Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd.

Toru Kohda

Toshio Mikiya

A pipe coupling is disclosed which comprises a plug () and a socket (). When the plug is inserted into the socket, the plug first urges sleeve actuators () radially outward to axially move a sleeve () and, thereafter, urges locking elements () radially outward to move the sleeve further. Eventually, the locking elements and sleeve actuators are fitted within a locking recess (-) of the plug to securely connect the plug and the socket.

Pipe joint and socket for pipe joint

A pipe coupling is configured such that when a male coupling member and a female coupling member are to be connected with each other, a valve disposed in the female coupling member is partly inserted into the male coupling member so as to come into press-contact with the valve in the male coupling member, and to cause displacement of the valves, to thereby open a fluid passage in the pipe coupling. An O-ring is provided on the interior surface of the male coupling member. A sleeve is arranged in a female coupling member such that a forward end portion of the sleeve is inserted into the male coupling member in such a manner that the outer surface of the forward end portion of the sleeve sealingly engages with the O-ring, while allowing the valves of the male and female coupling members abut against each other within the forward end portion of the sleeve.

Pipe coupling including first and second coupling members

A fluid coupler has a female coupler member and a male coupler member which can be connected to the female coupler member by simply being inserted into the female coupler member. The female coupler member includes a first locking ball, a second locking ball and a locking ball confining ring. The confining ring has a first slanted inner surface engaging the first locking ball to partly project the first locking ball into a male coupler member receiving hole of the female coupler. The confining ring further has a second slanted inner surface and a locking ball pressing surface extending in parallel with an axis of the male coupler member receiving hole. In an insertion operation, the male coupler member first engages the first locking ball to press it against the first slanted surface, thereby axially moving the confining ring. This movement of the ring disengages the locking ball pressing surface from the second locking ball so that the second locking ball is forced by the male coupler member against the second slanted surface to move the confining ring. Upon completion of insertion of the male coupler member, a recess formed in an outer surface of the male coupler member is radially aligned with the first and second locking balls which have been moved radially outwardly and, then, receives these locking balls thereinto, whereby the locking ball confining ring returns to its initial position wherein the first slanted surface and the locking ball pressing surface engage the first locking ball and second locking ball, respectively. Accordingly, even if an excessive pulling force is applied to the male coupler member, the locking ball pressing surface prevents the second locking ball from being moved radially to thereby positively retain the male coupler member in the female coupler member.

Fluid coupler

A coupling member comprises a spherical rotatable valve member installed in a fluid passage thereof, in which the fluid passage is maintained open when a through hole of the valve member is aligned with the fluid passage, while the fluid passage is maintained closed when the through hole of the valve member not aligned with the fluid passage. An annular sealing convex portion is arranged on the outer surface of the valve member, which has larger radii relative to a pivotal axis A than the outer surface, so that the sealing convex portion is fully engaged with an end-opening peripheral edge of the fluid passage only when the valve member is placed in the closing rotational position.

Coupling member of a pipe coupling

A coupling member has a spherical rotatable valve member is operatively installed therein so as to be movable in an axial direction of the coupling member, and so as also to be rotatable between the opening rotational position and a closing rotational position under a control of a cam mechanism comprising a pin and a cam hole formed in the rotatable valve member and slidably engaged with the pin. The coupling member further comprises a stopper to be engaged with the rotational valve member to hold it into the opening rotational position and a spring member for urging the rotatable valve member against the stopper via the pin.

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Tokyo, Japan

Toru Kohda