Abstract:
A positive swivel fitting provides for a system flow transmitting portion and a separate lock-down portion. The flow transmitting portion is configured to be receivable within the lock-down portion. When the flow transmitting portion is properly and “positively” positioned, then the lock-down portion can be secured and the position of the flow transmitting portion is maintained, thus making alignment with other parts of the flow device variable. The fitting can be used within any air, other gas or liquid flow system.

Description:
This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/389,878 filed Oct. 5, 2010. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to connectors and couplers of the type that are used with any type of system that allows or requires air, gas or liquid flow throughout the system and between its components. More specifically, the present invention relates to a positive swivel fitting that can be rotated and positively positioned anywhere within a 360° range of motion prior to securing the fitting in a tightened-down position for ease in accessing the fitting following securement. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Connectors and couplers are well known in systems that allow or require “flow” between system components. Such systems can include, but are not limited to, systems that allow the flow of air, other gases and liquids through them. The positive swivel fitting of the present invention can be used in all such systems. 
     Further, where an inlet line or a pressure test nipple is provided within the flow system, it is frequently desirable to “point” the fitting in a given direction. By way of example, but without limiting the scope of the present invention, most flow components used in such systems require access to at least one flow inlet line and an inlet line coupler. The coupler is typically a threaded hollow conduit that is secured to some part of the component by means of a like-threaded aperture. Upon installation, the coupler may be aligned such that access to the coupler is made easy. On the other hand, proper alignment which would make access easy may not be possible due to the variability of threading between the parts. Because the coupler is capable of being pointed, or positioned, in virtually any direction within a 360° perimeter, it may not be pointed in a desirable or workable direction following installation. In other words, the coupler discussed here is incapable of “positive” positioning. 
     In the view of these inventors, the alignment problem mentioned above can be avoided. More specifically, and also in the experience of these inventors, such problems can be avoided where the rotational aspects of the system device are separated from the attachment aspects, and such is a principal object of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The positive swivel fitting of the present invention provides for a system flow transmitting portion and a separate lock-down portion. The flow transmitting portion is configured to be receivable within the lock-down portion. When the flow transmitting portion is properly and “positively” positioned, then the lock-down portion can be secured and the position of the flow transmitting portion is maintained, thus making alignment with other parts of the flow device variable. It is also to be understood that the precise application of this device is not a limitation of the present invention since the device of the present invention can be used within virtually any air, other gas or liquid flow system. 
     The foregoing and other features of the positive swivel fitting of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a back, top and left side perspective view of a positive swivel fitting constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the fitting attached to a generic flow system component. 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to that shown in  FIG. 1  and illustrating the rotatability of the positive swivel fitting about the generic system component. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged front, top and left side perspective view of the positive swivel fitting shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the positive swivel fitting shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectioned left side elevational view of the positive swivel fitting shown in  FIG. 3 , taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front, top and left side perspective view of a second embodiment of the positive swivel fitting constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the positive swivel fitting shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectioned left side elevational view of that embodiment of the positive swivel fitting shown in  FIG. 6 , taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front, top and left side perspective view of a third embodiment of the positive swivel fitting constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the positive swivel fitting shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectioned left side elevational view of that embodiment of the positive swivel fitting shown in  FIG. 9 , taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front, top and left side perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the positive swivel fitting constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the positive swivel fitting shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectioned left side elevational view of that embodiment of the positive swivel fitting shown in  FIG. 12 , taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numbers represent like elements throughout,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a perspective view of a positive swivel fitting, generally identified  100 , as it would be constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the positive swivel fitting  100  can be variably positioned within the generic flow system component  10 . That is, prior to securing the positive swivel fitting  100  to the generic flow system component  10 , which also positively “fixes” its position of the positive swivel fitting  100  relative to the generic flow system component  10 , the positive swivel fitting  100  is freely rotatable relative to the generic flow system component  10 . In this fashion, it will be appreciated that the positive swivel fitting  100  can be rotated 360° relative to the generic flow system component  10  prior to being tightened down or secured to a threaded aperture in the generic flow system component  10 . The details and advantages of this construction will be apparent later in this detailed description. Again, it is to be noted that the type of generic flow system component  10  that the positive swivel fitting  100  is used with is not a limitation of the present invention. The positive swivel fitting  100  is used to connect the generic flow system component  10 , in this example, to a flow line  18  and in a specific direction relative to the generic flow system component  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , they illustrate the first embodiment of the positive swivel fitting  100  that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The positive swivel fitting  100  comprises a swivel fitting body  110 , a swivel fitting stem  120 , a swivel fitting nut  130  and a swivel fitting adjustment screw  140 . 
     The swivel fitting body  110  of the positive swivel fitting  100  comprises a first end  112  and a second end  114 . A top surface  116  is provided as is a bottom surface  118 . See  FIG. 5 . As shown, the swivel fitting body  110  is configured with a hexagonal cross-section. Such is not, however, a limitation of the present invention. A first threaded aperture  117  is defined within the top surface  116  of the swivel fitting body  110 . Axially aligned with the swivel fitting body  110  is a second threaded aperture  115 , which is disposed at the second end  114  of the swivel fitting body  110 . The swivel fitting body  110  further comprises a bottom surface  118  having an aperture  119  extending inwardly of the swivel fitting body  110 . Again, see  FIG. 5 . 
     The swivel fitting  100  further comprises a swivel fitting stem  120  having a cylindrical middle portion  122 , a reduced diameter first end  124  and a second end  126 , the second end having a shoulder  127  and a tapered portion  128 , both circumferentially defined about it. An axially-aligned aperture  121  extends through the center of the stem  120  and creates a flow continuum through the stem  120 . 
     The swivel fitting body  110  of the first embodiment further comprises a swivel fitting nut  130  having a hexagonally-shaped first end  132 , a threaded second end  134  and an internal cylindrical aperture  136 . The diameter of the internal cylindrical aperture  136  of the swivel fitting nut  130  is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical middle portion  122  of the swivel fitting stem  120 . In this way, the swivel fitting nut  130  can rotatably fit around the middle portion of the swivel fitting stem  120  and rest upon the shoulder  127  of the swivel fitting nut  130 . Again, see  FIG. 5 . 
     Finally, the swivel fitting  100  comprises an adjustment screw  140  having a head  142  and a threaded body  144 . The threaded body  144  of the adjustment screw  140  is functionally adapted to be received within the first threaded aperture  117  of the swivel fitting body  110 . A tapered end  146  to the threaded body  144  is also provided. 
     In application, the first end  124  of the swivel fitting stem  120  is fixably insertable into the bottom surface aperture  119  of the swivel fitting body  110  with the swivel fitting nut  130  disposed between them. This can be accomplished by press fitting those two structures together. When properly assembled, the central aperture  121  of the swivel fitting stem  120  forms a flow continuum with the second threaded aperture  115  of the swivel fitting body  110 . The flow through the swivel fitting body  110  is then controlled by means of the adjustment screw  140 , the tapered end  146  thereof fitting into that portion of the aperture  121  at the first end  124  of the stem  120 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the swivel fitting nut  130  may then be received within the threaded portion  14  of the aperture  12  of the generic flow system component  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . When loosely attached, the stem  120  and body  110  are capable of rotation throughout 360°. As the nut  130  is tightened down into the aperture  12 , the tapered portion  128  of the second end  126  of the stem  120  presses into a tapered portion  16  of the aperture  12  and positively fixes the position of the swivel fitting body  110  as may be desired or required. Rotation of the adjustment screw  140  serves to control pilot flow through the swivel fitting  100  at the first end  124  of the swivel fitting stem  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , they illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the positive swivel fitting  200  that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The positive swivel fitting  200  comprises a swivel fitting body  210 , a swivel fitting stem  220 , a swivel fitting nut  230  and a swivel fitting adjustment screw  240 . 
     The swivel fitting body  210  of the positive swivel fitting  200  comprises a first end  212  and a second end  214 . See  FIG. 7 . As shown, first end  212  of the swivel fitting body  210  is configured with a hexagonal cross-section. Such is not, however, a limitation of the present invention. A threaded portion  215  of the aperture  216  at the second end  214  of the swivel fitting body  210  is also axially aligned within the swivel fitting body  210 . See  FIG. 8 . The swivel fitting body  210  further comprises a bottom surface  218  having an aperture  219  extending inwardly of the swivel fitting body  210 . 
     The positive swivel fitting  200  of the second embodiment further comprises a swivel fitting stem  220  having a cylindrical middle portion  222 , a reduced diameter first end  224  and a second end  226 , the second end having a shoulder  227  and a tapered portion  228 , both circumferentially defined about it. An axially-aligned aperture  221  extends through the center of the stem  220  and creates a flow continuum through it. 
     The swivel fitting body  210  further comprises a swivel fitting nut  230  having a hexagonally-shaped first end  232 , a threaded second end  234  and an internal cylindrical aperture  236 . The diameter of the internal cylindrical aperture  236  of the swivel fitting nut  230  is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical middle portion  222  of the swivel fitting stem  220 . The swivel fitting nut  230  can therefore rotatably fit around the middle portion of the swivel fitting stem  220  and rest upon the shoulder  227  of the swivel fitting nut  230 . Again, see  FIG. 8 . 
     The second embodiment of the positive swivel fitting  200  comprises an adjustment screw  240  having a head  242  and a threaded body  244 . The threaded body  244  of the adjustment screw  240  is functionally adapted to be received within the threaded aperture  215  of the swivel fitting body  210 . A tapered end  246  to the threaded body  244  is also provided for the purpose of allowing for a pressure tap reading as where a tube (not shown) would overlay the second end  214  of the swivel fitting body  210 . In application, the second embodiment of the positive swivel fitting  200  would function substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the swivel fitting stems  120 ,  220  and the swivel fitting nuts  130 ,  230  of each embodiment being substantially identical. 
     In application, the first end  224  of the swivel fitting stem  220  is insertable into the bottom surface aperture  219  of the swivel fitting body  210  with the swivel fitting nut  230  disposed between them. This can be accomplished by press fitting those two structures together, as mentioned previously. When properly assembled, the central aperture  221  of the swivel fitting stem  220  forms a flow continuum with the second aperture  216 , an internal aperture  217  and the bottom surface aperture  219  of the swivel fitting body  210 . The swivel fitting nut  230  may then be received within the threaded portion  14  of the aperture  12  of the generic flow system component  10 . When loosely attached, the stem  220  and body  210  are capable of rotation throughout 360°. As the nut  230  is tightened down into the aperture  12 , the tapered portion  228  of the second end  226  of the stem  220  presses into a tapered portion  16  of the aperture  12  and fixes the position of the swivel fitting body  210  as may be desired or required. Flow through the swivel fitting body  210  is then controlled by means of the adjustment screw  240 , the tapered end  246  thereof fitting into the internal aperture  217 . See  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 , they illustrate yet a third preferred embodiment of the positive swivel fitting  300  that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. This positive swivel fitting  300  comprises a swivel fitting body  310 , a swivel fitting stem  320 , a swivel fitting nut  330  and a swivel fitting adjustment screw (not shown). It is to be understood that the swivel fitting body  310  of this third embodiment could alternatively utilize a swivel fitting adjustment screw  140 ,  240  of the prior embodiments if the swivel fitting body  310  was configured as those used in those alternative embodiments. A seal  350  is also included. 
     The swivel fitting body  310  of the third embodiment of the positive swivel fitting  300  comprises a first end  312  and a second end  314 . As shown, the swivel fitting body  310  is configured with a hexagonal cross-section. Again, such is not a limitation of the present invention. Axially aligned with the swivel fitting body  310  is a threaded aperture  315 , which is disposed at the second end  314  of the swivel fitting body  310 . The swivel fitting body  310  further comprises a bottom surface  318  having an aperture  319  extending inwardly of the swivel fitting body  310 . See  FIG. 11 . 
     The positive swivel fitting  300  further comprises a swivel fitting stem  320  having a cylindrical middle portion  322 , a circumferential middle portion groove  323 , a first end  324  and a second end  326 . In this embodiment, the second end  326  has a tapered shoulder  327  circumferentially defined about it. An axially-aligned aperture  321  extends through the center of the stem  320  and creates a flow continuum through it. 
     The swivel fitting body  310  further comprises a swivel fitting nut  330  having a hexagonally-shaped first end  332 , a threaded second end  334  and an internal cylindrical aperture  336 . The diameter of the internal cylindrical aperture  336  of the swivel fitting nut  330  is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical middle portion  322  of the swivel fitting stem  320 . In this way, the swivel fitting nut  330  can rotatably fit around the middle portion of the swivel fitting stem  320 . Again, see  FIG. 11 . Note also the seal  350  which is captured within the groove  323  of the stem  320 . 
     Unique to this third embodiment, however, is the fact that the threaded second end  334  of the swivel fitting nut  330  includes a tapered NPT thread with openings  338  defined with in it which allows the second end  334  to be crimped about the second end  326  of the stem  320  when the positive swivel fitting  300  is tightened down into the threaded portion  24  of the aperture  22  in the generic flow system component  20 . 
     Lastly, and referring now to  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14 , they illustrate still another alternative embodiment of the positive swivel fitting  400 , this embodiment being somewhat similar to the first embodiment of the positive swivel fitting  100  but being configured in more of an in-line design. Specifically, the positive swivel fitting  400  comprises a swivel fitting body  410  that integrates the swivel fitting stem  420  concept into it, a swivel fitting stem tip  426 , a swivel fitting nut  430  and a swivel fitting adjustment screw  440 . 
     The swivel fitting body  410  of the swivel fitting  400  comprises a first end  412  and a second end  414 . A top surface  416  is provided. As shown, the swivel fitting body  410  is configured with a hexagonal cross-section. Such is not, however, a limitation of the present invention. A first threaded aperture  417  is defined within the top surface  416  of the swivel fitting body  410 . Axially aligned with the swivel fitting body  410  is a second threaded aperture  415 , which is disposed at the second end  414  of the swivel fitting body  410 . 
     The swivel fitting body  410  further comprises an integrally-formed swivel fitting stem  420  having a cylindrical middle portion  422 , a reduced diameter distal end  424  and an axially-aligned aperture  421  that extends through the center of the stem  420  and creates a flow continuum through it. 
     The swivel fitting body  410  further comprises a swivel fitting nut  430  having a hexagonally-shaped first end  432 , a threaded second end  434  and an internal cylindrical aperture  436 . The diameter of the internal cylindrical aperture  436  of the swivel fitting nut  430  is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical middle portion  422  of the swivel fitting stem  420 . In this way, the swivel fitting nut  430  can rotatably fit around the middle portion of the swivel fitting stem  420  and rest upon a shoulder  427  of the swivel fitting stem tip  426 , the tip  426  being preferably press-fit onto the reduced diameter distal end  424  of the stem  420 . 
     The positive swivel fitting  400  comprises an adjustment screw  440  having a head  442  and a threaded body  444 . The threaded body  444  of the adjustment screw  440  is functionally adapted to be received within the first threaded aperture  417  of the swivel fitting body  410 . 
     In application, this fourth embodiment positive swivel fitting  400  functions substantially similar to the first embodiment positive swivel fitting  100 , allowing the rotational position of the swivel fitting body  410  to be selectively positioned prior to final installation. That is, the swivel fitting nut  430  is received within the threaded portion  14  of the aperture  12  of the generic flow system component  10  as shown in  FIG. 14 . When loosely attached, the stem  420  and body  410  are capable of rotation throughout 360°. As the nut  430  is tightened down into the aperture  14 , the tapered portion  428  of the second end  426  of the stem  420  presses into a tapered portion  16  of the aperture  14  and positively fixes the position of the swivel fitting body  410  as may be desired or required. Rotation of the adjustment screw  440  serves to control pilot flow through the swivel fitting  400  at the first end  424  of the swivel fitting stem  420 . 
     It should also be appreciated that, between the different alternative embodiments discussed in this detailed description, other embodiments can be devised using the combined teachings of the present invention. For example, it is to be noted that the threads in the threaded aperture  115  of the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , are to be contrasted with the threads in the threaded aperture  315 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , of the third embodiment, although either could be used in both of those embodiments, depending on the required application. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the swivel bodies  110 ,  310  could be swapped out as desired or required by the intended specific application. The same can be said of the swivel bodies  110 ,  210  that can be used to alternatively control pilot flow or serve as a pressure tap for the system in which the component  100 ,  200  is used, respectively. Indeed, there are at least fourteen different embodiments that could be derived using the various separate fundamental components that are common to each of the three embodiments of positive swivel fitting  100 ,  200 ,  300  that are disclosed herein. Those fundamental components comprise the swivel fitting body, the swivel fitting nut and the swivel fitting stem. Further, each of those embodiments is intended by these inventors to be fully covered by the scope of the present invention.