A connector for the reciprocal connection of an end member of a water supply or a sprayer and a flexible hose

A connector for reciprocal connection of an end member of a water supply or of a sprayer with a flexible hose having an end, comprising:

• a main tubular body defining an axis and having,
• a first end portion adapted to be coupled to the end member, and
• a second end portion that includes an elongated spigot adapted to be fitted within the end of the flexible hose and an abutment wall from which the spigot extends;
• a tubular shaped ring nut adapted to be screwed onto the main body so that the tubular shaped ring nut is placed peripherally to the spigot;
• an annular pressure element adapted to be coaxially interposed between the ring nut and the spigot, the ring nut, upon screwing on the main body, interacting with the annular pressure element to exert a radial pressure on the end of the flexible hose once the end of the flexible hose is fitted on the spigot, so as to promote during use an expansion of the end of the flexible hose, the annular pressure element having an annular edge facing the abutment wall of the main tubular body;
• and
• a plurality of elongated spacer members interposed between the annular edge and the abutment wall to maintain reciprocally spaced apart the pressure element and the tubular main body, so as to define therebetween an annular seat adapted to receive the expanded end of the flexible hose.

A system comprising:

• an extendible flexible hose to transport liquids, the flexible hose having an end;
• a connector for a reciprocal connection of an end member of a water supply or of a sprayer and the end of the flexible hose;
• wherein the connector comprises:
• a main tubular body defining an axis and having,
• a first end portion adapted to be coupled to the end member, and
• a second end portion that includes an elongated spigot adapted to be fitted within the end of the flexible hose and an abutment wall from which the spigot extends;
• a tubular shaped ring nut adapted to be screwed onto the main body so that the tubular shaped ring nut is placed peripherally to the spigot;
• an annular pressure element adapted to be coaxially interposed between the ring nut and the spigot, the ring nut, upon screwing on the main body, interacting with the annular pressure element to exert a radial pressure on the end of the flexible hose once the end of the flexible hose is fitted on the spigot, so as to promote during use an expansion of the end of the flexible hose, the annular pressure element having an annular edge facing the abutment wall of the main tubular body;
• and
• a plurality of elongated spacer members interposed between the annular edge and the abutment wall to maintain reciprocally spaced apart the pressure element and the tubular main body, so as to define therebetween an annular seat adapted to receive the expanded end of the flexible hose,
• wherein the extendible flexible hose comprises:
• an inner layer made of a first elastic polymeric material;
• an outer layer made of a second elastic polymeric material;
• and
• a textile reinforcement layer interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer,
• wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are reciprocally coupled to form a unitary tubular element, the textile reinforcement layer being embedded therebetween,
• wherein the unitary tubular element has an elasticity causing the unitary tubular element to automatically elongate and enlarge under a working pressure imparted by a liquid flowing therethrough and to increase an original length and diameter of the unitary tubular element, the unitary tubular element automatically recovering once the working pressure stops to assume again the original length and diameter, and
• wherein the textile reinforcement layer is adapted to move between a rest configuration existing when no liquid flows through the unitary tubular element and a working configuration existing when the unitary tubular element is elongated and enlarged by the working pressure.

A system comprising:

• an extendible flexible hose to transport liquids, the flexible hose having an end;
• a connector for a reciprocal connection of an end member of a water supply or of a sprayer and the end of the flexible hose;
• wherein the connector comprises:
• a main tubular body defining an axis and having,
• a first end portion adapted to be coupled to the end member, and
• a second end portion that includes an elongated spigot adapted to be fitted within the end of the flexible hose and an abutment wall from which the spigot extends;
• a tubular shaped ring nut adapted to be screwed onto the main body so that the tubular shaped ring nut is placed peripherally to the spigot;
• an annular pressure element adapted to be coaxially interposed between the ring nut and the spigot, the ring nut, upon screwing on the main body, interacting with the annular pressure element to exert a radial pressure on the end of the flexible hose once the end of the flexible hose is fitted on the spigot, so as to promote during use an expansion of the end of the flexible hose, the annular pressure element having an annular edge facing the abutment wall of the main tubular body;
• and
• a plurality of elongated spacer members interposed between the annular edge and the abutment wall to maintain reciprocally spaced apart the pressure element and the tubular main body, so as to define therebetween an annular seat adapted to receive the expanded end of the flexible hose,
• wherein the extendible flexible hose comprises:
• an inner layer made of a first elastic polymeric material;
• an outer layer made of a second elastic polymeric material;
• and
• a textile reinforcement layer interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer,
• wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are reciprocally coupled to form a unitary tubular element, the textile reinforcement layer being embedded therebetween,
• wherein the unitary tubular element has an elasticity causing the unitary tubular element to automatically elongate and enlarge under a working pressure imparted by a liquid flowing therethrough and to increase an original length and diameter of the unitary tubular element, the unitary tubular element automatically recovering once the working pressure stops to assume again the original length and diameter,
• wherein the textile reinforcement layer is adapted to move between a rest configuration existing when no liquid flows through the unitary tubular element and a working configuration existing when the unitary tubular element is elongated and enlarged by the working pressure, and
• wherein the first and the second elastic polymeric materials are elastomers or thermoplastic elastomers, the unitary tubular element having a Shore A hardness measured according to ASTM D2240 (3″) of 30 ShA to 50 ShA.