Abstract:
An apparatus for coupling ends of a first hose and a second hose. The apparatus comprises a male coupler configured to attach to the first hose, and a female coupler having an inner cavity and being configured to attach to the second hose in the inner cavity by way of a first ferrule assembly. The first ferrule assembly comprises an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the second hose proximate a first end of the second hose, and an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the second hose and configured to rotatably couple with the female coupler so that the inner ferrule may swivel relative to the female coupler thereby enabling the female coupler to be swiveled about the second hose without rotating the second hose. The male coupler and the female coupler are configured to couple to each other.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority as available under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119–21 to the following U.S. patent applications (which are incorporated by reference in the present Application): U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/461,597 titled “HOSE COUPLER” filed Apr. 8, 2003; U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/179,270 titled “HOSE COUPLER” filed Apr. 8, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of hose couplers. More specifically, the invention relates to an easily gripped swiveling hose coupler. 
     It is generally known to provide female hose couplers that are configured to operate with the male ends of garden hoses. However, many traditional female hose couplers do not rotate independent of the hose. When tightening this type of traditional female hose coupler on to a male coupler, the hose portion attached to the female hose coupler also rotates. This rotation of the hose often results in the hose deforming, kinking, or prohibiting a tight seal between the female hose coupler and the male portion. 
     Attempts to solve this problem include a hose connector that allows the female coupler to swivel independently of the hose. For example, it is known to provide a female hose connector having internal threads and an elongated swivel nipple. The swivel nipple often includes a plurality of annular protrusions, and the hose connector typically includes an outer surface having an eight sided standard nut shaped configuration. However, the standard nut shaped configuration requires tools such as a wrench to fully tighten the coupler onto a male coupler. In addition, the hose must be attached to the annular protrusions with sufficient force to fully seat a hose such that it does not leak. 
     Accordingly, It would be desirable to provide a coupler that swivels and can be easily coupled to a male member without tools. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a coupler that is fully secured to the hose with a traditional ferrule. 
     It would be advantageous to provide a coupler or the like of a type disclosed in the present application that provides any one or more of these or other advantageous features. The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments. Other ways in which the objects and features of the disclosed embodiments are accomplished will be described in the following specification or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read this specification. Such other ways are deemed to fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus for coupling ends of a first hose and a second hose. The apparatus comprises an apparatus for coupling ends of a first hose and a second hose comprising a male coupler configured to attach to the first hose, and a female coupler having an inner cavity and being configured to attach to the second hose in the inner cavity by way of a first ferrule assembly. The first ferrule assembly comprises an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the second hose proximate a first end of the second hose, and an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the second hose and configured to rotatably couple with the female coupler so that the inner ferrule may swivel relative to the female coupler thereby enabling the female coupler to be swiveled about the second hose without rotating the second hose. The male coupler and the female coupler are configured to couple to each other. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus for coupling a first hose to a second hose comprising a male coupler configured to attach to the first hose, and a female coupler having an inner cavity and being configured to attach to the second hose in the inner cavity by way of a first ferrule assembly. The first ferrule assembly comprises an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the second hose proximate a first end of the second hose, and an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the second hose and configured to rotatably couple with the female coupler so that the inner ferrule may swivel relative to the female coupler thereby enabling the female coupler to be swiveled about the second hose without rotating the second hose. The apparatus comprises an o-ring, wherein the inner cavity of the female coupler is configured to receive the o-ring to provide a seal between the outer ferrule, the inner ferrule, and the inner cavity of the female coupler. The male coupler and female coupler are configured to couple to each other. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of producing an apparatus for coupling ends of a first hose and a second hose together. The method comprises providing a male coupler configured to attach to the first hose, providing a female coupler having an inner cavity and being configured to attach to the second hose in the inner cavity by way of a first ferrule assembly, and configuring the male coupler and the female coupler to couple to each other. The first ferrule assembly comprises an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the second hose proximate a first end of the second hose, and an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the second hose and configured to rotatably couple with the female coupler so that the inner ferrule may swivel relative to the female coupler thereby enabling the female coupler to be swiveled about the second hose without rotating the second hose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a male and female hose couplers coupled together. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the male and female couplers of  FIG. 1  taken generally along lines  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the male and female couplers of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is detailed close up view of the male and female couplers of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the O-ring seal on the female coupler taken generally along lines  5 — 5  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the female coupler. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining a number of preferred, exemplary, and alternative embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Referring to the FIGURES, a coupler system  10  includes a male coupler  12  and a female coupler  14  both attached to a respective first and second hose  16 ,  18 . Female coupler  14  includes a housing  20  defining an oval shaped cone handle having a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The first end  22  includes a cavity  26  having internal threads  28  and terminating with an inwardly extending ridge  30 . Female coupler  14  further includes an inner region  32  of housing  20  having an annular groove  33  for receiving an O-ring  34 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 through 6 , hose  18  is attached to female coupler  14  with a ferrule assembly  36 . An outer ferrule  38  is located on the outside surface of hose  18  proximate a first end of hose  18 . An inner ferrule  40  is located on the inside of hose  18  and includes a bearing portion  42  that extends upward through opening  44  located in the base of cavity  26  and is folded and/or crimped over ridge  30 . Bearing portion  42  is folded over ridge  30  in such a manner to allow inner ferrule  40  to swivel within female coupler  14  about ridge  30 . A transition portion  43  may be folded onto itself and over a top portion of outer ferrule  38  to enhance the seal between the hose  18  and the inner region or surface  32  of housing  20 . 
     Alternatively, outer ferrule  38  may include a bearing portion that is folded over ridge  30  to form the bearing surface about which the hose is allowed to swivel and/or rotate relative to female coupler  14 . 
     An O-ring  34  is located in groove  33  to provide a seal between outer ferrule  38 , inner ferrule  40 , and the inner cavity  32  of female coupler  14 . O-ring  34  still allows the hose  18  and outer and inner ferrules  38 ,  40  to swivel about ledge  30  while maintaining a seal between the hose and the coupler. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , male coupler  12  has a body portion or housing  44  having the same oval shaped cone as the housing  20  of female coupler  14 . The exterior surface  46  of housing  44  has a first end  48  and a second open end  50 . Extending from first end  48  is an external threaded portion  52  that is threadably received within the internal threads  28  of female coupler  14 . The first end  48  includes an inwardly extending ridge or top surface  54  that extends from the sides of housing  44 . A free end of hose  16  is secured within housing  44  proximate top surface  54  with an outer and inner ferrule portion  56 ,  58 . 
     The inner cavity of housing  44  includes an inwardly extending draft such that the cross sectional area of the opening proximate second end  50  is greater than the cross sectional area of the inner cavity of housing  44  proximate the first end  48 . Similarly, the inner cavity  32  of female coupler  14  also has an inwardly extending draft such that the cross sectional area of the opening proximate second end  24  is greater than the cross sectional area of the opening proximate the first end  22 . This draft allows the part to be removed from a mold if it is formed from plastic. As discussed below the draft aids in the assembly and retention of the hose and ferrule assemblies within the couplers. 
     Attachment of hose  18  to female coupler  14  will now be discussed. Outer ferrule  38  is preferably first placed within cavity  32  through the opening proximate second end  24  and pushed upward toward first end  22 . The hose  18  is then pushed upward toward and within outer ferrule  38 . Alternatively, the outer ferrule may be placed on hose  18  and then both the hose  18  and outer ferrule are placed within cavity  23  together. Inner ferrule  40  is placed within the interior of hose  18  and then crimped with a tool to secure the inner ferrule  40  to hose  18 . Inner ferrule  38  includes a first portion  39  that has a smooth cylindrical shape. The first portion  39  of the inner ferrule  40  is pressed within the hose  18  as is commonly known in the art to form undulations similar to those on outer ferrule  38 . The O-ring  34  is placed within groove  33  prior to the assembly of the ferrules. The O-ring provides a leak proof seal between the hose and female coupler  14  even as the hose rotates relative to the female coupler. O-ring  34  may be located further away from ledge  30 , or the hose may be placed further away from ledge  30  such that only one of ferrules  38  and  40  contacts the O-ring. 
     Turning now to the assembly of the male coupler  12 , hose  16  is preferably secured to male coupler  12  with a ferrule assembly  60 . As noted above, the outer ferrule  56  has undulations, and the inner ferrule  58  initially does not have undulations, however when the inner ferrule  58  is expanded within the interior of the hose the inner ferrule  58  forms undulations that are similar to the undulations of the outer ferrule  56 . Inner ferrule  58  is shown with undulations in  FIG. 4  while in  FIGS. 2 and 3  the inner ferrule  58  is shown prior to being expanded. Similarly, inner ferrule  40  is also shown prior to being expanded. Unlike hose  18  and ferrule assembly  36  that swivels within female coupler  14 , hose  16  and ferrule assembly  60  does not swivel with respect to male coupler  12 . The outer ferule  56  is first press fit into the cavity of housing  44 . As noted above, the cross sectional area of the housing cavity proximate first end  48  is less than the cross sectional area of the cavity of housing cavity  44  proximate second end  50 . Outer ferrule  56  is press fit into the cavity of housing  44  proximate first end  48  adjacent ledge  62 . A free end of hose  16  is then placed in the cavity of housing  44  such that the free end of hose  16  is adjacent outer ferrule  56 . An inner ferrule  58  is then placed within the inner portion of hose  16  through the top opening in neck  68 . The inner portion is then pressed outward as is known in the art to form undulations that positively capture the hose. The outer ferrule  56  protects the plastic housing  44  from breaking as the inner ferrule is pressed into hose  16 . The ferrule assembly may be further secured to housing  44  by sonically welding the ferrules to housing  44 . The outer ferrule  56  may be sonically welded to the housing prior to the hose  16  being inserted into housing  44 . According to alternative embodiments, any suitable method of attachment of hoses  16  and  18  may be utilized. According to an exemplary embodiment, female coupler  14  and male coupler  12  may be coupled to a single hose by coupling the male coupler  12  and the female coupler  14  to opposite ends of the hose. This configuration enables multiple hoses to be coupled to one another in senes. 
     The oval cross sectional shape of male and female couplers  12 ,  14  provide an ergonomic grip to the couplers to allow the male coupler to be tightened to the female coupler without tools. In a preferred embodiment, the oval has a first dimension of approximately 1.6 in. and a second dimension of 1.325 in. In one embodiment, the length of the male and female couplers is between 3–5 inches and in a preferred embodiment is 3¾ inches. The length of the couplers  12  and  14  allow a user to fully grasp the couplers to secure one to the other without tools. 
     The male and female couplers  12 ,  14  are attached to one another by securely holding housing  44  of the male coupler  12  and rotating the female coupler onto the threads  52  of the male coupler  12 . Since the housing of the female coupler can rotate relative to hose  18 , the hoses do not kink or twist. A gasket or washer seal  64  is located on ledge  30  and provides a sealing surface between a top edge  66  of neck portion  68  of male coupler  12  and ledge  30  of female coupler  14 . By design, the top edges  55 ,  54  of the female and male coupler do not contact before the top edge  66  forms a sufficient seal with seal  64 . 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, the assemblies and components of the system may be constructed from extruded or injection molded plastic. A variety of plastics may be used for construction or assembly. For example, the hose coupler  10  may be constructed or assembled from high-impact plastics, polymers, etc. Using plastic offers several advantages including that the pieces may be constructed in a variety of different colors, surface finishes, textures, opacity, etc. According to various alternative embodiments, a variety of other known or suitable materials may be used, including metals, alloys, composites, etc. Various parts of the hose coupler  10  may be constructed and assembled as a single integrally formed piece or may be constructed and assembled from multiple parts. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the hose coupler as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g. variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed in this application. For example, the shape of the outer surface of the male and female couplers  12 ,  14  are oval in the preferred embodiment, however, other shapes may be employed. For example, one or more of the couplers could have finger recesses to more comfortably fit a user&#39;s hand. The shape could be round, square, triangular or any other shape or configuration that would provide an ergonomic and or mechanical advantage. Additionally, the preferred embodiment includes both a male and female adapter. However, either male or female coupler could be used with a standard female or male connector respectively. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In any claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.