Abstract:
A pipe end connecting structure has a floater received in the end of a pipe with a head of the floater against the end of the pipe. A locking device connectable to another structure includes a portion inserted into the floater and locked thereto. The locking device restricts withdrawal of the floater from the pipe, and the floater restricts withdrawal of the locking device from the floater.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/242,183 filed Sep. 14, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to structures and assembly processes for making connections to cylindrical objects; and, more particularly, the invention relates to connections to pipes that can be made quickly and securely without the need for tools. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Connecting structures to the ends of cylindrical objects such as pipes can be difficult. Connecting a metal structure to a metal pipe can be accomplished by welding, brazing and other attaching techniques that can be difficult, time consuming and expensive. Connecting dissimilar materials can be difficult for various reasons, including identifying a technique suitable for both materials. Adhesives and other bonding agents are sometimes used. Many of the known methods require the use of tools or other process systems, multiple parts, long process times, expensive materials, procedures and equipment; or the like. In some assemblies that need to be provided at low cost, increased assembling efficiency can be a significant opportunity for cost reduction. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a connecting structure with few parts for establishing a connection that can be completed without tools, extraneous processes or the like for connecting a structure to the end of a cylindrical object, such as a pipe. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A connection to an end of a pipe includes a floater installed in the pipe and a locking device attached to or a part of the structure to be connected to the pipe. The floater includes legs secured in the pipe and a head at the end of the pipe. The head includes a shaped opening for receiving portions of the locking device inserted therethrough. The locking device is rotated to a locked position securing the floater in the pipe and the locking device in the floater. 
         [0005]    In one aspect of one form thereof, a pipe end connecting structure is provided with a floater received in an end of a pipe, the floater having a deflectable protrusion for secure the floater in the pipe, and a floater head at the end of the pipe. The head has a shaped opening. The deflectable protrusion is deflectable to a deflected position for insertion into the pipe. A locking device has a locking head shaped for insertion into the shaped opening of the floater. The locking head is rotatable relative to the floater from a locking head position not limiting deflection of the deflectable protrusion to a second head position that limits deflection of the deflectable protrusion to the deflected position. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of a form thereof, a pipe end connection is provided with a floater received in a pipe end and including a protrusion wider than an axial bore of the pipe, the protrusion engaging a hole in the side of the pipe. A locking device is received by the floater and is positionally adjustable from an inserted position to a locked position relative to the floater to inhibit withdrawal of the protrusion from the hole. An anti-rotation snap and a stop on the locking device and the floater are cooperatively associated to engage with one another and inhibit rotation from the locked position to the inserted position. 
         [0007]    In a further aspect of a form thereof, a pipe end connection is provided for a pipe having an axial bore, an open end having an end edge, and a hole in the side thereof. A floater is secured in the axial bore, the floater having a head at the pipe open end and a deflectable leg in the pipe, the head defining a slot, and the deflectable leg having a protrusion received in the hole in the pipe. A locking device is received by and engaging the floater, the locking device having a wing inserted through the slot and rotated from the slot to a position against the deflectable leg. 
         [0008]    An advantage of one form of a pipe end connecting structure is that a connection to the end of a pipe can be made manually, without the need for tools or complicated and expensive processes. 
         [0009]    Another advantage of a form of a pipe end connecting structure is that a pipe and another object of dissimilar materials can be physically connected quickly and easily. 
         [0010]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a pipe end connecting structure, with components to be connected aligned for connection, but not yet connected; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, partially broken away; of a first step in completing the connection; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view, partially broken away, of the assembly in the condition shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a partially broken away perspective illustration of the assembly following a step subsequent to those shown in the previous drawings; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective illustration of the connected components, without the pipe being shown; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective illustration of a pipe portion of the structure aligned for insertion into a steel pipe; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective illustration after completing insertion of the pipe component into the pipe; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective illustration of one part of the structure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective illustration of the part shown in  FIG. 8  taken from a different angle; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the part shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the part shown in  FIG. 10 , shown from a different angle; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another part for the second embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an elevational view of the part shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the part shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is an elevational view similar to that of  FIG. 13 , but showing the face of the part opposite the face shown in  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and to  FIG. 1  in particular, a pipe end connecting structure  100  includes a floater  110  received in a pipe  112 . Floater  110  can be made of plastic, and pipe  112  can be made of metal such as steel or other materials, including plastics. It should be understood that the connecting structure of the present invention can be used advantageously with a variety of different materials including various plastics and metals for each of the components to be described herein. The connecting structure can be used when various components are of different materials and when the various components are of similar materials. 
         [0028]    Pipe  112  includes a cylindrical wall defining an axial bore  114  and first and second diametrically opposed holes  116 ,  118  near one end of pipe  112 , spaced inwardly from an end edge  119  of pipe  112 . Pipe  112  is open at the end thereof to which the connection is to be completed. 
         [0029]    Floater  110  is received in and locker to pipe  112 . Floater  110  includes a head  120  and axially extending, transversely curved first and second legs  122 ,  124  each having a protrusion  126 ,  128  respectively thereon. Head  120  defines a circumferential shoulder  130  of larger diameter than the diameter of axial bore  114  in pipe  112 . The transverse curvature of legs  122 ,  124  corresponds to the curvature of axial bore  114  so that legs  122 ,  124  will fit against axial bore  114 . Accordingly, floater  110  can be installed in the end of pipe  112  by inserting legs  122 ,  124  into axial bore  114 . The dimensions of floater  110  and the structure of pipe  112  are selected so that protrusions  126 ,  128  are received in holes  116 ,  118  with circumferential shoulder  130  engaged against the distal end edge  119  of pipe  112 . Legs  122 ,  124  are resiliently deflectable to bend inwardly slightly and rebound outwardly. During assembly, legs  122 ,  124  yield inwardly so that protrusions  128 ,  130  enter axial bore  114  and slide along the inner surface thereof. Floater  110  can be inserted into the end of pipe  112  without aligning protrusions  126 ,  128  with holes  116 ,  118 . When floater  110  is fully inserted so that shoulder  130  is engaged against end edge  119 , floater  110  can be rotated until protrusions  126 ,  128  align with and snap into holes  116  and  118  as legs  122 ,  124  rebound outwardly. To facilitate the insertion and necessary inward deflection of legs  122 ,  124  each of legs  122 ,  124  and protrusions  126 ,  128  can be provided with a ramp portion, angular lead-in surface  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 , respectively. 
         [0030]    Head  120  defines an end opening therethrough, including a center aperture  140  and diametrically opposed slots  142 ,  144  contiguous with center aperture  140 . Ramp stops  146 ,  148  are provided adjacent slots  142 ,  144 , respectively, on the outer face of head  120 . The outer surfaces of ramp stops  146 ,  148  adjacent slots  142 ,  144  define angular ramps  150 ,  152  terminating at rotation stoppers  154 ,  156  formed as substantially axially oriented surfaces. 
         [0031]    In a completed assembly for pipe end connecting structure  100 , a locking device  160  is connected to floater  110 . It should be understood that locking device  160  can be a portion of a structure or device to be connected to the pipe, or can itself be in independent part connected to another object by suitable means. Locking device  160  is provided with a locking head  162  for engaging floater  110 . Locking device  160  can be made of plastic, metals and other suitable materials either the same as or different from either floater  110  or pipe  112 . 
         [0032]    Locking head  162  defines an annular inner step or shoulder  164  to receive and surround floater head  120  and a circumferential outer portion of end edge  119  radially outward of shoulder  130  on floater  110 . Accordingly, head  162  receives therein and surrounds an end portion of pipe  112  with floater  110  installed therein. Locking head  162  further includes a post  166  and wings  168 ,  170  configured and arranged to be inserted into center aperture  140  and opposed slots  142 ,  144 , respectively. During assembly, post  166  and wings  168 ,  170  are inserted through aperture  140  and slots  142 ,  144  until shoulder  164  engages end edge  119  and floater head  120 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate, respectively, locking device  160  positioned for insertion and fully inserted. 
         [0033]    With reference now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it can be observed how the locking device of the present invention is locked to secure locking device  160  to both floater  110  and pipe  112 .  FIG. 3  illustrates from another angle the fully inserted position depicted in  FIG. 2 , with wings  168 ,  170  of locking device  160  within floater  110 . From the position shown in  FIG. 3 , locking device  160  is rotated through some suitable distance, approximately 90° in the exemplary embodiment shown, so that wings  168 ,  170  are aligned with and radially inward of legs  122 ,  124 . Proximal ends  172 ,  174  of wings  168 ,  170  ride against angular ramps  176 ,  178  on the inside of floater  110  to draw locking head  162  tightly against floater  110  and pipe  112 . Rotation of locking device  160  relative to floater  110  is terminated when a stopper  180 ,  182  is encountered, depending on the direction that locking devices  160  is rotated relative to floater  110 . Head  162  is further provided with one or more deflectable anti-rotation snap  184  for riding over ramps  150 ,  152  while deflecting outwardly and rebounding inwardly thereafter against stops  154 ,  156  of ramp stops  146 ,  148 . 
         [0034]    In the second, locked position of locking head  162 , floater  110 , pipe  112  and locking device  160  are compacted tightly together. Floater  110  is secured in pipe  112  by the engagement of protrusions  126 ,  128  in holes  116 ,  118 . Floater  110  can not be dislodged easily from pipe  112  in that wings  168 ,  170  backed by post  166  there between are aligned between and against legs  122 ,  124  so that the legs cannot be deflected inwardly to disengage protrusions  126 ,  128  from holes  116 ,  118  in pipe  112 . A continuous, structure is provided between legs  122 ,  124  via wings  168 ,  170  and post  166  there between. Locking device  160  is secured to floater  110  by the engagement of wing proximal ends  172 ,  174  against ramps  176 ,  178  so that locking device  160  can not be pulled outwardly away from floater  110 . Rotation of locking device  160  away from the second, locked position toward the first, inserted position is inhibited by anti-rotation snap  184  lodged against either stop  154  or stop  156 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate another embodiment of a floater  210 . Structures and features of floater  210  that are similar to structures and features of floater  110  are identified with numbers in the “200” series corresponding to the numbers in the “100” series used for floater  110 . Accordingly, floater  210  includes a head  220  and legs  222 ,  224  with protrusions  226 ,  228  which are similar to head  120 , legs  122 ,  124  and protrusions  126 ,  128  of floater  110 . Head  220  defines a circumferential shoulder  230  similar to circumferential shoulder  130 . Angular lead-in surfaces  232 ,  234 ,  236 ,  238  are provided on legs  222 ,  224  and protrusions  226 ,  228 . A center aperture  240  and diametrically opposed slots  242 ,  244  are provided in head  220 . Ramp stops  246 ,  248  provided at the outer ends of slots  242 ,  244  are provided with angular ramps  250 ,  252  terminating at rotation stoppers  254 ,  256 . The inside of head  220  defines engaging ramps  257  with stops  259 , only one of which is visible in the drawings. 
         [0036]    A locking device  260  ( FIGS. 12-15 ) includes a locking head  262  defining an inner step or shoulder  264 , a post  266  and wings  268 ,  270 . Wings  268 ,  270  are T-shaped in cross section, having elongated outer portions  269 ,  271  respectively. Proximal ends  272 ,  274  of wings  268 ,  270  ride against angular engaging ramps  257 . Head  262  is provided with two deflectable anti-rotation snaps  284 ,  286  for riding over ramps  250 ,  252  and engaging rotation stoppers  254 ,  256 . The elongated outer surfaces of outer portions  269 ,  271  provide increased contact area against legs  222 ,  224 . 
         [0037]    The connecting structures and devices shown and described herein, including floaters  110 ,  210  and locking devices  160 ,  260  can be used for a variety of different purposes including simple physical attachment of a device or structure to a cylindrical object such as a pipe. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand that with the use of appropriate ports through the floater and locking device as well as gaskets or the like between mating components a connection can be made so as to transfer fluids between the pipe, locking device and another structure. The connections made can be accomplished easily by hand, without tools or complicated processes, and are suitable for use with components of a variety of different materials. 
         [0038]    Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
         [0039]    Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.