Abstract:
A swivel coupling is provided for a waste disposal system having a first waste disposal component and a second waste disposal component. The swivel coupling comprises a first coupling portion having a first end and a second end, the second end being configured for connection to the first waste disposal component, and a second coupling portion having a third end and a fourth end, the fourth end being configured for connection to the second waste disposal component. The first end is rotatably connected to the third end such that when the second end is connected to the first waste disposal component and the fourth end is connected to the second waste disposal component, the first and second coupling portions are rotatable relative to one other.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to waste disposal systems for recreational vehicles, and more particularly relates to an improved waste disposal hose system including one or more swiveling connectors or swiveling fittings for connecting an end of the hose to a recreational vehicle sewage outlet valve, or other sewage disposal component. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many recreational vehicles include onboard storage tanks for accumulating and temporarily storing sewage and waste known as black water. Once the storage tanks are full, the sewage and waste accumulated in the storage tanks must be transferred to a waste disposal facility, such as sewage dump station. For this purpose, a recreational vehicle with on onboard black water storage tank is equipped with an outlet valve. One end of a flexible and extendable waste disposal hose is connected to the outlet valve, and an opposite end of the hose is connected to a waste disposal facility. When the outlet valve is opened, gravity causes the accumulated black water in the storage tank to flow through the outlet valve, through the hose, and into the waste disposal facility. 
     In order to connect the waste disposal hose to the outlet valve of a recreational vehicle, the inlet end of a typical waste disposal hose often includes a so-called “bayonet” coupling. The bayonet coupling engages a cylindrical pipe on the outlet valve, which includes a plurality of spaced knobs or buttons which outwardly extend from the outer diameter of the pipe. The bayonet coupling typically includes a plurality of circumferentially extending and tapered blades which define a plurality of circumferentially extending slots. When the buttons on the pipe are received in the slots and the bayonet coupling is rotated, the tapered blades cooperate with the buttons and cause the bayonet coupling to be pressed against the end of the pipe. A resilient gasket is compressed between the end of the outlet valve and the bayonet coupling, and substantially prevents waste and odorous gasses from escaping. The exit end of a typical black water disposal hose may include an elbow or other fitting for insertion into or connection to an inlet of a waste disposal facility. 
     Though known waste disposal hoses and couplings are generally satisfactory for transferring waste from a recreational vehicle black water storage tank to a dump station, they can be improved. Known waste disposal hoses typically include a length of flexible corrugated pipe or tubing that can be bent, extended, and contracted to adapt to various relative positions of an outlet valve and a dump station inlet. The fittings and couplings provided on such hoses typically are non-movably attached to the ends of the hose. Because the fittings and couplings cannot rotate or swivel relative to the hose or other waste disposal component to which they are connected, manipulation of the couplings and fittings is hindered when the couplings and fittings are being connected to an outlet valve or another waste system component. In addition, manipulation of the couplings and fittings can cause the non-movably attached hose to take on a shape which may hinder the flow of waste through the hose. More specifically, it is known that when a corrugated hose is extended, the spirally-formed corrugations tend to cause the hose to rotate and distort. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for waste disposal connectors and fittings that permit relative swiveling rotation between the waste disposal components which they connect. In addition, there is a need for a system and method for quickly and easily securing such swiveling connectors and swiveling fittings to a waste disposal hose. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a swivel coupling is provided for a waste disposal system having a first waste disposal component and a second waste disposal component. The swivel coupling comprises a first coupling portion having a first end and a second end, the second end being configured for connection to the first waste disposal component. A second coupling portion has a third end and a fourth end, the fourth end being configured for connection to the second waste disposal component. The first end is rotatably connected to the third end such that when the second end is connected to the first waste disposal component and the fourth end is connected to the second waste disposal component, the first and second coupling portions are rotatable relative to one other. At least one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion may be constructed of a substantially translucent or substantially transparent material. 
     In another embodiment, a hose connector is a flexible waste disposal hose of a type having a series of spiral ridges therearound. The connector comprises a swivel coupling having a first bore and including a first plurality of internal threads configured for threaded engagement with the spiral ridges on one end of the flexible waste disposal hose. A locking ring has a first end and a second bore, and a second plurality of internal threads configured for threaded engagement with the spiral ridges on the one end of the flexible waste disposal hose. When the swivel coupling and the locking ring are threadably engaged on the spiral ridges on the one end of the flexible waste disposal hose, and the locking ring is tightened against the coupling such that at least a portion of the first end contacts at least a portion of the coupling, the locking ring resists relative rotation between the swivel coupling and the one end of the flexible waste disposal hose. 
     A further embodiment of the invention includes a waste disposal assembly comprising a substantially cylindrical hose having a plurality of spirally arranged peaks disposed about an outer circumference, a plurality spirally arranged valleys intermittently disposed between the peaks, and a first end. A coupling is secured to the first end of the hose and includes a collar having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of spirally arranged first internal threads, and a plurality of spaced outwardly extending tabs, and a connector rotatably disposed on the distal end of the collar. A locking ring has a plurality of spirally arranged second internal threads and a first edge having a plurality of spaced teeth. The collar is configured to be selectively received on the first end of the substantially cylindrical hose such that the first internal threads are threadably engaged with the spirally arranged peaks and valleys. The locking ring is configured to be selectively received on the first end of the hose such that the second internal threads are threadably engaged with the peaks and valleys and the first edge is adjacent to the proximal end of the collar. The spaced teeth of the locking ring are configured to engage the spaced outwardly extending tabs of the collar, inhibiting relative rotation between the collar and the locking ring. 
     These and other aspects and features of the invention will be understood from a reading of the following description together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a waste disposal hose system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a universal adaptor for use with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an inlet end storage cap for use with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of an outlet end storage cap for use with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a swivel female bayonet coupling according to the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a swivel elbow coupling according to the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a swivel male bayonet coupling according to the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a swivel elbow coupling with a female bayonet connector according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the swivel female bayonet coupling shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the female bayonet coupling shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6  attached to one end of a hose. 
         FIG. 8A  is an elevation view of the swivel elbow coupling shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8B  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the swivel elbow coupling shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8A . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the swivel elbow coupling shown in  FIG. 3  with its exit end inserted into a dump station adapter. 
         FIG. 10A  is an elevation view of a swivel hose coupling according to the invention. 
         FIG. 10B  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the swivel hose coupling shown in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11  is an elevation view of another embodiment of a waste disposal hose system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a waste disposal hose system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a base fitting for a swivel coupling according to the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a male bayonet fitting for use with the base fitting shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is an elevation view of a Y-connector assembly with swivel fittings according to the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is an elevation view of the base portion of the Y-connector assembly shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One embodiment of a waste disposal hose assembly  10  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The hose assembly  10  includes a length of elongated hose or tubing  12 . The tubing  12  may be corrugated plastic tubing of a type known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, for example. In one embodiment, the tubing  12  is Rhino Flex™ tubing by CAMCO Manufacturing, Inc., in Colfax, N.C. In one embodiment, the tubing  12  is constructed of polyolefin and includes a spiral metal reinforcing wire. The tubing  12  may have an accordion-like construction, which permits the tubing  12  to extend and contract in length, to bend, and to flex. In  FIG. 1 , a swivel female bayonet coupling  100  is connected to an inlet end of the hose assembly  10 , and is configured to mate with a conventional male bayonet discharge fitting  300  (see  FIG. 4 ) on a recreational vehicle (not shown). The opposed exit end of the hose assembly  10  may include a swivel elbow coupling  200 . The swivel elbow coupling  200  may be configured to be received by a dump station universal adapter  280  ( FIG. 1A ) of a type known in the art. The disposal hose assembly  10  may include an inlet end storage cap  195  ( FIG. 1B ) for attachment to the swivel bayonet coupling  100 , and an outlet end storage cap  197  ( FIG. 1C ) for attachment to the swivel elbow coupling  200 , for example. 
     One embodiment of a swivel female bayonet coupling  100  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the swivel female bayonet coupling  100  includes a collar  110  and a swivel female bayonet connector  150 . A longitudinal cross section of the female bayonet coupling  100  is shown in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the collar  110  includes a first end  111  and an opposed second end  123 . A central longitudinal bore  115 , having a plurality of spirally arranged internal threads  119 , extends through the collar  110 . A plurality of tabs  114  extend radially outwardly from the collar  110 . In one embodiment, the collar  110  includes four circumferentially and equally spaced tabs  114 . A circumferential groove  112  extends around the collar  110  proximate the collar&#39;s first end  111 . The swivel female bayonet connector  150  includes a proximate end  171  and a distal end  173 . A radially inwardly extending lip  163  circumferentially extends around an inner diameter of the swivel female bayonet coupling  150  adjacent to its proximate end  171 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the lip  163  is configured to be received in the circumferential groove  112  in the collar  110 . The lip  163  and groove  112  may be sized and shaped such that when the lip  163  is received in the groove  112 , the swivel female bayonet connector  150  is free to rotate relative to the collar  110 . Preferably, clearances between the lip  163  and the collar  110  are sufficiently small such that the leakage or seepage of waste material between the lip  163  and collar  110  are insubstantial during normal usage. The swivel female bayonet connector  150  includes a plurality of circumferentially extending slots  151  and a plurality of circumferentially extending blades  152 . Each of the blades  152  includes a tapered edge  154 , and each of the slots includes a rounded end  157 . The slots  151  and blades  152  may be configured to permit the swivel female bayonet connector  150  to be securely engaged with a conventional male bayonet connector  300  of a type commonly found on the waste discharge valve of a recreational vehicle. The swivel female bayonet connector  150  also may include a circumferentially recessed groove  159  for receiving a resilient gasket  191 . 
     A swivel female bayonet coupling  100 , attached to an end of a hose  12 , is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 7 . The collar  110  is threadably engaged over the spiral peaks  17  on the hose  12 . The spirally arranged threads  119  of the collar  110  are received in valleys  19  disposed between the spiral peaks  17 . As shown in  FIG. 1  and in  FIG. 6 , a locking ring  20  may be disposed around the hose  12  proximate to the collar  110 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the locking ring  20  includes spirally arranged internal threads  23 , which also are received in the valleys  19  disposed between the raised spiral peaks  17  of the hose  12 . The locking ring  20  can be rotated and advanced toward the collar  110  until at least a portion of the locking ring  20  contacts the collar. As the locking ring  20  is tightened against the collar  110 , frictional contact is established between the locking ring  20  and collar  110 , and the engaged portion of the hose  12  is longitudinally and elastically stretched. Due to the resiliency of the hose  12 , the stretched hose  12  acts to pull the locking ring  20  and the collar  110  firmly together. The resulting frictional contact between the locking ring  20  and the collar  110  is sufficient to substantially prevent accidental or unwanted loosening or separation of the collar  110  from the end of the hose  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the end of the locking ring  20  which is adjacent to the collar  110  may include a series of spaced teeth or serrations  22 . When the locking ring  20  is tightened against the collar  110  and the hose  12  is stretched between the locking ring  20  and collar  110 , the teeth  22  will engage the tabs  114  such that the teeth  22  substantially block relative rotation between the collar  110  and the locking ring  20 . 
     To remove the collar  110  from the hose  12 , the locking ring  20  is manually twisted until frictional contact between the locking ring  20  and collar  110  is overcome and/or until the teeth  22  disengage from the tabs  114 , thus permitting the collar  110  to be rotated until its threads  119  are disengaged form the peaks  17  of the hose  12 . 
     One embodiment of swivel elbow coupling  200  is shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  8 A, and  8 B. In this embodiment, the swivel elbow coupling  200  includes a collar  210  and a swivel elbow  250 . The swivel elbow  250  is rotatably coupled to the collar  210 . A longitudinal cross section of the swivel elbow coupling  200  is shown in  FIG. 8B . In this embodiment, the collar  210  includes a first end  211  and an opposed second end  223 . A bore  215  having a plurality of spirally arranged internal threads  219  longitudinally extends through the collar  210 . A plurality of spaced tabs  214  extend radially outwardly from the collar  210 . In one embodiment, the collar  210  includes four circumferentially and equally spaced tabs  214 . A radially inwardly extending lip  263  circumferentially extends around an inner diameter of the collar  210  proximate its first end  211 . The elbow  250  includes a proximal end  271  and a distal end  273 . A groove  252  circumferentially extends around the proximal end  271  of the elbow  250 . As shown in  FIG. 8B , the lip  263  of the collar  210  is configured to be received in the circumferential groove  252  in the elbow  250 . The lip  263  and groove  252  may be sized and shaped such that when the lip  263  is received in the groove  252 , the elbow  250  is free to rotate relative to the collar  210 . Preferably, clearances between the lip  263  and the collar  210  are sufficiently small such that the leakage or seepage of waste material between the lip  263  and collar  210  are insubstantial under normal conditions. 
     As shown in the circled detail of  FIG. 8B , the first end  211  of the collar  210  may include a first frusto-conical surface  211   a , and the proximal end  271  of the elbow  250  may include a second frusto-conical surface  271   a . During assembly of the collar  210  and the elbow  250 , the proximal end  271  of the elbow  250  may be pressed into the first end  211  of the collar  210 . During such insertion, the first frusto-conical surface  211   a  and the second frusto-conical surface  271   a  cooperate to resiliently wedge the first end  211  radially outward and to resiliently wedge the proximate end  271  radially inward, thereby permitting the lip  263  to move past the second frusto-conical surface  271   a  until the lip  263  is received in the groove  252 . Once resiliently snapped together in this manner, the collar  210  and the elbow  250  are securely connected together. A lubricant may be applied in the groove  252  and/or on the lip  263  to minimize friction and facilitate relative rotation between the elbow  250  and the collar  210 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the elbow  250  may include a flange  257  near its distal end  273  for supporting a gasket  259 . The elbow  250  also may include a plurality of tabs  255  to assist in retaining the gasket  259  on the distal end  273  of the elbow  250  and for use in retaining a cap or cover  197  ( FIG. 1 ) on the distal end  273  of the elbow  250 . Though the elbow  250  shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  8 A and  8 B is a 90-degree elbow, the elbow  250  also may be constructed as a 45-degree elbow or an elbow of substantially any angle between about 0 degrees and 180 degrees. The elbow  250  also may be constructed of a translucent or transparent material to permit a user to visually determine whether waste material is flowing or is present within the elbow  250 . A locking ring  20 , like that shown in  FIG. 7 , may be used to securely affix the elbow coupling  200  to an end of the corrugated hose  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the distal end  273  of the elbow  250  may be configured for insertion into an entrance end of a universal dump station adapter  280 . When the elbow  250  is inserted into the adapter  280 , the gasket  259  is disposed between the flange  257  and the adapter  280  to prevent leakage or seepage of waste material or odorous gasses. The adapter  280  may include pluralities of variously sized threaded portions  283 ,  285 ,  287 , which enable the adapter  280  to fit tightly within waste station inlet threaded pipes of various diameters. 
     Other embodiments of a rotatable hose coupling according to the invention are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In  FIG. 4 , a swivel male bayonet coupling  300  is shown. A male bayonet connector  350  is rotatably connected to a collar  310  in a manner that is substantially similar to the rotating connection between swivel elbow  250  and collar  210  described above. The collar  310  may be substantially similar to the collars  110 ,  210  described above. The male bayonet connector  350  includes a cylindrical body  317  and a plurality of circumferentially spaced and outwardly extending buttons  315 . A plurality of circumferentially spaced and outwardly extending tabs  313  may be provided for manually gripping and rotating the connector  350 . The swivel male bayonet coupling  300  may be secured to an end of a corrugated hose  12  with a locking ring in a manner that is substantially similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 7 , for example. In  FIG. 5 , another swivel elbow coupling  400  is shown. In this embodiment, an elbow fitting  450  is rotatably connected to a female bayonet connector  410 . The female bayonet connector  410  may be substantially similar to the female bayonet connector  150  shown in  FIG. 6  and described above. The female bayonet connector  410  may be removably connected to the male bayonet connector  350  shown in  FIG. 4  or to a male bayonet connector on an RV discharge valve. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show one embodiment of a swivel hose coupling  500  according to the present invention. The swivel hose coupling  500  may be used to rotatably connect ends of two separate hose sections, for example. A distal end  511  of a first collar  510  is rotatably connected to a distal end  571  of second collar  550 . As shown in  FIG. 10B , the distal end  571  of the second collar  550  may include a circumferentially extending groove  552  configured to receive a circumferentially extending lip  563  on the distal end  511  of the first collar  510 . As shown in the circled detail of  FIG. 10B , the distal end  511  of the first collar  511  may include a first frusto-conical surface  558 , and the distal end  571  of the second collar  550  may include a second frusto-conical surface  518 . During assembly of the first and second collars  510 ,  550 , the distal end  571  of the second collar  550  may be pressed into the distal end  511  of the first collar  510 . During such insertion, the first frusto-conical surface  558  and the second frusto-conical surface  518  cooperate to resiliently wedge the distal end  511  radially outward and to resiliently wedge the distal end  571  radially inward, thereby permitting the lip  563  to move past the second frusto-conical surface  518  until the lip  563  is received in the groove  552 . Once resiliently snapped together in this manner, the first collar  510  and the second collar  550  are securely connected together. A lubricant may be provided in the groove  552  and/or on the lip  563  to facilitate rotation of the lip  563  within the grove  552 . 
     The first collar  510  may include a first threaded bore  515  having a first plurality of internal threads  519 , and the second collar  550  may include a second threaded bore  565  having a second plurality of internal threads  569 . The first collar  510  can be threadably received on an end of a first hose and secured with a locking ring in a manner similar to that shown in  FIG. 7  and described above. Similarly, the second collar  550  may be threadably received on an end of a second hose and secured with a locking ring. Once connected, the swivel hose coupling  500  provides a secure and substantially leak-tight connection between the joined hoses while permitting the connected ends of the hoses to rotate relative to one another about their respective longitudinal axes. 
       FIG. 11  is illustrative of another embodiment of a waste disposal hose assembly  600  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a swivel female bayonet coupling  100 , like that shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  6 , and  7 , and described above, is removably attached to one end of a corrugated hose  12 . A swivel male bayonet coupling  300 , like that shown in  FIG. 4 , and described above, is removably attached to an opposite end of the hose  12 . The couplings  100 ,  300  again may be secured to the hose  12  with locking rings  20 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , and as described above, for example. 
       FIG. 12  shows yet another embodiment of a waste disposal hose assembly  700  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a male swivel bayonet coupling  800  is removably attached to one end of a hose  12 , and a female swivel bayonet coupling  1000  is removably attached to the opposite end of the hose  12 . The couplings  800 ,  1000  may be substantially similar to the other swivel couplings described above, except for their means or mode of attachment to the hose  12 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the couplings  800 ,  1000  may be secured to the opposed ends of the hose  12  with conventional hose clamps  747 , or the like. 
     One embodiment of a collar portion  810  of the male swivel bayonet coupling  800  is shown in  FIG. 13 . The collar  810  includes a distal end  825  and a proximal end  823 . A groove  812  circumferentially extends around the collar proximate its distal end  825 . The spigot  831  on the proximal end  823  is configured to be inserted into an end of a hose  12 , like that shown in  FIG. 12 . When the spigot  831  is fully inserted into the end of the hose  12 , a rim  819  on the collar  810  extends around the outside of the hose  12 . The rim  819  can act as a shield to protect a person&#39;s hand from the exposed end of a spiral reinforcement wire of the hose  12 . A clamp  747  may be placed around a portion of the hose  12  that surrounds the inserted spigot  831 , and tightened until the hose is securely clamped between the clamp  747  and the spigot  831 , thereby securing the collar portion  810  to the end of the hose  12 . Alternatively, the spigot  831  may be glued inside the end of the hose with a suitable adhesive. The distal end  825  of the collar  810  may rotatably receive a male bayonet connector  850  similar to the one shown in  FIG. 14 . The male bayonet connector  850  may include an internal circumferential lip  863  that is rotatably received within the groove  812  on the collar  810 . Of course, other swivel fittings such as the female bayonet connector  150  or the swivel elbow  250  described above may be similarly configured and rotatably connected to the collar  810 . 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a Y-adapter  900 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , that is configured with swivel hose connectors disposed on each of its three ends. The Y-adapter  900  includes a Y-shaped trunk  910  having a swivel female bayonet connector  150  rotatably disposed on each of its upper branches  930 ,  932 , and a swivel male bayonet connector  850  rotatably disposed on the end of its lower branch  934 . The Y-adapter  900  may be used to simultaneously connect two waste disposal hoses to a single waste station receptacle. As shown in  FIG. 16 , a circumferential groove  912  may be located proximate an end  911 ,  913 ,  915  of each of the three branches  930 ,  932 ,  934 . As described above, the swivel fittings  150 ,  850  may include circumferentially extending lips that are received within the respective grooves  912 , thereby securing the fittings  150 ,  850  to the trunk  910  while also permitting rotation between the fittings  150 ,  850  and the trunk  910 . In one embodiment, the trunk  910  is constructed of a translucent or transparent material to permit a user to visually determine whether waste material is flowing or is present within the trunk  910 . 
     The above descriptions of various embodiments of the invention are intended to describe and illustrate various aspects and features of the invention, and not to limit the invention thereto. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various changes and modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, though specific types of rotatably and/or pivotally connected couplings and connectors are described above, it should be understood that substantially any type of coupling or connector may be rotatably and/or pivotally connected to another coupling or connector in the manner described above. These and other such changes and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the invention and the appended claims.