IP Library Granted Patent US 7,108,292
Granted Patent B2
US 7,108,292 · App. 10/812,119 · Granted Sep 19, 2006

Hose coupler

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,108,292
App. No.
10/812,119
Granted
Sep 19, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for coupling ends of a first hose and a second hose. The apparatus comprises a male coupler configured to attach to the first hose, and a female coupler having an inner cavity and being configured to attach to the second hose in the inner cavity by way of a first ferrule assembly. The first ferrule assembly comprises an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the second hose proximate a first end of the second hose, and an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the second hose and configured to rotatably couple with the female coupler so that the inner ferrule may swivel relative to the female coupler thereby enabling the female coupler to be swiveled about the second hose without rotating the second hose. The male coupler and the female coupler are configured to couple to each other.

Claims (47)

1. An apparatus for coupling ends of a first hose and a second hose, comprising:

a male coupler configured to attach to the first hose;

a female coupler having an inner cavity and being configured to attach to the second hose in the inner cavity by way of a first ferrule assembly disposed entirely within the inner cavity, the first ferrule assembly comprising:

an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the second hose proximate a first end of the second hose;

an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the second hose and configured to rotatably couple with the female coupler so that the inner ferrule may swivel relative to the female coupler thereby enabling the female coupler to be swiveled about the second hose without-rotating the second hose;

wherein the male coupler and the female coupler are configured to couple to each other, and wherein the inner ferrule is coupled to the female coupler by folding a portion of the inner ferrule over a ridge located in the inner cavity of the female coupler in a manner that allows the inner ferrule to swivel within the female coupler about the ridge.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an o-ring located in a groove of the inner cavity of the female coupler to provide a seal between the outer ferrule, the inner ferrule, and the inner cavity of the female coupler.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the male coupler comprises an external threaded portion configured to be threadably received within internal threads of the female coupler.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the male coupler has an inner cavity and is configured to attach to the first hose in the inner cavity by way of a second ferrule assembly, the second ferrule assembly comprising:

an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the first hose proximate a first end of the first hose;

an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the first hose and configured to couple with the outer ferrule proximate the first end of the first hose.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the outer ferrule of the male coupler comprises undulations to couple the outer ferrule of the male coupler to the first hose.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the inner ferrule of the male coupler comprises undulations to couple the inner ferrule of the male coupler to the first hose.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second ferrule assembly does not swivel with respect to the male coupler.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer ferrule of the female coupler comprises undulations to couple the outer ferrule of the female coupler to the second hose.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the female coupler comprises an oval shaped housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the oval shaped housing comprises an oval shaped cone.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the housing of the female coupler has a length greater than a cross-sectional width dimension of the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the male coupler comprises an oval shaped housing.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the oval shaped housing comprises an oval shaped cone.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inner cavity of the female coupler comprises an inwardly extending draft.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , the male coupler and the female coupler each comprises an oval cross sectional shape to allow the male coupler to be tightened to the female connector without tools.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the male coupler and the female coupler are made from plastic.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the male coupler and the female coupler are made from metal.

18. An apparatus for coupling a first hose to a second hose, comprising:

a male coupler configured to attach to the first hose;

a female coupler having an inner cavity and being configured to attach to the second hose in the inner cavity by way of a first ferrule assembly disposed entirely within the inner cavity, the first ferrule assembly comprising:

an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the second hose proximate a first end of the second hose;

an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the second hose and configured to rotatably couple with the female coupler so that the inner ferrule may swivel relative to the female coupler thereby enabling the female coupler to be swiveled about the second hose without rotating the second hose; and

an o-ring, wherein the inner cavity of the female coupler is configured to receive the o-ring to provide a seal between the outer ferrule, the inner ferrule, and the inner cavity of the female coupler;

wherein the male coupler and female coupler are configured to couple to each other.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the o-ring is positioned in a groove of the inner cavity of the female coupler to provide a seal between the outer ferrule, the inner ferrule;and the inner cavity of the female coupler.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the inner ferrule is coupled to the female coupler by crimping a portion of the inner ferrule over a ridge located in the inner cavity of the female coupler such that the inner ferrule may swivel within the female coupler about the ridge.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the male coupler and the female coupler may be coupled to each other by threading an external threaded portion of the male portion into internal threads of the female coupler.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the male coupler has an inner cavity and is configured to attach to the first hose in the inner cavity by way of a second ferrule assembly, the second ferrule assembly comprising:

an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the first hose proximate a first end of the first hose;

an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the first hose and configured to couple with the outer ferrule proximate the first end of the first hose.

wherein the outer ferrule of the male coupler comprises undulations to couple the outer ferrule of the male coupler to the first hose;

wherein the inner ferrule of the male coupler comprises undulations to couple the inner ferrule of the male coupler to the first hose.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the second ferrule assembly does not swivel with respect to the male coupler.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the female coupler and the male coupler comprise generally oval shapes for an ergonomic grip.

25. A method of producing an apparatus for coupling ends of a first hose and a second hose together, comprising:

providing a male coupler configured to attach to the first hose;

providing a female coupler having an inner cavity and being configured to attach to the second hose in the inner cavity by way of a first ferrule assembly disposed entirely within the inner cavity;

configuring the male coupler and the female coupler to couple to each other;

providing the first ferrule assembly with an outer ferrule positionable on an outside surface of the second hose proximate a first end of the second hose, and an inner ferrule positionable on an inside surface of the second hose and configured to rotatably couple with the female coupler so that the inner ferrule may swivel relative to the female coupler thereby enabling the female coupler to be swiveled about the second hose without rotating the second hose coupling the inner ferrule to the female coupler by folding a portion of the inner ferrule over a ridge located in the inner cavity of the female coupler in a manner to allow the inner ferrule to swivel within the female coupler about the ridge.

26. The method of claim 25 , further comprising positioning an o-ring in a groove of the inner cavity of the female coupler to provide a seal between the outer ferrule, the inner ferrule, and the inner cavity of the female coupler.

Assignments (30)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2022
From: FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SWAN PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 059591/0445 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2022
From: SWAN PRODUCTS, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 059591/0519 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNOR NAME AND ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 038222 FRAME: 0703. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST . Recorded Apr 19, 2016
From: SWAN PRODUCTS, LLC
To: MB FINANCIAL BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 038463/0684 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2016
From: MB FINANCIAL BANK, N.A.
To: SWAN PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 038222/0703 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2016
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SWAN PRODUCTS, LLC; SWAN PRODUCTS CANADA LTD.
Reel/Frame 038382/0160 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2016
From: SWAN PRODUCTS, LLC
To: PNC BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 038328/0547 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 30, 2013
From: SWAN PRODUCTS, LLC; SWAN PRODUCTS CANADA LTD.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 030314/0261 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2013
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
To: SWAN HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 030268/0258 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2013
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; TEKNI-PLEX TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 030205/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2013
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; TEKNI-PLEX TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 030204/0842 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 11, 2013
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; TEKNI-PLEX TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 030204/0179 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 11, 2013
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
Reel/Frame 030204/0152 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 11, 2013
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; TEKNI-PLEX TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 030204/0406 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 4, 2012
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 028310/0199 →
PATENT RELEASE AGREEMENT Recorded May 31, 2012
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS AS COLLARTERAL AGENT
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
Reel/Frame 028307/0114 →
PATENT RELEASE AGREEMENT Recorded May 31, 2012
From: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION, DELAWARE CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATON; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A DELWARE CORPORATION; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC., A DELWARE CORPORATION; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028301/0582 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 9, 2011
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 025767/0887 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN U.S. PATENTS Recorded Nov 23, 2010
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 025412/0510 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2010
From: CITICORP USA, INC.
To: PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
Reel/Frame 025390/0258 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2010
From: CITICORP USA, INC.
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
Reel/Frame 025390/0354 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2010
From: OCM TEKNI-PLEX HOLDINGS II, L.P.
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
Reel/Frame 025390/0373 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 16, 2010
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENT, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA
Reel/Frame 025365/0752 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 16, 2010
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENT, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA
Reel/Frame 025365/0762 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NAME OF ONE OF THE CONVEYING ENTITIES FROM "TPI/ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC." TO "TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC." PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 021838 FRAME 0118. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED TO OCM TEKNI-PLEX HOLDINGS II, L.P. Recorded Nov 21, 2008
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
To: OCM TEKNI-PLEX HOLDINGS II, L.P.
Reel/Frame 021861/0659 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 14, 2008
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.; PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI/ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
To: OCM TEKNI-PLEX HOLDINGS II, L.P.
Reel/Frame 021838/0118 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2008
From: PURETEC CORPORATION; NATVAR HOLDINGS, INC.; TRI-SEAL HOLDINGS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BURLINGTON RESINS, INC.; PLASTIC SPECIALTIES AND TECHNOLOGIES INVESTMENTS, INC.; DISTRIBUTORS RECYCLING, INC.; TPI ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.; TP/ELM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 020478/0767 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Feb 7, 2008
From: TEKNI-PLEX, INC
To: CITICORP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 020478/0352 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2006
From: FISKARS BRANDS, INC.
To: TEKNI-PLEX, INC.
Reel/Frame 018420/0243 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 3, 2004
From: AQUAPORE MOISTURE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: FISKARS BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 015054/0826 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2004
From: LIPSCOMB, DANIEL J.; KOBRYN, ALEXANDER P.; YIN, LORENA E.
To: AQUAPORE MOISTURE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 015288/0388 →