Hose fixture device

Abstract: A hose fixture device (2) has a cylindrical wall with projections (2a,2b,2c,2d) thereon, which projections (2a,2b,2c,2d) engage a corresponding mounting projection (1a) of a hose (1). Normally that mounting projection (1a) is a helix, so that there is a screw engagement. The projections (2a,2b,2c,2d) are arranged circumferentially around the cylindrical wall with gaps therebetween. There are also gripper members (2f), again spaced circumferentially with projections (2a,2b,2c,2d) therebetween, which grip an end of the hose (1). The projections (2a,2b,2c,2d) make it easy to see such engagement. The gripper members (2f) are aligned with the gaps between those projections (2a,2b,2c,2d). This provides a secure fixing of the hose (1) to the hose fixture device (2). Furthermore, the device (2) may be moulded easily. Such a hose fixture device (2) may be used to attach a hose joint component (3) (e.g. a suction tool) to a hose (1) of an electric vacuum cleaner.

Description: The present invention relates to a hose fixture device for attachment to a hose having a mounting projection thereon. It is well known to connect the body of a vacuum cleaner to a suction tool using a flexible hose. One known example of such a hose has a helical projection thereon, so that an appropriate suction tool can be mounted on the hose simply by providing a screw fitting on the suction tool, and screwing that fitting on to the helical projection of the hose. However, although such an arrangement makes it easy to mount the suction tool on the hose, it is also easy for the suction tool to become detached during use as the suction tool can rotate relative to the hose. Therefore, attempts have been made to mount the suction tool in a way that permits it to rotate relative to the hose, but does not permit it to become detached. In Japanese utility model publication number 59-2753, there is the proposal of forming a shaped end to the hose, with a circumferential projection thereon. Then, a two-part locking ring is fitted around that shaped end, the two-part locking ring having a groove on the inner surface thereof which engages the projection to permit relative rotation of the locking ring and the shaped end. Then, the suction tool is clipped to the locking ring. In a further development, which did not need a hose with a specially shaped end, it has been proposed to provide a hose fixture device with a screw-threaded surface which engages the helical projection on the hose. In order to prevent the hose fixture device from becoming unscrewed, it is securely fixed to the end of the hose with glue. Prior to mounting the hose fixture device on the hose, a retaining ring is fitted on the hose to be freely rotatable thereon. The hose fixture device prevents that retaining ring from sliding off the hose. Then, the suction tool is shaped so as to have a cylindrically projecting wall which extends around the hose fixture device and engages the retaining ring. The hose fixture device is held between parts of the suction tool and the retaining ring, but since it is not fixed thereto the suction tool is free to rotate relative to the hose retaining device, and hence relative to the hose itself. When a hose fixture device is fixedly mounted on the end of the hose, there is then a problem. It is not uncommon for the hose to crack during use, and such cracking is most likely immediately adjacent the hose fixture device, as bending at that point may cause kinks in the hose. However, if such a crack develops, it is difficult to repair the hose, as a new hose fixture device will have to be provided and glued to an new end of the hose, which new end is being formed by cutting off the old end of the hose and the attached hose fixture device. This problem is even more acute for the arrangement disclosed in Japanese utility model publication number 59-2753 referred to above, since it then becomes necessary to replace completely the hose if a crack develops therein, because the end of the hose has to be specially shaped. US-A-4747621 proposed a hose fixture device in which a cylindrical wall had a plurality of projections for engaging the hose. The projections extend in the circumferential direction and are axially spaced. In one arrangement proposed, the projections did not extend wholly around the hose, to provide a plurality of axially spaced projections. Thus, this document corresponds to the pre-characterising part of claim 1. US-A-4625998 proposed a hose fixture device which threadably engaged a hose, and which was retained in a hose joint component to form a hose end assembly. JP-59-2753 proposed a hose fixture device with a slot for engaging a rotating projection on a hose, with the hose fixture device being retained in a hose joint component to form a hose end assembly. Therefore, the present invention seeks to provide a hose fixture device which can be securely mounted on the hose, without the risk of becoming accidentally detached, but which may be detached if necessary. The present invention therefore proposes a hose fixture device for attachment to a hose having a mounting projection thereon, comprising a cylindrical wall, and a plurality of engaging projections on the wall for engaging the mounting projection on the hose, the engaging projections projecting from the wall in the radial direction and being spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the wall so that there is a circumferential gap between adjacent ones of the projections in the circumferential direction wherein; the device also includes a plurality of gripping members on the wall for engaging an end of the hose, the gripping members projecting from the wall in the radial direction and being circumferentially aligned with the circumferential gaps between the adjacent ones of the projections, and the projections and the gripping members are axially spaced. The fact that the gripping members are circumferentially aligned with the circumferential gaps between the projections means that a series of three-point fixings are provided between one gripping member and a pair of projections, or a pair of gripping members and one projection. The hose can deform in each three-point fixing, so that it is gripped securely thereby. However, it is also possible to remove the hose fixing device from the end of the hose by application of sufficient force to release the grip between this three-point fixing and the mounting projection of the hose. The gripping action of the gripping members may further be improved by providing one or more ribs thereon. It has been found that, in some cases, the friction between a planar gripping member and the end of the hose is excessively high, so that it is difficult to unscrew the hose fixture device from the hose. The use of one or more ribs facilitates gripping without causing excessive friction. Indeeed, the presence of the rib(s) assists further to deform the hose at the gripping member, thereby improving the three-point fixing of the hose between gripping member(s) and the projections. It should be noted that the circumferential gaps between the projections for engaging the mounting projection of the hose, and the gap between the gripping members makes more simple the moulding of a hose fixture device according to the present invention. If either the projections or the gripping members extended completely around the cylindrical wall of the hose fixture device, a complicated moulding technique is needed to remove an inner part of the mould from the interior of the moulded hose fixture device. The gaps between the projections, and the gaps between the gripping members, mean that the inner parts of the mould for forming the hose fixture device may be remove straightforwardly in axial directions. This simplification of moulding is further assisted by the offset circumferential spacing of the projections and the gripping members respectively. Normally, hoses are used in which the mounting member is in the form of a helical projection along the length of the hose. In this case, as described above, the hose fixture device according to the present invention is screwed onto the end of that hose, and the projections may then be positioned so that they form a broken helix. However, the present invention may also be applied to a hose in which the mounting projection of the hose is one of a plurality of circumferential projections, in which case the projection of the hose is one of a plurality of projections of the hose fixture device must deform when the end of the hose is pushed onto the hose fixture device. As described above, gripping members may also be provided on such a hose fixture device, to give the three-point gripping also described above. A hose fixture device according to the present invention may be used to retain a retaining ring on the hose. Then, a suction tool is used which has a cylindrical projection which fits around the hose fixture device and engages the retaining ring. There is abutment between the retaining ring and the hose fixture device, and between the hose fixture device and the suction tool, but this abutment does not result in engagement, so that the suction tool is free to rotate relative to the hose fixture device, and hence relative to the hose itself. In such a structure, if a crack develops in the hose it is easy to repair the vacuum cleaner. The suction tool is released from the retaining ring, and then the hose fixture device according to the present invention is unscrewed from the end of the hose. Then, the length of the hose containing a crack is cut off. It is subsequently a straightforward matter to fit the hose fixture device onto the cut end of the hose, and re-mount the suction tool on the end of the hose, by engagement with the retaining ring. As was mentioned above, the engagement of the hose with the hose fixture device of the present invention is releasable if sufficient force is applied without damaging the hose fixture device for the hose itself. As can be understood, this facility also permits the user of the vacuum cleaner to adjust the length of the hose to a shorter length than supplied by the manufacturer, if necessary. There is a further feature of the present invention, involving the engagement of the hose fixture device with the suction tool. The hose fixture device has an annular projecting wall, which abuts against a corresponding cylindrical projection of the suction tool. Then, one or both of the annular projecting wall and the cylindrical projection are tapered. This ensures a good seal therebetween, because under the pressure exerted by the suction of the vacuum cleaner, one or both of the annular projecting wall and the cylindrical projection will deform slightly to conform to the other, thereby ensuring that leakage does not ocurr. Furthermore, in order to prevent leakage, the hose fixture device according to the present invention may have a further cylindrical wall. Normally, a hose is used with the mounting projection being on an outer surface thereof. Then, the first cylindrical wall of the present invention, with the projections thereon, is located outwardly of the hose, with the projecting projection inwardly. Preferably, there is then an inner cylindrical wall which is positioned so that the hose fits between the outer and inner walls. If this fitting is a close one, leakage between the hose fixture device according to the present invention and the hose will further be reduced. In the present specification, the term suction tool includes a wide range of devices which may be used with a vacuum cleaner, such as brushes, etc., and further includes an extension pipe. Such components are referred to generally as hose joint components. Such suction tools may be made interchangeable by suitable design of the engagement between the suction tool and the retaining ring, e.g. by engagement of a projection and a bore. It should also be made clear that the present invention is not restricted to a hose fixture device for a hose for a vacuum cleaner, and may be used for attachment to other types of hoses. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a suction tool mounted on the end of hose via a hose fixture device being of a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an axial view of the first embodiment of the hose fixture device; Fig. 3 shows a retaining ring for use with a hose fixture device according to the present invention; Fig. 4 shows a view in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a detail of the abutment of the hose fixture device being a first embodiment of the present invention and the suction tool; Fig. 6 shows part of Fig. 5 in further detail; Fig. 7 shows a hose fixture device being a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 shows a hose and attached components for connection to an electric vacuum cleaner; Fig. 9 shows an axial view of a hose fixture device being a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the present invention, shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 shows a side view of the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12 shows the moulding of the third embodiment of the hose fixture device according to the present invention; and Figs. 13a to 13d show stages in the mounting of a suction tool on a hose using a hose fixture device according to the present invention. A first embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed, referring to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, and discussing an example of a connection between a dust sucking hose of an electric vacuum cleaner (hereinafter called simply a hose) and a suction tool, extension pipe or mounting to connect the hose to the vacuum cleaner body (hereinafter called simply a hose joint) which is exchangably inserted into and removed from various kinds of nozzles e.g. for floor use, for rug use, for curtain use. In this embodiment a cylindrical hose fixture device 2 is attached to a flexible hose 1. The hose 1 has an axially extending helical projection 1a which engages the hose fixture device 2 via four projections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d which couple with the projections 1a of the hose 1. The assembly of the hose 1 and the hose fixture device 2 is inserted into a hose joint 3. The hose joint 3 has stopper bores 3a and 3b, and a retaining ring 4 has projections 4a and 4b so that the retaining ring 4 is attached to the hose joint 3 by engagement of the projections 4a and 4b with the stopper bores 3a and 3b. Before attaching the hose 1 to the hose fixture device 2, the retaining ring 4 is first loosely engaged with the hose 1. Then after inserting the hose fixture device 2 (with the hose 1 attached) into the hose joint 3, the retaining ring 4 is also inserted into the hose joint 3 to cause the projections 4a and 4b to engage the stopper bores 3a and 3b of the hose joint 3. With this arrangement, when a pulling force is applied to the hose 1, the hose fixture device 2 contacts the retaining ring 4 attached to the hose joint 3. Then the hose fixture device 2 acts as a stopper member of the hose 1 against the hose joint 3, and therefore easy removal is prevented. It can be seen that the connection of the hose 1 and hose joint 3 is not via bonding or screwing but via a rotatable support due to the combination of the cylindrical hose fixture device 2 and the retaining ring 4. Therefore, during use e.g. during cleaning work using the electric vacuum cleaner, even if a twisting force is applied to the hose 1, the connection between the hose 1 and the hose joint 3 rotates, so that no twisting of the hose 1 is caused. The hose fixture device 2 according to the present embodiment is provided with a cylindrical inner wall 2e which engages an inner wall of the hose 1. This projection 2e is integral with the hose fixture device 2 due to a wall 2f, which is contacted by the end face of the hose 1. There are gaps 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j are in the wall 2f opposite the projections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d in the circumferential direction of the hose fixture device 2. Thus, the parts of the wall 2f between the gaps 2g,2h,2i,2j act as gripping members for engaging the end of the hose 1. The cylindrical inner wall 2e prevents deflection of the hose 1. Therefore, when a pulling force is applied to the hose 1, and the hose 1 deflects due to the flexibility of the hose 1, release of the engagement between the projections 1a of the hose 1 and the projections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d of the hose fixture device 2 is prevented. Hence, the interconnection of the hose 1 and the hose fixture device 2 is ensured. The inner cylindrical wall 2e of the hose fixture device 2 also helps to prevent a leakage at the fixing part between the hose fixture device 2 and the hose 1. When the cylindrical wall 2e is integral with the hose fixture device 2 via the wall 2f, the advantages discussed above are obtained without increasing the number of parts in the assembly. Furthermore, the assembly operation is made easier due to the small number of parts. By inserting the hose end face sufficiently far into the hose stopper member 2 so that it touches the wall 2f and by noting that the end of the hose 1 touches part of the wall 2f (by looking axially at the end of the hose through gaps 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j), it can be detected that the hose 1 is engagably inserted fully into the hose fixture device 2. This eliminates defective attachment of the hose 1 to the hose fixture device 2. In addition, by providing gaps 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j in the wall 2f of the hose fixture device 2, contact of the end of the hose 1 with the wall 2f of the hose fixture device 2 is ensured visually, so that it is easy to check that the engagement of the hose 1 and the hose fixture device 2 has occurred. The efficiency of such an inspection is thus enhanced. The gaps 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j are aligned with the projections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d in the axial direction of the hose fixture device 2. Therefore the moulding of the hose fixture device 2 may be carried out by a metal die for mould use which is divided in the axial direction of the hose 1. This eliminates any need to divide the metal die and twisting thereof is eliminated, so that the production and processing of the hose fixture device 2 is enhanced. This will be described in more detail later. According to the first embodiment, the hose fixture device 2 engages the spiral projection 1a provided on the hose 1 in the axial direction. Therefore even when it is necessary to cut the hose 1 to a different length, which may be necessary depending on the circumstances, it is easy to re-attach a renewed hose end to the hose fixture device 2 via the projections 1a provided on the hose 1. There are a number of cases where it is necessary to cut the hose into an arbitrary length. For example, it is usual for the manufacturer of a vacuum cleaner to produce a long hose. Then the purchaser of the vacuum cleaner may decide that a shorter length of the hose is needed depending on the conditions of use (such as a room size). Also during use of the vacuum cleaner, a crack may occur in part of the hose because of fatigue due to repeated bending. Then, instead of purchasing a new vacuum cleaner or at least a whole new hose, the old hose is used by cutting off the cracked part of the hose then reattaching the adapter to the renewed end of the hose top. In this embodiment the hose joint 3 is provided with a taper shaped cylindrical projection 3c on a surface 2ℓ opposite the hose fixture device 2 in the innermost part of the hose joint 3. An annular wall 2k which contacts and engages this cylindrical projection 3c is provided on the wall 2f of the hose fixture device 2 opposite the innermost surface 3d at the hose joint 3. The hose fixture device 2 is provided with a cylindrical projection 2k which contacts the innermost surface 3d of the hose joint 3. The entire circumferential end of the annular wall 2k contacts the tubular projection 3c formed on the hose joint 3, so that leakage at the point of attachment is prevented. In this embodiment, the hose joint 3 is made of a hard ABS resin, the hose fixture device 2 is made of polypropylene which is flexible. Therefore, when the electric vacuum cleaner is operated and the inside of the hose attachment device (that is, the inside of the hose 1) is subject to a negative pressure, the annular wall 2k of the hose fixture device 2 deforms at its end portion so as to fasten to the cylindrical projection 3c of the hose joint 3. Hence a good sealing effect is obtained and thus the hose attachment device is satisfactory in preventing leakage. As can be seen from Fig. 6, the thickness t of the annular wall 2k of the hose fixture device 2 is preferably as thin as possible so that it can be deformed easily by the negative pressure inside the hose attachment device. The cylindrical projection 2ℓ decreases the contacting area between the hose joint 3 and the hose fixture device 2 and reduces the friction of the hose fixture device 2 in the hose joint 3 during rotation thereof. Thus the hose fixture device 2 freely rotates in the hose joint 3. In this embodiment, the pitch of the projections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d of the hose fixture device 2 is selected to be the same as that of the helical projection of the hose 1. Attachment of the hose 1 and the hose fixture device 2 is carried out by screwing the end of the hose 1 into the hose fixture device 2. However, in this embodiment, as stated above, the hose fixture device 2 rotates in the hose joint 3. There is thus no loosening of the attachment between the hose 1 and the hose fixture device 2 due to twisting of the hose 1. Thus, disengagement of the hose fixing device 2 from the hose due to a defective bonding operation should not occur, as may happen if the hose fixture device 2 is bonded to the hose with a bonding agent (glue). In the first embodiment described above, the connection between the hose 1 and the hose fixture device 2 is by a screw engagement of the helical projections 1a of the hose 1 with the projections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d of the hose fixture device 2. However, instead of this, as shown in Fig. 7, the hose 1 may have many successive ring shaped projections 1b along the axial direction. A plurality of projections 2m which are inclined in the direction of insertion of the hose 1 may be provided on the hose fixture device 2 as also shown in Fig. 7. Then when the hose 1 is inserted into the hose fixture device 2, the plurality of the projections 2m provided on the hose fixture device 2 deform elestically and do not prevent the insertion of the hose 1. On the other hand, when the hose 1 is pulled out of the hose fixture device 2, the plurality of projections 2m recover their elasticity and hold the hose 1 to prevent removal of the hose 1. Fig. 8 shows hose fixture devices according to the present invention used in connection with a vacuum cleaner. A hose 10 has a first retaining ring 11 fitted thereon, and then a first hose fixture device 12 according to the present invention is engaged with the end 10a of the hose 10. A component 13 for connecting the hose 10 to the body of a vacuum cleaner (not shown) is then positioned over the hose fixture device 12, to engage with the retaining ring 11. The connection of the retaining ring 11, hose fixture device 12, and component 13 corresponds to the linking of parts 2, 3, and 4 in first embodiment of the present invention described above. Then, a second retaining ring 14 is fitted on the other end 10b of the hose 10, and another hose fixture device 15 according to the present invention mounted on the end of the hose 10. That then permits an extension pipe 16 to be connected to the retaining ring 14 in the same way as for components 2, 3, and 4 discussed above. Thus, the hose 10 is free to rotate at its connection to the component 13, and the extension pipe 16 is free to rotate relative to the end 10b of the hose 10, so that twisting of the hose will not occur. A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 11. This third embodiment corresponds generally to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, and the same reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts. However, in this third embodiment of the present invention, ribs 30 are provided on the sections of the wall 2f, (gripper members). These projections 30 improve the gripping of the end of the hose. It has been found that if the hose fixture device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is screwed tightly onto the end of the hose 1, the friction between the parts of the wall 2f and the end of the hose 1 may be so great that it is difficult subsequently to un-screw the hose fixture device 2. The provision of the ribs 30 controls the friction between the end of the hose 10 and the wall 2f. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 11, the middle one of the three ribs 30 may project slightly further from the wall 2f than the other two. This has been found to imprive the three-point gripping of the hose 10 between the wall 2f and the adjacent projections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. As was mentioned earlier, a hose fixture device according to the present invention may be formed by moulding. This is shown in Fig. 12 in which the orientation of the hose fixture device 2 corresponds to that shown in Fig. 11. As illustrated, the mould has three mould parts. There is an outer mould part 40 with a cylindrical bore into which fit in opposite axial directions two inner mould parts 41, 42. The inner surfaces 40a, 41a, 42a of the mould parts 40, 41 and 42 are shaped so as to define a gap therebetween, which gap will correspond to the hose fixing device 2. Small gaps are shown between other surfaces of the mould parts 40, 41 and 42 in Fig. 12; this is for the sake of clarity and normally such gaps would not be provided. Then, the space between the mould parts 40, 41 and 42 is charged with moulding material, e.g. a thermosetting or thermoplastics material. This material conforms to the shape of the mould parts 40, 41 and 42 and thus to the shape of the hose fixture device 2, and setting of that material forms the hose fixture device 2. It can be seen in Fig. 12 that it is then a simple matter to remove the inner mould parts 41, 42 in opposite axial directions, and then the hose fixture device 2 is releasable. The alignment of the parts of the wall 2f with the gaps between projections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d means that the part of e.g. the mould part 42 which is to form a surface of the wall 2f is readily removable from the hose fixture device 2, without that removal being affected by the projections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d. Finally, Figs. 13a to 13d show in more detail the mounting of a suction tool on to a hose. This is the process that has already been described with reference to Fig. 1, and also with reference to Fig.8. Thus, as shown in Fig. 13a, the retaining ring 50 is slipped over an end of the hose 51 and slid down that hose 51 to be clear of the end 52. As shown, there are two mounting lugs 53 on the retaining ring 50, which mounting lug 53 correspond to the projection 4a and 4b in Fig. 1. Fig. 13a also shows a hose retaining device 54 according to the present invention and a suction tool 55, which at this stage are separated. The next step, as shown in Fig. 13b, is the engagement of the hose fixture device 54 with the end 52 of the hose 51. Such engagement may be by screw-fitting as described with reference to the first embodiments, or by a clip fitting as described with reference to the second embodiment, depending on the nature of the hose. The engagement of the hose fixture device 54 onto the hose 51 retains the retaining ring 50 which may then be slid to a position adjacent or abutting the hose fixture device 54 as shown in Fig. 13c. The suction tool 55 has an end part 56 which has a cylindrical wall which fits over the hose fixture device 54, so that the arrangement shown in Fig. 13d is formed. Two bores 57 in the end 56 of the tool 55 engage with the mounting lugs 53, thereby securing together the suction tool 55 and the retaining ring 50. Although described above with reference to connection to a hose of a vacuum cleaner, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be used whenever it is necessary to connect to an end of a hose. With the present invention a hose fixture device may be provided which prevents twisting of the hose, for example, during use with an electric vacuum cleaner due to independent rotation of the hose and the hose joint respectively. This ensures that the hose does not come out and has advantages with respect to processing, strength and assembling. Moreover when the user needs to cut the hose to a different length, the renewed hose end may be reattached easily to the hose joint, so that handling is enchanced. In addition leakage of sucked air may be prevented.

Claims: A hose fixture device (2) for attachment to a hose (1) having a mounting projection (1a) thereon, comprising a cylindrical wall, and a plurality of engaging projections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) on the wall for engaging the mounting projection (1a) on the hose (1), the projections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) projecting from the wall in the radial direction and being spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the wall so that there is a circumferential gap between adjacent ones of the projections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) in the circumferential direction; characterised in that: the device (2) also includes a plurality of gripping members (2f) on the wall, for engaging an end of the hose (1), the gripping members (2f) projecting from the wall in the radial direction, and being circumferentially aligned with the circumferential gaps between the adjacent ones of the projections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), and the projections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and the gripping members (2f) are axially spaced. A hose fixture device according to claim 1 wherein the gripping members (2f) are arranged to grip an end of the hose (1) such that parts of the end of the hose (1) are visible in the circumferential direction due to the circumferential gaps (2g, 2h, 2i, 2j) between the gripping members (2f). A hose fixture device according to any one of the preceding claims having a plurality of the gripping members (2f), with each gripping member (2f) having at least one rib (30) thereon for engagement of an end of the hose (1) when the hose (1) is engaged with the hose fixture device (2). A hose fixture device according to any one of the preceding claims, having a further cylindrical wall (2e) radially spaced from the cylindrical wall such that the hose (1) is receivable between the cylindrical wall and the further cylindrical wall (2e). A hose fixture device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting projection (1a) of the hose (1) forms a helix, and the projections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) form a discontinuous helix. A hose end assembly for attachment to a hose (1) having a mounting projection (1a) thereon, comprising; a hose fixture device 92) according to any one of the preceding claims; a retainer (4) abutting a first part of the hose fixture device (2); and a hose joint component (3) abutting a second part of the hose fixture device (2), the hose joint component (3) and the retainer (4) being engaged together such that the hose fixture device (2) is rotatably retained therebetween. A hose end assembly according to claim 6, wherein the hose joint component (3) includes a cylindrical wall extending around the hose fixture device (2), the hose joint component (3) and the retainer (4) having at least one interlocking engagement of the hose joint component (3) and the retainer (4). A hose end assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the abutment of the hose fixture device (2) and the hose joint component (3) is by abutment of a cylindrical projection (3c) of the hse joint component (3) and an annular projecting wall (2k) of the hose fixture device (2), with at least one of the cylindrical projection (3c) and the annular projecting wall (2k) being axially tapered. A hose fixture device according to claim 1, wherein said projections are arranged to grip said mounting projection between said projections with elastic deformation of said hose between said projections such as to prevent free rotation of said hose and said hose fixture device, forced rotation of said hose and said hose fixture device above a predetermined loading releasing said grip without damage to said hose or said hose fixture device, whereby said hose fixture device is disengagable from said hose.

Inventors: HIRUTA YASUYUKI, IIDA AKIRA, ISHII YOSHITARO, IWAO AKIRA, SUZUKUI NARUHIKO, HIRUTA, YASUYUKI, IIDA, AKIRA, ISHII, YOSHITARO, IWAO, AKIRA, SUZUKUI, NARUHIKO
Applicants: HITACHI LTD, TAGA SANGYO KK, HITACHI, LTD., TAGASANGYO, LTD.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A47L9
IPC codes: F16L33, A47L9, F16L37, F16L25