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The present invention relates to a device operating handle for pipe joint locking rotating member, and also provided a connector provided with such a device.

In the connections of this type, the rotary member from locking, which can even be a single screw, is generally operated by means of a special key, to spigot or the like, does not always within reach and which may further straying rather easily. Furthermore, as there are several kinds of locking members, without always on place of the proper key.

A main purpose is to remedy these drawbacks and, for this purpose, it relates to an operating device of the aforementioned kind which is essentially characterized in that it comprises a ring designed to sandwich said locking member, and the internal shape of which is adapted in such a manner that the element is locked in rotation, this ring being provided with an operating handle hinged be folded flat in the axis of the fitting.

Preferably, the ring is made of plastic material and comprises a resilient tab formed that cooperates with two substantially perpendicular planar surfaces of the handle, also made of plastic, so that the last two stable positions of use which are respectively parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the joint.

Recess Such a device is inexpensive and can be very easily incorporated at each connection, even the connection pieces, avoiding the use of the key and all its disadvantages...

It should be noted further that by the resilient tab on the ring, the handle will not beating and is automatically, is swung down into the axis of the fitting, is in a position perpendicular for manoeuvring without any difficulty the respective latch member.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below by way of example, with reference to the attached drawing wherein:

-figure 1 represents, half in axial section and half in elevation,

a pipe joint equipped with an operating device according to the invention;

-figure 2 is a plan view of the locking member of the joint;

and,

-figure 3 is a plan view of the device according to the invention.

Figure 1 represents in fact only one coupling half, which is herein pull type and must be associated with another identical coupling half to form a complete connector. The coupling comprises, in a manner known per se, a tubular body 1 on which is mounted, free to rotate, a locking member 2 ring-shaped, with two inclined ramps 3 on its periphery. The tubular body 1 has at one end a tip 4, adapted to receive the end of a flexible hose 5, while its opposite end has two jaws 6 provided with inner inclined ramps 7.

The jaws 6 of each coupling half are adapted to engage on the locking member 2 of the coupling associated therewith through their respective inclined ramps, and is achieved by easily by rotating each locking member in the suitable direction can be easily securing, or disengage, the two halves of the connector. An annular seal 8 is provided on the front face of each of the tubular bodies 1, to seal the connection.

Thus that seen more clearly in Figure 2, the locking member 2 has on its periphery a number of asperities 9 which are normally utilized drive it, by means of a key pin. The coupling shown in Figure 1 is provided, according to the invention, an embedded device for manoeuvring directly by hand its locking member. This device is essentially constituted by a ring 10 plastic, enclosing the locking member 2 and which is provided with an operating handle articulated 11, also made of plastic.

As shown in Figure 3, the inner shape of the ring 10 is configured such that the locking member 2 is locked in rotation.

The ring has inner recesses 12 that receive the locking projections 9 of the locking member. It should be noted further that this ring 10 has pins 13 are adapted to engage in an annular groove 14 of the tubular body 1, to hold the ring in place on the locking member. This advantageously replaces the ring or spring ring which is generally used to limit axial displacement of the locking member in the conventional fittings.

The operating handle 11 is articulated about an axis 15, carried by the ring and is arranged normally to the axis of the spool, so that the handle is movable in a plane through the axis. The ring 10 is further provided with a resilient tongue 16, integrally molded, on which the handle 11 is likely to bear via two planar surfaces 17 and 18, arranged substantially at right angles. Therefore, the handle can beat freely and automatically, is folded flat in the axis of the fitting, as shown in solid line in Figure 1, it is in a perpendicular position shown in-dotted. In this position, the operation of the locking member is not difficult, which enables to perform the high speed connections and with no key. Outside periods of operation of the locking member 2, the handle 11 is naturally folded flat in the solid line position of Figure 1 and does then no particular gene.

The device according to the invention is therefore a highly convenient of use and can be very easily fitted to all types of connections, even the connection pieces, without having to modify the structure of the connectors.

Furthermore, as it is made of plastic, it is very inexpensive and therefore does not add appreciably price of the gasket itself.