FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR

Abstract: A flexible connector (10) for joining lengths of rigid tubing (11, 12) is disclosed. A bell-shaped housing (14) is connected to one length of tubing (12). An elastomeric seal member (16) is received in the housing (14). The seal member (16) includes a pair of diverging flanges (22, 23) and defines a circular groove (20). An insertion member (26) is connected to the other length of tubing (11) and includes a raised portion (27) received in the seal member groove (20) upon insertion in the seal member (16) and in the bell-shaped housing (14). The diverging flanges (22, 23) are compressed toward one another. A wedge member (41) may be used to retard relative rotation between the bell-shaped housing (14) and the insertion member (26).

Description: DESCRIPTION FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of connectors for joining together lengths of tubing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flexible connector which is particularly adaptable to use for connecting together rigid lengths of tubing for carrying low pressure liquids such as fuel. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Connectors for joining together lengths of tubing are known in the art. Examples of prior connectors are disclosed in U. S. Patents Nos. 2,154,077; 2,836,436; 3,680,895; 4,068,868; 4,480,857; 4,606,559; 4,079,998; 4,906,027; 5,048,873; 5,127,681 ; 5,180,194; and 5,182,922. Lengths of rigid tubing such as copper, steel or aluminum are utilized in many applications including automobile applications, aircraft applications and other non transportation applications. The present invention provides a flexible connector which is particularly adaptable for use for connecting rigid tubing used in low pressure applications, such as the transporting of liquid fuels. Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved fluid connector for connecting together lengths of rigid tubing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a flexible connector for sealingly joining together opposed ends of adjoining lengths of rigid tubing. The flexible connector includes a bell-shaped housing connected to one of the lengths of rigid tubing. A cylindrical elastomeric seal member defines an interior cylindrical groove. The seal member is positioned within the bell-shaped housing. A longitudinally extending cylindrical insertion member is connected to the other length of rigid tubing and includes a raised portion which is received by the circular groove of the seal member. The seal member includes a pair of diverging sealing flanges. Upon assembly, the flanges are positioned between the housing and the insertion member and are compressed toward one another to provide a liquid seal. In one embodiment, a wedge member is provided for retarding relative rotation of the connected housing and insertion member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a flexible connector, according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded sectional view showing the components of the flexible connector; Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the flexible connector of Fig. 2 in an assembled position; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, of another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A flexible connector, according to the present invention, is generally indicated in Fig. 1 by the reference number 10. The flexible connector 10 is utilized to connect together adjoining rigid lengths of tubing 1 1 and 12. The lengths of tubing 11 and 12 may be constructed of various types of rigid materials including either plastic or metals. When the lengths of tubing 1 1 and 12 are constructed of metal, the most typical metals would be aluminum, copper or steel. Referring to Fig. 2, the flexible connector 10 includes a bell-shaped housing 14 for connection to the opposed end of the length of rigid tubing 11. In the present embodiment, the bell-shaped housing 14 is integrally formed on the end of the length of tubing 12. In other situations, the bell-shaped housing 14 is connected by welding, adhesion or other fastening means to the length of rigid tubing 1 1. A generally cylindrically shaped elastomeric seal member 16 has a first end 17 which defines a receiving opening 18. The elastomeric seal member 16 has a second end 19. The seal member 16 defines an internal circular groove 20 between the first end 17 and the second end 19. In the present embodiment, the second end 19 of the elastomeric seal member 16 includes a pair of diverging sealing flanges 22 and 23. The sealing flanges 22 and 23 have a generally conical configuration. The seal member 16 is constructed of an elastomeric material. The materials can be suitable plastics or rubber-like materials such as SBR synthetic rubber, natural rubber, neoprene or a urethane material. Referring to Fig. 2, the flexible connector 10 includes a longitudinally extending insertion member 26. Again, in the present embodiment the insertion member 26 is integrally formed on the other length of rigid tubing 12. However, the insertion member 26 may be welded or otherwise attached to the length of tubing 12. In the present embodiment, the insertion member 26 includes a raised portion 27 which has a generally cylindrical configuration. In the present embodiment, the raised portion 27 is formed by bumping the length of tubing 12. However, the raised portion 27 may be formed by several methods including attaching an outer ring to the length of tubing 12 to form the raised portion 27. Referring to Fig. 3, when the insertion member 26 is positioned within the bell-shaped housing 14, the raised portion 27 of the insertion member 26 is received by the groove 20 defined on the interior of the elastomeric seal member 16. The seal member 16 is compressed between the housing 14 and the insertion member 26. In the assembled position, shown in Fig. 3, the pair of diverging sealing flanges 22 and 23 are also compressed toward one another and are positioned the bell- shaped housing 14 and the insertion member 26. The bell-shaped housing 14 includes an inwardly directed end member 29 which abuts and restrains the first end 17 of the elastomeric seal member 16. In the assembled, compressed position shown in Fig.3, the flexible connector 10 forms a connector for the rigid lengths of tubing 1 1 and 12 which is particularly capable of transporting low pressure fluids, such as liquid gas having pressures of less than 250 psi. The flexible connector 10, according to the present invention, is particularly useful in that it maintains a limited degree of flexibility relative to angular displacement along the longitudinal axes of the lengths of rigid tubing 11 and 12. Referring to Fig. 4, another embodiment of a flexible connector, according to the present invention, is generally indicated by the reference number 40. The flexible connector 40 not only includes the ability to flex along the longitudinal axes of the tube components, but also retards relative rotation between the bell-shaped housing 14' and the insertion member 26'. A circular wedge member 41 surrounds the insertion member 26 and is positioned between the insertion member 26 and the inwardly directed end member 29' of the bell-shaped housing 14'. In the present embodiment, the circular wedge member 41 abuts the first end 17' of the elastomeric seal member 16'. The wedge member 41 may be constructed of different materials. In the present embodiment, the wedge member 41 is constructed of a high durometer elastomeric material. As noted above, the compression of the wedge member 41 between the bell-shaped housing 14' and the insertion member 26' retards relative rotation between those components. One advantage of both of the above described embodiments of the present invention is that the tubing 11 and the tubing 12 after connection can move both angularly and also axially relative to their longitudinal centerlines. This is unusual in a non ball-joint connection. While this arcing feature occurs primarily at lower pressures under 50 psi, even at higher pressure where the Fig. 3 wedge embodiment is used there still is some axial flexibility. This arcing feature is often desirable in the field. Another advantage of the flexible connector, according to the present invention, is that the tubing 1 1 and tubing 12 can rotate around their longitudinal axes after connection. Such rotation is easier at low pressure, but is still possible to a limited degree even at high pressures. Many revisions may be made to the above described best modes without departing from the scope of the invention or from the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A flexible connector for sealingly joining together opposing ends of adjoining lengths of rigid tubing comprising, (a) a generally bell-shaped housing for connection to one of such opposed ends of such adjoining lengths of rigid tubing, (b) a generally cylindrically shaped elastomeric seal member having a first end defining a receiving opening and a second end, said seal member defining a circular groove between said first and second ends, said bell-shaped housing receiving said elastomeric seal member, and (c) a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical insertion member for connection to the other one of such opposed ends of such adjoining lengths of said tubing, said insertion member having a raised portion received by said circular groove of said elastomeric seal member, whereby said lengths of rigid tubing can be moved angularly after connection. 2. A flexible connector, according to claim 1 , wherein said second end of said elastomeric seal member includes a pair of diverging sealing flanges, wherein upon assembly said flanges are positioned between said bell-shaped housing and said cylindrical insertion member and are compressed toward one another. 3. A flexible connector, according to claim 1 , including means for retarding rotation of said cylindrical insertion member relative to said bell-shaped housing. 4. A flexible connector, according to claim 3, wherein said retarding means comprises at least one wedge member mounted between said bell-shaped housing and said cylindrical insertion member. 5. A flexible connector, according to claim 4, wherein said bell- shaped housing includes an inwardly directed end member, said wedge member comprising a circular wedge member positioned between said end member and said cylindrical insertion member, said wedge member abutting said inwardly directed end member of said bell-shaped housing. 6. A flexible connector for sealingly joining together opposing ends of adjoining lengths of rigid tubing comprising, (a) a generally bell-shaped housing for connection to one of such opposed ends of such adjoining lengths of rigid tubing, (b) a generally cylindrically shaped elastomeric seal member having a first end defining a receiving opening and a second end, said seal member defining a circular groove between said first and second ends, said bell-shaped housing receiving said elastomeric seal member, said second end of said elastomeric seal member including a pair of diverging, generally circular, sealing flanges, and (c) a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical insertion member for connection to the other one of such opposed ends of such adjoining lengths of said tubing, said insertion member having a raised portion received by said circular groove of said elastomeric seal member, whereby said lengths of rigid tubing can be rotating around their longitudinal axes after connection. 7. A flexible connector, according to claim 6, including means for retarding rotation of said cylindrical insertion member relative to said bell-shaped housing. 8. A flexible connector, according to claim 7, wherein said retarding means comprises a continuous wedge member mounted between said bell-shaped housing and said cylindrical insertion member.

Inventors: ALLREAD ALAN R, THOMPSON WILLIAM E, ALLREAD, ALAN, R., THOMPSON, WILLIAM, E.
Applicants: AEROQUIP CORP, AEROQUIP CORPORATION
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F16L17
IPC codes: F16L17