Patent Publication Number: US-2017350543-A1

Title: Hose Swivel Coupling System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of Continuation application Ser. No. 15/174,418 originally filed Jun. 6, 2016, entitled “SWIVELING PLUMBING FITTING”, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 14/696,273 originally filed Apr. 24, 2015, the contents all of which are incorporated herein by this reference and are not admitted to be prior art with respect to the present invention by the mention in this cross-reference section. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to swivel couplings, and more specifically, to a hose swivel coupling apparatus capable of rotation in multiple planes and using a combination of a gasket and water pressure flowing through the hose swivel coupling to provide a fluid-proof seal. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments, a hose swivel coupling apparatus and system in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a first tubular connector, a second tubular connector, a pivot device, and a gasket. The first tubular connector further comprises a concave internal cavity and a female threaded portion. The second tubular connector further comprises a male threaded portion and an inlet hole. The pivot device further comprises a ball end and a hollow tubular extension. The hollow tubular extension is preferably coupled to the second tubular connector in the inlet hole and the ball end is configured to fit within the concave internal cavity of the first tubular connector. The gasket preferably fits within the first tubular connector such that the gasket provides a seal between the first tubular connector and the hose being coupled to the hose swivel coupling apparatus. 
     The hose swivel coupling is designed such that when fluid pressure is applied through the first tubular connector the combination of the gasket and the fluid pressure creates a fluid proof seal and permits the second tubular connector to rotate in multiple planes about the first tubular connector as fluid flows through the hose swivel coupling. 
     In various embodiments, one or both of the first tubular connector and second tubular connector may comprise a quick disconnect fitting allowing easy coupling of a hose to the first tubular connector and a second device coupling to the second tubular connector. In other embodiments, either or both of the first tubular connector and the second tubular connector may be integral to a hose or second device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view for a HOSE SWIVEL COUPLING APPARATUS according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an expanded component view for a HOSE SWIVEL COUPLING APPARATUS according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side cut-away view for a HOSE SWIVEL COUPLING APPARATUS according to an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view for a HOSE SWIVEL COUPLING SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to enable someone skilled in the prior art to make and use this invention, but is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 1 , the invention described herein is a hose swivel coupling apparatus  100  preferably comprising a first tubular connector  110 , further comprising a concave internal cavity and a female threaded portion  120 ; a second tubular connector  130 , further comprising a male threaded portion  140  and an inlet hole; a pivot device  150 , further comprising a ball end structured to fit within the concave internal cavity of the first tubular connector  110  and a hollow tubular extension coupled to the second tubular connector  130  at said inlet hole; and a gasket  160  fitted inside the first tubular connector  110  providing a seal between a hose threadably attached to the first tubular connector  110  and the pivot device  150  ball end. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gasket  260  is preferably shaped and structured to seat within the first tubular connector  210  to provide a seal, along with fluid pressure, between a threadably coupled hose and the first tubular connector  210 . The gasket  260  is preferably flat with a center bore  262  extending axially through the gasket allowing fluid to enter the first tubular connector  210  and flow through the bore  262  in the gasket and into the pivot device  250  ball end  252 . Additionally, the gasket  260  preferably holds the pivot device ball end  252  in place within the concave internal cavity of the first tubular connector  210 . 
     The gasket  260  is preferably made from a semi-rigid silicon-based material, or rubber, and is generally flat and circular in shape. However, other materials suitable to provide similar characteristics are considered. In an alternate embodiment, the gasket  260  is formed as part of, and integral to, the first tubular connector  210 . 
     The hose swivel coupling apparatus components, the first tubular connector, the second tubular connector, and/or the pivot device may preferably be comprised of a metal material, such as brass or stainless steel, or a polymeric material, such as PVC or other rigid high density copolyester plastic, or any combination thereof. Although described with respect to specific materials, any material with suitable strength and smoothness for the hose swivel coupling apparatus to operate under fluid pressure provided by fluid flow is within the scope of the preferred embodiment. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the first tubular connector  210  preferably comprises a female threaded portion  230  preferably configured with standard female garden hose threads (GHF) to receive and couple the hose swivel coupling apparatus to a hose with complementary male garden hose threads. Additionally, a portion of the exterior surface  216  of the first tubular connector  210  preferably comprises a textured surface to allow for improved grip and easier manipulation of the first tubular connector  210  when threadably coupling the hose swivel coupling apparatus to a hose. The textured surface is preferably comprised of a plurality of linear ribs running the length of the first tubular connector. Alternately, the textured surface is comprised of a rough knurling pattern etched, or carved, into the exterior surface of the first tubular connector. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first tubular connector  310  further comprises a concave internal cavity  312 , where the surface of the concave internal cavity  312  is preferably configured in a concave shape structured to match the shape of the pivot device ball end  352 . The first tubular connector  310  preferably further comprises an outlet hole  314  opposite the female threaded portion  320 . The outlet hole  314  is sized to accept the distal end of the hollow tubular extension  354  of the pivot device  350  but not allow the ball end to fit through. The pivot device ball end  352  is preferably encapsulated within the concave internal cavity  312  such that the ball end is allowed to rotate freely within the concave internal cavity  312  while the hollow tubular extension  354  connects the ball end to the second tubular connector  330  at the second tubular connector inlet hole  332 . The surface of the exterior of the ball end and the interior of the concave internal cavity where the two meet are preferably smooth to allow the free rotation of the ball end within the concave internal cavity as fluid pressure flows through the hose swivel coupling apparatus  300 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the second tubular connector  330  comprises a male threaded portion  340  and a flat surface with an inlet hole  332  opposite the male threaded portion  340 . The male threaded portion  340  is preferably configured with standard male garden hose threads (GHM) to receive and couple the second tubular connector  330  to a second device with complementary female threads, such as a hose accessory device or a second hose. A portion of the exterior surface of the second tubular connector  260  preferably comprises a textured surface to allow for improved grip and easier manipulation of the second tubular connector  330  when threadably coupling the hose swivel coupling apparatus  300  to a second device. Like the textured surface of the first tubular connector  310 , the textured surface is preferably comprised of linear ribs running the length of the first tubular connector. Alternately, the textured surface is comprised of a rough knurling pattern etched, or carved, into the exterior surface of the first tubular connector. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the hose swivel coupling apparatus  300  comprises a pivot device  350  coupled to and in fluid communication with the first tubular connector  310  concave internal cavity  320 . The pivot device preferably comprises a ball end  352  and a hollow tubular extension  354 . The longitudinal bore of the hollow tubular extension  354  continues through the ball end  352 . As fluid flows through the first tubular connector  310 , the fluid enters the pivot device ball end  352  and flows through the hollow tubular extension  354  and out the second tubular connector  330  into the garden hose accessory threadably attached to the second tubular connector  330  male threaded portion  340 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the pivot device ball end  352  preferably comprises a chamfered opening. The chamfered opening of the ball end  352  directs the fluid flowing into the first tubular connector  310  to flow into the pivot device  350  and still allow the second tubular connector  330  to swivel about the first tubular connector  310 . The chamfered opening also produces a venturi effect where the fluid pressure is increased as it flows through the pivot device. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the pivot device hollow tubular extension  354  is preferably structured and arranged to fit into the inlet hole  332  of the second tubular connector  330 . The pivot device ball end  352  allows the second tubular connector  330  to rotate through multiple planes in relation to the first tubular connector  310 . The combination of the gasket  360  and fluid pressure flowing into the first tubular connector  310  provides the fluid-proof seal within the concave internal cavity  312  by pushing the pivot device ball end  352  against the inside surface of the concave internal cavity  312  preventing excess fluid from leaking out of the hose swivel apparatus  300 . 
     Alternately preferably, the first tubular connector may further comprise a quick disconnect fitting. In such embodiments, a hose will preferably comprise a quick disconnect fitting that is complimentary to the quick disconnect fitting of the first tubular connector. Alternately preferably, any structure suitable for coupling the first tubular connector in a permanent or temporary manner with a hose is within the scope of the present invention. 
     Alternately preferably, the second tubular connector may further comprise a quick disconnect fitting. In such embodiments, a second hose or a second device will preferably comprise a quick disconnect fitting that is complimentary to the quick disconnect fitting of the second tubular connector. Alternately preferably, any structure suitable for coupling the second tubular connector in a permanent or temporary manner with a second hose or a second device is within the scope of the present invention. 
     In an alternate embodiment, either the first tubular connector or the second tubular connector may be integrated into a corresponding hose or second device. For example, a second device may have the second tubular connector integrated into one end, such as the inlet of a sprayer or nozzle. Additionally, the first tubular connector may be integrated into a hose outlet end. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a hose swivel coupling system  400  comprising: a first tubular connector  410  defining a concave internal cavity and coupled to a first hose  420 ; a second tubular connector  430  coupled to a second device  440 ; a pivot device  450 , further comprising a ball end structured to fit within the concave internal cavity and a hollow tubular extension mated to the second tubular connector; and a gasket fitted inside the first tubular connector  410  providing a seal between the first hose  420  coupled to the first tubular connector  410  and the pivot device  450  ball end. The second device could be a second hose or an accessory such as a hand-held sprayer. 
     The first tubular connector  410 , the second tubular connector  430 , and the pivot device  450  are as described above in the hose swivel coupling apparatus. All of the features and details of the hose swivel coupling apparatus described above are incorporated into the hose swivel coupling system  400 . 
     Preferably, the first tubular connector  410  preferably further comprises standard female hose threads, such as garden hose threads (GHF) and is threadably coupled to a typical hose  420  or garden hose. Also, the second tubular connector  430  preferably further comprises standard male hose threads, such as male garden hose threads (GHM), and is preferably threadably coupled to a second device  440 , such as a second hose or a hose accessory. Spray accessories could include, but are not limited to, spray nozzles, hand sprayers, wand sprayers, and wand brushes. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the first tubular connector is integral to the first hose. In this alternate embodiment, the first tubular connector is permanently coupled to the first hose. In this embodiment, a user would only have to threadably couple the second tubular connector to a second hose inlet or an accessory inlet, such as a spray nozzle. 
     Alternately, the second tubular connector is integral to the second hose or the second device. In this embodiment, the second tubular connector would be permanently coupled to the inlet end of a second hose or the the inlet end of an accessory, such as a spray nozzle, wherein a user would only have to threadably couple the first tubular connector to the outlet end of a first hose. 
     Alternately preferably, the first tubular connector may further comprise a quick disconnect fitting. In such embodiments, a first hose will preferably comprise a quick disconnect fitting that is complimentary to the quick disconnect fitting of the first tubular connector. Alternately preferably, any structure suitable for coupling the first tubular connector in a permanent or temporary manner with a first hose is within the scope of the present invention. 
     Alternately preferably, the second tubular connector may further comprise a quick disconnect fitting. In such embodiments, a second device will preferably comprise a quick disconnect fitting that is complimentary to the quick disconnect fitting of the second tubular connector. Alternately preferably, any structure suitable for coupling the second tubular connector in a permanent or temporary manner with a second device is within the scope of the present invention 
     Several characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the preceding description, including various alternative embodiments together with details of the structure and function of the devices and/or systems. The disclosure is intended as illustrative only and, as such, is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made, especially in matters of structure, materials, elements, components, shapes, sizes, and arrangements of parts including combinations within the principles described herein, to the full extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. To the extent that these various modifications depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, they are intended to be encompassed therein.