Abstract:
A coupling for connecting conduits is provided, including a first element having a first mating member and a second element having a second mating member. The first element and the second element selectively securingly engaging each other. The first mating member and the second mating member sealingly connecting the conduits. An inner member is disposed at least partially within the second element, and a compression member is disposed about the first element, the compression member cooperating with the inner member for forcing the first element and the second element together, wherein the first element, the second element, and the inner member cooperate to resist pulling apart of the coupling.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The embodiments described herein are generally directed to joining and sealing conduits.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Typical hose or conduit connections require an intermediate fitting and a clamp on both sides of the fitting to secure the connection. The outer surface of the intermediate fitting has circumferential barbs to augment axial connection strength. The clamp compresses the hose against the barbs making it more difficult to pull the hose from the intermediate fitting. A typical arrangement includes a double barb design on either end of the intermediate fitting. A hose clamp for each barb design then secures the hoses together.  
         [0003]     However, the double barb design does not provide a highly reliable connection when axial force is applied. Because the hose is compressed against the radial barbs, an expansion of the hose or infiltration of materials may cause a reduced coefficient of friction between the hose and the barbs. Thus, the magnitude of the axial force required to pull the hose from the intermediate fitting is reduced. Further, the current design requires two hose clamps that necessarily lead to increased cost of parts and assembly time while at the same time reducing reliability.  
         [0004]     Therefore, a need exists for a stronger port connection that resists being pulled apart. Further, it is desirable that the port connection have increased reliability as well as reduced cost of parts.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     A coupling for connecting conduits is provided, including a first element having a first mating member and a second element having a second mating member. The first element and the second element selectively securingly engaging each other. The first mating member and the second mating member sealingly connecting the conduits. An inner member is disposed at least partially within the second element, and a compression member is disposed about the first element, the compression member cooperating with the inner member for forcing the first element and the second element together, wherein the first element, the second element, and the inner member cooperate to resist pulling apart of the coupling. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a brief description:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a partial axial sectional view of an embodiment of an interlock port of the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a partial axial sectional of a first element of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partial axial sectional view of a second element of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a partial axial sectional view of an inner member of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the inner member of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     Referring now to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment is shown in detail. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an embodiment. Further, the embodiment described herein is not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the invention to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an interlock port  20  having a first element  22 , a second element  24 , an inner member  26  and a compression member  28 . In the present embodiment, first element  22  provides a port opening  30  for an air duct  32 . However, first element  22  may provide a port for fluids other than air. Interlock port  20  is typically used to connect two conduits for routing fluid products, including liquids and gases. However, interlock port  20  is not limited to such an application. Interlock port  20  could also be employed for blowing solid materials. Second element  24  defines a lumen  34  for fluid (e.g., in this embodiment the fluid is air) to pass through.  
         [0014]     First element  22 , in this embodiment configured as the male connector, includes a first mating member  40 , a first outer surface  42 , a groove  44 , a notch  46 , a slot  48 , and a locking end  50 . Second element  24 , in this embodiment configured as a female connector, includes a hose  60 , a second mating member  62 , a tongue  64 , a lead-in  66 , a first guide  68 , a second guide  70 , a second outer surface  72 , and a bump-out  74 . Further, first element  22  is made of a rubber material, or rubber-like material.  
         [0015]     Inner member  26  includes a first end  80 , a second end  82 , a barb  84 , and a round over-element  86 . Round over-element  86  facilitates assembly by providing an angled surface for lead-in  66  to pass by when second element  24  is pushed onto first element  22 . Inner member  26  is constructed of a rigid plastic material.  
         [0016]     Inner member  26  is positioned within first element  22  and provides a surface for compression member  28  to press first element  22  and second element  24  against. The thickness of inner member  26  is configured to fit within first element  22  and interfere with notch  46  when assembled. An inner diameter  88  is chosen to avoid restriction of flow through interlock port  20 . A length  90  is configured to at least provide a surface under compression member  28  when between guides  68 ,  70 . Additionally, inner member  26  is configured of a material and in structure such that the shape is retained when placed under pressure from compression member  28 . Otherwise, if inner member  26  were to collapse under pressure, interlock port  20  would not effectively seal or hold first element  22  and second element  24 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates in detail the assembly of interlock port  20 . Compression member  28  is loosely placed around second element  24  and between first guide  68  and second guide  70  to allow for further preparation of the components. When compression member  28  is affixed and tensioned, the force is applied over second element  24 , first element  22 , and inner member  26 . Further, because guides  68 ,  70  are circumferentially located about second element  24 , the alignment of compression member  28  is perpendicular to the axis of second element  24 .  
         [0018]     Inner member  26  is pushed within port opening  30  of first element  22  and is prevented from traveling farther than notch  46  by the interference of notch  46  with first end  80 . Barb  84  is provided on an outer surface  92  of inner member  26  to retain inner member  26  during assembly. Barb  84  interferes with a smooth inner surface  110  of first element  22  and creates a seal therebetween. An inner member lead-in  100  is provided on first element  22  such that first end  80  of inner member  26  is centered within first element  22  for ease of assembly.  
         [0019]     With inner member  26  in place, first element  22  and second element  24  are pressed together until tongue  64  of second mating member  62  is seated within groove  44  of first mating member  40 . The connection of tongue  64  and groove  44  provide the initial holding force allowing for final assembly. Guides  68 ,  70  hold compression member in place around second element  24  such that the compression force is properly located around second element  24 , first element  22 , and inner member  26  when assembled. The alignment provides for the compression force to act upon tongue  64  and groove  44  that are located between compression member  28  and inner member  26 . To complete installation, compression member  28  is employed from a loose state to a compression state such that force is applied to tongue  64  and groove  44 .  
         [0020]     Second element  24  may also include a tab  120  for locating compression member  28  along the periphery of second element  24 . In this case, compression member  28  includes a hole to receive tab  120 . During assembly, tab  120  locates compression member  28  such that a typical hose clamp screw head compression mechanism (not shown) may be employed. The location of the screw head mechanism becomes important at least because of access limitations or ease of installation issues. Bump-out  74  allows for the flexibility of sizing for length  90  of inner member  26  and facilitates manufacturing by allowing greater tolerances. Further, along with tongue  64  and groove  44 , bump-out  74  also assists in preventing second element  24  from being pressed beyond the desired depth over first element  22 .  
         [0021]     In use, interlock port  20  is held in place by the forces between tongue  64  and groove  44  as applied by the forces between compression member  28  and inner member  26 . Tongue  64  and groove  44  resist the pulling apart and the further pressing together of first element  22  and second element  24 . Additionally, when under compression, bump  84  is pressed in the softer material of first element  22  and resists pulling apart. Thus, axial connection strength is increased. If force is applied to first element  22  or second element  24  in either any direction, connection is maintained because tongue  64  will be forced against locking end  50  or first element  22 . Compression member  28  will further ensure that tongue  64  will not be freed from groove  44  by preventing second element  24  from expanding around locking end  50 . Further, while interlock port  20  is engaged, the port connection is sealed by tongue  64  and groove  44 . The force applied by compression member  28 , as well as the geometry of tongue  64  and groove  44 , will determine the sealing pressure of interlock port  20 .  
         [0022]     Thus, interlock port  20  provides that tongue  64  and groove  44  interlock to join first element  22  and second element  24  together with improved strength and sealing, and improved resistance to being pulled apart. Further, cost is reduced because interlock port  20  requires only a single compression member  28  (a hose clamp in this embodiment).  
         [0023]     The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the methods and systems of the present invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. The scope of the invention is limited solely by the following claims.