserted the resilient ' o ' -ring 148 is compressed to provide a fluidtight seal wi thin the bore 94 of the connector plug head 88 and remains somewha t compressed when the shoulders 162, 164 of the legs are located in the recessed part 168 of the stepped lips, the ' o ' -ring 148 thus pro vides a spring-loaded fi tment between the connector plug and insert . In order to disconnect these components, the connector plug is first depressed somewhat against the restoring force of 'o '-ring 148, so that the shoulders 162, 164 of the legs 130, 132 move downward out of the recessed part 168 of the stepped lips and are able to clear the projection 166 of each stepped lip, and then twisted and pulled so that the legs are released and slide up their respecti ve axial keyways 150, 152. As " the disc nose 134 moves upwardly and out of engagement wi th the platform the platform returns to iϊs unstrained position and reseats to seal the end of bore 92 at mouth 90a_ thereby automatically closing the val ve . In use of either assembly, connecting tubing is fitted to the nozzle of the closure element to provide a fluid connection to a source of pressurized fluid such as a pneumatic pump. Likewise, supply hose is fitted to the fluted portion of the connector plug which leads to an inflatable garment. Hence, the garment may be inflated when the connector plug is inser¬ ted into the val ve body thereby opening the val ve. In inter- mittent compression therapy the garment is subjected to cyclic inflation and deflation. When it is required to disconnect the garment the connector plug is withdrawn thus automatically shutting off the press- urized fluid supply. The val ve assembly according to the invention is particularly advantageous since there normally is a p ' lurality of fluid outlets from the casing which houses the intermittent compression apparatus and which simultaneou¬ sly are in use. With the valve arrangement according to the present invention one or more outlets automatically can be closed simply by disconnecting the relevant inflatable gar¬ ment wi thout the necessity of providing separate closure devices. Also, the device prevents inadvertent disconnection of the fluid supply which would exhaust the pressure fluid and thereby terminate or substantially reduce the effecti ve¬ ness of the therapy.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A plug and socket valve assembly comprising a ' valve body (10,76) having an inlet (38,106) and an outlet (26,92) which are isolated from one another by a resilient seal (30,98) when the valve is closed, characterised by a connector plug (52, 120) having a fluid passageway (56,124) therethrough which plug is adapted for insertion into said outlet of the valve body and constructed so as to displace the resilient seal when inserted into said valve body, and thereby automati- "cally open communication between said inlet and said fluid passageway whereby fluid can flow through said valve body and said connector plug. 2. An assembly according ^ to claim 1, further characterised in that said resilient seal is disposed within a cavity (32, 100) of the valve body intermediate said inlet and said outlet and includes a surface (42,110) which seals said out¬ let when said connector plug is removed from the outlet. 3. An assembly according to claim 2, further characterised in that said valve body comprises an insert (18,84) formed with a through bore (26,92) and a closure element (16,82) in which said insert is received so that the through bore pro¬ vides said outlet of the valve body and has one end disposed within said cavity, said inlet, said cavity and said resi- lient seal being provided by said closure element. 4. An assembly according to claim 3, further characterised in that said inlet is provided by a nozzle (36, 104) integral wi th said closure element and ha ving a bore (38, 106 ) communi¬ cating with said ca vity, the axis of which bore is perpendi¬ cular wi th respect to the axis of said outlet. 6. An assembly according tα any of claims 3 to 5, further characterised in that said closure element is formed from resilient material and said insert is formed from relatively rigid material . 7. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, further characterised in that said connector plug and said valve body are provided- with cooperating locking means ( 70, 72, 74; 130, 132, 150, 152 ) adapted to maintain said connector plug secured in said outlet, said locking means being engaged by a push and twist insertion of said connector plug relati ve to said valve body. 8. An . assembly according to any of claims 3 to 6, further characterised in that said connector plug includes a hollow stem (54, 122 ) defining said fluid passageway which stem has a portion adapted to be inserted into the through bore of said insert and a portion adapted to receive a supply hose, said insertion portion having an end part (60, 62; 130, 132 ) for engagement with said sealing surface (42, 1 10 ) to displace said sealing surface away from the mouth of said one end of the insert through bore when the insertion portion of the connector plug is fully inserted into said insert through bore , said end part being constructed so as to provide a space (64, 140.) between said sealing surface (42, 1 10) and said fluid passageway so as to communicate said inlet and said fluid passageway. 9. An assembly according to claim 8, further characterised in that said end part comprises a pair of spaced legs ( 130, 132) connected together by a bridging element ( 134 ) remote from said fluid passageway, said legs being adapted to coop¬ erate wi th locking means ( 150, 152, 154, 156) provided by said insert to maintain said connector plug inserted in said insert. 10. An assembly according to any of claims 3 to 6, further characterised in that said insert is received in said closure element adjacent said one end of the insert, that part of the insert which is external of said closure element includ- 5 ing a stem (20,86) terminating in an enlarged head (22,88) and said closure element including a flange surrounding the ste adjacent said one end of the insert whereby the valve body can be mounted in an aperture of a support surface such that the support surface is located between said enlarged 10. head and said flange. 11. A plug and socket valve assembly substantially as here¬ inbefore described with reference to and as shown in FIGURES 1 to 3 or FIGURES 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. 5

Inventors: SAGGERS MICHAEL JOHN, SAGGERS, MICHAEL, JOHN
Applicants: SAGGERS MICHAEL J, SAGGERS, MICHAEL, JOHN
Application year: 1985
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: F16L37