Pipe coupler with retaining ring structure
A pipe coupler includes a tubular member internally defining a tubular passage communicable with a front opening and a rear pipe connector thereof; a valve head movably set in the tubular passage for openably sealing the front opening; a retaining ring fitted in the tubular passage adjacent to the rear pipe connector and including a hollow cylindrical section; and a return spring set in the tubular passage between the valve head and the retaining ring. The cylindrical section of the retaining ring has two circumferentially opposite free ends defining an elastically compressible gap between them, and an outer contact surface corresponding to an inner side of the tubular member. The tubular member is internally provided near the rear pipe connector with an annular groove, and the contact surface is provided with a round flange engaged with the annular groove to hold the retaining ring in place in the tubular member.
1. A pipe coupler with retaining ring structure, comprising:
a tubular member having two open ends, which are defined as a front opening and a rear pipe connector; and the tubular member internally defining a tubular passage extending between and communicating with the front opening and the rear pipe connector, and being internally provided near the rear pipe connector with a circumferentially extended annular groove;
a movable valve head being movably set in the tubular passage to openably seal the front opening;
a retaining ring being fitted in the tubular passage and located adjacent to the rear pipe connector; the retaining ring including a hollow cylindrical section extended axially by an axial length and having two circumferentially opposite free ends and an outer contact surface corresponding to an inner side of the tubular member; the contact surface being provided with a circumferentially extended and radially protruded flange for engaging with the annular groove; the two circumferentially opposed free ends defining an elastically compressible gap between them; and the retaining ring internally defining a through bore, which is located at a radially inner side of the rear pipe connector; and
a return spring being set in the tubular passage between the movable valve head and the retaining ring.
2. The pipe coupler with retaining ring structure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retaining ring has a front end that provides a supporting surface facing toward the return spring; and the return spring having two ends elastically pressed against the supporting surface of the retaining ring and the movable valve head.
3. The pipe coupler with retaining ring structure as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the hollow cylindrical section of the retaining ring internally includes a straight section located adjacent to the supporting surface of the retaining ring, and a transition section extended rearward from the straight section; and the transition section having a diameter that is expanded gradually toward a rear end of the retaining ring.
4. The pipe coupler with retaining ring structure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the two circumferentially opposite free ends of the hollow cylindrical section are respectively provided with a radially outward lug, and the two lugs being located at a rear end of the retaining ring; and the tubular member being provided on an inner side near a rear side of the tubular member with receiving slots communicable with the rear pipe connector for correspondingly receiving the two lugs therein.
5. The pipe coupler with retaining ring structure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retaining ring has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of a rear side of the tubular member.