Hose coupling device

Abstract

Hose coupling devices that securely connect an end of a hose to a fitting member using a retention mechanism operated by multi-threaded engagement of the fitting member with a collar member. The multi-threaded engagement also may operate a hose advancement mechanism. The advancement mechanism axially advances a hose during multi-threaded engagement so that the hose may be more effectively gripped by the retention mechanism.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A hose coupling device comprising 
 a fitting member having an internal channel, a first multi-threaded portion, and a tube portion configured for insertion into an end of a hose, and    a collar member having a second multi-threaded portion that complements the first multi-threaded portion for engaging the fitting member to the collar member and creating a sealed conduit connection between a hose and the internal channel of the fitting member.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first multi-threaded portion is formed on an external side of the fitting member, and the second multi-threaded portion is formed on an internal side of the collar member.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the collar member has a third multi-threaded portion that advances the hose along the tube portion when the collar member engages the fitting member.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the third multi-threaded portion has at least four helical threads.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the third multi-threaded portion has at least eight helical threads.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the third multi-threaded portion includes buttress threads.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first, second and third multi-threaded portions have the same helical handedness.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first and third multi-threaded portions have opposite helical handedness.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first multi-threaded portion has a standard helical threaded pattern.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second multi-threaded portions have a greater pitch than the third multi-threaded portion.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first multi-threaded portion has four helical threads.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first multi-threaded portion includes plural threads following adjacent helical paths.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the plural threads begin at the same axial position.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second multi-threaded portions are configured such that the fitting member and the collar member can be completely engaged by turning the collar member less than about one revolution relative to the fitting member.  
     
     
         15 . The device of clam  1 , wherein each of the first and second multi-threaded portions is formed by substantially continuous helical ridges.  
     
     
         16 . A hose coupling device comprising 
 a fitting member having an internal channel, a first multi-threaded portion and a tube portion configured for insertion into an end of a hose, and    a collar member having a second multi-threaded portion that complements the first multi-threaded portion for engaging the fitting member to the collar member and creating a sealed conduit connection between a hose and the internal channel of the fitting member, each of the first and second multi-threaded portions being configured such that the collar member can be completely engaged to the fitting member by turning the collar member less than about one revolution relative to the fitting member.    
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the first multi-threaded portion includes at least four helical threads that follow adjacent helical paths.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the first multi-threaded portion includes plural threads that begin at substantially the same axial position along the fitting member.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the collar member has a third multi-threaded portion that advances a hose along the tube portion when the collar member engages the fitting member.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the third multi-threaded portion has at least eight threads.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the third multi-threaded portion includes buttress threads.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second multi-threaded portions have a greater pitch than the third multi-threaded portion.  
     
     
         23 . A hose coupling device comprising 
 a fitting member having an internal channel, a first multi-threaded portion, and a tube portion configured for insertion into an end of a hose, and    a collar member having a second multi-threaded portion that complements the first multi-threaded portion for engaging the fitting member to the collar member and creating a sealed conduit connection between a hose and the internal channel of the fitting member, and a third multi-threaded portion that advances a hose along the tube portion when the collar member engages the fitting member.    
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second multi-threaded portions have a greater pitch than the third multi-threaded portion.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the second and third multi-threaded portions include helical threads formed in an internal side of the collar member.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein each of the second and third multi-threaded portions includes threads, the threads of the second multi-threaded portion having a greater pitch than the threads of the third multi-threaded portion.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the third multi-threaded portion includes buttress threads that resist removal of a hose from the tube portion of the fitting member.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein each of the second and third multi-threaded portions includes helical threads characterized by the same helical handedness.  
     
     
         29 . A hose coupling device comprising 
 a fitting member,    a collar member,    an engagement mechanism that securely engages the fitting member with the collar member, the engagement mechanism being multi-threaded, and    a retention mechanism coupled to the engagement mechanism, the retention mechanism being adapted to create a sealed connection between a hose and the engaged fitting and collar members in response to implementation of the engagement mechanism.    
     
     
         30 . A hose coupling device comprising 
 a fitting member having a first retaining portion,    a collar member having a second retaining portion, the first and second retaining portions forming a retention mechanism adapted to cooperatively and sealingly retain a hose in association with the fitting and collar members, and    an engagement mechanism that securely engages the fitting member with the collar member, the engagement mechanism being multi-threaded and adapted to couple engagement of the fitting and collar members to activation of the retention mechanism.    
     
     
         31 . A hose coupling device comprising 
 a fitting member having a tube portion adapted to insert into an end of a hose,    a collar member having a retaining portion adapted to at least substantially encircle an exterior portion of the hose end, and    an engagement mechanism that securely engages the fitting member with the collar member so that the stem and retaining portion opposingly grip the hose end, the engagement mechanism being multi-threaded.    
     
     
         32 . A hose coupling device comprising 
 a fitting member having a first retaining portion,    a collar member having a second retaining portion, the first and second retaining portions forming a retention mechanism adapted to cooperatively and sealingly retain a hose in association with the fitting and collar members,    a hose advancement mechanism, the hose advancement mechanism being adapted to advance the hose relative to the fitting member so that the hose may be more effectively gripped by the retention mechanism, and    an engagement mechanism that securely engages the fitting member with the collar member, the engagement mechanism being multi-threaded and adapted to couple engagement of the fitting and collar members to activation of the advancement and retention mechanisms.