PIPE FITTING ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A pipe fitting comprising a first part (1) with a rotatable insert (15) axially located therein by an annular abutment face 19 and having resiliently radically deflectable abutment faces(12a)which are engageable with ends (7a) of notches (7) of a second tubular part (2), rotation of the insert relative to the tubular part 2 enabling the abutment faces (12) to ride out of the notches (7) to permit release of the tubular part (2) from the first part (1).

Description: This invention relates to pipe-fitting assemblies specifically of a quick fit type whereby a flexible pipe fluid pressure connection can be instantly and simply made but which is nevertheless radily dismantled for subsequent servicing or replacement. In vehicle compressed air braking systems a number of connections are made via flexible nylon, plastics or synthetic rubber pressure pipes and it is desirable that connections of such pipes may be reliably strongly and rapidly made on a vehicle assembly line and yet be subsequently releaseable for component servicing or replacement. According to the present invention there is provided a pipe fitting assembly comprising a first part having an aperture receiving a second part for effecting a pipe connection therewith said first part having a rotatable insert through which an inner end of the second part can pass, said insert having means axially locating it in the aperture and abutment means engageable with respective abutment means of the second part in a sense to oppose withdrawal thereof from the first part said abutment means being disengageable by rotation of the insert relative to the second part. In a preferred arrangement the rotatable insert may have one or more resiliently deflectable radially inwardly effective abutments engageable in corresponding recesses of the second part rotation of the insert being effective to cause each such abutment to ride out of the respeective recess. Preferably, an outer sleeve or other such means are provided for rotationally locating the insert relative to the second part. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried out into effect it will now be further described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which: Fig. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic sectional view through a pipe fitting assembly, Fig. 2 illustrates on enlarged scale an inner or second part of the assembly and, Fig. 3 illustrates on the same enlarged scale a rotatable insert of the assembly. Referring to the drawing the assembly illustrated is intended for use in providing a piped compressed air connection to a control valve or other compressed air component of a vehicle compressed air brake system. The compressed air component comprises a first part 1 to which a compressed air connection is required to be made with a second generally tubular part 2. The part 2 shown also in Fig. 2 has an internal diameter which is substantially the same as a nylon tube 3 pressed tightly over a barbed or otherwise annularly ridged outer end 4. An intermediate flange portion 5 of somewhat larger diameter is provided with diametrically opposite positioned locating tongues 6 and the inner end is provided with notches 7 shaped to cooperate with radially inwardly effective abutments 12a of a rotatable insert 8. As will be seen these detents and recesses provide engageable abutments acting in a sense to prevent withdrawal of the second part (2) from the aperture. The rotatable insert 8 is a resilient plastics moulding which is generally tubular to slidingly accept the inner end 9 of the tubular second part. An outer flange 10 of the insert (as more clearly shown in Fig.3) is of the same external diameter and circumferential shape as flange portion 5 in that it has correspondingly diametrically located tongues 11. The inner end of the insert 8 is also a plastic moulding and is divided by axial slots into four portions one diametral pair 14 having bi-forked ends 12 being such as to resiliently rest as shown in Fig. 1 between notches 7 and the inner surface 13 of the aperture. The inner end surfaces 12a of bi-forked ends 12 thereby provide abutments engageable with abutments 7a presented by notches 7. Retaining means in the form of a pressed-in flanged bush 15 presents an inwardly facing annular abutment 19 for the outward facing surfaces 16 of the ends 12 to prevent axial movement of the insert. The other diametral pair of portions 20 serve as centralising pads for the second part and also offer further abutments 17 engageable with 19. In putting the assembly together, the suppliers of the component 1 may insert an inner 'O' ring 21 together with a retaining ring 22 before pressing in the retaining bush member 15. Owing to the resilient moveable inner ends of the insert 8 this can then be snapped into placed Nylon connection pipes such as 3 can be provided with a sleeve 23 and the pressed-in second part 2. These are then ready for immediate push-in connection into the first part 1, the outer sleeve 23 being shaped to be finally slidingly positioned over 5 and 10 with the tongues 6 and 11 aligned. In the aligned position of 6 and 11 the abutment ends 12a provide engagement with the notch ends 7a to prevent withdrawal of the inner or second part. For servicing, the outer sleeve 23 can be moved back along the pipe 3 to permit the insert 15 to be rotated through ninety degrees whereby parts of the ends 12 carrying abutments 12a ride out of the recesses 7, thereby disengaging the effective abutments and permitting withdrawal of the second part to part 2 to be separated from the assembly.

Claims: 1. A pipe fitting assembly comprising a first part (1) having an aperture receiving a second part (2) for effecting a pipe connection therewith said first part having a rotatable insert (8) through which an inner end of the second part (2) can pass characterised by said insert (8) having means (10,16) axially locating it in the aperture and first abutment means (12a) engageable with respective second abutment means (7a) of the second part in a sense to oppose withdrawal thereof from the first part said abutment means (7a,12a) being disengageable by rotation of the insert (8) relative to the second part (2). 2. A pipe fitting assembly as claimed in claim 1 characterised by including locating means (6,11) for locating said insert in a predetermined angular position about its axis relative to the second part. 3. A pipe fitting assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterised by said locating means comprising a sleeve which axially slidingly fits over aligned circumferential shapes (6,11) of the insert and the second part. 4. A pipe fitting assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised by said first part having a forward facing annular abutment (19) against which abutment elements (16) of the insert are engageable. 5. A pipe fitting assembly as claimed in claim 4 characterised by said abutment elements (16)of the insert being resiliently deflectable to permit insertion thereof into the first part and said first abutment means (12a) being resiliently deflectable out of engagement with the second abutment means (7a) by said relative rotation. 6. A pipe fitting as claimed in any preceding claim characterised by the second part being provided with at least one notch (7) and one end(7a) of which provides abutment with a resiliently radially inwardly urged abutment (12a) carried by said insert. 7. A pipe fitting as claimed in any of preceding claims 1 to 6 characterised by the second part being provided with a pair of diametrically opposed notches (7) ends (7a) which provide abutment with resiliently radially inwardly urged abutments carried by said insert

Inventors: OLIVER, PATRICK R.
Applicants: BENDIX LIMITED
Application year: 1986
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: F16L37