Multi-axis rotatable coupling element for a hose or pipe

Abstract

A multi-axis rotatable coupling element for a hose or pipe comprising a rotation assembly coupled between a female fitting and a male fitting. The female fitting has a first female threaded end connector for attachment to a hose or spigot, and a second end connector. The male fitting has a third male threaded end for attachment to a hose or spigot, and a fourth end connector. The rotation assembly consists of a first and second rotation member and a single continuous internal channel. The first and second rotation member are rotatable about a first and second axis of rotation, respectively, and have a first and second longitudinal bore for conveying fluid, respectively. The first and second axes of rotation may be different. The single continuous internal channel comprises at least the first and second longitudinal bore and conveys a fluid between the female fitting and the male fitting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hose coupler comprising:
 a female fitting having a first end connector and a second end connector, wherein the first end connector is a female threaded end connector for attachment to a hose or a spigot;   a male fitting having a third end connector and a fourth end connector, wherein the third end connector is a male threaded end connector for attachment to a hose or a spigot; and   a rotation assembly coupled between the female fitting and the male fitting, the rotation assembly comprising:
 a first rotation member rotatable about a first axis of rotation and having a first longitudinal bore for conveying a fluid; 
 a second rotation member rotatable about a second axis of rotation that is different from the first axis of rotation and having a second longitudinal bore for conveying a fluid; and 
 a single continuous internal channel for conveying a fluid between the female fitting and the male fitting, wherein the internal channel comprises at least the first longitudinal bore and the second longitudinal bore. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hose coupler of  claim 1  wherein the first axis of rotation is perpendicular to the second axis of rotation. 
     
     
         3 . The hose coupler of  claim 1  wherein the first rotation member is rotatable 180 degrees about the first axis of rotation. 
     
     
         4 . The hose coupler of  claim 3  wherein the first rotation member comprises an upper half coupled to the female fitting and a lower half coupled to the male fitting. 
     
     
         5 . The hose coupler of  claim 1  wherein the second rotation member is rotatable 360 degrees about the second axis of rotation. 
     
     
         6 . The hose coupler of  claim 5  wherein the second rotation member comprises a rotatable coupling between the lower half of the first rotation member and a one of the second end connector and the fourth end connector. 
     
     
         7 . The hose coupler of  claim 1  wherein the internal diameter of the single continuous internal channel is between 0.4 inches and 0.6 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The hose coupler of  claim 7  wherein the internal diameter of the first longitudinal bore is equal to the internal diameter of the second longitudinal bore. 
     
     
         9 . The hose coupler of  claim 7  wherein the first rotation member and second rotation member both contain at least one O-ring, wherein a diameter of the O-ring is larger than an internal diameter of one or more of the first longitudinal bore or the second longitudinal bore and is oriented perpendicular to the respective first or second axis of rotation. 
     
     
         10 . The hose coupler of  claim 1  wherein the first axis of rotation is parallel to the first longitudinal bore for conveying a fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The hose coupler of  claim 1  wherein the second axis of rotation is parallel to the second longitudinal bore for conveying a fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The hose coupler of  claim 1  wherein the single continuous internal channel comprises a fluid connection between the female fitting, the second rotation member, the first rotation member, and the male fitting.