Patent GB-961819-A (GB)
Title: Couplings, for example, for hoses
IPC: F16B7/00
Filed: 1963-04-08
Abstract: 961,819. Pipe couplings. NEW YORK AIR BRAKE CO. April 8, 1963 [April 17, 1962], No. 13822/63. Heading F2G. A coupling includes a pair of aligned tubular members 21 each carrying circumferentiallyspaced, longitudinally-extending latching prongs 26 each of which includes a stem 27 that projects from the associated member toward the other member and a circumferentially-extending latch portion 28 located adjacent the outer end of the stem, the latch portions of the prongs of each member extending in the same circum. ferential direction and lying in a common annular zone, the latching prongs of each member being insertable longitudinally into circumferential spaces between adjacent prongs of the other member where, upon relative rotation of the members in one direction, their latch portions are caused to interlock with the latch portions of the prongs of the other member and prevent longitudinal separation of the two members without relative rotation of the members in the opposite direction. Locking means associated with at least one of the members and located in the said common annular zone, are arranged for longitudinal movement between a first position in which it prevents relative rotation of the interlocked prongs in the said opposite direction and a second position in which it permits relative rotation of the interlocked prongs in the said opposite direction. Sealing means 46 are carried by each of the members and arranged to seal the joint between them when the prongs are interlocked. As shown, each coupling unit 20 comprises outer spring-biased member 22 slidable on an intermediate member 21, and a member 24 guided for reciprocation and rotation within the member 21 and having a seating 49 for a valve head 25, the member 24 being urged by a spring 47 to the prong-carrying end of the member 21. In the case where a valve is not used movement of the member 24 to the right as seen in the Figure is limited by a split snap ring 55. The latch portions 28 of the prongs 26 are provided with side faces 31, 32 that lie in radial planes, intersecting cam surfaces 33, 34 formed as right helicoids, and a cam surface 35. The member 22 carries four circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending identical locking fingers 37 the side faces 39 of which lie in radial planes and are positioned so that the face 39 is adjacent the face 31 of one prong 26; each finger has a cam surface 41. To couple the two units, the latter are pushed toward each other so that the abutting cam surfaces 33, 41 cause the units to rotate as they advance and bring the associated prongs of the units into registry, the seals 46 being then engaged. The prongs 26 move forwardly relatively to the fingers 37 against the bias of the springs 44, and the units are again rotated relatively to each other by the cam surfaces 41 so that the prongs and fingers move in directions parallel with the cam surfaces 35 the latch portions of the two units thereby becoming interlocked and the springs 44 advancing the members 22 to bring the fingers 37 to their locking positions and causing the annular end faces of the members 22 to abut. Latching prongs of modified construction are described.