PLASTIC COUPLING

Abstract: Plastic coupling for connecting two tubes (3 and 4) characterised in that it consists of two parts (1 and 2) which can be coupled to each other, each of which is principally formed by a plastic body (5) that is provided with an axial bore (8) destined to receive the extremity of one of the two tubes (3 or 4), whereby the inner wall of that bore (8) is at least partially formed by a ring (16) covering the entire circumference, in the same material as the corresponding tube (3 or 4) or another good adhesive material and whereby each plastic body (5) is still further provided with connecting means (7 and 19) with which both can be directly or indirectly coupled to each other.

Description: Plastic coupling This invention relates to a plastic coupling for joining together two tubes in such a manner that the connection can be effected and severed repeatedly. Still more especially the invention relates to a plastic coupling that is principally manufactured of a ■ material that is different from the material of the tubes. It is known that with the glues or adhesives existing at present it is possible to stick very strongly on condition however that both elements are manufactured of the same materials. So for the connection of two tubes until now a coupling sleeve is used in certain cases in the same material as the tubes to which this is bonded, for example in the case of tubes and coupling sleeves in polyvinylchloride. In other cases, whereby greater demands are put on the tubes and/or connection it is the desire to utilise other materials among which composite materials, such as polyester or similar, come to mind. In such case the manufacture of coupling sleeves in a composite material is a . difficult if not impossible task since these for example would not be sufficiently strong or not be capable of being brought into the desired form. So the invention relates to a plastic coupling that does not have these disadvantages and that consequently is principally manufactured of a suitable, strong plastic, whereby this coupling can nevertheless be stuck very effectively onto a tube of another material. For this purpose the invention has a plastic coupling as object that is characterised in that it consists of two parts which can be coupled to each other, each of which is principally formed by a plastic body that is provided with an axial bore destined to receive the extremity of one of the two tubes, whereby the inner wall of that bore is at least partially formed by a ring covering the entire circumference, for example in metal or plastic, in the same material as the corresponding tube or in another good adhesive material and whereby each plastic body may be still further provided with connecting means with which both can be directly or indirectly coupled to each other. A similar plastic coupling can be stuck very strongly to the tube with a suitable glue, whereby both tubes can always be separated again by uncoupling the two parts of the coupling from each other. In order to show better the characteristics according to the present invention, some preferred embodiments are described hereafter, as examples without any restrictive character, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a front view of one part of a plastic coupling according to the invention; figure 2 shows a cross-section according to line H-II in figure 1 ; figure 3 shows a cross-section similar to that from figure 2 but whereby the part of the plastic coupling in question is bonded to a tube; . figure 4 shows a cross-section similar to that from figure 3 but in relation to the second part of the plastic coupling; figure 5 shows a cross-section similar to that from figure 4 but for another embodiment; figure 6 shows a cross-section of a plastic coupling with the objective of connecting two similar couplings as figure 4 or 5 shows, to each other. The plastic coupling represented in the figures 1 through 5 consists of two parts - 1 , 2 which can be screwed onto each other, each of which can be bonded onto a tube 3, respectively 4, whereby both parts 1 and 2 of the plastic coupling are manufactured of a material that is different from the material of the tubes 3, 4. Part 1 of the plastic coupling that is shown in the figures 1 , 2 and 3 is formed by a cylindrical body 5 in which an axial bore 6 with internal screw thread 7 and a smaller axial bore 8 connecting thereon are provided. As shown in the figures 1 and 2 the body 5 shows at least two flat surfaces 9 situated opposite each other on the outside for placing a spanner or similar, in order to facilitate the later tightening or loosening. These surfaces 9 can hereby be part of a hexagon or otherwise. The body 5 is either strengthened or not by an internal reinforcement formed by a perforated metal tube 10 which is useful as torsion reinforcement. On both extremities of the axial bore 8 this shows at least one peripheral groove 11 and 12 in which an elastic sealing ring, respectively 13 and 14 is provided, while between both grooves 11 and 12 in the wall of the axial bore 8 a chamber 15 is provided in which a circular part 16 is provided that is manufactured in the same materials as the tube 3. In the cylindrical body 5 two channels 17 and 18 preferably situated opposite each other are further installed, of which the first shows a greater diameter than the second. As appears from figure 4 part 2 of the plastic coupling has the same component parts as part 1 with as only difference however the specific form of the cylindrical body 5 that in this case shows no axial bore 6 but that on the contrary is provided on the outside with a screw thread 19 which can work together with the screw thread 7. By way of example an embodiment is shown in figure 4 whereby the reinforcement 10 is omitted. As shown in the variant from figure 5 several circular parts 16 could be provided whether or not in the body 5. In the embodiment shown use is made of two parts 16 which are obtained from a tubular part that is cut through at an angle. This construction offers the advantage that the circular parts under the influence of a possible twisting force cannot rotate in relation to the body 5. Preferably at the location of each ring or circular part 16 radial bores 17 and 18 are provided, of which the purpose will still appear from the rest of the description. The manufacture of the above described parts 1 and 2 of the plastic coupling can easily be effected by moulding the plastic of the body 5 into an adapted form in which the circular part 16 and the perforated metal tube 10 were already installed beforehand, whereby the circular part 16 can be obtained by cutting it off a tube. In order to attach the above described parts 1 and 2 of the plastic coupling .onto the respective tubes 3 and 4, the tube 3, respectively 4, is installed in the axial bore 8 and a suitable glue 20 is injected into the radial channel 17 until the glue oozes out of the other side through the channel 18. The glue 20 thus spreads completely over the tangent plane between the ring or rings 16 and the tube 3, respectively 4, whereby a lateral oozing out through the sealing rings 13 and 14 is prevented and the ring 16 adheres very strongly to the tube 3, respectively 4. Both parts 1 and 2 of the plastic coupling can by means of the respective screw threads 7 and 19 thus be screwed tight to each other in order by so doing to realise a very strong coupling of both tubes 3 and 4. . It is clear that this coupling can always be unscrewed again. In order to be able to make use of two identical parts, either two parts 1 or two parts 2, connecting means can be applied which consist in a coupling with which two identical parts can be screwed to each other. An example of this is shown in the figure 6, whereby this coupling 21 principally consists of a cylindrical body that is provided on both extremities with internal screw thread 22, such that this coupling 21 can work together with two parts 2. The coupling 21 preferably consists of plastic whether or not provided with a reinforcement 10. According to the invention the plastic coupling can be manufactured of any suitable plastic whereby it is however important that the rings 16 and the corresponding tube 3 or 4 are manufactured of the same material, or of another well adhering material. The rings 16 will for the majority of applications consist of a metal, whereby both a ferrous as well as a non-ferrous metal can be applied; a composite material or a plastic. The present invention is in no way restricted to the embodiments described as examples and shown in the drawings, but such plastic coupling can be implemented in all kinds of forms and dimensions without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims: Claims 1.- Plastic coupling for connecting two tubes (3 and 4) characterised in that it consists of two parts (1 and 2) which can be coupled to each other, each of which is principally formed by a plastic body (5) that is provided with an axial bore (8) destined to receive the extremity of one of the two tubes (3 or 4), whereby the inner wall of that bore (8) is at least partially formed by a ring (16) covering the entire circum erence, in the same material as the corresponding tube (3 or 4) or another good adhesive material and whereby each plastic body (5) is still further provided with connecting means (7 and 19) with which both can be directly or indirectly coupled to each other. 2.- Plastic coupling according to claim 1 , characterised in that on both sides of the ring (16) in the axial bore (8) a peripheral groove (11 and 12) is provided in which in each case a sealing ring (13 and 14) is provided. 3.- Plastic coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the body (5) at the location of the ring (16) a radial channel (17) is provided. 4.- Plastic coupling according to claim 3, characterised in that opposite the radial channel (17) a second radial channel (18) is provided, in the body (5). 5.- Plastic coupling according to one of the preceding claims , characterised in that the connecting means (7 , 19) on the one part (1 ) are formed by an axial bore (6) connecting with the axial bore (8) in the body (5) which is provided internally with screw thread (7) and on the other part (2) by an external screw thread (19) which can work together with the aforementioned screw thread (7). 6.- Plastic coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plastic body (5) is provided on the outside with two flat surfaces (9) situated opposite each other. 7.- Plastic coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a reinforcement (10) is provided in the plastic body (5). 8.- Plastic coupling according to claim 1 , characterised in that the reinforcement (10) consists of a perforated metal tube. 9.- Plastic coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one part (1 , 2) is provided with two rings (16) covering the entire circumference. 10.- Plastic coupling according to claim 9, characterised in that the two rings (16) are formed of tubular parts cut off at an angle. 11.- Plastic coupling according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that on each ring (16) at least one radial opening (17, 18) is provided. 12.- Plastic coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting means with which both parts (1, 2) are coupled to each other consists in a coupling (21) on which one of the aforementioned parts (1, 2) can be screwed on both sides. 13.- Plastic coupling according to claim 12, characterised in that the coupling (21 ) to be placed between the two parts (1, 2) ' permits two identical parts to be connected to each other. 14.- Plastic coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the aforementioned ring (16) of at least one of the two parts (1, 2) consists of plastic. 15.- Plastic coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the aforementioned ring (16) of at least one of the two parts (1, 2) consists of metal. 16.- Plastic coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the aforementioned ring (16) of at least one of the two parts (1, 2) consists of a composite material.

Inventors: DIERICKX PATRIECK, DIERICKX, PATRIECK
Applicants: JONACO GMBH
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B29C65
IPC codes: B29C65, B29L31, F16L47