초록 ▼

A lockring tube joint is described where the end portions of a pair of interfitting tubes are joined by a lockring, wherein the lockring can be installed with less force than prior lockrings and, despite lower installation forces, the tubes are securely held together. The lockring has a front sectio

A lockring tube joint is described where the end portions of a pair of interfitting tubes are joined by a lockring, wherein the lockring can be installed with less force than prior lockrings and, despite lower installation forces, the tubes are securely held together. The lockring has a front section whose internal surface is tapered, a center section with a cylindrical inner surface of the same diameter as the smallest diameter of the front section, and a rear section forming a push surface for receiving forces to push the ring onto the tubes. The center section is relatively long and thin. As the lockring is pushed onto the interfitting tubes, the front section of the lockring encounters resistance to forward movement, while the center section section of the lockring is longitudinally compressed. The longitudinally compressed center section elastically grows in diameter, which avoids high friction contact with the outermost tube. When the lockring is installed and pushing forces are no longer applied, the center section springs back to its original, smaller cylindrical shape, wherein it compresses the tubes to hold them tightly together over an appreciable length of the tubes.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for joining the ends of a pair of interfitting tubes wherein the end portion of a first tube lies closely within the end portion of said second tube, and wherein said second tube end portion has a first predetermined outside diameter, comprising: a lockring having front, center and rear se

Apparatus for joining the ends of a pair of interfitting tubes wherein the end portion of a first tube lies closely within the end portion of said second tube, and wherein said second tube end portion has a first predetermined outside diameter, comprising: a lockring having front, center and rear sections, said front section having an internal surface which is tapered in a forward radially-outward direction and which has a predetermined minimum diameter which is less than said first diameter, said center section having a cylindrical internal surface of said predetermined minimum diameter, and said rear section forming a rearwardly-facing push surface; said center section being so constructed and arranged in the relationship of the length to the thickness thereof so it elastically bows outwardly far enough to avoid high frictional contact with said second tube when said ring is pushed over a tube by a force applied to said push surface while said front section squeezes said tube end portions to reduce their diameters.