Abstract:
A system for protecting the end fittings of a fluid transport hose includes first and second protective caps for respectively engaging with first and second end fittings of the hose. Both the first and second protective caps include a disk that is oriented perpendicular to the hose axis when the cap is engaged with the respective end fitting. Importantly, the disk has a diameter D D  that is greater than the diameter D H  of the hose so the disk will extend radially outward from the hose to thereby protect the end fitting.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/088,041 filed Aug. 12, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains generally to caps for protecting the end fittings of a fluid transport hose. More particularly, the present invention pertains to protective caps that can be selectively engaged with the end fitting of a fluid transport hose to prevent damage to the end fitting during set-up and operational use of the hose. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a system of protective caps which are formed with disk extensions that protrude radially from the axis of a fluid transport hose to absorb incidental impact forces that could otherwise damage the end fitting. It should also be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can also be used for hoses used to convey any bulk commodity including: pneumatic conveyance, vacuum conveyance, and septic systems. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the present invention can be used in all industrial applications, not just those involving truck transportation. For example, the present invention can also be used in chemical facilities, refineries, rail yards, aviation facilities, and in the movement of material from an offshore vessel to an onshore facility. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Damage to the end fittings of a fluid transport hose is not an insignificant problem. Indeed, in many operational environments, such damage can be very detrimental. This is so for several reasons. For one, fluid transport hoses are used almost exclusively for commercial purposes to transfer bulk quantities of fluids from one point (i.e. a tanker truck) to another (i.e. an underground storage tank). Any delay or disruption of such a fluid transfer operation, as may be caused by an inoperable hose, can have serious financial consequences. For another, although a fluid transfer hose itself is typically quite robust, its end fittings are not always so structurally sound. Instead, the end fittings of a fluid transfer hose may be relatively fragile and are generally more easily damaged than is the hose. Finally, when an end fitting becomes damaged and is no longer operationally useful, it is typically necessary to replace the entire fluid transport hose. This can be expensive. 
     From a practical perspective, a fluid transport hose needs to be protected from incidental damages whenever it is not being operationally used. In particular, this protection is mostly required during the set-up and break-down of a fluid transfer operation. Specifically, it is during these times (i.e. when the hose is being removed/returned to a storage compartment, or moved into its intended operational configuration) that the end fittings of the hose are particularly susceptible to damage by unintended, externally applied forces. 
     Heretofore, end caps for fluid transport hoses have been designed and provided primarily for the purpose of covering the end fittings so foreign particles (e.g. dirt, dust and debris) can not get into the hose when it is not being used. In addition, fluid transport hoses have not accounted for residual liquids left in a hose when it is removed after being utilized for performing a task. By not accounting for residual liquids, such liquids can easily spill as hoses are being maneuvered. Also, water, rain, or snow could mix with the residual liquid and allow the residual liquid to leak or spill onto the ground. As another operational consideration, an ability to grasp the cap or end fitting for the purpose of moving the hose during set-up and break-down has been of lesser, if any, concern. In addition, other fittings require the removal of gloves to be able to properly manipulate the small rings found on most hoses. Nevertheless, it is readily apparent that despite the fact fluid transport hoses are typically quite big and bulky they must be effectively manipulated, as well as being protected. 
     For the reasons set forth above, an object of the present invention is to provide a system for protecting the end fittings of a fluid transport hose that effectively protects the end fittings of the hose during its operational use. Another object of the present invention is to provide protective caps for the end fittings of a fluid transport hose that provide handles which allow the hose to be effectively manipulated during its operational use. Still another object of the present invention is to provide protective caps for a fluid transport hose that can be configured for use with different types of end fittings on the hose. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system using protective caps for the end fittings of a fluid transport tube that is simple to use, is easy to manufacture and is comparatively cost effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a system is provided for protecting the end fittings of a fluid transport hose from damage by unwanted or unintended impact forces on the end of the hose. Essentially, the system includes two protective caps (plugs) that differ from each other according to the type of end fitting they will protect. In common with each other, the caps each include a substantially flat circular disk having a disk diameter (D D ). Importantly, the disk diameter D D  is greater than the diameter (D H ) of the fluid transport hose. Further, each cap (plug) includes a means that is mounted on the disk to engage the disk with an end fitting on the hose. With this engagement, the disk covers the end of the hose and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the hose. Importantly, the disk extends radially outward beyond the end fitting. Thus, because the disk is dimensionally more prominent than the end fitting, the end fitting is protected from impact forces that will strike the disk of the cap rather than striking the fitting at the end of the hose. 
     As mentioned above, each protective cap of the present invention will have a particular configuration that conforms with the type of end fitting to which it will be engaged. For example, an end fitting on the hose may require a cam and groove coupling that includes articulating arms for moving cam lobes formed on the respective arms. In this case, the cap will include a cylindrical shaped insertion body that is affixed to a first side of the disk. Dimensionally, the insertion body will have a body diameter (D B ) that is less than either the diameter of the hose or the diameter of the disk (e.g. D B &lt;D H &lt;D D ). Further, the insertion body will have a groove for receiving the cam lobes on the articulating arms into the groove of the insertion body to hold the cap on the fitting. On the other hand, where the end fitting on the hose is formed with a groove, the cap will include a hollow cylindrical shaped housing that is affixed to the first side of the disk. In this case, a pair of diametrically opposed articulating arms are mounted on the housing, with each articulating arm being selectively moved to an engagement position. As an articulating arm is moved into its engagement position, the cam lobe on the articulating arm is moved into the groove of the fitting to hold the cap on the fitting. In addition, when one of the arms is opened, the cap will shift and allow for the release of pressure that may accumulate due to increased heat or changes in elevation. For both type caps, a handle is affixed to the second side of the disk, opposite the first side. 
     For the present invention it is envisioned that a protective cap will be made of a structurally strong material. Further, it is envisioned the material will have a characteristic that is particularly suited for the environment in which it will be operationally used. For example, a medical grade plastic can be used when the fluid transport tube conveys potable fluids. Alternatively, a composite material including an anti-static additive can be employed when flammable fluids are involved. And, an industrial grade plastic can be used with toxic and non-toxic fluids. In addition, a composite can be designed to withstand temperature extremes or to be resistant to any chemical or combination of chemicals. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the disk of each protective cap can be formed with a depression. When the cap includes a handle that is affixed to the disk, the handle will preferably be positioned on the disk to straddle the depression and thereby establish a space between the handle and disk large enough for manipulation by a gloved hand. The purpose here is to facilitate manipulation of the cap and, ultimately, to facilitate the operational handling of the fluid transport hose. In other embodiments of the present invention, the handle of a cap can be formed to provide for a snap-on engagement of the handle with the disk to allow the fitting to accommodate the gloved hand of an operator. In another embodiment, the handle can be pivotally attached to the disk, screwed to the disk, welded to the disk, or molded to the disk. Further, although this disclosure mainly discusses cam and groove couplings, it is to be appreciated that screw couplings and other type couplings well known in the pertinent art are envisioned for use with the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a fluid transport hose for use with the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a protective cap with articulating cam engagement arms in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a protective cap having an engagement groove in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the protective cap shown in  FIG. 2  as seen along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of a fluid transport hose showing a protective cap engaged with each end fitting of the fluid transport hose; 
         FIG. 6A  is an exploded view showing an alternate embodiment of a protective cap with a handle; 
         FIG. 6B  is a top view of the protective cap shown in  FIG. 6A  showing the handle connected to the top of the disk; 
         FIG. 6C  is a cross-section view of the protective cap shown in  FIG. 6B  along the line  6 C- 6 C in  FIG. 6B ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a protective cap with a movable handle connected to the top of the disk; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side view of the protective cap shown in  FIG. 7A  with the handle in an elevated position; 
         FIG. 7C  is an alternate side view of the protective cap shown in  FIG. 7B  with the handle in the elevated position showing a cavity formed by the handle and the top of the disk; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the protective cap with a victaulic groove (military) connector; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the protective cap with a thread connector; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the protective cap with a drill bit thread connector; and 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the protective cap with a TW (Tank Wagon) connector. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a fluid transport hose for use with the present invention is shown and is generally designated  10 . As shown, the hose  10  includes a hose body  12  having a fitting  14  at an end  16  of the hose body  12 , and a fitting  18  at an end  20  of the hose body  12 . Preferably, the hose body  12  is flexible and, with respect to each of the ends  16  and  20 , the hose body  12  will define an axis  22  that is used herein for reference purposes. By way of example,  FIG. 1  also shows that the fitting  14  is formed with a groove  24  and that the fitting  18  includes diametrically opposed articulating arms  26   a  and  26   b.  For purposes of disclosing the hose  10  in combination with protective caps (plugs)  28  and  30 , it is established that the hose body  12  has a diameter D H  and that the fittings  14  and  18  will have a variable diameter identified as D F . 
       FIG. 2  shows one type of a protective cap (plug)  28  for use by the present invention, and  FIG. 3  shows another type of protective cap  30  for use by the present invention. Specifically, both caps  28 / 30  will be used on a same hose  10 , and the type of protective cap  28 / 30  will depend on the particular type of fitting  14 / 18  to which it will be engaged. For the structures shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the protective cap  28  shown in  FIG. 2  will engage with the fitting  14  at the end  16  of hose body  12  shown in  FIG. 1 . Likewise, the protective cap  30  shown in  FIG. 3  will engage with the fitting  18  ( FIG. 1 ) at the end  20  of hose body  12 . It is to be appreciated, however, that the particular fittings  14 / 18 , and the particular protective caps  28 / 30  disclosed here in detail are only exemplary. As envisioned for the present invention, various other types of end fittings can be used for a fluid transport hose  10 . Consequently, corresponding variations in the types of protective caps can be used that will conform with the particular fittings being used. Examples of the types of fittings that are suitable for use with the present invention include; victaulic, firehose thread, acme thread, Chicago, national pipe thread, and propane. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that the protective cap  28  includes a disk  32 . More specifically, the disk  32  is substantially flat, and it is substantially circular shaped to establish a skirt (bump)  34  at its periphery. With this structure, the disk  32  also has a top side  36  and a bottom side  38 . Like protective cap  28 , the protective cap  30  shown in  FIG. 3  also includes a disk  32  with a skirt (bump)  34 . It also has a top side  36  and a bottom side  38 . Further, as indicated in  FIG. 3 , but applicable to both caps  28 / 30 , the respective disk  32  of the caps  28 / 30  each has a diameter D D . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2  it will be seen that the cap  28  includes a handle  40  that extends from the top side  36  of disk  32 . It is also shown that the cap  28  includes a housing  42  that extends from the bottom side  38  of the disk  32 . Further, with cross reference between  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4  is can be seen that cap  28  includes a pair of diametrically opposed articulating arms  44   a  and  44   b  having respective grips  46   a  and  46   b.  Further, the articulating arms  44   a  and  44   b  are each formed with a respective cam lobe  48   a  and  48   b.  This cross reference also indicates that the grips  46   a  and  46   b  can be respectively engaged with recesses  50   a  and  50   b  that are formed on handle  40  (e.g. see articulating arm  44   b  in  FIG. 4 ). Also,  FIG. 4  shows that the housing  42  of protective cap  28  creates a hollow chamber  52 , and that a washer (gasket)  54  can be positioned in the housing  42  against the bottom side  38  of disk  32 . 
     In detail,  FIG. 3  shows that the protective cap  30  is formed with a substantially cylindrical shaped insertion body  56  that extends from the bottom side  38  of the disk  32 .  FIG. 3  also shows that the insertion body  56  is formed with a circumferential groove  58 , and that the insertion body  56  has a diameter DB. For an alternate embodiment of the protective cap  30 ,  FIG. 3  shows that the top side  36  of disk  32  can be formed with a depression  60 . The purpose here is to provide more space between the top side  36  and the handle  62  to facilitate manipulation of the hose  10  when the protective cap  30  is engaged with the hose  10 . Though not shown, a similar type depression can be provided for the same purpose on the top side  36  of protective cap  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , when in use, the protective caps  28  and  30  are respectively engaged with the ends  16  and  20  of the hose body  12 . More specifically, an engagement of the protective cap  28  with the fitting  14  is accomplished by inserting the fitting  14  into the chamber  52  of housing  42 . This insertion is accomplished while the articulating arms  44   a  and  44   b  of the protective cap  28  are both positioned as shown for the articulating arm  44   a  in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Once the fitting  14  has been inserted, the articulating arms  44   a  and  44   b  are then moved to respective engagement positions wherein both of the articulating arms  44   a  and  44   b  are positioned as shown for the articulating arm  44   b  in  FIG. 4 . Also, when the articulating arms  44   a  and  44   b  are in their engagement positions, the grips  46   a  and  46   b  on respective arms  44   a  and  44   b  will be securely seated into the recesses  50   a  and  50   b  on handle  40 . Consequently, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , when the articulating arms  44   a  and  44   b  are in their engagement positions, the respective cam lobes  48   a  and  48   b  are also moved into the groove  24  of the fitting  14  to hold the protective cap  28  on the fitting  14 . Similarly, an engagement of the protective cap  30  with the fitting  18  is accomplished by inserting the insertion body  56  of cap  30  into the fitting  18 . The articulating arms  26   a  and  26   b  of the fitting  18  can then be manipulated to position cam lobes (not shown) into the groove  66  of the cap  30  to hold cap  30  on the fitting  18 . The protective caps  28 / 30  can then be selectively removed from the respective fittings  14 / 18  for a subsequent use of the hose  10  by simply reversing the process. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C , an alternate embodiment of the protective cap  64  is shown. First referring to  FIG. 6A , a handle  66  is formed having two inserts  68   a - b . In order to attach the handle  66  to the disk  32 , two holes  70   a - b  are formed on the top side  36  of the disk  32  to receive the two inserts  68   a - b . Furthermore, the two holes  70   a - b  may be attached to the top side  36  of the disk  32  in various ways to include bonding, snapping, molding, or gluing. In  FIG. 6B , the protective cap  64  is shown with the handle  66  attached to the disk  32  as viewed from above. When viewed in  FIG. 6C , the handle  66  is shown with the inserts  68   a - b  fully engaged with the holes  70   a - b . As shown, the holes  70   a - b  extend from the top side  36  of the disk  32  through the skirt  34  and through the bottom side  38  of the disk  32 . Furthermore, the cap  64  also comprises an insertion body  74  with a groove  76 . Importantly,  FIG. 6C  illustrates how the handle  66  is substantially flush with the top side  36  of the disk  32  and a cavity  72  is formed on the insertion body  74  to allow sufficient space for manipulation of the handle  66  by a gloved hand. As a result of the handle  66  being substantially flush with the top side  36  of the disk  32 , no additional length is added to a hose when engaged with the protective cap  64 . 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B , and  FIG. 7C , another embodiment of a protective cap  78  is shown. In this embodiment, a handle  80  is connected to the top side  36  of the disk  32  at two pivot points  82   a - b . Additionally, a detent  84  connected to the top side  36  of the disk  32  is provided to keep the handle  80  in a first position where it is substantially flush with the top side  36  of the disk  32 . As in the previous embodiment, because the handle  80  is substantially flush with the top side  36  of the disk  32 , no additional length is added to a hose when engaged with the protective cap  78 . As shown in FIG.  7 B, the handle  80  can be moved between the first position and a second position as indicated by the dashed directional arrow  86 . In the second position, the handle  80  is substantially upright and perpendicular to the disk  32 . In addition, the bottom side  38  of the disk  32  is connected to an insertion body  88  which is substantially cylindrical in shape and contains a groove  90  as depicted in  FIG. 7B  and  FIG. 7C . As shown in  FIG. 7C , when in the second position, the handle  80  forms a cavity  92  between the handle  80  and the top side  36  of the disk  32  to allow for the maneuvering of the protective cap  78 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11 , a protective cap  94  is shown having a handle  96  and, sequentially, a series of different connectors. As shown, the handle  96  is affixed to the top side  36  of the disk  32 . In  FIG. 8 , the connector of the protective cap  94  is a victaulic groove (military) connector  98 . In  FIG. 9 , the protective cap has a thread connector  100 . In  FIG. 10 , the protective cap  94  has a drill bit thread connector. In  FIG. 11 , the connector  104  is a TW (Tank Wagon) connector. 
     While the particular Safety Cap for Couplings and Fittings as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.