Adapter for an expandable hose
View Patent ↗An adapter for an expandable hose is an apparatus used to connect an expandable hose to other fluid management tools. The apparatus is also configured to prevent leakages in multi-channel expandable hoses. An objective of the apparatus is to provide a connection for expandable hoses. The apparatus is designed to prevent leakage between expandable hoses and the apparatus. A threaded connector enables attachment of the expandable hose to other hoses. Another unit fits inside the inner channel of an expandable hose, while a third part surrounds the inner channel of the expandable hose. An annular fastener secures the outer channel of the expandable hose to the inner channel. A cover or housing may be added to protect components from damage due to external stimuli. Altogether, the apparatus enables a user to securely attach an expandable hose to a spout, faucet, spicket, another hose, or a variety of other devices.
1. An adapter for an expandable hose comprising:
a tubular insert;
a tubular brace;
an annular crimp;
at least one interchangeable hose connector;
the tubular insert comprising an insert flange, an insert annular groove, and an insert wedging feature;
the tubular brace comprising a brace flange, a brace annular groove, a brace male-threading feature, and a brace wedging feature;
the interchangeable hose connector comprising a connector inlet, a connector outlet, a first connector female-threading feature, a second connector female-threading feature, a connector valve, and a plurality of connector gripping ridges;
the insert flange and the insert wedging feature being positioned opposite to each other along the tubular insert;
the insert annular groove being laterally positioned around the tubular insert, adjacent to the insert flange;
the brace male-threading feature and the brace wedging feature being positioned opposite to each other along the tubular brace;
the brace flange being laterally positioned around the tubular brace, adjacent to the brace male-threading feature;
the brace annular groove being laterally positioned around the tubular brace;
the brace annular groove being positioned adjacent to the brace flange, opposite the brace male-threading feature;
the insert annular groove and the insert wedging feature being positioned inside the tubular brace;
the insert flange being positioned outside the tubular brace;
the insert flange being pressed against the brace male-threading feature;
the annular crimp being mounted around the brace annular groove;
the connector inlet being in fluid communication with the connector outlet;
the connector inlet and the connector outlet being positioned opposite to each other about the interchangeable hose connector;
the connector inlet being diametrically smaller than the connector outlet;
the first connector female-threading feature being positioned within the connector inlet;
the first connector female-threading feature being integrated into the connector inlet;
the second connector female-threading feature being positioned within the connector outlet;
the second connector female-threading feature being integrated into the connector outlet;
the connector valve being positioned in between the connector inlet and the connector outlet;
the connector inlet being in fluid communication with the connector outlet through the connector valve;
the plurality of connector gripping ridges being laterally connected to the connector outlet;
the plurality of connector gripping ridges being distributed about the connector outlet;
the plurality of connector gripping ridges being a plurality of connector splines; and
each of the plurality of connector splines being positioned parallel to a central lengthwise axis of the interchangeable hose connector.
2. The adapter for an expandable hose as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
the interchangeable hose connector further comprising a connector male-threading feature; and
the connector male-threading feature being laterally connected about the connector inlet.
3. The adapter for an expandable hose as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a rigid sleeve;
the rigid sleeve comprising a first open end and a second open end;
the rigid sleeve being mounted around the tubular insert, the tubular brace, and the annular crimp;
the tubular insert, the tubular brace, and the annular crimp being positioned offset from the first open end; and
the tubular insert, the tubular brace, and the annular crimp being positioned adjacent to the second open end.
4. The adapter for an expandable hose as claimed in claim 3 further comprising:
the interchangeable hose connector further comprising a connector male-threading feature;
the rigid sleeve further comprising a sleeve female-threading feature;
the connector male-threading feature being laterally connected about the connector inlet;
the sleeve female-threading feature being positioned within the second open end;
the sleeve female-threading feature being integrated into the second open end; and
the sleeve female-threading feature being engaged by the connector male-threading feature.
5. The adapter for an expandable hose as claimed in claim 3 further comprising:
a plurality of sleeve gripping ridges;
the plurality of sleeve gripping ridges being laterally connected to the rigid sleeve;
the plurality of sleeve gripping ridges being distributed about the rigid sleeve;
the plurality of sleeve gripping ridges being a plurality of sleeve splines; and
each of the plurality of sleeve splines being positioned parallel to a central lengthwise axis of the rigid sleeve.
6. The adapter for an expandable hose as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
the tubular brace further comprising a wrench-engaging feature; and
the wrench-engaging feature being laterally integrated into the brace flange.
7. An adapter for an expandable hose comprising:
a tubular insert;
a tubular brace;
an annular crimp;
at least one interchangeable hose connector;
the tubular insert comprising an insert flange, an insert annular groove, and an insert wedging feature;
the tubular brace comprising a brace flange, a brace annular groove, a brace male-threading feature, and a brace wedging feature;
the interchangeable hose connector comprising a connector inlet, a connector outlet, a first connector female-threading feature, a second connector female-threading feature, a connector valve, a plurality of connector gripping ridges, and a connector male-threading feature;
the insert flange and the insert wedging feature being positioned opposite to each other along the tubular insert;
the insert annular groove being laterally positioned around the tubular insert, adjacent to the insert flange;
the brace male-threading feature and the brace wedging feature being positioned opposite to each other along the tubular brace;
the brace flange being laterally positioned around the tubular brace, adjacent to the brace male-threading feature;
the brace annular groove being laterally positioned around the tubular brace;
the brace annular groove being positioned adjacent to the brace flange, opposite the brace male-threading feature;
the insert annular groove and the insert wedging feature being positioned inside the tubular brace;
the insert flange being positioned outside the tubular brace;
the insert flange being pressed against the brace male-threading feature;
the annular crimp being mounted around the brace annular groove;
the connector inlet being in fluid communication with the connector outlet;
the connector inlet and the connector outlet being positioned opposite to each other about the interchangeable hose connector;
the connector inlet being diametrically smaller than the connector outlet;
the first connector female-threading feature being positioned within the connector inlet;
the first connector female-threading feature being integrated into the connector inlet;
the second connector female-threading feature being positioned within the connector outlet;
the second connector female-threading feature being integrated into the connector outlet;
the connector valve being positioned in between the connector inlet and the connector outlet;
the connector inlet being in fluid communication with the connector outlet through the connector valve;
the plurality of connector gripping ridges being laterally connected to the connector outlet;
the plurality of connector gripping ridges being distributed about the connector outlet;
the plurality of connector gripping ridges being a plurality of connector splines;
each of the plurality of connector splines being positioned parallel to a central lengthwise axis of the interchangeable hose connector; and
the connector male-threading feature being laterally connected about the connector inlet.
8. The adapter for an expandable hose as claimed in claim 7 further comprising:
a rigid sleeve;
the rigid sleeve comprising a first open end and a second open end;
the rigid sleeve being mounted around the tubular insert, the tubular brace, and the annular crimp;
the tubular insert, the tubular brace, and the annular crimp being positioned offset from the first open end; and
the tubular insert, the tubular brace, and the annular crimp being positioned adjacent to the second open end.
9. The adapter for an expandable hose as claimed in claim 8 further comprising:
the rigid sleeve further comprising a sleeve female-threading feature;
the sleeve female-threading feature being positioned within the second open end;
the sleeve female-threading feature being integrated into the second open end; and
the sleeve female-threading feature being engaged by the connector male-threading feature.
10. The adapter for an expandable hose as claimed in claim 8 further comprising:
a plurality of sleeve gripping ridges;
the plurality of sleeve gripping ridges being laterally connected to the rigid sleeve;
the plurality of sleeve gripping ridges being distributed about the rigid sleeve;
the plurality of sleeve gripping ridges being a plurality of sleeve splines; and
each of the plurality of sleeve splines being positioned parallel to a central lengthwise axis of the rigid sleeve.
11. The adapter for an expandable hose as claimed in claim 7 further comprising:
the tubular brace further comprising a wrench-engaging feature; and
the wrench-engaging feature being laterally integrated into the brace flange.