Abstract:
The invention relates to a quick-connect coupler for at least one tube, including a tubular body having at least one receiving portion shaped to receive an end segment of the tube, the receiving portion being at least partially made from a transparent material, so as to make it possible to view the end segment of the tube when the latter is received in the receiving portion, and a retaining member mounted inside the receiving portion, arranged to oppose the withdrawal of the tube when a pulling force is exerted on the tube.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a quick-connect coupling for at least one tube. 
       BRIEF DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Such a coupling is, for example, applicable for the fluid connection of the tube to a device, such as a tap or a collector, or for the fluid connection of tubes of an irrigation or potable water distribution network. 
         [0003]    A quick-connect coupling, known in the state of the art, comprises a tubular body having a receiving portion shaped to receive an end segment of the tube. The coupling comprises a ring, mounted inside the body, equipped with prongs. These prongs are arranged to oppose the withdrawal of the tube when a pulling force is exerted on said tube. 
         [0004]    In usage conditions, a user engages an end segment of a tube in the receiving portion. The user then has no means to judge the engaged length of the tube. 
         [0005]    In the event the tube is insufficiently engaged, the flow of pressurized fluid inside that tube can lead to its expulsion outside the receiving portion. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention aims to offset this drawback. 
         [0007]    The invention relates to a quick-connect coupling for at least one tube, comprising: 
         [0008]    a tubular body having at least one receiving portion shaped to receive an end segment of the tube, the receiving portion being at least partially made from a transparent material, so as to make it possible to view the end segment of the tube when the latter is received in the receiving portion; and 
         [0009]    a retaining member mounted inside the receiving portion, arranged to oppose the withdrawal of the tube when a pulling force is exerted on said tube. 
         [0010]    In the description, the term “transparent” must be understood as allowing the light waves of the visible domain, i.e. 380 nm to 780 nm, to pass. 
         [0011]    When a user engages the end segment of the tube in the receiving portion of the body, that user can judge, by looking through the part of the receiving portion, the engaged length of the tube. The user can then verify that the engagement of the tube in the body is sufficient to ensure its retention in usage conditions. 
         [0012]    The coupling according to the invention can also comprise one or more of the following features. 
         [0013]    In one preferred embodiment, the receiving portion of the body is made completely from a transparent material. 
         [0014]    Under these conditions, the user can view the end segment of the tube engaged the receiving portion of the body in its entirety. 
         [0015]    According to one feature, the coupling comprises a cap made from an opaque material, mounted on the body and arranged to at least partially reveal the receiving portion. 
         [0016]    In the description, the term “opaque” must be understood as capable of reflecting the light waves of the visible domain. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the body is completely made from a transparent material. 
         [0018]    According to one possibility, the body has a connecting portion connected to said receiving portion, and the cap is arranged to reveal the connecting portion in its entirety. 
         [0019]    According to another possibility, the body has a connecting portion connected to said receiving portion, and the cap is arranged to conceal the entire connecting portion. 
         [0020]    Such an arrangement allows the user to view the engagement of the tube in the receiving portion, while protecting the fluid from the light rays. 
         [0021]    Such an arrangement makes it possible to limit bacterial growth of the fluid, and to subsequently guarantee the hygiene of the fluid. This coupling is then perfectly adapted to be used in a potable water distribution network. 
         [0022]    For example, the receiving portion comprises a first part turned toward the connecting portion, and the second part opposite the first part, and the cap comprises: 
         [0023]    a first element arranged to conceal the second part of the receiving portion; and 
         [0024]    a second element arranged to conceal the connecting portion in its entirety, and having at least one opening to reveal the first part of the receiving portion. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the coupling comprises a sleeve, made from an opaque material, fluidly connected to the receiving portion. 
         [0026]    Advantageously, the receiving portion comprises a first part turned toward the sleeve, and a second part opposite the first part, and the cap comprises an element arranged to conceal the second part of the receiving portion and reveal the first part of the receiving portion. 
         [0027]    According to one feature, the retaining member comprises a ring equipped with prongs arranged to push into the wall of the tube when a pulling force is exerted on said tube. 
         [0028]    According to another feature, the coupling comprises a sealing device inside the receiving portion, arranged to ensure sealing between the body and the tube when the latter is received in the receiving portion. 
         [0029]    The invention also relates to the use of the coupling as presented above in an irrigation network. 
         [0030]    The invention lastly relates to the use of the coupling as presented above in a potable water distribution network. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The invention will be better understood using the following description in reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings showing, as an example, three embodiments of a quick-connect coupling according to the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a first quick-connect coupling according to the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coupling of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative of the coupling of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another alternative of the coupling of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a second quick-connect coupling according to the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coupling of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an alternative of the coupling of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third quick-connect coupling according to the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coupling of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternative of the coupling of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is a side view of another alternative of the coupling of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a quick-connect coupling  1  for the fluid connection of two tubes of an irrigation network or a potable water distribution network. 
         [0044]    The coupling  1  comprises a tubular body  2  made from a transparent plastic material. Here, the body  2  is made from clarified polypropylene. Alternatively, the body  2  can be made from polyamide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), or others. 
         [0045]    The body  2  has two receiving portions  4  and  6  shaped to receive an end segment of the tube, and a connecting portion  8  connecting the receiving portions  4  and  6 . The receiving portions  4  and  6  extend along a same axis  10 . The receiving portions  4  and  6  respectively comprise parts  4   a  and  6   a  turned toward the connecting portion  8 . The receiving portions  4  and  6  respectively comprise parts  4   b  and  6   b  opposite the parts  4   a  and  6   a.    
         [0046]    The inner diameter of the parts  4   a  and  6   a  is larger than the inner diameter of the connecting portion  8 , forming shoulders  12  and  13 . The inner diameter of the parts  4   a  and  6   a  is smaller than the inner diameter of the parts  4   b  and  6   b,  forming shoulders  14  and  16 . 
         [0047]    The coupling  1  comprises sealing devices  18  and  20  mounted inside the receiving portions  4  and  6 , bearing against the shoulders  14  and  16 . Here, the seals  18  and  20  are O-rings. 
         [0048]    The coupling  1  comprises retaining members  22  and  24  mounted inside the receiving portions  4  and  6 , respectively. The retaining members  22  and  24  assume the form of rings equipped with prongs. 
         [0049]    The coupling  1  comprises two cylinders  26  and  28  fluidly connected to the parts  4   a  and  6   a  of the receiving portions  4  and  6 , respectively. The cylinders  26  and  28  are designed to allow, if necessary, the withdrawal of a tube end segment received in one of the receiving portions  4  or  6 . 
         [0050]    As illustrated, the cylinders  26  and  28  have inner diameters equal to the inner diameters of the parts  4   a  and  6   a  of the receiving portions  4  and  6 , respectively. 
         [0051]    The coupling  1  lastly comprises a cap  30  mounted on the body. In the example, the cap is made up of tubular elements  30   a,    30   b  and  30   c.  Alternatively, the cap  30  may be made from a single element. 
         [0052]    The element  30   a  completely conceals the cylinder  26  and the part  4   b  of the receiving portion  4 . 
         [0053]    The element  30   b  completely conceals the cylinder  28  and the part  6   b  of the receiving portion  6 . 
         [0054]    The element  30   c  completely conceals the connecting portion  8 , and has a plurality of openings  32  revealing the parts  4   a  and  6   a  of the receiving portions  4  and  6 . 
         [0055]    The elements  30   a,    30   b  and  30   c  are made from an opaque plastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Alternatively, the elements  30   a,    30   b  and  30   c  can be made from polyamide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), or others. 
         [0056]    The elements  30   a,    30   b  and  30   c  are secured to the body  2  and the cylinders  26  and  28  by bi-material injection, ultrasound welding, or snapping. In usage conditions, a user engages an end segment of a tube inside the receiving portion  4 , engaged until it bears against the shoulder  12 . 
         [0057]    The user can then view, through the openings  32  and by looking through the portion  4   a,  the end segment of the tube engaged in the receiving portion  4 . In this way, the user can judge whether the tube has been pushed in to a satisfactory extent. 
         [0058]    The seals  18  and  20  ensure sealing between the body  2  and the tube received in the receiving portion  4 . 
         [0059]    Furthermore, when a pulling force is exerted on the tube, the prongs of the retaining member  22  are pushed into the wall of the tube to oppose the withdrawal thereof. 
         [0060]      FIG. 3  shows an alternative of the coupling  1 , in which the receiving portions  4  and  6  do not extend along the same axis  10 , but along perpendicular axes  34  and  36 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  shows another alternative of the coupling  1 , in which the body  2  has an additional receiving portion  38 . This receiving portion  38  extends along an axis  40  perpendicular to the axis  10 . 
         [0062]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a quick-connect coupling  100  for the fluid connection of two tubes of an irrigation network or a potable water distribution network. 
         [0063]    The coupling  100  comprises a tubular body  102 . The body  102  has two receiving portions  104  and  106  shaped to receive an end segment of a tube. 
         [0064]    The body  102  also has a sleeve  108  fluidly connecting the receiving portions  104  and  106 . Here, the sleeve  108  is bent. 
         [0065]    The sleeve  108  is made from an opaque plastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Alternatively, the sleeve  108  can be made from polyamide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfone (PSSU), or others. 
         [0066]    The receiving portions  104  and  106  are made from a transparent plastic material, such as clarified polypropylene. 
         [0067]    The receiving portions  104  and  106  extend along perpendicular axes  110  and  112 . 
         [0068]    The receiving portions  104  and  106  comprise parts  104   a  and  106   a,  respectively, turned toward the sleeve  108 . The receiving portions  104  and  106  comprise parts  104   b  and  106   b,  respectively, opposite the parts  104   a  and  106   a.  The inner diameter of the parts  104   a  and  106   a  is smaller than the inner diameter of the parts  104   b  and  106   b,  forming shoulders  114  and  116 . 
         [0069]    The coupling  100  comprises sealing devices  118  and  120  mounted inside receiving portions  104  and  106 , bearing against the shoulders  114  and  116 . Here, the seals  118  and  120  are O-rings. 
         [0070]    The coupling  100  comprises retaining members  122  and  124  mounted inside the receiving portions  104  and  106 , respectively. The retaining members  122  and  124  assume the form of rings equipped with prongs. The function of the retaining members  122  and  124  will appear hereafter. 
         [0071]    The coupling  100  comprises two cylinders  126  and  128  fluidly connected to the parts  104   a  and  106   a  of the receiving portions  104  and  106 , respectively. The cylinders  126  and  128  are designed to allow, if necessary, the withdrawal of a tube end segment received in one of the receiving portions  4  or  6 . 
         [0072]    As shown, the cylinders  126  and  128  have an inner diameter equal to the inner diameters of the parts  104   a  and  106   a  of the receiving portions  104  and  106 . 
         [0073]    The coupling  100  lastly comprises a cap  130  mounted on the body  102 . The cap is made up of tubular elements  130   a  and  130   b.    
         [0074]    The element  130   a  completely conceals the cylinder  126  and the part  104   b  of the receiving portion  104 . 
         [0075]    The element  130   b  completely conceals the cylinder  128  and the part  106   b  of the receiving portion  106 . 
         [0076]    The elements  130   a  and  130   b  are made from an opaque plastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. 
         [0077]    The elements  130   a  and  130   b  are secured to the body  102  and the cylinders  126  and  128  by bi-material injection, ultrasound welding, friction rotation welding, or snapping. 
         [0078]    In usage conditions, the user engages an end segment of a tube  150  inside the receiving portion  104 , until it bears against a shoulder of the sleeve  108 . 
         [0079]    The user can view, through the part  104   a  of the receiving portion  104 , the end segment engaged in the receiving portion  104 . In this way, the user can judge whether the end segment of the tube  150  has been pushed in to a satisfactory extent. 
         [0080]    The seal  118  ensures sealing between the body  102  and the tube  150  received in the receiving portion  104 . 
         [0081]    When a pulling force is exerted on the tube, the prongs of the ring  122  are pushed into the wall of the tube  150  to oppose the withdrawal thereof. 
         [0082]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative of the coupling  100 , in which the body  102  has an additional receiving portion  138 . This receiving portion  138  extends along an axis  140  parallel to the axis  110 . 
         [0083]    Alternatively (not shown), the receiving portions  104  and  106  do not extend along perpendicular axes  110  and  112 , but along a same axis. 
         [0084]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show a quick-connect coupling  200  for the fluid connection of two tubes of an irrigation network. 
         [0085]    The coupling  200  comprises a tubular body  202  made from a transparent plastic material, such as clarified polypropylene. 
         [0086]    The body  202  has two receiving portions  204  and  206  shaped to receive an end segment of a tube. The receiving portions  204  and  206  extend along a same axis  210 . 
         [0087]    The body  202  also has a connecting portion  208  connecting the receiving portions  204  and  206 . The receiving portions  204  and  206  respectively comprise parts  204   a  and  206   a  turned toward the connecting portion  208 . The receiving portions  204  and  206  respectively comprise parts  204   b  and  206   b  opposite the parts  204   a  and  206   a.    
         [0088]    The inner diameter of the parts  204   a  and  206   a  is larger than the inner diameter of the connecting portion  208 , forming shoulders  212  and  213 . 
         [0089]    The inner diameter of the parts  204   a  and  206   a  is smaller than the inner diameter of the parts  204   b  and  206   b,  forming shoulders  214  and  216 . 
         [0090]    The coupling  200  comprises sealing devices  218  and  220  mounted inside the receiving portions  204  and  206 , bearing against the shoulders  214  and  216 . Here, the seals  218  and  220  are O-rings. 
         [0091]    The coupling  200  comprises retaining members  222  and  224  mounted inside the receiving portions  204  and  206 . The retaining members  222  and  224  assume the form of rings equipped with prongs. 
         [0092]    The coupling  200  comprises two cylinders  226  and  228  fluidly connected to the parts  204  and  206   a  of the receiving portions  204  and  206 , respectively. As shown, the cylinders  226  and  228  have an inner diameter equal to the inner diameters of the parts  204   a  and  206   a  of the receiving portions  204  and  206 . 
         [0093]    The coupling  200  lastly comprises a cap  230  mounted on the body  202 . The cap  230  is made up of tubular elements  230   a  and  230   b.    
         [0094]    The element  230   a  completely conceals the cylinder  226  and the part  204   b  of the receiving portion  204 . 
         [0095]    The element  230   b  completely conceals the cylinder  228  and the part  206   b  of the receiving portion  206 . 
         [0096]    The elements  230   a  and  230   b  are made from an opaque plastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. 
         [0097]    The elements  230   a  and  230   b  are secured to the body  2  and the cylinders  26  and  28  by friction rotation welding, ultrasound welding, screwing or snapping. 
         [0098]    A sealing device  231 , here an O-ring, is pinched between the cylinder  226  and the element  230   a  so as to ensure sealing between the cylinder  226  and the element  230   a.  Likewise, a sealing device  233  is pinched between the cylinder  228  and the element  230   b.  Such a seal, called an anti-moisture scraper, makes it possible to protect the retaining members  222  and  224 , which are traditionally made from metal, against corrosion. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when the coupling  200  is buried. 
         [0099]    In usage conditions, a user engages an end segment of a tube inside the receiving portion  204 , until it bears against the shoulder  212 . 
         [0100]    The user can view, by looking through the portion  204   a,  the end segment of the tube engaged in the receiving portion  204 , and thus judge whether the tube is pushed in to a sufficient extent. 
         [0101]    The seals  218  and  220  ensure sealing between the body  2  and the tubes received the received in the portions  4  and  6 . 
         [0102]    When a pulling force is exerted on the tubes, the prongs of the rings  222  and  224  are pushed into the wall of the tube to oppose the withdrawal of said tube. 
         [0103]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative of the coupling  200 , in which the receiving portions  204  and  206  no longer extend along the same axis  210 , but along perpendicular axes  234  and  236 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 11  shows another alternative of the coupling  200 , in which the body  202  has an additional receiving portion  238 . This receiving portion  238  extends along an axis  240  perpendicular to the axis  210 . 
         [0105]    The invention is of course not limited solely to the embodiments of the coupling described above as examples, but on the contrary encompasses all alternative embodiments.