Abstract:
A quick-connecting coupler for connecting hoses, connectors together or to a faucet or other water accessories that allows ease of use by anyone, including the elderly, the infirm, and those suffering from disabilities. The quick-connecting coupler has a first male-end and a second female end. The second female end is provided with of spaced-apart through-slots or opening for receiving therethrough a pair of forks or leg-sections of a yoke. Each of the pair of forks or leg-sections is provided with at least one interior-facing linear thread or rib for engaging with the male threads of the mating male end of another hose, or the like. The second female end of the coupler of the invention has a pair diametrically opposed cutouts through which portions of the linear threads or ribs are exposed, whereby these exposed portions of the threads or ribs may mate with corresponding portions of the male threads of the mating male end positioned in the second female end of the coupler for coupling the mating male end in the female end of the coupler.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation on application Ser. No. 11/143,129, filed on Jun. 3, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed to a coupler for connecting a male-end of one hose, tube, connector, faucet, and the like, to a female end of another hose, tube, connector, and the like. Examples of prior-art quick-connecting hose couplers are disclosed in Applicant&#39;s previous U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,503,437; 5,788,289; and 6,786,516, and copending application Ser. No. 10/728,428 filed Dec. 8, 2003, and Ser. No. 10/746,508 filed Dec. 29, 2003. It has, however, been learned that these quick-connecting couplers are difficult to use by the elderly or persons suffering from disabilities that affect their ability to grip and connect the couplers between mating ends of hoses and/or faucets, and the like. The present invention provides a quick-connecting coupler that allows ease of use by anyone, including the elderly, the infirm, and those suffering from disabilities.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is, therefore, the primary objective of the present invention to provide a quick-connecting coupler for hoses, faucets, and the like, which is more easily used during connection and disconnection, whereby elderly, the infirm, and those suffering from disabilities may use it without difficulty.  
         [0004]     It is also the primary objective of the present invention to provide such a coupler that utilizes a handle by which the quick-connecting coupler may be gripped and held, for ease of use and which is used for actually mounting the female end of the coupler to a male end inserted in the female end of the coupler.  
         [0005]     Toward these and other ends, the quick-connecting coupler of the invention has a first male end for connecting to a first female end of a hose, connector, tube, and the like, and a second female end for receiving a second male end of another hose, connector, faucet, and the like. Each of the first male end and second female end of the quick-connecting coupler of the invention is conventional in the sense that the second female end of the quick-connecting coupler is provided with an opening for receiving the second male end of another hose, or the like, and has a washer for sealing the connection. However, the second female end of the invention is different from the prior art in that it is provided with a pair of spaced-apart through-slots or openings for receiving therethrough the pair of forks or leg-sections of a mounting element. Each of the pair of forks or leg-sections is provided with at least one interior-facing linear thread or rib for engaging with the male threads of a mating male end. The second female end of the coupler of the invention has a pair diametrically-opposed cutouts through which portions of the linear threads or ribs are exposed, whereby these exposed portions of the threads or ribs may mate with corresponding portions of the threads of the mating male end positioned in the second female end of the coupler. The exposed portions of the linear threads engage with the male threads of the mating male end positioned in the female end of the coupler, whereby the second female end of the coupler is mounted onto the mating male end positioned therein and sealed thereto via a washer. The linear ribs of the pair of forks or leg sections of the mounting element may be provided at a slope or pitch matching that of the male threads, or, alternatively, may have no slope or pitch. Each fork or leg section may also be provided with a plurality of linear threads or ribs for engaging with the threads of the mating male end. As the forks are slid in the through-slots of the coupler at the female end thereof, the sloping threads, through wedging or camming action, force the male end against the sealing washer in the female end of the coupler, to sealingly lock the male end therein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0006]     The invention will be more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an isometric assembly view showing the first embodiment of the quick-connecting coupler of the invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view thereof;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top view thereof;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the coupling yoke with forked section for sliding in the coupler of  FIG. 1  and used for engaging with the threads of an inserted male end;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side view of one of the fork-elements of the coupling yoke of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the coupling yoke of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the coupling yoke of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view showing the operating or engaged position of the coupling yoke of  FIG. 5  in the coupler of  FIG. 1  for locking a threaded male of a mating part in the female end of the coupler;  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view showing the disengaged position of the coupling yoke of  FIG. 5  in the coupler of  FIG. 1  after a threaded male of a mating part in the female end of the coupler has been released and removed from the female end of the coupler;  
         [0017]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a modification of the coupler of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 9  and showing the operating or engaged position of a modified coupling yoke for use in the coupler of  FIG. 11  for locking a threaded male of a mating part in the female end of the coupler;  
         [0019]      FIG. 13  is a vertical cross-section view of the coupler of  FIG. 11  thereof;  
         [0020]      FIG. 14  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of anther embodiment of the invention where only a female end is provided which, in combination with the coupling yoke of  FIG. 5 , is used as a nut for securing a threaded bolt, screw, and the like; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 15  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 14  shown in combination with the yoke of  FIG. 5 , where the combination of the female end of  FIG. 14  and the yoke serves as a nut for a bolt, screw, and the like. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and to  FIGS. 1-10 , there is shown in the preferred embodiment the quick-connecting coupler for coupling hoses, connectors, and the like, together or to a faucet, and the like, and is indicated generally by reference numeral  10 . The coupler  10  has a circular cross-section, main body portion or housing  12  consisting of a first, threaded male end  14  for connecting to a female end of a hose, connector, and the like, and a second, female end  16  for receiving therein a mating, threaded male end of another hose, connector, faucet, or the like. The second female end  16  is of larger diameter than the male end  14 , with both ends  14  and  16  defining a hollow interior for the flow of fluid therethrough. The female end  16  is provided with a seat  16 ′ ( FIG. 13 ) for a sealing washer, o-ring, or other equivalent sealing element,  20  for providing a seal for the connection between the female end  16  and a mating male end inserted therein, in the conventional manner.  
         [0023]     The female end  16  has no interior threads itself that can mate with the threads of a male end inserted therein. Instead, in accordance with the invention, a separate and slidable mounting element or part  22  ( FIGS. 5-8 ) is used for providing interior threads that mate with the threads of the male end inserted in the female end  16 . The mounting element  22  consists of a yoke  24  having a handle section  26 , and a forked section  28  defining a pair of spaced-apart fork elements or leg-sections  30 ,  32 . Each fork element  30 ,  32  has a free or cantilevered end  30 ′,  32 ′, and an interior surface  30 ″,  32 ″ ( FIG. 7 ), on which is provided or formed at least one toothed bar or linear thread  34 ,  36 , respectively. In the preferred embodiment, preferably a plurality of parallel toothed bars or linear threads  34 ,  36 , are provided, respectively, on each interior surface  30 ″,  32 ″, which plurality of threads  34 ,  36  are spaced apart the requisite distance from each other for matching the pitch of the male threads of a male end to be inserted into the female end  16 . The threads  34 ,  36  extend along the respective interior surfaces  30 ″,  32 ″ for at least most of the length of the respective fork element  30 ,  32 . Each of the toothed bars linear threads  34 ,  36 , in the preferred embodiment, extends at a downwardly-extending slope or angle in the direction from the respective free ends  30 ′,  32 ′ toward the handle section  26  in order to expedite the connection of the coupler  10  to a mating male end inserted into the female end  16 . The degree of slope or pitch of each of the toothed ribs or linear threads  34 ,  36  preferably matches that of the threads of a male end to be inserted into the female end  16 , although it may differ.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the housing  12  of the coupler  10  is provided with a pair of oppositely-disposed slots or channels  40 ,  42  in which, or through which, are received and slide the fork elements  30 ,  32 . The slots or channels  40 ,  42  are located on diametrically-opposed portions thereof at the female end  16 . With the fork elements  30 ,  32  inserted for sliding movement in the channels  40 ,  42 , respectively, portions of the linear threads  34 ,  36  are exposed to the interior of the female end-portion via oppositely-disposed, interior cutout portions  40 ′,  42 ′ (best seen in  FIG. 13 ) formed in the interior of the housing  12 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . These interior cutout portions are formed by arcuately cutting diametrically-opposed sections of inner circular wall  38  of the female end, which are arcuately extended enough of a distance such that the toothed ribs or linear threads  34 ,  36  project interiorly and radially inwardly into the interior of the female end, whereby the interiorly and radially inwardly projecting exposed portions of the linear threads  34 ,  36  may be described as defining chords of a circle, which circle that of the interior circular wall  38 . These exposed portions of the linear threads project into the interior volume of the female end  16  by which they may engage with the threads of an inserted male end of a connecting hose, connector, faucet, or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the height of the channels  40 ,  42 , as viewed in the vertical direction when viewing  FIGS. 1 and 9 , is greater that the height of the two forks  50 ,  52 , also taken in the vertical direction when viewing  FIGS. 1 and 8 , so that there is provided a gap or space for vertically positioning the forks  50 ,  52  in the channels, as is clearly shown in  FIG. 9 , in order to vertically maneuver the forks so that the toothed ribs or threads  34 ,  36  may be aligned with and come into threaded engagement with the juxtapositioned portion of the threads of the male end inserted in the female end  16  and exposed thereat via the cutout portions  40 ′,  42 ′. Depending upon how the male end is inserted in the female end  16 , the exposed portion of the threads of the male end will be of different vertical location or elevation relative to the height of the channels  40 ,  42 . This ensures that one may engage the linear threads with a portion of the threads of the male end inserted in the female end  16 , so that the below-described camming effect for effecting sealing may occur, without any relative rotation of the coupler needed relative to the inserted male end. However, this gap need not provided, in the case of which relative rotation between the coupler  10  and the inserted male end may, in some circumstances, be required for effecting the seal, as described hereinbelow.  
         [0025]     In the preferred embodiment, since the slope and pitch of the threads  34 ,  36  are approximately the same as that of the threads of a male end to be inserted into the female end-portion  16 , one need not rotate the coupler  10  to attach and seal the female end to an inserted male end, but one need only push the fork section  28  of the mounting element  22  through the through-slots  40 ,  42 , by which the pitched or downwardly sloping linear threads  34 ,  36  engage with the threads of the male end inserted in the female end-portion  16 , and whereupon further sliding of the fork section in the through-slots  40 ,  42  causes the sloping linear threads to cam or wedge the male end inserted into the female end-portion against the sealing washer  20 , without any need of causing relative rotation between the male end inserted in the female end-portion  16  and the female end  16  itself.  
         [0026]     As explained above, the linear threads  34 ,  36  preferably have a slope approximately equal to the slope and pitch of the threads of the male end to be inserted into the female end  16 , whereby any relative rotation between the male end inserted in the female end-portion  16  and the female end  16  is not needed in order to connect the male end in the female end  16 . However, it is within scope and purview of the invention to provide linear threads  34 ,  36  that have a slope that is different from that of the threads of the male end to be inserted into the female end  16 . Thus, the slope of the linear threads  34 ,  36  may be steeper that that of the threads of the male end to be inserted into the female end-portion  16 , whereby greater force would be required to seal a male end in the female end  16  against the washer  20 . Alternatively, the slope of the linear threads  34 , 36  may be shallower than that of the threads of the male end to be inserted into the female end  16 , whereby less force would be required to seal a male end in the female end-portion against the washer  20 , in which case longer linear threads  34 ,  36  may required along with the concomitant lengthening of the mounting element  22 . It is also possible to provide non-sloping or horizontal linear threads  34 ,  36 , whereby relative rotation between the female end  16  and the male end inserted therein may be required for forcing and retaining the inserted male end against the washer  20 . In this instance, by rotating the female end-portion via the handle-section  26 , the exposed portions of the linear threads mate with the threads of the inserted male end, drawing the inserted male end inwardly into the interior hollow volume of the female end-portion, until the end of the inserted, mating male end seats against the sealing washer  20 , whereby a sealed connection is achieved. It is, also, noted that in all variations of the slope of the linear threads  34 ,  36 , one may, if desired, also rotate the female end-portion  16  relative to the inserted male end in order to achieve in an even tighter seal against the washer  20 , if necessary.  
         [0027]     The main body portion housing  12  is also provided with a pair of diametrically-opposite, tangential flanges or arms  50 ,  52  located at the entrance to the through-slots  40 ,  42 , respectively. Each flange  50 ,  52  has a first end  50 ′,  52 ′, adjacent a respective entrance to the channels  40 ,  42  and a cantilevered, or free, end  50 ″,  52 ″, with each flange defining an interior-facing inner surface  54 ,  56 , respectively, in which is formed a guide slot or groove. The surface wall of each channel  40 ,  42 , respectively, is also formed with a groove or slot  53 ,  55  ( FIG. 2 ) matching, and in alignment with, the grooves in the interior-facing grooves of the flanges  50 ,  52 , whereby one elongated guide slot or groove  54 ′ or  56 ′ is provided. Each guide groove or slot  54 ′,  56 ′ slidingly receives therein a guide pin or post  58 ,  60 , respectively, projecting outwardly or exteriorly from a respective free or cantilevered end  30 ′,  32 ′, of a fork element  30 ,  32 . The guide pins retain the fork elements  30 ,  32  in the slots  54 ′,  56 ′, with the closed ends of the slots  54 ′,  56 ′ serving as a stop for the guide pins for preventing the forked section  28  from exiting from the channels  40 ,  42 , whereby the mounting element  22 , with the yoke  24 , handle section  26 , and a forked section  28  thereof, remain attached to the female end  16  of the housing  12  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). Moreover, as can be seen in  FIG. 10 , when the coupler  10  of the invention is not being used, the mounting element  22  may be slid in a direction away from the coupler  10 , until the guide pins  58 ,  60  abut against the closed ends of the slots in the flanges  54 ,  56 , thereby acting as stops thereagainst. In this limit position, the guide pins  58 ,  60  also serve as hinges or pivot pins, by which the mounting element  22  may be pivoted or rotated 90 degrees, until it is at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the coupler  10 , whereby easier storage of the device is made possible. When the mounting element  22  is needed to be used again, one simply rotates or pivots it in the opposite direction whereby its length is substantially co-extensive with the longitudinal axis of the coupler  10 , in the manner described above during the use of the coupler  10 . The coupler  10  is, also, preferably provided with a T-shaped drain vent or drain channel  70  having a base channel section  70 ′ through which water pressure is relieved during initial disconnection of the mating parts, so as prevent unwanted spraying or water jets when disconnecting the inserted male end from the female end  16 . This vent or drain may be located anywhere, but, as shown in, is preferably near or adjacent the sealing washer  20 . By locating this vent at the sealing washer, when the coupler  10  is in use, the “piston-effect” similar to that disclosed in applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,289, is not created, whereby the sealing washer  20  is not urged or forced in the opposite direction to the flow of water, against the juxtapositioned end of the inserted male end. However, if such a piston-effect were desired, then the base channel section  70 ′ may be eliminated.  
         [0028]     When using the coupler  10  in order to connect a pair of hoses, connectors, and the like, together, or to a faucet or other water accessory, one first inserts the male end into the female end  16  of the coupler  10 , until it is seated against the sealing washer  28 . Then, the mounting element  22  is moved toward the coupler  10  so that the fork elements  30 ,  32  slide in the channels  40 ,  42  as guided by the guide pins  58 ,  60 . As the forks slide, the sloping linear threads  34 ,  36  thereof, through camming or wedge action, cooperate with the threads of the male element inserted in the female end-portion  16 , translating and forcing the male element against the sealing washer  28  with enough force so as to provide a water-tight seal. If additional tightening is desired or necessary, one may rotate the mounting element  22  via its handle, in order to rotate it and the attached coupler  10  relative to the inserted threaded male end.  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIGS. 11-13 , there is shown a modification of the coupler of the invention and indicated generally by reference numeral  80 . The coupler  80  is substantially the same as the coupler  10  except that the housing  82  thereof is not provided with the flanges  50 ,  52  of the coupler  10 , nor do the forks  84 ,  86  of the mounting element  88  thereof, which serves the same function as that of the mounting element  22  of the coupler  10 , have the guide pins or stops  58 , 60  of the mounting element  22  of the coupler  10 . Therefore, the mounting element  88  with its fork elements  84 ,  86  is completely removable and separable from the coupler  80  during non-use and storage.  
         [0030]     While it has been described that the preferred embodiment utilizes downwardly sloping linear threads  34 ,  36  on the interior surfaces of the forks, they may made to extend horizontally without slope, whereupon, in order to connect the coupler to a male end, one may have to rotate the coupler relative to the inserted male end via the mounting element  22 . It is also within the scope and purview of the invention to provide sloping linear threads  34 ,  36  that slope upwardly in a sense opposite to that shown in the drawings for the couplers  10  and  80 . In this case, rotation of the coupler relative to the inserted male end via the mounting element  22  would be a requirement and would proceed by means of the cross-threading of the threads of the male end with the linear threads of the mounting element  22 . In addition, even the case of the preferred embodiment, where the linear threads are downwardly-sloping and preferably at the same angle and pitch as the threads of the inserted male end, if, for some reason, the male end inserted into the female end of the coupler  10  is not properly aligned therein, the linear threads of the mounting element  22  will still secure and causing the sealing between the male end and the female end of the coupler by the cross-threading of the two parts, in which case relative rotation between the female end  16  and the male end inserted therein would be a requirement in order to effect the seal therebetween. Therefore, no matter what degree or sense of slope of the linear threads  34 ,  36  is provided, if cross-threading thereof with the outer threads of the male end inserted in the female end  16  were to occur, the seal may still be achieved by such relative rotation. Such relative rotation is achieved by gripping the handle section  26  of the mounting element  22  and turning.  
         [0031]     While the preferred embodiment has been disclosed as being directed to a threaded male end to be inserted in the female end  16 , the coupler  10  or  80  may also be used for receiving in its female end a grooved or flared male end, as described in applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,516. In this instance, there would only be required one linear thread  34 ,  36 . Moreover, this one linear thread would be downwardly sloping, in the manner described above and shown in  FIGS. 5-9 .  
         [0032]     It is also noted that under some limited circumstances, only one fork  30  or  32  need be provided. In this case, the other of the forks  30  or  32  could be dispensed with altogether, and the linear threads on the one remaining fork would engage with the threads of the inserted male end. In this case, the female end  16  would be made extra long with a longer cutout portion  40 ′ or  42 ′ being provided to expose a greater length of exposed linear thread or threads  34  or  36 . In this case, only one channel  40  or  42 , therefore, would need to be provided. Alternatively, both forks may be provided, but only one of them would be provided with the linear thread or threads.  
         [0033]     The couplers  10  and  80  may be used, not only in liquid environment, but may also be used in fluid environments in general, such as pressurized gases, and the like. It is also possible to replace the male end  14  with a female end for thereby coupling together two male parts.  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , there is shown another embodiment  100  of the coupler of the invention in which it is used as a “quick” nut for use with a threaded bolt, rod, screw, and the like, for serving as a temporary or semi-permanent nut. In this embodiment, only a female or receiving portion  116  is provided, and no male end. In this embodiment, the coupler  100  acts or serves as a nut for use with a threaded bolt, rod, screw, and the like. The female portion  116 , since it not used in a fluid environment, does not have a sealing washer, but simply provides a passageway or hollow through-volume through which may pass the shaft  120  of a threaded bolt or screw  118 . The female portion  116  is provided with a pair of channels  140 ,  142  similar to the channels  40 ,  42  of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-13 , as well as oppositely-disposed, interior cutout portions (not shown) the same as the oppositely-disposed, interior cutout portions  40 ′,  42 ′ of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-13 . The channels  140 ,  142  receive therethrough the forks of the mounting element  122  that is essentially identical to the mounting element  22  of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-13 , and, therefore, consists of a yoke  124  having a handle section  126 , and a forked section  128  defining a pair of spaced-apart fork elements or leg-sections. In use, the shaft  120  of a bolt or screw  118  is inserted through the opening of the coupler  100  until the desired portion of the shaft is located within the hollow interior of the coupler&#39;s female portion  116 . Then, the forks of the forked section  128  of the mounting element  122  are slid through the respective channels  140 ,  142  of the coupler  100 , whereupon the linear threads in the interior surfaces of the forks engage with the threads of the shaft  120 , to thereby lock the coupler  100  to the shaft  120 . The number, size, slope and pitch of the linear threads of the forks of the forked section  128  are identical to that described above with respect to the other embodiments, and operate in the same manner as described above for securing the coupler  100  to the bolt or screw  118 .  
         [0035]     An example of use of the coupler  100  as a nut for a bolt, rod, or screw, is as a quick-adjusting nut for use on miter frame clamps. These clamps utilize long lengths of threaded rod. Depending on the size of the work piece, the coupler  100  serving as a “quick” nut is adjustable to fit without requiring turning. The coupler  100  also works on a bench wood worker&#39;s vise and any vise or clamp that uses threads. The adjustment of these devices would be made with the “quick” nut of  FIGS. 14 and 15  without requiring turning, or, if turning of the coupler  100  serving as a “quick nut is required, may be achieved via the handle  126 . In addition, a C-clamp could be made by using the “quick” nut of  FIGS. 14 and 15 , where the C-clamp is made up of a long piece of threaded bolt. The bolt is slid back and forth to the desired opening, and then the forks of the forked element  128  is slid in to tighten. The “quick” nut of  FIGS. 14 and 15  would, also, work with a long piece of an all-threaded rod. Instead of conventionally screwing a nut onto  8 ″ or  10 ″ all-thread rod, with the coupler  100 , one simply pushes on the female portion  116  to the desired placement, and then installs the forks of the forked element  128  for a tight fit.  
         [0036]     It is also noted, as described above with regard to the other embodiments, that under some limited circumstances, only one fork need be provided. In this case, the other of the forks could be dispensed with altogether, and the linear threads on the one remaining fork would engage with the threads of the threaded shaft of the bolt, rod, or screw. In this case, the female or receiving portion would be made extra long with a longer cutout portion being provided to expose a greater length of exposed linear thread or threads. In this case, only one channel  140  or  142 , therefore, would need to be provided. Alternatively, both forks may be provided, but only one of them would be provided with the linear thread or threads.  
         [0037]     While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.