US 5,181,750 A · Garden hose and couplings

Abstract

Improved male/female hose couplings for opposite ends of a hose are disclosed. Each of the couplings is injection molded from a strong plastic material such as polyvinylchloride, and includes coupling member having internal projecting and external coupling portions. The internal projection portion is diametrically sized for insertion into the hose bore and is chemically bonded to the hose. The external coupling portion of the male coupler is externally threaded. The female portion is internally threaded and also includes radially extending tabs to facilitate rotation. A strain relief device in the form of an extruded coil spring extends from the coupling and encircles the hose end, protecting the hose from fracture by repeated bending. In an alternative embodiment, the strain relief device takes the form of a thickened sleeve of softer material such as a plasticized vinyl, and is formed with a plurality of radially extending disks that limit the degree of bending movement of the hose end. Both strain relief devices also provide a handle function for the hose end.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An improved hose coupling for the end of a hose having an internal bore of predetermined size, comprising:

a coupling member comprising an internal projecting portion and an external coupling portion, the projecting portion being of predetermined axial length and diametrically sized for insertion into the bore of the hose end, the external coupling portion projecting externally of the hose end and including coupling means for joinder to a mateable coupling;
means for securing the coupling member to the hose;
and
a strain relief handle of generally tubular configuration sized to fit over the external surface of the hose and extending a predetermined distance along said hose from a point adjacent the external coupling portion of the coupling member, the strain relief handle member being constructed to permit limited bending of that portion of the hose over which it fits;
said strain relief handle member comprising a tubular body member and a plurality of spaced disk members extending radially outward from the body member, said body and disk members being formed from resilient, flexible material, with each of said disk members being relatively thin to permit individual resilient flexibility thereof.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Garden hose and couplings

Life of this patent

Garden hose and couplings

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18