Patent GB-1339479-A (GB)
Title: Pivotally defelctable direct-pull release pipe or hose  coupling
IPC: F16L37/50
Filed: 1971-05-11
Abstract: 1339479 Pipe couplings CARL KURT WALTHER 11 May 1971 [15 May 1970] 14356/71 Heading F2G In a pivotally mounted quick-release pipe or hose coupling assembly, one half of at least one coupling is fixed in a holder 1 which is axially displaceably held in a bearing member 8 against the resistance of a spring 12, the bearing member 8 and the holder 1 being deflectably mounted together in a fixed frame 9. In one embodiment, as shown, the other half of the coupling is a male connector 5 held in a base-plate 4 by a split ring. The frame 9, which may be bolted to a wall 21, has a pair of axially aligned fixed pivot support pins 10 about whose common axis the bearing member 8 and holder 1 may pivot in and out of the plane of the Fig., bearing ribs 19 on the holder resting on top of the pins. The bottom half of each pin 10 rests in a socket 20 in the bearing member 8. Relative axial movement of member 8 and holder 1 is accommodated by the springs 12 held on retainers 11 in the member 8 against a plate 13 attached to the holder 1. An extension on the spring retainers 11 having a flat end face of greater length than the diameter of the pivot pins 10, pass through holes 17 in the member 8 and into recesses 18 cut half-way through the pins 10. Tilting of the coupling about the pivot pins 10 causes inclination of the end face of the retainers 11 with respect to the diameter of the pin recess 18, thus compressing the springs 12 to induce a restoring couple which centres the coupling. Instead of a single-plane deflection arrangement, the coupling may include a universal ball-and-socket joint. A lever catch 7 includes a pair of approximately L-shaped arms 14, 15, Fig. 2, pivotally mounted on a box portion 3 of the holder 1 which also serves to locate the holder in the member 8. The arms 14 are hooked to engage a shoulder on a central projection 6 depending from the base-plate 4. The other arms 15 project through holes in the box 3 and rest a short distance below abutment edges on the member 8. The catch is urged into an engaging position by leaf springs 16 integral with the arms and acting against the holder 1. Sufficient tension applied to a hose attached to the male insert 5 displaces the holder 1 and the projection 6, bringing the catch arms 15 against the bottom edge of member 8 so that deflecting arms 14 release the plate 4 carrying the coupling 5. If the coupling is in a deflected position when a pull is given to the hose, the member 8 and holder 1 are first deflected by the springs 12 into the central position, the holder being pulled back into the member 8. In coupling, the projection 6 is pushed into place to deflect the arms 14 against the leaf springs 16 until the catches engage. In another embodiment, the lever catch 7 is replaced by a locking-ball and sleeve assembly. A projecting pin is rigidly attached to the holder 1 and carries a spring-loaded locking sleeve which engages a stop on the bearing member 8 and displaces radially deflectable locking-balls held in radial bores in a sleeve attached to the base-plate 4 which mounts the other halves of the coupling. Alternatively, the locking sleeve may be held in the bearing member 8 so that the spring action during coupling is effected by the main springs 12. Both halves of the couplings may incorporate a valve which is opened upon making the coupling.